531
As soon as he saw his friend who ran to him at once, the blood flowing from Dante's eyes seemed to have lightened a bit.
Dante couldn't take his eyes off Jin for a while as if time had stopped.
The inner hatred, madness, bloodstained and destruction seemed to subside quickly.
It was like that when you were at a dead end and realized that you had someone to rely on.
Dante didn't want Jin to come to this quagmire, but that was solely based on the judgment that it was the right thing as a friend.
In fact, he wanted Jin to fight alongside him more than anyone else.
If the situation were reversed, he would have gone to help Jin with everything at stake.
"... Jin, you came."
"You're talking as if it's a surprise. Yeah, it's me."
Thunk!
Dante dropped to his one knee and sat on the floor.
As soon as he saw Jin, the feeling of exhaustion hidden in anger began to shake his whole body.
His bones rattled even when he was still, and black blood flowed from every pore in his face.
For Jin, it was hard to believe that Dante had been standing with his body until just now, and that he had even fought.
"Did you intentionally try to die, Dante?"
"To my shame."
"Do you have any intention to live now?"
Dante nodded his head.
"I was worried about what to do if I had to knock you out again, but fortunately."
"If you hit me in my current state, I could die."
"Anyway, you held up well. Rest for a bit, until you can fight again."
Jin smirked and helped Dante to get on Shuri's back. Dante, riding on Shuri, alternated his gaze between Jin and the battlefield for a while, then nodded.
As his friend puts it, he realized that there must be a next time.
"… Thank you."
When Jin signaled, Shuri spurred forward towards the Sword emperor Castle.
Enemies did not dare to stand in front of Shuri due to the terrifying mana beams shooting from her eyes and swinging front paws.
The top-level healing priests of the Holy Kingdom, brought along by Jin, were waiting inside the sword emperor castle.
"...It's the first time I've seen you grow up, Sir Jin Runcandel."
"First of all, I would like to thank you for waiting. Leader of the Dragon King Knights, Sir Jonsina Perral."
It wasn't about not interrupting his conversation with Dante just now.
Jin believed that Jonsina intentionally didn't kill Dante and waited for him.
Judging by Dante's condition, Jonsina could have put an end to him within five minutes.
Although there was a secret technique after staking his life, the moment it was executed, Dante's death was indeed certain.
In that case, Jonsina planned to somehow knock Dante unconscious before the secret technique was executed and send him back to the Sword Emperor Castle.
In other words, Jonsina had no intention of killing Dante, and Jin was curious about the reason.
"It is bitter. I never thought a man like you would abandon his faith and join the Emperor's tyranny. In the meantime, what's the meaning of trying to save Dante? Guilt? Hypocrisy? I hope it's not such a lukewarm reason."
"I am a knight of the Empire."
It was a statement with many meanings.
Jonsina, as a knight of the Empire, simply chose the path that could save the most people. As a knight of the Empire, there was no better choice than that.
The reason he tried to save Dante was to hope that the fire named Hairan would not be completely extinguished like this.
As long as Zipfel was with them, Hairan would never win this war, so he hoped that the fire would restore the empire again in the future.
If it were Dante Hairan, he could certainly do that. He would be able to transcend hatred and vengeance, eventually choosing the shining justice. Jonsina was convinced of that.
Jin easily deciphered the underlying meaning.
"Looks like Zipfel threatened to destroy the empire if the empire didn't hand over the white stone."
Jonsina didn't answer.
For whatever reason, he stood as the enemy of the sword emperor castle, and it was a right choice considering the welfare of the people, but by no means an honorable one.
"Your choice was wrong, sir. Do you have any intention of correcting that choice even now? Dante and I will never give up on Hairan."
"I don't know about you, but I don't think the entire Runcandel will help the Sword Emperor Castle."
"If the white stone is valuable enough to move the entire Zipfel, then the Garden of Swords won't stand still either."
"Even if that's the case, I don't wish for a future where the Empire becomes the battlefield between Runcandel and Zipfel. The civilians are not as accustomed to death as the martial artist. Protecting their lives is the sole duty of an Imperial knight."
"I will respect that."
A person's life represents everything about them.
As far as Jin knew, the human named Jonsina Perral was never a person who made bad choices for personal desire or survival.
Nevertheless, choices always came with consequences.
Pzzzr!
Sigmund was dyed blue with lightning energy.
Jonsina's greatsword emitted a stronger light than before and resonated.
The two charged at each other at the same time.
As soon as their weapons clashed, the ground shook, and shockwaves rippled out.
The nearby imperial troops hurriedly set up a protective shield, but not many could handle the lighting bolts mixed with the shock wave.
It seemed like flashes of light were emanating from various places.
With each clash, the flashes that illuminated the surroundings were nothing but the afterimages created by the movement of the two swords.
For those who couldn't ascend to their level, the only moments they could confirm their battle were when the swords collided, engaging in a contest of strength.
'Is it really the imperial sword?'
Jin couldn't see any gaps.
Jonsina was also thinking the same thing, clashing swords with Jin.
'I've heard that the 12th flagbearer's martial arts is remarkable but...… but is it to this extent? It is impossible to overpower him. The fight will be prolonged.'
However, Jin had no intention of prolonging the fight.
Jonsina was certainly a strong person, but he wasn't the core of this war. Jin had a hard time fighting him, and if he expended too much strength, he couldn't handle the next one, Zipfel's soon-to-be reinforcements.
In the first place, no matter how great Jin's power was, it was absolutely impossible to defeat Zipfel's main force with just that. Unless they send only 2nd or 3rd division.
'The emperor would not have started the war with such confidence if he had received support from the 2nd and 3rd divisions.'
Jin had to save his strength in order to stop the swarming enemies and allow Dante and the knights of Hairan to escape.
Whoosh-!
Jin was pushed back, adjusting his posture.
Jonsina closed the distance without hesitation, and at the same time Sigmund stretched forward. At speed and angle that Jonsina couldn't comprehend.
It was Runcandel's 5th secret move, Light Speed Thrust, named after Plutonian.
The thrust seemed to obliterate Jonsina's face, but shortly after, Jin saw that he staggered and readjusted his stance.
The reason Jonsina could evade the Light-Speed Thrust was not due to talent or reflexes. It was an experience. Decades of battling numerous strong opponents had subconsciously caused his head to twist.
However, it could not be completely avoided.
The thrust of the blade took away part of his right cheek and his right ear. Along with the burning sensation of his flesh, a sharp ringing filled his ears. Jonsina almost turned back to see the aftermath of the blade passing by.
'What the hell, a thrust at this speed?'
Obviously it wasn't a fatal wound.
However, the temporary stiffness due to the impact was far more crippling than the injuries he had just sustained.
Jin didn't miss this opportunity; he bit into it, executing the Light-speed thrust once again.
As with all decisive killing moves and secret techniques, the light-speed thrust was a particularly dangerous sword when one was completely unaware of its existence.
For those who reached the pinnacle, they could somewhat cope with the Light-Speed Thrust if they were aware that a thrust at unreasonable speed could emerge from blind spot.
Jonsina attempted to slash by stepping to the side.
No, he was trying to avoid it. If it hadn't been for the lightning bolts that suddenly started at the point of impact of the light speed thrust, it would have been possible to finish the movement.
Whoosh!
He recognized the light-speed thrust, but he didn't think of the specificity of the lightning bolts.
The fact that Jin's light-speed thrust caused an aftershock had already been confirmed in the rear battlefield, but there was not a single person left who could report it to Jonsina. Because everyone died or ran away.
The second thrust that followed pierced Jonsina's shoulder.
Before he knew it, Jin was holding a different sword, Bradamante. As Sigmund performed the second thrust, he threw it and stuck it between the two of them.
It was as if the lightning that rained down ceaselessly was fixed to the floor. Sigmund spewed out lightning bolts until all the surrounding terrain was eroded, and Jonsina let out a scream and raised his energy.
A brilliant light clashed, vivid enough to illuminate the dark battlefield, and through that, a stream of black energy mingled.
Shadow sword 2nd move: Scissors.
Jonsina perfectly blocked one of black blades even when his posture collapsed, but he didn't notice the shadow force rushing from the other side.
Thanks to the exploding aura and strong body, his body was spared from being completely bisected.
But the blade that had pierced his ribs had already reached the middle of his chest.
It was very bitter to cut down a martial artist whom he had admired since childhood.
Jonsina couldn't fight back any longer.
The battle outcome was decided.
"Hai... ran. Please….protect."
He stood on the side of the emperor for the safety of the people of the empire.
Jonsina, facing death, was asking not for the survival of Hairan.
It was not the rationality of an imperial knight, but what he wanted from the bottom of his heart was for Hairan to survive.
Jin did not feel cowardly in his last words. Whether it was due to respect or the fact that his heartfelt wish was for the survival of Hairan, rather than the people, his family, or the Empire, remained unknown.
In the distance behind Jonsina, a group of dragons and flying ships could be seen approaching the Sword emperor Castle. It was Zipfel's force.
Jin confirmed the sight and reassured Jonsina.
"Don't worry, close your eyes, Sir Jonsina. My Runcandel will be stronger than Zipfel."
The moment Jonsina took his last breath.
The other dragons also appeared in the rear of Sword emperor castle on the other side of the Zipfel reinforcements.
Black Dragon and Silver Dragon. And the dragon knights of Hairan.
Murakan and Cuicantelle saved the dragon knights along with the five sword saints of Hairan.
532
From the moment Jin decided to aid sword emperor castle, he first sought out the 4th flagbearer, Diphus, and asked for Tikan protection.
And using the information of the seven Colored peacock, he sent Murakan and Cuicantelle to the imperial palace where the dragon knights were, but Dante also sent the five sword saints of Hairan.
Murakan and Cuicantelle rescued the dragon knights, and the five sword saints rescued the dragons, and joined them.
"The Dragon Knights of Hairan have come to defend the Sword Emperor Castle!"
When the leader of the Dragon Knights, Calmine Aita, shouted, thirty bird dragons howled in unison.
Murakan and Cuicantelle, who were in charge of the flanks of the ranks of dragon knights, also let out a roar.
A shock wave exploded with just the energy emitted, and the sky near the formation of the dragon knights was distorted.
The sword saints stood atop the leading five dragons along with the leader of dragon knights, Calmine.
The pure white coat that symbolizes the sword saints of Hairan really looked like a star just like their title.
It was clearly small compared to the enemy's reinforcements that appeared at the same time.
Zipfel had more than 10 visible battleships, and the number of dragons was close to 20. There were no sub-species like the Red Dragon, and all of them were composed of higher-level species.
What about the mages on board the fleet and dragons?
The flags of the elite forces, including the White night, and the most elite secret mages, the Spectre Corps, which have not yet been revealed to the public, may also be included.
And there was a high possibility that this was not the entire force.
Even so, just seeing the five sword saints and the dragon knights made the hearts of the Hairan knights swell, and tears seemed ready to flow.
Even though Ron was still unconscious in his sickbed.
The fact that Jin Runcandel and the best knights of Hairan are with them, instilled an indomitable courage within them.
Murakan and Cuicantelle took the lead and glared at the enemy.
At that moment, everyone on the battlefield could clearly witness Zipfel's dragons faltering.
The dragons of Zipfel were obviously afraid of Murakan.
In particular, Zipfel's reinforcements included dragons who had personally experienced Murakan's 50% power in the Gaifa Islands.
Even if they didn't have to go through the nightmare of the Gaifa Islands.
There were no dragons in the world who did not know the former might of Murakan. Even the young dragons born after Murakan's slumber had spent their years hearing his legend.
[I am Murakan, the one who slaughters the enemies of Solderet.]
A bleak yet majestic voice weighed down the battlefield.
Zipfel's dragons had completely halted their advance, fixing their gaze on Murakan.
The mages riding on their backs couldn't help but feel bewildered as they realized the dragons were trembling in fear.
[So, dragons leave the battlefield immediately if you don't want to be Solderet's enemy.]
Murakan was talking as if Jin was on par with Solderet. Jin's enemies were implicitly defined as Solderet's enemies.
That fact was indescribably shocking to dragons and mages.
According to their common sense, no contractor or guardian dragon in the world can express gods and humans equally.
However, no one dared to question Murakan's words. There was only about ten seconds of silence.
The reason why the dragons didn't run away even though they were terrified was because Zipfel was behind them. It was because Zipfel was the World's Strongest clan and nothing could overthrow it.
[You have made your choice.]
Whoa-!
Murakan's wings became huge with shadow force. The night sky grew even darker with the eerie shadow, and swirling vortexes spread like poison, obscuring the moon and stars.
[The price for that choice is death.]
As soon as Murakan finished his words, a scream spread from Zipfel's aerial force.
[Kyaaaaa!]
[Kaaak... !]
It was the scream of dragons.
There was also an explosion, and battleships exploded and crashed.
"Damn, suddenly from behind...!"
[Put on a protective shield!]
"Block it, block it!"
The dominion of Murakan's shadow force wasn't limited to the area where he floated. His shadow force had already seized control of the airspace above Zipfel and the Imperial Army.
Shadow force was a silent divine power.
Unlike other powers, including aura and mana, shadow force was able to dominate all directions and without any sign at all.
Zipfels hurriedly blocked Murakan's awl from behind, but that wasn't all.
Aaaah-!
A black breath cut through the sky and came from in front of Zipfel.
"Scatter!"
Zipfel's fleet split left and right. The intention was to spread out and avoid Murakan's breath, but in their fear, they forgot the silver dragon by his side.
Ching!
With a sharp resonant sound, silver waves began to spread from Cuicantelle's forehead.
The immense and circular force was none other than the divine power of time.
Murakan and Cuicantelle.
Dragons who had experienced the time when they were lovers clearly knew what would happen if shadows and the divine power of time combined.
Fear and destruction.
Facing the darkness of shadows in a state where they can't even lift a finger makes them long for death.
"The hull stopped... Kuck, gaug!"
"My arm, my, my arm...!"
[Murakan! Why are you doing this...… Aagh!]
Murakan did not kill the enemies bound by the divine power of time at once.
He subjected them to agony, letting them feel the pain. Offering a comfortable death to those who dared to become enemies of Solderet despite his warning was a luxury.
There was literally blood and screams in the sky.
Enemies fighting on the ground looked up with dazed eyes without even realizing it, and even allies felt a shiver witnessing Murakan's overwhelming presence.
The fleet was made up of mass-produced ships that were floating in the Sota Desert.
The mass-produced battleships, which are more than 100 ships that Jin has seen in person, have not yet been released to the world.
That's why the imperial army and the knights of Hairan shuddered when they saw the fleet.
Now they felt that no matter how many more such battleships there were, they would not be able to overcome the power of Murakan and Cuicantelle.
'Can this be called a fight?'
'Isn't this more like... punishment?'
As people thought, the majesty of Zipfel's fleet that it showed when it first appeared was overshadowed.
They couldn't even think of a counterattack about pushing away the divine power of time, and they were busy setting up a protective shield.
Still, Zipfel was still Zipfel.
The White Nights were considered to be the most elite, except for the Spectres. Some of them were slowly escaping the divine power of time and making an attempt to fight back.
"Form a chain magic circle!"
"Their power is limited to this! Endure it! Victory will ultimately be ours!"
If Murakan had regained all his strength, not 50%, they wouldn't have dared to say that.
The current Murakan was obviously remarkable, but Zipfel's forces were not giving up hope, confident that they could prevail in the end.
It was because, even if they faced death as individuals, they were convinced that the immense power named Zipfel would crush them.
"Hold on until the main force arrives!"
"We can't hit the Black Dragon and Silver Dragon directly, but we'll take more of Hairan's knights with us before we die!"
"Fleet, target the ground forces!"
While dealing with the power of shadow force and time, it was impossible to attack from distance where Murakan and Cuicantelle were located.
So the commanders of Zipfel decided to attack the ground forces instead.
It was a decision based on the conviction that, if it was Jin Runcandel's known tendency, he would never give up on his allies.
It was a cowardly but right move. As they thought, Jin would give orders to focus on protecting allies for the time being.
However, the commanders of Zipfel were overlooking something crucial.
To execute any plan, there must be something equivalent to it—power or ability.
"That's a good judgment, but you guys won't have the luxury for that."
As soon as Jin said so,
Suddenly, a blue protective shield spread across the ground camp of the sword emperor castle like an umbrella.
Enya, the mage of time.
On the walls of the sword emperor castle, she casted the 'Dragon Fire Shield', the legacy of Chukon Tolderer and the essence of extreme defense magic.
Enya's protective shield, which was completely wrapped around the front of the castle, showed performance worthy of the name of the Dragon Fire Shield.
The barely exhaled breaths of Zipfel's dragons collide with shield and disappeared, and the mana beams of the mages could not pierce the shield.
The Archmage of Anz, Chukon Tolderer, the current Dragon Fire Shield was stronger and more perfect than when he casted it himself in his lifetime.
Although Enya was a prodigy, it was impossible to surpass Chukon's mana in just a few years.
Nevertheless, it was thanks to Tikan's divine item that Enya's shield is unfolding with mana that far exceeds his prime.
Mirror.
Because it has the power to destroy the world, Jin has always kept away that evil thing, unlike Zipfel in his past life.
It seemed he would need a little help from that power to save his friend and his people.
"Ugh, uhhhh. Eh, that's too much mana! I-I can't control it!"
"Hey, hey! You stupid thing, get a hold of yourself! Do you have time to babble nonsense? Focus! If you mess up, you and I both will die, and those knights over there will die too! Got it? Did I teach you that way? Huh!? Open your eyes wide! Huh!? Concentrate on binding the mana at the four points. We'll all die if you mess up, seriously!"
It was Veris who was yelling at Enya and giving advice and assistance. Even with a depleted mana pool, she was still a genius in the magic theory and an excellent fighter.
"Yes, teacher! Teacher!"
"There's an attack coming at the 2nd point, bind and block until the 3rd point!"
"Yeah!"
The shield of infinite mana was supporting the sword emperor castle.
Jin coldly smiled as he watched Zipfel's magic shatter on top of it.
"Ah, since the whole calculation was wrong, I can't say your judgment was good. Zipfel, you're not going to achieve what you want today…"
The bird dragons, carrying the leader of the Dragon Knights and the sword saints of Hairan, began rushing towards the Zipfel army.
"Sorry for being late, our Hairan."
"From now on, we will prove it together. That the sword of Hairan never breaks."
The leader of the Dragon Knights, Calmaine, and the leader of the Sword saints, Ruyan, raised their voices, and the Sword saints drew their swords in unison.
Sword Emperor Secret move
Heavenly Flash - Sword Saint
Sword Emperor Secret move
Emperor charge - Dragon
Then, the appearance of the five-lined Heavenly flashes and the exclusive secret technique of the Dragon Knight Commander shone through the night sky and cut through the enemies.
533
The fleet was crumbling under the power of the five sword saints and the Sword of Calmine.
The shadow and divine power of time continued to trample the enemies.
The shattered fragments of the destroyed battleships menacingly crashed to the ground, but even that was unable to cause any significant harm to the Vamel Alliance and the Knights of Hairan, as they were blocked by the Dragon Fire Shield.
Amela also continued her support from the rear.
The captured dragon lances were now over twenty, and all were converted into howitzers to strike the enemy's rear.
"The dragon knights! Crush the enemy, block their magic so they don't counterattack!"
At Calmine's command, the dragon knights began flying towards the enemy camp.
There was no group in the world that could follow the dragon knight in aerial warfare.
Thirty Dragon Knights, soaring through the sky with unparalleled agility, were truly demonstrating the strongest advantage in the aerial battle against the great mages.
"Kraaah!"
"Injuries, inju... ugh!"
When Calmine and the Sword Saints broke through the protective shield, the Dragon Knights infiltrated and cut off the breath of the mages.
No one would have ever imagined that the mages of Zipfel, accompanied by a fleet and dragons, would die so pointlessly.
The screams and pleading voices of the enemies spread in the air and in the sky, everywhere.
Whenever five sword saints and dragon knights met pleading eyes and voices, they responded like this:
"Did you invade the land of the sword emperor with such light determination?"
"Not a single one of you will survive!"
Whoaaah-!
Of course, Zipfel forces were not just taking the beating.
White night mages were showing fighting spirit and potential even while on the defensive.
"The brilliant light of the Great Zipfel will eventually devour you!"
One of the commanders of the White night raised his staff in a growl.
Then, the ship that was in charge of the unit's flagship was stained with mana and caused an ominous resonance.
Not everyone had experienced flying battleships, nor did they know all the magic and combat tactics of Zipfel.
They could tell intuitively.
The ominous resonance clearly signaled one thing – self-destruction.
[An ugly move. Murakan, you should do something about that. It's too massive to restrain with my abilities. Even if it's a mass-produced ship, it's a flying ship after all, right?]
[You're bothering me, bugs...….]
"Praise Zipfel!"
"Dragon Knights, spread out!"
Right before the flagship exploded, Murakan, who had narrowed the distance, wrapped his wings around the flagship.
The extended wings remained large enough to cover the flying battleship.
"Lord Murakan!"
"It's going to explode!"
"Foolish, can you really stop that...!"
Kwooong...!
The worried voices of the Hairan knights were soon drowned out by the subsequent explosion.
The mocking commander of the White Night, who had been uttering scornful remarks, disintegrated within Murakan's wings, swept away by the explosion of the fleet.
However, the self-destruction was not visible from the outside.
It couldn't pierce Murakan's wings.
When Murakan spread his wings again, all that could be seen were the remains of the exploded flagship mixed with shadow force, falling to the ground like black rain.
[You guys have a talent for making me uncomfortable, just as you have for a thousand years...]
Thousands of black awls popped out of the wings that still held their gigantic shape.
Surprisingly, the awls did not do any damage to the allies in the sky, and spread while slaughtering only the mages, dragons, and fleets of Zipfel.
Murakan.
People were in awe.
A thousand years ago, everyone revered the legendary power of the Black Dragon, the king of the sky. No one could fathom that it amounted to a mere fifty percent of its true strength.
That's why the dragons of Zipfel were now mistaken that Murakan had regained all his strength.
It was a part where Zipfels had no choice but to lose all their will to fight.
The tide had already turned since the moment Jin appeared, and with the addition of Murakan, Cuicantelle, the Dragon Knight and the five sword saints, it seemed like Hairan's victory was inevitable.
[Murakan!]
A blue dragon took its place in front of Murakan.
It was Laramaqua, whom they had met before at Black King Mountain Hideout.
[Blue Dragon Laramaqua. Have you come to repay the life I spared back then?]
[... Murakan, I know why you are involved in this fight. It must be to save the friend of your contractor, Jin Runcandel.]
[You seem to speak as if you're not pleased with that, Laramaqua.]
[Never, I do not disapprove. There is no being in this sky who dares to say they are displeased with you. But... I would like to make one proposal.]
Murakan's wings grew even larger.
Laramaqua was weighed down by his overbearing appearance, and it was difficult to even meet his gaze.
[Speak.]
[Can you take your contractor and leave?]
[I allowed you to speak at most, but now you're mocking me?]
[Not only your contractor, but also his comrades and all the knights of Hairan. If you do, Zipfel will immediately declare defeat and a ceasefire. I swear by the honor of my bloodline and the name of Kaon, the god of the sea whom I serve.]
At Laramaqua's words, the eyes of everyone on the battlefield widened.
In particular, the emperor, who was at the rear of the battlefield, was angry with bloodshot eyes.
"What nonsense is that insane blue dragon spouting...!"
When Zipfel officially declares defeat, the Empire would naturally have to follow suit.
This went beyond jeopardizing the imperial prestige; it was something that could lead to the destruction of the entire imperial family.
The Emperor had not heard anything about this when he made a deal with Zipfel to lend their strength in this civil war.
It was a proposal the Emperor could not comprehend.
Zipfel's reinforcements will continue to arrive anyway, and the 'space-time device' has not yet been used.
The Imperial army also had a number of secrets prepared for the worst case scenario.
'Even if Chiron Runcandel is here instead of Black Dragon Murakan, he won't be able to deal with the Zipfel clan alone. Why on earth is he talking such nonsense? This is a chance to obtain the White Stone, is he implying that these troops are not worth it?'
The moment Murakan accepted the terms, the Vamel Alliance and Hairan were to win a landslide victory over Zipfel and the Empire.
Is that all?
As Jin told Dante at the beginning, he was able to leave the battlefield by saving not only Dante but the entire Sword emperor Castle.
Jin's status further rose within the clan with the great victory against Zipfel alone, and there was a high possibility that Hairan would become his force while still maintaining its full strength.
The deafening roar and darkness that had echoed on the battlefield until now were replaced by an eerie silence.
The people stopped fighting and fixed their eyes on Murakan and Laramaqua.
Murakan did not answer.
Because he didn't think it was a question for him to answer.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Vamel Alliance, and the person acting on behalf of Solderet, was his own contractor.
"I refuse!"
When Jin shouted, the emperor smiled all over and let out a sigh, and Laramaqua gnashed its teeth.
Hairan's knights showed no change in their demeanor.
It was because what they were trying to protect was honor from the moment they decided to confront the Emperor's tyranny, not life.
Also, spilled water cannot be gathered again.
Although the casualties in Hairan were not yet serious, if even one person died by the treachery of betrayal, it meant everyone had died.
If so, not only honor, but they had to protect one more.
They must never give up what their enemies covet.
"Blue Dragon, you seem to be mistaken. Why did this war happen? Because of the White Stone—the Emperor claimed it as his possession. The Empire betrayed the Sword emperor castle just for that insignificant item, and Zipfel is participating in the fight with dirty desires."
[The 12th flagbearer of Runcandel... Your words are excessive.]
"I am standing here as the commander-in-chief of the Vamel Alliance, not as the 12th flagbearer of Runcandel. So, mind your manners and show some respect, blue dragon."
Laramaqua was stunned at those words, but Murakan in front of her seemed ready to tear her wings apart at any moment.
"Mind your manners." The meaning behind those words was a gesture. Jin wasn't looking up at Laramaqua.
In the end, Laramaqua descended to the ground and transformed into a human in front of Jin. Jin looked at her with an expressionless face.
'Is it the same person I met at Black King Mountain Hideout? It hasn't even been a year since then...'
The intimidation was different.
At the time, Laramaqua hadn't been particularly impressed with Jin because of Murakan's power, but not now.
The heavy and powerful energy that weighed on her inside would not be lacking even if he was maintaining this position as the representative of Runcandel, not as the leader of the Vamel Alliance.
It wasn't just a feeling that came from the result of Jin's remarkable growth in the meantime.
It was because the 'power of existence', which was first known from the records left by Solderlet in the past, was slowly awakening from Jin.
The many changes that Jin has caused in the world, and the power awakened by those who follow him.
That power was forming a transcendental class beyond battle prowess and divine power.
"... May I ask why you are rejecting my offer?"
"As I said before, the war was caused by greed for the white stone. If anyone should withdraw, it should be you. Give up the White Stone of Hairan and withdraw. If you accept my revised proposal, I will immediately persuade Dante and the sword emperor to declare a ceasefire."
"Is it not enough to save your friend and his people? It's not like that White Stone is so important to Runcandel...…!"
"It's not up to you to decide whether or not that is important to Runcandel."
"Are you really planning for an all-out war against Zipfel!"
Considering the immediate situation, perhaps Laramaqua could have been right.
If they continued to fight like this, they would have to prepare for devastating damage to Jin and the people of Jin as well as Sword emperor castle.
However, Jin was convinced that if the white stone fell into the hands of the enemy, the consequences would be even more terrible.
Just by looking at Zipfel's desire this much, it was a thing that would eventually bring destruction to those who were not Zipfel.
"There is nothing I can do. But the one who really fears an all-out war isn't me, but all of you, isn't it? That's why I suggested negotiations before the war escalated. No. If you are confident, go ahead. I mean, don't insult me, my comrades, and the sword emperor castle by making unreasonable suggestions."
534
The moment the white stone was handed over, the Hairan's war would lose its meaning.
If the war could have been stopped simply by passing the white stone, Jin would not have come here.
"If the fight escalates any further, I won't be able to propose the same offer with my authority. I just want to minimize unnecessary deaths."
"Now that Zipfel and I have each offered support to our friends, it's difficult to say that this war is just a fight between the Empire and Hairan. Unnecessary deaths? Is there such a thing between Runcandel and Zipfel? Anyway, it's our fate to keep fighting until one side is completely finished."
In the end, Laramaqua had no choice but to give up on negotiations.
"…You will regret this."
"The talk is over, return to your side. And don't add anything unnecessary to incur my grudge."
In fact, Jin wasn't really confident in pushing so strongly.
The all-out war with Zipfel was too burdensome even for Jin.
No, beyond the burden, it was a dangerous development and there was no answer at all yet.
Yet, Jin did not withdraw for a reason.
'Zipfel is talking about an all-out war against Runcandel… There must be something about the white stone that makes it so important.'
White stone.
If that cursed and accursed object, which undermines the honor and pride of his friend's clan, was something that Zipfel had to acquire even at the cost of an all-out war against Runcandel.
Then Jin must never back down. Jin wasn't backing down because he didn't want to, but because he couldn't.
It was no longer just a matter of sword emperor castle. If the white stone had such value, Zipfel would undoubtedly use it to leap one step further. And preventing Zipfel was the biggest mission of Runcandel.
Of course, there was a part of Jin that didn't believe that at all.
'My mother and the elites of the clan must be watching the situation.'
The emperor revealed the existence of the white stone to the world, and Zipfel sent reinforcements even revealing the mass production ship.
There was no way Runcandel was not taking action on such a huge incident.
'My mother probably hasn't judged the value of the white stone yet, so she decided to watch for now. However, if Zipfel shows a more desperate move, the clan will definitely step in. Without a doubt.'
It's the same with Talaris.
She was still watching the battle as a bystander, but the moment she concluded that the white stone threatened the world in any form, she would join the fight.
If Ron and Dante don't use the white stone as a means of last effort, she will point her sword to Zipfel.
'I don't know about Sir Ron, who is unconscious, but if it's Dante, he would never make that choice. Even if he made this extreme choice, I can just stop him. If I can prevent that, there will be no need for Madame Talaris to pressurize the sword emperor castle.'
Ron's condition was reported by the knights of Hairan on the way to the front.
Thinking about Dante still keeping Ron, who couldn't wake up, in the Sword Emperor Castle, it stung Jin's heart once again.
'Veradin.'
At the same time, Jin remembered another friend.
'I believe you are also doing something for Dante.'
He certainly will if his mind was sane.
Jin sincerely hoped that Veradin would not become a pawn of war, attacking Hairan like in the mission to assassinate Barton. It was too cruel for everyone involved.
Laramaqua turned around abruptly, transforming into her true form.
Battle resumed as soon as she repositioned in the sky.
The brief lull in the fighting until now seemed like a lie, as the battlefield was now filled with screams and explosive sounds.
Most of it was the screams of the mages and dragons of Zipfel, and the explosion that spread as their fleet was broken.
Along with Murakan, the power of the five sword saints stood out in particular.
Unlike Dante, they have a rigid body, so they suffocate their opponents with a flurry of secret techniques.
Including the Heavenly flash, the successive secret techniques dazzled the night sky, and at times Jin's lightning energy revealed its dignity.
The ground forces of the imperial army could not narrow the siege anymore. It was because Amela's cannon support had not ceased, and Jin's companions, including Valkas and Proch siblings, were still active in the rear and sides.
The beginning and middle battles of the war were advancing towards the victory of the sword emperor castle.
However, those fighting for Hairan were not excited. Rather, as the situation improved, they prepared for the next fight with a stronger determination.
It was not going to end like this.
Zipfel's first reinforcements now noticeably dwindled in number. There were barely five or so remaining battleships, and most of the mages and dragons had perished. It seemed that even these remnants would meet their fate within minutes.
The leader, the blue dragon Laramaqua, was barely able to let out a roar with one wing missing.
'At this point... I think that's enough.'
Laramaqua thought. There was one matter that neither the imperial army nor the knights gathered for Hairan knew about.
In preparation for such a situation, the Zipfel had devised a method by combining unfinished technology and ancient dark magic.
Suddenly, the blood flowing from Laramaqua drew a magic circle in the air.
It was not particularly large or brightly visible, and because it was drawn in an instant, no one in the messy battle recognized the moment it took shape.
Jin and his companions recognized it only after a few seconds after the magic circle was completed.
'What is that?'
'A blood magic circle...!?'
As soon as Murakan recognized the magic circle, he fired his breath at Laramaqua.
Dark breath pierced her heart, and the blood that drew the magic circle was also scattered by that power.
However, the blood soon gathered again, maintaining the shape of the magic circle.
And it wasn't just Laramaqua who formed the blood magic circle. The surviving dragons and high-ranking mages of Zipfel were also drawing similar blood magic circles.
What served as a catalyst for them was death, constantly blooming all over the battlefield.
Keek—!
The blood magic circles resonated, producing strange metallic sounds.
The knights of the Hairan who are capable of aerial strikes, continued to attack the magic circle, but even if the magic circle was torn, it continued to maintain its shape and merged.
Soon, the combined magic circle took the form of a cube.
'Cube?'
Suddenly, Jin remembered the Gaifa Islands.
The artifact that Midor Elnor used to summon Myuron Zipfel was also a perfect cube like this one.
'No way.'
Space-time device.
'Is it possible to do the summoning by magic, not by artifact…!'
Cough!
Laramaqua collapsed, vomiting blood, and her death completed the magic circle.
There was no need to shout that it was dangerous. The allies in the sky already sensed something was wrong and retreating.
The magic circle started emitting dark red light. The light, which looked just like an ominous sun on some fateful day, soon formed a huge portal.
The first thing to emerge from the portal was a battleship, similar in form to Kozec.
Zzzzt...!
The battleship came out by distorting the space around it.
A tremendous force sucked in the remaining bodies and blood in the air, creating a peculiar noise.
Kozec, which was the only flying battleship prior to the existence of mass-produced battleships, is known to have different performance depending on the occupant.
It was the same with mass-produced battleships. All battleships could be just a means of transportation or a formidable battle weapon, depending on the mana of the occupant.
The mass-produced battleships of Zipfel, which were destroyed earlier, did not show much effectiveness.
However, the new fleet was powered by mages of a different level. It was something that could be known without having to fight.
The density of mana surrounding the battleship was completely different.
It was so dense that even knights who couldn't read mana could feel it all over their bodies.
'Spectres.'
It was expected that more reinforcements would come.
Summoning through dark magic simply advanced the time, and it was not so shocking because Jin was aware of the appearance of the Spectres from the beginning.
Even so, the reason Jin let out an empty laugh was because there were too many of them.
The number of mass-produced battleships that came out of the portal reached thirty. And all those mass-produced ships were being operated by the Spectres.
'How in the world do these guys have so many Spectres...!?'
Back in his reserve flagbearer days, the first number of Spectres that Jin encountered on the island of Veradin were all 15.
At that time, Jin was certain that their numbers would at least exceed twenty by considering the instability of the chain magic of the Spectres.
However, there are over 30 battleships in front of him, and each one of them was powered by the mana of at least two Spectres.
Even with simple calculations, it meant there were at least sixty of them, and that was an impossible number without even delving into deep contemplation.
If Zipfel had maintained that level of Spectres all along, it could have ended Runcandel as much as they wanted before the time of Chiron ran out.
In that case, there were two hypotheses.
'Maybe they have invented a training method recently that far surpassed the conventional, and the number of Spectres has been rapidly increased….'
Or they resurrected the dead.
The fact that Zipfel could resurrect humans through the Demon God's orb was already proven long ago when he fought Andrei Zipfel.
Jin presumed it was the latter.
'Mages were resurrected with Myuron Zipfel in the Gaifa islands... It's the same as back then. It's just the size and quality was different.'
Kahaha!
Jin heard a familiar voice from the first battleship that appeared.
It was the voices of Midor Elnor and Myuron Zipfel.
[Fate is fate, and you guys are here too...!]
[I came back from hell twice, this Myuron...!]
Before they could finish speaking, Jin and Murakan at the same time fired a Light-speed thrust and exhaled breath.
The power of Runcandel's secret technique and the breath of the Black Dragon tore up the protective shield and shattered the front of the battleship on which Midor and Myuron were standing.
Midor and Myuron met their second and third deaths so vainly, respectively.
Only their ankles remained at the board of the battleship after Jin and Murakan's power swept the forefront.
[They are not some kind of cockroach, but they keep coming out even if we kill them. They are only going to disappear after showing such a pathetic state.]
Murakan spoke with a sneer.
But he and Jin knew. The reason why Zipfel's idiot brothers died was because the Spectres of other battleships didn't protect them.
Despite being in the forefront, Myuron and Midor were not the commanders of Spectres.
The Spectre Corps considered them as mere scavengers who only held their positions because they were the sons of Kelliark. It didn't matter if they were dead or not.
Because of this, the Spectres silently raised their mana even though the forefront fleet was destroyed, and Myuron and Midor died.
'Those guys... they sure are tenacious.'
Jin gritted his teeth and thought.
He hoped the resurrected Spectres were not as good as the real ones that he had experienced the first time.
535
No one was shaken by the death of Myuron and Midor.
A fleet of 33 battleships was emitting a red light.
Powerful mana that seemed impossible to control at all caused a resonant sound with the momentum to tear the sky apart.
'Is this the reason why the emperor and Laramaqua were so confident?'
Dante defeated the vanguard, and the Vamel Alliance, Dragon Knights, and 5 Sword saints crushed the first reinforcements.
The great victories of the pre-war and mid-war that were obtained were overshadowed. Even though the sword emperor castle camp was still in good shape, it was impossible to deal with over 60 Spectres.
'Even if the resurrected Spectres have less skills than when they were alive....'
Each Spectre has at least 9-star level mana, and the ships driven by them will have powerful performance that's incomparable to those operated by the previous reinforcements.
The battleships were pulling out their main cannons with their barrels wide open like mouths.
"Enya, hold on tight. The mana of the mirror is infinite. In theory, you can handle thousands of them. Increase the strength of your shield, open your eyes, open your eyes and breathe...…."
Veris said that, but she knew that Enya was already reaching her limit. Blood flowed from her nose and mouth, and her body trembled.
Enya barely nodded her head.
"Haha, I can do it. Huk, huk! I can do it!"
Block it-!
As soon as Jin shouted with all his might, the battleships fired their cannons.
It wasn't comparable to Kozec's golden main cannon, but the 33 cannons mixed with the red mana unique to Spectre Corps, seemed to easily finish off the sword emperor castle.
It was thanks to Enya that the Sword Emperor Castle didn't collapse the moment the first bombardment was fired.
She succeeded in controlling the mirror, and her dragon fire shield, endowed with near-infinite mana, was perfectly blocking the bombardment.
"Well done, Enya, well done!"
Even Veris hugged Enya proudly.
'But it's over, if she tries to control the mirror one more time... she will become like me.'
Enya's body in her arms was hot like a ball of fire. Veris' clothes turn red in an instant from her convulsions and severe blood loss.
"Heuk, huk! Hoo!"
Enya had a hunch that if she continued to use the mirror, she would either die or never be able to use her magic again.
Nevertheless, she reached for the mirror again.
"Enya, no more than this."
"If I don't..."
Too many people die.
That thought was making Enya move again.
Most of the people gathered in sword emperor castle were strangers to Enya, but she did not hesitate to risk her life to save them.
It was because she believed it was the right thing to do.
Mass-produced battleships seemed unable to reload their main cannons as quickly as Kozec.
But their means of attack were not the only cannon fires of the fleet.
Red Abyss.
The chain magic of the Spectres began to spread in the sky and on the ground.
[Eradicate the enemies of Zipfel....]
[The patriarch wants the white stone. Kill them, and find them…!]
The gloomy voices of the Spectres spread. They all had the same voice, and their tone was rather slurred, like someone on a drug or something.
'The density of the Red Abyss is also lower than I remember.'
It was not difficult to infer from such factors.
All of them have the same voice, the resonating sound unique to the resurrected dead, and the magic that is inferior to the original.
There was a clear gap between the summoned Spectres and the Spectres Jin had experienced in the past.
Of course, compared to the Red Abyss Jin had encountered before, it was only slightly inferior. From a general standard, it was still great magic.
It felt like a rain of blood.
The red mana turned into swords and chains, wreaking havoc on the ground. Most of them were blocked by the dragon fire shield, but Enya continued to endure the onslaught.
Murakan also spread a curtain with his shadow force to protect the ground, and Cuicantelle let out a roar and spread out the divine power of time.
However, the mana was too great.
In addition to the red abyss, various offensive magic was pouring down from all over the sky.
Elemental magics such as hell wind, flame orb, and ice blades burst forth and break the dragon fire shield.
The dragon knight and the sword saints tried to counterattack, but it was not easy. Hairan's decisive killing moves were offset by countless magic spells before reaching the enemies, and even if it barely approached, it was often pushed back by momentary concentrated attacks.
The magic of the Spectres was permeating through the cracks in the dragon fire shield.
The magic did not differentiate between the Imperial Army and the Sword Emperor's Army. Because of this, the Imperial Army suffered more damage than the Sword emperor's Army, which was protected by the Vamel Alliance.
"You bastards, we are allies…!"
"Ah!"
A giant cauldron of death boiled over with screams and thunderous explosions.
The battlefield was once again transforming, and Jin had to make a decision.
'Mother... has no intention of joining the war yet.'
There was no sign of Rosa and Runcandel showing up yet.
The reason was no different.
'My mother is waiting to destroy or loot the White Stone. Or she has planned to appear when the sword emperor castle is completely destroyed and can no longer counterattack.'
Unlike Jin, Runcandel's purpose is not to rescue the Sword Emperor Castle.
It was a 'white stone'. As for Runcandel, its sole purpose was to prevent Zipfel from profiting from the stone.
Rather, it would be the best result for Runcandel if neither side could get white stones and were destroyed. Zipfel knew exactly what the stone was for, but Runcandel didn't.
Moreover, the moment Runcandel directly intervened, the risk of an all-out war increased. That's why Rosa was hoping for the result of Jin urging Hairan to destroy the White Stone.
Thus, the Runcandel would appear when the Sword Emperor castle camp completely collapsed and pushed back.
Do I somehow grit my teeth and keep blocking it?
Or do I save the power of the Vamel Alliance and make Runcandel appear even if the sword emperor castle suffers great damage...….
Jin chose the former.
It was by no means an efficient decision. There was a high possibility that it would be better in the current situation to make the Runcandel to step in even if the sword emperor castle collapsed and thousands of knights died.
However, Jin believed that using his friend and his people as collateral in this way was not the right course of action. Some might dismiss it as an immature and naive perspective, but he was convinced it was the right choice.
So to speak, Jin was making a choice for the sake of his friend and his people, while Rosa was making a choice for Runcandel.
'If I had only considered Runcandel's interests from the beginning, I would have raised Runcandel's banner as the 12th flagbearer, not as the leader of the Vamel Alliance.'
As always, Jin needs to prove why this is the right choice.
'I can't use the Plutonian reign sword.'
If it's the Plutonian Reign Sword, he would be able to break through the protective shield of over 60 Spectres and destroy the fleet.
However, if Jin executed the Plutonian reigning sword, there would be no "next."
As the commander-in-chief of the Vamel Alliance, Jin had to observe the beginning and end of the war and give judgments and orders.
Zipfel and Runcandel, no matter what forces went wild, he had to protect the flame of Hairan.
Only Jin wished for the survival of Hairan, unlike the others who were after the White Stone.
Jin opened his eyes and called out Shuri. Shuri, who was stirring the battlefield after transporting Dante to the sword emperor Castle, came to Jin's side like an arrow.
"To the castle walls!"
[Mya, mya!]
As Shuri ran at full speed, the Spectre corps' magic began to focus on Jin. More than half of the dragon fire shield had already been destroyed, unable to provide adequate protection.
"Protect the lord!"
[Help the kid!]
The martial artists of the Vamel Alliance, including the Proch siblings and Valkas, rushed towards Jin, clearing a path and deflecting magic.
Jin also swung his sword frantically, and Shuri also let out a roar and shot beams from her eyes.
Several attack spells and beams fired by enemies hit Shuri directly, but it couldn't pierce the curse of immortality.
Meanwhile, Enya was still trying to control the mirror.
"Enya! Stop, you will die!"
"Ha, ha, people keep dying...!"
"Lord Jin is coming, if something happens to you, then it will affect his mind. That could end up killing more people! Is that what you want!"
If it weren't for Veris' words, Enya would have strengthened the dragon fire shield once more and died.
In the end, Enya put down the mirror and screamed with a face stained with tears and blood.
"They're too... such awful people. It seems like there's only bastards in the empire and Zipfel, haha!"
"Argh!"
A red spear made of mana impaled the ground where Enya and Veris were standing.
Fortunately, the first one only brought down part of the castle wall, but the second spear that followed was aiming precisely at them.
At that moment, Shuri leaped onto the castle wall, and Jin deflected the second red spear away from the two.
"Lord Jin…!"
Jin took off his flagbearer coat and wrapped it around Enya's shoulders.
Enya looked at his back and burst into tears. It was because the corpses of Hairan knights were piled up under the castle wall beyond his steel-like back.
Enya wasn't as strong as Jin. Confronting so much death was a dreadful agony in itself.
"Nice job, Enya, and Veris. If it were me, I might have fallen short of this."
Upon hearing those words, Enya lost consciousness.
Jin picked up the mirror lying on the ground.
"Veris, get on Shuri. Take Enya to the healers and tell Dante. I don't know much about the white stone, but don't even think about using that damn thing."
Contrary to Jin's concerns, Dante did not yet know how to use the white stone.
But as the war intensified, Dante could clearly hear a dark voice whispering to him.
It was the voice of the white stone.
Come to think of it. Even when Jin obtained the mirror, Zipfel trampled on countless Colon natives and coveted only power.
Now it was Jin's turn to trample them with the power that Zipfel finally missed.
A magic circle formed under Jin's feet.
Kaaaaaang...…!
Then, the sharp spinning sound unique to backflow magic spread, and a sphere of backflow continued to rise into the sky.
It was like the moon rising right in front of them. Reverse sky, which far exceeded the limit of Jin's mana, absorbed the mana of the red abyss and showed a gigantic appearance every time he blinked.
"It is a reverse sky with infinite mana. Even if your mana is enormous, I wonder if you can show off in front of me."