Episode 234th . To Hell (5)
"Ridolros Trinak! I can hardly believe my ears. Have you too gone mad over the power of ZZi? Like Paelito, have you fallen?"
"Ha ha ha! Paelito, that foolish one became a dog of Zito because of his obsession with Sakiel. And he even lost to the real Runkandel because of that obsession, so don't compare me to such a pathetic guy."
Whooosh!
Ridolros charged at Basit, swinging his great sword. A gust of sword wind raised, and the bodies on the ground were indiscriminately blasted away.
When Basit deflected the strike, Tilius and Misol simultaneously attacked Ridolros from both sides. But Ridolros, without dodging, resisted with his body and continued to pressure Basit. Tilius' sword accurately pierced his flank but did not penetrate deeply, and Misol's punch made a booming sound but bounced off vainly.
"Gah! So it's not Zito, but Kelliark Zipel...!?"
"Well, I never thought I would serve under a human either. But I saw potential in him."
"Potential?"
"The potential to truly liberate this land from Zito! Fundamentally different from Biseps who chase hollow dreams, and when it doesn't work out, they parasite on the giant forces of the mortal world. He's not only planning liberation, but he's also looking even further into the future."
"You're mad, you've discarded all your comrades who have fought together for such a long time for that reason!"
"It's you who are mad, not me. What do you hope to achieve by destroying the artificial sun? Even if you win that way, the underworld will just become a ruin without a single speck of light. There's no immortal who can survive in a world without a sun, Basit. Kelliark has a way to finish off Zito without the artificial sun."
"Ha! So, are you saying we should become dogs of Kelliark, even now?"
"No, you are unnecessary in the new underworld. I know you better than anyone. You are monsters who can continue a hopeless struggle for tens of thousands of years, even though you're incompetent. Therefore, after the underworld is liberated with Kelliark's help, it's clear you will oppose Kelliark. Just like the old Melkas, you won't be easy to eradicate."
"Kelliark taking power just means that another Zito will be born in the underworld...!"
"That's still far better than the freedom you gain by destroying the artificial sun. Besides, since he's a human who merged with a god, he will eventually die, and from then on, the underworld will truly enter a new era."
Throughout the conversation, Basit was being pushed back.
Basit had been Ridolros's teacher for quite a long time. So, he could mitigate this large gap to some extent, but he could only buy time.
Of course, with Misol and Tilius included, they might be able to threaten Ridolros a bit.
But Basset was still watching over the ordinary members who were far behind. Ridolros noticed this and smirked.
"Don't worry. I won't use those ordinary members as a tool in this fight. Why should I do that when I'm facing you? There's a sense of old ties, too."
"Ridolros…!"
"But I can't help it if they get caught in the aftermath and die. So fight while protecting them well. It's funny, isn't it? You don't hesitate to plunge the entire Demon World into darkness by destroying the artificial sun, but you're so desperate to protect a mere million non-combatant members."
With a roar, Ridolros swung his great sword like a club and sent Basset flying. In the meantime, Misol landed a punch on the back of his head, but Ridolros turned his body and received the punch with his horn.
"Ugh!"
"Misol, you cute guy. Are you trying to kill me by hitting me like that? Only your fist will explode."
"You bastard! How can you do this to us! You're not even possessed or brainwashed!"
"What moves me is the belief in protecting the Demon World. Until now, Biseptus was the best we could do. Now, understand that we are sacrificing a few for the greater good."
"Ha! The day Kelliark Jifil rules the Demon World will never come. Even if it does, he is one of Jin Runckandel's biggest enemies. If Jin Runckandel and Kelliark fight, the Demon World will become a battleground again!"
At that statement, Ridolros shook his head as if it was ridiculous.
"What are you talking about, Misol? You used to be a pretty smart guy, but have you become a fool? How can Jin Runckandel fight with Kelliark Jifil?"
"What?"
"Zito, who receives the power of the artificial sun, is a monster that even Paelleto at his peak could not handle. How can a human beat him? Today, Jin Runckandel will die. Therefore, the Demon World will not become a battlefield, so you can die with I peace of mind."
"We won't die! Especially not by your hands!"
During the brief moment that Misol bought, Basset gave an order to Tillyas.
"Protect Silkia at all costs, Tillyas. If you can't find a way... then take Silkia and escape with Misol."
* * *
[In the end, we didn't encounter a single worthy opponent on the way here.]
Jin and his party were already past the stronghold of the An family that Orgal mentioned and were headed for the entrance to Zito's residence.
Although almost a day had passed since they entered Hell, the party had not engaged in a single battle.
Occasionally they encountered demon armies crazy with mind control, but they didn't deal with them. There was no reason to commit senseless slaughter.
Even if they had united to oppose Jin instead of fighting amongst themselves, it wouldn't have made much of a difference. The gap was too vast for a fight to take place.
Instead, Jin sprinkled a handful of the power of resurrection on the bodies of the demons, as if kindling a fire over them.
Even when Jin starts his battle with Zito, that light will remain in its place, also serving as a guidepost for the forces to follow.
"It's a bad omen. It means that one world is being brutally ravaged by Zito."
Jin could feel the death being conveyed ceaselessly from all over. He also knew that the pain created by it was continuously flowing to Zito.
Suddenly, it occurred to him that by now, one of the Biseptus should have appeared. During the last communication, Biseptus said they would send someone when Jin comes to hell.
"Biseptus wouldn't be controlled by Zito and killing each other like they are."
"I think so too, Jin. Biseptus is the only group that was not brainwashed by Zito in the demon world from the start."
"Until now, I thought Biseptus was not brainwashed because they always managed to escape well, and luck was on their side. But now, I have a feeling they might have some means to prevent brainwashing or mind control."
"If we assume that Biseptus, thanks to that method, did not become berserkers like other demons, there's only one reason they are not appearing in front of us now to provide information."
"That's right, Valeria. They must have had some sort of accident."
[What about the possibility of betrayal?]
At Veil's words, Jin shook his head.
"I can't entirely rule it out, but they didn't seem like friends who would do such a thing from what I've encountered. If they were going to betray, there were better opportunities."
[Hmm, what should we do then? We were supposed to receive detailed information from them in hell on how to kill Zito, weren't we?]
"We have to find them. And if they are in trouble, we should help them."
[Ah, somehow I feel like this Murakan guy will end up with that troublesome task.]
Jin nodded.
"You're the only one who can go."
[I don't have any information about Biseptus's hideout, and I hardly know the geography of the demon world. How on earth should I go where? Even if I'm a history buff, finding a needle in a desert is a task.]
"Then just go and check all three."
Jin pointing ahead.
Far in the distance, the entrance leading to Zito's dwelling was visible. It was a giant circular dimensional gate, and even just floating in the air had a power that sucked in everything around it.
The sight of demon troops passing mindlessly around it due to mind control being sucked into it like a whirlpool was seen.
Will you be okay alone?
Murakan no longer asked as before. The plague gods sealed in Baskala could hardly be Jin's match. Excluding the forces held by Kelliac, only Zito could threaten Jin in this vast Demon World.
[Well, got it. What's the time?]
"Exactly 24 hours from now. Come back within that time. Whether you find Biseps or not. Let's first come back and decide what to do next."
[So you'll be here beating the ones sealed in Baskala and waiting for us?]
"Yes, I plan to meditate while waiting."
[...Meditation?]
At this unexpected word, the party turned their heads, looking alternately at Jin and each other.
"Fighting with a god requires me to refine myself once more before the decisive battle begins. During the great war with the gods, Ban, my +brother, always meditated before going into battle when he had to kill a few powerful gods."
[If the strongest mortal acknowledged by Ayura said so, it must be right.]
"And there's a sword technique I want to learn. I've wanted to learn it ever since I first saw it, but I couldn't recreate that moment before I reached the level of Genesis."
[Oh, what sword is it? Is it Ban's sword?]
Jin smiled and shook his head.
"No, it's Temar's sword."
Murakan's eyes widened.
[You can't mean the Sun Splitter?]
The Sun Splitter, Rune Candle's Demon Sword of the Fifth Order seen in Keitam's painting.
According to the records in the painting, Soldieret had praised the Sun Splitter as a sword that could even cut him if it merely touched him.
And Jin agreed with that assessment.
The completed Sun Splitter could kill all immortals in the world.
'The fact that the sword is named the Sun Splitter... could mean that it might have something to do with the sun god.'
Jin locked eyes with Murakan.
"It may not be a pleasant memory for you, but I need that sword. It's also tempting as a warrior."
[A bad memory? Ha! Don't worry about such a thing. After all, that sword could also be considered Temar's most precious legacy. It suits a little guy like you.]
"Thanks for saying so."
[But kiddo, I've told you before. In terms of pure potential for swordsmanship, Temar is superior to you. Even with the insight you've gained from Genesis, you'll never be able to perfect it with just a day of meditation. Temar put in a lot of effort to use it.]
Jin nodded with a slight smile.
"You're right, it will take a lot of time to perfect. I may never perfect it. But now, all I need is to be able to strike Zito. I have a feeling that's possible. Temar must have struggled to use this sword even before he reached Genesis, but I didn't."