Episode 503
Chapter 139. Blackmail (Part 2)
The Runkandels and Sandra were watching the battle unfolding high above, beyond the Sandra region.
A little lower, not far from there, explosions continued to rock the surface.
Underground, in the dry dock, Kinzello and Zipple were still locked in combat.
The situation was far from favorable.
Yona lay unconscious, carried on Jin’s back, while Joshua, Diffus, and Jane bore serious injuries from the recent fight.
There was no way to confirm the fate of the Black Knight Mon, who had stayed behind in the dock. Among the group, only Jin and Murakan were in anything close to their usual fighting condition.
And they still needed plenty of time before they could leave the Lutero Magic Federation.
“Hahaha, Jin. Looks like Hedo really pulled a fast one. The fact that your aunt’s personal mages went off in the wrong direction says it all,” Sandra said excitedly.
But the Phantom Corps were no fools.
If no signs of escape were found near the Kuta Forest, they would surely change course and expand their search area drastically.
‘The state of emergency was probably declared long ago. Even without the Phantom Corps, the entire region bordering the Sota Desert must be under lockdown and high alert.’
They had to break through all that and return to their family.
‘At least there’s a silver lining: Kinzello is likely to help us escape.’
Kinzello.
Another enemy who had appeared at just the right moment.
Jin was certain the sudden appearance of the ship Grnil was no coincidence.
‘They probably don’t know all the details of what just happened at Tower Two, but they do know that we—or rather, Yona—stole the vault. Since she was working on their behalf…’
Just before losing consciousness, Yona had handed Jin two items.
One was a ship blueprint; the other was a small, unfamiliar device.
The device was a flat panel, slightly smaller than a palm, and when shaken, it made a complex clicking sound from interlocking gears inside.
Its purpose was unknown.
Neither Joshua, who had been briefed by the prophet about the blueprint and the device, nor Sandra or Zipple, knew exactly what it was for.
But since it came with the blueprint, it was definitely important.
The aura emanating from the device was strangely extraordinary.
‘Kinzello sent Grnil to prevent us from being overwhelmed by Drakka’s reinforcements.’
The reason was simple.
Kinzello was also after the vault from the start. Naturally, they needed to take back whatever the Runkandels had obtained.
If the Runkandels were captured by Zipple’s main force, those items would be lost forever.
Who Kinzello was and when he would arrive mattered.
If someone came who they could handle with their current strength or negotiate with, that would be ideal.
But even if the visitor didn’t meet those conditions, it wouldn’t be a huge problem.
‘As long as we have the blueprint and the device, no matter what happens with Kinzello, I hold the upper hand.’
While Jin was organizing his thoughts, Sandra kept up a steady stream of chatter.
“Ah, if only it weren’t for the little sister, I’d be the one carrying someone on my back. It’s a shame, but you can’t exactly make someone who’s passed out walk… Should I at least link arms?”
The other Runkandels looked at Sandra with mixed feelings, barely hiding their unease.
‘Why is Sandra Zipple so eager to help the youngest? From her attitude, they really seem like a newlywed couple who can’t live without each other. Thanks to her, we got out of Tower Two easily, but… is this really right?’
‘Even without Sandra, the youngest and Murakan probably could have escaped Tower Two. It’s hard to accept, but Hedo absolutely obeyed Sandra’s orders. Before Sandra told her to open the way, she was ready to kill me, Diffus, and Jane.’
If it weren’t for Sandra, everyone except Jin and Murakan would have died.
Diffus and Joshua were certain of that.
It probably would have happened that way. Even considering Yona’s efforts, Hedo was beyond the riders’ ability to handle.
Jin wasn’t sure how to deal with her.
“Sandra Zipple.”
“Yes, Jin.”
“I’m neither your lover nor your husband.”
He simply couldn’t understand Sandra’s feelings.
Putting aside their incompatible origins—Runkandel and Zipple—the one-sided affection she showed was beyond just unusual.
They had only met once before, in the Gaipa Archipelago. As enemies.
Sandra’s behavior wasn’t frightening or deeply unpleasant.
But Jin couldn’t accept receiving help from her without any cost.
“Still, thanks to you, my brothers and the Black Knight survived. So I want to pay you back somehow. If you need anything, ask. If it’s something I can do, I’ll take care of it after we escape.”
At Jin’s calm words, Sandra finally fell silent.
Even though she was an enemy, and her behavior was strange and hard to accept, it was uncomfortable to treat someone who offered unconditional help so coldly.
As he spoke, Jin felt a sharp pang of conscience—or something like it.
But he had to draw the line. He believed he was in a position where he had to. Everyone in the world would think the same.
Sandra seemed quite shocked by Jin’s calm tone.
“Oh… kid. That was a cold line. So cool, so cool.”
Murakan, feeling uneasy at Sandra’s sudden silence, blurted out the comment. Having lived over three thousand years, he had never met anyone like Sandra before.
But Sandra wasn’t silent because Jin’s coldness hurt her.
“Yes, Murakan. You really get it. So cool, our Jin…”
She simply thought Jin’s icy composure was shockingly cool, and that’s why she stopped talking.
‘How could anyone interpret what I said and react like that?’
It was a series of shocks. Not just for Jin, but for everyone, it sent chills down their spines.
“The more I see you, the more attractive you are! I’m more certain than ever that the best decision of my life was to love Jin!”
“No, that’s not—”
“I will definitely marry Jin. Yes, we’re not lovers or spouses yet. Maybe I got ahead of myself.”
“Got ahead of yourself…?”
Jin almost stammered.
“Jin, there’s no reason behind my decision to love you. So I don’t expect anything in return, and like many others’ love, it doesn’t need to be understood.”
Sandra smiled slyly and added,
“It’s just that my boring life suddenly caught fire. Sometimes, lightning strikes even in a clear sky, right?”
Watching Sandra suddenly wax poetic about love, Jin concluded there was no point in trying to understand her.
There was no answer.
“I get what you mean.”
“Of course, this unconditional love applies only to you and the little sister. The other three I saved… what should I ask for? Hmm.”
“Fine for the youngest, but why include Yona?”
Diffus asked.
“Because she’s the little sister?”
“Oh, I see.”
He decided not to overthink it anymore.
That seemed the easiest way to understand Sandra Zipple.
“Besides, Yona is especially dear to you, right? As far as I know, the only siblings you’re close to are the eldest and the little sister.”
“Mary’s probably included too.”
“Noted. Fourth rider, what about you?”
“I don’t know much, but I’m pretty sure the youngest hates that guy the most.”
“I was a bit puzzled too. If I were Jin, I’d have used Hedo to kill the second rider earlier.”
“When you’re trying to escape, every hand counts. Can’t help it. But I think I would have done the same. The youngest has a big heart.”
“Not a single thing about him isn’t impressive.”
Diffus and Sandra’s laughter oddly matched.
“Diffus, get a grip. Even if she’s showing goodwill, she’s still the enemy. A pureblood Zipple at that. Is this the kind of relationship where you trade silly jokes?”
Just as expected, Diffus’s eyes darkened with deadly intent.
“You think this is a joke, you bastard?”
“What did you say?”
“I want to tear you apart right now. You know better than anyone what you did wrong. You, the family’s second rider, the next head thanks to your mother! You put everyone in danger on this mission. It’s nothing less than betrayal.”
“Betrayal? That sounds more fitting for you, flirting with Zipple. Is this because I didn’t share all the information? I get that you don’t like me, but I judged that was better for mission success. Hedo was an unknown variable.”
“You’re shameless. You can’t deny that if it weren’t for the youngest, your ‘great judgment’ would have led to total annihilation.”
“Stop acting like a child, Diffus.”
“…Fourth rider, enough. We need to get out of enemy territory quickly.”
Jane stepped in to mediate, and Diffus let out a short laugh.
“For the mission, for the family… I’m sick of hearing it. Just how much profit have you been raking in under that shiny excuse? The day will come when everyone can see whether your words are truth or lies.”
Silence fell again over the group—everyone except Sandra.
The wind began to erase their footprints.
And as the noise and explosions from the battle above and in the dry dock faded further into the distance, a thickening sandstorm blurred their vision.
From far off, they spotted a dark silhouette steadily approaching them.
‘The inevitable has arrived.’
It was one of Kinzelro’s men.