Chapter 650: After the Shock (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 650: After the Shock (4)
March 4, 1803. Roughly ten days had passed since the battle at the Garden of Swords, an event the public had dubbed "The Great War."
The entire world trembled with a fear unlike anything it had ever known.
It had been less than three years since the five-year truce was signed, yet the great powers had launched an unannounced, all-out offensive on Huphester overnight. That alone was shocking enough.
But the fact that the battle’s de facto victor was Runcandel—and that Runcandel had colluded with Chaos to the point of contaminating all of Huphester—plunged the world into an even deeper terror.
(The Runcandel clan has announced that Matriarch Rosa Runcandel and Cyron Runcandel have fallen in battle in the Black Sea. The entity that slew the demigod has been revealed as a King of the Black Sea, implying that more beings like Gliek from the Sword Emperor Holy War exist…)
(The Black Panther, as the new Matriarch of Runcandel, has declared she will uphold her predecessor's will and subjugate the Kings of the Black Sea. However, she emphasized that unifying the world is her primary task.)
(Jin Runcandel attempted a rebellion by allying with Zipple and Kinzelo. Rosa Runcandel has stripped him of his Flagbearer status and declared him an enemy of the clan…)
(A world in upheaval: Is the Thousand-Year War coming to an end?)
Special reports poured out daily.
The newsletters originating from Huphester were particularly active. They were filled with praise for Rosa and condemnations of Jin as a traitor, but Jin actually felt a sense of relief at the black propaganda and agitation.
"It seems Rosa doesn't intend to wipe out every human on the planet just yet. The fact that she's bothering with propaganda means she still cares about public opinion."
Jin’s companions nodded at his words.
"As you say, it doesn't seem like Rosa intends to make an enemy of the entire world's population. I suppose being the sole conqueror wouldn't mean much if there were no subjects left to rule," Quicantel remarked.
"It might not be about ruling, but about securing sacrifices, Lady Quicantel," Jin countered. "When she used that massive Black Ship and the power of Chaos, the entire population of Kalon might have been offered as a sacrifice. That woman wouldn't care if everyone except for the Runcandels died."
"The ruler of a ruined world… So she's trying to gather more sacrifices—more humans—to prepare for her fight against us, Zipple, and Kinzelo?"
"That’s likely one reason, but…"
Jin’s gaze fell on the newsletter, specifically the part where it said, ‘Rosa will uphold Cyron’s legacy.’
"The remaining Kings of the Black Sea. Rosa’s claim that she will subjugate them is probably true. They are likely the greatest threat to the current Runcandel."
The Five Kings of the Black Sea.
Jin didn't know their exact number, but ever since the battle against Gliek, he had been aware that there was more than one. He had also suspected that they were the reason Cyron was so obsessed with the Black Sea.
"Could the Kings of the Black Sea be in league with the Prophet?"
"It’s possible. We’ll only know for sure once we confirm whether the Prophet is truly a Witch, and what the relationship is between the Witch—the First Chaos—and the Kings of the Black Sea."
Just as he finished speaking, Jet and Gilly entered the conference room.
"Young Master, the ships from Zipple and Kinzelo have entered our territory."
At three in the afternoon, the two great powers had arrived at Tikan for the summit.
"I'll have to hope they have some useful information. Did they keep their promise?"
"Yes, milord. Both factions brought only one flagship each. They didn't make any unreasonable demands for entry and are landing at sea, with only a few people coming ashore. Four from Zipple, three from Kinzelo. They must be truly desperate; I can't believe they'd come to our main base with so few people and no escort."
Just three years ago, the core figures of these two great powers would never have felt their safety was at risk, even in a group of three or four.
But now, they had to take a massive risk just to set foot in Tikan. This was partly due to Tikan's increased strength, but it was primarily because of Jin.
"They must be in a hurry. As are we."
Leaving the mansion, Jin and his party headed to the first floor of Tikan. Before long, they were face-to-face with the leaders of each faction.
As soon as Jin saw them, he furrowed his brow in disappointment.
"Why are you here? I requested to speak with the heads of your organizations directly."
The four people from the Zipple side removed their robes.
Octavia, Hedo, Sandra, and one person Jin was seeing for the first time in this life.
‘Ronil Zipple…’
Kelliark’s eldest son.
In his previous life, he was known as a brilliant individual whose talent among Zipple’s second generation was second only to Veradin’s. Gossip often categorized him as someone who failed to shine because he was overshadowed by Veradin and Luna.
‘Does this mean he was a hidden power within Zipple, like Octavia?’
Strictly speaking, Ronil was closer to an 'unknown variable' than a hidden power. Jin hadn't known in his past life, but even then, the leaders of each clan had considered Ronil a person of interest.
While intentionally being snide, Jin briefly took note of the strangely quiet Sandra. Unlike her usual self, she was looking at him with eyes devoid of emotion.
‘Has she learned to separate public and private matters? Surely this isn't the result of some Zipple experiment.’
Ronil bowed his head slightly.
"My father's illness has worsened, so I have come in his stead as the representative of the First Magic Tower. I ask for your understanding, Twelfth Flagbearer."
Though he stepped forward first, Ronil did not outrank Octavia. Jin realized he was handling the awkward situation on her behalf.
"Sir Jin, we brought our Leader himself! Haha. You could at least compliment us for it!" Margiella said, rolling her wheelchair forward.
Just as she said, Kinzelo had sent Orgal, Vishkel, and Margiella.
Jin didn't answer and met Orgal’s eyes.
"You look quite triumphant, Leader. As if I owe you a debt."
"Did it look that way? Helping you at the Garden of Swords was a choice made for everyone’s sake. I have no intention of asking for a specific price."
"That’s a relief."
"By the way, Jin Runcandel, you have a more delicate side than you let on. Did you call me 'Leader' because you thought Zipple wouldn't know my identity?"
"Hardly. I doubt the very people who manipulated your history are unaware of the name Orgal."
—If he is such a being, perhaps even Zipple themselves don't know they manipulated Orgal’s history.
—Even if Zipple knew, there’s a possibility that information didn't trickle down to someone like Myuron.
This was a conversation Jin had with his companions immediately after first learning the Leader’s identity.
Jin had been curious ever since. Did Zipple recognize the history manipulation they performed on Orgal, and if so, why?
From Jin’s perspective, it was a bizarre sight: the manipulators of history and the one whose history was manipulated, all in one place.
"Besides, weren't Kinzelo and Zipple quite close back when I was a Reserve Flagbearer?"
"We were, until you killed Andrei Zipple and destroyed the initial Demon God Stone. But Jin, Zipple only learned my name very recently. A bit later than you did."
"So the mighty Zipple has been trading with someone whose identity they didn't even know for that long."
"As long as we can give each other what we need, that’s enough. But are you planning to keep the conversation away from the purpose of this summit?"
The purpose of the summit was, of course, a temporary alliance to deal with Rosa’s Runcandel.
"I wonder, is this really off-topic?"
Jin smiled.
"Orgal, you'll likely gain even greater power once you're freed from that history manipulation. If so, shouldn't Zipple undo it now so we can face our common enemy, Rosa?"
He didn't truly believe that. He was just throwing it out there to test them.
At those words, Octavia, who had been suppressing her emotions the whole time, finally narrowed her eyes.
"Twelfth Flagbearer, that is a baseless accusation. We did not manipulate his history."
"Is that so?"
"Don't you think you’re being excessively rude after inviting us for a summit?"
"I don't think I need to hear that from the people who broke a truce the moment I returned to my clan. I understand your bitterness at losing so much strength instead of getting what you wanted, Wraith Captain."
"Ha, how dare you…"
Octavia had been displeased from the moment Jin sent his one-sided notification. From her perspective, no matter how much of a blow Zipple had taken, Tikan was not a place that could just order them around.
And to be treated with such disrespect on top of that… Even Hedo, who usually found Octavia and Kadun’s temperaments pathetic—especially when dealing with Jin—understood her reaction this time.
However, regardless of his understanding, he had to stop her.
But just as Hedo and Ronil were about to step in, Orgal spoke first.
"Restoring my power and then using me to deal with Rosa… Quite an interesting thought. But Jin, aren't you underestimating me?"
Orgal looked toward the Zipple delegation. His face was blurry and hard to see, but he seemed to be smiling.
"The current Zipple has never manipulated my history. It would be impossible for them. It was the Zipple of the past who bound me, and these people have no authority over the magic their ancestors cast. So you'd best set that idea aside."
"No authority?"
"Yes. The current Zipple would probably rather set me free. Unlike Rosa Runcandel, who is no different from a King of the Black Sea, I am at least the type one can talk to."
This was new information.
Octavia was gritting her teeth as if humiliated. Jin met Ronil’s eyes.
"Is this true?"
It seemed likely. But he couldn't completely rule out the possibility that it was a lie—that Zipple and Kinzelo had met beforehand and agreed to claim the method was lost, or that Zipple was hiding a possibility.
"...It is true, Twelfth Flagbearer. So I hope you will stop provoking the Wraith Captain. As she said, we are here to devise a countermeasure, are we not?"
However, Jin had a way to verify whether their words were true or not.
"Well, it seems I may have been a bit excessive. My apologies, since you’ve come a long way. Let’s head inside and talk over a meal."
"Thank you, Twelfth Flagbearer."
"However, there is one thing I must inform you of first. This is to ensure we can all speak openly, without a shred of falsehood…"
Jin slowly looked around at the assembled people.
"Today’s summit will be joined by the Contractor of Az Mil. The Contractor will personally verify every word spoken, and everything said will be recorded. If you do not agree to this, the summit is off."