The prayer that Rani started finally ended at midnight.
The people gathered in the square took part in the prayer without moving a muscle.
Meanwhile, each country that heard the news of the holy king's death urgently dispatched delegations expressing their condolences. Newsletters announced the breaking news of the tragedy within the Holy Kingdom of Vankella.
Others may think that the prayer was in honor of Holy King McLan. However, Rani, Jin, and Murakan would commemorate the death of a great paladin every year from this day on.
* * *
The forces that had aligned with Kinzelo within the holy kingdom decided to accept the leader of the Kinzelo, not Ayula, as their god.
And those who had aligned with Zipfel revered Zipfel's strength and authority.
The Runcandels had already known that the holy kingdom was being loaned out, but they didn't have any justification to do anything about it.
If they attacked the encroached leadership, it would be an act of aggression. If they attacked Zipfel or Kinzelo carelessly, there was a high possibility that it would result in a major war.
They weren't afraid of war.
However, if the war began, the subjects would accept the Zipfel Clan as 'the family of justice helping the Holy Kingdom of Vankella', while the Runcandel Clan would be viewed as the insane invaders.
In that situation, while they would be able to capture some of the priests, they would not be able to gain the trust of the people, who'd become the healers in the future.
As a result, the Holy Kingdom of Vankella was a troublesome matter for the Runcandels.
But now, an opportunity had arrived.
"Youngest."
It was Luna.
Obviously, there was someone representing the Runcandel Clan among the delegations that came from all over the world.
As it was the death of the holy king, it wasn't only the first flag-bearer, Luna, that arrived. Joshua, the second flag-bearer, and Luntia, the third flag-bearer, visited the holy kingdom alongside her.
Luna had received contact from Kashimir, and so had separated from the two for a while.
"It's been a while."
"You've become stronger."
Of course, she recognized Jin's growth at just a glance.
There was no need to clash swords. There was no need for her to know what type of sword art the Illustrious Bladeworks were, and there was no need for her to know the strength of the Spirit Sword.
Just like how the strong recognize the strong, she could tell just by looking at his eyes.
The last time they had met, Luna had cried like a child in front of Jin.
Taimyun's death felt like a part of her world had been erased.
But now Luna had the same isolated look in her eyes as before.
It felt like one could tell, even without words, how much pain and loss she had gone through before she regained that look in her eyes.
"You have become stronger too."
The siblings shared a smile for a moment.
"I thought I would complain about missing you, but you did something amazing again. I heard the overall situation from Sir Kashimir. So, what can I help you with?"
Jin pointed to a cart parked far away.
"Please take care of them."
Inside the cart were Vitura Velter's family.
Disguised as corpses from yesterday's battle.
"Got it."
Luna just gave a short reply.
It was only because she had heard what had actually happened with Vitura that she did not ask any questions.
Vitura's family would now join the delegation on their way to Huphester.
"Anything else?"
"Please remain in the holy kingdom until the trial for the assassination of Holy King McLan is over. That way, Joshua can't steal my credit."
Jin thought that once the trial began, Zifpel's image within the holy kingdom was bound to plummet in an instant.
Already, the subjects were gnashing their teeth because of Vitura's act.
Even before the holy king's funeral began, there were demands of an explanation from Zipfel.
Not only the holy kingdom, but the whole world would know about Zipfel's atrocities.
The fact that Runcandel's delegation didn't leave the holy kingdom despite offering their condolences would be arranged to become a symbol.
A symbol that the Runcandels were watching Zipfel.
A symbol representing the fact that the only family that could stand against Zipfel were intently observing them, keeping their enormous power in check.
But Jin, a provisional flag-bearer, could not be the protagonist of that symbol.
Of course, those in the know would acknowledge Jin's contribution. This included Cyron, who would learn of it in a later letter. The external credit should fall to someone else in the Runcandel family, though.
Because of that, Jin wanted Luna to be that protagonist.
If she withdrew like she usually did because she didn't want to attract unnecessary attention, the credit would go to Joshua, the second flag-bearer.
"I was planning on doing that anyway. I can't let him take away the scene you worked so hard to create."
"Did you know that Joshua has multiple bodies?"
"What do you mean?"
Luna's eyes widened as Jin explained Joshua's secret.
She had no idea of the existence of a 'prophet'.
"No wonder… There were times when Joshua went on dangerous missions without hesitation. He must've used fakes every time."
"Father probably knew, right?"
"He most definitely knows. Of all the things that happen within the family, there is nothing Father isn't aware of."
"Then there must be a reason why no sanctions were imposed."
"It's probably the same reason why he tolerated your spiritual energy. There's no need to think so hard about it. If he's keeping quiet even though it's against the clan's law, it's because he's decided that it will help the family."
Luna put her hand on Jin's shoulder, telling him he did a good job.
"Even still, I need to find out. I'll investigate him more thoroughly. For now, focus on completing the work in the holy kingdom."
"Yes, Sister."
* * *
The next day, every single knight of the Protectors of the Doctrine was detained in a dungeon.
Zipfel tried their best to prevent their complete capture, but the incident of the holy king's assassination was too critical.
Additionally, even after putting aside the testimonies of the survivors of the Living Golem experiment, Vitura's 'list' that was revealed by Rani could not be hidden.
—Please sort out those who were affiliated with the Zipfel Clan and Kinzelo and prepare punishment for them. That way, I can make it public immediately when I get back. Also, please rally the remaining loyalists. Armed conflict may occur.
That was the list that Jin requested from Vitura before going to Oterium.
Vitura created separate lists for Kinzelo and Zipfel.
The list with Kinzelo's underlings was kept separately by Rani, and the list of Zipfel was made public to the world.
Zipfel's true face was being revealed.
Nevertheless, Zipfel was unable to release a statement saying, 'The one who died was the fake holy king, and the Living Golem experiment was done by Kinzelo, not us.'
"I cannot reveal the name of the hero who saved the survivors, but he said that the Living Golem experiment was conducted at Zipfel's Fourth Magic Tower. We are demanding an official explanation from Zipfel about this!"
Rani and her subjects still had not left the square.
Though Zipfel's agents were all imprisoned, the consensus of the people was that they would never let Rani and the corpse of the fake king into the castle until the whole incident was revealed.
Except for the Protectors of the Doctrine, the people on Vitura's list were still shamelessly preparing for the funeral of the holy king within the castle.
Although this made no sense, considering the power that the high-ranking officials like High Priest Montiano had within the holy kingdom, there was nothing strange about it.
Unlike the Protectors of the Doctrine, they could only be punished if there was undeniable evidence that they were in collusion with Zipfel.
Unfortunately, Vitura's list was a bit lacking.
But it wasn't like Jin hadn't expected this.
"Until there is an explanation from Zipfel, my father's funeral will not proceed. Before they can try to ease tension for the wrongful death of my father, they must confess!"
"Master of the Fourth Magic Tower, step forward and explain!"
"Show yourself!"
If it had been only Rani and the people shouting like that, they would have been able to ignore it.
However, delegations came from all over the world, and there were countless reporters.
Zipfel had to hurriedly complete the behind-the-scenes deal with Kinzelo.
To retrieve Kal and cover up all the false accusations.
Everything was going as Jin expected.
'Rather than honestly confessing that Kal was held captive by a third-rate terrorist group like Kinzelo, it would be better to be framed.'
Once both image and prestige were lost at once, it was difficult to recover them.
However, while the former could be solved to some extent with money, the latter required unimaginable amounts of blood.
Eventually, before lunch ended, Zipfel issued a statement.
(The main family intervened politically in the Holy Kingdom of Vankella, and in the process, conducted Living Golem experiments on the subjects with the help of government officials in collusion with the main family.
However, apart from political intervention, the Living Golem experiments are all unrelated to the main family and are the personal crimes of the Fourth Magic Tower Master, Kal Zipfel.
By the end of today, Kal Zipfel will visit the holy kingdom wearing a magic restraint to personally apologize. Thereafter, Kal Zipfel and those involved will be severely disciplined according to the laws of the family.
We express our deepest regret for the passing of Holy King McLan, and promise to provide the maximum compensation possible.
However, recklessly spreading rumors and malicious slander will be dealt with as per the laws of the family.
The main family's political involvement in the holy kingdom was only due to the request of the Holy Kingdom of Vankella's officials, and was not caused by the ambition of the family…)
Unlike the Zipfel family's usual statements, this one was overbearing.
Behind all the good-natured words, what they were actually saying was that the Zipfel Clan would handle the future of the kingdom in place of the holy kingdom itself.
Naturally, as soon as the reporters released the statement, the anger of the holy kingdom's subjects soared.
'They're intentionally planning to arouse the anger of the holy kingdom's people and have Kal Zipfel, who came to apologize, be stoned to death.'
If Kal Zipfel died on the Holy Kingdom's soil for any reason, Zipfel could retaliate and bully the holy kingdom from that point forward.
If you evaluate it calmly based on public perception, Holy King McLan's life was by no means worth more than that of Zipfel's Fourth Magic Tower Master.
If the entirety of the holy kingdom were to fight with the Fourth Magic Tower, the Fourth Magic Tower would always win.
'So what they're saying is they're willing to abandon Kal Zipfel, who they bought back from Kinzelo, if it means they're able to get out of this mess. I wonder what price they paid for Kal?'
As always, Zipfel was trying to cut their losses.
However, the losses they were now cutting included a 'pure-blooded Zipfel'.
Unlike Myuron, who was already known to the world as being dead at the time of the Kollon incident, this time the Zipfel Clan were directly accusing Kal of being a criminal.
If Kal were to die, then the Holy Kingdom of Vankella would not be able to press any further regarding the matters of the Living Golems.
Political intervention would still be criticized by the whole world, but it was a problem that time and money could solve.
In Jin's opinion, it wasn't a bad move.
However, it was a move made out of desperation before properly examining the opponent.
Zipfel was still unaware that Jin stood behind Rani.
They'd only vaguely be able to assume it was either one of Runcandel's flag-bearers or Vermont.
There was no chance Kinzelo would have shared the information with Zipfel, informing them it was Vamel, who single-handedly defeated the main base of the Dark Magic Association. Not to mention telling them that Vamel was actually Jin Runcandel.
"Dino."
"Yes, Young Master."
"When Kal Zipfel arrives in the holy kingdom, immediately release all the articles related to Kinzelo. Tell the world that until a few days ago, Kal was held by Kinzelo because of Vamel, and that the place Vamel rescued the survivors from was not the Fourth Magic Tower, but Oterium. Add that Kal had nothing to do with the incident."
"I'm sure Zipfel will try their best to deny it. It'll definitely be a sight to see."
If they failed to deny it, Keliark would be seen as a shameless criminal who'd sell his own son to escape responsibility.
Jin had no intention of helping Zipfel choose between losing their prestige or their image.
He planned on making them lose both.