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Qwaul and Valeria surprisingly communicated well.
"Hmmm, my lord. That cold lady seems to get along really well with Dr. Qwaul. That arrogant guy who used to boast to others acts like a meek lamb around her."
Just like the characteristic arrogant personality he displayed in the cockpit, Qwaul was the human version of Murakan.
When he first introduced himself to Jin's companions, he described himself as the most valuable person in the world.
He even told them all that he would hit them if they felt offended by him and spoke informally.
Of course, it wasn't out of malice or truly belittling others. It was just his way of speaking, something intense like Murakan's, and given his exceptional abilities, his companions went along with it.
Although he grumbled, he showed a particularly affectionate side with children.
There was no need to reveal his true self.
However, as Jet said, Qwaul maintained a polite and respectful attitude towards Valeria, so Jin's companions couldn't help but be reminded of Murakan.It was like seeing Murakan dealing with Jin when he had to get a limited ecchi magazine.
"...Hey, that part was a problem that could be solved as you said! Yes, I've been trying to solve everything too technically."
"It's a common mistake engineers make. Even a five-star magician could easily amplify the effects of that stick device."
"Assuming you learned the magic formula I made in 10 minutes while talking to me. I've worked with countless magical geniuses in Zipple, but none of them could come up with such thoughts and immediately create a spell on the spot. You're in a league of your own."
"For an eight-star magician or higher, it's possible to create more than ten effects with a stick device. Let's stop here for today. Your thoughts seem quite complicated."
"Yes! As you said, it seemed like I had to order the device upgrades that came to mind immediately. And when will our next conversation be? Let me know. I need to adjust my work schedule to yours."
"I'll decide this afternoon and let you know."
Qwaul immediately took out a pen and wrote something, and the others admired Valeria as she turned away arrogantly.
As his disciple, should I say I'm proud of my teacher?
Jin felt somewhat better seeing Valeria's erudite bearing after a long time.
"No one is as fortunate as you, Jin Runcandel. Not only do you benefit from my help, but you have also managed to capture such a person."
"It's all thanks to you. One of the conditions Qwaul mentioned was having a Record Magician as an assistant. As expected, it seems that the one who became the assistant isn't you, but Qwaul."
"As expected?"
Valeria looked Jin in the eyes.
She was aware that Jin seemed to speak as if he knew her well.
"Well, it's just unimaginable for you to become someone's assistant."
Jin chuckled awkwardly.
'By the time the teacher acquires Record Magic at the level of the past life... Will she find out about my regression?'
How would Valeria react at that moment?
And this thought made Jin's heart feel uneasy.
However, on the other hand, he also thought that Valeria was the only person who could fully unravel his secret.
If the day came when Valeria could check all the "records of Jin Runcandel," and if she could share them with his companions, there would be no need to give any explanation for everything he had done up until then.
Jin, as a regresor, might feel guilty or responsible, but there was not a single thing he could be ashamed of.
"Sometimes you speak as if you know me well."
At Valeria's direct words, Jin quietly nodded.
"Anyone who saw you even once would have thought the same as me. And you too, as soon as you saw me, said my name as if you knew me from before."
The two remained silent, looking at each other for a while.
Valeria had remembered Jin from her dreams a long time ago, and Jin remembered her from his past life.
'It seems to me... It's definitely not an ordinary relationship. Has he ever looked at someone of the opposite gender with those eyes?'
At least not that I know of, Jet.
Yes? Valkas-nim, do you think the same as me? Ha, this. Our Enya will be burning inside. What about the lady from the Hidden Palace? If this reaches Talaris-nim's ears....
Both of you, it's better to change the subject. Even if Miss Valeria doesn't hear, but the Young Master could hear from this distance.
Just like what Gilly said, Jin was broadly understanding what Valkas and Jet were saying.
Valeria seemed oblivious.
Even if she heard it, she was not someone who would show interest or react.
Valeria subtly avoided eye contact first.
"Anyway, I didn't expect to see an engineer like this in such a short time. Qwaul's skills will be very useful even for my personal matters. Prepare a room for me in Tikan. I suppose I'll have to spend a lot of time here."
"Choose any available room you like. If you need anything, ask Gilly or Jet."
"Alright."
"And Valeria."
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"Why?"
"For not harming Beradin and Sandra Zipple. It could have been a golden opportunity for you."
"I didn't let them go because of your relationship with them, so there's no need for that. I judged that keeping those two alive would have a greater impact on Zipple in the future."
It was a lie.
Valeria only confirmed Beradin's loyalty to his friends after they had left.
Until she saw that record, she couldn't be sure of Beradin's mindset.
Also, depending on how Zipple used it in the future, it could be a problem for her.
Therefore, Valeria had simply decided to trust Jin for once before seeing that record.
"...And it's been a while since I've seen that kind of record. Right now, it's difficult to read a person's mind with my record magic."
"So how?"
"It means Beradin's sincerity towards you and Dante Hairan is deep enough to be recognized by my record magic. I hope he doesn't forget that feeling and takes the initiative to end Zipple."
Beradin's goal is not the destruction of Zipple but its purification.
Naturally, Zipple would weaken, and Valeria planned to annihilate them when they weakened.
"Let me tell you in advance that no matter how close someone is to you, to me they are nothing more than Zipple. They took away my roots and my family. If the time comes when I destroy him and his clan, and then you stand in my way, our alliance ends there."
Jin didn't answer, and Valeria walked past him a moment later.
Seeing Valeria leaving, Jet teased Jin, asking if Lord had been abandoned.
------------
Late May 1800.
The ceasefire agreement between Runcandel and Zipple was officially announced.
The place was the central square of the imperial capital, the same place where the emperor was executed.
Since the foundation of the Empire, there had never been such a large crowd in the central square.
People from all over the world gathered to witness the announcement of the ceasefire between the two clans.
From Runcandel, the leader of the Black Knights, Stam, and from Zipple, Octavia emerged as representatives.
The public guessed that Quiron was in the Black Sea, so they sent other members of the same rank from the clan as representatives, but it was Runcandel's consideration that chose them.
Unlike Rosa, Kelliark still couldn't move.
"...With this, the announcement of the ceasefire between the two clans concludes. On behalf of the Empire, I would like to thank both clans for making such an important decision. In addition, our Empire will do its utmost to reduce suffering in the world, working together with these two clans."
At the end of Dante's speech as a witness, cheers spread from the crowd.
The atmosphere of the crowd made it seem more like the announcement of the end of the war than a ceasefire.
The contaminated areas continued to grow, so the crowd hoped that the major factions would quickly restore the world, regardless of who caused the problem.
However, those with military, noble, and political knowledge who knew the situation understood that the current ceasefire was a false peace that would barely last a few years.
In their eyes, the identification of friends and enemies only became clearer.
Dante appeared as a witness, but all of Hairan's witnesses were on Runcandel's side, and the imperial family was all on Zipple's side.
After the announcement of the truce, Hairan handed over the corpses and belongings of the two clans, and Runcandel and Zipple returned to their respective lands and held a funeral ceremony.
The Garden of Swords had long been adorned with black flags in mourning.
After the funeral, more swords were planted in the garden ground, and the number of black helmets in the mausoleum increased.
And Jin visited Rosa's office for a private meeting with her.
It was the first time Jin had returned to the Garden of Swords since the end of the war.
Normally, it would have been an unthinkable act, but now the members of the Family could not openly show hostility towards him.
Not even the Elders of the Black Sword Association openly criticized Jin, who had now returned to the Family.
It was all due to Rosa's strict orders for Jin to be well treated upon his return.
From the moment Rosa showed her determination to save Jin in the War of the Sword Emperor Castle, Jin had practically solidified his position as the "next patriarch" of the Family.
"You're late," Rosa said dryly.
Jin was careful of her eyes so that she wouldn't see the Chaos that his clothes didn't cover.
"I had many things to attend to."
"There should have been a harvest."
It was a story of machines and blueprints.
Rosa also wondered if Jin had found any clues about the "Chaos Erosion."
"You seem impatient, mother."
"Are you getting bold with me now?"
"I said it out of concern."
Rosa smiled.
"As the situation has accelerated more than you expected, it seems you're worried that I'll rush into negotiations with the Prophet."
"I won't deny it. I plan to leave the human world for a while after today."
Rosa's eyes narrowed at those words.
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