Chapter 1040
Episode 249: The Pluto Clan’s First Deployment (7)
Ban sat upright for a while, then slipped back into meditation. Siron, looking somewhat weary, settled beside him and closed his eyes as well. Seeing this, the Two Kings and Ozdok followed suit, sitting side by side with their eyes shut. Of course, Ozdok, being a beast, didn’t really gain much from it.
“Take this,” Ban said, rising and grasping a floating shard with one hand. He clenched his fist, crushing it like an apple, though it didn’t shatter completely. The dented fragment no longer functioned—like a broken machine—but Ban could sense it wasn’t utterly destroyed. With just a slight trigger, it could transform back into the dangerous weapon it had been in the recent battle.
“Siron, you should take this and dispose of it. It’s far too dangerous to study or use. Just discard it somewhere no one—especially the Solar Faith or anyone else—can find.”
“Understood. Though if those Solar Faith fanatics meet you today, I wonder if they’ll even survive.”
“By the way, did you leave the other expedition members behind?”
“It’s too risky for them to endure the dimensional gate’s spiritual energy multiple times.”
Siron was simply strong, and Ozdok, as a beast, was unaffected by the gate’s influence. The Pluto Clan was immune from the start, so they could use the dimensional gates forged from Nirgand’s spiritual energy and the Solar God’s power without any shock.
“True enough.”
The Two Kings and Ozdok followed behind the two. The Two Kings marveled, just as Luna had said, at how much Jet and Ozdok resembled each other. Ozdok, meanwhile, found it hard to grasp the strength of the Two Kings—perhaps even more so than the expedition members.
“How’s the outside world?”
“Quite chaotic. In some ways, even more so than when your ancestor fought desperately a thousand years ago. Maybe that’s why there are more ‘Stars of Creation’ now. Your eldest daughter reached that realm the day I was freed.”
“Luna reached the Stars of Creation more easily than the youngest.”
“In some ways, it might have been harder. She was born too strong, so she wandered more than Jin and his brother.”
“That’s true. The one who freed you and the Pluto Clan was, of course, the youngest?”
“Exactly.”
“Tell me what happened.”
Ban recounted the story of the war between the Balmur Alliance and the Red Eye Clan, which led to the Pluto Clan’s liberation. He also summarized all the events since Luna left the expedition, sharing everything with Siron.
Some of it Siron already knew through Jin and Luna’s inner realms, and some he had guessed from the influence reaching the domains of the Five Kings of the Black Sea.
But the details were new, and he listened with great interest—especially the tales of the grown children’s exploits.
“…They’re all doing well.”
“Your face never lost its smile, your eyes sparkled, yet your comments were so brief.”
“When you described Jin’s deeds, you looked quite something yourself.”
“Of course, he’s my brother. I’m proud.”
“As a parent, I feel the same…”
At that moment, Siron suddenly recalled the years he had spent lost in demonic corruption.
His children—especially Jin—had silently borne countless burdens that should have been his. Rosa’s death was the deepest scar on Siron’s life, a mark of his failure to care for his family while bearing his fate.
Ban carried similar pain—the decision to wage war against the gods, the brothers who died then, and the Pluto Clan who barely survived, hidden from the world for half a millennium.
Perhaps because only Ban and Siron shared the same realm, they fell silent for a moment, each reflecting on what the other had endured. No words were needed; they understood.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve spoken like this with anyone but Talaris and Ron.”
“Since you became the first head of the clan, it’s the first time for me too.”
“What kind of person was Temar Runkandel?”
“He wasn’t as strong as you in terms of power. But he was no opponent I could easily dismiss. Despite the clear difference in realms, he could defeat anyone. Yet he never truly did—he broke fighting against Ziphl.”
“What do you think was the reason?”
“I don’t know the exact details of the Sword Demon War, as I was sealed even then. I only heard the broad strokes. But judging from what I saw of Temar… he was foolish.”
“You insult my ancestor so easily.”
“When I first met Jin and his brother, they reminded me so much of Temar that I thought they might be his reincarnation. They shared many traits. But now I think Temar resembled you more than Jin.”
“You just said the first clan head was foolish?”
“Do you think you’re smart?”
“That’s a question I’ve never heard before.”
“Being smart means being rational. But your life has been far from rational. At some point, you realized the destiny imposed on you and devoted your entire life to the Black Sea. That’s not reason—it’s instinct.”
Siron waited silently for Ban’s next words. Ozdok had decided not to be surprised anymore by how casually Ban treated Siron.
“Even now, after overcoming demonic corruption, you’re not much different. You remain faithful to your destiny, and that’s not a matter of reason or will.”
Though they had just met today, Ban understood Siron’s life better than anyone.
Because she was the same—living a life bound only to destiny, beyond reason or will. The result was the war against the gods.
“You live the life the Solar Faith and the Red Eye Clan claim is predetermined from birth. I do too… and so did Temar. But Jin and his brother, I feel, are different.”
Siron pondered for a moment.
“Doubt.”
“Yes, doubt. That’s the difference between Jin and us. Neither I, you, nor Temar ever doubted our fate or choices.”
Ban’s destiny was to conquer the world; Temar’s was to fight Ziphl; Siron’s was to subjugate the Black Sea. And they never wavered.
But Jin doubted himself countless times. As a time traveler, every choice he made changed the world.
Whether for better or worse, all of it was Jin’s responsibility.
“As a result, Temar and I failed. But thanks to meeting Jin, the savior, I could begin a new destiny, and Temar’s will was passed on. I hope you won’t have to rely on Jin like we did.”
“I don’t intend to.”
“Ha, if you truly fulfill your destiny alone, then you can say you’ve beaten me twice. There’s no greater honor than that.”
“Until then, get yourself in shape, War God. I’ll have to defeat you when you’re at your peak.”
“Truly the spirit of Jin’s father.”
They passed through two dimensional gates already. If Siron retraced his steps, just one more gate would lead to the Solar Faith’s portal.
“Siron, is there anything else about the Black Sea you can share with Inse?”
“Not yet. If there were, I would have sent some expedition members back to report, like last time.”
Ban’s gaze landed on the Barisada sword hanging at Siron’s waist.
“I wonder what kind of space requires that sword as a key.”
“It’s definitely related to Solderet. We only knew about it thanks to the records he left behind.”
“Solderet is a god hard to read. Our clan survived because of him. He planned much for Jin long ago—he even designated Jin as the final contractor a thousand years ago. If that key reveals any secrets about him, tell me.”
“Understood.”
After that, the two talked like old friends catching up. Nearby, the Two Kings and Ozdok chuckled, already comfortable with each other.
[So this Jet really is similar to me? I’m looking forward to seeing who’s the best subordinate in this business when I get back.]
“He’s always comparing ranks in the strangest ways.”
“Still, didn’t he once team up with Jin and Mary to overwhelm you? Don’t you care about that, Ozdok?”
[Knowing what you’re good at is important. In that sense, both Jet and I didn’t know ourselves well until we met our lord. You know, Pluto Clan? The world is vast, and there are countless strong ones. But a demon like me, who works well and serves elders faithfully, is extremely rare.]
“Anyway, hang in there, Ozdok!”
[Got it, Baba!]
They crossed the final dimensional gate.
The entrance to the Five Kings’ domain appeared, and nearby stood another gate belonging to the Solar Faith.
This gate radiated a far stronger spiritual energy than the others. As Siron said, Nirgand’s lingering energy clung like a curse, preventing the gate from closing.
Of course, passing through this gate didn’t guarantee they’d find the Solar Faith’s hideout. It could be a trap.
But Ban and the Pluto Clan didn’t care. Whatever came out, they’d smash it. They had the power for that. Especially since this gate might lead directly to the Solar Faith’s tail, there was no reason to hesitate.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Siron Runkandel.”
“The pleasure was mine, War God.”
The two men shook hands, smiling warmly.
“When all the fighting’s over, let’s have a proper drink together. Not from some half-cleaned shoulder blade, but from a real cup.”
“Agreed. Though, I must say, the shoulder blade I used as a cup was actually pretty clean. You were lucky you didn’t polish it any more.”
Ban hadn’t cleaned the shoulder blade further because he didn’t want to seem overly fastidious in front of Siron. That would have felt like losing. Even though the Underworld Clan was known for being quite particular about hygiene.
“…I had a feeling you’d say that. Looks like I got played. I’ll be sure to send my regards.”
“Go on inside.”
“Take care, Ozdok.”
[“Yeah, yeah, go on in. Always stay cheerful and bright! After all, you’re not stuck on some barren land like the Black Sea—you’re living in Inse, after all, heh heh heh.”]
With that, the Underworld Clan vanished through the dimensional gate. Siron watched the spot where they had disappeared, then let out a quiet chuckle before moving on.
Meanwhile, the Sun God’s followers on the other side of the gate recoiled in shock at the sudden appearance of the Underworld Clan.
“W-what is this?!”
“High Priest! Inform the High Priest at once!”
Looking down at them, Ban spoke firmly.
“Brothers, close all the passages in this space, including the dimensional gate we just used.”