Chapter 681
Episode 174: Veil’s Misconception (Part 1)
As the power of the Graveyard Giants was infused, the core of the seal began to emit an even stronger, radiant light.
The beam shot upward like a pillar at the center of all the world’s seas. Those who had long suffered under the relentless red rays momentarily mistook this for another form of attack—but the light pouring from the seal was nothing but pure, beautiful illumination.
The seabed, carved into a cylindrical shape beneath the ocean, the spiritual energy mingling with seawater, and the battle-stained sky above—all were bathed in that light.
The Graveyard Giants ceased their assault, and as the chaotic scene was instantly purified, a solemn reverence swept over the onlookers.
Jin kept his focus sharp, eyes locked on the core.
His expression gradually shifted, overtaken by shock.
“…Valeria.”
“Yeah, I feel it too.”
The energy of the Graveyard Giants connected to the core was amplifying endlessly, as if plants that had absorbed light over a long time were finally rising to life.
Both of them had naturally assumed that the Giants’ power would be drained in the process of breaking the seal. But it was quite the opposite.
Even if the Graveyard Giants grew stronger, without self-awareness, they were merely more formidable weapons in Jin’s eyes.
Yet, somehow, Jin sensed there was more to it.
The Giants lowered their spears and shields, kneeling down as if performing a religious ritual.
Such behavior was not something mindless weapons would exhibit.
Then, as the light spread in all directions converged, the seal began to open. While it slowly unraveled, Valeria opened the record window.
<Jin Runcandel, Valeria Hister, and 156 Graveyard Giants have broken the seal of Old Runcandel…>
<…The seal of Veil Runcandel, one of the Ten Great Knights of Old Runcandel, has been broken.>
Veil.
The presumed owner of the sword Heddo carried, a figure from Old Runcandel. He was awakening from a millennium-long slumber, receiving the worship of the Graveyard Giants.
“Veil Runcandel…”
Without needing to delve further into the records, Jin and Valeria immediately recognized him as the ‘Forgotten God.’
A forgotten god who had once been part of Old Runcandel.
He was similar in build to Jin, with a humanoid form. But a soft golden glow shimmered over his entire body, his pupils shaped like crosses, and runic inscriptions and seams marked his flesh.
Two massive white wings spread from his back, and a shining halo hovered above his head—almost identical to the angelic figures of religious myth.
Before they knew it, the sword that had been planted in the seabed’s center was now in his hand. Ten small blades jutted from either side of the blade, confirming this was the sword’s true owner.
“The youngest scion of Runcandel, Jin Runcandel, pays respects to his ancestor.”
Jin bowed respectfully.
He had never heard of any non-human among the Ten Great Knights. Due to the manipulated history, even the dragons had forgotten him.
But since Veil’s awakening, Quikantel, who hovered above, felt memories of him returning swiftly.
‘Veil…! The Sun’s Creation!’
When Quikantel first met Veil a thousand years ago, Veil had introduced himself as such. Though he never explained what ‘Sun’s Creation’ meant, Veil was undoubtedly a unique being.
Even after becoming one of the Ten Great Knights, Veil was the only one who swore loyalty not to Runcandel or Temar, but to an individual.
“Lord Quikantel, it seems our lord has awakened Old Runcandel. That radiant being is…”
[Now I remember, damn it. Veil. If I’d known it was him, I wouldn’t have opened this tomb. And that form—he’s completely free of the Golden Seal.]
“What do you mean by that?”
[Because Sara… isn’t here. I need to descend and tell Jin about Veil… Ugh!]
Quikantel’s rambling panic unsettled his comrades.
Suddenly, hundreds of golden magic circles appeared across the sky.
They swiftly targeted all factions, ready to unleash something—not magic, but divine power.
Everyone, stop moving.
Veil’s low voice echoed.
Quikantel gritted his teeth and halted his descent, but the other factions, unfamiliar with Veil, disobeyed.
Ssshhh—!
Golden beams shot from the magic circles, tearing through the ships and dragons of the three factions like paper.
‘…Is that truly the original owner of my sword?’
Heddo tensed, nerves on edge. Without even touching the blade, he doubted whether this being could protect Sandra. Especially since he himself was currently without a sword.
Magic circles also formed behind Jin and Valeria.
[You’re Jin Runcandel?]
Jin turned to examine the magic circle behind him.
“Yes, Lord Veil Runcandel.”
[Where is Sara?]
“While you were sealed, a thousand years passed.”
[I asked where Sara is.]
“Are you truly asking because you don’t know?”
[Sara! If she’s dead, I will destroy the entire world!]
Jin shuddered at the sudden outburst.
He instinctively knew Veil’s madness was no empty threat.
[No, Sara can’t be dead… I spoke foolishly. Guide me, Jin Runcandel. I must see her.]
“You have not been tainted by chaos, and unlike the other Ten Great Knights, you are alive and your memories intact. Am I correct?”
[Why are you saying strange things when I said I want to see Sara?]
“Lady Sara died in battle, during your era a thousand years ago.”
[Shut up! You, red-haired woman, guide me. I can’t reason with this one. Say once more that Sara is dead, and I’ll wring your neck. Consider yourself lucky—she still holds the castle she loves, so I’m letting it slide.]
Valeria exchanged a glance with Jin.
She hadn’t expected the being awakened from the seal to be such a madman.
[Oh, by the way, you resemble the steward. Are you a descendant of Luet? If you don’t know where Sara is, at least take me to Luet. He would know.]
At those words, Jin recalled a memory—he had met the living Luet, not just the one recorded in history.
—If I leave here, will Lord Luet be alone again? Will I forget my memories of him…?
—You’ll only remember the image from the records. About me. But Lord Jin, I am essentially a forgotten, dead man. Rather than soothing my loneliness, saving the living outside is more worthwhile.
He remembered that conversation from the third tomb. Veil’s memories held the power to undo the faded historical manipulations.
Just as Valeria was about to respond, Jin spoke first.
“Very well. Let’s meet Lord Luet first.”
Jin had promised to rescue Luet from that dark place and help him recover his memories through Valeria.
With Veil’s power, he felt that promise could be fulfilled.
[I don’t want to talk to someone who says Sara is dead. I asked Luet’s descendant. Now, tell me—red hair, where is Luet?]
“Grrr! Grrr!”
The kneeling Graveyard Giants urged him to answer.
“What if Lord Luet also doesn’t know where Lady Sara is?”
Valeria’s question brought a deadly gleam to Veil’s eyes.
[You’re lying… I can smell the filthy stench of a lying human.]
“What lie?”
[You think Sara is dead, don’t you?]
Valeria sighed deeply.
“First, I have never lied. It’s true Lady Sara died in battle, and you’re causing trouble for those of us who woke you after a thousand years. When have I ever said she’s alive? That would be a lie.”
[Fine, I won’t talk to you either, descendant of Luet.]
Ssshhh—!
Golden beams shot from the magic circles behind them. Jin quickly shielded Valeria and dodged, while Veil lunged forward, swinging his sword.
“Lord Veil, I was personally taught the Flame Art by Lady Sara. Do you think she would approve of you attacking me?”
Jin parried Veil’s strike with Sigmund, switching swords as he spoke. When Jin began to summon blue flames, Veil smiled slyly.
[Then it’s even more impossible that Sara is dead. Judging by the runes, that is definitely Sara’s sword.]
There was no reasoning with him.
A madman obsessed with Sara Runcandel.
Jin saw a glimpse of Heddo in him—though different, their blind devotion to someone was essentially the same.
If Sandra died, Heddo would likely become a vengeful spirit, vowing to destroy the world.
‘He’s not someone I can subdue.’
An ancient Ten Great Knight, a godlike being with power rivaling or surpassing Jin’s.
And just a few words from him had already begun to undo the historical manipulations about Luet, restoring memories from the past.
[So, like Paddler, you’re scheming to have Sarah all to yourself?]
“What on earth are you talking about?”
[I know everything. That scoundrel who pretended to be weak and stole Sarah—I’ll kill him this time for sure.]
“Sir Paddler died a thousand years ago.”
[Oh yeah? Then what’s this surge of blue thunder energy I’m sensing from afar? You liar.]
As the senses sharpened, the presence of Paddler’s energy was unmistakable. Just like on the Caldren snowfields, it seemed he was being summoned again.
Jin wanted to say that this wasn’t the real Paddler, but a being conjured by the prophet’s soul tainted with chaos… but it was clear no one would listen anyway.
[Heh heh, I’ll kill him and take Sarah back…]
The moment Vale finished speaking, Sandra, who had been unconscious, suddenly snapped her eyes open. Upon waking and seeing the situation beneath the sea, she shouted out.
“What is that monster? Jin, you’re in danger!”
“Miss! Miss!”
Without a moment’s hesitation, she leapt forward. Hedoh let out a heavy sigh but immediately followed, jumping off Quikantel’s back.
“Jin, I’m coming to save you!”
“Miss, saving you won’t help. Once this is over, I will kill all twelve of the disciples!”
“Sandra!?”
Amid the chaos, Jin and Valeria watched as Vale stared blankly at the falling Sandra.
Vale was saying this:
[Sarah…!? Sarah, yes. Here!]
Directed at Sandra.