Chapter 348: The Recorders (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 348: The Recorders (6)
“Using record magic, you mean?”
“Yes. I can’t guarantee I’ll find them faster than you, but I can certainly do it more discreetly.”
“That’s the best news I’ve heard in a while.”
Currently, Jin was unable to properly deploy his personnel to search for the Catfolk.
There were simply too many eyes on him now.
Not only his own family but the Zipples and other factions were keeping a close watch on Jin and his forces. Ever since the cosmetics business launched and Jin’s battle with the Wraith Squad, interest in him had skyrocketed.
Of course, he had always been a person of interest, but recently, the powers that ruled the world had begun to sense an unusual tension flowing between Runcandel and Zipple. They also realized that at the center of it all was Jin, not Cyron or Kelliark.
Consequently, investing too many resources into searching for the Catfolk carried a high risk of being caught in Zipple’s surveillance network. Above all, the Zipples had a score to settle with Jin.
“I told you to cooperate more actively, but to see you take action so immediately… It seems you’ve finally realized you need me, too.”
Valeria looked up at Jin.
“Let’s just say it’s because we’ve built a little trust, as you suggested.”
She was now feeling an intense curiosity toward this man named Jin.
He was someone who might be a provision left behind by the Hister ancestors, a human who possessed memories from when he was a year old, and someone who had died once before.
What exactly is he? Does he realize he died once?
Judging by his actions so far, it didn't seem likely.
Since his days as a reserve flagbearer, Jin Runcandel has moved as if he has no lingering attachment to his life. Based on his public exploits alone, it wouldn't be strange if he had died dozens of times over.
Did he have something to rely on, or was he simply that resilient of a human?
She hoped it was the former. Now that they were in a cooperative relationship, it would be problematic if Jin died prematurely.
I have an intuition that if Jin Runcandel dies, I’ll never be able to reclaim the history of the Histers…
It was a strange feeling.
“Aria Owlheart.”
“What is it?”
“Since things seem to be settled, I’d like to talk more about the recording device.”
Jin said as he placed the Spirit Energy Orb on the side table.
“You were certain this wasn't something made by Solderet, even though you said it was made of spirit energy. I want to know on what basis you made that judgment.”
“Where did you get this Spirit Energy Orb?”
“By raiding the secret villa of my family’s 2nd Flagbearer, Joshua.”
Jin explained the events of that day to Valeria—how he had raided the place to save a comrade’s guardian dragon, encountered an unexpected demon, and killed him to obtain the orb.
“Lontelgius, one of the four great ducal houses of the Demon World. That explains a lot.”
“You’re quite knowledgeable. Even among my companions, only the dragons knew that name.”
Valeria had seen that name at a Hister heritage site.
“The reason I said that device isn't Solderet’s is because of its uniquely vicious demonic energy. And you may or may not know this, but there are individuals who can use spirit energy even if they aren't associated with Solderet.”
—The Witch, it is that person’s doing.
The words of Sarah Runcandel, the guardian of the second tomb, came to mind.
At the time, Jin couldn't ask for more details, but she had clearly spoken as if Heluram could also use spirit energy.
“Are you referring to the Witch Heluram?”
“You know quite a bit yourself. Correct. That recording device is likely the Witch’s. No one else could imbue an orb with that much demonic energy. Lontelgius was a close confidant of the Beast Demon King Orgal, and Orgal was Heluram’s lover. That’s likely why the demon you killed possessed that orb.”
The Witch Heluram. In Jin’s previous life, Valeria had met her in person.
Master said she met Heluram when she was twenty and again around twenty-five.
That was why Jin hadn't been particularly surprised when Quicantel informed the group that Heluram was an ‘individual.’ He had already heard as much from Valeria before his regression.
“I’m not sure yet if this belonged to that demon or to Joshua.”
“If that recording device belongs to Runcandel’s 2nd Flagbearer, then your elder brother is highly likely to be involved with the Witch Heluram in some way.”
The Prophet.
Jin nodded as he thought of that person’s existence.
The Prophet Joshua keeps by his side might be Heluram.
He felt it wouldn't be too late to tell Valeria about that once more definitive information came to light. For now, establishing a cooperative relationship with her was a significant achievement.
“What are you going to do with that recording device? It’s not related to Solderet, but are you going to leave it with me as well?”
“I will. And by any chance, do you know how to read the language of demons?”
“Are you trying to check the papers and magic tomes you got from killing the Lontelgius demon?”
“Yes.”
“Unfortunately, I don't know the demon language at all. I’m not omnipotent, you know.”
Valeria picked up her robe from where it was hanging by the bed.
She let out a small chuckle after confirming that Latri’s cookies were still inside the robe.
“I’ll be going now. I have to look into the recording devices you gave me and find the Catfolk, so I’ll be busy for a while.”
“Is there no progress yet on Solderet’s broken recording device that I gave you first?”
“It’s a task that requires a lot of time, so please understand. I want to finish it as quickly as possible so I can receive the other half of my ancestors' magic tome.”
Unlike their first meeting, Jin was the one to offer a handshake this time. Valeria took his hand without hesitation.
“Take care of yourself, Aria Owlheart.”
“You too.”
*
August 20, 1799.
Two months had passed since Jin returned to the clan.
Advertisements for the cosmetics business had resumed immediately after the small Beastmen were rescued, and as a result, Jin, Runcandel, and the Secret Palace were literally raking in a fortune.
Both the high-end ‘Gold Snow’ line and the mass-market ‘Silver Snow’ line were selling like wildfire, quickly dominating the global cosmetics market.
Of course, they could no longer place advertisements in the Lutero Magic Federation.
However, word of mouth possessed a terrifying power. The nobles of the Lutero Magic Federation were purchasing the Gold Snow Tribe’s cosmetics on the black market, paying premiums ranging from several to dozens of times the original price.
The more money Runcandel made, the more wealth was siphoned away from Zipple.
The elders could no longer look unfavorably upon Jin’s cosmetics business. While Telot felt great satisfaction that his judgment had been correct, there was one person who was extremely dissatisfied and insulted by the massive success of the Gold Snow cosmetics.
“Ugh, this cannot be! This simply cannot be!”
Bubar Gaston.
He was currently losing both a job and a hobby.
“What is so great about some mere cosmetics? How can those utterly foolish people fail to recognize Bubar’s artistic soul? To think my shapeshifting is being pushed aside by cosmetics… I cannot accept this…!”
This was because the Gold Top Coalition’s special product, ‘Jade Snow,’ was selling out day after day alongside Gold Snow and Silver Snow.
The primary customers for Jade Snow were assassins, top-tier theater troupes, and spies. Since it provided a transformation effect just by applying it, most of the clients who used to request shapeshifting procedures from Bubar were rapidly defecting.
“…Please, just shut up, Bubar Gaston.”
Vishkel had been listening to Bubar’s whining for over five hours a day for several days now.
He felt like his mind was being ground into dust. Since meeting this disgusting human, his patience had reached its limit countless times, but lately, it was particularly hard to endure.
I want to achieve the Great Cause as soon as possible and wring this bastard’s neck. No, that’s not enough. I’ll carve up his entire body while he’s still alive…
Vishkel’s eyes were sunken as he indulged in these grim fantasies.
“Damn that Jin Runcandel! Nothing has gone right since I met that guy! What’s so great about those disguise cosmetics called Jade Snow or whatever? Lord Vishkel, please get me some. I need to see it with my own eyes.”
“…I’ve told you several times, the Gold Top Coalition doesn't sell that Jade Snow stuff to just anyone. It’s impossible for Kinzelo or Zipple to purchase it at all.”
“Can’t we just send low-level members whose identities aren't exposed!?”
“You son of a—whew. They don't even deal with low-level members in the first place. How many times do I have to explain this, Bubar?”
“Aargh! No, I can’t stand it. You know, don't you? I can tolerate anything else, but I cannot allow my artistic soul to be wounded!”
“What does your artistic soul have to do with their cosmetics selling well?”
“It does! I feel like I’ve lost! Ah, I’m so angry my head feels like it’s going to explode. Lord Vishkel, I need to eat something sweet. Please go buy me just one sweet potato croquette.”
Vishkel’s hand momentarily twitched toward his waist.
If he had regained his reason even a second later, he would have drawn his sword and decapitated Bubar right then and there. If he had, it would have been a very happy ending from Vishkel’s personal perspective.
Endure it… for the Great Cause… for the Great Cause…
Vishkel’s hand was trembling. Even as he barely managed to compose himself, Bubar continued his long-winded lecture without pause, splattering saliva onto Vishkel’s stiff blue coat.
“I’ll… go buy… the sweet potato croquette… so just… calm down.”
He felt like the stress was going to cause hair loss. He wanted to scream, but if he did, Bubar would likely start foaming at the mouth, go into a frenzy, and start self-harming, so he couldn't even allow himself that.
“Brother, Mr. Bubar.”
Margiella entered the room in her wheelchair.
“Margiella.”
“Miss Margiella! Please listen to what I have to say!”
“Haha, I heard everything you two were saying from outside. It’s understandable that Mr. Bubar is upset.”
“As expected, Miss Margiella understands my heart!”
“Of course. Mr. Bubar is our friend!”
As soon as Margiella entered, Bubar’s anger seemed to subside instantly.
“Then, will Miss Margiella get those cosmetics called Jade Snow for me?”
“Mr. Bubar, I’d love to get them for you, but everything has an order, doesn't it? We have to take it step by step.”
“But I can’t stand it anymore. At this rate, I… I feel like I’m really going to just drop dead.”
“I know, I know. We can’t just let a friend die. I’ll go meet Sir Jin myself.”
“Eek, that unpleasant man? You can’t! He’ll surely be abusive toward you, Miss Margiella.”
“I happen to have a debt to collect from him, so he won't dare. Hmm, Brother. Why don't we take Uncle Verakt and pay a visit to the Garden of Swords?”