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[Indeed, Young Patriarch. And while Joshua and Kelliark Zipfel are certainly cooperating, I don't think they'll form a perfect alliance.]
"Most likely, Head butler. Joshua probably awakened Ganesto's blood first and then went to cure Kelliark. He was being consumed by chaos, after all. Additionally, Sheenu had suffered considerable injuries from the former battle god, so I imagine Lokia would have taken care of that as well."
Jin paused for a moment, pondering the intentions of both parties.
'Kelliark's goal is likely to seek revenge on Veradin and the members of his clan who betrayed him and to reclaim Zipfel. Lokia, on the other hand, aims to use this process to achieve her own goals.'
Lokia's ultimate goal was likely tied to the goal of Ganesto.
-Diana, do you think this world is fair?
-What do you mean?
-Well, think about it. We're the ones pursuing justice and freedom in this world, but are we really better off than Zipfel, who manipulates history and resorting to all sorts of villainy to become the world's ruler? Is it truly fair?
Suddenly, Jin remembered Lokia's words that he had heard in Kaytam's painting.
'She might have created her own world where she perceives herself as just. She wouldn't have created such a world just for hoppy or personal satisfaction…, or perhaps she wants to destroy the world and replace the human world with the world she created.'
This insight shed some light on Lokia's actions up until now.
[From now on, we should start searching for this place called Lokia's world. It's only now that I truly realize she has completely betrayed the clan and us a thousand years ago…]
"Considering they have never caught up in the fight against the major factions of the human world, it won't be easy. But judging by the reaction Anne showed us earlier, Lokia might have a vulnerability related to the Black Sea. We might obtain some information from my father and the expedition team."
"Well, when the expedition team returns, I doubt there's something hidden from our father about the Black Sea. We don't know when that will be, though."
"Of course, we'll continue our investigation as usual. We can't rush to allocate resources to Lokia without solid leads. Our current priority is dealing with the immediate threats, the True Demon World, and the Red Plutonian Tribe. Only once that's done can we move on."
The True Demon War and the Red Demon War. After those wars end, it will finally be time for the 'final war' that will determine who seizes control of this era.
[T/L: Red Demon War; the war between Zipfel and the Red Plutonian Tribe.]
The True Demon World and the Red Plutonian Tribe might unknowingly serve as gateways to that final war. Only those who have overcome the nether forces will be able to participate in the final war.
"Next."
"Zipfel, Kinzelo, Ganesto, Sun God Religion, and the Imperial family. I can't help but wonder how many of them will still pose a threat to us after the True Demon War and the Red Demon War end. Regardless of how many remain, we will secure our final victory. We cannot afford to be hindered by the True Demon World and the Red Plutonian Tribe any longer."
It had been a thought lingering from the beginning.
Ever since the True Demon World and the Red Plutonian Tribe invaded the human world, all the major factions of the human world, including the Vamel Alliance, were clearly losing their dominance.
The True Demon World and the Red Plutonian Tribe had always maintained the upper hand, thanks to their advanced teleportation abilities and overwhelming technology.
Among them, Runcandel had Luna in charge of preemptive attack against the True Demon World, but it wasn't enough.
"That's true. What do you suggest, kid?"
"Now that Lokia has started her activities in earnest, it's clear she, along with other Ganestos and Kelliark, intends to utilize the True Demon World. So, we must deal with the True Demon World before that wretched person gains any significant advantage from it. Among our enemies, Lokia is the most unpredictable variable."
"Oh, that sounds quite nice. I've been frustrated by those pests barely escaping me all this time. So, are we going to advance the defensive wall now?"
"We'll deploy the defensive wall's forces and both you and I will be on the front lines. Until now, we've been too passive due to the lack of information about them. Responding only in the safest manner won't eliminate these pests."
The eyes of those gathered in the meeting room widened.
A similar conversation had taken place not too long ago.
Jin had wanted to join the front lines back then, but his companions had insisted on waiting until the development of the Golden Fleet and Iello's mass production were complete.
While Jin respected his companions' judgment, the situation had now changed.
"Youngest, are you sure about this?"
"Yes, Elder Sister."
"We will, of course, follow your judgment and obey your orders. However, the reason we haven't been able to take the initiative in the True Demon War until now is not just the lack of information about the True Demon World but also because we felt a duty to minimize civilian casualties. As the ruler clan of Huphester and the Vamel Alliance, we have a responsibility to their safety."
"That's correct. We won't be deploying all our forces to the defensive wall. Naturally, we must leave some strength to protect our territories. But when the top fighters of the Alliance, including myself and Murakan, join the defensive wall, the True Demon World will surely try to create more fractures towards our headquarters."
"Yeah, what worries me the most is precisely that point. But, youngest, I'm sure you've thought it through."
"We won't hesitate to push hard, to the point where they can't even think about creating more fractures in our land than before. I believe it's feasible even without the completion of the Golden Fleet."
"How so?"
"I intend to make Zipfel and Kinzelo take the lead."
Jin recalled an incident that had occurred during the early stages of the Evil God War.
It was when Jin had just returned from Laprarosa.
He had noticed Rosa's transformation and intentionally informed the world of his return before Runcandel, heading alone to the Garden of Swords.
At that time, Zipfel and Kinzelo, who had been observing the situation, had made plans to finish off Runcandel while Jin and Murakan were fighting in the Corrupted Garden of Swords.
As if fulfilling a promise, both factions had led their fleets and forces to the Garden of Swords.
Now Jin was drawing a similar picture.
The moment he advanced towards Grosch Castle, other factions would join the fray.
Although it may not be a temporary alliance like during the Evil God War, but regardless, the True Demon World was a public enemy that needed to be dealt with.
Clearly, the True Demon World was interfering with the plans of all three factions: Runcandel, Zipfel, and Kinzelo.
As Jin explained this, Luna and others nodded in agreement.
[Indeed... if it goes as Young Patriarch says, we can certainly exert pressure on the True Demon World without even completing the Golden Fleet and Iello. According to recent intelligence, the ongoing Red Demon War in the Lutero Magic Federation has somewhat faltered. Intelligence officers and spies have assessed that the Red Plutonian Tribe seems to have weakened. They lost too many troops and fleets because of Elona Zipfel.]
"While the Red Plutonian Tribe is less active, the True Demon World continues to spawn fractures in the Lutero Magic Federation's territory. In fact, Elona Zipfel was also caught up in it. Currently, the True Demon World is more of a nuisance than the Red Plutonian Tribe for Zipfel as well."
[If all three factions simultaneously advance and the True Demon World remains immobilized, we may not need to reveal the Golden Fleet and mass produced Iellos for the next war.]
"If things go as smoothly as that, it's more than welcome. Of course, we'll be fighting Zipfel and Kinzelo at some point when the front lines get tangled during simultaneous advance. But neither Veradin nor Orgal are complete fools, so there is no need to unnecessarily escalate conflicts between the major factions."
"The internal disputes within the major factions are secondary. The primary goal is to eliminate the True Demon World. However, kid, what are you going to do if Zipfel and Kinzelo don't follow this plan?"
"That won't happen."
"If by any chance such a situation occurs."
"That's simple. If, for some reason, Zipfel and Kinzelo don't go along with it, we can easily recall the newly deployed forces at the defensive wall back to our headquarters. We can share real-time updates on the frontline situation through communication devices, and moving them can be done in an instant with Red Owl and Mort."
"Ah, indeed, that makes sense."
"For now, let's give it a try, and if the enemies don't cooperate, we won't have much to lose, unless Zito suddenly appears at our headquarters."
If that were possible, the Vamel Alliance would have suffered a significant blow long ago.
"Moreover, even if Zipfel doesn't move, both us and Kinzelo will definitely advance. Orgal sent reinforcements to the defensive wall even without our initial request. The alliance and Kinzelo will advance, and it's highly unlikely that Zipfel would attack our headquarters instead of True Demon World during that time. Even if the Red Plutonian Tribe is faltering, Zipfel won't have the capacity to attack our headquarters."
The decision was made.
The alliance members began discussing who to select as the additional superhumans to be deployed at the defensive wall and how to arrange the troops.
"First, Murakan and I will be at the forefront, together with the Golden Fleet. Elder sister Luna, it depends on whether you will participate in the breakthrough here..."
[I believe it would be best for the 1st flagbearer to act as an independent unit, just like during the preemptive attack mission. While Young patriarch and Murakan breach the front lines, 1st flagbearer can disrupt the enemy's defense line. She can assist the young patriarch and Murakan when needed. As for the 3rd flagbearer…]
Wooong-!
In the midst of heated discussions, the communication device suddenly vibrated again.
It was the fourth communication, another request from Tikan.
{Lord Jin! We've received an urgent report. About six hours ago, Zipfel's large fleet began moving. The suspected destination is Grosch Castle!}
Jin's eyes widened in shock at Kashmir's words.
"...Did you say Grosch Castle?"
{Yes, it appears that Zipfel is intending to deploy troops against True Demon World in earnest.}
The patriarch of Zipfel is Veradin.
Zipfel's advance towards Grosch Castle was Veradin's decision.
'Veradin... you were thinking the same thing as me.'
Jin shrugged his shoulders and looked at everyone.
"Even though he is in a bad state of mind due to Kelliark, there's still something common between Veradin and me. Since Zipfel moved first, let's respond quickly."
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