[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]
The Holy Kingdom, Vankela.
Runcandel had received information about the explosion at the Tower of Stories and six days had passed. So far, Runcandel and the Vamel alliance had heard no news about Kadun.
"Hmm, Kadun. It seems that arrogant Fire Dragon has encountered some problems. He didn't even attend the recent federation's integration meeting. Kadun was famous for attending every integration meeting and creating a hostile atmosphere."
Talaris spoke.
She had already regained consciousness the night before, but she had to stay in the Holy kingdom for a while longer to continue receiving treatment from Lani. There were also tasks she needed to assist Lani with.
"It feels like Zipfel isn't particularly trying to hide the fact that something has happened to Kadun. Of course, he might just be fine somewhere that we don't know."
"So, my son-in-law intends to go to the scene himself tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"Since you will need Mort's help, my daughter should be going with you, right?"
"That's correct."
"Well, it should be a good time, hmm..."
Talaris trailed off.
As someone who had experienced countless relationships and was known as the greatest love expert of this era, Talaris had a gut feeling that there was progress in Jin and Valeria's relationship. That's why Jin and Syris' marital issue became Talaris' main concern as soon as she woke up.
'Valeria Hister. She's undoubtedly a charming girl, but I never expected Jin, who has never shown any interest in the opposite sex, to fall for her like this.'
While Jin showed no interest in the opposite sex, and Syris also excelled in that aspect.
In Talaris' eyes, Syris had feelings for Jin. However, those feelings were not limited to romantic emotions.
As a friend, as a comrade, as a romantic interest. Syris undoubtedly had affection for Jin, but she didn't actively express it.
'Perhaps she considers fulfilling her duty as the next master of Hidden Palace more important? It's true that Jin becoming the hostess of the Hidden Palace is now an outdated notion. Well, but in this day and age, what does that matter? Since the Hidden Palace and Runcandel are in an alliance. Anyway, being too traditional…'
"Madame Talaris."
"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 at Jin intently. There was a moment of silence.
"Perhaps she just wants to maintain this distance for now."
"What do you mean?"
"Sometimes there are relationships that don't get closer because of the fear of losing them... There's a bittersweet charm to that too. In my long and eventful history, there were a few people like that."
"What are you talking about all of sudden...?"
"I got carried away and started reminiscing about the old days. Hehe, I suddenly miss your father and Ron. I should visit the Sword Emperor's territory. I'll also check out the construction site of the alliance's shipyard."
"If Madame Talaris examines it, it will be a great honor for the workers."
"By the way, it's a shame that the Black Dragon oppa will need 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 the seal of Zito is also a matter for the alliance. So don't worry about it."
"Son-in-law, in my opinion, it is inevitable that the demon king named Zito will awaken someday. Perhaps even Elona Zipfel will wake up."
"Yes, we're prepared for all possibilities. Whenever they wake up, there won't be a crisis that threatens the world's destruction like during the appearance of the evil god."
"You're very dependable, my son-in-law. It feels like it was just yesterday when I met that boy who risked his life in Colon, and now he has 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 for Syris."
"Yes, I'll do my best. If there's anything lacking, please let me know."
As Jin smiled brightly and spoke, Talaris couldn't help but let out a chuckle. It was cute that he still retained the appearance of a clueless boy, even though he had become a giant.
In Talaris' eyes, Jin was still an innocent child. Despite gaining so much power and authority, Jin had not fallen into corruption or become lonely.
"I'm glad you didn't become exactly like your father. You have a lot to prepare if you're leaving tomorrow, so go ahead."
"Understood, Madame Talaris. Take care of yourself."
"Don't get hurt, and make sure my daughter and Mort don't get hurt either. I won't just sit idly by."
"Of course."
Jin bowed his head and left. Talaris shrugged her shoulders and spoke.
"Well... the kids should handle their own affairs. A love triangle, huh? No, if Sandra Zipfel is involved, would it be a square? How astonishing, my son-in-law."
***
Early next morning.
The infiltration team gathered in the Hall of Nameless, preparing to infiltrate the Tower of Stories. Jin, Valeria, Syris, 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, even though their mission was to search the heart of the enemy, there was no sense of 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 youngest brother and having a drink.
The group consisted of people Yona loved. It went without saying that Jin and Owal were included, but Yona also held a favorable opinion of Valeria and Syris.
Valeria was originally an nameless' benefactor, and Syris had saved Jin several times as the next master of the Hidden Palace.
Therefore, Yona was in high spirits. Skipping along without making a sound, she seemed almost like a bird hopped on the shoulders of various people.
"Elder sister, it's still hard to read your movements."
"Oh! So now you can read them?"
"I've grown up a lot."
"Does that mean there's no assassin in the world who can kill the youngest alone? I wonder if all of the Nameless could gang up on 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, 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 slitting the throats of a few Zipfel friends while we're at it."
"Yona, that's not allowed. We're going there for investigation, not assassination."
"That's right, I'm not a fool anymore, so I know that much. Right, Valeria?"
"It seems like it."
"Then, was I a fool in the past? Do you want to die too?"
"Please spare me."
"Alright, I'll spare you."
Syris tended to have a weakness for cute things, which was why she couldn't take her eyes off Yona's foolish behavior for a while. There weren't many people in the world who could find Yona cute, and Syris was one of them.
"Acting master of the Hidden Palace! Why are you staring at me like that? Hee."
"I was just looking."
Syris couldn't bring herself to add that she found Yona adorable.
"Just looking!?"
"Lady Syris, shall we start moving soon?"
"Yes."
Syris summoned Mort.
[Boong.]
"After Mort's dimensional teleportation, we will arrive at the Theia Plain, about 15 km away from the Tower of Stories. Once we arrive, the Nameless King will complete the group concealment and then we will approach the tower."
Jin said.
Owal's ability to conceal others was far superior to Yona's. That was why in the past, in the Sota Desert, Rosa had been able to secretly observe Jin and his group without Zipfel 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 is a high chance of a battle, but if such a situation arises, we will escape immediately."
Engaging in a battle on enemy territory, especially fighting in the Tower of Stories, would be madness even for Jin. Once they escaped, it was best to focus on the next step.
"Hehe, don't worry about getting caught, youngest. If we get detected even during infiltration through dimensional teleportation, Lord Owal should retire. What kind of Nameless King would that be?"
"Yona..."
"Do you want to die?"
"Hehe, just trying it out. Let's go."
Without realizing it, Owal felt even more like a fool 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 raced 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 Syris 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 throughout were 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 spread by Kelliark Zipfel."
It seems that Kelliark's rampage turned out to be true. Mort coughed in the chaos and concealed himself in the snow garden, while Jin deployed a shield of shadow force to protect the group.
Despite bringing Owal, the Nameless King, they couldn't properly conceal themselves in this situation. The 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 engulfed in chaos.
[Grooo... Ahhh...]
He had a face that everyone in the group was familiar with.
Kelliark Zipfel, Zipfel's patriarch.
He was getting closer to the group, making beast-like sounds.
"Kelliark Zipfel...!?"
[Ahhh!]
To make matters worse, Kelliark even launched an attack on the group. Jin stepped forward and swiftly cleaved him in half with a single sword strike.
Kelliark dispersed into particles and scattered somewhere. Something that would never happen to real Kelliark Zipfel.
Upon surveying their surroundings again:
They saw numerous Kelliark Zipfels, identical to the one that had just dispersed, approaching the group.
"It seems that something has gone terribly wrong."
Jin tightened his grip on the sword in his hand, no longer flustered.
[T/L: You can read more chapters and support me here: https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 & https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]
[T/L: Join $29 membership on my "buymeacoffee" page and read 55 chapters ahead and daily 1 new chapter update. I have introduced new memberships, and you can read upto 75 or 85 chapters ahead.]