Chapter 763: People to Find, Unexpected Clues (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 763: People to Find, Unexpected Clues (4)
Kinzelo headquarters was instantly thrown into a state of emergency.
It was only natural. Even if Jin had no such intention, the fact remained that if he had come for a surprise attack, the headquarters could have been reduced to ashes in an instant.
Combat beastmen and demons poured out, blowing trumpets to signal an intrusion. Some even drew their weapons and leveled them at him, but like the Red Tiger Tribe gatekeepers before them, most didn't dare to actually swing.
Jin didn’t miss the fact that there were demons among them he hadn't seen at the Land of the Malevolent God.
Did they already replenish their demon forces after that battle? Or were these troops they kept hidden back then?
He saw a few demons who gave off a fairly formidable impression. Had this been the Jin of a few years ago, they were powerhouses he would have struggled against, or perhaps even been unable to defeat.
Of course, to the current Jin, they were hardly a threat, but they could still pose a significant one to his less powerful allies. Furthermore, there was a high possibility that these demons possessed special abilities like super-regeneration or dark magic.
Naturally, the looks they’re giving me for showing up unannounced aren't exactly friendly. If the opportunity arises, it wouldn't be a bad idea to test their skills for my comrades’ sake. I almost hope a few of them are stupid enough to challenge me.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, a demon with glaring eyes blocked the path of Jin’s group. His physique, comparable to that of the White Wolf Tribe, and his massive axe were quite impressive.
Jin almost thanked him out of sheer appreciation for his timing.
"Jin Runcandel, what is the meaning of this?" the demon shouted, looking ready to pounce at any moment.
"What have I done?"
"I heard the temporary alliance the Leader made with you has ended. Yet you show up at headquarters without permission and demand to see him? Do you think this is reasonable behavior?"
His words were entirely logical, leaving no room for rebuttal, but Jin simply shrugged.
"Your Leader and I are on good enough terms to share a cup of tea whenever we please."
"Don't play word games with—!"
"Enough."
Another demon stepped in front of the hulking one. Dressed in elegant attire with calm eyes, he exuded an aura far more dangerous than the giant.
"He is not someone you can handle. Step back."
"Understood."
As the giant retreated, the demon met Jin’s eyes.
"I am Shagal of the Bahma family."
The four great ducal houses of the Demon World: Rontelgius, Caligo, Halovice, and Bahma. Shagal was the First Prince of Bahma.
"Ooh, Prince Shagal! Kill that bastard quickly!"
"That’s right, Brother Shagal! Smash him to a pulp!"
Bubar and Ainas, who had been hiding nervously behind Jin’s group, shouted. Shagal ignored them and continued.
"I have been curious about you for some time, so it is a pleasure to finally meet. If you don't mind, may I request a spar? With the Patriarch of Runcandel absent, they say you are effectively the first sword of the human world. Some even say that if you borrow the power of the Pluto Tribe’s Fighting God, you might be the true first sword in existence."
Shagal drew the sword at his waist without even waiting for Jin’s answer.
"Who says that?"
"Everyone."
"I see. And what is your standing in the Demon World?"
"The first sword of the Demon World."
"I doubt that."
"...Let’s just say I’m a swordsman within the top ten who aspires to be the first. Regardless, the Leader is currently in a meeting. I’d like you to keep me company until it concludes."
It seems the Demon World has its fair share of dimwits too, Jin thought, nodding in understanding. Shagal wore a faint smile, as if urging Jin to draw his sword.
"Sir Jin, I am ready."
"Then you can start. Surely you aren't asking for a lesson and then expecting me to make the first move."
Shagal’s eyes widened. Jin’s two swords were still sheathed at his waist. The gathered beastmen and demons waited for Shagal’s response in tense silence.
"This makes me even more expectant."
Whoosh!
Suddenly, Shagal vanished from Jin’s sight. It wasn't just that he was fast; his body was instantly scattering into gray smoke.
Dark magic? Or a type of Authority?
Shagal, now smoke, was already thrusting his sword from behind Jin.
Sssst!
Jin spun and swung his fist, deflecting the incoming blade. The impact broke Shagal’s posture, exposing a fatal opening.
The fist that had parried the sword changed its trajectory mid-swing and shot toward Shagal’s face. A sound like shattering iron should have rung out, but the fist only struck empty air.
It’s closer to an Authority. Reminds me of Ozdok. He was also immune to physical attacks, but he couldn't help but be exposed to damage when he himself was attacking.
However, Jin had already anticipated the moment Shagal reformed to his left. He drove a deep kick into Shagal’s ribs before the demon could even react.
"Ugh!"
Jin then grabbed Shagal by the scruff of his neck and slammed him into the ground. Shagal immediately turned to smoke to create distance. His ribs were caved in, and his face was covered in dirt.
"Don't put so much faith in cheap tricks."
Jin straightened his clothes as if he had no intention of continuing.
The spar had ended in less than three seconds.
"And when facing a stronger opponent, always give it your all. Was that enough of a lesson?"
Shagal blinked blankly.
Of course, Shagal hadn't expected to defeat Jin. Based on what he had heard from Orgal and the Kinzelo Leader, it seemed that for a demon to defeat Jin, one of the Great Dukes—including his own father—would have to step in personally.
But he hadn't expected to be suppressed this quickly. He had anticipated at least being able to put up a proper fight. As Jin said, his fatal mistake was becoming complacent and over-reliant on his Authority.
"Sha—Brother Shagal! You aren't going to admit defeat already, are you?"
"Prince Shagaaal! No, don't tell me Prince Shagal is also on the same level as Lanke!"
Shagal shot the two a brief look of contempt before nodding toward Jin.
"...I shall take your words to heart."
Because the spar had ended so quickly, Jin still had to wait for Orgal’s meeting to finish.
Shagal personally escorted Jin’s group to a guest room. Despite losing face, he didn't show any signs of agitation or resentment.
"By the way, Shagal."
"What is it?"
"There should be a give and take. Since you learned a lesson from me, I’d like to ask a few things I’m curious about."
"Is it not enough that I overlooked your unannounced and rather rude arrival?"
"It’s not. By your own words, you just received a lesson from the man closest to being the first sword of the human world."
Shagal pondered for a moment before nodding, concluding that Jin’s point was valid.
"That makes sense. What are you curious about?"
"I heard that after the Holy Kingdom Defense War, the Demon World suffered damage close to total annihilation. Are there still many powerhouses like you, Bianca, or Lanke left?"
"The Demon World is not one."
This was news to Jin.
"What does that mean?"
"I will stop my answer there."
"What if I teach you more about the sword?"
"I’ll pass, Sir Jin. Let’s just have some tea. It’s a rare blend."
Seeing Shagal’s firm stance, Jin didn't press further.
It is not one, huh...
That statement could be interpreted in many ways. It could mean the Demon World wasn't unified, or it could mean it was divided into multiple dimensions. Not much had been known about the Demon World in the human realm since the Holy Kingdom Defense War.
—Yes, the demon holy relic kept by our Holy Kingdom, Zito’s Eye, has been showing ill omens recently.
—Zito’s Eye?
—The name Zito will likely be unfamiliar to you. He has never been active in the human world, and even in the Demon World, few know his name. Even after becoming the Holy King, I couldn't find many records regarding Zito’s Eye.
—[To answer your question, cough. Zito is a figure who is nothing short of a disgrace to us demons. However, to me, he is no different from a master.]
Jin recalled the conversations he’d had with Rani and Orgal before the battle at the Land of the Malevolent God.
"It sounds like the Demon World ruled by your Leader, Orgal, and the realm where Demon King Zito reigned are separate. Is it just a territorial separation, or are they different dimensions?"
He was just fishing for information, but Shagal was so startled that he spat out his tea.
"Cough, hack!"
"Is it that shocking?"
Orgal had not informed the other demons that Jin knew about Demon King Zito.
"Ahem, you certainly have an extraordinary talent for surprising people, Sir Jin... It looks like the strategists are coming out; the meeting must be over. Go see the Leader. I hope we can have a better fight next time."
As Shagal fled the room, the group made their way toward Orgal.
[You’ve come, Jin Runcandel, Mage of Hister. And Vail, it is a pleasure to see you.]
"Don't act friendly. I don't like you," Vail replied.
[I am in a foul mood today, Jin Runcandel. So, there had better be a justifiable reason for you showing up at our headquarters without any notice.]
Vail had answered, but Orgal directed his displeasure toward Jin.
"And if there isn't one?"
[Then I shall draw my sword. And you will have to draw yours as well.]
"You’re saying some scary things. I came to propose different terms for the steel trade that failed last time."
[If that is all, then one of us will not be leaving here in one piece tonight. So, I will hear the terms of the steel trade after we've concluded our other business.]
Orgal looked truly ready to draw his sword. His hand was already resting on the hilt.
The scenery of what had been a meeting room just moments ago even shifted into a golden subspace. Orgal had used his Authority to prepare a battlefield. Though a flash of bewilderment struck him at the unexpected development, Jin looked at Orgal calmly.
He’s not just in a bad mood; he’s furious. What could have happened to make Orgal—the most prudent man in Kinzelo, a group full of lunatics—this angry? It couldn't be because of my public announcement.
He wasn't afraid, but now was not the time to fight him.
However, depending on how much value the bait Jin had prepared held for Orgal, a battle could still very well break out.
"Lokia Ganesto."
[...What?]
"I came because I was curious why that traitor from a thousand years ago wants the resurrection of the Sun God just as much as you do."
Slowly, Orgal’s hand moved away from his sword hilt.