Episode 761
Chapter 187: The People We Must Find, An Unexpected Clue (2)
More than six days had passed.
Thanks to the public release of the Balmel Alliance’s records, the world now knew all the hidden truths behind the Cult of the Malevolent God.
“…They’re trying to sugarcoat the deaths of Dipus Runcandel and Rin Milcano.”
Octavia spoke as she scanned the newsletter laid out on the desk in the Tower of Stories, within the Lutero Magic Federation.
The newsletter contained articles based on the newly revealed records of the Cult of the Malevolent God.
Dipus Runcandel placed his hope in Mary and Jin Runcandel, sharing the power of the Malevolent God with them.
On May 22, 1803, Dipus Runcandel passed away, taking with him a fragment of the Malevolent God’s power. The Malevolent God weakens.
The Runcandel faction, led by Dino Jaglun, made no attempt to restore Dipus’s honor through these records. They simply transcribed the facts into articles with a calm, neutral tone.
That was because Mary didn’t want otherwise.
Dipus’s death was a personal matter, one to be mourned privately by his closest siblings.
No matter what hope he placed in Jin, or the reasons behind it, the fact remained that countless people had died by his corrupted hand.
Still, people were beginning to understand Dipus through the phrase “placing hope in Jin Runcandel.”
Not everyone, of course, but at least he was no longer universally branded a traitor beyond redemption.
The same applied to Rin Milcano’s betrayal.
Her treachery had never been public knowledge—not even among the temporary allies—but it was now revealed that she had willingly taken on the villainous role for the sake of the Cult.
“Our reporters—Ran, Vigo, Mu, and Anne—have been trying to discredit them, but it’s not easy to shift the public mood,” Octavia said.
Meanwhile, the betrayals of the former clan heads who had been resurrected, and the steadfast efforts of those who never fell to corruption, were also receiving strong public support.
From start to finish, the released records were overwhelmingly benefiting the Runcandel name.
“Besides, Rin Milcano’s betrayal wasn’t even disclosed to us at the time. Though the Cult’s victory was assured…”
Ronil’s words were cut off by Kadun grinding his teeth.
“It’s outright deception! That damned Twelfth Rider toyed with us. They released information without so much as consulting us. It’s infuriating. How dare they stab us in the back like this? I could chew them up and spit them out…!”
Beradin, who had been quietly listening, shook his head softly.
“Getting angry won’t solve anything, Kadun. Please calm yourself. Every time you lose your temper like this, I’m the one who ends up embarrassed.”
The room fell into a cold silence as soon as Beradin finished speaking.
Since becoming Keliak’s guardian dragon, no one had ever reprimanded Kadun like this.
Even when Kadun lost his temper or spoke nonsense, Keliak himself would only soothe him gently.
“…What did you say?”
“If you want to express your anger in a way that makes others uncomfortable, you need the ability to back it up. Kadun, do you have the means to pressure Runcandel and the Balmel Alliance right now? Can you single-handedly crush them with force?”
Kadun glared at Beradin.
Since regaining his senses, Beradin had grown distant from the man Ziphl once knew, and from the image they had hoped to manipulate through mind control.
“Son of the clan head, even your father never treated me so carelessly.”
“So what are you saying? That I should emulate my father in how I treat Kadun? I don’t see anything wrong with what I said.”
“Beradin!”
“From now on, please refrain from needlessly venting your emotions and ruining the atmosphere. It only makes you look foolish to both allies and enemies. As the clan’s guardian dragon, you should carry yourself with dignity. I believe I’ve said something similar before.”
Just as Kadun was about to shout something back, Octavia and Ronil stepped in to hold him back.
“If you don’t like my approach, then restore your father immediately. Only then will I show you more respect.”
Bang!
Kadun slammed the table and stormed out of the meeting room.
“Ronil, after the meeting, warn Kadun. If he leaves like this again during a meeting, he won’t be allowed to sit here anymore.”
“…Understood.”
“Have we received any response from the Balmel Alliance regarding the use of the purifier?”
This was what Jin had said during the temporary alliance talks.
Ziphl had already requested the use of the purifier on Runcandel as soon as the war ended.
“Not yet. We haven’t received any reply at all.”
“Looks like they have no intention of agreeing.”
“Should we press them harder?”
“No, it’s fine. My father’s state of possession probably isn’t something their purifier can fix anyway. It’s better to find another way. Tell Kadun to handle it.”
“…Beradin. No, Son of the Clan Head. I don’t think it’s wise to treat Kadun too lightly. Runcandel and the Balmel Alliance have solidified their unity since the war ended. There’s no reason for us to create divisions among ourselves.”
“Commander Mangryeong, our federation also needs to see Kadun’s capable side to strengthen our own unity. This applies to all the clan leaders, including myself. They have Jin Runcandel as a clear rallying point.”
“I trust you’re not trying to undermine Kadun’s morale just to assert the Son of the Clan Head’s authority over the subordinates.”
“That’s something to consider. If Kadun becomes more humble, it would prove my leadership over the clan and its forces once again.”
“Son of the Clan Head.”
“Enough. Let’s end this discussion here. Commander Mangryeong, coordinate with your strategists to find ways to disrupt Runcandel’s morale. Instead of using the dead—Ran, Vigo, Mu, Anne—it might be better to frame it as Jin Runcandel sparking a new war immediately after the Cult’s defeat. He’s already provoking us and Kinzello quite a bit.”
“…Understood.”
“We’ve received reports that a shipyard is being constructed near the Empire’s Second Hiran Star. Octavia, keep a close watch on this development. Steel will be in short supply, so we must tighten control to prevent any problems.”
“We’ve halted steel exports from the Lutero Federation and are inspecting all transport vessels from the vassal states, neighboring neutral countries, and Huepester. As you said, it’s proving difficult.”
“That alone isn’t enough to ease our concerns. There’s a high chance someone’s pulling strings behind the scenes—either the Minche Blacksmiths’ Association or Kinzello.”
“We’re keeping an eye on the former. So far, no transport ships from Huepester, the Balmel Alliance, or the Empire have been spotted. Plus, the Twelfth Rider insulted their pride by lending weapons without permission. The association won’t easily help them.”
“What about Kinzello?”
“This morning, Kashimir Alprion visited the new Kinzello headquarters.”
“Transporting through the commander’s dimensional gate will be hard to detect.”
“I’ll confirm whether their deal went through.”
“Whether it succeeds or fails, offer better terms than the Balmel Alliance to sway the trade our way.”
After discussing a few more agenda items, the meeting ended.
Beradin remained seated alone in the empty room for a moment.
‘…Pressuring Kadun was necessary, but I may have gone too far.’
In truth, Beradin had felt his emotions slipping out of control for some time.
Provoking Kadun just now had been planned, but his words had come out harsher than intended.
‘Is it because of my father? Or the power I gained through the traces of magic? It’s hard to control.’
Slowly, Beradin rose and made his way to the tower’s highest floor.
“…Father.”
He placed his hand on Keliak’s containment device.
Inside, Keliak’s entire body had turned pitch black.
His physical transformation had progressed to the point where the current purifier could no longer regenerate him.
“Soon, I’ll be able to free you from there. When that time comes…”
Beradin leaned closer to the device and whispered the rest.
“I’ll take my leave now. Rest easy.”
As Beradin left, Keliak quietly opened his eyes.
His pupils, dull and lifeless like black stones, stared long at the door through which Beradin had exited.
His fingers twitched slightly.
Over the past six days, Jin had met with kings and lords across Huepester, heads of allied clans, and immigrants to offer encouragement.
The shipyard construction in the Black Emperor’s territory was progressing smoothly.
The association’s blacksmiths, aware that steel was essential for the shipyard, had already begun sending bailarms.
Even Beradin hadn’t considered transport via bailarm.
While Ziphl was in meetings, bailarms tirelessly carried steel as if on a leisurely stroll.
Kashimir’s visit to the new Kinzello headquarters near the Empire’s Second Hiran Star was a ruse, alongside the shipyard construction.
Kashimir deliberately proposed a steel trade to Kinzello, only to be rejected.
He had only asked to buy steel at a price above market value, so rejection was expected.
The dry dock near the Second Star of Hailran would eventually be put to use once completed, but the true heart of the Allied fleet’s shipbuilding lay in the secret shipyard of Geomhwangji.
After receiving a full briefing on the matter, Jin had returned to the Caldaran snowfields with Valeria and Veil.
“So you’ve come, youngest one. And it’s good to see Sir Veil and Miss Valeria again… Valeria, I owe you an apology for last time. As you know, I wasn’t exactly myself then.”
“It’s alright,” Valeria replied simply.
After a brief exchange of greetings, Valeria turned her attention to the records concerning the mysterious woman’s words.
Fortunately, the records loaded smoothly without any glitches.
<‘If Sir Ciron Runkandel returns as he is, your brother won’t be able to handle him. Not without my help, at least.’>
The group found themselves unable to look away from that passage for quite some time.