Chapter 467
Episode 132: Annihilation, and Something Strange… (Part 1)
“A halo? You want to use me as a halo?”
“Exactly. When we get to the Gaipa Archipelago, all four major powers will be gathered there. The key figures will be present as representatives.”
“So you don’t want to come off looking weak among them, huh?”
“Right. We also need to be prepared for any unexpected situations.”
“Well, sounds like there’s going to be a showdown.”
“Anyway, are we going? If you help Gilly out first, I’ll prepare the lines you’ll need to use in various situations on the Gaipa Archipelago.”
“Lines? What lines?”
“You know, those.”
This was the conversation just before departing from Tikan to the Gaipa Archipelago.
The reason for preparing those lines in advance was simple.
This gathering of the four major powers, all competing in one place, was the perfect opportunity to spread some well-crafted rumors.
There was already talk that the 12th Rider and his guardian dragon possessed power so great it was as if they had already claimed the throne of Runkandel.
The need for a halo wasn’t just to please Murakan’s ego.
Murakan had everything else: the legitimacy and symbolism of being revered as Runkandel’s guardian deity, an unmatched aura of authority no one had ever challenged, and the uniqueness of being a black dragon.
What Murakan lacked now was just one thing: a sense of current majesty.
But even that had been unintentionally boosted recently by the “Black King’s Order incident,” which had brought him sudden notoriety. It was crucial to maintain that momentum.
If Murakan could shine just a few more times, he would become the most brilliant halo of all. Jin was extremely satisfied with how things had unfolded.
“Amela’s already been fighting the four major powers, and the Upfire incident unintentionally created something like a combined technique. It’s a bit different from what I expected, but even better. Could there be a better situation than this?”
It was the perfect moment to spread rumors with a bit of exaggeration, just like during the Black King’s Order incident. Jin felt a quiet pride in having prepared the lines to use on this stubborn black dragon.
“Line number three?”
Murakan asked with a glance.
“Yes, line three!”
Jin held up three fingers and gave a sharp look. Murakan nodded vigorously, clearly understanding.
Then, in a solemn tone and deep voice, he declared:
“Insignificant humans, do you… desire power…?”
When Murakan spoke, Jin couldn’t help but clutch the back of his neck in embarrassment.
That wasn’t line three—it was line thirty-three.
“Murakan, I said line three, not thirty-three!”
Line thirty-three was meant for when enemies clearly surrendered and pledged loyalty. It was completely inappropriate for the current situation.
Flare—crackle!
The Upfire had reached its peak, fiercely igniting the final flames.
The black tidal wave’s destructive roar tore through humans, objects, and nature alike, while the desperate screams of those fighting to survive reached a crescendo.
Thanks to the overwhelming noise, Murakan’s slip went unnoticed. It was a relief that line thirty-three wasn’t one that shouted loudly.
“Good, looks like no one heard it.”
Saying something out of place would only undermine his dignity.
Jin breathed a sigh of relief. Murakan seemed to sense something was off too, tilting his head in confusion.
Murakan looked back at Jin’s three fingers. Realizing his mistake, he spoke again.
“As of this moment, this place—the Gaipa Archipelago—is the land of Murakan.”
Despite the solemn, low voice, this time his tone was filled with majesty and power.
Even amid the horrific chaos, everyone could clearly hear Murakan’s voice.
“My land? Could it be that the youngest killed the mercenary Amela?”
From Vigo’s perspective, that was the only explanation.
If Amela had merely been subdued, they would have at least seen her badly wounded or even her corpse.
“So, Amela was defeated by the 12th Rider and Murakan after all!”
Ratz came to the same conclusion.
He also thought that if he were Jin, he would have killed Amela too. If she didn’t show loyalty like the Ghost Corps or the Black King’s Order, keeping her alive would only mean she’d join another faction and become an enemy.
Once she belonged to another major power, no one could touch her. From Ratz’s point of view, now was the best time for Jin to kill Amela “without burden.”
“Also, it’s the perfect time to eliminate all witnesses…!”
A terrifying future flashed through Ratz’s mind.
What if only Jin, Murakan, Vigo, and the Runkandel knights survived on the Gaipa Archipelago, and everyone else died?
Then no one would know what choice Amela made, how she died, or what happened to the four major powers who came looking for her.
Even if Runkandel sent knights as they pleased, the other powers would have no way to object if no witnesses remained from the Gaipa Archipelago battle.
“Especially the 12th Rider is skilled in propaganda. We must prevent that at all costs!”
In other words, they had to survive. Somehow, they had to live to report everything they had seen and experienced to the Emperor.
“And since you have trespassed on my land, not a single one of you shall survive.”
As Murakan finished line three, Ratz gritted his teeth, and Jin let out a relieved breath.
Kill every last one of them.
That was the meaning behind line three, but in truth, Jin had no intention of killing everyone.
For the rumor to spread properly, some had to survive and return.
“Though someone like Midor Elner definitely can’t be spared.”
Aside from Runkandel, the survivors would be limited to no more than five per faction, none of whom were of critical importance. That was the extent of the mercy Jin intended to show.
The black tidal wave was fading. The Upfire was coming to an end.
When the flames finally cleared, the ground revealed a desolate landscape of ash and death.
No groans or screams could be heard. No weak, labored breaths from those clinging to life.
Only the sound of smoldering corpses burning and the heavy panting of survivors remained.
In other words, there were no wounded—everyone who couldn’t endure had died.
“Line six.”
At Jin’s signal, Murakan looked down at the ground.
“Hmph, I didn’t expect so many bugs to survive just a light stomp. Quite unpleasant.”
Line six wasn’t just about words.
Whoosh!
As soon as the line ended, Murakan exhaled a black breath toward Kinzello’s direction. One of the White Wolf Tribe’s strongest warriors was struck and instantly killed.
Murakan’s power had reached fifty percent, and everyone had just exhausted themselves trying to suppress the Upfire, so no one could respond.
Even considering that, there were very few in the world who could so easily take down the White Wolf Tribe’s top warrior.
“Eek!”
The Red Tiger Tribe’s king, lucky to have survived, recoiled in terror. Seeing only the ankle of the fallen White Wolf warrior left on the ground terrified him even more.
Now, not only the Red Tigers but even the White Wolves struggled to suppress their fear.
Gulp…!
Others watching unconsciously swallowed dry saliva.
“Line seven.”
At Jin’s signal, Murakan turned his head toward Vigo and the Runkandel knights.
“And Runkandel, leave the island immediately and return to your clan. Tell Rosa Runkandel that I will question her for sending knights onto my land without permission. She will need to provide a proper explanation.”
Vigo and the guardian knights’ eyes widened in disbelief.
“Wait, didn’t he just say the Gaipa Archipelago is his land now? And now he’s saying he’ll question Mother for sending us here without permission? We got here first—what nonsense is this?”
Murakan’s words made no sense, and they clearly disrespected the acting head of the clan.
But Vigo couldn’t argue.
He didn’t know what might happen if he spoke out of turn. Besides, if he defied Murakan, the situation would only become ridiculous.
“…Understood, Lord Murakan. I will convey your message. But may I ask one question?”
Murakan’s eyes lowered briefly to look at Jin. Jin nodded.
“You may, Vigo Runkandel.”
“What happened to the mercenary Amela?”
Murakan lowered his eyes again. Jin made a cutting gesture across his throat.
“She’s dead.”
Everyone had expected as much, but hearing it directly from Murakan left a hollow emptiness in their hearts.
They had rushed to recruit Amela, but only suffered heavy losses.
She had been killed by an unexpected black dragon, who now threatened to kill them all.
At least no one from Runkandel had died. Vigo and his knights had only wasted their efforts, so it wasn’t all bad.
[On the way back, if you look carefully out there at the sea, you might still find the ashes of that foolish mercenary.]
“…Thank you for letting us know, Murakan.”
[Go.]
“Murakan, could you give us just one more chance?”
As Vigo spoke up again, Murakan furrowed his brow.
[What are you suddenly talking about?]
“The royal family and Kinzello won’t mind if you slaughter them. But soon, reinforcements from the Mage Tower will arrive in Jiple, since the Mage Lord is stationed there. We’ll help you.”
The Mage Lord’s staff.
As a rider of Runkandel, Vigo knew about the Mage Lord’s staff—the very one that had once pushed Jin into a crisis back in Colon.
Its ability to call the main force in emergencies.
Jin shook his head, grimacing as much as he could, and Murakan matched him with the most menacing expression he could muster.
[Vigo Runkandel, you really underestimate me, don’t you? You think you can help me? Just to face the main force from Jiple?]
“Murakan, I have no other intentions…”
[Say one more word and I’ll kill you all too. Now get lost…]
“I didn’t call for you!”
Suddenly, someone cut Murakan off with a bright voice.
It was Sandra Jiple. All eyes, including Murakan’s, turned to her.
“I didn’t activate the Mage Lord’s staff. So, great Black Dragon, stop playing puppet. Jin Runkandel, the hidden puppeteer—how about stepping forward for once?”
I’ve been wanting to meet you.
Sandra added with a sly smile.