Chapter 24: The Suikoden
「Jayden, please stop this plan of yours before it's too late」Sitting in the dark corner of the jail, a man pleaded, with both of his hands tied to the wall by a large iron chain.
「It's already too late.」Jayden Stringer, the youngest Prime Minister in the history of the kingdom of Maeg, solemnly replied from the other side of the bars. Unlike his usual look, the prime minister's spiky dark hair now appeared unkempt as it flew down, covering most of his face. Jayden was sitting down on the dirty jail floor, abandoning any hint of the dignified air he usually gave off from his appearance.「Everything is already in motion. Soon enough, Ryujin will be awoken and my wish will be fulfilled… Or rather, our wish.」
「You don't know what you will unleash upon this world the moment you remove Ryujin Seal!」The man shouted angrily and shaked his chains. 「What has happened to the rational Jayden I have always known and admired?」
「... You know exactly what happened!」The Prime Minister almost lost his normal calm composure as he raised his voice at the man.
「...She would never agree to what you are doing.」
「Does it matter? She's dead.」Jayden slowly stood up. After elegantly putting on his white gloves, the man skillfully fixed his hair with his hands.「And I will do whatever in my power to bring her back to us. You should just sit and wait in here for a while, Lance .」
The protesting shout from Lance, the sixth Prince of the Kingdom of Maeg, slowly faded from the Prime Minister's ear as he walked further and further away from the dark cell.
「The king has just passed away.」Adela, who was waiting for Jayden outside, informed the Prime Minister the moment she saw him
「... Is that so?」A brief sadness showed on Jayden's stoic face before he quickly faded away, replaced by a determined expression. 「Then I guess it's time for us to board the airship to Falas, where the Ryujin Seal is. From all the intel I'm receiving, the seal has been weakened enough. 」
「Good~」Adela clapped her hand cheerily. 「Soon enough, your dream will be fulfilled.」
「Let's go!」Jayden commanded.
「Say Prime Minister Stringer, there's something I have always wanted to ask you ever since the meeting with the heroes.」Adela curiously said after a brief moment of silence walking alongside Jayden. 「Why did you insist on inviting the hybrid? It's not like we really care about the monsters invading Falas or that we really need extra help in eliminating them.」
「Well, Ryan kun was serving the hybrid.」Answered the Prime Minister. 「I doubt he would take on the mission without the hybrid agreeing to it. We need Ryan and his
「But you do know he's also an unknown variable in this plan you drew up. Unlike others, we don't know anything about him or his power.」
「... You could say the same about Princess Yllaner that accompanied Kyles.」
Adela's cunning expression turned irritated as the Prime Minister mentioned the Princess. 「Ha, for her, at least we have researched her background. Kibadios kun, though, is an complete wild card.」
「What are you implying?」
「I don't know!」 The Astral teasingly answered. 「It's not as if you're trying to sabotage your own plan, right?」
「Hm!」Jayden exhaled loudly. 「Why would I? After all, this is the only shot I have at resurrecting Reena .」
「Yes… Of course.」Since Jayden was walking ahead of the Astral, he could not have realized the sinistered smile Adela had on her face now. 「Let's hope that's not the case.」Little did the Prime Minister know, asides from the mysterious hybrid and the unexpected reunion with Sylvia reincarnation, everything had been happening all according to her own plan. After all, she was an Astral and it was inevitable that this whole world was her plaything. Maybe after she finished with him, she would pay more of her time toying with the so-called Princess Yllaner.
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「Are you sure?」
「Certainly. I was informed about his demise last night.」Jayden answered the fiery Amber. Except for Kibadios and his group, every single person in the room was shocked to hear the Prime Minister announced the death of Corey. Silence briefly fell upon the small chamber located inside the Guild Association before Thomas asked to further confirm the news.
「Directly from the Divine Oracle themselves?」
「Yes. Apparently, about a week and half ago, his Star of Destiny suddenly faded away from the Holy Runes . The oracle quickly sent out messengers around the world to inform the countries about his death, though by the time the messenger got to Lorian, I had already left. It took them a while to catch up to me here. 」
「... What are they talking about, Master?」asked Maia from the back corner of the room.
「How did they learn of Corey's death?」
「Through the Oracle.」answered Kibadios. Though after a brief glance at his slave, he knew he had to explain more. 「The Divine Oracle acted as the ambassadors for the Astral and within their establishment, there existed a large tablet that they called a "Holy Runes". Carved upon the tablet are the 108 Star Runes, or Star of Destiny, representing the 108 individuals who possess the
「「I see!」」Both Maia and Rowan, the country pumpkins of the group, nodded.
How ironic… The system that I set up thousands of years ago has become so useful for the Astrals that it is still being used even until now. Kibadios let out a faint smile.
「... Master.」Ryan tugged the hybrid's arm, and lightly whispered into his master's ear. 「Please be careful. For most of us, we just call it the "Holy Runes" without knowing its exact physical appearance since access to the Divine Oracle is forbidden. I don't know how you know so much about the inner working of the Oracle but it's not wise to let others know that.」
「I see. Thanks for letting me know, Ryan.」Kibadios nodded.
「How can he be killed?」Amber asked the obvious question. 「I mean, he's worse than maggot, but he's a veteran hero. Aside from Catastrophe level threat or higher, what could have kill him?」
「... When did you say his star disappeared?」The hybrid innocently asked, as if he knew nothing about Corey and his death.
「The exact date would be 9 days ago.」
「9 days ago, huh?」The hybrid pretended to think for a moment. 「Morning or evening?」
「Why? I believe it's in the morning.」answered Jayden.
「Our group saw him in the morning 9 days ago.」claimed Kibadios. 「Right guys?」
「Uhm, yes. I don't remember the exact date though.」After initially being caught off guard by his master, Rowan agreed to what he said. Why would master admit to seeing Corey? All three wondered in their heads.
「Really? Where did you see him?」
「Next to a small lake in the forest about a third way between Lorian and Falas. 」answered the hybrid. 「I'm a demihuman, so I preferred travelling in places with fewer people. I was surprised to see him camping next to the pond instead of staying in some fancy taverns in the city, but seeing how there's animosity between us, we just ignored his group. We continued on after that. I was surprised he did not get to Falas before us.」
「That's indeed strange that he camped there. I wondered what he was planning to do.」
「Given how his star disappeared soon after, I suggest you send a search party there. Maybe there's some clue.」Advised the hybrid.
「... Are you sure you did not directly engage with him… or get into a fight there?」asked Thomas.
「No.」answered Kibadios firmly. 「What are you insinuating? That somehow our group got into a fight with him there and somehow, we were able to overpower his group and kill him, all without any grave injury? You give me too much credit, Thomas-dono. 」
「Please calm down.」Jayden stood up, trying to diffuse the situation. 「I'm sure there's no way that's the case. After all, why would Kibadios dono deliberately let us know such information? I will dispatch investigators to where Corey dono was last seen, as per Kibadios dono's suggestion.」
Ha, as I thought, voluntarily divulging information is the best way to deflect suspicion. The hybrid thought.
「Without Corey, how are we going to reseal Ryujin?」Kyles asked a sensible question. After all, they were told by Jayden that at least five
「We don't have time to wait for another hero to come here. 」The Prime Minister shook his head. There was a hint of irritation on his face.「Even if Corey is not with us, we will still depart Falas tomorrow. The seal must be fixed.」
「With just four of us?」confused Amber.
「... Five.」answered Jayden. 「There's a fifth person who possess the
「What? Who?」
「Me!」The Prime Minister loudly proclaimed.
「Hoh? I did not know you're one of 108 heroes, Jayden-dono.」amused Thomas
「Not many people know.」answered Jayden. 「Only the king, a selected few members of the royal family, and the Oracle knew.」
「I see.」Thomas nodded as he understood the reason behind it without any explanation.
「As you know, I am the head of the Stringer Family. My family has been serving the Kingdom of Maeg for generations, holding countless ministerial positions. Even if I possess the
「That's great news indeed! We will set out tomorrow then.」
「Where's our destination?」Asked Amber.
「Just a few miles beyond Falas, within the northern mountain ranges.」
「If that's all, we'll take our leave now and prepare for tomorrow's expedition.」Thomas excused himself. As he walked past the hybrid, the old hero gave him a slight nod. 「I didn't mean to upset you, Kibadios. I hope we can still work together… even if it's only until Ryujin is firmly sealed.」
「... I was thinking the same.」Kibadios replied without looking at the man.
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「Thomas-dono was rude to you yesterday, but please dont hold a grudge against him.」Kyles apologized for Thomas, not knowing it was indeed the hybrid who was responsible for Corey's death. 「Unlike Corey, Thomas-dono is truly an amazing hero. He's someone I have always looked up to. Though due to an incidence in his past, he lost both his eyes to a demihuman whom he trusted. Ever since then, he always has suspicions toward demihuman races. 」
...So he is truly blind huh? Does it mean he can "see" using his skill? Kibadios kicked a small pebble in front of his path. 「Dont worry about it. I know he's not so bad since he saved Maia and Rowan once before. Besides, I'm a demihuman, I dont expect humans, let alone heroes, to treat me well. Not that I care either. Though, what surprised me was how both you and Ryan did not hold any hatred for us demihuman.」
「Our hometown is located close to a demihuman territory. On top of that, our orphanage received patronage from Yllaner's elven tribe so it's a given we hold no animosity against demihuman.」Kyles gave the elven princess a quick glance.
「...」Yllaner seemed to hesitate before finally she finally spoke. 「Though, for Ryan's case, he's more than just "fond of" you, isn't it, Kibadios dono?」
「What?」The question caught Kibadios off-guard.
「... Maybe I'm wrong, but I have a feeling that Ryan sees you as more than just someone he serves... 」Yllaner's slender fingers touched her chin before Kyles quickly covered her mouth, preventing her from further explaining her conjecture.
「Ha… Haaha...」Kyles awkwardly laughed. 「Just ignore what the princess says, Kibadios. She did not mean anything.」
… Man, Yllaner even inherited Sylvia's "gaydar" intuition? Kibadios thought to himself. Well, there's no point denying it, it'd probably just make it worse if I have to hide the fact that I fuck Ryan from these two.
「How did you know?」asked the hybrid curiously.
「Wait, what??」Kyles was surprised at the revelation while Yllaner was only triumphantly smirking at the hero, unimpressed at the news.
「It's in his eyes.」explained Yllaner. 「Whenever he looks at you, there are sparks in his eyes. They are no mere admiration gazes. At least that's how I felt.」
「... I see.」Kibadios nodded. 「Similar to whenever Kyles looks at you.」
「「What? No…. What?」」Both Kyles and Yllaner's faces were blushing red. Since their relationship was technically even more taboo than the one shared between Kibadios and Ryan, they did not expect to be outed by someone they have only met a few times. 「「How did you know?」」
「Well, you two confirmed it just now!」Both Yllaner and Kyles now shared the same "Oh shit, what did we do?" expression before Kibadios continued reassuring them.「Ryan told me how close you two are. On top of that, I also have good observation and deduction skill.」Kibadios smirked. 「Don't worry. Ryan told me that I should keep your relationship a secret since it's forbidden in your tribe. I won't tell a soul.」
「Ryan also knew?」asked Kyles.
「Well, I told him I just suspected it. You know Ryan is too gullible and absent-minded to notice anything. 」
「That's true」Kyles nodded.
「Well, that makes it even, then.」Yllaner looked at Kibadios with a cunning expression. 「We know your secret and you know ours. Though, dont think I have not noticed what you did.」
「What did I do?」
「You have just changed the focus from your relationship with Ryan to the relationship between Kyles and I.」Claimed the princess. 「I was going to ask so many questions about you and Ryan.」
Damn, she's as good as Sylvia… Wait, did she just say questions? What type of questions? Dont tell me…
「So how did it happen? I can't see Ryan being the one who takes initiative so it must have been you who took the first step right? Is it right after you rescued Ryan? And most importantly, who's the sem… 」Again, Yllaner's mouth was covered by Kyles' hand, effectively muting her barrage of questions.
「Sorry, Kibadios!」Kyles nodded. 「She always gets a bit excited when… uhm...」
When two guys are getting together! Kibadios finished Kyles' sentence in his thoughts. She's still a fujoshi even after her reincarnation. Man I still remember back then how Sylvia was shipping me with him before we got together.
「Don't worry about it.」Kibadios scratched his head.
「Ahhh!」Kyles yelled after being bitten by Yllaner. Her bite mark dug deep into the hero's palm.
「You dont have to cover my mouth everytime, you know!」Yllaner pouted at her lover.
「Ha… Hahaha!」The hybrid laughed out loud. It's been a while since he had such a good time. Somehow, the interaction he has been having with Yllaner and Kyles brought him back to the peaceful period in his first reincarnation.「Well, Princess, I know you'd be unable to sleep tonight if you don't find out the answer so I'll just wanna let you know, I'm the seme! 」
「I knew it!」Yllaner was excited at the information. Although the same could not be said for Kyles since the innocent image of his brother was completely shattered inside his mid. 「Too much information, Kibadios」was all he could mutter.
「Well, let's put that aside for now!」After a few minutes to recover from the shock, Kyles was finally back to his normal self. 「We have to push forward to the center of this dungeon , where Ryujin's seal is. I hope the other groups won't have any trouble.」
「Dont worry, they'll be fine!」Yllaner smiled. The hybrid merely nodded in agreement.