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Zephyrin looked like a harpy commonly depicted in novels. She overall resembled a human, but the entire body, excluding the face, was covered in black feathers, and there were wings in the place of the arms.
And she flew very fast. She seemed like a dot in the distance, but in an instant, she approached close enough to be recognizable.
"Hmm, what's with that human crow? Is it a surprise circus show prepared by my son-in-law for me?"
"She is a demon dragon named Zephyrin. She seems to have come here for some business with me."
"Another woman, huh? Anyway, you are very popular with women, my son-in-law."
Naturally, Zephyrin didn't seem very friendly.
Already suffering humiliation from Jin in the Sota Desert, her plan to take Joshua as a hostage had failed. Adding to that, the last-minute battle and the damage from the volcano had left the leader on verge of death.
'Somehow, I sense a chill.'
If it were another time, there might have been some tension, but Jin calmly turned his head to observe his companions on both sides.
A sly smile appeared on his face.
"That, that thing. Zephyrin. Isn't she Zephyrin!?"
"Zephyrin? This damn...!"
"How well have we treated you!"
The eyes of the Black Kings who were on external guard duty became as sharp as blades.
"She is the enemy of our leader, load the Black King Cannon No. 1!"
"Open all cannons, including Black King Cannon No. 1. We will avenge our leader!"
"Our leader's sacrifice was not in vain!"
The Black King mercenaries were talking as if Valkas had died at that time. It was unclear whether it was to inspire anger or whether someone had used the expression 'enemy' to create a strange trend.e flow, it couldn't be known.
The cannons were aimed.
Black King mercenaries stationed at the central watchtower were sending signals. It meant that the preparations to shoot that damn thing down were complete, so give the orders immediately.
"Well, my lord. Please make a decision."
"Let's try a defense test."
Valkas raised his hand, and personnel in the watchtower nodded in agreement.
Clang! Kiiiiiiing, boom!
The defense devices installed by the Black Kings at various locations on the walls of Tikan began to appear at the same time.
It was a seamless and flawless transformation, like the rotation of precisely interlocking gears.
The cannon barrels appeared in the gunports to pressure and suppress the intruder. There were also artifacts shooting nets, and there were over 40 giant bows operated by several members.
In addition, numerous defense equipment were aimed at Zephyrin.
'I heard rumors that fortress defense had started, but was it to this extent? Moreover, to receive such treatment when they have to politely welcome me... It's absurd, Sir Jin!'
Commence firing!
As the commanders shouted, the sky instantly turned red with projectiles, flames, arrows, hooks, and nets.
If it were an ordinary dragon, it would have likely met its demise at that moment. However, Zephyrin skillfully avoided the attacks.
'...It's quite fierce.'
Zephyrin was first shocked by that part.
She might have chuckled at the pitiful sight under normal circumstances. However, it was a different story in the current situation where she couldn't tap into the power of the leader.
"Black King Cannon No. 1, fire!"
"Fire!"
As soon as it was determined that a blind spot had been created, Black King Cannon No. 1 spewed out fire.
Boom!
A heavy yet refreshing explosion, as if something blocked had been pierced, rang out after the cannon fire had already grazed Zephyrin's cheek and shoulder.
'Huh, just now... what was that?'
If she had taken a direct hit in her weakened state, she would have suffered death or equivalent damage.
The intuition was so clear that Zephyrin had no choice but to block the Black King Cannon No. 1 after it flew at an angle that was impossible to avoid.
She had tapped into the leader's strength (cough! The leader, who was lying down at that time, was vomiting blood and members of Kinzelo were on alert).
"It's quite excellent, isn't it?"
During the Black King incident, the battle took place almost in a different subspace, and the members couldn't use it as they were all evacuating.
The power of Black King Cannon No. 1 was at an extraordinary level.
"It was the pride of our Black Kings."
"Now I have a rough idea of its performance. Now, please guide Zephyrin to land over here."
When Valkas conveyed Jin's command, the shooting pattern changed from suppression to guidance.
After that, Zephyrin rolled in the sky for about 5 minutes before landing in the front yard of the mansion, somewhat battered and bruised.
"Huff, huff... thi-this... Jin Runcandel! You bastard, are you mocking me again? Have you forgotten our agreement? Come out. I'll tear all your limbs apart!"
She blurted out such words in the heat of the moment.
All of Jin's companions were gathered in front of her.
"Hmm, who are you going to tear apart?"
"Zephyrin, you've turned Black King Mountain Hideout into that state and yet dared to make your way here."
"Keep your eyes down, and behave properly."
Talaris, Valkas, and Lata spoke at the same time.
Especially Talaris, without waiting for Zephyrin's response, closed the distance in an instant and delivered a punch to Zephyrin's jaw.
Thunk, thud!
The sound of a fist imbued with Myriad Ice's power colliding with the jaw of a demon dragon was a feeling that anyone who heard it could not help but wonder about this question.
Wouldn't he be dead? Zephyrin was shocked for a second time by her fist.
"Kwung!"
Shockwaves and gusts of wind swirled around, followed by a sudden cold that froze Zephyrin's limbs and held them like chains.
"No. Kuk!"
"What do you mean no?"
"Ha! Master of Hidden Palace, you don't seem to know who I am, Ugh! Ahh!"
"Hmm, I guess you need to take a few hits until you soften up."
Bam, bam!
Without any need for further intervention from the other companions, Talaris relentlessly and triumphantly battered Zephyrin with overwhelming blows.
After enduring such merciless beating for five minutes, Zephyrin, with a severely swollen face, could only think one thing.
'This, this is not...'
Of course, this was not what she expected.
Even if she couldn't use the full power of the leader (though she had used it once again), Zephyrin's strength was by no means shallow.
She was just a bit flustered by Tikan's defensive equipment, used the leader's power a bit forcibly, and landed on the ground somewhat tired. Moreover, her opponent was none other than Talaris.
Zephyrin also expected that if Jin had any conscience, he would have welcomed her somewhat gracefully. After all, they had a promise in the Sota Desert.
"Oh, you said something like that, Zephyrin. If you had contacted me in advance, I would have welcomed you politely. I thought you were a terrorist. Well, you are a terrorist, right? Because you are from Kinzelo."
Jin responded as if he didn't know, and Zephyrin's eyes turned purple with demonic energy and killing intent.
"Jin, Runcandel, you bastard!"
"No, it's not the time to speak so recklessly. There won't be any good if you keep acting foolish, right?"
Zephyrin, calming her anger, observed Jin's group.
"...Sir Jin, it's been a while."
In the end, she admitted that now wasn't the time to provoke trouble, realizing that it might cause a big problem if she used her full power.
"Not that long, comrade of the Sota Desert. Looks like you safely escaped from that desert, too?"
You devil...
Zephyrin smiled, barely suppressing the rising urge to say something vulgar.
"You sound like we guys are nothing if you can use your power properly."
"Not really. You are misinterpreting it in a strange way."
"I've been curious since last time, what on earth do you believe in and keep moving alone? Moreover, this is my territory. It means you shouldn't come like this without an invitation."
There was a clear reason why Zephyrin preferred to move alone.
Having someone unnecessary around as the Grand Duke of the Demon World... she thought it was undignified.
However, it was an awkward situation to say that, so she didn't respond. Beings like dragons, demons, those close to immortality, tended to have such strange outdated cultures and ideologies.
"I was just going to kill him, but I spared you just because of our promise. So, I hope this kind of rudeness never happens again."
"Fine, I get it... Now, can you release me and have a talk?"
"Nope."
When Talaris bluntly refused, Zephyrin muttered like this.
"Master of the Hidden Palace, there's not much good from playing tricks like this. There should be records left by the previous masters of the Hidden Palace about me..."
Then Talaris lightly burst into laughter.
"Hmm, today is full of kids who take jokes seriously. Demon Dragon Zephyrin, there is a very short record left about you."
"Most of it must have disappeared. I had quite a few interesting encounters with the masters of the Hidden Palace. Wasn't there anything like 'don't mess with her at all' in the records?"
There was. The record left by the previous masters of Hidden Palace about Zephyrin was only one line.
Avoid her if encountered.
'She is not the target of the sealing or assassination, and her current level of strength is just so-so. There must be a reason for leaving such a record.'
Fzzzz...
The ice that bound Zephyrin scattered into the air.
"I didn't see such content, but just keep in mind that if you threaten my son-in-law like this again, it won't end as a joke. In your own territory too."
The fact that the master of the Hidden Palace, Talaris Endorma, was very friendly with Jin was well-known to everyone. The public already knew that Jin and Syris were confirmed to be married.
However, those who knew 'The Secret of Hidden palace' knew that they maintained absolute neutrality. In order to solve the anomalies of the world, sometimes it was necessary to join hands with certain forces.
'She is warning me, implying that she can step out of neutrality... The Hidden Palace doesn't seem the same as before.'
It was new information for Zephyrin.
"Hmph, I'll keep that in mind. Anyway, Sir Jin. Keep the promise we made."
Zephyrin was very curious when she came to visit, but now she was angry and anxious.
-That's right, those things to Runcandel are actually like pearls around a pig's neck. I won't be fooled in the next negotiation. So enjoy today's small victory, Sir Jin.
If Jin changes his words this time too, she would go back without any gain, just being beaten up like a fool.
"I'll do that."
Surprisingly, Jin was obediently responding to Zephyrin's demand.
"Are you talking about handing over the blueprints and machine to us?"
"That's going too far. I'll have a formal meeting with Kinzelo. I'll give you a chance to decipher the blueprints and machine at that time. The decryption process will take place in front of both factions, and all information must be shared with our side."
"Haha! You're still talking like a tough guy."
"You're mistaken, Zephyrin. The winner of that day in the desert was me. Since the items are in my hands, Zipfel and your Kinzelo are losers. Be thankful for my generosity. If you don't like it... Just go back empty-handed. It wouldn't be a bad idea to leave your head behind."
"The day will come when all demons will curse you, Sir Jin."
Jin replied with a smirk.
"It's okay, I'm immune. I'll decide and notify the date of the meeting. I think we're done here. What will you do? Since we were having a meal, try some dishes before you leave."