Chapter 959

C959

“It’s been a while, Kelliark Zipple. But I can’t say I’m glad to see you. I would have been happier if you had followed the natural order and remained a corpse.”

Jin retorted, observing the battlefield.

Two energies, Shadow Energy and fire, split the sky of the Poisonous Demon Castle. However, fire occupied a much larger area, mainly because Murakan wasn’t present at the moment.

‘…It seems Murakan has disappeared while fighting Kelliark. I can sense Murakan’s presence outside the battlefield after carefully reading the Shadow Energy.’

The remaining Shadow Energy in the sky at the moment was the aftermath of the Manifestation of Shadows. As Jin had expected, Murakan had protected Beradin and had temporarily left the battlefield to find Betty after binding Kelliark.

‘In that case, Murakan should return soon. He probably has already sensed my presence.’

Despite being somewhat exhausted, Jin had Elona Zipple with him, and Murakan would return shortly.

They still have three Genesis Knight-level powers even if Jin is exhausted. No matter how powerful Kelliark had become by fusing with Sheenu, it was impossible for him to face the three of them.

‘Of course, assuming Kelliark will fight properly…’

Kelliark looked at Jin and Elona with a calm expression. Jin trusted that he wouldn’t have received them without any preparation.

Energies from all directions were gathering around Kelliark, including the remnants of the artificial sun.

However, Kelliark wasn’t directly absorbing these powers, but rather gathering them into a spherical shape above his head.

There was no point in him gaining more power. He had already acquired the authority of the high-ranking god, so absorbing the energies of Zito and the artificial sun would only introduce impurities into his body.

Kelliark intended to redirect the power of Zito and the artificial sun elsewhere. Jin sensed his intention and prepared accordingly.

“Natural order… It’s so funny to hear something like that from you.”

“Funny?”

“44 years.”

These words seemed out of place and incomprehensible to others. However, Jin couldn’t help but be surprised when Kelliark mentioned “44 years.”

-It took me almost 44 years to discover that Joshua ordered Taimyun to tell you to curse me.

-I didn’t have a chance to plead for mercy back then, Kidard. I was only one year old. Your pathetic 80 years will never make up for my 44 years, but I will use the Tome of Reflux very well.

The words Jin had said to Kidard Hall while killing him.

Jin didn’t respond and continued to stare at Kelliark.

“I’ve been curious since I heard about you from Kidard. Why did you mention 44 years…? In the end, I came to the conclusion that perhaps you are a human who has experienced the future, right?”

“I thought that perhaps there are villains I have killed in Hell after discovering the existence of the True Demon World. It seems you got your hands on that ugly bugger, Kidard Hall, and resurrected him as Anne Runcandel.”

“Answer my question. I’ve been very curious.”

“I don’t care what Kidard said. But if I had to answer, it might be because his senses had dulled and he misheard before he died.”

“I see… Anyway, in my opinion, there’s no one in this world who deviates more from the natural order than you. You made a contract with Solderet and used his power, but Solderet is no longer in this world. That fact alone makes you an anomaly.”

“The fact that Solderet isn’t in this world, is that something you learned thanks to Sheenu’s senses?”

“Well, it’s not just thanks to that, although it plays a part. The Zipples spent a long time tracking down Solderet to complete the Demon God Orb. But ever since you became a contractor, Solderet has never shown himself. He probably joined you, like I did, or made some kind of deal for your sake.”

“Think as you wish. But Kelliark, you must be quite upset right now. It seems you tried to lure Beradin to kill him, but you failed, thanks to my guardian dragon, right?”

Said Jin, glancing at Elona’s expression.

Elona had a more relaxed expression than before. She had detected Beradin’s energy from a distance with her Genesis Knight-level senses. As Jin had confidently stated, Beradin was indeed alive.

“It’s a peculiar turn of events. I sent Murakan to look for the Visepps, but he ended up saving Beradin. Now, the Visepps are here. It’s almost as if the world is helping me.”

Jin’s seemingly casual comment irked Kelliark. Jin’s “power of existence” was a far more unsettling factor than the power of a Genesis Knight.

“I’ll tell you what’s going to happen from now on, Kelliark. You probably plan to use the power of Zito and the Artificial Sun to completely annihilate the True Demon World.”

“Hoho. Well, yes you understand this clever head of mine. That’s right, I became the new ruler of this land thanks to you defeating Zito. However, I no longer need this place, and it seems the Witch isn’t interested either… So destroying it seems to be the best option in many ways. It’s a better ending even for the demons who have committed heinous acts under Zito’s brainwashing.”

Jin chuckled as if he found it amusing.

“You have no intention of fighting us now, and that’s why you’ve chosen to buy yourself time by destroying the entire True Demon World. Even if the whole world mocks you, there’s nothing you can say. Besides, your plan will fail again this time, Kelliark Zipple.”

Jin drew Sigmund, and golden energy began to spread. Murakan’s remaining Shadow Energy also resonated with that power and turned golden.

“Because I won’t allow it. Do you really feel like a god now that you’ve obtained Sheenu’s power, Kelliark? Try to detonate the remnants of Zito and the Artificial Sun. I will stop that explosion and then decapitate you.”

Elona also raised her staff, amplifying her mana. Large cubes of immense mana appeared throughout the battlefield.

“Kelliark Zipple, I am the greatest Magician of the Zipples a thousand years ago and currently the elder of the Zipples. I will severely punish you for the crime of attempting to harm the Patriarch.”

When Elona finished speaking, the sky behind the two darkened.

It was the Shadow Energy radiating from Murakan’s two pairs of wings.

[Boy! Oh, and isn’t that Elona Zipple beside you? What’s this, we’re on the same side now?]

Murakan had also used much of his strength while protecting his allies and fighting Kelliark, but his presence was still formidable.

“That’s right, she’s on our side. Welcome back, Murakan.”

[Oh, we can discuss what happened later. The boys are unharmed. That annoying bastard called Ragal or something chased us, but they’ll be fine with immortality. I was sure you handled Zito without me when that golden energy spread throughout the True Demon World earlier. Elona must have helped too.]

Murakan’s presence reassured Jin and Elona, and they prepared to confront Kelliark with their renewed strength.

“It’s been a while, Murakan. I have a lot I want to talk to you about.”

[Yeah, yeah, I have many questions too, Elona. But for now, we need to defeat Kelliark.]

Murakan quickly grasped the situation. He understood that Kelliark planned to use the remnants of Zito and the Artificial Sun to buy time and escape.

‘Hmm. It’ll be quite intense if those things explode all at once. But if Elona and I prevent the explosion from spreading beyond the True Demon World, and the boy goes in to stop Kelliark… it should work reasonably well.’

Jin and Elona shared the same thoughts. Despite Jin being more exhausted, he was still the strongest in close-quarters combat. Murakan and Elona were better suited to handle the massive explosion.

“Oh my, you look so determined it’s almost regrettable to detonate this…”

Kelliark commented.

Jin’s group couldn’t move immediately. They had to wait for Kelliark to detonate the remnants of Zito and the Artificial Sun before they could take action to prevent the situation from worsening.

Soon, Kelliark looked Elona in the eyes.

“Elona Zipple. The greatest and most powerful Magician known in the history of Zipple. You were the best Magician a thousand years ago, and now you’re the elder, yet you’ve chosen to side with Runcandel. How intriguing the ancestors of Zipple seem to be.”

“I’ve simply come to understand the truth.”

“The truth? I’m hearing interesting words again. What truth have you come to understand?”

“I’m not just someone who exists for the sake of Zipple and the destruction it will bring.”

“In that case, there would be no reason for you to come to Hell to save my son. As Beradin is now the Patriarch of Zipple, my ancestor, you came here for Zipple.”

“The Patriarch, no. Beradin is someone I love. Even if he’s no longer the Patriarch or no longer a part of Zipple, I will still give my life for him. Humans like you can’t understand that.”

“Human, eh? Lady Elona. It seems you’re speaking as if you are human. In that case, I have one more question. Do you remember who your parents are?”

Elona’s eyes widened.

“You can’t remember that either, it seems. Then, do you remember where you were raised? What was your first memory after you gained self-awareness? Or even what your true form is?”

Nothing came to mind. It was a question she had never thought about before. Elona had never recalled such things in her entire life, as if a part of her consciousness was blocked.

The mana cubes floating in the air were vibrating unsteadily. It indicated that her mind was shaken.

[Elona, it’s all nonsense, don’t worry about it. Our Record Magician can tell you anything you’re interested in.]

“You boast of understanding the truth when you don’t even know that, so I can’t help but feel pity for you. Lady Elona, I shall now reveal the real truth to you.”

When Kelliark finished speaking, he detonated the gathered remnants of Zito and the Artificial Sun in the sky.

Jin immediately took a stance to close the distance with Kelliark, while Murakan extended the Manifestation of Shadows to try and contain the explosion.

However, Elona, who needed to move with them, remained in place. If she didn’t join the effort, Jin couldn’t close the distance with Kelliark.

[Elona, what are you doing?]

Elona couldn’t hear Murakan’s voice.

As the residual energy exploded, it instantly engulfed the group. Elona stared at an object Kelliark had produced as if hypnotized. An irresistible attraction was gnawing at Elona’s neck.

“This shining object shaped like a laurel wreath is your mother. Or, you could say it’s your original form.”