Chapter 761: People to Find, Unexpected Clues (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 761: People to Find, Unexpected Clues (2)
Six more days passed.
Thanks to the Barmul Alliance’s disclosure of the battle records, the world was finally learning the truth of what happened at the Evil God’s Temple.
“…The deaths of Dipus Runcandel and Lin Milkano are being romanticized.”
In the Lutero Magic Federation, at the Tower of Stories, Octavia spoke as she scanned the newsletters spread across her desk. The papers were filled with articles detailing the newly released records.
— Dipus Runcandel places his hopes in Mary Runcandel and Jin Runcandel, accepting a portion of the Evil God’s power.
— May 22, 1803: Dipus Runcandel passes away along with a fragment of the Evil God’s authority. The Evil God is weakened.
The Runcandel writers, led by Dino Jagrun, made no explicit attempt to restore Dipus’s honor. They simply transcribed the records into articles, maintaining a detached, matter-of-fact tone.
This was because Mary had insisted on it.
As his closest sibling, she believed Dipus’s death should be mourned privately. No matter what his intentions were in placing his hopes in Jin, or what unavoidable circumstances he faced, the fact remained that countless people had died at his corrupted hands.
Nevertheless, the public began to see Dipus in a different light because of the phrase ‘placing his hopes in Jin Runcandel.’ While not everyone felt this way, he was no longer being treated as an unparalleled traitor.
The same applied to Lin Milkano’s betrayal.
Initially, Lin’s betrayal was unknown to the public and even to most members of the temporary alliance. Now, however, the truth was coming to light—that she had played the part of a villain for the sake of victory.
“Our journalists are trying to tarnish their image by focusing on Ran, Vigo, Myu, and Anne, but it won’t be easy to shift public sentiment,” Ronil said.
Furthermore, the stories of the resurrected patriarchs’ treachery and the valor of those who refused to fall to corruption were resonating deeply with the public. For the most part, every record released only produced favorable outcomes for Runcandel.
“On top of that, we weren’t even informed of Lin Milkano’s feigned betrayal. Even though the battle ended in our victory…”
As Ronil trailed off, Kadun ground his teeth.
“It’s blatant deception! That 12th Flagbearer, that damn brat played us! He went ahead with the information disclosure without a single word of consultation. Unbelievable. To stab us in the back like this? I could tear him limb from limb and still not be satisfied…!”
Veradin, who had been listening quietly to Kadun’s outburst, shook his head.
“Getting angry won’t solve anything, Lord Kadun. Please, calm yourself. This behavior is embarrassing.”
The moment Veradin finished speaking, a cold chill settled over the meeting room. Since becoming Kelliark’s guardian dragon, no one had ever rebuked Kadun so directly. Even Kelliark would only gently soothe him whenever he flew into an unnecessary rage or spoke nonsense.
“…What did you just say?”
“I’m saying that if you’re going to throw a tantrum that makes everyone uncomfortable, you need the competence to back it up. Do you have any way to pressure Runcandel and the Barmul Alliance right now? Can you suppress them with your individual martial might?”
Kadun glared at Veradin. Since regaining his senses, Veradin was drifting further from the man Zipple once knew, and even further from the puppet they had tried to create through mind control.
“Young Master, even your father did not treat me so lightly.”
“So what? Is there a reason I should emulate my father’s treatment of you? I don’t believe anything I said was incorrect.”
“Veradin!”
“Refrain from these useless emotional outbursts that disrupt the meeting. It only makes you look pathetic to allies and enemies alike. Carry yourself with the dignity expected of the family’s guardian dragon. I believe I’ve said something similar to you before.”
Just as Kadun was about to shout something back, Octavia and Ronil moved to restrain him.
“If you don’t approve of my methods, then find a way to cure my father immediately. Once he is recovered, I will gladly show you more respect.”
Bang!
Kadun smashed the table and stormed out of the meeting room.
“Brother Ronil, after the meeting, give Lord Kadun a warning. Tell him if he walks out like this again, he won’t have a seat here in the future.”
“…Understood.”
“Has there been a response from the Barmul Alliance regarding the use of the Purifier?”
— I also need Kelliark’s strength for the final battle. It is unpleasant, of course, but if the Purifier is improved before then, and if Kelliark Zipple’s strength is absolutely necessary at that time, I will allow its use on him.
Those were the words Jin had spoken during the temporary alliance summit. Zipple had requested the use of the Purifier from Runcandel as soon as the war ended.
“Not yet. There has been no response at all.”
“It seems they have no intention of complying.”
“Should we make a more forceful request?”
“No, that’s enough. My father’s corruption is likely beyond what their Purifier can treat anyway. It’s better to find another way. Assign that task to Lord Kadun as well.”
“…Veradin. No, Young Master. I don’t think it’s wise to mistreat Lord Kadun so excessively. Runcandel and the Barmul Alliance are uniting firmly now that the war is over. Is there any reason for us to create internal rifts?”
“Wraith Captain, for the sake of our own unity, the Federation needs Lord Kadun to be competent. That applies to all of us in leadership, myself included. The other side has a clear focal point in Jin Runcandel.”
“I trust your intention isn’t merely to break Lord Kadun’s spirit to assert your authority over your subordinates.”
“I should consider that as well. If Lord Kadun becomes humbled, it would serve as proof of my leadership to the family and our subordinate forces.”
“Young Master.”
“Enough. Let’s end this discussion here. Wraith Captain, consult with the tacticians and find a way to disrupt Runcandel’s momentum. Rather than using the deceased Ran, Vigo, Myu, and Anne, it would be better to frame the narrative around how Jin Runcandel is provoking a new war immediately after the Evil God’s Temple incident. He is, in fact, provoking us and Kinzelo quite brazenly.”
“…I understand.”
“We’ve received reports that a shipyard is being constructed near Hairan’s 2nd Castle in the Empire. Octavia, keep a close eye on that and monitor their movements. Steel will likely be their biggest shortage, so keep tightening the noose to ensure that problem isn’t solved.”
“We’ve halted steel exports from the Lutero Federation and are inspecting all transport in the vassal states, neighboring neutral nations, and Huphester. As you said, they seem to be struggling.”
“We can’t be complacent. There’s a high probability they have a hidden source. It’s either the Minche Blacksmith Association… or Kinzelo.”
“We are keeping a constant watch on the Minche Association. We haven’t intercepted any transport ships from Huphester, the Barmul Alliance, or the Empire entering or leaving their territory. Besides, the 12th Flagbearer wounded their pride by leasing out weapons they made without permission. They won’t help him easily.”
“What about Kinzelo?”
“This morning, Casimir Alfrion from the Barmul Alliance visited their new headquarters.”
“It will be difficult to track any transport that uses their Leader’s dimensional gates.”
“I will meet with them and see if a deal was struck.”
“Whether a deal was made or not, offer them better terms than the Barmul Alliance. Sway the trade to our side.”
The meeting concluded after a few more items were discussed. Once everyone had left, Veradin sat quietly in the empty room for a long moment.
…Pressuring Lord Kadun was necessary, but perhaps I went too far.
In truth, Veradin had felt his emotions becoming harder to control recently. Provoking Kadun had been a calculated move, but his words had come out more aggressively than intended.
Is it because of my father, or the authority I gained from the mana traces? It’s not easy to control.
Soon, Veradin slowly made his way to the top floor of the tower.
“…Father.”
He placed a hand on Kelliark’s body-maintenance device. Inside, Kelliark’s entire body had turned pitch black. The physical mutations had already progressed to a point where regeneration was impossible with the current Purifier.
“Soon, I will get you out of there. At that time, perhaps…”
Veradin leaned his face closer to the device and whispered the rest.
“I shall take my leave now. Rest in peace.”
As Veradin stepped outside, Kelliark quietly opened his eyes. With pupils as lifeless as black stones, he stared at the door Veradin had just exited for a long, long time. Every now and then, his fingers trembled.
* * *
For the past six days, Jin had been meeting with the kings and lords of Huphester, the patriarchs of allied families, and new immigrants, offering them encouragement.
Construction of the shipyard in the Sword Emperor’s Land was also proceeding smoothly. Knowing that steel was needed for the shipyard’s construction itself, the blacksmiths of the Minche Blacksmith Association had already begun sending it via Bailam.
Veradin hadn’t even considered transport by Bailam. Even as the Zipple clan held their meeting, Bailam was tirelessly moving steel, looking as if it were on a casual stroll.
Casimir’s visit to Kinzelo’s new headquarters was a feint, much like the shipyard being built near Hairan’s 2nd Castle. Casimir had deliberately proposed a steel trade to Kinzelo and been rejected. The rejection was only natural, as his offer to buy steel at a price far above market value was so blunt and desperate that it was clearly not genuine.
While the shipyard near Hairan’s 2nd Castle would see use once completed, the true core of the Alliance’s naval production was the secret shipyard in the Sword Emperor’s Land.
After receiving reports on all related matters, Jin returned to the Caldran Snowy Plains with Valeria and Vail.
[You’ve come, Youngest. It’s good to see Sir Vail and Miss Valeria again as well… Miss Valeria, I apologize for before. As you know, I wasn’t in my right mind.]
“It’s fine.”
After the brief exchange, Valeria accessed the records of what the unnamed woman had said. Fortunately, they appeared immediately, without any glitches.
— Luntia Runcandel refuses the contract with Lokia Ganesto.
— “If Cyron Runcandel returns as he is, your younger brother will not be able to handle him. Not without my help. Never.”
For a long time, the group could not tear their eyes from the passage.