Episode 669
Chapter 170: Meeting Another Friend, Dante (Part 2)
“An interdimensional space inside a sword…?”
“To explain that, I first need to tell you why Neru and I were able to enter the fifth tomb.”
Valeria wasn’t Solderet’s contractor, nor could she wield chaos like Helluram’s daughter. Unlike the time in the Vantaramo Forest, she hadn’t been guided by anyone.
And unlike Ziphl or other factions, she hadn’t forcibly broken into the tomb. By all rights, she shouldn’t have been able to enter at all.
“Seems like you were pretty worn out from the chaos, Valeria. You told me that before. You said you got help from the tomb-dweller tribe and obtained an item related to the old Runcandel from the cat god’s temple.”
“You did tell me that? Did you say what kind of item it was?”
“A handkerchief.”
A handkerchief.
A seemingly trivial object, yet it carried countless stories from a thousand years ago.
“Yes, it belonged to one of the ten knights of old Runcandel. That’s why the tomb responded to the handkerchief and opened its doors, even without spiritual energy or a guide. The records and memories left in the handkerchief acted as the key.”
But it was a one-time use.
Because the stories embedded in the handkerchief were so distant and faint, Valeria had planned to keep it safe and analyze it later after improving her record magic.
However, the moment the door opened, the handkerchief vanished instantly, and even now, Valeria regretted that loss.
“So… the prophet might have opened the door the same way you did.”
“Most likely. They must have opened it at least twice. After all, the fate of Padler Runcandel, the tomb’s original guardian, was placed on your second sister. Anyway, before your sister replaced Padler, I discovered how to enter the next tomb from inside.”
Unlike the other tombs they had encountered, the fifth tomb left a direct clue leading to the next.
“Not only Padler Runcandel’s records were there, but also those of a figure named Veil, the owner of the handkerchief. That’s why the tomb responded to the handkerchief.”
“Veil…?”
“Veil’s records were too faint to reveal much—only that the sixth tomb was hidden inside his sword, and roughly where that sword was first concealed. The Black Sea. Though it’s unlikely it’s still there…”
At that moment, Jin felt as if he’d been struck hard on the back of the head.
“Wait, Valeria.”
“Yes?”
“The handkerchief you got belonged to Veil, so the fifth tomb responded to it… The sixth tomb is an interdimensional space inside Veil’s sword, and the sword’s hidden in the Black Sea… Is that right? You’re sure it was Veil?”
“Yes.”
Jin blinked a few times, and Valeria shrugged, glancing around. Their companions looked just as clueless.
“I think we’ve already found that sword.”
“What?”
—Hedo! Your sword! It’s glowing and creating something. The heavens have answered our prayers!
—I’m seeing it too, miss. What on earth is this…?
—Looks like that sword is the key to opening the tomb. Where did you get it?
—I got it in my youth, after slaying a monster in the Black Sea.
A conversation between Sandra, Hedo, and Jin in the Caldaran Snowfields.
Back then, Jin had infused spiritual energy into Hedo’s sword and naturally noticed the word ‘Veil’ inscribed on the blade.
Hedo, the current owner, believed that was the sword’s name, so Jin had assumed the same.
But it turned out to be the name of one of the ten knights of old Runcandel.
Now Jin understood why Murakan had been so troubled when he saw Veil in the Sota Desert, and why Veil could serve as the key to the fifth tomb.
“I guess I was too flustered to explain how I got into the tomb. That sword is currently in the hands of Hedo, the White Night’s tower keeper.”
“I didn’t realize your luck extended that far. The rescue was far more reckless than I expected.”
“Things related to you tend to have a strange streak of luck. And didn’t you say before that there aren’t many people luckier than me?”
Oh…!
For some reason, their companions all let out simultaneous exclamations of awe. Jin and Valeria, however, continued their conversation unfazed.
“I was planning to rest a few hours before heading straight to the Black Sea, so this saves me some trouble. I hear Sandra Ziphl and Hedo are quite friendly toward you.”
“Probably just Sandra Ziphl, Valeria. But that muscle-bound butler obeys her without question, so if we call Sandra to examine the sword, that should be enough.”
“Zet’s been talking about you like you’re some kind of scoundrel using someone’s affections.”
“Eek? Valeria, you can’t twist the words of such a kind person like that! Our lord would never do such a thing!”
“We can’t call Hedo and Sandra right now. We’ve been making a lot of demands on Ziphl lately, so let’s wait a few days before contacting them. Meanwhile, going to the Sword Emperor’s Castle sounds just right.”
“Ah, I’m a bit embarrassed to hear that from our lord…”
“Jin, even your bad side looks cool…”
“Zet, Enya. I’m not calling them just because of the sword. I think it’d be good to have those two on our side. If possible.”
Jin had seen what happened to Veradin.
He was certain that if Sandra stayed with Ziphl, she would inevitably end up the same way in the near future.
He wanted to erase the name Ziphl from her.
Valeria didn’t like the idea of making ‘Ziphl’ an ally and calmly voiced her opinion.
“Do as you please. But don’t forget that one day, every Ziphl in this world will die by my hand.”
Valeria stood up.
“I’m going back inside to rest a bit more. Quawl, let’s resume research in the evening. Jin brought a lot of materials from Laprarosa, and the Red Owl’s unique connection to that world means we’ll be busy again.”
“Oh my, Valeria, don’t you ever get tired? You said you were relieved not to have to go to the Black Sea, but now you’re off to work again.”
It’s not that she doesn’t get tired—she simply can’t. The grudges of her trampled, destroyed family and murdered kin are all bottled up inside her.
Jin kept that thought to himself.
“Well then, I should prepare to head to the Sword Emperor’s Castle.”
As Jin left the conference room, their companions naturally watched the door through which they had disappeared.
“They actually seem to have some similarities, those two.”
“I think so too, Uncle Valkas.”
“The lord feels a bit more human, though. Like they both learned from the same teacher or parent for a long time.”
“That’s why I’m thinking of starting a Valeria fan club. Like a side project?”
“You’re kind of scary sometimes, Enya.”
“Is that what Fei said about me!?”
“Come on, let’s get to work. Zet, start investigating the Airan Biment. Sir Merry and Sir Heitona, and Sir Daytona, well…”
“You can speak casually, King Kashimir.”
“Yeah, speak casually, Your Majesty!”
“Hey, you lot, what’s with that tone to the king? Now that we’ve lost the Garden of Swords, are you going to throw away your dignity as riders too? Should I play the role of Mu En for you?”
“No, ma’am. We’ll correct ourselves.”
“We’ve decided to become new people, ma’am.”
“I’ll be watching. Go tell Cosmos to prepare the ship. We’ll be launching in a few days. And bring me the list of knights who have finished recovering.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
April 1, 1803.
“Wooooah!”
“Yaaaay!”
Two children, their hair and eyes dyed black with Golden Snow Tribe cosmetics and disguise tools, were squealing with excitement. One of them was actually a dragon who had lived for hundreds of years, but to all appearances, they looked like kids thrilled for a trip.
Lathri and Yuria.
Jin had decided to bring the two along on this trip to the Sword Emperor’s Castle. Quikantel also came as their protector, just in case.
Not only the kids but (by dragon standards) everyone was disguised for the first time in a while. Jin and Quikantel dyed their hair deep blue, posing as dragon siblings.
“Jin oppa, Quikantel-nim! The Red Owl is amazing. It’s like a real portal—we came straight to the empire in one go!”
“It’s good that the contractor of Az Mil finds such things fascinating.”
“I’m more amazed that Quikantel-nim chose this place as the arrival point. This log cabin… it brings back so many memories.”
Nestled deep in the forest on the outskirts of the Biment capital, the quiet log cabin.
This was where Jin, in his early days as a prospective rider, had changed the fates of Yuria and Enya.
The very same house with the same layout as when Murakan and Quikantel lived there long ago.
Yuria had only heard about this place in stories.
She hadn’t ventured much outside Tikan. Even when she first met Jin, and even now, her status as Az Mil’s contractor meant she had to be extremely cautious in every aspect of her life.
“Memories? Hmm… I do sense some heavy emotions like regrets and lingering attachments all over this cabin.”
“Yuria, let’s put that aside and go eat your favorite seafood stew before heading to the Sword Emperor’s Castle.”
“Sounds good, Quikantel-nim! Jin oppa, are we just eating seafood stew? Can’t we play around until dinner before we go?”
Yuria’s innocent enthusiasm was both adorable and a little heartbreaking.
“Yuria, you’re the only princess of the Bamel Union’s Tikan Free State.”
“Suddenly?”
“If you have fun and play hard, the empire’s top leader will come looking for you on their own.”
From that moment on, the group truly tore through the bustling streets of Bimant, spending money with wild abandon.
Though the world was still unsettled by the remnants of Gliek and the chaos brought by Rosa, the capital of Bimant thrived with the same vibrant energy it had before those dark times.
It was clear proof that Dante was ruling well.
Jin looked on with pride, quietly admiring the peace his friend had fought so hard to protect and nurture.
As evening fell and their second seafood stew was just served at a new restaurant, the place had emptied out completely—no one remained except for them. Even the staff and the owner had stepped away.
“Just like you said, Jin oppa—Sir Dante has arrived, hasn’t he?” Yuria said, her eyes lighting up as Dante stepped through the door.
Jin and Dante exchanged smiles, silent for a moment.
It had been nearly three years since they last met.
“How did you find this place, Dante?” Jin asked.
“I received reports that a craftsman named Paul Gray Mick and his group were recklessly handing out checks all over the capital’s busy streets, so I hurried over to see for myself,” Dante replied.
Jin grinned.
“Sit down, Dante. The food’s just arrived.”