Chapter 756: Those Who Remain (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 756: Those Who Remain (6)
The next day, in the former capital of the Viment Empire.
Jin’s public address had been underway in the plaza for quite some time.
Hours had already passed simply reading the names of the fallen and paying them tribute. Yet, even under the scorching sun, with not a single awning for shade, no one in the massive crowd left their spot.
Many wept in silence. Some cried for those slaughtered by the Evil God, some for the warriors who had died fighting, and others from the overwhelming realization that they had survived to see another day.
“…This concludes the memorial service.”
Behind Jin, the banners of each faction and family were raised to half-mast. He turned for a final look, offering a long moment of silence toward the flags.
Now, it was time for the official statement.
“As of today, the temporary alliance between the Barmul Alliance, Zipple, and Kinzelo—formed to oppose the Evil God—is officially dissolved. Each faction will now return to its original relationship.”
It was no secret that new clouds of war were gathering on the horizon.
“Before the final battle against the Evil God, Runcandel, Zipple, and Kinzelo entered into an agreement. It is a limited non-aggression pact, stating that we will not attack one another for at least one year after the war’s end. Here today, I pledge that Runcandel will never be the first to break that agreement.”
Standing behind him, Ronil and Zephyrin couldn't help but analyze Jin’s words.
What is Lord Jin’s intention, publicly declaring he won’t break the pact in a place like this? Is he testing us?
There’s no way Sir Jin would reveal a weakness. This isn’t a ploy to secure a justification for war… it feels more like a warning. A threat, even.
The Fighting God, Ban, and Murakan.
Whether or not Jin could still summon them was the greatest concern for Zipple and Kinzelo. Until they knew for sure, neither faction would dare threaten Runcandel.
Jin, on the other hand, didn’t need to walk on eggshells.
“Furthermore, Runcandel intends to release all records regarding the war against the Evil God to the public. This will be done with the help of the Record Mage, Valeria Hister.”
At those words, the Zipple officials, including Ronil, barely managed to suppress their bewildered expressions.
The plaza buzzed at the mention of ‘Record Mage’ and ‘Hister.’ Those who understood the weight of those names—and even those who didn’t—were suddenly consumed by curiosity.
“Mage Valeria Hister participated in this war as part of the Barmul Alliance and has organized nearly all records of the conflict. Valeria.”
At Jin’s call, a figure in the crowd with her hood pulled low stepped onto the podium. As she removed her hood, her fiery red hair and undisguised face were revealed.
“I am Valeria Hister. As the last survivor of the Hister family, I am capable of using Record Magic, as you see here.”
Vrrrrm…!
As Valeria waved her Silver Pine Staff, a massive Record Window materialized beside the podium. It was densely packed with text, detailing the war against the Evil God.
“That’s magic?”
“I’ve heard of it. They say there was a family that used magic like that until a few hundred years ago…”
The crowd’s gaze was fixed on the Record Window.
Zipple had naturally assumed Jin would continue to keep Valeria’s existence a closely guarded secret. Information, after all, was most valuable when it was exclusive. Above all, they believed Jin had nothing to gain by revealing her to the public.
However, Jin thought differently.
When I lacked power, I had to hide her at all costs. That’s no longer necessary. Judging by their flustered faces, they didn’t expect this at all.
Even after witnessing the terror of Jin’s power during the war, Zipple was still partially stuck in their old ways. They still operated under the assumption that Jin was the one who had to hide things from them.
“As I am the sole survivor of the Hister family, I cannot maintain this Record Window indefinitely,” Valeria announced. “The records will remain open for one week starting today. That should be enough time for the contents to be transcribed and spread throughout the world.”
“Sir Jin, and Miss Valeria Hister! Why are you suddenly revealing the existence of a Record Mage?” a reporter shouted. He was, of course, one of Dino Jagrun’s men, and the question had been planned in advance.
“This was a war where the entire world joined forces,” Jin replied calmly. “I judged it only right that all information be disclosed with full transparency.”
“Was this agreed upon with the other families in the temporary alliance?”
“It was not. However, is this a matter that even requires an agreement? I believe this disclosure is a natural duty. That is all. I will take questions from reporters after the statement is finished. Valeria, please continue.”
“Yes, Young Master. Furthermore, Runcandel and the Barmul Alliance have decided to share all value obtainable through Record Magic with the world. This includes social development through the discovery of lost techniques, the restoration of lost history, and the tracking of international crimes.”
For thousands of years, Zipple had undeniably led the world’s ‘progress.’ Even the simple magic lamps found in every home were products developed by Zipple. It was no exaggeration to say that every daily necessity with the word ‘magic’ in its name came from them.
But Valeria’s words implied that Runcandel and the Barmul Alliance could now usurp that role.
Is that really possible?
It was a question anyone might ask, yet the crowd voiced no doubts. The one making the assertion was Jin Runcandel, the Young Master of the sword clan. The weight of the reputation he had built was now making itself felt.
“However, as I mentioned, I am the last mage of Hister,” Valeria continued. “Since I am but one person, there are limits to what I can do. Furthermore, until the war against the Evil God, I was pursued by a certain group for a long time, so the work of restoring my family’s magic was inevitably delayed.”
Was the expression ‘a certain group’ a final courtesy?
Just as Ronil broke into a cold sweat, wondering if she was offering some final consideration, Valeria coolly spoke the name.
“The name of that group is Zipple.”
This time, the crowd’s gaze shifted to the Zipple officials.
“Between Hister and Zipple, there exists a long, dark history that I cannot fully explain here. However, speaking as a comrade-in-arms who fought alongside you against the Evil God, I ask the Zipple family to please let me go now. If Zipple relinquishes its greed for Hister, I, too, shall forget the past.”
Of course, she didn't mean a word of it. Even if Zipple truly gave up on Hister, Valeria’s resentment would not fade in the slightest. Her words were merely a weapon to tarnish Zipple’s name, because they could never accept her offer.
Refuse, and they would look like villains. Accept, and they would be making a promise they couldn't keep in front of the entire world.
In the end, Ronil sighed and chose the former.
“We cannot accept Miss Valeria’s proposal. This does not seem like the appropriate place to discuss such a sensitive matter. However, I wish you the best of luck.”
Jin watched Ronil’s response and thought to himself, If it were Veradin, he would have challenged her to use Record Magic right now and prove her words about forgetting the past were true. That would have put us on the defensive. A disappointing response, Ronil Zipple.
Valeria nodded. “I understand. However, as the gentleman said, this is not an inappropriate place. I have just announced the position of Runcandel and the Barmul Alliance regarding myself to Zipple. Regardless, if it felt rude, I apologize.”
Faced with such brazen provocation, Zipple and Kinzelo struggled to get a read on the situation. They were utterly confused. Could Jin truly wield the full extent of the power he had shown during the war, or not?
He says he’ll keep the non-aggression pact, then throws a jab like this… Either way, he’s confident.
…It’s a good thing I didn’t bring Lord Kadun. Voices would have been raised.
Valeria stepped back behind Jin.
“Though we may have shown a somewhat unpleasant side just now, please rest assured that all members of the former temporary alliance plan to work together to purify the contaminated areas left by Gliek. This concludes Runcandel’s statement. Finally, I offer my gratitude to everyone here, and to all our comrades from the war who could not attend. I shall take my leave now.”
Jin bowed to the crowd.
This, too, was a sight that could never have been found in the Runcandel of old. Because of it, people felt that the current Runcandel was a family that placed itself lower than ever before, yet at the same time, was stronger than ever.
As Jin stepped down from the podium, applause and cheers erupted. Reporters scrambled to chase after him and Valeria.
* * *
While the attention of the reporters and the crowd was fixed on Valeria, Jin quietly slipped away from the capital.
He headed for the official capital of the Empire—the former site of Sword Emperor Castle, now renamed the ‘Land of the Sword Emperor.’
As soon as Dante became Regent, he had moved the capital here, but it was a purely symbolic gesture to honor Ron. The Land of the Sword Emperor was a place where neither human nor animal could live, let alone house administrative facilities, due to the lingering energy of chaos.
At least, that was what the public believed.
“Dante.”
At Jin’s voice, Dante turned and smiled.
In front of him was an orb of light left by Ron, and the words the two of them had once carved together with their swords.
Sword Emperor Ron Hairan. Here, he became the light of Hairan, and the light of the world.
“You’re here, Jin.”
Jin took the cup of wine Dante handed him, carefully placed it before Ron’s light, and offered a silent prayer.
But the two of them had not met here today solely to honor the fallen.
“The land is being purified much faster than we thought,” Jin remarked.
“My grandfather must be watching over me.”
The Land of the Sword Emperor, which was known to hold the largest remnants of Gliek’s chaos, had in fact already recovered enough for people to move about freely. Currently, Jin and Dante were the only ones who knew this. To the outside world, the territory was still enveloped in a terrifyingly massive shroud of chaos.
“It must have been a difficult decision. Are you really okay with this?” Jin asked.
“It wasn’t difficult at all,” Dante replied. “I made the decision the moment I confirmed the land was purifying so quickly. My grandfather would have wanted this as well.”
Dante’s decision was this:
To use the purified Land of the Sword Emperor as a secret shipyard for the Barmul Alliance’s fleet.