Chapter 764: People to Find, Unexpected Clues (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 764: People to Find, Unexpected Clues (5)
Jin had told Orgal about Lokia’s goal for one reason: to test whether the two were working together.
Judging by his surprise, he really had no idea what Lokia was up to. That doesn't look like an act.
If that was the case, Jin felt he might have given away the information a bit too easily, but it wasn't a total loss. If they weren't allies, he had just sicced another pursuer on Lokia without having to expend any of the Barmul Alliance’s resources.
A long silence followed.
Watching Orgal remain tight-lipped as he processed the information, Jin grew more certain. The Beast Demon King was truly shaken.
“Look, Orgal. Let’s stop testing each other and talk honestly. This news seems to have been quite a shock to you. I heard about it from Sir Padler.”
[……From the Blue Lightning King?]
“Yes. Sir Padler said Lokia Ganesto was the one who betrayed the clan a thousand years ago. He conspired with the Witch and was responsible for Temar’s corruption. Sir Padler was also one of Lokia’s victims. Before he died, he told me Lokia’s ultimate goal is the resurrection of the Sun God.”
The golden energy of the subspace dissipated, and the conference room scenery reappeared.
“He also said Lokia was the one who drove all the Ten Great Knights of that era to their deaths. The only reason he left Vail alive was because he needed him to achieve his goal.”
[Then it is a strange matter indeed… Now that you say it, the memories are finally returning.]
The history manipulation that had obscured Lokia had not vanished completely. Orgal was now tracing memories that were only just sharpening after hearing Jin’s account.
“What memories?”
[A thousand years ago, there was a single opportunity. A chance for the Sun God to be resurrected. At the very moment He could have finally returned to this world… just before it happened. The one who caused me to be erased from history was…]
In an instant, a murderous intent so massive it made even Jin flinch flared in Orgal’s eyes.
[Lokia Ganesto. It was that treacherous vermin…! To think I’m only remembering this now!]
Whoosh—!
As if a dragon were venting its wrath, gray wings unfurled from Orgal’s back. The building trembled under the immense energy radiating from his body.
Oh, this can’t be an act. It seems Orgal really was one of Lokia’s victims a thousand years ago, just like Sir Padler said.
Jin felt a strong intuition that he might be able to achieve his goal without lifting a finger.
[Hey, you piece of— Why are you suddenly getting so pissed off, mmmph!]
Jin clamped a hand over Vail’s mouth just as the ghost was about to hurl an insult. There was no need to provoke Orgal when he was about to go hunt down Lokia for them.
Orgal’s side will be much better at digging up information on Lokia than our Alliance.
For now, even Valeria’s record magic has its limits when it comes to finding Lokia. Once they start gathering information, I just need to create a situation where we can share it piece by piece.
Alternatively, just keeping an eye on Kinzelo as they tracked Lokia was another good option. It would be far easier than chasing Lokia directly.
“Calm down, Orgal. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this emotional. To summarize, you missed a decisive opportunity to resurrect the Sun God a thousand years ago because of Lokia?”
In fact, that was why Orgal had been so sensitive today. During the meeting just moments ago, he had been recalling the memory of ‘the opportunity to resurrect the Sun God a thousand years ago.’
However, he hadn't been able to remember exactly how that opportunity had been ruined—until Jin had filled in the blanks. It was all because of Lokia.
[If not for that loathsome insect, the world could have been made whole again a thousand years ago.]
“I can’t say I agree with that sentiment, but Runcandel also has a blood debt to collect from Lokia Ganesto.”
[A blood debt? You speak as if Lokia is still alive.]
“He is. My sister met him not long ago. Valeria, can you show Orgal that record?”
The record of Lokia Ganesto’s words had already begun to fade from their time in Luntia’s subspace. Instead, Valeria opened a record window showing proof that she had examined the original.
“The blurred sentence here said that once my father returns from the Black Sea, something I won't be able to handle will occur. It’s what Lokia said while offering a contract to my sister. He claimed he has lived this long thanks to a gift of eternal life from the Witch.”
Orgal gradually suppressed his emotions and regained his composure. As his anger subsided, he began to find Jin’s behavior odd.
Why is Jin Runcandel offering up such high-level information so freely, without asking for anything in return?
Jin seemed to read his mind perfectly.
“You seem confused as to why I’m giving away such valuable information so easily, but I’m only speaking because I have something to gain.”
[The fact that the records regarding Lokia are blurred bothers me. I find myself wondering if the blurred parts might conceal a plot where you have allied with Lokia to deceive me.]
“Is that so? Me, allying with a mysterious, dark figure like Lokia… Even if our temporary alliance is over, that’s a disappointing thing to hear. Orgal, who was it that slew the Evil God?”
[Humans are creatures capable of changing at any moment.]
“Even if I did ally with Lokia as you suggest, what’s the problem? Just look into it. If your paranoia turns out to be true, you can strike me down then. You looked ready to have a go at me just a moment ago anyway.”
[I see… I understand your intent. You wish to use me to track Lokia.]
“Now we’re finally getting somewhere, Orgal. Even if we don't go as far as a temporary alliance like last time, how about we cooperate for a bit?”
[You mean exploitation, not cooperation. However, I shall allow myself to be used.]
Orgal had no choice. Even if he refused, Jin would likely track Kinzelo’s movements through Valeria and Nameless anyway. Furthermore, if Lokia were to approach Luntia again, Kinzelo would have no way of knowing.
If Jin wasn't in league with Lokia, there was no reason to refuse. From Orgal’s perspective, he could always seek Valeria’s help once he found a clue himself.
“Good, that seems settled. Now, shall we move on to the steel trade?”
[Last time, the King of Tikan came here spouting nonsense, claiming he wanted to buy steel at a premium in times like these.]
“And I’ve added the information about Lokia on top of that.”
Orgal let out a mocking laugh at Jin’s brazen statement.
[That cannot be counted as payment. We would have learned of it eventually regardless.]
“And I’ll pay double the price I offered last time.”
[Do you actually have any intention of buying the steel?]
“I do. Honestly, isn't it a profitable deal for you to just take the money? I know you have more than enough to spare.”
[And can you even afford such a sum? I heard you are in the middle of reconstructing Huphester.]
“As long as you don't ask for it all at once, I can manage.”
[Unfortunately, the answer is still no. I thought I might hear a grand proposal if you came in person, but this is disappointing. Unless you are willing to share your technological prowess, do not even dream of a steel trade.]
From that moment on, Jin put on the performance of a lifetime. He let his expression flicker with frustration and anger, all while pretending to suppress it.
“That’s asking too much. The loss from your technology improving would be far greater than the gain to our naval strength.”
Fortunately, the act seemed to work. Orgal smiled softly.
[You seem quite confident in your strength. Do you trust in the Fighting God and Murakan that much? At any rate, the negotiations have failed.]
“I’m leaving. If you change your mind, contact Tikan anytime. But next time, the terms will be worse for you.”
[That won't happen, so stop coming to me about the steel. I will contact you if anything unusual regarding Lokia arises.]
As Jin’s party left the headquarters, Shagal approached Orgal.
“Leader.”
[Shagal.]
“Jin Runcandel knew Zito’s name.”
[You must have been flustered. He had no ulterior motive in bringing up Zito. I simply didn't want you all to harbor unnecessary curiosity, so I didn't inform you that he knew.]
“I assumed as much. However, Jin Runcandel then asked me about the Demon World.”
[Did you answer him?]
“Yes, as payment for the sparring session he demanded.”
[I felt the commotion. You were defeated instantly.]
“It was embarrassing, but it was a great learning experience. I only told him that the Demon World is not a single entity. He then asked if your domain and Demon King Zito’s domain were different, at which point I excused myself.”
[I see.]
“Did I make a mistake?”
[No. Jin Runcandel would have found out that much soon enough anyway. Even if he knows, there’s nothing he can do about it, so do not worry.]
“Understood.”
[I shall write a letter now. Take it to the 3rd Demon World and deliver it to your father. A matter has arisen that requires the help of the Clan of Illusion.]
*
The Red Owl’s next destination was Wantaramo Forest.
As Jin’s party appeared at the forest’s edge, the Catfolk Neru, Lulu, and Miru were there to greet them. Valeria had sent a letter in advance.
She had told them they needed to find their forgotten friend: Ruet Damiro Yul, the former butler of the old Runcandel Clan.
“Have you been waiting long?”
[No, only about a week.]
“That sounds like a long time… I’m sorry.”
[Don't worry about it! We had fun talking with Lady Shilla.]
Ruet had been in Temar's third tomb, which was originally located in the Catfolk's hideout. However, the Wraith Squad had destroyed it immediately after Jin's last visit.
Therefore, Valeria concluded that to re-enter the tomb, they needed something connected to Ruet—similar to how they had accessed Luntia's subspace.
Vail, Padler’s sword Silus, and Ruet’s sister, Shilla.
If they couldn't reopen the door to the destroyed hideout even with all those elements, finding Ruet would become an impossible task.
[Let’s go check quickly. I think it’ll work. When I brought a trace of Lady Shilla’s energy near the destroyed hideout, I detected a strange reaction.]
Jin walked deeper into the forest, thinking of the terrible solitude Ruet must be enduring.