章節 595: CHAPTER 752
[T.L: punisher87]
[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]
'Knight King' Vallas Runcandel.
As soon as he saw Jin, he burst into laughter.
[Hahaha! I thought it would take another thousand years for someone worthy to emerge in our clan after my grandson. You're surprising this old man once again, just like that fellow, Chiron!]
At the mention of "that fellow," Jin unconsciously raised his eyebrows.
No one in this world dared to call Chiron by that name.
But come to think of it, there was no reason why a grandfather couldn't refer to his cherished grandson that way.
'Well, I suppose my father in my great grandfather's memories is still a young boy.'
Vallas met his fate when Chiron was fifteen years old.
And though Jin didn't know much, Vallas and Chiron had a relationship similar to Ron and Dante.
Among the elders of the clan, there were quite a few who saw the time when Chiron began to become truly cold-hearted as the time after Vallas' passing.
The other members of the clan, however, had already adapted to Vallas' bold actions and didn't show any remarkable surprise.
Only Alpen, although in a different manner, whispered to Vallas, as it seemed uncomfortable to casually address the current patriarch in such a public gathering.
'The 57th patriarch, wouldn't it be more respectful to the current patriarch in a situation like this?'
However, Alpen's efforts were in vain as Vallas burst into laughter once again.
[Hahaha! Ancestor, worry not! Since Chiron has grown older, there is no way that bastard is going to embarrass this old man.]
'And to think he even used the word 'bastard' this time, the 57th patriarch!'
[Hahaha, let's put trivial matters aside and welcome my great-grandson.]
Alpen rubbed his forehead, and Tasha smiled as she found her father's appearance amusing.
She recognized the contradictory aspects of her father's wisdom regarding "etiquette and law."
As an ancestor it was problematic to scold Vallas, who is too old, for his reckless words and actions, unlike Alpen and Tasha, who died in young age.
Because of this, Alpen struggled to treat Vallas with the respect he deserved as an ancestor.
'In any case, Father has some adorable aspects.'
For Tasha, the fact that she was standing here with her father, whom she thought she would never see again, was simply delightful.
"Nice to meet you, Great-grandfather. I am Jin Runcandel, the 12th Flagbearer."
[Oh, yes!]
Jin waited for Vallas to say something more, but silence filled the air for a while.
Vallas's gaze, as he smirked and examined Jin thoroughly, felt somewhat uncomfortable.
'57th patriarch, all the members of the clan are waiting. Wouldn't it be better to conclude the appointment ceremony and have everyone return to their duties? We are busy at the moment.'
[Ah, right. I momentarily forgot how enjoyable it is to see my great-grandson. You are looking well, with a robust body, a bright gaze, and a lot of energy. Isn't that how it appears to you as well, ancestor?]
'Yes, it does.'
[But, ancestor, why have you been whispering since earlier? Is your throat sore? Shall I prepare some medicine for you?]
Tasha's face turned almost bursting red as she struggled to hold back her laughter, and Alpen coughed repeatedly out of embarrassment.
[...Ahem! I'm fine.]
[It sounds much better when you speak clearly and distinctly. Now, great-grandson, come closer. We gathered hastily like cadets when you woke up. Do you know how quickly this old man ran? My empty sleeve was fluttering in the wind, kicking up dust. We need to expedite the appointment ceremony!]
Vallas playfully pointed his outstretched arm while speaking.
In that moment, Jin, like Tasha, stifled his laughter and approached him even closer.
[Do you know the significance of the coat you're wearing?]
"Yes."
[Originally, in addition to the coat, you should also inherit the black sword, Kainer. I heard that some wretched creature has it. By the way, we are currently tracing that wretched creature and Kainer.]
"Did Joshua survive?"
[In truth, we can't tell if he perished or survived. The chances are higher for the former. There were people who witnessed him being tossed around by shockwaves on the battlefield. As for Ran and Vigo, their deaths have been confirmed.]
Jin felt a slight uneasiness regarding Joshua and a somewhat bitter feeling concerning Ran and Vigo.
However, compared to the remaining individuals, both matters were not of great importance.
[Regardless, we have decided that you will lead the clan until Chiron returns. The three of us should have enough authority, legitimacy, and justification.]
The 20th patriarch, known as the Knight of Light who led the Holy Kingdom Protection War to victory over five hundred years ago, the 21st patriarch who purged the remnants of demons as his daughter, and the 57th patriarch who laid the foundation of modern-day Runcandel.
There was no doubt that the three individuals possessed sufficient authenticity to appoint Jin as the young patriarch.
"Instead of me becoming the young patriarch, would it be possible for the three of you to act as acting patriarch...?"
[Ah, what nonsense you're talking about. What can a ghost like us do as an acting patriarch?]
Upon hearing the term "ghost," Jin swallowed a bitter sigh.
Of course, as comrades who had fought together in battles and as ancestors who were needed now more than ever, Jin wished for them to continue existing.
The resurrection of the three individuals was achieved through the fusion of the souls of the mausoleum and the power of chaos.
In that case, when the power of chaos vanished upon the death of the evil gpd, they should have disappeared as well.
'If the manifestation of three of them is not over because the power of the evil god hasn't completely vanished, then the war is not yet over…'
Just as Jin had that thought, Alpen shook his head, recognizing his inner thoughts.
[12th flagbearer, the Hister's mage has confirmed multiple times that the power of the evil god has completely vanished from this world. So, for now, you can relax and kneel before the 57th patriarch.]
Jin knelt down on one knee and lowered his head.
Balas, with a serious expression on his face, looked down at Jin with deep eyes.
[Alpen Runcandel, the 20th patriarch of Runcandel, Tasha Runcandel, the 21st patriarch, and I, Vallas Runcandel, the 57th patriarch, following the long-standing tradition and principles of our clan, wish to bestow a certain qualification upon the most shining individual among the flagbearers.]
The knights simultaneously raised their swords.
[Jin Runcandel, 12th flagbearer of the 59th patriarch of Runcandel. Since the clan's greatest crisis a thousand years ago, you have protected the Garden of the Swords and upheld the name of Runcandel. Therefore, we, on behalf of the current patriarch, officially appoint the 12th flagbearer as the clan's legitimate successor and the young patriarch.]
Swoosh!
Vallas drew his sword and tapped Jin's shoulder.
Jin felt a pain in his shoulder that seemed like it would shatter him. Due to his body not being fully recovered, the pressure became even more agonizing.
As the energy in the sword pressing against his shoulder grew stronger, the garden floor beneath Jin, who was kneeling, began to sink.
[12th disciple, rise with the weight of the sword.]
Jin started to lift his body and his trembling legs seemed weak.
After about ten seconds, when Jin finally stood up completely, Vallas nodded with satisfaction.
'Haha, this guy is pretending to struggle and even upholding the honor of his ancestor. He could have stood up effortlessly.'
Vallas put away the sword.
[From now on, you are the head of the clan. Whenever there is a need to decide on important matters in the absence of the patriarch, anyone should come to you first. When good things come to the clan, you should be the first to enjoy them, and when the clan faces a crisis, you should bear all the responsibility.]
"I will keep that in mind."
[From now on, you are Runcandel, and Runcandel is you. Your words are the law of Runcandel, and your actions are the will of Runcandel. Turn around and look at your people.]
When Jin turned around, all the members of the clan knelt on one knee with their right hand on their chest. Even the siblings holding the flag bowed their heads in respect.
Appointing a young patriarch of the clan without any dissent from the entire clan, was undoubtedly an unprecedented event.
Jin felt a strange emotion welling up in his chest.
From his previous life, he had longed for the throne of the clan, and now he really had only one step left.
His heart was overwhelmed, yet the future seemed daunting. There had been too many farewells and sorrows to reach this position, and the clan had been on the brink of destruction.
"...More than my father."
Jin gazed down at his people calmly.
"I will show a much better appearance than the dishonorable former acting patriarch. Even in the absence of the patriarch, I will ensure that you cannot feel that void."
His confident words unexpectedly startled clan members.
They did not know about Rosa in her human life, it was hard to imagine the flagbearer publicly declaring that he would surpass Chiron.
But everyone was reminiscing about the daring and unconventional youth of the 12th flagbearer from a year ago.
Looking back, Jin had always been like this.
He never hesitated to step forward in situations where no one dared to, and even when everyone laughed at his words, he always made them a reality.
The boy who shone in those days had now become a giant with an even deeper radiance.
[Heh! You have such a refreshing personality! With this, let's conclude the appointment ceremony. Well then, young patriarch?]
Vallas gestured to give orders to clan members.
"Everyone, quickly disband and return to your posts. The flagbearers, bring the reports that I need to personally check in the patriarch's office in 20 minutes. And the scribes and record-keepers, thoroughly organize the clan's assets and inventory and report them to me. From now on, let's rebuild the clan."
"We will obey the command!"
As soon as the order was given, thousands of knights dispersed without any hesitation.
In the Garden of the Swords, the head's command was absolute.
In an instant, only Jin and the former patriarch of the clan remained in the garden.
After expressing his gratitude to them, Jin posed a question.
"Ancestors, and great-grandfather, may I ask why the three of you can still exist?"
In response, Alpen faintly smiled and replied.
[12th flagbearer, though we may appear to exist perfectly fine, in reality, we are gradually fading away.]
[T/L: You can read more chapters and support me here: https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 & https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]
[T/L: Join $29 membership on my "buymeacoffee" page and read 55 chapters ahead and daily 1 new chapter update. I have introduced new memberships, and you can read upto 75 or 85 chapters ahead.]
章節 596: CHAPTER 753
[T.L: punisher87]
[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]
"Are you saying that you are disappearing...?"
[That's right. The binding force of the chaos that makes us up is continuously weakening. It's probably because the evil god has disappeared.]
[Shortest would be six months, longest would be a year. Our existence will probably be limited to that extent.]
Alpen and Tasha spoke.
Jin felt a pang in his chest upon hearing their words, and Vallas chuckled as if it didn't matter.
[Hahaha! great-grandson, you're as sensitive as when your father was a kid. Don't be resigned about us disappearing. After all, people eventually die, don't they? Rather, the three of us have already been dead for a long time, yet we gained new time, so it's more like a blessing. Just think of us as elderly people past their time.]
[57th patriarch. Well, I may not be old...]
[Elderly people pass their time, hm. It doesn't seem like an expression that would be comforting to the young patriarch.]
"I will investigate if there is a way to extend the remaining time for the three of you."
[Yeah, sure. But don't try too hard. People have to go. Anyway, while we exist, we will fully support you with all our power.]
"Thank you, Great-Grandfather."
The existence of the previous patriarchs was truly a double-edged sword.
Now, in the current diminished state of Runcandel, the three of them were adding significant strength, but it could also become a vulnerability for other forces to attack.
It was clear that Jin and the temporary alliance had saved the world from chaos.
Because the place where evil god was born was also "Runcandel."
There were not a few people who felt anxiety about that fact.
Amidst such concerns, the previous patriarch, who had been resurrected due to chaos, remained.
So, it was an ideal condition for someone to instigate Runcandel with evil intentions.
[What worries me, however, is the possibility of external forces targeting the three of us. Perhaps the cunning and treacherous Zipfel would do such a thing.]
The previous patriarchs were also aware of that fact.
"While I was unconscious, there were no signs of that happening, right?"
[Not yet.]
"Then it should be fine for the time being. Zipfel or Kinzelo probably won't act recklessly because they fear me."
The Battle god fusion and Murakan's battle prowess demonstrated in the battle against the evil god.
Of course, Jin himself could now be called the World Best Sword with his own power, but after the dissolution of the alliance, the two things that other forces were most wary of were exactly those.
With his personal power alone, Jin couldn't overwhelm the powerful forces on his own.
Although there were damages caused by the battle, the enemies had become even stronger than before when Chiron was present.
"Perhaps other forces, especially Zipfel, would have wanted to attack us immediately after the battle ended. If they didn't see the Battle God fusion and Murakan, they surely would have done so."
[Which means, can you freely use those two powers? That's what they couldn't confirm, so they remained still.]
"That's correct. Naturally, I can't use those two powers whenever I want. Both have significant limitations. The enemies probably anticipate that, but they won't move until they are certain."
[If Zipfel were to attack us right now, what do you think would happen?]
"What is the current situation of Zipfel's casualties?"
[There were no deaths among the superhuman-class personnel, but more than 70% of their fleet has been destroyed, as reported.]
[T/L:- I think from now on the ranking will be in "class" type. The superhuman-class is for people like Jin, Hedo, Veradin, Octavia, Dante, etc.]
"Then there shouldn't be significant damage. With time, it can be recovered to a certain extent, and perhaps the fleet has already been fully replenished."
During the battle against the evil god, Zipfel had managed to recover several hundred fleets within two months.
It meant that there were at least a few more battleship construction sites similar to the Sota Desert.
[What do you think would happen if Zipfel were to attack us right now?]
"We wouldn't have much of a chance of winning. Even if we manage to hold on, our clan will inevitably suffer devastating losses. What about the damages on Kinzelo's side?"
[It's at a similar level as Zipfel. No one among the major demons has died, but several fleets and completed Plutonian-type golems have been lost.]
Jin expected that Kinzelo had already started the process of recovering from the damages as well.
With the enhanced abilities of Orgal and Bubare, rebuilding the fleet was not a difficult task.
[If Zipfel and Kinzelo were to join forces and attack us at this moment, we would face defeat.]
"That's correct."
Currently, Jin was unable to use Battle god fusion again.
It was because he lacked the materials to recreate the Wavelength Tracing Synchronization Device.
Murakan could be summoned if he wanted, but even that was a risky gamble.
If Murakan reappeared, Misha would inevitably fill his void for a while, which meant that Elona's seal could be lifted.
[Do you think there's a need to bluff that you can still wield the powers you used in the battle against the evil god?]
As Tasha spoke, Jin smirked and shook her head.
"In my opinion, it would be better to openly reveal the fact that I can't use them anymore."
[Why is that?]
"Because it will create confusion. If I try to hide it too much, they will suspect me. In truth, if I reveal it, they might think that it would be a calculated scheme to get the justification for the war after making the rest of the forces break the non-aggression pact once the other forces realize I can summon both Battle god fusion and Murakan... That's what I mean."
[But what if the enemies really take the bait?]
"Even if that happens, Zipfel and Kinzelo cannot recklessly engage. If either side starts moving first, we'll extend our hand as well. Moreover, we hold one card each that both forces desire most."
Bale and Valeria.
"To my knowledge, Zipfel and Kinzelo do not possess cards of equivalent value to those two individuals. If they want to ally with us and bring an end to one side, it means they would rather join forces with us. Either side."
[Hahaha, especially unlike Zipfel, Kinzelo doesn't bear a thousand-year-old grudge against us. I've also heard that they have consistently shown favor towards you.]
Of course, Jin had no intention to use those two individuals as bargaining chips.
Just by slightly revealing and shaking these cards, Jin could threaten his enemies.
In the first place, Jin had already concluded that there was no possibility of an alliance between enemies.
He judged that the only time they would truly form an alliance would be when Runcandel became the overwhelmingly dominant force.
"However, there will be political maneuvering to make us an axis of evil by using the origin of evil god and the three of you. This is something that I can't avoid, even if I have secured public sentiment since my time as a reserve flagbearer."
[I don't know about the 20th and 21st patriarch's time, but we are a clan that naturally doesn't care about such worldly concerns. A dominance that doesn't care about the world, that's Runcandel.]
"I do care, Great-Grandfather."
[If that's the case, then you're right! You're the young patriarch of our clan!]
"We will conduct our own maneuvering. We plan to officially announce the presence of Record Mage Valeria Hister and make all the records related to this war available to the public. It is true that the evil god born in Runcandel caused damage to the world, but I will reveal that the intentions of me and my companions who resolved this war were not motivated by greed to become the conquerors of the world."
[Furthermore, we should proceed with compensating for the damages.]
[That's true, we've been receiving official letters incessantly, 57th patriarch.]
"It will require a substantial amount of funds. That problem will be solved with the money we have accumulated so far and the assistance from the Empire."
This part had already been discussed with Dante before the decisive battle.
Dante was in possession of the enormous slush funds left behind by the imperial family.
However, no matter how much money was spent, it could never compensate for the emotional pain of those who had lost their families.
The lives of the deceased were no different.
Upon realizing this fact, Jin closed his eyes tightly for a moment.
Jin felt a tremendous sense of responsibility towards them.
What the clan had caused was now soon becoming Jin's own doing.
Even if it was an event caused by someone else just before Jin became the young patriarch, the responsibility was entirely Jin's.
Along with material compensation, Jin also planned to provide a foundation for their lives.
He wanted to offer the land that was left empty by the population loss in Huphester to the war refugees.
Of course, it wouldn't be easy. Setting aside the issue of resources, Huphester had a history of chaos and destruction, so there wouldn't be many people willing to come here.
However, when Jin spoke about these thoughts to the previous patriarchs, the response he heard was something Jin had never expected.
[The requests for immigration and resettlement are already pouring in endlessly. You mentioned caring about public sentiment, right? I can instantly see what kind of life my great-grandson has lived. Despite the world being in such a state due to the evil god born in the clan, many refugees still come seeking only you.]
"...Is that really true, Great-grandfather?"
[Yes, it is. We said that we have never cared about the world's opinions, but in reality, this great-grandfather has observed and felt a lot from it.]
The pursuit of power alone was what the evil god' s Runcandel had shown, but Jin's Runcandel would be very different.
[Since you were unconscious, so everyone withheld permission.You can tell the flagbearers to accept it immediately.]
Jin remained silent for a moment, contemplating the situation.
Clearly, Runcandel had taken more from ordinary people through this incident than what they had given. Yet, people were still coming, seeking reliance on "Jin Runcandel."
Amidst this turbulent era, where instability resumed immediately after the Evil God War, Jin had become the guiding light for countless individuals.
Jin was different from others.
Different from the leaders of other major factions, different from other powerful individuals. Therefore, it was evident that he could lead this world towards a better state.
Just as there were those who felt aversion towards Runcandel, there were also many who saw Jin in that light.
"Yes. I will meet with the flagbearers and make an announcement worldwide."
[What's next?]
Jin responded with a sly smile.
"After observing the enemy's movements, I will rescue the remaining flagbearer and find the former head butler of the clan and bring them back."
[T/L: You can read more chapters and support me here: https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 & https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]
[T/L: Join $29 membership on my "buymeacoffee" page and read 55 chapters ahead and daily 1 new chapter update. I have introduced new memberships, and you can read upto 75 or 85 chapters ahead.]
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