Episode 902
Chapter 227: A New Enemy, The Enemy of Enemies (3)
[That’s right, Lord Soga. It’s clear that Joshua and Keliak Ziphl are cooperating, but I don’t think they’re a perfect alliance.]
“That’s likely, Chief Steward. Joshua probably awakened Ganesto’s blood first, then sought out Keliak to heal him. After all, Keliak was dying, consumed by chaos. And Shinu was severely wounded by the former Solar God Sect’s Mingwang clan warrior—Lokia must have taken care of him as well.”
Jin paused, pondering their true motives.
‘Keliak’s goal is probably revenge against Veradin and his own family members who betrayed him, and to reclaim Ziphl. Lokia, meanwhile, is using that process to serve her own ends.’
Lokia’s purpose was, in essence, Ganesto’s purpose.
“Diana, do you think this world is just?”
“What?”
“Well, think about it. If we’re the ones pursuing justice and liberation, yet the Ziphl—who manipulate history and commit atrocities to become rulers of this world—end up causing more suffering than us, is that really fair?”
Suddenly, Lokia’s words from the painting in K-Tam’s vision came to mind.
‘Maybe Lokia’s world is her attempt to manifest what she believes is just. She wouldn’t have created such a world purely for hobby or personal satisfaction… Could it be that she wants to destroy this world and replace it with the one she made?’
If that’s the case, Lokia’s recent actions start to make sense.
[We need to start searching for the space called Lokia’s world. Only now do I truly feel the sting of her betrayal—betraying the family and us from a thousand years ago…]
“It won’t be easy. She’s never been caught by any of the great powers of Inse before. But judging by Ann’s reaction last time, Lokia might have a weakness related to the Black Sea. Father and the expedition team might be able to gather some intel on that.”
“True. If the expedition returns to Inse, your father will probably know everything about the Black Sea. Though when that will happen, no one knows.”
“Of course, we’ll keep investigating on our end as well. We can’t recklessly send forces against Lokia now, especially while dealing with the Jinma realm. Our priority remains the visible enemies—first the Jinma realm and the Jeokmyeong tribe. We have to deal with them before moving on.”
The Jinma War and the Jeokma War.
Once those wars end, the ‘final war’ to determine who will rule this era will begin.
In some ways, the Jinma realm and Jeokmyeong tribe are gateways to that ultimate battle.
Only those who overcome the underground forces can participate in the final showdown.
“The next step, huh.”
“Ziphl, Kinzello, Ganesto, the Solar God Sect, the Imperial family… I wonder how many of them will survive the Jinma and Jeokma wars to threaten us again. No matter who survives, we will claim the final victory. We can’t afford to be held back by the Jinma realm and Jeokmyeong tribe forever.”
Jin had thought this for some time.
Since the Jinma realm and Jeokmyeong tribe invaded Inse, all the great powers—including the Bamel Alliance—had been losing ground.
Because the Jinma realm and Jeokmyeong tribe always held the initiative, thanks to their teleportation magic and overwhelming technology.
Among them, Runkandel had Luna assigned to lead the Jinma realm’s preemptive strikes, but that alone wasn’t enough.
“That’s true. So, what’s your plan, kid?”
“Lokia has now begun full-scale activity. She’s trying to use the other Ganestos, Keliak, and the Jinma realm for her own ends. Before that schemer gains any major advantage, we have to finish off the Jinma realm. Among our enemies, Lokia is the most unpredictable variable.”
“Oh? That sounds promising. I was getting frustrated watching Ttunteugi just chase after their tails. So, are you going to advance the Wall now?”
“We’ll send troops to the Wall and you and I will head to the front lines. We’ve been too passive so far, only acting cautiously due to lack of intel. We can’t eradicate them by always taking the safest route.”
The eyes of those gathered in the conference room widened.
A similar conversation had taken place not long ago.
Back then, Jin had wanted to take the front lines seriously, but his comrades had urged patience until the Golden Fleet and the mass-produced Ielo units were completed.
Jin respected their judgment, but now the situation had changed.
“Are you serious, youngest?”
“Yes, sister.”
“Of course, we’ll follow your orders. But the reason we haven’t taken the lead in the Jinma War is partly due to lack of intel on the Jinma realm, and partly because we must minimize civilian casualties. As rulers of Huepester and the Bamel Alliance, we have a duty to protect them.”
“Exactly. We won’t commit all our forces to the Wall. We have to keep enough to defend our territory. But once I and Murakan, along with the alliance’s top fighters, join the Wall, the Jinma realm will try even harder to create more cracks in our main base.”
“Right, that’s my concern too. But I’m sure you have a plan, kid.”
“We’ll push so hard that they won’t even think about making more cracks in our land than before. I’m confident it’s possible even without the Golden Fleet.”
“How?”
“By making Ziphl and Kinzello take the lead.”
Jin recalled an incident from the early days of the Hyungshin War.
It was just after he returned from Lafrarosa.
He had noticed Rosa’s change and deliberately announced his return to the world before Runkandel did, then headed alone to the Garden of Swords.
Ziphl and Kinzello, watching the situation, had planned to finish off Runkandel while Jin and Murakan fought the corrupted Garden of Swords.
As if by agreement, both forces had led fleets and troops toward the Garden of Swords.
Now, Jin was envisioning the same scenario.
The moment he advanced on Grosh Castle, the other forces would join in.
Even if not a formal alliance like during the Hyungshin War, the great powers of Inse all wanted the Jinma realm gone.
The Jinma realm was certainly throwing a wrench into the plans of Runkandel, Ziphl, and Kinzello alike.
As Jin explained this, Luna and the others nodded.
[Indeed… If Lord Soga’s plan works, we could pressure the Jinma realm effectively without completing the Golden Fleet and mass-produced Ielo. Recent intelligence says the Jeokma War in the Lutero Federation has stalled somewhat. The scouts and strategists believe the Jeokmyeong tribe’s strength has waned—they’ve lost too many fleets and troops to Elona and Ziphl.]
“While the Jeokmyeong tribe is less active, the Jinma realm’s teleportation cracks keep appearing in Lutero Federation territory. Elona and Ziphl even suffered defeats at Lagal’s hands. Now, the Jinma realm is more of a thorn in Ziphl’s side than the Jeokmyeong tribe.”
[If the three forces advance simultaneously and the Jinma realm collapses, we might not have to reveal the Golden Fleet and mass-produced Ielo until the next war.]
“That would be ideal. Of course, with simultaneous advances, there will be moments when we fight Ziphl and Kinzello too. But Veradin and Orgal aren’t fools—they won’t escalate conflicts among Inse unnecessarily.”
“The black-and-white of Inse will be decided after we gang up and wipe out the Jinma realm first. But kid, what if Ziphl and Kinzello don’t go along with this plan?”
“That won’t happen.”
“But if it does?”
“Simple. We’ll pull the newly deployed troops at the Wall back to the main base. We can share frontline updates instantly via comms, and with the Red Owl and Mote, the retreat will be swift.”
“Ah, that makes sense.”
“We’ll try first, and even if the others don’t follow, we have almost nothing to lose—unless Zito suddenly appears at our main base.”
If that were possible, the Bamel Alliance would have suffered serious damage long ago.
“Besides, even if Ziphl doesn’t move, at least Kinzello and we will advance. Orgal even sent reinforcements to the Wall without our request. It’s unlikely that Ziphl would attack our main base while the alliance and Kinzello are pushing forward. Even if the Jeokmyeong tribe is faltering, Ziphl doesn’t have the capacity to strike our main base.”
The decision was made.
The alliance members began discussing which superhumans to deploy additionally to the Wall and how to arrange the troops.
“First, Murakan and I will definitely be at the front lines, moving with the Golden Fleet. Whether Luna joins us in the breakthrough is crucial…”
[ I think the 1st Squadron should operate like a special detachment, just like during the preemptive strike mission. While Lord Soga and Murakan break through the front, the 1st Squadron can disrupt the enemy’s defenses, supporting you as needed. And the 3rd Squadron…]
Buzz—!
In the midst of the discussion, the comm device suddenly vibrated again.
A fourth communication request—once again from Tikan.
“Lord Jin! We’ve just received urgent news. About six hours ago, Ziphl’s large fleet began moving. Their likely destination is Grosh Fortress!”
Jin’s eyes widened at Kashimir’s report.
“…Grosh Fortress, you say?”
“Yes. It seems Ziphl is preparing to deploy troops into the Jin Demon Realm in earnest.”
Currently, the head of Ziphl is Veradin.
Ziphl’s advance toward Grosh Fortress means this was Veradin’s decision.
Veradin… he’s thinking the same way I am.
Jin shrugged and looked at his comrades.
“Even though Keliak’s been a mess, Veradin and I still see eye to eye on this. Now that Ziphl has made the first move, it’s time for us to respond in kind.”