Chapter 787: An Unexpected Encounter (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 787: An Unexpected Encounter (1)
The messenger from Kelliark—the one who had shown Jet the Seal of Fire—introduced himself as ‘Pai.’ He was a dragon.
He was a young dragon, barely over a hundred years old, an age that made him little more than an infant by draconic standards. In his human form, Pai looked even younger than Latri.
He also looked utterly haggard. The hood covering his body was nothing but rags, and his face was smeared with soot.
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Gulp, munch.
The group watched as Pai ravenously stuffed food into his mouth.
He had the undeniable appearance of a beggar who hadn’t eaten in days, but his state signified more than just hardship.
Jin and his companions could smell the scent of burning and blood clinging to him. It was the thick, metallic stench of a battlefield—a smell that even the aroma of fresh soup and Latri cookies couldn't mask.
It was strange.
Dragons of Pai’s age possessed very little combat power. Compared to humans, they were like toddlers; it was an age where survival was impossible without the protection of other dragons.
For this reason, the mere sight of Pai unsettled Quicantel and Latri. Even if he was an enemy, he was still a young dragon who should have been under protection, yet here he was, carrying out a dangerous mission.
“Phew… I-I’ve eaten my fill! I feel like I can finally breathe again…!”
Pai spoke as he scraped the last plate clean.
“Tell me if it’s not enough. I’ll bring more,” Jin said.
Mindful of Quicantel and Latri, Jin used a tone that wasn't overbearing.
“No, this is plenty. I didn’t expect such hospitality. Thank you so much.”
Pai's demeanor was so humble that one might wonder if the Zipples had deliberately sent a kind, young dragon to soften the hearts of Tikan’s members.
“Now then, let’s talk about why you’ve come to find us.”
Yuria stepped forward.
“From this moment on, I will use the power of my eyes to verify whether everything you say is the truth. I hope you don’t find it offensive.”
“Of course, I understand. First of all, I have come here to negotiate with you all on behalf of Lord Shinu and Lord Kelliark.”
An unexpected name came up right from the start.
“…Shinu?”
“Yes, Sir Jin. Lord Shinu wishes for you to help Lord Kelliark.”
“Help, you say? Before I hear what kind of help is needed, I need to know the circumstances. Why was Kelliark attacked by Veradin at the Tower of Stories?”
“It was treason. Lord Kelliark has been purged under the false accusation of coveting the power of the Evil God. Veradin Zipple committed treason to swallow the clan for himself.”
A blue thread materialized in the space between Pai’s and Yuria’s eyes. He was telling the truth.
“Why did Veradin commit treason?”
“Lord Shinu and Lord Kelliark suspect it is a side effect of the mind control experiments.”
“I’d like to hear more details. What was the reason Kelliark subjected Veradin to mind control all this time, and what result was he trying to achieve through him?”
Pai did not seem flustered, as if he had expected this question.
“Lord Kelliark intended to become the new Fire God through Veradin Zipple.”
“…What?”
“For a certain reason, Lord Shinu is slowly fading away. Therefore, Lord Shinu gave Lord Kelliark the mission to become the second Fire God, and the experiments performed on Veradin Zipple were all to realize that goal.”
The blue thread continued to form, signaling the truth.
A brief silence fell over the room at the shocking, unexpected revelation.
“It must be confusing. But it is all true. The reason others besides Lord Kelliark have been able to use Lord Shinu’s authority is that fragments of his power, scattered by his fading, were given to them. People like Veradin Zipple and Midore Elner.”
“How could Kelliark become the Fire God through Veradin?”
“I’m sorry, I don't know the specific method. I only know that it was possible by using Veradin as a vessel for the Demon God Stone…”
A vessel for the Demon God Stone.
As soon as he heard those words, Jin recalled that Veradin had contracted with two gods: Itelmion, the God of Water, and Rikta, the God of Earth.
It was an established theory in the magical community that it was impossible for a single human to receive contracts from two gods.
Jin had questioned it when he found out Veradin had contracted with two gods near the end of his time as a reserve flagbearer, but he hadn't pressed him on it.
—By the way, aren't you going to ask?
—Ask what?
—How I contracted with two gods.
—I suppose your potential is just that great. Besides, do I look like the type to ask that in this situation?
At the time, the situation had been urgent, and Jin had assumed Veradin didn't know the reason himself. If Veradin had known why he could contract with two gods, he would have told Jin on his own.
‘The Demon God Stone is an object that contains the power of all gods… and Kelliark has been experimenting to make Veradin the core material for that stone!’
If Veradin had acquired the properties of the Demon God Stone, it would perfectly explain how he could simultaneously contract with Itelmion and Rikta.
“…Shinu, Kelliark, and the Zipples. No matter how I think about it, they’re all insane. To think even a young dragon like you can speak of such horrific things so nonchalantly. Pai, you are talking about a human using another human—a father using his own son—as an experimental subject. Do you feel nothing?”
Quicantel spoke with indignation. It pained her to see a young dragon with such an indifferent face while recounting such a gruesome story.
“I’m not sure what I’m supposed to feel… Is that a problem?”
“This is madness.”
“In any case, Pai, this is the gist of what you’re saying: Shinu and Kelliark intended to create the Demon God Stone and a new Fire God through Veradin, but at some point, Veradin stopped obeying and instead purged Kelliark.”
“That is correct.”
“According to you, Shinu and Kelliark suspect Veradin’s betrayal is either a side effect of the experiments or personal revenge. However, you’ve left out Sanna’s part in this.”
“Ah, you mean the Sun Priestess.”
“Was it Shinu who saved Kelliark when he was on the verge of death at the Tower of Stories?”
According to the records Sanna had manipulated, it was Lokia Ganesto who had saved Kelliark.
Pai nodded.
“Yes, Lord Shinu saved him.”
Jin did not inform Pai that Sanna had manipulated the records. There was still a possibility that Sanna was in a cooperative relationship with Shinu and Kelliark.
“Since when has she been with the Zipples? Right now, she appears to be cooperating with Veradin. Were Shinu and Kelliark backstabbed? As you said at the beginning, Sanna claimed Kelliark coveted the power of the Evil God.”
“It is as you saw. I heard the Sun Priestess began cooperating with the clan after the war against the Evil God ended. The Priestess approached the clan, claiming she could heal Lord Kelliark.”
“And Shinu and Kelliark just believed her and took her in?”
“I don't know the full details. However, given the circumstances, I imagine they had no choice. Regardless, the Priestess stood by when Veradin attacked Lord Kelliark. Perhaps Veradin’s betrayal was the result of her instigation.”
Since he wasn't speaking directly to Shinu or Kelliark, the information Jin could get from Pai was limited.
Furthermore, even if he verified Pai’s story with the Authority of Truth, he couldn't believe all of it. What Yuria verified was simply whether Pai was lying or not.
‘Pai is certainly speaking the truth as he knows it. But among the information Shinu and Kelliark gave him, there are bound to be lies mixed in.’
The claims that Veradin had framed Kelliark and that Shinu was fading were likely true.
If that weren't the case, there would be no reason for Pai to come to Tikan for negotiations now. If this was all a play to make the Barmul Alliance lower its guard, having Kelliark go berserk and then purging him seemed like an extreme measure.
Furthermore, Jin instinctively felt that Shinu and Kelliark were currently cornered.
“Now, tell me what Shinu and Kelliark want from me.”
“Yes, Sir Jin. The two of them wish for you to heal Lord Kelliark.”
“And the price?”
“They said they would reveal various Zipple secrets that you might be curious about. They also said they would remove the covenant made between the Zipples and the Runcandels a thousand years ago.”
Pfft.
Jin let out a short laugh.
“They’re just throwing things out there now. Surely they didn't say that thinking I would actually accept the offer. Did they? Besides, his chaos isn't something I can handle with my current purifier.”
“Lord Shinu said it would be possible once the purifier is eventually improved.”
“Even if that were true, I have no reason to heal Kelliark. It seems the situation is dire enough for them to come to Tikan and propose such a deal, but for me, it’s a cause for celebration. If I just leave him alone, Kelliark is finished.”
“But breaking the covenant and learning the Zipples' secrets would surely be a great help to you, Sir Jin…”
“I’m already resolving the covenant on my own, and I have no interest in the Zipples' secrets. Now, if it were information about Sanna, the Sun God Religion, or Lokia Ganesto, that might be different.”
Pai hesitated, unable to say more.
“To be more precise, I have no intention of helping Kelliark, no matter what is offered. I imagine Shinu and Kelliark expected this answer. Where is he now?”
“He is in the Land of Fire, in Lord Shinu’s domain.”
“Then either bring one of them—Shinu or Kelliark—directly before me, or make arrangements so that we can visit that place. We will talk again then. If you are sent again just to test me, I won't even listen. You may leave now.”
“W-Wait! Sir Jin. Aaah!”
As Pai urgently called out to Jin, flames suddenly sparked in his eyes.
Then, the companions felt a massive energy flood the room. This wasn't merely the aura of a powerful individual; it was the presence of a transcendent being.
The companions flinched and stepped back, but a thin smile touched Jin’s lips as he looked up at Pai, who was now floating in the air.
“I thought so. You were listening to everything, Shinu. If you wanted something from me, you should have graced me with your presence like this from the start.”
The Fire God, Shinu, had manifested through Pai.