Chapter 104: The Tragedy of Colon (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 104: The Tragedy of Colon (3)
“Oh, dear. If I’d known it would be like this, I’d have sent the Seven-Colored Bird ahead,” Casimir said, shaking his head in embarrassment.
The reason they hadn’t sent the Seven-Colored Bird before coming to Colon was the risk of being tracked. Moreover, since Colon was supposed to be a quiet tourist destination, they had judged a preliminary investigation unnecessary.
“Even if you had sent your subordinates, it wouldn’t change the fact that this place is now a restricted area.”
“That's true, but…”
Amid the group’s confusion, Jin recalled that this hadn't happened before his regression.
In my past life, the Colon Ruins were always open. That’s how that journalist’s exposé was possible… It seems my mission here as a cadet changed things.
Back then, Jin had eliminated the mercenaries-turned-bio-golems in the ruins and returned to the main house after setting the site ablaze. The Zipples had passed it off as a simple fire, not an act of terrorism or an intrusion.
Responsibility.
The word flashed through Jin’s mind.
In my previous life, the world learned of the Zipples’ atrocities eleven years from now, all thanks to that journalist’s report. But now that I’ve changed fate… their crimes must be revealed sooner.
It wasn't that he felt any profound affection for the Colon natives, whom he had never even met. He just didn't want his regression to make their lives even more miserable.
I can't save them all, as Laosa wishes. And I don't have to. But I also don't have to become the same kind of monster as the Zipple leaders perpetrating this.
Jin stared silently at the restricted area sign emblazoned with the Zipple dragon crest.
“Kid, what’s the plan? It could be dangerous to just ignore that and waltz in. We have no idea what the situation is or how strong the enemy is inside.”
“He’s right. Besides, didn't you say the Zipples were using this place as a testing ground for forbidden magic? There are likely a considerable number of mages stationed here as guards, Young Master Jin.”
“Hmm… They've almost certainly erased all traces of their forbidden magic experiments. After all, they were already exposed to me once. But doesn't this sign seem a little strange to you?”
Casimir and Murakan’s gazes followed Jin’s finger to the sign.
“What about it?”
“There's just a barbed-wire fence and a single sign. No guards, no boundary magic. The Zipples wouldn't manage an important restricted area this sloppily.”
Just as he said, the security was far too lax for a restricted area belonging to the world’s greatest clan.
“Now that you mention it, you're right, Young Master Jin. Of course, with the Zipple crest on that sign, few people in the world would be foolish enough to trespass, guards or no… but it is indeed sloppy.”
“When I first came here for a mission, even the warehouse containing only low-level artifacts was protected by multiple layers of boundary spells. I think… the Zipples have abandoned this land.”
“Didn't Lady Laosa say the Zipples were searching for the natives' sacred object? They've oppressed them for hundreds of years for that very reason. Neglecting the area like this… could it mean they've already found it?”
“I doubt it. They squeezed the natives for centuries and came up empty-handed, and their forbidden magic experiments were exposed to an outsider. They might have just given up.”
Jin didn't think the Zipples had found the ‘Mirror’ yet. If they had, mass-produced 7-star mages would already be pouring out of the Zipple Academy.
“Besides, the more I look at this sign, the shoddier it seems. It's made of wood, not iron, and it's crooked. It looks like some local manager just hammered it in carelessly.”
“That’s possible. Maybe they got tired of tourists and just got permission from the Zipple main house to declare it a restricted area and turn it into a personal retreat. Every organization has its share of lazy administrators.”
With the discussion having reached that point, there was no reason to hesitate.
The three of them simply walked past the sign. As they moved deeper inside, they became more certain that their hypothesis was correct.
Weeds are growing all over the paths, which means no one is maintaining them. Yet, there are no signs of wild animals. That means people are still living here.
The buildings—the museum, the warehouses, and the managers’ quarters—were all still standing. Traces of the fire Jin had set during his mission were still visible in various places. The fact that they had left it all untouched for over a year was the clearest evidence that the Zipples had abandoned this land.
“Oh, I see people over there. Their skin is red, just like Laosa’s.”
They spotted the natives near the end of the main path. The group immediately ducked behind some trees to observe. Every single one of them looked wretched and filthy.
The fact that the natives are still here means the Mirror is still here. But why on earth are the Zipples neglecting this place like this…?
Had they really given up after centuries of failure, just as he'd suggested to Casimir?
Just as that doubt crossed Jin’s mind, a man appeared among the gathered natives.
He had long, disheveled silver hair. He was screaming at the natives at the top of his lungs and looked completely drunk.
Hair the same color as Veradin's… and is that a liquor bottle in his hand? Could it be…?
A certain person instantly came to mind: a mage from his past life who was notorious for his epithet, the ‘Madman of the Magic Tower.’
Myuron Zipple?
The sixth son of Kelliark Zipple.
True to his epithet, Myuron was a man who frequently made headlines for his eccentric behavior. He stood out all the more for being the pure-blooded Zipple who least fit the clan’s public image.
“Young Master, that man appears to be Myuron Zipple. Silver hair is the symbol of a pure-blooded Zipple, and among the pure-bloods, only Myuron would wander around with a bottle of liquor in broad daylight.”
Casimir also knew of Myuron.
“What? A pure-blooded Zipple? Why the hell is a guy like that stuck out here in the middle of nowhere?”
“Lord Murakan, Myuron’s conduct is so poor that he isn't well-regarded within the Zipple Clan. I heard he was the Master of the 7th Magic Tower until recently, but it seems he has been demoted. Or perhaps he is simply enjoying a vacation.”
“Hmm, if a pure-blooded Zipple is here, he must have guardian mages with him. We should scout the scale of his security detail and then decide whether to strike or retreat.”
“Let's wait for Myuron to go back inside, then we'll try to contact the natives. Hearing about the situation from them will be the fastest and most reliable way to get information.”
The three of them decided to wait behind the trees for Myuron to head inside.
*
The problem was that Myuron didn't go back inside until nightfall.
“What the hell is that guy’s deal…? He’s been chugging booze in the same spot for eight hours now. Why doesn't he even go to the bathroom?”
Immediately after appearing, Myuron had plopped down and started a solo drinking session. He hadn't moved from that spot since.
“…I’ve heard many rumors that Myuron Zipple is a heavy drinker, but this is excessive.”
Still, the time they spent watching from the shadows wasn't entirely fruitless. Every time Myuron muttered to himself or shouted, he gave the trio more information.
First, it seemed Myuron had no significant entourage. Furthermore, the reason he was in Colon appeared to be a ‘disciplinary measure’ from the clan.
—Gwahaha! Those damn elders actually dared to send me to this den of insects! Hehehe, you cute little things… bring me more booze!
He shouted things like that on multiple occasions.
In those moments, Myuron looked completely defenseless, yet the natives didn't dare to even meet his eyes. Whenever he so much as swung his arm, they would flinch violently and bow their heads.
“From what I can see, there are no other guards. Can't we just take his head and get the natives out of here?” Murakan gnashed his teeth in annoyance.
“Lord Murakan, Myuron Zipple is an 8-star mage. Moreover, as a former Tower Master, he likely possesses all sorts of artifacts.”
“What's the big deal? You insect, I may have lost most of my power, but you think I can't handle a single 8-star mage? Besides, the kid’s here, and so are you.”
“He’s not just any 8-star mage; he’s a pure-blooded Zipple, Murakan. Killing a pure-blood requires careful consideration. If we're not careful, this could escalate into something much bigger, especially since we killed Andrei not long ago.”
“You think I don't know that? I’m just saying it’s frustrating! Frustrating!”
If there had been a large number of skilled Zipple mages stationed inside, there wouldn't have been much to debate. They would have simply fought, won, and then evacuated the natives.
However, the fact that Myuron was a pure-blood weighed heavily on Jin’s mind.
The timing is bad. If we kill him now, it could easily trigger a bloodbath.
Since Andrei’s death, the cold war between Runcandel and Zipple had reached a new level of intensity. The Zipples were only staying quiet because there was no evidence linking his death to Runcandel, but if another pure-blood died, that would all change.
Assassination was also likely impossible. Even if Myuron appeared defenseless, he would certainly have boundary spells protecting the place where he slept.
Even if I kill Myuron, I need a justification that will force the Zipples to stay their hand.
The best justification would be evidence of forbidden magic experiments. Even if Myuron died, securing proof of the experiments would give them leverage to keep the Zipples in check.
But I'm certain all traces of the forbidden magic experiments have been cleared by now… Wait.
Jin instinctively clapped a hand over his mouth. In the middle of his thoughts, he had realized something he'd overlooked.
“Murakan! Lady Laosa said there were about two hundred natives left, right?”
“She did. That's why that insect even has a galleon on standby.”
“…But how many natives have we seen so far?”
“Roughly fifty… Huh?”
Murakan and Casimir let out low gasps in unison.
They had seen fewer than fifty natives, even counting those who had passed by Myuron.
“I doubt the rest of the natives are simply resting… Surely they aren't performing bio-golem experiments again?”
If Myuron was conducting bio-golem experiments on the natives, then they no longer needed to worry about justification.
“Let’s check the buildings once Myuron falls asleep.”
Flinch!
As soon as Jin finished speaking, the three of them snapped their heads toward the entrance of the path.
They had sensed a presence.
Rustle, rustle… Someone was slowly entering the ruins.
Their footsteps are cautious. It's an intruder, just like us.
However, they weren't particularly skilled at concealing their presence.
“Who is it?”
Jin, having erased his presence with spirit energy, pressed a dagger to the back of the new intruder’s neck.