[T.L: punisher87]
[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]
On May 6, 1803, they received a message from the Nameless stating that they had found traces of Yona.
Fortunately, Yona hadn't left Akin and was still at a considerable distance from the villages and cities.
Immediately upon receiving the message, Jin, along with Hedo, Bale, and Bianca Kaligo, and Ranke Halovice (who complained about why Bale was brought along so quickly), boarded the Red Owl.
"Jin... Runcandel...… Why do we...…."
There was a hint of bewilderment in Bianca's slow voice. Ranke, driven by fear of Jin, didn't shout angrily but had an extremely displeased expression on his face.
"Unfortunately, your Grand Duke made a deal with me. In exchange for allowing Orgal to meet Bale, Kinzelo promised to provide absolute protection for Sandra and Sir Hedo."
"Ah... Protection. But... we didn't say it would be absolute..."
"If you don't want to do it, you can turn back now. In return, our deal will be terminated."
"Ah… Ugh."
Frustrated, Bianca wrapped her head with her hands, and eventually, Ranke stood up abruptly and confronted Jin.
"Oh, come on! This is too much. Are we your slaves or something? If you want protection, at least have the decency to be obedient. Now you're even asking us to take responsibility for unnecessary risks?"
"Ranke Halovice, it seems like you haven't learned your lesson from last time. Seeing you speak so boldly, it's quite something."
"Arrogance! Although I may have been defeated by you once, I am the First young master of the esteemed Halovice, the ruler of the northern part of the demon world and its inhabitants, the master of the Tna Mountains and Karion Mountains! I may submit to power, but I will never forsake my dignity!"
"Is that so?"
"Ra, Ranke."
"This is clearly an excessive and unreasonable demand. Bianca Kaligo, stop stuttering like an idiot. This is a matter that concerns the honor of the Four Grand Dukes!"
"Honor...."
Alright, honor it is. You spoke well for once. If assisting me according to our agreement is so repugnant to you, how about this? Ranke, if it weren't for me, you would have met your end in the Kaldran Snowfield. Who was it that rescued you when you were lying there, exhausted and helpless?"
"It was you!"
"If you know, shut up and cooperate. It's an honorable task to aid a benefactor, isn't it?"
"Our benefactor froze to death, and the reason we went to Kaldran Snowfield is because of you!"
"That was necessary for the sake of the impending battle with Rosa. It wasn't just a personal matter, but a cause that required the collective effort of our temporary alliance. The same holds true now. Elder Sister Yona is known as a god among the assassins. It goes without saying that she would be a great help during the battle with Rosa."
"Don't nod your head as if you understand, Bianca. Fine, Jin Runcandel. If this is a matter concerning our temporary alliance, then why isn't Zipfel here? Is it too burdensome to summon that musclehead? Even though it's for a just cause?"
"Zipfel is providing a location. If you dislike it so much, you're free to leave. Go back and explain the situation to your leader, and they'll probably commend you for your wise decision. And in my opinion, you keep making a fuss not just because you dislike the task, but because you're afraid of elder sister Yona."
"What?"
"If you're facing an opponent who can kill you before you even realize it, it's natural to feel fear, right?"
"Hah, fine. Since you've humiliated me before, I must look quite foolish now, but today I'll prove you wrong. Remember that I won't tolerate your pranks after today."
"Great, great, that's excellent."
Ranke didn't back down due to his pride, and Bianca seemed to understand the reason she was brought along.
'They're so easy to manipulate.'
The demons were all so foolish that Hedo couldn't help but think that.
However, even with the unfortunate intelligence of individuals like Bianca and Ranke, they were revered in the demon world because they were overwhelmingly strong, surpassing that intelligence.
In any case, now that they had brought the strongest among the demons, Jin felt much lighter.
Jin, Hedo, Bale, Bianca, and Ranke, Owal and the top executioners of Nameless.
In truth, with a party of this caliber, there were few beings in the world that couldn't be dealt with. Aside from Chiron and the transformed Rosa, there was no one capable of facing them all alone.
The red owl swiftly transported them to the Akin Forest, as always.
"Have you arrived, 12th flagbearer? Quite a unique… and dependable combination."
Owal didn't know Bale's true identity or the reason for Kinzelo's presence. When Jin explained it to him, Owal nodded in satisfaction.
"Even if Yona became stronger through the energy of chaos, it should be fine."
If their objective was to kill Yona, Jin alone would have been sufficient, but subduing her required more than just his strength. She was not only powerful but also possessed special abilities.
Even from that perspective, the party led by Jin was more than enough.
"By the way, if the situation drags on, Zipfel will definitely come. Sir Hedo's betrayal might be a problem then, and Zipfel might intervene... Well, it doesn't matter. We can't afford to wage war with the people here right before the battle with Rosa. Especially since Kelliark isn't in great shape either."
"That's right, Lord Owal. I have already sent a message to Jiple regarding this situation. They should be arriving soon. It would be better for them to cooperate and help catch elder sister Yona before the territory suffers further damage. It may be unfair and frustrating, but that's how it is."
It was a statement that couldn't be made without a certain level of thick-skin. Furthermore, it required possessing enough power to withstand such forced circumstances.
Owal realized once again that Jin, right in front of him, had become a figure that could stand on par with the world's top players. In just a few years, Jin had become a true giant.
'Besides, he has risen a notch higher than when I saw him in the second castle of Hairan...….'
Owal looked at Bale.
"Did breaking another wall have something to do with meeting Sir Bale?"
"Bale had an influence, but it was because of Rosa. She is becoming complete at a faster pace than I am becoming stronger."
During the fight with Bale, Rosa only briefly glanced at Jin through Padler's eyes, but even that was enough for him to keenly feel her power. She was clearly surpassing Orgal's predictions.
"...It's a dreadful story. That's why even the enemies of a thousand years are joining forces."
Owal pointed to the forest spread out in the distance.
"Yona is currently somewhere in that forest. There have been several clashes, but she hasn't been able to break through the encirclement. Or... I have a feeling that she was waiting for the best opportunity to kill us all at once. Instead of getting tired after each clash, her senses have become sharper."
In the last battle, both Owal and Bizen encountered Yona simultaneously, and with a single strike, Yona nearly killed Bizen.
"In that case, we should set the entire forest on fire to find her."
Bale suggested.
"Bale, if we do that, it will inevitably lead to civilian casualties. Have you forgotten Lady Sandra's orders?"
When Hedo responded, Bale narrowed his eyes as if annoyed. He wanted to shout at Hedo to shut up and let him handle it, but Sandra's orders included instructions to obey Hedo as well.
"It would be better if only me, Sir Hedo, and Lord Owal went into the search. The rest of the team should wait at key points in the encirclement. When the signal flare is launched, immediately enter the designated locations. If there are signs that elder sister Yona knows we have entered and is attempting to escape, Bale can pursue her."
As Bale released his power, rings formed above his head and wings appeared on his back, and a golden aura overflowed. He could fly faster than any bird.
"My thoughts align with that. In any case, the assassins in the siege also have a signal, so it will be easy to join either way. And Sir Bale... it would be great if you could fulfill your role as a communication network. With your overwhelming mobility, it would be helpful."
"Hah, are you ordering me around?"
"Bale, just follow quietly. Do I always have to repeat myself?"
"Tch!"
With that, the group dispersed, and Jin, Hedo, and Owal entered the forest.
Unlike the others, Jin immediately sensed faint traces of Yona's chaos scattered throughout the forest.
"The remaining energy of chaos is too weak and disoriented, but if I read it carefully, I think I will be able to find elder sister Yona."
"Are you saying you can feel it?"
"Yes, my sensitivity to chaos has increased strangely over time, making this possible, Lord Owal. I can deduce the approximate route, so please advise me whenever I find it difficult to make judgments."
As they started the search in earnest, Jin struggled to keep his mind from becoming overwhelmed.
If Yona was already in an irreversible situation, capturing her and bringing her back would be futile.
'No, my sister will endure and overcome. The fact that she has not killed any civilians so far is evidence of her resistance. If we don't miss this opportunity, elder sister Yona will definitely return...'
After a few hours of searching, Jin suddenly stopped walking and looked around in confusion. His face clearly showed a bewildered expression.
"Is something wrong, 12th flagbearer?"
"... Lord Owal, the types of chaos have suddenly increased."
"What?"
"It means that elder sister Yona is not the only one using the energy of chaos in this forest right now."
"No way. The encirclement has been maintained ever since I met you in the second castle of Hairan."
"Is it possible that someone breached the encirclement and entered the forest? Or perhaps there were chaos users other than elder sister Yona from the beginning."
The former is completely impossible. With me and the top executioners included in the encirclement, it would be impossible to breach it by force, unless there is someone else with abilities comparable to mine or Yona's. As for the latter... Wait, could it be?"
Suddenly, Owal's eyes widened as he realized something. Jin seemed to be thinking the same.
"If it's a fake Yona, it's possible. Perhaps the Yona we've been fighting all along was a fake."
"The new traces I found have only a subtle difference from what I have sensed before. It means that the fake I encountered in Hairan has infiltrated the forest."
So, either the fake Yona was in the forest before Nameless, or she infiltrated the encirclement using her own abilities or through the Prophet's tunnel.
In other words, there could be multiple Yonas in the forest, including both the real one and the fakes.
And the reason why the fakes were searching the forest was likely rare.
"Jin, if that's true, don't we need the contractor of truth?"
At Hedo's words, Jin shook his head.
"If there are multiple fake Yonas, it would be too difficult to protect Euria. Since there are two different energies, we need to subdue both the real elder sister Yona and the fakes, and then differentiate them based on that."
[T/L: You can read more chapters and support me here: https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 & https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]