章節 234: Chapter 393

[Support me here:- https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]

***

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.

評論 0條評論

投票

章節 235: Chapter 394

[Support me here:- https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]

***

Amidst the solemn atmosphere, Runcandel was agitated by the declaration of the "Magic Swordsman."

Both the flagbearers, the elders, and the knights who followed them talked about Jin whenever there was an opportunity.

Would Jin really wake up, and if he did, what kind of punishment would he face? How many of the Swordmasters would align themselves with him?

Among these questions, there was only one thing that Runcandel and the others could predict.

The fact that about 10% of the knights would support Jin. Therefore, Runcandels thought it would be difficult to completely turn the table, even if the situation changed.

"...It's this kind of atmosphere. So, unnie. It might be a good time for you to start moving a little more actively than before."

Myu and Anne had come to find Luntia and had been making such claims.

They had explained in great detail for over 30 minutes, about how the youngest had bared his fangs, and about properly empowering Joshua.

It wasn't something Joshua had ordered. However, they wanted to reaffirm their loyalty to the next patriarch during this opportunity.

'If Joshua Orabeoni becomes the next patriarch, the governing rights of the Eastern Five Regions will be ours.'

'Even if we don't bother looking for that human named Hister.'

Since they decided to become Joshua's people a long time ago, they had never dreamed of becoming the patriarch even once. They only desired control over the Eastern Five Regions and other territories through Joshua, and survival.

They expected that if Joshua became the patriarch, he would most likely purge most of the other siblings.

"Luntia, unnie?"

Luntia only stared at the pure white ceiling.

Due to the nature of her rigid body, it would take some more time for her to fully recover, but the important treatment had already been completed a few days ago.

"Are you listening to us?"

During all the chatter, Luntia hadn't answered once.

Is it my fault...?

For the past twelve days, she hadn't spoken to anyone who came to see her. She simply remained silent, like someone with aphasia, lost in thought.

"...Unnie, it's understandable that you're shocked by the serious injuries you received."

"But continuing to be like this will only make you a laughingstock."

Myu and Anne avoided using the word 'defeat,' instead, they referred to it as a 'serious injury.'

In reality, they didn't think Luntia had been defeated by Jin. Her defeat was nothing more than an accident, and they were confident that if she were to face him again in an official duel, the outcome would be different.

It wasn't just Myu and Anne; everyone in Runcandel had similar thoughts.

But Luntia herself didn't think so.

She had been doing nothing but reflecting on her battle with Jin for twelve days, every minute without rest.

Even if she were to fight again, even if she were to remain vigilant and give her all from the start, she still couldn't be sure whether she could change the outcome. It is true that there are things she hadn't shown, and Jin likely had many hidden cards as well.

A strange fervor was building in Luntia's vacant eyes, something that Myu and Anne couldn't yet grasp, the level of her determination.

Myu and Anne exchanged glances and nodded.

"Well, think about what we said. Besides, you already believed that Joshua Orabeoni would become the patriarch."

"At a time like this, if unnie helps, it will be a great strength. We'll be waiting, so contact us anytime when you're feeling better."

After Myu and Anne left, an elderly woman entered the room. Luntia's maid, 'Lisham.'

"Young lady."

Luntia turned her head slightly to face Lisham.

"It seems the youngest master has awakened just now."

Suddenly, Luntia jumped to her feet, and Lisham smiled. This was the first time she had seen Luntia react like this in almost twenty years.

"How is he? Can he wield his sword again?"

Luntia still didn't know that Jin had consumed Numerus's blood. That's why she asked this question first.

"I heard he is surprisingly well. Enough to recreate that fight right away."

"My sword and flagbearer coat..."

"I thought you would be looking for them."

Lisham handed Luntia her beloved sword, Charles, and the Flagbearer Coat that she had prepared in advance.

As she watched Luntia hurriedly putting on her clothes, Lisham remembered her childhood.

Young Luntia often used to say that she wanted to become the strongest in the clan.

'When I look back, after the First Flagbearer gave up everything, Young lady lived like someone who had lost the meaning of life…'

Lisham's eyes welled up with tears. She, too, had once dreamed like all the other clan members, wanting to see her young lady stand at the pinnacle of the clan, ruling the world.

But Luntia had lost her goal too early. Climbing to the top and facing the giant star Luna, proving that she could shine even brighter than her, was the only thing that had driven Luntia.

After that giant star disappeared, a sense of boredom had set in. Her life was filled with silence and meaningless inner peace.

And Lisham had a gut feeling.

When the sword of the Twelfth Flagbearer cut through Luntia's chest, when her young lady fell in front of that pale blade, she sensed that a new star had been born in her young lady's heart.

"Where is the youngest? Is he going to see mother?"

"No, I heard he's heading to the mausoleum."

Lisham spoke as Luntia was about to leave the room.

"Young lady."

"Yes?"

"I wish you good luck. As I always have, and forever."

As Luntia turned away, she watched Lisham for a moment.

And then she started walking with renewed vigor, like a general setting out for a campaign.

There was no longer a sense of heavy boredom in her eyes. The desire that Myu and Anne had not discovered was gradually shining brighter.

The flagbearers, elders, and the knights who followed them had already gone to the mausoleum to confirm Jin's awakening.

Having so many people heading to the mausoleum at once was a first in several years.

But amidst the crowd at the mausoleum, Luntia saw nothing but Jin. Seeing the youngest stand tall among the people surrounding him, she couldn't help but smile.

"It seems like you were never in a coma until yesterday, looking so fine."

"How on earth did you wake up?"

"You should have visited the acting matriarch first if he woke up. Why did you come to the mausoleum first, 12th flagbearer?"

Jin remained silent in response to the voices of the elders.

Instead, his gaze wandered around until it locked onto Joshua.

"2nd flagbearer, I heard you had a hard time with the aftermath and you had already summoned the knights, which was very commendable."

After Jin's declaration as the Magic Swordsman, Joshua had quickly stabilized the Garden of Swords by using the knights he had pre-summoned when Jin's arms were severed. He showed himself as the next patriarch.

If Joshua had left the situation to develop without predicting it and kept the knights as they were, there would have been several more confusing days. In the worst-case scenario, there could have been an invasion by external forces who took advantage of the situation.

With most of the combatants, including Rosa and Luntia, having suffered injuries of varying degrees, it was the most opportune moment for outsiders to attack Runcandel.

No one dared to rebuke Jin even though the 12th flagbearer was talking as if he was assessing the 2nd flagbearer,. Even Joshua, the person in question, didn't show any signs of discomfort.

"The flagbearers exist not to disrupt the clan but to organize and lead it. I simply did what was expected."

He spoke in an easy-to-understand language that sounded humble but carried a message that anyone could grasp. While I did what was expected of me, you put the clan at risk.

"In a way, I just cleared a path through stagnant waters. Isn't that why the acting matriarch didn't punish me because she knows that?"

"The reason mother isn't punishing you is because she believes you have value. It's also related to why you went to the mausoleum as soon as you woke up."

The legacy of Temar and ancient Runcandel.

Everyone had watched that power carefully. The power of Jin, who was just the 12th flagbearer, overturning the Garden of Swords in an instant.

Greed-filled eyes were fixed on Jin. They have expectations that if Jin could enshrine the knights of ancient Runcandel to the mausoleum, that power would not be limited to just the 12th flagbearer.

So, what the elders wanted to hear from Jin now was only one thing.

Is there a way for you to make us 'Magic Swordsmen' right away?

Jin was sure. If he were to say, "I will immediately share that secret with those who follow me," at that moment, a considerable number of elders would show favor towards Jin.

"You must have a plan for how to bring the first patriarch and ancestors into this mausoleum."

"It seems there are only idiots everywhere."

Suddenly, Jin frowned as if uncomfortable.

"If you want to know that, go outside. Challenge me, struggle, and seize it. I'm telling you to follow what I showed you that day. Otherwise, you will disappear from history without leaving a single mark until the day you die."

"Don't think that only you can use that power, 12th flagbearer."

"Do not think that the 2nd flagbearer is on the same level as me by committing all sorts of wicked deeds with the help of the Prophet."

The Prophet. Jin mentioned her directly, and Joshua didn't seem surprised.

A few elders already knew about the existence of the Prophet.

From the reaction, Jin could expect that Joshua would also soon reveal the Prophet to the clan.

'I must let them know that the legacy of ancient Runcandel has the power to counter Zipfel. Kinzelo and Vermont will soon start to weaponize golems in earnest. Joshua probably knows that much.'

Even in the previous life, when Zipfel began to possess "Mass produced Mages," the balance of world power shifted significantly.

The Plutonian-type and Majin living golems that Kinzelo and Vermont were producing could wield power far beyond that of Mass produced mages.

It was not easy to deal with them in a "normal" way.

Flicker-

After igniting the flames in the center of the mausoleum using mana, Jin took a step forward, passing Joshua. And just as he was about to leave the mausoleum, Luntia blocked his way.

Jin and Luntia stared at each other for a few seconds in silence.

"I, too, will become the patriarch."

As Luntia uttered those words, everyone gathered at the mausoleum had to doubt their ears. Even Joshua seemed to find it difficult to hide his emotions this time, his eyes widening in surprise.

Smirk, Jin responded with a smile, "I thought there were only fools, but it seems there's a real one. Let's do our best, elder sister."

評論 0條評論

投票