666
[T.L: punisher87]
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'Sword...?'
At first glance, Veradin's hand did not have the calluses unique to those who handle swords.
-We couldn't send the young patriarch, Jin Runcandel.
-I wonder what's the reason.
-That child is no longer the Veradin Zipfel you knew. Now... he is almost like a newborn baby.
-A newborn? Can you explain in simpler terms, spectre captain?
- It literally means as I said. Currently, Veradin has lost all his language, knowledge, magic, habits, and memories.
A conversation Jin had with Octavia just a while ago, during the first meeting of the temporary alliance.
All of these were verified by Euria as being true. At the time of the first meeting of the temporary alliance, Veradin was really no different from a crippled person.
'Has something changed in Veradin during this short time?'
It was hard to even imagine how he looked like a newborn baby, and Veradin showed a very businesslike and stable attitude.
Jin even felt a certain sharpness in his footsteps as he walked with a moderate gait, and along with that, he felt a familiar energy.
'Aura....'
It was at a level so faint that it wasn't even 1 star, but it was certainly aura. Interestingly, there was only a minuscule amount of mana compared to the aura.
A magic swordsman.
The premonition that the living golem experiments that Zipfel had been doing so far might have been to create a magic swordsman had already been brought several years ago.
However, Jin never expected to catch a glimpse of the result through Veradin in this moment, who might be the product of those experiments.
"Veradin Zipfel."
"Why are you calling me?"
"I heard that until recently, you were in a state where all your memories were erased and you couldn't do anything, but it seems like your condition has suddenly improved."
"It's been about a week since I've been able to live without anyone's help."
"Have you not regained any memories about me and Dante?"
Veradin stopped walking and turned around to look behind. Jin was slowly following him while holding Valeria, who was still sealed, in his arms.
He couldn't walk quickly. During the five-day flight, Jin had been maintaining Valeria's seal without a break, and he was still doing so now. His mana wasn't depleted, but the mental power consumption was too great. Jin was sweating.
"A lot of people have asked me about you and the lord of the Sword emperor Castle." Veradin said, standing next to Jin and placing his hand on Valeria's seal.
As he did, mana seeped effortlessly into the complex seal, even though he hadn't taken any special measures like Jin had.
"I don't remember anything."
"Is that so?"
Thanks to Veradin maintaining the seal, Jin was able to walk more comfortably. Jin didn't ask any questions about Veradin's abilities.
"But there's something I'm curious about. Why did so many people only talk about you or the lord of the sword emperor castle, not members of the clan, when they tried to find my memory?"
The two of them matched their footsteps.
"What were you curious about?"
"It's strange, isn't it? I don't know about the lord of the Sword Emperor castle, but your clan and my clan have been enemies for a thousand years. We recently had to form a temporary alliance, but before that, we were always ready to destroy each other whenever we had the chance."
"Well, it was strange. Especially your personality."
"Was I strange?"
As he asked in confusion, Jin felt a trace of his old self still remaining. He even wondered if Veradin was just teasing him. But that was all, even without Euria's verification, the current Veradin is not the person that Jin knew.
"Yeah. You were strange from the first time we met."
"Even more curious now. Can you tell me more?"
"No, I can't."
When Jin flatly refused, Veradin shrugged as if disappointed.
But after a few more minutes, Veradin subtly released his hold on Valeria's seal.
"If you're not going to tell me, I don't see the need to be so generous."
"What great generosity? It just makes things a little inconvenient. But even without you, I can still maintain the seal."
"Hmm."
"Besides, your actions don't even align with the purpose of opening the Holy Land. While I have no doubt that I can maintain the seal, there's always the chance that something unexpected could happen. I wonder how your clan would react in that case."
"You really do have a way with words that's quite irritating..."
Veradin once again placed his hand on Valeria's seal, but he didn't show any change in expression despite the awkward situation.
The path leading to the Holy Land beyond the door had a strange landscape. The ordinary corridor made of stone and various metals became more blurred as it went deeper inside.
Like the vague form of Orgal's body. It was not a scenery that could be seen in the human world.
'There was no separate entrance to the sub-space, but at some point, I started to feel the boundaries of the world becoming blurry.'
The colors and textures that made up the space were leaving traces as if washed away by watercolors.
"How much further do we have to go?"
"I cannot tell you."
"It's not difficult to measure the time myself, but is that a secret?"
"No, it's because the time it takes to reach the Holy Land is different every time. It depends on how welcoming the Holy Land is to the three of us."
"As mysterious as its grand name suggests."
"When I last came here, I heard it took 15 days. It was just before I completely lost my memory."
"Then it could take 15 days, but there must be a reason why we didn't prepare extra food."
"Yes, ever since the remnants of the corridor disappeared... we can't feel hunger in the Holy land. Instead, the more we walk, the lighter our bodies feel."
As he spoke, Jin felt his stamina recovering rapidly since crossing the "Boundary." His mind, which had been muddled from maintaining the seal, was also much clearer.
Still, Jin wanted to calculate the time by measuring his steps, but strangely enough, as his body and mind became more healthy, the concept of "time" became fainter.
Even roughly calculating that each step was one second became difficult. After a few tries, Jin found himself counting one second again.
'Is it because there is a gap in time between the holy land and the human world, like other dimensions? It's a strange sensation.'
Therefore, Jin couldn't tell how long it took, but the two of them soon discovered a distant green light.
'It's the residual energy.'
It was the same energy that Jin had glimpsed through Orgal's steel gate. In the dark and blurry landscape, only the residual energy shone brightly.
"We've arrived."
The two stood in front of the green energy and put their hands on it at the same time as if they had made a promise.
Suddenly, as if the whole world had lit up, the surroundings turned blue in an instant.
The "Holy Land of a few hundred years ago" that Orgal had shown him was no different from this one.
A green shining sea or a desert-like landscape.
"Now release Hister's seal. As soon as Hister recovers, we will leave the Holy Land."
Anxiety surged when Jin reached the holy land and tried to break the seal.
What if the residual energy of the Holy Land had no effect on Valeria? What if there was no way to seal her again?
In the midst of that confusion, Jin noticed that Valeria inside the seal had twitched.
Valeria began to react to the residual energy of the Holy Land even before breaking the seal.
The pale seal was already turning green.
"You come all the way here and worry about everything."
Veradin said as if he saw through Jin's intentions.
"As you said, since your clan and mine are mortal enemies."
"There is a reason why we are trying to save Hister even while opening the Holy Land to the enemy, Runcandel. You know better than anyone, don't you?"
"It sounds like you're going to take care of me right here after the recovery of Hister."
"There were those who insisted on doing so."
"Is it Octavia and Kadun?"
"No, mostly the elders."
Jin came alone with Valeria, who was injured, in the enemy's deepest part.
-The fact that only I can deal with Rosa makes my shoulders feel a bit heavy. Kinzelo still has a variable called Orgal's recovery, but doesn't Zipfel have any hidden moves at all?
-... There is.
-I didn't know I would be happy after hearing that the enemy has hidden powers. Please tell me what it is. I guess this is a question that needs to be answered. To face the public enemy.
- It is the manipulation of history. However, it is a means that can never be achieved without your ally, Hister.
During the first meeting of the temporary Alliance, Ronil said that Zipfel could deal with Rosa through 'history manipulation'.
So, in fact, it is crazy that Jin came to this place right now. It was a choice that Jin would never have made if it wasn't for Valeria or his companions.
Jin can't escape from here with the help of red owl or Mort. If Zipfel doesn't keep their promise, Jin would inevitably be in mortal danger.
"But my father was directly against it. Aren't you curious about the reason?"
"It's probably because you have to keep using me to deal with Rosa."
Zipfel and Kinzelo both didn't want to lose Jin as he is the only one immune to the chaos at this point. That's why even the top-level personnel of each faction have come to support them in the Kaldran Snowfield.
As Jin entered the middle of the enemy territory, the only thing he believed in was this fact and his own strength.
"Exactly, and I thought the same. It's unlikely that we can complete the history manipulation through Hister faster than the time when the evil god fully awakens. At this point, you are definitely more important than Hister to our clan."
Whether it was a lie or the truth, Veradin didn't seem to have a reason to hide anything about history manipulation now.
"I guess it doesn't sound appealing that I'm Zipfel's most important asset. If someone else were the guide, they would have attacked me at least once during this part."
Jin slowly began to unseal Valeria. It wasn't because he believed everything Veradin said but judged it was best to heal her as planned and leave.
"And, Jin Runcandel."
"Yes?"
"We made a promise before I lost my memory."
"Promise?"
"Once, I promised that even if you came to our family without notice, I would spare you at least once."
-Be thankful that this is a banquet hall.
- Haha, aren't you too straightforward? I know, your father showed mercy to my uncle. While we're at it, let me make a promise too. Even if you come to Zipfel's banquet without notice someday, I won't harm you.
That conversation took place at the single bridge banquet just before Jin became a reserve flagbearer.
Veradin did not remember the conversation, but rather the records in the diary that were few left.
"It was written that I would definitely spare you once even if you caused terrorism in my family, so I couldn't help but wonder about our relationship."
"I said earlier that the old you was a weirdo. It wasn't a time when we were particularly close, not even friends."
"I guess at that time, I was the only one who considered you a friend. Anyway, if I say I'll keep that promise now, would it ease your guard a little?"
Jin suppressed his bitter expression at those words and replied.
"I don't believe it, but it doesn't sound like a bad thing."
667
[T.L: punisher87]
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As the mana of the ice seal disappeared, the speed at which the residual energy penetrated into Valeria accelerated.
Valeria was immediately engulfed in a bright, shimmering bubble, and her recovery was so rapid that it could be seen with the naked eye.
Even after seeing Valeria twitch and slowly breathe out, Jin couldn't let go of his anxiety.
What if her sudden recovery were to suddenly stop? It felt as though a stone was weighing down on his chest.
Veradin, on the other hand, found Jin's reaction interesting.
'It seems that I was indeed very close to Jin Runcandel in the past. Seeing that I keep wanting to say useless things.'
Since regaining his senses, Veradin had become a cold person unlike before.
He didn't develop a cruel or horrific personality, but he lost any emotional response to most things in the world.
He no longer had feelings of affection for friendship, family, or loved ones.
The only thing left for Veradin now was a blind sense of purpose: the revival of Zipfel.
Strangely, Veradin didn't mind conversing with Jin. In fact, he found it enjoyable.
"Jin Runcandel, I heard that you have almost no weaknesses in any situation."
"What do you mean?"
"I can see the worry and anxiety on your face that Hister might not recover. Could she be your lover?"
"That could be the case."
"That's a strange answer. Have you broken up?"
Jin didn't hear Veradin's next question as he was too focused on watching Valeria. Fortunately, her recovery was accelerating.
Veradin didn't mind, and pulled out a glass bottle from his pocket and filled it with iridescent bubbles.
The bubbles in the bottle shimmered with beautiful colors like opals. It was unclear what kind of reward this mana trace would bring to Zipfel, but whatever the cost, it was not more important than Valeria's life to Jin and Vamel alliance.
"Ah...!"
Finally, Valeria opened her eyes and took a deep breath. Jin hugged her without realizing it.
He almost screamed her name.
"Jin... Jin Runcandel?"
"Yes, it's me."
"How... ugh."
"You're not fully healed yet. It's okay to wait and talk slowly."
Valeria looked down at her chest. She briefly felt the pain of the moment she was stabbed with Luntia's sword when the memories rushed in like a flood.
Memories.
With the feeling that her head was about to split, memories of the moment she fell came rushing back.
"Neru... is Neru okay!?"
"He's fine. Neru was protecting you."
"Thank goodness...."
Valeria's gaze fell on Veradin, who was holding a glass bottle with the trace of her mana.
She regained her usual cold demeanor, which was unaffected by her recent awakening.
"Jin, I've recovered. We should leave here as soon as possible."
Valeria knew that the power of this land, the Holy Land of Zipfel, had healed her. She had seen the record about the Holy Land from the most recently found Hister's succession temple.
The records were not detailed, but they stated the Holy Land could heal a complete mana body. Ever since Valeria sealed herself, she had hoped that Jin and his companions would rescue her and bring her here.
While others may not have been able to, she had a feeling that Jin could accomplish it, and that intuition turned out to be correct.
'Demon King Orgal, Jin probably obtained information about this place from him. He was the one who informed my ancestors about this place.'
Valeria was unaware of the situation thus far.
She did not know about the major battle that took place in the Garden of Swords, nor did she know that the three major forces had formed a temporary alliance because of it, or that Jin was the only opponent of Rosa.
'It seems that all three forces have learned the power of the garden of swords. That's why they formed a temporary alliance, and Zipfel opened up the Holy Land...….'
Nevertheless, Valeria quickly deduced all of these situations.
"Yes."
There was much to hear outside. Jin, too, did not want to stay in the Holy Land for even a second longer now that Valeria had recovered.
Above all, the only thing that the residual energy of the Holy Land had completely healed was Valeria's wound.
The energy of chaos remaining in the healed wound was not cleansed, so they had to return to Tikan and use the purification device.
"Before we head out, I have one more condition, Jin Runcandel."
At the sudden request, Jin calmly met Veradin's gaze with an unflinching eye.
"I didn't know you were so good at quickly losing trust, Veradin Zipfel. Are you going to threaten me after the deal is done?"
"You know what I'm going to ask, but you're sharpening your edge."
"If it's the Fire Dragon Kadun's treatment, then I will accept."
Fire Dragon Kadun. He has been exposed to enormous chaos due to the first all-out attack on Garden of swords and the battle in Kaldran Snowfield.
Since the Holy Land opening negotiations, Jin had expected Zipfel to demand his cure.
"Yes. I think you can take Lord Kadun with you when you go to Tikan."
"Understood."
The way out of the Holy Land was the same as the first.
If you go back the way you came, the scenery of the human world gradually becomes darker after crossing the border from a certain moment.
The door appeared after passing through the corridor, which is the entrance to the Holy Land.
And beyond the door, unlike before when they entered the Holy Land, there were numerous people waiting. They were mages wearing white robes and holding swords
'Living Golem...!'
Or perhaps modified humans who could be a form of magic swordsman.
The number of people was endless, and no matter how far they looked, they could not see the end.
"You are openly advertising to me that you are fostering the Magic swordsman living golem. Are they trying to intimidate us now?"
Each of them had a significant amount of mana and aura, unlike Veradin and everyone else they had encountered so far. If their combat skills were at the same level, even Jin would not be able to handle all of them, especially if he had to protect Valeria in the situation.
'They're not just dolls with energy. They are completely different from those who are not trained, even in breathing.'
Another strange thing was that their physique was entirely the same, as if the prophet had cloned Joshua.
As Jin approached the nearest living golem and tried to remove his hood, Veradin blocked his hand.
"Just look at what we promised to show you, Jin Runcandel."
"I have a feeling that the face under that hood will be just like yours."
"Am I such a common-looking face? My diary, which is not much left, is full of compliments on my good looks."
"I don't know what your intention is. It was strange from the beginning that you didn't hide the fact that you were reaching the level of a magic swordsman."
"Think of it as sharing power in the position of having a common enemy."
If there were so many magic swordsman living golems, they would surely have been able to play an active part in the first all-out attack on the Garden of Swords.
However, the living golems sent out by Zipfel's fleet at that time were incomparably inferior to them, and were reinforced through 'chaos control'.
The same goes for the living golems that died in the Kaldran snowfield.
Jin was able to figure out the reason intuitively.
"... These living golems seem to be able to exert their strength only near the Holy Land."
That was the only reason why there were no magic swordsman living golem at the time of the all-out attack.
Even Kadun and Octavia participated directly, so at the time, Zipfel had put in almost all of its 'exportable' power.
Veradin nodded as if there was no need to hide.
"Yes. We are looking for a way to get them out of the Holy Land. Right now, the moment they leave the vicinity of the Holy Land, they stop working like dolls with cut strings. It means death. But why do you feel uncomfortable? Do you think being a magic swordsman is a privilege only for your family?"
Jin shook her head.
"No, it's because I'm friends with you."
Jin said as if he had nothing to hide.
"I see."
Veradin said as he walked.
"But you should have said that in the past tense. You and I won't be getting close again."
Jin and Valeria followed behind, and all the living golems' gazes followed them like machines.
The number of living golems didn't decrease even as they walked outside the holy land for a long time.
Eventually, they reached the area where Jin first arrived, and Ronil was waiting for them with Kozec on standby, just like when he arrived.
The living golems disappeared by then.
Ronil looked surprised when he saw Jin return and checked the hourglass.
"How much time has passed? Brother Ronil."
"... A day. It's only been a day."
"The Holy Land has been very welcoming to Hister. Maybe... It was welcoming to Jin Runcandel."
"Father is looking for you."
"I was planning to see him as well. He might be curious about this."
While showing the glass bottle to Ronil, Veradin turned around and held out his hand to Jin.
After staring at his hand for a few seconds, Jin shook it.
"Goodbye, Jin Runcandel. With this, I kept the promise I made before I lost my memory."
Wait for me, Veradin.
Jin didn't say those words out loud and released the handshake.
"I'll take you to Tikan, Sir Jin."
"Okay, Ronil Zipfel."
* * *
In the windowless cabin again, Jin and Valeria sat face to face and talked about the past.
Valeria thanked him several times, and for Jin, seeing her like that in the present life was both unfamiliar and enjoyable.
"... As expected, a temporary alliance was formed. It must have been an inevitable choice to deal with the Garden of Swords. Then there's one thing we need to let them know before we leave the ship."
"Let them know? To Zipfel?"
"The imperial family betrayed Zipfel. And maybe, your friend. The Lord of Sword emperor castle might be in danger."
668
[T.L: punisher87]
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Valeria Hister had finally discovered the location of Temar's fifth tomb somewhere in the Kaldarn snowfield, just two months before Jin returned from Laprarosa.
Thanks to her use of record magic to trace Luntia's movements, Valeria was able to uncover the messages she left behind.
And right after Valeria left for the Kaldran Snow Field with Neru, she was pursued by three forces: Runcandel, Zipfel, and the Imperial Family.
From Runcandel, the Black Knight led the knights of Black Sword Association, and Ronil led the pursuit party of Zipfel.
They occasionally came across Valeria, but that was all.
But it was the Imperial Family that had put Valeria in the most danger.
Valeria was so desperately pursued for two months that she could not contact Tikan even once, all because of the Imperial Family.
"Are there such outstanding pursuers in the imperial family...…? Even the best force in the Garden of Swords and Zipfel couldn't find Valeria."
"Even though I'm from the Special Forces, even the Special Forces or the imperial guards cannot compare to the first division of Black Sword Association or the Black Knight. Even if they were strengthened by the power of chaos or majinization...… I'm not sure. The same may be true for Rosa's subordinates and Zipfel."
Valkas and Alisa said.
Jin was telling his companions the things he heard from Valeria while on the way to Tikan.
"Some exceptional figures among the Imperial Family's pursuers were knights from the Garden of Swords."
"You mean the imperial family betrayed Zipfel?"
"That's right."
"The people who just recently transferred the eastern part of the empire to Zipfel... Hmm. It could have been the smoke screen that they gave the East, or it could have been that they changed their stance after recognizing the power of the Garden of swords."
"I think it's the former, Sir Valkas. For some reason, I have a feeling that the imperial family may have made contact with Runcandel much sooner than we think. Since...… they possess a part of the body of the first patriarch, so they could have used it as a bargaining chip."
Valeria herself had not found out exactly when the Imperial Family had betrayed Zipfel. It was not a particularly important issue.
-From what we've seen, Temar Runcandel's body itself is no different from a collection of information from ancient magic in its own right. Because the deal went wrong, we didn't have a chance to properly analyze it.
The words Jin heard from Kinzelo when sharing the spatial-time device.
"Jin, you said you saw a huge number of magic swordsman living golems in Zipfel's holy land."
"Yes, Miss Cuicantelle. We cannot exclude the possibility that they shared the left arm with both the Garden of Swords and the Zipfel. Maybe that's why Zipfel didn't notice the betrayal of the imperial family at all."
"... He cannot rest even after a thousand years. His body is being torn apart and sent here and there. It's almost a relief that Murakan isn't here."
"What does it mean that the Sword Emperor is in danger?"
"Valeria said that she killed some of the imperial pursuers that she encountered and examined their records. Among them, there was this content."
"Airan Vermont was ranked 30th in the succession of the imperial family before the death of Amir. Neither I nor Alisa know the details about him, but he wasn't a notable figure. He seems to have been Runcandel's primary contact."
Kashmir had little contact with Amir and Airan during his time in the imperial palace.
There was hardly any chance of meeting due to the difference in rank, and in the first place, the imperial family had a strong tendency to hide themselves as much as possible even among members of the same imperial family.
"Since it means he's practically a new person, we need to start collecting information about him from the beginning."
"Don't worry, my lord! I'll find out everything about that Vermont guy, even his underwear color."
"By the way, does giving away a monster mean... referring to the knights of Runcandel, who are affected by chaos? It's strange that the name of the person who gave away the monster isn't mentioned."
"There is one person who immediately comes to mind."
Jin said with narrowed eyes.
"Joshua Runcandel… I have a strong hunch that he's the one."
"Young master, that damn dog... ahem, the worthless son of a bitch! Did Rosa reinstate him again?"
Jin smiled at Gilly's furious reaction.
"Since the rebellion succeeded while my father was absent, there is no reason to abandon a well-behaved dog. Although he used to be like trash before, he could have changed now. Or rather, he might have been forced to change through chaos."
"It's a dirty and depraved story. Just thinking about him and Rosa makes my heart ache so much that it's hard to bear."
"But if it's Joshua, is there a reason why his name wouldn't appear in the record magic?"
"Well, it could be because he accepted the chaos and became a completely new existence. Of course, I can't be sure, it's just a hunch."
"Anyway, it seems like there are three things we need to start right now. The first is to look at the Sword emperor castle, and the second is to rescue the remaining allies inside Huphester. And finally...should we enter the sixth tomb that Valeria found?"
Jin nodded at Cuicantelle's conclusion.
"That's right. It seems like I have to personally take care of all three."
The remaining significant allies within Huphester were Vin Blanche and Picon Minche, the blacksmith god who contracted with him.
In addition, there were several individuals who were presumed not to have sided with Rosa, such as Petro, Jin's butler, and Heinz, Chiron's butler, and the nanny and family of the 'siblings', various people who were presumed not to have joined Rosa, and the Colon natives in Luna's territory.
However, there weren't many individuals who could be of practical help, aside from high-ranking officials such as Vin Branche. But even if they weren't a source of power, Jin couldn't just leave them alone.
That's not the way of Jin and Vamel alliance. Most of all, the Garden of Swords didn't seem to care about them right now for some reason, but it was still uncertain when Rosa might use them as hostages.
"No, it's probably best for you to stay out of the rescue mission within the Huphester."
"I think so too, young master."
"Young master, I think so too!"
Jin's companions unanimously opposed his re-entry into Huphester.
"It is close to a miracle that you came back safely from the Kaldran snowfield this time. You are the leader of the Vamel Alliance, the center of the Temporary Alliance, and only opponent of Rosa. So, until the day comes when we decide to go against Rosa, don't even think about going to Huphester yourself."
As Jin was about to answer, Mary put her hand on his shoulder.
"Yes, youngest. I know you're the strongest of us, and therefore you try to bear more than your fair share of the burden. But that doesn't mean you have to be involved in everything. Even our father didn't do that. Well, maybe he couldn't."
"Elder Sister."
"I'll put together a team to rescue the Huphester insider. I'm saying this in advance in case you're worried, but in the process, even if it's big brother Diphus...… I will never lose my cool even if I see that my big brother Diphus has become like elder sister Luntia."
"I will ask for help from nameless. Although almost all personnel are looking for elder sister Yona, I'm sure a few people will help."
Jin was unable to persist in front of the stubborn attitude of his siblings and companions.
"All right. Since I have to move personally for the matter of the Sword emperor castle and Temar's tombs, I thought it was too much to do it myself, but I guess it's time to say it out loud."
"Are you planning to go right away to sword emperor castle?"
"Yes, I plan to go once Valeria wakes up and hears the rest of the story."
Valeria had lost consciousness due to remaining chaos on the way back and had not been able to inform Jin of the information about the sixth tomb.
"I see."
"I miss Dante very much."
Since returning from Laprarosa, Jin has yet to meet Dante. It was because there had been constant incidents since his return.
Moreover, just as Jin had personally intervened in almost everything in Vamel alliance, in the Empire, Dante played that role.
Currently, except for Dante, there were hardly any individuals left at the level of superhumans in the Empire.
As the empire's best talents were lost at the time of the Glyek subjugation, Dante had a lot of responsibility to take on.
Perhaps because the shock he received from Veradin was great, just the thought of meeting Dante soon gave Jin a comforting feeling, even though it wasn't for a good reason.
Even if some crisis befell Dante, Jin felt confident that he could handle it.
"I hope I can meet a friend and cool my head without any trouble for a while."
"That's right, Young master. If the person in the record that Miss Valeria found is that level, then no matter what they do, they won't be able to threaten the young master."
Of course, Gilly wasn't really worried, but her words weren't insincere either. It was just difficult for his companions to imagine Jin in a crisis because of Joshua.
Someone found the meeting room.
It was Qwaul and Valeria.
Qwaul had been waiting in front of Valeria's hospital room, piling up cigarette butts like a mountain until she woke up, and had brought her with him.
"Uhhhh!"
Suddenly, Qwaul hugged Jin and burst into tears. No one had ever imagined that this rough and unrefined engineer could cry so pitifully.
"Good job... Well done! You really saved our Valeria...…!"
Jin's companions had already recognized this fact, they comforted him for a while, feeling sorry for Qwaul's crying appearance.
Valeria also did not say anything despite opening her eyes wide at Qwaul's reaction.
"Huhuhuhuk, even the chaos has completely disappeared!"
"I couldn't tell you everything as I lost consciousness because of the chaos, Jin. How far did I tell you?"
"It was the location of the sixth tomb."
"Ah, it was. right. The place where the sixth tomb of Temar exists is not a region, Jin."
"Not a region? Do you mean subspace?"
Valeria responded by nodding her head.
"Yes, it is a subspace. However, it is not a region, but a sub-space that exists in a certain sword."
669
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"The sub-space that exists inside the sword...?"
"To explain that, I need to first tell you why me and Neru were able to enter the fifth tomb."
Valeria is not Solderet's contractor, or adept at handling chaos like Helluram's daughter. Nor did she receive guidance from anyone like she did in the Wantaramo Forest.
However, she didn't force her way in like Zipfel or other factions might have done. Originally, she shouldn't have been able to enter the tomb.
"You must be tired due to the energy of chaos, Valeria. You already mentioned it before. You obtained an item related to the old Runcandel at the Cat God's temple with the help of the Felinoids tribe."
"I told you about it. Did I mention what the item was?"
"You said it was a handkerchief."
A handkerchief.
It may seem like a trivial item, but that handkerchief held countless stories from a thousand years ago.
"Yes, it was the handkerchief that belonged to the old Runcandel's ten great knights. That's why the tomb responded to the handkerchief and opened the door even without a shadow force or guide. The record and story left on the handkerchief became the key."
However, it is a one-time measure. Since the stories on the handkerchief were too distant and faint, Valeria had planned to keep it safe and analyze it after increasing her achievement in record magic.
But as soon as the door opened, the handkerchief disappeared on the spot, and Valeria still regrets that fact.
"In that case...the Prophet may have opened the door using a similar method to yours."
"That's possible. He must have opened it at least twice. The fate of Padler Runcandel, the original Guardian of the Tomb, was laid upon your second sister. Anyway, I discovered how to enter the next tomb within it before your sister replaced Padler."
Unlike the other tombs Jin had encountered so far, there was a clue that led directly to the next one in the fifth tomb.
"In the fifth tomb, there was not only Padler Runcandel, but also a record of a person named Bale, the owner of the handkerchief. That was the reason why the tomb reacted to the handkerchief."
"Bale...?"
"However, Bale's records are too vague, so I only confirmed that the sixth tomb was hidden in his sword and the approximate location where the sword was originally hidden. It's in the Black Sea, but the possibility of it still being there is not very high..."
At that moment, Jin felt a sharp blow to the back of his head.
"Wait, Valeria."
"Why?"
"The handkerchief you got reacted to the fifth tomb, which belonged to Bale... and the sixth tomb is a subspace inside Bale's sword, and the location where the sword is hidden is in the Black Sea... That's what it means, right? You definitely said Bale, right?"
"Yes."
Jin blinked for a few seconds, and Valeria looked around, shrugging her shoulders. The other companions didn't seem to understand either.
"I think I already found that sword."
"What?"
- Hedo! Your sword! The sword is shining and making something, heaven has answered our prayers!
- I'm watching too, my lady. What the hell is this...….
- That sword seems to be the key to opening the tombs. Where did you get that sword?
-When I was young, I got it by killing a monster in the Black Sea.
A conversation between Sandara, Hedo, and Jin in the Kaldran Snowfield. At that time, Jin infused shadow force into Hedo's sword and naturally confirmed the word 'Bale' written on the sword body.
The current owner of the sword, Hedo, also thought it was the name of the sword, so Jin only knew it. But that was the name of one of the ten great knights of old Runcandel.
Jin seemed to understand now the reason why Murakan suffered as soon as he saw Bale in the Sota Desert, and the reason why Bale was able to serve as the key to the fifth tomb.
"I don't think I told you how I got into the tomb because I didn't have much time either. That sword is currently owned by Hedo, the Tower Keeper of the White Night."
"I didn't know it was a result of luck, but the rescue process was more reckless than I expected."
"When it comes to things related to you, luck seems to follow strangely. And didn't you say that yourself before? That there aren't many people as lucky as you?"
Oh...!
For some reason, such admiration broke out simultaneously among his companions. Jin and Valeria didn't care at all and continued the conversation.
"I was thinking of taking a few hours off and leaving for the Black Sea right away, but it saved me a lot of trouble. Sandra Zipfel and Hedo seem to be quite friendly to you."
"Probably only Sandra Zipfel, Miss Valeria. But that muscle butler absolutely obeys Sandra Zipfel's words, so I think we can call Sandra and examine the sword."
"Somehow it feels like Jet is referring to you as a piece of trash who took advantage of someone's love interest."
"What? Miss Valeria, you shouldn't misinterpret my words like that! My Lord seems to be quite friendly to you."
"I can't call Hedo and Sandra right away. Our side has asked a lot from Zipfel recently, so we'll contact them in a few days. In the meantime, I think it would be perfect to go to the sword emperor castle."
"Oh, my lord, if you say that, I feel a little embarrassed...."
"Even the bad side of our Lord Jin is cool...."
"Jet, Enya. I'm not just calling for the sword. I think it's better to make those two our people. If possible."
Jin saw what happened to Veradin. Jin was convinced that if Sandra Zipfel continued to stay with Zipfel, it would inevitably happen in the not-too-distant future.
He wanted to erase the name Zipfel from her.
Valeria was uncomfortable listening to Jin's proposal to make 'Zipfel' his ally, and she expressed her opinion in a calm tone.
"Do whatever you like. Do as you please. Just don't forget that someday, every Zipfel in the world will surely die by my hands."
Valeria stood up from her seat.
"I need to go in and get some rest. Mr. Qwaul, let's resume our research in the evening. Jin brought a lot of data from Laprarosa, and since there was a singularity that the red owl was connected to that world, so we'll be busy again."
"Hmm, doesn't Miss Valeria get tired? She said she had less work to do because there's no need to go to the Black Sea, but now she's going to work again right away."
It's not that she doesn't get tired, but rather that she can't afford to be tired. The resentment of the ruined clan and murdered relatives is all embedded within her.
Jin didn't say those words out loud.
"Then, I must also prepare to go to sword emperor castle. "
As soon as Jin left the meeting room, his companions naturally looked at the door where he had disappeared.
"They look a bit similar, don't they?"
"I think so too, old man Valkas."
"The Lord gives off a more humane feeling. Well, they seem like people who learned from the same teacher or parent for a long time."
"So, I'm thinking about starting a Valeria fan club. Kind of like a side job?"
"You're scary sometimes, Enya."
"How can I hear that from Faye!?"
"Come on, let's get to work. From now on, Jet will investigate Airan Vermont, and Lady Mary, Sir Heytona and Daytona will...…."
"You can speak comfortably, King Kashmir."
"Yeah, speak freely, Your Majesty!"
"What kind of language is that to use with the king, you lot? Are you willing to throw away your dignity as flagbearer just because we lost the Garden of the Swords? Can I take the role of Myu and Anne?"
"No, elder sister. We'll correct ourselves."
"We decided to become new people, elder sister."
"I will watch you. Go and tell Cosmos to fix the ship. We will go out in a few days. And bring me a list of recovered knights."
"Yes, elder sister!"
* * *
April 1, 1803.
"Wow!"
"Woohoo!"
Two children, whose hair and eyes were dyed black with Gold Snow tribe cosmetics and disguise tools, were screaming with excitement. In fact, one of them was a dragon who had lived for hundreds of years, but outwardly, he looked like an ordinary child, caught up in the excitement of the journey.
Latrie and Euria.
Jin decided to take the two on this trip to Sword Emperor castle. In case of emergency, Cuicantelle had also come along as their protector.
It's not just the kids (one by the dragon standard), everyone has been in disguise for the first time in a while. Jin and Cuicantelle have dark blue hair, and play the role of brother and sister dragon.
"Jin oppa, Miss Cuicantelle! The red owl is so amazing. We came to the Empire at once like a transfer gate, right?"
"It's a good thing that there's something that looks amazing to Az Mil's contractor."
"I find it more surprising that Miss Cuicantelle picked this location for our destination. This log cabin... It brings back so many memories."
A serene log cabin nestled in the middle of a forest on the outskirts of the capital city of Vermont.
This was the starting point where Jin changed the fate of Euria and Enya during his early days as a reserve flagbearer.
It was a house with the same structure as the one Murakan and Cuicantelle lived in a long time ago.
Euria had only heard about this place through words. She didn't go outside Tikan much, of course when she first met Jin, and even now, as Az Mil's contractor, her special nature made her very cautious in all aspects of her life.
"Memories? Well...I can see some kind of solid emotions, like regret or nostalgia, in every corner of this log house."
"Euria, let's put that aside for now. It would be better to go eat your favorite seafood stew before going to sword emperor castle."
"Okay, Miss Cuicantelle! Jin oppa, do you want to eat only seafood stew? Can't we eat and play until evening?"
Euria's innocence was cute and pitiful.
"Euria, you are the only princess of the Vamel Alliance and Tikan free state."
"All of sudden?"
"It means that if you want to have fun, the Empire's leader will come to see you."
From then on, the party really stirred up downtown Vermont and spent money happily.
Although the world was grim due to the remnants of Glyek and Rosa, Vermont's capital still had vitality, just like before the era changed. It was proof that Dante was doing a good job of ruling.
Jin looked at the peace of the land that his friend had protected and nurtured with a proud heart.
And when the second seafood stew came out at a new seafood restaurant in the evening, there was no one left in the restaurant except for them. Even the waiters and the owner left.
"It's really as Jin oppa said, Sir Dante is here, right?"
Euria said, looking at Dante, who had just opened the door.
Jin and Dante smiled at each other without saying a word for a while.
It was a reunion after about three years.
"How did you find out about this place? Dante."
"I heard a report that a craftsman named Paul Gray Mick and his party were throwing checks all over the downtown area of the capital, so I rushed to see them."
Jin smiled.
"Sit down, Dante. The food just came out."
670
[T.L: punisher87]
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The friend that Jin hadn't seen in a while still looked the same. The handshake was even firmer than before, and Jin felt like he could sense the past three years from it.
"It's been a while, my friend. You've certainly come back stronger."
"I thought you might be a bit rusty since you were so busy. But now you've become an iron man, Dante."
"If I couldn't do even this, I wouldn't be qualified to be the lord of the Sword Emperor Castle."
"I was so busy when I got back that I couldn't come see you first."
"There will be no one who doesn't know what great things you have done as soon as you have finished your Close door Training. I was busy myself until a few days ago, so don't worry."
The two looked at each other without speaking for a while. Although they hadn't spent time together in the past three years, they had both persevered in their respective positions with one thought. Even without saying it, they felt how hard and deep the past was for each other.
"Oh! I'm late with my greetings. Princess, Miss Cuicantelle and Sir Latrie. I am Dante Hairan, the lord of the Sword emperor Castle."
"Why are you being so awkward, Sir Dante? It's not like it's our first time meeting."
"That's right. Are you telling us to stop eating?"
Dante scratched the back of his head embarrassedly at Euria and Cuicantelle's answer.
"I wanted to formally greet the princess once. It seems like I may have gone a bit too far."
Bubble, bubble.
The seafood stew was boiling. The meal began when Euria put the seafood soup in an empty bowl and served it to Dante first.
After Jin's return, Dante already knew most of what had happened. This was because whenever an incident occurred, Kashmir sent someone to inform him.
"... I see. So, Veradin...… has completely forgotten us by falling victim to such a dirty experiment. How could he do that to the next patriarch and his son!"
However, Dante heard about Veradin's condition for the first time today. As Dante trembled with anger, Jin patted his shoulder to calm him down.
He already knew that Veradin was in a hopeless state, but hearing about the situation through Jin's words made his heart fill with poison.
"Zipfel, we will definitely save our friend from those who caused this artificial catastrophe someday."
"Yes, we will do that, Dante."
"Until we destroy the evil god, I will suppress my anger. Like you, I will use them until I can and then crush them mercilessly."
Just as Jin learned the value of 'righteousness' from Ron and Dante. Dante, too, was learning the necessity of 'dominance' from Jin.
If it were the previous Dante, he would never have held hands with those who turned his friend into a miserable experiment, even if he had to die. But now, it is different.
He had many lives hanging on his shoulders. As the lord of the sword emperor castle and the regent of the empire, the world he looked at was completely different from when he was a mere young patriarch.
Sometimes, he had to use his enemies, sometimes he had to step back, and sometimes he had to do things he did not want to do.
Otherwise, he could not save the countless families and people, who only looked at him, and the world.
'Dante, you are becoming more like lord Ron.'
Dante's face always had the look of a good friend, but he was clearly changing. He had started on the path of the emperor, not just a young patriarch.
The emperor who is most strict with himself and will never fall.
Jin was proud of Dante's transformation, and it was the very thing that Ron had wished for in his lifetime. His grandson, who was always ready to fight evil with his life, was undoubtedly lovable, but he always worried about him.
Jin was speaking to Ron inwardly. 'Now, you can enjoy watching it with peace of mind, it seems.'
"By the way, Jin."
"Yes?"
"I've been wondering since before, why did you come in disguise? It doesn't seem like it was just for the princess's entertainment."
"There are people in the imperial family who want to kill you."
"Unless Zipfel gave them someone as capable as you, it would be impossible. Zipfel has no reason to do that now, do they?"
"It wasn't Zipfel, it was the Garden of Swords who provided the assassin."
Dante's pupils narrowed. "The Garden of Swords...?"
"Yes, the imperial family betrayed Zipfel and sided with Rosa. That's what Valeria confirmed. Did you know about it?"
"I'm ashamed to say I had no idea."
"The betrayed party was the same. Zipfel also didn't know that the imperial family had sided with the Garden of Swords."
Even after Jin informed Zipfel about the betrayal, Zipfel did not recklessly purge the imperial family. Given the circumstances, they needed to first assess how much information they had given to Runcandel.
"Valeria said she thinks you're in danger. We suspect that Joshua is the one who provided the assassin to the imperial family."
"With the strongest knight's abilities enhanced by chaos and the abilities of the prophet, it wouldn't be a dreamlike story for the imperial family to assassinate me. The reason why the Garden of Swords is trying to eliminate me is probably because they find my presence annoying, since I'm helping you."
"That's why I came in disguise after a long time. I also brought our princess here."
Of course, Jin didn't bring Euria into this dangerous situation just to give her some pleasant memories.
"... Are you planning to find the assassin through the princess's abilities?"
"Exactly."
Dante was about to express his concern about bringing the young princess to such a dangerous situation, but he stopped himself after seeing Jin.
He wondered if Euria could be in danger no matter who the enemy sent, given that Jin was there with her.
"I think you wanted to say something." Jin said.
"I've realized it may not be much of a problem. Unless assassins or old Runcandel' swords are involved?" Dante replied.
"Even if it's Sir Padler, Euria won't be hurt. Because you're here too." Jin said.
"Then what should we do now?"
"There is too little information other than that the Garden of Swords gave an assassin to Airan Vermont. So, call all available personnel to the palace and start with the lowest-ranked ones."
"Are you suggesting we call everyone here just to ask if there are any informants?"
Jin nodded. "It's the only way we can investigate with the princess present."
"Euria, Lord Latrie, Miss Cuicantelle and I have to participate in the imperial meeting. Since it's a meeting of the empire's top ministers, we need a pretext to attend. I was thinking..."
"Jin, I am no different from the only absolute ruler in the empire. Even the dead Amir Vermont didn't have more power than me. So, we don't need a pretext. All of the empire's subjects should come running to me when I call."
"Ah, I forgot for a second that you changed. There was no need to come up with a pretext."
"I am curious. What pretext did you have in mind?"
"I was thinking of saying that the dragons you rescued in the contaminated area came to repay their debt and asked for your help. Since you've accomplished many missions without knights."
"For what you've been trying to think, it's a little... There is a lack of probability. The dragons who didn't belong to any forces are extremely rare in the world right now."
"Well, I'm glad we don't need it."
"But if someone ever asks me about your origin, I'll have to say that," Dante said.
"If the traitor is in the capital and the fact is revealed immediately, then there's no need to lie," Jin replied.
The meal was over.
Outside, the carriage was ready, and the group headed straight to the palace.
"Tell all the subjects waiting in the capital should gather in the first conference room of the palace within two hours. Everyone except for the ordinary knights and mages who are on duty. All 10th rank subjects as well. It's an emergency summons. Tell them that any latecomers will be severely punished."
"Yes, Your Highness the Regent!"
In an instant, orders fell throughout the capital.
"Has the Regent ever convened us in this way?"
"He told us to work tirelessly for the empire and the people, even to the point of sacrificing ourselves, but now he's asking us to leave our duties to our deputies and come here. What's going on?"
"What kind of nonsense is this in the middle of the night! I'm so anxious. Could it be that he's bringing down the crown prince and planning to ascend to the throne himself?"
"Even with the young voice of crown prince Kuron pleading for us to show some mercy, this is as bad as it gets... if the lord of sword emperor castle ascends to the throne, we will indeed die from overwork for sure...…!"
"Whatever happens, let's go and prostrate ourselves flat. If we show any signs of reluctance, it's over. You all know that, right? What happened to Baron Margle last time when he complained that he had a lot of work."
The fearful servants held on to their melting soy sauce, while the servants who admired Dante went to the imperial palace with determination.
"This is an urgent call from His Highness the Regent. It is clear that a major event has occurred."
"Everyone, don't show signs of exhaustion. No one in the Empire can suffer more than His Highness the Regent."
Carriages and horses were constantly entering the palace, without a moment of rest.
Before two hours had passed, over a thousand servants had gathered in the conference room.
"Has everything arrived?"
The scene that the servants saw was Dante sitting on the throne and four unfamiliar faces standing behind him.
No one realized that the group was disguised.
"Yes, Your Highness the Regent!"
"Yes!"
Despite the large number of servants present, they dared not exchange glances with Dante.
Jin saw many people who looked rough after rolling their eyes for no reason.
'Nobody seems to be asking Dante about our identities. It is as strict as Runcandel in the past, when my father was hospitalized in the Garden of Swords. But on that side... they seem to be expecting something.'
In the heavy atmosphere where it was hard to even breathe, there were some groups who were expressing their excitement carelessly.
They were ministers and knights from Hairan, and the reason their eyes were sparkling was because of Cuicantelle standing behind Dante in disguise.
'Couldn't it be that the lord patriarch finally found his lover!'
'Perhaps he's going to introduce his lover and family, or maybe not. No... it's possible. It's not like he's urgently gathering his subordinates for personal reasons...."
Unfortunately, they soon became sullen and straightened their eyes.
The knights of Hairan knew very well how lonely and desperate Dante's time was, so they were eagerly hoping that lover, who could be a little bit of his solace, would appear.
Dante stood up.
"You're all busy, so I'll be direct. I gathered you all here because there is a traitor within the empire."
"Ah...!"
"How could this be!"
"Don't open your mouth until I allow it. Let's finish up quickly and go back to contribute to the stabilization of the empire. From now on, you can only answer my questions with 'yes' or 'no.' Now, I'll ask the first question."
Dante looked at his subordinates with fiery stern eyes.
"Is there anyone among you who has plans to harm me or knows anyone with such plans?"
"No!"
The servants answered, and Dante waited for Euria's signal.
After studying the subordinates for a few minutes, Euria gently poked Dante's back seven times with her finger.
That meant that seven of them had lied.