Chapter 783
Episode 193: The Shrine Maiden (1)
The Holy Kingdom of Vankela.
Six days had passed since Runkandel received word of an explosion at the Tower of Stories. Until now, neither Runkandel nor the Balmel Alliance had heard any news from Kadun.
“Hmm, Kadun… It seems something’s gone wrong with that arrogant Fire Dragon. I heard he didn’t even show up at the Federation’s unification meeting the day before yesterday. Kadun was always notorious for attending those meetings just to stir up trouble,” Talaris remarked.
She had regained consciousness the night six days ago but had to remain in the kingdom for a while longer to continue receiving treatment from Lani. There were also tasks she needed to assist Lani with.
“Somehow, I get the feeling Ziphl isn’t trying to hide Kadun’s troubles. Of course, he might just be fine somewhere we don’t know about,” Talaris added thoughtfully.
“So, our son-in-law plans to head to the site himself tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“He’ll need Mote’s help, so our daughter will be going along too?”
“That’s right.”
“Well, I hope it turns out well… hmm…” Talaris trailed off.
As the greatest love expert of this era, with countless romances under her belt, Talaris instinctively sensed that something had shifted between Jin and Valeria. That was why, the moment she woke up, the matter of Jin and Siris’s marriage became her foremost concern.
“Valeria Hister… She’s certainly an attractive girl, but to think Jin—who’s never once shown interest in the opposite sex—would fall for her like this.”
Siris was even less interested in the opposite sex than Jin.
From Talaris’s perspective, Siris cared for Jin, but her feelings weren’t limited to romance.
As a friend, a warrior, and a potential partner—Siris clearly had affection for Jin, but she never expressed it openly.
“Perhaps she believes her duty as the next Mistress of the Secret Palace comes first? And it’s no longer certain that Jin will become the palace’s lord. But in this day and age, what does that even matter? The Secret Palace and Runkandel are allied now, after all. Still, she’s so stubborn…”
“Talaris,” Jin’s voice interrupted.
“Hm? What is it?”
“What are you thinking about?”
“Just a little worried.”
“Are you worried about me going to the Tower of Stories?”
Talaris stared at Jin for a moment, silence hanging between them.
“Maybe I just want to keep a certain distance for now.”
“Pardon?”
“Sometimes, there are relationships where people avoid getting too close because they fear losing what they have… That kind of bittersweet tension can be quite enjoyable. I’ve had a few like that in my long and colorful life.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden…?”
“Just a fleeting memory. Heh, I suddenly miss your father and Ron. I should visit the Sword Emperor’s domain soon, and check on the construction site of the Alliance’s shipyard.”
“If you oversee it, it will be a great honor for those working there.”
“By the way, it’s a shame your Black Dragon brother will need more time before returning. Since I received help from the Holy King, I couldn’t refuse the request.”
Lani had asked Talaris to assist with sealing the ‘Eye of Jito.’
“Maintaining the seal on Jito is also for the sake of the Alliance. So don’t worry about it.”
“My son-in-law, I think it’s inevitable that the demon lord called Jito will awaken someday. Perhaps Elona or Ziphl will awaken too.”
“Yes, we’re all prepared for that. No matter when they awaken, it won’t be like the time of the Tyrant God when the world was on the brink of destruction.”
“That’s reassuring, my son-in-law. It feels like just yesterday when I met that boy who risked his life to come from Colon. Now he’s grown into a giant.”
“I’ve always had the Secret Palace’s help since then. Without that connection, I’d have died several times over.”
“Remember to treat me and Siris well.”
“Of course. If there’s anything lacking, just say the word.”
Jin smiled brightly, and Talaris couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Despite his giant stature, he still had the clueless boyish charm that made him endearing.
In Talaris’s eyes, Jin was still a pure child. Despite all the power and authority he had gained, he hadn’t fallen into corruption or loneliness.
“Good thing you didn’t inherit everything from your father. You’ll have a lot to prepare if you’re leaving tomorrow, so I’ll let you go.”
“Understood, Talaris. Please take care of yourself.”
“Don’t get hurt, and don’t let my daughter or Mote get hurt either. If you do, I won’t forgive you.”
“Of course.”
Jin bowed and stepped outside. Talaris shrugged and muttered to herself.
“Well… kids have to handle their own affairs. A love triangle, huh? Or is it a square if Sandra Ziphl’s involved? Quite the enchantress, my son-in-law.”
Early the next morning.
Those infiltrating the Tower of Stories gathered at the Nameless Hall. Jin, Valeria, Siris, Yona, and Oul were present.
With Jin included, this group was formidable enough to feel safe anywhere on the continent.
Because of that, even though they were heading into enemy territory, no grim tension hung over them.
“Hehe, youngest sibling!” Yona was visibly excited, thrilled to be going out with the youngest after a long time.
Everyone in the group was someone Yona liked. Jin and Oul were obvious, but Yona also held a strong fondness for Valeria and Siris.
Valeria was a secret benefactor of Nameless, and Siris was the Secret Palace’s young mistress who had saved Jin multiple times.
So Yona was in high spirits. She bounced around silently, hopping onto shoulders like a bird.
“You’re still hard to read, sis.”
“Oh! So you can read me now?”
“I’ve grown a lot.”
“Then there’s no assassin in the world who can kill the youngest alone. Maybe the whole Nameless could attack and still fail?”
“Oh, Yona, calm down. You’re too hyper.”
“Wanna die?”
“Hmm, alright… I’ll stay quiet.”
“Hehe, just kidding. Don’t be scared. And don’t worry, once we’re in the operation zone, I’ll blend in like air. Though I wouldn’t mind taking out a few of Ziphl’s friends while we’re at it.”
“Yona, no. We’re here to investigate, not assassinate.”
“Of course, I’m not an idiot anymore. Right, Valeria?”
“That’s right.”
“So you’re saying I used to be an idiot? Wanna die too?”
“Please spare me.”
“Alright, I’ll spare you.”
Siris had a soft spot for anything cute, so she couldn’t take her eyes off Yona’s silly antics. Few people found Yona adorable, but Siris was one of them.
“Young Mistress! Why are you staring so much? Hehe.”
“Just looking.”
She couldn’t bring herself to say it was because Yona was cute.
“Just looking!?”
“Siris, shall we get going?”
“Yeah.”
Siris summoned Mote.
[Whoooosh.]
“When Mote finishes dimensional travel, we’ll arrive about 30 li from the Tower of Stories, on the Theia Plain. Once we arrive, the Nameless King will complete the full stealth operation, and then we’ll approach the tower,” Jin explained.
Oul’s ability to conceal others was far superior to Yona’s. That was why Rosa could secretly watch Jin’s group and Ziphl in the Sota Desert long ago.
“The best-case scenario is to approach safely, check the records, and leave quickly. Even if we’re discovered, I don’t think a battle will break out. But if it does, we’ll retreat immediately.”
Fighting in the heart of enemy territory, especially at the Tower of Stories, was madness—even with Jin there. It was wiser to escape first and plan next steps later.
“Hehe, don’t worry about being spotted, youngest. If we get detected 30 li out, even through dimensional travel, then Oul should retire. What kind of Nameless King would he be?”
“Yona…”
“Wanna die?”
“Heh, just teasing. Let’s go.”
In the time they hadn’t seen each other, Oul had become even more like a silly Yona. Oul didn’t bother hiding it, and Jin found it endearing.
The group climbed onto Mote’s back.
A white dimensional gate opened, and after racing across the otherworldly snowy plains, they quickly arrived at the Theia Plain.
“…This is the Theia Plain?”
“Mote, are you sure you found the right place?”
Jin and Siris spoke simultaneously. The Theia Plain before them looked nothing like what they remembered.
The land was jagged and shattered, hardly deserving the name “plain.” Dark, flame-like miasma flickered everywhere.
Mote had definitely brought them to the Theia Plain.
That meant there was only one explanation for this grim scene.
“…The traces of battle have been left untouched. This miasma was probably spread by Keliak Ziphl.”
The truth of Keliak’s rampage was confirmed. Mote coughed from the miasma and retreated into the otherworldly snowfield, while Jin raised a spiritual barrier to protect the group.
Despite bringing the Nameless King Oul, they couldn’t properly conceal themselves. Visibility was poor, and the tower was nowhere in sight.
As they pondered their next move, a dark aura approached from ahead. A figure stained black by the miasma.
[Growl… grr…]
It was a face everyone in the group knew well.
Keliak Ziphl, head of the Ziphl family.
He let out a beastly roar as he closed in on them.
“Keliak Ziphl…!?”
[AAAAAA!]
To make matters worse, Keliak suddenly attacked the group without warning. Jin stepped forward and, with a single stroke of his sword, sliced him clean in half.
Keliak dissolved into particles and scattered into the air—something that would be impossible for the real Keliak Zipple.
Jin quickly scanned his surroundings again.
Countless Keliak Zipples, all identical to the one that had just dispersed, were closing in on the group.
“Something’s definitely gone seriously wrong,” Jin muttered.
This time, he didn’t hesitate. Clenching his sword tighter, he braced himself for what was coming.