Episode 650
Chapter 165: After the Shock (4)
It had been about ten days since the Battle of the Sword Garden—what the world’s elites called the “Great Clash”—ended on March 4th, 1803.
The entire world was gripped by a fear unlike anything before.
Though the official five-year truce hadn’t even reached its third year, the sudden, unannounced all-out assault on Huepester by massive powers overnight was shocking in itself.
The fact that the true victor of that battle was Runcandel—and that Runcandel had allied with Chaos to corrupt the entire Huepester—only deepened the global terror.
(Reports confirm that Jin Runcandel and Rosa Runcandel, heads of the Runcandel family, died in the Black Sea. The entity that killed these demigods is the King of the Black Sea, implying there are others like Gliek from the Sword Emperor War still out there…)
(The Black Panther, the new head of Runcandel, vows to carry on the former leader’s will and purge the Kings of the Black Sea. But first, he stresses, unifying the world is the top priority.)
(Jin Runcandel has allied with Ziphl and Kinzello in a rebellion attempt. Rosa Runcandel stripped him of his rider status and declared him an enemy of the family…)
(A world in turmoil—will the millennium-long war finally end?)
Breaking news poured in daily.
Especially active were the Huepester-based news outlets.
They were filled with praise for Rosa and accusations branding Jin a traitor. Yet, ironically, Jin found comfort in these black propaganda and agitation efforts.
“Looks like Rosa doesn’t intend to wipe out every human on the planet immediately. The fact that she’s stirring up public opinion means she’s still conscious of it.”
His companions nodded.
“You’re right. Rosa doesn’t seem to want to make all humanity her enemy. After all, what good is being the sole victor if there’s no one left to rule?”
“Or perhaps she’s stirring the pot not to rule, but to efficiently gather sacrifices, Lord Quikantel. When she wielded that massive black ship and the power of Chaos that day, maybe the entire population of Karon was used as a sacrifice. She’s the kind of person who wouldn’t care if everyone except Runcandel died.”
“A ruler of a ruined world… So gathering sacrifices, humans, is to prepare for our next battle with Ziphl and Kinzello?”
“That’s part of it, but…”
Jin’s gaze landed on a news article stating that Rosa would carry on Siron’s legacy.
“The remaining Kings of the Black Sea. Rosa’s claim that she’ll hunt them down is probably true. They’re the biggest threat to the current Runcandel.”
The Five Kings of the Black Sea.
Jin didn’t know their exact number, but since the Gliek War, he had been aware they sought revenge. He suspected Siron’s obsession with the Black Sea was because of them.
“Could the Kings of the Black Sea be allied with the Prophet?”
“That’s possible. We need to confirm whether the Prophet is truly a witch, and what connection the original Chaos witch has with the Kings of the Black Sea.”
Just then, Zett and Gilly entered the conference room.
“My lord, the fleets of Ziphl and Kinzello have entered our territory.”
It was 3 p.m. The two major powers had come to Tikan for talks.
“Let’s hope they bring useful information. Did they keep their promise?”
“Yes, sir. Both sides brought only one flagship each. No unreasonable demands for entry, and only a few personnel landed. Four from Ziphl, three from Kinzello. They must be nervous—coming to our main base with so few and no escorts.”
Only three years ago, a handful of key figures from these powers wouldn’t have felt threatened.
But now, to strike Tikan, they had to risk a lot. Not just because Tikan’s overall strength had increased, but mainly because Jin was there.
“They must be desperate. We are too, after all.”
Jin and his group left the mansion and headed to the first floor of Tikan. Soon, they faced the leaders of each faction.
Jin frowned in disappointment the moment he saw them.
“Why have you come yourselves? I thought the message was clear: only the heads should meet.”
The four from Ziphl removed their robes.
Octavia, Hedo, Sandra, and a man Jin had never seen before in this life.
“Ronil Ziphl…”
The eldest son of Kelliak.
In his previous life, Ronil was known as the second most talented of the second generation Ziphl, after Veradin. Gossipers said he was overshadowed by Veradin and Luna, never truly shining.
“Like Octavia, a hidden power within Ziphl.”
Strictly speaking, Ronil wasn’t a hidden power but more of an “unknown force.”
Jin hadn’t known this before, but the heads of each family had considered Ronil a person of interest.
While Jin was teasing, he couldn’t help but notice Sandra’s unusually emotionless gaze fixed on him.
“Has she learned to separate business from personal feelings? Hopefully, she hasn’t been subjected to some Ziphl experiment.”
Ronil bowed lightly.
“My father’s illness has worsened, so I’m here as the acting representative of the First Tower. I ask the Twelve Riders of Runcandel for your understanding.”
Though he spoke first, Ronil wasn’t above Octavia in rank. Jin could tell he was bearing the awkwardness of the situation on her behalf.
“Commander Jin, we came personally! Ha ha. You should praise us for that!”
With a clatter, Margiela rolled in her wheelchair. Alongside her were Orgal and Vishkel, representing Kinzello.
Jin said nothing, instead locking eyes with Orgal.
“You look quite confident, Commander. Like someone who’s owed a debt by me.”
“Is that how it seems? Helping you at the Sword Garden was a choice for everyone’s sake. I don’t expect any special reward.”
“That’s a relief.”
“But Jin Runcandel, you’re more perceptive than you look. Did you call me ‘Commander’ because you thought Ziphl wouldn’t know my true identity?”
“Not at all. The ones who falsified your history wouldn’t be ignorant of the name Orgal.”
—If he’s that significant, maybe even Ziphl themselves don’t know they altered Orgal’s history.
—Even if Ziphl knew, it’s possible that information never reached Myuron.
This was a conversation Jin had with his comrades right after discovering the Commander’s true identity.
Since then, he’d been curious whether Ziphl was aware of the historical manipulation and, if so, why they did it.
It was a strange scene from Jin’s perspective.
The ones who altered history and those whose history was altered, all in one room.
“Besides, Kinzello and Ziphl were quite close when I was a trainee rider.”
“Until you killed Andrei Ziphl and destroyed the initial Demon Stones, yes. But Jin, Ziphl only learned your identity very recently—later than you did.”
“So the mighty Ziphl dealt with someone unknown to them for so long.”
“As long as both sides get what they need, that’s all that matters. But now that we’re here, are you going to stray from the purpose of this meeting?”
The purpose was clear: a temporary alliance to face Rosa Runcandel.
“Well, is it really straying from the topic?”
Jin smiled.
“Orgal, the more you’re freed from the history manipulation, the stronger you’ll become. So perhaps it’s time for Ziphl to undo that manipulation to face our common enemy, Rosa.”
He didn’t truly believe this—it was just a probe.
But Octavia, who had been holding back her emotions, narrowed her eyes.
“Twelve Riders, that’s an unfounded accusation. We did not manipulate his history.”
“Is that so?”
“Don’t you think it’s rude to call for talks and then behave so disrespectfully?”
“As soon as I finished my training and returned to the family, I heard from those who broke the truce accordingly. I don’t think you have the right to lecture me. I understand your frustration at losing so much power instead of gaining anything, Wraith Commander.”
“Hah, how dare you…”
Octavia had been displeased from the start with Jin’s unilateral notice.
From her perspective, no matter how much Ziphl had been hit, Tikan was not a family they could command around.
And now this cold treatment. Even Hedo, who usually found Octavia and Kadun’s tempers (especially when dealing with Jin) pathetic, understood her reaction this time.
But understanding aside, he had to intervene.
Just as Hedo and Ronil were about to step in, Orgal spoke first.
“Using me after restoring my power to deal with Rosa… an interesting idea. But Jin, aren’t you underestimating me?”
Orgal looked at the Ziphl side. His face was blurry, but it seemed he was smiling.
“Ziphl as they are now did not manipulate my history. That’s impossible. It was the Ziphl of the past who bound me, and they no longer have authority over the magic they cast. So it’s best to drop that idea.”
“No authority?”
“Yes. Even the current Ziphl would rather release me. Unlike Rosa Runcandel, who is practically a King of the Black Sea, I’m at least someone they can negotiate with.”
New information.
Octavia clenched her teeth as if bearing a deep humiliation. Jin met Ronil’s gaze.
“Is this true?”
It seemed likely.
But he couldn’t completely rule out the possibility of a lie.
Maybe Ziphl and Kinzello had met beforehand and agreed that this method wouldn’t work, or perhaps Ziphl had hidden some facts that were actually possible.
“…Yes, Captain of the 12th Company. So I hope you won’t provoke the Wraith Captain any further. After all, we met to devise a plan, just as the Wraith Captain requested, didn’t we?”
Jin, however, had a way to verify whether their words were true or not.
“Well, I suppose I may have been a bit harsh. My apologies for the long journey. Please, come inside. Let’s talk over a meal.”
“Thank you, Captain of the 12th Company.”
“But there is one thing I must inform you first. Because I want us all to speak openly and honestly, without a single lie…”
Jin slowly looked around at everyone.
“Today’s meeting will include the contractor of Az Mil. The contractor will personally oversee all conversations, and everything will be recorded. If you do not agree to this, then this meeting will be considered null and void.”