C638
At that moment, the fleets of each faction gathered in the airspace near Kalon, of the Hufester Alliance, just as Jin had predicted.
And they all watched the drastic changes beginning to unfold in the Garden of Swords.
No, they were watching the dark scene of chaos spreading throughout the city of Kalon.
"This madness... What is this?"
The commander's room of the flagship of the First Fleet, Kozec.
Kadun, unaware, slumped in his chair, unable to look away from Kalon.
Hedo and Octavia, beside him, had similar reactions.
Ever since Ron subdued Gliek in the War of the Sword Emperor Castle, the remnants of chaos had been sowing havoc across the world.
However, the level of chaos spreading before them now was unprecedented, unlike anything seen before.Even the Great Desert of Mitra, used as a dumping ground by the major factions, seemed pristine compared to the chaos emanating from Kalon.
It seemed plausible to say that one of the Five Kings of the Black Sea had awakened in Kalon.
"I never imagined that the Garden of Swords would conceal such power. And Runcandel seems to be controlling all of this massive Chaos... Damn, could it be true that the identity of the Prophet is actually the witch Heluram?"
The chaos in Kalon presented a completely different aspect from ordinary contaminated areas.
It spread perfectly purified, without any erratic pattern.
Among the major factions, the one known to have the least technical development through chaos control was Runcandel until yesterday.
Because of this, there were not a few people in the world who rashly assessed that Runcandel was collapsing, but that claim was completely wrong.
In the eyes of the leaders of Zipple, Runcandel was, in fact, entering its prime.
The massive chaos spreading throughout the city like a giant snake continued to proliferate ceaselessly as they watched.
But that wasn't the only difficult-to-accept spectacle.
"Moreover, that fire... belongs to the Twelfth Flagbearer."
In the midst of the chaos covering Kalon, the area where the Garden of Swords was located, a blue flame cut through the chaos.
It was far away, but they could see it. It was Jin Runcandel's fire.
-And unless the Twelfth Flagbearer chooses the option to submit to Runcandel with the Vamel Alliance, there will inevitably be a fight in the Garden of Swords.
-He will never make such a choice.
-At that time, we will be able to check the power of Runcandel through his battle.
A conversation they had in the Tower of Histories not long ago.
The power of Runcandel, and the power of Jin that was stirring up in Runcandel's main house. Both far exceeded their expectations.
Amidst a chill down his spine, Kadun turned his gaze to Hedo.
"Hedo, you were right. If we hadn't prepared for a total attack, we wouldn't have even known they were accumulating such dreadful power."
"If Runcandel had finished accumulating his power to satisfaction, then he would suddenly unleash it upon us without warning. If we weren't properly prepared at that time... I can't help but think that day would have been our downfall," Octavia intervened in Kodan's narration.
Hedo silently watched Jin's fire.
Despite appearing as small as a fingernail due to the distance, if Jin wished it, the blue flames could tear through the Chaos and incinerate everything up to where they stood.
I don't sense the power of Murakan that worried Kadun-nim... Does it mean he's fighting alone in the Garden of Swords?
Just as Lionel and Stam were experiencing in real time Jin's level increase during the battle, the three of them had the same feeling.
"Kadun-nim."
A magician entered the commander's room.
"I just confirmed the position of the Kinzelo fleet."
The Kinzelo fleet is approaching from the opposite direction of Zipple.
With Kalon at the center, the fleets of the two forces on both sides were gradually closing the distance towards Runcandel.
"What's the size?"
"Starting with the flagship of the First Fleet, Grenille, Zion, Kiki, Alice, and Criul. The five main fleets have been observed."
Kozec, Kozec 2, Lucia, Andion, Pistro, Arcadia.
Likewise, Zipple brought together all six strongest fleets and flagship of the clan.
The strongest and largest forces in the world were gathered in one place.
Soon, Kadun stood up as if he had made a decision.
"Immediately transmit to Kinzelo."
The reporter, who perceived the order, bowed heavily.
"Let us form a temporary alliance and together attack the Garden of Swords. Today we will destroy Runcandel with them...!"
The reporter left the commander's room.
What will they do if Kinzelo rejects the proposal?
Hedo, Octavia, and the scribes did not ask Kadun such a question.
Because they were sure that Kinzelo could not refuse. Zipple and Kinzelo considered their powers to be roughly equal at that moment.
This meant that neither of them could face Runcandel alone. The difference wasn't even significant enough to express it as "they didn't know until they fought".
The power of Runcandel, witnessed by the leaders of each faction, was at a level they could never win without joining forces when the opportunity arose.
"By the way, I'm curious about one thing. Why did they keep their power hidden until now... It would have cost us a lot to resist if they had launched a large-scale attack at any moment," said Hedo, exhaling cigarette smoke.
"Either they judged that it was still not enough to cleanly defeat us and Kinzelo separately, or there may be dangers and limitations we are unaware of, or there could be some issue between Rosa and the Prophet."
"It feels too overwhelming to simply exercise caution."
"I'm curious about that too, but we can't back down."
"I believe so too, Kadun-nim. The Twelfth Flagbearer has stirred up internal strife, and I don't think there's a better opportunity than now to cooperate with Kinzelo."
An hour passed since the magician sent by Kadun arrived at the Kinzelo fleet.
Even then, the battle between Jin, Lionel, and Stam continued.
Just an hour ago, Jin's infernal flame seemed to gradually break through the chaos covering the Garden of Swords, but now it seemed that the chaos struggled to suppress the flames.
Just like the chaos spreading beyond Kalon throughout Huphester, the flame kept growing in size.
"Among those remaining in Runcandel at this moment, the only person who can handle such a battle is the Black Panther. Leader, in my opinion, this is an opportunity that will not come again. The Black Panther will surely be with the Prophet, and when the battle ends, there will surely be a blow to all the Chaos covering the Garden of Swords."
Upon Berakt's words, Orgal shook his head.
[Berakt, it's not Rosa Runcandel who is facing the Twelfth Flagbearer.]
"You said it wasn't Rosa Runcandel?"
[The Prophet must have summoned the old swordsmen of Runcandel. Using the city residents as sacrifices. If Rosa Runcandel had been directly involved in the battle, the Chaos that had already tainted Kalon would have shown signs of instability. All that chaos spreading is through Rosa Runcandel as a medium...]
The leader was certain. All residents of Runcandel City, Kalon, without exception, had already become materials for the creation of Chaos.
This time, not even Bouvard and Ainas could utter any foolish comments.
Runcandel, soaked in Chaos, instilled intense fear even in those fools.
"Huh, does that mean they can keep summoning such formidable beings in the future?"
[If the materials are sufficient, probably... any amount.]
"All right, Leader. Then... wouldn't it be prudent to accept Zipple's offer of a temporary alliance?"
[So we shall, Joe. You should go immediately and prepare the Golems of the Tribe of Legends.]
"Got it!"
There was silence for a while.
-[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 strike together at Runcandel. I don't think it will be easy to handle, as powerful as the Garden of Swords may be].
While Joe was away, Orgal recalled what he had said in a meeting not long ago.
Those words needed to be corrected.
[Today, even if we and Zipple join forces, it is impossible to completely destroy Runcandel].
"You don't want to end the Prophet, do you?"
[Zephyrin, you keep acting recklessly.]
"Tsk. Can I mess around in front of anyone other than the master?"
[Her life or death isn't so important to me. What matters is that we're in a slightly different position from Zipple right now. We proceed with the war in a direction that inflicts damage to both Zipple and Runcandel. It seems necessary to suppress the power of both sides to gain time.]
"Of course, if we don't want that to be noticed, we have to be prepared to lose quite a bit, right?".
Upon Margiella's words, Orgal nodded.
[Additionally, the second objective is Jin Runcandel's survival.]
"Pardon?" exclaimed Zephyrin, and Margiella's eyes sparkled.
[Even now, don't you see? He's very valuable for containing both Runcandel and Zipple in the future. He must not die here.]
"Why don't you think Jin Runcandel could ultimately end us too?"
[Zephyrin.]
"Why, why, why do you see it that way?"
[You seem scared.]
Zephyrin snorted.
"Yes, I'm a little scared. It's because my wicked master is showing a very insignificant appearance."
[Don't worry too much.]
"All right, then can you at least help me restore my dignity?"
[Zephyrin, you will lead the vanguard. You can use my power as much as you want, so make sure to inflict irreparable wounds on your enemies.]
At the moment Orgal said that. Suddenly, the sky above the fleets of the major factions began to darken.
And in that sky, a woman's voice resounded, as if speaking as a God.
[Zipple, and Kinzelo. I've been very uncomfortable because I haven't been able to smash you as I wanted...]
It was Rosa Runcandel's voice.
[But now you're staining even the last reunion with my son. You will have to pay for it. If you think you can't bear it, I suggest you flee right now]
As soon as she finished speaking, a gigantic battleship descended from the black sky from atop Kalon.
[If you can...]
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