Chapter 313: People Looking for Her (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 313: People Looking for Her (3)
Hister! He never imagined he would hear that name again, especially not here and now.
‘Does Joshua’s achievement have something to do with the Hister family?’
Jin’s heart began to hammer in his chest.
As far as he knew, there was only one living Hister: Valeria.
“I’ve never heard of them,” Jin said in a flat voice, struggling to keep his expression neutral.
“They were the only family that ever threatened the Zipple Clan with magic. The reason you’ve never heard of them is that they were annihilated by the Zipples and erased from history. Almost no historical records of them survive today.”
“Ah, now that you mention it, Uncle… I think I might have heard the name once when I was a reserve flagbearer. I can guess why so few records remain. The Zipples must have destroyed them all.”
“Indeed. It seems the Zipples are still quite bothered by them. They even have a bounty out on a family that was wiped out centuries ago.”
“Is there a survivor?”
“Only one remains. Our family discovered several years ago that the Zipples were searching for that person. That is why the Runcandels have also been secretly tracking the Hister survivor’s whereabouts.”
This was the first Jin had ever heard of the Runcandels searching for Valeria.
In his past life, he had been treated like trash by the family, let alone become a flagbearer, so there was no way he could have known such a thing.
‘Master never mentioned being tracked by the Runcandels. Did she not realize? No, that’s impossible. She probably didn’t tell me so I wouldn’t feel burdened.’
In his previous life, Jin and Valeria had rarely spoken about the Runcandels. To the Jin of the past, the name Runcandel was the greatest wound and failure of his life.
“Then, was the 2nd Flagbearer’s achievement capturing that person?”
Though unlikely, he couldn’t entirely rule out the possibility that Valeria had been caught. It was possible she had been captured and then escaped or was released before his regression.
“No, that’s not it.”
Jin inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
Zed paused for a moment and scanned their surroundings. There was no way anyone could be eavesdropping on the training ground, but he wanted to emphasize the secrecy of the information.
“…He didn't capture the survivor, but it seems he discovered the name they are currently using.”
“Just for discovering a name—not even a location or the person herself—Mother went to propose a deal directly to Kelliark? That’s… quite something.”
“And that is why I told you to keep your mouth shut.”
“It’s surprising. To think a single descendant of a fallen family could have such an impact… It’s as if the Zipples are terrified of the Hister family.”
—I cannot say for certain what the Histers’ intentions were regarding history. However, the reason I took note of them was that the Zipples could not use their history manipulation to affect the Histers’ record magic.
Misha’s words suddenly echoed in his mind.
Magic that could leave records that could never be distorted. The Zipples were indeed afraid of that magic reappearing in the world.
“Anyway, is that enough for you?”
“Uncle, by any chance…”
“What now?”
“Do you know the person’s name? And what Mother hopes to gain through the negotiation…?”
“Have you no shame? Where on earth did you sell it? You’re getting greedy. Or perhaps you’re taking this old uncle for a fool.”
“My apologies. I simply thought your dignity was worth more than such trivial information.”
“It seems you’ve spent some time with flatterers out there. I cannot tell you those things.”
“Honestly, you do care for me, don’t you? You won’t regret telling me.”
“And it seems you’ve been hanging around thick-skinned thugs as well… Didn’t I tell you earlier? I don’t know the exact details of Joshua’s achievement. I don’t know the person’s alias, nor do I know what the Acting Patriarch wants.”
“That is a pity.”
In truth, it wasn’t a pity at all.
‘Just knowing the family is interested in Master is a massive gain.’
He had obtained incredibly valuable information for practically nothing. It would have been the icing on the cake to figure out Rosa’s objective, but that was something he could dig up later.
“A pity? You cheeky brat. If you say one more word that isn't about the Decisive Techniques, you’re going to have a very unpleasant experience.”
“Of course, Uncle. Thank you.”
Jin bowed his head politely.
Zed clicked his tongue at the boy’s sly attitude. He wasn't truly offended; in fact, he found it somewhat enjoyable to see his nephew acting so boldly toward him after all this time.
Of course, if it had been nothing but bluster, he would have roared in anger. But in Zed’s eyes, Jin was simply being shrewd in looking after his own interests.
Vroom—
Zed’s sword began to glow as it absorbed his aura.
“If you’re thankful, then make sure you prove to the elders later that you found a clue to advancing the family’s Decisive Techniques.”
With that, Zed began to execute the technique.
It was the improved version of the Runcandel 4th Decisive Technique: Falling Petals.
Jin focused intently on his uncle’s sword. Everything was identical to the first time he saw it—from the deliberate splitting of the aura surrounding the blade to making it unstable before forming the petal shapes.
The way the aura petals fluttered in every direction in an unreadable trajectory was also the same.
However, the moment the vertical strike was recovered—
Flash—!
Suddenly, a pillar of aura erupted from the spot where Falling Petals had been unleashed.
The petals repeatedly gathered into the pillar and dispersed, looking like a massive tree of pure aura swaying in the wind.
“The Pluto Sword Ultimate Technique: Waterfall that you showed me poured down lightning where the sword passed, just as its name suggests. Conversely, Falling Petals takes an ascending form. I considered the most efficient formula using aura instead of lightning.”
Even at a glance, the difference from the original Falling Petals was stark.
“What are your thoughts?”
“When I first saw Falling Petals, I thought it was a technique of a lower grade than Waterfall. But now, they seem like equals. If Waterfall is suited for one-on-one combat, the improved Falling Petals seems more effective for dealing with multiple enemies.”
A wide grin spread across Zed’s face, nearly reaching his ears.
“Your eyes are as sharp as ever. The reason the original Falling Petals was inferior to Waterfall was that, in essence, the two were the same technique. Falling Petals was merely Waterfall with the lightning removed, so its power was bound to be lower.”
Barely a month had passed since Jin showed him Waterfall. In that short time, Zed had researched a technique he had seen only once and advanced the Decisive Technique: Falling Petals.
‘It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a completion rather than just an advancement.’
Jin swallowed his admiration and spoke.
“You’ve worked hard. However, Uncle…”
“Speak.”
“Are you really going to put my name on the improved Falling Petals? I’ve thought about it many times, but this is your achievement, not mine.”
“I have already said I would attach your name to Falling Petals. There will be no reversal.”
“But—”
“As you said, the Elder Council does not look upon you kindly. And I believe that even without your name on Falling Petals, you would eventually find a way to flip the Council’s opinion of you. You’ve always been that way.”
“Then why do you insist on handing over your achievement to me? Is it because you already told the Council that you received my help?”
Zed shook his head.
“As if. It’s not because I find you particularly adorable, either. I just think it wouldn’t be bad to have you owe me a debt. Besides, you have done some great things for the family recently, too.”
The ‘great thing’ Zed referred to was the killing of Barton Vichena.
“So, behave yourself while your uncle is in the mood to push you forward. However, as I said before—if you stray from the path, I will be the first to point my blade at you.”
“I understand.”
“And one more thing. I’ve changed my mind.”
“About what?”
“It would be better to delay showing the elders the proof of the Decisive Technique. At least until I finish the improvement of the 6th Decisive Technique: Lightning Flash. Show me the other Pluto Sword Ultimate Technique that Dipus mentioned.”
“I will show you. In exchange, Uncle, please keep this one thing in mind.”
“What is it?”
“If you were any other elder or family member, I would have stopped them from recklessly improving my Decisive Techniques. And if we succeed in improving the 6th Decisive Technique: Lightning Flash, please make sure to include your name.”
“I refuse. I’m putting your name on that one too, so just hurry up and show me.”
The two remained in the training ground until nightfall, exchanging the Pluto Sword and Decisive Techniques.
Every time Jin showed him a new form of the Pluto Sword, Zed couldn't stop smiling at the thought of refining the Decisive Techniques based on it—and the thought of the Elder Council eventually clinging to both Jin and himself.
*
Phew…!
Joshua let out a long sigh and slumped into a chair. As he lit a cigarette, his face, haggard with exhaustion, became more prominent in the dim light.
A woman approached him.
“Joshua, how did it go?”
She was Joshua’s wife.
“…Kelliark Zipple. He didn't accept Mother’s proposal.”
The negotiations between Rosa and Kelliark had broken down. However, Kelliark had still gained something just from Rosa revealing that she had discovered the Hister survivor’s name.
“The Acting Patriarch and we both expected this to some extent. Don’t be too discouraged.”
“A name isn't enough. We have to capture the Hister survivor for Mother to properly pressure Kelliark.”
The woman smiled, gently wrapping her arms around Joshua’s neck.
“Anyway… now that we have the name, catching that girl is only a matter of time. She has a talent for hiding like a filthy rat, so it might take a while, but she will fall into our hands before the Zipples’.”
The Zipples did not yet know the name ‘Aria Owlheart.’ Therefore, it was highly likely that the Runcandels would find Valeria first.
“When that time comes, Kelliark will have to cough up much more than what was offered this time. So, don’t be impatient, Joshua…”
*
The last day of March, 1799.
The scorching sun beat down on a city swarming with villains like insects. It was a barren land where not a single blade of grass grew—a city for the dregs of society.
Mamit.
‘This brings back memories.’
The first time he had visited this place in this life was when he was fifteen, during his time in the intermediate class.
In the time since, Jin had achieved dazzling growth, but the scenery of Mamit remained exactly the same. The residents still boasted of their horrific crimes as if they were heroic tales, and the streets were littered with filth alongside discarded organs, fingers, and heads as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.
Just as they had four years ago, the criminals of Mamit felt a fresh shock upon seeing Jin enter the city.
However, there was one thing that had changed.
“I-It’s Jin Runcandel…”
“Crazy. Why did a big shot like him come to this shithole?”
“You idiots! Don’t make eye contact. One wrong move and your head’s gone.”
It was their attitude.
Fear was etched into the eyes of every criminal watching Jin.
“Mesa.”
“Yes, my Lord!”
“Go to the Moonlight Well inn and tell the Kings of Mamit. Before I arrive, every single one of them is to be outside, kneeling.”