C650
March 4, 1803. It had been approximately ten days since the conclusion of the Garden of Swords Battle, also known as the battle of the main factions.
The whole world trembled with an unprecedented fear.
Barely three years had passed since the official five-year ceasefire agreement, and out of nowhere, the main factions launched a surprise attack against Hufester overnight, a shocking event in itself.
The fact that the practical victor of that battle was Runcandel, and that Runcandel had come to corrupt all of Hufester by partnering with chaos, plunged the world even further into terror.
(Rosa Runcandel revealed that Cyron Runcandel, patriarch of Runcandel, has died in the Black Sea. The being that killed the demigod was the King of the Black Sea, implying that there are still other beings like Glyek from the Castle of the Sword Emperor War...)
(Black Panther, as the new patriarch of Runcandel, announced her intention to continue the legacy of the previous patriarch and subdue the kings of the Black Sea. However, she emphasized that the unification of the entire world was the top priority).
(Jin Runcandel formed an alliance with Zipple and Kinzelo and committed betrayal. Rosa Runcandel stripped him of his flagbearer status and defined him as an enemy of the clan...)
(The world is in turmoil. Is the thousand-year war coming to an end?)
Special reports came one after another.The bulletins from Hufester were particularly active.
Everyone praised Rosa and branded Jin a traitor, but Jin felt relieved amidst so much black propaganda and incitement.
"It seems Rosa has no immediate plans to exterminate all humans in the world. The fact that she resorts to propaganda implies she's aware of public opinion."
Jin's companions nodded at his words.
"As you've said, Rosa doesn't seem intent on making all humans enemies. What's the point of being the sole conqueror of the world if you have nothing to rule over?"
"She may be manipulating people not with the purpose of ruling, but to effectively obtain sacrifices, Quikantel-nim. That day, perhaps the entire population of Kalon was used as a sacrifice to power that powerful black battleship and the chaos power. That woman is someone who thinks it doesn't matter if everyone except Runcandel dies."
"The ruler of a ruined world... so, is she gathering human sacrifices to prepare for the next fight against us, Zipple, and Kinzelo?"
"That could be a reason, but..."
Jin's gaze landed on the newspaper, on the content that said "Rosa will continue Cyron's legacy."
"The remaining kings of the Black Sea. It's probably true that Rosa said she would subdue them. They are probably the most threatening beings to Runcandel right now."
The Five Kings of the Black Sea.
Jin doesn't know the exact number, but he is aware that they seek revenge from the battle against Glyek.
Along with the expectation that Cyron's obsession with the Black Sea was because of them.
"Could the Kings of the Black Sea be allied with the Prophet?"
"That's possible. We need to confirm if the Prophet is truly the Witch, and what the relationship between the Witch's first chaos and the Kings of the Black Sea is."
At that moment, Jin said that, Jet and Gilly entered the meeting room.
"My lord, Zipple's and Kinzelo's ships have entered our territory."
At three in the afternoon, representatives from the two main factions arrived in Tikan for the meeting.
"Let's hope they have some useful information. Did they fulfill their promise?"
"Yes, my lord. Both sides only brought one flagship each. They made no unreasonable demands, and they're disembarking at sea and sending only a few individuals ashore. Four from Zipple and three from Kinzelo. They seem quite nervous, coming with such a reduced number and no escort, straight to our headquarters."
Just three years ago, a handful of key figures from the two main factions wouldn't have felt threatened for their safety.
But now, they had a lot at stake to face Tikan.
Though Tikan's overall power had increased, Jin's presence was the main reason.
"They must be in a hurry, but we are no different."
Jin and his entourage left the mansion and headed to the first floor of Tikan, where they soon came face to face with the leaders of each faction.
Jin's expression soured as he looked at them, seemingly disappointed.
"Why have you come? I have clearly conveyed that the leaders should discuss this matter."
The four Zipple representatives removed their togas.
Octavia, Hedo, Sandra, and someone Jin saw for the first time in his life.
Ronil Zipple...
Kelliark's eldest son.
In his past life, he was known as a talented individual in Zipple's second generation, after Beradin, and powerful people used to classify him as someone who didn't shine because he was overshadowed by Beradin and Luna.
Does that mean he was Zipple's hidden force like Octavia?
Strictly speaking, Ronil was more of an "unknown force" than a hidden force.
Jin didn't know in his past life, but even then, the leaders of each clan regarded Ronil as a key figure.
While deliberately being sarcastic, Jin briefly noticed Sandra's strange calmness.
Unlike usual, Sandra looked at Jin with emotionless eyes.
Has she learned to distinguish between work and personal relationships? It's certainly not the result of any Zipple experiment."
Ronil slightly bowed his head.
"My father is gravely ill, so I've come as a substitute for the First Magic Tower. Twelfth Flagbearer of Runcandel, please understand."
Although he spoke first, Ronil had no higher rank than Octavia.
Jin realized he was handling an embarrassing situation instead of Octavia.
"Jin-nim, our leader has come in person! Haha. It would be nice if you congratulated him."
Margiella spoke as she pushed her wheelchair.
Just as she said that, Orgal, Bishkel, and Margiella arrived from Kinzelo.
Jin didn't reply and met Orgal's eyes.
"You have a very lively expression, Leader. As someone who owes me."
[Is that so? Helping you at the Garden of Swords that day was a choice made by everyone. I don't expect any special compensation.]
"Well then, I'm relieved."
[But, Jin Runcandel. You seem more perceptive than you appear. Did you address me as 'Leader' only because Zipple might not know my true identity?]
"No way. I don't think the ones responsible for manipulating your story don't know Orgal's name."
-If he's that kind of being, maybe not even Zipple themselves know they manipulated Orgal's story.
-If that's the case, that's a relief. Even if Zipple knew, there's a possibility the information didn't reach Myuron.
A conversation Jin had with his companions just after learning the leader's identity.
Jin had been curious since then.
He wondered if Zipple was aware of the manipulation of Orgal's story and, if so, what was the motive behind manipulating his story.
From Jin's point of view, it was a strange situation.
Those who manipulate history and those whose history was manipulated were in the same place.
"Besides, weren't Kinzelo and Zipple very friendly when I was a Twelfth Flagbearer?"
[That was until you killed Andrei Zipple and destroyed the Initial Orb of the Demon God. But Jin, Zipple found out my name only recently. It was a bit later than when you found out].
"Meaning the world's number one Zipple has been dealing with an unknown person for so long."
[If we can offer each other what we need, there's nothing more to discuss. But are we going to digress from the topic as soon as we arrive at the meeting?]
The purpose of the meeting is, of course, a temporary alliance.
To oppose Rosa's Runcandel.
"Well, is it really off-topic?"
Jin smiled.
"Orgal, perhaps you'll gain more power when you free yourself from the manipulation of history. In that case, isn't it time for Zipple to undo your manipulation of history to face the public enemy, Rosa?"
Jin didn't really believe it.
It was just a statement thrown out there to see what stuck.
Octavia, who had been suppressing her emotions all along, narrowed her eyes at those words.
"Twelfth Flagbearer, that's speculating too much. We didn't manipulate his history."
"Is that so?"
"After calling a meeting, don't you think it's very rude to enter such excessive speculation?"
"I guess that's not what I want to hear from those who broke the ceasefire agreement as soon as I finished my training and returned to the Family. I understand the pain of losing much power instead of achieving what you expected this time, Specter Captain."
"You, how dare you..."
Octavia was already upset by Jin's unilateral notification from the beginning.
From her perspective, as much as Zipple suffered a setback, the Zipples were not a clan Tikan could give orders to.
Moreover, receiving such disrespect was outrageous.
Even Hedo, who normally despised Octavia's and Kadun's temperaments (especially when dealing with Jin), understood the reaction this time.
However, regardless of understanding, he had to intervene.
So, just as Hedo and Ronil were about to leave, Orgal spoke first.
[It's a very interesting idea to use me to face Rosa when I regain my strength... But Jin, aren't you underestimating me too much?]
Orgal looked towards Zipple's side. His face was blurred and not easily visible, but it seemed like he was smiling.
[The current Zipple hasn't manipulated my history. That would be impossible. It was the past Zipple who bound me, and they don't have authority over magic to release it. So it would be better to set that aside].
"They don't have the authority?"
[Yes. Even the current Zipple would probably prefer to release me. Unlike Rosa Runcandel, who is practically a King of the Black Sea, I at least am capable of holding a conversation].
That was new information.
Octavia gritted her teeth in embarrassment. Jin made eye contact with Ronil.
"Is that true?"
It seemed likely. But it couldn't be completely ruled out that it was a lie. Whether Zipple and Kinzelo had met first and agreed that the method was not feasible, or whether Zipple had hidden that it was possible.
"....yes, Twelfth Flagbearer. I hope you don't provoke the Specter Captain any further. After all, isn't our meeting today to discuss countermeasures as suggested by the Specter Captain?".
Instead, Jin had a way to check whether what they were saying was true or not.
"Well, I felt like maybe I went too far. My apologies for that. You've come a long way. Let's go in to eat and continue discussing".
"Thank you, Twelfth Flagbearer".
"However, there's one thing I must inform you of beforehand, for the sake of full disclosure. We have gathered here hoping to speak openly and honestly..."
Jin slowly returned their gaze.
"Today's meeting will be accompanied by the Az Mil Contractor. The Contractor will personally censor all conversations, and everything will be recorded. If you don't agree, there will be no meeting".
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