Episode 120
Chapter 37: The Power to Erase the World, the Power to Sustain It (4)
It took an entire hour for everyone to evacuate onto the sailing ship that had been anchored in advance.
The ship immediately cut through the sea toward Tikan, and the roughly thirty remaining Colon people sat with dazed expressions.
After the ancient god, Clam, had entrusted them with the mission to protect the mirror, more than ten thousand years had passed.
During that time, once the victors of the primal era, they had fallen into powerless minorities, reduced to slaves under Ziphl’s rule.
Throughout the long history of oppression and exploitation that followed, no one could even estimate how many Colon had died unjustly.
“…But if we hadn’t met Lord Jin, we probably wouldn’t have even fulfilled our mission. Our lives would have ended meaninglessly. I’m relieved the mirror finally reached Lord Jin’s hands.”
Tika approached Jin and bowed her head respectfully.
“No, if the Colon hadn’t held out until now, this would have ended up in Ziphl’s hands. And it’s obvious what those madmen would have done with it.”
Jin had firsthand experience of what Ziphl had been like when he obtained the mirror in his previous life.
“I thought back then they were just mass-producing seven-star magicians, but according to Clam, Ziphl nearly destroyed the world.”
The more people who gained magic through the mirror, the weaker the seal on Solderet became.
And if Clam’s seal were to break, it would mean the world could be destroyed.
“In the end, it’s thanks to the Colon holding on that I was able to meet them and complete the mission. So don’t blame yourself, Tika. Now, think about your future. I will arrange a safe haven for the Colon people within the Hupester Federation.”
“Lord Jin, aren’t you still a provisional knight? I thought provisional knights of Runkandel don’t receive family support.”
Dino, who had followed them, spoke hesitantly, and Jin smiled.
“Knight Dino, don’t worry. I have a way around that. From now on, focus only on writing articles for the Colon.”
Jin drafted a letter.
The recipient was Luna Runkandel. Jin planned to send the Colon people to her personally managed lands, as only there could their safety be guaranteed.
Of course, writing to Luna like this was against protocol for a provisional knight. But Jin had long since stopped caring much about such formalities.
“When you arrive in Tikan, the Seven-Colored Bird will arrange a smuggling route. Then go to Luna’s land and show her this letter, understood, Dino?”
“…Thank you, Lord Jin.”
“Don’t just thank me—write diligently. Expose every single atrocity Ziphl has committed in Colon.”
“I have solid evidence and circumstances, so publishing the articles won’t be difficult. But I worry about their media control.”
Jin gave a knowing smile.
“Do you think you’re the only one who hates Ziphl? Once you break the dam, the pens of Runkandel and its allies will tear them apart like rabid dogs. Since the evidence is solid, they’ll help you with the public opinion battle.”
If Dino wrote articles based on mere suspicion, no one would pay attention.
But with concrete evidence and circumstances, Ziphl’s enemies would protect Dino and wage a fierce media war.
That would make it impossible for Ziphl to harm Dino recklessly. After all, they publicly pursued justice and virtue—assassinating a brave journalist would be unthinkable.
“Ah… that makes sense. I hadn’t thought of that.”
“You’ll become a great journalist. Congratulations in advance, Dino Jaglun. Once you start publishing, many factions will try to recruit you. Choose carefully where you belong.”
Dino’s rise as a top journalist was almost certain. A reporter who could expose Ziphl’s crimes was a rare and valuable asset.
“You haven’t forgotten to omit my and my comrades’ names from the articles, right?”
“Of course. Colon was saved by a passing stranger… an unknown expert. That’s how I’ll write it. No one will believe it, but the same goes for Lord Jin and your group.”
Jin nodded.
“When the articles start pouring out, they’ll claim all the evil was the personal deviation of Myron Ziphl.”
“Yes, I expect as much.”
“Detonate the Kozek parts we took as evidence then. Their flagship, symbolizing their absolute power, was destroyed. Where could they possibly deny it?”
But even then,
the public’s loyalty to Ziphl wouldn’t vanish easily. If they looked away from the uncomfortable truth, Ziphl would just pour more money into Lutero’s Magic Federation to keep its people fed.
Dino gave a bitter smile at the inevitable outcome, and Jin gently patted his shoulder.
“That alone is a great victory. If we keep landing blows like this, someday we might finally see them sink.”
“Until then, I’ll fulfill my duty as a journalist and friend of Colon. If someday Lord Jin takes control of Runkandel, please don’t forget to use me.”
“I look forward to it.”
After Tika and Dino left, Jin sought out Thalaris, who was waiting on the deck.
For some reason, she was giggling with Murakan.
“I didn’t have a chance to greet you properly in all the chaos, Lady Thalaris.”
“Save the formalities, youngest Runkandel. You did something far more incredible than what Kashimir told me.”
“I never imagined they’d send Baekya and Kozek too. I worry that because of me, the Hidden Palace might become Ziphl’s target.”
“Hmm, no. Keliak will probably be more cautious with the Hidden Palace, thinking I’ve grown stronger. It’ll be hard to tell whether it was me or some unknown ancient god who subdued Baekya and destroyed Kozek.”
Kozek’s destruction was thanks to Clam’s power, who governs all magic in the world. The Baekya magicians all fainted from magical backlash for the same reason.
“The Baekya magicians fainted as the ancient god descended. So they have no choice but to mistake it for my power.”
“That’s a relief.”
“And I was just doing a job on commission, you know? It’s nice to chat with such a handsome older brother again after so long.”
Thalaris laughed, pointing at Murakan.
“I was going to charge a huge extra fee, but since I found out the youngest Runkandel is Solderet’s contractor and a magic swordsman, I’ll let it slide.”
It was hard to read the sincerity behind Thalaris’s smile.
‘Fortunately, she’s showing goodwill, but the Hidden Palace already knows my true identity too soon.’
One day, the whole world would learn of Jin’s abilities, but for now, he had to keep it hidden as much as possible. If Thalaris tried to use that secret to force a bad deal, Jin would have no choice but to accept it for now.
‘It’d be a problem if she started blackmailing me before I become head of the family.’
Though she treated him kindly now, Thalaris’s attitude could change at any moment.
After all, Runkandel and the Hidden Palace were never true allies.
But while Jin tried to hide his tension, Thalaris was thinking something entirely different.
‘He really might be the perfect match for our Siris. And since he’s the youngest, the chance of him becoming head is slim… Maybe I should meet Siron and casually bring up a marriage proposal?’
In the ruthless, fierce world of Runkandel, it was better to enjoy good times as the Hidden Palace’s lady, ruling the Western Sea, than to waste life never becoming head of the family.
Thalaris thought so.
She smiled slyly.
Jin felt a strange chill.
“Well then, we’ll be going. Come visit the Hidden Palace with your handsome older brother sometime soon.”
Whoosh!
A white dimensional gate opened, and the snow toad Mot was summoned onto the deck. It looked a bit tired from frequent dimensional travel, its large eyes drooping with double eyelids.
Thalaris and Siris climbed onto Mot, and Jin bowed his head.
“When you return, I’ll send Kashimir to Tikan. I kept him locked up because I suspected he might have tried something against the Hidden Palace.”
“Ah, thank you.”
“Jin Runkandel.”
Jin and Siris’s eyes met.
“I hope next time we meet, we can settle the score properly. Don’t think I’ll go easy on you just because of today.”
“Sorry, sorry. Our daughter’s still in puberty. See you later!”
Mot stepped through the dimensional gate, and the Seven-Colored Bird’s sailing ship leisurely headed toward Tikan.
It took a full ten days to return to Tikan. To avoid Ziphl’s pursuit, they didn’t use dimensional gates but deliberately took multiple trade routes, even carrying trade goods.
“Lord Jin!”
Kashimir rushed out to greet Jin, tears welling in his eyes.
“I was so worried, being left behind alone. I didn’t know what would happen if something went wrong with you. I heard through Lucas that you escaped Colon safely, but seeing you in person finally puts my mind at ease.”
“Sir Kashimir, you also suffered in the Hidden Palace’s prison. Thank you for your hardships.”
“This nanny always feels like she’s walking a tightrope. I’m glad you returned safely this time, but I can’t help feeling hurt. Why did you keep this secret from me?”
“Huh? Gili, what secret?”
“That you, young master, were involved with the Hidden Palace’s lady. After hearing that from Sir Kashimir, I was so upset you can’t imagine.”
Jin tilted his head in confusion at the sudden story, and the others did the same.
“Uh… what?”
“What do you mean I’m dating Siris?”
“Sir Casimir clearly said… that Lady Vigun told him so.”
All eyes turned to Casimir.
“Well, here’s what happened. At first, Lord Thalaris was adamant about not helping Prince Jin, even after hearing the Vigun rumors. But then Miss Siris insisted we should go rescue him…”
“Daughter, do you happen to like Jin Runcandel?”
“Mother, no, I don’t.”
“Then why would I risk fighting Ziphl just to save that kid? We could just leave him to die. Or are you secretly seeing him behind my back?”
“No, I’m not! I just want to help, that’s all.”
“No, I don’t want that. Let him die, for all I care.”
“Mother, I have to stop him.”
“Then admit it—you like the boy.”
“Fine! I admit it. Happy now? Let’s go!”
That was the conversation Casimir overheard just before he was imprisoned. Because of it, he had misunderstood the relationship between Jin and Siris.
At the time, Thalaris was only teasing his daughter.
What no one—Jin included—knew was that Thalaris was now seriously considering proposing a marriage alliance with the Runcandel family.