Episode 896
Chapter 225: An Unwanted Reunion (1)

February 7, 1804.

The largest stronghold of the Jinma Realm’s mortal world forces was the maritime outpost known as Grosche Castle. Day after day, fierce battles raged along its walls between the allied forces and the Jinma demons.

The demons threw themselves at the Golden Ark and the fortress walls like moths to a flame, relentlessly, around the clock. Each time the Golden Ark fired its cannons, thousands—sometimes tens of thousands—of demons were reduced to ashes, yet their numbers showed no sign of dwindling.

In fact, the attacks on the walls grew more frequent by the day, and the enemy forces only swelled further.

“I heard most of Jito’s subordinates are mentally brainwashed by pain… and they truly are berserkers. They must be watching their own kin charge the walls, only to be swept away in vain, in real time,” Jin muttered.

“Cockroaches, nothing more than cockroaches. Eventually, we’ll have to bring down Grosche Castle, then hunt down Jito and destroy the source itself to end this, kid,” Murakan replied.

Jin nodded in agreement. Judging by the current situation, the Jinma Realm’s forces were practically limitless. On the surface world, there had never been an army numbering in the billions.

It was a relief that all those troops couldn’t be summoned at once. If that were possible, the Jinma War would have already ended in the Jinma Realm’s favor.

The core strategy of the Balmel Alliance remained a preemptive strike.

It was crucial that the strongest superhumans of the Balmel Alliance, including Luna, made significant progress.

“Lord Demon King, the rate at which general-level fortresses are being summoned is still slightly faster than the rate at which we can eliminate them. We need to be able to suppress the summoning faster than the destruction to advance on Grosche Castle. Even if it means risking some unexpected situations, I’m debating whether you and I should actively join the preemptive strikes.”

“Well, if we want to find a solution right now, that’s probably the only option. I’m sure the little one will oppose it, though.”

Kashimir nodded.

“That’s right, Your Highness. I’m against it. Once the Golden Fleet and the mass-produced units of Ielo start rolling out, the walls will be able to push forward.”

[That’s my thought too, Jin. Unless the situation becomes extremely dire, there are plenty of comrades capable of handling major battles without you. Paytel is still researching while fighting at the walls, so it’s best to wait.]

Ameris agreed with Kashimir. Everyone thought it best to minimize Jin’s direct involvement.

“Still, it feels like I’m turning into a fragile porcelain doll.”

[That’s because your significance in the alliance—and in the mortal world—is immense. The only time you should step onto the most dangerous battlefield is when you’re the only superhuman in the alliance capable of acting. Otherwise, it’s better to quickly suppress the minor and mid-level battle zones that can be handled by others.]

In fact, Jin had been dispatched mainly to the general-level or lower-level rift zones. The rest of the time, he stayed in the command center, receiving battle reports and waiting.

There were simply too many variables outside the Jinma Realm: the demon stones of Ziphl, the Red-Eyed Tribe, the recently revealed dream powers of Kinzello, the former champions of the Solar God Cult, and ancient heroes.

The world was like a giant powder keg. A single spark anywhere could trigger a massive explosion.

“Any word from Luna yet?”

Luna had been dispatched this morning to deal with a demon lord-level rift that had reopened in the Oken Desert of the Shcheron Kingdom.

The Oken Desert was a place where Tuvin, Heyjin, Jed, Vanessa, and Hedo had already conducted a raid. Large rifts in the Jinma Realm often reappeared in places where they had previously formed.

“I was just about to report, Your Highness. I received a message ten minutes ago. Seven generals have already been summoned in this rift. No demon lord yet, but the battle is dragging on. The First Squadron and Lord Hedo are currently suppressing other rifts nearby. If necessary, the First Squadron will contact them.”

“Contact? Must be thanks to the portable communicators. The world’s come a long way. Just a few years ago, emergency support requests like this were exclusive to the Ziphl Tower Lords. Isn’t that right, little one?”

“Thanks to Lord Jin securing Dr. Kwaul and visiting Hister’s legacy site with Miss Valeria. Anyway, don’t worry too much, Lord Jin. The First Squadron will once again defeat the enemies and return in style. They haven’t mentioned any particular danger from the red energy either.”

Since learning from Biceps that the Jinma Realm was trying to drain Luna’s red energy, she had continued to use it in her raids.

If she suddenly stopped using the red energy, Tilius and Misol might become suspicious. Also, Luna focused on the fact that Siron hadn’t properly warned her about the red power. She felt that overcoming the red energy might be the key to reaching the Creation Star.

“I see. How about Sister Yona?”

“She’s still infiltrating Kinzello’s headquarters. However, due to the dream demon lord Pirop Bachma, it’s much harder to get inside the conference room like last time. The security has been significantly tightened since her last infiltration.”

Bachma’s dream powers, Kinzello’s contact with Lokia Ganesto and Keliak Ziphl through him, and Margiela’s true identity—all information Yona needed to uncover.

Jin especially wanted to secure Keliak Ziphl before Kinzello if possible. Shinu’s fire was believed to be the key to properly manifesting Tess.

“Tell her not to overexert herself.”

Buzz…!

Suddenly, the command center’s communicator vibrated. It was a communication request from the Milra Kingdom’s veil.

{This is Tilius of Biceps. I have urgent information to share with our allies. Is Jin Runkandel available?}

“It’s me, Tilius. I heard you were on leave for a while, but it seems you’re free to move about now. Didn’t expect you to contact me so soon.”

{Now that we have a communication network. How have you been, Jin Runkandel? By the way, about Baekkyung—she’s still using the red energy. Is that okay? She doesn’t have to push herself too hard for our sake. She’s completely cleared of suspicion now.}

“She’s managing that herself, so don’t worry, Misol.”

{That’s a relief, but Baekkyung is a good person, so I worry about her all the more. Baekkyung, are you there? Please respond if you are.}

Misol’s quick words made the comrades chuckle. Though they couldn’t fully trust Biceps yet, based on their actions so far, they were likable.

“Luna is currently dealing with the demon lord-level rift in the Oken Desert.”

{I see. That’s good. It’s information I wouldn’t want Baekkyung to hear.}

If Luna heard it, it would be uncomfortable information.

Jin’s eyes narrowed. It was surely about the other brothers being held by Lagal Pun.

“So that’s why you mentioned Luna deliberately, Misol.”

{Yes, but my concern for Baekkyung is sincere. Ah, damn it! Baekkyung went to the Oken Desert!?}

“Is that a problem?”

{Let me explain. I just received word from a spy in Dokma Castle. The intelligence is that your brothers held by Lagal will be used in today’s invasion of the mortal world. And the battlefield is the Oken Desert.}

The comrades’ eyes widened. They had heard that Miu, Ann, Ran, and Vigo could be exploited by Lagal, but no one expected it to happen so soon.

Among the Balmel Alliance’s core leaders, only Luna was completely unaware of the brothers trapped in hell.

“…What?”

{We’re informing you as quickly as possible, Jin. If you haven’t heard from Baekkyung yet, it’s best to get her back immediately.}

“Understood. Have you confirmed which of the brothers will be deployed?”

{We couldn’t determine that. But it’s unlikely Lagal will use all four at once. He’ll probably send them one by one to wear down Baekkyung’s mind.}

{And Jin! Regarding that person called Margiela you asked about last time, we haven’t confirmed anything yet. We’ll update you as soon as we have new information.}

“I’ll contact the veil once I return.”

As soon as the communication ended, Jin grabbed his sword.

—Well then, shall we? Hm, anyway! If the day ever comes when I meet those wayward brats again, I’ll make sure to give them a proper scolding.

—Do you think you’ll meet them again?

—I’ll grow old and die someday, so maybe we’ll meet in the afterlife?

—Even if the afterlife exists, Sister and they will probably be somewhere else.

—Is that so? Anyway, that’s how I feel. I’ll definitely scold them. Whenever we meet.

This was a conversation they had the day Luna returned from the Black Sea.

Back then, Luna said she would scold her brothers, but Jin wanted to prevent his sister from facing them directly.

Luna had grown stronger and tougher, but she was still Luna. Cutting them down would deeply wound her gentle heart.

Though Jin didn’t feel as much guilt as Luna, it wasn’t without burden for him either. They had no special affection and had been hostile since their student days, but they were brothers all the same.

Still, before being the Balmel Alliance’s leader, Jin saw it as his responsibility as the head of the Runkandel family.

“Murakan, get ready.”

This time, even the comrades didn’t try to stop Jin from going out.

“…Return safely, Your Highness.”

Without delay, Jin boarded the Red Owl with Murakan and headed toward the Oken Desert.

The Oken Desert was little more than a wasteland now. Even though they had teleported high above the battlefield, far from the front lines, the aftermath hit them the moment they arrived. The entire desert reeked of demon blood and the acrid scent of smoke.

It hadn’t even been ten minutes since they reached the battlefield, but Jin’s nerves were on edge, worried that Luna might have already met up with the other brothers.

Thankfully, as they moved toward the center of the battlefield, they spotted Luna and Syris locked in combat with the demon generals.

“Jin?”

Luna swatted away a demon general in front of her and spun around to look at Jin. He forced a smile, trying to shake off the heaviness in his expression.

“What are you doing here? I didn’t request backup.”

“I just thought you’ve been working too hard lately. Figured I’d come out and stretch my legs a bit.”

There wasn’t much else to say. Luna blinked at him, and Syris, who immediately caught on, nodded knowingly.

“First Squad, I was just about to say the mana overload from the freezing spell was getting to me. Honestly, I was going to ask for support today, but I was thinking maybe I should leave the aftermath to Sogaju and step back for now.”

“Right, Tuntun. Watching that little guy get all anxious because you’re using too much red energy was driving me crazy. If that’s the case, I said I’d come. Go get some rest.”

Luna tilted her head in confusion, and Syris feigned dizziness, pressing a hand to his forehead.

“Have I ever said I wanted to rest while fighting alongside the First Squad? But today, both I and the freezing spell are in bad shape. Please, help me with my meditation when we get back.”

“Well… Sogaju’s not one to fake illness, that’s for sure.”

Before Luna could even respond, Syris summoned Mote and opened a dimensional gate to the Otherworldly Snowfield.

“Hurry up. I feel like I’m about to collapse.”

“Hmph! Something feels off.”

At that moment, a distant rift began to widen and intensify. From it, a new demon general, or maybe even a demon lord—or one of the brothers—was about to emerge.

“What’s so off about it? I’m about to die here, so let’s go. Mote! Take the First Squad.”

[Whoooosh.]

Mote bounced Luna onto his back with his head.

“Hey, wait! Just a second!”

“There’s no time for ‘just a second.’ Take care, Sogaju.”