Chapter 679: Chasing the Sword (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 679: Chasing the Sword (4)
The Barmul Alliance, the Garden of Swords, Zipple, and Kinzelo.
Jin had never imagined he would end up entering Temar’s sixth tomb alongside all of them.
From the possibility of meeting a living member of the old Runcandel clan to the sword taking flight and the current chaos—this tomb opening was defying his expectations at every turn.
Whirrrrrrr…!
Spirit energy continued to pour out of the sword, creating a massive vortex in the water.
Though obscured by the dark sea, structures and various mechanisms were rising from the seabed with every passing second. Crumbling fortress walls, shattered spires, and mysterious devices that looked like defensive equipment appeared one after another. The subspace contained within the sword was clearly not in its original state; it looked as if it had already suffered several rounds of destruction.
Despite this, an inexplicable sense of crisis sent a chill down Jin’s spine.
‘Is it because of the guardian?’
Except for the time he met Ruet Damiro Yul—a living figure from the old Runcandel clan whom he ‘could not remember’—Jin had been thrown into a life-or-death crisis every time he opened a tomb.
Once again, his entire body was screaming danger. The source of that signal wasn't the pursuit team from the Garden of Swords; it was coming directly from the seabed.
‘I fully recovered the spirit energy I used to open the tomb during the journey, so my combat readiness is fine.’
He decided to discard any assumption that the guardian would be able to distinguish friend from foe. It would likely attack indiscriminately. It seemed best to use that to his advantage and eliminate his enemies first.
‘The problem is Zipple and Kinzelo. To what extent should I protect them…?’
Jin shook his head at the thought.
‘They aren't children. I don't need to worry about them.’
If they had considered this a critical matter, they would have sent appropriately powerful personnel. Had this been an official operation for the temporary alliance, they would have requested support in advance, but this was much closer to Jin’s personal business.
In other words, they were the ones intruding on his affairs. While he had no reason to actively harm them, he certainly didn't need to go out of his way to protect them.
‘Besides, I can sense the energy of Bianca Caligo and Lanke Halovice from Kinzelo’s side. Even if Zephyrin can’t use her power, they’ll be able to protect themselves. As for Zipple, Kadun is still being treated, so Octavia or Ronil probably came. They’re more than capable of looking after themselves.’
The ships and dragons of the Garden of Swords, Zipple, and Kinzelo were drawing near. Jin fired a Light Speed Thrust toward the chaos dragons and the Black Ships. As the bolt of lightning-infused energy surged forward, the charging dragons and ships were incinerated, leaving behind only remnants of chaos.
The sea churned as if creating a new world, brilliant energy flared from the forces of each faction, and a single sword remained plunged into the center of it all.
While everything blended into a scene straight out of a myth, the guardians finally revealed themselves from the seabed.
No, not a guardian—guardians.
“My Lord, there are massive entities on the seabed…!”
Jin looked down.
Ominous red eyes, like a distant forest fire, stared up at the intruders. Bodies as massive as citadels wielded giant spears and shields that matched their majestic scale. These humanoid giants looked as if they were carved from solid rock that even Jin would struggle to cut.
Aside from Jin and Hedo, the rest of the group felt their bodies momentarily stiffen under the sheer pressure.
And there wasn't just one or two of them.
At a glance, over a hundred giants were preparing to slaughter the intruders. Their numbers were even increasing in real time. They didn't emerge from buildings or the ground; instead, their outlines would form in the water before taking physical shape a moment later.
[Those are… Grave Giants?] Quicantel gasped.
Grave Giants.
They were ancient weapons that had nearly put the Youngest's Division in grave danger back when Jin was just a cadet. The ones that had threatened the division back then were creations of Bubar Gaston, and Murakan had suppressed them instantly.
‘At that time, Murakan had barely recovered any of his strength. He shouldn’t have been able to suppress even one of them. Is the difference because these are the originals, not Bubar’s copies?’
However, judging by Quicantel’s reaction, that didn't seem to be the case.
“Lady Quicantel, you know about those things?” Valkas asked.
[I know them well. Our dragon race killed all the remaining Grave Giants two thousand years ago. It was a war that both Murakan and I participated in. But those Grave Giants down there… they are a different kind from the ones we destroyed.]
— Well, the God of Sculpture? That’s a name I’ve never heard before.
— It’s only natural you don’t know. He’s one of the gods who vanished from history, like Klam, whom we met in Colon. Well remained inside the tombs of the dead gods.
This was a conversation he’d once had with Murakan about the Grave Giants. As far as the dragons knew, Grave Giants were weapons created by ‘Well,’ the God of Sculpture. He had made them to protect the tombs of the forgotten gods and himself after he had been reduced to a mere human.
Quicantel’s expression contorted.
[Aria said earlier that this tomb didn't seem to be Solderet’s subspace, right?]
“Yes, because Solderet’s name didn't appear on the record windows.”
[It seems this place isn't Temar’s tomb, but a tomb of a dead god. It must be a different place from the tombs our dragon race dealt with.]
“Then it was originally a tomb of a dead god, but it might have been used temporarily as Temar’s tomb while his remains were being moved.”
[That’s likely… Ugh!]
Suddenly, Quicantel shook her head violently as if in pain. It was just like when Murakan reacted to his own manipulated and forgotten memories.
[The Ten Great Knight who decided to guard this place… he was someone related to the dead god who was the original owner of this tomb…!]
Recalling any more than that was impossible. Quicantel took a sharp breath, trying to steady her mind.
“We can just meet him and ask. We’ll find out what stories are tangled up in this tomb.”
“The fact that Lady Quicantel’s memories are starting to return is proof that a living member of the old Runcandel clan is inside, Jin,” Valeria said.
Jin nodded. “That’s quite a harvest, Tower Keeper. I have a favor to ask.”
“Your audacity knows no bounds, and it’s only getting worse. You’re asking me for a favor in a situation like this?”
“I’ll handle all the Grave Giants myself. So, don't just protect Sandra; look after my comrades as well.”
“No. I am leaving the moment I find my sword.”
Jin shook his head, a look of pity on his face. “Do so if you can. But I can read spirit energy. That sword is currently fixed so firmly that no one can pull it out.”
Jin pointed at the sword. He wasn't lying.
He was certain that even if he used all his spirit energy again, he wouldn't be able to pull out Hedo’s sword from the seabed. Furthermore, the blade no longer had the exceptionally long form Hedo was familiar with.
“My… my sword! What in the world is that bizarre shape?!”
“That’s probably the true form of your sword,” Valeria answered on Jin’s behalf, shrugging.
It would be more accurate to say that horns had sprouted from the blade. Hedo, who had heightened his vision, gritted his teeth as he saw small blades now protruding from both sides of the main one.
“12th Flagbearerrrrr!” Hedo finally exploded, letting out a scream.
In the past, he had frequently found himself in situations that deteriorated this badly, but this was the first time it had happened since meeting Sandra. No matter what crazy things Sandra did, Hedo had never been in a situation he couldn't control.
It was also impossible for him to just give up on the sword and escape. The subspace formed in the sea was at least ten li across. Being in the middle of the ocean, they couldn't just run away, and above all, the layers of the spirit energy veil were a problem. The veils showed no sign of disappearing and seemed intent on swallowing every intruder.
Already, some personnel from the Garden of Swords and Zipple were being sucked into the veils, their death screams echoing for a moment before vanishing. There was no need to imagine what happened to those absorbed by the veil; from the opposite surface, remnants of flesh, swords, and staves were pouring out.
This place was already hell.
“I am truly sorry. Since things have turned out this way, I can only suggest the best possible path forward. I will certainly apologize and compensate you once this is over.”
Jin wanted to apologize more properly, but with the Grave Giants beginning to move, he had to keep it short.
“Lady Quicantel, Sir Valkas, Tower Keeper. I leave my comrades to you. I’ll try to finish this as quickly as possible.”
“Hey, Hedo! He’s going toward those monsters by himself! Get in there and help him!”
“Uuuugh, graaaah!”
While Hedo made strange noises, barely holding onto his sanity, Valeria grabbed Jin’s shoulder.
“I’m going down with you, Jin Runcandel.”
“What?! Why you?!”
Of course, that wasn't Jin’s reaction, but Sandra’s. The other comrades were also puzzled. It was difficult to understand why Valeria was stepping forward into a fight that even Valkas couldn't participate in.
But Jin followed her lead without a second thought.
“I’d appreciate that.”
His past life’s Valeria might have, but the current Valeria was not someone who would throw her life away just because she was worried about him. Her stepping forward meant she was confident.
Valeria naturally reached out her hand to Jin. It was a simple gesture, meaning they should descend together to fight, but for Sandra, it made her blood boil.
“You, you… you bitch! What do you think you’re doing?! Stop it, stop! Ah, I-I’m dizzy!”
“Milady!”
In the end, as if she couldn't bear the sight, Sandra lost consciousness and collapsed—though Hedo still managed to catch her. Jin took Valeria’s hand.
It was his teacher’s hand, which he hadn't held in a long time. He felt the heavy burdens contained within those thin, fragile hands. Perhaps, in this life, he could help her carry them. No, perhaps they were already sharing them.
The thought came to Jin suddenly.
“Let’s go.”
As Jin and Valeria leaped from Quicantel’s back, the Grave Giants fired crimson beams as if they had been waiting.
Jin’s lightning and Valeria’s blue mana mixed together, illuminating the dark seabed.
The sense of crisis that had chilled his neck when the subspace first opened began to rapidly fade away.