Chapter 756
Episode 185: The Remaining Ones (6)
The next day, in the former capital of the Bimant Empire.
The square had been filled for hours with Jin’s announcement.
They had been reading the names of the fallen warriors and holding a memorial service for them—hours had already passed.
Yet, despite the scorching sun beating down without a single shade, not one person gathered there left their place.
Many silently shed tears.
Some wept for those massacred by the Fiend, others for those who died fighting, and some cried from the overwhelming relief of still being alive.
“…This concludes the memorial service.”
Behind Jin, flags representing each faction and noble house were raised.
Jin turned one last time and bowed deeply in silent tribute to the flags.
Now came the official statement.
“Effective today, the Balmel Alliance, Ziphl, and Kinzelro’s temporary coalition against the Fiend is officially dissolved. From now on, each faction will return to their original relations.”
Everyone already knew that a new storm of war was brewing.
“Before the final battle with the Fiend began, Runcandel, Ziphl, and Kinzelro made one agreement: a limited non-aggression pact, promising not to attack each other for at least one year after the war ends. Here today, I vow that Runcandel will never be the first to break this pact.”
Ronil and Zephyrin, standing behind, couldn’t help but mull over Jin’s words.
‘Why would Lord Jin publicly declare he won’t break the pact at a time like this? Is he testing us?’
‘Lord Jin wouldn’t reveal a weakness. This seems less like a ploy for war justification and more like a warning—or a threat…’
The question of whether the Twin Warriors, Ban and Murakan, could be summoned was the biggest concern for Ziphl and Kinzelro.
Until they knew for sure, neither faction would dare threaten Runcandel recklessly.
Jin, however, had no need to tread so carefully.
“Additionally, Runcandel intends to make all records related to the war against the Fiend publicly available—with the help of the record mage, Valeria Hister.”
At those words, Ronil and the Ziphl officials barely concealed their surprise.
The mention of “record mage” and “Hister” stirred whispers throughout the square.
Whether they knew the name or not, everyone was intrigued.
“Valeria Hister, a member of the Hister family, fought alongside the Balmel Alliance in this war and has compiled nearly all the records of the conflict. Valeria.”
At Jin’s call, a figure cloaked in a hood stepped forward from the crowd.
She pulled back her hood, revealing striking red hair and an unmasked face.
“I am Valeria Hister. As the last surviving member of the Hister family, I am able to use record magic, as you can see.”
Wooooooosh…!
With a wave of her silver pine staff, a massive record window appeared beside the stage.
It was filled with detailed accounts of the war against the Fiend.
“Is that magic?”
“I’ve heard of it. There used to be families who wielded such magic centuries ago…”
All eyes in the crowd fixed on the record window.
Naturally, Ziphl had expected Jin to keep information about Valeria tightly under wraps. Information is most valuable when monopolized.
Above all, Ziphl believed there was no benefit for Jin in revealing Valeria to the public.
But Jin thought differently.
‘When we were weak, hiding was necessary. But now, there’s no need. Judging by their stunned expressions, this was completely unexpected.’
Despite witnessing Jin’s power during the Fiend War and feeling fear, Ziphl still clung to old habits.
They still believed Jin had something to hide from them.
“As the last mage of the Hister family, I cannot maintain this record window indefinitely. The records will be publicly accessible for one week starting today. That should be enough time for the contents to be copied and spread worldwide.”
“Lord Jin, Miss Valeria Hister! Why reveal the existence of a record mage so suddenly?”
A reporter asked—of course, a journalist from Dino Jaglun, with a prearranged question.
“Because this was a war where the whole world united, I believe all information should be transparently shared.”
“Was this agreed upon with the families of the temporary alliance?”
“No. But is such an agreement even necessary? I consider this a natural disclosure. That concludes the statement. I will take questions after the announcement. Valeria, please continue.”
“Yes, Lord Sojaju. Furthermore, Runcandel and the Balmel Alliance have decided to share all benefits gained through record magic with the world. For example, rediscovering lost combat techniques to advance society, restoring lost history, and tracking international criminals.”
For thousands of years, Ziphl had clearly led the world’s “progress.”
Even the magical lamps found in every home were all Ziphl inventions.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that every essential product bearing the word “magic” came from Ziphl.
But if Valeria’s words were true, Runcandel and the Balmel Alliance might soon take Ziphl’s place.
Was that really possible?
Even if no one asked aloud, someone might have wondered—but the crowd showed no doubt.
Because Jin Runcandel, the Sojaju of the Sword Clan, had spoken with undeniable authority.
The weight of Jin’s hard-earned honor shone through.
“But as I said, I am the last mage of the Hister family. Being only one person, there are limits to what I can do. Also, before the Fiend War, we were relentlessly pursued by a certain group, which severely delayed our efforts to restore the family’s magic.”
‘A certain group’—was that a final courtesy?
As Ronil wiped sweat from his brow, Valeria boldly named the group.
“That group is Ziphl.”
All eyes turned sharply toward the Ziphl officials.
“There is a long, dark history between the Hister and Ziphl families that I cannot fully explain here. But as a comrade who fought alongside you against the Fiend, I ask Ziphl to finally let me go. If Ziphl relinquishes its greed for the Hister family, I will also forget the past.”
Of course, this was not sincere.
Even if Ziphl truly abandoned the Hister, Valeria’s grudge would never fade.
Her words were merely a provocation meant to tarnish Ziphl’s name.
Ziphl could neither accept nor ignore the statement.
If they rejected it, they’d look petty; if they accepted, they’d be making a promise they couldn’t keep in public.
In the end, Ronil sighed and chose the former.
“Miss Valeria’s proposal is unacceptable. This is not the appropriate place to discuss such sensitive matters. Nonetheless, I wish you success.”
Jin inwardly thought of Ronil’s response.
‘If it were Veradin, he would have demanded proof of Valeria’s claim with record magic right now. If that happened, we’d be the ones losing. Ronil Ziphl’s response is disappointing.’
Valeria nodded.
“Understood. But as Lord said, this is not the right place. I have just announced Runcandel and the Balmel Alliance’s stance on Ziphl regarding me. If I have offended anyone, I apologize.”
Her words were highly provocative, leaving Ziphl and Kinzelro unsure how to respond.
They couldn’t help but wonder if Jin could still fully wield the power he showed during the Fiend War.
“He promised to uphold the non-aggression pact, then made this provocation. It seems he’s confident, no matter what.”
“…Good thing we didn’t bring Kadun. Things might have gotten out of hand.”
Valeria stepped back behind Jin.
“Though I showed a less than ideal side just now, rest assured that all former temporary allies will work together to cleanse the contaminated zones left by Gliek. That concludes Runcandel’s statement. I thank everyone present here, and all comrades of the Fiend War who could not attend. I will take my leave.”
Jin bowed to the crowd.
This was a side of Runcandel never seen before.
Because of it, people felt that the current Runcandel was humbler than ever.
Yet, at the same time, it felt stronger than ever.
As Jin stepped down from the stage, applause and cheers erupted, and reporters rushed to follow him and Valeria.
While the reporters and crowd focused entirely on Valeria, Jin quietly slipped out of the capital.
He headed to the empire’s official capital—the territory of the former Sword Emperor’s Castle, now called the Sword Emperor’s Domain.
When Dante became regent, he moved the capital here, but it was merely a symbolic gesture honoring Ron.
The Sword Emperor’s Domain was still so corrupted by chaos that no people or animals could live there, let alone administrative offices be relocated.
Everyone believed that, at least.
“Dante.”
Jin’s voice made Dante turn with a smile.
Before Dante stood a glowing shard left by Ron, along with the inscription the two had carved together long ago.
Sword Emperor Ron Hiran. Here, the light of Hiran, or the light of the world, shines.
“Have you come, Jin?”
Jin accepted the cup Dante offered and carefully placed it before Ron’s light, bowing in silent respect.
Their meeting today was not just to honor Ron.
“The land is purifying much faster than we expected.”
“That is thanks to my grandfather watching over me.”
Though the Sword Emperor’s Domain was said to be the largest remaining zone of Gliek’s chaos, it had already changed enough for people to begin living and working there.
The only ones who knew the truth were Jin and Dante.
From the outside, the Sword Emperor’s Land still appeared to be engulfed in a terrifying, overwhelming chaos.
“That must have been a difficult decision. Are you really sure about this?”
“Not really. I made up my mind as soon as I saw the land purifying itself quickly. My grandfather would have wanted this too.”
Dante’s decision was clear.
He intended to use the purified Sword Emperor’s Land as a secret shipyard for the Balmur Alliance.