C348 - Record (6)
"With the help of record magic?"
"Yes. Although I can't guarantee I'll find them faster than you, I can certainly do it more discreetly."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Currently, Jin couldn't afford to allocate proper manpower to find the Cat Tribe.
There were too many eyes on him now.
Not only his clan, but other forces, including the Zipple, were closely monitoring Jin since he started his cosmetics business and fought against the Specter Corps.
People's interest in Jin had skyrocketed.
Of course, it was already there, but recently, various world-ruling forces were sensing an unusual flow between Runcandel and Zipple.
And at the center of that was Jin, not Cyron or Kelliark.
That's why investing too much manpower in searching for the Cat Tribe would likely trigger Zipple's detection network.
Above all, Jin owed a debt to the Cat Tribe.
"I told you to cooperate more actively, but by seeing you act immediately, it seems you've realized you need me now."
Valeria looked at Jin.
"Just as you said, it's because we've built some trust."
She now felt an intense curiosity about the human named Jin.
Maybe it was because of the legacy her ancestors had left her, or because she had memories from when she was one year old and had died once.
'What the hell? Does he know he died once?'
But seeing Jin's actions so far, they were too radical.
'Jin Runcandel has been moving as if he doesn't care about his life since he was a Provisional Flagbearer. Just with the actions known to the outside world, he could have died dozens of times, and it wouldn't be strange.'
Is someone helping him, or is he just strong?
She hoped it was the former. Now that they had a cooperative relationship, it would be troublesome if Jin died prematurely.
'If Jin Runcandel dies, I have a feeling I'll never be able to recover Histor's history...'
It was a strange feeling.
"Aria Owlheart."
"What?"
"Now that things have been settled broadly, I want to talk about the recording device," Jin said as he placed the Shadow Energy Pearl on the table.
"You were sure it wasn't a Solderet device. Although you mentioned it was made of Shadow Energy. I'd like to know what you're basing that judgment on."
"Where did you get this Shadow Energy Pearl?"
"I obtained it during the assault on the Second Flagbearer, Joshua Runcandel's secret villa."
Jin explained to Valeria the events of that day. How they had tried to rescue their comrade's Guardian Dragon but encountered an unexpected demon and ended up killing it to obtain the Shadow Energy Pearl.
"Rontelgius, one of the Four Great Dukes of the Demon Kingdom. That roughly fits the description."
"It seems like you know everything. Even among my comrades, only the Dragons knew about it."
Valeria had checked that name in the successor temple of Histor.
"I said the artifact wasn't from Solderet due to its unique and malicious magic. And you may or may not know this, but there are individuals who can use Shadow Energy even if they're not related to Solderet."
-[The witch, that was her doing]
Jin remembered the words of Sarah Runcandel, the Guardian of the Second Tomb.
Jin couldn't continue the conversation with Sarah at that time, but she clearly mentioned that Helluram could also use Shadow Energy.
"Are you referring to Witch Helluram?"
"You seem to know everything too. Yes, the recording device is probably the creation of the witch. It's impossible for it to contain so much magic unless it's her work. Rontelgius was the closest aide to Demon Beast King Orgal, and Orgal was Helluram's lover. So, the demon you killed probably carried that Pearl."
Witch Helluram. In Jin's past life, Valeria had known her personally.
'She said she met Helluram when she was twenty and again when she was about twenty-five.'
That's why Jin wasn't particularly surprised when Quikantel told everyone that Helluram was an "individual." He had already heard Valeria say it before his regression.
"We still can't be sure if this device belongs to that demon or to Joshua."
"If this recording device is something belonging to Runcandel's Second Flagbearer, then there's a high probability that your older brother is connected with Witch Helluram."
The Prophet.
As Jin thought about his existence, he nodded.
'Maybe the Prophet is Helluram.'
It seemed it wouldn't be too late to discuss it with Valeria once more solid information about the Prophet surfaced. For now, the fact that they had established a cooperative relationship was already a significant gain.
"What will you do with that recording device? It's unrelated to Solderet, but are you going to leave it with me?"
"Yes, and by any chance, do you know how to read demon language?"
"Are you asking me that because you want me to check the papers and magical tome you obtained from Rontelgius's demon during the battle?"
"That's right."
"Unfortunately, I don't know demon language. I'm not omniscient, you know."
Valeria picked up the robe hanging next to the bed. Then she noticed there was still a trace of Latrie's cookie on the robe and chuckled.
"I'm leaving now. I have to examine the recording devices you gave me and also search for the Cat Tribe, so I won't have a free moment."
"Are there still no developments with the faulty recording devices I gave you?"
"It's a time-consuming task, so please understand. I want to finish it as soon as possible and receive the remaining half of my ancestor's magical tome."
Unlike their first encounter, this time it was Jin who extended his hand to shake hers. Valeria didn't hesitate and shook his hand firmly.
"Take care, Aria Owlheart."
"Likewise."
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August 20, 1799.
Two months had passed since Jin returned to his clan.
The cosmetics business resumed advertising shortly after the Little Beastmen were rescued, and as a result, Jin, Runcandel, and Hidden Palace made a fortune.
Both the high-end and basic products were selling like hotcakes, quickly dominating the world's cosmetics market.
Of course, they couldn't advertise in the Lutero Magical Federation anymore.
But word of mouth had formidable power of its own.
The nobles of the Lutero Magical Federation were willing to pay several times or even dozens of times the price to buy high-end cosmetics on the black market.
Runcandel's massive earnings meant that Zipple's coffers were leaking.
The elders could no longer dismiss Jin's cosmetics business, and Tellot felt satisfaction in his judgment.
The tremendous success of the Clan Peng's cosmetics business was causing great dissatisfaction and hurting the pride of an individual.
"Ugh, this can't be happening! This can't be!"
Bouvard Gaston.
He was currently losing one of his jobs and hobbies.
"What do those cosmetics have to do with anything? Don't these ignorant fools recognize Bouvard's artistic soul? My transformation skills are being overshadowed by cosmetics; I can't accept it..."
The special product "Jade" from Clan Peng continued to sell day by day alongside the high-end and basic cosmetics.
Jade's main customers were assassins, top actors, and spies.
Since it had an instant transformation effect on another person with just a quick application, most of Bouvard's customers who had sought his transformation skills quickly abandoned him.
"...Please, be quiet, Bouvard Gaston."
For several days, Bishkel had been forced to listen to Bouvard's whining for over five hours each day.
He felt his sanity slipping away.
He could barely count the times he had reached his limit after encountering this repulsive human, but lately, it had become especially difficult to endure.
'I can't wait to achieve the great cause and twist this bastard's neck. No, that's not enough. I want to skin him alive...'
Bishkel's eyes twitched at his violent imagination.
"That damn Jin Runcandel! Since I met that bastard, nothing has gone well! What's so good about those cosmetics that they disguise as Jade? Sir Bishkel, get me one, I must see it with my own eyes."
"...I've told you countless times that they don't sell Jade-disguising cosmetics to just anyone. Kinzelo and Zipple are not allowed to buy them at all."
"If you send lower-ranked members whose identities aren't exposed, you can get it, right?"
"Idiot! Those lower-ranked members won't even be recognized by them. How many times do I have to explain it to you, Bouvard?"
"Ugh! It's useless, I can't take it anymore. Don't you know? I might not care about other things, but I can't tolerate anything that hurts my artistic soul!"
"What does your artistic soul have to do with their cosmetics selling well?"
"It has everything to do with it! I feel like it's taking away my own creations. Ah, I'm so frustrated that my head could explode. Sir Bishkel, I think I need to eat something simple. Please bring me a sweet potato croquette."
In an instant, Bishkel reached for his sword.
If he had regained his senses just a second later, he might have unsheathed his sword and sliced Bouvard's neck.
In that case, from Bishkel's personal perspective, it would have been a very satisfying outcome.
'Calm down, for the great cause,' Bishkel's hands were shaking.
Even in the midst of his attempts to regain composure, Bouvard continued his incessant rambling, even spitting as he passionately delivered his monologue, not sparing Bishkel's elegant blue coat.
"I'll... I'll bring you the sweet potato croquette... so please calm down..."
He felt like he was going bald from the stress.
"Argh! I want to scream, but if I do, Bouvard might go into a frenzy, foam at the mouth, and start self-harming. I can't risk it."
"Elder Brother, Mr. Bouvard."
Margiella entered the room in her wheelchair.
"Margiella."
"Mr. Bouvard, listen to me!"
"Haha, I heard everything outside. Mr. Bouvard was quite upset."
"Indeed, Miss Margiella, you truly understand my feelings!"
"Of course, Mr. Bouvard is our friend after all!"
With Margiella's entrance, Bouvard immediately softened his anger.
"Well then, could you, Miss Margiella, bring me that cosmetic called Jade?"
"Mr. Bouvard, I understand your strong desire to have it, but everything has its order, right? We have to go step by step."
"But I can't take it anymore. At this rate, I might actually die."
"I know, I know. I can't stand idly by and let a friend die. Let me meet with Jin Runcandel and talk to him."
"Ugh, that scoundrel? No, it can't be. He'll definitely anger Miss Margiella."
"But I have a debt to settle, so he won't do anything reckless." Um, Elder Brother, what if we visit the Garden of Swords with Mr. Berakt?"
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