Chapter 790: To Old Oterium (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 790: To Old Oterium (1)
Oterium.
Five hundred years ago, it was the capital of Vankella. Following the outbreak of the Holy Kingdom Defense War, the territories of Vankella, including Oterium, became a desolate, uninhabitable wasteland.
Consequently, the Holy Kingdom relocated its entire population to the central continent, and the former site of Vankella has remained an unclaimed territory ever since.
During his days as a reserve flagbearer, Jin had subjugated Kinzelo’s Dark Magic Association, which had been conducting bio-golem experiments in Old Oterium. It was there that he had obtained Riol Zipple’s legacy and encountered Orgal for the first time.
In many ways, it was a land where his fate and misfortune were deeply intertwined.
“Old Oterium, huh…”
Jin looked out the window, reflecting on the discussion he had with the Runcandels.
Tasha had died there while clearing out the remaining demons. Thanks to the efforts of heroes like her, the Holy Kingdom Defense Allied Forces eventually succeeded in wiping out the remnants of the demon race, but they never managed to find the Demon World itself.
Ultimately, the Holy Kingdom Defense War ended in victory for Vankella and the Allied Forces. Since the demons no longer appeared, the Demon World Investigation Team was disbanded before completing its mission.
The two Great Houses had already shed too much blood. Several patriarchs had fallen, and the casualties among their knights and mages were beyond counting.
“And yet, there are strangely few records…”
His companions nodded at Jin’s remark.
“You are right, my Lord. Even if the two Great Houses considered their excessive losses a disgrace, the records regarding Oterium are far too sparse.”
As soon as the meeting ended, Ruet had ordered the butlers and scholars to comb through every record of the Holy Kingdom Defense War remaining in the Garden of Swords. However, no mention of the location of the Demon World could be found anywhere.
“Runcandel lost many records during the war against the Evil God, so that’s understandable. But for the Holy Kingdom to have no related records either…”
Siris had immediately visited the Holy Kingdom, but Rani also knew almost nothing about it. In short, neither Runcandel nor the Holy Kingdom had any records on the matter.
“Even if Runcandel and the Holy Kingdom tried to hide the damage from the Holy Kingdom Defense War out of shame, this lack of documentation is bizarre. At the very least, records that only a Patriarch or a Holy King could access should have remained.”
“Either there was external pressure on the Holy Kingdom and Runcandel not to leave records, or there was history manipulation… It must be one of the two,” Jin concluded.
Otherwise, there was no way to explain how the most pivotal details of one of the most significant events in human history had been so thoroughly lost.
Whether it was external pressure or history manipulation, the only ones capable of such a feat against Runcandel and the Holy Kingdom were, naturally, the Zipple. The only records the companions couldn't check were those belonging to the Zipple.
“Sir Tasha said that at the time, the Zipple wouldn't have had the strength to pressure Runcandel. Both Great Houses had suffered immense damage immediately after the war.”
“Then the scales tip further toward history manipulation, Young Master.”
“Yes. Since they couldn't apply overt pressure, they likely chose to erase history in secret.”
“And since Sir Alphen and Sir Tasha, who were central to the events, had fallen in battle, there would have been fewer obstacles to manipulating history. As Lady Ruet said, the power of existence those two possessed would have vanished.”
—Elona Zipple and three thousand twenty-six mages attempted to manipulate the history regarding Temar Runcandel but failed, as they could not overcome the mighty power of existence he possessed.
The power of existence.
The first time Jin had encountered that term was in Temar’s third tomb, the subspace where Ruet had resided. Ruet speculated that if the Zipple had manipulated the history of the Holy Kingdom Defense War, it would have only been possible because Alphen and Tasha were no longer alive.
“The Zipple knew that the Demon World exists beneath the surface of this world. However, Shinu said even he didn't know the exact location.”
“So, does that mean the Zipple manipulated history to hide the fact that Sir Tasha was searching for the Demon World, but they themselves don't know that Old Oterium was the location her investigation team discovered?”
“That seems most likely for now. The Zipple were not part of Sir Tasha’s investigation team. Only Sir Tasha and the Black Knights of that era knew the connection between Old Oterium and the Demon World.”
The puzzle pieces were falling into place one by one.
“Sanna must have assumed the Zipple knew the location of the Demon World. But after she started working with them, she realized they didn't. That’s why she’s now trying to find the entrance by using their power to destroy the entire surface. The reason she hasn't teamed up with Orgal, who probably already knows the location, is because their goals are different.”
“I’ve reached the same conclusion, Jin,” Hedo said. “And even if the Zipple did know the location, they wouldn't share it with Sanna immediately. According to Shinu, Veradin and Sanna are just using each other. They intend to milk each other for all they’re worth, so there’s no reason to give the other what they want.”
“Veradin, Sanna…”
Jin thought about the two for a moment, about the reason they had suddenly joined forces.
“…The Holy Land. The Zipple’s Holy Land is a place where the residual energy of the Sun God remains. Veradin is likely trying to use the special power of that land through Sanna. I doubt Veradin has converted to the Sun God’s religion; he probably intends to seal even the Sun God within a Demon God Stone.”
In other words, Veradin was using Sanna to trap the Sun God in a Demon God Stone, while Sanna was using Veradin to resurrect the Sun God.
That was Jin’s conclusion.
“I see why Shinu asked for help now. If either Veradin or Sanna achieves their goal, there’s no place left for Shinu. Until now, the Zipple must have judged that the core of the Demon God Stone required my Spirit Energy and Shinu’s authority, but now they’ve found a means to replace that.”
Looking back, the Zipple had stopped coveting Jin’s shadow power as much as they used to.
—I shall praise this surprise attack. However, you and your god will become the most important ingredients for the Demon God Stone, Jin Runcandel…!
—Secure Jin Runcandel! He must not be consumed by chaos!
Those were the words of Andrei Zipple on the deserted island and Kelliark during the Sword Emperor Holy War.
Ever since Jin was revealed to be a contractor, the Zipple had constantly tried to seal the Authority of Shadow within the Demon God Stone.
However, they hadn't shown such behavior since the war against the Evil God. Part of it might be because Jin had grown too powerful to be an easy target, but lately, he hadn't sensed the Zipple targeting his power at all.
On the contrary, Veradin had displayed immense confidence when revealing the Holy Land and the magic swordsman bio-golems.
“According to Orgal, the Sun God is the beginning of this world, so it wouldn't be strange if the Sun God possessed an authority higher than Solderet’s.”
“Which means Shinu has been discarded,” Murakan grumbled. “Not that he was ever part of the Zipple to be discarded in the first place.”
“I think we’ve discussed everything we can for now,” Jin said, cutting in. “It’s time to head to Oterium ourselves.”
*
Arriving aboard the Red Owl, Jin saw that Old Oterium still bore the scars of the battle he had fought against the Dark Magic Association alongside Murakan.
Memories of that time suddenly resurfaced.
He remembered the citizens of the Holy Kingdom sacrificed in bio-golem experiments, and Saint Mutual Silla, who had fought from the shadows to reveal the truth, ultimately sacrificing herself in the process.
Jin closed his eyes for a moment to pay his respects. His companions followed suit, offering a silent prayer.
“…The traces of battle are impressive. Were you already 10-star back when you were a reserve flagbearer, Jin?” Hedo asked as he scanned the site where the Dark Magic Association’s citadel had once stood.
“No, Murakan handled most of the actual fighting back then. And I was able to exert power far beyond my normal limits by synchronizing with Tess. Cold Jo had brought out a golem made using a phoenix right in front of her.”
The ruins of the destroyed Dark Magic Association citadel exuded a bleak atmosphere. Along with the battle scars, areas contaminated by the chaos left behind by Gliek were visible here and there.
“I get to experience our Jin-ssi’s childhood exploits indirectly like this. Ah! What a joy!”
“My Lady, we are here to work.”
“Shut up! I’m going to trace these sword marks and imagine Jin-ssi’s heroic figure. You do the work.”
With Sandra immediately recusing herself, the rest of the group was able to focus on the investigation right away. Valeria just shook her head as she watched Sandra.
Valeria had come to Old Oterium to investigate the records, Hedo had come along in case of an emergency, and Sandra had simply followed them.
However, nothing significant was appearing in her record windows.
“Perhaps it’s because parts of the area are contaminated by chaos, so I’m not getting a clear read on the records. Or maybe there simply aren't any special records here. After all, I came here to check the records myself back when you were a reserve flagbearer.”
—It would be best to acquire Riol Zipple’s magic tome as soon as possible.
—Is someone else targeting that magic tome?
—Yes. A mage I’ve been watching recently is after it. A human girl named Aria Owlheart; she’s someone born with a quite special destiny, much like yourself.
Those were the words Misha had spoken to Jin in the past while giving him information about Riol’s legacy.
Just as she had said, Valeria had visited this place years ago to obtain Riol’s legacy, only to return empty-handed.
“The fact that I’m not picking up any records even though my abilities have improved significantly since then means Kinzelo hasn't visited this place recently. Or… underground. Shinu said the place where the Gate of the Demon World exists is underground, right?”
“He did.”
“If Kinzelo took action deep beneath Oterium, the records might not appear because of the distance. For example, if the Gate of the Demon World is several leagues underground, we would need to get closer.”
In record magic, the location where an event occurred is a crucial factor. Unless one is in close proximity to the site, the relevant records cannot be retrieved.
Jin pondered for a moment before reaching a conclusion.
“Then we’ll have to start digging from here. Until something comes out.”