Episode 1070
Chapter 253: Gathering at Laprarosa Once More (1)
June 12, 1804.
Brigette, who had boldly shouted that she wasn’t afraid of pain, broke down and confessed everything she knew in less than two days.
[Isn’t this enough? I’ve told you everything… Now, please release me.]
The majestic presence she once held as the Sun God’s persona had completely vanished. Brigette pleaded in a voice trembling with near tears.
“As Lord Jin said at the start, you will never leave this place again. But we will stop the pain you’ve been enduring.”
[…I cannot understand, Lucy. You were Araksion. How could you trample on me like this? Don’t you miss the time when we were one? Have you truly forgotten that longing?]
Longing.
Lucy’s torture targeted Brigette’s yearning for the ‘original form.’ Without any physical harm, simply by forcing her to remember the Sun God’s original self—Kinzello—she devastated Brigette’s inner world.
[You must have suffered too while torturing me. Even if most of Araksion’s power passed to your daughter, you can’t have forgotten that…]
“I have things I miss more than that, Brigette. Anyway, rest now. Until we have a safe way to completely erase you.”
[No, no! Lucy! Hey, Lord Jin! I am the creator of this world. I made you all! And didn’t I ease your guilt? Please, release me…]
“You eased my guilt?”
Jin stepped forward, his eyes gleaming sharply like a demon’s. This was because just this morning, Ziphl had launched another terror attack on a civilian area in the Lutero Federation.
This time, it was the Kingdom of Pailin. As before, a single bombardment obliterated the capital and nearby cities, with the death toll estimated at over a million.
[Yes! The power of regeneration you possess—it originally came from me. I taught you that with it, you could revive countless mortals. Of course, there were conditions, but if you just let me go…]
“Listen carefully, Brigette. Even if you can bring the dead back with my power, the suffering they endured doesn’t return. Who will compensate for that? Burning alive in flames, losing family and loved ones before your eyes, having your entire life collapse—how can that be made right? Is it enough to just come back to life? Does resurrection mean their lives are the same as before?”
Brigette said nothing, glancing nervously at Jin. It felt like he might order Lucy to torture her again at any moment.
“You claim to be the creator of this world? Even you babble about having to rebuild it. Do you truly understand what life means for those who endure their own pain? If you created the world in this state, your only task is repentance. The pain you’re feeling now is nothing.”
Jin fought to suppress the urge to tear Brigette apart. His vision flickered red and back as he struggled to regain control—he was on the verge of succumbing to demonic possession.
Brigette couldn’t bring herself to speak further and bowed her head. Lucy naturally led Jin out of the underground prison.
“Lord Jin, you endured well.”
“No, I showed a disgraceful side before my ancestor.”
“Not at all, don’t worry about it. Anyway, we were lucky. Personas who desire reconstruction like Brigette are always thirsty for the original form. If it had been a persona of destruction, it would have been much harder to extract information through torture. The Sun God’s personas believe themselves to be perfect beings, but they’re not. They’re just flawed lives, like everyone else…”
Malugia, Araksion.
The two known as the personas of destruction are currently bound to Elona and Haylin. According to Brigette’s confession, there are two more personas each for reconstruction and destruction.
For reconstruction: Nepdol and Iloanu.
For destruction: Beltian and Kragos.
Brigette knew the locations of Nepdol and Beltian and planned to awaken them once Airan’s restraints were lifted.
“Nepdol is in the deep sea of the Lutero Federation’s western waters, and Beltian is… in Laprarosa, according to Brigette.”
“Yes, Lord Jin.”
Both locations were completely unexpected.
Laprarosa was especially shocking. To think that the persona of destruction was sealed in the land of the Pluto tribe, locked away for half a millennium.
Jin pictured the landscape of Laprarosa and silently exhaled. Fortunately, Beltian had not possessed Ban or any other Pluto tribe member. He was simply bound somewhere deep within Laprarosa.
“Suddenly, I feel this isn’t a coincidence.”
“What do you mean?”
“After the final battle with the Red-Eyed tribe in the Mitra Desert, not only the brothers but the entire Laprarosa region was liberated by Insero. Perhaps the influence of that persona, Beltian, played a role.”
Whether or not that was true didn’t matter. Since Beltian was a persona of destruction, he was a target for elimination by the Barmel Alliance.
Searches of the Lutero western sea and Laprarosa were already underway. Especially in Laprarosa, the Pluto tribe was scouring the area with fierce determination.
“My interrogation of Brigette is almost complete. Once finished, I’ll head straight to Laprarosa. Since Beltian is a persona of destruction, I might be able to sense something.”
When Jin showed concern, Lucy smiled and patted his shoulder.
“Lord Jin, have you heard this saying?”
“What?”
“Turn crisis into opportunity.”
Jin couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
“Who hasn’t?”
“Maybe… we can restrain that persona Beltian like we did Brigette. If Ameris, myself, and Lord Ban pool our powers again.”
“But you said personas of destruction can’t be handled like Brigette.”
“That’s true. But if we can restrain him, we can also use him. For example, using Beltian as a power source for the Tushinjeon.”
Jin’s eyes widened.
The Tushinjeon was originally designed as the flagship of the Golden Fleet and an airborne fortress like those of the ancient Pluto tribe. But the Barmel Alliance hadn’t yet been able to use it as an airborne fortress. The technology restoration was nearly complete, but they lacked a power source capable of operating the Tushinjeon.
“Is that possible?”
“It depends on how we restrain him. But one thing’s certain—it’s possible.”
If they used a Sun God’s persona as power, the Tushinjeon would become the ultimate airborne fortress.
It wouldn’t just boost combat power. The speed at which they could track the Tower of Stories would increase, and they could more easily prevent the ruthless massacres the enemy committed.
“As you said, I hope it’s not all bad. We must find that Beltian.”
Not only Beltian and Nepdol, but also Iloanu and Kragos’ locations needed to be identified urgently. Whether reconstruction, destruction, or maintenance—the Sun God’s personas had to be found before Ziphl or Ganesto.
“Let’s stay strong.”
“Thank you, Lord Lucy.”
Jin headed toward the upper conference room of the Tikan Palace. Somehow, Lucy’s words gave him a faint hope, calming the turmoil inside him.
Of course, the fundamental shock hadn’t faded. In just a few days, unimaginable death had spread across the world.
‘Still… Brigette’s words aren’t entirely without comfort. There was also Lady Ayula’s saying. Even if terrible memories remain, it’s better than simply ceasing to exist—for anyone.’
Just before entering the conference room, Jin ran into Gilly and Murakan walking down the corridor, holding hands.
“Oh, young master.”
Gilly reflexively tried to let go of Murakan’s hand, but Murakan held on tighter, pulling her closer.
“Ha ha, kid! Strawberry Pie isn’t just your Strawberry Pie anymore. Got it?”
“That was always the case, Murakan. Strawberry—or rather, for Gilly, you and I have always come first. Gilly, don’t worry about this anymore.”
“So now you’re saying I’m the top priority between the two of you?”
“Murakan, that’s a bit—”
“W-what do you mean ‘a bit’?”
“I just got embarrassed and said that without thinking. Actually, before becoming your lover, Murakan, I should have told Lord Jin first.”
Suddenly, Jin felt an overwhelming gratitude toward the two.
Though terrible things were happening in this world, and it all seemed to stem from his own return to the past…
At least Gilly and Murakan, who had always been with him since his return, seemed to have found happiness.
[Oh, nice picture.]
As Jin smiled at Gilly, a small steel dimensional gate suddenly formed in front of the conference room.
“You’re coming and going like it’s your own home now, Orgal. You’re still not part of our alliance.”
[You’re so petty. Do you even know what information I’ve brought this time?]
Orgal looked at Jin with a confident grin. Jin shook his head and waited for what he had to say next.
[Ainas Caligo. Have I ever told you just how incredible that woman Bubar is?]
“We were already aware of Ainas and Pirops’ dream abilities.”
[Those two pulled it off, Jin Runkandel. They intercepted the meeting between Lokia and Keliak by breaking into their dreams. Didn’t I say it? Lokia was definitely going to meet Keliak.]