章節 168: Chapter 327
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"Is it true that the disciplinary meeting is over?"
Tellot nodded with expressionless face.
"May I ask what decision was made? A three-year ban on leaving the premises? Surely such an unreasonable disciplinary action couldn't have been confirmed without the involvement of the concerned party."
"Do you think it's an absurd punishment?"
"Yes, I do."
"In what way?"
"Because it's a disciplinary action that has never happened in the history of Runcandel. A ban on leaving the premises literally means taking away one's physical freedom, which is unacceptable for a Runcandel flagbearer like me. If the fact that I'm under a ban gets known to the outside world, Runcandel's image will also be tarnished."
As Jin spoke calmly, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Tellot's mouth. It was a smile that was hard to decipher, whether it was a sneer or a smile.
"You're right. But the punishment you received remains unchanged. A three-year ban on leaving the premises."
"Are the elders still inside?"
"Are you planning to go in and argue with them?"
"Yes."
"Do you think the elders will rescind the punishment just because you argue?"
"I appreciate your concern, but if not, I have a talent for making things happen."
Jin looked into Tellot's eyes as he spoke.
A few seconds of silence passed. Just as Jin was about to leave without waiting for an answer, Tellot lightly grabbed Jin's shoulder.
"I've suspended your punishment. So stop."
Jin's pupils widened.
"You suspended my punishment...? Chief of guardians of civilians?"
"That's right."
Suspending the punishment was undoubtedly an act of help from Tellot.
So Jin recalled one truth that most people in the world knew. There is no such thing as unprovoked kindness.
'There's no way he would show kindness to me for no reason. Chief of guardians of civilians... I only remember that he failed to occupy the Colon Ruins long before I was born.'
Tellot Runcandel.
Jin didn't know who he really was. It was only natural, as there was no way he would have any connection with the Council of Elders in his past life. Therefore, he couldn't think of any motive behind Tellot's approach.
"Chief of guardians of civilians, what do you want from me?"
Tellot let out a low chuckle as Jin asked him straightforwardly.
"Well, you certainly have a way with words. So, what do you say? Will you have a cup of tea with this old man? Or are you going to fight with the elders by refusing even the suspension of your punishment?"
There was no need to hesitate.
The Council of Elders consisted of three organizations: the Black Sword Association, the Guardians of Law, and the Guardians of civilians. While the Guardians of civilians had the least influence among them, Chief of Guardians of civilians, Tellot, had an undeniable power of speech compared to Jin.
If Tellot had decided on a suspension, it meant that the "maximum" outcome Jin could achieve was close to a suspension.
'Perhaps even the suspension was difficult for me. After all, it wasn't Joshua who proposed the deal, so my options were limited.'
The money that would start flowing in from the Golden Snow tribe's business in the future and the improvement of decisive killing moves.
For now, Jin only had two bargaining cards with the Council of Elders. Using them now wouldn't be a bad idea, but it was better to save the cards. It was a good strategy to be able to use them in a more decisive moment.
"I prefer tea."
"Good choice. Follow me then, to my secret hideout. But... Jin."
"Please speak."
"Did you really intend to attend the disciplinary meeting in that state?"
"Yes. It's embarrassing to be asked that when we ran into each other at the door."
"Haha. I'm glad I had a different opinion from the other elders. I can't even imagine how much the Chief of Black Sword association would have raged if you had gone in as you were."
Tellot ordered his attendant to bring his private carriage. The two of them got into the carriage side by side and began heading towards his hideout.
'A secret hideout?'
Clippity-clop, clippity-clop...
Inside the carriage, Tellot remained silent. Jin didn't make an effort to show curiosity or start a conversation, but Tellot seemed to find that attitude rather pleasing.
"It's been a while since I brought someone from Runcandel here."
Instead of taking Jin to his private villa within the Garden of Swords, Tellot purposely brought him to a different location.
The place they arrived at was an alley on the outskirts of Kalon.
Kalon, as a city with the Garden of Swords, was practically the heart of the Huphester alliance. There was no city in the Huphester alliance more developed than Kalon.
That's why even the residents of Kalon, even if they were commoners, were mostly individuals who had accumulated considerable wealth.
But there was also a slum district here. Although it was subtly outside the administrative area.
Tellot's secret hideout was right here.
'I expected a grand space for a secret hideout, but it's a slum,' Jin thought.
The alley was too narrow for the carriage to enter. They walked for about thirty minutes through a few filthy alleys filled with mud and beggars.
During their walk, beggars or paupers glanced cautiously at the two men.
But no one dared to beg.
'If you are willing to have a residence in a slum like this, you must want to revitalize this place. But the way he looks at them is harsh,' Jin thought.
Tellot showed no sympathy for the paupers.
No, it went beyond not showing sympathy; he seemed to despise them. Tellot's pupils were filled with disdain as he looked at them.
"The alley is quite long, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Most people in the world would have no idea that there's a slum like this in the very heart of this city, which is the center of the Huphester alliance. When you arrive through the main gates, all you see are gleaming buildings and well-maintained streets."
Jin gradually understood Tellot's intention.
Creak.
Tellot opened the old, or rather, almost rotten wooden door. This narrow and dirty house, roughly built with layers of cloth, was Tellot's secret hideout.
As soon as the door opened, the smell of animals wafted out.
"Bark! Bark!"
"Meow!"
"Meow, meow!"
Tellot divided the food among the animals with a kind gaze. When the animals flocked to Tellot, leaving marks on his gleaming armor.
Jin had been observing him quietly while he distributed the food.
"Do you understand why I brought you here?"
"You wish for the slum to disappear. It seems you realize that my company can bring you wealth."
"If I wanted to, I could make it disappear right now. I could send the guardian knights to kill all the useless humans outside, and order the laborers to demolish the slum and build new buildings. It would be easier than snapping my fingers."
Tellot gently pushed the animals away with his hands.
"But that wouldn't be natural. Besides, Runcandel doesn't get rid of this slum because it doesn't have excess wealth. There's no need to spend money in unnecessary places, no matter how much money you have."
As the animals separated and clung to him again, Tellot smiled with satisfaction.
"While you judge the paupers as useless humans, you show leniency towards animals," Jin commented.
"These animals are innocent, aren't they? The beggars are perfectly capable of working, yet they choose to beg, so they deserve to die. The reason I let them live is not out of compassion. It's simply because there's no need to kill them."
"I see."
"Do you know? In Drakka, the central city of the Lutero Magic Federation, there isn't a single slum like this."
"I know. Not only in Drakka, but in about twenty neighboring cities, there are no slums at all."
"It's not because Zipfel is putting a lot of effort into helping the slums in the central cities. It's just a natural result of Zipfel's excessive wealth flowing downwards. To the point where you will be dumbfounded."
Tellot's words were true.
With financial power alone, Runcandel competed for 2nd or third place in the world with Vermont. However, Zipfel, being the first, possessed wealth far greater than the combined funds of the two forces.
"I believe that the business you started can reduce the gap between Zipfel and our financial power. If that happens, this slum will transform into a prosperous area without the need for much effort."
"Are you suggesting that I contribute a portion of the business profits to the Garden of Swords?"
"That's right."
"If that were the case, even if you left it alone, I would naturally contribute to some extent."
"Nonsense. From what I've observed, you are the kind of person who never shares what is yours with others."
"How much of the profits do you want?"
Tellot's pupils narrowed.
"20 percent."
Jin was secretly astonished.
If it were another elder, they would have demanded a much larger share in the same situation.
"Indeed, you've truly seen through me. If you had asked for more than that, I would never have agreed."
"Without any trickery, if you faithfully contribute 20 percent every month, I will do my best to assist your business. It is not impossible to completely eliminate the disciplinary measures that have been suspended."
Jin had already prepared himself to be charged more than 20 percent anyway. Jin had considered up to 50 percent, but since Tellot came forward like this, it was a problem that he didn't need to worry about.
"But I can't contribute 20 percent just for the disciplinary measures alone. It seems that what I gain is somewhat insufficient."
However, if he could get something extra, it would be even better.
"What else do you want?"
"Please tell me about the relationship between the Council president and the Second Flagbearer."
Jordan Runcandel.
He was undoubtedly Rosa's person, but Jin learned one new piece of information from his conversation with Joshua.
Joshua can not 'completely' control the council of elders.
'Joshua was subtly hoping that this disciplinary action against me should be dropped.'
Tellot shrugged his shoulders.
"You have a clever mind but you show a careless appearance in an obvious problem. Isn't it obvious? Jordan Runcandel, the council president, and the Second Flagbearer have a mutual prosperity relationship as well as a competitive one."
"You're right about mutual prosperity, but I had never heard about the competition."
Tellot eyes widened.
And after a few seconds, he nodded as if he understood.
"Oh, right. Well, it makes sense. You are different from me, let alone the higher-ranking flagbearer, so it's understandable. Just remember one thing. The Council president hasn't given up on his dream of becoming the patriarch."
Most of those who had spent time with Jordan were aware of this information.
But Jin couldn't help but not know because he was living in a completely different era from them. Everyone was keeping quiet, so to speak.
-Your actions earlier were quite refreshing, but Council president Jordan is a more formidable person than he appears. Despite his narrow-mindedness and old-fashioned demeanor, he is a very wicked and strong individual.
-I know. He survived in the battle of hegemony against my father.
-Well... you could interpret it as the patriarch simply letting him off the hook. Anyway, why did that knowledgeable person behave like a crazy dog, running wild?
Suddenly, Jin remembered the conversation he had with Zed immediately after the flagbearer appointment ceremony.
'... I see why the Council president brought a super-strong disciplinary measure, a three-year ban on leaving the house. He planned to use it as leverage to put a leash on me and to restrain Joshua.'
Now he understood.
It was Jordan, not Joshua, who intended to propose a deal using the pretext of disciplinary measures.
A chill ran down his spine. It was a disconcerting feeling.
If Jin had only known that Jordan was "Joshua's ally," he would have always responded to him accordingly in the future.
"From your expression, it seems I have properly negotiated the value."
"It was a satisfying conversation."
"Good, I'll take my leave now. I'll have someone send the contract for this deal to your room. But remember, even if I offer my protection, your business will not be completely safe."
"I would be grateful if you could provide at least some shelter."
Tellot spent a long time interacting with the animals in the slum.
Jin watched his actions for a while from outside and thought to himself.
Chief of guardians of civilians, you're an eccentric person.'
On the other hand, Tellot had this thought as he looked at the spot where Jin had left.
'I wonder if the 12th Flagbearer will bring fresh changes to Runcandel. I'm looking forward to it.'
章節 169: Chapter 328
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After meeting Tellot, Jin stayed indoors for a while and focused only on his missions.
Through teleportation gates, he traveled around the world, engaging in large and small battles against Zipfel and mediating conflicts between different factions. He rescued hostages, assassinated enemies, and even destroyed facilities.
Within a month, Jin completed a staggering seven missions.
While there were no missions of the highest difficulty level, like Barton Vicena killing mission, accomplishing seven tasks without rest was exhausting, and he couldn't help but feel fatigued.
Naturally, Jin succeeded in all the missions. In five of them, he even achieved additional objectives.
The reason Jin was so enthusiastic about performing missions to this extent was because his punishment of three years of no outdoor activities was still in the "suspended" stage.
Tellot was making efforts, but it was impossible to completely remove the punishment in a short period of time.
In particular, Jorden still held a grudge about his punishment being suspended and would bring up the subject again if Jin made even a slight mistake.
Chomp, chomp, gulp.
"It feels like I've become a delinquent student at the academy, doing volunteer work on campus. Achieving this level of success in just a month, even the Elders' Council will have to look at me differently."
Jin said as he swallowed the meat he was chewing.
"By the way, it reminds me of the old days. It's been almost 10 years since I used to eat together with you and other classmates. The Guardian Knight, Bellop. You haven't forgotten that I always took care of the meat for you back then, right?"
"If I had known you would be courteous about what happened almost ten years ago, I would have taken less, my Lord."
Jin was sitting on the floor of the empty cadet training ground, having a meal with Bellop. It was a diet full of meat, just like in their cadet days.
A smile appeared on Bellop's face as he looked at the meat on the plate.
Bellop Schmitz had returned from the eastern mountainous region of the Mittel Kingdom just a few days ago.
In the end, Kuzan and Yulian drove West Vermont's Mad Jack Glow, the apostate knight of the Vankela, Hwirok into the eastern mountains. Bellop managed to capture them and secured the justification for his return.
Naturally, as soon as he returned, he sought out Jin and pledged his loyalty, and they even carried out missions together until yesterday.
"Since some wanted people suddenly infiltrated the mountain range, at first, I thought it was someone from your hostile forces trying to kill me. But I never imagined that lord had sent those terrible criminals...."
Bellop shivered as he recalled the battle in the mountains.
That was the longest, most intense, and loneliest fight of Bellop's life. Chasing, fleeing, seizing opportunities, ambushing, being ambushed, running out of supplies... He surpassed several treacherous mountains all the way to exhaustion, without any support.
"Haha, you must have felt quite betrayed."
"It was an experience I never want to go through again. However, thanks to that, I achieved a significant advancement. Not just in swordsmanship, but also physically and mentally."
"You seem to have become much stronger."
Bellop, excluding Jin, had always been the person with the highest potential during their cadet days. With that potential, he set his goal to become Jin's knight and devoted himself every day, even teetering on the edge of life and death several times. So his growth was only natural.
"By the way, I suddenly feel grateful that I met you back in our cadet days, my lord."
"Why are you suddenly bringing this up after talking about betrayal and feeling awkward?"
"When did I do that? I was just a little flustered, that's all. Anyway, I just have that thought. If I hadn't met lord, my life would have been very unhappy."
"Why do you think that way?"
"During our cadet days, lord helped me overcome my fear. Even after lord became a reserve flagbearer, even now. I sometimes think about that day."
-Just now, you probably realized it too, but you are weaker than me. And you're kinder than me. I like that about you. But if you only do good things, you won't survive in this hell.
Bellop recalled the conversation Jin had with him during their cadet days. Jin also remembered the same memories, and for some reason, it made his face burn hot.
"Thanks to that moment, I was able to become a Knight of Runcandel. I wouldn't have been able to endure without lord. Perhaps, this is an exaggeration, but I feel like one day, overwhelmed by suffering, I would have given up on life."
"You're saying unnecessary things. Even if it wasn't me, you would have done well enough."
In his previous life, he didn't do well enough.
Before regression, Bellop was exiled from Runcandel, then went to Hairan and trained before becoming Vermont's knight.
Following the orders of the imperial family, he repeatedly committed unwanted massacres and ended his unhappy life by his own hand.
As those memories resurfaced, Jin, who had nurtured him so well, felt even more proud.
"My lord, you have no idea how shocked everyone was by your actions during that duel. It still comes up in conversations whenever our classmates gather."
"Is that so?"
"But the most shocking moment was when the lord single-handedly rescued Mesa. When lord went alone to the land of the beastmen and brought back Mesa, everyone made an oath in their hearts. They swore allegiance only to you."
Looking back, the ill-fated connection with Kinzelo began from that moment.
'At that time, I just thought Kinzelo was a group of crazy terrorists.'
Now, they were such a huge force that even Zipfel hesitated to engage in a full-scale battle. Moreover, the leader's true identity was still highly likely to be a demon.
'Well, Kinzelo is quite concerning, indeed. I should visit Ivelianos family soon and keep an eye on their movements.'
For the time being, there seemed to be no room for such actions. In fact, he was still engrossed in his duties, unable to even visit the third tomb revealed by Olmango.
Jin had called Bellop precisely to resolve that issue.
"I haven't heard flattery like this in a long time. Where did that immature brat from back then go? Did you grease your tongue with oil or something?"
"If the lord wishes, I can continue."
"No, that's enough. But speaking of which, Bellop, there's something I need you to do."
"Please tell me anything."
"From today until I return, you are Jin Runcandel."
"What?"
"You know about the mission departing tomorrow, right?"
"You mean, you...? The mission to rescue the Count of the Ekan Kingdom who was kidnapped by mercenaries?"
"Yes. But now it's not my mission anymore, it's yours. I want you to play the role of Jin Runcandel for a while."
"Are you serious?"
"Well, the count will be wearing a blindfold anyway. Even if someone tries to rescue him, they won't be able to recognize you accurately. Rescue him, pretend to be me for a while, and then hand him over to the Ekan defense force."
"Unbelievable."
"Don't tell me you're not confident in a rescue mission?"
"No, it's not that. How can I pretend to be you, my lord?"
"Why not? The hostage will have his eyes covered, and you'll be wearing a mask. Plus, I've arranged for a fake Sigmund. Just say what you need, and I'll take care of it."
While already completing seven missions, Jin had made a detour to the Picon Minche and requested a fake Sigmund from the disguise.
It was just a sword with no special functions, but it looked exactly the same on the surface.
Of course, he couldn't perfectly replicate Sigmund's uniquely sharp and pale glow, but he could achieve a similar color.
Furthermore, as the counterfeit of Sigmund was also an item made by the god of blacksmith's divine craftsmanship, it could only be a renowned sword in its own right.
"It should be completed by now. And try putting this on."
Jin took off his flagbearer's coat and handed it to Bellop.
Startled, Bellop looked around anxiously. Although there was no one around to see them in the training ground, he considered it a sensitive matter.
"Young master, I mean, Lord. Are you serious? This is the flagbearer's coat. Only the Runcandel's flagbearer can wear this!"
"It's just a piece of clothing. Try it on to see if it fits."
"My lord!"
"It's an order. Bellop, you've grown bold after having a big head."
It was a joke, but Bellop lowered his head with a serious expression.
"No, I will try it on."
"Oh, luckily it fits well. I'll give you hair dye so you can darken your hair."
"Are you sure about this?"
"If by any chance your disguise is exposed and it becomes a problem within the clan, I'll make sure you're not harmed. Don't worry about it."
"That's not what I meant. Am I trying to obstruct my lord's will because I'm afraid for my safety?"
"Never mind then. This is the way you can assist me. You're the best choice. The most trustworthy, with a similar build to mine, and the best swordsman among my knights. There are enough elements for people who don't know you well to mistake you for me. I'd like to send Mesa, but there is a gender problem in her case."
"The gap between me and my lord's battle prowess is much wider than my lord think. I would easily be exposed."
"That's why I have to face the strong ones myself. As you said, they will recognize you."
"My lord, you are not planning to make me impersonate you not only this time but in the future as well, right?"
"Unfortunately, your trust is misplaced. You pay the price for eating meat. I have plenty of work outside the clan too, you know. Can you handle it?"
Sigh.
Bellop let out a sigh.
Then, as if determined, he responded.
"From today, whenever I have free time, I will seek out extreme actors and practice acting. This is also my lord's command, so I have an obligation to do it perfectly."
"Excellent mindset. And if by any chance the Black Sword Association catches up with us, even if the mission fails, make sure you escape without being detected. If you're caught by the chief of the Black Sword Association, it's the end for both of us."
"My lord, just a minute ago you said if my disguise gets exposed, you would somehow ensure that I escape unharmed."
"Did I say such a thing?"
"Yes, my lord always engages in such adventures."
"Since the results have always been good, there was no need to change."
"Sometimes I worry, and all of our comrades feel anxious, my lord."
Adorable guys.
Jin chuckled and lightly tapped Bellop's shoulder.
"When all our other comrades pass the Guardian Knight test, let's gather together. Have a drink and share some words."
"What words do you have to share?"
"I'll tell you when the time comes."
He couldn't tell the youngest division, who would come running with excitement after passing the test, that another hellish training awaited them.
Except for Bellop, most of the youngest division members were at the late 6-star or early 7-star level, making it difficult to use their full strength immediately.
"But, my lord, where do you plan to go while sending me on the mission?"
"I'm going to visit my ancestor."
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