Chapter 296

Jin noticed Veradin's staff while controlling the flames. Strangely, there was a sense of intrigue alongside killing intent emanating from the staff aimed at him.

Veradin was actually smiling, as if he found this situation quite enjoyable.

However, Jin no longer felt bitter about it. He had come to the realization that the one currently aiming the staff at him wasn't the real Veradin.

Moreover, he was certain that Zipfel wouldn't let Veradin continue in that state.

'If they simply need a battle doll, there are plenty of individuals to use besides Veradin. He will appear normal in his daily life. They can't afford to have a battle-crazy and bloodthirsty maniac as the next patriarch.'

It occurred to Jin that he might have been manipulated just like this in his past life.

'These bastards.'

Gleaming rune characters were floating toward Kozec.

Now, all the mages knew that these rune characters were the targeting points for the Flame Orb.

As a result, everyone panicked and aimed their staff at the rune characters.

Various spells were cast to repel the rune characters, but runes were too small and moved relentlessly, making it nearly impossible to stop. Even if they managed to hit them with magic, it had no effect. The rune characters continued to float effortlessly like the wind.

In an instant, dozens of rune characters adhered to various parts of Kozec's hull.

Then, from Jin's Flame Orb, an equal number of flame tentacles shot out.

The chains of flame wrapped and coiled around Kozec like a serpent, and the mages watched in astonishment.

"Ugh!"

Crack!

It seemed as if several serpents were simultaneously squeezing a prey.

In an instant, small fissures appeared all over Kozec's hull, and the mages screamed in sudden shock.

It seemed that the chains of flame might indeed crush Kozec.

The remaining Red Dragons threw themselves at the chains to break them, but their efforts were in vain.

Those trying to tear the flames apart were either pierced by another chain of flame or had their throats cut.

Jin watched this spectacle with a cold gaze.

"Turn the ship!"

"The ship won't budge, sir!"

Only one person incapacitated Kozec, the 12th flagbearer of Runcandel, no less. No one present here could have imagined such an outcome.

Thirty Phoenixes were unsummoned. This meant that the mages who summoned them had all died.

Gaahhh!

Tess roared and let out breath towards Kozec. Kozec vibrated violently and seemed on the verge of breaking as Jin's flames and blue flame's pressure combined.

The Guardian Knights alternatively looked between Jin and Kozec as if in a daze. Even the traitor, Barton, had widened his eyes in shock.

'Is this... the power of the 12th flagbearer?'

Even he, who had 10-star battle prowess, couldn't incapacitate Kozec like this. This was despite taking into account that Kozec wasn't operating at full efficiency.

'At this rate, the Zipfel's mages will be completely wiped out. In fact, I can't even guarantee Veradin Zipfel's survival.'

Helping Zipfel to secure Ventica was no longer his primary concern. He has to do something to avoid disappointing Kelliark Zipfel.

'First, Veradin Zipfel seems to be attempting something... so I should plan accordingly.'

Jin shouted and increased the mana and shadow force of his Flame Orb. At the same time, Veradin's staff glowed red.

He completely casted the "annihilating Dark Sky Flame Orb - 1st Version of demon empress" spell.

From Veradin's body, rune characters left behind by Riol Zipfel emerged. They intertwined with Jin's rune characters and created new flames.

The 1st version was also in the form of a colossal Flame Orb, just like the final version. A pure mana Flame Orb took its place in front of Kozec like a shield. Although it was smaller than Jin's, it clearly contained even more mana.

A thin line of blood trickled from the corner of Veradin's mouth. His body couldn't keep up with casting of such a massive spell after using the Spatial Explosions.

'It's the sign of mana backflow. But he seems like he doesn't feel the pain.'

Even as he spat out blood, Veradin continued to pour mana into the Flame Orb. His eyes rolled back.

"Hehehe..."

Veradin eventually burst into laughter upon seeing the completed spell.

It looked as if two suns were rising. He couldn't tear his eyes away and was clearly satisfied with the outcome.

However, unlike Jin's final version, Veradin's 1st version was a spell that moved toward its target. The 1st version Flame Orb was descending toward Jin.

It appeared to be moving incredibly slowly, but that was only because the 1st version flame orb was so massive. In reality, it was moving at an astonishing speed.

Would Kozec succumb to the power of the final version flame orb first and break, or would the 1st version flame orb engulf Jin first?

Those around them felt their insides burning while thinking this.

Jin maintained his composed gaze, while Veradin wore an excited expression.

"It seems like you will have to learn how to use magic from scratch."

These words were not directed at Veradin; they were meant for Zipfels.

In Jin's eyes, this magic was clearly highly inefficient. Losing one's sanity in battle was equivalent to closing one's eyes.

What was the point of turning Veradin into a battle-junky with such an unstable mind manipulation spell? He was blindly charging in even without batting an eye to the mana backflow.

Huuuung...!

The shadow force that had shrouded the sky in darkness disappeared. Jin's body, which had turned black, returned to its original color.

Countless particles of shadow force scattered in every direction. All these particles were absorbed into Jin's flame orb, causing it to gradually darken.

It took three seconds for the flame orb to absorb all the shadow force that had filled the sky.

Although Veradin's 1st version was still some distance from Jin, the final version was ready to explode.

"You bastards."

Boom...

In the center of the transformed flame orb, which looks like a black a sun, a sudden white light emerges. It was as thin and long as a blade. Shortly after, the explosion began, and surprisingly, it even caused an earthquake on the ground.

It was an earthquake caused by the shockwave of the explosion that unfolded in the sky.

The ground cracked from the shockwave alone. The sky displayed an even more shocking spectacle amidst the bodies of dead red dragons and mages being tossed here and there.

The clouds were torn apart, as if by some giant hand tearing through them. The sky distorted due to the multilayer shockwaves that were spreading on top of each other.

The explosion swayed Kozec as if it were a powerless buoy.

Throughout history, there had never been a moment when Kozec appeared as feeble as it did now.

The ultimate weapon of Zipfel was completely at the mercy of Runcandel's 12th flagbearer.

The side cannons were destroyed by the explosion, and the protective shield that had covered Kozec had already shattered like glass, rendering it ineffective. 

Even the chains of flame that bound Kozec were still intact. It almost looked like Jin just completely overwhelmed Kozec.

The advantage was entirely in Runcandel's favor. However, Diphus couldn't relax.

"Youngest...!"

Diphus screamed in frustration.

Veradin's 1st version was still descending to strike Jin.

Jin kneeled on one knee and gasped for breath. annihilating Dark Sky Flame Orb– the final version of the Demon Empress put a great strain on his body like Plutonian Reign Sword.

Huff, huff...!

As he gasped for air, Veradin's flame orb drew closer.

"Get out of the way, quickly!"

Diphus recognized that Veradin's magic was of the same level as the one Jin had casted, and it would be devastating if Jin took it head-on. However, due to the shockwaves, he couldn't assist Jin.

The guardian knights had barely managed to stabilize themselves by plunging their swords into the ground, and Barton pretended to protect the injured rather than helping Jin.

From Barton's perspective, Jin's death would be the best outcome. He could kill Diphus and the remaining guardian knights after Kozec retreated, and return to the Garden of Swords.

'That traitor bastard...!'

With a growl, Diphus clenched his fists. It was clear what Barton was thinking.

Before arriving in Ventica, Diphus had also considered killing Jin when the opportunity arose, but not now.

Jin had to survive for now for the sake of Runcandel.

"Get out of the way!"

He shouted again, and this time, Jin raised his head. However, he didn't look towards Diphus but focused on the flame orb, which was now dangerously close.

He had no power to dodge.

'In the Holy Kingdom, he said he would use this magic to protect me.'

-Stop. Jin, Dante. You go first. I'll stop them.

-Okay, we'll retreat first, Veradin.

-Jin! If we escape, what about Veradin?

--However, in exchange, say that you tried to stop me but were brutally defeated.

On that day, Veradin had tried to cast the 1st version, but Jin had struck him down and he fell into mana backflow. If Jin hadn't intervened, Veradin would have become the one who killed his own clan members in front of everyone.

The 1st version of annihilating dark sky flame orb was a spell that Veradin had intended to cast with such determination. However, he couldn't have properly cast it, especially with his manipulated mind.

"Cough!"

Suddenly, Veradin bent forward as if he were about to fall.

The backflow of mana.

Although Jin couldn't punch him like he had at that time, Jin had been confident since the moment Veradin had attempted to use the 1st version. He was certain that Veradin could never fully unleash it, and even if he did, he wouldn't be able to control it until it reached him.

The flame orb rapidly dwindled in size with just two steps away from Jin.

"Kraaaah!"

Veradin screamed in agony. In addition to vomiting blood, his body trembled violently as his entire body's blood vessels burst.

In the blink of an eye, the once gigantic flame orb had shrunk to the size of an egg.

The uncontrolled mana dissipated helplessly into the air and produced faint popping sounds.

Jin reached out and grabbed the remaining flame orb in his palm.

After a few seconds, Jin looked at the soot remains on his palm.

Diphus involuntarily opened his mouth in astonishment.

'Could it be... he calculated that Veradin Zipfel's magic spell would be extinguished due to the mana backflow...?'

Above their heads, Jin's flame orb was still tearing apart Kozec, but its power had diminished significantly from the beginning, and the hull was slowly turning around.

"Fourth flagbearer, pursue them. They will try to escape."

Jin wiped away the ashes from his palm as he spoke.

"Understood! Sir Barton, let's go!"

Diphus shouted as he grabbed Barton's shoulder.