Chapter 787
The messenger of Kelliark, who showed the Seal of Fire to Jet, revealed his name as "Pyre".
Pyre was a young dragon, just over a hundred years old, who looked even younger than Latrie in his human form.
Moreover, Pyre had a rather mysterious demeanor.
His entire body was covered by a hood that resembled a cloak, and his face was stained with soot.
The group observed Pyre, who was devouring his food voraciously.
Despite his beggar-like appearance after days of hunger, Pyre's behavior indicated something more than just difficult circumstances.
Jin and his companions could sense the smell of ash and blood emanating from him.
It was an unmistakable scent of the battlefield, impossible to hide even amidst the fresh, fragrant aroma of Latrie's freshly made soup and cookies.
Something strange was going on.Dragons of Pyre's age didn't possess significant combat power.
In relative terms, they were as vulnerable as newborns, making survival difficult without the protection of other dragons at his age.
Therefore, both Quikantel and Latrie were naturally concerned about Pyre.
Although he was an enemy, from their perspective, he was a young dragon who should be given protection, and yet he was in the midst of carrying out a dangerous mission.
"Ah, well, thank you for the food! I think I can finally gain some weight...! "
When Pyre finished the last dish, he spoke.
"If you're still hungry, let me know. I can bring you more food."
Jin was treating Pyre with a non-threatening attitude, considering Quikantel and Latrie.
"No, thank you. It's enough. I didn't expect to be treated so kindly. I'm truly grateful."
Pyre maintained a humble and youthful posture, as if intentionally trying to make the members of Tikan feel compassionate.
"Well, then let's talk about the reason you came to find us."
Euria stepped forward.
"From now on, I will use my powers to verify if everything you say is the truth. I hope you don't mind."
"Well, of course. First of all, I came here to negotiate with all of you, following Sheenu-nim's intentions and Sir Kelliark's order."
An unexpected name emerged from the start.
"...Sheenu?"
"Yes, Sir Jin. Sheenu-nim wishes for you to help Sir Kelliark."
"Help? Before I hear what kind of help is needed, I need to know the circumstances. Why did Kelliark attack Beradin in the Tower of Stories?"
"It was a betrayal. Sir Kelliark was unjustly accused and persecuted for succumbing to the power of the evil god. Beradin Zipple initiated the betrayal to swallow the clan."
A blue thread floated between Pyre and Euria.
It was the truth.
"Why did Beradin initiate the betrayal?"
"Sheenu-nim and Sir Kelliark suspect it was due to the side effects of a mind manipulation experiment."
"I want to hear a more detailed story. Why did Kelliark manipulate Beradin's mind all this time, and what results did he seek through that?"
Pyre didn't flinch, as if he was expecting that question.
"Sir Kelliark wanted to become the new Fire God through Beradin Zipple."
"...What?"
"For some reason, Sheenu-nim is slowly disappearing. As a result, Sheenu-nim gave Sir Kelliark the mission to become the second Fire God, and all the experiments conducted on Beradin Zipple were aimed at achieving that."
The blue thread of truth continued to form.
The unexpected and shocking story brought a moment of silence.
"It must be overwhelming for you. However, it's all true. The reason why others, except for Sir Kelliark, were able to use Sheenu-nim's authority was because they were given fragments of Sheenu-nim's authority, which fragmented due to her disappearance. People like Beradin Zipple or Midor Elner."
"How can Kelliark become a Fire God through Beradin?"
"I'm sorry, I don't know the details of the method. However, it is said to be possible if Beradin is used as a vessel for the Demon God Orb..."
The vessel for the Demon God Orb.
Upon hearing those words, Jin remembered that Beradin had made a contract with 'two gods'.
It was believed to be impossible for a human to contract with two gods according to the magic academy.
During his days as a Provisional Flagbearer, Jin had suspected when he learned that Beradin had made a contract with two gods, but he didn't ask about it.
-By the way, you didn't ask.
-About what?
-How I made a contract with two gods?
-Your potential must have been exceptional. And why would I ask about something like that in this situation?
At that time, the situation was urgent, and Jin thought Beradin wouldn't know the reason.
If Beradin knew why he could make a contract with two gods, he would have explained it himself.
‘The Demon God Orb is an artifact that contains the power of all the Gods... And it seems that Kelliark has been conducting experiments to make Beradin the core material of the Demon God Orb!’
If Beradin acquired the properties of the Demon God Orb, it would explain how he made simultaneous contracts with Itelmion and Rikta.
"...Sheenu, Kelliark, and Zipple. No matter how I think about it, they are all crazy. Even a young dragon like you can casually talk about such horrible stories. Pyre, you're saying that humans used humans, parents used their own children as experimental subjects. And still, it doesn't seem like you feel anything about it?"
Quikantel spoke with indignation.
It pained her to see an innocent-looking young dragon talking about such terrible things with an expressionless face.
"I don't know what I'm supposed to feel... Is that the problem?"
"This is making me crazy."
"Anyway, Pyre, from what you've said, it seems this is the gist. Sheenu and Kelliark intended to create the Demon God Orb and a new Fire God through Beradin, but at some point, Beradin stopped being obedient and instead began to pursue Kelliark."
"That's correct."
"According to your words, Sheenu and Kelliark suspect that Beradin's betrayal is a side effect of the experiment or personal revenge. But Sanna's story is missing."
"Ah, you mean the Priestess of the Sun God Sanctuary."
"When Kelliark was in danger of dying in the Tower of Stories, was it Sheenu who saved him?"
In the manipulated records, it was recorded that Lokia Ganesto saved Kelliark.
Pyre nodded.
"Yes, it was Sheenu-nim who saved him."
Jin didn't inform Pyre about Sanna's manipulation of the records.
It was because there was still a possibility that Sanna had a cooperative relationship with Sheenu and Kelliark.
"When did Sanna start working with Zipple? She seemed to be cooperating with Beradin now, but did she betray Sheenu and Kelliark? As you mentioned before, Sanna claimed that Kelliark succumbed to the power of the evil god."
"As you've seen, it's true. I heard that the Priestess of the Sun started cooperating with Zipple after the Evil God War ended. The priestess approached the clan, claiming that she could heal Kelliark."
"And Sheenu and Kelliark simply believed her and accepted?"
"I don't know the exact details. I assume they had no choice given the circumstances. In any case, the priestess was present and observed when Beradin attacked Kelliark. Perhaps Beradin's betrayal was a result instigated by the priestess."
Since Jin didn't have direct conversations with Sheenu or Kelliark, the information that Pyre could provide was limited.
Moreover, even if Pyre's story was verified by Euria's power of truth, it didn't mean they could believe everything.
Euria's verification only determined the falsehood of Pyre's words, not the accuracy of the information that Sheenu and Kelliark provided to Pyre.
‘Pyre is talking based on what he knows. However, among the information they gave to Pyre, there may be some false information’.
The content about Beradin falsely accusing Kelliark and Sheenu's disappearance seemed very likely to be true.
Otherwise, there would be no reason for Pyre to come to Tikan to negotiate.
It would be excessive to incite Kelliark's rampage and persecution as a simple play to deceive the Vamel alliance.
Moreover, Jin had a hunch that Sheenu and Kelliark were in trouble.
"Now, tell me what Sheenu and Kelliark want from me."
"Yes, Sir Jin. They hope you will heal Sir Kelliark."
-And what are they going to give me in return?
"Sheenu-nim mentioned that she would reveal several secrets about Zipple that might interest you. She also said that she would remove the oath made between Zipple and Runcandel a thousand years ago."
Jin chuckled upon hearing those words.
"They're offering a lot. I don't think he ever gave the impression that he would seriously accept a proposal like that. Don't you think? Besides, his chaos is beyond what I can handle with my purifying device."
"Sheenu-nim believes that if the purifying device is enhanced, it might be possible."
"Even if that's the case, I have no reason to heal Kelliark. The situation doesn't seem favorable enough for him to come to Tikan and propose such negotiations. If I leave him alone, Kelliark will meet his end."
"But breaking the oath and learning the secrets of Zipple would certainly be a great help to Sir Jin..."
"The oath is already being dealt with on its own, and I'm not interested in Zipple's secrets. I would be more interested in information about Sanna, the Sun God, or Lokia Ganesto."
Pyre fell silent, unable to say anything more.
"To be more precise, I have no intention of helping Kelliark, no matter what he offers. I believe Sheenu and Kelliark probably expected my answer. Where is he now?"
"He's in the Land of Fire, in Sheenu-nim's domain."
"Then bring Sheenu or Kelliark directly in front of me, or arrange for us to go there. We'll resume the conversation then. But if you're just sending you as a scapegoat to test me, let them know that I won't even listen to their words. I'm leaving now."
"W-Wait, Sir Jin. Ah!"
At Pyre's urgent call, his eyes suddenly flickered with flames.
And Jin's companions felt an unexpected surge of immense power spreading throughout the room.
It wasn't just the aura of a 'strong' being, but the presence of a transcendental entity.
Frightened, Jin's companions took a step back, and Jin looked up with a wry smile towards Pyre, who seemed to be floating in the air.
"As expected. So, you were listening all along, Sheenu. If you had something you wanted from me, you should have come in person sooner."
It was Sheenu, the Fire God, manifesting through Pyre.
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