Episode 106
Chapter 35: The Tragedy of Colon (5)
“Are you sure about this plan? There won’t be a single guard or attendant with us. If we can just distract Myuron for a moment, sneaking a peek into the basement should be easy enough.”
“I don’t like it. Let’s say you manage to get his attention and confirm that there really is some kind of biological golem experiment down there. Sure, we might find some evidence, but after that, your safety won’t be guaranteed at all.”
“I can just play along with him over drinks and slip away when the time’s right. You all can get out of the basement first.”
“You don’t understand mages. How many wards do you think are set up in that basement? The moment you step inside, Myuron will notice. Then you’re as good as dead.”
“I’m not investigating this place without being prepared for that.”
“Sometimes, it’s important to know the difference between courage and recklessness, my journalist friend. What’s the point of dying before you even accomplish anything?”
Jin had no intention of using Dino as a disposable pawn. This brave reporter deserved to survive.
Besides, if Dino died, their plan to create a solid pretext would fall apart.
“Here’s a better idea. Let’s become Myuron’s drinking buddies—through your introduction.”
“Huh?”
“We go with you to drink. Our cover is wandering mercenaries and storytellers. You just happened to meet us, found us interesting, and brought us to Myuron.”
“Do you think Myuron would buy that? He’d definitely be suspicious.”
Jin gave a bitter smile.
“What kind of person did you say Myuron is?”
“A madman. Someone who takes pleasure in others’ suffering… something like that.”
“That’s true. But is that all? No matter how reckless he seems, he’s the sixth of the Ziphl family. I think he already knows who you really are.”
Dino waved his hands, refusing to believe it.
“No way. If he knew my identity, he wouldn’t have kept me alive this long.”
“Maybe he doesn’t know the exact details. But read your journal again. Every native you contacted was dragged to the basement within a week. What do you think that means?”
Dino’s pupils dilated.
He had never considered that the natives being taken to the basement might be connected to him. After all, Myuron hadn’t harmed him yet. In Dino’s understanding, no powerful person would tolerate someone snooping around behind their back.
That very assumption was clouding his judgment. Despite clear records showing every native he met was taken to the basement within a week.
“And the drinking buddy angle… Do you really think Myuron is so bored that he wants you to keep him company? No way. He’s been watching a rat trapped in a cage—namely, you—without even realizing it.”
“What? A rat trapped in a cage… me?”
“Exactly. He’s probably curious. Wondering why you’re so fearless, why you keep meeting natives one by one even as they’re dragged to the basement sending signals, and yet you remain oblivious.”
“That can’t be… What could Myuron possibly gain from that?”
“You said it yourself. Myuron is a madman who enjoys others’ pain. So he probably gets pleasure from it.”
Dino’s legs suddenly gave out, and he instinctively took a step back.
He thought Jin’s theory was a huge leap, but somehow, he couldn’t argue with it. And if it were true, he felt utterly helpless about how to apologize to the natives who had been taken because of him.
“That’s why if we go to Myuron together, he won’t be on guard. He’ll welcome us, thinking the rat brought some cute friends. From his perspective, it means more toys to play with.”
Jin’s confidence came from three main points.
First, except for Tika, the timing of natives being taken after contact with Dino matched perfectly in the journal.
Second, stories Jin had heard before his regression. Even the Tonah brothers, who were notorious troublemakers, were called angels compared to Myuron Ziphl.
Third, a conversation with Veradin on the last day of the Cosmos arena. Veradin had vented a lot that night, including how much he despised Myuron Ziphl.
“Myuron is especially disgusting. Not even close to my late uncle Andrei. Just thinking about him makes me nauseous, even in my sleep. What were the elders thinking, giving him the position of tower lord of the Seven Towers?”
“Hah, if you say that much, what kind of man is he?”
“Dante, he’s a monster from a depth no good-hearted friend like you could imagine.”
Jin found it strange how naturally he trusted Veradin’s assessment of Myuron—and at that moment, he felt a pang of longing for both Veradin and Dante.
“But what if… all of this is wrong? According to the journal, there’s one native who contacted me and is still alive.”
“Latika Tika Mamutica.”
“Yes, she is…”
Dino cut himself off, clenching his teeth.
“I sincerely hope your assumption is wrong. Because if you’re right, I think I know why Myuron spared Tika.”
“Let’s go check it out soon. Whether it’s my imagination or Myuron is just that much of a scumbag.”
“Kid, all this sounds good, but what’s the plan once you meet Myuron?”
“Well, I’ll play along with him for a bit, then strike at the right moment. From what Dino told me, killing just that one guy will be enough.”
“So the reason for joining him for drinks is to lower his guard. He won’t know our true strength. And we can check if he has any tricks or traps hidden.”
Kashimir nodded, understanding Jin’s plan.
“Exactly. If we chat over drinks, maybe a moment will come when we can easily take down that disgusting guy. Even if your theory is wrong, a fight is inevitable.”
After a brief discussion, the four huddled together.
They set their aliases and professions, and rehearsed responses for possible unexpected situations.
“As soon as we enter, we need to locate the natives. If a fight breaks out, protecting Dino and the natives is our top priority.”
“And if any of us spots Myuron letting his guard down, we’ll try to take him out immediately without signaling.”
Dino summarized everything he knew about Colon in five minutes.
“The basement in the center is where the natives are taken. Again, there are no guards or attendants. I can’t fight, so I wish you luck.”
With their plan set, the four began walking down the entrance path. Dino led, with the others following behind. Jin had deactivated Multa’s rune, and Kashimir and Murakan removed their masks.
Myuron, still muttering to himself, waved cheerfully the moment he sensed their presence.
“Oh! Dino, I was just thinking about you. Haha, I can’t have a proper conversation with these uncivilized fools… But you brought friends today?”
Seeing Myuron’s broad smile, Dino couldn’t help but shiver down his spine.
‘Just like the boy said… he’s welcoming us.’
Dino forced himself to keep a calm expression and bowed politely.
“Sorry for bringing others without permission, Lord Myuron. They’re people I met by chance, and I thought you might find it lonely if I was your only drinking companion… I apologize if I overstepped.”
“No worries, no worries! Where did you meet these friends?”
Myuron shifted his gaze to the campfire, trying to hide the grin tugging at his lips.
“We met while gathering herbs near the Pailon border. They’re mercenaries active in northern Pailon, on their way home for leave.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, Lord Myuron Ziphl.”
“Likewise.”
“Enough, enough. No need for formalities. Hey! Bring more cups!”
A native nearby hurried over with cups and handed them out to the group.
With a careless hand, Myuron filled their cups until the wine spilled onto the ground.
“Dino… Dino Jaglurn.”
Myuron smiled oddly as he put away the bottle, narrowing his eyes and leaning closer to the fire.
“Yes, Lord Myuron.”
“I’ve been curious about your identity since we first met two weeks ago. A commoner wandering freely in Ziphl’s restricted area? That’s impossible.”
“Sorry.”
“Ah, haha. I’m not blaming you. But since then, you’ve really caught my attention… Especially when I saw you meeting natives in secret! I thought maybe you were some clumsy spy your father planted. He’s a bit eccentric.”
He chuckled lightly again and again.
Dino didn’t know what to do but waited for his next words.
Jin and the others tensed, sensing the situation might escalate sooner than expected.
“But now you’ve even brought your friends into the restricted zone without my permission…? Dino, what on earth is going on in your head? What could you possibly be thinking to be this reckless? I just can’t wrap my mind around it. It’s downright chilling!”
Then Muron burst into loud, hearty laughter. His body shook so violently with amusement that it looked like he might topple face-first into the campfire.
“Muron… sir?”
Suddenly, Muron stopped laughing, lowered his head, and downed his drink in one gulp.
“But now I finally understand everything. Why you had such guts to go that far.”
“What do you mean…?”
“The Garden of Swords. Those behind you—that was them.”
Swish!
Jin was the first to swing his sword. Almost simultaneously, Kashmir lunged at Muron’s side, and Murakan stepped in front of Dino, raising a protective barrier.
Clang!
The two blades clashed against something and were deflected.
It was a shield formed by compressed magical energy, expanding from the campfire’s hidden power.
‘All this magic, and I didn’t sense a thing? So that’s why he kept sticking his face near the fire earlier?’
Murakan felt the same shock.
Even though Muron wasn’t a spirit user, he seemed to possess some ability to completely conceal his magical aura.
“Jin Runcandel! Looks like the runaway priestess put out a contract on Runcandel!”
“You know my face. I thought I’d kept up some semblance of mystique. Now all my carefully crafted aliases and professions are useless.”
Jin took a step back, clicking his tongue in frustration as he readjusted his stance.