Episode 664
Chapter 169: To the Enemy’s Sanctuary (2)

“The Sanctuary of Ziphl…?”

I’d never even heard of such a place before. Not in my past life, nor in this one.

[Yes, the Sanctuary of Ziphl. Those who have nearly fully unlocked their Complete Mana Forms can use that space, and it’s almost like being half-immortal. Just staying there quietly can heal all wounds.]

“That you’re telling me such a place exists is one thing, but that Complete Mana Forms can perform such unbelievable regeneration there? That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

[Unbelievable, huh?]

“Not quite yet.”

[Believe it or not, that’s your choice, Jin Runkandel. But if it’s not true, then the only other way is to obtain the Tears of Numerus. Just so you know, we don’t have any Tears of Numerus ourselves. You can check with Yuria if you want.]

“You said ‘not quite yet.’ If you explain in more detail, I might be more inclined to believe you.”

[I went through all this trouble, dragging my aching body here to tell you the method, and you start off by calling me a liar? Why should I bother?]

Jin scoffed.

“Look, Orgal. Do we really need to trade nonsense like this between people who should know better? You didn’t come to me looking like a wreck just for the sake of the Balmur Alliance.”

Jin tossed the bloodied handkerchief into the trash.

“You’re desperate because you can’t afford for Hister to die, right? Orgal, the Beast King, you need Hister’s power to restore your manipulated history. Am I wrong?”

Orgal shrugged.

[I didn’t expect you to react this strongly to a casual remark. Fine, you’re right. Setting aside my history, Hister’s power is absolutely necessary to stand against the Beast Gods.]

“Then cut the small talk and get to the point.”

Ssshh—!

Suddenly, a small steel door materialized in the middle of the hospital room.

Unlike the usual portals that transported users and targets across dimensions, this door revealed a shimmering green landscape.

“A sea glowing green…? Looks almost like a desert.”

[You could say that.]

“Is that the Sanctuary of Ziphl you mentioned?”

[Yes, but this isn’t how it looks now. I’m sharing a memory with you. It’s from a few hundred years ago, but I doubt it’s changed much.]

“I’ve never seen mana with that kind of color before.”

[It’s not mana. It’s a power without a proper name—I call it Residual Energy.]

“Residual Energy? You mean the power left behind by those above the gods, like you said before?”

Orgal nodded.

“What does that have to do with Complete Mana Forms?”

[Complete Mana Forms are the only humans who react to Residual Energy. It heals every disease, wound, and scar. Any physical damage is completely restored by the Residual Energy. But this only works if the Complete Mana Form is unlocked beyond a certain level.]

“Is there a special reason only Complete Mana Forms respond to Residual Energy?”

[No one knows. I can only guess it’s because some will of that higher existence dwells within the owners of Complete Mana Forms. Maybe Complete Mana Forms are a blessing granted only to those infused with that will.]

According to him, Residual Energy could heal all wounds except aging and mental trauma—only for those who possess Complete Mana Forms.

Then, a blurry human figure appeared within the scene behind the steel door.

Though unclear, it was easy to tell the figure was missing an arm.

[This memory is too blurry to share properly. It’s probably a Complete Mana Form like Hister.]

The figure lay down in the center of the sanctuary.

“Insane…”

After a moment, Jin watched as the severed arm began to regrow.

The Residual Energy of the sanctuary mixed with the figure’s mana, creating a dazzling display of multicolored light and bubbles.

[A thoughtful expression. Do you think I’m fabricating this scene?]

Jin admitted to himself that it wasn’t impossible.

Given the powers Orgal had shown so far, this level of deception was certainly within his capabilities.

Still, Jin decided to trust Orgal. If this was true, there was no better way.

Orgal had no real reason to lie now.

Yet Jin hesitated briefly, struck by another thought.

“I’m guessing not only Complete Mana Forms but you yourself could heal there. And you don’t know the sanctuary’s current location. So you’re hoping that by using Hister’s survival as leverage, I’ll find out where it is. Am I right?”

A faint smile appeared on Orgal’s lips.

[Sometimes, you and I really do understand each other well. That’s exactly right.]

“Don’t you trust me too much just because we get along? Even if I find the location, I have no intention of sharing it with you, Orgal. If you regain all your power, it’ll be no different from awakening another Beast God for me and the world.”

[To think you’d see me that way… I’m almost hurt. But once you find the location, maybe your perception of me will change. Or if I gain something you can’t refuse, we might be able to make a deal.]

“That sounds like a pretty uneasy future.”

[No matter what, Ziphl won’t trade the sanctuary’s location with me. Normally, you wouldn’t either.]

“So this time, because Hister’s life is on the line, you have no choice but to accept a deal?”

[Exactly. Right now, the one who wants to save Hister the most might actually be Ziphl. How’s that? Quite an enticing story, isn’t it?]

“If everything you say is true, it’s definitely tempting. But I doubt Ziphl would just hand over the sanctuary’s location without a catch.”

[You’re better at threats, bribes, and extortion than I am. Plus, you hold Ziphl’s greatest weakness—Hister. I’m sure you can negotiate favorable terms. But if you want more help…]

Jin met Orgal’s gaze.

[The rainbow-colored bubbles and light that appear when Residual Energy reacts to a Complete Mana Form—that’s what you use for the deal.]

“So Ziphl can research something with that.”

[You catch on fast. Yes, that alone is a significant reward for Ziphl. Of course, they’ll demand more. Ha! If you refuse, it’ll be a loss.]

Jin reached back into the trash for the handkerchief but instead pulled a fresh one from his drawer and wiped Orgal’s blood.

“You gave me information because you want something, but at least let me say thank you.”

[Ugh, yeah, thanks… I guess.]

They spent some time discussing how to handle Ziphl’s arrival.

Just as their conversation ended, Zett entered the room.

“Your Highness! People from Ziphl have arrived. The ship Kojek has docked.”

“Understood, Zett. I’ll be there soon.”

“Yay!”

The Ziphl leaders who came to Tikan were Octavia, Ronil, and Kadun. Hedo and Sandra were nowhere to be seen.

Kadun was in human form, wrapped in bandages. He hadn’t yet recovered from injuries sustained during the Sword Garden’s all-out attack.

These were no minor wounds. He had taken the brunt of Rosa and Ram’s spiritual energy and suffered serious injuries again in the Caldren snowfields. It was almost a miracle he could even move.

Jin faced them calmly but secretly rejoiced at Kadun’s condition.

‘Looks like the Chaos Purifier’s help is desperately needed.’

Unlike Jin, Kadun openly showed his anger as soon as he entered the Tikan Palace.

“You’re here?”

Kashimir greeted them personally.

“You ask if we’re here? Damn right we are! Those bastards formed an alliance just days ago, then ran off without us in the Caldren snowfields? Even if it was temporary, don’t you think that’s a pretty scummy move?”

“You seem really angry, Kadun.”

Hearing Jin’s voice, Kadun’s eyes nearly rolled back. The bandages around his body flared with flames, revealing the wounds beneath.

“The Twelfth Regiment…!”

“But don’t you think it’s fair to say we’re both at fault?”

“What?”

“When Rosa’s hidden power was revealed, why did you and Kinzello launch a full assault on Runkandel? Think about it. I was certain I’d have to fight the entire Sword Garden. So I waited for the right moment to wipe us all out together.”

“Hah, back then you and we weren’t temporary allies. We were enemies. Do you think we were on the same side?”

“I admit that. That’s why I forgave your scummy behavior and accepted you as allies. But now you come here and start causing trouble without even asking for the full story. It doesn’t look good. Do you think we abandoned you on purpose? Look over there.”

“What exactly am I supposed to be looking at…?”

Following Jin’s finger to the entrance of the Tikan Palace’s inner quarters, Kadun fell silent.

There, supported by Zephyrin, was Orgal, coughing up clots of blood nonstop.

[Wow… they came… Kadun, ugh, ugh!]

“We managed to escape through Orgal’s steel door back then. How could we be expected to bring Ziphl along in that state? And the former Tenth Knight, Padler Runkandel, you faced was summoned right in front of us.”

[Sorry… about that… ugh, enough. Kadun…]

“The situation back then was truly dire. If you want, we have Az Mil’s contractor here—you can verify it yourself.”

Kadun fell silent as he watched Orgal repeatedly collapse, only to be propped up again by the Kinzel soldiers.

Of course, Kadun wasn’t a fool; he had expected things to be urgent to some extent. But he hadn’t imagined Orgal would be in such a state.

“Besides, although the Zipple side suffered some damage, none of the key figures died, and our temporary allies accomplished their objectives. We rescued Hister, and I survived. Considering all that, isn’t this a fairly decent outcome?”

As Kadun was about to say more, Ronil stepped forward and bowed slightly.

“We agree with you, but please understand that there are emotional factors involved. We ask that you be a little more patient with the anger Lord Jhin is feeling.”

“Very well.”

“And what is Hister’s condition? We received some word from the Kinzel side, but we don’t know the details.”

“He’s barely clinging to life. Orgal said that if he goes to your sanctuary, he might recover.”

Ronil blinked for a moment, his eyes narrowing as if to ask how Kadun knew that.

“…Excuse me, what did you just say?”