C664
"The Holy Land of Zipple...?"
Jin had never heard of such a place, neither in his past life nor in the current one.
[Yes, the Holy Land of Zipple. The fully opened mana body that has almost been opened is no different from semi-immortals as long as they can use that space. Just being there can heal all wounds.]
"The existence of such a space is one thing, but the fact that a fully opened mana body can perform such incredible regeneration there is like a lie."
[A lie? Hmm... is that what you're saying?]
"For now, yes."
[Believe it or not, it's up to you, Jin Runcandel. But, uh, uh... there is no other way to obtain Numerus Tears otherwise. I'm telling you now, we don't have Numerus Tears. You can confirm this through Euria.]
"I said 'for now'. If you explain a bit more, I think I can believe it."
[After going through all the trouble of bringing my sick body here and showing you the way, do I have any reason to be treated like a liar from the start?]Jin chuckled at those words.
"Eh, Orgal. Is it necessary for the knowledgeable to spout nonsense? You wouldn't have come looking for me in such a pathetic state just for the sake of the Vamel alliance, would you?"
Jin threw Orgal's blood-stained handkerchief in the trash.
"You must have rushed here because you'd be in trouble if Histor died. Demon King Orgal, to restore your manipulated history to its original state, Histor's power is absolutely necessary. Am I wrong?"
Orgal shrugged.
[I didn't expect such a reaction from a simple throwaway comment. Yes, you're right. Leaving aside my history, Histor's ability is absolutely necessary to counter the evil god.]
"Then stop spouting nonsense and say something worthwhile."
Swoosh!
Suddenly, a small steel door appeared in the middle of the hospital room.
Unlike usual, where the door transported the user or the target through dimensional travel, this door revealed a green landscape.
"A bright green sea...? It also looks like a desert."
[You can see it that way.]
"That landscape, is it the Holy Land of Zipple you mentioned?"
[Yes, but this is not its current appearance. I'm sharing my memories with you. It's from a few hundred years ago, but it probably hasn't changed.]
"I've never seen mana of this color."
[It's not mana. It's a power that has no name; I call it residual energy.]
"Residual energy? Does that mean it's the power left by the existence beyond the gods you mentioned before?"
Orgal nodded.
"What does that have to do with the Fully Opened Mana Body?"
[The Fully Opened Mana Body is the only one among humans that reacts to residual energy. It can heal any physical damage, including diseases, wounds, and scars, as long as the residual energy is present. This is only possible when the Fully Opened Mana Body reaches a certain level or higher.]
"Is there any special reason why only the Fully Opened Mana Body reacts to residual energy?"
[Well, I don't know the reason either. I just assume that it's because some will of that existence is embedded among the owners of fully opened mana bodies. Perhaps the fully opened mana body is a blessing that was only allowed to those who possessed that being's will in the first place.]
According to his explanation, the "residual energy" could heal any wound except for aging and mental shock, but only for the owners of Fully Opened Mana Bodies.
Then, a vague human figure appeared within the steel door's scenery.
Although unclear, it was easy to see that it was missing an arm.
[That memory is vague, so it’s not being shared correctly. Maybe it's a Fully Opened Mana Body like Histor's.]
The person in the landscape lay down in the middle of the holy land.
'Crazy...'
After a while, Jin could see the person's amputated arm beginning to regenerate.
The residual energy of the holy land and the person's mana mixed, creating a magnificent iridescent light and bubbles.
[Why do you look so deep in thought? Do you think I'm showing you a fake landscape?]
Of course, Jin thought that possibility existed.
Given the powers Orgal had shown so far, it seemed possible.
But Jin decided to trust Orgal. Because if true, there couldn’t be anything better.
Orgal had no reason to lie now.
Even so, the reason Jin was troubled for a while was because another thought came to mind.
"I think not only will you have a fully opened mana body, but you'll also be able to recover if you go there. And right now, you don’t know the location of the holy land. So, in exchange for saving Histor this time, you hope I’ll find out the location of the holy land for you. Am I wrong?"
A slight smile appeared on Orgal's lips.
[Sometimes you and I communicate very well. That's right, cough.]
"Aren't you relying too much on me just because we communicate well? Even if I find the location, I have no intention of sharing it with you, Orgal. If you regain all your power, it won’t be different from another evil god awakening before me and the people of the world."
[It’s sad you think that of me. Anyway, if you find the location, at some point, we can make a deal if your perception of me changes or if I have something you can't refuse.]
"That’s a rather ominous future."
[Zipple will never make a deal with anyone regarding the location of the holy land, no matter what. In the first place, I would do the same.]
"But this time, they have to accept a deal to save Histor's life, right?"
[That’s correct. Zipple probably wants to save Histor more than you do right now. So, isn't this a pretty convincing story?]
"If I assume everything you said is true, then it’s very convincing. But I don't think Zipple will reveal the location of the holy land so easily."
[Threats, persuasion, and seduction are more your area of expertise than mine. Besides, you have Histor, Zipple's greatest weakness, so you should be able to negotiate favorable terms. I’ll help more if I can.]
Jin met Orgal’s gaze.
[The bright light and bubbles produced when residual energy reacts with the owner of a fully opened mana body. You can use it as bargaining material.]
"That would give Zipple something to investigate."
[As expected, you understand me immediately. Yes, that alone would be a significant reward for Zipple. Of course, they’ll demand more than that. Cough! You’ll regret it if you refuse.]
Jin was about to pull the handkerchief he had thrown into the trash but grabbed a new one from the drawer and wiped the blood.
"You gave the information because you wanted something, but let’s thank you."
[Heuk, yes, sure, it seems you’re thankful.]
The two talked for a while about how to handle the situations when Zipple came.
By the time the conversation ended, Jet found the hospital room.
"Milord! People from Zipple are also coming. The Kozec ship has arrived."
"Okay, Jet. I'll be out in a minute."
"Yes!"
The leaders of the Zipple side who arrived in Tikan were Octavia, Ronil, and Kadun. Hedo and Sandra were nowhere to be seen.
Kadun transformed into human form, with bandages wrapping around his entire body.
He still hadn't recovered from the wounds he suffered during the attack from the Garden of Swords.
They were not wounds that could heal easily.
He was hit hardest by the chaos emitted by Rosa and Ram and was injured again in the Kaldran snowfield.
In fact, it was almost miraculous that he could even move now.
Jin faced them calmly, but inwardly he rejoiced at Kadun's condition.
Looks like you desperately need a Chaos Purification Device.
Unlike Jin, Kadun had been openly showing his anger since entering the Tikan Palace.
"Are you here?"
Kashmir greeted his companions directly.
"Are you here? Yes, we are here! Damn bastards, we formed an alliance just a few days ago. You left us alone in the Kaldran snowfield? Don’t you think it's too stupid, even if it's temporary?"
"You seem very angry, Kadun."
Kadun nearly rolled his eyes at hearing Jin’s voice.
The bandages wrapping his body burned intensely, revealing his wounds.
"Twelfth Flagbearer...!"
"By the way, wouldn't it be correct to think that it’s normal?"
"What?"
"The day Rosa's hidden power was revealed, why did you and Kinzelo launch a full attack against Runcandel? Let me guess. It was because you were sure there would be a decisive battle against the entire Garden of Swords. That’s why you took the opportunity and tried to destroy me and the Garden of Swords."
"Ha, then we weren’t temporary allies. It means we were enemies; do you think we’re in the same position now?"
"I admit it, that’s why I forgave that bastard's behavior and accepted you as allies. But now that you've come, you don't even ask about the circumstances and act recklessly. It’s unpleasant to see you behave as quickly as a rogue. Do you think we abandoned you deliberately? Look there."
"What do you mean...?"
Kadun was speechless as he followed Jin's finger to the entrance of the Tikan Palace.
There he saw Orgal, leaning on Zephyrin and coughing up blood with every step.
[Wow... you made it... Kadun, cough!]
"At that moment, we could escape through Orgal’s metal door. How are we supposed to escape with Zipple in such a state? Even one of the ten great knights, Padler Runcandel, who you dealt with, was being summoned right in front of us."
[Sorry... for that... ugh, Kadun...]
"The situation was really urgent at that time. If you want, here’s a Thousand Year Contractor you can consult."
Kadun had nothing more to say while watching Orgal, who kept collapsing and being lifted by Kinzelo members.
Of course, Kadun wasn’t a fool, so he had expected the situation to be urgent to some extent, but he didn’t know Orgal would be in such a state.
"Moreover, even though the Zipple side suffered damage, no significant figures died, and the temporary alliances achieved their goals. We rescued Histor, and I survived. Isn't that a pretty good outcome?"
As Kadun tried to say something, Ronil stepped forward and made a slight bow.
"We think so too, but please understand that there is some emotional aspect to it, Sir Jin. Please understand a little of Kadun-nim's anger."
"I will."
"What is Histor's condition? We received some news from Kinzelo's side, but we don't know the details."
"She is barely alive. Orgal says she can recover if she goes to your holy land."
Ronil blinked for a few seconds.
As if asking, how do you know that?
"...What did you just say?"
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