C652
Valeria Histor, the last time Jin's companions saw her was about two months ago.
It wasn't the first time she had been out of touch for so long, but even after the news of Jin's return spread throughout the world, it was impossible for her not to stay in contact.
Above all, Rosa announced that she had found the legacy of the first patriarch to lure Jin to the Garden of Swords, and invoked Padler, who was supposed to be the guardian of Temar's fifth tomb.
All clues indicated that something had happened to her.
"I don't know why you're asking us about your companion, the twelfth flagbearer. Have you also lost contact with the survivor of Histor?"
"Yes."
Normally, Jin would never have asked Zipple for information about Valeria.
But now was not the time to hesitate.
To that, Ronil sighed and Octavia touched her forehead."Judging by your reaction, it seems you don't know either."
"Yes, we don't know."
"Still, I have to check. Euria."
When the Power of Truth was used, a blue thread appeared between Ronil, Octavia, and Euria.
Just as Jin was about to be disappointed, Ronil revealed new information.
"Instead, we know the area where the survivor of Histor was last estimated to have disappeared."
Zipple had been tracking Temar's Tomb for a thousand years, and this time was no different.
While Valeria was tracking, Zipple was also searching for Temar's tomb.
"Where is it?"
Ronil exchanged glances with Octavia.
Octavia nodded as if it was okay to say.
"Hufester, there's a cave in the fifth eastern region of Kaldran. When we got there, there were traces of record magic."
"The survivor of Histor left the trail?"
"Yes, the blue window of record magic was left in the cave."
"Did you see the blue window yourself?"
"...Yes. I was tracking the survivor of Histor myself."
If it was Valeria whom Jin knew, she wouldn't have made such a careless mistake.
Unless she deliberately induced a trap or distraction.
"Please, tell me more about the situation at that time."
"I confirmed the location of the survivor of Histor from afar, and followed her. As it was within the five eastern regions, there were many restrictions on my movement and that of the survivor of Histor. There was a three-day chase in the snowfield of Kaldran, and she entered a cave with a single entrance and a single exit."
"And she disappeared, leaving behind the blue window of record magic?"
"Yes, that's it. There were no signs of fleeing from the cave. I wondered if the survivor of Histor had learned invisibility or teleportation spells at the Temple of Succession, but there were no traces of any other magic being used except record magic."
"A person cannot disappear like that unless the Snow Toad Mort exists."
"That's why we thought Mort rescued the survivor of Histor. Since the Hidden Palace is no longer neutral, it is no different from an ally of yours, sir."
"Did you continue investigating the Kaldran cave after that?"
"I couldn't. Right after that, the Third Flagbearer of Runcandel started watching it."
"I really have to go now. Anyway, I'll send you a letter to Tikan if there's any further progress. Perhaps your sister can soon find a clue about the fifth tomb of Temar."What Valeria said before Jin left for Lafrarosa.
Luntia had been tracking Temar's Tomb for a long time.
She was also one of the three siblings Jin knew nothing about their "current status".
"Given the circumstances, it is very likely that the Third Flagbearer of Runcandel also knew the location of the survivor of Histor. No, I must say it with certainty. The Third Flagbearer and her knights were camped around that cave."
Jin sighed, suppressing his emotions.
Neither Mary nor the Tona siblings, nor the late Jordan nor the resistance survivors, knew anything about Luntia.
To the point that Dyfus took Luntia's place, to deal with the aftermath of Gliek's subjugation.
'As expected, Elder Sister Luntia...... Is she tainted by Chaos?'
However, even though they were unknown, Jin hoped that Luntia's state was that.
Otherwise, it would be impossible for her not to have rebelled.
"Sir Ronil, did you encounter Elder Sister Luntia?"
"The situation was urgent, so I couldn't approach the Third Flagbearer. However, the Snowfield of Kaldran was full of knights tainted by Chaos."
Euria revealed that everything Ronil had said was true. Luntia's invasion was nothing but a certainty.
"What's the possibility that the survivor Histor was kidnapped by Elder Sister Luntia?"
"If the Third Flagbearer found something that I didn't find in that cave that day, it's not impossible."
Jin looked at Orgal again. He smiled as if he knew why.
"Why, do you doubt me because I have the ability to move through dimensions? We know nothing about the survivor Histor."
It was as he said when Euria confirmed the Ivliano siblings.
If Zipple and Kinzelo didn't know it, they wouldn't have caught Valeria.
Jin was convinced of it.
If Rosa had gotten hold of my master, she would have used it to intimidate me already.
'She should have used the master even after calling me to the Garden of Swords.'
In the Garden of Swords, Rosa didn't say anything more about Valeria.
There were some things Jin didn't ask, but the decisive reason would have been that there was no way to use her.
Of course, Jin and the great forces gathered here are not the only ones tracking Temar's tomb in the world.
The imperial family, which owns Temar's left arm, was also searching for a tomb.
'But if the imperial family captured Valeria, it's impossible for Zipple not to know. As long as they don't betray Zipple and stick to Runcandel...'
Jin decided to ask openly.
"Sir Ronil, is the relationship between Zipple and the imperial family still the same?".
"The Imperial Family has no capability to catch the survivor of Histor. Even less without the knowledge of our Family".
"Jin, you seem obsessed with the survivor of Histor. I don't think it's because you want to restore my history through her, or use Zipple's history manipulation to attack the Garden of Swords."
"Do you think I would have such a repulsive thought? She's my companion".
Jin showed a hint of anger at Orgal's words.
"Anyway, it seems that for the time being you'll be frantic to find her".
"I'll handle that problem. Now, let's get back to the topic of the Garden of Swords."
"No, this is still related to the Garden of Swords, Jin. Have you forgotten? You're the only opponent to Rosa Runcandel right now. It means you cannot act recklessly".
"...I agree with Sir Orgal on this matter, Twelfth Flagbearer. If you're looking for the survivor of Histor right now, of course, you'll have to first head to the five eastern regions, right? And I think you probably know the state of Huphester better than anyone".
"The world has reached a point where Zipple and Kinzelo are worried about me. Especially Zipple, who is concerned about Histor's safety... it feels strange. I try to save her because she's my companion, but also because I need her skills to oppose the Garden of Swords. Her skills are not only needed by you".
"Perhaps to continue developing the space-time device they stole from us".
"It's embarrassing to hear you say that".
"You don't have to because our clan didn't handle it properly. But at this point, it would be better for you to reconsider going to Hufester for Histor".
Ronil spoke emotionlessly, but Jin heard his calm voice saying. I promise to retrieve it someday.
Although Zipple isn't manipulating history, there will be other means. Kinzelo will surely be able to accelerate Orgal's recovery if he pays a price.
The Power of Truth that Euria possesses is still not perfect.
Although it can accurately distinguish between truth and lies, it was impossible for her to understand the 'truth of revenge' deliberately left unsaid.
Jin didn't believe that Zipple and Kinzelo didn't know it, so he was sure there were things they weren't saying on purpose.
But they were still concerned about their own safety, as that was the best means.
Even if Euria's authority was at a level that could even reveal hidden truth, this was only a temporary alliance meeting, not a real one.
If she had used her authority so deeply, the meeting would have collapsed in the first place.
'From their perspective, the best outcome is to use me to eliminate Rosa without showing another card'.
The battle prowess Rosa showed in the garden of the sword was undoubtedly so transcendent that it could be called an 'evil god'.
But when the day comes for Jin and the temporary alliances to face Rosa in the final battle, it will surely be even worse than now.
Even if Jin wins against her, there will be no way to achieve victory without suffering serious damage.
Of course, Zipple and Kinzelo would also suffer damage, but they wouldn't be comparable to Jin's, who fought Rosa head-on.
And what will happen after the war?
Kinzelo and Zipple are no longer allies.
Although Jin wins the war against Rosa, he is very likely to encounter stronger enemies when he is weaker.
Of course, Jin had no intention of leaving them like that.
They don't know that Valeria is not just a key to a space-time device, but also the key to completing the Golden Armada.
One year.
In that not-so-long time, Jin prepared to confront Rosa and used the other two factions as much as possible.
"If you're so worried, attach someone. As soon as the meeting is over, I'll go to the Snowfield of Kaldran".
"So soon...?"
"Attach someone... an interesting demand. I feel like he's going to use us to the bone until the temporary alliance ends".
"Isn't that common sense? No matter if they give anyone, I'm going alone anyway. Orgal said before that Rosa would take at least a year to move again. I have to do everything I can within that time. That's why Histor is absolutely necessary".
"Kinzelo agrees!", Margiella said with sparkling eyes, and Ronil nodded as if he couldn't help it.
"Zipple will agree too".
"There's one person from Zipple's side that I want".
"...Who are you thinking of?".
Jin made eye contact with him and said,
"Beradin. Put Beradin Zipple".
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