Chapter 664: To the Enemy's Holy Land (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 664: To the Enemy's Holy Land (2)
“Zipple’s Holy Land…?”
Jin had never heard of such a place. Not in his past life, and not in his current one.
[Yes, Zipple’s Holy Land. A Complete Mana Body whose awakening is nearly finished is practically immortal there. As long as they can access that space, they can recover from any wound just by being inside it.]
“I've never heard of the place, nor have I ever heard that a Complete Mana Body could achieve such unbelievable regeneration.”
[Are you saying… cough… that it sounds like a lie?]
“For now, yes.”
[Believe it or not, Jin Runcandel, that's up to you. However—urgh, ugh… if not for that, the only other way is to obtain Numerus's Tears. And I'll tell you right now, we don't have them. You can verify that with Yuria.]
“I said, 'for now.' If you explain it in more detail, I might find it more credible.”
[I dragged my broken body all the way here to give you a solution, only to be called a liar from the very start. Is there any reason I should continue?]
Jin snorted.
“Look, Orgal. Is there any need for people like us to exchange such pointless banter? You didn't come all this way in such a wretched state just for the Barmul Alliance.”
Jin tossed the blood-stained handkerchief Orgal had used into the trash can.
“You rushed here because Hister's death would be a problem for you, too. Beast Demon King Orgal, you need Hister's power to restore your manipulated history to its original state. Am I wrong?”
Orgal shrugged his shoulders.
[I didn't expect such a reaction to a passing comment. Fine, you're right. My own history aside, Hister's ability is absolutely necessary to oppose the Evil God.]
“Then cut the small talk and finish the story.”
Swoosh!
Suddenly, a small Steel Gate formed in the middle of the hospital room.
Unlike a normal gate used for teleportation, this one revealed a landscape bathed in a strange, green light.
“A green, glowing sea…? It almost looks like a desert.”
[I suppose you could see it that way.]
“Is that landscape the Holy Land you mentioned?”
[Yes, though this isn't its current state. I'm sharing a memory with you. It's from a few hundred years ago, but the place has likely not changed much.]
“I’ve never seen mana of that color before.”
[It isn’t mana. It’s a power without a specific name. I call it Residual Energy.]
“Residual Energy? Do you mean the power left behind by that being beyond a god you mentioned before?”
Orgal nodded.
“What does that have to do with a Complete Mana Body?”
[Among humans, only a Complete Mana Body reacts to Residual Energy. Any disease, wound, or even a scar—all physical damage is perfectly healed as the Residual Energy permeates their body. Of course, this is only possible if the Complete Mana Body is awakened beyond a certain level.]
“Is there a specific reason only a Complete Mana Body reacts to Residual Energy?”
[Who knows? Even I don't know the reason. I can only speculate that some will of that being dwells within the owners of a Complete Mana Body. Perhaps a Complete Mana Body is a blessing granted only to those who were permeated by that will from the start.]
According to his explanation, 'Residual Energy' could heal any wound short of aging or mental trauma—at least, for the owner of a Complete Mana Body.
Then, a blurry human figure appeared within the landscape inside the Steel Gate.
Though the image wasn’t clear, it was easy to see that the figure was missing an arm.
[The memory is faint, so it isn't being shared clearly. It's likely a Complete Mana Body, just like Hister.]
The figure in the vision lay down in the center of the Holy Land.
'This is insane…'
A moment later, Jin watched as a new arm began to sprout from the severed stump.
As the Holy Land's Residual Energy mixed with the figure's mana, iridescent light and shimmering bubbles bloomed into existence.
[You look deep in thought. Why? Do you think I'm showing you a fabricated vision?]
Jin certainly considered the possibility. Given the abilities Orgal had displayed so far, such a feat would be well within his power.
Still, Jin decided to trust him. If this was real, there was no better solution. Besides, Orgal had no reason to lie right now.
The reason Jin hesitated was because another thought had occurred to him.
“I suspect that you, not just a Complete Mana Body, could also recover your strength there. And you currently don't know the location of Zipple's Holy Land. That's why you're using Hister's rescue as an excuse, hoping I'll find it for you. Am I wrong?”
A faint smile played on Orgal’s lips.
[Sometimes, you and I understand each other perfectly. You're spot on. Cough, cough.]
“Aren't you trusting me a bit too much just because we understand each other? Even if I find the location, I have no intention of sharing it with you, Orgal. As far as I and the rest of the world are concerned, you regaining your full strength would be no different from another Evil God awakening.”
[To think of me that way… it's almost hurtful. Regardless, once you find the location, we can make a deal—either when your perception of me changes, or when I possess something you cannot possibly refuse.]
“That’s a rather unpleasant future.”
[Zipple would never trade the location of the Holy Land with me, no matter what. Normally, the same would apply to you.]
“But since Hister's life is on the line, you think I'll have no choice but to make a deal?”
[Yes. Right now, the ones who want to save Hister the most are Zipple—perhaps even more than you do. Well? Isn't this a tempting enough proposition?]
“Assuming everything you've said is true, it's very tempting. But I doubt Zipple will reveal the Holy Land's location for nothing.”
[Threats, persuasion, and extortion are your specialties, not mine. Besides, you hold one of Zipple's greatest weaknesses: Hister. I trust you can secure favorable terms on your own. Now, if you need a little more help…]
Jin met Orgal’s gaze.
[The iridescent light and bubbles that appear when Residual Energy reacts with the owner of a Complete Mana Body. You can use that as leverage in your deal.]
“It sounds like Zipple can use that for some kind of research.”
[As expected, you catch on quickly. Yes. That alone would be a significant reward for Zipple. Though, of course, they will surely demand more. Cough! But if you refuse, it will be a loss they can't afford.]
Jin reached toward the trash can to retrieve the handkerchief he had thrown away, but then pulled a fresh one from a drawer and wiped the blood from Orgal’s face.
“You only provided this information because you want something in return, but I'll at least say thank you.”
[Urgh… Yes… you certainly… cough… seem grateful.]
Afterward, the two discussed for a while how to handle Zipple when they arrived.
As the conversation neared its end, Jet came to the hospital room.
“Young Master! People from Zipple are arriving. The flagship Kozec has entered the country.”
“I understand, Jet. I’ll be out soon.”
“Yes, sir!”
The Zipple leadership who came to Tikan were Octavia, Ronil, and Kadun. Hedo and Sandra were nowhere to be seen.
Kadun was in his human form, wrapped in bandages from head to toe. He had yet to recover from the injuries he sustained during the all-out assault on the Garden of Swords.
These weren't wounds that would heal easily. He had taken the brunt of the Chaos Energy unleashed by Rosa and Ram, then been gravely injured again on the Caldran Snowy Plains. It was a miracle he could even move.
Jin faced them with a calm expression, but internally, he was rejoicing at Kadun's condition.
'It seems they're in desperate need of the Chaos Purifier.'
Unlike Jin, Kadun had been openly displaying his rage since entering the Tikan Palace.
“You've arrived?” Casimir greeted them personally, flanked by his comrades.
“'You've arrived?' Yes, we're here! You damn bastards! We formed an alliance just a few days ago, and you ditch us on the Caldran Snowy Plains? Even if it was temporary, didn't it occur to you that this was a complete scumbag move?”
“You seem quite angry, Kadun.”
At the sound of Jin's voice, Kadun looked ready to lose his mind. The bandages wrapped around his body began to smolder, exposing the wounds beneath.
“12th Flagbearer…!”
“However, wouldn't it be more accurate to say we're even?”
“What?”
“On the day Rosa's hidden power was revealed, why did you and Kinzelo launch an all-out offensive against Runcandel? Let me guess. You were certain I'd have to fight a decisive battle against the entire Garden of Swords, and you were looking for an opportunity to destroy both me and the Garden of Swords at the same time.”
“Ha! Back then, we weren't in a temporary alliance. We were enemies. Do you really think the situations are the same?”
“I'll grant you that. That's why I forgave that thuggish behavior and accepted you as allies. But to come here now and throw a tantrum without even asking about the circumstances… it doesn't look good. You seem to think we abandoned you on purpose. Look over there.”
“Look at what…?”
Following Jin's finger, Kadun looked toward the entrance of the Tikan Palace's inner chamber and fell silent. There, he saw Orgal, supported by Zephyrin, incessantly coughing up mouthfuls of blood.
[You… you’ve come… Kadun… cough, cough!]
“We barely managed to escape using Orgal's Steel Gate. How were we supposed to take Zipple with us when he was in that state? Especially when Padler Runcandel, the former Ten Great Knight you were facing, was being summoned right before our eyes.”
[I’m… sorry… cough… it turned out this way… Kadun…]
“The situation was truly desperate. If you want proof, the Contractor of Az Mil is right here. You can verify it with her.”
Kadun had nothing more to say as he watched Orgal repeatedly collapse, only to be hauled back up by the other Kinzelo members.
Of course, Kadun wasn't a fool. He had expected the situation to be dire, but he hadn't realized Orgal was in such a terrible state.
“Furthermore, while Zipple suffered damage, none of your key figures died, and the temporary alliance achieved its primary goals. We rescued Hister, and I returned alive. Isn't that a good enough result?”
As Kadun tried to say something, Ronil stepped forward and bowed slightly.
“We think so as well. However, there are emotional factors involved. Please understand, Sir Jin, that Lord Kadun was merely upset.”
“I shall do so.”
“What is Hister's condition? We received a brief report from Kinzelo, but we don't know the details.”
“She's barely clinging to life. Orgal said she could recover if she went to your Holy Land.”
Ronil blinked, his eyes wide for a few seconds. His expression clearly asked how Jin could possibly know about that.
“…What did you just say?”