Chapter 696: Yona, Yona, Yona… (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 696: Yona, Yona, Yona… (5)
The flagship Kozec and the First Fleet hovered over the group, their presence imposing and suffocating.
Jin only looked up at the fleet after Oul had finished binding Yona with his remaining threads.
The Zipple forces weren't firing their cannons, but they looked less like allies and more like a subjugation force sent to wipe out an enemy.
It was only natural.
Before arriving in Akin, Jin had sent a letter to the Zipples. In it, he stated his intention to rescue Yona and mentioned the departure of Hedo and Sandra.
In short, he had conducted an operation in Zipple territory without permission and made off with key figures beforehand. From the Zipples' perspective, the situation was beyond offensive.
Jin turned his head to look at Hedo. The man looked calm, as if the current situation didn't bother him in the slightest.
A long silence followed. The fleet remained stationary, refusing to descend further.
"I don't know who is aboard the flagship, so I'm not sure how to address you. I'll skip the formal greetings. However, I must offer an apology first. Rescuing my sister was an urgent matter, so I proceeded with the operation before receiving your reply. I will compensate for all damages."
Jin’s low voice, infused with aura, resonated heavily through the sky.
A long time passed without a response. Everyone on the ground heard Jin’s voice, but the conversations happening inside the ships remained a mystery to those below.
It seems Kadun is still undergoing treatment.
If that foul-tempered fire dragon had been there, Jin would have heard at least ten insults by now.
That leaves Octavia or perhaps Ronil Zipple. Why are they putting on such airs? They must have discussed how to handle Hedo before coming here.
After the standoff stretched on for a few more minutes, a voice amplified by mana finally drifted down from the fleet.
[Sir Hedo… To be honest, I didn't believe the 12th Flagbearer's words until I saw you standing there with my own eyes. But seeing you with him now… you truly have abandoned the family.]
As expected, it was Octavia. She made no effort to hide her grief.
"Captain of the Wraith Squad. It has been weighing on my mind that I left without a word of farewell. For that, I am sorry."
[Sorry? Is that all? How many years have we spent together? How many times have we stared death in the face as one? If you had a grievance with the family, you should have at least spoken to me. How could you betray us so suddenly? And to take Sandra as well…!]
"The word 'betrayal' doesn't fit, Captain. I was never loyal to the family to begin with."
[The family always cherished you.]
"I am aware. However, my only master is Lady Sandra. The family must have been aware of that fact to some extent."
[Yes, we knew. That is why Sandra, who was originally a mere experimental subject, gained her freedom because of you. No, it was more than that. Sandra received special treatment in every regard.]
"I know that as well."
[Then why are you stabbing the family in the back! What has deluded you? Were you perhaps afraid of punishment for helping the 12th Flagbearer during your last vacation?]
"Indeed. That is part of the reason."
[You fool…! Even if you had returned, we wouldn't have investigated Sandra or questioned you. Why? Because we trusted you! We thought you had simply been caught up in the 12th Flagbearer's schemes, that you would never do such a thing on purpose… We treated you better than anyone else. So, you must give me a reason I can accept.]
Hedo looked up at the fleet for a few seconds.
He reflected on the days he had spent with the Zipples. As Octavia said, the family had treated him well.
However, the family had never recognized Sandra as a human being.
"There was simply a path where the Lady could be happier. I spent more time in the Black Sea than I did in the human world, and only then did I realize it. The family never viewed the Lady as anything more than an unnecessary appendage attached to me. It’s not a matter of attitude or treatment, but of sincerity. If the family had understood that, I would never have left."
Octavia did not respond.
It wasn't because she understood and accepted Hedo's position. It was because she realized that no matter what she said, he would not return.
[Whatever the reason, it is ultimately the family's responsibility for failing to manage its people. I shall respect your choice, Sir Hedo.]
Jin’s eyes widened at the new voice that followed.
It was Veradin’s voice. Unlike Octavia, who was barely containing her heightened emotions, his tone was serene.
"Young Patriarch."
[However, I must tell you one thing. Sandra Zipple will surely become miserable because of the choice you made today.]
Hedo did not answer.
[Jin, you probably told Sir Hedo that he could leave whenever he wished.]
"So accurate it's chilling, Veradin. Were you eavesdropping on us?"
[It was an obvious conclusion. You also knew that since we are facing a massive common enemy, we would have no choice but to overlook Sir Hedo's betrayal.]
"I admit it."
[Because of that, I find it necessary to set some boundaries. Jin Runcandel, if Sir Hedo is not on the battlefield when we have our final showdown with Rosa, we will terminate the temporary alliance immediately. The same applies to Yona Runcandel, whom you rescued today through this outrageous behavior.]
"Isn't the Zipple family also in this alliance because you can't handle Rosa alone? You speak as if we're the only ones who stand to lose."
[The situation has changed on our end, thanks to your efforts to restore the Hister clan. Of course, I'm not saying the alliance is entirely unnecessary, but it is no longer essential.]
—…It seems these bio-golems can only exert their power near the Holy Land.
—Yes. We are looking for a way to send them outside. As of now, the moment they leave the vicinity of the Holy Land, they stop functioning like dolls with their strings cut. It means they die. More importantly, I don't know why you look so displeased. Did you think Magic Swordsmen were a privilege exclusive to your family?
At Veradin’s words, Jin recalled the Magic Swordsman bio-golems he had seen in the Zipple Holy Land. He also remembered the trump card Ronil Zipple had mentioned during their first meeting: history manipulation.
He didn't think those things were fully prepared yet. If they were, Veradin wouldn't be making such threats.
"That's quite a fierce warning. It doesn't sound like an empty threat, so I'll keep it in mind. Now that we've clarified our positions, may I ask one thing before I leave?"
[Speak.]
"As you can see, a subspace of chaos just exploded. We did our best to contain it, but were there any civilian casualties? I figured you might have checked on your way here."
[There were none.]
"That's a relief. Then, I'm going. Send the bill for the damages to Tikan once it's settled."
As Jin turned away, the Zipple fleet slowly began to change course. Soon, the two parties, heading in their respective directions, were rapidly growing distant.
Whether it was when they met at the Holy Land or now, Jin could find no trace of the Veradin he once knew.
It felt as though he had regained a family member only to lose a friend.
I'll have to bring that guy back one day too, just like Sister Yona… but it won't be easy.
He wanted to return quickly to begin the purification and speak with his sister. For now, that was the only thing that would bring him comfort.
* * *
The Garden of Swords.
Rosa looked down at her eldest son with an expressionless face.
[Joshua… once again, you have wasted my power and come crawling back like a dog.]
Joshua had lost his physical body five times during the battle with Vail. Each time, Rosa’s energy had been consumed, and Joshua had used power that exceeded what she had permitted.
Kneeling on one knee, Joshua couldn't even bring himself to lift his head.
After being pulled out of the underground prison, Joshua had been seized by the conviction that he could accomplish anything. He thought he would never disappoint his mother again. He had become the Second Flagbearer once more, and the power of the Evil God bestowed upon him by his mother felt infinitely vast.
His mother had even shown a hint of expectation, unlike when she had cast him down. She had told him she would help him, so he should go and crush the youngest.
[Mother, I…]
[I have never had a son like you. Use the correct title.]
But nothing had changed.
Instead of crushing his youngest brother, he was once again failing to meet his mother's expectations, and the brief flicker of hope he'd felt upon his return had already been snuffed out by despair.
[My apologies, Patriarch.]
[Yes, at least you still have a mouth to speak with. Go ahead, make another excuse. What was it that made you fail this time?]
He had no words.
Whether the plan wasn't meticulous enough, the bestowed power was insufficient, or there were other variables—nothing would satisfy his mother.
An indescribable surge of self-loathing washed over him.
Joshua truly felt as though he had become something less than the filth in a back alley.
[I have nothing to say.]
[When I pulled you out of the underground prison again, I thought something about you had changed. That is why I gave you power and entrusted you with a task. It wasn't even that difficult. I told you to use Yona’s clones to kill Dante and make the youngest suffer.]
Even though she claimed he wasn't her son, the way his mother referred to Jin as "the youngest" made the nightmare of his fall feel like it was happening all over again.
[Please… give me one more chance.]
[Why should I? Even with my power, it has already been proven that the youngest is still an insurmountable wall for you.]
[That is…]
He couldn't answer any of her questions.
It was hard to breathe. When Joshua unconsciously gasped for air like a drowning man, Rosa coldly shook her head.
[Return to the underground prison until I call for you again. Dipus will take your place from now on.]
As Joshua turned away with a dazed, soulless expression, Ilina followed him.
Ilina comforted Joshua, telling him she would somehow find a way to delay his punishment, so he should pull himself together and wait a little longer.
After seeing Joshua off, Ilina returned to Rosa and let out a deep sigh.
"Even when I was working through Joshua, his incompetence was enough to drive me mad. But to think that would actually benefit the Patriarch in the end… Fate is quite interesting."
[If it were the youngest, he would have recognized my intentions and resisted long ago. He would have known this ridiculous farce was a play.]
Rosa had only one reason for pulling Joshua out of the underground prison.
"Yes, that dullard won't even know until the moment he fulfills his role and disappears."
The strangely high purity of despair that Joshua had accumulated and was still diligently cultivating.
That was the only thing Rosa needed from Joshua. For that reason, and for the first time, Joshua appeared useful to her.
No matter what abyss he fell into, he would never give up; he would continue to despair. All because of the hope known as 'prophecy.'