C541
Inside the castle, the Saints and medical personnel were busy tending to the wounded.
Despite achieving a great victory in the first battle, there were nearly 2,000 casualties at the Sword Emperor Castle.
It was impossible for the healing Saints to attend to all of them in just two days.
Outside, Amela, she, was repairing the defense equipment of the Sword Emperor Castle.
Her speed in restoring the equipment was truly remarkable.
Even with thousands of gifted professional engineers, they couldn't match Amela's ability on their own.
However, equipment repair was also a problem that couldn't be resolved in two days, much like the recovery of the wounded.
The dozens of hands formed by murky energy never rested a moment after the war, but only about 1/5 of the restoration was completed.
"Old Valkas! From now on, I'll focus only on improving and distributing the Dragon Spears. Since Enya can't use the Dragon Fire Shield, I have to calculate numerous variables when I'm under attack... I must find positions where I can fire the cannon at least two or three times even if I'm hit hard... Sigh, it's really frustrating not to find a good angle!"She had fought in countless wars, but it was the first time she prepared for a war that seemed so insignificant.
"Instead of sitting idly, it's better to concentrate on improving even a little. This is really like hitting a rock with an egg. If Kelliark is on board, the range of his cannons will far surpass that of the Dragon Spear. The results are too meager compared to the efforts I put into it."
The Sword Emperor Castle had to fight with less power than in the first battle, while Zipple came with the greatest strength.
Even if Ron was in good health and the Empire did not betray them, there was no chance of winning this fight.
Runcandel was the only clan in the world capable of putting up a fight worthy of being called a "battle" against the entire force of Zipple.
"Ghost Blade."
Valkas found Kashimir.
"What do you think, sir?"
"Are you talking about Runcandel?"
Even without any further explanation, Kashimir immediately understood what Valkas meant.
The Vamel Alliance knew that Runcandel was camped nearby.
They hadn't witnessed it directly, but they trusted Jin's prediction about the camp.
"Now that Zipple's main force has shifted, the value of the White Stone has been proven, as Jin-nim said, so they won't stay still. However, Runcandel will want the White Stone to be destroyed somehow during the war, without their involvement."
"I also believe so. It's a dangerous object that even the Hidden Palace Master distrusts due to its unknown use, so Runcandel must be hoping it gets destroyed during the war."
"Regardless of the stone's value, the probability of the two clans engaging in total war is low. I'm sure it will lead to a negotiating atmosphere... In my opinion, the key lies not with the two giant clans, but in Jin-nim's choice."
Whether Runcandel and Zipple would engage in total war or negotiate depended on Jin's choice.
That's how Kashimir interpreted the situation.
"If Lord gives up Hairan with his friend, there will be negotiations, and if he doesn't give up, it will be total war... That's what you're saying."
"That's right. And as you know..."
"The Lord is never one to choose the first option."
"But he's not the type to choose the second without any countermeasure, driven by emotion."
They both nodded at the same time.
"Jin-nim believes in his Family. To be precise, he is in the process of using them."
Is he really going to take the White Stone while engaging in an all-out war with Runcandel?
Can he afford it?
Kashimir thought that Jin would press Zipple with his clan, Runcandel, behind him.
That's why he chose to persist in his initial plan, rescuing Dante and the knights of Hairan and abandoning the Sword Emperor Castle, even if it failed.
So far, Jin has been able to overcome almost all adversities without the help of his Family, only with the power of himself and his companions.
This will be the first time he uses the power of his origin, called Runcandel.
Even when Rosa is in command.
"If Zipple feels that pressure and initiates total war, Lord Jin will force the Vamel Alliance and all the knights of Hairan to withdraw from the fight. From then on, this war will no longer be the War of the Sword Emperor Castle but will become a rotating battle between Runcandel and Zipple, excluding all allies other than Runcandel even by using the clan's strength."
"That's the Lord's way. I'm sure he'll do what he said. He wanted to send everyone ahead during the process of excluding those who are not Runcandel in case of a large-scale battle, but those gathered in Hairan did not withdraw."
"What do you think of the possibility of Rosa-nim subduing Jin-nim and negotiating with Zipple?"
That was what worried Kashimir the most.
Except for Cyron and the former Black Knights, the most elite knights of Runcandel, led by Rosa herself, are close to the total strength of Runcandel.
The Vamel Alliance now has the power to ascend to the Fifth Faction, but it wasn't enough to protect Jin against Rosa.
"I don't think you should worry about that yet. The Lord is now the closest Flagbearer to becoming the next patriarch of Runcandel. It's impossible to subdue or punish the Lord by force in front of Zipple."
"So, Rosa-nim has no choice but to respect Jin-nim's judgment after all."
"The lord is also Runcandel. Although the methods are different, Rosa-nim and the lord have the same goal as Runcandel. As long as the Lord's actions do not deviate from the assumption that it is an act hindering Zipple's interests, even if it seems like the Lord is forcefully carrying the clan on his back, it won't be a fatal problem."
"... I have the feeling that this war can decide the fate not only of the Sword Emperor Castle but also of the world."
"I feel the same."
"Even if Dante-nim wakes up, and we all escape from the Sword Emperor Castle, in the end, it will only put the situation on hold. Total war or negotiation. One of the two is destined to happen. Unless the White Stone is destroyed."
The White Stone was destroyed, and the chaos that had been latent within it never awakened.
That was the only scenario that could lead the situation to a stable conclusion, but Talaris assessed the likelihood of it happening as very low.
"We just have to focus on supporting the Lord in any situation. The Lord won't abandon his friend, but if the Lord is in danger of falling because of that...."
We must ensure that the Lord doesn't fall even if we have to trample on his heart, Valkas continued with a somber voice.
The words held many meanings.
If Jin risked his life saying that he wouldn't give up Hairan even in the worst situations, they were willing to make Jin step back...
Even if it meant killing all the inhabitants of Hairan in front of him.
"The Lord is obviously a strong man. However, that same strength he carries within is sometimes his weakness. It's been a long time since I served the Lord, but it seems that way to me."
"... I understand what you're saying."
"I hope such a situation never arises."
It's past midnight.
May the Sword Emperor awaken and restore the dignity of this land, may Dante safely escape the Chaos seal, may the enemies arrive a little later, and may today's dawn, which is likely the last, not be gloomy and desolate.
Time flowed cruelly and swiftly, mocking the countless hopes and prayers gathered at the Sword Emperor Castle.
"...Zipple's main force has been confirmed over the Ketu mountains. They will reach the Sword Emperor Castle in about three hours."
The knights who went out to scout informed the castle that the enemies were close at hand.
"Kashimir."
"Yes, Jin-nim."
"Order the Saint Healers to return to the Holy Kingdom, and give orders to Luton-nim and my Guardian Knights to return as well. Also, please evacuate all the wounded from the Vamel Alliance as well as Gilly and below her level."
The younger division officially belonged to Runcandel and not the Vamel Alliance.
Luton, who led them, was an outcast, so it was right to leave the battlefield before Runcandel arrived at the front.
The Saint Healers fulfilled their duty.
"Very well."
The name of this war remains the War of the Sword Emperor Castle.
That's why Jin only commanded the Vamel Alliance, but the Knights of Hairan considered Jin their commander.
Jin didn't give orders separately.
Strictly speaking, the current Commander-in-Chief of the Hairan army in the Sword Emperor Castle is Ruyan, the Chief of the Five Sword Saints.
However, Ruyan didn't give orders to the Knights of Hairan, and also treated Jin as their Commander-in-Chief.
There was no need to give an order because all the Knights of Hairan were already in their respective positions in a desperate fight...
And the reason why Jin is the one who puts everything aside when the war begins and puts everything into the Sword Emperor Castle.
It was a sign of respect and admiration towards them.
Before climbing the castle wall, Jin looked one last time at Dante, who was trapped in a seal.
"Dante."
The Chaos seal imprisoning Dante contained a darkness much deeper than the first.
Neither the color of the White Stone that shone as if mocking someone nor the blurry figure of Dante were visible.
Jin remained silent for a while as he touched the seal.
He couldn't find words that expressed his feelings, and he feared that if his troubled voice reached his friend's ears, it might affect the internal battle Dante was fighting against the chaos.
Instead, Jin stared at his friend for a long time.
He conveyed that there was someone firm and waiting, someone who would never abandon him.
The time had come.
Jin's companions approached him, indicating that the enemies had arrived.
"See you later."
Finally, as Jin climbed the wall, the Five Sword Saints and the leader of the Dragon Knights, Kalmain, saluted him, expressing their respect and gratitude.
"I am Sword Saint Ruyan. I express my respect and gratitude on behalf of Hairan. It is an honor to fight alongside you."
"I, Kalmain Aita, leader of the Dragon Knights, Hairan and this land will not forget that you were our benefactor even in death."
Jin slowly met their gazes.
"I, Jin Runcandel, Commander-in-Chief of the Vamel Alliance, Twelfth Flagbearer of Runcandel. I am infinitely grateful to Hairan and those gathered for Hairan for allowing me to fight for my friend."
Jin raised his eyes and looked at the dark dawn sky behind Ruyan and Kalmain.
He could see Zipple's fleet, shrouded in fire mana, all in a radiant red.
It looked like a sinister rising sun.
And in this world, the person who could protect the entire fleet with vast and profound fire, displaying impressive power.
There was only one.
'Kelliark Zipple...'
The pinnacle of ruthless and dirty magic.
He personally led the Zipple and arrived at the Sword Emperor Castle.
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