CHAPTER 691

[T.L: punisher87]

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"By the way, didn't you say that you were crippled by the long torture? How did you survive from Rosa?"

"Has your body changed in an instant, 12th flagbearer."

"I did experience heightened senses as my enlightenment grew."

"It's not just the aspect, it felt like being completely reborn."

"I have seen that before. Through the late Lord Ron."

"I experienced it myself the moment I decided to live for the lady. My body, which could do nothing without the blood of god Numerus, suddenly began to come to life. I could feel broken and dislocated bones mending, and damaged organs healing."

It was like when Ron faced Glyek and resurrected from death. Hedo went through a physical transformation.

"At that moment, I even questioned whether I had entered the same realm as Sir Chiron. Soon, I realized it was nothing more than an illusion, but I was more than capable of fighting right away."

"I guess you and Sandra protected each other that day."

"Having not fully adapted to the new realm and lacking a reliable sword technique, I was at a disadvantage, but luckily, Rosa was also exhausted from breaking into the experimental facility. Thanks to that, I held on until reinforcements arrived, and Rosa escaped gnashing her teeth."

Afterwards, Hedo naturally joined Zipfel.

There were only two things he requested from Kelliark. To retrieve his own sword obtained from the Black Sea and to be with Sandra.

Sandra gave Hedo something no one else could give him.

The meaning of living life. Something he had never received from the orphanage director, the first knight he killed, Chiron, Kelliark, or anyone else or anything else.

"So that's why you became the second-class butler."

"There was no better position for me. Since then, I have 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. She was no different from a beast, so I felt the need to show her the way."

If it was for Sandra, Hedo mastered anything insanely fast.

Among them, the fastest thing he learned was the art of maneuvering within the clan. He realized early on that the clan sought his loyalty, but he also confirmed the presence of many skeptical individuals.

That's why he took on the role of a janitor. He mercilessly punished those who held positions with elements of incompetence, like this recent incident, and tidied up the influential factions within the clan that gained strength through unnecessary power struggles. He relied on overwhelming force.

Yet he never displayed excessive greed, so it was only natural that the leadership, including Kelliark, regarded him with satisfaction.

In an instant, Hedo became the hidden powerhouse of Zipfel. And even after becoming that force, there was no need for a change in his position. 

However, the only reward he desired had yet to be fulfilled.

"To treat Sandra not as an experimental subject but as a human being, to grant her freedom. That's all I wished for from the clan. Although I have never openly demanded it after gaining power, the clan was well aware."

"Zipfel would never allow that. They would have believed that your loyalty would vanish the moment Sandra gained her freedom."

"It is true that the clan didn't want to loosen their grip, but it wasn't just about that. From my perspective, I also believed that the clan would be most helpful for the lady's safety. The long-standing grudges between the clan and Runcandel, the international situation, and the lady's unyielding peculiarities that never changed were the reasons. Can my lady lead an ordinary life outside the clan?"

Kelliark was waiting for the day when Hedo would pledge his true loyalty to the clan instead of Sandra.

"…I was using that fact to create a territory only for me and the lady within the clan, 12th flagbearer."

"From your point of view, it's because of me that you messed up...…."

There was a moment of silence, and Jin suddenly recalled Sandra from her previous life. In her previous life, she had engaged in a strategic marriage with a low-ranking noble of the Vermont family, far from Vermont.

Perhaps Sandra's marriage at that time was the result of Hedo's will finally bearing fruit.

With a hint of fear in his thoughts, Hedo spoke again.

"12th flagbearer, what I wanted to give my lady in return was a normal life. To have a normal personality, to socialize with others, and someday meet a suitable partner to spend her life with. If it weren't for you... I would have definitely accomplished that."

Jin didn't answer and met Hedo's eyes.

"But that was my desire, not the life my lady wanted... I'm only realizing that now."

Hedo pours the last remaining drink into his and Jin's cups.

"Tower Keeper, I have something I'm curious about."

"What is it?"

"Even after you seized power, it seems Zipfel hasn't stopped experimenting through Sandra, and you said that it was what Sandra wanted. In my opinion, that would have been a choice for your sake. I called you cowardly because I didn't know the circumstances, but I want to take it back."

"It's true that I was cowardly, so there's no need for that."

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 dire straits.

"The 12th 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 until now."

"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 both me and the lady."

"I should change my question. How can I help?"

"One day, if it seems that there is no hope in Tikan, I will take my lady and leave without hesitation. Don't stand in my way."

"I swear. I won't only refrain from stopping you, but I won't seek revenge claiming that you and Sandra betrayed us."

"I'm not sure if I can trust your words."

"Now, am I not someone with that much weight in my words? And above all..."

Jin turned and looked at Sandra for a moment. Tikan had to become a better choice for her than marrying into nobility in her previous life. Even if she had married at that time, Zipfel would have still been present, and Sandra would have continued to be under surveillance and likely exploited for political gain.

Moreover, Sandra at that time didn't behave as crazily as she does now, so it could have been the result of mind manipulation.

Rather, Jin's principle was to make her more free.

"I feel a significant debt towards Sandra. She has helped me multiple times and saved my life. Dealing with Rosa right now is a priority, but my ultimate goal includes the destruction of Zipfel. Once they're gone, there will be no more threats to you and Sandra in this world."

"The time for us to leave may be sooner than the battle with evil god."

"I understand. Even if I become intimidated, 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."

Hedo's pine smoke went out, leaving behind a lingering fire.

"But I sincerely plan to prevent such a situation. I will help ensure that the long nightmare of you and Sandra comes to an end while you are in Tikan."

As Jin silently looked down at his cup, Hedo lifted his cup.

It was the first toast. Hedo and Sandra would now remain in Tikan.

"Suddenly, I recall the words you said not long ago."

-Maybe you're a descendant of a ten 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 were certainly many uncanny resemblances between Hedo and Bale's fate.

"I also thought about the stories of Bale when I talked with you. Although what he experienced was not 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 to have no concept of thought like I do, but I must admit that your words resonate. I still don't believe in fate, but I can't deny that your words have some truth."

Jin smiled.

"I want to believe that this is fate for the two of you."

Hedo shrugged and took out a new cigarette, lighting it.

"More importantly, the task you initially asked for has become a problem. Now that the lady and I have become traitors, we cannot help finding Yona Runcandel, your sister, in Akin."

"Well, that may be true, but since you and Bale are 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 apprehend elder sister Yona, who has gone on a rampage, without the help of Zipfel, in a stable and fast manner."

"You are telling me to infiltrate the clan's territory immediately after betraying them. You're really good at giving us difficult tasks."

"If it's burdensome, I can just 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 Keeper. Oh, and…"

Jin extended his hand for a handshake with Hedo. Hedo looked at the hand for a few seconds before reaching out and shaking it.

"From now on, I will 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, 12th flagbearer. I will be in your care in future."

Then, Hedo turned his head to 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 Hister."

As Jin and Hedo entered the restaurant, Valeria revealed 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, gazing up at the sky.

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