[T.L: punisher87]
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March 4, 1803, Approximately ten days had passed since the conclusion of the Battle of the Garden of Swords, also known as the battle of major factions.
The whole world was trembling with a fear unlike anything seen before.
Just three years had passed since the official ceasefire agreement of five years, and without any warning, the major factions launched a surprise attack on Huphester overnight, a shocking event in itself.
The fact that the practical winner of that battle was Runcandel, and that Runcandel had gone as far as to corrupt the entirety of Huphester by consorting with chaos, plunged the world further into terror.
(Rosa Runcandel revealed that Chiron Runcandel, patriarch of Runcandel, has died in Black Sea. The being who killed the demigod was the King of the Black Sea, implying that there are still other beings like Glyek from the Sword Emperor Castle war...)
(Black Panther, as the new patriarch of Runcandel, announced her intention to continue the legacy of the former patriarch and subjugate the kings of the Black Sea. However, she emphasized that unifying the entire world was the top priority.)
(Jin Runcandel formed an alliance with Zipfel and Kinzelo and committed treason. Rosa Runcandel stripped him of his flagbearer status and defines him as an enemy of the clan...)
(The world is in turmoil. Is the thousand-year war coming to an end?)
Special reports were pouring in day after day.
Newsletters from Huphester were particularly active. They were all praising Rosa and pushing Jin as a traitor, but Jin rather felt relieved by such black propaganda and incitement.
"It seems Rosa doesn't have immediate plans to exterminate all humans in the world. The fact that she is resorting to propaganda implies she is conscious of public opinion."
Jin's companions nodded in agreement with his words.
"As you said, Rosa doesn't seem to have any intention of turning all humans into enemies. Well, what's the point of being the sole conqueror of the world if you have nothing to rule."
"She may be manipulating people not for the purpose of ruling, but to effectively obtain sacrifices, Miss Cuicantelle. On that day, perhaps the entire population of Kalon was used as a sacrifice to operate that mighty black battleship and the power of chaos. That woman is someone who thinks it doesn't matter if everyone except Runcandel dies."
"The ruler of a world in ruins... then, is she gathering human sacrifices to prepare for the next fight with us, Zipfel, and Kinzelo?"
"That could be a reason, but..."
Jin's gaze fell on the newspaper, on the content stating 'Rosa will continue the legacy of Chiron'.
"The remaining kings of the Black Sea. It's probably true that Rosa said she would subjugate them. They're probably the most threatening beings to Runcandel right now."
5 kings of the Black Sea.
Jin doesn't know the exact number, but he's been aware of the fact that they're seeking revenge since the battle against Glyek. Along with the expectation that Chiron's obsession with the Black Sea was because of them.
"Could the kings of the Black Sea be in league with the Prophet?"
"That's possible. We need to confirm whether the Prophet is really the witch, and what the relationship is between the first chaos of the witch and the kings of the Black Sea."
The moment Jin said that, Jet and Gilly entered the meeting room.
"My lord, Zipfel and Kinzelo's ships have entered our territory."
At three in the afternoon, the representatives of the two major factions arrived at Tikan for the meeting.
"We should hope they have some useful information. Did they keep their promise?"
"Yes, my lord. Both sides only brought one flagship each. They didn't make any unreasonable demands, and they're landing at sea and sending only a few individuals ashore. Four from Zipfel and three from Kinzelo. They seem quite nervous, coming with such a small number and without any escorts, straight to our headquarters."
Just three years ago, a handful of key figures from the two major factions wouldn't have felt threatened for their safety. But now, they had to stake a lot to confront Tikan. While Tikan's overall power had increased, the presence of Jin was the main reason.
"They must be in a hurry, but we are no different."
Jin and his entourage left the mansion and headed towards the first floor of Tikan, where they soon came face to face with the leadership of each faction.
Jin's expression soured as he looked at them, seemingly disappointed. "Why have you come? I clearly conveyed that the leaders should discuss this matter."
The four representatives from Zipfel removed their robes.
Octavia, Hedo, Sandra, and a person whom Jin saw for the first time in his life.
'Ronil Zipfel...….'
The eldest son of Kelliark.
In his past life, he was known as a talented individual in the second generation of Zipfel, following Veradin, and the powerful people used to classify him as a person who didn't shine brightly because he was overshadowed by Veradin and Luna.
'Does it mean that he was the hidden force of Zipfel like Octavia?'
Strictly speaking, Ronil was more like an 'unknown force' rather than a hidden force.
Jin did not know this in his past life, but even then, the leaders of each clan considered Ronil as a key figure.
While being deliberately sarcastic, Jin briefly noticed the strangely calm Sandra. Unlike usual, Sandra was looking at Jin with emotionless eyes.
'Did she learn to distinguish between work and personal relationships? Surely, this is not the result of any experiments conducted by Zipfel.'
Ronil slightly bowed his head.
"My father is seriously ill, so I came as a substitute for the 1st Magic Tower. Runcandel's 12th flagbearer, please understand."
Although he spoke first, Ronil didn't hold a higher rank than Octavia. Jin realized that he was handling an embarrassing situation in place of Octavia.
"Sir Jin, our leader has come in person! Haha. It would be nice if you complimented him!"
Margeilla spoke as she pushed her wheelchair. Just as she said, Orgal, Bishkel, and Margiella came from Kinzelo.
Jin didn't answer and met Orgal's eyes.
"You have quite a spirited expression, Leader. Like someone who owes me a debt."
[Did it seem that way? Helping you in the Garden of Swords that day was a choice made for everyone. I don't expect any special compensation.]
"Well, I'm relieved then."
[But, Jin Runcandel. You seem more perceptive than you appear. Did you address me as 'leader' just because Zipfel might not know my true identity?]
"No way. I don't think the people responsible for manipulating your history don't know the name Orgal."
-If it's that kind of being, maybe even Zipfel themselves doesn't know that they manipulated Orgal's history.
-If so, that's a relief. Even if Zipfel knew, there is a possibility that the information did not go down to Myuron.
A conversation Jin had with his companions right after he first learned about the leader's identity.
Jin had been curious ever since then. He wondered whether Zipfel was aware of the history manipulation done to Orgal, and if so, what the reason behind manipulating his history was.
From Jin's point of view, it was a strange situation. Those who manipulate history and whom history was manipulated were in one place.
"Besides, weren't Kinzelo and Zipfel quite close when I was a reserve flagbearer?"
[That was until you killed Andrei Zipfel and destroyed the initial Demon God's orb. But Jin, Zipfel only recently learned my name. It was slightly later than when you found out.]
"It means that world's No.1 Zipfel has been dealing with an unknown person for so long."
[If we can offer each other what we need, that's all there is to it. But are we going to veer off-topic as soon as we arrive for the meeting?]
The purpose of the meeting is, of course, a temporary alliance. To oppose Rosa's Runcandel.
"Well, is it really off-topic?"
Jin smiled.
"Orgal, perhaps you will gain more power when you are freed from the manipulation of history. In that case, isn't it time for Zipfel to undo your history manipulation to face the public enemy, Rosa."
Jin didn't genuinely believe that. It was just a statement thrown out there to see what would stick.
Octavia, who had been suppressing her emotions throughout, narrowed her eyes at those words.
"12th flagbearer, that's too much speculation. We didn't manipulate his history."
"Is that so?"
"After calling for a meeting, don't you think it's overly impolite to engage in such excessive speculation?"
"I suppose it's not what I want to hear from those who broke the ceasefire agreement as soon as I finished my training and returned to the clan. I understand the pain of losing a lot of power rather than achieving what you had expected this time, captain of spectres."
"Ha, how dare you…."
Octavia was already annoyed by Jin's unilateral notification from the beginning.
From her perspective, no matter how much Zipfel suffered a setback, the Zipfel wasn't a clan that the Tikan could order around.
Furthermore, to receive such disrespect was outrageous. Even Hedo, who usually looked down on Octavia and Kadun's temperaments (especially when dealing with Jin), understood her reaction this time.
However, regardless of understanding, he had to intervene.
So, just as Hedo and Ronil were about to step out, Orgal spoke first.
[It's quite an interesting idea to use me to deal with Rosah after I regain my strength... But Jin, aren't you underestimating me a bit too much?]
Orgal glanced at the Zipfel side. His face was blurry and not easily visible, but it seemed like he was smiling.
[The current Zipfel has not manipulated my history. That would be impossible. It was the past Zipfel who bound me, and they do not have the authority over the magic to release it. So it would be best to put that aside.]
"They don't have the authority?"
[Yes. Even the current Zipfel would probably prefer to release me. Unlike Rosa Runcandel, who is practically a king of the Black Sea, I am at least capable of having a conversation.]
It was new information. Octavia was gritting her teeth as if in disgrace. Jin made eye contact with Ronil.
"Is it true?"
It seemed likely.
But it couldn't be completely ruled out as a lie.
Whether Zipfel and Kinzelo had met first and agreed that the method was not feasible, or Zipfel had hidden the fact that it was possible.
"... yes, 12th flagbearer. So I hope you don't provoke the Spectre Captain any further. After all, isn't our meeting today to discuss countermeasures as the Spectre Captain suggested?"
Instead, Jin had a way to check whether what they said was true or not.
"Well, I did feel like I might have gone too far. My apologies for that. You've come a long way. Let's go inside and have a meal and discuss further."
"Thank you, 12th flagbearer."
"However, there is one thing I must inform you of in advance, for the sake of full disclosure. We have all gathered here with the hope of speaking openly and honestly..."
Jin slowly looked back at them.
"Today's meeting will be accompanied by Az Mil's contractor. The Contractor will personally censor all conversations, and everything will be recorded. If you do not agree, then there will be no meeting."
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