Chapter 886
Episode 221: An Unexpected Development (2)
Tikan.
Jin had just returned to Tikan after defeating three grand generals in the rift zone that had opened within the empire.
“Your Highness, there are two Demon Lords requesting an audience with you.”
“What did you say?”
“Their names are Tilius Biceps and Misol Hyuwan. They claim to be mere subordinates of Zito, but in reality, they say they’re key leaders of the anti-Zito faction.”
“And what about Sister and Sir Siris?”
“Both are unharmed, Your Highness. I also heard that those two Demon Lords killed other Demon Lords during the battle.”
Jin’s eyes flickered with interest.
“According to Orgal, the core figure of the anti-Zito faction was Paelito, who defected… So there are other factions still active?”
If true, this was very good news. Without even brushing off the ash and blood from the battlefield, Jin headed straight to the situation room.
“Sister, Sir Siris, are you both alright?”
Though he had already heard from Jet, Jin first asked about their well-being.
{Yes, we’re fine, Sovereign. From the brief exchange I had, they seem like decent people. Please have a proper conversation with them. They’re both here with me.}
“I understand, Sister. This is Jin Runkandel. I hear you asked for me.”
{I am Tilius Biceps.}
{And I am Misol Hyuwan. Pleased to meet you, Jin Runkandel.}
“Likewise. Seems there are still some sane demons left in the Jin Demon Realm. I’ve been briefed on the situation on my way here. What is it you want to discuss with me?”
{We, Biceps of the anti-Zito coalition, wish to form a formal alliance with the Balmur Union on the surface.}
“That’s quite a bold request. Before that, I need to know exactly what you’ve been doing, your scale, why you want to ally with us among all the Inse factions, and what benefits you can offer. There’s a lot to clarify first.”
{You’re right, Jin Runkandel.}
{First, what we do is simply resist Zito.}
{In fact, about three thousand years ago, we almost succeeded. Paelito left us, and we ultimately failed.}
“…Three thousand years ago? How old are you exactly?”
{Over ten thousand years. But we demons have a cycle of forgetting, so we don’t fully retain all ten thousand years.}
“A cycle of forgetting?”
{As time passes, we lose memories, then partially recover them, and repeat this cycle. Usually about once every thousand years, common to all demons except the immortals. That’s why bonds are so important to us. We have to remind each other of the memories we’ve forgotten. And bury the ones we want to forget forever.}
The ‘cycle of forgetting’ was a natural phenomenon unique to the Jin Demon Realm.
And Biceps had endured this cycle more than ten times over ten thousand years, still standing against Zito.
“Hmm… I don’t fully understand, but I get the general idea. From now on, it’d be better if Tilius does the explaining. Sorry, but you speak too fast for me to keep up.”
{Alright, I’ll be quiet. Misol, misol… I slipped into my usual ‘foolish act’ mode just now. Pretend you didn’t hear that.}
“Anyway, you’ve been resisting Zito for an incredibly long time. That means your forces must be considerable?”
{At our peak, yes. But now… about a million.}
“That’s a huge army.”
{But only about ten thousand are combatants, and most of those are below six-star rank. There are eleven Demon Lords with battle power at that level, including me and Misol.}
“What about the other 990,000?”
{They’re just ordinary people. They work, care for their families, live their lives. Our existence is mostly a desperate flight stained with fear.}
Ordinary people.
There was a resonance of duty in Tilius’s voice as he said that.
‘If everything they say is true, the Biceps have been fighting a struggle similar to ours in the Jin Demon Realm. For much longer than us.’
About ten thousand combatants, most below six-star rank.
While that was a large force, it was still a drop in the bucket compared to the demons they faced at the barrier or the high-ranking demons constantly emerging from the rifts.
However, the eleven Demon Lords all possessed superhuman combat power, making them valuable allies. Some, like Tilius and Misol, held the highest ranks within Zito’s army.
“Do you have any proof?”
{Not at the moment. This communication is the best we can do. Here, I can block Sakiel’s crystal orb with my power without raising suspicion. They’d think it’s to prevent communication and spatial jumps by Baekgyeong and the Small Palace Lord during battle. But if I block Sakiel’s sight beyond Kikarro, suspicion would arise.}
Unless special powers like Tilius’s were used to block abilities, Sakiel could observe most demons through the crystal orb anywhere.
{Because we’re spies, proving anything to you will remain difficult. We have to be extremely cautious even when contacting the Biceps main force. Our hideouts are all within the Jin Demon Realm, so you can’t verify anything with your own eyes for now.}
“Blocking spatial jumps and communication is an attractive point for an alliance. So you’re saying we can only deal on trust?”
{More than trust… I’d prefer you call it faith. Whether you believe us or not, we’re laying all our cards on the table. We’re risking our lives and those of our comrades in this conversation. You have a record mage, right? If they record today’s conversation and deliver it to the Jin Demon Realm’s naval base, what do you think would happen?}
“If this isn’t a trap by Zito, you’d be dead.”
{Worse than that. We wouldn’t even die—we’d become eternal playthings of torment, like our families held captive by Zito…}
“Families?”
{More than half of the Biceps members have blood relatives, lovers, or precious ones held hostage by Zito. Maybe even more than half. Some have forgotten their families entirely through the cycles of forgetting.}
As Tilius said this, his comrades nearby silently shook their heads. Yuria tried to discern if Tilius and Misol were telling the truth, but Az Mil’s power didn’t apply to the communication.
‘Faith…’
Jin repeated the word for a few seconds, imagining Tilius and Misol beyond the communicator. Faces calm but eyes hardened by long, desperate struggle. Luna must have felt the same, calling them ‘decent people.’
“Why choose us? Have you contacted Ziphl or Kinzel?”
{Two reasons. First, among the great Inse factions, you’re the closest in nature to us Biceps. Second, we haven’t had time to contact Ziphl or Kinzel. Also, Sakiel is sharp. If Misol and I went into each faction’s territory and returned unscathed every time, suspicion would arise.}
“So when you were summoned to Kikarro today, you knew this was your one shot.”
{Exactly. I can’t remember all the cycles, but I doubt the Biceps have ever taken a gamble this risky before.}
“Now it’s your turn to explain the benefits. What do we gain by allying with you?”
{You gain a means to kill Zito.}
“What means?”
{That I cannot reveal yet.}
“Did you forget you just talked about faith?”
{It’s a minimum safeguard for us. If you betray us, it won’t just be Misol and me who perish. The only card capable of killing Zito will vanish too. But we can’t lie to you either. When faith deepens, we’ll have to tell the truth. You might get angry and turn against us then.}
“You’re quite the smooth talker. Makes me want to believe you.”
{Of course, the means to kill Zito is the most important, but it’s not all we offer. As Demon Lords, Misol and I can leak important internal information when the opportunity arises. For example… recently, the Jin Demon Realm has been desperate to completely drain Baekgyeong’s red power.}
“Your sister’s red power?”
{Yes. Zito apparently sees that red power as a threat. Maybe it was Paelito’s judgment, but the Demon Lords were ordered by Zito. That’s why the Demon Lords brought pieces of flesh today.}
“What happens if your sister’s red power is drained? Does the Jin Demon Realm know the details?”
{We’re investigating that through key figures on Paelito’s side. What’s certain is that the Jin Demon Realm wants Baekgyeong to lose her red power. That won’t be good for you.}
Jin had been pondering Luna’s red power as well. Since Siron hadn’t left any warnings, he had concluded it was probably safe.
“That’s something I hadn’t considered at all.”
{Misol, the late Vice and Kukan, and I are the vanguard. More Demon Lords and grand generals will be sent to drain Baekgyeong’s red power. Even if they realize they’re expendable, they can’t disobey Zito’s orders.}
“Is that because they, like you Biceps, have family held hostage?”
{No, it’s because they’re brainwashed. Most of Jito’s followers are trapped in a state of mental conditioning fueled by pain. Even when the cycle of forgetting comes, the pain is so unbearable they can never truly forget it. That’s why many of the high-ranking demons are lacking in intelligence or ability. Haven’t you ever felt something was off when dealing with them?}
{Ah, so that’s why the guys who came this time seemed kind of incompetent.}
{Exactly, Baek Kyung. The Jikaro you faced before was someone whose brainwashing had been fully completed, relatively speaking.}
“If there were a way to break the brainwashing, wouldn’t that topple Jito’s power base? I’m guessing it might be connected to what you said about having a means to kill Jito.”
{I’m afraid you’re mistaken. We’ve searched for that method for a long time… Even the witches say Jito’s brainwashing can’t be undone. If the witches can’t do it, then no one in this world can—unless the dead Sun God is resurrected. Oh, and just so you know, we’re absolutely against the Sun God’s revival.}
“That part I like. Alright, then one last question.”
{…What is it?}
“Why did Biceps choose us as allies? I get the scale of Biceps, their ideology, and what we stand to gain. But what exactly do you want from us?”
{That’s a fair question… Fight alongside us. Until Jito disappears from this world.}
“That’s a heavy promise to make right now. But we were going to fight Jito regardless, with or without you. One thing I can guarantee: nothing we discuss here will ever reach the ears of the True Demon Realm’s demons. I swear it on my family’s name.”
{Then I take it you mean that we’ll fight in our own places for now, and when the time comes that we can truly trust each other, we’ll talk again officially?}
“Exactly. Tilius Biceps, Misol Hyuwan.”
{That’s enough. I think we can end this communication here. But, Jin Runkandel, no matter what you think of us, we will consider you allies from now on and carry out all operations accordingly.}
Just as Jin was about to respond, the connection cut off. He looked at the now-silent communicator and grinned.
“Like my sister said, they seem like pretty decent folks.”