"It's been a while, Jin!"
Veradin shouted brightly.
“Darling, Jin!”
Sandra, who was next to him, swung the golden prosthetic arm that replaced her right hand and cookie crumbs smeared in her mouth. Jin was startled for a moment looking at the picture of his face engraved on the golden prosthetic arm.
“I received your reply to the letter I sent last time! Where did you learn such a romantic language?”
“…… Reply? Romantic?”
Of course, Jin doesn't remember sending a reply.
However, Sandra firmly believed that Jin had given her an answer through some kind of invisible signal.
“You asked me to go to the Radin’s villa and hang out with you next time.”
“No, when did I?”
“Oh, Jin. Are you really dating elder sister Sandra!? So now you are my...… Is it the brother-in-law!?”
“How many times do I have to tell you, Radin? He is not your brother-in-law anymore, but your brother-in-law in the first place.”
“I can't believe my friend is my brother-in-law, I feel a little bad!"
"Isn't it nice?"
"It's strange!"
“Someone else’s business, and even on a holiday, what kind of thugs are these?”
As soon as brother and sister arrived in Tikan, they went to the Latrie refreshment store. Then they reluctantly entered the refreshment shop saying ‘We are Zipfel!’ to Latrie, who announced that today was a holiday.
Instead, they paid a large amount of money that the Latrie refreshment store could not touch even if it worked non-stop for a full year.
The problem was that the two were not the only uninvited guests who were forcibly entered the Latrie refreshment Shop.
In the far back corner of the center table occupied by Veradin and Sandra, there sat a person wearing a hood.
‘…… Valeria!? Why is teacher here?'
It was Valeria whom Jin had met just a few days ago in the second castle of Hairan. Jin hadn't heard from Kashmir that she was also at the Latrie refreshment Shop.
-You don't have to be sad because we'll see each other more often than before anyway. There are more things to share with you and more things to help each other with. In the future, I plan to use the Tikan often when escaping from Zipfel’s pursuit.
At that time, Valeria must have stopped by the sword emperor castle's territory to thank Ron and said that she would go to the succession temple, but she stopped by Latrie refreshment store to take a break for a while. It was because she was tired of dealing with the chaos in the vicinity of the sword emperor castle.
To Jin, Valeria is always a welcomed. Recently, he found Qwaul much faster than expected and recruited him, so he was about to contact Valeria again.
But now Jin is in a bit trouble. He didn't want to see her with the two of pure-blood Zipfel.
Fortunately, Veradin and Sandra were not showing any interest in Valeria, who was still sitting in the corner.
“Let’s go out and talk.”
“I like it here! It was my dream to have a cup of tea with Jin in such a nice atmosphere.”
"There is a better…… place."
“Where?”
“The meeting room of the Tikan Kingdom.”
There was silence for a while.
“Is it because of the Hister sitting over there?”
At that point, Jin was the only one who was taken aback.
“Ah, what are you worried about between us? They are wearing a robe, but they have red hair and a silver pine wand, but Radin and I are pure-blood Zipfel, so can’t we recognize that?”
Valeria already knew that they recognized her. During the long pursuit, her red hair and silver pine wand had already been discovered a long time ago.
Valeria is silent because she can't be caught by them. And what Jin was worried about was not Valeria being caught, but the opposite.
Jin was rather worried that she would kill or capture the two of them and use them.
For Valeria, Zipfel is the mortal enemy who destroyed her clan and annihilated the Gray Owl Mercenary Corps.
'Since she has heard about the two of them from me and my comrades, has she decided to wait and see?’
Valeria was curious about the two, especially Veradin. Is he really a person who can take the lead in the purification of the Zipfel, as the Tikan people say?
Reluctantly, Jin took a seat at the table of the two.
The eyes of Jin and Veradin met. The excited Sandra chatted nonstop, and the two were silent for a while.
The last time Jin met Veradin was during the Sword Emperor terrorist attack.
That day, Jin and Dante asked Veradin for a favor.
In order for Hairan to be able to clearly distinguish between friend and foe, they asked him to make Zipfel to pressure Hairan in earnest.
A month ago, the results came out.
It is a bittersweet and sad ending that everyone knows. Because the imperial family chose Zipfel and white stone over Hairan, and as a result, Glyek awoke and the world was polluted.
It was an incident that had no choice but to happen even if Veradin hadn't asked by his friends, but he was carrying heavy guilt like a punishment.
“How are you?”
"So-so."
"No, he is not doing well! Radin, come on. If you hadn't been forced yourself to lost control, then wouldn't Mister Kadun and Hedo have participated in the Sword Emperor castle war?"
It was predicted from the battlefield that Veradin would do something for Dante.
“Lost control? Were you in the same condition during the Ventica mission?”
During the mission to kill Barton Vicena, the Black Knight, Veradin lost his temper and attacked Jin.
“Similar.”
“Although the mana you showed at that time was amazing, it wasn’t to the extent that you couldn’t subdue it without Kadun and Hedo.”
“My mana was incomparably stronger than when I was in Ventica. Now this isn't surprising, is it? Until yesterday, I was stuck in the life supporting device. Well, thanks to that, my clan won't be able to manipulate my mind for a while.”
So far, Zipfel has been manipulating Veradin's mind through special methods, including dark magic and Demon’s God’s orb.
However, it was impossible now because the Demon’s God’s orb was broken and Kelliark was tied to the life supporting device, and Veradin's body and mind were damaged from running wild.
In the past, when Veradin first confessed about his mind manipulation, Jin thought the reason was just for Zipfel to raise Veradin as a suitable successor.
It didn't seem like that now.
"Then, it seems that you've lost all of your mana now."
Jin didn't feel mana from Veradin at all. The current Veradin was a body that could not be called a mage.
“Not only mana, but also memory problems. I can't remember the names of my brothers, and I've forgotten a lot about magic. It is a side effect of losing control. The magic will definitely return, but the memory is not certain. Magic, well, learning it again is enough.”
The current Veradin had lost much more memories than Jin thought.
Even in the midst of that, the things he had with the two people he cherished the most, Jin and Dante, remained clear.
“What the hell is Zipfel trying to do by manipulating your mind and enhancing your mana?”
“Well, all I'm sure of is the fact that Sandra and I are some kind of test subjects. As you know, my sister is the living golem, and I...… I can't think of anything yet. Like you said before, it's probably not to raise me as an heir. Because my father is getting closer and closer to eternal life.”
The appearance of Kelliark rejuvenating through the power of the Demon’s God’s orb was confirmed by everyone who participated in the sword emperor castle war. It was unlikely that such a Kelliark Zipfel would hand over the patriarchy to Veradin.
Suddenly. Jin came up with an assumption.
‘The physical abilities of Sandra Zipfel, which she showed in the Gaifa Islands, far exceeded that of ordinary mage. And since Veradin’s mana is being strengthened at the same time as his mind manipulation...….’
A powerful body with super regenerative abilities and artificial mana enhancement.
What if Zipfel’s purpose is to combine the two to create a living golem weapon? It’s just like the ultimate magic swordsmen in old Runcandel....
Moreover, Veradin has contracted with more than one god at the same time. It wasn't just because Veradin is a blessed mage, it was likely the result of an experiment.
Jin didn't put that thought out of his mouth. It was disgusting and he felt like vomiting.
“Anyway, I’m sorry. You and Dante have suffered so much because of my clan.”
“You did nothing wrong.”
“I am Zipfel. Judging by the way the world is going, origin itself is the original sin.”
“Such dull words don’t suit you, so get rid of them. Because Dante still has no intention of fighting you, and he thinks it's not your fault."
“Are you going to abandon our Radin?”
“I think I need to think about it."
“Okay, just throw away Radin and live happily with me.”
Jin let out a smirk at those words.
“Veradin, do you remember the things I told you during the terror attack?”
-No matter what the situation is, the three of us don't betray each other.
Veradin remembered it well. While unconscious in the maintenance device, the words Jin said in the Sword emperor castle were the only milestones in Veradin's unconscious. Just as Ron, Dante, and Jin, who were tainted with chaos during the Sword Emperor Castle war, reflected on each other and did not get lost in the end.
"Of course. If it hadn't been for those words, I wouldn't have come here.”
“That’s enough.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but please hug me too.”
"It's about betraying Zipfel."
“If you officially swear to marry me, as much as you want.”
In fact, Sandra never did anything that would harm Jin as a result. And she, along with Veradin, had already made up her mind to participate in purifying the Zipfel.
Only because she thinks Jin will like her more. Naturally, Jin did not trust Sandra, but there will never be a case where she will harm Jin on her own accord.
“I’ll call Dante, so go back after some drinks. When you return, say that Hister's survivor was here. Then Zipfel’s higher ups won't think that there hasn't been any gain. It's like turning a heart attack into a confirmation.
“No, no. Jin should go on a date with me. You promised, right?”
“I'd appreciate it if you thought of the four of us going on a date together, Sandra Zipfel. I never promised.”
Less than an hour later, Dante visited Latrie’s refreshment shop. As soon as Dante saw Veradin, without saying a word, he hugged him for a long time.
And when the drinking party was over and the Latrie refreshment Shop was quiet again, Jin and Valeria stayed behind to look at the record window together.
“Record magic cannot confirm whether Veradin Zipfel’s words that his mind was not manipulated are false or true.”
Valeria said.
Instead, the record window clearly revealed one record left at the Latrie’s refreshment Shop today.
<Veradin Zipfel’s determination not to betray Jin Runcandel and Dante Hairan is further strengthened here.>
"It's been a while, Jin!"
Veradin shouted brightly.
“Darling, Jin!”
Sandra, who was next to him, swung the golden prosthetic arm that replaced her right hand and cookie crumbs smeared in her mouth. Jin was startled for a moment looking at the picture of his face engraved on the golden prosthetic arm.
“I received your reply to the letter I sent last time! Where did you learn such a romantic language?”
“…… Reply? Romantic?”
Of course, Jin doesn't remember sending a reply.
However, Sandra firmly believed that Jin had given her an answer through some kind of invisible signal.
“You asked me to go to the Radin’s villa and hang out with you next time.”
“No, when did I?”
“Oh, Jin. Are you really dating elder sister Sandra!? So now you are my...… Is it the brother-in-law!?”
“How many times do I have to tell you, Radin? He is not your brother-in-law anymore, but your brother-in-law in the first place.”
“I can't believe my friend is my brother-in-law, I feel a little bad!"
"Isn't it nice?"
"It's strange!"
“Someone else’s business, and even on a holiday, what kind of thugs are these?”
As soon as brother and sister arrived in Tikan, they went to the Latrie refreshment store. Then they reluctantly entered the refreshment shop saying ‘We are Zipfel!’ to Latrie, who announced that today was a holiday.
Instead, they paid a large amount of money that the Latrie refreshment store could not touch even if it worked non-stop for a full year.
The problem was that the two were not the only uninvited guests who were forcibly entered the Latrie refreshment Shop.
In the far back corner of the center table occupied by Veradin and Sandra, there sat a person wearing a hood.
‘…… Valeria!? Why is teacher here?'
It was Valeria whom Jin had met just a few days ago in the second castle of Hairan. Jin hadn't heard from Kashmir that she was also at the Latrie refreshment Shop.
-You don't have to be sad because we'll see each other more often than before anyway. There are more things to share with you and more things to help each other with. In the future, I plan to use the Tikan often when escaping from Zipfel’s pursuit.
At that time, Valeria must have stopped by the sword emperor castle's territory to thank Ron and said that she would go to the succession temple, but she stopped by Latrie refreshment store to take a break for a while. It was because she was tired of dealing with the chaos in the vicinity of the sword emperor castle.
To Jin, Valeria is always a welcomed. Recently, he found Qwaul much faster than expected and recruited him, so he was about to contact Valeria again.
But now Jin is in a bit trouble. He didn't want to see her with the two of pure-blood Zipfel.
Fortunately, Veradin and Sandra were not showing any interest in Valeria, who was still sitting in the corner.
“Let’s go out and talk.”
“I like it here! It was my dream to have a cup of tea with Jin in such a nice atmosphere.”
"There is a better…… place."
“Where?”
“The meeting room of the Tikan Kingdom.”
There was silence for a while.
“Is it because of the Hister sitting over there?”
At that point, Jin was the only one who was taken aback.
“Ah, what are you worried about between us? They are wearing a robe, but they have red hair and a silver pine wand, but Radin and I are pure-blood Zipfel, so can’t we recognize that?”
Valeria already knew that they recognized her. During the long pursuit, her red hair and silver pine wand had already been discovered a long time ago.
Valeria is silent because she can't be caught by them. And what Jin was worried about was not Valeria being caught, but the opposite.
Jin was rather worried that she would kill or capture the two of them and use them.
For Valeria, Zipfel is the mortal enemy who destroyed her clan and annihilated the Gray Owl Mercenary Corps.
'Since she has heard about the two of them from me and my comrades, has she decided to wait and see?’
Valeria was curious about the two, especially Veradin. Is he really a person who can take the lead in the purification of the Zipfel, as the Tikan people say?
Reluctantly, Jin took a seat at the table of the two.
The eyes of Jin and Veradin met. The excited Sandra chatted nonstop, and the two were silent for a while.
The last time Jin met Veradin was during the Sword Emperor terrorist attack.
That day, Jin and Dante asked Veradin for a favor.
In order for Hairan to be able to clearly distinguish between friend and foe, they asked him to make Zipfel to pressure Hairan in earnest.
A month ago, the results came out.
It is a bittersweet and sad ending that everyone knows. Because the imperial family chose Zipfel and white stone over Hairan, and as a result, Glyek awoke and the world was polluted.
It was an incident that had no choice but to happen even if Veradin hadn't asked by his friends, but he was carrying heavy guilt like a punishment.
“How are you?”
"So-so."
"No, he is not doing well! Radin, come on. If you hadn't been forced yourself to lost control, then wouldn't Mister Kadun and Hedo have participated in the Sword Emperor castle war?"
It was predicted from the battlefield that Veradin would do something for Dante.
“Lost control? Were you in the same condition during the Ventica mission?”
During the mission to kill Barton Vicena, the Black Knight, Veradin lost his temper and attacked Jin.
“Similar.”
“Although the mana you showed at that time was amazing, it wasn’t to the extent that you couldn’t subdue it without Kadun and Hedo.”
“My mana was incomparably stronger than when I was in Ventica. Now this isn't surprising, is it? Until yesterday, I was stuck in the life supporting device. Well, thanks to that, my clan won't be able to manipulate my mind for a while.”
So far, Zipfel has been manipulating Veradin's mind through special methods, including dark magic and Demon’s God’s orb.
However, it was impossible now because the Demon’s God’s orb was broken and Kelliark was tied to the life supporting device, and Veradin's body and mind were damaged from running wild.
In the past, when Veradin first confessed about his mind manipulation, Jin thought the reason was just for Zipfel to raise Veradin as a suitable successor.
It didn't seem like that now.
"Then, it seems that you've lost all of your mana now."
Jin didn't feel mana from Veradin at all. The current Veradin was a body that could not be called a mage.
“Not only mana, but also memory problems. I can't remember the names of my brothers, and I've forgotten a lot about magic. It is a side effect of losing control. The magic will definitely return, but the memory is not certain. Magic, well, learning it again is enough.”
The current Veradin had lost much more memories than Jin thought.
Even in the midst of that, the things he had with the two people he cherished the most, Jin and Dante, remained clear.
“What the hell is Zipfel trying to do by manipulating your mind and enhancing your mana?”
“Well, all I'm sure of is the fact that Sandra and I are some kind of test subjects. As you know, my sister is the living golem, and I...… I can't think of anything yet. Like you said before, it's probably not to raise me as an heir. Because my father is getting closer and closer to eternal life.”
The appearance of Kelliark rejuvenating through the power of the Demon’s God’s orb was confirmed by everyone who participated in the sword emperor castle war. It was unlikely that such a Kelliark Zipfel would hand over the patriarchy to Veradin.
Suddenly. Jin came up with an assumption.
‘The physical abilities of Sandra Zipfel, which she showed in the Gaifa Islands, far exceeded that of ordinary mage. And since Veradin’s mana is being strengthened at the same time as his mind manipulation...….’
A powerful body with super regenerative abilities and artificial mana enhancement.
What if Zipfel’s purpose is to combine the two to create a living golem weapon? It’s just like the ultimate magic swordsmen in old Runcandel....
Moreover, Veradin has contracted with more than one god at the same time. It wasn't just because Veradin is a blessed mage, it was likely the result of an experiment.
Jin didn't put that thought out of his mouth. It was disgusting and he felt like vomiting.
“Anyway, I’m sorry. You and Dante have suffered so much because of my clan.”
“You did nothing wrong.”
“I am Zipfel. Judging by the way the world is going, origin itself is the original sin.”
“Such dull words don’t suit you, so get rid of them. Because Dante still has no intention of fighting you, and he thinks it's not your fault."
“Are you going to abandon our Radin?”
“I think I need to think about it."
“Okay, just throw away Radin and live happily with me.”
Jin let out a smirk at those words.
“Veradin, do you remember the things I told you during the terror attack?”
-No matter what the situation is, the three of us don't betray each other.
Veradin remembered it well. While unconscious in the maintenance device, the words Jin said in the Sword emperor castle were the only milestones in Veradin's unconscious. Just as Ron, Dante, and Jin, who were tainted with chaos during the Sword Emperor Castle war, reflected on each other and did not get lost in the end.
"Of course. If it hadn't been for those words, I wouldn't have come here.”
“That’s enough.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but please hug me too.”
"It's about betraying Zipfel."
“If you officially swear to marry me, as much as you want.”
In fact, Sandra never did anything that would harm Jin as a result. And she, along with Veradin, had already made up her mind to participate in purifying the Zipfel.
Only because she thinks Jin will like her more. Naturally, Jin did not trust Sandra, but there will never be a case where she will harm Jin on her own accord.
“I’ll call Dante, so go back after some drinks. When you return, say that Hister's survivor was here. Then Zipfel’s higher ups won't think that there hasn't been any gain. It's like turning a heart attack into a confirmation.
“No, no. Jin should go on a date with me. You promised, right?”
“I'd appreciate it if you thought of the four of us going on a date together, Sandra Zipfel. I never promised.”
Less than an hour later, Dante visited Latrie’s refreshment shop. As soon as Dante saw Veradin, without saying a word, he hugged him for a long time.
And when the drinking party was over and the Latrie refreshment Shop was quiet again, Jin and Valeria stayed behind to look at the record window together.
“Record magic cannot confirm whether Veradin Zipfel’s words that his mind was not manipulated are false or true.”
Valeria said.
Instead, the record window clearly revealed one record left at the Latrie’s refreshment Shop today.
<Veradin Zipfel’s determination not to betray Jin Runcandel and Dante Hairan is further strengthened here.>
