Chapter 377: Yona's Warning (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 377: Yona's Warning (1)
For a long while, Valeria remained silent, struggling to organize the torrent of emotions flooding her heart.
Even though she now knew her roots, she was still alone. Yet, it was nothing like the days when she had been alone without even knowing why.
The mission to reclaim the history of Hister, once a bleak and blind duty, now had a burning purpose behind it—a reason to avenge the ancient elves, the Histers, and the Gray Owls.
[In addition to fulfilling Solderet’s message, I am glad I could meet you.]
“What do you intend to do now, Lady Sheila?”
At Valeria’s question, Sheila closed her eyes. Maila was dead, but many cursed fairies still remained in the Wantaramo Forest.
[I shall remain in this forest and continue to brew the King’s Liquor with my kin. That is the final purpose left to us, the cursed.]
A brilliant light began to gather in Sheila’s wings.
[I will ensure that the story of Jin Runcandel and yourself does not leak out. I shall execute the traitors and restore order to this forest once more.]
Following Maila’s death, control over the forest had briefly belonged to no one. But the moment Sheila regained her ancient memories through Valeria, the power to command the forest returned to her. She was once again the Queen of the Cursed Fairies.
She had also grown stronger. Simply by reclaiming a portion of her forgotten memories, she had become slightly closer to a true elf than the other cursed fairies.
“Lady Sheila.”
[Speak, Jin Runcandel.]
“There is something I wish to ask before we leave.”
[You intend to ask for the location of the fifth tomb, I presume.]
“That is correct.”
[That was the extent of the secrets I held. You must find the path to the fifth tomb yourselves.]
The clues Solderet had left leading to the tombs ended here, in the Wantaramo Forest. From now on, they would have to search from scratch.
‘Zipple and Viment will both continue to search for Temar’s tombs. Kinzelo as well. And since Mary has likely made the issue public, there will be those within Runcandel who start searching too.’
Once the four great powers began to move in earnest, it would be impossible for even Jin to search for the tomb’s location in secret. Furthermore, compared to them, the forces Jin possessed were pitifully small. No matter how talented the Seven-Colored Bird was, they were no match for the full might of the great powers.
‘If it weren't for my master, I wouldn't even be able to compete.’
Just as they had found the Mao tribe, Valeria would likely search for Temar’s tombs alongside the Hister heritage sites. Therefore, Jin didn't need to waste his energy worrying until Valeria or his tentative allies in Runcandel found the tomb's location.
‘In any case, the probability of my master finding the tomb before the great powers is much higher. She has the recording devices from Solderet that I gave her, as well as the fragments of the fourth tomb we obtained today.’
Having organized his thoughts, Jin nodded. “I understand.”
[It would be best for you to return now. Word of your visit to this forest will not reach the outside world. And Lulu, Miru.]
[Yes, Lady Sheila.]
[You two have worked hard as well. Thank you.]
[Weren't we in the same position as you, Lady Sheila? There were promises made to the Contractor of a Thousand Years. This was merely a part of that.]
[Give my regards to Neru. I will not ask where you are going.]
Jin and Valeria shared brief hugs with the members of the Mao tribe.
[We of the Mao tribe will always bless you, Jin Runcandel. Ah, are the little beastmen doing well? Seeing as the cosmetics business is thriving, it seems so.]
“They are all under the protection of the Secret Palace. If you have the chance, please come visit with your tribe.”
[Good. When I return, I’ll suggest we build a hideout near the Secret Palace, though my tribe will need some time to reorganize.]
Lulu then looked up at Valeria.
[I apologize. At first, I thought you might be someone unrelated to Jin and even tried to harm you.]
“There is no need to worry about it.”
[And I won't forget you. We’ll meet again someday. When the time comes, I will use the sacred object you cherished to do something good for the world—just as you and Jin Runcandel were born with a destiny to save it.]
Born with a destiny to save the world.
There was a reason Lulu phrased it that way. She expected that these two small sparks, left behind by Solderet and the ancient elves, would one day burn Zipple to the ground and restore the world's history to its rightful place.
It was time to part.
Waving vigorously to one another, Jin, Valeria, and the Mao tribe began to leave Wantaramo Forest, heading in different directions. Before disappearing completely from view, Valeria turned back one last time and gave Sheila a silent bow.
“...After glimpsing the connection between the elves and Hister in your records, I didn't expect to find an answer so quickly.” Valeria’s voice trailed off. I want to say thank you.
Jin smiled and held out a handkerchief. “Congratulations, Valeria Hister.”
“...A handkerchief?”
“You have tear stains on your face.”
“Ah.”
It had been a truly long time since he had seen Valeria look so flustered. Of course, she quickly returned to her usual calm expression and wiped her face.
“We’re about to meet the Green Rose. It would be embarrassing to meet her like that.”
“The person you said you were glad to be close with, the one who blocked Zipple’s reinforcements. Who is it? If it weren't for that person, things could have gone terribly wrong.”
“My sister.”
“Your sister?”
Yona, his dear eldest sister. Meeting her was always a pleasure, but it was also a cause for concern.
‘Surely she won't cause a scene and threaten to kill my master. My master is also a benefactor to Samil….’
“Hee, what are you thinking about, our youngest?”
Jin’s teeth clenched reflexively. He was so startled he almost swung his sword toward the sound of Yona’s voice. Valeria seemed to react the same way, her eyes darting sharply to the left.
Yona was standing right behind them, the corners of her mouth curled up high.
“...I thought my heart was going to leap out of my chest, Sister.”
He was serious. Even though he had opened his Mind’s Eye in anticipation of her arrival, he hadn't sensed her approach at all.
As a martial artist, it was a shock. Jin’s martial prowess was now on the verge of reaching 9-star. That meant, with his senses fully heightened, he shouldn't have been so easily caught off guard, even by Samil’s top assassin.
‘In a forest like this, an assassin of Sister Yona’s caliber is no different from a god of death. No, was she able to approach like this simply because she’s Yona?’
While Jin had grown, Yona had clearly reached a new realm. She had become an even more formidable assassin than he had ever imagined.
“Is it because of the girl next to you, our youngest? I’ve been walking behind you for about thirty seconds, and you didn't notice at all! What if I had gone stab and poked you?”
“You shouldn't make such scary jokes so casually.”
“Heehee, it’s not a joke. I might not poke you, but I might poke the one next to you.”
Stomp, stomp!
As Yona began to approach Valeria with eyes that had gone half-vacant, Jin had no choice but to jump in front of her in alarm.
“Sister!”
“Move.”
“She is my comrade. Are you really going to—”
Shhh—!
Before Jin could finish his sentence, Yona instantaneously pulled something from her robe and threw it at Valeria’s forehead.
Slash!
If his skills had been even slightly lacking, Jin would not have been able to cut down Yona’s projectile. He had barely managed to deflect it, not even seeing what she had thrown.
“What are you—!”
Jin, glaring as he prepared to push Yona back, suddenly saw something slowly drifting down over Valeria’s head.
Twirl, twirl…
It was Yona’s projectile that he had cut—two stalks of foxtail grass.
‘What the… foxtails?’
The severed foxtails landed softly on Valeria’s head as if it had been planned from the start—and, in fact, Yona had calculated it perfectly. They looked just like rabbit ears.
“Heeheehee, it’s been a long time, Lailin Hazard!” Yona waved, familiarly calling out one of the aliases Valeria used.
“...You are the same as ever, Lady Yona. It has been a long time.”
The two women were already acquainted.
“I was really jealous just now. I wish our youngest would protect me like that when I’m in danger.”
“Have you been well?”
“But how could I ever get myself into danger?”
“...It seems you’ve been doing well.”
“And it has to be when I’m with the youngest. That seems like it’ll be difficult. Lailin, you’re smart, so try to think of a way.”
Yona wasn't listening to Valeria at all. And Valeria, unbothered, gave a light shrug. She had experienced Yona’s peculiar way of speaking before.
“Phew, that prank was quite threatening, Sister.”
“Would I really kill the youngest’s close friend? If I did that, you’d hate me so much. Besides, Lailin is a benefactor to Samil.”
Well, it’s not like I couldn't kill her, but since you’d hate it…
Somehow, he felt like he could hear those unspoken words, but he decided to pretend he hadn't.
“I’m so moved by those words I feel like I might cry, Sister.”
“Heehee, right? I did good, didn't I?”
“Yes.”
“Then hurry up and praise me.”
“How?”
“Hmm, maybe give me an autograph or something?”
Suddenly seeing a glimpse of Enya in her, Jin couldn't help but let out a small laugh. She was a sister who, despite being somewhat violent, was impossible to hate.
“I heard you blocked Zipple’s reinforcements, Sister.”
“I did well there too, right?”
“It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say I would have died if not for you.”
“Yeah, maybe. They were pretty impressive guys. I sent them back alive because it might have made things difficult for Lord Oul, but now that I think about it, I should have just killed them. They might become a problem for you later.”
“No. To think you were considering Lord Oul’s position… I’m truly touched. You’ve taken another step toward becoming a flower shop owner, Sister. That kind of social awareness is very good.”
“Of course! I’m improving day by day, too!”
Watching Jin and Yona chatter, Valeria reflexively thought they were a nice pair of siblings. Much like Yona, her own guard against others was unknowingly softening, bit by bit, after meeting Jin.
“But Sister, how did you end up protecting me?”
“You’re asking when I started tailing you, right?”
“I suppose so.”
At that, Yona’s eyes sparkled. She looked like she had been dying to explain.
“I got a vacation recently after crippling a big shot. So I went to the main house to see you, but the atmosphere in the family was no joke. Hee, youngest. You dropped quite a bomb, didn't you?”
“You mean the story about Mary.”
“Yeah. The Garden of Swords was turned upside down because of what you told her. And it seems Sister Mary was in quite a spot, since the person responsible was missing during the meeting. She was fuming, saying she was going to punish you.”
“Hmm.”
“You’ll have to soothe her well. But you know, there’s another really interesting story. Hee, I found you while looking for you to tell you about it, and I just naturally ended up protecting you.”
“An interesting story?”
Yona replied with a wide grin, a deep, dark killing intent buried within her smile.
“A portion of the Elder Council is genuinely trying to kill you, youngest.”