654
[T.L: punisher87]
[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]
Eastern five region, Kaldran Snowfield.
During this time, it was common for experienced adventurers or trained martial artists to get lost and freeze to death in the Kaldran snowfield.
Of course, it’s not apply on the Jin’s party who came to snowfield, but finding the way with only the map that Ronil gave them was a daunting task.
If it weren't for Shuri, it would have been even harder. Shuri was doing a great job as the party's guide once again.
“Kyahaha! Come on, Shuri. Give this sister a kiss. How is Shuri so smart? Is it because she takes after her owner?"
[Myaa.]
When Shuri gently pushed Sandra away, Zephyrin snickered.
"Sister? You're saying something funny, Miss living golem. The Ruby cat of Jin Runcandel is a creature that is at least a thousand years old."
“Oh my, why are you picking a fight over something like this?”
“What do you mean, picking a fight? I just found you were funny.”
“Hedo, tear off her mouth crosswise.”
“Since earlier, you've been saying ridiculous things because you trust the physical beauty butler. You should know that there are more monsters in this world than you think.”
“Hmph, if you're so sure, why don't you hit me first? I guarantee that as soon as you lay a hand on me, Hedo will definitely draw his sword. Then we'll fight until there's a winner, and I have a feeling who will win."
"Ugh, really. How did I end up being treated like this? If it wasn't for my master’s orders...."
“In Sota Desert, you didn’t attack because of the things Jin stole, and this time it was because of the master’s order. Being a Grand Duke of the Demon Realm is a decent position. There's a lot of excuses even if you always lose.”
“Ha, okay. Then you hit me first, living golem. I will definitely kill you.”
Unlike Zephyrin, Sandra tried to swing her fist at once, but Hedo pulled her back before she could reach Zephyrin.
Hedo sighed deeply as he watched the wriggling Sandra in his grasp. Since the journey began, Sandra and Zephyrin had been constantly engaging in a verbal war.
Looking back, the atmosphere was not very good when they first met in Sota Desert.
“Don't you think there's already enough tension as we are in enemy territory?" Jin said.
“But Jin, she’s keeps getting on my nerves. Did you see just now? She started the fight first."
“Is it a secret from Sir Jin that you deliberately stepped on my heels the whole time when walking?”
“If both of you do it one more time, I’ll leave you somewhere and go alone. Everyone will not be able to retreat from Kaldran snowfield without me, right?”
Sandra and Zephyrin shut their mouths at the same time.
'Great composure!'
‘Damn it, if I told my master that I was kicked out because of fighting with living golem, I’d be treated worse than this…….’
Sandra took Jin's words at face value, and Zephyrin knew it wasn't an empty promise.
As the two became quiet in an instant, Hedo felt resentful of Jin for finally intervening.
The party quietly moved forward. It was a very slow pace. Since Ronil's last visit to the snowfield, knights stained with chaos had been encamped here.
The moment they are discovered, Garden of Swords will send main force. In the worst case scenario, Rosa may come in person.
It would take a considerable amount of time for her to directly came from the Garden of Swords to the Kaldran Snowfield, but if she used something like the cave of the Prophet they had used in Sota Desert or the Chaos Dragon, it was hard to predict.
'If Lord Owal were here, we could have moved much faster than this, it's frustrating.'
Owal was currently unable to assist Jin as he was tracking down Yona's whereabouts.
For the past three years since the subjugation of Glyek, Yona’s rampage cycle has been getting shorter and shorter.
Jin’s heart ached when he thought about Yona.
‘I have to use the purifier on my sister too…… we must find her before the encroachment is complete.'
According to the news Owal had sent to Tikan a few days ago, Yona had not yet reached full encroachment. The Vamel Alliance couldn't find Yona better than Nameless.
Jin felt a little bittersweet realizing that even with such great power, he was still lacking in protecting his family and his clan.
So he felt like he could understand his father, Chiron, a little better.
They spent three days wiping out their tracks. Luckily, the group was able to pass through the snow-covered rocky mountains without being detected by the scouting knights.
But they could not obtain any additional information about Valeria during their journey. All they saw was the pale and dark sky, with snow and rocks, without any difference between day and night.
“…… looks like we are almost there.”
In the distance, a dead-end cliff separating the heart of the snowy mountains was visible.
Shuri pointed with her front paw to one side of the cliff, which was the location of the cave, though the party could not see it yet.
Jin sent Shuri back to the ruby.
It was because Jin felt energy of chaos. It had been like that for the past three days, but it was especially dense near the cave.
“Hmm, I expected this. Although it's difficult to monitor the entire snowfield, they are definitely guarding the area around the cave where Hister disappeared."
“If you intend to enter the cave, it seems that we can't avoid a battle from here on. 12th flagbearer.”
Zephyrin and Hedo said.
"Since it's an expected problem, we will go in."
“Do you understand that there are a lot of variables from here on out? Honestly, I don't really know. I wonder if the risk of saving the Hister survivor is worth it.”
"That's not something you need to decide, Zephyrin."
“There is no such thing as a tyrant. Of course, there's no need to worry about the danger if Hister is in that cave, but do you really think there's a chance of that happening?"
"Hey! Our comrade is missing over there. Whether there's a possibility or not, isn't it reasonable to check it out? Do demons have no sense of camaraderie?"
“I hear barking from somewhere. Sir Jin, my point is to look somewhere else other than the snowfield. Sir Ronil has missed, and as far as I can see Runcandel too. If they had caught her, they would have tried to negotiate or threaten by now."
As Zephyrin said, there was no chance that Valeria was still in that cave.
However, Temar's tomb was always composed of 'subspace'. In Baolai of the Great Plains of Anz, on the coast of Schutzeron Kingdom, in subspace of felinoids, and in Wantaramo Forest.
Ronil said that Valeria disappeared without a trace in that cave.
‘If there is a subspace that leads to Temar's tomb in that cave......’
It would mean that Valeria had reached the fifth tomb of Temar and had taken refuge there.
Or it could be that she was forcibly moved due to some condition being met.
“There may be subspace, Zephyrin. That's how all the Temar’s tombs I've encountered have been."
“You mean Hister survivor could have gone in there? Now I understand why you haven't given up hope."
“I can’t believe we can go on a subspace date after a snowfield date! Romance, more romance!"
“And there's something that I didn't understand from the beginning. Why did you bring this living golem? It’s not that she is powerful, and she always say stupid things like this.”
Zephyrin was asking Hedo, not Jin. Hedo didn't answer and wiped the frost off his glasses.
“…… 12th flagbearer, then it has been decided that we are entering. How do we proceed?"
“I think Zephyrin should take care of all the knights first."
Although there is strong energy of chaos, Jin thought that Zephyrin could overwhelm all the knights near the cave. Even though she had always been defeated or beaten by Jin in some way, she was undoubtedly one of the strongest in the world.
“Then the next step is obvious. Keep their attention until the reinforcements arrive, right?"
"It's too simplistic."
“Well, there's no other way. We can't assassinate all those people without leaving any traces."
“So, what is my job?"
“Please cover me while I search for traces of subspace inside the cave.”
“Well, that's fine with me. I needed someone to vent my frustrations on some kind of living golem anyway."
“Zephyrin.”
"Yes?"
“I have a request."
Jin met Zephyrin's eyes and said.
Zephyrin almost showed a look of bewilderment in her eyes. It was the first time she had ever seen this devil speak to her in such a respectful manner.
"...A request?"
“If possible, I want you to kill the knights without causing them too much pain."
-Does that mean that most of the remaining knights in the Garden of Swords did not revolt because they were engulfed in chaos rather than by their own will?
-There might still be some who do it willingly, but as you said, most of them would be like that. What crazy knight would want to fight under that monster? No matter how strong it is. The knights who make up Runcandel are especially proud.
Jin was recalling the conversation he had with Jorden while receiving clan’s sword techniques.
Most of the knights in the Kaldran Snowfield were forced to become monsters of chaos. It was impossible to purify them all. Judging by the size of the chaos, they were almost completely engulfed in chaos.
Just as Zephyrin was about to respond, Jin lowered her head.
Zephyrn shrugged her shoulders as if she had no choice.
“…… I'll do that. I’m not doing this for you, but I guess it's more dignified that way.”
“Thank you. I'll make sure to repay the debt."
“Shall we start right away?”
"Yes."
“I'll give you a signal if something unexpected happens. When I roar three times in a row, get out of the cave immediately and prepare to escape.”
“Go and die. No! You can't die. You must live until we all get out of here, demon dragon! Keep your promise with Jin. Got it?"
Zephyrin snorted at Sandra as she changed into her true form.
[Make sure you have a good time on your own gloomy date, living golem. From my long experience, it seems the Hister survivor, that Sir Jin is trying to save, is more than just an comrade...… oops.]
“What, what did you say!"
The knights in the snowfield who sensed Zephyrin began to emit chaos energy in earnest.
Sandra was swearing at Zephyrin's back as she flew up.
655
[T.L: punisher87]
[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]
“My lady, calm down.”
“Hedo, did you hear what that crazy demon dragon just said!?"
"I heard it."
"But how do I calm down? Jin is mine, I'll tear that demon to pieces... Wait, Jin is married!?"
"Jin Runcandel wouldn't like the way you're acting right now. And he's not married."
"Really? That thing was just spouting nonsense? The day will come when that demon dragon really dies at my hands.”
Sandra wanted to continue her tantrum, but she closed her mouth after seeing Jin's sad expression. He looked very gloomy.
The grayish sky of the snowfield was turning black with Zephyrin's demonic energy in an instant. She was literally 'wiping out' knights who had begun to flock to her. She didn't reveal her arrogance or poise that she usually hid behind laughter and etiquette. She was keeping her promise with Jin.
"We'd better go now too, Tower Keeper. I don't think there will be much time.”
Of course, not all of knights started to fight Zephyrin. About 20% of them still remained near the cave, guarding the surroundings.
“Hedo.”
“Yes, lady.”
“Can't you take on those knights alone?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Yes or no?"
"It's possible."
"Then, Heedo, open the way alone for Jin's sake."
Hedo was briefly shocked that Sandra could have such deep thoughts.
“Of course I could do that, but I think the 12th flagbearer will object it.”
"Why?"
“He is not the type of person who hand over his burdens. Anyway, you made a very commendable suggestion."
Jin was already moving forward. Bradamante was enveloped in a jet-black shadow force.
There were about a hundred knights left near the cave.
The moment they realized Jin was approaching, thirteen of them fell after being struck by the First Technique of the Shadow Sword, soul slash, one after another.
'As expected…… everyone is completely engulfed in chaos.'
The knights, tainted by chaos, had become grotesque monsters that could no longer be called "Runcandel's knights."
Their twisted arms swung their swords grotesquely, and their legs, transformed into thorns, spilled chaos with each step they took.
Their pupils were dark as coals, and only bleak breaths and screams flowed from their mouth.
Jin swung his sword to put them all to rest in an instant. It was the only thing he could do for those who had given their lives to the clan as knights.
'Rosa...… I will definitely make you pay for what you’ve done.’
Hedo didn't even need to draw his sword.
To be precise, he had judged that it would be better for him not to help after watching Jin's swordsmanship.
‘There's not a single unnecessary movement...it's like the Sword of Sir Chiron.'
In terms of precision, it was not inferior to Chiron's swordsmanship.
Hedo was looking at Jin's sword like he was admiring a great work of art, forgetting for a moment his position and his own beliefs.
“What's with that dumb expression? Don't tell me Hedo has fallen for Jin too?"
“I was just a little shocked, my lady. Those who haven't seen Sir Chiron’s sword in person will think that the 12th flagbearer has become genesis knight.”
“It was only a few years ago that he almost got killed by Hedo in Sota Desert. Back then, Hedo overwhelmed Jin and his companions, but what about now?"
“What are you talking about?”
“Can you win?”
“I don’t think so. I expected it because he was fighting alone in the Garden of Swords, but it's a different feeling seeing it up close."
Sandra laughed as if it was something she was proud of.
“See! If it's Jin, there's definitely a chance. I didn't think so at first either, so it's not Hedo's fault. So why don't you do as I said last time...… Oh, you scared me!"
Hedo slashed a beam of demonic energy that had fallen near Sandra. Zephyrin was quietly spreading shock waves towards Sandra while facing the knights who were tainted with chaos.
"Ha, that's pretty low. Despite being over a few thousand years old, she acts like a kid."
As they talked and moved, Jin had already dealt with more than half of the remaining knights near the cave.
In front of the cave were those who were believed to be past Black Knights or top executives of the Black Sword Association, or top enforcement knights.
As Jin slashed the knights and approached them, their energy of chaos grew bigger.
'I wonder if they were hiding their power.'
A total of fifteen. Their mutant state took on a different form from the previous chaos knights. It was a stable shape, like a well-crafted doll, rather than a distorted and bizarre form.
'It seems that they still haven’t lost their minds.'
The eyes were also similar to those of ordinary humans, not black holes, but horns and blades of chaos were strengthening all over the body like Rosa.
“I’m Jin Runcandel, 12th flagbearer. State your name.”
[You're disqualified from being a flagbearer, traitor Jin.]
The man in the middle of the group stepped forward.
Although he has somewhat deformed face, but Jin never saw him before. Due to this fact, Jin assumed that his opponent is a black knight.
“Looks like you wore a black helmet in the past. Now that Rosa has accepted chaos, it seems to have been significantly reorganized, but until then, it was a truly glorious helmet. Why are you standing there looking like that?"
[Whether you wore the Black Helmet or not, the duty of the clan’s swords is only to fight for the clan. The knights you are killing have only changed for the Runcandel.]
“I heard from uncle Jorden that there are not many people who have become monsters voluntarily.”
[If such a clan were allowed to exist, would Runcandel have existed until now? Runcandel was originally composed of domination, command, and power.]
“That means you are a group who sincerely sympathized with Rosa's rebellion, unlike the others.”
[You only want to fulfill your personal desire to become the patriarch, traitor. That's why you have already formed an alliance with the rest of the forces. Thanks to Madame Rosa, Runcandel has finally become the best in the world. But do you know what? If you hadn't betrayed, Madame Rosa would have made you the patriarch.]
Hooook......
The shadow force that stained Bradamante disappeared.
[What do you think would have happened to Runcandel and even to the Huphester alliance without Madame Rosa? You must have been trampled on by Zipfel and Kinzelo, who begged for an alliance...….]
“I won't show you any mercy. And don't try to fool around with me."
Instead of shadow force, a blazing aura wrapped around Bradamante.
At the same time, a beam of light flashed and the right arm of the Black Knight who was talking with Jin fell off.
Although one acceleration was less than the light speed thrust with thunderbolt added, but that was enough. As befitting its original name, the "secret technique" sword.
“Don't you think I knew you were stalling for time, making excuses until reinforcements arrive?"
The Black Knight's fallen arm was quickly regenerating. Then, he prepared to retaliate, but Jin had pushed aside other knights and made his way to the back.
“You think you avoided it? I opened the way to cut off your arms in the first place.”
The regenerating right arm was cut off again, and the left arm that was retaliating also fell to the ground. Then Jin grabbed his horn and slammed his head into the ground.
[Argh!]
I told you, I won't show mercy to you guys..."
As the black knight was being trampled on and writhing in pain, the remaining knights drew their swords towards Jin.
Jin calmly received all of their attacks while standing still.
Shockwaves spread out, and the charging knights bounced back as if hitting a wall. They all vomited black chaos like blood and shivered in pain.
"Be grateful that I'm busy. I would love to give each of you a thorough beating, but I don't have that luxury."
Jin said so, but the knights who attacked him were feeling pain that went beyond their bones, unlike the other knights who were being killed by Zephyrin.
By that time, Hedo had also joined in and started taking care of the rest of the knights. Hedo didn't purposely intensify their pain, but as he naturally wielded a more destructive type of sword than Jin, it ended up that way.
5 minutes.
It took barely that much time for them to handle the fifteen knights, including the black knight, who were once the top-level knights in the past.
There is a reason why the two are said to be the strongest in the world, but Jin was already well aware of the decline in the ‘class’ of knights stained with chaos. Except for special cases like Stam.
Rather, if the knights hadn't accepted the chaos, it would have taken more time. Rosa and the Prophet chose to increase their overall strength, even if it meant decreasing individual strength.
'Or maybe they can only do that as long as they accept chaos.'
Jin plunged his sword into the back of the black knight, who was under his feet.
[There is no one you're looking for inside... You won't find them.]
“Is that your last pathetic words? We already know that Hyster is not in the Garden of Swords.”
At those words, the black knight smiled.
[Yes, as you said. Because the red-haired woman is already dead...… haha.]
"What?"
When Jin reacted, the Black Knight smirked as if amused.
After a few seconds, Jin stopped moving and stared at him.
He was fumbling with something in his arms. Jin almost let out a roar when he saw what it was.
What the Black Knight had pulled out was a handful of red hair.
But instead of reacting, Jin decided to regain his composure and lit a blue flame in his palm.
“I told you not to play tricks. If it was a head instead of hair, I might have believed you a little more."
As the flame fell like a water droplet onto the Black Knight's back, a blue flame erupted all over his body in an instant. A piercing scream followed.
[Ahhhh……! If you continue to search for Hister’s body, you will... die on this land too...]
The Black Knight could not finish his words and turned completely into ashes.
Jin turned his gaze inside the cave, hoping that Valeria was still alive.
654
[T.L: punisher87]
[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]
Eastern five region, Kaldran Snowfield.
During this time, it was common for experienced adventurers or trained martial artists to get lost and freeze to death in the Kaldran snowfield.
Of course, it’s not apply on the Jin’s party who came to snowfield, but finding the way with only the map that Ronil gave them was a daunting task.
If it weren't for Shuri, it would have been even harder. Shuri was doing a great job as the party's guide once again.
“Kyahaha! Come on, Shuri. Give this sister a kiss. How is Shuri so smart? Is it because she takes after her owner?"
[Myaa.]
When Shuri gently pushed Sandra away, Zephyrin snickered.
"Sister? You're saying something funny, Miss living golem. The Ruby cat of Jin Runcandel is a creature that is at least a thousand years old."
“Oh my, why are you picking a fight over something like this?”
“What do you mean, picking a fight? I just found you were funny.”
“Hedo, tear off her mouth crosswise.”
“Since earlier, you've been saying ridiculous things because you trust the physical beauty butler. You should know that there are more monsters in this world than you think.”
“Hmph, if you're so sure, why don't you hit me first? I guarantee that as soon as you lay a hand on me, Hedo will definitely draw his sword. Then we'll fight until there's a winner, and I have a feeling who will win."
"Ugh, really. How did I end up being treated like this? If it wasn't for my master’s orders...."
“In Sota Desert, you didn’t attack because of the things Jin stole, and this time it was because of the master’s order. Being a Grand Duke of the Demon Realm is a decent position. There's a lot of excuses even if you always lose.”
“Ha, okay. Then you hit me first, living golem. I will definitely kill you.”
Unlike Zephyrin, Sandra tried to swing her fist at once, but Hedo pulled her back before she could reach Zephyrin.
Hedo sighed deeply as he watched the wriggling Sandra in his grasp. Since the journey began, Sandra and Zephyrin had been constantly engaging in a verbal war.
Looking back, the atmosphere was not very good when they first met in Sota Desert.
“Don't you think there's already enough tension as we are in enemy territory?" Jin said.
“But Jin, she’s keeps getting on my nerves. Did you see just now? She started the fight first."
“Is it a secret from Sir Jin that you deliberately stepped on my heels the whole time when walking?”
“If both of you do it one more time, I’ll leave you somewhere and go alone. Everyone will not be able to retreat from Kaldran snowfield without me, right?”
Sandra and Zephyrin shut their mouths at the same time.
'Great composure!'
‘Damn it, if I told my master that I was kicked out because of fighting with living golem, I’d be treated worse than this…….’
Sandra took Jin's words at face value, and Zephyrin knew it wasn't an empty promise.
As the two became quiet in an instant, Hedo felt resentful of Jin for finally intervening.
The party quietly moved forward. It was a very slow pace. Since Ronil's last visit to the snowfield, knights stained with chaos had been encamped here.
The moment they are discovered, Garden of Swords will send main force. In the worst case scenario, Rosa may come in person.
It would take a considerable amount of time for her to directly came from the Garden of Swords to the Kaldran Snowfield, but if she used something like the cave of the Prophet they had used in Sota Desert or the Chaos Dragon, it was hard to predict.
'If Lord Owal were here, we could have moved much faster than this, it's frustrating.'
Owal was currently unable to assist Jin as he was tracking down Yona's whereabouts.
For the past three years since the subjugation of Glyek, Yona’s rampage cycle has been getting shorter and shorter.
Jin’s heart ached when he thought about Yona.
‘I have to use the purifier on my sister too…… we must find her before the encroachment is complete.'
According to the news Owal had sent to Tikan a few days ago, Yona had not yet reached full encroachment. The Vamel Alliance couldn't find Yona better than Nameless.
Jin felt a little bittersweet realizing that even with such great power, he was still lacking in protecting his family and his clan.
So he felt like he could understand his father, Chiron, a little better.
They spent three days wiping out their tracks. Luckily, the group was able to pass through the snow-covered rocky mountains without being detected by the scouting knights.
But they could not obtain any additional information about Valeria during their journey. All they saw was the pale and dark sky, with snow and rocks, without any difference between day and night.
“…… looks like we are almost there.”
In the distance, a dead-end cliff separating the heart of the snowy mountains was visible.
Shuri pointed with her front paw to one side of the cliff, which was the location of the cave, though the party could not see it yet.
Jin sent Shuri back to the ruby.
It was because Jin felt energy of chaos. It had been like that for the past three days, but it was especially dense near the cave.
“Hmm, I expected this. Although it's difficult to monitor the entire snowfield, they are definitely guarding the area around the cave where Hister disappeared."
“If you intend to enter the cave, it seems that we can't avoid a battle from here on. 12th flagbearer.”
Zephyrin and Hedo said.
"Since it's an expected problem, we will go in."
“Do you understand that there are a lot of variables from here on out? Honestly, I don't really know. I wonder if the risk of saving the Hister survivor is worth it.”
"That's not something you need to decide, Zephyrin."
“There is no such thing as a tyrant. Of course, there's no need to worry about the danger if Hister is in that cave, but do you really think there's a chance of that happening?"
"Hey! Our comrade is missing over there. Whether there's a possibility or not, isn't it reasonable to check it out? Do demons have no sense of camaraderie?"
“I hear barking from somewhere. Sir Jin, my point is to look somewhere else other than the snowfield. Sir Ronil has missed, and as far as I can see Runcandel too. If they had caught her, they would have tried to negotiate or threaten by now."
As Zephyrin said, there was no chance that Valeria was still in that cave.
However, Temar's tomb was always composed of 'subspace'. In Baolai of the Great Plains of Anz, on the coast of Schutzeron Kingdom, in subspace of felinoids, and in Wantaramo Forest.
Ronil said that Valeria disappeared without a trace in that cave.
‘If there is a subspace that leads to Temar's tomb in that cave......’
It would mean that Valeria had reached the fifth tomb of Temar and had taken refuge there.
Or it could be that she was forcibly moved due to some condition being met.
“There may be subspace, Zephyrin. That's how all the Temar’s tombs I've encountered have been."
“You mean Hister survivor could have gone in there? Now I understand why you haven't given up hope."
“I can’t believe we can go on a subspace date after a snowfield date! Romance, more romance!"
“And there's something that I didn't understand from the beginning. Why did you bring this living golem? It’s not that she is powerful, and she always say stupid things like this.”
Zephyrin was asking Hedo, not Jin. Hedo didn't answer and wiped the frost off his glasses.
“…… 12th flagbearer, then it has been decided that we are entering. How do we proceed?"
“I think Zephyrin should take care of all the knights first."
Although there is strong energy of chaos, Jin thought that Zephyrin could overwhelm all the knights near the cave. Even though she had always been defeated or beaten by Jin in some way, she was undoubtedly one of the strongest in the world.
“Then the next step is obvious. Keep their attention until the reinforcements arrive, right?"
"It's too simplistic."
“Well, there's no other way. We can't assassinate all those people without leaving any traces."
“So, what is my job?"
“Please cover me while I search for traces of subspace inside the cave.”
“Well, that's fine with me. I needed someone to vent my frustrations on some kind of living golem anyway."
“Zephyrin.”
"Yes?"
“I have a request."
Jin met Zephyrin's eyes and said.
Zephyrin almost showed a look of bewilderment in her eyes. It was the first time she had ever seen this devil speak to her in such a respectful manner.
"...A request?"
“If possible, I want you to kill the knights without causing them too much pain."
-Does that mean that most of the remaining knights in the Garden of Swords did not revolt because they were engulfed in chaos rather than by their own will?
-There might still be some who do it willingly, but as you said, most of them would be like that. What crazy knight would want to fight under that monster? No matter how strong it is. The knights who make up Runcandel are especially proud.
Jin was recalling the conversation he had with Jorden while receiving clan’s sword techniques.
Most of the knights in the Kaldran Snowfield were forced to become monsters of chaos. It was impossible to purify them all. Judging by the size of the chaos, they were almost completely engulfed in chaos.
Just as Zephyrin was about to respond, Jin lowered her head.
Zephyrn shrugged her shoulders as if she had no choice.
“…… I'll do that. I’m not doing this for you, but I guess it's more dignified that way.”
“Thank you. I'll make sure to repay the debt."
“Shall we start right away?”
"Yes."
“I'll give you a signal if something unexpected happens. When I roar three times in a row, get out of the cave immediately and prepare to escape.”
“Go and die. No! You can't die. You must live until we all get out of here, demon dragon! Keep your promise with Jin. Got it?"
Zephyrin snorted at Sandra as she changed into her true form.
[Make sure you have a good time on your own gloomy date, living golem. From my long experience, it seems the Hister survivor, that Sir Jin is trying to save, is more than just an comrade...… oops.]
“What, what did you say!"
The knights in the snowfield who sensed Zephyrin began to emit chaos energy in earnest.
Sandra was swearing at Zephyrin's back as she flew up.
655
[T.L: punisher87]
[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]
“My lady, calm down.”
“Hedo, did you hear what that crazy demon dragon just said!?"
"I heard it."
"But how do I calm down? Jin is mine, I'll tear that demon to pieces... Wait, Jin is married!?"
"Jin Runcandel wouldn't like the way you're acting right now. And he's not married."
"Really? That thing was just spouting nonsense? The day will come when that demon dragon really dies at my hands.”
Sandra wanted to continue her tantrum, but she closed her mouth after seeing Jin's sad expression. He looked very gloomy.
The grayish sky of the snowfield was turning black with Zephyrin's demonic energy in an instant. She was literally 'wiping out' knights who had begun to flock to her. She didn't reveal her arrogance or poise that she usually hid behind laughter and etiquette. She was keeping her promise with Jin.
"We'd better go now too, Tower Keeper. I don't think there will be much time.”
Of course, not all of knights started to fight Zephyrin. About 20% of them still remained near the cave, guarding the surroundings.
“Hedo.”
“Yes, lady.”
“Can't you take on those knights alone?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Yes or no?"
"It's possible."
"Then, Heedo, open the way alone for Jin's sake."
Hedo was briefly shocked that Sandra could have such deep thoughts.
“Of course I could do that, but I think the 12th flagbearer will object it.”
"Why?"
“He is not the type of person who hand over his burdens. Anyway, you made a very commendable suggestion."
Jin was already moving forward. Bradamante was enveloped in a jet-black shadow force.
There were about a hundred knights left near the cave.
The moment they realized Jin was approaching, thirteen of them fell after being struck by the First Technique of the Shadow Sword, soul slash, one after another.
'As expected…… everyone is completely engulfed in chaos.'
The knights, tainted by chaos, had become grotesque monsters that could no longer be called "Runcandel's knights."
Their twisted arms swung their swords grotesquely, and their legs, transformed into thorns, spilled chaos with each step they took.
Their pupils were dark as coals, and only bleak breaths and screams flowed from their mouth.
Jin swung his sword to put them all to rest in an instant. It was the only thing he could do for those who had given their lives to the clan as knights.
'Rosa...… I will definitely make you pay for what you’ve done.’
Hedo didn't even need to draw his sword.
To be precise, he had judged that it would be better for him not to help after watching Jin's swordsmanship.
‘There's not a single unnecessary movement...it's like the Sword of Sir Chiron.'
In terms of precision, it was not inferior to Chiron's swordsmanship.
Hedo was looking at Jin's sword like he was admiring a great work of art, forgetting for a moment his position and his own beliefs.
“What's with that dumb expression? Don't tell me Hedo has fallen for Jin too?"
“I was just a little shocked, my lady. Those who haven't seen Sir Chiron’s sword in person will think that the 12th flagbearer has become genesis knight.”
“It was only a few years ago that he almost got killed by Hedo in Sota Desert. Back then, Hedo overwhelmed Jin and his companions, but what about now?"
“What are you talking about?”
“Can you win?”
“I don’t think so. I expected it because he was fighting alone in the Garden of Swords, but it's a different feeling seeing it up close."
Sandra laughed as if it was something she was proud of.
“See! If it's Jin, there's definitely a chance. I didn't think so at first either, so it's not Hedo's fault. So why don't you do as I said last time...… Oh, you scared me!"
Hedo slashed a beam of demonic energy that had fallen near Sandra. Zephyrin was quietly spreading shock waves towards Sandra while facing the knights who were tainted with chaos.
"Ha, that's pretty low. Despite being over a few thousand years old, she acts like a kid."
As they talked and moved, Jin had already dealt with more than half of the remaining knights near the cave.
In front of the cave were those who were believed to be past Black Knights or top executives of the Black Sword Association, or top enforcement knights.
As Jin slashed the knights and approached them, their energy of chaos grew bigger.
'I wonder if they were hiding their power.'
A total of fifteen. Their mutant state took on a different form from the previous chaos knights. It was a stable shape, like a well-crafted doll, rather than a distorted and bizarre form.
'It seems that they still haven’t lost their minds.'
The eyes were also similar to those of ordinary humans, not black holes, but horns and blades of chaos were strengthening all over the body like Rosa.
“I’m Jin Runcandel, 12th flagbearer. State your name.”
[You're disqualified from being a flagbearer, traitor Jin.]
The man in the middle of the group stepped forward.
Although he has somewhat deformed face, but Jin never saw him before. Due to this fact, Jin assumed that his opponent is a black knight.
“Looks like you wore a black helmet in the past. Now that Rosa has accepted chaos, it seems to have been significantly reorganized, but until then, it was a truly glorious helmet. Why are you standing there looking like that?"
[Whether you wore the Black Helmet or not, the duty of the clan’s swords is only to fight for the clan. The knights you are killing have only changed for the Runcandel.]
“I heard from uncle Jorden that there are not many people who have become monsters voluntarily.”
[If such a clan were allowed to exist, would Runcandel have existed until now? Runcandel was originally composed of domination, command, and power.]
“That means you are a group who sincerely sympathized with Rosa's rebellion, unlike the others.”
[You only want to fulfill your personal desire to become the patriarch, traitor. That's why you have already formed an alliance with the rest of the forces. Thanks to Madame Rosa, Runcandel has finally become the best in the world. But do you know what? If you hadn't betrayed, Madame Rosa would have made you the patriarch.]
Hooook......
The shadow force that stained Bradamante disappeared.
[What do you think would have happened to Runcandel and even to the Huphester alliance without Madame Rosa? You must have been trampled on by Zipfel and Kinzelo, who begged for an alliance...….]
“I won't show you any mercy. And don't try to fool around with me."
Instead of shadow force, a blazing aura wrapped around Bradamante.
At the same time, a beam of light flashed and the right arm of the Black Knight who was talking with Jin fell off.
Although one acceleration was less than the light speed thrust with thunderbolt added, but that was enough. As befitting its original name, the "secret technique" sword.
“Don't you think I knew you were stalling for time, making excuses until reinforcements arrive?"
The Black Knight's fallen arm was quickly regenerating. Then, he prepared to retaliate, but Jin had pushed aside other knights and made his way to the back.
“You think you avoided it? I opened the way to cut off your arms in the first place.”
The regenerating right arm was cut off again, and the left arm that was retaliating also fell to the ground. Then Jin grabbed his horn and slammed his head into the ground.
[Argh!]
I told you, I won't show mercy to you guys..."
As the black knight was being trampled on and writhing in pain, the remaining knights drew their swords towards Jin.
Jin calmly received all of their attacks while standing still.
Shockwaves spread out, and the charging knights bounced back as if hitting a wall. They all vomited black chaos like blood and shivered in pain.
"Be grateful that I'm busy. I would love to give each of you a thorough beating, but I don't have that luxury."
Jin said so, but the knights who attacked him were feeling pain that went beyond their bones, unlike the other knights who were being killed by Zephyrin.
By that time, Hedo had also joined in and started taking care of the rest of the knights. Hedo didn't purposely intensify their pain, but as he naturally wielded a more destructive type of sword than Jin, it ended up that way.
5 minutes.
It took barely that much time for them to handle the fifteen knights, including the black knight, who were once the top-level knights in the past.
There is a reason why the two are said to be the strongest in the world, but Jin was already well aware of the decline in the ‘class’ of knights stained with chaos. Except for special cases like Stam.
Rather, if the knights hadn't accepted the chaos, it would have taken more time. Rosa and the Prophet chose to increase their overall strength, even if it meant decreasing individual strength.
'Or maybe they can only do that as long as they accept chaos.'
Jin plunged his sword into the back of the black knight, who was under his feet.
[There is no one you're looking for inside... You won't find them.]
“Is that your last pathetic words? We already know that Hyster is not in the Garden of Swords.”
At those words, the black knight smiled.
[Yes, as you said. Because the red-haired woman is already dead...… haha.]
"What?"
When Jin reacted, the Black Knight smirked as if amused.
After a few seconds, Jin stopped moving and stared at him.
He was fumbling with something in his arms. Jin almost let out a roar when he saw what it was.
What the Black Knight had pulled out was a handful of red hair.
But instead of reacting, Jin decided to regain his composure and lit a blue flame in his palm.
“I told you not to play tricks. If it was a head instead of hair, I might have believed you a little more."
As the flame fell like a water droplet onto the Black Knight's back, a blue flame erupted all over his body in an instant. A piercing scream followed.
[Ahhhh……! If you continue to search for Hister’s body, you will... die on this land too...]
The Black Knight could not finish his words and turned completely into ashes.
Jin turned his gaze inside the cave, hoping that Valeria was still alive.
