C753
"Are you saying they're disappearing...?"
[That's right. The binding force of chaos that composes us is continuously weakening. It's probably because the evil god has disappeared.]
[The shortest would be six months, the longest a year. Our existence will likely be limited to that extent.]
Alpen and Tasha spoke.
Jin felt a pang in his chest upon hearing those words, and Vallas laughed as if it didn’t matter.
[Hahaha! Great-grandson, you’re as sensitive as your father was when he was a child. Don’t resign yourself to us disappearing. After all, people eventually die, don’t they? In fact, the three of us have already been dead for a long time, but we've gained new time, so it’s more of a blessing. Just think of us as elderly folks who have lived out their time.]
[57th Patriarch. Well, I might not be that old...]
[Elders who have lived their time, hm. It doesn’t seem like an expression that would comfort the young patriarch.]
"I will investigate if there’s any way to extend the time the three of you have left."[Yes, sure. But don’t overexert yourself. People have to go. Anyway, while we exist, we will fully support you with all our power.]
"Thank you, Great-Grandfather."
The existence of the previous patriarchs was truly a double-edged sword.
Now, in the current diminished state of Runcandel, the three added significant strength, but it could also become a vulnerability for other forces to exploit.
It was clear that Jin and the temporary alliance had saved the world from chaos.
Because the place where the evil god was born was also "Runcandel."
Many felt uneasy about that fact.
Amidst such concerns, the previous patriarchs, who had been resurrected due to the chaos, remained.
Therefore, it was an ideal condition for someone to instigate Runcandel with ill intentions.
[What worries me, however, is the possibility of external forces targeting the three of us. Perhaps the cunning and treacherous Zipple would do such a thing.]
The previous patriarchs were also aware of this.
"While I was unconscious, there were no signs of that happening, right?"
[Not yet.]
"Then it should be fine for now. Zipple or Kinzelo probably won't act recklessly because they fear me."
The God of Battle Fusion and Murakan's combat prowess demonstrated in the battle against the evil god.
Of course, Jin himself could now be called the World's Best Sword with his own power, but after the dissolution of the alliance, the two things the other forces feared the most were precisely those.
With his personal power alone, Jin could not overwhelm the powerful forces by himself.
Although the battle had caused damage, the enemies had become even stronger than before, when Cyron was present.
"Perhaps other forces, especially Zipple, would have wanted to attack us immediately after the battle ended. If they hadn’t seen the fusion and Murakan, they surely would have."
[Which means, can you use those two powers freely? That’s what they couldn't confirm, so they stayed quiet.]
"That’s correct. Naturally, I can’t use those two powers whenever I want. Both have significant limitations. The enemies probably foresee this, but they won't move until they're certain."
[If Zipple were to attack us right now, what do you think would happen?]
"What’s the current situation with Zipple's casualties?"
[There were no deaths among the superhuman personnel, but more than 70% of their fleet has been destroyed, according to reports.]
"Then there shouldn't be significant damages. In time, they may recover to some extent, and perhaps the fleet has already been fully replenished."
During the battle against the evil god, Zipple had managed to recover several hundred fleets in two months.
That meant there were at least a few more shipyards similar to the Desert of Sota.
[What do you think would happen if Zipple attacked us right now?]
"We wouldn’t stand much of a chance of winning. Even if we manage to resist, our clan would inevitably suffer devastating losses. What about the damages on Kinzelo's side?"
[It's at a level similar to Zipple. No major demons have died, but several fleets and completed plutonium-type golems have been lost.]
Jin expected that Kinzelo had already started the process of recovering the damages.
With the improved skills of Orgal and Bubare, rebuilding the fleet wasn’t a difficult task.
[If Zipple and Kinzelo joined forces and attacked us at this moment, we would face defeat.]
"That's right."
Currently, Jin was unable to use the Fusion again.
This was because he lacked the materials to recreate the Wavelength Tracking Synchronization Device.
Murakan could be summoned if he wanted, but even that was a risky gamble.
If Murakan reappeared, Misha would inevitably fill the void of him for a while, meaning Elona's seal could be lifted.
[Do you think it’s necessary to boast that you can still wield the powers you used in the battle against the evil god?]
As Tasha spoke, Jin smiled contentedly and shook his head.
"In my opinion, it would be better to openly reveal the fact that I can no longer use them."
[Why?]
"Because it would create confusion. If I try too hard to hide it, they’ll become suspicious of me. In fact, if I reveal it, they might think it’s a calculated plan to justify a war after making the other forces break the non-aggression pact once they realize that I can summon both the Goddess of Battle and Murakan... That’s what I mean."
[But what if the enemies actually take the bait?]
"Even if that happens, Zipple and Kinzelo cannot commit recklessly. If either side begins to move first, we will extend our hand as well. Moreover, we each have a card that both forces desire the most."
Bale and Valeria.
"As far as I know, Zipple and Kinzelo do not possess cards of equivalent value to those two individuals. If they want to ally with us and take down one side, it means they prefer to join forces with us. Either side."
[Hahaha, especially unlike Zipple, Kinzelo doesn’t hold a millennium-old grudge against us. I’ve also heard they've constantly shown their favor towards you.]
Of course, Jin had no intention of using those two individuals as bargaining chips.
Just by showing and lightly waving those cards, Jin could threaten his enemies.
In the first place, Jin had already concluded that there was no possibility of an alliance between enemies.
He judged that the only time they would really form an alliance would be when Runcandel became the overwhelmingly dominant force.
"However, there will be political maneuvers to paint us as an axis of evil using the god of the origin of evil and the three of you. This is something I can’t avoid, even if I’ve secured public sentiment since my time as a Provisional Flagbearer."
[I don’t know about the time of the 20th and 21st patriarchs, but we are a family that naturally doesn’t care about such worldly concerns. A domination that doesn’t care about the world, that’s Runcandel.]
"I do care, Great-Grandfather."
[If that’s the case, then you're right! You’re the young patriarch of our family!]
"We will carry out our own maneuvers. We plan to officially announce the presence of Record Magician Valeria Histor and make all the records related to this war public. It’s true that the evil god born in Runcandel caused damage to the world, but I will reveal that my intentions and those of my companions who resolved this war were not driven by greed to become world conquerors."
[Furthermore, we must proceed with compensating for the damages.]
[That’s right, we have been receiving official letters without end, 57th Patriarch.]
"A substantial amount of funds will be required. That problem will be resolved with the money we've accumulated so far and the Empire's help."
This part had already been discussed with Dante before the decisive battle.
Dante was in possession of the enormous funds left by the imperial family.
However, no matter how much money was spent, it could never compensate for the emotional pain of those who had lost their families.
The lives of the deceased were no different.
Realizing this, Jin closed his eyes tightly for a moment.
Jin felt a tremendous responsibility towards them.
What the family had caused would soon become Jin's responsibility.
Although it was an event caused by someone else right before Jin became the young patriarch, the responsibility was entirely his.
Along with material compensation, Jin also planned to provide them with a foundation for their lives.
He wanted to offer the war refugees the land left vacant due to the population loss in Hufester.
Of course, it wouldn’t be easy. Leaving aside the issue of resources, Hufester had a history of chaos and destruction, so there wouldn’t be many people willing to come here.
However, when Jin mentioned these thoughts to the previous patriarchs, the response he heard was something Jin had never expected.
[Immigration and resettlement requests keep pouring in. You mentioned that you were concerned about public sentiment, right? I can see instantly what kind of life my great-grandson has led. Despite the world being in such a state because of the evil god born in the clan, many refugees are still coming, seeking you alone.]
"...Is that really true, Great-Grandfather?"
[Yes, it is. We said we’ve never cared about the world’s opinions, but in reality, this great-grandfather has observed and felt much of it.]
The sole pursuit of power was what the Runcandel of the evil god had shown, but Jin's Runcandel would be very different.
[Since you were unconscious, everyone denied you permission. You can tell the flagbearers to accept it immediately.]
Jin remained silent for a moment, contemplating the situation.
It was clear that Runcandel had taken more from ordinary people than it had given.
Even so, people still flocked, seeking trust in "Jin Runcandel."
In the midst of this turbulent era, where instability resumed immediately after the War of the Evil God, Jin had become the guiding light for countless individuals.
Jin was different from the others.
Different from the leaders of other major factions, different from other powerful individuals. Therefore, it was evident that he could guide this world to a better state.
Just as there were those who felt aversion towards Runcandel, there were also many who saw Jin in that light.
"Yes. I will meet with the flagbearers and make an announcement to the world."
[And what now?]
Jin responded with a wry smile.
"After observing the enemy's movements, I will rescue the remaining flagbearer and find the former chief steward of the family and bring them back."
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