[readlightnovel.me]
Kinzelo headquarters.
Chomp, Zephyrin bit the cookie. It looked similar to Latrie Cookies, but the taste was...… so horrific that it is difficult to describe it with words. Torturing the tongue with acid seemed to do better than this.
'What a terrible snack you made, the princesses of Kaligo.'
Next to her, Kaligo sisters who made the cookies themselves, were waiting for evaluation with twinkling eyes. Zephyrin gave them a slight nod and an awkward smile, and the sisters jumped in delight as if that alone was an honor.
"As expected! Our cookies beat their cookies, sister!"
"Oh, thank you …… for eating...… cookies... Grand Duke."
Beyond just running, they joined with Bubare and sang a strange song while running around the conference room like a playground.
‘Since the demons came, there hasn’t been a single quiet day at the conference room… and I can't even say anything because of the Grand Duke.'
'Berakt obviously doesn't want to see them. If I help him, he’ll say, “shut up, otherwise I’ll tear up your mouth again." He doesn’t even know what I’m talking about!'
'Bubare and...… female Bubare...… both…… are so disgusting. The female Bubare is still funny sometimes, but no. Shit! What am I thinking? They are both intolerant people. How can Bianca hang out with those things?'
Berakt, Joe, and Bishkel clicked their tongues inwardly, while Zephyrin stared blankly out the window.
“Ms. Zephyrin.”
Margiella pulled her wheelchair to Zephyrin's side.
“Lady Margiella.”
“What are you thinking so much about? It’s look like you have a love sickness. Should I say it's the feeling of sadness in your eyes? Maybe, you have a hidden lover in the demon world...? Oh my, it's so romantic.”
It was strange. As for Zephyrin, when she is rational, she uses honorific words for everyone and seems kind, but she is truly merciless towards those who cross the line even a little bit.
It was true to demons and dragons, especially to those who were not superior. It was not possible to throw a joke at her carefully until at least you are head of the Demon world duchy or next head. Or Unless you are an idiot like Ainas.
But for some reason she had never been offended by Margiella’s jokes.
'Well, considering the existence that dwells in you, it shouldn't be that strange.'
Zephyrin raised Margiella and sat her next to herself.
“It’s not a lover, but it is something similar, and if I think about it. It's not love but resentment...… Anyway, I was thinking about the sad thing that lady Margiella said the other day.”
- Shall I tell you a funny story for the depressed Ms. Zephyrin?
- What is it?
-Maybe something sad will happen to Sir Jin soon, Ms. Zephyrin.
- Something sad...… ?
“You were thinking about Sir Jin.”
“I didn’t know that the sad thing Lady Margiella was talking about was that stone.”
“Ah, you weren’t disappointed because I didn’t tell you beforehand, right?”
"I'd be lying if it wasn't, but it's probably because my master, who was lying there and gushing blood like a weakling, had something on his mind."
“Um, but! It was Ms. Zephyrin who made the leader vomit blood.”
When Margiella brought it up, the other executives in conference room perked up and watched.
Recently, the leader’s health has been the biggest problem for Kinzelo. It was because he kept having problems while he was getting better.
It was the leader's will to use his power during the Sword Emperor attack last year, but the problems after that, namely the Black King Mountain incident, the Sota Desert, and the accidents that occurred during the visit to Tikan this time, were all the responsibility of Zephyrin.
However, no one dared to question or scold Zephyrin. The only punishment she received was that Bishkel asked her to work as a spy for Zipfel once.
‘Oh, as expected of vice-leader’s younger sister! It's refreshing to scratch an itchy place! Hmmm, Ms. Zephyrin wouldn't intimidate Margiella, would she?'
‘No matter who is Margiella, if you stab her with a bamboo spear like this…… Would it be okay? Even if I recall some of the stories I heard from Lady Bianca about the Grand duke, Ms. Zephyrin has a bit more ghastly than Berakt.'
‘Margiella! Good job! No, why are you saying that!'
Zephyrin nodded her head obediently to the extent that Berakt, Joe, and Bishkel’s concerns were not worth it.
“That’s right, it was my fault. I tried to be as careful as possible, but you know...… Jin Runcandel. Isn’t that devil-like person so unanswerable?”
“Of course, I know it well. It's really not a ordinary bet, is it? Considering that we've been having a hard time with Sir Jin...….”
“It’s not refreshing even if I rip him to death a hundred times.”
“Of course you are right! Actually, I still want Sir Jin to come on our side.”
“I have seen that kind of person often in my long life. He is a human being who will never associate with those who have different beliefs.”
"You speak as if you're acknowledging what's going on."
Zephyrin didn't answer and turned her head out of window.
“Our Kinzelo is always open, so an opportunity might come someday. Although it seems that Ms. Zephyrin and mister Berakt will run out of patience first.”
“You have a little strange side,Lady Margiella.”
“Haha, I hear that sometimes.”
“Jin Runcandel, if you really wanted him to be on our side. First of all, we should have informed him about the stone's identity and urged him not to get involved in this matter as much as possible.”
“It’s not that I haven’t thought of that either. However, even if the identity of the stone is notified in advance, wouldn’t it be possible to prevent the predestined fate?”
Predestined fate.
As Margiella put it, it meant the death of Dante Hairan.
“Your friend will surely die, and the white stone is a dangerous thing, so you should never go there. Sir Jin is not the kind of person who will listen if we told him to stop. As Ms. Zephyrin said, Sir Jin is that kind of person.”
At Margiella’s words, Zephyrin nodded her head.
“Hee hee hee, fools! They don't even know that stone is a bomb...… eup, eup!”
When Bubare intervened, Bishkel quickly covered his mouth. He was intended that his disgusting voice would not further offend Zephyrin.
In Bishkel's view, the white stone was something that the likes of Bubare shouldn't carelessly say it with their mouths.
“…… Anyway, I'll be more careful about using the master's power from now on. First of all, let's have a snack while watching the fire (while Kaligo sisters aren't looking, Zephyrin throws the cookies they made out of window). I hope after the incident is over, Sir Jin will rationally choose the date for the meeting.”
***
April 4, 1800.
Everyone in sword emperor castle spent the night with open eyes. A huge enemy that could never be dealt with was approaching the castle, and the white stone seal surrounding Dante was revealing a darker color of chaos than yesterday.
The knights gathered in the castle still showed no signs of leaving Dante behind.
It wasn't because they believed in the power of the Vamel alliance. It wasn't because they gained any hope from the big win in first battle. It wasn't because they believed that Jin could display his miraculous powers again.
The knights knew very well that when Zipfel’s real main force came, and the Vamel Alliance and themselves could not able to handle it.
It was a matter of loyalty, and faith that the knights of Hairan did not leave.
“If anyone have to leave, it must be Sur Jin, not us.”
Shuras Helter said. Due to an internal injury suffered in the first battle, his complexion was not good. Jin met his eyes without answering his words.
“Sir Jin and the Vamel Alliance have fought enough for us. I can't express my gratitude in words.... But Sir Jin at this rate, you and your people will be swept away by Zipfel’s fire.”
“Sir Shuras, I am Runcandel. Runcandel and Zipfel’s original job is to kill each other.”
“That wouldn't be the reason Sir Jin could die on this land. Sir Jin. Doesn't the sir have the whole life in front of him? Wouldn't it be right to plan for the future, rather than die fighting with us here? After midnight, when dawn comes, the enemy will arrive.”
“I will not die in this land, Sir Shuras. And it is right to plan for the future...… the same goes for the knights of Hairan.”
“No, it is different. We don't have next time. You may have plans to evacuate us and promote safety by incorporating us into the Vamel alliance or Runcandel. But if we do, we will be burdened with the guilt of abandoning Hairan for the rest of our lives.”
While Jin was choosing his words, Shuras kept his eyes on Dante's seal and continued his conversation.
“Sir Jin. To put it bluntly, we are worthless. Might, wisdom, wealth, and influence within the empire. It's all insignificantly small. The role of most of the knights gathered for Hairan in this war is like cannon folders.”
“Oh, come on. Why do you say that. Huh? Thanks to you, the refugees also able to live, and Dante too gained courage, and in a war like this, it doesn't look good when the numbers are small. You guys were cool. Why are you cutting yourself down?”
“Since the Black Dragon said that, I don't know what to say. But even after all that, we are just mortal in this war.”
“Ah, so it doesn’t matter if you die, so you’re going to sit still and die?”
“We should rather die on this land so that we can deal damage to our enemies. Zipfel and the Empire trampling on the insignificant knights who fought until the end to keep their faith...… Our enemies will lose their honor by killing us. Sir Jin, isn't sir the one who has often defamed them more than anyone else?”
“I have never risked my life to defame my enemies.”
“I've never thrown it away, but I would have walked it every time. We too risk our lives. To tarnish their reputation. This is the most meaningful counterattack that ordinary knights like us can reach out to the great forces.”
As Shuras put it, if you look at it calmly, he wasn't wrong.
Jin also knew it well. He knows that he wants to save the knights that has gathered for Hairan because he just doesn't want to see them die.
“If you continue to come out like that, I will save you even by force.”
"Sir."
Shuras grabbed Jin's hand and lowered his head.
“Sir Jin…… Please honor us. As a fellow martial artist, as a comrade who fought together.”
“Don't you think it's too much for me, Sir Shuras? It’s just like Sir is asking me to watch him die.”
“It's because there's no place to honor us other than you. I'm sorry, it's just ugly people who abandon grace like this."
Shuras held Jin's hand for a while, then turned around and trudged away.
“Murakan.”
"Yes."
“Before midnight today, with Sir Valkas, and Proch siblings, stun all the knights except for the front line of Hairan and send them to Tikan.”
"All of them?"
All of them, the moment he try to answer like that.
Cuicantelle sighed as she grabbed Jin's shoulder.
“Miss Cuicantelle.”
“That person named Shuras, even if he said that…… He visited and persuaded all the clans who had gathered for Hairan all night. He said that it was too harsh for them to endure, and told them to leave and lighten the burden for the rest, leaving only himself and the old knights behind.”
“Whoa.”
“It looked like something he was doing not because he wanted to survive, but because he knew it was a judgment for you. And even I could feel his pain inside.”
“Anyway, too many lives were at stake. Do you mean to tell the Kid that just let them die? Are you joking?"
“… Also, the knights did not let go of their hopes for Ron yet. It seems to be more terrifying than death to imagine for them when Ron wakes up.”
It is obviously painful for Jin that the knights do not leave the castle and prepared for death. But for the knights, the significance of their existence was at stake.
“That's why I want to respect them. Jin, it's painful for you too. For them, the very meaning of their existence is at stake.”
For a long time, Jin couldn't take his eyes off the door that Shuras had left.
[readlightnovel.me]
Kinzelo headquarters.
Chomp, Zephyrin bit the cookie. It looked similar to Latrie Cookies, but the taste was...… so horrific that it is difficult to describe it with words. Torturing the tongue with acid seemed to do better than this.
'What a terrible snack you made, the princesses of Kaligo.'
Next to her, Kaligo sisters who made the cookies themselves, were waiting for evaluation with twinkling eyes. Zephyrin gave them a slight nod and an awkward smile, and the sisters jumped in delight as if that alone was an honor.
"As expected! Our cookies beat their cookies, sister!"
"Oh, thank you …… for eating...… cookies... Grand Duke."
Beyond just running, they joined with Bubare and sang a strange song while running around the conference room like a playground.
‘Since the demons came, there hasn’t been a single quiet day at the conference room… and I can't even say anything because of the Grand Duke.'
'Berakt obviously doesn't want to see them. If I help him, he’ll say, “shut up, otherwise I’ll tear up your mouth again." He doesn’t even know what I’m talking about!'
'Bubare and...… female Bubare...… both…… are so disgusting. The female Bubare is still funny sometimes, but no. Shit! What am I thinking? They are both intolerant people. How can Bianca hang out with those things?'
Berakt, Joe, and Bishkel clicked their tongues inwardly, while Zephyrin stared blankly out the window.
“Ms. Zephyrin.”
Margiella pulled her wheelchair to Zephyrin's side.
“Lady Margiella.”
“What are you thinking so much about? It’s look like you have a love sickness. Should I say it's the feeling of sadness in your eyes? Maybe, you have a hidden lover in the demon world...? Oh my, it's so romantic.”
It was strange. As for Zephyrin, when she is rational, she uses honorific words for everyone and seems kind, but she is truly merciless towards those who cross the line even a little bit.
It was true to demons and dragons, especially to those who were not superior. It was not possible to throw a joke at her carefully until at least you are head of the Demon world duchy or next head. Or Unless you are an idiot like Ainas.
But for some reason she had never been offended by Margiella’s jokes.
'Well, considering the existence that dwells in you, it shouldn't be that strange.'
Zephyrin raised Margiella and sat her next to herself.
“It’s not a lover, but it is something similar, and if I think about it. It's not love but resentment...… Anyway, I was thinking about the sad thing that lady Margiella said the other day.”
- Shall I tell you a funny story for the depressed Ms. Zephyrin?
- What is it?
-Maybe something sad will happen to Sir Jin soon, Ms. Zephyrin.
- Something sad...… ?
“You were thinking about Sir Jin.”
“I didn’t know that the sad thing Lady Margiella was talking about was that stone.”
“Ah, you weren’t disappointed because I didn’t tell you beforehand, right?”
"I'd be lying if it wasn't, but it's probably because my master, who was lying there and gushing blood like a weakling, had something on his mind."
“Um, but! It was Ms. Zephyrin who made the leader vomit blood.”
When Margiella brought it up, the other executives in conference room perked up and watched.
Recently, the leader’s health has been the biggest problem for Kinzelo. It was because he kept having problems while he was getting better.
It was the leader's will to use his power during the Sword Emperor attack last year, but the problems after that, namely the Black King Mountain incident, the Sota Desert, and the accidents that occurred during the visit to Tikan this time, were all the responsibility of Zephyrin.
However, no one dared to question or scold Zephyrin. The only punishment she received was that Bishkel asked her to work as a spy for Zipfel once.
‘Oh, as expected of vice-leader’s younger sister! It's refreshing to scratch an itchy place! Hmmm, Ms. Zephyrin wouldn't intimidate Margiella, would she?'
‘No matter who is Margiella, if you stab her with a bamboo spear like this…… Would it be okay? Even if I recall some of the stories I heard from Lady Bianca about the Grand duke, Ms. Zephyrin has a bit more ghastly than Berakt.'
‘Margiella! Good job! No, why are you saying that!'
Zephyrin nodded her head obediently to the extent that Berakt, Joe, and Bishkel’s concerns were not worth it.
“That’s right, it was my fault. I tried to be as careful as possible, but you know...… Jin Runcandel. Isn’t that devil-like person so unanswerable?”
“Of course, I know it well. It's really not a ordinary bet, is it? Considering that we've been having a hard time with Sir Jin...….”
“It’s not refreshing even if I rip him to death a hundred times.”
“Of course you are right! Actually, I still want Sir Jin to come on our side.”
“I have seen that kind of person often in my long life. He is a human being who will never associate with those who have different beliefs.”
"You speak as if you're acknowledging what's going on."
Zephyrin didn't answer and turned her head out of window.
“Our Kinzelo is always open, so an opportunity might come someday. Although it seems that Ms. Zephyrin and mister Berakt will run out of patience first.”
“You have a little strange side,Lady Margiella.”
“Haha, I hear that sometimes.”
“Jin Runcandel, if you really wanted him to be on our side. First of all, we should have informed him about the stone's identity and urged him not to get involved in this matter as much as possible.”
“It’s not that I haven’t thought of that either. However, even if the identity of the stone is notified in advance, wouldn’t it be possible to prevent the predestined fate?”
Predestined fate.
As Margiella put it, it meant the death of Dante Hairan.
“Your friend will surely die, and the white stone is a dangerous thing, so you should never go there. Sir Jin is not the kind of person who will listen if we told him to stop. As Ms. Zephyrin said, Sir Jin is that kind of person.”
At Margiella’s words, Zephyrin nodded her head.
“Hee hee hee, fools! They don't even know that stone is a bomb...… eup, eup!”
When Bubare intervened, Bishkel quickly covered his mouth. He was intended that his disgusting voice would not further offend Zephyrin.
In Bishkel's view, the white stone was something that the likes of Bubare shouldn't carelessly say it with their mouths.
“…… Anyway, I'll be more careful about using the master's power from now on. First of all, let's have a snack while watching the fire (while Kaligo sisters aren't looking, Zephyrin throws the cookies they made out of window). I hope after the incident is over, Sir Jin will rationally choose the date for the meeting.”
***
April 4, 1800.
Everyone in sword emperor castle spent the night with open eyes. A huge enemy that could never be dealt with was approaching the castle, and the white stone seal surrounding Dante was revealing a darker color of chaos than yesterday.
The knights gathered in the castle still showed no signs of leaving Dante behind.
It wasn't because they believed in the power of the Vamel alliance. It wasn't because they gained any hope from the big win in first battle. It wasn't because they believed that Jin could display his miraculous powers again.
The knights knew very well that when Zipfel’s real main force came, and the Vamel Alliance and themselves could not able to handle it.
It was a matter of loyalty, and faith that the knights of Hairan did not leave.
“If anyone have to leave, it must be Sur Jin, not us.”
Shuras Helter said. Due to an internal injury suffered in the first battle, his complexion was not good. Jin met his eyes without answering his words.
“Sir Jin and the Vamel Alliance have fought enough for us. I can't express my gratitude in words.... But Sir Jin at this rate, you and your people will be swept away by Zipfel’s fire.”
“Sir Shuras, I am Runcandel. Runcandel and Zipfel’s original job is to kill each other.”
“That wouldn't be the reason Sir Jin could die on this land. Sir Jin. Doesn't the sir have the whole life in front of him? Wouldn't it be right to plan for the future, rather than die fighting with us here? After midnight, when dawn comes, the enemy will arrive.”
“I will not die in this land, Sir Shuras. And it is right to plan for the future...… the same goes for the knights of Hairan.”
“No, it is different. We don't have next time. You may have plans to evacuate us and promote safety by incorporating us into the Vamel alliance or Runcandel. But if we do, we will be burdened with the guilt of abandoning Hairan for the rest of our lives.”
While Jin was choosing his words, Shuras kept his eyes on Dante's seal and continued his conversation.
“Sir Jin. To put it bluntly, we are worthless. Might, wisdom, wealth, and influence within the empire. It's all insignificantly small. The role of most of the knights gathered for Hairan in this war is like cannon folders.”
“Oh, come on. Why do you say that. Huh? Thanks to you, the refugees also able to live, and Dante too gained courage, and in a war like this, it doesn't look good when the numbers are small. You guys were cool. Why are you cutting yourself down?”
“Since the Black Dragon said that, I don't know what to say. But even after all that, we are just mortal in this war.”
“Ah, so it doesn’t matter if you die, so you’re going to sit still and die?”
“We should rather die on this land so that we can deal damage to our enemies. Zipfel and the Empire trampling on the insignificant knights who fought until the end to keep their faith...… Our enemies will lose their honor by killing us. Sir Jin, isn't sir the one who has often defamed them more than anyone else?”
“I have never risked my life to defame my enemies.”
“I've never thrown it away, but I would have walked it every time. We too risk our lives. To tarnish their reputation. This is the most meaningful counterattack that ordinary knights like us can reach out to the great forces.”
As Shuras put it, if you look at it calmly, he wasn't wrong.
Jin also knew it well. He knows that he wants to save the knights that has gathered for Hairan because he just doesn't want to see them die.
“If you continue to come out like that, I will save you even by force.”
"Sir."
Shuras grabbed Jin's hand and lowered his head.
“Sir Jin…… Please honor us. As a fellow martial artist, as a comrade who fought together.”
“Don't you think it's too much for me, Sir Shuras? It’s just like Sir is asking me to watch him die.”
“It's because there's no place to honor us other than you. I'm sorry, it's just ugly people who abandon grace like this."
Shuras held Jin's hand for a while, then turned around and trudged away.
“Murakan.”
"Yes."
“Before midnight today, with Sir Valkas, and Proch siblings, stun all the knights except for the front line of Hairan and send them to Tikan.”
"All of them?"
All of them, the moment he try to answer like that.
Cuicantelle sighed as she grabbed Jin's shoulder.
“Miss Cuicantelle.”
“That person named Shuras, even if he said that…… He visited and persuaded all the clans who had gathered for Hairan all night. He said that it was too harsh for them to endure, and told them to leave and lighten the burden for the rest, leaving only himself and the old knights behind.”
“Whoa.”
“It looked like something he was doing not because he wanted to survive, but because he knew it was a judgment for you. And even I could feel his pain inside.”
“Anyway, too many lives were at stake. Do you mean to tell the Kid that just let them die? Are you joking?"
“… Also, the knights did not let go of their hopes for Ron yet. It seems to be more terrifying than death to imagine for them when Ron wakes up.”
It is obviously painful for Jin that the knights do not leave the castle and prepared for death. But for the knights, the significance of their existence was at stake.
“That's why I want to respect them. Jin, it's painful for you too. For them, the very meaning of their existence is at stake.”
For a long time, Jin couldn't take his eyes off the door that Shuras had left.
