CHAPTER 756

[T.L: punisher87]

[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]

***

The next day, the former capital of the Vermont Empire.

In the square, Jin had been giving a speech for a long time. Several hours have already passed just by reading the names of the dead and paying tribute to them.

Despite the scorching sun overhead, not a single person in the square moved from their place. Many shed tears silently.

Some cried, thinking of those slaughtered by the evil god. Some wept for the fallen who died in battle. Others cried tears of joy, realizing they could still live on.

"...With this, we conclude the memorial ceremony."

Behind Jin, banners representing various factions and clans were raised. Jin turned around one last time, facing the banners in contemplation. Now it was time to make the proclamation.

"As of today, the temporary alliance between the Vamel alliance, Zipfel, and Kinzelo, who stood against the evil god, has officially disbanded. Each faction will return to their original relationships."

It was already known to all the dignitaries that a new era was dawning.

"Runcandel, Zipfel, and Kinzelo have made one agreement before the final battle against the evil god. It is a limited non-aggression pact that states we will not attack each other for at least one year after the war ends. Today, in this place, I, Jin, swear that Runcandel will not be the first to break that agreement."

Ronel and Zephirin, who were standing behind, could only ponder Jin's words.

'Why would Sir Jin publicly declare that he will not break the agreement in such a setting? Is he testing us?'

"Sir Jin would have no reason to expose his weakness. Rather than a tactic to secure a justification for the war, it seems more like a warning or a threat...'

Battle god Vahn and Murakan.

Their summoning was the biggest concern for Zipfel and Kinzelo at the moment.

Until they figured that out, the two factions wouldn't dare to threaten Runcandel lightly.

On the other hand, Jin didn't need to be as cautious as them.

"Furthermore, Runcandel intends to make all records regarding the war against the evil god available to the public. With the assistance of the Record Mage Valeria Hister."

Upon hearing those words, Ronel and the Zipfel officials barely concealed their surprise.

The mention of the "Record Mage" and "Hister" stirred up the entire square.

Whether they knew the name and its significance or not, everyone showed interest.

"The mage Valeria Hister, as a member of the Vamel allotment, participated in this war and organized nearly all records of the war. Valeria."

Responding to Jin's call, Valeria, who had been wearing a hood among the crowd, ascended the platform.

When she removed her hood, her red hair and unmasked face were revealed.

"I am Valeria Hister. As the last surviving member of the Hister Clan, I possess the ability to use record magic, as you can see."

Woooong...!

Valeria waved her silver birch staff once, and a massive record window appeared next to the platform.

It was densely filled with descriptions of the war against the evil god.

"That's magic?"

"I've heard of it. There was a clan that used that kind of magic until a few hundred years ago..."

The crowd's attention was focused on the record window.

Naturally, Zipfel had expected that Jin would continue to tightly guard any information about Valeria. The more exclusive the information, the more valuable it became.

Above all, Zipfel thought that it would not be beneficial for Jin to reveal Valeria to the public.

But Jin had a completely different perspective.

'When you lack power, you must hide everything, but now there is no need for that. Judging by their bewildered expressions, it seems entirely unexpected.'

Although Zipfel felt fear when witnessing Jin's power during the war against the evil god, they were still somewhat entrapped by their past mentality.

They still had a lingering belief that Jin was in a position where he had to conceal something from them.

"As I am the sole survivor of the Hister Clan, I cannot maintain this record window indefinitely. The public disclosure of the records will last for one week, starting today. That duration should allow enough time for this content to be transcribed and disseminated worldwide."

"Sir Jin and Miss Valeria Hister, why did you suddenly reveal the existence of the Record Mage?" A journalist asked. Of course, he was a journalist named Dino Zaglan, and the question had been prearranged.

"As this was a war in which the whole world joined forces, I deemed it necessary for all information to be transparently disclosed."

"Has this been agreed upon by the clans that were part of the temporary alliance?"

"Not exactly. Is there a need for an agreement on such matters? It is natural to disclose this to the public, I believe. That's all for now. I will answer the journalists' questions after the proclamation. Valeria, please continue."

"Yes, Lord, young patriarch. Furthermore, Runcandel and the Vamel alliance have decided to share with the world all the value that can be derived through record magic. This includes societal advancement through the discovery of lost practical techniques, restoration of lost history, and international criminal tracking, to name a few."

For thousands of years, Zipfel had clearly been the driving force behind the world's "progress."

Even everyday essentials containing the word "magic" were all products developed by Zipfel.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that everything essential in life with the word "magic" originated from Zipfel.

However, according to Valeria's words, now Runcandel and the Vamel alliance could potentially replace Zipfel's position.

Is that really possible?

Even if they weren't journalists, someone would inevitably ask that question, but the crowd didn't voice any doubts.

It was because Jin Runcandel, the young patriarch of the swordmasters, was asserting it with confidence.

The weight of the honor Jin had accumulated over time was shining brightly.

"But as I mentioned before, I am the last mage of the Hister Clan. There are limitations to what I can do with only one body. Additionally, until the war with the evil god, I was being pursued by a certain group for a long time, making it quite difficult to restore my clan's magic."

The phrase "certain group" seemed considerate.

The moment Ronil sweated over such thoughts, Valeria boldly spoke out the name.

"That group's name is Zipfel."

This time, the crowd's attention shifted to the Zipfel representatives.

"Between our Hister Clan and Zipfel, there exists a long and dark history that I cannot fully explain to all of you. However, as a comrade who fought alongside Zipfel during this battle, I now humbly request that you let me go. If Zipfel gives up its ambitions toward the Hister Clan, I, too, will strive to forget the past."

Of course, it wasn't sincere.

Even if Zipfel truly gave up on the Hister Clan, Valeria's resentment toward them wouldn't diminish in the slightest.

It was merely a statement uttered to tarnish the name of Zipfel. Zipfel would never be able to accept those words.

To refuse meant becoming trash, while accepting meant making an impossible promise in front of the public.

In the end, Ronil sighed and chose the former.

"Miss Valeria's proposal is unacceptable. It seems this is not an appropriate occasion to discuss such sensitive matters. However, I wish you good fortune."

Jin silently pondered Ronil's response and thought.

'If it were Veradin, he would have demanded Valeria prove whether her words about forgetting the past were true using the record magic. In that case, they would have had the upper hand. It's a disappointing response, Ronil Zipfel.'

Valeria nodded her head.

"I understand. As you said, it is not an inappropriate occasion. I have just presented the stance of the Runcandel and Vamel alliance to the Zipfel side. If it seemed rude in any way, I apologize."

With this highly provocative gesture, it was not easy for Zipfel and Kinzelo to grasp the situation.

They couldn't help but be confused whether Jin could fully use the power that he had during the Battle of the Evil god.

'He made a commitment to uphold the Non-Aggression Treaty, but with such provocation, it seems like he has some confidence.'

'...It was a good decision not to bring lord Kadan. The tension would have escalated.'

Valeria stepped back behind Jin.

"Although I showed a somewhat unfavorable side just now, please be reassured that the Glyek contamination zones left by the previous temporary alliance will be purified with the combined effort of all parties involved. This concludes Runcandel's statement. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to all those present and to the comrades of the war who couldn't be here. I will now take my leave."

Jin bowed his head to the crowd.

Once again, it was a sight that could never be seen in the previous Runcandel.

Therefore, people felt that the current Runcandel was like a clan lower than ever before.

But at the same time, it also felt stronger than ever.

As Jin stepped down from the podium, applause and cheers erupted, and the journalists hurriedly followed Jin and Valeria.

***

While the attention of the journalists and the crowd was focused entirely on Valeria, Jin quietly left the capital.

His destination was the official capital of the Empire.

It was the former territory of the Old Sword Emperor Castle, now known as the "Territory of the Sword Emperor."

After Dante ascended to the throne, he relocated the capital to this place, but it was merely a symbolic change to honor Ron.

Territory of the Sword Emperor was a land where not only administrative facilities but even humans and animals could not survive due to the chaos.

That's all the people knew, or at least that's what they thought.

"Dante."

At Jin's voice, Dante turned around and smiled.

In front of Dante was a beam of light left by Ron and the words they had engraved together with their swords in the past.

Sword Emperor Ron Hairan. Becoming the light of Hairan or the light of the world in this place.

"You've come? Jin."

Jin received the glass Dante handed him and carefully placed it in front of Ron's light, offering a silent prayer.

Their meeting here today was not just to honor Ron.

"The land is being purified much faster than we thought."

"It must be thanks to my grandfather watching over me."

Territory of the Sword Emperor, known to be still enveloped in tremendous chaos, had actually transformed enough for people to be able to inhabit it.

Only Jin and Dante knew this fact.

From an external perspective, the Territory of the Sword Emperor still appeared to be engulfed in dreadful chaos.

"It must have been a difficult decision. Are you really okay with it?"

"It wasn't that difficult. I made this decision once I confirmed the rapid purification of the land. I'm sure my grandfather would have wanted this too."

Dante's decision was none other than to use the purified Territory of the Sword Emperor as a secret shipyard for the Vamel alliance.

[T/L: You can read more chapters and support me here: https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 & https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]

[T/L: Join $29 membership on my "buymeacoffee" page and read 55 chapters ahead and daily 1 new chapter update. I have introduced new memberships, and you can read upto 75 or 85 chapters ahead.]