Episode 505
Chapter 139: Blackmail (Part 4)

Just one second. Or even less than that.

If they had been any later, the starship blueprints would have been irreparably damaged.

Those who confirmed the extinguishing of the flame all stood frozen for a moment, even after seeing the blueprints were intact.

“Just in case.”

Jin expressionlessly slipped the blueprints and the device back into the inner pocket of his coat.

“You’d be wise not to break your promise or stab me in the back. If you want to leave any room for negotiation over the blueprints and the device later on, that is.”

“…For someone who worries about that, you’re awfully cocky, Lord Jin. Don’t worry, nothing like that will happen. But—”

Zephyrin’s gaze sharpened so intensely it felt like her skin was crawling.

“At some point, you will have to negotiate with us over those things. If you just swallow your pride and keep quiet, I can’t guarantee what’ll happen to you. Orders or no orders, I’ll tear you to shreds.”

“You’re trying to keep up that fierce act even after backing down. If you kill Mr. Jin, I’ll tear you apart not a thousand times, but ten thousand.”

“Biological golems like you humans already have short lifespans. Don’t rush your death. Want me to tell you how many semi-immortal beings I’ve sent to hell in my life?”

Jin lightly jabbed Sandra’s shoulder with his finger—a silent warning not to provoke Zephyrin any further.

“I was going to negotiate with Kinzel anyway, no matter what you said. We got the blueprints, but our family lacks the technology to decode or realize them.”

It was a weakness that needed no hiding or sugarcoating.

Runcandel had survived a thousand years relying solely on the sword.

They had outright rejected magic, so naturally, Runcandel had contributed almost nothing to the technological advancements born from magical research.

Meanwhile, other great powers had achieved all sorts of technological progress and innovation. Ziphl, the Imperial family, and even Kinzel, who had only recently risen to prominence.

“Maybe it was a miracle that the family survived this long on sheer force alone. Or, looking at it another way… maybe the phenomenon that is Runcandel was truly extraordinary.”

Each member of Runcandel keenly felt that the thousand-year grace period maintained by their overwhelming individual strength was coming to an end.

Now, Runcandel needed something else. In fact, ironically, the very pinnacle achieved by Sir Shiron after Temar’s time—the creation of the new Creation Knight—only made this fact clearer.

Even with the emergence of a new Creation Knight, Runcandel could not stop their fundamental decline.

It was time for change.

And even now, slowly, change was underway. Among the riders, there were those who were trying or at least considering change.

Jin, who declared the return of the magic sword; Joshua, who believed in the power of prophecy; and Dipus, who was convinced of the need for innovation after this incident, were prime examples.

Each of them thought:

“We have to buy as much time as possible before escaping the desert and sitting at the negotiation table with Kinzel. Within that time, we need to secure at least some information about the blueprints and the device. Otherwise, we’ll be forced into a bad deal.”

“Negotiations? No need for that, kid. Even without Kinzel’s technology, we already have the means to produce starships.”

“Joshua, Mother, and that prophet… they might already have the means to produce starships. Protecting the blueprints from the family, choosing who to trade with between the family and Kinzel—it’s all going to be a tough fight. Before we return, we need to deal with Joshua to lighten the burden.”

Dipus had not yet given up on killing Joshua.

“If possible, I’ll take him out before we escape the Sota Desert. If I fail this time, I’ll create an opportunity after returning to the family. No matter what. That’s the way for the family.”

Zephyrin smiled faintly, hiding her agitation once more.

“That’s right. To Runcandel, those things are pearls before swine. Next time, we won’t be taken for fools like this. So enjoy today’s small victory, Lord Jin.”

Jin, Murakan, Yona, Joshua, Dipus, Jane, Sandra, and Zephyrin.

Thus began a strange and uneasy companionship.

Above and on the ground, Ziphl and Kinzel were still locked in fierce battle, and the desert dawn was drawing to a close.

Being protected by one enemy from another was hardly a pleasant situation.

The expressionless Runcandel members felt as if a heavy iron weight sat on their chests, suffocating them.

Though not yet visible.

The group sensed the net of the Phantom Corps tightening around them.

“At most two hours. Within that time, they will definitely find us. I just hope we don’t get spotted until we’re out of the desert.”

Zephyrin was strong. Her confidence that she could even take on Murakan at his prime was no lie.

But Jin thought she wasn’t in full form, just like Murakan wasn’t when they first fought at Black King’s Mountain. The shock from back then still lingered, making her condition worse now.

In fact, Zephyrin didn’t possess the transcendent power of Hedo. Her strength came from the Kinzel commander, who himself was in a state requiring extreme stabilization after the Sword Emperor’s assassination.

“Even if Zephyrin were in perfect condition, she can’t take on the entire Phantom Corps alone.”

Not even Hedo could do that.

If anyone spotted the group, they’d fire a signal flare, and the entire Phantom Corps would swarm.

“Also, Zephyrin won’t risk her life to protect us. In the worst case, she’d abandon us and the device and escape alone.”

Jin glanced back briefly, intending to check the battle unfolding in the skies behind them between Ziphl and Grnil.

Zephyrin chuckled softly at the sight.

“You seem nervous. Don’t expect Grnil to push Ziphl back and join this escort.”

“This isn’t a crisis that needs enemy help. It just confirmed once again that your ship’s power has grown since then.”

“You’d probably just float face-up if you drowned.”

“You’re just a kind of insurance. And insurance doesn’t talk. If you don’t want to get scolded again by Murakan or Sandra, just follow quietly.”

“Fine.”

If they escaped the Sota Desert through the opposite side of Kuta Forest, they’d reach Lomin Forest, and beyond that was the central border of the Lutero Magic Federation.

The border was guarded by Ziphl, five autonomous districts, and eight autonomous nations. Breaking through all of them would lead to the sea—the Lutero West Sea—and then, after a long way, the neutral waters.

The federation’s core was nearly impossible to infiltrate or escape from. The former was relatively easy thanks to the prophet’s infiltration path, but that route couldn’t be used for escape.

The group moved assuming the prophet’s infiltration tunnels and caves were being gradually uncovered. Because of this, their pace was slow, and the risk of unforeseen dangers was high.

Haah, haah…

Amid the howling sandstorm, one person’s heavy breathing grew more pronounced.

It was the Black Knight Jane.

She had suffered the worst injuries in the fight against Hedo. Even a Black Knight couldn’t hide the effects of continuous bleeding and reflux.

“Lady Jane, are you alright?”

She nodded, her entire body trembling like a leaf.

With every step, blood seeped from her boots.

Carefully pulling back her cloak revealed torn infiltration gear and bandages, exposing her ribs.

‘Ha…!’

Black blood poured from between the white bones.

She was still walking because she was a Black Knight. Without that, she would have already fainted and died.

“…We need to re-bandage you.”

“Ugh.”

Though the bandages were imbued with healing magic, it was only emergency treatment.

She sensed death approaching. Not just her—everyone did. Even Jin couldn’t hide his conflicted feelings this time.

“Though she followed Joshua, she’s the family’s Black Helmet… more devoted than anyone else. Is this how it ends?”

If they didn’t leave immediately, Jane would surely die.

But escaping that quickly was impossible.

While the group changed her bandages, Sandra handed Jane some painkillers.

“This is what I take whenever I get aftereffects from experiments. Swallow it, and you’ll feel better. It’s the most effective painkiller in the world. Don’t hurt yourself—Jin looks sad. It’d ruin your date.”

Jin stared at the painkillers.

The thought made him hate himself for a moment.

“What a tearjerker. Do you have a handkerchief? I might need one too. But death seems inevitable. Wouldn’t it be better to let her go peacefully? Considering escape efficiency, that seems best.”

Zephyrin pointed ahead with her finger.

The entrance to Lomin Forest was visible.

“That forest has been surrounded by a blockade since the Drying Plant attack began. Except for your youngest sister, no one can slip out unnoticed. Breaking through by force is essential, but you don’t think that’s possible with a patient, do you?”

There was no need to verify the truth of her words.

Aside from teleportation and flight, only the directions through Kuta and Lomin Forests offered escape routes. Ziphl wouldn’t leave those lightly guarded.

“At least the Phantom Legion hasn’t spotted us on the way here, so we’re still okay. For now.”

Jin met Zephyrin’s gaze.

“It would’ve been tough without you. That’s your role, Zephyrin.”

“Huh?”

“From here, break through on the right side first and draw their attention. We’ll wait until the encirclement tightens around you, then slip out of the desert.”

“I think it makes more sense for all of us to push through the border together as fast as possible, and then I act as bait from there. If there’s a commotion, the Phantom Legion will come running. Are you seriously planning to use me as bait, thinking that Black Knight could survive?”

Jin said nothing.

“You do know it’s impossible for all of us to make it out alive, right? You’re being greedy, Jin. The Black Knight’s already half dead.”

“Shut up and move. The decisions aren’t yours to make.”

Jin’s refusal to give up on Jane’s life wasn’t just about feelings.

Zephyrin—and Sandra, who kept her agreement hidden but actually shared the same view—had no way of knowing that.

“Besides, why are you worried about me? It’s not like it’s going to hurt you.”

Zephyrin shrugged at that.

“Well, I’ll follow orders then. You’re right, it won’t hurt me. Still, it’s unsettling. But since you’re not backing down, there’s no point in refusing. The Black Knight’s life, huh… I thought you were all cold and calculating, but I guess there’s a soft spot somewhere.”

From Zephyrin’s perspective, it was actually better if Jin’s group got into trouble while he was the bait.

There’d be no chance to seize anything while escorting them, but if Jin’s group escaped Ziphl’s pursuit without him, the odds of snatching some valuables would increase.

He wasn’t the only Kinzello here, after all.

And even after becoming bait, he could avoid capture and return to Jin whenever he wanted. The best outcome for Zephyrin was for Jin to be in a dire situation when that happened.

“See you at the border. Keep a tight grip on the goods.”