章節 110: CHAPTER 269
As Jin left, the Elder Council disbanded as well. Jed followed him and nudged him in the side.
"Uncle Jed, I apologize for not being able to greet you earlier due to the circumstances..."
"That's not the first thing you need to tell me! I was wondering how the hell you completed that Mahmeet mission in your intermediate class days. And to think it had been through magic! When did you learn all that magic then? Oh, it must have been Lord Murakan, I suppose."
"I had no other choice if I wanted to survive. I apologize."
"Oh, it's not cheeky of you to say so."
If only Jed could open his young nephew's head and see how he was wired.
"Jin?"
"Yes, uncle?"
"I rushed ahead because your actions were quite refreshing, but Chief Elder Jorden is a tougher man to deal with than you think. He may seem like a petty old man full of ego, but he's actually a strong figure with a lot of cunning as well."
"Yes, I'm aware. I assumed so since he survived his rank war against my father."
"Well, I guess it should be said that your father let him be, actually. But why would a boy aware of his character bark like a rabid dog?"
"I simply stayed true to your teachings, uncle."
"What did you say?"
"Wasn't it you who told me to fight and strive every day when I was in the intermediate class? I've stayed true to those words my whole life, and my provocation against the Chief Elder was an extension of that effort."
Jed couldn't speak for some time.
He, too, seemed to have had gall the size of a house in his cadet days. But look at this crazy little brat! Not even the patriarch was like him in his youth.
Just like in the days of the intermediate class, Jin instantly captivated Jed.
"Everything in moderation. If you keep this up, you might die before even getting to use the final movements in a real battle. I'll teach you the movements soon, so wait for my call."
"Thank you, uncle. I won't forget what you've done for me today."
"But I'm willing to forget you completely if I see you straying from the path."
He said it in earnest.
He knew it. Anyone who shows me favor always seems to regard me as a villain as well.
A villain, or possibly the prodigal son who returned.
That's exactly what the people of the Runcandel Clan saw in Jin.
Cyron and Luna were the only two people who welcomed Jin wholeheartedly, but Cyron never showed it, and Luna still couldn't openly show her favor towards Jin.
Emma was also one of those who welcomed Jin. But her motive was to use Jin to ensure the safety of the Tona and her own. Jin didn't really sit well with her.
Discrimination and prejudice.
Jin had already mastered fighting against those things in his previous life. At least in this life, there was a reason people treated him like a villain. It was more or less acceptable.
After bidding farewell to Jed, Jin was about to head back to his room where Gilly and Murakan were waiting for him.
"Young Master Jin."
A middle-aged man with neatly combed back hair approached him and bowed his head.
Jin inspected his clothes for a moment and returned the greeting.
"Congratulations on your promotion, Petrow. I see you've been promoted to first-class butler."
"Thank you. I just wanted to inform you that the patriarch has called for a flagbearers' meeting. I must congratulate you as well, Young Master. It's your first flagbearers' meeting. Please head to the Patriarch's office."
Just returning to the clan, Jin endured Cyron's sword strike, went through the appointment ceremony, met with the elders, and now had to attend a meeting. By this point, Jin was starting to feel like his first day back was quite eventful.
"I see."
"I'm very glad you've returned safe and sound. I hope I can be of great use to you in the future, Young Master."
"Thank you for welcoming me."
It was the first time someone from the Garden of Swords warmly and sincerely greeted him since his return. But for some reason, Jin had a bad feeling about the way Petrow spoke. CH𝒆Ck for 𝒏ew st𝒐ries on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m
It wasn't because he thought Petrow meant something different than what he said, but rather a random bad feeling about what was about to happen.
As Jin arrived at the office, the gazes of his siblings, who had been waiting for him, fell upon him.
Jin looked at them and didn't notice anything in particular, aside from the sadness on Luna's face.
Has something happened to Luna? He had a feeling that Petrow was acting in a way that hinted at something bad.
Petrow was on Luna's side.
"Everyone is here. Please have a seat."
"Yes, Patriarch."
Jin sat in the last seat.
Without any explanations or preamble, Cyron began with these words.
"Starting today, I will be returning to the Dark Sea (Black Sea). There have been several occasions that made me return to the clan lately, but this time, I intend not to leave the Dark Sea until some significant progress is made."
The flagbearers nodded with heavy hearts.
No one dared to ask what kind of progress he sought in the Dark Sea.
"In addition, the first flagbearer and three black knights will accompany me on this mission to the Dark Sea."
That was why Luna looked so down. Jin intentionally avoided looking at her.
Luna's sudden call to the mission was quite a shock. But showing concern for Luna in front of Cyron would prove to be a critical mistake.
His father could always interpret those slight actions as "I can't do anything without my older sister Luna."
"To say that I've had many occasions to return from the Dark Sea means that the flagbearers have not met my expectations so far. I hope you all improve on this."
"We apologize, Patriarch."
"We apologize."
All the flagbearers bowed their heads. Rosa spoke next.
"With the sending of the first flagbearer on a long-term mission, you will all experience an increased workload, but with our new twelfth flagbearer, we hope that part of that burden will be covered. Flagbearers, therefore, stay alert, but there is no need for great concern."
With that statement, Rosa downplayed Luna and predicted Jin's future.
Rosa's words made the first and twelfth flagbearers sound equal and essentially meant that Luna's tasks would be passed on to Jin.
It seems she is determined to bleed me dry.
Jin was glad. It was better to be assigned impossible tasks and somehow deliver results than to be given no mission at all.
Sabotage and intentional misinterpretations would come later, of course, but he just had to carry out all the tasks assigned to him without ever failing.
Once that continued, Jin would eventually gain control of the situation.
Mother and Joshua would resort to all sorts of dirty tricks to ensure that day never arrived.
Rosa's methods were not much different from how Joshua, Miu, or Anne pressured Jin. But even if they resorted to a similar trick, Jin had to stay on guard if it was Rosa executing it. She was much wiser and stronger than Joshua.
For several decades now, she had commanded the Garden of Swords in Cyron's absence, who was always in the Dark Sea. She had the entire clan in her hands.
"As always, Rosa takes supreme command of the clan in my absence. Deciding ranks among each other is important as well, but always keep in mind that these are not good times."
It was quite surprising to hear Cyron tell them to be calm in the rank war due to the current state in his own words.
He basically strengthened Rosa's words and also reminded Jin that there were heaps of things he didn't know in the world of flagbearers.
"Third flagbearer?"
"Yes, Patriarch?"
"How many Zipple spies do we have in the Garden of Swords at the moment?"
"As confirmed so far, there are ninety-seven servants, twenty low-level guardian knights, twelve medium-level guardian knights, five high-level guardian knights, fifteen second-class or higher butlers and scribes, two second-level flagbearers, five execution knights, seven elders, and one black knight. We estimate there are at least another twenty who may have access to critical information."
Jin almost let out a gasp of astonishment after hearing Luntia's report.
A black knight as well? Seriously?
Second-level flagbearers and execution knights were already quite shocking, but it was truly astonishing to hear that a confirmed spy was a black knight.
"How many spies do we have in the Zipple Clan?"
"In the Zipple Clan's household, we have forty servants, ten low-level magicians, five medium-level magicians, one elder, one magician in the magic tower. That's all, sir."
For a moment, Jin wondered if this conversation was some kind of initiation ritual meant to scare the incoming flagbearer by exaggerating the current states of the information war.
But Cyron Runcandel wasn't someone who cared for such petty games.
"As you can see, they maintain a high level of security with different enchantments and artifacts. On the other hand, the Garden of Swords seems to be literally within their crystal balls' reach."
"It's all my fault, Patriarch."
"I can only lament the fact that our enemies still have the upper hand even after all this time since I reached the Divine Star. It's not your fault. However, we would need to get rid of that black knight spy immediately."
"I plan to assign the task to the twelfth flagbearer as her first mission."
The only ones who remained unfazed by his words were Jin himself and Joshua.
The rest of his siblings startled for a second.
Some thought it was too much, some were glad that Jin was given a difficult task, and some feared that he would use the power of Murakan, his guardian dragon, to successfully complete the mission.
Even accounting for the secrets of his Shadow Energy and magic, Jin had always returned triumphantly from every mission where they thought he would surely die.
That's why his siblings were anxious to see if he would truly be able to kill a black knight.
"I'll leave that to your discretion."
Rosa made a slight bow, and Cyron directed his gaze at Jin.
However, he didn't say anything in particular to his son.
Cyron's personal guidance and instruction, both given directly and indirectly, had come to an end.
But that also meant that Jin had truly earned Cyron's trust.
"The meeting has concluded. The first, second, third, and fourth flagbearers will stay behind. The rest may leave and await further instructions from Rosa."
The flagbearers left the office and dispersed to their respective residences.
Ran and Vuigo gave some instructions to their butlers, who were outside the office, and left the hallway. Miu and Anne didn't forget to flash a disturbing smile at Jin before disappearing.
The Tona twins seemed to want to strike up a conversation with Jin but stood still and left because they couldn't think of what to say.
Jin chuckled as he watched the Tona twins walk away. The last of his siblings gave him a strong tap on the shoulder.
"Hey! Look at you, brat. You've come back after remarkable growth! I'm so glad."
"Hello, sister Mary."
"I was super anxious as soon as I saw you. I thought all my hair would fall out from stress. Let's go. It's time for me to receive my reward for that phoenix heart."
"I thought I needed something too to clear my head from all these thoughts. Shall we grab a drink and share some long-overdue stories?"
Mary immediately frowned. "What? What the hell are you talking about? Do you think I've been waiting all these years just to drink with you? Come and follow me. Let's spar."
Jin looked at her and gave her a smile.
章節 111: CHAPTER 270
Glug, glug, glug...
The famous Mila liquor filled the glass, but Mary looked dazed, as if her soul had been sucked out. She appeared desolate.
In fact, the mental shock she was going through was as terrible as heartbreak.
"No. This can't be true. Do you have any idea how long I've waited? How could he reject me like this and leave? Does this make any sense? How am I supposed to accept this?"
"Don't bother." Dyfus, who was sitting across from her, simply shrugged.
Mary immediately glared at him. "Look, dear brother Dyfus. It seems like you think this is all very easy because it's not your problem, but you see, the amount of shock I'm going through right now is indescribable, okay?"
The two had been drinking in Mary's room since the flagbearers' meeting ended.
"Is it something to be so shocked about? The really shocking thing is that Father declared his return to the Dark Sea as soon as he arrived. Imagine how the martial arts clans of Hufester will complain again. They have been longing for his return. The flagbearers will be busy for some time as we'll have to console them."
As Dyfus said, the clans under Runcandel's control, especially the smaller ones, had been eagerly awaiting Cyron's return.
It was because of the Zipple clan.
Since the incident in the Holy Kingdom, the cold war between Runcandel and Zipple had intensified and was reaching a turning point.
Things were going better here in Kalon, where the Garden of Swords was located, or in other places with considerable forces, but the smaller factions and clans were suffocating under the pressures exerted on them by the cold war.
"They call it a cold war, but it's not really. These kinds of things don't get reported in the press, but there are clashes with the Lutero Magical Federation every day in various places. The smaller clans thought Father's return would give them a respite."
But finding out that Cyron was returning as soon as he arrived was extremely disappointing news for them. Therefore, the Runcandel clan's flagbearers would have to visit all of Hufester, starting tomorrow.
The role of the flagbearers was to alleviate the concerns of the smaller factions in place of Cyron and take necessary measures for their problems to satisfy their physical and mental needs.
"Argh! That ungrateful brat! How could you do this to me?" Mary cried out in sadness and clenched her fist. The glass, which had been carefully crafted by the master craftsmen of Cuirano, shattered and ended up on the floor. "Are you even listening to what I'm saying?"
Dyfus brought his hand to his forehead as he handed Mary a handkerchief.
"Listen to me, Dyfus. The clans under our control and the Lutero Magical Federation are always fighting. It's nothing new. It's the norm. How is it that the norm is more important than what I'm feeling right now?"
"Yes, let's forget about it."
Mary grabbed the bottle of liquor from Dyfus's hand and started gulping it down. It had been a while since she felt so agitated.
"By the way, Mary. About our younger brother."
"Yes?"
"He arrived riding on Murakan, the dark dragon guardian of the clan. So that must mean he's also Solderet's contractor. I'm sure he was involved in the West Sea battle between the Secret Palace and the Zipple."
"Whoa, you're right! The West Sea battle was a three-way battle between the ruler of the Secret Palace, the Zipple, and the dark dragon, right?"
"As I see it, the ruler of the Secret Palace was protecting Jin in the West Sea battle, which means he must have stayed in the Secret Palace since then."
"But the Zipple won that battle. How could Jin stay in the Secret Palace?"
"There must have been a negotiation. This is my theory. The winner of the West Sea battle was actually the Secret Palace, not the Zipple. And by declaring the battle as their defeat, the ruler of the Secret Palace negotiated with the Zipple to ensure Jin's safety for a year."
Mary nodded with great intrigue.
"Oh. That's a very convincing theory."
After Jin exposed their atrocities in the incident in the Holy Kingdom, the dignity of the Zipple was plummeting day by day.
It was no wonder, considering they were not waging all-out wars after being completely humiliated by Jin, a provisional flagbearer, and they still couldn't capture him even after putting a hundred million coins on his head.
"Not only Andrei, Miuron, and Karl died, the incident in the Holy Kingdom also happened. And now, they even lost to the Secret Palace? They can't afford that. The Zipple would have wanted to prevent their volatile dignity and reputation from further plummeting, even if it meant giving up on Jin."
"I was curious about how Jin managed to stay alive, away from the Zipple and our efforts to find him. But if the ruler of the Secret Palace was protecting him, that would make sense. But does she have a reason to protect Jin?"
"Don't you remember? The daughter of the Secret Palace kissed Jin at the banquet, remember?"
"Yes, I remember. But what about it?"
"The Secret Palace is very different from how things are in our clan. The ruler of the Secret Palace values her daughter more than her own life. I investigated it after the banquet and found out that the daughter of the Secret Palace had no romantic interests before. She's different from her mother. Jin was her first."
"So she helped Jin because her daughter would be saddened if Jin died, is that it?"
"That's right."
"If what you're saying is true, then the ruler of the Secret Palace must think of Jin as a potential son-in-law."
"Yes. And Father must also be behind some of this."
"What?"
"Don't you think Father accepted Jin as a flagbearer too easily?"
"Too easily? You also saw Jin withstand Father's sword strike with your own eyes, right?"
"Mary! Father must have known the moment he laid eyes on the boy that he had the ability to take the sword with all his mastery behind it. He was fully aware of it, but still did it in front of everyone watching, so that everyone would come to accept Jin, just like you do now."
Mary's eyes widened. Dyfus continued with great confidence in his theory.
"Therefore, Father must also be optimistic about Jin and the daughter of the Secret Palace's marriage, just like the ruler of the Secret Palace. There's no reason to reject building marriage alliances between the Runcandel and the Secret Palace in the current state."
"Marriage, huh? That's right. The Runcandel clan won't lose anything by forgiving Jin and marrying him off to the Secret Palace. If the Zipple demand accountability in the future, we could deflect it to the Secret Palace, and Jin's deviation from the legitimacy of the clan won't be much of a problem if he also belongs to the Secret Palace."
"And even if we enter into a large-scale war against the Zipple clan, the Secret Palace will also stand by the Runcandel."
"Yes, that's right."
"Hmm, no wonder he didn't accept a battle against me. His life was spared for a year after the ruler of the Secret Palace faked the defeat. It wouldn't be good for him to show people that he doesn't value his life by fighting me on the day of his return. By the way, Dyfus?"
"What?"
"It's about mother. She said she will assign the capture of the Black Knight spy as Jin's first mission as a flagbearer, remember? According to your theory, father wants to hand Jin over to the Secret Palace, but mother sounded like she would push Jin to the limit from the beginning."
"I'm not sure about mother's intentions either. Maybe she just wants to get rid of him because he might harm Joshua in some way, as she also can't directly go against father's decision."
Dyfus continued after shrugging his shoulders.
"Or maybe my theory is completely wrong. Either way, we'll have to pay close attention to the state of things for a while."
"Talking about all these complicated things just made me more frustrated. Damn, this wasn't what I was supposed to worry about."
"Wasn't it?"
"Why should I worry about what our parents think? I was supposed to worry about how to arrange a fight against him as soon as possible. You changed the subject, Dyfus."
"Are you talking about that again? Come on!" Even Dyfus had to raise his voice at this point.
"Big brother, everything you just said made you sound quite smart. Why don't you offer some suggestions instead?"
Dyfus was about to raise his voice again but sighed instead.
Yes, again, that's Mary.
A straightforward girl who loved to fight and never accepted defeat.
Mary firmly believed that fighting against the powerful was the most valuable thing one could do in life.
Unlike the other siblings, she had no ulterior motives, was not blinded by jealousy, and was not engulfed in inferiority or ego.
That's why Dyfus liked Mary above all his siblings. In fact, she was the only person he liked among them all.
"Ugh, fine. You're impossible. Completely impossible. Although it doesn't sound entirely impossible. I'm talking about a way you could lure Jin into a fight."
"Oh! What is it? What is it?"
Mary grabbed Dyfus by the collar with shining eyes. Not many people could look so friendly while holding someone by the collar.
"First, let me go, and then go cut some fruits since we don't have anything to accompany the drinks." Ch𝒆êck out l𝒂t𝒆st 𝒏𝒐v𝒆l𝒔 on nov𝒆l/bin(.)c𝒐m
"Okay, I'll cut them! But if your suggestion is stupid, I'll cut your neck along with them."
******
Cyron left the Garden of Swords at midnight.
There was a majestic formation to welcome his arrival, but by his order, no one was allowed to see him off. Instead, the knights gave him a silent sword salute as he left the Garden of Swords.
Jin stood by the window and waved to Cyron until he could no longer see his father.
"Jin?"
It was Luna. She was going to visit Hughester tomorrow to encourage the clans under her control for a month before heading to the Dark Sea.
"Yes, Luna?"
"There were so many things I wanted to do with you once you came back. I had no idea things would turn out like this. I can't imagine what kind of things you'll have to face while I'm not here. I can't even give you a pendant anymore."
"That's a strange thing to worry about. Do I still seem so weak to you, Luna?"
"No. But mother showed blatant hostilities toward you, and the elders don't seem like they'll teach you the latest moves either. And now, even I have to leave your side. I feel horrible inside."
"I hope you don't take it the wrong way, but everything that has happened after I became a flagbearer isn't as bad as I thought."
"Really?"
"In fact, it wouldn't have seemed strange to me even if I were captured and dragged to the underground cells as soon as I returned. But father gave me a chance before he left, and mother, well, she still seems to underestimate me."
"Underestimate you?"
"She's trying to fight me fairly. If I were her, I would have demanded my death as soon as I returned, even if it meant going against father's decision. She also had justification for it."
"Challenging the patriarch's authority in front of the clan's eyes is somewhat a more severe blow against the clan than treason."
"Do you think challenging father's authority once, compared to what I will start contributing to the clan, is more threatening to the Runcandels led by Joshua?"
Not to the current Runcandels, but to the Runcandels led by Joshua.
Luna didn't take long to decide. "The latter is more threatening."
"That's the point. Mother made a mistake from the beginning. She missed the best opportunity she will ever have, just like Joshua did."
At that moment, Luna felt chills around her neck.
Jin had never been a boy she had to worry about. In fact, she had to be careful not to cause him any worry.
"Even your journey to the Dark Sea is good news for me. The mission that father and the previous generation of Black Knights had been carrying out in the area, and the reason why our father has been so focused on the Dark Sea. Please investigate it thoroughly on this mission."
Not even Luna, the first flagbearer, understood why Cyron was so obsessed with the Dark Sea.
"The claim that it's for your training is probably only half of the truth," Jin said.
"I understand. It's the first time father has taken someone from our generation to the Dark Sea, so I'll try to bring you news that pleases you. In return, you'll have to drink with me all night and tell me the things you've experienced outside the clan."
"Luna?"
"Go on, my brother."
"The fact that we only have one day to freely talk to each other is probably more annoying for me than for you."
"Is this the same boy who struck me so strongly with the sword at the flagbearer appointment ceremony?"
"That was just a childish display of talent, in a way. Just to say that you'll have to be prepared as well if you want to challenge me from now on, or something like that."
"Haha, I suppose that makes sense. But I wonder when you'll be admired by everyone with nothing more than the sword, like your dear sister."
"It won't take long."
The siblings shared drinks throughout the night.
每周推薦票狀態
200+ 推薦票
榜單 
51 推薦票 
段落評論