Chapter 854
Episode 213: The Fracture, Omen of Cataclysm (Part 1)
November 20, 1803.
Ameris finally accepted the grim truth: the Barrier Wall imprisoning the demons was crumbling.
“So… the only true entrance to the Underworld lies where my original body guards it in the old Oterium. But even if it’s not exactly the entrance, it doesn’t really matter. That gateway is a domain I can open or close at will, but if it takes a hit, the barrier could break anywhere.”
Since Jin and Murakan’s meeting with Kinzello, Ameris had been plagued by frequent headaches, struggling to piece together lost memories.
—“The Barrier Wall has already been partially destroyed, Lord Jin. Ameris probably doesn’t remember this. That’s why you were tasked with finding out how we control the demons.”
—“Partially destroyed already?”
—“Yes. The ancient Mingwang tribe, along with the Cheongmyeong and Jeokmyeong clans, were responsible. Ameris hurried to repair the wall back then, but some demons living underground had already slipped into the middle world—between the surface and the underworld.”
Just like the conversation with Zephyrin at the Kinzello Headquarters, Ameris had completely forgotten the Barrier Wall’s partial destruction.
“The ancient Mingwangs broke part of the wall… and now, as Jito regains strength, the collapse is accelerating. And Paelito—the demon I’m only now recalling—the Sword Demon, the greatest sword in the Jinma realm.”
According to Ameris, the Jinma realm was home to many demons with transcendent power, but Jito stood apart as an especially dangerous force.
Ameris felt a deep sense of self-reproach. The Sun God was dead, and he had failed to fulfill the sole destiny entrusted to him.
“Even now, it’s dangerous for me to try repairing the seal. As Orgal said, attempting to restore it through my power might only hasten its collapse. Losing my prime strength is a bitter reality.”
“I know exactly how you feel. Don’t be so down, Ameris. Who knows? Maybe you’ll recover and grow stronger again, just like me.”
“Many of the minds that once inhabited my head have vanished. Even if I wanted to find them, I can’t, Murakan.”
“Then train harder and get stronger. If you need help, just say the word.”
“I’m done with training. Lately, I just feel like beating you up without mercy.”
“Hey, I got a message from the Holy Kingdom the other day. Ayula gave a revelation to the Holy King. She said a great cataclysm is coming, and the Descent Festival must be maintained continuously.”
The Descent Festival commemorated the day Ayula first descended upon the Holy Kingdom of Vankela, with the Holy King’s consecration ceremony as its main event.
But this time, Ayula’s demand to Lani was different. She wanted all the kingdom’s citizens to pray so she could manifest herself in reality.
“Zhen, was that the revelation the Holy King received?”
“Yes. It said that soon, the Jinma realm would transfer to the surface world.”
That was why Ayula was desperate to descend directly upon the kingdom, even if only briefly.
“I heard from Murakan that this immortal Ayula is known for purging other immortals who interfere excessively with the surface world. Is she planning to join the effort to destroy Jito?”
“That’s unlikely. She said it’s to protect the kingdom. She intends to prevent the Jinma realm’s land from transferring to the kingdom and to erect barriers that will keep most demons out.”
“That’s a relief, at least. If Ayula’s right, once the cataclysm begins, we won’t have to keep our main forces stationed permanently in the kingdom.”
“Ayula’s urgency means the demons are definitely coming soon. Orgal said it wouldn’t be strange if they appeared within days.”
“The Jeokmyeong clan must be regaining their old power too, Jin. Even with Elona and Ziphl’s arrival, the Jeokma War hasn’t decisively swung to Ziphl’s side—that’s proof.”
In other words, Inse was like a powder keg sitting atop a field of oil, ready to explode at any moment.
Whether the Jeokmyeong restored their key warriors like the Divine Warriors, or Ziphl completed the Demon God Stone and led Elona forward, or Jito and the Jinma demons prepared to turn the world into hell through the transfer—any scenario was deadly.
On top of that, the imperial family, whose exact strength and whereabouts were unknown; the Sun God’s Church; Sanna’s presence; and even Lokia Ganesto, suspected to be the mastermind behind it all.
“Even though I’ve grown this strong, and the Balmel Alliance has become so vast… the challenges keep piling up.”
With Shiron absent, Jin was the closest to being the greatest sword of Inse.
Still, there was little he could solve alone. This wasn’t a selfish fight for survival. Such a battle didn’t align with Jin’s goals or will.
For now, all they could hope for was that these scattered problems would erupt one by one, slowly, and that geniuses like Dr. Qaul would achieve the alliance’s secret wish as soon as possible.
“Mass-producing Ielo and completing the Golden Fleet, liberating Laprarosa. Mass production of Ielo will happen if given time. But for the Golden Fleet and Laprarosa’s liberation, we have to rely on a variable named Feitel.”
—“Right, the Thunder Dragon Kaltor. Once he awakens, I plan to try communicating with the Storm God Feitel. Feitel’s power is thunder-based, and as a god, he should have divine authority. He might hold the key.”
—“That cowardly, frivolous god… I don’t know if he’ll help. Or maybe he will.”
—“I heard that when you were a trainee, Feitel begged Murakan for his life. He probably holds a grudge. If he refuses to cooperate, Murakan will have to beat him up again. What do you think will happen then?”
Jin smiled wryly, recalling a recent conversation with Valeria. Even she, calm and rational, admitted that the Golden Fleet and Laprarosa liberation plans were at a dead end.
“Zet.”
“Yes, my lord!”
“When did Julian or the dedicated healers say the Thunder Dragon Kaltor might awaken?”
“Yes, my lord. Kaltor’s condition is very good lately. They said he could regain full consciousness as soon as a week, or at most within a month. Please wait just a little longer.”
“Hmm… understood.”
Though a week or a month wasn’t long, it felt distant. The world’s turmoil pressed down on Jin like a heavy weight.
“At least Orgal promised unlimited support for the Jinma realm’s affairs without charge… but that promise could be revoked anytime if Kinzello’s situation improves for some reason.”
Jin sighed again.
“Ah, if only powerful reinforcements would suddenly appear like magic from somewhere.”
Of course, Jin had no idea that Luna, Zed, and the former Black Knights were returning from the Black Sea even now.
“Hey, kid. You’ve only just come back, and you’re already saying that? I’m hurt. Am I not enough for you?”
“Yeah, somehow you’re a bit lacking.”
“You brat.”
“We’re the only ones among the great powers who fight while caring so much about ordinary mortals and Inse’s peace. It can’t be helped.”
As these thoughts swirled, the communication device on the table chimed. It was a message from the Empire.
{Jin.}
Jin immediately recognized the urgency in his friend’s voice.
“Dante, what’s going on?”
{Can you come here right away? We’ve received reports of strange phenomena in the Meltdor Principality.}
“Strange phenomena?”
{Do you remember the city of Romph in Meltdor?}
“I do. It’s where I met Kidar Hall.”
{A strange fracture, presumed to be a dimensional rift, has appeared there… I was going to confirm it first before contacting you, but your recent mention of a ‘transfer’ has me worried. It seems related.}
“Phew, it’s already begun? Good call, Dante. I’ll head to Hailan Second Star immediately. Wait for me.”
{Thank you. Understood.}
After ending the call, Jin sighed once more.
“Hah, no time to be frustrated. Long-range communication tech like this lets us respond quickly when problems arise. Let’s go, Murakan. Ameris should come along this time.”
“Agreed. Though he’s lost memories, no one knows the Jinma realm’s energy better than him.”
“What about Kinzello? Should we ask Sir Siris to notify them about the fracture?”
“No need to share all the info with Orgal yet. We’ll investigate first, and if we need more, we’ll meet with him.”
“Understood!”
As soon as they arrived in Romph on the back of a crimson owl, Jin’s brows furrowed, memories of Kidar Hall flooding back.
“If the place people call Hell really exists in the Jinma realm, that bastard must be suffering there by now.”
Romph looked just as it had when Jin was a trainee. Despite the chaos wrought by the Sword Emperor War and the Ominous God War, this small frontier port city remained largely unchanged and quiet.
But beneath that calm lay the fear of ordinary people. Not a single fishing boat had set sail, and the streets were nearly deserted.
All because of the strange fracture that had suddenly appeared in the city center.
“That must be the fracture…”
“Just as the report said, it’s definitely growing little by little, Jin.”
Ameris shook his head as he looked at the rift.
“It’s definite. That’s the energy of the True Demon Realm. It seems to be a form of summoning magic… Are they trying to teleport a city from the True Demon Realm like this? This land will soon be overrun by the demons from underground.”
While the group examined the rift, similar reports were being filed across the empire, the Balmur Alliance, and the Lutero Federation.
Rifts resembling the one that appeared in Romp were sprouting up like tumors, erupting all over the surface.