027 (Vol 4) HxH: Tombbound Power

"Are you saying this language evolved from pictographic symbols?"

King Nasubi explained, "The fact that you allied with Beyond means you already understand the existence of the Dark Continent. Then you should also know—humans couldn't survive on the Dark Continent and eventually migrated to the Six Continents."

"That happened in ancient times. When humans arrived, they discovered the continents already had native inhabitants. It's said this language was created by those aboriginal peoples, derived from the shapes of real-world objects."

"Later, since the people from the Dark Continent and the natives shared very similar physical features, the two populations merged and became indistinguishable from one another."

"The language used by those from the Dark Continent eventually became the standard across the Six Continents. So, under pressure from a fully developed linguistic system, the original pictographs gradually disappeared."

"Still, there were people who preserved that old language. Our ancestors in the Kakin Empire inherited fragments of it from them."

Nasubi spoke steadily, weaving together history and logic. He seemed unusually cooperative, perhaps sensing a faint aura leaking from Ronnel.

All the while, Ronnel's particle clones had been discreetly scanning the king's genuine memories.

The report confirmed: Nasubi was telling the truth.

"So it has nothing to do with Daxia or Huxia language systems after all…"

Of course, that made sense. This was a world crafted by Togashi-sensei—completely separate from Earth. 

Ronnel had expected this, but he couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed.

Still, he quickly moved on.

"There's a second reason I came here," he said.

...

"It's about the succession war."

Ronnel's voice was calm and clear. But the moment those words landed, King Nasubi's eyes narrowed. His expression shifted instantly.

"You're saying... you want to interfere in the Kakin Empire's succession battle?"

He fixed his sharp gaze on Ronnel, and in the blink of an eye, the majesty of a monarch radiated from him.

"Even Beyond wouldn't dare to reach that far."

"Relax, Your Majesty," Ronnel replied, unfazed by the king's pressure. His smile didn't waver. "I'm not here to interfere pointlessly. Interference implies inserting oneself into matters without purpose. But I've struck a deal with your children. It's mutually beneficial. Hardly one-sided meddling~"

"You made a deal with one of my children?" Nasubi's tone remained cold, but he abruptly paused.

"Luzurus?"

Something clicked in his mind.

Now that the succession war had reached such a critical point—and with Benjamin and Halkenburg already dead—he began to suspect that the man before him had played a much deeper role in this conflict than he'd realized.

Nasubi had long believed that Kurapika, with his unique temperament, Nen ability, and status, was the key manipulator behind the scenes. That's why he had focused most of his surveillance on him, ignoring the odd presence of that strange man—Morgan.

He hadn't realized that Morgan and Ronnel were the same person.

Only now did he understand: Kurapika was just a piece on the board.

The real player had been standing in front of him all along.

...

"Not just the Seventh Prince," Ronnel said evenly. "The Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, and Fourteenth Princes have all entered agreements with me."

He wasn't hiding anything—nor did he see a reason to.

"I see…" Nasubi exhaled slowly.

So that was the reason the lower-ranked princes had survived this long, despite the carnage among the upper ranks.

"What kind of agreement did they make with you?"

"A simple exchange of equal value," Ronnel replied. "Your children wish to survive. I help them live to the end. In return, regardless of who ultimately wins the throne, they've promised to support our expedition to the Dark Continent with all the logistics and supplies we'll need."

"You're using the Kakin royal family's power to shield yourself," Nasubi said flatly. His expression darkened. "That's quite an arrogant gamble… Even Beyond wouldn't make such a demand."

"He's him. I'm me," Ronnel said, shrugging lightly. "Different minds, different methods."

Then, his eyes sharpened slightly as he added,

"If I were you, I'd tell the butler to stand down. Attacking recklessly without understanding your opponent's capabilities is... unwise."

...

As soon as he spoke, King Nasubi's fist clenched—but then he slowly raised his hand and waved it.

From the adjoining room, the royal butler Nugui stepped out, staring at Ronnel with thinly veiled hostility.

Ronnel didn't flinch. Instead, he tilted his head and remarked, almost amused,

"A sealing ability, huh? Not bad. But usually, powers like that depend on specific locations, methods, and timings… Trying to activate it from the next room over? You're underestimating me."

Nugui said nothing, his expression dark as he silently returned to stand behind the king.

Nasubi sat up straighter.

"The Kakin succession war allows others to back the princes. But no one—no one—is permitted to control its direction or outcome."

He stared coldly at Ronnel.

"Anyone who tries to will become the first target of Kakin."

There was no room for discussion. No room for compromise. Not from a king who intended to turn Kakin into a world power.

His strength—and his absolute will—meant he would never yield on this.

"The royal family of Kakin will purge any princes who've made pacts with you. And as for you..."

...