Chapter 652: After the Shock (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 652: After the Shock (6)
Valeria Hister—it had been about two months since any of her comrades had last seen her.
While it wasn't the first time she had been out of touch for such a period, there was no way she would have remained silent this long after news of Jin’s return had spread across the world.
Above all, Rosa had lured Jin to the Garden of Swords by announcing the discovery of a relic belonging to the First Patriarch. The summoned creature, Padler, was presumed to be the guardian of Temar’s fifth tomb.
Every clue pointed to one conclusion: something had happened to Valeria.
“I fail to see why you are asking us about your own ally, 12th Flagbearer. Have you truly lost contact with the Hister survivor as well?”
“I have.”
Normally, Jin would never have asked the Zipple clan for information about Valeria. However, now was not the time to be picky.
At his admission, Ronil let out a sigh, and Octavia pressed a hand to her forehead.
“Judging by your reactions, it seems you don’t know either.”
“No, we do not.”
“Still, I should verify that. Yuria.”
As Yuria activated the Authority of Truth, blue strings manifested between her, Ronil, and Octavia. Just as disappointment began to set in, Ronil offered a new piece of information.
“However, we do know the region where the Hister survivor is presumed to have disappeared.”
For a thousand years, the Zipples had relentlessly tracked Temar’s tombs. This time was no different. While Valeria had been searching for the tomb, the Zipples had been hunting for it as well.
“Where is it?”
Ronil exchanged a glance with Octavia. She nodded, signaling that it was acceptable to share the information.
“Huphester, Eastern Region 5—a cave in Caldran. When we arrived, we found traces of Record Magic having been used.”
“The Hister survivor left traces?”
“Yes. A blue window of Record Magic remained inside the cave.”
“Did you see this blue window yourself?”
“...I did. I was personally tracking the Hister survivor at the time.”
The Valeria Jin knew wouldn't have made such a careless mistake—unless she was intentionally setting a trap or creating a diversion.
“Tell me more about the situation.”
“I identified the Hister survivor’s location from a distance and gave chase. Since we were within Eastern Region 5, both she and I were quite restricted in our movements. The pursuit lasted about three days across the Caldran Snowy Plains, and eventually, she entered a cave with only one entrance and exit.”
“And then she vanished, leaving behind a blue window of Record Magic?”
“Yes, that is all. There were no signs of an escape from within the cave. I wondered if she had learned invisibility or teleportation magic from a heritage site, but aside from the Record Magic, there were no traces of any other spells being cast.”
“A person can’t just vanish like that unless they have someone like the Snow Toad Mort with them.”
“That is why we assumed Mort had rescued her. After all, the Secret Palace is no longer neutral; they are essentially your allies.”
“Did you continue to investigate the cave in Caldran after that?”
“We couldn't. Immediately after, the 3rd Flagbearer of Runcandel began guarding the area.”
—I really must go now. Regardless, if there’s any further progress, I’ll send a letter to Tikan. I think my sister might find a small clue regarding Temar’s fifth tomb soon.
Those were the words Valeria had spoken before leaving for Laprarosa.
Luntia had been tracking Temar’s tomb for a long time. Furthermore, she was one of the three siblings who remained unaware of Jin’s ‘current status.’
“Given the circumstances, it is highly likely that the 3rd Flagbearer also knew the Hister survivor’s location. No, it is certain. The 3rd Flagbearer and her knights were camped out with that exact cave at the center of their perimeter.”
Sigh.
Jin let out a long breath, suppressing his emotions.
Neither Mary, the Tona brothers, nor the surviving rebels had any news of Luntia. Even the deceased Jorden hadn't mentioned her. Dipus had even stepped up to handle the aftermath of the battle against Gliek, a task that should have fallen to Luntia as the higher-ranking Flagbearer.
As I thought… is Sister Luntia also tainted by Chaos?
Even without meeting her, everyone had suspected as much. If she weren't, there was no way she wouldn't have crossed paths with the resistance.
“Sir Ronil, did you not encounter my sister Luntia?”
“The situation was urgent, so I did not observe the 3rd Flagbearer from up close. However, the Caldran Snowy Plains were crawling with knights tainted by Chaos.”
Yuria confirmed that everything Ronil said was the truth. Luntia’s corruption was all but certain.
“What is the possibility that the Hister survivor was abducted by my sister Luntia?”
“If the 3rd Flagbearer discovered something in that cave that I missed, then it’s not impossible.”
Jin turned to look at Orgal. Orgal smiled as if he knew exactly what Jin was thinking.
“What, do you doubt my dimensional shifting abilities? We know nothing about the Hister survivor either.”
When Yuria checked the Ivliano siblings, she confirmed he was telling the truth.
If neither the Zipples nor Kinzelo know, then Valeria hasn't been caught.
Jin felt a surge of certainty.
If Rosa had Valeria, she would have used her to threaten me by now. She would have exploited her capture even after luring me to the Garden of Swords.
At the Garden of Swords, Rosa hadn't mentioned a single additional thing about Valeria. Part of that was because Jin hadn't asked, but the real reason was likely that she had no leverage to use.
Of course, Jin and the great powers gathered here weren't the only ones tracking Temar’s tomb. The Imperial Family, who possessed Temar’s left arm, was also searching for it.
But if the Imperial Family had captured Valeria, there’s no way the Zipples wouldn't know. Unless those bastards stabbed the Zipples in the back and sided with Runcandel…
Jin decided to ask bluntly.
“Sir Ronil, is the relationship between the Zipples and the Imperial Family still the same?”
“The Imperial Family does not have the capability to capture the Hister survivor. Especially not without our family knowing.”
“You seem quite obsessed with this Hister survivor, Jin,” Orgal cut in. “Surely you're not planning to use her Record Magic to, what, rewrite my personal history? Or perhaps use the Zipples' history manipulation to strike at the Garden of Swords?”
“Do you really think I’d harbor such disgusting thoughts? She is my comrade.”
Jin allowed a hint of anger to show at Orgal’s words.
“In any case, it seems you'll be frantically searching for her for the time being.”
“That’s my business. I believe we can return to the topic of the Garden of Swords now.”
“No, this is about the Garden of Swords, Jin,” Orgal said. “Have you forgotten? At this moment, you are the only one capable of standing against Rosa Runcandel. That means you cannot afford to be reckless with your life.”
“...I agree with Lord Orgal on this point, 12th Flagbearer,” Ronil added. “If you intend to search for the Hister survivor now, you will naturally head to Eastern Region 5 first, will you not? I believe you, more than anyone, understand the current state of Huphester.”
“The day has finally come when both the Zipples and Kinzelo are worried about me. And to see the Zipples acting more concerned for a Hister's well-being than I am… it’s a strange sight indeed. I want to save her because she's my comrade, but my search is also part of my opposition to the Garden of Swords. You aren't the only ones who need her abilities.”
“I assume it's to further develop the spacetime device you stole from us,” Ronil said flatly.
“It’s a bit embarrassing when you put it that way.”
“There is no need for that; it was our family’s failure to manage it properly. However, I suggest you reconsider going to Huphester for the Hister survivor at this time.”
Ronil spoke as if he were devoid of emotion, but to Jin, his calm voice sounded like a promise: I will take it back one day.
The Zipples likely have other cards to play even without history manipulation. And Kinzelo… if Orgal pays some kind of price, he can surely accelerate his recovery.
Yuria's Authority of Truth wasn't perfect. While she could accurately distinguish truth from lies, she couldn't detect when someone was intentionally withholding parts of the truth.
Jin was certain the Zipples and Kinzelo were aware of this fact, which meant there were things they were choosing not to say. Even so, they were concerned for his safety for a simple reason: he was their best tool.
Even if Yuria’s authority were powerful enough to reveal hidden truths, this was a meeting for a temporary alliance, not a true union. If she had used her power that deeply, the meeting would have collapsed from the start.
From their perspective, the best outcome is to use me to eliminate Rosa without having to reveal their other cards.
The might Rosa had displayed at the Garden of Swords was truly transcendent, enough to be called an ‘Evil God.’ But when the day came for Jin and the temporary alliance to face her in a final battle, she would undoubtedly be even more terrifying.
Even if Jin were to defeat such a version of Rosa…
Sacrifices would be inevitable. Victory against her was impossible without suffering fatal damage. While the Zipples and Kinzelo would also take hits, it wouldn't compare to the damage Jin would sustain from facing Rosa one-on-one.
And when the war ended?
Kinzelo and the Zipples would no longer be his allies. Even if he won the war against Rosa, there was a high probability he would find himself surrounded by his most powerful enemies at his weakest moment.
Of course, Jin had no intention of letting that happen.
They don't know that Valeria is the key not just to the spacetime device, but also to completing the Golden Fleet.
One year.
It wasn't a very long time, but Jin intended to use the other two factions as much as possible while preparing to face Rosa within that window.
“If you're all so worried about me, why don't you each send someone with me? I’m heading to the Caldran Snowy Plains as soon as this meeting is over.”
“...So soon?”
“Asking for escorts… What an interesting request,” Orgal mused. “I can feel your determination to exploit us to the bone until this temporary alliance ends.”
“Isn't the feeling mutual? It doesn't matter if you send anyone or not; I’m going regardless. Orgal said it earlier—Rosa needs at least a year before she can move again. I have to accomplish everything I can within that time. To do that, Valeria is indispensable.”
“Kinzelo agrees!” Margiella exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.
Ronil nodded as if he had no other choice. “The Zipples will also agree.”
“There is one person from the Zipple side I have in mind.”
“...Who are you thinking of?”
Jin met his eyes and replied.
“Veradin. Have Veradin Zipple accompany me.”