Chapter 629
Episode 162: Smarion Prochi (1)
Unlike the teleportation gates, the wavelength-tracking, motive-type spatial leap vessel—the Red Owl—was unaffected by the chaotic particles.
According to the manual, the Red Owl’s built-in spacetime device differed from the conventional teleportation gates that relied on magical power for instantaneous travel. Instead, it operated by channeling the intangible “wavelengths” that exist throughout the world.
“I’ve seen failed prototypes shatter mid-jump before… but the abilities of Lord Quaul and Miss Valeria are truly beyond description, my lord,” someone remarked.
Though they had witnessed Ziphl use a spacetime device in the Gaipa Archipelago, comparing the Red Owl to Ziphl’s technology was, in itself, an insult.
“It feels like stepping into a completely new world after two years and six months.”
Bwoooom—
From all around the Ghost Valley Fortress, an eerie, mournful wail echoed through the surrounding forest.
The coordinates set on the Red Owl pointed to the campsite of their comrades and the Ghost Corps. The fact that the Ghost Corps had abandoned their main base at Ghost Valley Fortress to set up camp elsewhere only underscored the gravity of the situation.
As the Red Owl slowly descended, all eyes in the camp turned toward it.
None had ever seen the Red Owl in operation before.
But above all, the most astonishing fact was that Jin was among its passengers.
“Commander Jin…!”
“You’re back, Jin!”
The Ghost Corps members saluted, and their comrades called out his name as they rushed forward.
Quikantel, Alisa, Kuzan, Veris, Julian, Enya, Lata, Fei, Amela—and about thirty percent of the Black King’s faction, along with over eighty percent of the Ghost Corps.
Tikan had left only the bare minimum forces to defend their territory, focusing all their strength on Smarion.
After more than three months of continuous operations, everyone looked worn and exhausted.
‘The chaos engulfing Ghost Valley Fortress and the entire forest is horrifically dense… Anyone untrained would have gone mad just by being nearby.’
Even trying not to notice, Jin’s nerves were on edge.
Others vaguely sensed the overwhelming chaos consuming the fortress, but none could perceive it as deeply as Jin.
They simply lacked his level of sensitivity.
Such immense energy could only be properly sensed by someone at least of the rank of a Pluto-class warrior.
For a while, they exchanged greetings and asked after each other’s well-being. But given the circumstances, the conversation quickly shifted to the crisis at hand.
“Returning only to burden you with such a heavy problem, my lord. I apologize,” Lata said solemnly.
“I showed you this place first because it’s the Ghost Corps’ greatest and only real problem right now. It’s embarrassing to say, but this seal threatens the very existence of the Ghost Corps.”
From the moment he first pledged loyalty to Jin as his lord, Lata had felt guilty for burdening him with the danger of the Smarion Prochi.
“Lata, don’t say that. From the moment you became one of us, this became everyone’s problem. If anything, I should be the one apologizing for being absent until things reached this point.”
As Lata bowed his head, Amela stepped up beside Jin.
“Our little darling worked so hard to fix this before you came, my lord. We all tried, but there was nothing we could do on our own…”
Fortunately, the chaos within Amela, Lata, and Fei wasn’t resonating with the energy of Ghost Valley Fortress.
Jin pulled out a chaos purifier he had brought along.
“This is a chaos purifier created by the Pluto-class brothers. I brought it just in case, but I don’t think Lata or Fei’s father is in a state where this can help.”
The purifier only worked on those infected before full possession or physical transformation occurred.
Smarion had already crossed that threshold when the seal was broken. Even if not, the sheer magnitude of the chaos was overwhelming.
Purification was impossible; the only way to resolve this was through extermination.
“Jin, if you’re troubled by the thought of having to kill my father and my brother, you don’t have to. We’ve been waiting here precisely to deal with the monster that was once our father.”
Lata and Fei held no fond memories of Smarion. They had endured nothing but abuse and harsh training since childhood.
Their feelings toward their father were closer to hatred than anything else.
Still, they weren’t completely devoid of ordinary family memories.
When Siron occasionally visited Ghost Valley Fortress, worried about Smarion’s chaos, he would become a kind father, sitting them on his lap and giving them sweets.
Though it happened only a few times, those moments were precious childhood memories for the Prochi siblings—memories they cherished even if they hated Smarion enough to deny it.
“We believe that as Ghost Corps members, it’s our duty to eliminate that monster as soon as possible. For the sake of our comrades, it’s the right thing to do. Of course, it’s unfair to leave this burden on you… but please, my lord.”
Jin nodded gravely.
Quikantel then briefed them on the current situation. According to her, there had already been three chaos explosions within Ghost Valley Fortress.
The first explosion caused about thirty casualties, but from the second explosion onward, they had expanded their perimeter in advance, preventing further losses.
“The explosions are becoming more frequent and stronger. At this rate, the damage could spread beyond the forest to nearby Biment territories.”
Since Ghost Valley Fortress lay within Biment, Dante was already supporting the Balmel Alliance.
Knights from Hailan and Peralga had completely sealed off the area, ensuring that no other great powers could exploit the Balmel Alliance’s vulnerabilities.
Meanwhile, their comrades were stuck waiting, unable to act.
If they entered first to exterminate the threat, the expected casualties would be too high—there was even a risk of total annihilation.
They lacked their strongest allies: Talaris, Misha, Murakan, and Jin himself.
“We stopped Dante Hailan from joining the extermination personally.”
If the seal broke completely and the Balmel Alliance couldn’t handle it alone, Dante would have no choice but to intervene.
Dante was the empire’s hope and the ruler supported by all its people. In such uncertain times, it was best to avoid involving him in the battle.
Besides, Dante was already busy traveling through contaminated regions within the empire, keeping the great powers in check alone.
If Dante chose to focus on Ghost Valley Fortress for Jin and his comrades, it would mean more deaths elsewhere.
“Well done.”
Jin gazed toward the main gate of Ghost Valley Fortress.
‘Smarion Prochi… Is it aware that I’ve arrived?’
The chaotic energy spreading throughout the fortress deepened. This phenomenon had begun the moment Jin arrived, and once again, only he could perceive it clearly.
As if waiting for a worthy opponent, the chaos energy Smarion emitted slowly concentrated on Jin.
He calmly faced that overwhelming power and quickly reached a decision.
“We’ll rest for one day, then enter Ghost Valley Fortress tomorrow morning.”
He was still somewhat drained and injured from his battle with Lanke.
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes. If the seal holds until then—or rather, if Smarion Prochi waits for me until then. It’s more accurate to say that. It’s already in a state where it can break through the seal.”
“What do you mean?”
“The moment I arrived, Smarion’s energy intensified. If the seal were still fully functional, it couldn’t have grown this fast. There’s also a strong murderous intent and hostility directed entirely at me.”
His comrades didn’t know what kind of power he had attained or what senses he had developed. They only had a vague sense that he had grown stronger.
Though they wondered if he could really take on Smarion alone, they kept their doubts to themselves. After all, he was Jin.
“So, what should we do?”
Jin turned his gaze to the artifacts set up around the camp.
These were the same artifacts he had seen firsthand when he first met Quaul in the cabin.
They included the blue rods created for the Great Knight War, “Aura Disruptors,” nets, and various other devices designed to hinder.
“Prepare for the aftermath of the battle nearby. If the protective shields aren’t tightly formed, the damage could spread to nearby cities. Also, concentrate all the aura disruptors on the battlefield where Smarion and I will fight.”
“You mean the skilled fighters who can withstand shockwaves should keep their distance and keep using the disruptors on you and Smarion?”
“Exactly, Lady Quikantel.”
Naturally, this would somewhat limit Jin and Smarion’s use of aura, reducing collateral damage.
If Jin were an ordinary warrior, this tactic would be unthinkable—Smarion could wield chaos power without aura.
But Jin had both spiritual energy and magical power.
“Since we can’t predict how far the battle’s shockwaves will spread, it’s definitely better if both Smarion’s and my power are somewhat reduced. Provided the disruptors perform as expected.”
“Anything else?”
“Use every possible means to prevent damage to the empire’s lands outside Ghost Valley Fortress. And make sure the Red Owl remains unharmed. That’s all.”
The next day at noon.
Fortunately, Jin was able to rest fully for a day before heading to Ghost Valley Fortress.
He had spent the night meditating, so he didn’t talk much with his comrades.
He classified Smarion as a target requiring his full concentration.
“If I enter, there’s a high chance the battle will start immediately. So, Quikantel, Sir Valkas, Lady Amela, and Enya—be especially careful.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Those four were positioned closest to the battlefield, tasked with protecting the disruptors and those operating them.
Enya’s Dragon Flame Barrier and Quikantel’s mastery over time were the core of their defense.
Over five hundred disruptors were stationed near Gwikok Fortress—more than eighty percent of all the disruptors the Bamel Alliance possessed.
“My lord, I wish you luck.”
“Don’t worry so much, everyone.”
Jin turned to Lata and Fei. Though they still felt uneasy entrusting him with this role, they held firm gazes, determined not to make him feel any more uncomfortable.
“If I hadn’t met you, my spirit squad would have been wiped out by that monster who once consumed my father—just like my mother did. Please, don’t get hurt, my lord.”
After giving the Prochi siblings a reassuring pat on the shoulder, Jin stepped forward toward Gwikok Fortress.