Episode 696
Chapter 177. Yona, Yona, Yona… (5)
The flagship Kojek and the First Fleet loomed overhead, surrounding the group with an imposing presence.
Jin only looked up at the fleet after Owl had bound Yona with the remaining threads.
Ziphl didn’t fire a single shot, but their stance was far from that of an ally—they looked like they had come to wipe out enemies.
It was only natural.
Before Jin came to Akin, he had sent a letter to Ziphl’s side, stating his intention to rescue Yona and also mentioning the defections of Hedo and Sandra.
In other words, he had conducted an operation on Ziphl’s territory without permission, and had even extracted key figures beforehand. From Ziphl’s perspective, this was an utterly infuriating situation.
Jin turned his gaze toward Hedo. The latter’s expression was calm, as if he wasn’t particularly bothered by the situation.
A long silence stretched between them. The fleet remained stationary, not descending any further.
“I don’t know who’s aboard the flagship, so I’m not sure how to greet you. Let’s just skip that. But first, I must apologize. Rescuing my sister was urgent, so I launched the operation before receiving a response. We will compensate for any damages caused.”
Jin’s low, resolute voice resonated heavily, shaking the sky.
No answer came for a long while. Everyone heard Jin’s words, but the conversations inside the ships were hidden from those on the ground.
‘It seems Kadun is still under treatment.’
If that foul-tempered fire dragon had been here, they would have heard a dozen complaints by now.
‘Then it must be Octavia or Ronil Ziphl. Why are they hesitating? Surely they discussed how to handle Hedo before coming.’
After a few more minutes of standoff, a voice amplified by magic finally came from the fleet.
[Lord Hedo… Honestly, I didn’t believe the words of the 12 Riders until I saw you standing there myself. But seeing you with them… you truly have abandoned the family.]
As expected, it was Octavia. Her tone was heavy with sorrow.
“Commander of the Phantoms, I’ve also been troubled by leaving without a proper farewell. I apologize.”
[Apologies? Is that all? We’ve shared years together, crossed the gates of life and death side by side. If you were upset with the family, you should have told me. How could you betray us so suddenly? And Sandra too…!]
“Betrayal is not the right word, Commander. I was never truly loyal to the family.”
[The family has always cared for you.]
“I know. But my true master has always been Miss Sandra. The family must have known that to some extent.”
[Yes, we know well. That’s why Sandra was originally an experiment subject, but thanks to you, she gained freedom. More than that, she has been granted special privileges in every way.]
“I’m aware of that too.”
[Then why stab the family in the back? What has clouded your judgment? Were you afraid of punishment for helping the 12 Riders during your last leave?]
“That is part of the reason.”
[You fool… Even if you had returned, we wouldn’t have investigated Sandra or questioned you. Why? Because we trusted you! You were just caught up in the 12 Riders’ schemes; we never believed you did it intentionally. We treated you better than anyone. So you owe us a reasonable explanation.]
Hedo looked up at the fleet for a few seconds.
He was reflecting on his past days with Ziphl. As Octavia said, Ziphl had done nothing wrong to him.
But the family had never truly recognized Sandra as a person.
“There was only a path where she could be happier. She spent more time in the Black Sea than in Inse, and only now do I realize it. The family never saw her as anything more than an unnecessary appendage attached to me. It wasn’t about attitude or treatment—it was a matter of sincerity. If the family had understood that, I would never have left.”
Octavia remained silent.
Not because she fully understood or accepted Hedo’s position, but because she knew no words could bring him back.
[Whatever the reason, the family is ultimately responsible for failing to care for their own. I will respect that, Lord Hedo.]
A new voice followed, causing Jin’s eyes to widen.
It was Veradin’s voice. Unlike Octavia, who was struggling to contain her emotions, Veradin spoke calmly.
“Lord Sojaju.”
[But I must tell you one thing. Sandra Ziphl will surely suffer misfortune because of your choice today.]
Hedo said nothing.
[Jin, you probably told Lord Hedo he could leave whenever he wanted.]
“That’s so accurate it’s creepy, Veradin. Did you eavesdrop on us?”
[It’s obvious. And you must have known that, facing a massive common enemy, we would reluctantly overlook Lord Hedo’s betrayal.]
“I admit it.”
[That’s why I must keep a close watch. Jin Runkandel, if Lord Hedo is absent from the battlefield when we face Rosa, we will immediately dissolve our temporary alliance. The same goes for Yona Runkandel, whom you saved by causing this commotion today.]
“Isn’t the alliance formed because Ziphl can’t face Rosa alone? You make it sound like only we have something to lose.”
[The situation has changed, thanks to you bringing back Hister. Of course, I’m not saying the alliance is unnecessary, but it’s no longer essential.]
—These bio-golems only function near the sanctuary.
—Right. We’re looking for a way to let them operate outside the sanctuary. For now, the moment they leave the sanctuary’s vicinity, they stop moving like puppets with cut strings. That means death. By the way, I don’t understand why you look so displeased. Do you think the magic swordsmen are an exclusive privilege of your family?
Veradin’s words reminded Jin of the magic swordsman bio-golems he saw at Ziphl’s sanctuary, and also of Ronil Ziphl’s secret trump card mentioned during their first meeting—history manipulation.
They probably weren’t fully prepared yet. Otherwise, they wouldn’t resort to such threats.
“Your warning is harsh. It doesn’t sound like empty words, so I’ll remember it. Now that we’ve cleared the air, may I ask one thing before we part?”
[Speak.]
“As you know, the chaotic subspace just exploded. We did our best to contain it, but was there any civilian damage? I assume you checked on the way here.”
[None.]
“That’s a relief. Then I’m leaving. Make sure to properly handle the compensation and send it to Tikan.”
As Jin turned away, Ziphl’s fleet slowly began to withdraw. Soon, they sped off in their respective directions.
Even when Jin met Veradin at the sanctuary, and even now, he couldn’t find any trace of the Veradin he once knew.
It felt like he had regained family but lost a friend.
‘Someday, I have to bring that guy back too, just like I did with Sister Yona… but it won’t be easy.’
He wanted to return quickly, start the purification, and talk with his youngest sister who had come back. Right now, that was the only comfort he could find.
The Garden of Swords.
Rosa stared down at her eldest son with an expressionless face.
[Joshua… once again, you wasted my power and ran away like a dog.]
Joshua had lost his body five times in the battle against Veil. Each time, Rosa’s energy was drained because he had used power beyond what she had granted.
Kneeling on one knee, Joshua couldn’t even bring himself to lift his head.
After being pulled from the underground prison, he had been filled with confidence, believing he could accomplish anything.
He thought he would never disappoint his mother again. He had become a Second Rider once more, and the power of the cursed god bestowed by his mother was vast beyond measure.
Moreover, unlike when she had cast him down before, his mother had shown some hope this time. She had said she would help him, urging him to defeat the youngest sibling.
[Mother, I…]
[I have never had a son like you. Address me properly.]
But nothing had changed.
He was still not the youngest, still disappointing his mother, and the brief moment of hope after his return had already turned to despair.
[I’m sorry, Lady Gaju.]
[Yes, you have a mouth after all. Make another excuse—what made you fail this time?]
He had no words.
Whether it was a lack of a solid plan, insufficient power, or unforeseen variables, nothing could satisfy his mother.
Self-loathing boiled within him.
Joshua truly felt like he was less than the trash in a back alley.
[I have nothing to say.]
[When I pulled you from the underground prison, I thought you had changed. That’s why I gave you power and entrusted you with a task. It wasn’t difficult—use Yona’s clones to kill Dante and torment the youngest sibling.]
Though he wasn’t her son, the way Jin called the youngest “youngest” seemed to revive the nightmare of his fall.
[Just one more chance… please.]
[Why should I? Even after receiving my power, you’ve already proven the youngest is an insurmountable wall for you.]
[That is…]
He couldn’t answer any question.
Breathing became difficult. When Joshua involuntarily gasped like a drowning man, Rosa shook her head coldly.
[Until I call for you again, return to the underground prison. From now on, Dipus will take your place.]
Joshua turned away with a dazed expression, and Illina followed him.
Ilina gently comforted Joshua, telling him she would somehow postpone the punishment, urging him to steady himself and wait a little longer.
After sending Joshua away, Ilina returned to Rosa and let out a deep, weary sigh.
“Even when I worked through Joshua, his incompetence drove me nearly mad with frustration. Yet, in the end, it somehow ended up helping the head of the family. Fate is… truly a strange thing.”
[If he were the youngest, he would have seen through my intentions long ago and resisted. This ridiculous charade is nothing but a play.]
There was only one reason Rosa had pulled Joshua out of the underground prison.
“Yes, that foolish fool will never realize his role is done until he disappears.”
What Joshua had built up over time—and was still carefully nurturing—was an almost unnervingly pure despair.
That was all Rosa needed from him. For the first time, Joshua seemed useful to her.
No matter how deep the abyss he fell into, he would never give up. He would keep despairing, fueled by the hope of a ‘prophecy.’