Chapter 85: Defeat Alisa! (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 85: Defeat Alisa! (1)
In early August 1795, the Zipple Clan officially announced the deaths of Vice-Patriarch Andrei and the Wind Dragon Buretta through their official publication.
However, despite being an official announcement, they did not clearly state the cause of death. Even the date and time were replaced with mere estimates. The names of Jin’s party and Quicantel, who were directly involved, were nowhere to be found.
It was a monumental event.
Other great powers, including Runcandel, Viment, and the Secret Palace, watched the situation with bated breath as countless rumors spread among the public.
Some said Andrei had been purged after losing a power struggle within Zipple. Others claimed he had fallen in a duel against his arch-rival, a Great Mage known as 'Cold Jo'. Some even whispered that he had offended the Emperor and been eliminated by the Viment Imperial Guard.
However, the most prevalent rumor was that Runcandel’s Flagbearers had killed him. There were also theories that Palace Master Talaris Endorma had carried out an assassination, but they failed to gain much traction.
Of course, Andrei’s official place of death was a deserted island in Viment, and at the time, most of Runcandel’s Flagbearers were on standby at the Garden of Swords. Furthermore, neither Zipple nor Viment was aware of Luna’s presence on the island.
But to the public, such facts didn't matter.
A hypothesis more thrilling than the truth is what truly earns the right to be believed.
Will Runcandel now begin its full-scale conquest for world hegemony?
For a while after the announcement, such debates never ceased in the taverns frequented by commoners.
The sword and magic.
Which of the two was stronger?
The people believed that Runcandel and Zipple would finally begin an all-out war. In their hearts, they were already convinced that Runcandel was the one who had assassinated Andrei.
It wasn't just the commoners; this matter was of unprecedented interest to certain noble families and military factions as well. This was especially true for the small and medium-sized powers that belonged to none of the great blocs like Runcandel, Zipple, or Viment.
Until now, they had maintained a 'neutrality' much like the Secret Palace, but unlike the Secret Palace, they lacked the strength to protect themselves in a crisis.
Therefore, they now felt the need to side with either Runcandel or Zipple. If the sword and magic went to war, the minor factions in the gray zone would be nothing more than leaves swept away by a torrential current.
Surprisingly, these neutral factions sought out the sword more often than not.
More neutral powers flocked to Runcandel than to Zipple, which had, until now, been regarded as the world's strongest.
"Patriarch, today the Crown Prince of the Schuteron Kingdom and five second-class mercenary groups have requested Runcandel’s protection. Ever since Andrei’s death, requests for protection have been flooding in daily. The power of rumor is truly terrifying."
Heinz, Runcandel’s Head Butler, had been delivering similar reports to Cyron for four days straight.
"Tell them we will accept their requests, but return all the gifts they brought. Give the Crown Prince of Schuteron a decent sword as well. Ensure he can firmly seize his throne in the future."
"Understood. I shall assign an 8-star Guardian Knight to him."
"Very well. You may leave."
Cyron accepted everyone, provided they hadn't specifically offended him in the past.
Since these were factions that had only maintained 'neutrality' because they lacked a significant presence, they wouldn't be a substantial addition to Runcandel’s military strength. However, they would be useful once Runcandel defeated Zipple and truly became the hegemon of the world.
As this phenomenon continued, another rumor began to circulate.
It was the rumor that Zipple no longer held superiority over Runcandel—an inevitable perception, given that neutral factions continued to seek out the sword clan.
To think all of this is the result of the youngest causing trouble on a deserted island in Viment. A butterfly effect of sorts. I’m sure he’s hearing this news in Tikan as well.
Cyron thought of his youngest son after Heinz left.
Of course, the talk of Runcandel having already surpassed Zipple was merely a rumor. Zipple was still going strong; in truth, they were still slightly ahead of Runcandel.
Still, we’ve absorbed quite a few neutral factions through this incident. To think he’s already contributing to the family while still a Reserve Flagbearer. He’s my son, but he truly is an interesting fellow…
Cyron smiled faintly and summoned the Guardian Knight, Khan.
"Did you call for me, Patriarch?"
"Is there still no word from Casimir?"
At that moment, Khan could not hide his surprise.
I’ve known Young Master Jin was special since the Storm Castle… but I never imagined the Patriarch would show this much interest in him. He almost looks impatient!
It was the first time even Khan had seen Cyron like this. Not long ago, when the next Patriarch, Joshua, reached the 9-star rank, Cyron hadn't offered even a single comment.
"There has been none, Patriarch."
"Hmm… I see."
When Cyron replied with a somewhat disappointed tone, Khan bowed his head apologetically.
"The day after tomorrow, I shall depart for the Black Sea again. If contact comes while I'm gone, you must come and inform me immediately."
"I will keep that in mind."
*
Meanwhile, Jin, the object of Cyron’s curiosity, had been devoted to his private training ever since returning from the Garden of Swords.
If it weren't for Eldest Sister Luna, I would have certainly died on that island in Viment.
After his regression, he had achieved 5-star in both swordsmanship and magic at the mere age of fifteen, and his spiritual energy was nearing 5-star as well, but…
It’s nowhere near enough when I think about what’s to come.
That fact made Jin feel rushed. Having experienced the battle on the deserted island, he felt it more desperately than ever. While he was incomparably outstanding by the standards of a fifteen-year-old, there were few enemies he could face alone at his current level.
I must become stronger. Within the five years Father gave me, I must become strong enough to defeat all my siblings. Strong enough to not need anyone’s protection!
Luna, in particular, had been a massive stimulus.
The sight of his sister overwhelming Andrei’s group—whom even Murakan and Quicantel couldn't handle—with a single sword… she had truly looked like a god of war.
Yet even that god of war had suffered the humiliation of discarding her weapon when she returned to the Garden of Swords. All because she had helped him.
Those were the kinds of people Jin’s enemies were.
Swish!
Bradamante fiercely cut through the air.
He was performing vertical slashes, having already surpassed ten thousand repetitions. His muscles felt like they were about to burst, and every joint in his body rattled.
Amidst the pain, Jin felt frustration more than agony.
The Mind's Eye is still a distant dream… but within five years, I will surely reach the absolute realm of the Heart Sword that Sister showed me.
Heart Sword: Red Moon.
That wasn't a Runcandel Secret Technique; it was a realm Luna had attained independently after surpassing the Mind's Eye.
The Heart Sword—a realm that only manifests when one overlays a Word-soul onto the blade. It was the dream of all knights. Among them, Luna’s red aura was something that could never be achieved without a specific enlightenment.
—If it's you, you can definitely reach it within five years. First, to manifest the Word-soul, learn how to express your will through the sword.
—How to express my will through the sword…?
—It means that when you swing your sword ten thousand times, the last strike must be identical to the first.
That was what Luna had told him.
Is my current limit around a thousand?
Once he passed fifteen thousand repetitions, he reached a point where he couldn't tell if he was swinging the sword or if the sword was swinging him.
Nevertheless, just as he was about to continue with the next strike…
"Stop, Young Master Jin."
It was Casimir, who had approached without him noticing.
"Phew… Sir Casimir."
"Even during my most intense training, I never pushed myself as far as you, Young Master. If you keep this up every day, even a blessed Runcandel body won't hold out."
Enya, who had followed Casimir, made a fuss as she handed Jin a towel.
"Young Master Jin! Your face has thinned out so much! Wait, oh my god. Young Master Jin, your palms are all torn! The ground is soaked with blood! Aaaah!"
It was true.
A small puddle had formed where Jin stood. It was a puddle tinged with a faint red, a mixture of blood and sweat.
While Enya wiped Jin’s face and called for healers, Casimir couldn't take his eyes off that puddle for a long time.
Just what kind of obsession is this? This isn't the mental fortitude a fifteen-year-old boy should possess.
The healers who rushed over began to cast healing magic on Jin’s palms. Jin sat down, staring blankly at his hands.
"I’ve caused you unnecessary worry, Sir Casimir, Enya."
"Why do you abuse these pretty hands like this! I think… I think I can see the bone…?"
Of course, Jin’s hands, which had held a sword since childhood, were covered in calluses and were far from 'pretty.' However, in the eyes of the fan-stricken Enya, they looked like the hands of a beautiful statue.
"The reason you're pushing yourself this far… it's because of what happened on the island, isn't it?" Casimir said as he sat down next to Jin after the healers withdrew.
"That’s right. It’s not just the battle with Andrei. There have been too many moments where I would have been in danger if not for Gilly or Murakan. If I don't want to be a burden to those close to me, I have no choice but to train this hard."
"Young Master Jin, you're the same age as me. Don't be so impatient. Oh, this breaks my heart."
"No, Miss Enya. Young Master Jin is simply evaluating himself with cold clarity," Casimir replied, causing Enya to flinch.
"That’s mean, Sir Casimir. Young Master Jin is…"
"He is very strong, just as you say, Miss Enya. He is undoubtedly the strongest fifteen-year-old in the world. But I understand how he feels. The enemies he will face in the future will be anything but ordinary."
Jin nodded heavily.
"However, Young Master Jin, an impatient heart is the greatest poison during one's growth. It is the very thing that turns a straight path into a detour. I believe Lady Gilly gives you the same advice every day."
Just as Casimir said, Gilly told Jin daily that he needed to slow his pace, that he was overexerting himself far too much.
"I am well aware, but once I immerse myself in training, it’s hard to control myself. It’s embarrassing."
"It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s actually impressive that you handle a training volume every day that no one else could. Instead, how about incorporating some training that can help you cool your head?"
"Training to cool my head…?"
Casimir smiled.
"Let’s have a duel."
"With you, Sir Casimir?"
Casimir slowly shook his head.
"No, it’s still too early for you to duel me directly. That’s something for after you’ve grown a bit more."
Even though Casimir hadn't noticed Guardian Knight Khan secretly approaching to give him a note not long ago, that was only because Khan was extraordinary, not because Casimir was lacking. The alias 'Ghost Sword' was by no means a light one.
"Defeat my wife, Alisa Badger, within six months. Use everything you have—swordsmanship, magic, and spiritual energy. I guarantee it will be an invaluable lesson for you in your current state."