Chapter 681: Veil’s Delusion (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 681: Veil’s Delusion (1)
As the power of the Grave Giants was infused into it, the seal core glowed with an even more intense radiance.
The light soared into the sky, looking like a pillar standing at the very center of the world’s oceans. Those who had been tormented by red beams for so long momentarily mistook it for another attack, but what poured from the seal was simply beautiful, pure light.
The light washed over the cylindrical seabed, the swirling spirit energy, the seawater, and the entire sky, cleansing the scars of battle.
The Grave Giants ceased their attacks. As the chaotic landscape was purified in an instant, a sense of reverence washed over all who watched.
Jin, however, did not let down his guard, keeping his eyes fixed on the core.
Slowly, shock began to spread across his face.
“…Valeria.”
“Yes, I feel it too.”
The energy of the Grave Giants connected to the core was amplifying without end. It was as if long-starved plants were finally soaking up sunlight and stretching toward the sky.
The two had naturally assumed the Grave Giants' power would be entirely consumed in the process of opening the seal, but the opposite was happening.
Even if the Grave Giants grew stronger, they were merely sturdier weapons in Jin’s eyes so long as they lacked a will of their own.
However, Jin sensed there was more to it than that.
The Grave Giants were kneeling, setting down their spears and shields. They looked like devotees performing a sacred rite.
This was not the behavior of mindless weapons.
Soon, the light that had spread in all directions converged at once, and the seal began to break. As it slowly shattered, Valeria summoned her record windows.
<Jin Runcandel, Valeria Hister, and 156 Grave Giants have broken the seal of Old Runcandel…>
<…Breaking the seal of Veil Runcandel, one of the Ten Great Knights of Old Runcandel.>
Veil.
The owner of the sword Hedo possessed, and a figure presumed to be from Old Runcandel. He was awakening from a slumber that had lasted a thousand years, and he was receiving the adoration of the Grave Giants.
“Veil Runcandel…”
Without needing to read any further, Jin and Valeria knew at once that he was the ‘Forgotten God.’
A figure who was both a Forgotten God and a member of Old Runcandel.
He had a human-like form and a build similar to Jin's. However, a faint golden glow flowed across his entire body, his pupils were shaped like crosses, and runic characters and seams were visible across his skin.
Two massive white wings sprouted from his back, and a glowing halo floated above his head. He looked almost exactly like the angels depicted in religious myths.
Before they could react, the sword that had been thrust into the center of the seabed was in his hand. The ten small blades fanning out from either side of the main blade proved that this was not only the sword’s true form but also its original master.
“The youngest child of Runcandel, Jin Runcandel, greets his ancestor,” Jin said with due respect.
He had never heard that one of the Ten Great Knights was non-human. Because of the manipulated history, even the dragons had forgotten him.
However, the moment Veil awakened, Quicantel, who was watching from the sky, felt her memories of him flooding back.
‘Veil…! The Creature of the Sun!’
When Quicantel first met Veil a thousand years ago, that was how he had introduced himself. He never explained what ‘Creature of the Sun’ meant, but he had been a unique existence in many ways.
Even after becoming one of the Ten Great Knights, Veil was the only one who had sworn loyalty not to Runcandel as a whole, but to a single individual—and that individual wasn't even Temar.
“Lady Quicantel, it seems the Lord has awakened Old Runcandel. That glowing being is…”
[I remember now, damn it. If I’d known it was that guy, I never would have let them open this tomb. Besides, in that form, all his restrictions have been released.]
“What do you mean?”
[Because Sarah… isn't here. I have to go down and tell Jin about Veil… Ugh!]
As the flustered Quicantel rambled, her companions were overcome with unease.
Suddenly, hundreds of golden magic circles materialized across the sky.
The circles seemed poised to fire upon all the factions at once, feeling less like magic and more like an Authority.
[Everyone, stop moving,] Veil’s low voice echoed.
Quicantel gritted her teeth and halted her descent, but the other factions, who didn’t know Veil, disregarded his words.
Chiiiiing—!
Golden beams poured from the magic circles, striking those who moved. Veil’s beams displayed a monstrous power, tearing through the ships and dragons of the three factions as if they were made of paper.
‘…Is that the former master of my sword?’
Hedo’s senses sharpened. He wondered if he could even protect Sandra from such a man, especially now that he was without a sword.
Magic circles also formed behind Jin and Valeria.
[Jin Runcandel, you say?]
Jin turned his head to look at the circle behind him.
“That is correct, Sir Veil Runcandel.”
[Where is Sarah?]
“A thousand years have passed while you were sealed.”
[I asked where Sarah is.]
“Are you asking because you truly don’t know?”
[Sarah! If she is dead, I will destroy the entire world!]
A sudden chill ran down Jin’s spine.
He instinctively knew that Veil’s crazed words were no empty threat.
[No, there’s no way Sarah is dead… I’ve said something strange. Lead the way, Jin Runcandel. I must go see her.]
“Sir, you are not tainted by chaos, you are alive unlike the other Ten Great Knights, and your memories are intact. Am I correct?”
[I told you to take me to Sarah. Why are you spouting nonsense?]
“Sir Sarah fell in battle. A thousand years ago, during the era you lived in.”
[Shut up! You, the red-haired woman over there, you lead the way. This one’s impossible to talk to. Say Sarah is dead one more time, and I’ll wring your neck. Consider yourself lucky; I’m giving you a pass only because you carry the name of the family she loved.]
Valeria met Jin’s eyes.
Even she hadn't expected the being awakened from the seal to be such a raving madman.
[Oh, now that I look at you, you resemble the Head Butler. Are you a descendant of Ruet? If you don't know Sarah's location either, then take me to where Ruet is. He would know.]
The moment he heard those words, Jin remembered that he had met a living Ruet, not just the ‘Ruet in the records.’
—If I leave this place, will you be alone again, Lady Ruet? Will I forget my memories of you…?
—[You will only remember what you saw in the recording device. Regarding me. But Sir Jin, I am effectively a dead and forgotten person anyway. Saving the living people outside is far more valuable than soothing my loneliness.]
—…I will return. I promise.
He remembered the conversation from the third tomb. The memories Veil possessed had the power to reverse the historical manipulation that had caused others to forget.
Just as Valeria was about to answer, Jin spoke first.
“Very well. Let us go meet Lady Ruet first.”
Jin had promised to meet Ruet, take her out of that dark space, and help her recover her memories through Valeria.
He felt that with Veil’s help, he might actually be able to keep that promise.
[I don't want to talk to the guy who said Sarah is dead. I asked Ruet’s descendant. Now, speak. Red-head, where is Ruet?]
“Grooo! Grooo!”
“Gro!”
The kneeling Grave Giants added their own growls, as if to urge her to answer.
“Well… what will you do if Lady Ruet doesn't know Sir Sarah's location either?”
The moment Valeria answered, a murderous intent flickered in Veil’s eyes.
[You… you’re lying. You have that foul stench unique to humans who lie.]
“What lie?”
[You also think Sarah is dead, don't you?]
Valeria finally let out a low sigh.
“First of all, I haven’t lied. It is a fact that Sir Sarah fell in battle, and you're lashing out at us, the ones who woke you after a thousand years. When did I ever say Sir Sarah was alive? That would be the real lie.”
[I’m not talking to you anymore either, descendant of Ruet.]
Ching—!
Golden beams fired from the magic circles deployed behind them. Jin quickly grabbed Valeria and dodged, but in that brief interval, Veil closed the distance and swung his sword.
“Sir Veil, I personally inherited the Karma Fire from Sir Sarah. Do you think she would be pleased to see you attacking me?” Jin shouted, parrying Veil’s attack with Sigmund before switching swords.
As Jin manifested blue flames, preparing to unleash Karma Fire, Veil smirked.
[Then it makes even less sense that Sarah is dead. How could a dead person pass a sword technique on to you? Looking at the form of the runes, that is definitely Sarah’s sword.]
He was completely impossible to reason with.
A man obsessed with Sarah Runcandel.
For some reason, Jin momentarily saw a glimpse of Hedo in him. Though they were different, the essence of blindly cherishing someone was the same.
He felt that if Sandra were to die, Hedo would also become a vengeful ghost, threatening to destroy the world.
‘He’s not an opponent I can suppress.’
This was an ancient member of the Ten Great Knights, a god-like being whose martial prowess might even surpass his own. Furthermore, with just a few words, he had already partially reversed the historical manipulation regarding Ruet and possessed his past memories in their entirety.
[I suppose you, like Padler, are plotting to keep Sarah all to yourself?]
“What are you talking about now?”
[I know everything. I should take this chance to kill that wicked fellow who stole Sarah away while pretending to be weak.]
“Sir Padler also fell in battle a thousand years ago.”
[Is that so? Then what is this energy of Azure Lightning I’ve started to feel from afar? You liar.]
Sharpening his senses, Jin could indeed feel Padler's energy. It seemed he was being summoned again, just as he had been in the Caldran Snowy Plains.
Jin wanted to explain that it wasn't the real Padler, but a being summoned by the Prophet who had tainted his soul with chaos… but he was certain Veil wouldn't listen.
[Hehe, I’ll kill him and take Sarah back…]
The moment Veil finished speaking, the unconscious Sandra snapped her eyes open. As soon as she woke and took in the scene on the seabed, she screamed.
“What is that monster?! Mr. Jin is in danger!”
“Young lady! Young lady?!”
Then, without a second of hesitation, she hurled herself downward. Hedo swallowed a sigh and immediately jumped off Quicantel’s back after her.
“Mr. Jin, I’m coming to save you!”
“Young lady, saving him is pointless! Once this is over, I will definitely kill the 12th Flagbearer!”
“Sandra?!”
Amidst the continuing chaos, Jin and Valeria saw Veil staring blankly at the falling Sandra.
Veil whispered, his voice filled with disbelief and elation.
[Sarah…?! Sarah, yes. Over here!]
He was speaking to Sandra.