Chapter 886

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Tikan.

Jin had returned to Tikan after subduing three commanders in the fracture area that opened near the empire.

"My lord, someone has requested an audience with you among the Demon Kings."

"What did they say?"

"There are demon kings named Tilias Visepps and Misol Huwan. They only appear as subordinates of Zito on the surface, but they are said to be core members of the Anti-Zito faction."

"What about my sister and Lady Syris?"

"Both of them are safe. It's been said that during the battle, those two Demon Kings eliminated other Demon Kings."

Jin's pupils narrowed.

'According to Orgal, the key figure of the Anti-Zito faction was Paellito, and he was defeated... Could there be other factions remaining?'

If it's true, it's quite a rare piece of news. Without even cleaning the ashes and blood from the battlefield, Jin headed straight to the situation room.

"Elder Sister, Lady Syris. Are you both alright?"

Although he had heard from Jet already, Jin first inquired about the well-being of the two.

{Yes, we are fine, young patriarch. I exchanged a few words with them first, and they seem to be decent folks. Please have a good conversation with them. Both are here.}

"Understood, elder sister. This is Jin Runcandel. I heard you want to talk with me."

{Tilias Visepps.}

{Misol Huwan. Nice to meet you, Jin Runcandel.}

"Yeah, nice to meet you too. So, there are still some sane demons left in the Demon World. I got a rough overview of the situation on my way here. What do you want to discuss with me?"

{Visepps of Anti-Zito alliance, we wish to form a formal alliance with the surface's Vamel alliance.}

"You're quite straightforward. There are many things that need to be clarified: what exactly you are doing, the scale of your operations, why you want an alliance with us among all the human world forces, what benefits you can offer us, and so on. There seems to be a lot that needs to be revealed first."

{Jin Runcandel is right, Tilias.}

{First of all, our work is literally resisting Zito.}

{We actually came close to success about 3,000 years ago. But Paellito left us, which led to failure eventually.}

"… 3,000 years ago? How old are you guys?"

{I am over ten thousand years old. But our demon kind has a cycle of oblivion, so we can't fully experience all ten thousand years.}

"Cycle of oblivion?"

{As time passes, we lose memories, regain some, and repeat. Typically, it happens about once every thousand years, it is common to all demons excluding immortals. That's why original bonds are important to us. We need to share what we forget with each other. Keep what we want to forget forever buried.}

The 'cycle of oblivion' was a unique natural phenomenon only found in the Demon World.

And Visepps had endured more than 10 cycles of oblivion over 10000 years, and was still standing against Zito

"Um... I don't completely get it, but I have a rough idea of what it feels like. But Tilias, you should explain everything from now on. Sorry, but Misol's words are too fast for me to understand."

{Got it, I'll stay quiet. Misol, Misol. My habit of acting like a fool is showing again. Just pretend you didn't hear what I had said.}

"Anyway, you've been resisting Zito for an incredibly long time. That means your force must be considerable?"

{It was during our prime. But now... around a million, I suppose.}

"It is a huge army, isn't it?"

{However, about 10,000 are actual combatants, and the majority of them are below 6-star level. There are eleven individuals with Demon King-level combat power. Including myself and Misol, of course.}

"So what about the remaining 990,000?"

{They are just ordinary people. They work, take care of their families, live their lives. Most of our lives are stained with fear, though.}

Tilias had a sense of mission when he said "Ordinary people.".

'If what they're saying is all true, the Visepps have had a struggle similar to ours in the Demon World. For a much longer time than us.'

Around 10,000 combatants, with the majority being below 6-stars.

While they could still be called a large army, compared to the high-ranking demons they were facing at the defensive wall and the higher-ranking demons constantly emerging from the fracture, it was like new blood.

However, the fact that all 11 Demon Kings possessed at least Superhuman-level combat power made them valuable enough for an alliance. Furthermore, some of these Demon Kings, like Tilias and Misol, held high-ranking positions within the Zito Army.

"Is there any way to prove this?"

{Not at this moment. Having a conversation through a communication device is the best option. My authority allows me to block Sakiel's crystal ball, even without raising suspicion. I can just say that it's to prevent the enemy from using teleportation and communication devices during battles. However, if I were to block Sakiel's sight even beyond Kikaro, suspicions would undoubtedly arise.}

As long as Tilias didn't have a special power to block abilities, Sakiel could see most of the demons anywhere with a crystal ball.

{Due to our roles as spies, it will be difficult to provide you with further proof. We have to be cautious even when communicating with Visepps' headquarters. Originally, all our hideouts are in the True Demon World, so you can't personally confirm anything right now.}

"The ability to block teleportation and communication is an appealing addition to the alliance proposal. In any case, it seems we can only do business with you based on trust, correct?"

[Rather than trust... It's more like... faith. Whether you believe it or not, we're truly exposing all of our vulnerabilities. In this conversation, we're putting our lives and those of our comrades on the line. There's a record mage among you, right? What if that person records this conversation and delivers it to the sea base of True Demon World?]

"Unless this is part of Zito's scheme, you're likely to end up dead."

[Even worse. We will be forever ensnared in an unending cycle of suffering. Like our family members who are held captive... ]

"Family?"

[Over half of Visepps members' relatives, lovers, or... precious people were taken as hostages by Zito. Perhaps even more than half, considering some people might have forgotten the existence of family members who were taken away during the cycle of oblivion. ]

As Tilias said that, everyone who had been listening to the conversation shook their heads in disbelief. Euria had tried to discern whether Tilias and Misol were telling the truth, but Az Mil's authority didn't seem to affect the communication.

'Faith...'

For a few seconds, Jin repeated that word and imagined Tilias and Misol on the other side of the communication. Faces felt through the calm voice, firm pupils that had gone through harsh struggles for a long time. That image formed in his mind. Luna probably felt the same, which was why she used the expression "decent folks."

"Why did you choose us? Haven't you made contact with Zipfel or Kinzelo?"

{There are two reasons. First, among the major forces of the human world, we judged that the Vamel alliance has a slight resemblance to our Visepps. Second, there was no chance of contact with Zipfel and Kinzelo. Furthermore, Sakiel is quite perceptive. If Misol and I were to engage in battles in the territories of various major forces and return unscathed each time, it would definitely raise suspicions.}

"So, when you were summoned to Kikaro today, you were seizing a one-time opportunity."

{Exactly. I can't remember everything, but probably in over ten cycles of oblivion, Visepps has never taken a gamble as daring as today's.}

"Now it's time to explain the benefits. What advantage would we gain by forming an alliance with you?"

{You would gain a means to kill Zito.}

"And what is this means?"

{I can't reveal that yet.}

"Did you forget that you were the one who first invoked the word 'faith'?"

{For us, it's a minimal safety measure. What if you were trying to deceive us? Misol and I won't be the only ones to suffer. The only method to defeat Zito will disappear as well. And I can't lie to you either. I will tell you the truth after our trust deepens. At some point, you might become angry and your attitude could change.}

"You're quite eloquent. You're making the other party want to believe you."

{Of course, while the means to kill Zito is crucial, that's not the only thing. Misol and I are Demon Kings. Whenever the opportunity arises, we could provide you with important internal information. For example... Recently, Zito has become obsessed with completely depleting the crimson aura of the White Whale.}

"The crimson aura of my elder sister?"

{Yes, it seems that Zito considers that crimson aura a threat to himself. It might be Zito's judgment, or perhaps Paellito's... but to the demons, it was conveyed as Zito's command. That's why the Demon Kings brought Zito's flesh with them today.}

"What problem arises if the crimson aura is depleted? Does the True Demon World know the details about this?"

{We're also gathering information about it through key figures on Paellito's side. What's certain is that the True Demon World hopes for White Whale's crimson aura to be depleted. It won't be beneficial for you.}

Jin had been concerned about Luna's crimson aura. Since Chiron hadn't left any details about the danger, Jin had concluded that it would be fine.

"I hadn't considered that at all."

{Misol, me, and dead Vise, and Kukan are the Vanguard. In the future, Demon Kings and Commanders will continue to be dispatched to eliminate the crimson aura of the White Whale. Even if they become expendable, they can't resist Zito's orders.}

"Is that because they're also hostages, like your Visepp members?"

{No, it's because they're brainwashed. Most of Zito's subordinates are brainwashed through pain. Even though the cycles of oblivion come, they can't forget the pain. So, among the high-ranking demons, many have compromised intelligence or abilities. Have you ever felt something strange while dealing with them?}

{Yeah, now that you mention it, those who came this time seemed a bit less sharp.}

{Indeed, White Whale. The Gikalo you faced before was relatively completely brainwashed.}

"If there's a way to undo the brainwashing, couldn't it be a way to undermine Zito's forces? I think it might be related to the means you mentioned to kill Zito."

{Unfortunately, you've got it wrong. We've spent a long time looking for that method as well... But even the Witch says that Zito's brainwashing can't be undone. If the Witch can't do it, then it's something that no one in this world can achieve. Unless the deceased sun god is resurrected. Ah, I'll tell you in advance, but we're completely opposed to the resurrection of the sun god.}

"That part is also something I agree with. Alright, let me ask one last question."

{...What is it?}

"Why did the Visepps choose us for an alliance? I understand the approximate scale and philosophy of the Visepps and what we would gain. But what is it that you want from us?"

{Of course, a natural question... Fight alongside us. Until Zito disappears from this world.}

"It's too large a promise to make right now. However, from the start, we will fight until Zito is defeated, regardless of you. But there's one thing we can definitely promise. Today's events won't reach the ears of other demons. I swear on the name of my clan."

{In that case, each of us will continue to fight in our respective places, until the moment comes when we can truly show each other our true faith. You understand that it means we'll talk again officially when that time comes?}

"Exactly. Tilias Visepps, Misol Huwan."

{That should be enough. It seems we can end this conversation now. However, Jin Runcandel. Regardless of how you view us, from now on, we will consider you allies and conduct all operations accordingly.}

As Jin was about to reply, the communication abruptly cut off. Jin looked at the silent communication device and smiled.

"Just as my sister said, they seem like quite decent folks."

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