Swordmaster's Youngest Son Chapter 806

Chapter 806

Utilizing a spatial bracelet, Rakiman Hog tore open a dimensional rift leading toward the Red Legend Tribe’s stronghold, specifically the docking bay for the Patlok battleships.

In the launch zone, over a thousand warships sat waiting, but they were now met by the same hellfire that had trailed the retreating Red Legend Tribe.

The tribe returned to a scene of absolute devastation.

No longer under Jin’s command, the unleashed hellfire raged uncontrollably, tearing through the docking bay and consuming everything in its path.

“Douse the flames! Fan out and engage the emergency shields on all vessels!”

With Rakiman unconscious, Shimat stepped up to take the reins of command.

Though he looked ready to collapse at any moment, he knew that if he faltered now, the Patlok Red Fleet would face total annihilation.

“Scuttle the ships already lost to the fire! Do not let the blaze spread to the rest of the fleet! And get Rakiman to the medical bay immediately!”

Under normal circumstances, the mighty Red Legend Tribe would have easily extinguished these lingering embers. However, in their current state of exhaustion, it was a grueling struggle.

There was no alternative.

Tears fell from the eyes of the Red Legend Tribe as they were forced to destroy their own burning warships.

The only saving grace in this disaster was that the residual hellfire lacked the property of eternal burning.

After sacrificing roughly a hundred vessels, the tribe finally managed to bring the inferno under control.

Once the last of the hellfire died out, Shimat and his kin slumped to the ground, staring into space with hollow, numb expressions.

A single engagement had cost them dearly.

‘Why did Jin Runcandel... appear there? After the war against the evil god, the surface alliance was supposed to have fractured. They should be enemies again.’

The logic of the situation escaped Shimat.

Jin Runcandel’s sudden presence at the Kinzelo branch and Rakiman’s impulsive choice to fight him were baffling.

Shimat had cautioned Rakiman on numerous occasions.

He had argued that even if they ran into Jin Runcandel or any other transcendent master during a hunt, they should prioritize retreat.

The tribe was not at its peak strength, yet the surface world was crawling with powerful entities.

There had been ample opportunity to withdraw.

Had Rakiman summoned the fleet or sacrificed common warriors and captives at the Kinzelo branch, he could have triggered the return technique in time.

“Incompetent vermin... I can’t believe the fleet was lost because you couldn’t manage a simple task.”

Nearby, Andolin and Ozen jumped at Shimat’s sudden, venomous words.

“Compatriot Shimat?”

Shimat himself seemed startled by his own outburst.

In his subconscious, he had begun to view Rakiman as an inferior being, and that hidden thought had slipped out.

“...I was merely talking to myself.”

Though Andolin and Ozen felt a lingering unease, they chose not to press the matter.

“For now, we must uncover the nature of the relationship between Jin Runcandel and Kinzelo. We need to know if a pact was made or if their alliance has been restored.”

“We will gather intelligence during our next deployment.”

“The other Great Kings of Battle must be awakened immediately. Once Rakiman is stabilized, we have to inspect the other fortresses. To withstand Jin Runcandel’s overwhelming power, we must wake Great King of Battle Bakarun or even the God of Battle himself.”

“Bakarun’s fortress is likely under a seal similar to ours. But regarding the God of Battle... didn't he vanish without a trace even while we were still active?”

“I’ve begun to suspect that the God of Battle disappeared because he foresaw this sealing catastrophe.”

It was a jarring theory, yet Andolin and Ozen did not dismiss it.

Shimat had a track record of competence, and his past claims—even those once mocked—often proved accurate.

Still, it was hard for them to accept that the Red Legend Tribe’s God of Battle would abandon his people out of fear of a seal.

“One of the other Great Kings of Battle might know where the God of Battle is hiding. Regardless, we cannot restore him without awakening a Great King first. Simple hunting is no longer enough... we require a more radical strategy.”

The recent disaster proved that the risks of hunting had become too great.

There was no promise that such a catastrophe wouldn't strike again.

“A deal... we must consider trading or forming pacts with the factions on the surface.”

“Is there a specific group you have in mind?”

“The Zipple or the survivors of the Imperial Family. I will personally initiate contact during the next hunt.”

***

Meanwhile, the various leaders of the surface world were receiving briefings on the recent chaos.

“The Red Legend Tribe, you say?”

Beradin studied the report, nodding with genuine curiosity.

“Supposedly a branch of the Legend Tribe, they possess enough martial power that their foot soldiers can survive a strike from the Sword of the Reign of the King of Legends. Their technology is equally formidable. These Red Legends are quite fascinating.”

“Forgive the lack of deeper details, Patriarch. According to the Spectre Corps and the mages, we could only confirm their identity once the clash between Jin Runcandel and the Red Legend Tribe reached its peak.”

“It’s fine. They returned with intel after operating in Jin’s proximity, so they deserve a reward. Who secured this information, the Spectre Corps or the Intelligence Division?”

“It was my team,” Satrin answered.

“Then the Intelligence Division shall be rewarded. Every member of the division will be granted the chance to study second-class vision magic.”

“You have my gratitude, Patriarch. However, there is one more detail to report.”

“Speak.”

“It is unconfirmed, but rumors suggest another presence was lurking on the battlefield besides our mages.”

“Something else?”

“Yes. Sensing them was nearly impossible, leading some to suspect Yona Runcandel or perhaps unknown assassins... but their identity remains a mystery.”

“Hmm. It’s likely one of two things: either the Vamel Alliance or a shadow sent by the Imperial remnants.”

“Do the Imperial remnants truly possess someone of that caliber?”

“Information on them is scarce. That is why we must never overlook the Imperial survivors. They may be hiding due to their current weakness, but we must assume they are ready to strike at any moment.”

“Understood, sir.”

“If it is indeed the Imperial remnants, they will surely try to reach out to the Red Legend Tribe. We must be alert. Dispatch agents to the territories the remnants offered us; we need to put pressure on the high-ranking officials still residing there.”

“Yes, Patriarch.”

“And I will allow the Spectre Corps to learn third-class vision magic.”

“...Thank you.”

Just as he had done with Kadun, Beradin was purposefully undermining Octavia.

All of Kelliark’s former inner circle were being subjected to similar humiliation.

Despite this, Octavia and her peers did not dare voice their resentment.

In this clan, survival required absolute submission and displays of loyalty.

“We should attempt to open a dialogue with these newcomers. The Spectre Corps Captain and the Intelligence Division must keep sending mages to pinpoint their base.”

“As you command.”

“Prepare a press release for our media outlets immediately. Frame it so the Federation believes the Red Legend Tribe has been revived because of Jin and Kinzelo, presenting them as a dire threat to our safety.”

“Understood. The news will saturate the Federation by tonight.”

“Excellent. I’ll visit the Holy Land to see if the Priestess can assist us. If we can seize the Red Legend Tribe’s technology, it will accelerate our plans for a counterattack.”

The Zipple summit concluded.

Simultaneously, the Vermont Imperial Family was holding a meeting of their own.

On a secluded island in the northern reaches of the Lutero Magical Federation, the remnants of the Vermont Empire had been lying low since the end of the evil god war.

“Rakiman Hog... that’s a name I haven’t heard in ages. Still as reckless as ever, I see. Shimat must be losing his mind.”

The speaker talked about Rakiman as if they were old acquaintances.

The nobles seated around him nodded, clearly familiar with the name as well.

This was Airan Vermont, the man who had gathered the surviving aristocrats after the execution of Emperor Amir Vermont.

Before the evil god war, he had received a fragment of Chaos from Yona via Joshua to target Dante, and during the war itself, he had deployed Demon Men like Latz to assassinate Vamel Alliance leaders.

Yet, Airan remained a ghost.

Prior to Amir’s reign, Airan’s rank was outside the top thirty, and he had never been a public figure.

The Vermont Imperial Family’s penchant for secrecy ensured his existence remained hidden.

However, they represented the oldest lineage of the Empire.

To the nobles who had watched the Empire endure for millennia, Airan Vermont was the only legitimate sovereign.

Airan was the true Emperor; the hundreds of rulers known to history were merely decoys meant to shield the truth.

Airan and his council had lived within the shadows of the palace for centuries, constantly shifting their names and masks.

They were the source of the Empire’s legendary mysticism.

“Bibol, well done. This is a significant find.”

The noble named Bibol bowed.

He was the shadow who had watched Jin’s fight alongside the Zipple mages.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“The chance to reclaim our empire has finally arrived. The forces of the underworld, the Red Legend Tribe included, are still fixated on the Sun God’s return. We will exploit that obsession to ensure our enemies and these creatures destroy one another.”

The nobles’ gazes turned sharp at Airan’s decree.

They sensed that their era of hiding behind mysticism was drawing to a close.

“To set this in motion, we must help the Red Legend Tribe recover. Bibol, go to their fortress at once and offer a trade. Give them a massive supply of nutrients. You still recall the way to the Patlok Fortress?”

“I do, Your Majesty.”

“Good. They won't refuse the offer. However, knowing the Red Legend Tribe, they might turn on us once they’ve recovered their strength. We need a more enticing lure to keep them in line.”

“What further message should I deliver?”

Airan gave a dark chuckle before answering.

“Tell them that if they remain loyal to the end, we will eventually reveal the location of the Red Legend Tribe’s God of Battle.”