[T/L: punisher87]
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Syris's eyes emitted a cold and sharp light. From her sword, a blue and vigorous energy flowed, and at first glance, it showed her remarkable growth.
The unique coldness of the Endorma bloodline had long been renowned as a mysterious and powerful force. This power allowed them to maintain their independence, even with just a tiny territory like the Hidden Palace.
'It's not even Myriad Ice, yet her swordsmanship is at this level.'
A sharp energy made Jin's forehead tingle. Syria was undoubtedly considered one of the strongest among her peers, and she might even be stronger than Dante.
But could she be a match for the current Jin? It was a question that required no contemplation. She was undoubtedly formidable, but she was nowhere near Jin's level.
Young powerhouses like Syris, Dante, and Veradin were no longer competitors for Jin.
The fact that Jin was the strongest among them didn't even need to be mentioned. Jin is already competing against named powerhouses who have already made their name in the outside world.
Although not many were fully aware of this fact yet, those in the know acknowledged it.
Jin and Syris stood facing each other in silence for a while. The small beastmen trembled, their heads lowered in fear, while Talaris smiled, seemingly intrigued.
'It would not be good if I beat Lady Syris here.'
Jin was here to make a difficult request, despite his reluctance. Even though it was Syris who first offered to have a match, defeating her would be a burdensome task.
On the other hand, losing was not something her pride would easily allow.
It wasn't as if he wanted to spar with her after not seeing her for almost two years. Truth be told, Jin was genuinely happy to see her again. He wanted to catch up, exchange greetings, and resolve their past misunderstandings.
As Jin was contemplating whether he should draw his sword or not, Syris unexpectedly burst into laughter.
Pfft.
"Hah, you even know how to make that expression. I've always seen you look like a rock or act indifferent, so this is quite refreshing."
Syris put away her sword, and Talaris laughed with grace. The energy released from her laughter caused the ground to vibrate as if an earthquake had struck.
"Are you joking?"
"For now, I know that there's no point in testing our skills against each other. Sometimes, certain things are clear even without confirmation."
Syris had already acknowledged Jin's superiority two years ago when she participated in the mission.
-When I first learned that you were joining the operation, I was extremely surprised, Lady Syris.
-I'm more surprised that you single-handedly turned the second floor upside down. You've become a monster, Jin Runcandel.
A conversation between Syris and Jin during the Compass Theft Operation.
Syris was not the type to act petty in the face of objective facts. She also didn't feel ashamed of not being stronger than Jin.
However, her desire to test their skills against each other was genuine, though she could do it anytime, even after inheriting Myriad Ice.
It was both her sincere wish to see Jin after a long time and her mischievous nature that led her to play a little prank.
"It's been a while, Jin."
Syris extended her hand for a handshake, and Jin responded with a smile, shaking her hand.
"I am sorry for not coming sooner."
"You're not saying you couldn't come earlier. If you did, you would have incurred an additional offense. I can tell even without seeing it; my mother would have been furious."
"Your mother would've been furious at someone else's son-in-law. Hmm. Still, he has written hundreds of letters, so my heart must have softened a bit, daughter."
"Hundreds of letters?"
"Yeah, look at this. Isn't it cute?"
As Syris examined the letters, her eyes narrowed.
"Are these for me?"
"Yes?"
"Is my mother the only one with eyes, and I don't have any?"
Jin lifted the corner of his mouth.
Then he took out another case from his pocket and handed it to Syris. There were about ten letters inside.
Seeing that, Syris couldn't help but burst into laughter once again.
"I was joking this time too, I never thought it would be real."
"These few days have been the days I wrote the most in my life."
"Hmm, it seems like I've seen an enjoyable jest after a long time."
Talaris nodded as if it was enough.
"Well, you've shown some effort, so I'll forgive you. So, this time, you've come to entrust these little furballs to us?"
Upon hearing that, Peng, who read the atmosphere, quickly stood up and assumed a formal posture.
"Greetings! The great and almighty 51st master of the Hidden Palace, Talaris Endorma! I am Peng, the 1st leader of Golden Peng."
Then Soony, Dori, and Song all stood up together, saluting with their heads held high.
"I am Soony, the 2nd leader! If you save us, we will serve you as lifelong benefactors!"
"I am Dori, the 3rd leader! We will infuse vitality into the Hidden palace!"
"I am Song, the 4th leader! We will make you happy!"
Darkflame, who belatedly stood up, also opened his mouth.
"Dark, Flame. Watertail, tribe, representative. Quiet, and, kind. We. Catch, fish, well."
"Hey! How can you speak informally?"
"Human, language, honorifics. Don't know. All."
Talaris didn't seem to be moved by their appearance, but Syris looked at the small beastmen with almost mesmerized eyes.
"I roughly heard about the situation. Those little fellows got into trouble by doing cosmetic advertisements and ended up being chased by Zipfel. Is that right?"
"That's correct."
"Now that you have a reason, Runcandel would protect the business, so why did you come to our Hidden Palace?"
Having lived as the master of the Hidden Palace for a long time, Talaris quickly grasped the situation without needing a detailed explanation.
"It's because I trust the Hidden Palace more than my clan."
"Approved. Well then, what benefit do we gain from this?"
"I will share a portion of the profits from the cosmetic business..."
"No, no. I have plenty of money too. It's overflowing, and there's enough food for this tiny land."
"There is a saying that the more money, the better."
"So, you are willing to receive a portion of the profits. However, that alone isn't enough; I hope you've brought something more intriguing."
For a few seconds, Jin contemplated Talaris's intentions. He noticed that she was still fixated on the letter, and he knew that she wouldn't be reading it continuously just because she found it entertaining.
'She must be focused on the special content written in the letter.'
The description of Temar's tomb. That was what he included in the letter. While explaining about Temar's tomb, Jin naturally included details about Zipfel's history manipulation.
"I will share all the information I come across about Zipfel with the Hidden Palace in the future."
"That's a satisfactory answer. Good, with those conditions, I can play the role of a babysitter."
Finally feeling relieved, Jin inwardly let out a sigh of relief. He had been worrying all along. Even if she received the letters or the ancient everlasting steel, Talaris was in a position where she could coldly dismiss Jin or even kick him out.
Even if she had attacked him because it was "unpleasant," Jin wouldn't have any words to refute it.
Despite that, Talaris, as always, decided to help Jin.
Even though he paid some compensation, Jin felt like he didn't really give anything in return.
'Anyway, sharing the profits of the business is something that should be done, and I should have shared information about Zipfel as well.'
To fight against Zipfel, an alliance like the Hidden Palace was absolutely necessary.
The more he learned about them, the more Jin felt that he couldn't defeat them with just Runcandel.
'Though right now, it might not be to the extent of completely manipulating history like a thousand years ago, there's a chance that something might be unknown. History manipulation is still happening, and even I might know incorrect history."
Ever since he witnessed the history manipulation inside the recording device, it was hard for him to dismiss such thoughts.
Knowing that he could remember a fake as the truth was one thing, but not being able to fully grasp it was undoubtedly damaging to a person's mental state.
"Today, with just a few words, you have repaid a significant debt, my son-in-law."
Talaris had even more fondness for Jin than he thought. It wasn't just because she saw him as her son-in-law, but also because he was irascible and eccentric like her friend. Especially the fact that he was the child of Chiron whom she acknowledged several years ago.
Though Syris muttered to stop calling Jin son-in-law, Talaris completely ignored that remark.
"Now, only my daughter and son-in-law remain. The rest of you can leave; we have something to discuss."
"Yes!"
"Understood."
As the small beastmen quickly left the training ground, Talaris's expression became serious.
"Jin."
"Yes, Madame Talaris."
"While the Hidden Palace has mostly remained neutral throughout the ages, it hasn't always been the case. When the first master of the Hidden Palace was chosen by the divine sword 'Myriad Ice' and the snow toad 'Mort,' we made a certain oath."
Fssssss...
Ice crystals in Talaris's hand gathered to form a single sword, the Myriad Ice.
"This sword possesses the absolute power of cold that nothing can break. Even the ancient everlasting steel would be nothing but a heavy and clumsy piece of iron in front of Myriad Ice's ice. Not even your father could break this sword."
Talaris suddenly started talking about Myriad Ice, intending to explain the 'oath' made by the Endorma bloodline.
Boong!
Mort let out a low growl. Then Talaris mounted Mort's back and extended her hand.
Jin and Syris also got on Mort, and before them, a white dimensional gate leading to the 'Snow Garden'' opened.
Jin was taken aback by the inexplicably unfolding scenery of the snow garden. Mort sprinted with all his power.
"Where are we going?"
Just as Jin was about to ask that, the resonance sound of Talaris's Myriad Ice became intense, emitting a bright light.
The resonance sound grew stronger and reached its peak, causing Mort to come to a stop.
As they got off Mort, Jin saw another castle, which looked even larger than the Hidden Palace itself.
"It's been a long time since I came here."
The Hidden Palace within the Hidden Palace.
Or the true Hidden Palace.
That was how those who knew the secret of the Hidden Palace referred to it.
"It's been a while since I brought outsiders here."
As they walked slowly inside, the vast interior appeared to be desolate and pale.
And right in the center, there was a massive ice pillar formed by the power of Myriad Ice.
'Who is that person inside the ice...?'
The ice pillar seemed to be housing a person like a coffin. She was an unfamiliar woman, but Jin felt a sense of familiarity from her silver hair.
"This woman is an ancient mage of Zipfel, whom our Hidden Palace has sealed for a thousand years using Myriad Ice's power."