566
"The moment he woke up, it was already his territory. The fact that you are now standing before me outside the Sword Emperor Castle is simply because he allowed it, not because your power is formidable."
Trap.
Zephyrin was convinced that Glyek had only led them into a trap.
'He could have annihilated or ignored them all and fully awakened in a little bit of time. Still, the reason why he dug a trap...… There are probably only two things.'
The first is the existence of Chiron Runcandel.
The second is likely to efficiently devour Jin.
'But Chiron Runcandel has already entered the territory of the 5 kings of the Black Sea, so he won't be able to participate. Then they cannot prevent Jin Runcandel from being absorbed by the Fifth King of Chaos.'
That did not mean that there was no damage to Kinzelo.
They were also still making Demon God's orb and its counterparts, and Jin's power was needed at the core like Zipfel needed it.
However unlike Zipfel, Kinzelo had the means to bring Jin back out before he was completely absorbed by Glyek, even if Jin was swallowed up by the chaos.
Stam and Octavia cannot read her thoughts.
They couldn't help it because they didn't have as much information as Zephyrin had about the King of the Black Sea.
"Are you saying we were tricked by him?" Octavia spoke in anger.
Zephyrin acted as spy in Zipfel and had things done in the Sota Desert, so in fact Octavia wouldn't mind tearing her apart right now.
"Exactly, Octavia Zipfel."
"You seem confident. Your leader hasn't recovered yet, and I and the Leader of Runcandel's Black Knights have received orders to attack immediately if the negotiations break down."
"If I was afraid of that, I would have met you somewhere other than the headquarters, right? It's true that my weakling master is still in bad shape, but I can handle you all on my own. The leaders should have come in person if they wanted to make threats, not you...… leading everything. Ah, that would have been impossible, I suppose."
"You can handle me and Octavia Zipfel... I don't feel that much power from you."
When Stam spoke, Zephyrin turned her gaze to him.
"So, it would be good if we put aside unnecessary provocations and stick to the main point. Anyway, if you decide to listen to our proposal, doesn't that mean that there's something that you're expecting from us? Otherwise, you could have closed all channels and just waited for the fight to end."
"There is someone who can talk a bit. Fine, the conditions for Kinzelo to participate in this war are very simple."
"What is it?"
"Jin Runcandel. That devil...… Ahem, if he swears allegiance to Kinzelo, we will join the battle."
Stam's eyes narrowed in the black helmet.
"Are you not familiar with the 12th flagbearer?"
"I do. Swearing loyalty is something he can do anytime, and, of course, there's the possibility that he'll betray us after the incident is over. But there is a way to prevent that from happening, so you just have to hand him over to us."
"The demon's contract, it seems that you are planning to force Jin Runcandel to be loyal to Kinzelo."
At Octavia's words, Zephyrin nodded her head.
"Right. This can only be done with his sincerity and permission. In other words, the damn..… No, if he wants to keep everyone alive. It means that he must be truly prepared to give his allegiance to Kinzelo. I wonder what the next patriarch of Runcandel will choose between his individual life and everyone's life."
Stam shook his head as if there was nothing to think about.
"The negotiations have failed."
"It's too bad. So, are you going to attack us now as planned?"
"We will go back."
"I won't stop you. I will welcome you if you come back with the whole army."
Octavia did not object to Stam's unilateral decision. It's frustrating, but the situation was definitely in Kinzelo's absolute favor.
"But please tell him this when you return. If you just sign a contract with us, you will be able to save your clan and the world."
Stam and Octavia turned and left the meeting room.
Zephyrin shrugged her shoulders as she looked at their back, and the executives in the room next to her rushed towards her.
"Oh, as expected of the Grand Duchess. Defeating those mighty bastards with just a few words! Did you see it, Bubare! This is the majesty of the only Grand Duchess of the demon world!"
"I saw it! I'm inspired, I'll have to work on it today!"
"Great job… Grand Duchess. Did our cookies...… give you strength?"
Zephyrin nodded her head awkwardly, and the three of them jumped in a circle again, showing their joy.
"Um, by the way, it's unexpected."
Joe said that, glancing around.
He also wanted to express his opinion on the current situation, but he was worried that Berakt might be upset again.
"Rather than prioritizing negotiating with us, I thought the Prophet of Runcandel or Zipfel would bring out some hidden cards. Isn't it?"
For some reason, Berakt nodded his head at Joe's opinion.
As such, the proposal for negotiations was an unexpected event for them as well. Kinzelo expected that even if Runcandel and Zipfel couldn't kill Glyek, they would at least be able to seal it. Even if it is at an unstable level.
That's why, even though Zephyrin knew that Glyek would wake up, she hoped that after the incident, Jin would 'reasonably negotiate' with Kinzelo about the items he got from Sota Desert.
"They may not have as much potential as we thought."
"Maybe. But it's only natural that they can't deal with the 5 kings of the Black Sea, vice-leader. Even when my master was fine, he avoided being hostile to them. More than that, Miss Margiella, it would be quite disappointing for you if Jin Runcandel refused to negotiate."
Margiella pushed her wheelchair to Zephyrin's side.
"That's right, Lady Zephyrin. But didn't you admit that even though you called him a devil to be torn apart, you would mind if Sir Jin ended up being consumed by chaos?"
Margiella was hoping that Kingelo would help Jin unconditionally. Only then will there be a chance that Jin Runcandel in his 'whole' state will become Kinzelo's person.
"Anyway... Even if he gets eaten by Glyek, it's enough to get him out through the power of my master. He might become a fool rather than the devil we knew, but still, the fundamental fact that he is Solderet's contractor won't change."
* * *
Mort returned to the battlefield in eleven hours after leaving for Kinzelo.
The absolute seal of the hidden palace, the Great Icefield, was in good health.
Even then, Ron had been swinging his sword over the barrier of white stone without resting even for a moment.
The white stone still revealed the gleamed flawlessly without a scratch in the barrier.
Still no one was stopping Ron. He no longer felt the sorrow of a man who had lost everything. He was full of unfathomable madness.
Unable to fight with such profound sorrow, he had thrust himself into madness.
His sword became more and more destructive, but that didn't mean it got stronger right away.
Rather, it was the opposite. The sword that had lost its composure and just randomly radiating its power.
However Ron's body, which had opened the Sword of Overlord, showed no signs of getting tired while still holding the same powerful energy as the first time.
"...That is all."
Stam and Octavia finished their reports.
Kelliark and Rosa refused Kinzelo's condition to hand over Jin, but one thing that Zephyrin said was triggering an ominous intuition in them.
'It was thanks to the King of the Black Sea's permission that the snow toad of the master of the hidden palace was able to go there….'
'If that's true, I'll have to think about countermeasures again.'
Both of them thought at the same time.
It was time to confirm.
"Runcandel will invade the land of the beastmen from now on."
"Zipfels, line up. I will open the way."
They had excluded Talaris and Ron from striking Kinzelo.
It was not only because the two were not in their control, but they also needed a few people to stop Glyek while they were attacking Kinselo anyway.
Moreover, faced with the resolute decision of Runcandel and Zipfel, Talaris had no choice but to make a decision.
'The moment Runcandel and Zipfel retreat from the battlefield, the world will come to an end.'
Elona Zipfel.
Talaris decided to unseal her. It would have been better for the world to be ruled by 'humans' called Zipfel, rather than being eroded by the king of the Black Sea.
"Kelliark Zipfel."
Talaris opened her mouth as Kelliark and Rosa released their powers against the frozen wall of chaos.
"It's an inevitable choice for us, Talaris Endorma."
"It's not that...…."
Talaris took a breath.
She couldn't bring herself to speak, but like Kelliark, she had no choice.
"In the hidden palace."
There is a sealed mage of ancient Zipfel.
Just as she was about to continue her words, Talaris suddenly opened her eyes wide.
It wasn't because she was hesitant at the end.
It was because she felt a change in the myriad ice and the Great Icefield was rapidly breaking apart.
It hadn't even passed the minimum number of days she had predicted, and the seal, which had been working firmly until just now, began to collapse out of nowhere.
"Keuk...!"
As soon as Talaris vomited dark red blood, the energy of myriad ice that enveloped the battlefield dissipated.
At that point, Kelliark and Rosa had no choice but to realize intuitively that Zephyrin's words were not lies.
Glyek, before being sealed and after being 'subjected' to the seal.
At some point, he had been watching and listening to all the actions and words of humans.
Therefore, he knew that they negotiated with a group called Kinzelo to find a way to kill him and that they were rejected....
He also had a clue to how Kinzelo would get Solderet's contractor out again when he absorbed Jin.
[Jin Runcandel.]
Glyek's eyes formed within the white stone locked onto Jin.
[With this, all opportunities given to you and Solderet are gone...….]
As soon as Glyek finished his words, Jin felt his vision go dark in an instant.
567
'What is this...!'
No matter where he looked, the surroundings were filled with oppressive darkness.
The sharp roar that occurred when the Great ice field was broken, the voices of those who shouted in response to the sudden change, and the sound of debris, sword, and magic clashing—none of it could be heard.
Jin couldn't hear anything. The sense of being separated from the world without any time to recognize or resist made him nervous, but all he felt was the unique empty energy of this black space.
Jin even felt the illusion that he had died, but he held onto his composure.
'It looks like I was dragged into Glyek's subspace.'
Jin raised his hand and looked at his sword. The only thing that did not lose its original color in the pitch darkness was Jin's body and his belongings.
Jin had entered a space almost similar to this before.
'It's almost identical to Solderet's subspace. Certainly, there is a strong connection between shadow force and the chaos energy that I do not know. It's uncomfortably similar.'
The darkness formed by Glyek resembled a subspace of shadows. It could be said that everything was the same except for one thing.
Does the space have favor or hostility toward him?
In the subspace of Solderet, there was a strangely unfamiliar and comfortable feeling, but this darkness was full of indescribably huge hostility.
Moreover, this hostility wasn't content with merely staring at Jin.
Jin began to feel that some invisible, eerie, cold energy was penetrating his whole body.
"Ugh!"
The frozen blade felt like it was cutting through his flesh and piercing bones.
Jin's fist was reflexively shrunk and a groan escaped from his clenched teeth.
Chaos.
What tormented Jin was the chaos imbued with Glyek's will.
This power surpassed the various types of physical and mental pain Jin had endured so far.
If it weren't for his robust mental fortitude, honed through countless challenges and trials, Jin wouldn't have lasted more than five minutes and would have collapsed.
"Huuk, Kahaak...."
Jin couldn't help but be terrified. It was because there were no allies who could help him in this dark space, and he did not think he could escape this place alone.
Emotions that he had never experienced even when dealing with the imperial army as well as the great army of Zipfel were trying to dominate Jin.
'Damn it, my hand…!'
Suddenly, Jin took a step back, feeling a chill down his spine.
It was because he saw his hand holding the sword, and the tip of his fingers was tainted black by the chaos.
He could immediately recognize things that he had never experienced. The fact that this terrible discoloration was the result of being eroded by chaos.
A shiver ran down his spine, and it felt like his blood was turning cold.
As he looked closely, he could see that the chaos energy that dyed his index finger was getting bigger and bigger like a creeping caterpillar.
In addition, erosion did not only begin at the fingertips.
The places where the pain was particularly intense, like the fingers, were all points where the erosion was taking place.
What would happen when the encroachment was over?
Jin intuitively came to a conclusion that he would become part of Glyek. Just like Dante did.
He had to overcome this.
'It's only different in size and depth, but it is not fundamentally different from the despair I've always overcome. I will somehow prevent encroachment and find a way out of here.'
Jin raised his head and struggled to get up.
But he fell down as soon as he took a step, and it happened five times in a row. Jin concluded that walking in this condition was impossible.
Just as no one could walk with severed legs, Jin, in his current state, couldn't move forward. He couldn't resist with willpower alone.
So Jin sat down. He didn't sit down, but sat down to focus.
Shadow force release.
First of all, it seemed that he had to push the chaos that spread through his body with it. Shadows trapped in chaos were rising along with Jin's shadow force release.
Fortunately, it worked. The released shadow force was washing away the chaos like clear water.
There was hope. For those who did not have the power of genesis knight, only the shadow contractor could glimpse the possibility of escape in this way in the subspace of Glyek.
But there were two problems.
The first was that he could not release his shadow force as stably as usual due to the pain. It was necessary to pour it like a waterfall to completely end the erosion, but the power of the shadows was only reacting weakly.
The second was another phenomenon that occurred as soon as the shadow force release began.
The chaos that has not been pushed out was trying to 'mix' with the shadow force. It was like a water current reverting to its source.
'There's nothing easy in this damn war and struggle from the beginning.'
Shadow force mixed with chaos was getting out of Jin's control.
Moreover, it was getting stronger. Except for the Solderet's will that manifested during the first battle, Jin had never seen the shadow force more intensely fluctuating than now.
It was like when the shadow force was mixed with aura and mana to strengthen them. It was just difficult to control, like an enraged beast.
The shadow force release was weak, and the shadows mixed with chaos were explosive.
Even if it was dangerous, there was no reason not to use it.
'Perhaps this is another trap of Glyek, but there is no other option. I can slow down the encroachment only with the pure shadow force release.'
Jin's choice was nothing more than throwing himself into the turbulent current without knowing where it was flowing.
But for some reason, he felt confident. An attribute of chaos that enhances shadow force.
It occurred to him that this might also be the arrangement of the existence that created the principle. Perhaps that was the will of God, Solderet.
I have to make this power mine.
Shadow force started to move according to Jin's will.
Instead of resisting chaos just vaguely to survive, the flow was speeding up when the milestone of "struggle" was created.
Jin suppressed the shadow force that had become too rough, and grabbed onto the lumps that had only grown stronger.
Blood flowed nonstop due the backlash of chaos, and sometimes his consciousness was blurred, but Jin was confident.
The fact that his body was trampled on by pain was getting better.
No, it wasn't just that. It was unstable, but a power beyond his limits seemed to burst out at any moment.
Around that time, Jin noticed that another power within him, not the shadow force, was reacting to the chaos.
Blood.
The only Runcandel who had gone beyond recognition and made a part of his human physical essence akin to his brethren, the blood of the battle god was driving the chaos out fiercely.
'It seems that you are not the only one allowed to devour, Glyek!'
Zzzzzzz..…!
Lightning bolts mingled between shadow force and chaos. As if Vahn's blood wasn't afraid of encroachment, rather, it was pulling all the chaos that was caught into the illuminating heart.
Soon, Jin stood up and straightened his body.
His shoulders were heavy, as if he was still trapped in the water, but the pain subsided as he walked slowly.
Every time he moved forward, the shadow force, which was mixed with chaos, fluctuated and returned to its place.
When he took seven steps like that, Jin could feel that he had overcome the first trail of this subspace.
The encroachment stopped, and Jin was no longer in pain.
The chaos that had run so wildly, mixed with shadow force, twitched faintly like a telegraph wire.
And his body, which had been exhausted from the long battle, was now full of stronger force than before the war began. To the point where Jin feels like there's nothing in the world that he can't cut.
'Did I achieve temporary growth by overcoming chaos? Or... Is it some kind of side effect?'
Jin couldn't figure it out right away.
Seeing traces of discoloration throughout his body, it was clear that there would be consequences regardless of which path he had taken.
Jin also realized that his fighting spirit was burning too much. It was the opposite of his intention to remain as calm as possible.
'It's a dangerous power if it can't be completely mine. Since the encroachment on my body has stopped, it seems that it is trying to destroy my mind this time.'
Jin judged that the chaos was trying to erode his body first but now it was targeting his mind. Just like his youngest sister Yona had experienced.
However, he couldn't guarantee that he could overcome it. Neither the shadow force release nor blood of battle god could directly protect his mind.
Jin had to find a way out while maintaining as much rationality as possible.
The outside situation was one of two things. Either everyone trying to save Jin, or fighting Glyek.
Jin was worried, but he tried not to let it preoccupy him.
He couldn't afford to just suppress the fighting spirit and killing intent that was rising like crazy.
It was still dark ahead, and all he could hear was the sound of his own breathing and the small noise caused by the lightning spreading from battle god blood.
He swung around the Bradamante stained in shadow force. Despite his strong conviction that nothing could resist it, the subspace showed no reaction.
No matter how many times he tried, there was only one choice for Jin. He just has to walk until something else comes along.
And Jin faced something different from the darkness faster than expected in the vast subspace.
'A person...!?'
It looked cloudy and dark, but he could see the shape of a person crouching on the other side of the darkness in the distance.
Jin rushed towards the figure, and soon he could identify who it was.
"Sir Ron!"
Jin didn't think that someone else would have been caught in this subspace. In particular Ron who was the furthest away from him.
'Then other people...!'
The moment Jin thought that far.
Ron raised his head and looked at him. As soon as their eyes met, Jin couldn't help but abruptly stop walking.
Crazy hostility.
The intense and deep-seated hatred emanating from Ron was as palpable as the resentment Jin first felt from Glyek, and it was directed straight at him.
"Sir Ron! I am Jin Runcandel. You may not recognize me..."
"Why."
Ron interrupted Jin.
At that moment, Jin noticed that Ron's eyes were as black as oil. Because Ron was encroached by the chaos that had been crushing Jin before.
Ron got up and said.
"Why is this monster targeting you...… Why, why did my grandson become his prey instead of you? Tell me why my grandson was sacrificed and not you...…."
When Ron finished speaking, the blackened blade of Rashid was already at Jin's throat.
568
In that moment, the reason Jin was able to avoid having his throat severed by Ron's blade was likely due to the shadow force strengthened by chaos.
Even Jin himself couldn't believe how fast his reaction was. It was obviously impossible for him to widen the distance even after he was ambushed by Ron, who rushed at full speed.
A stream of hot blood ran down his neck.
Finally, he met the most reliable and strong ally in this subspace, but Ron tried to kill him without thinking for a second.
That fact was far more shocking than the sense of danger that he was about to die. Besides, what did Ron say?
"Why was it Dante who got devoured and not you!"
Ron's voice, as if screaming once again, was colder than any dagger and scratching Jin's inside.
Guilt, an emotion that has plagued Jin ever since the sword emperor castle was began. The guilt that he had hidden so hard to focus on the fight welled up like vengeance.
'Sir Ron must not be in his right mind right now. No matter how desperate he may be, he could never say such things....'
Jin himself had just suffered his body and mind being consumed by chaos. After the torment of physical pain had passed, he barely managed to suppress the raising madness.
'Just by looking at the eroding eyes, Sir Ron went through the same process as me. I'm sure...'
Ugh!
The moment Jin thought so, he felt sick to his stomach. An unbearably disgusting lump seemed to clog his throat.
It was because of 'doubt'.
Despite being consumed, what Ron was saying now was probably the truth hidden deep inside him.
Considering the recent tragedy Hairan suffered, it was quite possible. Anyone would want to resent Jin.
And what was even more difficult for Jin to endure was the madness of chaos that began to infiltrate his mind, and the killing intent that arose from it had begun to turn toward Ron.
Whether Ron's resentment towards Jin was sincere or not.
Jin thought he was unworthy of holding grudges against Ron. After all, it was Ron who had continued to try to save him even after Dante disappeared.
The tip of Ron's sword, which took its position, was directed towards Jin.
Somewhere on the now blackened edge of Rashid's blade, there seemed to be the true essence of Ron that once shone so brilliantly before Glyek awakened.
That invisible light was guiding Jin.
If Jin hadn't seen the effort Ron made to save Hairan and to keep him alive. Jin would have just given into the fighting spirit and fought against Ron.
Jin also slowly lifted Bradamante and centered himself. The madness that had been swirling in his mind was gradually subsiding.
Jin began to perceive that the current Ron was no different from the shadow force or Battle God blood that saved him from encroachment earlier.
Just as the shadow force and Battle God's blood helped him to control the shadow force strengthened by chaos, the light called Ron Hairan was causing another significant leap within Jin's inner self.
He overcame the encroachment of the body and shaken off the madness of the demon heart.
In other words, Jin achieved growth and transcendence in this subspace. Perhaps even the suspicion that this was all a trick by Glyek was fading away.
Going over a wall means being able to see beyond it. In the new domain, Jin couldn't feel any of Glyek's intentions.
Jin saw it clearly.
When Glyek dragged Jin into the subspace, he had expected that the dirty power of Solderet would soon come to an end.
That's why Glyek said that all the opportunities given to Jin were gone. No matter how much it was Solderet's power, it was so feeble that it couldn't resist him.
Furthermore, what exceeded his expectations was not just that.
Glyek did not bring Ron into this place.
'Now it's my turn to help Sir Ron.'
Jin couldn't think of anything to help. However, Jin decided to accept Ron's anger. Now that Chaos has strengthened his shadow force, he felt he could properly engage in a sword fight with Ron.
Jin made up his mind to fight him. Until Ron's rage subsided even a little.
Shuk-!
Ron's sword rushed in and landed on Jin's forehead. Still, there was no hesitation at Ron's sword tip. Jin was no longer sad with this, and he firmly swung his sword.
"Why wasn't it you!"
No matter how heartbroken and sad he was. It couldn't compare to the pain Ron was going through. So Jin can't show more sadness than that.
It would be an insult to Ron's suffering.
Punishment, blasphemy...…! The battle commenced with clashes and strikes. Both knights stood their ground without giving an inch, swords locked in a fierce duel.
However, even though Jin persisted in swinging his sword, had not managed to land a single successful attack. Not because he couldn't bear to cut or stab Ron, but he couldn't afford it.
Instead Ron, who was attacking one-sidedly, also could not break through Jin's defense.
"Return my grandson back...!"
As if suffering, Jin endured the resentment of a man named Ron Hairan. In the abyss, their lonely battle continued.
It was impossible to know how time had passed since entering the subspace.
Still, not much time had likely passed, yet Jin felt a sensation akin to aging. To embrace the sorrow of Ron, the giant, he had to become even tougher than that, inevitably bringing about a strange sense of aging.
Ron, too, must have needed someone at some point. Someone to allow him to cry and unleash his anger without bounds, someone he could go madly rant to, whether it provided relief or not... just to try it.
Someone should have told Ron to unleash his wrath purely for himself, not to save Jin or for revenge.
Hot tears flowed down Jin's cheeks more fervently than the blood from his neck.
Ron overcame death for his grandson and his friend even after losing everything because his duty was too heavy.
Similarly, Jin had no choice but to resurrect Ron with the detestable Demon God's orb.
In this war, neither of them had made a choice for themselves even once. They had only wielded their swords for others.
And the reason Jin still fights for Ron, not for himself, was because he suffered less than Ron.
As a result, Jin was comforting himself. He seemed to genuinely sympathize his own suffering with Ron's pain. He couldn't hold back the tears that were running down his eyes.
Humans are born to be able to see themselves in others. Now Jin was looking into the sadness that he didn't know from Ron.
But that doesn't help in the battle.
Ron's sword, which was narrowly blocked, was getting closer. At this rate, Ron's sword would soon cut through Jin.
There were residual scars.
Perhaps because the chaos that stained Ron's sword intensified during the battle, the cut made by Rashid vomited black blood as if it had been poisoned.
Shadow force and Battle god's blood could not suppress Ron's chaos. While it was poisonous, the thousand-poison antidote didn't respond to it.
Death was imminent. However, what Jin feared was not death. Jin feared that Ron might not return before his life ran out.
Thud!
'Ah…!'
Suddenly, Ron's sword pierced Jin's abdomen.
Jin will die the moment Ron twists the sword or cuts it to one side.
'No, perhaps I'm already... in trouble.'
Even residue of chaos on scars caused severe toxic reactions. Needless to say, the chaos energy penetrated his abdomen.
Ron stopped moving and kept his head down.
If Jin had the strength to move even once, he could easily stab Ron with the sword he held.
However, Jin only managed to hold onto the sword, unable to move a single finger.
Soon Ron raised his head and Jin was able to face him.
Black tears flowed from his eyes, stained with chaos.
"Sir...Ron…."
There was no answer and Jin only heard his sobbing sound.
Ron's hand holding the sword trembled.
It was because he was resisting the chaos energy that whispered to him to twist his sword and kill Jin.
Jin didn't say anything like, you have to overcome it, or stop it, or he shouldn't.
Jin just waited. So that Ron can climb the last step of the abyss.
The reason Ron deferred the death he so longed for until the last moment was the same as Jin's.
Just as Jin gained enlightenment after seeing the light of a human named Ron Hairan, Ron also learned from Jin, who swung the sword for him until the end.
He became a monster because he was buried in sorrow.
"It's alright even if you…. resent me."
Ron's eyes twitched. He was slowly pulling out Rashid, which was penetrating Jin.
Ron's darkened eyes began to return to their true colors, and as soon as his sword was retrieved, Jin sat down and vomited blood.
Chaos spread throughout his body like poison, and the bleeding and internal wounds were so severe that he surely died.
But Jin felt as if he wouldn't die.
Ron was staring into the void without looking down at Jin.
In that empty space, which was invisible to Jin's eyes and even if someone else was here on this battlefield, they couldn't see it...… there was something.
There are only two humans in the world who could see it.
Chiron Runcandel.
And another was Ron who just entered the domain of genesis knight.
A pure white light that only Ron Hairan could see filled the air. Ron remained motionless for a while, fixing his gaze on that light.
If you go beyond the wall, you can see what was beyond it.
As soon as Ron faced the light of the genesis knight, he realized a few things he hadn't even thought of, or just barely hoped for.
Jin couldn't see the light directly, but he felt it. The fact that Ron had finally taken the last step to defy fate.
The murky energy of chaos was no longer transmitted from Ron.
'... I can see hope.'
Ron reached out to the light of the genesis knight, and Jin smiled and lost consciousness.
569
* * *
Black Sea, Land of the Five Kings.
Chiron's expedition team and Kial had already been fighting for over twelve hours.
Ozdock was completely stunned and thrown far away from the battlefield in the aftermath of the battle, while Kial was constantly screaming and releasing the chaos energy.
The chaos that Kial poured out was on a different level from Glyek's energy. Unlike Glyek, Kial was fully awakened a long time ago and was able to use his full power.
Ha, ha...…!
Luna exhaled heavily as she glared at Kial. She was on her one knee and leaning on her axe-sword, Krantel, and she was covered by former Black Knights.
"Just a little bit... please."
"Don't worry, recover your strength for a while, first flagbearer."
Even in Vanessa Olsen's response, a labored breath was evident. Black chaos like bruises was visible everywhere on the bodies of the former Black Knights revealed through the shattered armor.
Without Chiron, they would have already been annihilated. Even though each of them is no different from the strongest knight on the surface.
'Was my father fighting against these things alone?'
Since the battle began, Luna couldn't count how many times she had been astonished.
She heard some stories from Chiron in advance, but when she actually entered the battle, she felt dizzy all the time.
All of the expedition's attacks, except for Chiron, had never given Kial a single effective blow. Luna and former Black Knights played the role only to cover Chiron.
'Even that is confusing whether we are protecting my father or the other way around.'
Luna was feeling 'impatient' from her father's back against Kial. Of course, it was a feeling that she had never experienced before.
In fact, Chiron was in the middle of fighting while controlling his urgency, and the reason was no different.
It was because, at this moment, Glyek had awakened in the human world, not the Black Sea. Chiron judged that there was no means to stop Glyek in the current human world.
If it weren't for the situation with Kial, Chiron would have returned without hesitation.
The inability to stop Glyek meant that his clan would also be destroyed.
Although there is a variable called Kinzelo and the possibility that they will go out to prevent a disaster of the human world doesn't seem very high.
Chiron thought that Runcandel, Zipfel, and the rest of the forces, including the Empire and Hidden Palace, would eventually manage to stop Glyek.
It was the worst-case scenario. However, it was impossible to retreat with Kial in front of him, and even if it was possible, the problems that would arise after the return were difficult to deal with.
[Looks like you're in a hurry...… Chiron Runcandel.]
Kial's eyes narrowed like a crescent moon. He was seeing right through Chiron's emotions.
"It seems you still have the luxury to worry about such things."
Whoa-!
As if a storm raged, the aura of the genesis knight gathered in Chiron's sword.
It wasn't only Chiron who was in a hurry.
Kial was also feeling burdened by the fact that Chiron's power had become stronger than when he faced him in the past.
Monster.
Humans who experienced the King of the Black Sea all recognized them as monsters, but Kial couldn't help but see Chiron as one.
And the moment the aura gathered in Barisada was about to explode.
Kial sensed something that happened in the human world and could no longer maintain the relaxed smile. Chiron also stopped moving and his eyes widened.
'This…!'
Just as they felt Glyek awake as soon as the battle was about to begin.
Chiron and Kial were aware of the fact that a new genesis knight had appeared in the human world.
The only thing that could spread that energy to this distant subspace was the light of the genesis knight.
Luna and the former Black Knights did not feel the light.
'It's Ron Hairan!'
It wasn't the aura of Talaris or Rosa or the other superhumans he knew. Chiron felt the aura of the brilliant attribute, the right path of justice unique to Hairan, as if it was right in front of him.
However, for some reason in the light of the genesis knight, Chiron could feel not only the righteous energy, but also a faint shadow force.
'Why is the shadow force there... Could it be that the youngest has helped in some way? There's no reason for the energy of the Solderet to be buried in the righteous energy of Hairan.'
Chiron can't jump to conclusions, and it wasn't an important issue right now.
In any case, Chiron was now able to speculate on the situation in the human world.
'The king of the Black Sea has awakened in the territory of the Empire, and Ron Hairan has crossed the wall while fighting against him. Otherwise, it is an inexplicable event.'
The person Ron Hairan, whom Chiron knew, was a knight who could reach genesis knight domain if he had an opportunity. Although Chiron thought that the possibility of falling into demonization like Smarion was much higher.
In any case, there was no reason for Chiron to hesitate in the fight against Kial.
Of course, even if Ron reached the genesis knight, it didn't mean that he can unconditionally subdue the fifth king of chaos, and it won't be the case that the subjugation will end without any damage to the world.
Clear hope had emerged. In addition, if Glyek was annihilated by Ron's sword, then one of his missions would be reduced.
'If he succeeds in stopping Glyek, I must thank him.'
Shik, this time Chiron smiled.
"Don't you think it's better to keep smiling, Kial? If you reveal your true feelings so easily, I don't think you deserve to be called the king of anything."
In that moment, Luna realized that her father's sword was regaining stability... and she could be sure.
This battle will end in the victory of the expedition team.
***
Has there ever been a time when Jin wasn't so uneasy at the crossroads of life and death?
Even as his breath ceased and consciousness faded away, Jin felt a strange sense of relief.
He himself did not know why, but in fact there was one reason.
The very first thing the person entering the domain of 'demigod' did was to bestow his blessing upon Jin.
The light of the genesis knight floating in the air was slowly approaching Ron's chest.
It emitted a light that only he could see, spoke in a language only he could hear, and revealed a meaning only he could understand.
At the point of overcoming his death, Ron defied fate once. Solely by his own will.
Therefore, the size of the pure power he possessed was no different from that of genesis knight at that time. That's why he was able to fight for such a long time with the sword of overlord.
However, after that moment,
Ron's mind rapidly crumbled.
Immersed in grief and chaos, he became enslaved to the demon heart.
As a result, he became a monster just like the former ghost leader, Smarion Proch.
He was able to get out of the abyss thanks to meeting Jin.
Those who gained the power of the Genesis knight were all at risk of becoming monsters, and even after becoming a demigod, that danger never disappeared. It always remains like a disease that may explode at any time.
It was because he could not fully handle the power even if he was a demigod, since he was essentially human.
If Jin and Ron had not met in this subspace, Ron would never have reached genesis knight domain. After the war started, Ron's demonization was progressing uncontrollably.
Therefore, it was Glyek who gave the final impetus to his demonization, and it was Jin who kept Ron from crossing the line until the very end.
Ron slowly reached out his hand towards the light of the genesis knight that stopped in front of his chest.
It was like a roaring fire. As he grasped it with his two hands, the light flowed through his fingers and repeatedly went back and forth, telling Ron his last enlightenment.
Then, Ron gently scooped out a lump of light with his hand, and bent down to let the light flow into the fallen Jin.
As if there were ripples on the calm surface of the water, the light of the genesis knight scattered and penetrated into Jin.
However, that single beam of light could not be absorbed by Jin. Only less than 10% of the power could be absorbed by Jin from the lump of light. The rest of the energy will be scattered somewhere and disappear forever.
Ron didn't mind that. Rather, he was just grateful that he could heal Jin's wounds at this price.
The light of the genesis knight that remained in Ron and the energy that flowed into Jin were becoming one with two people, respectively.
Ron's ruined body, which had turned black, regained its original color, and the blood pouring from Jin's affected area turned red and subsided.
And the subspace was vibrating.
Glyek is angry. It was impossible for Glyek to understand why a single human being was messing things up, not the shadow of the terrible Solderet that he had been so wary of.
Above all, He never allowed that human to come here in the first place.
If he had stayed outside, he would have become close to the King of Chaos like himself. Glyek thought it must be. Since he judged that Ron's mind was completely subjugated.
Both men were seeped into the light of the genesis knight.
Whoa....
Then, breath escaped from Jin's lips.
It was not the dark and damp breath of death, but a breath so clear and pure, as if a new life was being born.
All wounds have healed. Since the light of the genesis knight is fundamentally different from the legacy of god Numerus, the internal wounds have not been completely healed, but Jin feels that his body has become very light.
All the chaos that strengthened the energy mixed with the shadow force was gone. Therefore, his battle prowess also returned to its original state, but it did not matter at all. Because it was the power that he had no choice but to use to deal with Ron.
There were a few traces of chaos that remained black like spots all over the body, but that didn't become a problem right away either.
Jin didn't see the moment he was healed.
Still, he felt like he could figure out what was going on without having to listen to Ron's explanation.
"Jin."
Jin grabbed Ron's outstretched hand and stood up. The light of the genesis knight, which Jin couldn't see directly a moment ago, was creating a subtle glow on Ron's body.
"Sir Ron."
The two looked at each other without speaking for a while.
Just like comrades who have been fighting together for a long time, it felt like they could clearly see each other's insides.
"If it weren't for you, I would have ended up becoming a monster and killing Dante with my own hands. And I wouldn't even feel the sadness and pain caused by it."
At those words, Jin's eyes widened.
Because Ron was talking as if Dante was still alive.
570
Of course, Ron was not crazy with grief over losing Dante, nor was he baselessly claiming that Dante was still alive.
"Sir Ron, Dante... Are you saying he's still alive?"
Ron nodded, and Jin barely managed to calm his emotions, which surged like a flood.
His heart was beating wildly as if it had reached its limit.
Since the beginning of the war, Jin not even once. He didn't give up on Dante. Even when the monster that devoured his friend says his last will had disappeared, even after the moment when the hesitation of its sword and spear cutting through him and Ron completely vanished, even when he was captured into this subspace.
Jin still believed that the existence of Dante Hairan had not completely disappeared from this world.
Or more precisely, he wanted to believe that.
Because he couldn't bear this dreadful fight if he thought Dante had vanished completely.
In fact, deep inside, Jin couldn't shake the thought that Dante was already dead.
"I can feel his energy. At the end of this subspace...…."
The enlightenment that Ron got as soon as he encountered the light of genesis knight.
It was revealing to him the 'truth' that had been covered by the curtain of chaos until now. This subspace wasn't just created out of chaos, it was Glyek's innermost being.
And since the aftermath of long sealing had not yet disappeared, and the Black Sea had not been fully reconciled, Glyek had not yet realized what was lingering beneath his own depths.
Dante Hairan.
His will, which Glyek said was extinguished, still lingered in a corner of his abyss, resisting.
It's faint like an infinitely distant star, but it definitely exists. Even if it is in a state of 'unconsciousness'.
In other words, it was Dante's will that left in Glyek's unconsciousness that brought Ron into subspace with Jin.
To ensure Jin didn't plunge alone into this fearful place, and to prevent him from disappearing here in loneliness without any hope, there was only one person who could help him: his grandfather.
Dante was also like Jin and Ron in this aspect.
He also had never made a choice for himself in this horrific struggle.
"I'm going to go rescue that child from now on."
Ron's voice trembled slightly. It trembles with emotion, the certainty that Dante was out there, but more than that.
Fear.
Fear of not being able to save Dante even after reaching the genesis knight, fear of whether he will ever be able to cut Glyek alone, fear that the hope he finally gained may disappear like a bubble....
Those feelings were buried together in Ron's voice.
It was an emotion he hadn't felt even when immersed in the demon heart and undergoing demonization.
The dry and cold heart of the being that had just risen to the domain of genesis knight couldn't completely erase the inherent fear.
It indicated how earnest Ron was.
Despair, death, and demonization had nothing to do with it. The longing for his grandson was making him tremble.
"I'm afraid."
Ron confessed the emotion to Jin.
"So, will you go with this old man? Can you do that?"
"Of course."
"In life."
Suddenly, Ron bowed his head to Jin.
Jin couldn't react to that, but he didn't show a sigh of surprise.
"I will remember it as an honor that won't come again."
With those words, Ron turned away.
Tsuzuzuzu...…!
Rashid emitted a radiance. That blade shone brighter than any sword Jin had ever seen.
The light of genesis knight that Ron achieved had a completely different attribute from that of Chiron.
If Chiron's genesis knight attribute was akin to the essence of dominance(覇道), then Ron's light was the righteousness(正道) itself.
Therefore, unlike Chiron, his sword was not meant to break, cut, or kill.
It was a sword meant for preservation, protection, and salvation.
The Hairan clan has shared the history of the empire, and for most of that time, it has always sought the safety of its people, not usurpation, even though it had power ahead of the empire.
Even though Hairan decided to embrace the white stone, they had endured it alone in fear of the disaster that power will bring to the world, and have never been greedy.
The long years of guarding, spanning from the ancestors to the present, were now illuminating the darkness through the sword symbolizing the patriarch of the Hairan clan.
The subspace, responding to that light, vibrated even more intensely. It seemed that Glyek's grudge and wrath would materialize at any moment and attack the two.
In fact, Glyek had planned to do so, but he was blocked by the repulsive power of the radiance extending from Rashid.
Then, as Ron gently swung his sword, the subspace earthquake stopped.
Instead, a hissing wind blew from all directions, which was the agonizing scream filled with Glyek's suffering.
The power of the genesis knight that goes against fate was finally hurting him. It was the first Glyek felt pain in thousands of years.
Whaaah...…!
A sound like sand being swept by the wind was heard.
The faint sound quickly amplified and caused an intense resonance throughout the subspace, and the next moment.
Jin was able to confirm that the empty darkness of subspace, which seemed to never fade, was dispersing.
A crack was forming in the subspace. Like a closed door being broken.
As Ron cut through space once more in a straight line, a new path opened up that hadn't been seen before.
The passage opened like the jaws of a dead beast, and headed towards the abyss of Glyek.
The landscape beyond it was completely different from the subspace, which maintained a solid and stable form until it vibrated.
It was a vast chaos, raging like a stormy sea.
It was to the point where Jin wondered if he would really be able to cross that hellish landscape even though a genesis knight was right next to him.
However, the two of them strode into the abyss without thinking for a second. Holding two swords shining like lanterns.
"Do not force yourself to fight if you are unable to do so, and hide behind my back."
"I hope it won't come to that, but I may not be able to cross without relying on your strength."
"Isn't it all like that? That's why I asked you to come with me, relying on you in the first place."
As soon as they stepped into the passage of the abyss, chaos as sharp as an awl stabbed the two of them.
Each one had a power that was too much for Jin to handle. Jin hid behind a shield called Ron whenever he felt overwhelmed.
'It's not just physical attacks. As before, the energy of chaos continues to contaminate my mind.'
But unlike before, Jin was completely unaffected by the chaos that was trying to erode his mind.
Ron slashed the awl of chaos with his sword, and used his aura to block attacks on both his and Jin's souls.
Only Chiron and Ron can walk this long abyss passage. Without the power of the genesis knight, preventing the erosion of the soul was impossible.
But Ron was the only one who could walk this path with someone else. It was because of the power of the genesis knight that Chiron could not protect others from mind corruption caused by chaos.
Like a boat tossed in a storm, the two rocked and stumbled from time to time, but they were clearly moving forward.
As the two got closer, Glyek desperately blocked the entry.
However, even though they looked like they were going to collapse, they endured several times, and never once showed a look of being crushed by the crisis.
It was as if an unbreakable stone was rolling down a cliff.
Contrary to before, it was now Gliex whose inside was being eroded, not them.
And he still didn't know. Why did those hateful humans venture so far into his abyss at such a risk?
If they want to kill him, it's better to come outside and join other humans than to destroy the abyss, which is completely incomprehensible.
He still didn't know that Dante was bound in the bottom of his abyss.
"Looks like we're almost there…."
Ron said in a weary voice.
Before they knew it, the two of them were approaching the end of the aisle.
Originally, Ron's power should not be exhausted even after crossing the waves of chaos, but due to sharing a portion of the power of Genesis knight with Jin, it was inevitable.
However, his exhaustion did not prevent him from completing the rest of his mission.
Kaaaaaa...…!
Glyek's screams, which continued throughout, had moved away.
At the end, the backlash of chaos was incomparably weaker than at the beginning.
It meant that the end of this abyss was a realm that's not under Glyek's control. He had been able to control this place after the Black Sea had progressed just a little bit more.
Dante would have really perished if he had control of it.
Finally, The two faced a chaotic space that did not attack them.
Instead of chaos, a soft black energy surrounded the two of them which felt like shadow force.
And, they saw. The white stone....
Just as it was in the Sword emperor castle before it was broken and Dante's figure sealed inside began to appear.
It was obscured by the seal, but it's clearly recognizable.
In this silent and chaotic landscape, which had reached the end after overcoming and transcending so much despair, the two could not even pronounce Dante's name.
Ron's eyes were wet as he swung his sword at the seal.
The barrier was scattered with a single sword, and finally. Ron was able to hug his grandson, who had been freed from the chaos.
His throat was choked and he couldn't say anything for a while.
"Grandfather...."
Jin's voice choked, and he, too, couldn't utter a single word. Meanwhile, Dante was speaking in a faint voice, making their hearts heavier.
"defeat him. I, I managed to overcome everything... I fell for his trick at the end... I am a fool…"
"It's okay, Dante. It's okay, it's okay...."
Ron couldn't help but burst into tears like a child.