“Uh-what is that!?”
"Shadow force? No, that's....”
The mages aboard on the watchtower of Zipfel’s unfinished 3rd Fleet, 'Lucia' opened their eyes wide.
They were currently crossing the waters of the Empire to go to support the Sword Emperor Castle war (still only known to them).
Kelliark did not directly order reinforcements, but as the war was taking longer than expected, Zipfel decided that something was wrong in the Sword Emperor castle.
“Quickly inform the commander’s office!"
Before news arrived from the watchtower, another mage on board burst into the commander’s room.
“I just came in from a scout ship! Near sword emperor castle, the sky is now turning black and unidentified energy continues to pour in...….”
“Unidentified? You stupid bastard, that's the energy of chaos! And that’s one of the 5 kings of the Black Sea!”
Kadun shouted, cutting off the words of the reporter mage.
It was absurd, and it felt like his internal organs were all twisted. It wasn't because of the mages' ignorance that they didn't even know the energy of chaos, but because he knew who is the owner of that enormous power.
‘The white stone, is that not the chaos and records of Helluram, but the sealed king of the Black Sea…!?’
A tingling, headache came over him. He knew that without the power of the genesis knight, they would never be able to handle the King of the Black Sea.
Hedo, standing next to Kadun, also had a heavy expression. He doesn't know much about the King of the Black Sea, but he's been through chaos in the past. He had never seen such vast chaos.
“It looks like the patriarch is in danger.”
"Father?"
At Hedo's words, Sandra Zipfel tilted her head.
“I guess we have to speed up. We have to open the way. Hedo, you, too, should take the lead and open the way together.”
“Lord Kadun. If you increase the speed, it will be difficult to maintain the state of little patriarch.”
Veradin Zipfel had forced himself to lost his mind to prevent Kadun and Hedo from participating in the Sword Emperor castle war.
So, even after Kadun decided to assist, he boarded Veradin, who was bound to the sealing device. As it is an object that must be firmly fixed by nature, so they are flying at a speed slow enough not to burden the device.
The moment Veradin ran out of control, Zipfel had too much to lose.
Nevertheless, Kelliark is the first priority for Kadun as he is a guardian dragon. In fact, losing Veradin can be replaced even if it hurts the bones, but Kelliark doesn't.
Hedo, on the other hand, observed the situation more calmly.
"Still."
“Just calm down. In my view, even me and Lord Kadun would have a hard time breaking through that level of chaos anyway. Furthermore…….”
Hedo's eyes narrowed as he gazed at the sky over the sea.
“I can feel the energy of genesis knight. Someone on the battlefield has reached the genesis knight realm. Sword emperor, it looks like he is. His aura holds the chaos in check.”
Originally, Kadun was able to fully recognize it, but he missed it because he was in a hurry. Through the black sky, he could see the protective wall that Ron had spread, standing out little by little.
There is no way to know how Ron, who was immersed in internal trauma, became a genesis knight so suddenly. Hedo felt that it was not an important issue.
“If sword emperor has entered genesis knight realm, it would be even more problematic. Doesn't he already have a grudge against the patriarch?”
“He's planting things like that on his land, and he's not the kind of person who would precede personal vengeance. If he had tried to kill the patriarch first, he wouldn't have prevented the chaos like that.”
“What a nice old man!”
“…… Lady. There must be the 12th flagbearer of Runcandel in this living hell.”
“Oh, yes! Honey! Shit! Hedo, what are you doing! As Lord Kadun said, we have to speed up right now!”
“He might already be dead.”
“Say that stupid thing one more time with your mouth."
“Lord Kadun.”
Hedo made eye contact with Kadun.
"We would better stand by."
"What! Can’t you hear me, Hedo!?”
“Why do you think so?”
“The appearance of chaos spreading is unusual. Breakthrough seems impossible. I think it would be better to take measures to prevent the chaos that breaks through the shield of the Sword Emperor from destroying the clan’s territory. At that speed, it will reach not only the empire, but also the land of the clan in no time.”
Kadun thought for a moment.
‘Hedo is right. Anyway, we can't deal with the King of the Black Sea unless it's sword emperor, and it's very risky if Veradin get out of control.'
Besides, no matter how the battle of the sword emperor castle ends, either Ron or the King of Chaos will surely die. The winning side will never be normal either.
Then, at that time, the side with the highest remaining potential has an advantage in all aspects. Therefore, it was necessary to conserve power as much as possible, and for that purpose, territorial defense was absolutely necessary.
“I’ll do as you say. Until there is a meaningful change in the situation, we prevent chaos from spreading to our territory.”
* * *
Runcandel's reinforcements were in exactly the same situation as Zipfel. As the war got longer, they were heading to sword emperor castle according to the war scenario that Rosa said.
'Is that catastrophic power spreading from the existence of Glyek, the king of the Black Sea?'
It was Diphus who led the the second division Knights of the Black Sword association of Runcandel, and the allied clans on behalf of Jorden. Originally, he was protecting Tikan at Jin's request as soon as the Sword emperor castle War started, but as the situation was, he had to command reinforcements.
Diphus got the information that Glyek had awakened from the Vamel Alliance who escaped the battlefield, not from the knights who went on scouting.
‘Furthermore, what prevents chaos from spreading throughout the empire is the power of genesis knight… Perhaps Sir Ron.'
Diphus was also checking Ron's energy that was holding back the chaos.
‘It is impossible to advance through the battlefield with all our strength now. Anyway, we can't hit it if it's not a genesis knight, so even if we can enter, the chances of it being helpful are low. Rather, we will become a burden.’
So, as soon as Glyek woke up, Rosa let all the knights except for the Black Knight and the first division of the Black Sword order escape to the outside. Diphus was making the same judgment.
“My brother(오라버니), what are you going to do?”
[T/L:- Mary uses 오라버니(Orabeonim:- formal variant of 오빠(oppa) ("elder brother of a female") to address Diphus.]
Mary said, standing next to Diphus. She also recently started her personal training, entrusting all the work of the 7th flagbearer to Diphus, but she was urgently called.
There was a hint of nervousness in Mary's voice. It was not easy for her to keep her composure because she thought that if she didn't go through with it, Jin and the clan might come to an end.
Diphus made a decision right away.
“There is no guarantee that the energy of chaos escaping the empire couldn’t invading the clan’s land. From now on, the main family and allies will stop the chaos from escaping until it is determined that entering the battlefield is possible.”
“Damn it, we don’t have any of elder sisters at a time like this.”
Luna is in the middle of a battle with Kial, and Luntia was unaware of the current situation as she was tracking down Temar's legacy.
Mary disheveled her hair as if frustrated, and she looked at Myu and Anne.
‘Why are those things are strangely relaxed? Even their whispering is unusual.'
Mary strode towards them.
“Hey, you guys.”
"What?"
“What are you whispering about?”
"Ah."
Myu smiled.
“I think you worry too much.”
"What?"
“Would the 7th flagbearer be so worried even if our father was in sword emperor castle? Ron Hairan has risen to genesis knight realm, he will defend his territory, and even he is friendly to the 12th flagbearer. I don't think you need to worry about this much."
“How many of our knights do you think are dying in there?”
“I don't know exactly, but it's certain that we are taking less damage than Zipfel. Ron Hairan will be helping the 12th flagbearer. Isn’t it an advantage for our clan if the situation ends with relatively much damage to Zipfel?”
Mary was speechless for a moment.
There was nothing wrong with Myu’s answer. But that wasn't why Mary hesitated.
“Oh, yes. You might think so, huh? You crazy ones, say that now. See you when the situation is over. Get off immediately, because it looks like my fist is about to rise.”
As soon as Mary answered, Myu and Anne left their positions.
“… My brother, Diphus.”
"Yes."
“There is something that those things believe in. Something must have happened since the 2nd flagbearer has fallen. Let’s find out after this job.”
"Okay. We have to sort that out first, so prepare yourself.”
* * *
At the word self-destruct, Jin hesitated for the first time and looked back.
'What……!?’
Not only Jin, but everyone on the battlefield were shocked to hear Glyek’s voice. But Ron burst into laughter at his words.
“Self-destruct? You’re on the defensive, so you’re talking all sorts of bullshit.”
Ron didn’t said this to hide his true feelings. Ron quickly erased his laughter and focused on slicing and tearing Glyek apart.
But Jin couldn’t able to relax some reason. An ominous feeling that was difficult to explain crept through his brain.
‘This is not the time to lose focus on these worries. Let's just look at the situation. If Lord Ron really had self-destruction in mind in the first place, he would at least have told me.'
The energy of chaos penetrating Ron's guardian wall came into Jin's sight, who started running again.
‘The rest of the great clans outside are not fools. They'll definitely choose to stop that instead of entering. There's no choice but to do that.'
The moment he want to run again. Jin's eyes widened. It was because for the first time he felt movement from Dante on his back.
“Ugh, ugh…….”
“Dante! Are you come to your senses!”
The reason Dante was able to regain his consciousness was no different.
It was because Ron began to deal a serious blow to Glyek, and the power of chaos affecting Dante became unstable.
A slight warmth circulated through his cold, stiff body.
Jin realized for the first time in a long time that it was so difficult to see his friend go through the crossroads of life and death.
"Jin…….”
“Dante, don’t say anything for now until you feel better. Don't try to talk, hold on a little longer, I'll treat you...…!”
A smile spread across Ron's lips. It was a small voice that started so far away, and the battlefield was full of deafening explosions, but he could hear his grandson's voice clearly.
Dante seemed to want to say more, but then he breathed heavily and become silent for a while. His consciousness was returning and disappearing each time as Ron slashed Glyek, the cycle of coming to his senses was getting shorter and shorter.
"Looks like it's time to put an end to it, Glyek."
Ron said, fixing Rashid.
“Uh-what is that!?”
"Shadow force? No, that's....”
The mages aboard on the watchtower of Zipfel’s unfinished 3rd Fleet, 'Lucia' opened their eyes wide.
They were currently crossing the waters of the Empire to go to support the Sword Emperor Castle war (still only known to them).
Kelliark did not directly order reinforcements, but as the war was taking longer than expected, Zipfel decided that something was wrong in the Sword Emperor castle.
“Quickly inform the commander’s office!"
Before news arrived from the watchtower, another mage on board burst into the commander’s room.
“I just came in from a scout ship! Near sword emperor castle, the sky is now turning black and unidentified energy continues to pour in...….”
“Unidentified? You stupid bastard, that's the energy of chaos! And that’s one of the 5 kings of the Black Sea!”
Kadun shouted, cutting off the words of the reporter mage.
It was absurd, and it felt like his internal organs were all twisted. It wasn't because of the mages' ignorance that they didn't even know the energy of chaos, but because he knew who is the owner of that enormous power.
‘The white stone, is that not the chaos and records of Helluram, but the sealed king of the Black Sea…!?’
A tingling, headache came over him. He knew that without the power of the genesis knight, they would never be able to handle the King of the Black Sea.
Hedo, standing next to Kadun, also had a heavy expression. He doesn't know much about the King of the Black Sea, but he's been through chaos in the past. He had never seen such vast chaos.
“It looks like the patriarch is in danger.”
"Father?"
At Hedo's words, Sandra Zipfel tilted her head.
“I guess we have to speed up. We have to open the way. Hedo, you, too, should take the lead and open the way together.”
“Lord Kadun. If you increase the speed, it will be difficult to maintain the state of little patriarch.”
Veradin Zipfel had forced himself to lost his mind to prevent Kadun and Hedo from participating in the Sword Emperor castle war.
So, even after Kadun decided to assist, he boarded Veradin, who was bound to the sealing device. As it is an object that must be firmly fixed by nature, so they are flying at a speed slow enough not to burden the device.
The moment Veradin ran out of control, Zipfel had too much to lose.
Nevertheless, Kelliark is the first priority for Kadun as he is a guardian dragon. In fact, losing Veradin can be replaced even if it hurts the bones, but Kelliark doesn't.
Hedo, on the other hand, observed the situation more calmly.
"Still."
“Just calm down. In my view, even me and Lord Kadun would have a hard time breaking through that level of chaos anyway. Furthermore…….”
Hedo's eyes narrowed as he gazed at the sky over the sea.
“I can feel the energy of genesis knight. Someone on the battlefield has reached the genesis knight realm. Sword emperor, it looks like he is. His aura holds the chaos in check.”
Originally, Kadun was able to fully recognize it, but he missed it because he was in a hurry. Through the black sky, he could see the protective wall that Ron had spread, standing out little by little.
There is no way to know how Ron, who was immersed in internal trauma, became a genesis knight so suddenly. Hedo felt that it was not an important issue.
“If sword emperor has entered genesis knight realm, it would be even more problematic. Doesn't he already have a grudge against the patriarch?”
“He's planting things like that on his land, and he's not the kind of person who would precede personal vengeance. If he had tried to kill the patriarch first, he wouldn't have prevented the chaos like that.”
“What a nice old man!”
“…… Lady. There must be the 12th flagbearer of Runcandel in this living hell.”
“Oh, yes! Honey! Shit! Hedo, what are you doing! As Lord Kadun said, we have to speed up right now!”
“He might already be dead.”
“Say that stupid thing one more time with your mouth."
“Lord Kadun.”
Hedo made eye contact with Kadun.
"We would better stand by."
"What! Can’t you hear me, Hedo!?”
“Why do you think so?”
“The appearance of chaos spreading is unusual. Breakthrough seems impossible. I think it would be better to take measures to prevent the chaos that breaks through the shield of the Sword Emperor from destroying the clan’s territory. At that speed, it will reach not only the empire, but also the land of the clan in no time.”
Kadun thought for a moment.
‘Hedo is right. Anyway, we can't deal with the King of the Black Sea unless it's sword emperor, and it's very risky if Veradin get out of control.'
Besides, no matter how the battle of the sword emperor castle ends, either Ron or the King of Chaos will surely die. The winning side will never be normal either.
Then, at that time, the side with the highest remaining potential has an advantage in all aspects. Therefore, it was necessary to conserve power as much as possible, and for that purpose, territorial defense was absolutely necessary.
“I’ll do as you say. Until there is a meaningful change in the situation, we prevent chaos from spreading to our territory.”
* * *
Runcandel's reinforcements were in exactly the same situation as Zipfel. As the war got longer, they were heading to sword emperor castle according to the war scenario that Rosa said.
'Is that catastrophic power spreading from the existence of Glyek, the king of the Black Sea?'
It was Diphus who led the the second division Knights of the Black Sword association of Runcandel, and the allied clans on behalf of Jorden. Originally, he was protecting Tikan at Jin's request as soon as the Sword emperor castle War started, but as the situation was, he had to command reinforcements.
Diphus got the information that Glyek had awakened from the Vamel Alliance who escaped the battlefield, not from the knights who went on scouting.
‘Furthermore, what prevents chaos from spreading throughout the empire is the power of genesis knight… Perhaps Sir Ron.'
Diphus was also checking Ron's energy that was holding back the chaos.
‘It is impossible to advance through the battlefield with all our strength now. Anyway, we can't hit it if it's not a genesis knight, so even if we can enter, the chances of it being helpful are low. Rather, we will become a burden.’
So, as soon as Glyek woke up, Rosa let all the knights except for the Black Knight and the first division of the Black Sword order escape to the outside. Diphus was making the same judgment.
“My brother(오라버니), what are you going to do?”
[T/L:- Mary uses 오라버니(Orabeonim:- formal variant of 오빠(oppa) ("elder brother of a female") to address Diphus.]
Mary said, standing next to Diphus. She also recently started her personal training, entrusting all the work of the 7th flagbearer to Diphus, but she was urgently called.
There was a hint of nervousness in Mary's voice. It was not easy for her to keep her composure because she thought that if she didn't go through with it, Jin and the clan might come to an end.
Diphus made a decision right away.
“There is no guarantee that the energy of chaos escaping the empire couldn’t invading the clan’s land. From now on, the main family and allies will stop the chaos from escaping until it is determined that entering the battlefield is possible.”
“Damn it, we don’t have any of elder sisters at a time like this.”
Luna is in the middle of a battle with Kial, and Luntia was unaware of the current situation as she was tracking down Temar's legacy.
Mary disheveled her hair as if frustrated, and she looked at Myu and Anne.
‘Why are those things are strangely relaxed? Even their whispering is unusual.'
Mary strode towards them.
“Hey, you guys.”
"What?"
“What are you whispering about?”
"Ah."
Myu smiled.
“I think you worry too much.”
"What?"
“Would the 7th flagbearer be so worried even if our father was in sword emperor castle? Ron Hairan has risen to genesis knight realm, he will defend his territory, and even he is friendly to the 12th flagbearer. I don't think you need to worry about this much."
“How many of our knights do you think are dying in there?”
“I don't know exactly, but it's certain that we are taking less damage than Zipfel. Ron Hairan will be helping the 12th flagbearer. Isn’t it an advantage for our clan if the situation ends with relatively much damage to Zipfel?”
Mary was speechless for a moment.
There was nothing wrong with Myu’s answer. But that wasn't why Mary hesitated.
“Oh, yes. You might think so, huh? You crazy ones, say that now. See you when the situation is over. Get off immediately, because it looks like my fist is about to rise.”
As soon as Mary answered, Myu and Anne left their positions.
“… My brother, Diphus.”
"Yes."
“There is something that those things believe in. Something must have happened since the 2nd flagbearer has fallen. Let’s find out after this job.”
"Okay. We have to sort that out first, so prepare yourself.”
* * *
At the word self-destruct, Jin hesitated for the first time and looked back.
'What……!?’
Not only Jin, but everyone on the battlefield were shocked to hear Glyek’s voice. But Ron burst into laughter at his words.
“Self-destruct? You’re on the defensive, so you’re talking all sorts of bullshit.”
Ron didn’t said this to hide his true feelings. Ron quickly erased his laughter and focused on slicing and tearing Glyek apart.
But Jin couldn’t able to relax some reason. An ominous feeling that was difficult to explain crept through his brain.
‘This is not the time to lose focus on these worries. Let's just look at the situation. If Lord Ron really had self-destruction in mind in the first place, he would at least have told me.'
The energy of chaos penetrating Ron's guardian wall came into Jin's sight, who started running again.
‘The rest of the great clans outside are not fools. They'll definitely choose to stop that instead of entering. There's no choice but to do that.'
The moment he want to run again. Jin's eyes widened. It was because for the first time he felt movement from Dante on his back.
“Ugh, ugh…….”
“Dante! Are you come to your senses!”
The reason Dante was able to regain his consciousness was no different.
It was because Ron began to deal a serious blow to Glyek, and the power of chaos affecting Dante became unstable.
A slight warmth circulated through his cold, stiff body.
Jin realized for the first time in a long time that it was so difficult to see his friend go through the crossroads of life and death.
"Jin…….”
“Dante, don’t say anything for now until you feel better. Don't try to talk, hold on a little longer, I'll treat you...…!”
A smile spread across Ron's lips. It was a small voice that started so far away, and the battlefield was full of deafening explosions, but he could hear his grandson's voice clearly.
Dante seemed to want to say more, but then he breathed heavily and become silent for a while. His consciousness was returning and disappearing each time as Ron slashed Glyek, the cycle of coming to his senses was getting shorter and shorter.
"Looks like it's time to put an end to it, Glyek."
Ron said, fixing Rashid.
