Chapter 783: Priestess (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 783: Priestess (1)
The Holy Kingdom of Vankella.
Six days had passed since Runcandel received word of an explosion at the Tower of Stories. In that time, neither Runcandel nor the Barmul Alliance had heard anything about Kadun’s whereabouts.
“Hmm, Kadun. It seems that arrogant fire dragon has finally run into some trouble. I heard he even skipped the Federation’s integrated meeting the day before yesterday. He was famous for never missing one of those, if only to sour the mood,” Talaris remarked.
She had regained consciousness six days ago but had to remain in the Holy Kingdom to continue receiving treatment from Rani. There were also matters she needed to assist Rani with.
“It almost feels like Zipple isn't trying very hard to hide that something happened to Kadun. Of course, he could just be perfectly fine somewhere we don't know about.”
“So, does my son-in-law intend to head to the site himself tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“And since you’ll need Mort’s help, my daughter will have to go with you, won’t she?”
“That’s right.”
“Well, I hope you two have a good time, then. Hmm…”
Talaris trailed off, a thoughtful look in her eyes.
As the greatest master of romance of the era, a veteran of countless relationships, Talaris instinctively sensed that the dynamic between Jin and Valeria had shifted. Consequently, the matter of Jin and Siris’s marriage had been on her mind ever since she woke up.
‘Valeria Hister. She’s certainly a charming girl, but to think Jin, who never showed a shred of interest in the opposite sex, would fall for her like this.’
When it came to a disinterest in romance, Siris was even worse than Jin.
In Talaris’s eyes, Siris did have feelings for Jin. However, those feelings weren't limited to simple romantic attraction. As a friend, a warrior, and a woman—Siris clearly held affection for Jin, but she never expressed it.
‘Is it because she believes her duty as the next Palace Master comes first? It’s also true that the idea of Jin becoming the consort of the Secret Palace is out of the question now. No, wait, what does that matter these days? Especially since the Secret Palace and Runcandel are allies. Honestly, she’s so stiff…'
“Palace Master Talaris.”
“Oh, yes?”
“What are you thinking about so deeply?”
“I was just a little worried.”
“Are you perhaps worried about me going to the Tower of Stories?”
At his words, Talaris stared intently at Jin. A brief silence passed between them.
“Perhaps you simply wish to maintain the current distance.”
“Pardon?”
“Sometimes, there are relationships where people choose not to get closer because they fear what they might lose. There’s a certain bittersweet charm to that as well. Even in my own long and illustrious history, there were a few people like that.”
“I’m not sure what you’re suddenly talking about…”
“My mind wandered while recalling the old days. Haha, I suddenly find myself missing your father and Ron. I should pay a visit to the Land of the Sword Emperor, perhaps check on the construction of the Alliance’s shipyard while I’m there.”
“It would be a great honor for the workers if you were to oversee them, Lady Talaris.”
“Anyway, it’s a shame the Black Dragon will need more time before he can return. But since I received help from the Holy King, I couldn't refuse her request.”
What Rani had asked of Talaris was to help maintain the seal on ‘Zito’s Eye.’
“Maintaining Zito’s seal is also for the sake of the Alliance. Please, don’t let it weigh on you.”
“Son-in-law, I believe it’s inevitable that the Demon King Zito will awaken one day. Perhaps Elona Zipple as well.”
“Yes, we’re all prepared for that. No matter when they wake, the world won’t face a crisis of total destruction like it did during the time of the Evil God.”
“You’re so reliable, my son-in-law. It feels like only yesterday I met that stubborn boy in Colon who was staking his life on sheer grit, but now you’ve become a giant.”
“I have received help from the Secret Palace ever since then. If not for my connection with you, I would have died several times over by now.”
“If you know that, then treat me well. And treat Siris well, too.”
“Of course, I will. If there is ever anything I lack, please tell me at any time.”
As Jin spoke with a bright smile, Talaris couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. Even though he had become a giant, she found it endearing that he still had the air of an oblivious boy.
In Talaris’s eyes, Jin was still pure-hearted. Despite gaining so much power and authority, he had neither become corrupt nor grown lonely.
“I’m glad you didn’t inherit everything from your father. You have much to prepare if you’re leaving tomorrow, so you should get going.”
“Understood, Lady Talaris. Please take care of your health.”
“Don’t get hurt, and don’t let my daughter or Mort get hurt either. If you do, I won’t let it slide.”
“Of course.”
Jin bowed politely and stepped outside. Talaris shrugged and muttered to herself.
“Well… kids have to handle their own business. A love triangle, how interesting. No, wait, if Sandra Zipple is involved, is it a quadrangle? My son-in-law is quite the heartbreaker.”
*
Early the next morning, the group that would infiltrate the Tower of Stories gathered at the Nameless Hall. It was Jin, Valeria, Siris, Yona, and Oul.
With Jin among them, this was a group that could walk almost anywhere on the continent without fear. Because of this, despite heading into the heart of enemy territory, the air was anything but solemn.
“Heehee, Youngest!”
On the contrary, Yona seemed thrilled to be going on a ‘stroll’ with her youngest brother for the first time in a while.
The group consisted entirely of people Yona liked. Jin and Oul were a given, but Yona also held considerable favor toward Valeria and Siris. Valeria was a benefactor to the Nameless, and Siris was the Little Palace Master of the Secret Palace who had saved Jin multiple times.
Thus, Yona was in the best of moods. Bouncing around without a single sound and hopping onto people’s shoulders, she looked like a flitting bird.
“Sister, your movements are still difficult to read.”
“Ooh! Does that mean you can read them now?”
“I’ve grown quite a bit, after all.”
“Then I guess there isn’t an assassin in the world who could kill my youngest brother alone anymore. I wonder if the entire Nameless organization could even take you on.”
“Oh, Yona. Stay still for a moment, you’re making my head spin.”
“Do you want to die?”
“Um… right. I’ll stay still.”
“Heehee, I’m joking. You’re so easily spooked. And don’t worry, I’ll turn into thin air once we reach the mission area. Though, while we’re there, it might be nice to take a few Zipple heads.”
“Yona, you mustn’t do that. We’re going for an investigation today, not an assassination.”
“Of course, I’m not an idiot. I know that much. Right, Valeria?”
“I believe so.”
“Does that mean I was an idiot before? Do you want to die too?”
“Please spare me.”
“Fine, I’ll spare you.”
Siris had a tendency to lose her composure around anything cute, and she couldn’t take her eyes off Yona’s antics. Not many people in the world would find Yona cute, but Siris was one of them.
“Little Palace Master! What are you staring at? Hee.”
“I was just looking.”
Siris couldn’t bring herself to add the words, because you’re cute.
“Just looking!?”
“Siris, let’s get moving.”
“Right.”
Siris summoned Mort.
[Bo-oo-ong.]
“Once Mort’s dimensional shift is complete, we’ll arrive at the Teia Plains, about thirty li from the Tower of Stories. Immediately upon arrival, the Nameless King will conceal the group, and then we’ll approach the tower,” Jin explained.
Oul’s ability to conceal others was far superior even to Yona’s. It was how Rosa had been able to watch over Jin’s group in the Sota Desert without Zipple ever noticing.
“The best-case scenario is we arrive, approach safely, check the records, and leave. Even if we’re discovered, I think the chance of a battle is low. But if the worst happens, we retreat immediately.”
Engaging in battle in the middle of enemy territory—especially at the Tower of Stories—would be madness, even for this group. Escaping first and thinking later was the only logical choice.
“Hee, don’t worry about getting caught, Youngest. If we get caught thirty li away even after a dimensional infiltration, our Lord Oul should just retire. What kind of Nameless King would he be then?”
“Yona…”
“Do you want to die?”
“Haha, I was just saying your name. Let’s go.”
In the time they hadn’t seen each other, Oul had become even more of a fool for Yona. He didn’t bother to hide it, and Jin found the sight rather pleasant.
The group climbed onto Mort’s back.
A white portal opened. After a brief run through the otherworldly snowy plains, they arrived at the Teia Plains in an instant.
“…Is this the Teia Plains?”
“Mort, are you sure this is the right place?”
Jin and Siris spoke at the same time. The Teia Plains before them looked nothing like the place they knew.
The ground was jaggedly carved and shattered, making the name ‘plains’ a mockery. Everywhere, a dense Energy of Chaos that looked like black fire burned fiercely.
Mort had definitely brought them to the right place.
If so, this dark, ruined landscape meant only one thing.
“…The traces of battle were just left here. This Chaos energy was likely spread by Kelliark Zipple.”
This was undeniable proof that Kelliark’s rampage had truly happened. Mort coughed at the thick Chaos energy and retreated into the snowy plains, while Jin deployed a veil of spirit energy to protect the group.
Even with the Nameless King Oul present, the conditions were too chaotic for proper stealth. The visibility was so poor they couldn’t even see the tower.
Just as they were about to decide what to do next, the group felt a dark presence approaching from ahead. It was a human figure, stained black by the Energy of Chaos.
[Gueooo… uooo…]
He had a face that everyone in the group knew all too well.
Kelliark Zipple, the Patriarch of Zipple.
He was shambling toward them, making beast-like sounds.
“Kelliark Zipple…!?”
[Aaaaaah!]
Kelliark charged, attacking the group without hesitation. Jin stepped forward and cleaved him in half with a single strike.
The figure turned into particles and scattered into the air. This was something that could never happen to the real Kelliark Zipple.
Soon, as they scanned their surroundings again, they saw them.
Countless Kelliark Zipples, all looking exactly like the one that had just vanished, were closing in on them from all directions.
“It seems something has gone very wrong indeed.”
Jin showed no signs of panic as he tightened his grip on his sword.