Episode 691
Chapter 176. Fate for Two (5)
“But you said your body was crippled from prolonged torture. How did you survive Rosa’s ordeal?”
“Has my body ever changed all at once, 12th Knight?”
“I felt my senses sharpen with each new level you reached.”
“No, it wasn’t just that. It felt like being completely reborn.”
“I’ve seen it before—through the late Sir Ron.”
“I experienced it firsthand the moment I vowed to live for the lady’s sake. My body, which even the divine medicine of Numerus couldn’t fix, suddenly began to heal. I could feel broken bones knitting back together, damaged organs recovering.”
Just as Ron had miraculously risen from death when facing Gliek, Hedo underwent a similar physical rebirth.
“For a moment, I wondered if I had reached the same realm as Sir Siron. I soon realized it was just an illusion, but it was enough to fight.”
“So that day, you and Sandra protected each other.”
“We fought without fully adapting to the new realm and without proper swords, so we were pushed back. But Rosa was exhausted from breaking through to the lab, which bought us time until reinforcements arrived. Rosa escaped, teeth clenched in frustration.”
After that, Hedo naturally joined Ziphl.
He asked only two things of Keliak: to return the sword he had obtained from the Black Sea, and to let him stay with Sandra.
Sandra had given Hedo something no one else ever had.
The meaning of living. Not the orphanage director, not the first knight he killed, not Siron, Keliak, or anyone else.
“So that’s how you became the second steward.”
“There was no position more fitting. From then on, I learned everything to serve the lady—common sense, knowledge, refinement. I focused on what she lacked. She was little more than a beast, so I felt I had to teach her.”
For Sandra, Hedo absorbed everything at a furious pace.
Most quickly, he mastered the art of navigating the family’s politics. He realized early on that the family coveted his loyalty, but also that many were suspicious of him.
So he took on the role of cleaner. He ruthlessly purged those who sabotaged operations or clung to key posts despite incompetence, and eliminated factions that wasted the family’s strength on petty power struggles—using overwhelming force.
Yet he never overreached, so it was no surprise that Keliak and the leadership were satisfied with him.
In no time, Hedo became Ziphl’s hidden power. He never changed his title because there was no need.
However, the one reward he desired remained unfulfilled.
“To treat Lady Sandra not as a test subject but as a human, and to grant her freedom. That was all I asked of the family. I never openly demanded it after gaining power, but they knew.”
“Ziphl would never allow that. The moment Sandra gained freedom, your loyalty would vanish too.”
“The family did try to keep the leash tight, but it wasn’t just that. I believed the family was the safest place for the lady. The long-standing grudge between the family and Runcandel, the international situation, and the lady’s strange disposition—all reasons. Could she live a normal life outside the family?”
Keliak waited for the day Hedo would pledge true loyalty to the family, not Sandra.
“…I was using that fact to carve out a space for the lady and me within the family, 12th Knight.”
“So, from your perspective, I ruined your plans.”
A heavy silence fell. Jin suddenly recalled Sandra’s past life—married off in a political union to a low-ranking royal of the Biment Empire.
Perhaps Sandra’s marriage was the fruition of Hedo’s will at last.
Before Jin could dwell on that thought, Hedo spoke again.
“12th Knight, what I wanted to give the lady in return was a normal life. A stable personality, socializing with others, finding a suitable partner to spend her later years with. If not for you… I would have made that happen.”
Jin met Hedo’s gaze without replying.
“But that was what I wanted, not what the lady wanted… I only realize that now, and it’s such a simple truth.”
Pouring the last of the liquor into both their cups, Hedo said:
“Top Knight, I have a question.”
“What is it?”
“Even after you took control, Ziphl hasn’t stopped experimenting on Sandra, and you said she wanted it. I think that was a choice made for your sake. I called you cowardly before, but I want to take that back.”
“It was cowardly, so no need to retract.”
Sandra agreed to the experiments to help Hedo. Sometimes she had to be compliant so he wouldn’t be suspected, and gaining a semi-immortal body would reduce the dangers he faced.
“12th Knight.”
“Speak.”
“I’m honestly still skeptical. Even if the lady and I become part of your family here, can it really be better than the relatively stable life we had before?”
“What would you want to do then?”
“I’m not saying I want to return to the family. Looking back, it was always a refuge. Life there wasn’t truly good for either of us.”
“Then I should ask differently. What would you want me to do?”
“If one day I think there’s no hope in Tikan, I’ll leave with the lady without hesitation. Don’t stop me then.”
“I swear. Not only will I not stop you, but I won’t seek revenge for your betrayal.”
“I’m not sure I can trust your words.”
“Now I’m someone whose word carries weight, aren’t I? And more than that…”
Jin turned briefly to look at Sandra.
He felt a strong resolve: Tikan must be a better choice than her past life, even if she married into royalty.
Back then, even if she married, Ziphl existed, so Sandra would have been under constant surveillance and likely politically exploited.
Besides, she didn’t act as unhinged as she does now—perhaps a result of mental manipulation.
It was Jin’s duty to ensure she would be freer.
“I owe Sandra a great debt. She’s saved me many times, even my life. For now, dealing with Rosa is the priority, but my ultimate goal includes the destruction of Ziphl. Once they’re gone, nothing in this world will threaten you or Sandra.”
“Our departure might come before the final battle with the Ominous God.”
“I understand. No matter how much I threaten you, it won’t work. Losing power is painful, but I must respect that. Unless you’re the type to bow to strength.”
Hedo’s cigarette burned down to embers and went out.
“But I sincerely plan to prevent that. I’ll help end your long nightmare while you stay in Tikan.”
Jin stared into his cup as Hedo raised his.
Their first toast.
Hedo and Sandra would remain in Tikan.
“Suddenly, I recall something you said recently.”
—Maybe you’re a descendant of Sir Veil, the Templar Knight. That’s why the sword found you—not by chance.
Jin had said this to coax Hedo.
Of course, Hedo wasn’t Veil’s descendant. But their fates bore uncanny similarities.
“Talking with you reminded me of Sir Veil’s story. His trials weren’t as harsh as yours, but just as you were reborn through Sandra, Veil found meaning through Lady Sara.”
Jin had already spoken with Veil to some extent.
Like Hedo, Veil was a destructive monster before meeting Sara.
“That madman seems to lack any thought, unlike me. Still, I can’t deny your words ring true.”
Jin smiled.
“I want to believe this is fate for the two of you.”
Hedo shrugged and lit a new cigarette.
“But your first request is a problem. Now that the lady and I are traitors, we can’t help you find your sister, Yona Runcandel, in Akin.”
“Well, since you and Veil belong to Tikan, the situation’s actually better. The three of us can infiltrate Akin and, with Nameless’s help, subdue your runaway sister quickly and steadily without Ziphl’s aid.”
“Sending traitors to infiltrate the family’s territory—what a shameless order.”
“If it’s too much, I’ll send only Sir Veil.”
“No, I’ll go too. While I’m at it, I’ll secure your sister and leave a message for the family.”
“Thank you, Top Knight. Oh, and—”
Jin extended his hand to Hedo. Hedo looked at it for a few seconds, then clasped it.
“From now on, I’ll use honorifics and show proper respect. Please forgive my rudeness under the special circumstances until now, Sir Hedo.”
Hedo liked Jin’s words more than he expected and replied with a smile.
“Then I’ll speak freely from now on, Cadet 12. I look forward to working with you.”
With that, Hedo turned his head toward a nearby pillar.
“And Valeria, I’m counting on you as well. Just so you know… you’ve never been involved in anything related to Hister.”
As Jin and Hedo stepped into the dining hall, Valeria emerged from behind the pillar.
Both Jin and Hedo had known from the start that she had been listening in, and Valeria was aware of this too—but none of them showed it.
For a moment, Valeria leaned against the railing and gazed up at the sky.