Episode 157
Chapter 53: The Prize (3)
While Gilly was away at her family’s estate, Jin ordered Chilseokjo to gather intelligence on the remnants of the Dark Magic Society.
The Dark Magic Society had flourished over two hundred years ago.
As their name suggested, they were a fanatical cult devoted to dark magic and demonkind. Yet, despite their madness, they had a long history and, at their peak, wielded enough power to strike fear across the entire continent.
“And it was actually Riol Ziphl who effectively dismantled them. The moment she unleashed the First Form of the Annihilation Dark Flame Orb was the very instant she killed the leader of the Dark Magic Society.”
Jin had learned this during his previous life, back when he was deeply immersed in magical studies.
Shortly after contracting with Solderet, Jin had spent some time researching the life of Riol Ziphl, the former head of the Ziphl family.
The reason was that the ‘Dark Flame’ of the Annihilation Dark Flame Orb, the ultimate destructive magic Riol created, was connected to Solderet’s power.
“Veradin called it the Annihilation Dark Flame Orb, but in truth, what he tried to cast was just the Annihilation Flame Orb.”
Riol had contracted with Solderet two generations before Jin. Though not a thousand-year contractor like Temar and Jin, she was one of Solderet’s most favored partners.
It was Solderet himself who revealed to Jin the location of the spellbook containing the final form of the Annihilation Dark Flame Orb.
—“Contractor, once you’ve grown strong enough, we’ll seek out Riol’s spellbook. Only when you can pass the trials she left behind.”
Jin had heard this about a month after forming the contract.
Perhaps because he had recently witnessed Veradin’s failed attempt at casting it, he was eager to find the spellbook immediately.
But the trials left by a grand mage at the height of their power would never be easy.
“Now isn’t the time to chase after legendary spells I can’t handle. I need to focus on honing what I already have and growing steadily.”
Kiiing…!
The reflux orb in Jin’s hand emitted a sharp, vibrating hum. Since Gilly had left for her family estate a few days ago, he had been holed up in the training grounds, practicing reflux magic nonstop.
“My lord, it’s Jett.”
As Jett entered, Jin deactivated the reflux orb. Jett respectfully handed over a bundle of papers—documents detailing the locations, numbers, and recent activities of the Dark Magic Society’s remnants.
“Southern Bimant? They’re really active there?”
Jin raised an eyebrow in surprise. He hadn’t expected the remnants to be operating within the Bimant Empire rather than in the vassal states.
“And over fifty of them gathered there? And Bimant is just standing by? According to these reports, they’re not exactly keeping a low profile.”
“Yes, sir. They’ve been raiding villages and even releasing tamed monsters on occasion, yet for some reason, Bimant hasn’t taken any significant action.”
“Hmm… something smells fishy.”
“Isn’t it obvious? Corrupt officials probably taking bribes and turning a blind eye, or incompetent ones waiting for a chance to make a name for themselves. It’s always the little people who suffer.”
“Such reckless officials are rare in Bimant. Still, the empire’s name isn’t just for show. There must be a reason.”
“Should we dig deeper?”
“No need. We’ll find out when we get there. For now, this rough intel is enough.”
Most of the Dark Magic Society remnants were mid-level mages, ranked between third and fourth tier. Occasionally, there were some high-level mages above sixth tier, but none posed a real threat to Jin.
In fact, Jin was confident he could take on fifty mages below seventh tier at once and come out on top.
He was beginning to realize he was finally stepping into the ranks of a true ‘powerhouse.’ Of course, he had no intention of settling for that.
“Oh, and Gilly has returned.”
“Oh.”
When Jin went back to the mansion, Gilly greeted him with a bright, excited smile.
“My lord!”
“Gilly, welcome back. How was it?”
“You won’t believe the things and news I’ve brought! Hoho, when the head of the family slapped Lord Joshua’s cheek, I swear my heart just dropped!”
“Hah? Your father slapped Joshua’s cheek?”
“Yes! Right in front of Owl and me! Oh, I haven’t told you about Owl yet. It was such an unimaginable sight, but it felt strangely good.”
“Was the Nameless King there too? Tell me everything.”
“Well, here’s how it happened…”
Three days ago, at the Garden of Swords.
As soon as Siron left the Black Sea, he sent a formal invitation to Owl and a letter to Tikan, summoning Gilly.
Upon arriving at the Garden of Swords, he gathered all the elders for a brief meeting about Yona.
Then, he called Gilly, Owl, and Joshua into his office.
“Joshua.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Thanks to you, Yona’s return to the family estate has been delayed by five years. Care to explain?”
“…No, sir.”
“I don’t even want to mention that a second-generation family member like you showed weakness to a junior candidate. But I did warn you and your brothers about something. What was it?”
“Not to touch Yona, sir.”
Smack!
That was when Siron struck Joshua’s cheek. Smack! Smack! Though the blow carried no magical force, flesh and blood burst from Joshua’s cheek.
“You, a coward, dared to disobey my orders. Yet here we are.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Return the Black Light Armor. It doesn’t suit you.”
“…Yes.”
Joshua immediately removed his coat and loosened his shirt, revealing the Black Light Armor beneath. Siron clicked his tongue at the sight of the gleaming, dark chestplate.
“Rosa gave you this armor years ago… and yet its shine remains. Did you not understand why your mother bestowed it upon you?”
Clink, clink.
Joshua deactivated the armor and straightened his clothes. By then, Gilly had lowered her gaze, silent.
“The next time I have to summon you out of the Black Sea, be prepared to lose your candidate status. You may leave.”
Jin’s eyes darkened as he listened to Gilly’s story.
“Unbelievable, right? Lord Joshua will have to lay low for a while, and you’ve gained the Black Light Armor!”
The Black Light Armor.
A peerless chestplate crafted over thirty years ago by the Minche Blacksmiths’ Guild, founded by the legendary blacksmith Pikon Minche.
Originally, the guild made it not for Runkandel, but for the Ziphl family.
However, after Jed waged war against Ziphl’s Five Demon Towers and seized it, the armor was kept in Runkandel’s warehouse. Rosa bestowed it upon Joshua seventeen years ago.
It was a gift during the time when Joshua was struggling against Luna.
“Now I understand why Father punished Joshua in front of Gilly and the Nameless King—and why he gave me the Black Light Armor.”
“What reason is that? Aren’t you happy, my lord? I didn’t expect you to be so calm.”
“I am happy. That Joshua got what he deserved. But Father gave me a task through this armor. During my candidate period, I must fight opponents strong enough to shatter the Black Light Armor. It’s more of a homework assignment than a prize.”
“So when he said the armor’s shine remained, he meant that.”
“And Father also warned the Nameless King. Never again to try negotiating with you by using Yona. He’s willing to cast out even a second-generation family member if necessary. The Nameless King would be crushed without hesitation.”
“I sensed that too. The head of the family seems to hold Yona in special regard. I didn’t realize before—she had no nanny and left for Samilo early on. I just thought there was some reason behind it.”
“Father’s feelings are so clear that even Gilly noticed. Through her, he warned me not to ever think of using Yona for any purpose.”
“Oh… my goodness, Father had a plan all along!”
Jin’s intuition was spot on.
The reason Siron summoned all three at once after leaving the Black Sea was exactly this.
“There’s definitely something about Yona. Father’s sensitive reaction must be because of some special power she holds.”
—You have your secrets too.
Jin suddenly recalled something Yona had said.
“I think Yona has a bigger secret than I imagined. It’s not something I need to know right now, but just realizing it at this point is enough.”
Jin nodded, gathering his thoughts.
“From now on, I need to find opponents strong enough to break the Black Light Armor. I can’t afford to disappoint Father.”
“Sigh, I was foolish to be happy this time too. This prize is more like a heavy burden for you, my lord…”
Jin smiled at Gilly.
“No, it’s your job to be happy when things like this happen.”
A week later, when Kashmir returned, Jin prepared to leave for Enya and Bimant.
Kashmir looked exhausted from nearly a month of fighting monsters in the Black Sea.
But despite that, his eyes shone brightly, as if he had achieved something as a warrior.
“Oh dear, I hardly see the young master these days, and now you’re leaving again? This time to wipe out the Dark Magic Society remnants?”
“My father assigned me some homework, so I don’t think I’ll have much free time going forward. By the way, did you manage to gather all your things?”
“Huh? My things?”
“You were away for almost a month, weren’t you? You said you left something behind in Bimant and that you had to retrieve it all by yourself.”
Feigning ignorance, Kashimir cleared his throat.
From the moment Kashimir left, Jin had suspected that he was summoned by Siron to the Black Sea.
“Ah, yes! I’ve safely retrieved the item and am on my way to store it in Vankela’s Eternal Vault.”
“Hmm, that’s odd. For some reason, I can’t shake the scent of monster blood lingering around you. But if you really went to Vankela… I doubt they would have even let you in.”
“Monster blood? Ha! You’ve been joking around without me noticing, my lord. But I’m more worried about Miss Enya.”
“Because of me?”
“That’s part of it. I heard remnants of the Dark Magic Society are active in southern Bimant, causing all sorts of havoc and looting. Yet Bimant hasn’t taken any serious action.”
“That’s right. I’ve been puzzled by that myself. Do you have any idea why?”
“Well… Bimant is known for its strong security. Ordinary thieves or bandits get wiped out by the guards as soon as they appear. But when it comes to skilled or organized criminals, they tend to turn a blind eye.”
“Why’s that?”
“They keep them around as prey for the nobles’ hunting games. In my opinion, the reason Bimant’s guards aren’t cracking down on the Dark Magic Society is to create opportunities for the Academy’s mages to prove themselves.”
Since Kashimir was once a prince of Bimant, he was well-versed in the empire’s long-standing, unsavory customs.
“That’s why I’m worried about Miss Enya. If she runs into any of those nobles who once shunned her, old wounds might resurface.”