Swordmaster's Youngest Son Novel - Chapter 819
Chapter 819
***
Pirol, a small village of ancient beastmen in the middle layer.
“Listin is a major victory, Qyun is a draw, and the Tower of Stories is a crushing defeat. Our predictions were accurate,” Emperor Airan Vermont said with a smile. The Imperial Family was pleased with the results of the invasion.
“Shimat handled the Red Legend Tribe well, indeed. If they had sent the Air Fortress directly to the Tower of Stories, we might have faced another disaster like the loss of Drek Hon.”
“It’s unfortunate to lose Drek Hon, but it might be for the best, Manov. If Drek Hon had survived, the Red Legend Tribe would have needed more time to listen to us.”
“It’s true, Your Majesty. It seems those foolish and arrogant fools have finally come to their senses. They begged for information about the Tower of Stories when they communicated with Bibol earlier.”
As Manov had said, after the battle, the Red Legend Tribe immediately requested communication with the Imperial Family.
They wanted to know what had happened at the Tower of Stories.
The Imperial Family had generously shared their knowledge of the Demon God Orb and “Manipulation” and informed them that the only place Zipple could utilize that ability was the Tower of Stories.
“The Red Fleet couldn’t even escape, so it’s safe to say that Zipple’s manipulation ability has begun to fully awaken.”
“Since Kelliark and Sheenu couldn’t be absorbed, it’s likely still in the initial stages. It was only possible thanks to the Priestess’s help.”
“Beradin must also be aware. Eventually, he will realize the limitations of completing the Demon God Orb with the Priestess’s power. Besides, his ultimate goal is the resurrection of the Sun God, so he might feel pressure that the Priestess will betray him. In reality, the possibility is slim, but still…”
The Imperial Family was confident that there wouldn’t be any alliance between the Sun God’s religious sects and the Red Legend Tribe.
After all, the goals they are trying to achieve through the Sun God were different.
What Sanna’s sect wanted was the completion of their imagined perfect world.
In that perfected world, most immortals and mortals weren’t necessary.
Therefore, when Sanna achieved her goals, the Red Legend Tribe wouldn’t be able to remain in the world.
Not only the Red Legend Tribe, but anyone who wasn’t chosen would disappear, over 90% of all life in the world.
“For now, both the Priestess and Beradin need each other, so there won’t be a drastic change in their relationship.”
“Anyway, the situation is progressing excellently. The Red Legend Tribe and Zipple will continue to wage a war of attrition, while we gain more technological power from the increasingly desperate Red Legend Tribe. By the time we awaken Temar Runcandel and Eltiot, we won’t have to hide like this anymore.”
As if echoing the unsettling premonition Jin had felt some time ago, the Imperial Family had long planned to use Temar’s left arm to clone him.
And if they could also resurrect the Blue Legend Tribe’s God of Battle, Eltiot, sealed during the great seal…
Then the Imperial Family would possess two Genesis Knights.
Moreover, by combining the information remaining in Temar’s body with the Red Legend Tribe’s technology, they could turn the Demon Men into the strongest living golem.
With that power as a base, they would completely devour the weakened Zipple and Red Legend Tribe.
That was Emperor Airan Vermont’s first goal, and he was particularly interested in Zipple.
Aside from the Sun God, there was no authority that surpassed the complete manipulation ability of history, and it didn’t exist anywhere else.
With that power in hand, there would be no problem dealing with Runcandel, the Vamel Alliance, and Kinzelo in the future.
Going further, even swallowing the entire underworld.
Lost in dreams of the future, the Imperial Family was indulging in their fantasies.
“I must go and examine Eltiot. Make the preparations.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
***
Zipple, Tower of Stories.
Two days have passed since the first official battle between the Red Legend Tribe and Zipple.
However, Beradin still couldn’t manipulate the minds of the captured Vilka and the Red Legend Tribe members.
“Ugh, argh…!”
“Priestess! Two days have passed like this. Is there still no way to break free? Why hasn’t the Demon God Orb’s seal been lifted yet?”
Octavia shouted as she watched Beradin writhing in pain. She had also sustained injuries during the battle in Listin, but she couldn’t focus on recovery because she was deeply worried about Beradin.
“…I’m sorry, Spectre Captain. This is something even I cannot understand. I continue to offer prayers, but my faith has not yet reached him.”
Octavia was frustrated.
Unlike other areas, Beradin had achieved an overwhelming victory, but he inexplicably found himself in this state.
The Priestess continued to chant prayers, not hiding her bewildered inner thoughts, and no one in the clan knew how to improve Beradin’s condition.
Besides, they had no idea when the Red Legend Tribe might launch another surprise attack.
Satrin, Ronil, and other executives couldn’t leave the Tower of Stories either.
If, by chance, Beradin went out of control, no one except them could stop him.
Even the hope of being able to “stop him” was merely an illusion.
Not only because of his abilities, Beradin’s condition is unstable, but also due to the added effects of the Demon God Orb’s power.
The Demon God Orb was still sitting in the center of the split Tower of Stories.
The executives had tried several times to release the seal, but each attempt only made Beradin’s condition more precarious.
‘Why is this happening? The Demon God Orb was undoubtedly endowed with the power of our faction’s Sun God. Its power can harmonize with anything without resistance… It’s more likely that this problem lies with Beradin of Zipple, not the Demon God Orb.’
Even Sanna was in a state of unease, just like the Zipple executives.
If Beradin’s health went awry, the responsibility would fall entirely on her.
Moreover, Beradin’s problem could lead to the collapse of all of Zipple, and if that happened, Sanna would lose the most critical piece for the Sun God’s resurrection.
‘Should I gather the priests to prepare for his attack? But then, it’s unavoidable to expose the entirety of our faction’s strength. Kinzelo, please give me an answer. How can I resolve this situation…?’
Amidst everyone’s unease, Beradin continued to scream, and the visible Demon God Orb beyond the window seemed to be reaching its limit.
“The Demon God Orb’s expansion is accelerating. It’s impossible to predict accurately, but at this rate, it will explode soon,” Ronil said, touching his forehead.
“If the Demon God Orb explodes, everything we’ve done so far will be in vain,” Sartin added.
“Beyond that, the entire area might disappear without a trace. We might have to make a decision to save the clan…”
“What are you saying, Sartin?”
“I mean we might have to leave the Patriarch behind and evacuate. If everyone gathered in the Tower of Stories dies, the clan will be annihilated. It’s a desperate choice, but I’m sure you wouldn’t want that either, Spectre Captain.”
“That’s absurd!”
“It’s reality, Spectre Captain. Besides, the Patriarch once told me that if anything happened to him, the Spectre Captain would become the Patriarch…”
“What matters to me is not becoming the Patriarch. If that were the case, wouldn’t I have acted before Beradin when my brother was dying? What matters is Zipple itself! If we lose Beradin and the Demon God Orb now, the clan will be over. Whether we live or die, we do it together.”
“Aunt!”
“Ronil, do you share the same thoughts as this child?”
“Spectre Captain, the Patriarch also mentioned it to me.”
“Enough! I won’t abandon Beradin. As you all know, I still can’t understand how Beradin ascended to the throne. But right now, he is our only hope. I won’t leave him behind.”
Octavia’s angry voice echoed throughout the tower.
‘Maybe killing Beradin Zippel is the answer. If I kill him and one of the executives takes the Demon God Orb, the situation might improve! This is undoubtedly Beradin’s problem, not the Demon God Orb!’
And Sanna was reaching that conclusion.
“In my opinion, the Consul’s idea seems correct, Spectre Captain. I will continue to pray until the end, so the rest of you should leave.”
“I’m staying. Those who believe in the Priestess’s words, leave.”
Sanna didn’t stop Octavia anymore.
If the executives left, she would kill Beradin, and she would also take care of Octavia’s wound.
The executives must take Octavia away somehow.
“…I’m sorry, Aunt. Please forgive me for trying to stop her. Since the Patriarch chose you as the next Patriarch, I can’t stand idly by and watch you die.”
As Sartin was about to subdue Octavia, suddenly, Beradin’s convulsions subsided.
The Demon God Orb that was about to explode quickly stabilized, and those around watched with wide eyes.
“Patriarch!”
“Patriarch-nim!”
Beradin regained his composure, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead and looking at the Priestess and the executives.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. The pain I endured for the past two days wasn’t because of the Demon God Orb. Everyone can rest assured now.”
Beradin calmly explained his condition.
He wiped his forehead and swallowed the water from the table, even managing to smile.
“Patriarch?”
“Please explain in detail. We were tormented, thinking the clan was coming to an end.”
“Your urgency made you address me by my name, and now you are speaking formally again, Aunt. While I haven’t officially mentioned it, you can continue to treat me with the familiarity you have used before. In fact, hearing your casual courtesy was a bit uncomfortable.”
“Please explain what happened.”
“The Tower. The Tower of Stories was calling someone through me and the Demon God Orb. That’s why I lost consciousness. It was completely unexpected, but it was also an incredibly fortunate event.”
“The Tower of Stories called someone through you…?”
Beradin put down the water glass and replied.
“Elona Zipple. The Tower of Stories unleashed her. Soon, she will return to the clan.”