Chapter 783
***
The Holy Kingdom, Vankela.
Runcandel had received information about the explosion in the Tower of Stories, and six days had passed.
Until now, Runcandel and the Vamel alliance had not heard from Kadun.
"Hmm, Kadun. Seems like that arrogant Fire Dragon has been having some trouble. He didn't even attend the recent federation integration meeting. Kadun was notorious for attending every integration meeting and creating a hostile atmosphere."
Talaris spoke.
She had already regained consciousness the previous night, but she had to stay in the Holy Kingdom a little longer to continue receiving treatment from Lani.
There were also tasks she needed to help Lani with.
"It feels like Zipple isn't particularly trying to hide the fact that something has happened to Kadun. Of course, he could be fine somewhere we don't know.""So, my son-in-law intends to go to the scene himself tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"Since you'll need Mort's help, my daughter should go with you, right?"
"That's right."
"Well, it should be a good time, hmm..."
Talaris fell silent.
As someone who had experienced countless relationships and was known as the greatest love expert of this era, Talaris had a hunch that there was progress in Jin and Valeria's relationship.
That's why Jin and Siris's marriage problem became Talaris's primary concern as soon as she woke up.
‘Valeria Histor. She's undoubtedly a lovely girl, but I never expected Jin, who has never shown interest in the opposite gender, to fall for her like this.’
While Jin showed no interest in the opposite gender, and Siris also excelled in that aspect.
In Talaris's eyes, Siris had feelings for Jin.
However, those feelings weren't limited to romantic emotions.
As a friend, as a companion, as a romantic interest.
Siris undoubtedly had affection for Jin, but she didn't actively express it.
‘Perhaps she considers fulfilling her duty as the next Hidden Palace Master more important? It's true that Jin becoming the Hidden Palace's host is now an obsolete notion. Well, but in this era, what does it matter? Since the Hidden Palace and Runcandel are in an alliance. Anyway, being too traditional…’
"Talaris-nim."
"Hmm?"
"What are you thinking about?"
"I'm just a little worried."
"Could it be that you're worried about me going to the Tower of Stories?"
Talaris stared intently at Jin. There was a moment of silence.
"Maybe she just wants to keep this distance for now."
"What do you mean?"
"Sometimes there are relationships that don't get closer due to fear of losing them... There's also a bittersweet charm in that. In my long and eventful history, there were some people like that."
"What are you talking about suddenly...?"
"I got carried away and started reminiscing about the old days. Hehe, suddenly I miss your father and Ron. I should visit the Sword Emperor's territory. I'll also take a look at the alliance shipyard construction site."
"If Talaris-nim examines it, it will be a great honor for the workers."
"By the way, it's a shame that the handsome Black Dragon needs more time to return. I couldn't refuse the request since I received help from the Holy King."
Lani had asked Talaris to help seal the "Eye of Zito."
"Maintaining Zito's seal is also an alliance matter. So don't worry about that."
"Son-in-law, in my opinion, it's inevitable that the demon king called Zito will awaken someday. Maybe even Elona Zipple will awaken."
"Yes, we are prepared for all possibilities. When they awaken, there won't be a crisis that threatens the world's destruction like during the evil god's appearance."
"You're very reliable, my son-in-law. It feels like yesterday when I met that kid who risked his life in Colon, and now he's become a giant."
"I've always received help from the Hidden Palace since then. If it weren't for the Hidden Palace's connection, I would have died several times by now."
"It's good that you know that. Both for me and Siris."
"Yes, I'll do my best. If anything is missing, please let me know."
While Jin smiled brightly and spoke, Talaris couldn't help but chuckle.
It was cute that he still retained the appearance of a clueless child, even though he had become a giant.
In Talaris's eyes, Jin was still an innocent child.
Despite gaining so much power and authority, Jin hadn't fallen into corruption or become solitary.
"I'm glad you haven't become exactly like your father. You have a lot to prepare if you're leaving tomorrow, so go ahead."
"Understood, Talaris-nim. Take care."
"Don't get hurt, and make sure my daughter and Mort don't get hurt either. I won't stand idly by."
"Of course."
Jin bowed his head and left.
Talaris shrugged and spoke.
"Well... children should handle their own affairs. A love triangle, huh? No, if Sandra Zipple is involved, would it be a square? How amazing you are, my son-in-law."
***
Early the next morning.
The infiltration team gathered in the Nameless Hall, preparing to infiltrate the Tower of Stories.
Jin, Valeria, Siris, Yona, and Owal were present.
Now that Jin is included, the team has become a formidable combination that feels invincible no matter where they go on the continent.
As a result, despite their mission being to seek out the enemy's heart, there was no fear among the group.
"Hehe, the youngest!"
Ironically, Yona seemed to be the most excited, as she was looking forward to going out with her younger brother and having a drink.
The group consisted of people Yona loved.
Needless to say, Jin and Owal were included, but Yona also had a favorable opinion of Valeria and Siris.
Valeria was originally a benefactor of the Nameless, and Siris had saved Jin several times as the next Hidden Palace Master.
Therefore, Yona was in a good mood.
Jumping around without making a sound, she seemed almost like a bird hopping on various people's shoulders.
"Elder Sister, it's still hard to read your movements."
"Oh! So now you can read them?"
"I've grown a lot."
"Does that mean there's no assassin in the world who can kill the youngest alone? I wonder if all the Nameless could band together against you?"
"Oh, Yona. Just stay still for a moment, you're too energetic."
"Do you want to die?"
"Well... I guess... I'll stay quiet."
"Hehe, I was just kidding. You look scared. And don't worry, once we enter the mission area, we'll blend in like air. By the way, I wouldn't mind cutting the throats of some Zipple friends while we're at it."
"Yona, that's not allowed. We're going there to investigate, not to assassinate."
"That's right, I'm not a fool anymore, so I know that. Right, Valeria?"
"It seems so."
"So, I was a fool in the past? Do you want to die too?"
"Please forgive me."
"Okay, I'll forgive you."
Siris tended to have a weakness for cute things, so she couldn't look away from Yona's silly behavior for a while.
There weren't many people in the world who could find Yona cute, and Siris was one of them.
"Acting Hidden Palace Master! Why are you looking at me like that? Jee."
"I was just looking."
Siris couldn't say that she found Yona adorable.
"Just looking!?"
"Siris, should we start moving soon?"
"Yes."
Siris summoned Mort.
[Boang.]
"After Mort's dimensional teleportation, we'll arrive at the Theia Plain, about 15 km from the Tower of Stories. Once we arrive, the Nameless King will complete the group's concealment, and then we'll approach the tower."
Jin said.
Owal's ability to hide others was far superior to Yona's.
That's why in the past, in the Sota Desert, Rosa had been able to secretly observe Jin and his group without Zipple noticing.
"The best scenario is to arrive safely, examine the records, and leave immediately without being detected. Even if we are discovered, I don't think there's a high probability of a battle, but if that situation arises, we'll escape immediately."
Engaging in a battle in enemy territory, especially fighting in the Tower of Stories, would be insane even for Jin. Once they escaped, it was best to focus on the next step.
"Hehe, don't worry about getting caught, the youngest. If we're detected even during infiltration through dimensional teleportation, Owal-nim should retreat. What kind of Nameless King would that be?"
"Yona..."
"Do you want to die?"
"Hehe, I was just testing you. Let's go."
Unbeknownst to him, Owal felt even more foolish in Yona's presence.
Owal didn't bother to hide that fact, and Jin found it quite enjoyable to see that side of Owal.
The group climbed onto Mort's back.
As the white dimensional portal opened, they ran through the snow garden, and in no time, the group arrived at the Theia Plain.
"...Is this the Theia Plain?"
"Mort, did you bring us to the right place?"
Jin and Siris spoke at the same time.
The Theia Plain before their eyes looked completely different from what they had known.
The plain, despite its name, was rugged and fragmented, as if it had been torn apart.
And scattered everywhere was a thick chaos that seemed to burn like fire.
Mort had undoubtedly brought them to the Theia Plain.
In that case, there was only one meaning behind this dark landscape.
"...The remnants of a battle were left untouched here. This chaos was probably scattered by Kelliark Zipple."
It seems like Kelliark's rampage turned out to be true.
Mort coughed in the chaos and hid in the snow garden, while Jin deployed a shadow force shield to protect the group.
Despite bringing Owal, the Nameless King, they couldn't properly hide in this situation. Visibility was poor, and they couldn't even see the tower.
Just as they were considering how to respond, they felt a dark energy approaching from ahead.
It was a human figure enveloped in chaos.
[Grraoa... Ahhh...]
He had a face that everyone in the group knew.
Kelliark Zipple, the patriarch of Zipple.
He was approaching the group, making bestial sounds.
"Kelliark Zipple...!?"
[¡Ahhh!]
To make matters worse, Kelliark even launched an attack on the group.
Jin stepped forward and split him in two with a single sword strike.
Kelliark scattered into particles and dispersed somewhere.
Something that would never happen to the real Kelliark Zipple.
Upon re-examining the surroundings:
They saw numerous Kelliark Zipple, identical to the one who had just dispersed, approaching the group.
"It seems like something has gone terribly wrong."
Jin tightened his grip on the sword in his hand, no longer nervous.
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