Episode 963
Chapter 237: Though the Sun Has Vanished, the Light Remains
April 12, 1804.
A month had passed since the campaign against Jito ended. Among all the forces that had participated, the Balmel Alliance was recognized by the public as having made the greatest contribution.
For the people of Huepester, it was nothing short of a perfect victory. Festivals celebrating the eradication of the demon race were held across Huepester day after day.
Yet those who had fought desperately on the front lines against the demons could not bring themselves to smile. Behind the victory lay countless sorrows unknown to ordinary people, and the pain of those who had been brainwashed and exploited.
The destruction of a once peaceful world still lingered.
The flames of ruin left by Kelliak had not yet been fully extinguished even a month after the war’s end, continuing to consume the Jinma Realm.
“They’re here.”
Inside the tent of the Kingdom of Mila, Jin raised his hand toward the demons who had just arrived. They wore black robes that clashed with the festive atmosphere.
“Looks like we’re late.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Jin Runkandel.”
“It’s fine. I just got here myself, so don’t worry about it.”
It was Tilias and Misol.
Thanks to Murakan, they had survived the flames of destruction. Misol hadn’t been at Dokmas Castle when the fire began, but since the flames eventually spread throughout the entire Jinma Realm, she was also a fortunate survivor.
“It’s been half a month. We were almost inseparable when we were restoring the Jinma Realm.”
“Yeah… thanks to you, our demon race avoided total extinction.”
Jin felt a pang of guilt at those words.
He couldn’t shake the thought: if it hadn’t been for his own regression, would the Jinma Realm have suffered such a tragedy? This was a torment he faced every time he altered history as a regressor, but this time it was on a whole different scale. Over 90% of a world’s population had been wiped out.
“Jin, you always get that look when you hear things like this. Don’t. If it weren’t for you, we’d all be dead—either killed by that bastard Jito or by Kelliak.”
“…Back then, if Bassett hadn’t sacrificed himself, Misol probably wouldn’t be here now.”
Bassett Biceps.
Before the flames of destruction began, he had searched Dokmas Castle alongside Tilias. Just before the fire reached its peak, he unleashed all his ‘Power of Suppression’ to temporarily disperse the inferno.
It was nothing short of a miracle. Bassett was already exhausted and weakened by Ridolos.
Currently, about 1.5 million demons remained alive in the Jinma Realm. While not an insignificant number, it was small compared to the original population of hundreds of millions.
Of those, 900,000 were refugees from Biceps’ group, and the rest were survivors of the flames whom Bassett was still rescuing.
“And if it weren’t for Silkia Arsia, most of those left in Biceps’ refuge would have died as well.”
Silkia.
Yes, Lord Bassett.
From now on, you are the leader of Biceps’ group. Take good care of those who remain. Remember, you are someone who could become a god.
Those were Bassett’s final words to Silkia.
Jin had heard this story from Tilias and Misol. Indeed, Silkia was a being capable of becoming a god.
More than that, her ability to ‘dimensional travel’ was godlike. When the flames of destruction spread, it was solely thanks to her dimensional gates that Biceps’ members survived. She opened portals that allowed nearly a million people to escape.
Those gates instantly transported Biceps’ group to their last refuge at the edge of the Jinma Realm. Valeria herself had doubted her eyes when she saw the records.
“So all I did was wage war in the Jinma Realm. No need to thank me.”
“You did kill Jito, Jin.”
“Yeah. Though after killing him, it turned out the real evil was something else entirely.”
Kelliak Ziphl.
Jin’s eyes narrowed as he recalled the recent moves of Ziphl and Elona. Since that day, they had swiftly taken control of Ziphl, and now the Lutero Federation had become more dangerous and bleak than ever.
“Besides, you stood before your nemesis and still tried to save a hell that had nothing to do with you before. Your brother’s sacrifice, Silkia’s power—they were incredible, but if you hadn’t helped the Jinma Realm, we’d still be living in darkness, unaware of who we really are…”
Most of Biceps’ group had never been brainwashed.
But the other survivors were not so fortunate. They were despairing over having been brainwashed into killing their own family, friends, and lovers with their own hands.
Moreover, with the artificial sun gone, even after driving out Jito, the Jinma Realm was destined to become a land of darkness without a single ray of light. It was impossible for survivors to find hope in such a place.
Everyone thought so.
“Those survivors who weren’t part of Biceps’ group kept trying to give up on life. I probably would have too. After all, Jito made me destroy everything precious to me with my own hands. What’s the point of living? But the light… the light you left behind… it’s keeping them alive.”
Ridolos had predicted that the Jinma Realm would be swallowed by darkness once the artificial sun disappeared.
The same was true for Biceps’ group. But unlike Ridolos, they believed that even in darkness, they could somehow support each other and survive.
However, there was one element they hadn’t anticipated.
The power of regeneration—the strange ability Jin possessed—was blossoming like flowers, like swarms of fireflies, illuminating the Jinma Realm.
Though the artificial sun was gone, the golden light rising from the earth was actually making the Jinma Realm brighter than before.
Demons who had lost their will to live amid pain and sorrow felt a fierce hope when they faced that light.
They were overcome with the conviction that the innocents who had died would one day return, following that light.
The survivors clung to life by following that light, and the light sought out the survivors. Even Jin himself couldn’t explain this phenomenon.
“That’s right, that’s right. You’ve seen it too. The Jinma Realm is actually more beautiful now than before. Once the flames of destruction are completely gone, it’ll truly become a shining land—brighter than the surface world.”
Misol lifted her glass and offered it to Jin. Tilias raised his as well.
Jin watched them for a moment before accepting the toast.
“You’re not worried about the fact that the public doesn’t know all the demons were brainwashed, are you? Don’t be, Jin. That was our request from the start.”
As Tilias said, the Balmel Alliance had agreed with Biceps’ request not to fully disclose the brainwashing to the general public.
Some information had been revealed, but the idea that all demons were innocent victims was still too difficult for ordinary people to accept.
Just as the demons needed hope, so did the people of Inse. In the ongoing great war that had raged since the Battle of the Sword Emperor Star, everyone needed their own victories.
The Jito extermination festivals held throughout Huepester were not purely celebrations.
They were also a grim reminder of the fear of another war soon to come. The unilateral civil war in the Lutero Federation, sparked by Kelliak’s return, was putting pressure on all of Inse.
Biceps had read the situation clearly and asked the Balmel Alliance to reveal the truth about the demons later. Though brainwashed, the demons had indeed invaded Inse.
“…Understood, Tilias. But when true peace finally comes to the world, I will make sure the demons’ story is fully told.”
“So you were conscious of it all along. When you first came to us proposing an alliance, I never imagined you had such a soft side. We always assumed we’d be used and discarded. I’m ashamed.”
“That’s why you didn’t reveal the ‘artificial sun’ card until the very end. It’s embarrassing now, but…”
“We didn’t know each other well back then. Don’t hold it against us.”
“I appreciate you saying that.”
Tilias refilled the empty glasses.
They had gathered in the tent today to quietly celebrate the liberation of the Jinma Realm, just the three of them. Sometimes, Tilias and Misol would pour drinks for Bassett and their fallen comrades and empty the glasses in their honor.
“Jin. You’ll be fighting Kelliak Ziphl soon, won’t you?”
Jin nodded.
Since taking control of Ziphl, Kelliak had shown no significant moves. Jin was keeping a close watch on him while focusing on repairing the damage to his allies and the Jinma Realm.
“I’ve also heard there are many other enemies—The Imperial Court, the Red-Eyed Tribe, the Sun God Cult, Kinzel… and Ganesto. When you go to war with them, Silkia said she would help you.”
“Silikia?”
“Yes. And all of us, including myself, agreed with her. Of course, our remaining forces are small compared to Inse’s, and most of us are busy restoring the Jinma Realm, so we can’t provide military support.”
“But Silkia’s abilities… Though she needs time to recover after using great power, her skills will definitely be a huge help to you.”
“For example, evacuating innocent people caught in unexpected battles… or when you need to deploy large numbers of troops into enemy territory, Silkia can play a key role.”
“Silikia has other powers too. Lord Bassett said she hasn’t even fully awakened her strength yet. So when the time comes and you need her power, contact us anytime. Or maybe Silkia will reach out first?”
The bottles were emptying.
Jin nodded. Indeed, with Silkia’s power, it would be possible to prevent as many innocent deaths as possible in times like these.
Even with the gift of regeneration, it remained Jin’s greatest concern. Just as the demons believed, and as Ayula had said, even if the light of rebirth someday truly brought them back to life—
“Let’s have one last toast.”
“We should gather the supplies we need and head back now.”
Tilias poured the remaining liquor for everyone.
“To a shining future.”
“To a shining future.”
“To a shining future.”
Their glasses clinked together. Within the cups, the golden-hued land of the Jin Demon Realm rippled like liquid light.