CHAPTER 629

[T.L: punisher87]

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Wavelength Tracking Synchronous Spatial-jump ship, Red Owl was not affected by Chaos Particles, unlike the Transfer Gate.

According to the manual, the spatial-time device embedded in the Red Owl operates differently from conventional transfer gates, as it utilizes invisible 'wavelength' existing in the world instead of mana for instantaneous teleportation.

"I've seen previous failed works break during spatial jumps... It is difficult to describe the abilities of Lord Qwaul and Miss Valeria, young master."

Jin had already seen Zipfel using the spatial-time device in the Gaifa Islands, but comparing the Red Owl to Zipfel's technology at the time was in itself rude.

"It feels like entering a whole new world after 2 years and 6 months."

Brrrrrrr...

Eerie cries echoed from the gloomy forest surrounding the Ghost Castle.

The coordinates set for the Red Owl were the encampment of companions and Ghost mercenaries. Jin was able to realize the seriousness of the situation once more just by seeing that they formed a campsite and gave up on ghost castle, the headquarters of the Ghost mercenaries.

As the Red Owl descended slowly, all eyes in the campsite were fixed on it.

Everyone was witnessing the operation of the Red Owl for the first time.

But what surprised them most was the presence of Jin among the passengers of the Red Owl.

"Lord Jin...!"

"You're back, Jin!"

Ghost mercenaries saluted, and companions shouted his name and ran.

Cuicantelle, Alisa, Kuzan, Veris, Yulian, Enya, Lata, Faye, Amela. And about 30% of the members of the Black Kings mercenaries and more than 80% of the ghost mercenaries.

Tikan was literally concentrating on Smarion, leaving only the bare minimum force for defense.

All of them have haggard faces due to the operation that had stretched on for over three months.

'A terrifyingly thick chaos covers the whole forest of Ghost Castle.... The non-combatant would have gone mad just by being around here.'

The nerves in Jin's whole body were on edge even if he didn't want to be conscious.

Others also vaguely felt that the chaos of Smarion encroaching on Ghost castle was enormous, but it fell far short of the level that Jin recognized. It's because they don't have the same senses as Jin.

Such immense power could only be properly recognized by those at least on the level of the Battle King of the Plutonian tribe.

For a while, they exchanged words regarding each other's well-being. But given the gravity of the situation, the conversation quickly shifted.

"I'm sorry to burden you so soon after your return, my lord," Lata spoke with a heavy tone.

-The reason I showed this place to you first is because this is currently the biggest and only problem with the Ghost castle. It's embarrassing to admit, but this seal could be said to threaten the existence of the Ghost mercenary.

From the moment Lata first decided to serve Jin as his lord, he felt sorry for sharing the risk of 'Smarion Proch'.

"Sir Lata, please don't say such things. From the moment you became our comrade, this became everyone's problem. If anything, I should apologize for leaving my post until the situation reaches this point."

As Lata lowered his head, Amela came to Jin's side.

"Our little cutie here suffered a lot trying to handle things before you arrived, my lord. We all tried our best, but with our own strength, there was just nothing we could do..."

Fortunately, the chaos of Amela, Lata, and Faye did not resonate with the energy of ghost castle.

Jin took out the chaos purifier that he had brought with him.

"This is a chaos purifier made by the Plutonian brethren. I brought it just in case, but I don't think Sir Lata and Faye's father can be healed by it."

The chaos purifier was only effective against the infected people before complete encroachment and body transformation took place.

Smarion had already deviated from that standard at the time he was sealed, and even if he wasn't, the size of the chaos itself was too huge.

Hence, purification was impossible, and the only way to resolve the situation was by killing him.

"... Jin. If you're troubled by the thought of having to kill our father, don't be. We were here waiting precisely to deal with the monster that was our father."

Lata and Faye didn't have very good memories of Smarion. It was because they had endured nothing but abuse and training from an early age.

Rather, the emotions evoked when they thought of their father were closer to hatred. Yet, they were not entirely devoid of ordinary family memories.

When Chiron was concerned about Smarion's chaos and often visited the Ghost castle, Smarion became a benevolent father and gave the two of them sweets while they sit on his lap.

Though these instances were few and far between, they were undoubtedly precious moments from their childhood for the Proch siblings. Even if they didn't want to admit it, given their resentment toward Smarion.

"We rather think that getting rid of that monster as soon as possible is the duty of the Ghost mercenary. It's the right thing to do for our comrades. Of course, even considering such things is a shameless request to burden you with, my lord... but please, I ask of you."

Jin nodded heavily.

Then, Cuicantelle briefed Jin on the current situation. According to her, there had already been three chaos explosions in the Ghost Castle.

The first explosion caused about 30 casualties, and from the second explosion, there was no damage thanks to the expansion of the encirclement in advance.

"... The explosions are occurring more frequently and becoming stronger. If this continues, there's a high possibility that the damage will extend beyond the forest to neighboring Vermont territories."

Since the Ghost Castle was within Vermont's territory, Dante was already supporting the Vamel Alliance.

The knights of the Hairan and Perral clan were completely sealed off the area. This was to prevent other major factions from exploiting the Vamel Alliance's vulnerability.

In the meantime, Jin's companions were just waiting and unable to do anything.

They couldn't intervene first because the expected casualties would be too high, and they could not use their cards because they might be 'annihilated'.

It was because Talaris, Misha, Murakan, and Jin, their powerful allies, were not there.

"We stopped Dante Hairan from going in to subdue him alone."

If the seal was completely broken and they judged that the Vamel alliance alone cannot handle it, then Dante will have no choice but to step in.

Dante was the hope of the Empire and the ruler supported by all the people. In a situation where everything was uncertain, it was right to exclude him from participating in the subjugation as much as possible.

Moreover, Dante was already busy traversing contaminated areas within the empire and single-handedly restraining major factions. He had no spare capacity.

In such a situation, if Dante chose to enter the Ghost Castle for Jin and his companions, it would inevitably result in more deaths elsewhere.

"You've done well," Jin said, looking towards the main gate of the Ghost Castle.

'Smarion Proch... Are you aware of my arrival?'

The pervasive chaos energy in the Ghost Castle area was deepening. It had started right after Jin's arrival, and once again, only Jin was keenly aware of this fact.

As if waiting for an opponent, the energy of chaos spread by Smarion was slowly concentrating on Jin.

Jin calmly faced that mighty energy. And he came to a conclusion right away.

"I'll rest for a day, and enter the Ghost Castle tomorrow morning."

He needed some time to recover from the exhaustion and injuries sustained in the battle against Ranke.

"Tomorrow?"

Yes. If the seal holds until tomorrow, or rather, if Smarion Proch waits for me until then, to be more precise. He's already in a state where he can break the seal."

"What are you talking about?"

"As soon as I arrived, Smarion's energy started amplifying. If the seal hadn't completely lost its function, the energy couldn't have grown at such a rapid rate. The deep killing intent and hostility are all directed at me."

Jin's companions did not know whether he had achieved enlightenment or acquired the sense of genesis knight. They only had a vague feeling that Jin had become stronger.

Thus, even though they might doubt whether Jin could single-handedly kill Smarion despite his newfound strength, they didn't voice it. Because he was Jin.

"Then what should we do?"

Jin scanned the artifacts installed in the campsite.

They were the artifacts he had encountered firsthand on the day he first met Qwaul in the cabin.

It was an artifact that claimed to be all sorts of obstacles, including the blue rod made for the great knight battle, the 'Aura Disruptors' and the net.

"Prepare for the aftermath of the battle nearby. Neighboring cities can also be damaged if the protective shield is not tightly formed. And concentrate all the Aura Disruptors on the battlefield where I and Smarion will fight."

"Do you mean that those who are skilled enough to withstand the shock wave should keep their distance and continue to use disruptors against you and Smarion?"

"Exactly, Miss Cuicantelle."

Naturally, such a strategy would impose some constraints on Jin and Smarion's use of Aura. Consequently, external damage would be reduced accordingly.

If Jin were an ordinary martial artist, such a method would never be considered, as Smarion could still wield the chaos energy even without Aura.

However, Jin had shadow force and mana.

"I can't predict exactly how far the impact of battle will spread, so it's undoubtedly better for both Smarion and me to have our strength diminished. As long as the disruptors can handle it."

"Anything else?"

"Please use all possible means to prevent damage to the imperial lands other than the ghost castle. Also, keep an eye on the Red Owl so that it doesn't get into trouble. That's it."

* * *

Noon, next day.

Fortunately, Jin was able to head towards the Ghost Castle after a full day of rest.

He meditated all night, so he didn't get a chance to talk more with his companions.

Jin classified Smarion as a target that required his utmost concentration.

"There's a high possibility that the battle will start as soon as I enter. So, Miss Cuicantelle, Sir Valkas, Lady Amela, and Enya, please be especially cautious."

"Yes, sir!"

Those four people were closest to the battlefield and had the role of protecting the disruptors and those who used it.

Enya's dragon fire shield and Cuicantelle's divine power of time were the core of the protective shield.

Five hundred disruptors were stationed near the ghost castle. That was more than 80% of the current disruptors possessed by the Vamel Alliance.

"My lord, I wish you luck."

"Don't worry too much, everyone."

Jin turned to Lata and Faye. They were still uncomfortable with entrusting Jin with such a role, but they had a determined look in their eyes to ensure Jin didn't feel more uncomfortable.

"If we hadn't met you, my lord, the Ghost Castle would have undoubtedly been annihilated by that monster that consumed my father. Just like our mother. Please take care, my lord."

Jin patted the Proch siblings on the shoulder once and headed towards the Ghost Castle.

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