章節 187: Chapter 346
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"It is not Solderet's device? What on earth does that mean?"
It was a question Jin had never even considered before. If it's not Solderet's, then who could have used the shadow force to create the recording device?
"Exactly as I said. This recording device is made entirely of shadow force, but not something created by Solderet. There's an indescribably malevolent force within the device. I almost got my mind contaminated."
Valeria took a deep breath.
What surprised her was that, for a moment, as she peered into the marble, the 'evil shadow force' inside the device seemed to be targeting her.
"You almost got your mind contaminated?"
Jin felt uneasy about Valeria's response.
The Valeria he knew was not the kind to simply dismiss such situations as mere 'mistakes' and move on easily.
'Darn it, I never thought that checking this recording device would hurt my teacher.'
And to make matters worse, it's not even Solderet's device.
Amidst the confusion, like ice, Valeria's eyes turned cold.
"Jin Runcandel, under these circumstances, it's only natural for me to doubt you."
In her past life, she wouldn't have had to doubt Jin. But in her current life, Jin and Valeria weren't that close yet.
"It almost sounds like I was trying to attack you using the marble."
"Since your Runcandel is trying to capture me, it only adds to the suspicion."
Defending his innocence wasn't going to help clear Valeria's misunderstanding.
'If I lose my teacher's trust now, we may not meet again for several years. Or maybe she will cut off all contact with me until she is captured by Runcandel or Zipfel.'
Valeria was someone who could very well do that.
'But maybe because my teacher is still young, she still has some trust in me, or maybe the situation is just helping me. Or she does not doubt me with certainty.'
It would likely be the third possibility.
Valeria still has the shadow force marble that Jin entrusted her in the beginning, and she probably thought that Jin wouldn't know her hiding place.
"Well, that could be true. I understand. If I say I wasn't involved here, it will only increase mistrust between us."
Jin shrugged.
"You know it well."
"Of course, claiming that the attack you received was mind contamination is quite abstract damage. Besides, one of my recording devices is in your possession, and you are someone I need. But there's still a possibility that I attacked you. Right? Moreover, if it's mind contamination, it might be the ancient dark magic that has disappeared now."
As Jin spoke, Valeria shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, you can think that way. I'll understand. But that doesn't mean I'll just overlook the fact that it might not be you."
"If there's something you want to confirm, go ahead and do it. If it's possible, I'll cooperate."
"You don't need to cooperate, so don't worry. I'll check it myself. Let's move to a different place for now."
"Just a while ago, you said this place can only be seen from the kitchen and refused to move. If you need a secluded place, how about going to Sir Kashmir's mansion?"
"Follow me. The confirmation won't take long."
Valeria got up from her seat.
As Jin stood up to follow, she paused as if she had forgotten something and grabbed something from the dining table. There were two pieces of special cookies made by Latrie.
Carefully wrapping the cookies and placing them in her robe pocket, Valeria looked at Jin.
Jin couldn't help but suppress a smile when he saw that.
'Does my young teacher have a cute side, or are Latrie's cookies like drugs? It's the first time I've seen my teacher take care of food when it's not a fleeing situation.'
Jin followed Valeria to Latrie's refreshment shop.
It seemed like she had been here several times before, as she knew her way around the streets.
They walked for a while, took a carriage midway, and then walked again until they reached a cliff at the edge of the island.
Below, there was a small makeshift boat on which Valeria had arrived.
"...So you didn't enter the Free City officially but infiltrated it?"
"Given the circumstances."
"Why is this city called the Free City anyway? It's a welcoming place unless you're a serious criminal. There are hardly any people here who can recognize you other than me and my colleagues."
Jin said out of frustration. Even in the "Free City," his young teacher had to hide and sneak in. It was a pitiful life.
"I know that too. I'm just more comfortable this way. Let's go down to the boat."
Pop!
Valeria jumped off the cliff. Although it was a height that could easily result in death if landed wrongly, Jin had seen her do this a few times in his past life, so it wasn't that surprising.
Just before landing, she used her mana to create a gust of wind to absorb the impact and landed lightly on the boat. Jin followed her down the cliff and onto the small makeshift boat, which was quite cramped with both of them on board. They were practically standing toe-to-toe.
"Even the upper cliff was secluded enough. Did we really have to come to such a tight space? How did you even navigate a boat like this to get here?"
"It's better to be as safe as possible."
With a smooth motion, Valeria moved her wooden staff (which had also been stained with the black dye of Golden Peng). It was as if she was steering the boat.
Swoosh!
Suddenly, the seawater near the boat surged and froze, forming a semi-spherical ice barrier that completely enclosed the boat. The ice was thick enough that sunlight couldn't penetrate through.
Thud! Valeria's touch caused a blue magical light to bloom like a lantern.
Regardless of the situation, the scene of the boat enveloped in ice and the two of them inside looked like a meticulously painted picture.
"Jin Runcandel, I'm going to read your records now."
Naturally, Jin had anticipated that Valeria would do this. However, he didn't show it on the surface.
"You're going to read my records. It sounds quite dangerous. Can you explain it to me?"
"It might be easier to understand if I say I'm going to examine your memories. Strictly speaking, it's slightly different, but similar."
"So, what you mean is you're going to read my memories to confirm whether I intended to harm you. Is that correct?"
"Exactly."
"Fine. But there are two conditions."
"Tell me."
"First, I don't know how far you can read memories, but I hope you respect my privacy."
"Believe it or not, directly reading someone's records is quite a challenging task. It's different from reading the records left behind by a person's traces or items. It's also hard to find irrelevant memories."
Jin was well aware of that fact. Even his twenty-five-year-old teacher couldn't read all of Jin's records.
"Second, if it's proven that I didn't have any ill intentions towards you, then from now on, cooperate with me more. To be honest, if you're willing to come this far, I think it won't be a problem to build some trust."
Surprisingly, Valeria simply nodded her head in agreement.
"Okay. Then reach out your hand."
Jin followed Valeria's request.
Then she closed her eyes and placed her hand, enveloped in the characteristic blue mana of record magic, on top of Jin's hand.
At that moment, Valeria was completely defenseless.
'This is the most vulnerable moment for my teacher.'
When unleashing record magic to its fullest, Valeria couldn't do anything else.
'Maybe she's showing this opening so easily because she thinks I don't know about it. Or maybe she had some trust in me from the beginning.'
Slowly, the records of Jin as a human started to seep into Valeria's mind.
Jin watched her carefully, waiting for the magic to finish.
<Jin Runcandel has just visited Tikan and met Valeria Hister.>
<His purpose was to check the condition of the shadow force recording device.>
'It doesn't seem like anything particularly suspicious is coming up. It doesn't seem like he was trying to hurt me intentionally, given that he was trying to find out the condition of the recording device.'
Valeria thought. Instantly, sweat formed on her forehead.
<Young Jin Runcandel laughs as his guardian dragon called her nanny, Gilly McRolan, with the nickname of Strawberry Pie.>
'Young Jin Runcandel? Which period is this record from? Focus, I only need to look at events from the past few days.'
Peering into someone's records directly wasn't something that could be easily controlled. It was inevitable to see some records that didn't need to be confirmed.
<At the age of one, Jin Runcandel felt embarrassed when his nanny, Gilly McRolan, changed his diaper.>
'This is strange, isn't it? Wait a moment... feeling embarrassed at one year old?'
That was a somewhat odd scene.
Was it possible for someone to feel such emotions at the age of one? No one would feel embarrassed when someone changed their diapers, no matter who it was.
'It might be a bit far-fetched to consider him an extraordinary person since birth. Let's continue observing. But who is this woman? Luet Damiro Yul...?'
<Jin Runcandel was recently investigating Solderet's records held by Luet Damiro Yul, the former head butler of the ancient Runcandel.>
<Luet Damiro Yul is the king of the fairy race.>
<Luet Damiro Yul has been forgotten.>
It was a recent record.
It was a vivid memory. Valeria was strangely drawn to Luet's unusual red hair, the same color as her own.
'Forgotten... fairy race?'
Her magic was reaching its limit. Valeria started to breathe heavily, and Jin looked at her with anxious eyes.
<Jin Runcandel chose not to inform his clan about the fact that he met Valeria Hister in order to protect her.>
Enough.
It seemed there was no need to confirm any further. So, as Valeria tried to stop the record magic, she suddenly came across a type of record she had never seen before – something entirely unfamiliar.
<Jin Runcandel was cursed with the 'bladed illusion' from the moment of his birth. This curse was cast by great mage Kidard Hall under Joshua Runcandel's order, but in reality... fate's...>
Unlike the other ordinary records she had just examined, this one conveyed an indescribably alien sensation.
A sharp headache hit her as if blades had pierced her mind.
At the same time, an unbearable curiosity and the thought that she might not have another chance to confirm such a record about Jin crossed her mind.
"Arya Aulhart, are you okay?"
Blood dripped from Valeria's mouth and nose.
She was never one to fall into mana backflow, but examining records was always a burdensome task. Especially if she continues when stopping at a moment like this, it could be dangerous even for Valeria.
'Just a little more, just a little...!'
Now, blood was flowing from her eyes and ears as well. If she continued like this, she might soon fall into the final stage of the backflow.
"Arya!"
Thump!
Valeria stumbled forward, spewing blood.
章節 188: Chapter 347
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Jump!
As if her body was propelled by a spring, Valeria swiftly rose to her feet. Without pausing to collect herself or assess the situation, she immediately scanned her surroundings to find her staff.
However, upon realizing that her staff was nowhere to be seen, she instantly conjured offensive magic spells in both hands and assumed a defensive stance. All of this happened in less than 2 seconds.
Hoo, hoo, hoo...!
Valeria breathed heavily as if she had just sprinted at full speed. How much time has passed? Where am I? Am I trapped?
She couldn't believe that she had lost consciousness. It was the first time since her days with the Gray Owl Mercenaries.
"Oh, you're awake! Lord! My Lord! Ar, no. The guest has woken up…. Huh, my friend! Are you aiming these magic spells at me? Hey, put it down. You shouldn't point that at someone who saved your life. Geez."
Valeria glared at Jet with red eyes. While most humans might react that way, she had developed an aversion to losing consciousness ever since the Gray Owl Mercenaries were annihilated.
"You damn, Zipfel bastard!"
"Hey, hey. I'm not a Zipfel; I'm Tikan's adorable Jet. Calm down a bit."
"I'll... I'll kill you all. Every single one...!"
Shaaak!
A beam of mana shot from Valeria's hand. Fortunately, Jet dodged the beam quickly and managed to escape outside the room.
"Why, why are you acting like this? I'll bring you some cold water!"
Even after Jet left, Valeria continued to feel unstable due to the throbbing headache and the confusion in her mind, making it difficult for her to find strength in her body.
"Whining like a trapped beast the moment you wake up. There is no Zipfel or anyone here who would harm you. It would be better if you expressed your gratitude to those who helped you."
It was Jin. He had gone to get a towel for her forehead.
"Jin. Jin Runcandel...?"
Jin met Valeria's gaze as he placed the towel on her forehead.
"Calm down. Drink this."
Valeria stared at the glass of water Jin offered for a moment before gently touching her forehead.
"I must have caused a ruckus. I'm sorry."
"As long as no one is hurt, I can overlook it."
"How long was I unconscious?"
"Two days. It's quite common in situations like this."
As Valeria took a sip of water, another person entered the room.
"How are you feeling?"
"...Your Majesty, Holy King?"
"You're not a citizen of the Holy Kingdom, so there's no need to address me with such formality. Just treat me like Jin's friend. I heard that you are also his comrade."
It was Lani.
After Valeria collapsed, Jin immediately contacted Lani for help.
In the entire world, there was only one person who could summon the Holy King of the Holy Kingdom, especially in such circumstances, and that was Jin.
"I'm... fine."
"Thank goodness. Since the two of you have something to discuss, I'll excuse myself. I'm planning to return to my homeland today. If you need further treatment, feel free to request it anytime."
Once Lani left the room, only Jin and Valeria remained. Valeria now seemed calmer, her eyes more composed as she sorted her thoughts.
"I had no choice but to call Lani because the mana backlash was severe. Don't worry; I didn't reveal your identity to her."
As if molten metal had been poured into her chest, Valeria felt her heart warming up.
It was an emotion she hadn't felt in a long time—the genuine feeling of being sorry and grateful to someone. Since the Gray Owl Mercenaries were annihilated, she had never formed any true human connections.
Because of that, along with fear, a sense of vulnerability also came rushing in, like being submerged in water.
She had always believed that getting close to others would only expose her weaknesses.
"If I had any intentions of harming you, I could have done it a thousand times before you fell."
Valeria silently nodded her head.
There was nothing significant in the records of Jin that she had checked before she lost consciousness. She felt sorry for wasting his time.
"If you think it's a waste, then it's a waste. But it may still be meaningful in building trust. I prefer to see it that way."
Valeria gazed at Jin without responding, contemplating the "last record" she had recalled before losing consciousness.
<Within the records device of Solderet that Jin Runcandel confirmed, the ancient fairies had an obligation to keep records.>
<A thousand years ago, all the ancient fairies remained faithful.>
<They had a deep connection with humans bearing the name Hister.>
Valeria brushed her red hair flowing over her shoulder and recalled Luet's red hair from Jin's records. Every person born as Hister had this distinctive red hair.
'The ancient fairy race has a connection with the Hister clan...?'
Since realizing her identity as Hister, Valeria had always struggled to reclaim her ancestors' magic and identity.
But she had never once considered the possibility of any connection between the ancient fairies and the Hister clan.
'The ones who remained faithful... What does that mean?'
She never expected to discover such a truth through Jin's records.
And the shocking revelation wasn't the end of it.
<Jin Runcandel experienced death once.>
Hister's record magic never lied. What the records conveyed was an absolute truth that nothing could tamper with.
'He died and came back to life.'
Confused, she found it not so difficult to draw that conclusion.
Resurrection, a phrase found in countless legends and myths across the world.
It was not an event limited to stories alone.
'Did Runcandel have one of Numerus's tears?'
Numerus, the god of hope.
He was a god known to have perished in some event before the founding of the Holy Kingdom, Vankela, leaving behind eight drops of tears and a hundred drops of blood as his legacy.
The blood was an incomparable healing agent that could be used to cure any injury, while the tears were the only items capable of resurrecting the dead.
Of the eight tears, four were known to have records of their use, but the whereabouts of the other four remained unknown. Valeria believed one of them had been used for Jin.
'But why? Isn't it a waste to use such a valuable item for the 12th flagbearer of Runcandel.'
If she were Runcandel, she would have used it on someone like Chiron or Luna if they were to face death.
"What are you thinking, Arya Aulhart?"
Arya tilted her head.
"My head is just a bit stiff since I've just woken up."
"Then let's talk after having a meal. If it's uncomfortable to eat together, I'll bring it to your room."
"I'd appreciate that."
After Jin left the room, it didn't take long for Gilly to bring Valeria her meal.
'Is this woman Gilly McRolan, Jin's nanny?'
Gilly offered a gentle smile to Valeria without saying much.
The meal consisted of a soup filled with minced meat and fresh milk. There was also a piece of strawberry pie for dessert (at this point, Valeria smiled without realizing).
While eating, Valeria pondered what kind of deep conversation she should have with Jin.
'Now I understand. He learned about the connection between the ancient fairies and Hister through Solderet's recording devices. It's separate from Runcandel, a personal piece of information he obtained. That's why he needs me. Since Solderet's recording devices are malfunctioning.'
The purpose of Runcandel or Zipfel seeking her was entirely different. They might use her as a bargaining chip or intend to kill her, but Jin was, quite literally, "needed" her help.
'The pieces of the puzzle are falling into place. Maybe seeing Jin in my dreams repeatedly was some kind of magic left behind by the ancient fairies or my ancestors. Since my record magic is not yet complete, it only indirectly revealed itself.'
The meeting with Jin might be destiny, she thought. It felt like an old connection, like the legacy left by the ancient fairies and her ancestors.
The biggest reason she felt this meeting might be her ancestors' legacy was the "future record" left by the Hister clan in the succession temple of Mamit.
A future record stating that "one who asked about the whereabouts of Hister" to a tavern waiter at Mamit in 1795 would return to Mamit around March 1799.
Valeria was shocked when she confirmed that it was "Jin" from her long-cherished dream.
'I need to hear everything about the ancient fairies from Jin Runcandel. I shouldn't be overly guarded against him anymore.'
After finishing the meal, Valeria sought out Jin.
"Has your head cooled down a bit?"
"Thanks to you."
"And you didn't forget our promise, right? You need to cooperate more actively with me from now on."
"Of course. Just as you use me, I also felt like I should use you more."
"Good."
"Can I ask a few questions? Jin."
"Sure, go ahead."
"While checking your records, I found out that the ancient fairies have a deep connection with the Hister clan. I've just glimpsed the records, but you probably know more about it."
Jin's eyes widened for a moment, but he managed to hide the surprise quickly.
"Tell me about it. What's the relationship between the ancient fairies and my clan? If it helps me to fulfill my mission, I'll genuinely work for you as well."
"Um, Arya. Hold on a second. There seems to be some misunderstanding. I've never heard of such a thing."
"What are you talking about? Records never lie. From what I saw, it's evident..."
"If you want, you can check my records again. But I genuinely have never heard such a story."
Valeria decided not to doubt Jin.
The information about the ancient fairies and their connection to Hister was something Jin, the human, learned through the records of Solderet. Therefore, it was possible that Jin didn't know about it either.
"However, I do know that the ancient fairies had abilities similar to your record magic. So, I had also considered the possibility of some connection between you and them."
"Abilities similar to record magic...?"
Jin explained to Valeria about the abilities of the fairies for a while.
Although he couldn't remember what the real Luet had explained to him, he clearly remember the information he had seen in the records of the third tomb.
"...Can you tell me where and how you saw the records containing the ancient fairies? It's a matter of great importance to me."
"I saw them in the hiding place of the Felinoids tribe. Before you rush there, I must tell you that I currently don't know their whereabouts either."
"I will find them."
Valeria said with determination.
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