Chapter 779: People Leading the Era (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 779: People Leading the Era (3)
The mana Mary and Heitona displayed was at a level that had barely surpassed the rudimentary stages.
However, the crucial point was that the flagbearers had only been training for about a month. Jin blinked, struggling to comprehend his siblings' rate of growth.
Such a feat should have been impossible for anyone who didn't possess talent on par with his own or Valeria’s.
[Since you are so well-acquainted with a mage's growth, Acting Patriarch, the flagbearers' achievements must be quite a surprise.]
“Is it possible that my sister and brother actually possessed genius-level talent for magic?”
[Surprisingly, all the flagbearers have quite excellent instincts for magic. However, they are not geniuses like you, Acting Patriarch.]
“Then…?”
[I have been transmitting the memories of my own experiences with magic to the flagbearers. You could call it a form of legacy.]
The legacies left by Hister record mages didn't just consist of memories; they could also pass down memories of mana and magic to their descendants.
“I thought that was only possible among fellow record mages.”
Jin had assumed that such benefits were reserved only for other Histers—specifically, those with "Complete Mana Bodies" like Valeria.
[When Valeria told me about the Hister family’s heritage sites, I wondered if I, as the root of that lineage, could do something similar. I conducted a few tests and discovered that it is possible to transmit my memories to pure-blooded Runcandels.]
There was a specific reason why it was only possible for pure-blooded Runcandels.
The "Memory Transfer" Ruet had discovered was made possible through her authority and the bond she had forged with Temar a thousand years ago. If the subject had no connection to Temar, the transfer wouldn't work, regardless of the method used.
Even if the pure-blooded Runcandels had never met Temar, they shared his blood.
Only those possessing the blessed bodies of the Runcandel line could receive memories from Ruet—much like how Jin had inherited Ban’s instincts through Fighting God Union.
Jin’s eyes sparkled throughout Ruet’s explanation.
“That is an incredible discovery, Head Butler. However, I doubt it comes without restrictions or costs.”
[Your intuition is sharp. First, performing a memory transfer is mentally exhausting. Furthermore, while the flagbearers learn the sensation of handling mana through my memories, they cannot replicate it perfectly. Their minds understand it, but their bodies cannot keep up. There are also quite a few gaps in the transferred memories.]
The same applied to Fighting God Union. When the synchronization rate reached its peak, one could use the sensations of a Creation-class being exactly as they were, but that wasn't the case when the rate was lacking. And as seen during the battle at the Altar of the Evil God, if the synchronization rate became too high, one risked losing their sense of self.
[I intend to continue improving the magic skills of all the flagbearers—excluding you—in this manner whenever I have time. Since the mana suppressed by the history manipulation is now being released all at once, they will soon be able to use quite destructive magic, provided their knowledge and instincts are sufficient… Ugh.]
Ruet staggered forward as if she were about to collapse.
“Head Butler!”
“Ruet, are you alright?”
Though she looked fine on the surface, Ruet was currently suffering from the most extreme overwork of anyone in Runcandel. Managing the duties of the Head Butler was taxing enough, but adding memory transfers on top of that was pushing her body to its limit.
[I am fine. It is true that I need rest and a recharge, just as you said, Acting Patriarch. Please excuse me for a moment.]
Ruet spoke as she threw the window wide open. She leaned her head out and took several deep breaths.
[Phew! I’m glad the weather is so refreshing. The clean air has revitalized me. I am fine now.]
“Surely you don't consider that a 'rest'?”
[Fairies can regain their vitality anytime, as long as they have wind and dew. It's how we were able to perform our recording duties day and night. At any rate, the flagbearers are now becoming magic swordsmen. We don't know when the final battle with our enemies will begin, but they must become stronger by any means necessary before then.]
No one knew when the war would start. Although there was a one-year non-aggression pact, it was merely a hollow agreement.
The great powers weren't attacking each other right now simply because no side had yet secured overwhelming strength. While Jin was now clearly the strongest person in the world—excluding Cyron—the same could not be said for his faction's overall power.
The world was currently in a state of unstable equilibrium. The moment one side made a move, war would inevitably break out.
Can we not just avoid war and maintain this era of peace?
Many people shared that thought. Jin himself would have seriously considered it if the other great powers simply wanted to cultivate and rule their own lands in peace.
But they desired to be the sole rulers of the world.
Jin only wanted to reach the pinnacle of his clan, but they sought to place all of humanity beneath their feet and reshape the world according to their whims.
In Jin’s eyes, both Zipple and Kinzelo would turn the world into a living hell, regardless of which one ascended to the throne.
That was why Jin stood in their way. To end the thousand-year war and ensure that strange things like Demon God Stones, Sun Gods, and Chaos vanished.
Reclaiming an ordinary world and enjoying a normal life within it alongside his loved ones—that was what Jin desired most of all.
[Now, shall we discuss the recent state of affairs? Based on the information we have, we are certainly making the fastest and most significant progress. You have effectively ascended to the position of the world's best swordsman, talent is flocking to us incessantly, and we have acquired various new technologies.]
“However, the enemies are far too quiet.”
[I agree, Acting Patriarch. No matter how much they fear you, there should have been at least one attempt to hinder us. Especially since you have taken provocative and unprecedented steps ever since the incident at the Altar of the Evil God.]
The former patriarchs manifesting through the Energy of Chaos, his unilateral decision to reveal the records from the Altar of the Evil God, and his exposure of Valeria's relationship with Zipple—these were all provocations. Zipple and Kinzelo, especially Zipple, had every reason to be offended. Yet, they were reacting passively, even considering how much of a threat Jin had become.
[I believe there is something else at play besides you, Acting Patriarch. Please take a look at these.]
Ruet spread reports across the desk. They contained details regarding the recent movements of Kinzelo and Zipple.
“Both Kinzelo and Zipple are primarily focusing on stabilizing their internal affairs.”
Both factions had unusually little contact with the outside world. Much like when the Holy Kingdom declared isolationism, they were not meeting with any neutral factions. This was in direct contrast to Runcandel, which was constantly recruiting neutral forces.
In a war between great powers, the strength of the remaining neutral forces rarely plays a significant role. The strongest neutral factions—such as the Secret Palace, Nameless, the Black King Corps, and the Ghost Captain—had already been recruited by Jin long ago.
[There is no reason for them to neglect the neutral factions to this extent. The correct judgment would be for them to make a move, if only to prevent those factions from being absorbed by us. The fact that they are staying still makes me think they are preparing something.]
“Preparing… Kinzelo must be focused on recruiting demons and searching for Lokia.”
At the mention of Lokia’s name, Ruet’s expression darkened for a moment.
[The high possibility that Sir Lokia is a traitor is still a great shock to me. I need to fully recover my memories of that era to know the truth, though her betrayal seems certain given the circumstances.]
“Orgal will share any related clues if they turn up, so let’s wait.”
[Yes, Acting Patriarch. As you feared after our last visit to the New Headquarters, Kinzelo is continuing to recruit demons. It is certain they have created a passage leading to the Demon World somewhere, but the location has not yet been identified. Shall I deploy more personnel?]
It wasn't the Mitra Great Desert, which Lanke had called a "playground," but Runcandel was still gathering information on that area as well.
“No, it's not like we're going to find and strike them immediately. Continue the investigation cautiously, as you are now. The reason Orgal acted like he was going to fight me that day at the New Headquarters was partly because he was in a bad mood… but it was also likely a warning to keep me from visiting recklessly. Now is not a good time to provoke them unnecessarily.”
[That he didn't want to show you their demon recruitment… that makes sense. It's only natural to hide one's strength.]
“However, the fact that he's willing to risk a fight with me just to hide his strength means he isn't confident yet. Let's grow our strength while we slowly and meticulously analyze their forces and the demons' combat power.”
[Understood. Since Shagal Bahma, whom you suppressed at the New Headquarters, is from the Clan of Illusion, I'll start by looking for information related to him.]
“Zipple still hasn't contacted us, even after we ignored their request to use the Purifier. Kelliark's condition must be so severe that the Purifier would be useless.”
[Yes. And while Zipple keeps releasing articles claiming we're inciting a new war after the incident at the Altar of the Evil God, they're doing nothing more than monitoring our primary means of transport. They haven't noticed anything regarding the Blacksmith’s Island at all.]
“Is there any evidence that their steel trade with Kinzelo was successful?”
[Yes. Zipple is currently purchasing steel from Kinzelo at a higher price than what you offered Orgal.]
“Instruct our informants in the Lutero Federation’s black market to keep acting as if we need steel. We'll put some stock on the market at a very high price, and we'll even have to purchase some of it ourselves to make it convincing.”
[Understood. And here, if you look at the most recent report, there is one peculiar detail.]
Jin’s gaze fell upon the report.
“Kadun has been frequently showing his displeasure?”
[Yes. For some reason, he's reportedly been throwing fits within the Federation quite often lately—so much so that even our spies, who haven't infiltrated deeply, are aware of it.]
“He’s always been a dragon with a rough personality and a tendency to act rashly, but for a report like this to come through, he must have some serious built-up dissatisfaction. Is it because Zipple isn't requesting the use of the Purifier for Kelliark more aggressively?”
The moment Jin said that, an informant suddenly rushed into the office.
“Acting Patriarch, Head Butler! A report has come in from the spies in the Federation.”
[Speak.]
“Three days ago, a massive explosion and vibration occurred near Zipple’s 1st Magic Tower! The cause is presumed to be combat!”