CHAPTER 807

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The Vermont imperial family was hiding in seclusion on an uninhabited island, where there was a passage leading to the netherworld known as the "Middle Layer." This passage was not a direct connection to the real netherworld, hell, but rather a link to the Middle Layer inhabited by beings like Ameris, which existed after the world was split in half.

Neither the imperial family nor the current island owner, the Lutero Federation, created the passage. It was actually built by the Blue Plutonian Tribe during the ancient era when the "War for the Sun God" was at its peak. These passages, created by various factions that held power at the time, still remained scattered throughout the world.

Among the surface forces, only the imperial family knew about the existence of these passages. Due to a memory error caused by the seal, Ameris had forgotten about the existence of the passages.

"Fortunately, the situation we feared did not occur after sensing the awakening of the Great Serpent. If the memories and powers of the Great Serpent were intact, none of the races sealed in the Middle Layer would have survived."

After Bibol left, Airan smiled and spoke.

Based on the fact that the Red Plutonian Tribe is rampaging in the human world, Airan was certain of Ameris's current state. Her power, abilities, and memories were all incomplete.

The Red Plutonian Tribe was no different.

It was true that the battle prowess of Jin was closest to the pinnacle of the human world, but if Rakiman and Red Fleet were in their prime, Jin would not have dominated the battle so one-sidedly. At least they could have offered some resistance.

"Yes, Your Majesty. It is fortunate for us that the Red Plutonian Tribe was cornered immediately after awakening. Even those arrogant and wicked beings cannot reject the hand we extend to them."

"Once we acquire the Red Plutonian Tribe's technology through trade, cloning him will no longer be a dream. Moreover, if we start searching for the Remnants of the Blue Plutonian Tribe from now on, we can awaken Eltiot as well... The Empire will rise again! It will become an eternal empire that no one can destroy!"

The members of the imperial family did not hide their excited voices.

Throughout the long ages, from ancient times until now, they had endured humiliation akin to eternity in order to survive and seize opportunities. During those long years, they had never once dominated the world as overwhelming conquerors.

In ancient times, they were treated as insects by the likes of the Red Plutonian Tribe and the Blue Plutonian Tribe. Even after the "Great Seal," while the birth and destruction of civilizations occurred repeatedly on the surface, they barely survived the imminent threat of extinction.

Then, at long last, they established Vermont. However, as the current history of humanity attests, Vermont has never attained a position worthy of the name "Empire."

That was because monsters like Runcandel and Zipfel existed. Zipfel emerged and immediately threatened the empire's existence, and just when they could no longer hold on, Runcandel appeared.

And for a thousand years since then.

The empire had walked a tightrope, watching the moves of both sides, and now only the ancient beings of the imperial family barely concealed themselves.

That's why the desires of Vermont's imperial family were singular.

Complete and secure survival.

The power to reign alone in the world was the most important means to achieve that goal. The imperial family had no interest in the resurrection of the Sun God.

On the contrary, they were in a position where it must be prevented at all costs. If the Sun God were to be resurrected, they would once again have to live a life like insects, bound by their predetermined fate.

"As soon as Bibol returns, we will start searching for the Remnants of the Blue Plutonian Tribe. Check the various regional passages. Our enemies, especially Runcandel, will soon become aware of the existence of the Remnants of the Blue Plutonian Tribe, as they have access to Ameris and the abilities of the Record Mage. We must secure them before anyone else."

"Understood, Your Majesty!"

"Once our trade with the Red Plutonian Tribe is finalized, the situation on the surface will change rapidly. The Red Plutonian Tribe will soar like crazy... In the midst of this swift transformation, we will remain at the center until the end. Surviving until the end is something that has always been our speciality."

As the members of the imperial family dispersed, Airan remained alone in the conference room, gazing out the window as the cool breeze was blowing.

***

October 8, 1803.

It had been exactly a week since Jin drove out the Red Plutonian Tribe, who had attacked the 3rd Branch of Kinzelo. Since that day, there had been no sightings of the Red Plutonian Tribe in the human world. At least, that's what the Vamel Alliance and Zipfel knew.

In fact, the Red Plutonian Tribe had already concluded their trade with Airan, where he personally met Rakiman and Shimat. They had only refrained from hunting in the human world, but everything else had been settled.

And both the Red Plutonian Tribe and the imperial family had already gained significant benefits from each other. The Red Plutonian Tribe had swiftly opened their second fortress by consuming the blood of the humans and ancient remnants sent by Airan, while the imperial family had received their technology and were cultivating their weaponry.

All of this had happened under the radar of the watchful eyes of the major forces. It was a privilege of those who had seized control of the Middle Layer.

"Veradin is making quite a bold move since becoming the patriarch."

Jin spoke while scanning through the special reports.

Every day, the news articles poured in. Veradin becomes the patriarch, the background of Kelliark's rebellion, the underworld, the emergence of Ameris and the Red Plutonian Tribe, and Jin awakening them.

All of these stories were being made public.

"The reporters from Zipfel are consistently spreading the narrative that the young master is threatening world peace by awakening the underworld beings."

Jin nodded in agreement with Kashmir's words.

"It feels like they are trying to create a pretext for war. They're saying that since I posed a threat to the world first, Zipfel's actions against Runcandel and the Vamel Alliance are in self-defense."

"They must have something to believe in, even after witnessing the power of the young master, the battle god, and the strength of our alliance. It must be related to the Demon's God's Orb or the abilities associated with Zipfel's holy land."

Naturally, Jin wanted to delay the war as much as possible. He wanted to complete the Golden Fleet, bring his brethren out from Laprarosa, and have Murakan return.

And if possible, he wanted to start the war after he himself became the genesis knight. A war fought under those conditions would be overwhelming, devoid of bloodshed, madness, and unnecessary killing.

If he could completely overpower his enemies, he could tidy up the world without unnecessary death and destruction.

In other words, he could fight while safeguarding the lives of ordinary people to the greatest extent possible.

At present, that was an impossible task, and Jin had to fight a highly disadvantageous battle beyond that. The only force that thought about the civilians, both on the surface and nether, was the Vamel Alliance.

"Veradin knows exactly what I am most concerned about. The deaths of my companions and innocent people. If the war starts quickly, I will lose a lot, even if we achieve victory."

Nightmares that Jin had personally experienced in the evil god war.

In fact, in the war between the major factions, there would be even more sacrifices than that. The entire world would become a battlefield, and after the fighting ended, the victors would be faced with a desolate landscape that would never be the same again.

It frustrated Jin.

The burden he felt as a regressor.

Jin recalled the words Ron had left for him through Dante right before he died.

-You have done nothing wrong. That's what he told both you and me.

'Yes... While it's possible that none of this is my fault, it doesn't mean I can turn a blind eye to it. Whatever happens from now on, I can only move forward while doing what I have to do. I must become the best in the world.'

The efforts to become the best in the world.

That was the only thing pushing aside Jin's agony as a regressor. Like someone shaking off a nightmare, Jin adjusted his expression and met the gaze of his comapnions.

"The war will start soon. There will definitely be localized battles, if not a full-scale war. Even if it's not Veradin, there is a high possibility that the Red Plutonian Tribe will engage in more aggressive activities in the human world after recovering from their losses. After defeating them, Valeria investigated the 3rd Branch of Kinzelo, and not only Zipfel but also remnants of the imperial family sent people there."

"There were reports that Zipfel has been constantly searching for remnants of the imperial family."

Cuicantelle pointed to the reports.

"Not only Zipfel, but we have also been tracking them ever since the fake Yona incident. We've used all possible means, including Valeria's record magic. But so far, we haven't managed to catch a single trace of them, so we can't exclude the possibility that they are hiding somewhere other than the surface."

"I agree with you, Ms. Cuicantelle. Those mystics must possess hidden abilities. If it's related to the nether, it could be an opportunity for them."

"From what I know, there are no such secrets within the imperial family... but well, considering how Airan Vermont suddenly inherited power after Amir's death, it's possible that the former emperor was just a figurehead from the start."

In addition to Zipfel and the imperial family, Kinzelo was also a problem.

[Zephyrin, it's almost certain that the Demon Dragon is one of my heads. When Zephyrin wakes up in the future, she will likely regain some of her memories and power from that time. It won't be complete, but her lost self will return to some extent. In any case, it's clear that she is not one of those heads who were trying to prevent the resurrection of the Sun God.]

"Hopefully, she can regain some of her power and abilities from that time. Or we can hope that Zephyrin's unconscious state is unrelated to Ms. Ameris."

[If it's the latter, it would be even better, but it's best not to have high expectations.]

As Ameris said those words, the communication device installed in the conference room emitted a blue light and resonated.

{Young patriarch! Urgent report!}

As soon as Jin received the call, he heard Luet's urgent voice.

"Speak, Head butler."

{The Red Plutonian Tribe has attacked Zipfel.}

"...What did you say? Not Kinzelo, but Zipfel?"

{Six hours ago, Zipfel's 2nd-class Magic Tower located in Ramatan was bombarded by the Red Plutonian Tribe's fleet. Zipfel is currently in a state of war.}

Runcandel and the Vamel Alliance had naturally thought that the Red Plutonian Tribe would target Kinzelo once they resumed their activities on the surface.

However, they had boldly attacked Zipfel, and it was an unexpected development for everyone except the imperial family.

"For them to resume their activities so quickly... it seems like they received help from someone."

Jin replied with narrowed eyes. If it wasn't the work of Zipfel's own rogue faction, the remnants of the imperial family were the most likely suspects.

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