CHAPTER 224

"Of course, that's after I can fully trust you. Before that, you're just a captive. I will treat you like a human, so don't disappoint me in return."

Jin continued his terms and conditions.

Just as he said, Julien was a captive. It was true that he gave a lot of information, but Jin couldn't trust him yet.

Julien definitely knew that he had to be forever thankful of Jin's actions of saving his life. When he said that he wanted to save his guardian dragon, he wasn't asking Jin to do so, but moreso a request to stand with him.

Since the beginning, he never thought of Joshua's downfall.

With his family slaughtered and his village vaporized, he had nothing left. No one talked about it in Huphester, and no one dared to uncover the truth.

Because it was Runcandel business. 

In fact, Julien initially thought that as the prospective successor, no one stood in Joshua's way.

That was all.

Duplicating his body through unholy means, hunting contractors, and swiftly containing dragons.

Ever since the age of twelve, Joshua did whatever he wanted with Julien. He was a divine being that could not be interfered with, as well as a being to forever fear.

But with Jin, he witnessed his first glimmer of hope.

Taking down Peitel and killing Joshua's duplicate.

Maybe… Just maybe he could end the nightmare he was having.

"…Alright."

"Perfect. Let us build our credibility and trust over time. It'll be tough since you don't have much reason to stick with me in the first place. Miss Alisa?"

"Yes, milord."

"Please take care of him. Until he's safe to leave the basement."

"Understood."

He couldn't just let him go when he could easily wreak havoc through the estate. He decided to keep him in the basement for the time being. 

"Oh, and if you want another sandwich, let me know any time."

Jin and Kuzan left the basement.

A million thoughts ran through Jin's mind.

'So it was a clone… And a prophet at that…"

Kuzan also looked rather concerned.

"Looks like this was new to you."

"I'm sorry."

"No need. I just need you to feed him dinner every day. Try to get some more information regarding Joshua's current forces. After that, organize it into a chart and compare it with your knowledge of Joshua's army."

Joshua probably knew that Julien remained alive since the guardian dragon likely didn't undergo any change.

And as Joshua continues his campaign to wipe out more civilizations, Jin had to strategically act clueless about Joshua's forces. If he demonstrated excessive understanding of Joshua's army, then Joshua would just kill the dragon knowing Julien betrayed him.

Kuzan inferred this and nodded.

"I shall organize the information so that it appears like we know nothing of his army."

"That's settled. Now, you can go on and take a break, and go see Beris. I'll make sure to hear from both of you after she recovers."

"Thank you."

"I will discuss with Kashimir regarding your position in the team. Probably within the Seven-Colored Peacock, so make sure to keep up with the training."

"Milord."

"Yeah?"

"Even if Beris never recovers her mana, I will give it my all to do her part as well."

Perhaps because they lived their lives as tools…

They inherently believed that their lives meant nothing without usefulness. Kuzan worried that Jin would dispose of Beris if she was of no value.

Thus, Kuzan decided to become Jin's right-hand man. Of course, Jin didn't believe in such simple ideologies. 

"So I won't treat Beris like she's worthless?"

"…Basically, yes."

"The Vankella priests will definitely provide extra treatment with a good compromise, and even if it doesn't work out, I have some places where she could offer great assistance. Have no fear, because I don't operate like my scummy brother. Anyway, come to Sir Kashimir's office by noon. For your room, Gilly will select it."

Jin went on his way.

Seeing his back turned, Kuzan kneeled down and lowered his head, bowing to his new leader.

Seeing this, Quikantel grabbed his nape and stood him up. 

"The hell are you doing in the hallway? You want to build a temple or something?"

Kuzan gave an awkward smile as if nothing happened. With his day a little brighter, he headed for the surgery room.

"Miss Quikantel."

"Did you get anything?"

"Yes, I'll tell you everything."

The crew had gathered in Kashimir's office.

Jin summarized what Julien said, and everyone had a look of shock or horror.

"Using people to make a duplicate… How horrible. Humans aren't just ingredients for some pastry."

Lathry shrugged and Quikantel shook her head.

"What the hell is your brother? Didn't that poor excuse of a Runcandel ask a magician to curse you? And now it's cloning? And this person called a prophet can steal contracts?"

"Euh, just by the story, I get goosebumps. It's disgusting he shares the same blood as you."

Almost becoming a victim of the Demon God's Orb, Enya knew the fear of losing her contract. 

"Are there any candidates, dragons?"

"Demon."

"Yep, no doubt about it."

Quikantel and Lathry already knew what was up.

"With a Demon Lord-level demon, it's not impossible. Excluding the contract stealing part, that is. But seeing how Zipfel is trying to do it as well, I think the demons already have methods."

"Demons, you say…"

In the one war where Runcandel and Zipfel joined forces to defeat the demons: the War of the Holy Kingdom. Ever since, in recent history, the demons had never emerged from their land.

"Or it could be that witch, Helluram. All of her mischief could fit this situation perfectly. Duplicating people, transferring contracts. All seems possible for her."

"Well, whether it be a demon or Helluram, we need to know what kind of relationship they have with Joshua as well as their motives. However…"

Jin trailed off.

"In reality, that's borderline impossible. Way too dangerous to use our agents. As a possibility, I believe that it isn't just Joshua's ties, but ties to the clan as a whole."

"That is definitely a possibility, milord. With such a significant figure by Joshua's side, I don't think Runcandel would be so clueless about it."

Everyone nodded. 

Just as a famous general once said: "Know thyself and know thy enemy, thy need not fear the outcome of a hundred battles." If Runcandel did not know of its internal affairs, how could it stand a chance against the Zipfels.

"Runcandel probably knows of Joshua's affairs with this prophet, but likely turned a blind eye or actively supports it. That's what we need to pinpoint,"

Kashimir said in a heavy voice.

"I wonder what Temar thinks of his next successor."

"Now the problem is that I can't just run into him anymore before I become a flag-bearer."

Otherwise, he'd never recover from the next fight. 

He couldn't just go ask Cyron either. Although he could get some intel on the situation, it would severely interfere with the battle for hegemony.

'Just as Kinzelo and Zipfel keep most of their forces low-key, we could be doing that as well. Is Mother actively pushing Joshua since he's good at these cheap tactics?'

Jin uncovered more and more secrets as a provisional flag-bearer.

All of the world powers have been using dirty tactics to get what they wanted. Zipfel did everything to become gods in the realm, and Kinzelo as well.

Vermont did not have any upfront confrontations yet, but it looked like it was on a tightrope between Zipfel and Kinzelo.

Between all this, there was no way Runcandel would prepare absolutely nothing.

—Damn right! If I wanted to, I could've caught up to her! THAT'S RIGHT! You're unaware of the world you haven't seen!

—Why do you think Runcandel hasn't taken over Zipfel, even with Father alive? Why didn't he kill me off despite being disappointed in me? Even if I don't satisfy your standards, the enemies fear me! ME!

Jin remembered what Joshua said.

Zipfel and Kinzelo wanted the same thing. 

To be feared and to own the world.

'The house probably knows this, too. That Kinzelo and Zipfel are cautious of Joshua.'

If Runcandel knew about the 'prophet,' then it'd support that fear.

'Or am I missing something?'

Jin pondered for a bit, then turned to his crew.

"It looks like I don't have time to fill up the five years that my father had given me. I plan to return a little earlier than scheduled."

It had been almost three years since he became a provisional flag-bearer. 

And there was a limit to how much he could know in such a position. Especially regarding Runcandel's internal workings.

"When do you plan to return?"

"Beginning of '99."

"Since it's October of '97, there's about a year left."

"I should start wrapping up my hunt for gear and I should gather enough name value so I don't get any side eyes. I'll just confront the clan about this prophet as a flag-bearer."

His combat skill definitely exceeded the baseline to become a flag-bearer, and he could build his name whenever he wanted with hard missions.

However, there was more preparation to be done. Preparation to fight Joshua.

Ten active-duty Dark Knights.

And elders, and their knights, and Huphester's army. Excluding the prophet, his army remained large.

All of whom were Jin's opponents as soon as he became a flag-bearer.

"It'd be great if Murakan can at least get half of his power back before you return. Then I can proudly send you back too."

"Well, he left to see his sister, so there'd definitely be some development."

Murakan mentioned that he needed approximately two months.

But after one month, the crew received some news that could be related to Murakan.