Episode 232. Awakening (4)
* * *
Demon Realm, Dokmaseong.
"The flames of hatred have been ignited."
Kelliaak Ziple spoke as he set down his teacup.
This would ordinarily be a moment for a smile. After all, Paelleito used the Spirit Bead imbued with the flames of hatred, just as planned.
Now Paelleito would begin to transform into a monster, and in the process, he would swallow and merge with Zito's flesh.
That much was certainly according to Kelliaak's plan. He could deal with Paelleito in one go and even weaken Zito.
The problem was the unexpected variable that had also arisen.
[It seems everything went according to your plan, Lord Kelliaak. But you seem somewhat disappointed... Am I right?]
Kimalros Ziple spoke. He was a man who had regained his flesh thanks to Kelliaak, and a 40th generation head of the Ziple family.
Beside Kimalros were other revived magicians and Kidadohol, all watching Kelliaak's mood.
"You've only just awakened, Lord Kimalros, and it seems not all the sensations of those times have returned yet. Don't you feel it?"
[What are you talking about…?]
"Jin Lun Kandel. He has ascended to Changsung."
Their eyes widened at the news. Especially Kidadohol, who couldn't suppress his anger and shook with fury. Jin's ascension to Changsung meant that his revenge was now further away than ever.
[What, the Lesser Lord of the Sword Clan has ascended to Changsung!?]
"Yes. So we can't simply rejoice... no, rather the situation has worsened. I now think we should have let Zito and Jin Lun Kandel face off before his ascension, instead of using Paelleito."
For Kelliaak, Jin's ascension to Changsung was an extremely unsettling event. Even before his ascension, Jin was always a variable.
[Right now, there's only one thing we can hope for. That he suffers irreparable damage while fighting Paelleito, who has turned into a monster, or Zito...]
Kelliaak rose from his seat, and the others followed suit, watching him.
"I will meet with members of the Ganestogo. It seems like it's time to re-strategize."
* * *
Ziple, Drakka.
Elona also recognized Jin's transformation.
"…Lord, the Lesser Lord of the Sword Clan has ascended to Changsung."
Upon hearing those words, Veradin felt joy before worry. If Jin had become a Celestial Being, it meant he wouldn't die in this battle.
Veradin hid his feelings and made eye contact with Elona. Elona was constantly aware of the subtle changes happening within Veradin.
"Also, as I expected, a great and dark power has also awakened. If Jin Run Kandel had not ascended, the Holy Kingdom would have perished by now. Then it would have targeted other regions of humanity. I too would have had to step forward, leaving behind the cursed Lord... we would have suffered a major blow for sure."
Like a prophetic dream the contractor of Azmil often has, all these hypothetical situations seemed real to Elona.
If so, Veradin might have fallen into a deep depression and become a monster. And she would have had to take on the responsibility of killing him.
'...I would have fallen into a terrible sorrow. Overwhelmed by the pain of killing the Lord, I might have become a monster like before, crushing and destroying everything I saw.'
All those unfortunate futures had changed as a single person ascended to become a Celestial Being.
Elona sent her praise to Jin from the bottom of her heart. His transcendent fate had erased another despair that might have fallen upon Zifl, the world.
"So, Lady Elona, you seem to believe that the dark entity will be defeated by Jin Run Kandel, who has become a Celestial Being."
"That's correct, Lord. That dark entity is certainly powerful enough to burden even me, but it's not complete. It needs time to reach its full power, whereas Jin Run Kandel is already at his peak."
Veradin found himself smiling without realizing it. It was a mixed smile of frustration, worry, and strange relief.
"To catch up with him, I need time... no, can I even catch up?"
"Don't be so hasty, Lord, since I'm here. From my experience, power is just a means. No matter how strong, if one doesn't know how to use it, it's as good as nothing."
"But Jin Run Kandel wouldn't be ignorant of that. I've never seen someone who knows so well what they want."
"Since the Ascension necessarily involves Devilishness, this power may not be suitable for you, Lord. You should focus on shaking off the curse for now."
"I'm not sure if it's a sense of defeat or something else... it's been a long time since I've felt such a strange feeling."
"Do you dislike it?"
When Elona asked, Veradin thought for a long time. Then he shook his head.
"I don't particularly dislike it."
He didn't say out loud that it somehow felt nostalgic. Veradin faintly remembered his boyhood days when he was in a friendly competition with Jin and Dante.
* * *
"You are definitely strong."
Inse, in a deserted space.
A woman was looking down on the earth and spoke. The earth was full of the bodies of dragons fallen in the continuous battles, and among them was a man covered in their blood.
Lucy Runekandel, and Joshua Ganesto.
Neither of them showed signs of fatigue. However, Lucy was unable to participate in the battle directly, and Joshua had been facing Lucy's dragons alone.
"Probably because of the awakening of the Ganesto's blood... That power doesn't suit you. No matter how strong, it can never fully belong to you."
"You've been babbling nonsense from the start. How many more of your dragons do I have to kill for you to show your true form? Despite witnessing the death of your countless dragons who consider you their mother, are you going to keep hiding? Lucy Runekandel."
As Joshua said, Lucy did not exist in this space at the moment. The translucent body floating in the sky was not Lucy's true body but an avatar.
"As a result of your persistent chase, I had to leave here for a while. I couldn't even stop the pain my children were experiencing. But thanks to coming to the human world, I have come to realize one thing."
"What have you realized?"
"Just now, your youngest brother, a distant descendant of Runekandel and I, has finally set foot on the land where Temar lies."
"...What?"
Joshua's eyes sharpened.
He had not been aware of the moment Jin ascended.
"Even if this place wasn't a secluded space, you wouldn't have sensed that. That's why that power is not yours."
Joshua shook his head with a cold face again.
"You're mistaken. It doesn't matter whether this power fully belongs to me from the start. This power is the whole of Ganesto. The only important fact is that all the dragons left here today will meet their end. Keep running if you're scared, Lucy Runekandel. Until there's not a single dragon left to protect you."
The moment Joshua responded, a light formed in Lucy's eyes.
As her gaze touched with the light, the fallen dragons began to rise again. The shadows of the dragons quickly obscured Joshua.
"If you really want to kill my dragons, go tell Rokia. Unless she comes herself, it'll be impossible. To think I would be afraid of a corrupt descendant who has awakened the blood of Ganesto and become stronger, you're mistaken."
* * *
The Black Sea.
All of a sudden, Syron stopped. The expedition members also paused, gauging Syron's atmosphere.
"Ho..."
Syron was smiling as if he had thought of something interesting.
Even Ozdok and the expedition members were no longer surprised at Syron's smile. Since overcoming the demonic nature, he had often shown a smiling face, making jokes while plowing through this dark land.
[Sir, shall we prepare a meal!? Or shall we melt your whole body with Ozdok-style massage? Ozdok's fun cha-ryeok competition? Just order whatever you want.]
"I thought the first one would reach first, but that kid surprises me once again."
[Pardon? Master. What do you mean?]
"A big event has happened in the family."
[An event?]
"The head, no... has the little one ascended?"
"Yes. I always thought it would happen someday, but I never thought he could surpass his elder sister."
The expedition members blinked with wide eyes.
Like Syron, they couldn't feel the birth of a new Ascendant. Anyone but an Ascendant could not sense that power.
Above all, the fact that a family had two Ascendants in one era was hard to believe.
Moreover, if we sum up what Syron said, it doesn't seem like it will end with just two. Syron was confident that Luna would ascend.
If so, the Runekendel would have a total of three Ascendant knights.
This was a power that no force in history had ever seen. Even the illustrious royal tribe led by Ban had only one Ascendant.
[Oh my, master! Congratulations...! Ah, an Ascendant! Now the day when the world will be dominated by the Runekendel is closer! Kyah, this Ozdock. I can't see in front of me thinking about that scene.]
"Hahaha."
[Hahahaha!]
"Ha ha ha!"
[Kyahahaha!]
"Hmm."
When Syron, who had been laughing along, suddenly erased his expression, Ozdock swallowed hard in tension.
"It's an era where Ascendants are common."
[Er, master?]
"That's probably because we have to accomplish something that no one, no force, has ever done before. Me, my children, the Runekendel."
It's true that he's happy.
His grown-up youngest son will finally ascend and protect the family, and nothing could be more joyful than that.
But at the same time, he was more worried. The things he will have to endure in the future will be the same as what he's been enduring so far.
Or perhaps, even heavier.
"Ozdock."
[Yes, master!]
"I need to send a letter to the family. Prepare it. This may be my last opportunity to contact the family. Until all the Kings of the Black Sea are eradicated."