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What the hell just happened…..
Everyone couldn't help but think that.
No one could have predicted that the home of Vermont's best knight clan, which seemed unbreakable as long as there was no world war, would be so ruthlessly and unexpectedly destroyed.
And on top of that the attackers who had destroyed the Sword Emperor Castle had already left using an unknown power.
Even the Dragon Knights had joined in at the end of the battle, but it wasn't as if the terrorists had suffered significant casualties and retreated.
It was a complete defeat.
Only black smoke rose throughout the Sword Emperor Castle that had almost become a ruin.
"...Kid."
"Brother Jin."
Murakan and Linpa approached Jin. Murakan looked exhausted because of the battle, and Linpa appeared as calm as when she was first summoned.
Murakan had desperately defended against the attacks of the cannons and the leader alongside Ron, while Linpa had not had the opportunity to use her full power.
Linpa supported Jin when he staggered forward.
Jin felt sorry for Linpa just as it had been when he summoned Garmund in the past. He felt a sense of guilt that stemmed from the fact that she would return to Laprarosa without remembering anything.
Linpa nodded as if she understood without Jin having to say anything.
"The outside world... has changed a lot. It is the first…. I saw a toy causing so much trouble."
"I think brethren are the only ones who can describe Berakt Sidriker as a toy in the world."
"I... will go back. You have a lot to do."
"Thank you, sister Linpa."
Linpa ruffled Jin's hair with a smirk.
Then, she spoke with a heavy expression,
"That demon... looks familiar."
"Are you talking about the leader of Kinzelo?"
Linpa nodded his head.
"Clearly... I've encountered him before….. with our... brethren."
Upon hearing those words, Jin exchanged a puzzled glance with Linpa.
"What does that mean? He has fought against the brethren of the Plutonian tribe before?"
"I'm not sure…. To that extent. But... I'm certain. We've crossed paths..."
Linpa tried to recall more about the leader, but she could only be sure that they had indeed met; everything else remained elusive.
-You mean I had met the leader of the Kinzelo even a thousand years ago...? I thought he was just some random demon I came across somewhere. It seems that demon has some connection with me.
Suddenly, Jin was reminded of the moment he had discussed with Murakan about the leader after entering the second tomb of Tema.
It was right after the record he saw that protected by the guardian Sarah.
'I simply thought Murakan had memory issues at that time and couldn't remember anything about the leader... but maybe…'
Perhaps the records about the leader had been manipulated.
That thought crossed his mind.
Murakan had seemed to know the leader a thousand years ago according to the records, and as soon as Linpa saw him, she was sure that she saw him before but can't remember.
'If the history and records about the commander were manipulated, it's only natural that Zipfel is involved. But why?'
The exact reason remains unknown for now. However, it was a problem that could not be simply dismissed.
'Because he poses a threat.'
The authority and strength displayed by the leader were undoubtedly threatening even to Zipfel from a thousand years ago.
Everyone clearly saw how the leader single-handedly put pressure on the entire Sword Emperor Castle, blocked Ron and Murakan, and continued to restore the strength of his allies in real time even though he wasn't in perfect condition.
Everyone had a hunch that If Kingelo's leader had been in 'perfect' condition, the battle would not have ended at this point.
"Be careful... brother Jin. He's dangerous... guy."
"Alright."
"See you later."
Phssss...
Linpa's body slowly faded into particles of shadow force. Jin watched the fading image of Linpa with a bittersweet sigh.
He surveyed the situation.
The Dragon Knights and other swords of Hairan were attending to the wounded and assessing the damage. The allied forces that had fought together were regrouping their troops.
Veradin was still being supported by Enya, and Shuri came to him and reported about Dante's safety.
'The fact that they are unharmed means that we have at least avoided the worst-case scenario.'
Jin was the first to move to rescue those two amidst the chaos of battle. Now, what remained was cleanup and counterattack, which was not Jin's responsibility.
"Lord!"
The Dragon Knight Commander descended beside Ron.
Blood trickled through Ron's lips, but he surveyed the surroundings while breathing heavily. Again, Jin thought even that was unrealistic.
Hoo, hoo...
Jin could feel Ron's rough breaths even though there was quite a distance between them. Ron still exuded a majestic aura despite his disheveled hair and numerous wounds all over his body.
Ron approached Jin with firm steps.
All the martial artists who had been watching this scene blinked in surprise.
It was because Ron was approaching the flagbearer of Runcandel instead of members of the Hairan clan right after the battle.
All eyes followed the two of them. Ron wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and suddenly grasped Jin's right arm.
Thump!
Then, Ron raised Jin's right arm high into the air, as if paying tribute to a victor in a competition.
It was just as shocking as the recent terror attack to the martial artists. Some unconsciously covered their mouths with their hands and swallowed hard.
It was an unrealistic sight for everyone as the Sword Emperor, the patriarch of Hairan, is praising the 12th flagbearer of Runcandel immediately after the terror attack.
Jin was inwardly surprised as well... no, in reality, he was as stunned as the martial artists who were holding their breath. However, he maintained a composed expression.
Of course, besides the surprise, Jin quickly understood why Ron had placed him at the forefront.
'It's to stop Runcandel.'
After the terror attack and the severe injuries suffered by the Sword Emperor, Hairan was in a dire situation.
The optimal time for one predator to attack another is when the prey is injured. In other words, external forces seeking to restrain Hairan would have the best opportunity after today.
Among them, Runcandel was undoubtedly the most troublesome force. If Runcandel became aware of the situation and decided to make a move, Hairan wouldn't have the means to stop them.
Their only support was the Imperial family and Zipfel, but the former had always been cautious about Hairan, even going so far as to confine the Dragon Knights. Zipfel, on the other hand, was more dangerous than the Imperial family if they reached out carelessly.
In such a situation, what if he attend Jin, who actually attended the banquet as the 'representative' of Runcandel, first?
No matter how powerful and dominating Runcandel is, it would be difficult to attack Hairan immediately after the heartwarming atmosphere (witnessed by all the attending factions) of the banquet.
'Well, it's unlikely that Runcandel would attack Hairan even if Sir Ron did not do this, but there was no safer and more efficient option available to Hairan.'
In a way, it gives Jin goosebumps. The fact that Ron made such a sharp judgment immediately after the chaotic incident had ended. That's what makes it even more remarkable—the world's best knight, who has an arrogant attitude to begin with.
"Jin Runcandel, I, the lord of Sword Emperor Castle, will never forget your dedication and courage in this incident."
However, there was one thing that Jin hadn't considered.
That statement wasn't like a politician's empty words, but it was filled with genuine gratitude. Ron genuinely held Jin in the highest regard for his role in this incident.
Instead of replying, Jin simply nodded silently.
"Also, I am deeply grateful to those who fought alongside the Hairan clan in the face of the terror attack. Too many have sacrificed their lives….. I express my condolences. I promise to take responsibility in any form."
As Ron lowered his head, the other martial artists who had been observing the situation had no choice but to follow suit.
When they raised their heads again, their gaze naturally turned toward Jin.
It was a burden to keep looking at Ron, and it was natural to feel strange about the 12th flagbearer of Runcandel, who had recently shaken up the Garden of Swords and stood out in the Sword Emperor Castle.
Jin turned away from the particularly bright eyes of Lata Proch and looked at Zephyrin, who was receiving a scolding in the corner.
'The Demon Dragon.'
Of course, there was still no confirmation that Zephyrin was the Demon Dragon, but he felt it was time to meet with the leader of Black King Mercenaries once the situation settled down.
For the time being, everyone here would be staying in Hairan for the investigation anyway.
***
November 10, 1799, approximately two weeks had passed since the "Terror Attack on the Sword Emperor Castle" incident had occurred.
Not only Hairan, but the entire Vermont empire had not yet recovered from the shock of that day. Even people in distant lands who only received the news through word of mouth were in a similar state.
The Sword Emperor Castle remained in ruins.
The restoration hasn't started yet. Most of the officials had set up tents near the castle, and it created the impression that only the Sword Emperor Castle was engaged in a war within Vermont's territory.
In reality, the Sword Emperor Castle was indeed fighting a war.
Against those they believed were their allies. The Imperial family of Vermont hadn't assisted Hairan at all.
Not assisting would be one thing, but they had gone as far as to defend Kinzelo. Despite clear evidence pointing to Kinzelo and the tremendous damage they had inflicted on Hairan, the Imperial family refrained from labeling Kinzelo as terrorists.
They used vague expressions like "an unfortunate accident." Furthermore, the Imperial family had stated that they couldn't be sure if the giant monsters and living golems used in the attack were indeed Kinzelo's.
Not many people expected that the Imperial family would handle the situation so lukewarmly.
However, those who observed the current attitude could all deduce the same conclusion: After the incident, there must have been some kind of deal or understanding between the Imperial family, Kinzelo and Zipfel.
Not only Kinzelo but also Zipfel denied any involvement in the terrorism after taking Veradin away, and the Imperial family was turning a blind eye to these actions.
Originally, since there was evidence that Kinzelo had targeted Veradin, Zipfel should have had to pay some kind of price to Hairan.
But the imperial family intended to tame or hunt down Hairan.
In a way, Hairan had been betrayed by the Imperial family.
"Huuh..."
Dante let out a tired sigh in the basement of the Sword Emperor Castle, and his face showed signs of fatigue. The basement of the Sword Emperor Castle was in relatively good condition compared to the surface.
Jin placed his hand on Dante's shoulder.
"Dante, are you nervous about meeting him?"
"If I weren't, I'd be lying."
"Let's hope his diary is still intact."
Tuk, tuk, tuk.
Footsteps were heard from the darkness. Soon, a figure in robes and the knights who brought him appeared. It was Veradin.
The knights stepped back when Dante signaled, and Veradin lowered his hood and revealed his face. In the dim basement, the three figures cast deep shadows.
Dante did not greet the newcomer with the usual warm and polite demeanor, and Veradin remained silent with a firm expression.
There was a heavy silence for a while, but it was Veradin who spoke first.