C538
Regarding the Runcandel camp, which was observing all of this from outside the Sword Emperor Castle.
It was truly a series of shocks.
If it were only about annihilating the enemies, it would have been possible with just the flagbearers and some of the Black Knights, or even the first division of the Black Sword Association, without Rosa stepping forward.
However, ensuring that none of the allies died in the process was a completely different issue.
Silence hung over the headquarters.
Everyone seemed to have forgotten what to say because they were contemplating Jin's divine prowess in battle.
The elders cleared their throats and glanced at Rosa's expression.
"The Twelfth Flagbearer shows shocking things every day. Are you saying it's a piece of cake?"
"It was nothing compared to what he showed when announcing the reintegration of the magic swordsman. Now you can't underestimate the Twelfth Flagbearer's magical sword with the value of legitimacy..."
Ran and Vigo, Myu, and Anne were also in the headquarters.
The siblings moved and nodded from time to time, unable to recover from the shock, while the sisters had expressionless faces.
Rosa looked at Myu and Anne.
'Since I stripped Joshua of his position, these two girls have definitely changed.'
Rosa had never cared about Myu and Anne.
As she always did with other kids who didn't stand out.
Among them, Myu and Anne were especially unremarkable girls.
To the extent that even scolding them or reprimanding them to stimulate them was a waste of time.
However, after that day, although the feeling changed, it changed too much.
If they were her original self, even if they didn't know the subject, they would go crazy and say nonsense, but their calm appearance was strange.
That's why Rosa has been watching them these days.
'They weren't Warriors who could gain weight through some enlightenment.'
What made her daughters change?
They maintained their composure even after seeing the overwhelming appearance of the younger one...
However, they don't seem to have given up everything while waiting for the day to die.
Rosa quickly reached a conclusion.
It seems they met the Prophet.
That's why they can have the belief that a greater power is with them than the one the younger one showed.
Rosa closed her eyes and opened her mouth.
"There must be restrictions."
People who were talking non-stop fell silent.
"If the younger one can keep using powers without any restrictions, the battle for the hegemony of the Family will be over."
"That... That's correct."
"You're right. Since the Twelfth Flagbearer is the Contractor of the Shadow, he must have borrowed Solderet's power through some condition."
"Wasn't there a report that he used an artifact? It could be a God's thing."
"Moreover, being the youngest, he wouldn't have known he could wield such power. If he had known, he would have revealed his power as soon as the war began. Unlike before the restoration of the magic swordsman declaration, he's now in a position where the youngest doesn't have to hide his power."
Those gathered in the headquarters nodded.
It was a power that could be understood if there's a contractor and God's help.
Runcandel is a Family far from the Contractors of God, and everyone was so surprised that they couldn't think about it.
"The first battle ended with a perfect victory for the Sword Emperor Castle. But I don't think Zipple will surrender with that White Stone."
The headquarters door opened, and two Black Knights entered.
"Madame, Zipple's troop movement has been confirmed."
"What's the size?"
"Over fifty flying battleships, including Kozec. We don't know the exact number, but it is estimated that at least three hundred elite magicians, including the Specters, are on board. Octavia Zipple assumed overall command, but we can't rule out the possibility of Kelliark Zipple."
"Kelliark Zipple...?"
"Huh."
It wasn't certain yet; it was just a report that it might be.
However, the size of the Second Reinforcement wouldn't be strange at all, even if Kelliark were to appear.
Kelliark Zipple.
The leader of the world's number one clan and the pinnacle of magic.
His direct move in Zipple is the same as Cyron leaving Runcandel.
Rosa's eyes narrowed.
"What is the basis for Kelliark's possible involvement in the war?"
"The Fire Dragon, Kadun, was seen leaving the First Magic Tower. We also confirmed that the composition of magicians in the First Magic Tower changed rapidly to the Second Division."
"Then it's almost certain that Kelliark will intervene."
"That's what I think."
"How long do you think it will take us to reach the Sword Emperor Castle?"
"Two days. The teleportation ability shown in Gaifa in the past and in the first battle of this war is unusable."
"It's technology we're unfamiliar with. It also seems to have some limitations."
There was another heavy silence.
Runcandel and Zipple had fought large and small wars from time to time.
The thousand-year battle was no longer a war but rather a daily routine.
It was when Cyron and Kelliark were young that the dispute reached its peak.
When they had not yet ascended the throne, the two clans fought more fiercely than ever.
And after they became patriarchs of their clans, they entered a period of stability.
This was because, from then on, the moment the patriarchs faced each other directly, one side would surely come to an end, and the other would also be on the brink of destruction.
That's why Cyron and Kelliark rarely brought their followers to the battlefield.
No matter how they turned out, as soon as they appeared, the war ended instantly on any battlefield.
The two are literally the absolutes of the world.
Such Kelliark came out directly.
He headed to the Sword Emperor Castle, not Hufester, but standing in front of him meant total war.
Everyone was worried about total war as soon as his name came up, but Rosa had a different idea about them.
"Kelliark is someone who prioritizes negotiations, unlike the patriarch. Although it is said that the patriarch is in the Black Sea, he is still alive, so they wouldn't think of total war with us. Did everyone forget? He is afraid of the patriarch."
Rosa judged that Kelliark came in person to negotiate with her.
"However, we can't avoid total war. Black Knights, go immediately to the Black Sea and report the situation to the patriarch."
Cyron would have already entered deeper into the Black Sea; even the Black Knight couldn't make a quick report.
Maybe they couldn't meet at all.
However, Rosa deliberately gave the order as if the report reached her so that the clan members wouldn't worry about such a thing, and the Black Knights immediately understood her meaning.
"Honorable name!"
"Also, summon all the Black Knights, the Execution Knights, the first division of the Black Sword Association, the Guardian Knights, and all the Flagbearers, except the scribes, and have the allies ready. When I give the order, they can move immediately to coincide with the war scenario."
"As you command!"
Some of the Elders and secretaries of the Black Sword Association hurriedly left the headquarters to carry out Rosa's orders.
"Total war is something that cannot be ruled out, but what's important is not that, but the White Stone. It has already been shown that the fleet was summoned in the first battle, and large-scale reinforcements are coming again now. The White Stone is something indispensable for them. But we still don't know what it is."
"Should we send someone to the Sword Emperor Castle?"
At the words of the scribe, Rosa shook her head.
"No. If the younger one knew exactly what the White Stone is and is sure that the Family needs it, he would have asked for help from the Family first. The younger one is probably still judging. Above all, the Hidden Palace Master is with him. It could provoke her for no reason. For now, we have two days, so we will watch a little more."
"Hmm, I don't know why the Twelfth Flagbearer doesn't leave the Sword Emperor Castle. If the purpose of participating in the war were to rescue Dante Hairan, he should leave now when the opportunity presented itself, but there is no sign of that."
Even Rosa found that part strange.
According to common sense, the younger one should have taken Dante and the knights of Hairan to retreat even now.
It's impossible that they don't know that larger reinforcements are coming.
At this moment, it is the way of the younger one to absorb Hairan and start a public opinion war to influence the empire and urge the clan to step forward...
But why doesn't he leave the Sword Emperor Castle?
Is it because he can't leave?
If only Dante were stubborn, the younger one would have forced him to leave the Sword Emperor Castle by hitting him until he was almost killed.
It was the same in the case of saving not only Dante but also the other knights of Hairan.
If the younger one is the person Rosa knew, he might have taken Dante as a hostage, or even threatened all of Hairan to leave the Sword Emperor Castle.
"It's also suspicious that Kinzelo is not moving. As reported so far, there has been no troop movement in the Land of the Beastmen."
"As in the case of the sword emperor's terrorist attack, they can use the portal to suddenly go to the battlefield. Don't lose sight of it."
Runcandel didn't know, but Kinzelo was currently in a state where they couldn't use the leader's power.
Therefore, for them to participate in the War of the Sword Emperor Castle, troop movement should have already begun.
"The last magic used by the Twelfth Flagbearer is Riol Zipple's legacy. The reason Kelliark is moving may not only be for the White Stone. Recovering Riol Zipple's magic seems to have been included in the purpose. Also, the artifacts used by the Twelfth Flagbearer could also be from Zipple."
Rosa nodded as Tellot Runcandel spoke.
Rosa accurately read the hidden meaning in his words.
"That makes sense. Tellot-nim is worried about the younger one."
"...Joshua is done, and now he is the best flagbearer of the Family, except for the First Flagbearer. I have no choice but to worry."
"If Kelliark's purpose is to find not only the White Stone but also the magic and artifact, then he wants to negotiate with me. That part will not be included in the contents of the negotiations. It is unacceptable to ask for the return of what was taken."
It meant that even if there were negotiations instead of total war, she would never make Jin lose anything.
"Tellot-nim, you think I'm foolish for worrying like this."
It was a joke, but no one laughed.
Only Tellot smiled and lowered his head.
There were really only a few people in the Family who could take Rosa's jokes like this.
"Well, the meeting ends here. Let's go to our respective positions. And Myu and Anne, stay for a while."
-
(Up to '120' more ch4pt3rs)
Publication of up to 6 w33kly ch4pters, thanks.
-
Tags:
SYS (Novel)