章節 279: Chapter 438
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Five days had passed since the exiles and ronins attacked Tikan.
However, the 12th flagbearer had yet to show any significant movement despite numerous articles pouring out. So the anxiety of Elders was increasing day by day.
In a villa of the Elder Council in the city of Kalon, Jorden and his fellow Elders sat around a round table with frustrated expressions.
In front of them lay a stack of newspapers from various countries that covered the recent incident.
Tikan Free City Attacked by unknown attackers.
Some facilities and structures were damaged, but there were no reported casualties...
The reason why the Tikan Free City garrison became the army of steel, and about Jin Runcandel.
As proven during the Sword Emperor Castle incident, the 12th flagbearer has an exceptional ability to respond to terrorism.
It's not that the 12th flagbearer is particularly outstanding; it's just a virtue that any Flagbearer of Runcandel should possess...
Injured: 12, Deceased: 0! All terrorists killed, the dignity of the Free City.
Why are terrorists thriving so soon after the Sword Emperor Castle terrorism?
The identities of the terrorists are still unknown... What kind of response will the 12th flagbearer show?
The front page of all the newspapers was filled with reports about Tikan terrorism. This was true not only for Huphester but also for some newspapers from the Vermont and the Lutero Magic Federation.
Some of the Elders sighed while looking down at the newspapers.
In truth, everyone wanted to sigh, but they were holding back because they were watching Jorden, whose body was trembling with anger. At this point sighing was a privilege reserved for the high-ranking Elders.
"No casualties... not a single one!" Jorden shouted while clutching the newspaper in front of him tightly.
His eyes, with bloodshot pupils, were filled with grim anger.
"Is this even possible?"
Bang!
Jorden's fist shattered the round table into pieces, and sent shards flying in all directions.
Jorden had never expected such an outcome when he had decided to send the exiled enforcement knight to Tikan.
It might have been impossible to completely eliminate Tikan, but he thought at least some of Jin's comrades and many civilians would lose their lives.
Since the terrorist attack was carried out by two exiles and at least 7-star level attackers, it was not at all excessive to expect that much damage.
"This is unbelievable, Elder Council President. No matter how bad they were, a few hundred civilians, no. That's also too little. It is normal for there to be at least a thousand civilian casualties."
"Please, calm down, Elder Council President. Here, have some cold water. Look, let me fetch you some cooler water!"
"It's clear that the exiles betrayed us."
"But what could have driven them to betray us? Their goal was revenge. They know the power of the Black Sword Association better than anyone, so they wouldn't have valued the 12th flagbearer higher than Elder Council President."
"However, the results male no sense if it's not betrayal. Moreover, these articles are based on information intentionally leaked by the 12th flagbearer to the media. Then it means he is lying about the death of all the exiles and ronins."
"Doesn't that also mean he is lying about no casualties in Tikan?"
"Can you really say that after experiencing the 12th flagbearer? That devil would never do anything that goes against his interests. It's a matter that will be clearly revealed once we investigate it properly, and the damage in Tikan has already been verified by various organizations from different countries."
"Well, yes. The 12th flagbearer. It's worrisome that he had the audacity to bring back the heads of the deceased Elders last time but he hasn't shown any movement yet."
The Elders chatted amongst themselves and all of them were looking at Jorden's reaction.
The outcome of the situation could either be covered or further escalate depending on the decision he made.
Whoa, whew
Jorden's heavy breathing, which sounded like a whistling sound, was gradually subsiding. He is barely able to control his anger.
"I understand that everyone is concerned. The 12th flagbearer, that madman may be dormant for now, but he can't just let it slide. He will undoubtedly seek revenge just like last time when he brought back the heads of the Elders."
As Jorden spoke, the dark expressions on the faces of the Elders deepened once again.
Some of them secretly thought that Jorden had "lost his touch." He had boldly waged war against the 12th flagbearer with confidence, but the outcome was disappointing from the very beginning.
"So, what should we do, Elder Council President?"
"I am concerned about what the Acting Matriarch said last time. If we disappoint her once more, she mentioned temporarily dissolving the Elder Council..."
"Ah, please, let's not dwell on such negative remarks!"
Jorden sighed and rubbed his temples.
"First, the Black Sword Association..."
Before Jorden could continue, they heard the sound of someone running down the corridor.
"Elder Council President, something terrible has happened!"
It was a Guardian Knight affiliated with the Elder Council.
His desperate demeanor, distorted expression, and anxious eyes immediately filled Jorden and the Elders with a sense of foreboding.
It seemed that the 12th flagbearer had indeed begun his retaliation.
"What's going on? Speak calmly," Jorden said, his eyebrows trembling slightly as he made an effort to appear composed.
"The exile... has come to the Garden of Swords!"
The Elder Council members let out a collective sigh of despair at the Guardian Knight's response.
"Prepare... a carriage immediately!"
***
It was December, and the winter was in full swing, but an absurdly heavy rain poured down.
In this strangely gloomy and erratic weather, the Guardian Knights guarding the Garden of Swords frequently found themselves gazing up at the sky.
The sky seemed to be crying mournfully.
"It's midday, but it feels like night. What the hell is up with this rain?"
"Yeah, this kind of weather just makes you depressed. Let's have a strong drink when it's over..."
The gate guards and Guardian Knights who were chatting fell silent and adjusted their postures. They had spotted a knight clad in shining gray armor approaching from a distance.
The gray armor symbolized the fact that this knight was tasked with enforcing the clan's laws.
It was a clan that all Guardian Knights of the clan aspired to and respected, along with the black helmet.
Thud!
The Guardian Knights stood at attention and saluted.
The enforcement knight returned the salute with grace, and the gate leading to the Garden of Swords was opened.
The Guardian Knights didn't lower their saluting hands until the enforcement knight had disappeared from their sight.
"Indeed, the demeanor of the enforcement knights is different from that of ordinary guardian knights."
"But the person who just passed by was wearing the old enforcement knight armor, right? It looks like something I've seen in the training manuals during our cadet days."
"Really? I'm not sure. I don't see them often... I wonder if the day will come when I get to wear that armor."
The gate guards had no idea that he was an enforcement knight who had been purged a long time ago.
Even if the armor was of an older design, they couldn't imagine anyone crazy enough to make and wear fake Runcandel enforcement knight gear, especially not in the heart of Huphester, the Garden of Swords.
"It is armor that not just anyone can wear, which is why we show so much respect."
Thud, thud, thud.
Mud and water splashed beneath the footsteps of the exile.
The soaked cloak felt unusually heavy, as if it carried the weight of the years it took to return to this place.
The words of the 12th flagbearer were correct.
Damaging Rosa Runcandel's authority, and bravely exposing the truth, was the ultimate revenge they could achieve.
'Why didn't we think of such a simple idea all this time?'
The Exile knew the answer.
It was because their desire for revenge was aimed at 'Rosa Runcandel,' not Runcandel itself.
If they were to enter the Garden of Swords right now and reveal that they had survived all this time, Rosa would undoubtedly suffer significant damage.
But that was not the end of it. If the other knights were to learn the truth, the fact that the price paid for loyalty and dedication to the clan was this horrific punishment and exile...
That could potentially shake all of Runcandel.
The Exiles fiercely denied it but they continued to love Runcandel even after their punishment. Some might mock it as a twisted sense of loyalty, but it didn't matter.
Their brightest days were undoubtedly bound to this land.
-As the 12th flagbearer said, this is undoubtedly the only revenge we can take. But what we're about to do will not only threaten Rosa but all of Runcandel.
-Indeed.
-The clan's unity will weaken, and it will be an opportunity for the great factions like Zipfel. Don't you see that?
-Is that the kind of Runcandel you wish for?
-What do you mean?
-An incredibly weak and dirty clan that can be devoured by enemies if you don't hide the stench? I don't think you want that Runcandel. Anyway, the choice is yours. Whether you want to die here or go reveal the truth.
He suddenly remembered a conversation they had with the 12th flagbearer before arriving at the Garden of Swords.
'We could have been the 12th flagbearer's knights if he were born just a little earlier. We could have upheld honor to the end.'
He took step after step with a haunting sense of regret buried within. He walked, savoring the Garden of Swords they had built with their own hands.
He looked at the countless swords planted around the garden, and paused for a moment. And when he encountered the familiar faces of the aging butlers and attendants, he silently recalled their names.
At that moment, he saw a construction site off to the side when he felt that nothing had changed from before their banishment.
'Is that the 12th flagbearer doing?'
It was the central arena that the 12th flagbearer had destroyed while making the patriarchy declaration. He stood there for a moment, imagining how fierce and extraordinary that battle must have been.
The raindrops that flowed indifferently into his armor felt cold.
He resumed walking, and finally his steps came to a halt in the courtyard right in front of the main house.
He stood tall and looked up at the main house.
And the attention of everyone nearby gradually shifted towards him. Everyone began to sense that his actions were not ordinary.
'Why is the enforcement knight standing there so quietly?'
'Have there been any enforcement knights wearing old-style armor recently?'
They began to question as they passed by one by one, and in the midst of their passing...
The exile shouted loudly towards the person standing in the main house, the person they had despised so deeply.
His voice resonated like thunder.
"Knight, Rosa Runcandel, come out and listen to me!"
章節 280: Chapter 439
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A sharp and thunderous voice resounded through the dark night sky as if it could tear it apart.
The raindrops that fell were scattered in all directions, unable to reach the exile due to the energy contained in the voice.
Knight, Rosa Runcandel, come outside and listen to me...
Everyone who lives in the Garden of Swords could not help but doubt their ears after hearing this.
Neither the enforcement knights nor the Black Knights could call Rosa like that. The clan members and guardian knights who passed by him, it was a scene that could not possibly believe this unless it was a dream.
'Was the strange and cloudy weather a sign of something like this was about to happen?'
'Why did he just stand in front of the main house like that!'
Swish!
The guardian knights who drew their swords were confused by the sight. Judging by the strong and heavy aura, he was undoubtedly an enforcement knight, but they had no idea why he was doing this.
They were certainly not supposed to be his opponents. They just needed to hold on until other enforcement knights or flagbearers waiting inside would come out.
The exile easily parried the swords of the guardian knights flew at him.
He parried the guardian knights' attack in one blow and they tumbled on the wet grass, and the exile shouted once again.
"You must have remembered my voice, Rosa Runcandel. Reveal yourself!"
The flagbearers were watching this scene from various places in the main house.
"Wow... I thought my ears were playing tricks on me."
"I've never seen such a crazy person before. What on earth is happening?"
Myu and Anne, who were in the library, almost dropped their teacups. The same went for Ran, and Vigo, who were sitting in front of them.
"...Judging by his skills, he is indeed a real enforcement knight."
"Isn't that an old-style armor? Is he someone who was expelled from the clan a long time ago?" Ran and Vigo spoke, and a vein popped on Myu's neck.
"Damn it! How the hell is the discipline of the clan coming to this. The youngest has caused trouble every time, and now even the lower ones are causing a commotion. Isn't that too much, Orabeoni?"
Diphus and Mary were also watching the exile from a different room. They were speechless for a while and couldn't say anything.
"...Huh, what's going on? Orabeoni, do you have any guesses?"
"I don't. But somehow... it seems to be related to the youngest."
"The youngest? Looking at the armor, it seems that this person was already an enforcement knight before the youngest was born. So how could that be possible?"
"It's just a gut feeling."
"Well, it does resemble the youngest's style. Turning the clan upside down like this. Hm... Let's go down for now. I need to find out what this former enforcement knight has to say before being killed. We also need to see if there's really a connection to the youngest."
The exile continued to push back the guardian knights who were attacking, assisted by other guards.
Although it was a moment that showed the dignity of the 9-star knights known as the 'One-Man Army,' this was still the Garden of Swords.
He couldn't keep dealing with so many guardian knights alone, and the high-ranking knights who had realized the emergency situation were starting to come out one by one.
Knights wearing gray armor similar to the exile began to appear throughout the courtyard. They were the clan's enforcement knights.
They showed no signs of panic, even in the face of this unexpected and unprecedented situation.
They didn't care about why the exile was doing this or to which faction the enforcement knights belonged to. Their only concern was to subdue him as quickly as possible so that the clan's leaders could make a quiet decision.
Kraaaaaaah!
The roar of the exile made the nearby guardian knights step back.
That was the exile's final struggle. About ten enforcement knights' blades were extended between the guardian knights, and there was no longer any chance for him to resist.
He managed to fend off a few blades at first, but soon the blades of enforcement knights of equal or superior skill pierced through his armor.
Like a chaotic vortex, shining swords tore through the exile's old-fashioned gray armor.
His upper arm was pierced, his chestplate slashed, his shoulder guards crumpled, and his gauntlets shattered.
Blood and muddy water splattered in all directions, but the relentless rain prevented his blood from leaving a crimson trace.
"Grrgh...!"
A torrent of blood poured from the exile's helmet.
Eventually, the enforcement knights could bring the exile to his knees in the middle of the courtyard.
Thud, thud!
The enforcement knights used their swords to pierce the exile's thigh to pin him down, and they stepped on his back to keep him from raising his head.
It resembled young hunters capturing and displaying an old and ferocious beast.
The exile did not scream even when the sword pierced his thigh and knee, nor did he make a sound when his arms were about to break.
Enforcement knights successfully suppress the exile. Now, it was up to the decision-makers.
All the flagbearers, except Luna, who had gone to the Black Sea, and Luntia, who was on a continent mission, moved to the courtyard.
The enforcement knights tried to remove the exile's helmet so that Joshua could see his face clearly.
But Mary shouted at that moment.
"Stop! Show him the mercy of being able to remove the helmet himself."
Mary believed that no matter what reason led the exile to commit acts of rebellion, preserving his honor to remove his own helmet was the right thing to do.
The enforcement knights only carried out Mary's command after Joshua nodded.
It took quite a while for the exile to remove his helmet with his broken and trembling arms.In the meantime, flagbearers and important figures of the clan arrived at the scene.
Jorden, who had just arrived, felt an intense pressure in his chest. If the exile started muttering nonsense, there would undoubtedly be problems regarding his position.
However, he couldn't just shout to have the exile killed immediately. Jorden suppressed his anxious feelings and silently observed the situation.
"State your name."
Joshua and the exile locked eyes.
Instead of revealing his name, the exile raised his voice once again.
"Rosa Runcandel! You are not coming out until the end. But you must be listening to my words."
"I asked for your name."
"I have no name to reveal to the likes of you, 2nd flagbearer. We were crushed and trampled by Rosa without even being given a chance to become your knights, so if you're curious about my name, ask your mother."
Joshua's eyes widened.
He had no idea that the old enforcement knights had been purged by Rosa because of him.
".... What are you talking about?"
"Puhahaha, what am I talking about? Don't tell me you know nothing. I can't help but laugh."
"Explain it so I can understand."
"My comrades and I used to serve the patriarch and the 1st flagbearer. But, 2nd flagbearer, we couldn't serve you. Rosa Runcandel deemed us unfit as your knights. She judged that you couldn't control us like the 1st flagbearer."
Joshua always felt inferior whenever he was compared with Luna. However, he didn't seem too shaken by these words.
"So, is that what led you to commit treason?"
"Treason? I'm merely revealing the truth. The traitors are elsewhere. Isn't it strange, 2nd flagbearer? The Black Panther herself purged us, yet here I am, alive."
The exile turned his head with difficulty to find Jorden and the elder council members. Jorden felt the impulse to tear him apart when their eyes met but managed to restrain himself.
"Chief of Black Sword Association, Jorden Runcandel. He saved me and some of my comrades without your mother's knowledge."
At that statement, the knights turned their attention to Jorden.
Joshua was the only flagbearer who looked at Jin, not Jorden.
'You bastard... this is your doing.'
'Your Runcandel is filled with lies and betrayal, Joshua.'
The two of them thought as if speaking to each other, and Jorden finally unleashed his anger.
"How dare you utter such nonsense, you filthy traitor! I saved you? At the time, it was I who confirmed your dead bodies, following the orders of the acting matriarch."
"So you created fake bodies to save us. Your acting skills are impressive, Chief of Black Sword Association."
"Furthermore, you were punished for your treacherous acts, not because the 2nd flagbearer was lacking. Did you suddenly develop a desire for honor as death approached, and resort to lies?"
"Lies? I came here with my own two feet, seeking the Garden of Swords and my death. If it's not the truth, then what could be other reason?"
The moment Jorden was about to respond with a desperate voice...
"As the Chief of Black Sword Association said, there's no evidence that you're not a traitor."
Joshua spoke.
"And the acting matriarch did everything for the sake of the clan. A few words from a dirty traitor can't tarnish the faith that the Runcandels have. Your plan has failed."
It was also a message to Jin.
The black blade of Sword Kainer emerged from its sheath with a smooth sound.
"If you have any last words, speak them now. I will listen."
"Someday."
The exile began to say his last words with his gaze fixed on Jin.
"When you least expect it, like an unforeseen disaster."
The exile smiled faintly through his torn mouth, and Jin chose to forget that the exile had once tried to kill his comrades.
"A deep-rooted soul will appear and reveal your filthy deeds to the world."
Sshhh!
'Thank you, 12th flagbearer.'
The exile thought as the Black blade of Sword Kainer cut through his neck.
The last remaining exile, Luton Ferman, will someday find redemption through the 12th flagbearer and step foot on this land once again. The day when the unjustly deceased enforcement knights' spirits return.
Thud…!
The exile's head fell to the ground.
"Leave the corpse for the dogs to feast upon."
Joshua said, and as he turned away, the onlookers in the courtyard began to disperse.
Those who witnessed the exile's final moments were left with one lingering question:
Was he truly a traitor?
Amidst betrayal, doubt, and death, Jin stood tall and stayed there until everyone had left the courtyard.
Then, he took out a single flower from his pocket and placed it on the exile's chest. He also retrieved the broken sword the exile had wielded.
It was for the purpose to plant it in the Garden of Swords someday.
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