[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]
Storm God Peitel.
Jin recalled the day he fought against Peitel during his time as a reserve flagbearer on Bluebird Islands.
'Murakan beat Yulian back then, and Peitel appeared in response to the power of the Gram contained in Sigmund. If it weren't for Gram's remaining consciousness awakening and granting me power, I would have died there that day.'
-[Heh, how amusing. You were so arrogant, but now you're swinging at the mercy of a bug's hands. What do you think, bug? Do you like my brother's power?]
-If it weren't for that bug, you wouldn't even be able to manifest your power. Is that the dignity of a god?
-[Heh, a bug like you claims to be a Plutonian? Interesting. I don't know how you obtained that sword, but... What? That sword... is... of the Plutonian tribe?]"
-This sword was given to me by the one who killed your brother. Battle God Vahn, have you ever heard the name of my sister?
A conversation between Jin and Peitel during their encounter on Bluebird Islands.
At that time, Peitel checked Jin's illuminating heart, and upon hearing his sister's name, he was filled with fear and started a fierce battle. Moreover, during the battle, when Jin summoned Tess, Peitel was once again terrified, showing a pitiful sight.
There was not a single good memory. All that remained was the memory of a pathetic god with no dignity or sense of grandeur.
"That cowardly and reckless god... I'm not sure if he'll be of any help. He might help, or he might not."
"I heard that during your time as a reserve flagbearer, Peitel begged Lord Murakan for his life. He must still hold a grudge. So, if he refuses to cooperate, Lord Murakan will defeat him again. What will happen then?"
Valeria's surprisingly straightforward words momentarily left Jin speechless. It wasn't something Valeria would usually say.
"...As you put it, it feels like there might be a tiny possibility in such a desperate situation."
"That's right. And as you know, gods rarely give weapons to their contractors. Among them, Peitel gives three weapons to the contractor depending on his satisfaction, so he's quite special."
"If Peitel could weaponize the power of the Storm, maybe he could convert the illuminating heart into a power source?"
"Exactly. If that were possible, we could potentially build at least one golden ship even before your brethren return. You brought the illuminating heart and the blueprint from Laprarosa, after all."
"I get the general idea. We should be prepared to make contact with Peitel as soon as Caltor awakens."
Jin thought of Yulian, who was always by Caltor's side. Since becoming his companion, Yulian had played his part during important moments, but he was always sad due to Caltor.
Just like Kuzan and Veris, he also opened his heart to his comrades, but he strongly felt that his life would be meaningless if Caltor didn't awaken.
"When Caltor wakes up, maybe we see that gloomy person smiling."
"You didn't smile much yourself until recently, Valeria."
"That's why I'm saying this side is better. Anyway, the recent progress is about this much. Everything else is going well, but there haven't been any significant achievements regarding Laprarosa."
"Don't be too impatient when things don't go well. I know how much you and Dr. Qwaul have been working hard, and all our comrades are aware of it. Also, even if it's not a Golden Fleet, once the shipyard is completed, fleet production will begin soon."
"Vailam is doing a great job indeed. Speaking of which, today is the day Vailam is coming. Want to see him before he arrives? He'll be here soon. We still have some time until Lord Murakan finishes the task requested by Luche."
"Sure."
The two of them headed out to the sea outside the Sword Emperor's territory on Shuri. As soon as they left the Sword Emperor's territory, they had to use protective shields due to the intense chaos, but the beach looked pure and blue after purification.
The knights, who were waiting on the beach to receive the steel, saluted, and Vailam, who had just arrived, greeted them by bouncing in the shallow seawater.
[Peep! Hello!]
"Hello, Vailam."
"It's been a while. How's Blacksmith Island?"
[Everyone, doing, well. Working, happily, every, day.]
"Oh, today you brought something other than refined steel?"
Valeria said as she observed the steel Vailam was spewing. Jin couldn't help but be surprised by the amount of that special steel for a moment.
It was ancient everlasting steel.
[They say this steel is better than sea steel.]
"It's not just good quality; it's ancient everlasting steel. Did the Master Blacksmiths send it even though I didn't request it?"
[They said it's good for making golems.]
The ancient everlasting steel that Vailam brought was automatically sent by the Master Blacksmiths as soon as they heard about the creation of Iello.
As Jin knew, the Master Blacksmiths of the Minche Association were not people who would use ancient everlasting steel for anything other than weapons.
Moreover, with this much quantity, it was likely that they had provided most of the ancient everlasting steel they possessed on the Blacksmith Island. It tells how much they cared about the development of the alliance. Like Tikan's comrades, they might not meet frequently, but they were all working in their respective roles.
[Honka, tell him that next time we should play together. He needs some swimming.]
"Sure, I'll pass the message along to Honka."
"And also say hello to baldie... I mean, to Picon."
[Baldie, yes!]
Vailam laughed and then left again to bring more steel. Jin and Valeria watched him leave and then joined the knights to transport the steel back to the Sword Emperor's territory.
When they returned, Murakan, who had finished his work, was waiting for them.
"What's this, kid? You separated me from Strawberry Pie so coldly, and you went on a date after asking me to do something? Oooh."
Jin felt a bit embarrassed but remained composed.
"Don't you see the steel I brought? I was working too. And who said I separated you from Strawberry Pie so coldly? I wasn't cruel at all. Didn't Gilly tell you? Working is much better than reading a magazine."
"Hmph, in any case, you can't hold your tongue. Where are you going now?"
"I'm going to visit the Garden of Swords briefly. I want to see how well the Magic Knights' unit is being trained."
"Is that all you're going to do? I don't want to throw up again. It's not like Strawberry Pie will give me a pat on the back like last time."
"I was thinking of visiting the Empire too, but seeing you throw up, I think I'll just go to the Garden of Sowrds. The other dragons can handle teleportation just fine."
"Hmph, it's because those bastards don't have the same exceptional sense as Murakan. Anyway, is it just a quick visit to the Garden of Swords?"
"Teleportation is quick. From evening, you have to attend the welcome ceremony for the Tikan immigrants, and at night, you have a meeting, and in the early morning, you have to spar with Tikan's top combatants."
"Argh! When can I play with Strawberry Pie then!?"
"Well... let's go."
Valeria chuckled as she watched the two arguing men.
At the moment they were about to board the Red Owl, Luche came running. Jin naturally thought he would ask for an autograph, just like Enya.
So he tried to take out his pen, but above Luche's head, Barbobo was manifesting.
[Hey, hey! Jin!]
"Mr. Barbobo."
[Ah, Murakan, it's been a while. I heard you've returned, but I am only greeting you now.]
"You should be thankful I'm not giving everyone a hard time like before if I don't like it."
[I'm relieved. Ahem, I apologize for not cooperating with you a thousand years ago.]
A thousand years ago, when Runcandel sent knights to Barkle Autonomous District, when it was still a kingdom, trying to gain a contractor of Barbobo, he had gone into hiding to avoid being entangled in the conflict between the two major families.
"I understand now, so don't be sorry. You are helping the kid now, so thank you."
Barbobo was quite surprised by Murakan's moderate attitude. Those who remembered that era always reacted like this when they met Murakan.
[I'm grateful that you understand. Anyway, the reason I'm looking for Jin... is because of Kaytam.]
"The God of painters, you mean?"
When Barbobo made a contract with Luche and decided to help the alliance, Barbobo had requested that Jin protect the gods close to him. This was due to rumors that Zipfel had accelerated "god hunting," which would be used as material for the orb.
The God of painters, Kaytam, the God of frames, Oks, the God of Pencils, Telpen. Jin had immediately moved the three gods to the safe areas they wanted.
-[Among them, the God of Painters seems to want to talk to you directly... so it would be better to hear it from Kaytam himself.]
What Barbobo had said about Kaytam at the time.
However, contrary to what he heard, Kaytam had not yet spoken any special words to Jin.
[Yes. It seems that Kaytam wants to talk to you. He wishes for you to find him as soon as possible.]
The last time Jin saw Kaytam, he seemed to be carrying some heavy burden. That's why Jin didn't add anything else to his indecision. But it seems that he had a change of heart.
'It seemed like Mr. Kaytam had something to say to me, and it seemed to be related to Solderet, something very difficult to talk about. And now that Murakan has returned, he's seeking me out…'
Jin had a feeling that the reason Kaytam wanted to talk to him was somehow related to Murakan's return.
"No, he should just come himself. Why bother us?"
[Because of the Demon's God's Orb, middle- and lower-tier gods like us have a hard time moving without protection, Murakan. If we're not careful, we'll be absorbed.]
"Well, then there's no choice. Sure, whether it's a god or anything else, if he is the member of the alliance, then I'll protect him."
[You've really changed a lot... it's so nice to see. Solderet will be delighted to see you like this.]
"Thank you for the compliment."
"I understand, Mr. Barbobo. I will visit the Garden of Swords and then go see Mr. Kaytam."
Soon, Jin and Murakan headed towards the Garden of Swords on the Red Owl. The Garden of Swords had been informed in advance about Jin and Murakan's arrival, and the knights were already lined up, waiting.
Although Murakan had returned and immediately visited the Garden of Swords, many of the knights had not personally seen him since he regained his strength.
As a result, the knights were filled with anticipation. The legendary Black Dragon of the clan, who had come close to his prime, how magnificent would he truly be? They were all looking forward to finding out.
"Uh. Ugh."
However, the first sight that the knights who had lined up for the hospitality saw was Murakan, whose face turned pale, bowing his head.
'Ah, I said to resolve it privately within the ship…'
Jin could only sigh and rub his forehead as he saw the knights' shocked expressions.
[T/L: You can read more chapters and support me here: https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 & https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]
[T/L: Join $29 membership on my "buymeacoffee" page and read 55 chapters ahead and daily 1 new chapter update. I have introduced new memberships, and you can read upto 75 or 85 chapters ahead.]