C701
Shortly after returning to the Tikan launch platform on a red owl, Bale explained that the sword Jin had obtained possessed the characteristic of being "indestructible."
"Indestructible?"
"Well, I thought you already knew that, but you seem unaware."
"I perfected this sword technique while facing you for several days. I had a feeling that once I unleashed its flames, I would be able to subdue you easily."
Jin had yet to name the new magic sword technique.
Although he had named secret techniques and decisive killing moves passed down to him by others, this was the first sword he had created on his own.
Thatâs why naming it felt uncomfortable.
It was his first sword made entirely by himself, and naming it something grandiose and magnificent like the decisive killing moves of Runcandel, the secret techniques, or the Hellfire of Sarah, and the Sword of Legends felt even more embarrassing.
"The fire you possess doesnât extinguish once it touches a target. It probably wouldnât even go out if you died."
"Really? How do you know something I donât?"
"Well, I have divine vision due to my divine status. Ever since you defeated me, Iâve been contemplating the nature of that flame. If you had cut me that day, I would never have been able to extinguish that fire on my own."
Bale possesses the power of the Sun God.
And according to Orgalâs explanation, the Sun God is undoubtedly a being with a significantly higher level than other gods known in the current world.
If Bale couldnât extinguish Jinâs fire, it was very likely that even those who wield divine powers of a lesser degree would be defenseless.
Of course, Baleâs power as the Sun God was only a small part, but even with just that, Bale possessed a level that surpassed most of the lesser gods.
"Itâs interesting, but hard to believe."
"I canât believe you managed to create such a flame. It belongs to the realm Sarah wanted to reach... Youâre her successor, so I donât feel bad about it. Sarah would have surely liked it. Cut me with that fire, right now."
"Right now?"
"You said you canât believe it unless you see it. And you need to understand the effect of that fire well to use it effectively when you seek revenge against Sarah in the future."
Bale activated his power and extended an arm toward Jin, as if urging him to cut.
"Itâs a bit uncomfortable. If, as you said, the fire doesnât go out..."
[Youâve reached the realm Sarah desired and canât control the fire, how is that possible? Cut me! Just a little!]
Without hesitation, Jin ignited his sword with a flash of fire and slightly grazed Baleâs forearm. It was so slight that even an ordinary person wouldnât need ointment.
[Ah, it stings and burns!]
Bale quickly pulled back his wounded arm, grimacing. Jin instantly realized that Baleâs words were true.
'He really canât extinguish the fire that remains in the wound...'
Bale demonstrated to Jin by channeling a golden aura with his other hand and pressing it against the wounded arm, as if trying to stop the bleeding.
However, the faint form of the fire still lingered, despite Baleâs attempts to cover it and smother it with his powers.
[See? Even someone of my caliber canât erase it. So, that Orgal guy is probably the same. The power of the Sun God he possesses doesnât seem to be superior to mine. Unless beings like your Phoenix or the God of Fire himself intervene personally, thereâs no way to avoid it.]
"Here you go, Jin."
As the two spoke, Hedo and Euria entered the departure area.
"Yes, Hedo-nim."
Unintentionally, Jin glanced at Hedo and Euria.
It felt uncomfortable seeing Hedo with Euria instead of Sandra. There was something odd about it.
But, strangely, Euria didnât seem cheerful.
"Hey, Euria too?"
"Yes... Jin oppa."
"Is something wrong? You seem a bit down."
As the Thousand Year Contractor of Azmil, Euria had experienced various tragedies and indirectly witnessed many hardships since she was young.
Her friends always made special efforts to ensure her mental well-being.
Thanks to that, Euria had always been cheerful and lively. She was also very aware of her role as a princess and was much loved by the people of the Tikan Free City.
"Oh, itâs nothing. I just feel a bit down for some reason. Thatâs why Sir Hedo is trying to cheer me up."
"Well... Did you know? By the power of Truth."
Hedo spoke awkwardly, and Euria smiled.
"Thank you for thinking of me, Sir Hedo. Thanks to you, and seeing that Jin oppa has returned safely, I feel a bit relieved."
Euria suspected that the sudden dizziness she felt was due to Jinâs condition. She had felt a sense of unease ever since he headed to the Kinzelo headquarters.
"Itâs good if it helps. By the way, why is Bale still twisting his body? Does something hurt?"
[Itâs because you two appeared, and heâs keeping the fire alight!]
"Fire?"
Jin explained the nature of his self-taught sword and retrieved the remaining fire from Baleâs wounds.
As Bale had anticipated, Jinâs will was conveyed, and the fire was extinguished.
"I was aware that you crossed that wall that day. But to think that your new sword possesses such power... Try it on me as well."
Jin executed the same sword strike towards Hedo.
Similarly, with his iron hand, Hedo lightly touched the small, faint flame on his wound, but it didnât go out.
"Oh... It really doesnât extinguish. It might not be as painful as Baleâs reaction, but if it cuts deeper, thereâd be no remedy."
"Would it be difficult to bear if it cuts deeper?"
"Well, I canât say for sure until I experience it myself. But it will be incredibly painful, like burn victims who couldnât receive timely treatment. Have you named the sword?"
"Not yet."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
"What about 'Eternal Flame'?"
"Eternal Flame?"
"Yes, a fire that never goes out. Everyone who has faced you so far, including myself, probably felt that you were an unquenchable fire. The swordâs actual effect also aligns with that. I think it suits well."
"It sounds too grandiose and embarrassing."
Somehow, Jin remembered the moment when Cosmos gave him the nickname "Dark Crown Prince."
"Itâs customary to give names to techniques in this way. Iâm sure the techniques youâve learned also received similar names. If itâs alright with you, I think itâs a fitting name."
And so, the techniqueâs name became Eternal Flame.
Hedo, as the warrior he was, felt satisfied for having given a name to Jinâs sword. He took out a cigarette to admire it, but noticed that Euria was still by his side and quickly put it away.
"Did you have any fruitful meeting with Kinzelo?"
"Letâs go to the conference room, and Iâll explain step by step."
As they headed to the conference room, Jin cautiously observed Euria.
Her expression seemed slightly improved, but the atmosphere around her remained heavy.
âI hope the power of Azmil doesnât imply a dark future for Euria...â
Upon arriving at the conference room, their companions were already gathered.
For a while, Jin discussed the information he had received from Orgal about the roles of the Sun God, the Demon King Zito, and Joshua.
Most of his companions shared Jinâs feelings of unease and growing concern.
Despite the already overwhelming burden, the increasing worries added to the weight.
"Ugh, to think that eliminating the evil god isnât the end is increasingly suffocating. But, what can we do? In the end, we must deal with the temporary alliances after dealing with the evil god," Kashimir spoke first.
"If we canât handle them all, the world will eventually become something we no longer recognize. Whether itâs the purification proposed by Kinzelo, or becoming a hell due to the Demon Kingâs arrival, or Zipple manipulating history to become the only god, or the evil god causing destruction. No matter how burdensome it is, we must continue doing what weâve been doing," he continued.
Although he was stating what everyone already knew, there was something about Kashimir that exuded the regal dignity of a king. He possessed a royal charisma.
"As King Kashimir says, we must continue resolving things step by step, just as we have so far. Therefore, for now, we should set aside matters like the Sun God or the Demon King and focus on Rosa," Jin added.
"Yes, my lord."
"As you all know, Rosa is becoming stronger than Orgal expected, and itâs presumed that the reason behind it is the desperation generated by Joshua. Orgal has taken on the task of investigating this matter, so letâs coordinate and eliminate Joshua as soon as we receive any updates. And..."
Jin looked attentively at his companions.
"It would be best to bring forward the battle with Rosa as much as possible."
Rosaâs strengthening isnât solely due to Joshuaâs desperation.
Chaos is spreading, corroding ordinary humans worldwide.
The Vamel alliance and temporary alliances are doing everything they can to contain the contamination in various contaminated areas around the world, but there are limits.
Especially in the Huphester region, the situation is so severe that even they canât intervene.
It wouldnât be an exaggeration to say that half of the world is already engulfed in despair.
"Of course, the longer the battle is delayed, the more desperation will be generated. Itâs just my intuition, but I think Rosa... is waiting for the opportune moment when we believe we are fully prepared. She needs to defeat us when weâre at our best, so that the despair is at its peak."
If not for that reason, Jin couldnât be convinced that Rosa wouldnât leave the Garden of Swords even with so much power.
"Of course, that doesnât mean we should rush. However, we must find an unexpected moment for Rosa. We mustnât be more desperate than Rosa wants us to be, and we must seize the moment when Rosa is incomplete..."
Although it was somewhat abstract, understanding Rosaâs ability to "use despair" was difficult from the beginning.
Jin and his companions had to make difficult inferences like this, and they couldnât be sure of the results.
They werenât facing humans but beings turned into evil gods.
"Starting today, weâll work with the temporary alliances to verify these expectations to some extent. If we can roughly confirm the relationship between Rosaâs completion speed and despair, then weâll set the date for the final battle."
When Jin finished speaking, a member of the Seven-Colored Peacocks entered the conference room hastily.
"Your Majesty, Jin-nim! Mary-nim has just returned!"
"Escort her immediately!"
Mary had recently embarked on a rescue mission within the Hufester area to save survivors, along with the Tona siblings and others.
Her body was covered in wounds when she returned with some rescued survivors.
As soon as she saw Jin, she closed her eyes tightly, seemingly in pain.
He had found Dyfus in Hufester.
/SHADOWK
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