Chapter 638: Return to the Clan (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 638: Return to the Clan (7)
At that moment, in the skies near Kalon, fleets from various factions were converging, just as Jin had predicted.
And they all bore witness to the rapid transformation of the Garden of Swords.
Or rather, they saw a dark tide of Chaos spreading across the entire city of Kalon.
“This is insane… What in the world is that?”
Inside the captain’s quarters of the Kozec, the flagship of the Zipple 1st Fleet, Kadun slumped into his chair, unable to tear his eyes from the city. Hedo and Octavia, standing beside him, had similar expressions.
Ever since Ron had subjugated Gliek during the Sword Emperor Holy War, the creature’s remnants had been steadily encroaching upon the world with Chaos. However, they had never seen a region so thoroughly infested with it.
The sight made the Mitra Great Desert, a wasteland the great powers used as a dumping ground, feel like a pristine sanctuary in comparison. It was enough to make one believe that another of the Five Kings of the Black Sea had awakened within the city.
“To think the Garden of Swords was hiding this much power. And Runcandel is controlling all of it… Damn it, is the Prophet’s true identity really the Witch Heluram?”
The Chaos in Kalon manifested in a completely different way from typical contaminated areas. It wasn’t spreading haphazardly; it appeared perfectly refined.
Until yesterday, Runcandel was known among the great powers as the faction lagging furthest behind in Chaos control technology. Because of this, many commoners had recklessly judged Runcandel to be in decline, but they were utterly wrong.
In the eyes of the Zipple leadership, Runcandel was currently reaching its absolute peak.
The Chaos, coiled around the city like a giant serpent, continued to multiply incessantly even as they watched. Yet, that wasn't the only sight that was difficult to accept.
“Furthermore, those flames… they belong to the 12th Flagbearer.”
In the heart of the Chaos covering Kalon—specifically, the area where the Garden of Swords was located—a single blue flame stood out, piercing through the darkness.
Even from this distance, it was unmistakable. It was Jin Runcandel’s fire.
— And unless the 12th Flagbearer chooses the option of submitting to Runcandel alongside the Barmul Alliance, a battle within the Garden of Swords is inevitable.
— He will never make such a choice.
— Then we can use this opportunity to confirm Runcandel’s strength through their battle.
This was the conversation they had shared not long ago in the Tower of Stories.
But Runcandel’s power—and the strength of Jin, who was rampaging in their home base—far exceeded their expectations.
Feeling a chill run down his spine, Kadun turned his gaze toward Hedo.
“Hedo, you were right. If we hadn’t prepared for an all-out war as you suggested, we would have been completely blind to the terrifying power they were stockpiling.”
“If Runcandel had finished stockpiling to their satisfaction and then began wielding that power against us without warning… if we hadn't been sufficiently prepared then, I fear that day would have been our ruin,” Octavia added, agreeing with Kadun.
Hedo stared silently at Jin’s flames. Though they looked as small as a fingernail from this distance, he felt as if that Karma Fire could tear through the Chaos and incinerate them at any moment, should Jin desire it.
‘I don’t feel Murakan’s power, which Lord Kadun was worried about… Is he fighting alone in the Garden of Swords?’
Just as Lionel and Stam were experiencing Jin’s very being ascending in real-time, the three Zipple leaders were sensing the same thing.
“Lord Kadun.”
A mage entered the captain’s quarters.
“We have just confirmed the location of the Kinzelo fleet.”
Kinzelo’s fleet was approaching from the opposite direction. With Kalon at the center, the fleets of both powers were gradually closing in on Runcandel from either side.
“What is their scale?”
“Led by the 1st Fleet’s flagship, the Gruneil, five major fleets—including the Sion, Kiki, Alice, and Criul—have all been deployed.”
The Kozec, Kozec 2, Lucia, Andion, Pistro, and Arcadia. Zipple had likewise brought all of the clan’s strongest flagships and its 6th Fleet.
The world’s strongest and largest military forces had gathered in one place.
Soon, Kadun stood up as if he had made his decision.
“Inform Kinzelo immediately.”
Sensing the command, the reporting mage bowed his head deeply.
“Tell them to form a temporary alliance and strike the Garden of Swords together. Today, we shall destroy Runcandel alongside them…!”
The mage hurried out of the room.
Hedo, Octavia, and the tacticians didn’t bother asking what would happen if Kinzelo refused the proposal. They were certain Kinzelo would not.
Zipple and Kinzelo currently considered each other’s power to be roughly equal, which meant neither side could face the current Runcandel alone. The power gap wasn't something that could be dismissed with an 'we won't know until we fight.'
The power Runcandel displayed was something that could never be defeated unless they joined forces while the opportunity existed.
“However, there is one puzzling point. Why have they been hiding this power until now? Had they launched a full-scale war at any time, we would have found it difficult to hold out.”
Phew. Hedo exhaled a plume of cigarette smoke.
“Perhaps they judged they weren't yet capable of cleanly defeating us and Kinzelo individually. Or there are risks and constraints we don't know about. Or perhaps there was some sort of issue between Rosa and the Prophet.”
“To say they were merely being cautious… this display is far too overwhelming for that.”
“I’m uneasy about that as well, but we cannot simply retreat,” said Kadun.
“I agree, Lord Kadun. The 12th Flagbearer has started a civil war, and we can cooperate with Kinzelo. An opportunity like this will never come again.”
*
An hour later, the mage sent by Kadun reached the Kinzelo fleet.
Even then, the battle between Jin, Lionel, and Stam was still raging.
An hour ago, Jin’s Karma Fire seemed to be gradually piercing through the Chaos covering the Garden of Swords, but now, the Chaos appeared to be desperately struggling to suppress the flames.
Just like the Chaos energy stretching beyond Kalon and into Huphester, the Karma Fire was also continuing to grow in scale.
“Among those remaining in Runcandel, the only one capable of handling a battle of that caliber would be the Black Panther. Leader, I believe this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Since the Black Panther will be with the Prophet, the entire Chaos formation in the Garden of Swords will surely be dealt a blow once the battle ends.”
At Verakt’s words, Orgal shook his head.
[Verakt, it is not Rosa Runcandel who is facing the 12th Flagbearer.]
“You say it is not Rosa Runcandel?”
[The Prophet likely summoned the ancient swords of Runcandel, using the city’s residents as sacrifices. If Rosa Runcandel were directly participating in the battle, the Chaos coloring Kalon would have already shown signs of instability. All of that Chaos is spreading with Rosa Runcandel as the medium…]
The Leader was certain. Every single resident of Kalon, Runcandel’s city, had already become material for the transmutation of Chaos.
This time, even Bubar and Ainas couldn't spout their usual nonsense. The Chaos-soaked Runcandel instilled intense fear even in those fools.
“Hah, then you’re saying she can continue to summon warriors of that caliber in the future?”
[As long as there are enough materials… presumably indefinitely.]
“L-Leader. I-In that case… wouldn't it be best to accept Zipple’s proposal for a temporary alliance?”
[I intend to do so, Jo. Go at once and prepare the Artisan’s Masterpieces for deployment.]
“Understood!”
A brief silence followed Jo's departure.
— The Vice Captain’s opinion is correct. Zipple has likely formed a similar plan. If we and Zipple strike Runcandel together when both Jin and Runcandel have taken significant damage, it would be difficult for the Garden of Swords to withstand it, no matter how powerful it is now.
While Jo was away, Orgal recalled the words he had spoken during a recent meeting. Those words needed to be corrected.
[Today, even if we and Zipple join forces, it will be impossible to completely destroy Runcandel.]
“Is it that you don't want to finish off the Prophet, Master?”
[Zephyrin, you continue to act rashly.]
“Tch. If I can't act up in front of my Master, then who can I act up in front of?”
[Her life or death is not that important to me. What matters is that our position is slightly different from Zipple’s. We will conduct this war in a way that deals damage to both Zipple and Runcandel. We need to buy time by suppressing the power of both.]
“Of course, to make it not look obvious, we’ll have to be prepared to lose quite a lot ourselves, right?”
Orgal nodded at Margiella’s words.
[Furthermore, the second objective is the survival of Jin Runcandel.]
“What!?”
Zephyrin shouted in outrage, while Margiella’s eyes sparkled.
[Can you not see, even after witnessing that martial prowess? He is an unparalleled card to keep Runcandel and Zipple in check in the future. He must not die here.]
“And what if that Jin Runcandel eventually decides to finish us off, too?”
[Zephyrin.]
“Ugh, what? Why are you looking at me like that?”
[It seems you are afraid of him.]
Zephyrin snorted.
“Yes, I’m a little scared. Especially since a certain cold-hearted Master is only showing such a feeble side of himself.”
[Do not worry too much.]
“Fine, I get it. Now just help me save some face.”
[Zephyrin will take the vanguard. You may use as much of my power as you wish, so ensure you inflict irreparable wounds upon our enemies.]
The moment Orgal finished speaking, the sky stretching above the fleets of the great powers suddenly began to turn black. A woman's voice boomed from the heavens, as if a god were delivering a divine message.
[Zipple, and Kinzelo. For years, I've had to restrain myself from tearing you all to pieces, and it has been… unpleasant.]
It was the voice of Rosa Runcandel.
[But to defile my final reunion with my son… you shall pay the price. If you find it difficult to bear, I recommend you run away now.]
As soon as her words ended, a single massive vessel began to descend from the sky above Kalon, parting the black heavens.
[If you can, that is…]