Episode 1055
Chapter 251: The Rivals (5)
Jin felt as if he’d just been hit on the head.
Valeria was right. If his time regression was the only secret that Zipple didn’t know, it was absolutely something that must never be revealed.
“Jin, you understand what I’m saying, right?”
“I do.”
“Besides me, has anyone ever suspected your secret in your life?”
There had been a few.
When Jin killed Kidard Hall, he had mentioned that it took him ‘44 years’ to get his revenge. After rising to Changseong, Ron noticed Jin’s regression when he became the Light of the Sword Emperor’s Land. Ayula also recognized it just before her disappearance.
And Kelliac, having heard the keyword ‘44 years’ from Kidard Hall, once tried to probe Jin.
Jin didn’t mention the words ‘regression’ or ‘44 years’ but explained the situation to Valeria.
“So, the only ones who truly know are Sir Ron and Lady Ayula. That’s a relief. If the Demon God Corps is analyzing this world with the completed Demon God Stones, your secret probably hasn’t clearly surfaced yet. Especially since it seems to be from before the branching point…”
“Branching point?”
“Helluram is the most powerful immortal, but only recently did he realize the truth of the multiverse and met Orgal. I think that moment is the branching point. The world reaches a certain juncture where such information becomes accessible—only to beings of particularly high divinity.”
Valeria’s hypothesis about the branching point was as follows:
First, when another dimension begins to interfere with this world.
Second, when the world’s history reaches a certain stage.
Third, when a higher-dimensional Hyster deliberately transmits information to this dimension at an appropriate time.
“All three are possible. In any case, special conditions are needed for someone to perceive the multiverse. That’s why Helluram, who had been a mere bystander, is only now starting to act. And every moment your secret was revealed or could have been revealed was before Helluram recognized the multiverse. So, I suspect the Demon God Corps won’t easily uncover that information—it’s probably before any interference.”
Of course, it was just a theory, but it was better to be cautious.
Without this hypothesis, there’d be no reason not to reveal the regression, but there was also no pressing reason to do so.
“I hope Father reveals the secret of Solderet soon.”
“I’m curious too. According to Orgal, there seems to be some connection between Solderet and me, but I still can’t quite grasp it.”
“Let’s wait and see. Anyway, thanks. I almost slipped up.”
Valeria smiled softly at those words.
“Then take a moment and have some tea with me here. Let’s drink, then get back to work.”
“Sounds good.”
As they brewed the tea, Jin felt a strange sense of nostalgia—as if he’d gone back to the old days, traveling with Valeria as master and disciple before his regression.
“Kid, what the hell are you doing…?”
The next morning.
Murakan glared at Jin with sharp eyes.
“Why?”
“Why? Because you’ve been with the historian all night until now… just the two of you, in a closed room!”
“So what?”
“So what? I’ve never spent that kind of time with Strawberry Pie. I was always watching my back because of you. What were you doing!?”
“Drinking tea.”
“Just tea for that long? You didn’t even hold hands, did you!?”
Jin shrugged as if it wasn’t worth answering.
“Ugh… shut up and keep an eye on the Tikan. I’m going to meet my friends in the Jinma realm. Once the Golden Fleet is complete and the tower chase really begins, there won’t be a second to spare. You should try asking Strawberry Pie—or rather, Gilly—out on a date.”
“What!? A date!?”
“And I never gave you any hints. Your approach was the problem. If you get rejected again, give up on Strawberry Pie—no, Gilly—as your lover.”
With that, Murakan went to find Gilly. She had just woken up and was tidying her room.
“Strawberry Pie!”
“Murakan?”
“You have time today, right?”
“Time? Why are you asking all of a sudden…?”
Murakan thought Gilly looked even prettier than usual today, then suddenly realized how excited and nervous he was. It probably wasn’t a pretty sight.
“Wait a moment. This isn’t right. I’ll come back.”
“Huh?”
Turning away, Murakan thought for a moment.
Who in this Tikan dressed the best and carried themselves with the most dignity? Murakan’s mind wandered.
That was none other than Hedo, the man Murakan called ‘the physique.’
Not wasting a second, Murakan flew up the stairs to Hedo’s room instead of taking them.
“Physique!”
“Murakan. When you look for someone, don’t you usually go through the door, not the window?”
“Open up!”
Inside Hedo’s room were Sandra and Veil. Fortunately, Sandra didn’t know that Jin and Valeria had spent the whole night together. The Tikan comrades would never tell her.
“What’s going on?”
“I need to borrow some clothes.”
“…Clothes?”
“Yeah, I’m going to ask Gilly out on a date. I don’t think I can do it the usual way. Do I really have to explain this?”
Hedo immediately understood and nodded.
He slowly sized Murakan up from head to toe. There was a certain wild charm, but his long hair was messy and unkempt, his black coat was covered in dust, and his shirt was missing a few buttons, looking like it was about to fall apart.
Sandra and Veil’s eyes sparkled with interest.
“Wow, Murakan’s really becoming a man. Caring about stuff like this? But if Gilly likes you, she’ll think you look good no matter what. I could love Jin even if he turned into a meat cube. Right, Veil?”
“No… What? Meat cube? Are you out of your mind?”
“Why not?”
“That’s right, ignore what she says. Hmm… this seems urgent, so just leave it to me.”
“Alright, alright, make me look good.”
Click, click!
As Murakan sat down, Hedo skillfully and quickly prepared the styling.
“First, I’ll comb your hair neatly. This perfume is very precious to me, but I’ll make an exception.”
“I once used that perfume secretly and almost got my back broken by Hedo.”
“For the shirt… this one should be fine. What? You want a tiger print? That’s an extreme actor’s costume I collected… not everyday wear. My clothes don’t fit you, but luckily I have a few made to give to Jin later. No need for a coat this season. The shoes should fit too.”
“If the size doesn’t fit, I can adjust it with transformation fine-tuning.”
“Good. Try it on. Make sure to button the shirt all the way up. Don’t leave it open like usual, and don’t stand the collar up. I said no. Miss, please turn around for a moment. You need to put on pants… Wait, why is your underwear so flashy? Well, maybe not bad. Hey, why are you trying to throw away the belt? Wear it just right. Don’t loosen it because you’re full.”
After dressing, Murakan twisted his body restlessly, feeling a bit constrained. Hedo sprayed a refreshing yet deep-scented cologne and then turned a full-length mirror toward him.
His hair was sharp and neatly combed, a tidy navy shirt, ivory pants, and rounded-toe shoes. It felt unfamiliar.
Murakan looked at Hedo, half in doubt.
“Are you sure this looks okay?”
“Even Misha would compliment you.”
“If I get roasted, it’s your fault.”
“Get rid of that bad attitude. Go and speak calmly. The whole alliance will be busy soon, but I want to spend time with you. Let’s have a nice meal and catch up. By the way, these are the best restaurants and pubs in Tikan.”
“Alright… I’m going.”
Murakan dashed off like an arrow. Sandra and Veil shrugged with a hint of regret.
“Wasn’t that a bit weak?”
“What does it matter? Gilly already likes Murakan.”
“Gilly likes Murakan?”
“Can you believe someone didn’t know that, Murakan?”
“Honestly, it wouldn’t have been a problem if he hadn’t come.”
Standing again in front of Gilly’s door, Murakan took a deep breath.
Knock, knock.
“Strawberry Pie, it’s me.”
Gilly opened the door and flinched when she saw him.
“You changed your clothes…?”
“Ah, well… hmm, is it weird?”
Murakan immediately regretted saying that.
“No, it suits you very well. But what brings you here?”
Gilly regretted her words as soon as she spoke.
A brief silence fell. Neither could meet the other’s eyes. An awkward tension filled the air, and both felt sweat trickling down their backs.
“Well, the reason I came is…”
Murakan recalled Hedo’s words: I want to spend time with you before things get busy, have a nice meal, and talk…
But just as he was about to speak, he felt he shouldn’t say that. He needed to say something else.
“I came here because I love you, Strawberry Pie.”
Eeeek! Huh!?
It wasn’t Gilly who gasped, but Hedo and the others hiding in the hallway behind the wall, spying on them.
Gilly blinked her wide eyes and looked at Murakan. Then, in the next moment, Murakan’s brain momentarily froze, and he awkwardly added,
“So, uh, how about we go somewhere nice for a meal and have a proper conversation…?”