Chapter 553
Episode 145: Omen (22)
Kyaaaaaaak—!
Piercing screams echoed across the battlefield, sharp enough to feel like needles stabbing into the ears. A similar sound had erupted back in 1795 when Andrei Ziphl, cornered, unleashed the Demon Stone.
But this time, it was on a whole different level. The Demon Stone now was far more perfected than it had ever been.
‘So Keliak has truly begun wielding the Demon Stone in earnest…!’
As the second phase of the battle commenced, Jin and his comrades realized that Keliak had brought the Demon Stone with him. Quikantel was visibly terrified, and even Ziphl’s dragons, despite wearing safety collars, seemed on the verge of convulsions.
Yet, feeling the power of the Demon Stone being unleashed firsthand sent chills down Jin’s spine.
“That power was originally hidden to counter Runcandel, wasn’t it? It seems your clan head has finally concluded that Lord Ron is beyond their reach.”
Jin answered calmly, but he couldn’t shake the thought that the tide of battle might turn against them—both in the skies and on the ground.
The moment the Demon Stone activated, Octavia’s regeneration accelerated. Jin recalled a conversation he’d had with Sandra Ziphl on the Gaipa front.
—“Shall we marry? I heard there’s talk of an engagement with the Lady of the Bow. What about me?”
—“If you reveal the secret of your rapid regeneration, I might consider it.”
—“Really? That’s not a hard condition. Have you heard of the Demon Stone? We’ve managed to mimic some of the gods’ powers with it…”
‘Regeneration powered by the Demon Stone…’
The lingering embers of cursed flames on Octavia’s severed right hand were dying out, replaced by black smoke that coalesced into a new hand.
Jin had witnessed the same rapid regeneration back in 1795 during his fight with Andrei and Buretta. Black bones formed, covered by a dull, grotesque flesh.
But Octavia wasn’t the only one healing.
Wounded phantom soldiers began regaining strength through rapid regeneration, and even the dead phantoms creaked and groaned as they rose again.
Soon, Octavia rejoined the broken staff with radiant magical energy and locked eyes with Jin. Black blood still trickled from her left eye.
“Yes. Ron Hiranzo, and you as well. You’ve shocked us all far too much.”
“Why haven’t your eyes healed?”
“To ensure I never forget today.”
“You probably won’t forget anyway. Such a pointless gesture.”
Though she spoke nonchalantly, Jin felt a pang of regret. The chance to finish Octavia off had vanished.
If that were all, he might have accepted this bitter reality. But the real problem was that most of their own forces were either wounded or drained of strength.
They desperately needed Runcandel or Thalaris to join the fight.
“…My lord.”
Valkas stepped beside Jin, his voice low and somber.
“It’s time to retreat.”
Valkas recalled a conversation with Kashimir before the second phase began.
—“…This war might not just decide the fate of the Sword Emperor Star, but the fate of the entire world.”
—“I feel the same.”
—“Even if Lord Dante awakens and we all escape the Sword Emperor Star, it will only delay the inevitable. A full-scale war or negotiations—one of these will happen, as long as the White Stone remains intact.”
—“No matter what, we must focus on supporting our lord. He won’t give up on his friends, but if that puts him in danger… we must crush his pride to keep him from falling.”
To Valkas, that moment had come.
If they didn’t fall back now, the future awaiting Jin, the Balmur Alliance, and the Sword Emperors would be nothing but death.
Of course, to Valkas, Jin’s survival wasn’t comparable to Dante’s life. The entire Balmur Alliance felt the same.
Especially in such a hopeless fight, they couldn’t afford to let Jin die. Unless the Demon Stone had healed Octavia and the phantoms, there might have been a chance—but now, there was truly no answer.
Though it pained Valkas deeply, he knew they had to face reality coldly.
“My lord… you have done enough.”
His grip tightened on his sword, teeth clenched as if his jaw might shatter.
Jin knew better than anyone that Valkas was right.
In the end, Jin made his decision.
“We will retreat.”
Of course, Jin had no intention of abandoning Dante…
But continuing to fight would only lead to death for himself and those who followed him.
The name ‘Jin Runcandel’ and the influence it carried were no longer his alone. The lives of countless comrades depended on his hands.
Perhaps his friend had already crossed a point of no return, but to abandon them all for that would be nothing short of betrayal. It was a choice a lord and comrade must never make.
“Dante… I want to see the inner fortress at least once.”
If, after retreating to the inner fortress where Dante was, there was truly no hope—no way to save him—then they would withdraw without question. That was Jin’s resolve.
“My lord, retreating from the inner fortress will be even more difficult.”
“No, going there will increase everyone’s chances of survival. The clan won’t be able to monitor the inner fortress, so they’ll definitely send someone.”
In fact, Rosa had already ordered Black Knight Captain Stam to ensure Jin’s survival.
The people of Runcandel might care little for anyone but Jin, but if they fought Octavia, their escape would inevitably become easier.
Another giant who remained neutral, the Lady of the Bow, Thalaris Endorma, might also be in the inner fortress.
Above all else—
Jin recalled an old memory: the day his eldest sister, Luna Runcandel, severed the Demon Stone. If Ron now could cut through anything in the world, there was no reason not to check the inner fortress.
With Runcandel’s involvement certain, and Thalaris and Ron as possibilities, there was no reason not to confirm the inner fortress. Valkas agreed.
By then, Octavia had finished regenerating. Her radiant magical power and chain spells flew toward the group.
Zzzeeng—!
Valkas stepped forward, deflecting the incoming beam aimed at Jin.
“I will cover the Sword Emperors and hold the rear. My lord, you and the others head to the inner fortress as quickly as possible.”
A black face, hollow-eyed and grotesquely distorted in places, replaced the sky.
It was the face that had emerged from the Demon Stone. Kiek, kyaaaak! The face screamed incessantly, as if the very act of appearing in the world was agonizing.
Perhaps it was a roar meant to intimidate enemies, or maybe just meaningless shrieks.
What was certain was that the grim, horrifying voice overwhelmed everyone in the Sword Emperor Star. Even Ron Hiranzo felt his entire body grow heavy as he stared directly at the Demon Stone’s face.
He had never seen anything more terrifying in his life. Not just because of the grotesque form, but because an indescribably deep and dark energy was saturating the battlefield.
‘Is it true that Ziphl, a human, created something like that?’
He had faced Keliak and Ziphl’s fleet alone without wavering an inch—until now.
Now, he simply couldn’t.
He felt certain that no one in the world could cut that thing down. If anyone could, it would have to be Sirron.
If not him, then no one else could.
That certainty came from being a warrior closest to the realm of the Creation Star.
‘Dante… my grandson.’
Dante’s face came to mind.
Along with the fear that he might not be able to protect the boy, Ron wondered what he could do for his grandson.
There was only one thing.
‘If I can’t protect you, then at least I will make sure you survive and return.’
He steadied his resolve.
He gathered his will, pushing away the certainty of defeat. If he fought while accepting that certainty, no miracle would ever come.
Soon, Ron faced the Demon Stone’s face again, his usual sharp gaze restored.
“Ron Hiranzo. I never imagined I’d have to use this power against you.”
Keliak appeared before the Demon Stone’s face.
He looked completely different from before—not as a white-haired old man, but as a youthful boy.
Ron instinctively knew this was the result of Keliak and the Demon Stone merging.
“I salute you.”
“How can a monster salute a human, Keliak Ziphl? You are no longer the enemy or human I once knew. It sickens me to think I once competed with you as a man.”
Keliak smiled bitterly.
“I understand.”
Hroti darkened, stained black. It was so deeply black it could be called infused with spiritual energy.
“I have no choice but to grant you the favor of a swift rest.”
A black flash shot from Hroti—silent and undetectable, like a perfected spirit blade.
At the same moment, Ron swung Rashid.
But Ron didn’t think it was simultaneous. He felt his reaction was delayed by at least a second, or even less.
The black flash easily pierced through the massive invisible sword energy between them and was closing in on Ron.
Thanks to the intangible sword energy slowing things down just enough, Ron was able to overcome the time lag and perfectly parry the black flash.
Sguk—!
The moment Rashid’s blade collided with the black flash, a strange sound echoed.
And then Ron felt it—what he was certain he had blocked—the black flash grazing his cheek.
Something that should never have happened at his level.
Kiaa, kieeek!
The demon stone’s roar sounded almost like a mocking laugh directed at Ron.
With a grim expression, Ron wiped the blood trickling down his cheek, and on the back of his hand, ash-gray runic patterns began to emerge.
He had unleashed the Overlord Sword.