[T.L: punisher87]
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Kinzelo's headquarters quickly went into emergency mode. Although they have no intention of doing so, if this is an unexpected attack by Jin and his forces, it is natural for the headquarters to be completely destroyed in an instant.
The sound of trumpets blared, signaling the sudden invasion as beastmen and demons emerged in the blink of an eye. They even drew their weapon, but like most of the red tiger tribesmen before them, they couldn't dare to wield it.
Jin did not overlook the fact that unfamiliar demons were mixed among them, unlike what he had seen in previous battles.
'Have they already replenished their demon forces since the Evil god war? Or are these the troops they held back and concealed?'
Some of the demons exuded a rather formidable presence. In the past, Jin would have been no match for them, facing a formidable opponent he couldn't overcome.
Of course, to Jin now, they were merely cute, but they could still pose a significant threat to his comrades.
Moreover, the demons might possess special abilities like rapid regeneration or dark magic.
'Naturally, the looks I'm receiving from those who suddenly see me are far from friendly. If the opportunity arises, it wouldn't hurt to assess the level of a few of them for the sake of my comrades. It would be nice if a few of them would step forward and fight me.'
Just as he had that thought, a demon with blazing eyes stood in their way, blocking Jin and his party.
His build and the impressive giant axe were reminiscent of the White wolf tribe.
Jin almost thanked him out of gratitude for his gallantry.
"Jin Runcandel, what is this nonsense?"
The demon shouted with a fierce determination to rush at any moment.
"What nonsense did I do?"
"I heard that the temporary alliance between you and the leader has come to an end. But without permission, you come straight to the headquarters and dare to find the leader? Do you think this is sensible behavior?"
It was an argument that had no room for rebuttal, but Jin shrugged his shoulders.
"Your leader and I can have a drink together anytime."
"A joke...!"
"Enough."
Another demon stepped forward, this one exuding a much more dangerous aura than the giant demon. With a dignified appearance and calm expression, he created a far more menacing atmosphere than the giant demon.
"You are not someone worthy of his status. Step aside."
"Understood."
When the giant stepped aside, the demon locked eyes with Jin.
"I am Shagal of the Bachma Family."
Among the four Grand Dukes of the Demon World—Rontelgius, Kaligo, Halovice, and Bachma—Shagal was 1st prince of Bachma.
"Oh, Prince Shagal! Kill him quickly!"
"Yes, Brother Shagal! Show him no mercy!"
Bubare and Ainas, who had followed Jin's party discreetly, shouted. Ignoring them, Shagal Bachma continued his conversation.
"I've been curious about you, sir. It seems like we're meeting for the first time like this. If it's alright with you, would you like to exchange blows? In the absence of the Runcandel clan's patriarch, you are practically the First Sword of the Human world, they say. They even say that if you borrow the power of the Plutonian Tribe, you might become the true First Sword."
Without waiting for Jin's response, Shagal drew his sword from his waist.
"Who said that?"
"Everyone."
"I see. Your position in the Demon World is quite high, then?"
"The First Sword of the Demon world."
"I find that hard to believe."
"...Let's just say I'm a swordsman within the top ten, aspiring to be within the top one. Anyway, the leader is currently in a meeting. I hope you can join me until then."
It seems there are many arrogant individuals in the Demon World. Jin understood that and nodded his head in agreement. Shagal smiled as if telling Jin to draw his sword.
"Sir, I'm ready."
"Then let's begin. I hope you don't expect you to ask for instructions."
Shagal's pupils dilated. Jin's two swords were still at his waist. The beastmen and demons gathered nearby tensed, waiting for Shagal's response.
"This is even more exciting."
Whoosh!
Shagal suddenly disappeared from Jin's sight. It wasn't merely because of his speed that Jin lost track of him, but his body had instantly dissipated into gray smoke.
'Dark magic? Or perhaps a type of skill?'
The smoky Shagal reappeared behind Jin in an instant, extending his sword.
Shiing!
Jin turned around, deflecting the incoming blade with his fist, and Shagal's stance broke, exposing a gap.
Jin's fist, after parrying the sword, changed its direction and struck Shagal's face. There should have been a resounding impact as if hitting metal, but Jin's fist hit nothing but air.
'Close to a skill. It reminds me of Ozdock. Even though physical attacks don't work, he couldn't avoid being vulnerable when he attacked.'
But Jin didn't miss the moment when Shagal reformed on the left. He struck deeply into his flank with a low kick.
"Ugh!"
Continuing from there, Jin grabbed Shagal by the back and slammed him to the ground. Shagal immediately turned into smoke and distanced himself. His cheekbone was dented, and his face was covered in dirt.
"Don't rely too much on your tricks."
Jin tidied his clothes as if he had no intention of continuing the fight.
The sparring ended before three seconds had passed.
"And when facing stronger opponents, always give your best. Have you learned your lesson?"
Shagal blinked his eyes.
Of course, Shagal didn't think he could defeat Jin. According to what he had heard from Orgal and Kinzelo's executives, to defeat Jin, it would require the direct involvement of the Dukes, including his own father.
But he didn't expect to be subdued so quickly. At the very least, he expected to be able to engage in a proper battle. His fatal mistake was becoming complacent under the influence of the transcendent power, as Jin had mentioned.
"Br-Brother Shagal! You won't admit defeat so easily, will you?"
"Prince Shagal! No, does that mean Prince Shagal was no match for him like Lord Ranke?"
Shagal glanced at the two with a scornful gaze and nodded towards Jin.
"...That's right."
Since the sparring ended too quickly, Jin had to wait for Orgal's meeting to finish.
Shagal personally escorted Jin's party to the guest room. Despite losing face, he didn't show any signs of excitement or resentment.
"But Shagal."
"Yes?"
"If you're giving something, you should also get something in return. I taught you a lesson, so I want to ask you something out of curiosity."
"Isn't it enough that I have already forgotten about the rudeness you have committed by coming here without any notice?"
"It's not. According to what you said, you learned the sword from someone close to being the First Sword..."
Shagal pondered for a moment and concluded that Jin's words made sense, nodding his head.
"I see. It makes sense. What do you want to know?"
"After the Holy Kingdom Protection War, I heard that the Demon world suffered extensive damage and was on the verge of destruction. But are there still powerful individuals like you, Bianca, and Ranke?"
"The Demon world is not one entity."
It was the first time Jin heard such a story.
"What do you mean?"
"The answer ends here."
"If I teach more about the sword?"
"I'll pass, Sir Jin. Have some tea. It's precious tea."
Jin didn't ask any further due to Shagal's firm attitude.
'The Demon world is not one entity...'
It could be interpreted in various ways. It could mean that the Demon world is not unified or that it is divided into multiple dimensions. After the Holy Kingdom Protection War, there wasn't much known about the Demon world in the human world, after all.
-Yes, the relic of the demons that our kingdom is keeping. The Eye of Zito has been showing recent ominous signs.
-The Eye of Zito?
-The name Zito may sound unfamiliar. He has never been active in the human world, and in the demon world, few are familiar with that name. Even I, as the Holy King, could not find any records regarding the Eye of Zito.
-[If I were to answer your question, Cough. Zito is a figure that is intrinsic to us demons. But to me, he is no different from a teacher.]
Jin remembered the conversation with Lani and Oragal that he had before the Evil god war.
"Does it mean that the demon world ruled by your leader Orgal and the domain where the Demon King Zito reigned are separated? Is it just a territorial separation, or are they in different dimensions?"
Well, it's worth a shot anyway. Shagal exclaimed in surprise, spitting out his tea.
"Cough, Cough."
"Is that surprising?"
Orgal had not informed the other demons about Jin mentioning the Demon King Zito.
"Hmm, you have an extraordinary talent for surprising people... Seeing the librarians coming out, it seems that the meeting has ended. Go and see our leader. I hope we can have a better fight next time."
As Shagal left as if escaping, the group moved towards Orgal.
[You have come, Jin Runcandel, the mage of Hister. Bale, it's good to see you.]
"Don't act like we're close. I don't like you."
[Today, I'm not in a very good mood, Jin Runcandel. So there should be a valid reason for you to come to our headquarters without any notice.]
The answer came from Bale, but Orgal revealed his discomfort to Jin.
"If there is no valid reason?"
[I will draw my sword, and you will do the same.]
"That's a scary thing to say. I came to propose different conditions for the failed steel transaction last time."
[If that's all, today, one of us will not be able to sleep peacefully in their sound mind. So let's hear the conditions for the steel transaction after the rest of the story is finished.]
Orgal was truly ready to draw his sword. His hand was already on the hilt.
Even the scenery that was just a meeting room had now transformed into a golden space. Orgal had invoked his power and prepared the battlefield. Although there was a momentary confusion due to the unexpected turn of events, Jin calmly looked at Orgal.
'It's not just a slightly bad mood; he seems in a really terrible mood. What could have made the usually cautious Orgal so angry? It can't be because of my statement.'
Jin wasn't afraid, but now was not the time to fight him.
However, depending on the value Orgal placed on the bait prepared before Jin arrived, there was a possibility that an actual battle could occur.
"Lokia Ganesto."
[...What?]
"Why does that traitor from a thousand years ago, want the resurrection of the Sun God just like you? I came here because I was curious."
Slowly, Orgal's hand, which had touched the hilt, was coming down.
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