Chapter 189: Operation Compass Snatch (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 189: Operation Compass Snatch (1)
Jin recovered the money and returned it to the Water Tail Tribe. The Red Tiger beastmen were too busy fleeing for their lives to witness the scene.
“Thank… thank you, Human!”
As soon as they arrived at the Yuka Yuka Market, the Water Tail beastmen who had accompanied Jin explained what had happened to their kin. Dark Flame and the village representatives expressed their profound gratitude.
“Stay one night, Human. Water Tail Tribe party… very lively.”
“Sorry, but I’m in a hurry and have to leave right away. Let’s meet again next time.”
“At least eat this before you go!”
The Water Tail Tribe hurriedly grilled some fish. Twenty golden-brown, perfectly roasted fish vanished into Jin’s stomach in the blink of an eye.
“Ah, right. Dark Flame, is there any way I can get my hair dyed here?”
“Dyeing your hair? So suddenly, why?”
“I have my reasons.”
“We cannot. Wait a moment. I will bring a dyer from the Gold Snow Tribe.”
A member of the Gold Snow Tribe from the general store descended through the secret passage.
“Ah, Human. Our dyeing techniques are top-notch, so they’re quite expensive. It’s incomparable to the clumsy finger-painting you humans do. Prices start from about—”
Just as the Gold Snow tribesman was about to rip him off, Dark Flame and the Water Tail beastmen stepped in. When they told him how Jin had subjugated the Red Tiger Tribe, the Gold Snow tribesman grinned broadly.
“If that’s what happened, I’ll do it for free. Ha! I wish I could have seen those pieces of trash pissing themselves with my own two eyes!”
The dyeing was finished in no time.
After bidding them farewell, Jin used the secret passage to exit the Land of the Beastmen, just as he had entered.
*
On the afternoon of the last day of May, 1797, Jin arrived at an island south of the Bellado Principality.
This place hasn’t changed a bit.
This nameless island sat just outside the territorial waters of the Bellado Principality, making it a lawless playground for pirates.
It was the very place Jin had visited to participate in the Arena of Cosmos. Even in broad daylight, the streets were a chaotic mess of drug addicts, derelicts, and nobles obsessed with gambling.
“Hehehehe!”
A grimy man, who looked like a homeless addict, lingered near Jin while letting out a bizarre laugh. Such beggars were common at the harbor; most were mercenaries who had lost everything after participating in the Arena.
However, this man laughing like a lunatic was someone Jin knew well. Seeing him, Jin couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and pity.
It’s Jet… Good grief.
Jet.
He had arrived here about two months ago to blend in with the harbor’s beggars and serve as a secret contact. In a sense, he was incredibly versatile; from a short distance, even Jin found it difficult to distinguish him from a real beggar. He had become the perfect derelict.
“Hehe-hoho! Young master over there, spare a penny! Heh!”
Jet pushed aside the other beggars and approached, holding out a tin can.
Inside the can was a single note.
[Have you been well, Bill? Birdbeak Inn, Room 203. The floorboard with three nails under the bed.]
After checking the note, Jin tossed a few copper coins into the can. The beggars behind Jet erupted in cheers.
“He-hu! Kaaah, you’ll be blessed, sir!”
As Jet retreated, the other beggars swarmed him like hungry ghosts. It seemed he was playing the role of a generous beggar king.
I’m glad I recruited him. We were such a nightmare for each other in my past life.
With a smirk, Jin headed for the Birdbeak Inn.
The owner, who was lounging in a chair taking a nap, waved him away as soon as the door opened.
“No rooms. Go somewhere else.”
“Have you been well, Bill?”
At those words, the owner silently handed over the key to Room 203.
As soon as he entered the room, Jin pushed the bed aside and pried up the floorboard with three nails. Beneath it lay a thin red wooden plate and a letter.
[My Lord, it has been a while. The other comrades all arrived between a month and two weeks ago and have settled into different inns.
Everyone is safe, and the targets haven't noticed a thing.
I will report the information gathered so far.
Kinzelo’s forces consist of the Great Mage Chukon Tolderer of Anz, five mages estimated to be 8-star, and five White Wolf warriors estimated to be at the assault captain level.
Furthermore, we cannot rule out the possibility that numerous assassins, snipers, and other specialists are already in place, disguised.
The Zipple’s strength remains unknown. It appears they plan to show themselves on the day of the operation. However, like Kinzelo, it is highly likely that their own specialists are already in position.
The operation start time is June 1st at 10 PM, with no changes. The location is also the same: the gambling den in the ruined mansion on the north side of the island. The enclosed red wooden plate is the entrance ticket to the gambling den.
Escape routes 1, 2, and 3 all remain the same.
The addresses of the inns where our comrades are staying are written on the back of this letter.
Ah, and with the consent of Sir Casimir and Lord Murakan, Lady Siris of the Secret Palace has decided to join the operation. They said she would be a great help, as she has extensive experience in intelligence, assassination, and guerrilla warfare.
With the delivery of this note to you, I will return to Tikan today. I will give my regards to Lady Gilly. I wish you luck, My Lord!]
The comrades were all staying in different inns—a precaution to avoid looking like a suspicious group to either the Zipple or Kinzelo.
One 9-star mage, five 8-star mages, and five assault captain-level White Wolf warriors…
It was a force capable of toppling a small kingdom.
The Zipple will bring at least that much to match them. By tomorrow night, this filthy pirate playground will become a battlefield of stars.
The enemy’s strength far exceeded what his comrades had estimated six months ago.
Therefore, a head-on confrontation was out of the question. Even though Jin had grown stronger, he wasn't yet at a level where he could handle all of them at once.
Had Jin not grown, he would have had to seriously reconsider the operation.
Whether to proceed or abort was entirely up to him. They had agreed six months ago that if Jin did not show up at the gambling den, the others would quietly withdraw.
Of course, Jin had no intention of backing down.
The fact that they brought such powerful figures means the Compass is that important. All the more reason for me to take it.
Since the operation would be conducted guerrilla-style, there would be no need for a full-scale battle.
Even if a direct confrontation did occur… it might actually be worth a shot.
If 8-star and 9-star mages or warriors started unleashing their full power, this small island would collapse in an instant. That would be nothing short of mutual destruction. Not only would the island be obliterated, but every ship would be destroyed, and a massive whirlpool would likely form where the island once stood—just as Luna had erased one of Viment’s deserted islands from the map with a single strike of her Mind’s Eye: Red Moon.
Furthermore, if the fight escalates, Runcandel and Viment will catch wind of it. That’s what Kinzelo and the Zipple fear most.
Neither Runcandel nor Viment had a clear grasp of the Compass’s existence yet. If they did, agents from both great powers would have already swarmed this island.
Bradamante and Sigmund.
Jin quietly maintained his two swords.
*
The next day, June 1st, at 6 PM, Jin visited the gambling den in the ruined mansion on the north side of the island. He had deep golden hair dyed by the Gold Snow Tribe, flamboyant attire, and heavy makeup that made the two swords at his waist look like nothing more than "props for show."
He looked exactly like a typical profligate from a wealthy noble family who had more money than sense.
Makeup has been a trend in noble social circles for a long time, but I have no idea why they bother.
The thick powder and rouge made his pores feel suffocatingly clogged. His reflection looked almost feminine, but since his physical frame was well-developed, it gave off a somewhat uncanny vibe. Such was the power of the Gold Snow Tribe’s special cosmetics.
—You look like you need a disguise. A guy like you is so pretty that if you slather on some makeup, you’ll look like a girl. Don't just dye your hair; how about cross-dressing entirely? No one would recognize you!
—That’s a bit much.
—Anyway, make sure to use the makeup! Our stuff is different from those clumsy human techniques. If you just scoop it out and apply it, it creates a convincing look. Put this on your cheeks, this on your lips, this on your forehead, and this on your neck.
Unlike Jin, who felt awkward about his appearance, the people in the gambling den, men and women alike, couldn't help but stare.
Whispers followed in his wake. “I've never seen such a pretty young master before.” “I'd love a chance with him tonight.” “If he loses his money and looks sad, I should offer to lend him some…”
Blatant propositions buzzed in his ears. He was used to drawing attention for his looks, but it had been a long time since it had caused such a stir. Even men with "flexible" tastes were openly showing interest.
“I haven't seen your face around here before. The moment you walked in, this gloomy gambling den brightened up. Nice to meet you, I’m Zelia.”
The whispering stopped instantly when a black-haired woman approached. Zelia was a woman who had appeared two weeks ago and quickly became a celebrity in the gambling den. Her real name was Siris Endorma.
At first, Jin didn't recognize her. While not quite on the level of Bubar’s sculpting, the human skin masks produced by the Secret Palace were incredible items in their own right.
All his comrades were wearing such masks from the Secret Palace—except for Murakan, who was being held in Siris’s arms in the form of Nabi Runcandel.
“The marble game is the most popular here, Young Master. It’s like a local specialty. You probably don't know the rules; shall I teach you?”
Jin gently brushed her off.
“I’m fine.”
“Well, if you don't want to, I can't force you. But if you go to the marble tables without knowing anything, you’ll be stripped clean. You should probably stick to something familiar. Like Odd-Even or Dice. If you think of me while you’re playing, come find me at the marble tables.”
She was signaling that their comrades were at the marble tables, while the disguised Zipple and Kinzelo forces were gathered at the Odd-Even and Dice tables. He was to scout the enemy and then return to her.
“I’ll do that.”
“Don't be too late. Night is coming soon, after all.”
To the others at the gambling tables, Zelia’s words sounded like she was making a move on Jin.
Once Zelia left, others began to approach, making their own flirtatious advances. Jin lightly ignored them as he wandered around the Odd-Even and Dice tables, taking note of each enemy.
Kinzelo aside, the Zipple bastards really put in some effort. Who would have thought that Zipple mages, whose pride pierces the heavens, would be waiting here disguised as gamblers?
As expected, the Zipple mages all appeared to be top-tier. Just as he was about to check if there were any familiar faces, two large, robed figures turned their gaze toward him.
They were nearly three meters tall. They were not, of course, ordinary large men.
They were of the White Wolf Tribe.
They tilted their heads as if something was strange, then stood up from their chairs and began to stride toward Jin.
“You there. Can we have a word?”
It was because of the Pluto Tribe’s energy.
I’m suppressing it as much as possible, but did they still sense it?
Jin looked at them and replied with a feigned, dazzling smile.
“My goodness, are you not of the White Wolf Tribe? I never expected to see your kind at a gambling table!”