Episode 760
Chapter 187: The People We Must Find, An Unexpected Clue (Part 1)

The Caldaran Snowfields.

The moment Jin arrived here riding the crimson owl, a heavy feeling settled in his chest. Even if he reunited with Runtia, unlike Bailram, the current purifier wouldn’t be able to bring her back.

His second sister was still trapped, a monster consumed by chaotic madness, enduring her lonely torment.

In the middle of the endless snowfield, now pure white after the chaos had faded, there was a cave leading to Runtia’s pocket dimension.

[Meowww…]

As Jin approached the cave, Shuri licked his back as if to encourage him.

“Thanks, Shuri.”

“Don’t you owe me a thank you?”

“Yeah, okay. Thanks to you too. Bail, it’s time to release your power.”

As Bail transformed, golden energy began to flood the cave instantly.

The first time Jin came searching for Runtia, he had accidentally opened the door to the pocket dimension using Shakan and his spiritual energy. But this time, the portal formed in the center without consuming any energy.

A thick aura of chaos already radiated from the doorway. Though the malevolent spirit and the prophet had been completely destroyed, the chaotic energy tied to Runtia had not vanished.

[This feels off… Are you sure you want to go in? You said you can’t save your sister with the purifier right now anyway.]

“Don’t start with that. Just follow me.”

Sending Shuri back to the red jade, Jin stepped through the portal.

Inside, a vast pocket dimension unfolded. Time here flowed differently from the mortal world, so Jin had to quickly check on Runtia and leave.

But no matter how he searched his memory, he couldn’t find the path they had used before. Without the markers Valeria had left, the pocket dimension was nothing but empty darkness.

“Bail, you check over there. I’ll look around here…”

Just as he spoke, Jin suddenly sensed a surge of chaotic energy approaching from afar. It moved swiftly, almost like it was running.

‘Could that be Runtia’s energy?’

The aura was thick, which meant there was a high chance Runtia had lost her sanity.

His chest tightened again, but when Runtia appeared moments later, she immediately dispelled Jin’s dark premonitions.

[Jin, little brother!]

“Sis!?”

To Jin’s surprise, Runtia still retained her human sanity.

-[If I connect to that, I’ll go mad again.]

The words Runtia had said last time echoed in his mind.

The ‘connection points’ linking her to the pocket dimension still existed, and just like before, horns protruded from her forehead.

[You look surprised I’m still sane, huh?]

“That sounds like a villain’s line, but honestly, I’m more relieved than anything.”

[Heh heh. My mind has been slowly coming back recently, and now I’m almost completely myself again. I think it’s thanks to you defeating the malevolent spirit.]

Indeed, Runtia’s recovery was a direct result of the spirit’s death. The chaotic energy, now ownerless, could no longer consume her mind. Still, it was Runtia’s strong will that made this possible.

“That’s a huge relief, sis.”

[And this one beside you?]

“This is Bail, one of the old Ten Knights of Runkandel.”

[What? I’m honored to meet such a great ancestor!]

Runtia knelt on one knee in respect, and Bail puffed up proudly.

[Yeah, yeah. Finally, a descendant who knows their place. This guy only ever knows how to boss me around—he has no concept of respecting his ancestors! You should teach him a lesson, sister!]

“He’s a bit reckless, but he’s an entertaining companion. Please understand, sis.”

Jin helped Runtia to her feet.

[See? Again!]

[Isn’t an old Ten Knight supposed to be the most respected ancestor?]

“Well, yes, but he wasn’t exactly devoted solely to the family. He almost got me and my comrades killed. He’s been trying to get his act together lately, though, becoming a better knight.”

Bail then summarized the events that had transpired since their last meeting.

Runtia listened calmly, as if she had expected most of it, though occasional bitter glances crossed her face.

When the topic of Dipus’s death came up, tears welled in her eyes. Unlike the others—Mew sisters, Lan, and Vigo—Dipus’s death weighed heavily on her.

[…So, you’ve become the head of the family.]

When the story ended, Runtia bowed to Jin, wanting to congratulate her younger brother since she had missed the appointment ceremony.

[You’ve worked hard, Jin. While you and your siblings fought so desperately, I did nothing. The burden must have been heavy.]

“Please don’t say that. Just knowing you’ve regained your consciousness gives me great strength. When you return, there will be much for you to do for the family.”

Since their last meeting, Jin had felt a deep bond with Runtia. The remaining riders were truly family now.

“To bring you back, I’ll need the help of the Twin God Brothers. Please wait a little longer.”

[You’ll handle it well, I’m sure. But don’t spend too much time trying to save me. Now that I’m conscious, I’ll live as if I’m in solitary training. Even if you can’t get me out, I won’t resent you. And don’t come visiting too often—it’s pointless.]

“I will definitely get you out.”

[By the way, little brother.]

“Yes, sis?”

[Before you came, someone else already visited here. I was going to tell you when you arrived.]

“Someone came? Please tell me everything.”

[It happened when I had only half my sanity back, so my memory is fuzzy. They were covered in a robe, face hidden, but the voice was female. I couldn’t guess who it was, but after hearing what’s happened, I think it might be Lokia Ganesto—the traitor from a thousand years ago.]

Jin had the same instinct as soon as Runtia said it.

This pocket dimension was originally the fifth tomb of Temar. Only those with a contract to Solderet, like Jin, or those connected deeply to Runkandel from a thousand years ago could enter.

Even the prophet had to use a thousand-year-old artifact to open this place, and Valeria had used Bail’s handkerchief, found during her investigation, to enter. Jin and Hedo had also entered using spiritual energy and Shakan.

So the person Runtia met was most likely Lokia. If not, it had to be another of the Ten Knights.

[Wait, what was her voice like? Clear or a bit rough?]

[Closer to clear, Sir Bail.]

[Lokia’s voice was a bit rough.]

“Voices can be changed easily. What did she say to you?”

[She offered me a contract. If I agreed, she’d immediately get me out and make me the head of Runkandel.]

Even in her partially mad state, Runtia had refused outright.

[After I said no, she said more things… but I don’t remember. After that, I was struggling to hold back the madness, so I barely heard anything. Damn it, if she’d come a little later, I could have heard everything and told you.]

“Maybe we can find out what she said through record magic.”

[The wizard who healed Hister, you mean?]

“Yes. Once Valeria finishes her work, I’ll bring her back here to examine the records. Even if you didn’t hear it, there should be a record of what was said somewhere in this space.”

Valeria was currently stuck maintaining the record window about the malevolent spirit in the imperial square. Jin decided to return with her as soon as she was done.

[Oh, I didn’t think of that. I told you not to visit often, but I guess I’ll see you again soon.]

Finding a clue about Lokia, or someone suspected to be her agent, was good news—but it also worried Jin.

Since the malevolent spirit’s disappearance, she had already begun moving quickly. Lokia must be plotting something again.

‘According to Sir Padler, Lokia Ganesto was so thorough that even human Rosa never noticed her schemes.’

Before her fall, human Rosa was undeniably a flawless person—even Jin had to admit that.

Yet, until her death as a malevolent spirit, Rosa never sensed Lokia’s interference. Jin had to stay alert, watching every detail.

[So, for now, go back, little brother. Time flows much faster here than in the mortal world.]

Runtia repeated this several times, but Jin nodded reluctantly.

He still had one piece of news he hadn’t told her.

“Sis.”

[You want to talk about Lisham, my nanny. I can see it in your expression.]

Runtia’s nanny, Lisham.

The one who had urged Runtia most strongly to take over as the master of this pocket dimension in place of Padler, and once—

No, even now—she was the most precious mother in Runtia’s world.

Since the day Jin first met Runtia here, he had sent people to find out what happened to Lisham and her biological daughter.

[…Lisham isn’t in this world anymore, is she?]

“…No, she’s gone.”

Lisham was dead.

It was also revealed that the malicious spirit had personally harmed her.

“Youngest, I hope you don’t hate Nurse Risham too much. She’s already passed on… She was more precious to me than my own life. Even if it weren’t for her request, I would have been bound here by force anyway.”

Back then, and even now, Jin understood Runtia’s feelings. Even if she and Gilly found themselves in the same situation, Jin could never bring herself to hate Gilly.

“What happened to Nurse Risham’s daughter and grandchildren?”

“I just heard from them the day before yesterday. They became refugees during the war, but thankfully, they survived. They’re currently living in the southern part of the empire.”

“Until I’m able to leave, could you take care of them for me?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Runtia replied.

Jin quietly met her gaze and promised that she would.