章節 218: Chapter 377
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Valeria couldn't utter a word as she struggled to sort through the emotions that had been building up for a while.
Even though she now knew what her roots were, she still felt alone. However, it was incomparable to the days of being alone without knowing the reason.
A new good reason has been added to the task of restoring Hister's history. To avenge the ancient fairies, Hister, and the gray owls.
[I'm grateful that I was able to meet you, along with keeping Solderet's message.]
"Now, Ms. Sheila, what do you plan to do?"
Sheila closed her eyes at Valeria's question.
Although Myla was gone, the cursed fairies still remained in the forest of Wantaromo.
[I will continue to stay in this forest and make drink of regal hymn with my people. It's the last meaning we cursed ones have left.]
Intense light began to emanate from Sheila's two wings.
[I will ensure that information about you and Jin Runcandel doesn't leak out. I will eliminate the traitors and restore order to the forest.]
After Myla's death, nobody was in control of the forest for a short time.
But when Sheila regained her memories through Valeria, the power over the forest returned to her as well. She once again became the queen of the cursed fairies.
She also grew stronger. Simply by partially regaining forgotten memories through Valeria, she had become somewhat closer to a true fairy than the other cursed fairies.
"Ms. Sheila."
[Speak, Jin Runcandel.]
"Before we leave the forest, I have a question to ask."
[You're probably asking about the location of the fifth tomb.]
"Yes."
[This was the only clue I had. You must find the fifth tomb on your own.]
From this point on, Jin had to start from scratch and find the tomb.
'Zipfel, Vermont, Kinzelo, and others will also continue searching for Temar's tomb. And since elder sister Mary has made the information of the tomb public, others in Runcandel will surely start searching too.'
Once the four major factions began moving in earnest, it would be impossible for Jin to secretly search for the tomb, even if he wanted to.
Furthermore, compared to the four major factions, Jin's influence was incredibly insignificant. Even if the Seven-Colored Peacock is competent, it still couldn't match up against the well-resourced might of the major factions.
'If it wasn't for my teacher, I might not even have been able to compete with the four major factions.'
Just like how she had found the Felinoid tribe, Valeria would now have to search for Temar's tomb alongside Hister's succession temple.
So, until Valeria and the 'potential allies' from Runcandel found the tomb's location, Jin didn't need to waste his energy unnecessarily.
Jin, having organized his thoughts, nodded.
"Understood."
[You should go now. The fact that you found this forest won't be revealed to the outside. And Lulu, Miru.]
[Yes, Ms. Sheila.]
[You both have worked hard. Thank you.]
[After all, weren't we all in the same position as Ms. Sheila? We had the promises for the Thousand-Year Contractor. It was just part of that.]
[Please convey my regards to Neru. I won't ask where you're heading.]
Jin and Valeria exchanged a brief hug with the felinoid tribesmen.
[Our tribe always blesses you, Jin Runcandel. Oh, how are the small beastmen doing? It seems like the cosmetic business is thriving, but still.]
"They're all safe in the Hidden Palace. If you have the chance, come visit us."
[Sure. When we go back, I'll suggest creating a hideout near the hidden palace. Our tribe will need some time to recover.]
Then Lulu looked up at Valeria.
[I apologize. Initially, I had thought that you might not have any connection to Jin, so I had intended to harm you.]
"No need to worry."
[And I won't forget. We'll meet again someday. And when the time comes, we will use the remaining artifact for something good for the world. Just like you and Jin Runcandel were born with destinies for the world.]
Born with destinies for the world.
Lulu expressed it that way for a reason. Jin and Valeria. Lulu anticipated that the tiny sparks left by Solderet and the ancient fairies would eventually set fire to Zipfel and reset the course of the world's history.
It was time to say farewells.
With a firm handshake and a wave, Jin, Valeria, and the small beastmen started heading in different directions, leaving the forest of Wantaromo.
Before Valeria completely disappeared from sight, she turned back once and bowed respectfully to Sheila.
"...After glimpsing that there's a connection between the fairies and Hister in your records, I never expected to find the answers so quickly."
I want to say thank you.
As Valeria continued her sentence, Jin smiled and held out a handkerchief.
"Congratulations, Valeria Hister."
"...A handkerchief?"
"You still have traces of tears on your face."
"Ah."
Seeing Valeria's flustered expression was truly a rare sight. Of course, she quickly regained her composed demeanor and wiped her face with the handkerchief.
"We will meet Sir Green Rose soon. It might be awkward if you meet them while still looking like that."
"The person who stopped Zipfel's reinforcement, and you said it was fortunate that you were close. Who is it? If it wasn't for them, things might have gone awry."
"My youngest sister."
"Youngest sister?"
Yona, his beloved youngest sister. Meeting her was always a delightful event, but at the same time, it was worrisome.
'She wouldn't cause a fuss about wanting to kill the teacher, would she? After all, my teacher is also Samil's benefactor...'
"Heh, what are you thinking? My youngest brother!"
Crack!
Jin reflexively clenched his teeth. He was so startled that he almost swung his sword toward where he heard Yona's voice. It seemed like Valeria had the same reaction; her eyes suddenly shifted to the left.
Yona was standing behind them, the corners of her mouth lifted up into a broad grin.
"...I thought my heart was going to drop, Elder Sister."
Jin was sincere.
Jin hadn't sensed her approaching at all even though he had been prepared for Yona's arrival with his senses fully heightened.
It was quite shocking for a martial artist. Jin's martial prowess was already nearing the 9-stars. That meant that in a state where his senses were fully awakened, it would not be easy even for Samil's best executioner to find the gap.
'Certainly, an assassin of elder sister Yona's caliber in a forest like this is practically akin to the God of Death. Or rather, it is elder sister Yona, so she could approach like this from the beginning.'
While Jin was growing, Yona had also reached a new level. Yona had become an even greater assassin than Jin had imagined.
"My youngest, is it because of this girl next to you? I have been walking behind you for about 30 seconds, and you didn't notice at all! What if I suddenly stab her?"
"Don't make such terrifying jokes casually, elder sister."
"Hee hee, I'm not joking. The youngest, you may not know, but I can stab the dog next to you."
Step!
As Yona approached Valeria with slightly unfocused eyes, Jin was startled and had no choice but to stand between them.
"Elder Sister!"
"Step aside."
"She's my companion. You shouldn't...!"
Shhh-!
Before Jin could finish his sentence, Yona suddenly pulled something out from within her clothes and flung it towards Valeria's forehead.
Swish!
If Jin's strength had been even slightly lacking. He wouldn't have been able to fend off Yona's projectiles. It was fortunate he barely managed to deflect it. He couldn't quite make out what Yona had thrown accurately.
"What are you doing...!"
Blinded temporarily, Jin tried to push Yona away, but he soon saw something falling steadily towards Valeria's head.
Ping!
Yona threw two more projectiles but they were just stems of wild grass.
'Wild grass, are you kidding me?'
It was the wild grass that gently settled on Valeria's head, as though they had been intended to be there all along (which was actually the case, as Yona had meticulously calculated it).
The two stems of wild grass looked like rabbit ears on Valeria's head.
"Hehehe, it's been a while. Rylin Hezad!"
Yona addressed Valeria by one of her aliases, waving her hand cheerfully.
"...You're still the same, Lady Yona. It's been a while."
The two women were acquaintances.
"Just a moment ago, I was so envious. I wish my youngest would protect me like this when I'm in danger."
"Have you been well?"
"But how can I put myself in danger?"
"...Seems like you've been doing well."
"That's probably because I've been with my youngest. Although, it might be difficult. Rylin, you're clever, so suggest something."
Yona wasn't paying attention to Valeria's words at all. And Valeria just shrugged nonchalantly. She had experienced Yona's way of speaking before.
"Well, I wouldn't really kill the youngest's friend. He would hate me if I did. Rylin is also a benefactor of Samil, after all."
Well, there is really no one whom I can't kill, but since you'd dislike that...
For some reason, it seemed like he could hear such a statement, but Jin pretended he didn't hear it.
"I am so moved that I might cry, Elder Sister."
"Hehe, right? Wasn't I great?"
"Yes."
"Then, quickly give me some praise."
"How?"
"Um, like giving me an autograph?"
Suddenly, Jin remembered Enya, and he couldn't help but burst into laughter. She was somewhat excessive, but she was a sister he couldn't really hate.
"I heard you stopped Zipfel's reinforcements, Elder Sister."
"I did well in that too, right?"
"If it wasn't for you, I might have almost died."
"Yeah, that might be true. They were quite capable individuals. I let them go because Lord Owul might get into a tricky situation if I killed them. But come to think of it, I should have just killed them. It might have been advantageous for you."
"No. I'm really moved that you considered Sir Owul's perspective. Elder Sister, you've taken a step closer to becoming a flower shop owner just now. Your social skills are excellent."
"Well, I'm improving day by day, too!"
As Jin and Yona continued their playful banter for a while, Valeria couldn't help but think of them as a likable sibling pair.
Just like Yona, Valeria's guard against others had been slowly but surely softening since meeting Jin.
"But Elder Sister, how did you end up protecting me?"
"Since when did I start tailing you?"
"Something like that."
At Jin's question, her eyes twinkled. It seemed like she was eager to explain.
"I was on vacation because I crippled a big shot recently. So, I went to see you at the main house, and the atmosphere of our clan was quite something. Hi, youngest. You caused quite a trouble, didn't you?"
"You're talking about sister Mary."
"Yeah. The Garden of swords turned upside down because of the information you gave to Mary unnie. And Mary unnie seemed quite infatuated during the meeting, which put her in a bit of a bind. She was on a rampage, saying she'd punish you."
"I see."
"You'll need to calm her down. But by the way, do you want to hear something really interesting? Hehe, I ended up protecting you while trying to tell you this information."
"Is it something interesting?"
Yona responded with a sly smile. A deep and dark killing intent was mixed within her laughter.
"Some members of the Elder Council actually wanted to kill you, the youngest."
章節 219: Chapter 378
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"Some members of the Elder Council want to kill me? Surely, they haven't sent you as assassins, right? Farewell my youngest. I am going to cut your head..."
"It's suicidal for those boring and old meats to entrust me with their requests."
Due to the strict order of Chiron, there was currently no one within the clan who could utilize Yona.
Even in the past, Joshua had indirectly crossed paths with Yona (and the time for Yona's return to the clan was delayed because of the dealings between Jin and Owal) while trying to restrain Jin. He received a slap on the face and had to return the Black Light Armor.
"And if that were the case, do you think I would kill you?"
"Yes, you're right. You wouldn't kill me, elder sister. I'm also a benefactor of Samil. It was just a joke."
"I don't like that kind of joke!"
Jin chuckled softly.
"Alright, so who are these guys?"
The fact that some members of the Elder Council were trying to kill him wasn't particularly surprising. After all, he was confident that there would be plenty of people wanting to kill him once he became a flagbearer.
Jin had always caused trouble for his clan since his cadet days. At the end of his reserve flagbearer career, there was even a bounty of three hundred million solely within Runcandel.
He had consistently violated the long-standing and humiliating traditions of Runcandel by using the magic, so in a way, assassination attempts were natural.
'It's actually quite late. No, it's way too late.'
The corner of Jin's mouth curled up.
At this point, an attack from the Elder Council, even if it was from 'some' of them, didn't frighten him anymore. However, Yona's grave expression bothered him a bit.
"Who are these guys?"
"I don't know exactly who among the Elders they are. If I had known, I would have killed them all..."
"No, the assassins were commissioned by some unknown elder."
"Huh, how do you know about it? I haven't even mentioned the assassination request yet."
"It's obvious. The only ones who have the power to draw their swords and kill me directly are the leaders. Among them, there's no one who would benefit from my death right now."
Jorden Runcandel of the Black Sword Association, Lynn Milcano of the Guardians of Law, and Tellot Runcandel of the Guardians of the civilians.
Among them, Tellot was Jin's potential ally, Jorden was a clear enemy, and Lynn was a potential enemy. But even Jorden had nothing to gain from killing Jin right now.
-You are smart but you show a careless appearance in an obvious problem. Isn't it obvious? Jordan Runcandel, the council president, and the Second Flagbearer have a mutual prosperity relationship as well as a competitive one.
-You're right about mutual prosperity, but I had never heard about the competition.
-Oh, right. Well, it makes sense. You are different from me, let alone the higher-ranking flagbearer, so it's understandable. Just remember one thing. The Elder Council president hasn't given up on his dream of becoming the patriarch.
Jin remembered the conversation he had with Tellot Runcandel during their dealings.
'It is rather a loss for him as he has not yet given up on patriarchy. Black Sword Association's chief desires to see Joshua and me continuously restrain and devour each other, eventually ruining each other together.'
While the intentions of Lynn Milcano were still unclear, on the surface, she was affiliated with Jorden.
"Therefore, it's likely that the elders who want to kill me have entrusted outsiders with the task. It's unlikely to be anyone among the leaders themselves, they're not probably powerful individuals who could face me in direct confrontation. And elder sister, you probably used Samil's intelligence network to confirm this."
"Hehe, right on. That's absolutely accurate. You're really smart, you know."
Yona tousled Jin's golden hair as she continued speaking.
"I won't tell you who the assassins are."
"Why not?"
"I'll tell you if you hang out with me. Youngest, it's been such a long, long, long time since we met like this for a real talk!"
It had been almost two years and it was the first time they met after he became a flagbearer.
Jin smiled at her words.
"That's true. I missed you, elder sister. I received the letter you left in my room last time, and the rose ring, and I felt great all day after seeing them as soon as I woke up."
Yona revealed her pure white teeth as she smiled. It was always strange to think that the world's greatest assassin could smile so innocently.
"I'm glad!"
"Before becoming a flagbearer, I disappeared without a word, and I'm sorry for that. It couldn't be helped because things weren't going well."
"I understand that. So what shall we do now? Hm?"
"Let's start by filling our stomachs. We haven't eaten anything in the forest."
"How about playing hide and seek first? Or maybe a dagger throw?"
"What's a dagger throw?"
"It's when we stand a hundred paces apart and take turns throwing daggers at each other. Every time you dodge or block, we take a step closer, and the one who gets stabbed first loses."
"I'll pass on that."
"Alright, how about an axe game?"
"What's that?"
"We use axes to hit each other's ears..."
"No, I get it. Elder sister, we used to have normal fun, you know. Things like shopping, watching plays, having a drink, and chatting."
"Jin."
Valeria called Jin with a calm voice. At the same time, Yona turned her head abruptly, oh, you were still here. She wore that kind of expression.
"I'm going now. I'll take care of this Imperial Guard Majin's body, so contact me if you need it."
Valeria pointed at the body of an Imperial Guard Majin that she had wrapped in her robe with her finger.
"Where are you going?"
Swish!
Suddenly, Yona grabbed Valeria's wrist.
"You should join the party too."
"Lady Yona?"
Valeria's pupils shifted left once again.
Jin found it strangely enjoyable to see Valeria's flustered appearance one after another.
"Also, something has been bothering me, Rylin. What's going on between you and my youngest brother?"
"What... going on between us?"
"Don't tell me you're lovers? What were you two doing in the forest?"
"No, we had some business to attend to."
"I see tear marks all over your face. Were you having a great time and suddenly had a lover's quarrel? Youngest, when you're in love, don't make your partner cry. And Rylin, don't make my youngest brother cry even more. Seriously, I will really kill you."
"Seems like there's a misunderstanding, Lady Yona."
"Is that so? I really will kill you. Even if you're Samil's benefactor. Hehehe."
It seemed futile to explain any further.
Spread!
Yona spread her arms wide and wrapped around both of them.
"Let's go!"
When Jin and Valeria finally came to their senses,
They had already left Kiken and were enjoying fine cuisine in another city, shopping, renting out an entire tavern for drinking (Valeria only watched), and more.
"Hehehehe! Hanging you with the youngest is more fun than killing people, after all. It increases the taste of alcohol, right?"
Throughout the day, Valeria was half-absent-minded, listening to Yona's continuous chatter and impulsive actions, but at some point, she seemed to have given up and occasionally burst into hollow laughter.
But from time to time, she also laughed sincerely. In a way, she had spent an ordinary day like their peers.
This was the first time it had happened since the Gray Owl Mercenaries were wiped out. In her previous life, she had never experienced it until she met Jin, or rather, she had refused to experience it.
"...So when that big shot turned around, I chopped off his arm. He didn't scream, but his eyes were so wide it looked like they were about to pop out. Yeah. Rylin, see you next time."
When the morning sun rose, Yona explained how she crippled a big shot on her recent mission and sent Valeria away.
Valeria had never said she would leave before Yona said "see you next time," but she was calmly packing her things.
Watching Valeria, who was walking somewhat hesitant while leading her exhausted body after being tormented by Yona all night, Jin asked.
"Isn't this kind of thing okay once in a while?"
Valeria turned around and met Jin's gaze.
"Yeah, I guess so. I'm going."
After Valeria left, Yona's eyes began to sparkle again.
"Youngest, we should go too."
"Where all of a sudden?"
"To have real fun."
"Just a moment ago, were you just pretending to drink and have fun all night? I didn't know at all."
Seeing Yona raising the corner of her mouth, Jin somehow felt the back of his neck go cold.
'What's this? Is it just me feeling it?'
"Hehe, follow me. I'll show you lots of fun things."
***
It wasn't because of his feelings.
After leaving the tavern, Jin had to endure Yona's various "games" for two whole days. Games like dagger throwing and axe throwing, among other gruesome and terrifying games.
'…I forgot what kind of person my elder sister is. I should have realized it from the moment she suggested we hang out.'
When Jin was a reserve flagbearer, it was only a game for her to send executioners one by one to kill him when he visited Samil.
So imagine how it would have been now when he became the flagbearer? During the past two days of hanging out with Yona, he narrowly escaped death several times. It was a bonus that he hadn't slept even for a minute.
-It was fun, youngest! Let's play again if I get some time off. Hehe.
Compared to him, who didn't get a wink of sleep, Yona returned to Samil looking refreshed, as if she had slept soundly.
"Whew…"
His body felt as heavy as lead. His face was darkened, and he experienced constant muscle spasms around his eyes.
'It's a bit annoying, but it feels like I've had proper training after a long time. I still get goosebumps on my back even after going through elder sister Yona's unique killing intent for two days.'
[T/L: 살기 - killing intent/ bloodthirst/ bloodlust.]
Jin let out a hollow laugh without realizing it.
If it weren't for Yona, no one could reek such a thick bloodlust until they left.
"Welcome to the central transfer gate of Baria. Please state your destination."
"Huphester, Kalon. First class."
"Your identification has been verified. Have a comfortable journey."
The fake identification documents used by the flagbearers don't pose any issues anywhere in the world.
Jin sat down in the first-class seat as if he was buried in it and closed his eyes. He felt like he needed to get some rest before the transfer gate opened. There wouldn't be time to rest once he returned to the Garden of Swords.
Unfortunately, though.
Jin wasn't able to rest.
'I didn't know living in my elder sister Yona's killing intent would be this helpful.'
Jin didn't notice it as soon as he entered the room.
But as he sat quietly, he began to feel it. There was a "different" ordinary type of killing intent piercing his entire body.
Jin wouldn't have felt it on a normal day. Not with a body this exhausted. Also, despite being ordinary, the killing intent surrounding Jin was extremely refined.
"In a moment, teleportation will begin. You may experience headaches and dizziness due to the side effects of teleportation, so passengers..."
"Guide."
"Yes, sir?"
"Leave."
"Why are you suddenly saying such... If I have somehow made the guest uncomfortable, please let me know."
"If you're not one of the passengers, leave. They're all assassins who've come to kill me from Ghost Castle."
The Ghost castle, the headquarters of ghost mercenaries.
They were the ones who had received the Elders' request.
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