Chapter 229: Power of the Black Dragon (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 229: Power of the Black Dragon (2)
Quicantel started to say more about Murakan but decided against it. Seeing Misha speak with such nonchalance made her think that Murakan might not be in as much danger as she had feared.
“It’s been far too long to call it ‘recent news,’ Lady Misha. I believe it’s been over five hundred years since we last met.”
“Didn’t we see each other once in the Mila Kingdom two hundred years ago?”
“I suppose we did. Regardless, it has been quite a while. As you can see, I am doing well. Thanks to this boy, I’ve settled here with the Contractor of Olta.”
Quicantel gestured toward Jin with a tilt of her head. Misha’s gaze followed.
“A clever and resilient child. I watched him undergo his trial in the Mitra Great Desert. It was quite impressive when he finally reached Temar and swung his sword.”
Jin’s companions in Tikan already knew this story from him.
Misha smiled as she recalled that moment. However, hidden within that seemingly casual smile was a long-buried sorrow.
Temar Runcandel.
‘I felt it then, too, but he really does have an aura similar to Temar’s.’
The first patriarch of Runcandel and the only man she had ever loved.
After losing Temar, Misha’s life had been filled with nothing but missions and duties. As Solderet’s agent, her role was to handle what needed to be done, prevent what needed to be stopped, and look after those to whom Solderet owed a debt, as well as their descendants.
“I didn’t realize you were watching me then. The trial was grueling, so I wasn’t exactly at my best. It’s a bit embarrassing.”
“It’s fine; you looked good. The way you chewed and swallowed that desert centipede was particularly memorable.”
“There is one thing I’d like to ask.”
“How I found this place?”
“Yes.”
“Murakan. That moron has never left the palm of my hand. I placed a tracking spell on him when he was a child, and the fool still hasn't realized it. He’s so dim-witted…”
“A tracking… spell?”
“So, I didn’t even need to scour the human world every day. I knew your entire travel route.”
If it dated back to Murakan’s childhood, it meant the tracking spell had persisted for at least several thousand years.
Just as a chill began to run down Jin's spine, Quicantel burst into a small laugh.
“You haven’t changed, Lady Misha. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that fellow get tricked by someone.”
“Honestly, that guy believes anything I say, even if it’s total nonsense.”
“Haha, I suppose so. There’s no way such an impossible tracking spell could exist.”
Jin laughed awkwardly and shrugged his shoulders.
“Murakan only knows how to use Spirit Energy for brawling, but I can do a bit more. For example, like this.”
Misha reached out with her right hand and touched the shadow of her left hand cast upon the table. In the next moment, Jin’s eyes widened like a child seeing magic for the first time.
‘What on earth is that?’
She was ‘scooping out’ the shadow of her left hand with her right. It was as if she were scooping pudding with a spoon.
The shadow of her left hand on the table didn't vanish or fade where she scooped it. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the ball of shadow gathered in Misha’s right hand.
Only Quicantel looked as if she were seeing a familiar sight.
“Wow!”
Yuria let out an exclamation of wonder. Being a child, she even reached out to touch it. Misha watched her with an affectionate look for a moment before blowing a soft breath onto the shadow gathered in her hand.
The shadow scattered with her breath, flying toward Jin like thousands of tiny dots.
‘It looks like a miniature galaxy is flowing.’
Jin did not dodge the shadows flying toward him. As soon as they touched him, they seeped into his body and vanished.
Even though the shadows had entered him, Jin felt no physical change. The only difference was that the shadow cast by Misha’s left arm seemed slightly fainter.
“Indeed, as you said, no such spell exists. However, an Authority can make it possible. I can always perceive the location of any being marked by my shadow. I marked Murakan when he was young, and I followed that mark to find you all.”
Misha then naturally set Yuria down. She dissolved her body into Spirit Energy and began to drift above the group’s heads.
[And since I entered the mansion like this, no one could recognize me.]
It was a mystical sight. The particles making up Misha could cluster or scatter at will. When completely dispersed, it felt as though nothing more than a bit of black dust was floating in the air.
Whoosh…
The Spirit Energy swimming through the air coalesced and took a new position between Jin and Quicantel. In an instant, a human form was sculpted and color returned, revealing Misha once again.
“Now, is that explanation sufficient?”
Just as Jin was about to nod—
“My, a warrior shouldn't show his back so easily.”
Another voice, identical to Misha’s, spoke from directly behind him.
Jin spun around in surprise to find another Misha standing there. There was a Misha to his side and another behind him. Even in her original seat, another version of Misha sat, picking Yuria up again.
Quicantel was used to this ability, but the rest of the companions stood with their mouths agape, unable to speak for a long time. Their expressions all asked the same thing: What exactly are we looking at?
Latri, in particular, looked ready to faint. He was facing a being who had been a source of vague childhood terror, and now he was witnessing such power firsthand.
“Your guardian dragon is a coward, Yuria.”
“But he’s kind and cute.”
“He does seem that way. He’s good at making cookies, too.”
Crunch, crunch, crunch…
Three Mishas picked up and ate cookies simultaneously. Each one was real, not an illusion.
‘Lady Misha’s way of utilizing Spirit Energy is definitely different from Murakan’s or mine. Is this something I can do as well?’
But there was something even more shocking.
“Huh?!”
“My god…! Yo-Young Master Jin?!”
“Young Master?!”
Julian, Casimir, and Gilly all covered their mouths at once, staring at a single spot. When Jin followed their gaze, even he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
Standing where they were looking was another ‘Jin Runcandel.’
He had the exact same face, the same clothes, and the same look in his eyes. Even Quicantel looked back and forth between Misha and the new Jin as if she were seeing this for the first time.
A smirk played on the new Jin’s lips. He picked up a plate and approached the real Jin.
“Why don’t you try one?”
The inflection and manner of speech were perfectly identical to the original. Even the companions who had been watching the whole process were momentarily confused as to who the real Jin was.
“It must be a rare experience. Facing yourself without a mirror.”
Misha, who had sculpted the new Jin, acted as if it were no big deal. That made it even more chilling.
‘Damn, this… it makes me think she’s not just a Contractor or a dragon, but a god herself.’
If Misha were an enemy instead of an ally…
The thought crossed his mind, and a cold sweat broke out down his spine.
Shhh…
The two other Mishas and the Jin holding the plate dissolved into Spirit Energy, leaving only the Misha holding Yuria.
Jin and his companions could not easily shake off the shock.
‘Does Joshua… have someone with this kind of power by his side?’
He was reminded once again of how horrifying Joshua’s ‘body duplication’ truly was.
“I assume that moron never told you that such things were possible with Spirit Energy?”
“He did not.”
At that, Misha let out a sigh of relief for some reason.
“That’s fortunate. If he had, I would have crushed his skull. And you would have been tortured by me until you forgot all about it.”
“Pardon?”
“How does it feel to witness phenomena that stray so far from the natural order?”
Jin studied Misha’s serious gaze before answering.
“…It was horrifying. If that Jin Runcandel who just offered me a cookie could function normally somewhere else, wouldn't I become an insignificant existence? Furthermore, I can’t even fathom how arduous it would be to prove that I am the real one.”
No one in the world would want there to be more than ‘one’ of themselves. Especially if it were another ‘me’ that didn't follow the real one’s control.
He wasn't speaking out of calculation; it was his honest feeling.
However, it seemed to be a very satisfying answer, as a smile appeared on Misha’s lips.
She had displayed this Authority on purpose to shock Jin—to ensure he wouldn't fall into temptation during the many battles he would face in the future.
In Misha’s view, ‘Spirit Energy’ was a dangerous power for any mortal to wield, whether they were human, dragon, beastman, demon, or even a god.
The Contractor of a thousand years. And surely, the final hope of the shadows.
‘I won’t let you meet the same end as Temar. Fortunately, it seems Murakan is guiding you well so far…’
Do not take an interest in such powers in the future. I will always be watching you…
Just as Misha was about to continue her thought, Yuria grabbed her sleeve.
“Mister isn't like that.”
Neither Jin nor the other companions understood why Yuria said that.
Jin let out a small chuckle at Yuria’s serious face.
“It’s been a while since you called me ‘Mister,’ Yuria. What exactly am I not like?”
“Anyway, he’s just not.”
The only one who turned pale at that exchange was Misha.
‘Mister…? Moreover, she even saw through my inner thoughts. I expected as much, but this child certainly didn't end up by Jin’s side by mere coincidence.’
Mister.
With that one word, all sorts of questions flashed through Misha’s mind.
Why Solderet, their god, had remained silent until now; why he hadn't communicated with his Contractor even once; why he hadn't let them hear his voice even once.
‘Perhaps Jin is Temar’s reincarnation! That’s why it’s highly likely Yuria saw Temar’s image for a moment… No, perhaps.’
Perhaps she saw Solderet in Jin.
For an exceptional Contractor of Az Mil, the Contractor of the Eyes, like Yuria, it was entirely possible.
It was a matter that couldn't be concluded immediately.
Misha hid her expression and stroked Yuria’s hair.
“At any rate, coming out like this and talking to people once in a while isn't so bad. Hmm, you. Was it Gilly?”
“Yes, Lady Misha.”
“It will take a few days to fix my brother. I’d like you to pick out a room for me to use in the meantime.”
“I will select the best room available. Please let me know if there is anything you need.”
“Thank you. I’d like to have a drink with Quicantel in my room after a long time, so please prepare a few bottles of good liquor. Preferably from the Mila Mountains, aged for over a hundred years.”
“Understood.”
“Jin, we shall talk more tomorrow.”
As she turned to leave, Misha looked back at Gilly as if something had occurred to her.
“And you… you should be careful.”
“Pardon?”
“You are exactly his type. If he tries any nonsense, cut him off immediately.”
Gilly couldn't bring herself to answer and simply cleared her throat.