Chapter 75: Lani Salome (1)
"You're leaving? Right now?"
"I'm busy, unlike him. Fixing Murakhan took more time than I expected, so I can't afford to delay."
Misha casually shrugged her shoulders, stepping on Murakhan's head, who was lying down in front of her.
As soon as her foot touched his head, Murakhan tried to stand up with a burst of energy, but he couldn't resist her strength.
Misha, who easily subdued Murakhan with just one foot, had only regained 40% of his former power. The colleagues, who had felt Murakhan's power for the first time, couldn't even gauge how extraordinary Misha's strength was.
While Murakhan was struggling, Misha calmly continued speaking.
"Don't feel too bad. My being busy is fundamentally for your benefit."
At Misha's sudden announcement of departure, the colleagues looked at each other. However, Quinkantel didn't seem surprised, perhaps she had anticipated it.
"I'm not upset. I just feel sorry. It seems like we're just letting you go after receiving your help..."
"There's no need for that. And now, my shadow has rubbed off on you, so we can meet again whenever you have time."
Unlike Murakhan, Misha had many things to do aside from protecting the contractor.
Especially during Solderet's absence, she had to take over all the tasks that Solderet used to handle.
On top of that, she had to look for Solderet, which left her with virtually no personal time. Even on the first day, she had to prepare for Murakan's treatment overnight while having a drink with Quinkantel.
"Is there anything I can help with?"
Misha locked eyes with Jin for a moment.
"Not yet. Right now, growing properly is the biggest help."
In Misha's eyes, there was a full measure of satisfaction as she said this.
"When are you planning to return to your family?"
"I plan to return when I turn 19."
"Why not earlier?"
"Originally I promised my father to return when I turn 20. I would already be breaking his command by going back a year earlier, so it's hard to move it up any further."
"Hmm, that's a shame. If you were a Rider, it would be easier to get it. You could bring the Guardian Knights."
"Where are you talking about?"
"The old Oterium."
"The old Oterium?"
The old Oterium.
That place, which used to be the capital of the Holy Kingdom, is currently the main base of the Dark Magic Council under Kinzelo and the place where the 'Final Form of Annihilation Flame Gem' magic book left by Liol Zipfel is located.
"If you go there, there will be a magic book. It was left by Liol Zipfel, a previous contractor."
Among the colleagues, only Jin, the returnee, knew about the legacy of Liol Zipfel.
However, Jin had obtained information about the Final Form of Annihilation Flame Gem from Solderet in the past. So it wasn't surprising that Misha, Solderet's Black Dragon, knew about it.
"That place is now the headquarters of the Dark Magic Council under Kinzelo."
"I know. So I thought it would be good to look for it after you become a knight, but if it's after you turn 19, it's too late. Well, now that this guy has regained some of his strength, he should be able to handle it even if he goes right away."
"You seem to know a lot about Kinzelo, Misha."
"I know that they once teamed up with Zipfel to scoop up contractors using the demon stone. And that alliance was practically broken by you."
Since Misha had been shadowing Murakhan, she could infer Jin and Murakhan's movements to a certain extent.
Also, Kinzelo and Zipfel were originally under her surveillance. She thought that the reason why Solderet disappeared might be related to them.
"Is there anything I can help with?"
"If there is any important information about them that I need to tell you, I'll send a letter here. Anyway, it would be good to acquire Liol Zipfel's magic book as soon as possible."
"Is someone else eyeing that magic book?"
Misha nodded her head.
"Yes. A magician I've been watching recently is after the magic book. Her name is Aria Owlheart, a human girl who, like you, has a rather special destiny."
The colleagues thought that since Misha was watching, it would naturally be a famous Grand Magician or a rising star.
However, 'Aria Owlheart' was a name that none of them had ever heard of. Except for one person, Jin.
'My mentor was already eyeing the Annihilation Flame Gem at this time?'
Aria Owlheart.
It was one of the many pseudonyms used by Valeria in his previous life.
Among them, it was a pseudonym she cherished as much as her real name, meaning that she had the heart of a 'gray owl'.
And she didn't get the final form of the Annihilation Flame Gem in her previous life. Instead, she got the incomplete 2nd form and showed it to Jin.
"A special destiny...?"
"If you are a child chosen by the shadow, Aria is a child chosen by history. If you ever meet her, encourage her. In the grand scheme of things, she can be considered an ally."
She seemed cautious about saying more.
Aria, or Valeria, was not a part of the shadow, so there wasn't much room for Misha to intervene.
She was wary of giving Jin too much information about Valeria, as it could potentially affect Valeria's destiny.
'My mentor set the goal of recovering Hister's magic as a lifelong, vital goal. Is being chosen by history related to that?'
In the midst of quickly rising questions,
Misha lifted her foot off Murakan.
"Ah, I shouldn't delay any longer. I should head back. Hey, Murakan."
"Why!"
Murakan stood up and glared at Misha defiantly.
However, he couldn't attack her recklessly. He felt the difference in their strength, and he was afraid that if he acted more rudely, his childhood nightmares might resurface.
"You're blessed, you know. Take good care of Jin. Understand?"
It was true that Murakhan had less to do compared to Misha. That's where the phrase 'you're blessed' came from.
"Hmph! I don't need to listen to your nagging. I can handle it on my own."
"It seems I have no choice. I hate to see you like this. Gilly."
"Yes, Miss Misha."
"For the next month, don't make strawberry pie for him. Got it?"
"Huh, as if the strawberry pie would listen to your..."
"I understand, Miss Misha."
Murakhan's face turned white in an instant.
"Well, everyone, let's meet again later."
A week passed since Misha left.
Murakhan, who had regained his strength and was ecstatic, was seen sulking in a corner of the garden every day.
It was because he couldn't eat strawberry pie. Although he hadn't had strawberry pie for over a month before, being forcibly deprived of it due to someone else's will was a terrible thing. Especially because of Misha.
"He's great, really. How could a dragon be like this? It seems like he's becoming more and more childish."
Unable to watch any longer, Jin finally brought strawberry pies.
"Oh, oh oh. Oh oh oh!"
As soon as Jin held out the strawberry pie, Murakan's complexion returned. No one could think of him as a black dragon who had existed for more than 3000 years, a magnificent black dragon who had regained 40% of his power.
Murakhan, who received the basket with the strawberry pie, hugged Jin with a grateful face.
"Indeed, kid, there's no one like you. You've been worth raising."
Murakhan took out two strawberry pies and handed one to Jin. His hands were trembling, indicating that he was reluctant to share but was barely managing to do so.
"I'm good, you eat."
Gulp!
Murakan opened his mouth wide and bit into the strawberry pie.
Jin watched him eat for a while.
“Sir Kashimir brought information about Lani. She was imprisoned for helping us, and was released just two days ago "
"Hmm, is that so? That's fortunate. Honestly, I don't want to admit it... but if she hadn't helped me, I wouldn't have been safe. I probably would have been captured by Kadun and dragged to Zipfel's lab. That guy, thinking about it makes me angry...."
Right after Misha left, Murakhan had said this.
-I owe that knight.
Jin had also been thinking about this, but it was surprising that Murakhan expressed it directly.
"Why didn't you thank Misha, who cured you, like that?"
"If you knew what Misha did to me when she was young, you wouldn't say that. She's not a dragon, she's a demon."
"Anyway, it's about Lani. She doesn't seem to be doing very well."
"She's not doing well?"
"Apparently, she changed drastically right after her punishment ended. She drinks like a recluse every day, and she caused a disturbance in the temple immediately after her release and was arrested again. So she's waiting for another trial for additional punishment."
In the news from the previous life, Lani Salome was often described as a prodigal daughter. According to the information Kashimir brought, Lani was also turning into that state now.
"What? Is that woman's personality like that?"
Murakhan had never had a proper conversation with Lani because he had fainted as soon as he met her.
"Not from my experience. The Dawn Guardians of Doctrine values discipline and order more than any other organization in the Holy Kingdom. So, even if a knight causes a little trouble, they are often expelled, but Lani hasn't been expelled yet."
"She's the adopted daughter of the Holy King. That's why she got away with it, right?"
"That could be. But when Lani caused a disturbance in the temple, the Holy King was performing a blessing ceremony for the citizens of the Holy Kingdom. In other words, she directly offended the Holy King."
Despite the nickname 'King of Foolish Daughters', Miklan cherished his daughter very much, and Lani also obeyed Miklan well.
After Santel, the girl went through a sudden change of heart.
"Is it like puberty? Hmm......"
"My guess is this. After Santel, Lani belatedly realized that the Holy King sided with Zipfel. So she felt a great sense of betrayal, and she is confused about her identity."
-The duty of someone like me is not to blind people's eyes, disguise evil as good, and become disgusting by colluding with power.
Considering the firm religious belief that Lani showed, the story could be valid.
After some contemplation, Murakhan made eye contact with Jin.
"Whatever it is, I need to meet her once. I'll help as much as I can. My life must be worth that much, right?"