C543
It was evident that having his pride wounded by being overshadowed by a younger individual in terms of status, age, and experience was hard to swallow for Kelliark.
However, Kelliark didn"t reveal the scars of his pride but erased his smile and unveiled his genuine hatred.
That deep and horrifying hatred resembled a swamp, making Jin"s body feel heavy just by facing it.
Deliberately exposing his hatred was a testament to Kelliark acknowledging Jin.
I see, it"s an intimidation worthy of the absolute leader of Zipple.
Hatred.
In retrospect, Kelliark had reasons to hate Jin.
It started with Jin killing Zipple fanatics when leaving the Storm Castle, pretending to be Tessing and learning Tzenmi magic, which was erased from history.
Then, killing Andrei and destroying the Demon G.o.d Orb, saving Colon natives by killing Myuron Zipple, annihilating the Dark Magic Society, and obtaining Riol Zipple"s legacy.
Later on, the theft of the Compa.s.s, Holy Kingdom Incident, Western Sea Battle, Temar"s Tombs, Specters" a.s.sa.s.sination, Barton"s Elimination, Wantaramo Forest, Gaifa Islands, Sota Desert, and even this moment.
Everything Jin did after the regression was a story that blocked Kelliark and Zipple"s path without exception.
Killing Kidard Hall and monopolizing his magic was an indirect blow to Zipple...
And Valeria Histor, whom Zipple yearned for, was only connected to Jin, although Kelliark was still unaware of her.
Even Beradin resisted mental manipulation under Jin"s influence, and Jin rejected the humiliating pact Runcandel made with Zipple through the Declaration to Restore Magic Swordsmen.
There was not a single reason not to hate Jin as Zipple.
"This hatred is probably why you didn"t reach the DemiG.o.d mastery my father touched..."
Just as Jin sees through Kelliark.
He, too, saw through Jin.
"Outstanding, in itself. For a long time, I thought Solderet would break the oath and join Runcandel because of Cyron and Luna... Jin Runcandel, seeing him in person, I understand why Solderet chose him over those two."
Kelliark even resented Cyron.
He had remained in the background eclipsed by him for the rest of his life, but not even his children, the next generation, could surpa.s.s his legacy.
"Sometimes, when I talk about you in the Tower of Tales... My colleagues think I take you lightly. It"s a bit useless to see you read my hatred that they didn"t even notice."
"Why don"t you have more competent and profound people around you?"
The Vamel Alliance and the knights of Sword Emperor Castle felt Jin"s responses like fire against oil.
They were concerned that Jin was making excessive provocations against Kelliark, who had just paralyzed Kalmain with a single attack and showed the power to annihilate the entire Sword Emperor Castle in seconds.
But Jin knew.
No matter what happened, he would never attack the castle until negotiations were off the table.
If he had intended to destroy Sword Emperor Castle by force without compromise and take the white stone, he wouldn"t have initiated a conversation in the first place.
"Kelliark Zipple feels overwhelmed by an all-out war with Runcandel."
There must be many reasons, such as Cyron"s existence, Runcandel"s potential, and Kinzelo"s power.
Maybe Kelliark is also aware that a Chaos monster can awaken from the White Stone.
No, that"s certain.
He knows the value of the White Stone better than any of us.
"That"s why he wants to have it."
Therefore, Kelliark wanted to end the situation through negotiations with Sword Emperor Castle (actually Runcandel) without armed conflict as much as possible.
Indeed, just by Kelliark pulling out the "negotiation" card, Zipple"s external prestige would plummet.
It wasn"t possible for the world"s most important magician clan to prioritize negotiations over battles after losing so many dragons, magicians, and fleets.
"Above all, I can"t see the Fire Dragon, Kadun."
Fire Dragon Kadun.
The most powerful Fire Dragon created by the Fire G.o.d, Sheenu.
Jin was aware of not seeing Kadun"s appearance from earlier.
Of course, Kadun could be on board the fleet in human form.
However, Jin judged the possibility to be very low.
"Is it strange to place the strongest Fire Dragon out of sight after they bragged by putting huge mana to cast fire over the entire fleet, throwing fire over the entire Sword Emperor Castle while pretending not to know, and creating a sense of intimidation?"
There were Zipple Dragons among the fleet of about fifty battleships led by Kelliark.
There was no reason for Kadun not to display his majesty at the center.
However, Jin found it difficult to deduce the reason Kelliark hadn"t brought Kadun.
Is it because there will be problems with Zipple"s air defense without Kadun?
No, even if they prioritize negotiation, it doesn"t mean they haven"t considered total war at all, so if that"s not a reason.
"Then...."
Suddenly, Jin remembered the name of another friend.
"Did Beradin take any measures to prevent Kadun from being included in the fleet...?"
He was correct.
Beradin had run wild forcibly and created a situation where he had to be protected by Kadun.
Because if it ended with Beradin, all the plans Zipple had prepared up to that point would go down the drain.
Jin didn"t know the truth, but for some reason, he had a strong impression that Kadun"s absence was the result of a friend"s sacrifice.
"You"re aware of Kadun"s absence."
At those words, Jin almost showed an expression of surprise.
"I"ve heard that the power of the Fire Dragon is necessary to use fire perfectly."
"The one who makes a fire magician perfect isn"t the Guardian Dragon but the Phoenix."
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a phoenix appeared behind Kelliark.
A phoenix renowned as the strongest alongside Tess, Maniere, and Sanquiche.
It was "Beloit."
Indeed, it was the summoning of someone who had reached the pinnacle of magic.
Beloit cast a dark shadow over Sword Emperor Castle with its enormous and fiery body, larger than any recorded doc.u.ment.
It was literally ablaze.
The night sky over the Vamel Alliance and Sword Emperor Castle was filled with the fire from the fleet and Beloit.
To the point of wondering if the target they had to fight wasn"t Zipple but Sheenu, the Fire G.o.d.
A fire greater than Riol Zipple"s legacy, which Jin had shown through the mirror and the will of the two G.o.ds, dyed his vision red.
But Jin wasn"t discouraged.
"I thought you knew about my Phoenix, sir."
"Your Phoenix is the only G.o.d in the world of flames and the owner of all Phoenixes. But you still can"t handle its power properly."
That was the point at which Kelliark acknowledged Jin in front of everyone.
And the word "still" implied the possibility of the future.
"If you truly believe that, go ahead, try to blow up my head right now. I wonder if the power bestowed by Sheenu, the Fire G.o.d, can penetrate Tess"s absolute dominion."
"As I"ve heard, you have a very thick face. How dare you make such a visible bluff against me. Your courage is commendable."
Kelliark could figure out that Jin couldn"t summon Tess at that moment.
Jin got gooseb.u.mps realizing that fact.
He didn"t explicitly express such things, but it was an area where he could instinctively know it.
"Kelliark-nim, you"re more cautious than I"ve heard. You refrained from using spatial explosions only because there"s a slight possibility that I can summon Tess."
"I"m not refraining from blowing your head off just for that reason."
Kelliark smiled again.
Now, not only hatred but also composure was in the smile.
"Jin Runcandel."
"Tell me."
"I"ve heard that you"ve been generous enough not to catch fleeing enemies. I"ll also grant such leniency. Hairan, leave the White Stone immediately and exit Sword Emperor Castle. Then, no one will die."
Swish!
A small spark formed on Kelliark"s finger.
He wrote in the air with sparks, which was a "Fire Seal" that only Sheenu"s contractors could handle.
Additionally...
Zipple swears to rescue Dante Hairan, who was invaded by the White Stone, with all the efforts the clan can mobilize.
Once recovered, Zipple swore to send him back to Hairan.
Everyone in Sword Emperor Castle looked at the glowing red letters.
"Along with this, if you accept my conditions, Zipple will do everything in its power to destroy the imperial family that betrayed Hairan."
With no time to reflect on how Kelliark knew Dante"s status, Hairan"s Knights couldn"t help but stir for the first time since the incident began.
The promise to destroy the empire didn"t matter too much.
However, more valuable than the pride they had tried to maintain by sacrificing their lives was Dante"s life.
The use of the Fire Seal meant that Kelliark was swearing by his G.o.d Sheenu. The conditions he presented were undoubtedly sincere.
"Zipple knows how to save Dante Hairan. I can"t guarantee his unconditional salvation, but I can guarantee a success rate of at least 80%."
Jin immediately addressed Hairan"s Knights.
"It"s a trap. There"s surely no lie in Kelliark"s oath...."
The moment Hairan accepts the conditions, he will be destroyed by Runcandel, not by Zipple.
Kelliark omitted the word that he would protect Hairan from Runcandel.
Jin couldn"t bear to say the last word.
It was natural for Runcandel to attack Hairan, who had accepted Zipple"s conditions.
If that happens, Runcandel will have to watch as Zipple obtains the White Stone without gaining anything.
Rosa couldn"t stand idly by.
She was a person who wouldn"t back down even if Sword Emperor Castle and Hairan"s land turned to ashes.
And if Jin went against Rosa.
It would soon become a betrayal towards Runcandel.
"You"ve shown a good hand... Kelliark Zipple."
Objectively, Jin and Runcandel couldn"t offer Hairan a better condition than that.
Runcandel had no way to save Dante, and only Jin cherished Dante"s life among Runcandel.
Runcandel is satisfied as long as Hairan disappears from history or prevents the White Stone from falling into Zipple"s hands.
Jin gritted his teeth, and Kelliark showed confidence in victory with a serene face.
Kelliark"s gaze reached Ruyan.
"Now I will give Hairan the opportunity to speak with me. What do you say, Ruyan? There"s no better condition for Hairan than this."
Ruyan looked at Kelliark in silence for a while.
"Hairan... And the knights gathered for Hairan...."
Finally, just as Ruyan tried to continue.
I refuse, Kelliark Zipple!
The voice of a giant resonated in the silent sky, but muted and deep, and everyone in this land was familiar with it and longingly wished to fight together.....
All turned to the owner of the voice who had just climbed the wall.
"Who dares to save Hairan and my grandson in my name? It"s only permitted to me."
Ron Hairan, the Sword Emperor, stood there upright.
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