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.
章節 281: Chapter 440
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After the exile's death, no one dared to speak of it openly.
But there was an unusual atmosphere among the members of the clan. Given the many uncertainties surrounding the exile's death, it was only natural.
"Do you think what the exile said could be true?"
"What are you talking about?"
Two guardian knights, who had just finished their shifts and started their rest, were engaged in a conversation.
"The part about the acting matriarch being worried about the 2nd flagbearer and punishing the enforcement knights at that time."
Upon hearing this, one of the guardian knights looked around nervously. Talking about the 2nd flagbearer's bad aspects could lead to irreversible consequences.
"Be careful with what you say!"
"No one is in the backyard at this hour. You're getting jumpy for no reason. It's the most secluded spot in the Garden of Swords, isn't it?"
"Well, anyway, now that the exile is already dead, we can't verify the truth behind those words."
"It was a situation where a thorough investigation should have started, but the immediate execution of the 2nd flagbearer felt rather suspicious."
Joshua's swift execution seemed like an action to quickly cover up the incident.
"The same goes for the actions of the Black Sword Association's chief. If he didn't really save the exile, it would have been better to keep the exile alive and prove his innocence somehow."
The guardian knights fell silent for a moment. They seemed to have some confusion.
"...If the exile's words are true, then one can't help but think that the price paid for long-standing dedication to the clan is truly cruel. Even the acting matriarch hasn't said anything about this yet."
"There's no law that says we won't end up like that someday."
"Yeah, it's a rather uncomfortable end of the year..."
Rattle!
The guardian knights suddenly heard a sound of a door opening from the ground. The guardian knights were startled and immediately took a defensive stance at the sound.
The Tona brothers emerged from the hidden door in the ground. The guardian knights were left in a state of contemplation.
"Sir!"
"Sir!"
The guardian knights saluted, and the Tona brothers let out an exasperated sigh.
"It seems like you don't value your lives much, talking about such dangerous matters."
"Hey, hey. You guys haven't even been here for two years. Do you want to die that badly?"
"I am sorry!"
The guardian knights lowered their heads.
There was one fact that not only they but also all the knights who had been resting in this backyard didn't know until now.
This place was the most comfortable space within the garden for the Tona brothers as well.
The Tona brothers had built their own shelter here one day after being exhausted from the bullying of Myu and Anne.
It was a simple underground place with a rough door attached to it, but the Tona were gathering more information than they had expected in this place.
Just like now, they could casually listen to the conversations of the clan members who came to this backyard.
The Tona brothers pretended to brush off the dirt from their bodies, and the guardian knights approached them cautiously and stuck close.
Contrary to their words, the guardian knights had a feeling that the Tona brothers didn't view them as harshly as they had initially thought.
"If it were all lies, why would he bother risking his lives to come to the Garden of Swords? How unjust would he feel?"
"Huh?"
The eyes of the guardian knights widened at Daytona's words.
"We believe the last words of exile are not a lie."
"Yeah, that's right."
The Tona brothers had never participated in the hegemony war before, except for a brief quarrel with Jin during their cadet days. It was a well-known fact among the guardian knights.
However, now the Tona brothers were openly speaking against the 2nd flagbearer.
As the guardian knights hesitated to respond, the brothers spoke again.
"The reason they're not conducting a proper investigation is because the eldest brother and the Elder Council have their own interests."
"Plus, they just left the body to be eaten by the dogs. And it could have really gone that way if it weren't for the youngest. Only the youngest was willing to go against the wishes of our eldest brother and collect the body."
"What do you guys think?"
At Daytona's question, the guardian knights were at a loss.
It was only natural since these guardian knights were newcomers who hadn't yet decided which side to align with.
"Well, we..."
"Never mind, we've made you uncomfortable."
"No, it's not like that!"
"The youngest said."
"Eldest brother and the Elder Council should have kept him alive."
"Do you want to know why?"
The guardian knights could only nod their heads reluctantly.
"It's because there's one more exile who hasn't come to the Garden of Swords yet."
"It would have been better if the eldest brother and the elder council didn't kill the exile who came this time and somehow recruited or brainwashed him. Then, when the surviving exile arrives, they could have used his words as a means to deny the accusations. Wasn't his name Luton Ferman? He was the leader of the First Division of the enforcement knights back then."
Throughout the conversation, the guardian knights felt like they were sitting on thorns, but in the end, they felt genuine curiosity during that part.
"Is that really true? One more person..."
"Shh!"
Haytona covered his and the guardian knights' mouths with his index finger. Then, he smirked.
"What we want to tell is."
"The youngest understands the value of loyalty better than anyone. That's why we want to participate in the hegemony war in earnest, together with the youngest."
"So you too..."
"It would be good to think carefully. If you want to receive the proper rewards for your shining dedication in the future. That's it for today."
"Watch your mouth wherever you go!"
The guardian knights left the backyard in shock.
"Shall we stop here today, Haytona?"
"Let's do that. It seems everyone's tongues are so heavy, and the rumors aren't spreading very well."
The Tona brothers intentionally waited for the guardian knights who sought out the backyard.
They were listening to the conversation from inside the cave and only making contact with those who expressed doubts about recent events.
"Like the youngest said. It will take some time for the rumors to spread since everyone has been well-trained. Let's wait patiently. There will definitely be results. Just like everything the youngest does."
***
"Once the rumors start spreading, the members of the clan will have doubts. They will wonder why some of the 2nd flagbearer and certain factions within the Elder Council are always looking for something."
Hidden Palace, the attention of those in the room gathered when Jin spoke. The icy bed where Talaris lay receiving a massage, along with Luton seated next to her, Murakan and Syris on the opposite side – their gazes were fixed on Jin.
"If it's revealed that their actions weren't to resolve the clan's internal conflicts but rather to conceal something once again, then both of them will truly suffer significant consequences."
Jin had no intention of using the exile's death just for creating an uneasy atmosphere within the clan. He wanted to shake the foundation and position of the 2nd flagbearer and the Elder council.
"Hmm, the day when Luton returns, it will probably be the day of the worst scandal in Runcandel's history."
-The 12th flagbearer is right, but one person must survive. Captain, please witness the end of those people.And someday when the 12th flagbearer becomes the patriarch and allows it, then please live for my share and for those who have died.
Luton was gently stroking the sword left behind by the deceased exile, recalling his final words.
At that moment, Luton wanted to say that he would rather die. However, he couldn't bring himself to utter those words. He knew better than anyone how painful it was to continue living with nothing but hatred.
Surviving was the most difficult and burdensome thing of all. Luton survived to take on more responsibility.
"...What should I do now?" Luton asked.
"First, recover your body."
After the exile's death, Jin and Luton used formal language when addressing each other.
Jin forgave Luton for attacking Tikan, believing that it was now the right thing to treat them as enforcement knights. Luton had decided to become Jin's sword, so he believed it was appropriate to use honorific language.
"Yeah, you did become quite weak. You're still at around the 9-star level, but you weren't supposed to be easily overpowered by me, right?"
After being severely injured by the Elder Council, Luton was in a significantly weakened state. While he was still at the 9-star level, he had originally been the leader of the enforcement knights' 1st division, which made him one of the closest individuals to the Black Knights.
This also included the Black Knights of the previous generation, who were considered the "strongest in history," in other words, the Black Knights of Chiron.
Luton could have easily become a Black Knight If not for the purge that had occurred.
"I also think I need to recover, but there doesn't seem to be any way."
"You should go to the Holy Queen for treatment."
"... The Holy Queen?"
"Unless you use the legacy of Numerus, there will be limits even for her. However, is there anyone else who can provide better treatment than the Holy Queen? I'll write a letter for you and try to go before the end of this year."
"Even the patriarch could not easily ask Miklan when he was the Holy king. You are truly remarkable."
"You should go without exposing yourself to anyone."
"Of course, that won't be a problem."
"Well, you should surely improve to some extent with treatment from the Holy Queen. Once you regain your former strength, focus on taking care of my son-in-law, Luton."
"What will I do after the treatment?"
"You should become the teacher to my knights."
The youngest division.
Jin planned to entrust their education to Luton.
"Train them mercilessly, just like enforcement knights."
The youngest division should become the focal point for the knights who will gather around Jin in the future.
In order to do that, they must have the corresponding skills.
The current youngest division, aside from Bellop, Mesa, and Scott, had skills that barely met the average level of the Guardian Knights, so there was a need to grow them quickly.
"That might die if I do that. Moreover, those who have recently become Guardian Knights usually don't want to undergo new training. They've longed to reap the rewards."
Becoming a Guardian Knight required a grueling process, and it was only natural for those who achieved it to seek rewards for a while.
"If there are those who show a strong displeasure, you can dismiss them without reporting to me. But I don't think anyone will refuse."
"Understood. I'll go to the Holy Queen tomorrow, and please have your newcomers sent to me immediately. It would be best to start right away."
"By the way, Jin."
"Yes, Madame Talaris."
"When do you plan to visit the headquarters of the Black King mercenaries?"
"I plan to go there immediately tomorrow. It seems that it would be best to secure a faction to protect Tikan as soon as possible."
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