Chapter 950

C950

‘I should have firmly insisted from the beginning that I would go with the Patriarch. Jin Runcandel, who has attained Genesis Knight, and also Kelliark Zipple, what the hell was I thinking letting the Patriarch go alone…!’

The Tower of Stories vibrated with each step Elona took. The tower resonated with her rage.

Most of the people residing in the tower didn’t even dare to lift their heads to look at Elona. The oppressive atmosphere was created due to the concentration of all the mana in the area.

“….. Lady Elona, I am also worried about the Patriarch. But for now, please calm down.”

Among the leaders, Ronil was the only one who stepped in front of Elona and spoke.

“Ronil.”

“The clan’s Magicians are falling. If you leave, everyone has to prepare for attacks from other factions, including the Red Legend Tribe.”

Ronil was stating the most reasonable truth.

However, Elona felt an inexplicable sense of disappointment at Ronil’s bureaucratic attitude. Beradin cherished him as a confidant, but to Ronil, what mattered most wasn’t Beradin but “Zipple.”

In retrospect, of course, everyone in the clan was like that.

“……. it’s clear.”

Said Elona as she gathered her energy.

“May I ask what you are talking about?”

“I cherish the clan. But the Patriarch is even more precious to me. I know I am an immature person. I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

Ronil nodded.

“You have nothing to apologize for. Besides, it’s not your unilateral decision. After all, the Patriarch sent a signal using Hroti. We will take good care of our territory. Salion is here right now, so please, go with him to Grosch Castle.”

“Understood.”

When Elona ascended to the top floor of the tower, Salion, the Wind Dragon, had already transformed into his true form and prepared to fly.

[Octavia could have kept me here in case something like this happened.]

Said Salion as he soared into the sky.

“I see.”

[Unlike others, Octavia believes Beradin is absolutely necessary for the current Zipple. And, however it may sound to you, Octavia cherishes Beradin very much. Just as you do.]

Salion was reading Elona’s thoughts accurately. Elona felt a little embarrassed that her thoughts were being exposed, but she didn’t mind listening to him.

“That’s fortunate. I… really don’t know, Salion. Sometimes it seems like the Patriarch isn’t the ruler of Zipple, but just a puppet who looks like the ruler.”

[Zipple has always been such a family. Either the Patriarch turns everyone into puppets or everyone turns the Patriarch into a puppet. It’s not just a Zipple problem. All the powerful factions in the world are like that.]

“That’s true.”

[Furthermore, Beradin has been enforcing his will as Patriarch with an iron fist since he became the head. Everyone fears him, so how could such a person be a puppet?]

There’s a reason why Elona viewed Beradin that way.

She knew that Beradin’s current personality wasn’t something he himself wanted. And the people closest to Beradin were deeply involved in manipulating his mind.

However, Elona didn’t know the details of the mind manipulation experiment.

Beradin deliberately refrained from talking about the mind manipulation to ensure Elona wouldn’t lose her trust in the leaders. He believed it wouldn’t benefit the clan if the relationship between Elona and them soured.

‘The Patriarch has certainly been changing recently. He seemed to be wavering and yearning for something.’

Elona hoped that the more human aspects of Beradin would continue to reveal themselves.

If she continued to turn a blind eye to those aspects, she had a premonition that Beradin would eventually become a monster that existed solely for the sake of Zipple, like herself a thousand years ago.

‘I will do whatever it takes to prevent the Patriarch from becoming someone like I was in the past, even if it means interfering with the clan’s prosperity.’

It churned her stomach. Salion accelerated to a point where her breathing became labored, but Grosch Castle still seemed far away.

Maybe Beradin was already dead. Such unpleasant thoughts kept crossing her mind.

[We have arrived.]

Grosch Castle appeared at sunset.

Most of the fleets and forces stationed at Grosch Castle had already entered Hell, but the Golden Ship and some of Runcandel’s forces were still there.

The Golden Ship was in formation guarding the entrance to Hell. The Alliance received a report shortly after Salion left the Tower of Stories that informed them about Elona’s movements.

[Elona, they knew we were coming.]

Said Salion in a tense voice.

Suddenly, it occurred to her if the Alliance intended to attack the Lutero Magical Federation at this moment.

Zipple had sent both the Patriarch and the most crucial fleet to Hell, while the Alliance had only sent Jin and his group.

Of course, Elona, Zipple’s most powerful Genesis Magician, was here, but currently, the Alliance had the overall advantage in terms of power.

Furthermore, what if the Alliance had made some kind of deal with the Red Legend Tribe? Elona couldn’t handle all of that alone.

“…. let’s try to talk.”

A woman appeared at the front of the Golden Ship.

“Elona Zipple, Wind Dragon Salion. Hold on a moment. We have something to discuss.”

It was Luntia. Former Black Knights and Hedo also appeared behind her.

“Do you want to fight us?”

Asked Elona with a hint of anger and caused the sea near the castle to churn.

“Are you deaf? I said we have something to discuss.”

Luntia looked directly into Elona’s eyes filled with murderous intent without blinking. She may not yet be a Genesis Knight, but she still had enough skill to face Elona in combat. Besides, there were many other skilled fighters present.

Furthermore, the Alliance had the means to teleport additional forces here instantly with the Red Owl and Mort.

“If you want to fight, I won’t avoid it. But it seems you came here urgently for some reason, and if you don’t want to delay that, it’s better to have a peaceful conversation.”

“…Fine, let’s hear it.”

“That’s more like it. Our young Patriarch said that if you come to the Hell passage, it will only be because Beradin Zipple is dangerous. Is that correct?”

Naturally, information about the Patriarch’s safety or status was highly confidential. But Elona nodded without hesitation. Because she didn’t have time to argue.

“Yes, I received a request for help from the Patriarch.”

“In that case, we have no reason to stop you. There would be nothing better for Runcandel than for the Zipple Patriarch to die in Hell.”

“You’re playing with words now…”

“Normally, we would. However, it seems our young Patriarch doesn’t want him to die now. I don’t fully understand it, but our young Patriarch and his Patriarch had a strange history in the past. It’s a strange situation, but anyway, we are the only ones listening here.”

[What does this mean, Luntia Runcandel? Why are you saying these things suddenly?]

“It would be better if the Wind Dragon kept quiet. Don’t you understand yet? If you really want to save Beradin Zipple, you have to accept what we ask of you now. Do you have the confidence to fight us and go save Beradin Zipple afterward? Even if you somehow defeat us all, Lady Elona won’t emerge unscathed. I don’t think the fight will end in a day or two.”

Salion couldn’t refute this and simply gritted his teeth.

“…I understand what you mean, so, please, tell me what you want.”

Elona spoke calmly, but desperately wanted to say, “Just get out of the way.”

“Lady Elona Zipple, if you wish to proceed to Hell safely and rescue Beradin Zipple, we require a promise from you, and in return, we will step aside.”

“….. What promise?”

“Once you arrive safely in Hell and rescue Beradin Zipple, you must meet with our Record Magician and confront your past.”

“What…?”

“These are Runcandel’s conditions and nothing more. It means we’ll simply take a quiet look at your past without attacking each other like in the past, when Runcandel and Zipple had a secret meeting at the Phantom Castle. It doesn’t seem like a bad condition for you either.”

Elona was completely surprised by this request.

And as Luntia mentioned, it wasn’t a bad condition for Elona. She wanted to uncover her forgotten past, no matter how terrible the truth was.

“…. Is that really all?”

“Yes.”

Salion hesitated, but Elona nodded without hesitation.

“Alright, I will do it.”

“That’s refreshing. I trust you will keep your promise.”

“I swear on the honor of my clan, the Patriarch, and myself. I, Elona Zipple, will meet with Valeria Histor and face my past after rescuing the Patriarch and returning safely from Hell. However.”

Elona looked around at the Alliance forces.

“…. If the one responsible for endangering the Patriarch is not the demons but Jin Runcandel, I will kill him without fail in Hell. And I will turn you all into a handful of dust when I return, even if it means destroying the world.”

“Hehe, it seems being a Genesis Magician has given you quite a bit of confidence. However, you don’t know our young Patriarch well. Jin Runcandel is not the type of person who would resort to dirty tricks against a friend. If my younger brother had set his mind to it, Beradin Zipple would have already died several times.”

Luntia shrugged.

“I couldn’t even dream of something like that if it were the same atmosphere as before. I can’t believe the young Patriarch of Runcandel is being considerate and caring towards the Zipple Patriarch, let alone sending an enemy Genesis Magician to the battlefield where our young Patriarch is present. But that’s the least of the Runcandels. And they all respect his wishes. Beyond the law.”

Actually, I’m not sure if my father in the Black Sea feels the same… Luntia swallowed her words and looked at Elona.

“So, go now. Runcandel will see if you keep your promise.”

The golden ship ascended and opened the passage to Hell.

Elona thought about Runcandel for a short time as she passed through and headed to Hell.

The way Runcandel viewed Jin and the way Zipple viewed Beradin were clearly different.

Elona feels somewhat strange for a moment.

Although she had forgotten it due to the long seal, Elona once harbored the same feelings a thousand years ago as she does now.

It was the feeling of envy towards Runcandel.