C633
Tower of Stories, Zipple.
The gazes of Kadun, Hedo, and Octavia were fixed on the bulletin lying on the table.
(The war hero of Sword Emperor Castle, the Twelfth Flagbearer of the Garden of Swords, Jin Runcandel. He returned after completing closed-door training).
"It means Jin Runcandel is back...," Octavia murmured softly.
The aforementioned Twelfth Flagbearer disappeared shortly after the end of the Sword Emperor Castle war.
Hedo, who still held no grudge against Jin, had a calm face, but Octavia and Kadun's eyes were filled with bloodlust.
'The attitude of people, who are high-ranking leaders of the world, is always like this towards that kid. I myself can't control them without the patriarch.'
Kelliark Zipple.
Currently, he was assisted by Chaos control devices, and his body was on life support.It was natural as he was exposed to most of the Chaos along with Rosa in the Sword Emperor Castle war.
Until a year ago, Kelliark had engaged in some external activities to hide his shortcomings, but now he really had to "win" time.
Until Zipple achieves the perfect chaos control technology, or until Kinzelo accepts the deal.
'Well, I underestimated him a bit when I first saw him in the Sota Desert...'
Looking back, that was the problem.
If he had finished off Jin before Sandra caused a stir in the Sota Desert, if he had stabbed Jin before she cleared the way, or if he had stayed with Sandra and followed her to Gaifas when she fell in love with Jin and cut him then...
It wouldn't have been such a big concern.
Not for Zipples nor for Hedo personally.
If anything, the fact that Jin, who had now returned stronger, wasn't such a bad thing for Zipple.
Hedo opened another bulletin lying next to the table.
(Sir Dante Hairan subdued the Ghost Castle Demon! Sir Dante is the first imperial guardian sword succeeding the late Sir Ron Hairan, and is assessed to have entered the realm of the Five-Star after the Sword Emperor Castle war...).
"Smarion Proch of the Ghost Castle was probably subdued by the Twelfth Flagbearer, not by Dante."
"Why do you think so, Hedo?"
"Dante Hairan is still making public appearances. But there are no signs of injuries, and none of his knights have died. No matter how strong the Imperial Guardian Sword has become, it's not strong enough to subdue that amount of Chaos unscathed. If he were alone, he would have to risk his life to do so."
"That's right. But isn't the same case for Jin Runcandel?"
"I don't know. It's a different matter depending on how strong the Twelfth Flagbearer has become."
"No matter how much he has grown in 2 years and 6 months, he's not to that extent, right?".
"Obviously, he's a different person. Everyone here must have experienced how he always produces results that exceed common sense."
"Still, if he faced Smarion without injuries, then it would be the result of Murakan regaining his strength and appearing again."
Hedo nodded.
"Or the Twelfth Flagbearer has power close to that of the genesis knight, or Murakan has regained his former strength. Neither of those things is too bad for us right now."
Runcandel, Zipple's former nemesis, whom everyone believes is in decline. Zipple and Kinzelo had a completely different judgment from the public's assessment.
"Garden of Swords". Right now, there's no better hand than the Twelfth Flagbearer to keep them in check."
Hedo opened another bulletin on the table.
(The Garden of Swords has discovered the legacy of Temar Runcandel, the first patriarch of the Family... Although there is no concrete announcement, it shows a firm will to reclaim the forgotten history of the clan).
"The Twelfth Flagbearer probably doesn't know the exact situation of Runcandel right now. That's why, as soon as he returned, he felt something strange and announced his return to the world before his clan. This is the reaction Runcandel showed after."
After losing most of its history when Runcandel was defeated by Zipple a thousand years ago, Runcandel has rarely made public issues about his ancestors.
Among them, directly mentioning the Temar is the greatest taboo.
But now, the power of Zipple's stories that suppressed Runcandel had weakened, and they no longer cared about Zipple's authority.
Runcandel didn't say anything about the 'mana affinity' phenomenon that occurred in pure-blooded Runcandel after the Sword Emperor Castle war.
There can only be one reason for this.
Trust.
Runcandel now has the confidence and strength to not fear Zipple's oath...
"Hmm... Did they find Temar's tomb before the Hister survivor? Through the power of the Prophet?"
"Maybe. But it doesn't matter if it's true or false. The important thing is that the Twelfth Flagbearer has no choice but to turn to his clan as soon as he sees this news."
"To ensure the survival of the Hister survivor and the legacy Runcandel has obtained, right?"
"Not only that, but Jin Runcandel's return to his clan is a forced choice. Even if Runcandel is not what he used to be. It's not something he can compromise on."
"It's as Captain Spectre and Lord Kadun said. Of course, the Twelfth Flagbearer won't visit his Family without any preparation. It seems he'll use the hidden palace master's toad as an escape route, and won't drag the Vamel Alliance along."
"Then he'll surely die on the spot, Hedo-nim. He doesn't know how dangerous Runcandel is right now!"
Octavia was furious that the opportunity for revenge was slipping away.
"No, Octavia. If Murakan regains all his former strength. Moreover, as Hedo said, if his battle prowess is at a first-class or higher superhuman level... Only those two could do something like waging war with Runcandel."
"And unless the Twelfth Flagbearer chooses to submit to Runcandel with the Vamel Alliance, a fight in the Garden of Swords is inevitable."
"He'll never make such a choice."
Indeed, how much damage Runcandel would suffer in that process was uncertain for the three.
However, the three predicted that Jin's chances of survival were very low. Even in a situation where Murakan supported him with all his regained strength.
"Then let's confirm Runcandel's power through his battle this time."
Zipple knew that the Prophet had effectively taken control of the Garden of Swords with Rosa, and deduced that her power was beyond imaginable.
But they didn't know exactly to what extent.
Therefore, they were avoiding total war under the pretext of the previously agreed ceasefire.
"Of course, it's a good option to monitor the movements. But I don't think it would hurt to go further."
"Go further...?"
Kadun and Octavia's gaze landed on Hedo.
"If Runcandel is weaker than we expected, then they'll receive a heavy blow in that battle."
Then it would be the perfect time to end Runcandel once and for all.
That's what Hedo was saying.
"We shouldn't give them time to recover. Do you all know how quickly the Prophet revived all those knights who died in the Sword Emperor Castle and how she strengthened them?"
It was an intelligence report they received when Jin was in Lafrarosa.
The informant, who reported on the resurrection and strengthening of the knights by the Prophet, died and "melted" in front of Kelliark as soon as he finished the report.
In other words, the Prophet, herself, intentionally displayed her power, knowing she was being watched by the informant.
Recalling that time, Kadun and Octavia shuddered as if feeling a chill.
"So, Hedo, are you suggesting we prepare for total war?"
"It means we should prepare for a response commensurate with the battle situation. Not necessarily an unconditional total war."
"If the battle unfolds where both sides lose, then it means we'll end up with both... if not, then we simply retreat."
There was a moment of silence, and then Kadun made his decision.
"It's definitely the best outcome if it works as you say. But it's not up to us to decide. It's better if we wake Kelliark for a moment and let him decide."
Then they went to the top floor of the Tower of Stories and informed Kelliark of the situation.
Kelliark nodded in the life support device, saying Hedo was right.
-------------------
Kinzelo's new headquarters.
At the same time, they were also holding a meeting on the same topic as Zipple.
They were also reaching a similar conclusion to Zipple's.
It was Bishkel Ivlianos who suggested taking the initiative and aiming for the defeat of both sides.
"Hmm, I think the vice-leader's opinion is good, but... will he really go alone to the Garden of Swords? Even if he defeated Ranke, it would be madness to go alone to the Garden of Swords, which we can't even touch. Much more if it's that cunning guy, right?"
"Hmph! That Jin Runcandel seems completely invisible after turning Ranke into a damn disaster!"
Bouvard and Ainas expressed their doubts.
Ranke was sitting in a corner muttering to himself fascinated.
Although sometimes, Ranke remembered that Jin "beat" him every time he heard his name, and looked at Ainas and Bouvard as if he wanted to kill them.
"As Lady Ainas said, unless his brain is damaged because he easily trampled Ranke, I don't think he'll go to the Garden of Swords. Ranke-nim and all of Runcandel are on different levels, right? Ah, of course, I'm not saying Ranke-nim is pathetic. He just lost..."
"Right, he just lost. So cheer up! Ranke."
Bishkel, as always, was fed up with Bouvard's nonsensical chatter.
"...Lady Ainas and Bouvard. Stop emphasizing Ranke's defeat. It doesn't fit with the meeting's theme, and it's disrespectful."
The two didn't even listen to Bishkel and took sweet potato croquettes out of their pockets and ate them, and Bishkel broke the pen he was holding.
"Umm, what do you think, leader?" Margiella said as she patted Bishkel's shoulder.
[The vice-leader's opinion is correct. Perhaps Zipple had a similar plan. When Jin and Runcandel receive a heavy blow, if we and Zipple attack Runcandel together. I don't think it will be easy to handle, no matter how powerful the garden of swords is]
"Well then, leader. Are you saying we should prepare for a total attack?"
[I think that would be fine for now, Berakt. We'll have to monitor the future situation. Since Jin can't swear allies to the Prophet... the fight is bound to happen. And Ainas, Bouvard. Ranke's defeat wasn't without reason. Jin Runcandel has become incomparably stronger than before]
The leader's direct assessment widened the executives' eyes.
In particular, Zephyrin had been with Orgal for a long time and remembered few cases where Orgal evaluated someone so highly.
"The outcome will depend on how strong the power Runcandel has kept hidden really is. If he's weaker than we think, then it will be our chance to end them all. Master, it's been a long time since you made a decision that I like. I'm getting annoyed having to keep worrying about that person."
[Zephyrin, don't speak lightly of the Prophet.]
"Hmph, anyway, I'm just a pitiful Dragon who doesn't remember receiving favors from the master."
Again, Margiella patted Zephyrin on the shoulder.
"So, the leader's permission has been granted. Do we prepare too? The Garden of Swords and Jin Runcandel-nim. In the end, it will be a fight that will inevitably hurt both sides, so it should be enjoyable."
Margiella smiled softly.
She thought this might be the last chance to recruit Jin.
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