Chapter 593: Back to Laprarosa (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 593: Back to Laprarosa (1)
Quaul and Valeria were getting along surprisingly well.
“Heavens, Milord. That cold young lady has Master Quaul wrapped around her little finger. The man who was barking orders at you is now as meek as a lamb.”
True to the arrogant personality he had displayed at the hut, Quaul was essentially the human version of Murakan.
When he first introduced himself to the companions, he declared himself the most precious person in the world. He even went so far as to say he’d speak informally to everyone and that they could take a swing at him if they had a problem with it.
Of course, it wasn't out of malice or a genuine desire to look down on them; he just had an aggressive way of speaking, much like Murakan. Since his skills were truly exceptional, the companions generally let it slide.
Despite his grumbling, he showed a particularly kind side to the children, so there was no real need to teach him a lesson.
However, as Jet pointed out, he maintained an exceedingly polite and proper attitude toward Valeria. Seeing this, the companions were once again reminded of Murakan—specifically, how he acted whenever he needed Jin to get him a limited-edition erotic picture book.
“...Hah, so the problem could be solved just by doing as you said! I see now. I was trying to solve everything too technically.”
“It’s a common error among engineers. For any mage of at least the 5-star level, amplifying the effect of that rod device is a trivial matter.”
“That’s assuming they’ve mastered the magic formula you and I created in just ten minutes of conversation! During my time at Zipple, I had countless magical geniuses as my assistants, but not one of them could come up with an idea like this and draft the formula on the spot. You are on an entirely different level!”
“An 8-star mage or higher could produce more than ten effects with a single rod device. Let’s stop here for today. I imagine your head is quite full.”
“Let’s do that! As you said, I feel I must organize these new ideas immediately. So, when is our next talk? Just say the word. I’ll adjust my entire work schedule to yours.”
“I’ll decide on a time by this evening and let you know.”
Quaul immediately pulled out some writing materials and began scribbling furiously. The companions watched Valeria as she turned away with a haughty air, marveling at her internally.
Perhaps it was a disciple’s pride in their teacher, but Jin felt a strange sense of satisfaction seeing this scholarly side of Valeria after so long.
“There’s no human as lucky as you, Jin Runcandel. Not only do you have my assistance, but you’ve managed to recruit someone like that as well.”
“I owe a lot of it to you. One of Master Quaul’s conditions was to have a Record Mage as an assistant. Though, just as I expected, it looks like Master Quaul is the one who ended up as the assistant.”
“As you expected?”
Valeria’s eyes met Jin’s.
She was once again conscious of the way he spoke as if he knew her intimately.
“Well, I just said that because I couldn’t imagine you being anyone’s assistant,” Jin said, quickly making an excuse after his slip of the tongue.
By the time my teacher attains the level of record magic she had in my previous life… will she find out about my regression?
He wondered how she would react. Whenever such questions crossed his mind, his chest tightened.
Yet, on the other hand, he felt she was the only person who could ever fully unravel his secret.
If the day came when Valeria could verify all the ‘Records of Jin Runcandel’ and share them with his companions, he wouldn't need to add a single word of explanation for everything he had done.
While Jin felt a certain guilt and responsibility as a regressor, he had absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
“You sometimes speak as if you know me very well.”
At Valeria’s blunt remark, Jin nodded calmly.
“Anyone would think the same after seeing you just once. Besides, the moment you saw me, you called me by name as if you already knew me.”
The two stared at each other in silence for a moment. Valeria thought of the Jin she had seen in her dreams long ago, while Jin remembered the her from his past life.
‘From what I can see… no matter how you look at it, they aren’t just ordinary acquaintances. Has Milord ever looked at a woman with those eyes before?’
‘Not as far as I know, Jet.’
‘Right? Sir Valkas, you’re thinking the same thing, aren’t you? Hah, man. Our Lady Enya’s heart is going to turn to ash. And what about the Young Lady of the Secret Palace? If this reaches Lady Talaris’s ears…’
‘You two, it would be best to change the subject. Even if Miss Valeria can’t hear you, the Young Master might be listening at this distance.’
Just as Gilly said, Jin could more or less hear what Valkas and Jet were saying. Valeria, however, didn't seem to have noticed.
Even if she did hear, she’s not the type to show interest or let it affect her.
Valeria was the first to casually avert her gaze.
“Anyway, I didn’t expect you to bring such an engineer in such a short time. Master Quaul’s abilities will be a great help to my personal work as well. Prepare a room for me in Tikan. It seems I’ll be spending a lot of time here.”
“Pick any vacant room you like. Ask Gilly or Jet for anything you need.”
“I will.”
“And, Valeria.”
“What?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not harming Veradin and Sandra Zipple. It must have been a golden opportunity for you.”
“There’s no need for that. I didn’t let them go out of consideration for your relationship with them. I simply judged that keeping them alive would deal a greater blow to Zipple in the future.”
It was a lie.
It was only after the two had left that Valeria had examined the records showing that Veradin would not betray his friends.
This meant that until she saw those records, even Valeria couldn't have been certain of Veradin’s psyche.
Furthermore, regardless of Veradin’s sincerity, Zipple could still use him in a way that would become a problem for her in the future.
Therefore, Valeria had simply decided to trust Jin this one time.
“...And it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen that kind of record. With my current record magic, it’s normally difficult to read such personal, inner thoughts.”
“Then how?”
“It means Veradin’s sincerity toward you and Dante Hairan is deep enough to be recognized even by my record magic. I hope he doesn’t forget that heart and stays at the forefront of ending Zipple until the very end.”
Veradin’s goal was not the destruction of Zipple, but its purification.
Naturally, that would make Zipple weaker than it was now, and Valeria planned to exterminate them at that point.
“I’m telling you in advance: no matter how close someone is to you, to me, they are just a Zipple. They are the ones who wiped out my roots and my family. When the time comes for me to tear him and his family down, if you stand in my way… our alliance ends there.”
Jin did not answer. After a moment, Valeria walked past him.
Watching Jin stand there blankly, Jet started making a fuss, wondering if Milord had just been dumped.
*
On the last day of May, in the year 1800.
The signing of the ceasefire agreement between Runcandel and Zipple was officially announced. The location was the central plaza of the Imperial Capital—the very place where the Emperor had been executed.
Never since the founding of the Empire had such a massive crowd gathered in the central plaza.
People from all over the world had flocked to witness the announcement of the truce between the two great clans.
Black Knight Captain Stam represented Runcandel, while Octavia appeared for Zipple.
The public assumed that with Cyron in the Black Sea, representatives of appropriate rank had simply been sent in his stead. In truth, however, having those two announce the agreement was a courtesy from Runcandel. Unlike Rosa, Kelliark was still in a state where he could not move.
“...This concludes the announcement of the agreement between the two great clans. On behalf of the Empire, I express my gratitude to both for making this grand decision. Furthermore, our Empire will join them in doing our utmost to alleviate the world’s suffering.”
As Dante, acting as the witness, finished his speech, cheers erupted from the crowd. Judging by the atmosphere, it felt more like an announcement of the end of the war than a mere ceasefire.
As the contaminated areas continued to expand, the people didn't care who had caused it; they only hoped that those with power would restore the world as quickly as possible.
However, the warlords, nobles, and politicians who understood the political situation were clearly aware that this ceasefire was a false peace that would last a few years at most. In their eyes, the distinction between friend and foe had simply become clearer.
Dante had stepped forward as the witness, but all the attendees from Hairan stood on Runcandel’s side, while the Imperial family was entirely positioned on Zipple’s side.
After the announcement, Hairan handed over the bodies and mementos of the fallen that they had been holding. Runcandel and Zipple then returned to their respective lands to hold funeral services.
Black flags of mourning had already been hanging in the Garden of Swords. After the funeral, the number of swords thrust into the garden’s ground and black helmets in the Mausoleum increased.
Then, Jin sought out Rosa in her office for a private meeting.
This was the first time Jin had returned to the Garden of Swords since the war ended.
Normally, this would have been unacceptable, but the members of the clan no longer dared to openly show hostility toward him.
Even the elders of the Black Sword Council did not rebuke Jin for only now returning. Rosa had issued a strict order for everyone to behave themselves when he arrived.
From the moment Rosa had set everything aside to save Jin during the Sword Emperor Holy War, he had essentially solidified his status as the ‘Next Patriarch’ more firmly than ever.
“You are late,” Rosa said in a dry voice. Jin consciously avoided looking at the chaos visible on her skin where it wasn't covered by her clothes.
“I had much to do.”
“I trust there was a harvest.”
She was referring to the mechanical devices and blueprints. Rosa was also curious if Jin had discovered any clues regarding ‘Chaos Erosion.’
“You seem to have grown impatient, Mother.”
“Are you acting insolent with me now?”
“I only said it because I am worried.”
Rosa smiled.
“It seems you are the one concerned that I might hastily negotiate with the Prophet now that the situation has become more urgent than you anticipated.”
“I won’t deny it. Because after today, I plan to leave the human world for a while.”
At those words, Rosa’s eyes narrowed.