Chapter 68

Chapter 23. Kasmir (3)

Kasmir's eyes were bloodshot. No one could remain calm upon hearing that their daughter, who was only five years old, would become a cripple.

"Murakan, what are you talking about? You mean the child will become a cripple? Tell me more."

Jin felt a deep unease. The mere thought of such a cruel fate befalling an innocent child made him feel nauseous.

"Humans think that seeing the future is a transcendent and mysterious ability. But they only see the good side. The moment someone becomes a contractor of Az Mil, they lose the freedom to shape their future."

Murakan then explained the concept of 'the law of causality.'

"Those who see the future must follow it exactly. No matter what, they must adhere to it. The moment they deviate, Az Mil's punishment begins."

Even if psychological and behavioral changes occur due to the influence of seeing the future. Even if they want to make choices they wouldn't normally make, Az Mil's contractors are destined to conform to the future.

Even if you see a future where your brother is assassinated tomorrow, you can't tell anyone or try to stop it.

This rule also applies to those who indirectly learn about the future through a contractor. However, if they violate the law of causality, Az Mil's punishment is directed at the contractor.

"Contractors who damage the law of causality will only meet their destruction. That's why your daughter is essentially living in a different world from us. She is living a life that is already predetermined."

"I, I can't believe it. I've never heard such a story."

"Of course you haven't. Even among dragons, few know about it."

"Murakan, what do you mean by saying that Yuria seeing you is part of the future?"

"That's a prediction. What are the odds that we would meet an Az Mil contractor as soon as we arrived here? Az Mil probably paid a price to protect the young contractor who lost her guardian dragon. In other words, Az Mil asked for help."

"Did a god ask for help from humans?"

"From one dragon and two humans. While Az Mil's involvement isn't certain, it's likely. The meeting is too improbable to be a mere coincidence."

Kasmir was speechless, shaking his head, while Jin thought about Yuria.

The ability to see the future, and the Absolute Eye, which allows one to see all things and phenomena in the world 'correctly.'

'Calling me 'uncle'... Could it be because she saw my appearance before my regression?'

The thought made him shudder.

"Anyway, we need to find the guardian dragon as quickly as possible and place it by the child's side."

"O great dragon. Although it is not widely known, I am the leader of the 'Seven-Colored Birds,' an information network. I have very capable subordinates, but I have not been able to find any news about my daughter's guardian dragon in the past year."

"Those Seven-Colored Birds are yours? This makes me even more certain of Az Mil's involvement. We came to this country to use the information from the Seven-Colored Birds."

To Kasmir, Murakan's words were like a ray of light. It was more likely that he could get help by offering something the dragon wanted.

Thud!

Suddenly, Kasmir knelt and bowed his head.

"O great dragon, please help me. I will do anything to save my daughter. I can even give you the entire Seven-Colored Birds."

Kasmir is usually cautious and, as a former prince of Viment, has a strong sense of pride.

However, the situation was different when his young daughter's life was at stake. Although nothing in Murakan's story had been proven, Kasmir couldn't believe it was a lie.

Given that the other party was a dragon and Runkandel, they had no reason to deceive him.

Gilly was startled, and Jin was equally flustered.

"I want to help, but the final decision isn't mine."

"Excuse me?"

"You need to plead to this child. He decides everything. Kid, what do you think?"

Dragons accompanying a god's contractor are usually in an 'equal' or 'slightly superior' relationship. They maintain their autonomy.

No matter how close a dragon is to the contractor, they won't give up their autonomy. Kasmir understood this and realized that Jin was more than just 'Runkandel.'

"Please help... Master Jin."

"Stand up, Sir Kasmir. Even though our connection is shallow, this is a matter of a child's life. It's not a question of whether to help or not."

Jin helped Kasmir to his feet.

Kasmir, now standing, had tears in his bloodshot eyes, and his desperate and sorrowful feelings were palpable.

"Sir Kasmir, I understand your anxiety, but it's best to remain calm. Let's start searching for Yuria's guardian dragon today. There must be a way."

"I will never forget this kindness, Master."

The situation turned out better than expected.

Without even showing the masterpiece or mentioning the 'mana spring' he didn't have, Jin was able to move Kasmir and the Seven-Colored Birds.

However, he felt no joy. No one would be happy about a child's life being at risk.

'If the Seven-Colored Birds couldn't find any information, it means we need to rely on Runkandel or Ziph's intelligence.'

But as a prospective knight, he couldn't use his family's power. He wanted to break the taboo, but even if he did, his family wouldn't help.

"Sir Kasmir, what do you mean by saying that Ziph or Viment might have kidnapped Yuria's guardian dragon? You mentioned you have suspicions."

"If the guardian dragon had died, Yuria would have known. And only those two can kidnap a dragon without leaving any trace."

That's not an incorrect statement.

Kidnapping a dragon requires various types of magic. While it's not impossible for a family like Runkandel, which is known for its military might, it would leave battle traces.

"Moreover, the guardian dragon disappeared on August 2, 1794. My subordinates found that around that time, prominent mages from Ziph and Viment were absent."

"Ziph and Viment."

If those two groups are the suspects, even if there were evidence, it would be a formidable challenge.

In fact, it would be nearly impossible to recover the guardian dragon. Ziph is the first of the world's three major powers, along with Runkandel.

"Actually, I had almost given up on finding my daughter's guardian dragon. If I hadn't known that her life was at stake, I might have continued to do so..."

"Don't blame yourself. I only just learned about the fate of Az Mil's contractors."

"You're right, human. Self-blame won't help. Hmm, Ziph and the Empire! Hey, kid. This is the free city of Tikan. Are you part of the Ruteru Magic Federation?"

"No, Tikan is just a city like Mamit. It doesn't meet the criteria to be a 'nation' and isn't affiliated with any organization."

However, the difference is that Tikan is a land that everyone covets. Not only Ziph and Viment, but even Runkandel secretly desired Tikan.

Especially Viment, given that it is a city led by a deposed prince, considers Tikan a thorn in its side.

Overcoming such an environment and eventually establishing the 'Free State of Tikan' after more than a decade, Kasmir and the Seven-Colored Birds' negotiation skills were truly remarkable.

'He might not have been able to save his daughter in the past, even after establishing the state... I've never heard of Kasmir, the king of the Free State of Tikan, having children.'

Therefore, saving Yuria could have a significant impact on history.

"Then, can I transform here without any issues?"

"Why suddenly?"

"I want to fly to Viment and ask some dragons I know. I can't ask the dragons in Ziph because most of them are my enemies."

Currently, 80% of active dragons are with Ziph.

The remaining 20% are mostly with Viment, and a few are with other families' mages or reclusive sages.

"Viment also has barriers, so dragons can't just fly there. It would be better to get a fake ID and go through a portal."

"Ah, barriers are no problem. If I release a lot of energy, a few might show up. I'll stay under the barrier's detection limit."

"What? How can you do that?"

"I've been asleep for a thousand years, but I have quite a few debts from my prime. I'm hoping one of them is in Viment. If not, there's nothing I can do."

It's not uncommon for dragons to remain active for over a thousand years. As long as the god's contract continues, it's entirely possible.

"O great dragon!"

Kasmir shouted, as if something had occurred to him.

"Ah, stop calling me that. It's embarrassing. What am I, a cult leader?"

"Master Murakan! If that's the case, I can provide you with a list of dragons in Viment. The Seven-Colored Birds have already gathered this information!"

"Really? Then run and get it. I hope neither of us is wasting our time. I hope you have some names."

"Yes, please wait a moment!"

"Hey, hold on."

Murakan stopped Kasmir, who had turned to leave.

"Before you go, I have two things to tell you. First, your daughter will have to have very busy days from today on. Make her run and play until she collapses every day, and keep her playing as soon as she wakes up. Keep her asleep."

"How long should I do this?"

"Until we find the guardian dragon. Hire clowns or dedicated playmates. The child needs to be so exhausted that she can't think straight. The weaker her power, the safer she will be."

The weaker her power, the less likely Yuria is to defy the future.

Even though she is at an age where she can't distinguish between the future and the present, dreams and reality, if she sees a 'shocking future,' it could cause changes in her behavior and put her in danger.

Even if she mistakes it for a simple dream.

"Ah."

"Feeding her sleeping pills or casting a mental spell to force her to sleep is an option. But you wouldn't like that, right? I wouldn't either. I'm sure our kid, strawberry pie, your wife, and the child wouldn't like it either. Right?"

"Understood. I'll make sure she gets tired from playing every day. What's the second thing?"

"Call the chefs from the evacuated residence and have them make some shrimp dishes. Plenty of them."

Kasmir nodded and hurriedly ran out.

Gilly approached and said,

"Master Murakan, you're so considerate."

"Hehe, strawberry pie. I remembered you wanted to eat shrimp dishes earlier but couldn't."

"No, that's not what I meant. It seemed like you were trying to ease Sir Kasmir's tension by talking a lot just now."

Murakan pretended to be indifferent and cleared his throat.

"Who cares about the feelings of such a trivial being."