章節 265: Chapter 424

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"Did you say he came with armed mercenaries to the Garden of Swords?"

"Yes. He has bought roughly over five hundred mercenaries."

"Five hundred mercenaries... he certainly has some nerve. It's almost insane. When did they arrive?"

"They arrived about three hours ago."

"The mercenaries wouldn't have been able to be hospitalized."

As Jin said, the only one who entered the Garden of Swords was Lata Proch.

Lata and the Ghost mercenaries had been in the Sword Emperor Castle until just a while ago. In other words, Lata came straight to the Garden of Swords as soon as he left the Sword Emperor Castle.

Of course, Runcandel couldn't welcome them since he had come without any prior notice with such a large army.

'At least, they avoided the worst case scenario since they are host mercenaries.'

If any mediocre mercenary group had made such an unexpected visit with that size, Runcandel would have wiped them out from the face of earth.

The Ghost mercenaries are one of the more prominent neutral factions, and their base, the Ghost Castle, served as a meeting ground for major factions, and because of this they get away with such a breach of etiquette.

"Yes."

"That nasty-eyed bastard probably came to you because of his younger sister, but why did he bring five hundred subordinates? Does that mean he wants to intimidate us with these cute threats?"

"I don't know why he brought his subordinates either. We'll find out when I meet him."

The group began to move, and the cheers from the crowd grew louder.

A group of boys and girls who were shouting Murakan's name at the top of their lungs was particularly impressive, and Gilly gently pushed Murakan's back to ensure that he wouldn't disappoint his young fans.

"They're young fans, so please shake hands with them, Lord Murakan."

"Strawberry pie, if you wish, then... ."

The most shocking part came when Murakan smiled at them, and suddenly people among the group of boys and girls fainted one after another.

"My goodness, I thought only Enya was capable of that."

"I don't think Enya has ever fainted."

They left the transfer gate and climbed onto the steel wagon.

The red evening sunset embraced the entire city warmly, but Jin had a nagging feeling that something tiring was about to happen and shook his head.

Jin suddenly stopped the carriage while they were making their way toward the Garden of Swords.

"Wait a moment."

He stopped because he saw Lata's subordinates standing idly at the entrance to the Garden of Swords.

Even though there were more than five hundred of them, they simply stood amidst the bushes. It was unthinkable for them to set up tents on Runcandel's territory, especially near the Garden of the Sword.

However, there was no place for them to sit or rest, and there were no inns to accommodate the sudden arrival of five hundred mercenaries.

So, Lata's subordinates had no choice but to stand there as if they were trees, thinking they might as well be.

Jin stuck his head out of the carriage, and all the mercenaries' eyes turned towards him.

"Follow me."

The carriage once again start moving after Jin said that, and Lata's subordinates exchanged glances for a moment before quietly following behind.

"12th flagbearer is hospitalized!"

The gate's bars were lifted, and the guardian knights patrolling inside saluted.

'The enforcement knights brandished their swords at me when I returned last time.'

It was the day when the patriarchy declaration was made. Even if it wasn't that day, Jin hardly had any memories of being welcomed back from his days as a reserve flagbearer.

It is safe to say that there was no one to welcome him except Gilly and Petro.

Whether they were his siblings or elders, someone always showed hostility and murderous intent, and every one of them was a formidable adversary(outwardly).

But today was different.

10% of 1st Division Guardian Knights, a very small number of enforcement knights and elders.

In other words, it was a force that was slightly less than 10% of the total strength of Runcandel, but now there were knights welcoming back Jin.

"Thank you for your hard work, 12th flagbearer!"

"You are here, 12th flagbearer. Your name has been making quite a stir in the Garden of Swords all this time."

The knights and elders greeted Jin on his way, and he felt that he had finally returned to Runcandel as a flagbearer.

However, those who greeted him still seemed curious about the reason why he had brought the mercenaries waiting outside.

And Jin saw some people walking towards him with a crumpled face from the main house.

It was Myu and Anne.

"12th flagbearer."

"What on earth is this?"

Jin couldn't help but admire them in a way after seeing their sudden and confrontational expressions.

Were they foolish?

Or fearless?

One thing was for sure: they had a spirit that even Jin had to acknowledge.

Jin clearly showed the power gap between them during the patriarchy declaration, but it's evident that they are still fighting without regard to it.

Moreover, they were absolutely certain that the two of them together could 'never' defeat Jin even now, but their attitude remained unchanged.

"What were you thinking when you hospitalized these bugs?"

"Hah, even these bugs start disrespecting the Garden of Swords since you behave like this. Last time, didn't Kinselo's beasts audaciously come here looking for you? The clan's situation is beyond ridiculous. We can't even kick you out!"

Jin silently gazed at his sisters for a while, and then burst into laughter.

"Are you laughing?"

"I was almost disappointed, my sisters. I don't feel like I am home unless someone yells at me like this."

"What, what did you say?"

"This punk…."

"They are my guests. Just like me, they were staying in the Sword Emperor Castle because of the recent terror attack, so they couldn't notify the Garden of Swords about their visit in advance."

"What kind of guest brings over five hundred mercenaries without any prior notice?"

"Is that even a problem? Five hundred ghost mercenaries are no more than a threat equivalent to five hundred falling leaves in the Garden of Swords. In fact, Lata showed me respect by bringing as many subordinates as possible."

Jin continued to smile unlike his enraged sisters.

Their bizarre confrontation, or rather, a one-sided display of power by Jin, left the mercenaries who had followed him in awe.

'It's clear that the 12th flagbearer is more crazy than our leader, anyway. Can he do that to the higher-ranking flagbearers?'

'We can just wait outside and leave quietly when the leader comes out.'

'Our headquarters, the Ghost Castle, is quite respectable, but compared to this place, it's like dust, just dust.'

'But it feels like we're being somewhat ignored. I can't believe we are being compared with leaves…'

None of the mercenaries shouted that they were displeased by Jin's remark.

Instead, Myu and Anne continued to raise their voices.

"Falling leaves? Have you reached a new level of mediocrity to be talking like that? According to your words, didn't the Ghost leader show you respect, yet you're making statements that disregard them."

"I don't think it would be very rude to say this compared to the fact that they were waiting outside."

Anne took a step toward Jin, but Myu blocked her path.

"She can't do this. They're not just ridiculous now, but they even look cute. Anne wants to step forward, and Myu is trying to stop her. It's like they planned this in advance.'

Then, Myu and Anne continued to grind their teeth and spoke.

"Can you take responsibility?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, can you take responsibility if any problems arise because of the guests you brought here?"

"You're talking as if problems are bound to happen. Well, let's do that. I'll take responsibility."

Whoa!

Gilly heaved a sigh of relief when Myu and Anne turned away and walked.

She wasn't concerned about Jin.

"Phew, I was so nervous that the young master would cut down the young ladies."

"They are quite troublesome sisters, but there's no need to take care of them just yet."

"Your other sisters aren't like that, so I don't understand why only those two are so cheap. Kid, I'm going to enjoy some strawberry pie now, so you meet that nasty-eye alone."

Murakan looked at Gilly with sparkling eyes, but Gilly cleared her throat and avoided eye contact.

"No, Murakan. You have work to do."

"What?"

"Take care of the Ghost mercenaries and lead them to my personal training ground."

"What? Hey, kid. I am the mighty Black Dragon. Haven't you seen all those people praising me earlier? Can you really make me do such menial tasks? Huh?"

"And protect them."

"What? Why are you talking about protection all of a sudden?"

"There's a very high chance that the Ghost mercenaries will be attacked. Do you think my sisters just left without a reason? It's the perfect opportunity for them to give me a blow."

"What... You can't be serious, right? Doing something like that?"

"They can do anything. There's no harm in being careful. Want to make a bet? I'll bet that my sisters' knights will attack the mercenaries. If that's not the case, then why were they asking me to take the responsibility, right?"

The reason Jin insisted on taking the mercenaries to the training ground instead of the guest rooms or reception area was precisely that it would be much easier to protect them in the spacious training area.

Murakan frowned.

"Damn it, fine. I'll also bet. If I win, I get an absolute 15-day vacation to enjoy with strawberry pie. I'll order you to take the vacation even if you don't want to go. Got it?"

"I don't really need a vacation..."

"Deal."

"Kid, what are your conditions?"

"I don't have any conditions. I'm going to win anyway. Instead, take proper care to ensure that none of the mercenaries get injured."

"Don't give me any excuse later. Hehe, let's go! You mercenaries!"

Murakan led the mercenaries to the training ground while humming a tune. He was already overjoyed at the thought of enjoying 15 days of vacation with Gilly.

Jin couldn't help but laugh as he watched his departing figures, and Gilly offered an awkward smile.

"The Acting matriarch has stated that you can skip the report."

Petro said.

Rosa was still in the process of recovering from the injuries she sustained during the patriarchy declaration.

"Then I should meet with Lata immediately. He's in the reception room, right?"

"Yes, Young Master. Should I prepare a different room for you?"

"No, I'll just go meet him in person."

The spacious reception room was filled with guests. There were merchants for doing business with Runcandel, nobles, and mercenaries hired for missions, etc.

The most outstanding figure was undoubtedly Lata among them. He was exuding a heavy and sharp aura with his arms crossed.

He was leaning against the wall with his eyes closed, and there were no people standing within about ten paces around him.

"Sir Lata."

Jin entered the reception room and called his name.

Lata slowly opened his eyes and…..

Stomp, stomp! He then quickly approached Jin with fast and threatening steps...

Swoosh!

He suddenly drew a short dagger from his waist when he was one step away from Jin.

This sudden gesture frightened the people around them and guardian knights.

"Stop...!"

The guardian knights shouted and threw themselves in front. It appeared as though Lata's dagger was moving toward Jin.

Shak-!

However, Lata's dagger didn't land on Jin's body.

Tuk

What fell to the floor with a dry sound was Lata's right index finger.

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章節 266: Chapter 425

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

"Kyaaaah!"

"Uuuh!"

Nobles and merchants who had not learned martial arts reflexively screamed. They mistakenly thought that Lata had attacked Jin, and they had a hard time grasping the situation even when they saw Lata's severed finger on the ground.

"What is the meaning of this, Lata Proch!"

"This is the Garden of Swords!"

The eyes of the guardian knights who aimed their swords at Lata's neck flickered.

Although ten swords were pressing against his neck, the guardian knights felt one thing: if Lata decided, he could easily push away their swords and move as he pleased.

'Ghost leader is more dangerous than the rumors suggest. He can still overwhelm us even with his finger cut off.'

'He just cut off his own finger, but what would have happened if he had decided to attack the 12th flagbearer…'

The guardian knights who thought that far shook their heads inwardly.

'It doesn't seem like anything significant happened. The 12th flagbearer is no ordinary monster either.'

A sticky stream of blood flowed from the severed surface, and Jin stared at it without any movement.

What is the meaning of this?

Jin didn't ask such a question. He simply waited with an expressionless face. He expected Lata to explain the reason for his actions first.

That's why Jin didn't take out his sword, even though Lata made a sudden move. On the contrary, Jin radiated an even more mysterious aura.

In the first place, the weight is different. Regardless of his battle prowess, Jin possesses a dignity that's difficult to describe....

Lata felt that way. He wondered why he had realized this fact so late. Jin had something different from the other supernovae he had met until now.

"I understand, let me formally introduce myself again. I am the owner of the Ghost Castle, the leader of the Ghost mercenary Corps, Lata Proch."

Everyone in the hall couldn't help but be surprised by his polite tone.

It was a natural reaction since everyone had heard rumors about the Ghost leader more than once or twice. The image of the Ghost leader that ordinary people had was that of a cruel king of fiends without blood or tears.

"I am Jin Runcandel, 12th flagbearer of Runcandel."

"I came to the Garden of Swords today to apologize for the rudeness I committed at the Sword Emperor Castle last time."

Jin looked down at the severed finger. "So that's why you cut off your finger?"

"That's right."

Losing one finger did not cause significant damage to Lata's martial prowess. It might be a problem for ordinary martial artists, but this level of hindrance was insignificant for those who had already attained a certain level of mastery.

However, Lata cutting off his own finger meant that he was willing to pay the price in blood.

"Put away your swords."

At Jin's command,the guardian knights withdrew the swords that had been against Lata's neck.

"Sir Lata."

"Yes, please speak."

"There is no grudge between you and me. So, sir, you don't need to apologize to me, and your finger has no value to me."

Lata's pupils trembled.

But it wasn't trembling with shame or humiliation. The emotion in his eyes seemed closer to anxiety.

"...Even if I cut a few more?"

No, seriously, why do you keep wanting to cut your fingers?

Instead of asking that question, Jin chose a different response.

"It's the same even if you cut your arm instead of your fingers, sir."

"Damn it, I should have prepared something else. How can I cover my mistake? Tell me. I'll do my best."

At this point, the people inside the hall were exchanging glances with each other. Was this person really the Ghost leader? Everyone had such reactions, and even the guardian knights, who couldn't show their feelings, were deeply shocked.

Even Jin himself couldn't help but feel perplexed.

'Lata Proch couldn't be that kind of person. Why is he acting so obedient?'

The reason Jin was slightly belittling Lata at the moment was for a different purpose.

Lata's personality. In other words, Jin was behaving like this because it was necessary to look intimidating and challenging when dealing with a beast-like person.

Since hierarchy is highly important among beasts, it thought it necessary to make it clear that he was superior to Lata.

Therefore, Jin was expecting another duel in this process.

The duel at the Sword Emperor Castle had actually ended in Jin's favor, but due to the terrorist attack, the outcome was not decided.

'I thought Lata would run wild and attack me because of my attitude, and I was going to use that as an excuse for a duel.'

It would undoubtedly be a good outcome if he defeats the Ghost leader in front of the entire clan. Then, they would proceed to acknowledge each other in a warm atmosphere and naturally convey that he had received considerable favor from the Ghost mercenaries.

That was the scenario Jin hoped for in this meeting.

'If he comes out like this, there will be no need to fight.'

There is no need for another duel, and it's clear to anyone that Lata was showing a submissive attitude.

'Come to think of it, Lata kept hovering around me during my stay at the Sword Emperor Castle after the terrorist incident. I thought he might be trying to negotiate under different conditions for Faye's release. Could it be that he was looking for an opportunity to apologize to me?'

Drip, drip. Thick drops of blood continued to fall from Lata's severed finger onto the ground.

"Sir Lata, to be honest, I thought you were going to challenge me again."

"I'm not that much of a fool. I realized back then that I'm not even close to being able to fight against you, 12th flagbearer."

In the end, when Lata said that, people in the hall started murmuring.

'What is he saying?'

'They had a duel before the terrorist attack at the Sword Emperor Castle,, and there were rumors that the 12th flagbearer had the upper hand.'

'No matter how you look at it, can the difference be so significant that the Ghost leader would say that?'

Since many martial artists had judged Jin's superiority over Lata during the duel, 'Runcandel's 12th flagbearer' and 'Ghost leader' were positions where the latter carried more weight.

"In that case, Sir Lata, it seems you owe me a debt rather than apologizing to me. Do you remember?"

-Are you suggesting a wager through a duel?

-Isn't there something you need from me?

-Before I kill you, I'll have you sign a blood oath then.

-Blood oath or whatever, if you win, I'll grant whatever you desire. Whether you take my life or engage in any act that can humiliate me while I'm still breathing, it's all fair game. But if I win.

Lata recalled the conversation from their previous duel and said, "Of course, I remember."

"Sir Lata, you need to become even stronger than you are now to fulfill my request. It's not the time for cutting your fingers. However, I have doubts about whether you are truly the person who can take on my request. Guardian Knights, quickly bring the medical team director to my room."

"Yes!"

Swish!

Then, Jin used his ice barrier seal magic to preserve Lata's severed finger before saying, "Follow me."

As they left the reception room and made their way to Jin's room, a powerful vibration occurred within the Garden of Sword.

It wasn't a natural phenomenon like an earthquake; it was the result of someone using tremendous power. The sky even darkened with an ominous darkness.

Lata had experienced such a phenomenon once before when Murakan had used his power at the Sword Emperor Castle.

"This is the Guardian Dragon's..."

"Oh, it seems to have started. You don't need to worry about it."

Lata wondered what had started, but he refrained from asking when he noticed that it wasn't something Jin wished to discuss.

On their way to the room, Jin pondered why Lata was behaving this way.

'I hope he didn't suddenly change his attitude without reason.'

The director of the medical team, whom the guardian knights had summoned, arrived in the room first. He quickly reattached Lata's finger and then disappeared abruptly.

"...Thank you."

"Enough with the pleasantries; let's get to the point. Why are you behaving like this?"

"What are you talking about?"

"The Lata I remember had a significant grudge against me and was a very reckless person. That's why he challenged me to a duel and nearly embarrassed himself."

"Hmm! hmm, that's..."

"If you don't provide a reasonable explanation for this sudden change in attitude, I won't accept any price of victory from you."

Lata's eyes widened, and after a moment's hesitation, he nodded and finally spoke, "I have fallen for a man named Jin Runcandel."

Jin was nearly about to spew out the tea that Gilly had served him.

"You fell for me? That's not a convincing reason to do all this. Just because of something like that?"

Jin's eyes narrowed and he continued with a stern expression. It was the first time anger had crept onto his face.

"I think the elders of my clan might have commissioned the Ghost mercenaries to assassinate me. Then you should make up for your failure and carry out the request again. Does it make sense for you to try to join me?"

If Lata was really resorting to such actions solely based on having "fallen for," Jin had no intention of considering him an ally.

"That doesn't make any sense. If I were from a prestigious knight family like you. But, Sir Jin, I'm just a mercenary who lives by the sword. I can act vile and lowly, just like any other despicable beast. Especially in times like these."

"In times like these? Please explain."

"I dueled with you, Sir Jin, and we went through the terrorist attack at the Sword Emperor Castle together. After that, I stayed at the Sword Emperor Castle for about two weeks, and observed how the situation unfolded. As a result, I reached one conclusion."

"What conclusion?"

"If the Ghost mercenary corps has to survive, it can no longer remain neutral."

-An alliance? The Ghost mercenaries never allies themselves with any faction. We only have contracts and clients. Jin Runcandel, I challenge you to a duel.

This statement Lata made at the banquet contradicted not only his previous words but also directly negated the values upheld by the Ghost mercenary corps as a mercenary organization.

"That day was a special day for me. It was the moment I realized my arrogance through our duel, and the terrorist attack gave me confidence that the future war and power dynamics would take a completely different form from what I knew."

The underground tunnels, demonic creatures, living golems, massive battleships, and shape-shifting mages, and above all, the overwhelming power and regeneration ability displayed by the demon.

Just as Lata said, Kinzelo's terrorist attack that day was shattering the common sense held by most people.

"Despite that, the Imperial Family didn't protect Hairan afterward. Even when such a crazy group attacked the Sword Emperor Castle, they acted as if even the Sword Emperor Castle with Sir Ron had little use for the imperial family."

"They might have seen it as a good opportunity to keep Hairan in check, don't you think?"

"Thinking of it that way, it still seems like Sir Ron's power is too enormous. The Imperial Family must have had their own preparations, and perhaps they decided to abandon Hairan because of that. If the Imperial family was ready for such a situation, then I wonder what Runcandel or Zipfel would be like. I saw Kinzelo's power myself."

Since that day, Lata had a feeling that a "new era" was dawning. He believed that a burdensome era had opened up where it was difficult to continue living as a mere martial artist or a mercenary group.

Even Ron Hairan was treated as unnecessary, let alone the Ghost mercenaries.

That's why he judged that he should choose wisely who would seize the hegemony of the new era and form an alliance with them.

"From that perspective, I'm convinced that you will be the next patriarch of Runcandel. That's why I've come here to stand on your side, Sir Jin. Does this explanation suffice now?"

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