CHAPTER 696

[T.L: punisher87]

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The flagship Kozec, along with the 1st Fleet, was surrounding the group in the airspace with an overwhelming presence.

Jin raised his head and looked at the fleet only after Owal used the remaining thread to tie Yona.

Zipfel didn't appear to be attacking but rather seemed to have come to eradicate the enemy, not as an allied force.

It was only natural.

In the letter Jin had sent to Zipfel before coming to Akin, without obtaining permission, it stated his intention to rescue Yona, as well as the defection of Hedo and Sandra.

In other words, they had carried out the operation within Zipfel's territory without permission and even extracted key personnel, making it an extremely uncomfortable situation for Zipfel.

Jin turned his head to look at Hedo. His expression seemed unperturbed, as if this situation didn't bother him.

A long silence ensued. The fleet continued to hover without descending.

"I don't know how to greet someone on board a flagship when I don't know who's inside. Let's skip the formalities for now. Nevertheless, an apology is necessary. Rescuing my sister was such an urgent matter that we proceeded with the operation before receiving a response. We will compensate for any damages incurred."

Jin's low voice filled with energy resonated heavily and made the sky vibrate.

The response didn't come for a long time. Jin's voice was heard by everyone, but the conversations taking place on the battleship were unknown to those on the ground.

'It looks like Kadun is still undergoing treatment.'

If that filthy dragon had arrived, they would have heard complaints at least ten times by now.

'Then it must be Octavia or Ronil Zipfel. Why are they stalling? I'm sure they have finished discussing how to deal with Hedo before coming here.'

The standoff continued for a few more minutes, and finally, a voice amplified by magic was heard from the fleet.

[Sir Hedo...…Honestly, I didn't believe the 12th flagbearer's words until I saw you standing there myself. But now that I see you with the 12th flagbearer... You've truly forsaken the clan.]

As expected, it was Octavia. She didn't hide her frustration.

"Spectre Captain. I have always been bothered by the fact that I left without saying goodbye. I apologize."

[Is that all? We spent years together, went through life and death situations together. If there was something upsetting about the clan, you should have told me. How could you suddenly betray us? And even Sandra...!]

"The word betrayal is not appropriate, spectre captain. I never pledged allegiance to the clan in the first place."

[The clan always considered you as one of its own, sir.]

"I know. But my loyalty has always been solely to Lady Sandra. The clan must have been aware of that fact to some extent."

[Yes, I know. That's why Sandra, originally an experimental subject, gained her freedom because of you. No, it's more than that. Sandra received privileges in every aspect.]

"I know that too."

[But why are you turning your back on the clan? What has captivated you? Or were you afraid of the consequences for helping the 12th flagbearer during your last vacation?]

"That's right. That is also included in the reasons."

[You fool...! Sir, even if you returned as you were, we wouldn't have investigated Sandra or questioned you. Why? Because we believed in you, sir! We thought it was just a ploy by the 12th flagbearer....…. We did the best for you. So, you have to tell me any reason that's convincing.]

Hedo looked up at the fleet for a few seconds.

He was reflecting on the days he had spent in Zipfel, as Octavia had mentioned. As she said, Zipfel had nothing lacking in their treatment towards him.

However, the clan had never truly seen Sandra as a person.

"Lady Sandra had other paths to happiness. Now that I think about it, the time I spent in the Black Sea was longer than my time in the human world. The clan has never regarded Lady as anything more than an unnecessary attachment to me. It's a matter of sincerity, not attitude and treatment. If the clan had understood that, I would never have left."

Octavia remained silent.

It wasn't because she fully understood and accepted Hedo's perspective. She knew that no matter what she said, he wouldn't come back.

[Regardless of the reasons, in the end, it is the clan's responsibility for failing to understand human emotions. I will respect your decision, Sir Hedo.]

A new voice was heard, causing Jin's pupils to widen.

It was Veradin's voice. Unlike Octavia, who was barely suppressing her intense emotions, his tone was calm.

"Young patriarch."

[T/L:- Changing little patriarch to young patriarch.]

[In return, I must tell you one thing. Sandra Zipfel will undoubtedly suffer because of your choice today.]

Hedo didn't answer.

[Jin, you probably told Sir Hedo that he could leave anytime.]

"It's so accurate that I get goosebumps, Veradin. Have you been eavesdropping on our conversation?"

[It's an obvious thing. You also know that we will inevitably overcome Sir Hedo's betrayal since we are facing a huge public enemy.]

"I admit it."

[That's why I had to take action. Jin Runcandel, when we clash with Rosa, if Sir Hedo is not on the battlefield, we will immediately dissolve our temporary alliance. And the same goes for Yona Runcandel, whom you saved today while displaying this behavior.]

"Zipfel also formed an alliance because they couldn't face Rosa alone, didn't they? It seems like you're implying that we are the only ones who regret it."

[The situation has changed here because you brought Hister back to recover. Of course, an alliance is not entirely unnecessary, but it is no longer essential.]

-...It seems that these living golems can only exert their power near the Holy Land.

-That's right. We are searching for a way to send them out of the Holy Land. For now, once they leave the vicinity of the Holy Land, they stop functioning like severed puppets. It means death. But more importantly, I don't understand why you're giving off such a displeased vibe. Do you think that being a magic swordsman is an exclusive privilege of your clan?

At Veradin's words, Jin remembered the magic swordsman living golems he had seen in the holy land of Zipfel. Additionally, he recalled the number of secrets mentioned by Ronil Zipfel during their first meeting, as well as the manipulation of history.

It didn't seem like everything was fully prepared. If it were, there would be no need for such threats.

"You gave quite a stern warning. It seems like it's not just empty words, so I'll remember it. Well, now that we have clarified our positions, may I ask one more question before I leave?"

[Speak.]

"As you can see, the subspace of chaos just exploded. We made efforts to contain it, but were there any civilian casualties? I assume you checked the extent of it on your way here."

[There were none.]

"That's a relief. Well then, I'm leaving. Make sure to handle the compensation for the damages and send it to Tikan."

As Jin turned around, Zipfel's fleet slowly started its retreat. Soon, those heading in their respective directions quickly moved apart.

Jin couldn't find any trace of the Veradin he knew, both when they met at the Holy Land and now.

He felt like he had regained his family but lost a friend.

'I have to get that guy back someday, like sister Yona...… But it won't be easy.'

He wanted to go back and start the purification, and he wanted to have a conversation with his youngest sister who had returned. That was the only comfort he could find at the moment.

* * *

The Garden of swords.

Rosa gazed down at her eldest son with an expressionless face.

[Joshua... Once again, you wasted my power and ran away like a dog.]

Joshua had lost his physical body five times during the battle with Bale. Each time, Rosa's energy was depleted, yet Joshua exceeded her permission and used powers beyond what she allowed.

Kneeling on one knee, Joshua couldn't even lift his head.

Since being dragged up from the underground prison, Joshua was trapped in the conviction that he could accomplish anything.

He thought he would never disappoint his mother like before. He had become the Second flagbearer again, and the power of the evil god bestowed upon him by his mother was immeasurable.

Moreover, his mother showed a considerable expectation, unlike when she had cast him aside. It was as if she was saying, "I will help you, so go and defeat the youngest."

[Mother, I...….]

[I have never had a son like you. Address me properly.]

However, nothing had changed.

He was still not the youngest, and he was still shattering his mother's expectations. The brief moment of contentment upon his return had already turned into disappointment.

[I apologize, lord patriarch.]

[Yes, you had something to say about the topic, right? Go ahead, make your excuses. What made you fail this time?]

He had no words to respond.

Whether the plan was not meticulous enough, the bestowed power was insufficient, or there were other variables. None of them could convince his mother.

Self-loathing surged within him, indescribable and boiling.

Joshua truly felt like he had become nothing more than a worthless being in the back alleys.

[I have nothing to say.]

[When I pulled you out of the underground prison, I thought you had changed somehow. That's why I gave you power and entrusted you with a task. It wasn't even that difficult. It was to use Yona's clones to kill Dante and torment the youngest.]

Though he was her son, Joshua felt like he was witnessing a nightmare of descent as his mother referred to Jin as the "youngest."

[Just one more... Please give me another chance.]

[Why should I? Even with my power, the fact remains that the youngest is an insurmountable wall for you.]

[That's....]

He couldn't answer any questions.

Breathing became difficult. And so, without even realizing it, Joshua exhaled shallow breaths, resembling a person drowning. In response, Rosa coldly lowered her head.

[Until I call for you again, return to the underground prison. From now on, Diphus will take your place.]

As Joshua turned around with a vacant expression, Ilina followed him.

Ilina comforted Joshua, assuring him that she would somehow postpone his disposal and asked him to calm down and wait a little longer.

After sending Joshua away like that, Ilina returned to Rosa and let out a long sigh.

"Even when I was working with Joshua, his incompetence frustrated me to the point of madness. But in the end, it turned out to be helpful for you, lord patriarch. Fate... It's quite amusing."

[If he were the youngest, he would have recognized and resisted my intentions long ago. That this farcical act is a play.]

There was only one reason why Rosa had taken Joshua out of the underground prison.

"Yes, that stupid fellow will remain clueless until he fulfills his role and disappears."

The despair that Joshua had accumulated until now and was still diligently nurturing, to an eerie extent of purity.

What Rosa needed from Joshua was solely that. Therefore, for the first time, Joshua seemed useful to Rosa.

No matter how deep he fell, he would never give up and continue to despair. Through the hope of "prophecy," so to speak.

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