Chapter 765
Episode 187: The People We Must Find, An Unexpected Clue (6)

[Welcome.]

As they stepped into the forest, Sheila greeted the group.

“Long time no see, Lady Sheila.”

Since Jin and Valeria’s last visit to the Vantaramo Forest, Sheila had regained the power of the cursed Fairy King.

Seeing her again after so long, she radiated a stronger magical aura than before, and the forest’s order, centered around her, was perfectly restored.

[Though it hasn’t been long by our standards, I’m truly glad to see you and Valeria again. Especially Valeria… it seems her heart has grown much kinder.]

“Can you see my feelings?”

Valeria asked with a playful smile. Since their last meeting, she had developed a kind of bond with Sheila.

Though there was a difference between those cursed into wraiths and those who inherited the will of true fairies, both shared the same fairy roots. Valeria saw Sheila as a warm grandmotherly figure, and Sheila thought of Valeria like a granddaughter.

[Anyone who knows you would feel the same. The girl whose face was once filled only with duty and vengeance has become so clear and bright. It must be thanks to Jin and your companions.]

Valeria blushed, and Sheila smiled warmly at Jin.

[I must thank you. Not only for Valeria’s change… but for saving this world. Every living thing on the surface owes you a debt.]

“You flatter me.”

“Indeed, you do. Honestly, it was more the Underworld’s warrior who saved us… Ah, why are you hitting me? You little rascals!”

It wasn’t Jin who struck Veil, but the Myoin tribe. Jin chuckled softly at Veil’s grumbling as the Myoin scolded him.

[You must be Sir Veil Runcandel.]

“Oh, you know me?”

Sheila was recalling some memories from before the curse Heluram placed on her a thousand years ago. Each time Jin solved a major incident, the power of Zipl’s historical manipulation weakened.

[I saw you a thousand years ago. It seems you don’t remember. Back then, I went by the name Sheila Damiro.]

“Sheila Damiro? That name sounds familiar. Ah, were you the housekeeper’s maid?”

[She was my younger sister. Back then, the fairies had no concept of maids.]

“I see. Didn’t you have another younger sibling?”

[…I sent that child away with my own hands. She forgot our duty and betrayed us, putting our clan in danger.]

“Oh, I shouldn’t have asked.”

[Not at all. But Sir Veil must have a duty as well. A duty that must be fulfilled. It’s probably related to the protection of Runcandel or the legacy of Solderet. After all, you were one of the Ten Knights.]

“I don’t know much about that. Even back then, I fought not for my family, but for Sarah.”

[No, one day you will remember. Your sister said everyone fought with one heart back then…]

Normally, Veil would have snapped, “What does it matter to you?” but somehow, he didn’t want to say anything harsh to Sheila.

“Lady Sheila, on the way here, Neru mentioned something. When you brought your energy to the destroyed hideout, there was a strange reaction.”

[Yes, Jin. A blue light rose, drawn by my energy. It’s your sister’s power manifesting beyond Solderet’s subspace.]

The origin of record magic, the power of the fairies.

What the Myoin tribe saw was indeed a trace of that. Jin felt his heart race and nodded.

-[I wish I could tell you more about Runcandel a thousand years ago, but sadly, there are few memories left from that time.]

These were the words Luet spoke at Temar’s third tomb.

Even if they found Luet now, the secrets from a thousand years ago wouldn’t all be revealed. Though the historical manipulation had weakened, it was unlikely that all of Luet’s memories had returned.

Still, even the small clues she remembered would be invaluable.

More importantly, they would greatly aid Valeria in advancing her record magic, which meant they could begin restoring the history of that era.

[Your sister must be feeling it too.]

“I should get going.”

[The passage is ready.]

Neru raised a violet energy from the ground, drawing a magical circle with the Myoin tribe’s sacred purple glow.

From the circle, a door rose.

[The door’s a bit small, right? The distance made it hard to make it bigger by our standards.]

“That’s fine.”

[Go quickly. Somehow, I feel we’ll hear good news soon.]

Sheila’s voice was bright with anticipation, as if she could finally offer a long-overdue apology to her lost sister from a thousand years ago. The Myoin tribe gathered her energy into a basket. The energy seemed ready to overflow but didn’t leak at all.

“Yes, Lady Sheila.”

The group crouched and stepped through the door.

Beyond it lay the Myoin tribe’s hideout, destroyed years ago by the wraith army.

In the center of the ruined hideout, a blue light flickered like fireflies, resembling record magic.

For some reason, Valeria’s heart tightened the moment she saw it. She thought of Luet, struggling alone to fulfill her mission, fighting to ensure she wouldn’t be forgotten—just like herself.

Those who bear the burden of record magic are lonely souls. Valeria and Luet’s fates shared many similarities.

“Veil.”

At Jin’s word, Veil unleashed his power, spreading golden energy.

The blue light responded more intensely as his power joined in.

“Your guess was right, Valeria. As soon as something connected to Luet’s energy touched this place, it reacted immediately.”

Then, placing Silus at the center of the energy, the blue light intensified once more.

[Oh!]

[Finally, we might be able to meet Luet!]

The Myoin tribe cheered happily.

But the reaction stopped there. Though remarkable, it was somewhat weaker compared to when Shakan responded to Temar’s tomb.

Even when Jin released his spiritual energy, the other tombs had always reacted strongly in such situations.

[What should we do? Should we bring more of Lady Sheila’s energy?]

[We already tried that before Jin arrived.]

While the group pondered, Valeria quietly infused her silver pine staff with magic.

“I’ll check the records.”

A blue record window appeared within Luet’s energy.

<…this, …that, …>

As always in these situations, the record magic revealed only very limited information.

[It doesn’t seem to be working. Are we in danger of losing Luet? Do we need something else?]

“Stop doubting and be quiet. Valeria’s concentrating.”

After more than ten minutes, the text on the record window remained unchanged. Valeria was drenched in sweat, her body burning hot.

[She might collapse before this is over.]

[Right, Jin. Valeria’s going to get hurt. Maybe we should find more clues and come back later?]

Just as the Myoin tribe voiced their concern, Valeria opened her eyes and looked at Jin.

“Jin, my magic is resonating with Luet’s energy right now.”

“Really?”

Jin didn’t see it, but he said nothing. Valeria wouldn’t be making things up.

“But we need a catalyst. Neru, please bring more of Lady Sheila’s energy here.”

[Got it!]

[See? I told you we needed more of Lady Sheila’s energy!]

“Sir Veil, go help too. Jin, stay here and watch over me. If I show any signs of magical overload, you have to help.”

Jin sat facing Valeria, forming a protective barrier.

“Cover the magic that escapes my control with your spiritual energy. Place Lady Sheila’s energy here in the center each time you bring it. I won’t be able to speak until this is over.”

Valeria was taking a huge risk, but Jin trusted her.

“Don’t worry. Just focus.”

From then on, Veil and the Myoin tribe went back and forth through the passage, bringing Sheila’s energy, while Jin guarded Valeria.

Like adding fuel to a fire, every five minutes, Sheila’s energy layered over Valeria’s magic and Luet’s power.

It looked as if the flame was growing steadily.

Sometimes Valeria furrowed her brow and groaned in pain, and Jin calmly covered her magic with his spiritual energy.

At some point, Valeria stopped demanding any payment from Jin during these dangerous moments—even when her life was at risk.

She wasn’t risking herself just to complete her record magic.

Their relationship was slowly deepening, as if from a past life.

Valeria and Luet’s resonance continued through the night. Valeria never opened her eyes, focusing solely on channeling her magic.

Jin was growing tired too, as the task required intense concentration from him as well.

Finally, around midnight—

Whoooosh!

The faint glow of Valeria’s magic and Luet’s power suddenly surged, erupting into a massive pillar of light.

[Ohhh!]

[Wow! Valeria!]

At the same moment, Valeria collapsed into Jin’s arms.

Fortunately, she wasn’t unconscious—just temporarily drained of strength. Jin gently patted her burning-hot back.

“Phew, I’m fine, so don’t worry. I just need a moment to rest before we go in.”

[Did it work?]

“Yes. If you look closely at the pillar, there should be an entrance. Ruet said that if you bring Jin’s energy close, it will open.”

Valeria had shared several inner conversations with Ruet during their resonance.

[There really is an entrance!]

Jin adjusted Valeria’s posture so she could rest comfortably, and she didn’t bother getting up. Seeing this, Veil and the Myoin tribe exchanged glances and whispered among themselves.

“That should do it. Let’s go.”

Jin stood up with Valeria and approached the entrance in the pillar. Gathering a handful of energy in his palm and bringing it close, the door immediately began to open.

Inside, they saw Ruet, just like Valeria, sitting down exhausted and catching her breath.

[She really… didn’t forget. She came back to find me.]

Ruet was smiling.