C691 "By the way, didn't you say you were crippled by long torture? How did you survive Rosa?"
"Did your body change in an instant, Twelfth Flagbearer?"
"I experienced heightened senses as my enlightenment grew."
"It's not just the appearance, it felt like a complete rebirth."
"I've seen that before. Through the late Ron-nim."
"I experienced it myself when I decided to live for the lady. My body, which couldn't do anything without the Blood of God Numerus, suddenly came to life. I could feel my broken and dislocated bones being fixed, and my damaged organs healing."
It was like when Ron faced Gliek and resurrected from death. Hedo underwent a physical transformation.
"At that moment, I wondered if I had entered the same realm as Sir Cyron. I soon realized it was just an illusion, but I was more than capable of fighting immediately."
"I suppose Sandra and you protected each other that day."
"Not having fully adapted to the new realm and lacking a reliable sword technique, I was at a disadvantage, but fortunately, Rosa was also exhausted from breaking into the experimental facility. Thanks to that, I held on until reinforcements arrived, and Rosa escaped grinding her teeth."Afterward, Hedo naturally joined Zipple.
He only asked Kelliark for two things: to retrieve his own sword obtained in the Black Sea and to be with Sandra.
Sandra gave Hedo something no one else could give him.
The sense of living life.
Something he had never received from the orphanage director, the first knight he killed, Cyeon, Kelliark, or anyone or anything.
"So that's why you became the second-class butler."
"There wasn't a better position for me. Since then, I've learned many things to serve the lady. Knowledge of etiquette, general knowledge, and culture. I started focusing on teaching the lady what she lacked the most. We were no different from a beast, so I felt the need to show her the way."
If it was for Sandra, Hedo mastered anything at a crazy speed.
Among them, what he learned the fastest was the art of maneuvering within the clan.
He realized very quickly that the clan sought his loyalty, but he also confirmed the presence of many skeptical individuals.
That's why he assumed the role of caretaker/butler.
He ruthlessly punished those who held positions with elements of incompetence, like this recent incident, and put order in the influential factions of the clan that gained strength through unnecessary power struggles.
He relied on overwhelming strength.
However, he never showed excessive greed, so it was natural for the leaders, including Kelliark, to see him with satisfaction.
In an instant, Hedo became the hidden force of Zipple.
And even after becoming that force, there was no need to change his position.
However, the only reward he desired was still unfulfilled.
"Treating Sandra not as an experimental subject but as a human being, granting her freedom. That's all I desired from the clan. Although I never demanded it openly after gaining power, the clan knew it very well."
"Zipple would never allow it. They would have believed your loyalty would vanish the moment Sandra gained her freedom."
"It's true that the clan didn't want to loosen their control over her, but it wasn't just that. From my perspective, I also believed the clan would be of great help for the lady's safety. The old grievances between the clan and Runcandel, the international situation, and the lady's unchanging peculiarities were the reasons. Can my lady lead a normal life outside the clan?"
Kelliark awaited the day Hedo would swear true loyalty to the clan instead of Sandra.
"...I was using that fact to create a territory just for me and the lady within the clan, Twelfth Flagbearer."
"From your perspective, it's my fault you were mistaken..."
There was a moment of silence, and Jin suddenly remembered Sandra in his previous life.
In his previous life, she had a strategic marriage with a low-ranking noble of the Vermont Family, far from Vermont.
Maybe Sandra's marriage at that time was the result of Hedo's will, which finally bore fruit.
With a hint of fear in his thoughts, Hedo spoke again.
"Twelfth Flagbearer, what I wanted to give my lady in return was a normal life. For her to have a normal personality, socialize with others, and someday find a suitable partner to spend her life with. If it weren't for you... I would have surely achieved it."
Jin didn't respond and looked Hedo in the eyes.
"But that was my desire, not the life my lady wanted... Now I realize that."
Hedo poured the last drink remaining in their cups and Jin's.
"Tower Guardian, I'm curious about something."
"What is it?"
"Even after you took power, it seems Zipple didn't stop experimenting through Sandra, and you said it was what Sandra wanted. In my opinion, that would have been a choice for your sake. I called you a coward because I didn't know the circumstances, but I want to retract that."
"It's true I was a coward, so there's no need."
Of course, Sandra agreed to the experiment because she wanted to help Hedo.
She believed that occasionally showing a submissive side would make Hedo less suspicious, and she also thought that if she gained a half-immortal body, it would reduce the chances of him falling into a desperate situation.
"Twelfth Flagbearer."
"Speak."
"To be honest, I'm still skeptical. Even if my lady and I become your family here, I wonder if it will truly be better than the relatively stable days we've had in the clan so far."
"What do you want to do then?"
"I'm not saying I want to return to the clan. Looking back, it was a life of constant escape. Life in the clan was ultimately a time that couldn't be called excellent for either me or the lady."
"I should change my question. How can I help?"
"One day, if it seems there's no hope in Tikan, I'll take my lady and leave without hesitation. Don't get in my way."
"I swear. Not only will I refrain from stopping you, but I also won't seek revenge claiming Sandra and you betrayed us."
"I'm not sure if I can trust your words."
"Am I not someone with weight in my words? And above all..."
Jin turned and looked at Sandra for a moment.
Tikan had to be a better option for her than marrying a noble in her previous life.
Even if she had married at that time, Zipple would have still been present, and Sandra would have continued to be under surveillance and likely exploited for political gain.
Moreover, at that time Sandra didn't behave as wildly as she does now, so it could have been the result of mental manipulation.
Rather, Jin's principle was to make her freer.
"I feel a significant debt to Sandra. She has helped me many times and saved my life. Facing Rosa right now is a priority, but my ultimate goal includes the destruction of Zipple. Once they are gone, there will be no more threats to you and Sandra in this world."
"The time for us to leave may come before the battle with the Evil God."
"I understand. Though it intimidates me, it won't affect you. Losing power is painful, but I can only respect it. It's not like you belong to the category that submits to power."
The smoke from Hedo's pine went out, leaving behind a lingering fire.
"But I sincerely intend to prevent such a situation. I'll help end Sandra and your long nightmare while you're in Tikan."
As Jin silently looked at his cup, Hedo raised his.
It was the first toast. Hedo and Sandra would now remain in Tikan.
"Suddenly, I remember the words you said not long ago."
-Perhaps you are a descendant of a great knight named Bale. That's why the sword found you. It wasn't a coincidence.
The words Jin used to persuade Hedo.
Of course, Hedo is not a descendant of Bale.
However, there is no doubt there were many astonishing similarities between Hedo's and Bale's fate.
"I also thought of Bale's stories when I spoke with you. Although what he experienced wasn't as cruel as what you endured, just as you were reborn through Sandra, Bale also found meaning in his existence through Lady Sarah."
As if he had already heard of Hedo's past, Jin had already had some conversations with Bale.
Bale, like Hedo, was simply a monster of destruction until he met Sarah.
"That madman seems not to have the same concept of thought as I do, but I must admit your words resonate. I still don't believe in destiny, but I can't deny your words have some truth."
Jin smiled.
"I want to believe this is destiny for both of you."
Hedo shrugged and pulled out a new cigarette, lighting it.
"The most important thing is that the task you asked of me initially has become a problem. Now that the lady and I have become traitors, we can't help find Yona Runcandel, your sister, in Akin."
"Well, that may be true, but since you and Bale are now affiliated with Tikan, the situation has actually improved. The three of us, you, me, and Bale, infiltrating Akin and coordinating with the Nameless, should be able to capture Elder Sister Yona, who has gone astray, without Zipple's help."
"You're asking me to infiltrate the clan's territory immediately after betraying them. You're very good at giving us difficult tasks."
"If it's a burden, I can take Bale with me."
"No, I'll go with you. While we're at it, we should secure your sister and leave a message for the clan."
"Thank you, Tower Guardian. Oh, and..."
Jin extended his hand to shake Hedo's. Hedo looked at the hand for a few seconds before extending his own and shaking it.
"From now on, I'll use formal language and show proper etiquette. Please forgive the rudeness caused by the unique circumstances until now, Sir Hedo."
Hedo was pleased with Jin's words and replied.
"Well then, I'll speak comfortably, Twelfth Flagbearer. I'll be in your care in the future."
Then, Hedo turned his head towards the side pillar.
"And, please take good care of Miss Valeria. Let me tell you one thing... my lady has never been involved in anything related to Histor."
When Jin and Hedo entered the restaurant, Valeria showed herself from behind the pillar.
Jin and Hedo knew from the beginning that she had been listening to their conversation, and Valeria knew the same, but they didn't show it to each other.
Valeria leaned against the railing for a while, looking at the sky.
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