章節 233: Chapter 392
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As Chiron said, it was not something that could be covered up.
They sealed off the entire Huphester, controlled all media, and strictly restricted the access of those waiting in the clan during the 'Magic Swordsman Declaration.'
In the midst of the Garden of Swords, following the eruption of the flame of hell, dozens of decisive killing moves unfolded simultaneously.
The fight that took place at the center of the city of Kalon was something the residents couldn't remain unaware of.
It wasn't a scale of conflict that could be covered up.
Through the informants of each faction already present among the residents, the chaos caused by Jin spread beyond the Garden of Swords and was rapidly and forcefully spreading throughout the world.
The speed at which the rumors were spreading was as fast and intense as a storm.
"... Oh my god, I asked him if he was going to commit treason, but I never thought he would. If this isn't treason, then what is?"
Vankela Holy Kingdom, the Holy Queen's office.
Upon hearing the news from the saints of Dawn Carriage Society who could be considered the intelligence division of the Holy kingdom, Lani furrowed with a troubled expression. What on earth, I sneak out in the middle of the night for treatment, and right after that, such a major incident happens...
"I should have known from the moment he said he should give his arms a chance to shine. Ha, what do you think, gentlemen? Do you think Sir Jin is currently unharmed?"
The saints shook their heads.
"The security was too strict, so we couldn't investigate directly, but based on the information leaked from the residents of the city of Kalon and various faction informants, he doesn't seem good at all."
"Some even say that he's not only in a critical condition but that he's already dead."
"What did you say, dead!?"
"...No faction has been able to confirm Jin Runcandel's condition since the incident."
"Ha."
A saint stepped forward, as if resolved, and spoke up.
"Your Majesty, as a saint and a recipient of Ayula's grace, if I may be so bold... I believe you must make a decision for the sake of the nation's benefactor."
After the incident in the Holy Kingdom, the name 'Jin Runcandel' had become a symbol within the kingdom, rivaling even the Holy Queen herself. Furthermore, those in the know were aware that Jin continued to provide astronomical support to the kingdom. Hence, such a straightforward proposal was put forth.
Lani pondered for a moment with a serious expression, before responding.
"...Very well. I've heard that Huphester has declared a second stage Emergency Alert, but if I formally request a visit, they have no choice but to comply. I will go personally to assess his condition and take measures for his treatment. However..."
Lani looked at the determined saints and continued.
"As far as I know, he's always a man with a plan. He didn't do this recklessly. If I were to intervene thoughtlessly, I might inadvertently provide his enemies an excuse. Moreover, neither Sir Jin nor his guardian dragon has directly asked for my assistance yet. I will wait for more news for now!"
Lani's decision was met with nods from the saints.
If there were indeed significant issues regarding Jin's life or death, the Holy Kingdom was prepared to use every available means to assist him.
***
"Grandfather!"
At the same moment, in Vermont's Sword Emperor Castle, discussion about Jin was taking place.
The moment Dante urgently sought out Ron with a worried expression, Ron was also hearing the same news from the knights of Hairan.
And like Lani, Ron too furrowed.
It wasn't because of Jin's situation that troubled him. Ron wasn't distraught over that.
It was because he didn't know how to console his grandson, who would shout that he'd rush to the Garden of Swords immediately.
"Has my grandson arrived?"
"Grandfather, I dare speak. Today may be the last day my grandfather sees me."
The word 'last' hit Ron Hairan's head like a sledgehammer from the start.
"..... Why would my grandson suddenly be like this? Did you eat something wrong? Haha."
"I intend to head to the Garden of Swords immediately."
"Well, Dante."
"Even if you try to stop me, I will definitely go. Regardless of how upset you and the clan may be. However, shamelessly, I would like to make one request to you before I go."
"Well, Haha... Go ahead and say it for now."
"Please help me to save my friend. Also, if my friend has already passed away by the time I arrive. Please respect whatever choice I make at that time."
If Jin had died, it meant that he would fight alone in the Garden of Swords. Naturally, at the end of that awaited either death or a life of cripple, or the disgrace of the entire Hairan, who would fight desperately to save Dante.
Not prey but evil.
From the moment Ron first saw the scoundrel who tricked his pure grandson, or rather, from the moment his grandson went to the cosmos arena and met his friend and got all excited, Ron had felt an inexplicable foreboding.
'If I'm not careful and pass the clan on to my grandson, then ultimately, the Sword Emperor Castle might fall into the hands of that devil.'
Just thinking about it made his blood boil. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad outcome if Jin was already dead. After all, he had worked so hard to cultivate his clan to give to his grandson!
"Dante Hairan, my beloved grandson."
"Yes, Grandfather."
"First, calm yourself. I never taught you to be like this."
"I understand. However, I'm ashamed to admit that I can't prioritize the clan over my friend. I am not enough to be the young patriarch."
If Dante had his way, he would willingly give up his position as the next patriarch of the clan and forfeit all rights, as long as he could go alone to the Garden of Swords. That's the kind of person his grandson is.
Naturally, he couldn't just stand by and watch that happen.
"That's not what I mean. Don't you trust your friend?"
With those words, Dante's eyes widened as if he had been struck in the back of the head.
He took the bait, just as Ron had thought.
"What I know is that devil…. No, your friend Jin Runcandel is not the type to disappear so abruptly. He's always a cunning strategist, always with a hidden agenda. I'm sure he will appear without any problem."
Ron didn't sincerely believe that. Given the magnitude of this incident, it wouldn't be surprising if Jin was dead. However, for now, he needed to console his grandson, so a little lie was necessary.
It was remarkable how easily it seemed to work. Dante's face showed deep appreciation for that single sentence.
"Grandfather...! Now that I think about it, it does seem possible! No, you're right. In that case, there must be a chance! I thought too hastily!"
"Haha, good. So, train quietly while waiting. There's nothing better than closed-door training to clear your head. You must trust your friend. If it becomes known that you need to make a decision, I will step in myself."
Dante nodded with sparkling eyes.
"Thank you, Grandfather! I'll head to the training grounds right away!"
"Good. Cool your head while swinging your sword."
With a joyful heart, Dante had no choice but to withdraw. He hadn't expected his grandfather to personally intervene, but the cooperative gesture eased his anxiety.
As soon as Dante entered the training grounds, Ron called the knights and issued the following command:
"As soon as it is confirmed that Jin Runcandel has become crippled or has died, take measures to continue the young patriarch's closed-door training for ten more years. Seal it tightly so that he cannot get out under any circumstances. So that sadness, despair, and anger can be sublimated into his sword."
"As you command!"
This was the best course of action Ron could take for the sake of his beloved grandson if things went wrong with Jin. Not seeing his grandson for ten years would be more agonizing than any torture, but he couldn't let his grandson die because of Jin, nor could he go to war with Runcandel.
***
"Hmm, my son-in-law... What should I do?"
Hidden Palace.
Talaris spoke as she lay on a bed made of ice crafted by herself, stretched out sideways. The small beastmen of the Golden Pengi were tirelessly manicuring her fingernails, and the Watertail tribesmen were gently massaging her scalp with slow, deliberate strokes.
"Daughter, your husband... might be dead."
"Jin. Dead. No."
"Ah, Darkflame, can you change the phrasing a bit? It sounds so unfortunate!"
Pengi gave Darkflame a sharp look.
"No, Jin, dead."
"Oh, enough. I expected too much. If that's the case, why don't you just go and kill him yourself?"
"Quiet, and keep doing what you're doing. Huh? My lovers will be here soon. If they don't like my fingernails or toenails, I will kick you all out. Even if you're eaten by some wild beast, I'll pretend not to know."
Crunch, crunch!
While the small beastmen were busy, Talaris watched her daughter with a mischievous look on her face.
"Well, if you're worried, why don't you go check once?"
"Based on Mother's reaction, I don't think there's a need to do that. If I go now, I will only be mistreated."
"Oh ho, so you're saying you are worried?"
Thump!
Syris rose to her feet, lightly striking the ice table with her fist.
"Mother, do you think I'm a fool?"
"Oh, you startled me. Why are you suddenly so angry?"
"One item from the undersea warehouse has disappeared. Do you think I wouldn't know that it was taken by Runcandel's first-class butler?"
The reason for Syris's anger was simple.
"When did you ever search through the undersea warehouse?"
"Mother, you gave up managing the undersea warehouse a long time ago, it's been 10 years. During my time at Hidden Palace, I've checked it without fail every day."
A single item, a drop of Numerus's blood, had been kept in the storage of the Hidden Palace for a long time. She knew that the drop of blood that butler Heinz took had been in Hidden Palace's possession for a long time.
But the fact that Runcandel claimed ownership and took it away abruptly was not sitting well with her.
"Really, did I ever tell you that it was ours…"
"Who owns the undersea warehouse? It is the Hidden Palace. What I'm saying is that Runcandel shouldn't have used it without permission."
"Well, that's something I promised to Chiron a long time ago, but anyway... were you upset because they took it while you were managing the warehouse?"
"Anyway, I'm upset because Runcandel is treating us like a storage room."
"In that case, should you receive something in return from Jin? Don't get into unnecessary conflicts with your mother."
"That's already my plan."
As Syris turned around and left the living room, Talaris shook her head.
"She's my daughter, but she can be a bit irritating sometimes. In any case, it originally belonged to Runcandel, and they are using it to save my son-in-law. What's there to be annoyed about?"
"Well, that, that."
Suddenly, when Darkflame spoke up, all eyes turned to him.
"Maybe, she, doesn't, know, how, to, express, her, friendship."
"Indeed, huh. So she wanted to give him with her own hands? That makes sense."
At that point, Pengi had no choice but to open his eyes wide and exclaim.
"This, this! You can speak in the right order now! Why didn't you do that earlier?"
"I did, tried."
"Argh! So annoying!"
"Now even these bugs are arguing in front of me. Do you really want to be kicked out? Once you've finished manicuring both fingernails and toenails, prepare a special perfume."
While the small beastmen of the Golden Snow Tribe were busy preparing the perfume, Talaris contemplated what decision Kelliark Zipfel would make regarding Jin's "Magic Swordsman Declaration."
"Chiron is soon entering the territory of the Five Kings of the Black Sea... I hope Kelliark doesn't know that fact."
If he did know, it was entirely possible for Kelliark Zipfel to declare an all-out war against Runcandel.
章節 234: Chapter 393
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***
When Jin opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was two people.
Gilly, who was crying with reddened eyes, and Murakan, who was embracing her shoulders.
Jin was sure that these two would always be by his side, he felt a warmth enveloping his whole body.
"Kid!"
"Young Master!"
Gilly and Murakan lowered their bodies to check on Jin's condition.
"Gilly, Murakan."
"Young Master, are you really all right now? Are you feeling any type of pain in your body?"
"I'm perfectly fine. Is there any knight that died by hand?"
Jin was concerned by this until he collapsed.
He didn't want to kill the innocent knights in the fight with his clan.
Of course, most of them were knights of the 'enemy,' but they were clearly weaker than him and had been loyal to the clan.
In the future, if he had to deal with such knights, he wanted to handle them through an honorable battle or a reasonable purge, not with this kind of 'attack'. Just like when he dealt with Joshua's knights who followed him in Samil.
"They're all fine, Young Master."
"That's a relief."
-[And I will give one command to the members of the clan below the flagbearer.]
-[Do your best to protect the guardian knights so that not a single knight dies because of my sword.]
It was also meaningful that the words he spoke when he unleashed the Plutonian Reign Sword were kept.
Indeed, the members below flagbearer-rank didn't throw themselves into following Jin's orders, but that's what it looked like in the end.
"Is it right to worry about knights as soon as you open your eyes, kid? While you were unconscious, me and Strawberry Pie..."
"I know, I'm sorry for making you worry."
As Jin gently embraced the two of them, Gilly let out a relieved sigh. Murakan, on the other hand, promptly excused himself, finding it distasteful.
"No, it's me who caused Young Master great concern as soon as he returned."
"What kind of concern did Gilly cause? It's the clan who treated you harshly."
Jin naturally shifted his gaze towards Murakan.
"Murakan, did Sir Tellot really treat Gilly humanely?"
"Well, that guy seems to know a thing or two. It felt like he made things easier for her there compared to when you were tiptoeing around."
"Of course, that's what Sir Tellot would do. However, I couldn't help but think that after the incident, people like Jorden or other elder council members might have meddled with Gilly for no reason."
"If that had happened, would I have just stood by and done nothing?"
"Of course not."
"Besides, is there anyone foolish enough to step forward and meddle with your people in the current situation? Hahaha, it's a total mess. Your mother and the 3rd flagbearer are still undergoing intensive treatment, and the elder council members are all busy trying to keep a low profile."
The Garden of Swords was still in shock. Jin's display of combat prowess had far surpassed everyone's expectations.
Of course, those who had witnessed him unfold the Plutonian Reign Sword knew that he had put his life on the line for such a dangerous sword.
But he was just nineteen. At that age, even if you put your life on the line, could there be another person capable of overturning all of Runcandel?
Those who had experienced it could all assert with confidence: Jin is the only person and it is unknown whether even 19 years old Luna could have done something like Jin.
Furthermore, in the end, he had injured Rosa. Rosa and Luntia were still receiving intensive medical treatment.
Even those who disliked Jin because of this incident had to admit the fact that he has potential beyond Luna.
"It was quite impressive."
"You damn brat, how many days have you been lying there just for a little bit show?"
"A bit? I was quite impressive, you know."
Impressive.
Jin felt like he could say that without embarrassment to the Garden of Swords, which had been lukewarm at best. Thanks to that, he had lost both his arms and wandered through a near-death experience.
"Yes, you were impressive. But if you try to be impressive one more time, there may be no turning back."
"How long was I unconscious?"
"Ten days."
"Almost died, huh? It seems I've become too indebted to Lani lately."
"You were in a state where even the divine power of a religious zealot couldn't guarantee your recovery, kid."
"Then who treated me? It would have been difficult with just the clan's medical team..."
Suddenly, Jin stopped talking and looked around his own body. Now that he thought about it, his physical condition was remarkably good for just waking up.
"...It was Numerus' blood."
Murakan and Gilly nodded.
Just three minutes ago, his pulse had been faint, his breathing irregular, and his body unconscious. Even the illuminating heart had gone out like a snuffed lantern.
His body, in that state, absorbed a drop of blood left by the god who had disappeared, and he instantly regained his vitality. As if the extraordinary battle had all been a dream.
"Who exactly?"
"Your father."
"Are you joking?"
That response just slipped out without him even realizing it.
In his entire life, not once. Jin had never imagined that his father, Chiron Runcandel, would help him in this way.
While he had known that his father held a favorable opinion of him, this was a completely different matter.
His father had directly lent him his strength in the succession battle.
Until now, none of his siblings had ever received such support from their father.
"Young Master, just a moment ago, the Head Butler personally brought it. He said it's the only one in the clan."
"This foolish expression doesn't suit you."
"I'm just... honestly a bit surprised."
In a dazed state of mind, Jin couldn't immediately think of what to say.
"Even now, other than Lord Murakan and myself, no one in the clan knows that Numerus' blood drop was used for Young Master."
"No one knows?"
"Yes."
The clan members thought that Heinz had come to Jin's room just to check his condition. No one had expected that the patriarch of the clan would personally grant him Numerus' blood drop.
Pffft.
Jin burst into laughter.
"Young Master?"
"Why are you laughing?"
"There is a reason why my father had given me Numerus' blood drop secretly to everyone. It seems I've misunderstood my father all this time."
"There's a reason...?"
"There is no need to reveal it if my father wants to keep it hidden. Let's spend some private time for a day or two. If we go out immediately, the Head Butler will be suspected."
"Oh!"
Understanding the implications, Gilly clapped her hands.
"You don't plan to reveal that you received Numerus' blood drop from the patriarch?"
"That's right. Among the outsiders, I'm sure more than half of them would wish for my death. I'm curious to see what kind of expressions they'll make in a few days."
"Is it okay to do that? Anyway, since you woke up suddenly, it won't take long for them to find out that you used Numerus' blood drop."
"Just say it was something I acquired during my days as a reserve flagbearer. Whether they believe it or not, they have no means to prove that it was something my father granted."
"But it's a divine artifact personally granted by the patriarch... I'm concerned that it might incur the patriarch's wrath."
"If Father wanted to make a show of it, he wouldn't have given it to me secretly. Since he gave it to me, it means I'm free to use it as I please. More importantly, tell me more about the clan atmosphere. How many are trying to align themselves with me?"
"I can't say for sure. However, according to Petro's assessment, roughly one-tenth of the guardian knights and a tiny fraction of the enforcement knights seem to have shown favor towards you, Young Master."
"At the moment, it's difficult to be certain who the allies are. If we assume that roughly two-tenths are neutral or belong to other flagbearers, the rest are likely from the Elder Council and Joshua's faction."
"That's correct."
Even if they were to consolidate all the neutral factions (which wouldn't be easy), it would still be an overwhelmingly advantageous battle for the Elder Council and Joshua.
It was an undeniable fact that Jin had caused a tremendous upheaval.
Nevertheless, the concept of "entrenched power" was always not easy to dismantle. This applied not only to Runcandel but to all factions in the world.
"Besides, most of Huphester's other knight clans have long been absorbed by Joshua, so those who are attached to Joshua are unlikely to change sides anytime soon."
"I don't understand human beings. Even after witnessing how you alone overturn the Garden of Swords, they won't switch?"
"No one died, though."
While it was certainly fortunate that none of the knights who had been under protection had died, on the other hand, it also showed the limitations of Jin's individual power.
The fact that not a single person died in the midst of the onslaught of flame of hell and thunderbolts was because this place was Runcandel.
"In my early days as a reserve flagbearer, even elder sister Luna faced difficulties when I came to meet my father. It's true that personal strength is very important, but alone, you can never stand against Runcandel. Everyone knows that fact well, which is why they continue to support Joshua. It's because he provides stability."
"So, if you said that those who seemed to show favor toward you were around one-tenth, we should start by firmly grasping those. Shall I meet them?"
"You?"
"I am still a symbolic entity in this damn Runcandel, right? If I seriously start recruiting knights, it will be quite effective..."
Both Jin and Gilly burst into laughter at the same time.
"Is it funny?"
"You'd just lose face, Murakan. If they had been the kind of people who would change sides when they saw you, they would have done so a long time ago."
"Either way, I need to recover my strength quickly!"
"And I don't plan on meeting those who seem to favor me."
"What? Why?"
"'You seem to like me, so please be by my side.' This isn't very appealing. I should make them follow me and pledge their loyalty on their own. I'll put on a little show only when necessary. I plan to expand my influence like that in Runcandel..."
Jin looked at two of them and continued.
"For now, what we need to meet are the other forces that are not under our influence."
As always, Jin intended to build his strength from external sources.
"The noble families of Vermont and Lutero Magic Federation, the knight clans of Huphester who still have potential, top-tier mercenaries like the Black King and the Ghost mercenaries, and other major neutral factions. We should start expanding our influence from there."
Jin intended to prove through them that his abilities were not limited to powerful martial arts alone.
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