章節 295: Chapter 454
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***
January 1, 1800.
The new year had dawned.
Tikan's family gathered at the Latrie bakery, and warmly blessed each other for the year to come.
Crunch, crunch, the sound of children breaking cookies with their teeth filled the air, and candles in various corners shed their colorful light.
The aroma of freshly baked bread and cookies was irresistible, and the magical scent coming from Latrie's kitchen made both children and adults salivate.
It was truly a picturesque and refined scene of the first day of the new year, and the old dog Puppy yawned and strolled over to where the children were.
Puppy had been sitting in his spot until just now, but the rough-looking men with dark expressions, in stark contrast to the warm atmosphere, were the reason why he shifted his position.
They hadn't changed their bloodstained clothes or even combed their disheveled hair.
They just sat with contorted expressions while knocking on the table with their fingers, and expressed their frustration and anger with their entire bodies.
They were the captains and officers of the Black King mercenaries. The reason they hadn't changed their clothes was their way of showing loyalty to the fact that they were still fighting alongside Valkas, who was in a coma.
The reason they were here on the first day of the new year, not in the Bise Kingdom, was that they couldn't repair the fallen Black King Mountain Hideout.
More precisely, they had been robbed of that right.
It was all because of Runcandel.
(In the year 1800, as a new century began, the star, 12th flagbearer of Runcandel, was the first to shine.)
(The world's greatest mercenaries, the Black King mercenaries! What is the reason they joined the 12th flagbearer?)
(It was revealed that Black King mercenaries' leader, Valkas Kran, swore loyalty to the 12th flagbearer in the utmost secrecy in the Free City of Tikan…)
(Runcandel is the master of the Black King mercenaries now, which no great faction could embrace.)
(In fact, the year 1799 was practically Jin Runcandel's year, and would this momentum continue this year?)
(The war between the 12th flagbearer and the Black King mercenaries was one of the greatest events of the previous century, with the winners being the 12th flagbearer and Runcandel.)
(The King of the Sky, the mighty Black Dragon! Murakan roared in the world once again.)
(The mightiest of dragons, the ruler of the sky. Even Zipfel was afraid of that name! Mu-ra-kan.)
"Hah...!"
"Ha!"
The members of the Black King mercenaries sighed and gasped as they read the newspapers spread out on the table.
One character at a time. It was beyond comprehension how they could be filled with such unjust and infuriating content.
They wanted to go to Runcandel and confront them. How foolishly you must view us to take such actions, and when did we ever say we would join the 12th flagbearer?
After the articles poured out.
Runcandel sent knights and people to ensure that the Black King mercenaries couldn't interfere with the recovering things from the Black King Mountain Hideout.
Externally, it was as if Runcandel was performing the duties of a monarch's clan on behalf of the "spiritless" Black King mercenaries.
In reality, it meant that the Black King mercenaries were under Runcandel's control, so they should follow its directives. It was also an act to clarify once again their affiliation to external factions and civilians.
It felt like they were about to burst out of frustration.
It was difficult to accept losing their territory in an instant, but the humiliation was even more unbearable...!
Crunch, crunch!
The sound of children breaking cookies and the Black King mercenaries clenching their teeth was in stark contrast.
It was as if a line had been drawn on a canvas, with entirely different pictures on each side. The side with Tikan's family and the side where the Black King mercenaries sat.
"How about relaxing your expressions a bit, folks?"
One person from Tikan's side came over to the table where the Black King mercenaries were seated, said, "My lord has provided such an excellent setting for us. So, why are you to keep sitting here with such grim faces? Have any of you ever eaten cookies like this while living as mercenaries? This is my first time."
It was the Ghost Leader, Lata Proch. He had come to greet Jin on the first day of the new year.
Lata's sister, Faye Proch, also joined him and added a word.
"Yeah, there are kids around, so don't look so fierce. I feel like tearing you apart, though."
Relations between the Ghost mercenary Corps and the Black King mercenary corps were not so good, especially considering that Lata had been evaluated as the worst among the Three Great Mercenaries. He had been waiting for an opportunity to turn the tide.
Now that he had become Jin's retainer, his desire for that had waned, but it was absurd to see the Black King mercenaries with this attitude.
"What did you say?"
"What did I say? That's informal. Friend. Except for Sir Valkas, no one among you outrank me. We're going to work together from now on, so the hierarchy should be clear, right?"
"Work together? Who's going to eat a meal with you!"
One of the officers shouted, and Lata's eyes filled with killing intent.
The officer flinched, and the captains' squint their eyes. Lata smirked as if he was holding back and said.
"I understand your feelings, but this is not the time for that, all of you. Can't you see how the situation is changing? What do you think Sir Valkas would decide when he wakes up? Do you really think he'll say he wants to become neutral again?"
Tension crackled between Lata and the Black King mercenaries. Just like Lata had said, Valkas had not yet regained consciousness.
Immediately after the Black King mercenaries incident, Jin, along with Valkas and the Black Knight, headed straight for the Holy Kingdom.
Jin believed that no one but Holy Queen Lani could cure them of Zephyrin's poison.
But even she couldn't completely heal them with her pure divine power this time.
She requested around five hundred different medicine ingredients for their treatment, some of which were so rare that they were classified as 1st-class materials, and even Runcandel obtained them only through high-priority missions.
As a result, Jin and some of his companions had busy days, even until today, on New Year's Day. They explored the corners of the world, scoured danger zones and unprotected areas to collect medicine ingredients.
Lata and his ghost corps, as well as Kuzan, had suffered the most among them.
However, Lata had no intention of revealing this hardship to the members of the Black King mercenaries who were clenching their anger.
He believed that he had endured all of this hardship not for the sake of the Black King mercenaries but for his lord.
".... Sir Lata, do you really think our leader will go under the 12th flagbearer's command?"
"Well, I don't want to admit it, but in all aspects, Sir Valkas is superior to me. In terms of strength, adaptability, judgment, experience, and more. Oh, there's one thing where I might be better—maybe I have a bigger temper. I think my guts are bigger too."
"He's a better person overall, isn't he, big brother?"
Faye said that with a mocking tone and a vomiting gesture. Although the siblings had a very close relationship, it seemed they didn't consider each other as beautiful. However, they would praise each other in front of others.
"Anyway, when it comes to Sir Valkas, can I really ignore what I've seen and what I've read? Now, becoming a part of my lord's forces is the best and only option. If the Black King mercenaries behave recklessly, they'll be shunned not only by Runcandel but also by Zipfel. That could lead to their destruction."
"That's an issue for the leader to decide when he wakes up. It's not up to you to worry about."
"Alright, but you bastards have been talking too rudely for a while now…."
"Hey, you mercenaries bastards. Are you the only ones here? Control yourselves. If you find the Hidden Palace Guard amusing, should I give you a lesson?"
Ryu and Hiten were stationed in Tikan under the command of Talaris. They were sitting on the Tikan family's side, and enjoying tea and cookies.
"Ha! What did you say? Speak up again...!"
Creak!
Just as Lata and the Black King mercenaries were about to burst in anger, the door opened, and a voice was heard.
"Hey, what's this? Why are there so many quarrelsome guys on the first day of the New Year? Huh? Are you guys fighting? You are, aren't you? Don't you see kids playing over there?"
It was Murakan. Upon hearing his voice, Lata and Faye immediately bowed their heads, and the Black King mercenaries cleared their throats and turned their gaze.
"Sorry."
"Cuicantelle, couldn't you have told them to stop fighting? They're causing a ruckus from the first day of the New Year."
"I was afraid that they would die if I beat them."
"Oh, I see. Well done. Latrie, bring some cookies. Quickly. They smell amazing."
"I was curious about how far they'd go."
Beside Murakan were Jin, Valkas, and the Black Knight, who was still wrapped in bandages and being carried on a stretcher, similar to Valkas. And also Lani, the Holy Queen, in a hood.
The Black Knight still hadn't regained consciousness.
Lani removed her hood, and a deep and sacred aura seemed to envelop the interior of the bakery.
In this strange solemnity, the mercenaries instinctively lowered their heads.
They know that she was healing their leader, so pay their respect to her.
"We greet the Holy Queen!"
"Today, I have come here as a friend of Tikan. It is uncomfortable, mercenaries, please raise your heads."
Lani shrugged when she said that and then looked at Jin and Valkas.
"Anyway, looking at the atmosphere here, you two seem to be in for some hard work. In any case, I'd like some cookies too. I need to eat and then return to continue the New Year's celebration."
She had found a moment during the New Year's celebration to secretly seek out Tikan. Then, she casually mingled with Tikan's family and exchanged pleasantries before the members of the Black King mercenaries raised their voices.
"Leader!"
"Are you okay?"
"I am fine, so don't make a fuss. And all of you, don't do anything rash, and mind your attitudes."
At Valkas' words, the members of the Black King mercenaries lined up and bowed their heads.
"Should I speak, or would you like you to address them, Sir Valkas?" Jin said, looking at the mercenaries.
Jin and Valkas had already discussed the future of the Black King mercenaries before coming to Tikan.
"Let me speak. This seems to be the last opportunity for me to speak as the independent leader of the Black King mercenaries."
The eyes of Black King mercenaries widened at his words, and Lata nodded as if he had expected this.
The Black King mercenaries had not expected Valkas to accept this imposed choice.
Valkas was aware, just as Lata had foreseen, that this was the only means by which the Black King mercenaries could survive.
"From today, the Black King mercenaries will be sworn in as subordinates of the 12th flagbearer. This doesn't simply mean he is our leader by following the order of money, as in the world of mercenaries, but rather our lord, and we pledge our trust and loyalty to him through a blood alliance."
While Lata had firmly taken control of a significant part of the Ghost mercenary corps, the Black King mercenaries had placed even stronger trust in Valkas. The members were initially baffled by his sudden decision, but they quickly regained their composure and nodded.
"Yes, Leader!"
"And starting now, all the equipment from Black King Mountain Hideout must be relocated to this place, Tikan Free City. The process will involve a complete overhaul of Tikan Free City itself, so everyone should prepare to bring the equipment here."
It was the moment when Tikan's most substantial defense system was decided.
章節 296: Chapter 455
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***
From that day on, an immediate major construction project began.
Jin and his companions had no time to properly exchange greetings or share New Year's jokes with the new members. They were busy from morning till night.
This was because the grand construction had literally begun.
"Lord Jin."
Kashmir stood next to Jin.
They were standing on a sailing ship encircling Tikan Free City, and watching the progress of the construction.
There were hardly any external workers; instead, Black King mercenaries were personally moving and installing equipment.
Even the sailing ships for combat had been brought by the Black King corps.
Their base was located on land, but they had a lot of equipment for naval battles, like mercenaries.
"Lord Jin, a day like this has come to Tikan thanks to you. Except for the major factions, there are hardly any regions in the world with the level of defense that Tikan has now."
Kashmir said that and his expression was so deeply moved that it seemed like tears could roll down his moist eyes at any moment.
Suddenly, Jin remembered the thoughts he had before meeting Kashmir for the first time.
'When I tried to establish a base in Tikan, I thought what Sir Kashmir needed the most was the foundation of national power that would be needed after the status of the city was elevated to a nation.'
Tikan had a small population, and accordingly, it had a shortage of human talent and resources.
It was a land that relied solely on the intelligence of the Seven-Colored Peacock, so even after becoming a nation, it could not escape from the status of a small country in Jin's past life.
'So, when I didn't know the danger of Colon's Divine Artifact Mirror, I thought about proposing a deal to share its effects.'
A defense system on the level of major factions was established without even needing to use the mirror.
Both Jin and Kashmir had produced results that were so remarkable that they hadn't even considered it when they first met.
Once the construction was complete, there was a very high possibility that Tikan's status would be elevated from a "Free City" to a "Nation."
This was why Kashmir was so elated.
"As soon as the construction is finished, I want to declare to the major factions and countries that we have also become a nation."
Kashmir changed the elation on his face into determination as he spoke.
"Yes, that seemed likely."
"And if you wish, you can ascend as the king of Tikan."
It was an unexpected proposal. It was also a proposal that Jin had no intention of accepting.
"Why on earth would I?"
"Because you have to achieve more."
It was clear that this was not just something Kashmir said for testing Jin, which made Jin even more bewildered.
"Don't some flagbearers of Runcandel also serve as kings of some nations?"
"That's merely symbolic. In reality, they don't perform the duties of a king but simply hold the crown in the name of protection of that nation. It's not a kind of protection that you might like."
"I know that. And my proposal is not because of that."
Jin shrugged and shook his head.
"No, Sir Kashmir. The king of the Free Nation should be you. Besides, I'm like a double-edged sword in Tikan."
"Lord Jin, a double-edged sword? That's quite an analogy! I don't think so. Why do you think like that?"
Because I have seen before my return that people here managed to turn Tikan into a free nation without anyone's help, Jin thought to himself but didn't say it out loud. He locked eyes with Kashmir.
"Sir Kashmir, you must understand as well. When we announce that Tikan has become a nation, the major factions, especially Runcandel and the imperial family among them, will pay close attention to this fact."
The four major factions: Runcandel, Zipfel, Vermont, and Kinzelo.
Zipfel and Kinzelo were less likely to directly pressurize Tikan among them even if it became a nation.
'While my father is alive, Zipfel seldom interferes with me, or with Runcandel, for that matter. They may apply indirect pressure, but they won't dare do anything drastic.'
Kinzelo's Zephyrin aimed at Jin this time, but she also fled after suffering some damage.
'She won't be able to attack me until she recovers. And her actions in the Black King Mountain Hideout were significantly different from Kinzelo's usual tactics. Attacking me in the first place was a reckless move, and I can't rule out that it was her decision.'
Since the Black King Mountain Hideout's incident, Jin and his companions had tentatively concluded that Zephyrin is the demon dragon of 'Kinzelo's leader.'
-If she is that strong, as Murakan said, she is definitely under the direct control of a Demon God-level being. There are only a few names that immediately come to mind, but I don't have any knowledge of the name 'Zephyrin'. Either she is an ancient dragon who had never been active during the time of me and Murakan, or a being that had been erased from history.
-If she erased history...
-It is not just the ancient Runcandel whom Zipfel had erased from history. The same goes for the archmage Chenmi, and there are quite many people who have been erased from the memories of us dragons who have lived in those days.
-Then, the history of the leader may also have been manipulated by Zipfel. I was already inclined to think so when I saw sister Linpa expressing that she had met the leader.
-It's not an entirely unlikely possibility. He could be a forgotten figure from the time of the ancient power struggle. Anyway, Zephyrin will take more time to recover. The demon dragons usually borrow power from a Demon god or equivalent being, and the leader of Kinzelo was already in a bad state even during the time of the Sword Emperor.
A conversation between Cuicantelle and Jin after the Black King Mountain Hideout's incident.
There were many doubts and unanswered questions, but one thing that Cuicantelle confidently claimed was that Zephyrin is the dragon of Kinzelo's Leader and her recovery will be slow.
It was for these reasons that Jin thought Zipfel and Kinzelo wouldn't directly intervene when Tikan became a nation.
On the other hand, the situation of Runcandel and the Imperial family was different.
"Runcandel may act differently based on what my mother decides, but she will most likely establish policies that maximize the clan's benefits through Tikan. At the very least, she may demand tribute payments, and at most, she could force mission assignments. She might even try to insist that Tikan serves as one of the bases for guardian knights."
Of course, they wouldn't just stand by and accept that, but it was a matter that could be a significant burden on Tikan on its own.
"I'm prepared for that issue. The pressure from major factions was unavoidable even if we take you out of the equation, Lord Jin. Besides, regarding the Imperial family, it seems like you're thinking about the recent proposal you rejected and exposed their living golem experiments."
Kashmir continued with a bitter smile.
"The truth is that Tikan has always been a thorn in the Empire's side. Ironically, having you here makes them act more cautiously, Lord Jin. So, I think that your contribution is the most significant in Tikan becoming a nation."
Kashmir was unaware that he had single-handedly elevated Tikan to a Free Nation before Jin's return. At that time, Tikan couldn't fully break free from the status of a small country, but Kashmir had been known as the Sage King and managed his small territory.
As far as Jin knew, no other faction threatened Tikan during that period, or at least none dared to challenge it. That's why Jin felt guilty.
Kashmir and Alisa had saved Euria by themselves, and gained immense national strength far beyond weak countries in the previous life.
And the more Jin intervenes with them, the greater the risks become.
'Can Tikan really have a better situation in the upcoming wars than my previous life?'
Since Jin had grown close to his companions from Tikan and forged deep bonds, he had often pondered this question.
He couldn't help but wonder if his regression had truly only brought positive changes or if it had, in fact, burdened them with a dangerous fate...
Of course, it was a question that could not be answered no matter how much he thought about it.
Soon, Kashmir nodded as if he knew what Jin was thinking. Of course, he was unaware of Jin's regression, but he clearly understood Jin's concerns.
Even excluding the element of Jin's regression, forming a deep connection with a person like "Jin Runcandel" had always entailed taking on many risks.
From the moment Jin saved Euria, he had been a benefactor to Kashmir and Alisa, and it was the same for others among their family.
From the moment he helped Cuicantelle to rescue Enya, from the moment he accepted Jet and his son, and Jin told Kuzan and Veris the truth about Taimyun and helped them, from the moment he helped Yulian to save the thunder dragon Caltor.
And the more recently joined Ghost mercenaries and the Black King mercenaries also owed their lives to Faye and the mercenaries to Jin.
In this way, Jin had offered a lot first to all the people of Tikan before becoming a part of the family. Their relationships were transcendent beyond merely weighing benefits and losses.
"We're always ready to sacrifice for each other, aren't we? Lord Jin. So, don't think too much. Especially the expression 'double-edged sword' is quite annoying."
Jin smiled and nodded.
"Still, I can't become a king."
"In that case, I'll just do it. In fact, it's not even an important issue about who wears the crown among us. I just considered giving it to you if you wanted."
"Oh... Then, is it okay if I become the king?"
It was Jet who intervened and said this.
Jet was busy carrying luggage, setting up equipment, and sweating profusely, like other mercenaries. He was skillfully navigating the tense atmosphere between the Black King mercenaries and the Ghost mercenaries. He made sure neither side felt uncomfortable.
That's why Jin and his companions believed that Jet played a vital role in resolving conflicts within the mercenary corps.
It was fascinating to realize that this capable individual had been a backstreet information broker in his previous life.
"Are you serious? If you want to do it, well... I won't object. But I can already see what the future holds."
"Haha, I am kidding, Sir Kashmir. Actually, I stopped by because I have some news to share. I overheard it while carrying luggage through the corridor... Oh, here she comes."
Jet saw a woman waving her hand in their direction.
It was Cuicantelle. The moment they saw her, Jin and Kashmir realized what news Jet was about to convey.
"Jin! He just regained consciousness. Come quickly."
The one Cuicantelle referred to as 'he' was the Black Knight they had rescued from the Black King Mountain Hideout.
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