Chapter 922
Episode 230: Invasion and Assault (3)
“Has it been confirmed who attacked the Holy Kingdom?”
{The spies couldn’t see the assailants directly. However, they reported an enormous shock that shook the kingdom’s protective barrier, and it’s estimated the number of attackers wasn’t very large.}
The moment Kashimir answered, Jin felt a sudden chill run down the back of his neck.
It was as if a formidable enemy stood right before him, baring murderous intent. This wasn’t just a feeling—it was a sharp, piercing sensation that cut through his skin and surged fiercely.
From Groshé Castle to the Holy Kingdom, even Murakan’s fastest flight took over half a day. No one but a Celestial Star could project their presence so far and so boldly.
‘The Supreme Sword of the True Demon Realm… it must be him.’
Faelito Velgasium.
Jin was certain the figure staring at him across the vast expanse with that lethal intent was none other than Faelito.
Jin knew Faelito favored Sakiel deeply. With his most cherished subordinate brutally slain, his thirst for revenge must be burning fiercely.
“Understood. I’ll report back again.”
{Prince Jin, please be careful.}
“Yes, don’t worry too much. It’s just that the enemy we expected to face has arrived sooner than anticipated.”
Jin set down the communicator.
“Murakan, Dante, Lord Hedo, and I will head to the Holy Kingdom immediately. The rest of the troops and superhumans will hold the alliance’s territory and stand by.”
“Jin, wouldn’t it be better if Runtia and I come along as well?”
“You two need to go to the Empire in Dante’s place.”
Among the Bamel Alliance, the Empire had the largest territory. It would be more efficient for Luna and Runtia to defend the Empire against the invasion than for Dante to handle it alone.
“Right now, Hupester, Tikan, and Bigung are holding the line well, but the Empire seems to be struggling somewhat. We might even need to send more knights from Runkandel.”
“That may be true… but, youngest brother, you must have felt it most keenly. It’s definitely a Celestial Star. And that murderous intent is directed at you.”
“Yes. This will be my first time fighting a Celestial Star.”
Jin had faced beings with divine power similar to Celestial Stars, like Gliek or the Tyrant God, but never had he risked life and death against a mortal who had ascended to Celestial Star status.
His mouth went dry after so long. His whole body trembled, brimming with fighting spirit—the desire to defeat Faelito burning fiercely within him.
Jin gathered his sword.
“I’ll finish with Runtia and the Empire as quickly as possible, then head to the Holy Kingdom.”
“Hmph. By the time you get there, he’ll probably already be beside his beloved subordinate. Just focus on protecting our lands.”
“True, it’s more Murakan we should worry about than you, youngest brother. You’ll be careful if it gets dangerous, but Murakan doesn’t have that sense.”
“What?”
“Please take good care of Murakan. He can’t afford to get hurt from pushing himself too hard out of pride.”
“Understood, sister.”
“Tch, I’m so touched I might as well use up all my remaining strength.”
The group headed toward the Red Owl’s launch chamber.
As Dr. Kwaul set the coordinates for the Holy Kingdom, his face darkened.
“Commander, there’s an error again.”
“An error?”
“The Red Owl can’t track the Holy Kingdom’s energy signature. I expected this as soon as I heard the communication was cut off. Both spatial jumps and communication rely on tracking energy waves. The coordinates aren’t showing at all. Just like that Tilius Visceps did before, they’ve completely blocked both communication and spatial jumps.”
According to Tilius, the ‘Power of Blocking’ was a unique ability granted only to high-ranking demons from the Visceps family of the True Demon Realm’s Immortal Zone. None of the demons on the list of Jito’s subordinates used this power.
Jin immediately contacted the Veil to find Tilius, but he was not present.
‘At this point, neither Visceps nor Tilius would betray us. It must be some unknown method Tilius himself doesn’t know, used to block spatial jumps and communication.’
Kwaul’s expression grew darker the more he examined the Red Owl.
“Damn it, even when I try to set coordinates closer to the Holy Kingdom, it’s not working. The system is overloaded.”
“Is it impossible to move using the Red Owl?”
“Yes. Even if we manage to set coordinates nearby and jump, the Red Owl will immediately malfunction. I think the best option is to use Mote to get as close as possible, then proceed by flight.”
Sirith immediately summoned Mote.
[Whoosh!]
Mote also couldn’t open a direct dimensional gate to the Holy Kingdom. Unlike the Red Owl, however, opening the gate didn’t seem to exhaust him.
“Let’s go, Jin. I’ll have Mote gradually close the distance to the Holy Kingdom.”
The group climbed onto Mote’s back.
Soon, Mote opened a new dimensional gate to the Otherworldly Snowfield and began running. Jin noticed Sirith’s back trembling slightly against his chest.
She was worried about Talaris. Though much recovered, Talaris had been enduring Jito’s gaze in the Holy Kingdom all this time.
She couldn’t fight at full strength. Moreover, Jito’s gaze might be raging uncontrollably after this assault.
“I will save Lord Talaris, no matter what. Even if it costs me my life.”
Sirith flinched.
“…That’s a noble sentiment. But your life has become too precious to sacrifice for anyone else.”
“It’s not too precious to use for Lord Talaris. I owe her more gratitude than I can ever repay.”
“Mother, Lady Bigung is strong. Even if Sir Ron was the one who attacked the Holy Kingdom, she won’t be easily defeated. Besides, there’s the protective barrier Lady Ayula set up. I truly appreciate your concern.”
Sirith sincerely believed Jin must not die because of Talaris. It was the right thing to do to protect the world and fulfill Bigung’s mission.
“Of course, since the enemy is a Celestial Star, you’ll have to risk your life. But I trust you. No matter how strong the enemy, you can win. That’s why I’m not overly worried. You’re the only one who can give me this much faith, Jin.”
The dimensional gate opened and closed repeatedly.
As they neared the Holy Kingdom, a thick aura of demonic energy pressed down on them—the energy radiated by the invaders.
They all recalled the time when Gliek and the Tyrant God spread their demonic energy across the world. If Faelito continued to emit this energy, it felt like the entire world would eventually be engulfed.
The energy seeped through every dimensional gate into the Otherworldly Snowfield, relentlessly chasing Mote. Because of the unique state of spatial jumping, it was impossible to block the energy completely with a protective barrier.
[Huff…!]
Mote’s breathing grew heavy. If they kept going like this, Mote would be injured.
“Jin, let’s stop using Mote here. From here, even riding Murakan, we can reach the Holy Kingdom within an hour.”
After exiting the Otherworldly Snowfield twice more, Sirith spoke.
“Even the Ice Princess looks down on me now. An hour? I can do it in thirty minutes. This demonic energy can’t slow me down. But still, wouldn’t it be better for Mote to suffer a little more? Then we’d arrive in under five minutes.”
“If we go any further, Mote will be hurt enough to need a long recovery. Then we’d have to rely solely on the Red Owl to move the superhumans, which might weaken our response to the invasion.”
“Sirith.”
“Listen to me. Honestly, I want to push forward and support Mother as soon as possible, but you have to make choices for the whole. You’re usually the most level-headed person I know, but in moments like this, you tend to rush in like a fireball. That’s why we all trust and like you as a comrade.”
Sirith lightly tapped Jin’s shoulder with her fist.
“Go protect the Holy Kingdom. As always, don’t let the enemy achieve their goals. We’re heading back now. And Murakan, please drop that ‘Ice Princess’ nickname. It gives me chills every time I hear it.”
“Please take care of Mother. Somehow, save her.”
Sirith disappeared through the dimensional gate without saying those words aloud.
Jin and his companions all understood the feelings behind her actions.
[The Ice Princess has grown so much. She seems more mature than you, little one.]
Murakan transformed and carried the others on his back.
“…I respect the young lady. If my late grandfather were here in the Holy Kingdom now, I doubt I’d be as bold as she is.”
“I feel the same. If it were Sandra, she wouldn’t be able to do this. In some ways, among all of us here, the young lady is the strongest.”
[Then we must never give our Ice Princess a reason to be sad. Let’s go. We’ll break through the barrier in thirty minutes without protection. Everyone, handle the demonic energy as best you can.]
With a powerful flap, Murakan spread his two pairs of wings. Despite his massive size, his flight was astonishingly swift.
No matter how great Faelito’s demonic energy was, it alone couldn’t threaten the four of them. The surging energy was merely an annoyance.
The real danger was the murderous intent.
If Jin let his guard down for even a moment, that razor-sharp killing intent would slice him to pieces. It relentlessly poured down on him.
The battle between Jin and Faelito had already begun long ago. Calmly, Jin focused his mind and began dispelling the invisible killing intent one by one.
Murakan truly reached the waters where Ayula’s protective barrier enveloped the empire in just thirty minutes. The dense magical fog hung thick like a heavy mist, making the outline barely visible.
But even through the haze, it was unmistakable.
“Good, Ayula’s barrier hasn’t completely failed. Well, of course—it was woven with her own vital energy. No matter how strong the Changsung are, breaking through won’t be easy… Damn it, what’s that hole?”
A massive crack marred one side of the shield. Rushing closer, Murakan caught sight of Paelito’s back as he was just about to enter the empire’s airspace.
Paelito had deliberately paused, waiting for their arrival. And beneath him, Talaris had erected another defensive formation to block his advance.
“So you’ve come… Jin Runkandel,” Paelito’s dark voice echoed.