Chapter 857

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The Tower of Stories, Elona's office.

"The white whale and Zed Runcandel, the former Black Knights, have returned...."

Veradin sighed as he looked at the news articles spread out on the table.

All the articles were about the return of Luna and others. The Huphester's articles particularly described how they immediately dealt with the major fracture in Siatello upon their return, led by Dino Zaglan.

"Who is white whale?"

"She is the 1st flagbearer of Runcandel who left for the Black Sea with Chiron Runcandel, Lady Elona. Except for Chiron, she was known as the strongest knight in Runcandel."

Upon Ronil's explanation, Elona nodded.

"Is she still the same?"

"Now with the young patriarch of sword masters, Jin Runcandel, I am not sure. Because she left for the Black Sea, it has been quite some time since white whale made any significant achievement. But considering the reputation of the white whale during her prime.... Maybe she's not far behind Jin Runcandel even now. She might even be stronger. The white whale also achieved a lot."

"It reminds me of the evaluation of the traitor, Kelliark Zipfel, about the white whale."

"What evaluation was that? Satrin."

"Luna Runcandel is an individual who has the potential of winning against anyone in the world, even if it's Chiron Runcandel or himself. That's what he said. In fact, when the traitor was the patriarch, he was most wary of the white whale after Chiron Runcandel."

"An individual who has the potential of winning against anyone... Even if it's Chiron or himself."

As she said that, Elona recalled memories from a thousand years ago.

Even back then, there were people like that.

'It reminds me of Temar and the Flame Empress. Like Jin Runcandel and Luna Runcandel now, those two were also close siblings."

Naturally, those two were the ones Elona felt most frustrated against at the time. Both of them were clearly weaker than her, yet when she fought them, she felt an inexplicable sense of impatience.

'Besides those two, there was also one more person... Who was it? Anyway, the current Runcandel is strong, just like it was back then.'

Jin Runcandel, Luna Runcandel.

Elona repeated their names silently, hoping she wouldn't have to meet them anytime soon. However, someday, they would inevitably have to fight, and that time should come after she regains all her strength and awakens.

"What's fortunate at least is that tremendous energy I felt from near the Black Sea... at least Chiron Runcandel did not return himself. Ah, but on the other hand, it's also a problem that there might be someone else at the same level as Chiron...! The white whale isn't likely to be a Genesis knight, but she cleanly destroyed the fracture like I did...! Ugh."

"Lady Elona."

"Yes, lord patriarch."

"Don't worry too much. Now, like a thousand years ago, you won't have to face them alone."

Elona was taken aback and made eye contact with Veradin. He always understood her inner thoughts.

"Thank you for saying that, lord patriarch."

"Since your return, not only Runcandel but also the Red Plutonian tribe, and now there are presumptions of another nether force. You likely haven't been feeling at ease."

Fractures.

The signs of the Demon world transferring to the Lutero Federation were continuing. As recently interpreted by the Nameless informants, the reason for Zipfel's recent defeat in battle against the Red Plutonian tribe was due to Elona leaving the battlefield to eliminate a fracture.

"It seems that way. According to what I've confirmed through the Tower recently, it is probably a demon... a type of demon we've never encountered before. Although we haven't had direct communication yet, they are creating dimensional portals within our territory without permission, so they will undoubtedly become our enemies."

Zipfel was aware that those fractures were a form of summoning magic.

"Ultimately, those demons' dimensional portals will summon their stronghold somewhere in Lutero."

"Because Lady Elona and the Tower can't eliminate all the fractures...."

"And that's not Lady Elona's responsibility either. Rather, it's our incompetence for not creating means of teleportation like the Vamel Alliance. Anyway, once their stronghold is established, I plan to meet them immediately."

Veradin was thinking of negotiating with the Demon World. It was a daunting task to deal with them while fighting a war with the Red Plutonian Tribe.

"If they're the kind we can negotiate with, it might be an opportunity to completely drive out the Red Plutonian tribe. First of all, as soon as the prayer of the shrine maiden is over, I will ask her to find out more information about the demons."

The shrine maiden of the Sun God, Sanna. She was currently praying to find Kelliark Zipfel. The powers of Sheenu and Kelliark were still essential components to complete the Demon's God's Orb and the Tower of Stories.

"Furthermore, we must also prepare for the scenario where demons don't respond to negotiations. Most importantly, their relationship with the Red Plutonian tribe... We will keep an eye on it for now."

***

True Demon World, Sword Demon Castle.

"So, does this mean that out of the thirty fractures created by Lord Zito in the surface and the middle world, twenty-three have been destroyed?"

Paellito said while sipping the soul wine from the glass jar.

The soul wine was created from the souls of the beings from the surface and middle world who hadn't fallen under the cycle of reincarnation and had been sent to hell. The agonized screams of the souls, condensed into the alcohol, were somewhat soothing the discomfort in his heart.

"I anticipated this, but it's still incredibly unpleasant to think that Lord Zito's magic has been damaged. When I think about the time it took for me to counter Lord Zito's magic for the first time... the fact that such short-lived beings like humans accomplished this is beyond belief."

"That's why humans must be controlled through suffering. After the Sun God's death, they've gained far too much potential."

"You're right, Sakiel."

"According to the information we obtained from the witch this time, the person who destroyed the most crucial fractures is a human named Luna Runcandel."

"The fractures in Siatello, I assume. The daughter of Chiron Runcandel who returned from the Black Sea."

"That's correct."

"If it's true that she used the crimson aura, then this human Luna Runcandel, along with Chiron Runcandel, is currently the most dangerous individual to Lord Zito."

Sakiel handed over a report containing Luna's information. Paellito studied it closely while savoring the soul wine.

He was contemplating how to push Luna into suffering.

It didn't take Paellito long to find her weaknesses.

"Despite having considerable power, she's a human with a weak heart and strong emotions."

"That's true for most of the humans on the surface. It is the same even for the person of highest concern, Jin Runcandel."

"But unlike Jin Runcandel, this Luna Runcandel seems to carry a subtle sense of guilt towards her blood relatives."

A smile appeared on Paellito's lips.

"Sakiel."

"Yes, Lord Paellito."

"Temporarily halt the production of soul wine from now on. Also, scour hell thoroughly and confirm the existence of Luna Runcandel's siblings. They must have fallen to hell at some point. If they haven't already become soul wine, they're likely still here."

"Inducing mental suffering through guilt, a classic method."

"Classics are always exemplary. Oh, have you confirmed the life or death of that insect-like Basset?"

Basset Visepps.

He was the leader of the resistance against Zito in the Demon world and a key figure in the resistance.

"It seems that Lord Dylus's pursuit unit has cornered him."

"He's a persistent one. I never expected him to escape even after being mortally wounded by me. How many times has he escaped now? I'm not sure if I'm incompetent or he's exceptional."

"I think Basset has been lucky. Shall I send the pursuit unit after him again?"

Paellito pondered for a moment before shaking his head.

"No, let him be. It seems he's somehow managed to survive and wants to establish a connection with the surface forces later... It wouldn't be a bad idea to bring greater despair to him then. Keep an eye on hell as well."

"Understood."

***

Garden of Swords.

"Oh, suddenly my ears are itching. Who's talking about me?"

Luna said, scratching her ear.

"Right now, the entire world is probably talking about you and the returnees, elder sister. It's okay if your ears are itching."

"Well, that's true."

The welcome ceremony for Luna and Zed, the former Black Knights, had just concluded grandly. And now, Luna and Jin were sitting face-to-face, engaging in conversation.

There were so many stories to catch up on.

Since Luna left for the Black Sea, Jin had found the seven tombs of the Temar, made a patriarch declaration, developed Tikan, and experienced the War of Sword Emperor Castle and Glyek.

He had even defeated Joshua and finally killed the evil god, enduring numerous trials and tribulations.

Among these, Luna felt the deaths of her siblings most acutely. But she also enjoyed listening to the stories of her siblings who had joined forces until the very end to protect the clan.

"Joshua, Myu, Anne, Ran, Vigo... I was too indifferent toward them. I should've taken better care of them to prevent them from going astray."

"It's not your responsibility, elder sister."

Jin naturally thought that Luna would shake her head at those words. It was obvious that she would feel tormented by the significant responsibility she bore.

However, Luna merely wore a slightly bitter expression as she nodded.

"You're right. It's not my responsibility, after all. Everyone chooses and takes responsibility for their own lives. I never forced them to go astray or get corrupted. I'm not entirely devoid of guilt, and it's sad that we, as siblings, engaged in bloody battles. But more than that, I'm proud of you for being right as a Runcandel, and I feel more sorry for you."

"Please stop saying you're sorry to me, elder sister. How much longer will you keep saying that you're sorry? You didn't go to play around in the Black Sea."

"Is that so? Hm, whatever! If the day comes when I meet those wayward guys again, even then, I'll definitely scold them."

"Will there be a day to meet them again?"

"Well, I'll also grow old and die someday, so wouldn't we eventually meet in some place like the afterlife?"

"Even if a place like the afterlife exists, elder sister, you and they would probably be in different places."

"Is that so? Anyway, that's how I feel. I'll definitely scold them. Whenever it happens, I'll give them a piece of my mind."

Seeing Luna clutch her fist exaggeratedly, Jin burst into laughter.

"Now that you've heard my past experiences quite a bit, please tell me about your past experience, elder sister. What happened in the Black Sea all this time?"

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