The fleet was crumbling under the power of the five sword saints and the Sword of Calmine.
The shadow and divine power of time continued to trample the enemies.
The shattered fragments of the destroyed battleships menacingly crashed to the ground, but even that was unable to cause any significant harm to the Vamel Alliance and the Knights of Hairan, as they were blocked by the Dragon Fire Shield.
Amela also continued her support from the rear.
The captured dragon lances were now over twenty, and all were converted into howitzers to strike the enemy's rear.
"The dragon knights! Crush the enemy, block their magic so they don't counterattack!"
At Calmine's command, the dragon knights began flying towards the enemy camp.
There was no group in the world that could follow the dragon knight in aerial warfare.
Thirty Dragon Knights, soaring through the sky with unparalleled agility, were truly demonstrating the strongest advantage in the aerial battle against the great mages.
"Kraaah!"
"Injuries, inju... ugh!"
When Calmine and the Sword Saints broke through the protective shield, the Dragon Knights infiltrated and cut off the breath of the mages.
No one would have ever imagined that the mages of Zipfel, accompanied by a fleet and dragons, would die so pointlessly.
The screams and pleading voices of the enemies spread in the air and in the sky, everywhere.
Whenever five sword saints and dragon knights met pleading eyes and voices, they responded like this:
"Did you invade the land of the sword emperor with such light determination?"
"Not a single one of you will survive!"
Whoaaah-!
Of course, Zipfel forces were not just taking the beating.
White night mages were showing fighting spirit and potential even while on the defensive.
"The brilliant light of the Great Zipfel will eventually devour you!"
One of the commanders of the White night raised his staff in a growl.
Then, the ship that was in charge of the unit's flagship was stained with mana and caused an ominous resonance.
Not everyone had experienced flying battleships, nor did they know all the magic and combat tactics of Zipfel.
They could tell intuitively.
The ominous resonance clearly signaled one thing – self-destruction.
[An ugly move. Murakan, you should do something about that. It's too massive to restrain with my abilities. Even if it's a mass-produced ship, it's a flying ship after all, right?]
[You're bothering me, bugs...….]
"Praise Zipfel!"
"Dragon Knights, spread out!"
Right before the flagship exploded, Murakan, who had narrowed the distance, wrapped his wings around the flagship.
The extended wings remained large enough to cover the flying battleship.
"Lord Murakan!"
"It's going to explode!"
"Foolish, can you really stop that...!"
Kwooong...!
The worried voices of the Hairan knights were soon drowned out by the subsequent explosion.
The mocking commander of the White Night, who had been uttering scornful remarks, disintegrated within Murakan's wings, swept away by the explosion of the fleet.
However, the self-destruction was not visible from the outside.
It couldn't pierce Murakan's wings.
When Murakan spread his wings again, all that could be seen were the remains of the exploded flagship mixed with shadow force, falling to the ground like black rain.
[You guys have a talent for making me uncomfortable, just as you have for a thousand years...]
Thousands of black awls popped out of the wings that still held their gigantic shape.
Surprisingly, the awls did not do any damage to the allies in the sky, and spread while slaughtering only the mages, dragons, and fleets of Zipfel.
Murakan.
People were in awe.
A thousand years ago, everyone revered the legendary power of the Black Dragon, the king of the sky. No one could fathom that it amounted to a mere fifty percent of its true strength.
That's why the dragons of Zipfel were now mistaken that Murakan had regained all his strength.
It was a part where Zipfels had no choice but to lose all their will to fight.
The tide had already turned since the moment Jin appeared, and with the addition of Murakan, Cuicantelle, the Dragon Knight and the five sword saints, it seemed like Hairan's victory was inevitable.
[Murakan!]
A blue dragon took its place in front of Murakan.
It was Laramaqua, whom they had met before at Black King Mountain Hideout.
[Blue Dragon Laramaqua. Have you come to repay the life I spared back then?]
[... Murakan, I know why you are involved in this fight. It must be to save the friend of your contractor, Jin Runcandel.]
[You seem to speak as if you're not pleased with that, Laramaqua.]
[Never, I do not disapprove. There is no being in this sky who dares to say they are displeased with you. But... I would like to make one proposal.]
Murakan's wings grew even larger.
Laramaqua was weighed down by his overbearing appearance, and it was difficult to even meet his gaze.
[Speak.]
[Can you take your contractor and leave?]
[I allowed you to speak at most, but now you're mocking me?]
[Not only your contractor, but also his comrades and all the knights of Hairan. If you do, Zipfel will immediately declare defeat and a ceasefire. I swear by the honor of my bloodline and the name of Kaon, the god of the sea whom I serve.]
At Laramaqua's words, the eyes of everyone on the battlefield widened.
In particular, the emperor, who was at the rear of the battlefield, was angry with bloodshot eyes.
"What nonsense is that insane blue dragon spouting...!"
When Zipfel officially declares defeat, the Empire would naturally have to follow suit.
This went beyond jeopardizing the imperial prestige; it was something that could lead to the destruction of the entire imperial family.
The Emperor had not heard anything about this when he made a deal with Zipfel to lend their strength in this civil war.
It was a proposal the Emperor could not comprehend.
Zipfel's reinforcements will continue to arrive anyway, and the 'space-time device' has not yet been used.
The Imperial army also had a number of secrets prepared for the worst case scenario.
'Even if Chiron Runcandel is here instead of Black Dragon Murakan, he won't be able to deal with the Zipfel clan alone. Why on earth is he talking such nonsense? This is a chance to obtain the White Stone, is he implying that these troops are not worth it?'
The moment Murakan accepted the terms, the Vamel Alliance and Hairan were to win a landslide victory over Zipfel and the Empire.
Is that all?
As Jin told Dante at the beginning, he was able to leave the battlefield by saving not only Dante but the entire Sword emperor Castle.
Jin's status further rose within the clan with the great victory against Zipfel alone, and there was a high possibility that Hairan would become his force while still maintaining its full strength.
The deafening roar and darkness that had echoed on the battlefield until now were replaced by an eerie silence.
The people stopped fighting and fixed their eyes on Murakan and Laramaqua.
Murakan did not answer.
Because he didn't think it was a question for him to answer.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Vamel Alliance, and the person acting on behalf of Solderet, was his own contractor.
"I refuse!"
When Jin shouted, the emperor smiled all over and let out a sigh, and Laramaqua gnashed its teeth.
Hairan's knights showed no change in their demeanor.
It was because what they were trying to protect was honor from the moment they decided to confront the Emperor's tyranny, not life.
Also, spilled water cannot be gathered again.
Although the casualties in Hairan were not yet serious, if even one person died by the treachery of betrayal, it meant everyone had died.
If so, not only honor, but they had to protect one more.
They must never give up what their enemies covet.
"Blue Dragon, you seem to be mistaken. Why did this war happen? Because of the White Stone—the Emperor claimed it as his possession. The Empire betrayed the Sword emperor castle just for that insignificant item, and Zipfel is participating in the fight with dirty desires."
[The 12th flagbearer of Runcandel... Your words are excessive.]
"I am standing here as the commander-in-chief of the Vamel Alliance, not as the 12th flagbearer of Runcandel. So, mind your manners and show some respect, blue dragon."
Laramaqua was stunned at those words, but Murakan in front of her seemed ready to tear her wings apart at any moment.
"Mind your manners." The meaning behind those words was a gesture. Jin wasn't looking up at Laramaqua.
In the end, Laramaqua descended to the ground and transformed into a human in front of Jin. Jin looked at her with an expressionless face.
'Is it the same person I met at Black King Mountain Hideout? It hasn't even been a year since then...'
The intimidation was different.
At the time, Laramaqua hadn't been particularly impressed with Jin because of Murakan's power, but not now.
The heavy and powerful energy that weighed on her inside would not be lacking even if he was maintaining this position as the representative of Runcandel, not as the leader of the Vamel Alliance.
It wasn't just a feeling that came from the result of Jin's remarkable growth in the meantime.
It was because the 'power of existence', which was first known from the records left by Solderlet in the past, was slowly awakening from Jin.
The many changes that Jin has caused in the world, and the power awakened by those who follow him.
That power was forming a transcendental class beyond battle prowess and divine power.
"... May I ask why you are rejecting my offer?"
"As I said before, the war was caused by greed for the white stone. If anyone should withdraw, it should be you. Give up the White Stone of Hairan and withdraw. If you accept my revised proposal, I will immediately persuade Dante and the sword emperor to declare a ceasefire."
"Is it not enough to save your friend and his people? It's not like that White Stone is so important to Runcandel...…!"
"It's not up to you to decide whether or not that is important to Runcandel."
"Are you really planning for an all-out war against Zipfel!"
Considering the immediate situation, perhaps Laramaqua could have been right.
If they continued to fight like this, they would have to prepare for devastating damage to Jin and the people of Jin as well as Sword emperor castle.
However, Jin was convinced that if the white stone fell into the hands of the enemy, the consequences would be even more terrible.
Just by looking at Zipfel's desire this much, it was a thing that would eventually bring destruction to those who were not Zipfel.
"There is nothing I can do. But the one who really fears an all-out war isn't me, but all of you, isn't it? That's why I suggested negotiations before the war escalated. No. If you are confident, go ahead. I mean, don't insult me, my comrades, and the sword emperor castle by making unreasonable suggestions."