Chapter 75: Twisting Two Fates (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 75: Twisting Two Fates (7)
‘That was a close call.’
Latz remained expressionless as he stepped away from the log cabin, a product of the extreme emotional suppression training he had undergone to become a section leader of the Special Task Force.
Quicantel had displayed a level of intimidation that far exceeded his expectations, yet he felt no fear.
To the Viment Special Task Force, death was merely an occupational hazard that could occur at any time during a mission.
‘But who were those other two in the house? The long-haired man might be Quicantel’s lover, and the boy hiding his face with that strange artifact… is he their hidden child?’
He couldn't even imagine that Jin was a Runcandel, or that Murakan was the Black Dragon who had just awakened from a thousand-year slumber.
Regardless, having completely misunderstood their relationship, Latz’s intuition told him that gathering information on those individuals would not be easy.
‘I’ll need to be especially careful with close-range surveillance for the time being. I should tell the team to stick to simple reporting until Quicantel makes a significant move.’
While he might consider his own life more trivial than a common cold, it was a different story when the lives of his subordinates were at stake.
Latz decided there was no need to keep his men stationed near Quicantel while she was on edge.
Thanks to his judgment, Enya’s family was able to board a Tikan trade ship and depart safely.
Viment remained unaware of Enya’s disappearance.
At least, until Quicantel left the log cabin to meet Buretta.
* * *
A week passed. It was now mid-July of 1795.
As Jin had predicted, there was no thorough surveillance—no one was constantly observing the cabin or tracking Quicantel and Enya’s every move.
During that time, Jin and Murakan had not stepped foot outside the cabin. Only Quicantel went into the city once a day to gather supplies.
In the meantime, the group received word from the Seven-Colored Bird that Enya had arrived safely in Tikan and was now under Casimir’s protection.
“Well, I expected as much, but it’s a relief to get confirmation that Enya is safe. Now I can meet Buretta with a clear conscience.”
Quicantel had already finished coordinating with Buretta. She had sent a letter stating she had something to discuss regarding Enya and requested a meeting.
Buretta had readily accepted, and the meeting was set for the following night.
“Do you think Buretta will come alone?”
“Kid, prestige is a very important matter among dragons. Quicantel just asked for a simple meeting; it would be unthinkable for him to drag a line of Zipple mages along. Even if he were called out for a fight, a dragon would show up alone.”
“Ah, is that why you were so confident when you first came to the Viment Sea?”
“Of course. This Murakan has nothing to fear.”
“Cocky, aren't you? Have you already forgotten you almost died at my hands the moment you arrived? If it weren't for Jin, you’d be buried under that cold sea by now.”
“I was just going easy on you… Quicantel.”
“Haven't had enough yet, have you?”
“What?”
While the two dragons bickered over who was stronger, Jin was lost in thought.
‘…Prestige is so important that a dragon comes alone no matter who calls. Yet here we are, the three of us planning to go together to meet Buretta?’
Well, whatever.
Jin shrugged and stepped in to stop them.
“Alright, alright. That’s enough, both of you. You’re going to end up fighting each other before we even meet Buretta tomorrow.”
Jin had grown quite accustomed to their constant squabbling.
“We should finalize our plan for tomorrow’s meeting.”
“What’s there to plan? We tell him we didn't call him over Enya, but to find out where Latri is. If he plays dumb, we beat him up. That’s the best way.”
“I agree with that. Since Enya isn't here, I can go all out.”
“Hmm. Fine, that’s all well and good. But I don't think Buretta will answer so easily. Even if a battle breaks out and we win, there will be retaliation from the Zipples. We need to give that at least some thought.”
Jin spoke in a serious tone.
‘I knew saving Latri, the guardian dragon of Yuria, would be a major undertaking since it involves the Zipples… but honestly, I never imagined it would escalate to this degree.’
Fighting Buretta meant making an enemy of the entire Zipple Clan.
And the current Jin did not have the strength to wage an all-out war against them. Even if he mobilized all of Casimir’s forces—their newly formed ally—it would be impossible.
In truth, saving Latri wasn't exactly a profitable venture.
The reward for succeeding was an alliance with Casimir, the Contractor of Az Mil, and the Seven-Colored Bird. The risk was making an enemy of the entire Zipple Clan.
Despite this, Jin had decided to meet Buretta for three main reasons.
First, he had promised Casimir he would bring Latri back.
Second, if the Zipples were making a habit of finding contractors to eliminate them or steal their contracts, he needed to grasp the situation clearly, starting now.
Third, because a child should always be protected.
“Hmm, the kid has a point. I’m not afraid of their retaliation, but it’s a problem worth considering.”
“We shouldn't just worry about retaliation; we have to consider the possibility of our own defeat. Unlike you two, I think Buretta might bring Andrei Zipple, the Vice Patriarch. Even if it means sacrificing his prestige.”
What if Buretta came with Andrei?
Or worse, what if he brought other elite mages? There would be no easy answer. Each of the Zipple’s elite mages possessed combat power comparable to a lower-tier dragon.
Of course, Jin had one final trump card in mind, but he wanted to hear Quicantel’s opinion first.
“Don't worry about that. If Buretta brings others to the meeting place and tries to suppress me with force, I’ll request support from the other dragons of Viment.”
“That’s certainly a good method. Even if we can't reveal the kidnapping immediately, if Buretta is uncooperative regarding Latri’s disappearance, you’ll have plenty of justification to ask the other dragons for help.”
“Exactly. Furthermore, if the other dragons of Viment get involved, the Zipples won't be able to retaliate so easily, even if I defeat Buretta. The political relationship between the Zipples and Viment is incredibly complex.”
Currently, Viment acted as a sort of balance between the Runcandels and the Zipples.
The balance between the two great families would break depending on which side Viment leaned toward. Therefore, the Zipples couldn't act recklessly even if Buretta was defeated by Quicantel.
If the Zipples turned Viment into an enemy, the Runcandels would be the ones to benefit in the end.
That was the answer Jin had been hoping for. With this, it seemed they wouldn't immediately become targets of the Zipples, regardless of how things played out.
“Good. Then tomorrow, we’ll put our trust in you, Quicantel. Murakan and I will stay hidden nearby.”
“Huh? Kid, what are you talking about?”
“It means we’re the reserve force. If Buretta comes alone, it’s only right that Quicantel fights him alone. What do we gain by letting the Zipples see our faces?”
Quicantel smiled, looking pleased.
“That’s right, Murakan. If possible, don't you dare step forward. I’ll do the fighting, so just stay back and watch.”
Though she spoke teasingly, Quicantel was sincerely worried about Murakan. In her eyes, the current Murakan was no match for Buretta.
“……Dammit. No matter how much I’ve weakened since my prime, the last thing I need is pity from an ex-lover.”
“Who’s pitying you? Stop talking nonsense and step in if I’m in danger. Though, of course, that won't happen.”
* * *
If Buretta had come alone, that truly would have been the case. Quicantel's combat prowess ranked among the highest of all currently active dragons.
However.
Just as Jin had foreseen, Buretta brought someone along.
And not just anyone, but the Vice Patriarch of the Zipple Clan, Andrei Zipple.
Quicantel stood in the middle of the deserted island, glaring at Buretta.
Jin and Murakan watched the scene from the forest, having already spread a thick layer of spirit energy to mask their presence.
“Ho ho. To think that I, an old man, would finally have the pleasure of meeting the Silver Dragon of Time, Lady Quicantel. It is an honor. I am Andrei Zipple.”
[……Buretta. I did not expect you to bring another human to a meeting I called.]
[Please understand, Silver Dragon. Andrei happened to be with me when your letter arrived. Since it concerned the Contractor of Olta, he showed great interest, so we came together.]
Even though Quicantel openly displayed her displeasure, Andrei maintained a warm, chuckling smile.
The meeting was strained from the very start.
[Buretta, you’ve been excessively rude ever since you demanded to see Enya. I hope nothing like this ever happens again.]
[I understand. Let us get straight to the point. What is it you have to tell me regarding the Contractor of Olta?]
[There is one thing I wish to ask first.]
[Speak.]
[What did you do with Latri, the guardian dragon of the Contractor of Az Mil?]
Her voice was laced with raw hostility.
Buretta laughed softly for a moment before his expression turned cold.
[My, my… you’ve caught me. So you didn't call me here about the Contractor of Olta, but about Latri. I had a bad feeling about this.]
Buretta shook his head as he spoke.
[Just answer the question, Buretta. A year ago, didn't you take Latri away, claiming you would teach him Dragon Language magic? I saw it with my own eyes. And to this day, the Contractor of Az Mil has been unable to find her guardian dragon.]
[Well, I’m not sure what kind of answer would satisfy you. Hmm, Latri is… doing well. I didn't realize you had a connection with the Contractor of Az Mil. Did they ask you to find Latri?]
[Exactly. If you understand, then bring him here immediately. The Contractor of Az Mil is searching for him desperately.]
Whooooosh! Whoosh……!
Suddenly, whirlwinds began to rise across the deserted island. They were cyclones Buretta had summoned with his Authority of Wind.
[Buretta, you must have truly gone mad. Even if he isn't a Zipple contractor, you kidnapped one of our own kind? And a young dragon at that? Furthermore, this looks like an invitation to a fight.]
[You have involved yourself too deeply in Zipple affairs. It is a pity. I will tell you one thing in advance: if you hand Enya over to us, I will let you live.]
This time, Quicantel was the one to smile.
[Is that so? That’s perfect. Because from this moment on, I have no intention of letting you live, no matter what you do.]