Chapter 103: The Tragedy of Colon (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 103: The Tragedy of Colon (2)
It was impossible to read Pan’s expression.
His brow was furrowed, trembling as if in fear, but Jin didn’t miss the way his eyes traced the script on the map.
“Can you read those letters?”
“How… how did you know I was from Colon? Who are you people?”
Pan stared at Jin’s group with wary eyes.
He was remembering the day he fled his homeland three years ago—a place that had become a mere ‘ruin’ at the hands of the Zipple. He remembered smuggling himself into the Tikan Free City, evading the watchful eyes of the Zipple mages.
“Hmm… how should I explain this? I’m a guest of Captain Alisa. This black-haired fellow is a dragon, the green-haired boy is also a dragon, and this one, as you can see, is a six-year-old girl.”
As Jin casually revealed their identities, Pan wasn’t the only one who turned pale.
“Hey, hey, kid! How can you just blurt everything out like that?”
“What else could I do? I have a feeling Mr. Pan is going to provide us with an important clue about this map. Now, Mr. Pan, as for how we recognized you…”
Jin decided it was best to be honest, omitting only the fact that Yuria was the contractor of Az Mil.
“The green-haired one, Lord Latri, is the dragon of Az Mil. While examining the map I obtained, he was drawn in by the resentment lingering within it and saw a vision of the past. He said the exploited people he saw there appeared to be of the same race as you. It was a coincidence, you could say.”
“Hah.”
Pan was silent for a moment before speaking.
“Can I go have a smoke?”
“Go ahead.”
Pan trudged out to the front yard of the seafood stew restaurant. He leaned against a wall and lit a cigarette.
Come to think of it, Mr. Pan told the guards earlier that he didn't have any cigarettes, but he did, Jin chuckled to himself.
Latri spoke up with a worried expression. “What if that man runs away?”
“Where could he possibly run? This is the land of insects.”
“Ah… you’re right. My apologies, Lord Murakan.”
“What are you apologizing for?”
“Uh, well… never mind.”
Before long, Pan finished his cigarette and returned. His face was resolute, as if he had settled his thoughts.
“Can I ask a few questions?”
“Of course.”
“Are you people with the Zipple?”
“We aren’t exactly on good terms with them.”
“Then do you know what this map signifies?”
“Isn’t it a treasure map?”
“It’s not treasure.”
“I see.”
When Jin replied with a light shrug, Pan’s eyes narrowed.
“Will you hurt me if I don’t help you?”
“I give you my word. Even if you take your seafood stew and go home right now, I will never harm or threaten you. I can’t help you if the guards haul you in for another public disturbance, though. In return, you just pretend you never met us.”
Jin truly meant it.
He’s from Colon. He must have endured all sorts of humiliation to escape the Zipple and get here. There's no need to waste time by bullying someone like him.
In the ensuing silence, Pan deliberated. He wondered if his meeting with Jin’s group was truly a coincidence. Soon enough, he reached a conclusion.
It didn’t matter whether it was or not.
“My sister…”
“Yes?”
“You should all come meet my sister.”
Jin nodded.
“Then let’s wait for the seafood stew to be packed and head out.”
*
Pan was a good liar.
He had clearly said he had no cigarettes when he did, and he had said they were going to meet his sister, but the woman was not his sister.
Pan’s house was located deep within a shabby alleyway. It was so cramped that the space felt completely full the moment the entire group stepped inside.
“This is the first time Pan has brought people over. Welcome, noble guests of Tikan.”
The woman disguised as Pan’s ‘sister’ greeted them. She did indeed look much younger than Pan, but the moment he saw her, he bowed his head respectfully.
“Lady Laosa, I have brought guests without permission.”
“You did well, Pan.”
The atmosphere was strange. To be precise, the aura emanating from Laosa was extraordinary. It couldn't be described as simple elegance or an unapproachable air.
It was as if she were overflowing with holy energy. Even Murakan, who would usually have made a snide comment like, ‘Why is this house so crummy? Huh?’ seemed to be watching his words.
The moment Jin saw her, he knew.
She must be of the noblest bloodline of the Colon natives, or a human chosen by their faith. The last descendant.
Laosa, however, possessed even deeper insight.
“One born in the cradle of the sword and chosen by the shadows, the Black Dragon, and the Dragon of Truth. And the young child cherished by Az Mil, along with the Captain of Tikan who looks after Mr. Pan so well.”
Flinch.
The entire group stared at Laosa in simultaneous shock.
“How did you know that?”
“It is merely a minor talent. My apologies if I startled you. Pan, please prepare some tea.”
“Understood.”
While Pan poured water into a dented kettle, cold sweat trickled down Jin’s back.
A minor talent…?
Her composed attitude made it seem as if she had been expecting them all along.
Laosa was a type of person Jin had never encountered before. He wondered if she was even human.
This transcendental aura… I’ve definitely felt something like it once before.
It was the moment he had formed his contract with Solderet in his previous life. Though the feeling was weaker than it had been then, the aura Laosa emitted was certainly similar.
“Lady Laosa. Are you a god?”
It might have seemed like a random question. However, because of her indescribable presence, the rest of the group, excluding Yuria, harbored the same doubt. Laosa's energy was so immense that asking ‘Are you a god?’ felt like the only natural inquiry.
“No, I am a vessel. If I were a god, I wouldn't be reduced to hiding like this after losing my homeland.”
Only then did Murakan nod as if he understood.
“The spiritual body of an ancient god. I’ve heard they retain immense insight, but that energy is bound to fade before long.”
“True, but hearing you state it so bluntly still stings a little, Black Dragon.”
“From what I’ve heard so far, this map seems to point to the Colon region. And you all are Colon natives. I’ve never heard of an ancient god residing in Colon. Who is it?”
“You wouldn't know even if I told you. More importantly, could you show me that map?”
When Laosa reached out, Jin handed it over.
“This was made by my late grandfather. Originally, this map held two destinies… I am glad it reached your hands, Jin Runcandel, rather than falling into the Zipple’s grasp. It seems my meager prayers were answered.”
“May I ask what the writing on the map means?”
“O you who wins the heart of Colon and reads this script,” Laosa began, slowly reciting the Colon sentences in the Continental tongue.
“Do not turn your back on us.
Come and cry out in our stead, for we are a quiet people.
A quiet people.
God gave us a heavy mission, but no strength to bear it.
How bitter this fate.”
“That is what it says.”
Sadness was etched in Laosa’s eyes as she spoke calmly. She was remembering the centuries of oppression that had trampled her homeland, and her grandfather, who was long dead.
“The mission mentioned here refers to the task of protecting the object at this mark. Do you happen to know the current state of Colon?”
“It has become a ruin, by the Zipple’s hand. I was sent there on a mission once when I was still at the main house.”
“Haha… Under the guise of excavating ruins, the Zipple are searching for our sacred object. Even with their superior magic, they haven't found it yet, but it is likely only a matter of time. We have no power to resist.”
Ssssss…
The tea kettle began to boil over. Pan, who was taking out teacups one by one, looked as if he were holding back tears, his back and shoulders heaving.
When Pan brought the tea over with a flushed face, Laosa gave a gentle smile.
“My grandfather was something of an idealist. That's likely why he wrote on this map asking only that you not turn away from us, without offering any reward… But I am not like that. How about we make a deal?”
“You’re about to lose even your insight, yet you’re talking about a deal? Just ask for help. We were planning on visiting Colon anyway.”
Murakan spoke gruffly, but he seemed to genuinely want to help Laosa’s people.
Jin also felt there was no need for a grand deal. As Murakan said, it was a place they intended to visit regardless, and preventing the Zipple from obtaining the ‘Mirror’ had been their plan from the start.
“I do not believe in salvation born from pity or compassion. Pan and I were wounded by too many clumsy favors before we managed to secure even this small house in Tikan.”
“Oh, Lady Laosa. It’s best to just erase those memories. I’m sorry.”
“If you’re sorry, then stop getting into trouble after drinking, Pan. At any rate, if you all rescue my kin in Colon… there is only one reward I can offer.”
“What is it?”
“I will use all my remaining divine power to summon your god for you, just once. It has likely been a long time since you last heard Solderet's voice.”
At that, Murakan and Jin looked at each other simultaneously.
“Hoh… You certainly know a lot. This neighborhood is just full of people who can see the future, from ancient spiritual bodies to contractors of Az Mil. What’s the plan, Jin?”
“What else? Is there any reason to refuse? Very well, Lady Laosa. I will head to Colon soon. However, I cannot guarantee that I can truly ‘save’ your people.”
If it were simply a matter of fighting the Zipple mages in Colon, securing the mirror, and evacuating the natives to a safe area, that would be one thing.
But ‘salvation’ was not his domain.
“The fact that you are heading there is enough. I will tell you about the internal situation of Colon in detail, so it would be best if you stayed a bit longer.”
*
February 20, 1796.
Three members of the group departed for Colon: Jin, Murakan, and Casimir.
Quicantel couldn't risk showing her face to the Zipple after the recent deaths of Andrei and Buretta. Gilly’s martial power was currently sealed, and Enya was not yet ready for real combat. Furthermore, Alisa needed to remain in Tikan to prepare for any emergencies.
Inevitably, only the three of them could go. Disguised as ordinary travelers, they arrived at the Colon Ruins.
However, there was a problem from the very start.
What… they aren't opening the ruins to travelers anymore?
Unlike during Jin's mission as a cadet, the Colon Ruins were now a restricted area. Civilian entry was strictly prohibited, even during the day.