Episode 893
Chapter 223: Uncomfortable Encounters (4)
Three days had passed since Keliak was taken to Cell No. 3 in the Poisonous Demon Fortress.
Meanwhile, the Balmur Alliance received a letter from a tavern in the Mila Kingdom. It was from “The Veil,” an exclusive, high-end members-only tavern—one of Misha’s main hideouts.
“Oh… impressive. I heard Inse was planning to set up a regular communication network somewhere, but I never expected them to use this place.”
The letter had been sent through The Veil by none other than Tilius and Misol.
“Huh? How did they find the hideout of that idiot? These guys are something else. Kid, I’m fully recovered now, so let’s head out together.”
Jin and Murakan immediately mounted the Red Owl and set off for the Mila Kingdom.
“Welcome.”
Following the manager’s guidance, they entered a private room where Tilius and Misol stood to greet them. The two were enjoying the fine cuisine of The Veil.
“Looks like you returned without much trouble. Tilius, Misol.”
“That’s right.”
“The food here is really good. Do you guys eat like this every day? Most of us survive on processed souls of damned spirits from hell. By the way, is that the Black Dragon Murakan beside you?”
“Why does this guy talk so fast? Yeah, that’s Murakan.”
“Nice to meet you, Murakan. I’m Misol. And this is Tilius. Let me formally introduce myself.”
“Let’s have Tilius do most of the explaining again this time… Misol, bear with me.”
“Of course, Jin Runkandel.”
Jin took a seat and studied the two carefully.
“How did you find this place?”
“We looked into the general facilities in Inse that are hardest to access. Excluding those near Kinzello and Ziphl, we focused on Hupester and neutral zones. Then, we made a reservation under the name Silkia Arsia, and only this place accepted it without hesitation.”
“Silkia Arsia?”
“A member of the True Demon Realm who helped the Black Dragon Misha during the Holy Kingdom War. Also part of Biseps.”
Though little known, Jin had heard from Zephyrin that during the Holy Kingdom War, the demon army was a mix of demons from both the True Demon Realm and the Intermediate World.
“What? That bastard actually helped demons from the True Demon Realm during the war? I’ve never heard that before. I usually avoid talking to that jerk.”
“You can ask the Black Dragon Misha directly if you want to know.”
Since Misha was currently acting as Solderet’s proxy, it wasn’t something they could confirm immediately.
Jin then called the manager, who confirmed Tilius’s story.
“The owner has informed all external hideouts like ours about the name Silkia Arsia. Since this person has debts to be repaid, any reservation inquiries under that name must be approved. There are a few others like that, mostly dragons.”
After the manager left, Jin nodded. He wasn’t someone who could be easily bribed, and even if Tilius and Misol had brainwashing or mind-control abilities, there was no reason to pick The Veil. If they did, it would make more sense to choose someone from Tikan or Hupester.
“An interesting connection. Did Misha know Silkia was from the True Demon Realm and help him because of that?”
“Probably just recognized him as a demon. At the time, Silkia, like many demons, was forcibly conscripted and eventually deserted. While fleeing the pursuers, he was injured and took refuge in a cave, where he met the Black Dragon Misha.”
“That bastard isn’t the type to help anyone, especially demons.”
“Well… I don’t know why Misha helped Silkia back then. Without Misha, Silkia would have surely died. Maybe Misha saw something in him.”
“Like what?”
“Maybe… a love for the world.”
Misol’s answer hung in the air for a moment.
“…We only recently heard this from Silkia ourselves. It was the first time since you made contact. Silkia told us after hearing about your meeting results. He suggested we inquire under his name at Inse’s top taverns. Thanks to that, we could establish this communication network so quickly.”
Though the connection between Misha and Silkia was fascinating, it wasn’t the pressing issue. The truth could be verified anytime Misha briefly came out to Inse.
“Alright, I’m convinced. Now, tell me why you contacted us this time.”
“We have new information you need to know.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about your brothers.”
Jin’s eyes widened.
“…My brothers?”
“Those who died and fell into hell. Mu Runkandel, Ann Runkandel, Ran Runkandel, and Vugo Runkandel.”
Since the True Demon Realm—hell—was revealed, Jin had often thought about those who surely ended up there.
When he checked the first transfer rift opened in Romp of the Meltador Principality, he thought of Kidard Hall. When he visited the largest naval base in the True Demon Realm, he briefly pondered while watching tortured human souls.
Somewhere down there were the villains he had killed—and his brothers. And now, Tilius was telling him this was reality.
“Are they all in hell?”
“Yes. And Paelito plans to use them to strike at Luna Runkandel.”
Of course, Paelito hadn’t told Tilius and Misol about this plan. He only ordered a halt to soul liquor production throughout the True Demon Realm.
Biseps had guessed the reason based on that order and recently obtained information that confirmed their suspicions.
—Well, if that’s the case… Hmph, anyway! If the day comes when I meet those wayward bastards again, I’ll make sure to give them what they deserve.
—Do you think you’ll meet them again?
—I’ll grow old and die someday, so maybe we’ll meet in the afterlife?
—Even if the afterlife exists, you and they will probably be in different places.
—Is that so? Anyway, that’s how I feel. I’ll make sure to punish them. Whenever we meet.
This was a conversation Jin had with Luna on the day she returned from the Black Sea to the Garden of Swords.
At the time, Luna seemed to feel guilty about her brothers who had died after siding with the Evil God, including Joshua.
She clenched her fist, vowing to punish them if they ever met again, but Jin secretly worried about what might happen if that day came.
“There’s something called soul liquor. It’s a demon’s drink made by processing the souls of humans who fell into hell. Paelito stopped its production to find them, but before fighting Baekgyeong, Misol and I went to the Poisonous Demon Fortress. The owner, Ragal, was drinking soul liquor.”
There were Biseps spies even in the Poisonous Demon Fortress. One of them was a guard in the underground prison. Though he didn’t directly manage the lowest three cells, he had some information about them.
“Ragal… the demon lord who wounded Elona and Ziphl? The one who controls poison?”
“That’s right. Ragal Pun. He’s always looking for chances to surpass Paelito. For some reason, he’s favored by Jito. Anyway, our spy in the fortress said Ragal has secured those presumed to be your brothers.”
Ragal was a despicable figure who even threatened Elona and Ziphl. The thought that he held a trump card against Luna made Jin uneasy.
“So that’s why Ragal was drinking soul liquor. Can we get them out?”
“Not right now. The lowest cells in the Poisonous Demon Fortress are a special management zone, so even our spies can’t get close.”
“What if we tell Paelito that Ragal is holding them?”
“They’re clearly different in strength, but their ranks are similar. Ragal won’t be punished for insubordination. Jito will likely protect him… Besides, whether your brothers are with Ragal or Paelito, the outcome is the same. It will deal a psychological blow to Baekgyeong.”
Demons were still constantly creating rifts throughout Inse. It was difficult to remove Luna from the front lines, where she was leading the charge against them.
At this rate, it was inevitable that Luna would meet her brothers.
“Can you estimate when they’ll be deployed in battle?”
“We can guess. Our spies just need to confirm when the lowest cells in the Poisonous Demon Fortress open.”
Jin nodded and handed them a fixed communication device.
“This is a communicator. Install it in The Veil and request immediate contact when my brothers from hell enter the battlefield.”
“So you’ll have Baekgyeong on standby and fight directly yourself?”
“Yes. But Tilius, what happens if you strike a soul that’s already dead again?”
“It’s annihilation. They cease to exist anywhere in this world. They can’t remain in hell or enter the cycle of reincarnation.”
Jin nodded gravely.
“Any other information?”
“There’s Paelito’s younger brother, Leila Belgassium. He seems to be carrying out separate orders from Jito… but we haven’t confirmed the details yet. Leila Belgassium will appear in Inse soon. He’s on a different level from the other demon lords you’ve faced, so be careful.”
“Understood.”
“We’ll contact you through this place next time as well. We’ve been granted some rest after the last battle, so we’ll be able to communicate with you more freely for a while.”
At the same time, in the Poisonous Demon Fortress.
Keliak was enjoying a banquet with Ragal, thanks to the latter’s hospitality.
“Already found five souls worthy of the G-File… Meeting you was truly a stroke of luck, wasn’t it? That’s why I pulled you out of prison today. Drinking in that gloomy place every time just kills the mood, doesn’t it?”
Kelliak didn’t answer, only smiled. Just as the two were about to toast, a servant suddenly rushed into the banquet hall.
“Lord Ragal!”
“What is it?”
“There’s been a problem in the lowest-level prison… Four prisoners have all disappeared!”
“What?!”
Ragal immediately dashed to the underground prison. The guards were all unconscious, and cells one, two, and three stood wide open—completely empty.
“Seal off the entire toxic zone at once! Find those bastards!”
Then, turning to Kelliak, who had followed him belatedly, Ragal clenched his teeth.
“Kelliak G-File… I considered you a friend. How dare you stab me in the back like this? You want to know why this place is called hell? Starting now, I, Ragal, will show you exactly why…”