章節 594: CHAPTER 751
[T.L: punisher87]
[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]
On the first day of July in 1803, after the decisive battle between the Temporary Alliance and the Evil god, ten days had passed in the blink of an eye.
The world was gradually returning to its former state.
The sky and land were free of chaos, with a clear blue sky, shimmering beaches, fishing boats floating on the sea, bustling market streets, and everyday life free from the fear of the Evil god...
Fortunately.
Not only the Lutero Magic Federation and the Vermont Empire but also the entire continent, which had been engulfed in chaos, were starting to regain their previous appearance.
Not all the humans in the Huphester alliance had been sacrificed to the Evil god.
When the chaos that had covered the entire continent subsided, it turned out that there were far more survivors in Huphester than the Temporary Alliance had expected.
"It's the first time I've realized that checking reports and numbers can be so enjoyable and fortunate. Are the numbers and writings on this paper truly reflecting the situation of each surviving region?"
Mary asked.
Due to not having had a peaceful sleep even once since the end of the war, her face was pale and fatigued, but her eyes were sparkling.
"Oh, you are not the only one who is surprised, elder sister! We keep sending messengers to personally confirm the numbers and reports. They're all true."
"That's why you should go in and rest, get some sleep. We'll take care of the flagbearer duties. Don't keep asking the same question over and over again."
The Tona brothers replied.
Like Mary, both of them had sleepy faces with gleaming eyes.
"You think I'm going to beat you just because I double-checked a couple of times? Are you crazy?"
"Hah! Are you going to hit us? Try it!"
"Well, uh!"
Thud!
Mary left fist marks on the foreheads of the two brothers.
"Hah! We, as flagbearers, have our dignity."
"We've grown old enough. Uh, my forehead."
"No one is watching. I'm being lenient because it feels good. What about the youngest? Still not awake?"
"Why do you keep asking the same question... Ah, lower your fists."
"Elder sister, you heard it directly from the Holy King about an hour ago. She said the youngest is recovering steadily."
"I'm concerned because he hasn't regained consciousness. I can't help worrying."
"But that's... What did she say? It's not a medical condition of being unconscious; he's just in a long sleep. She emphasized that he will definitely wake up, so you don't need to worry."
"I understand your intention to reduce the workload for the youngest when he wakes up, but if you keep going like this, your body will suffer more, elder sister."
"Fetch the teapot, will you?"
"Ah..."
The siblings were unaware.
Since the start of their conversation, Jin had been awake in a different building.
While seeing off Lani who had just left, there was no one in the room where Jin was lying down.
Jin stared blankly at the ceiling for a while.
'This place…'
Familiar yet unfamiliar ceiling, it wasn't Tikan.
'...The Garden of Swords?'
The room Jin had used when he was still a cadet.
It was right there.
Even though Jin could move his body, he continued to stare at the ceiling as if he were bound.
He was afraid it might be a dream.
Since Jin's return to the human world, the Garden of Swords had been destroyed several times.
During the first all out attack, Jin had witnessed the destruction of the Garden of Swords with his own eyes. And the enormous castle of the Evil god had been built on the very site where the Garden of Swords used to be.
Therefore, Jin thought it was impossible for the Garden of Swords to remain intact like this.
Jin calmed his trembling heart and tried to recall his last memory.
He remembered the moment when he defeated the Evil god and plummeted to the surface.
'I feel like I saw the Garden of Swords still intact back then.'
He stood up from his seat and pinched his cheek.
It hurt. He pinched harder, checked to see if he could feel pain, and even took a sip of water from the glass placed beside him.
The sensation of cold water flowing down his throat was clearer than ever before.
"Young master!"
Jin heard Gilly's voice.
"Young Master Jin!"
"12th flagbearer!"
"Lord!"
"My lord!"
"Jin!"
"Darling!"
The voices of his comrades echoed together.
They had all returned after seeing off the Holy King and just came back.
Gilly hugged Jin tightly and tears welled up in her eyes.
The other comrades also had moist eyes, especially Jet, who was sitting down and crying, repeatedly saying, "Lord, Lord, our Lord has awakened."
If only the sound of Jet's crying could be heard from outside, it would be mistaken for Jin being dead rather than waking up.
"Young master, are you okay?"
"Darling! Are you hurt anywhere? Do you know how worried Sandra was, waiting for you for so long?"
"Young master, you woke up after ten days. And as you can see... you did it. You saved the world and reclaimed the Runcandel. That's what they're saying about you, young master."
As his comrades exchanged various words, Jin inexplicably felt mischievous.
"...Who are you guys?"
"...Young master?"
"Where is this place...?"
"What did you say?"
"My lord!?"
"Yo-Young Master?"
"Darling? No, this can't be!"
Jin's comrades widened their eyes, feeling a sinking sensation in their chests.
Jin was about to say one more word, asking who he was, but Valeria's entrance disrupted the moment.
"Well, surprisingly, there's a mischievous side to you. Isn't this prank too much for the people who waited for you with heavy hearts?"
Though her tone seemed cold, Valeria was smiling broadly.
Apart from the ten days of sleep, she had been monitoring Jin's condition, displaying a record window about him. The current record indicated that Jin had woken up and was playing a prank.
"Was it too cruel? I apologize, everyone."
"It was quite cruel, young master. I thought my heart would stop."
"I almost threw a punch."
"Darling, is your head really fine!?"
"Yeah, it's fine. But it seems like I need more time for my body to recover. Gilly, are all our comrades safe?"
"Yes, my lord. No one died in the Vamel alliance."
Just by looking at the atmosphere, it seemed likely. In this war, the Vamel alliance had suffered the least damage.
No, it went beyond that. The Vamel alliance had become much stronger than before the war.
For a while, Gilly and others explained the current situation to Jin.
The allied clans and civilians of Huphester were mostly unharmed, and in Runcandel, about three thousand knights, around a hundred scribes, and numerous servants had survived.
It was certainly not a time for pure joy.
The population of the city of Kalon had been sacrificed entirely, and the number of knights who had fallen and been corrupted by chaos was beyond counting. When considering the global scale, the number of dead easily surpassed millions.
Even if the Evil god had died, those who had disappeared would not return.
However, it was also true that things that were thought to have completely disappeared were now flourishing, instilling a sense of hope.
For the living people, there was a foundation to prepare for tomorrow.
The reason why Jin's comrades were excited throughout was because they had to be in order to push away the sorrow of the war and move forward.
"The fact that so many people have survived in Runcandel is the result of the evil god's attachment to the clan. Even if the evil god were to completely destroy the world, she intended to leave behind the Garden of the Sword and Runcandel."
Valeria opened the record window and showed the contents related to that.
It was a record of the conflicting feelings that even the evil god herself did not know.
Before the decisive battle, the evil god poured most of her efforts not into building the enormous and dreadful castle but into rebuilding the "Garden of the Sword."
The evil god sealed the entire restored Garden of the Sword and built the castle on top of it.
And all the surviving members of the clan were trapped inside it, having never been corrupted by chaos.
"She became an evil god herself and corrupted most of the knights of the clan with her power... but she preserved and protected some without causing harm."
"That's right. The evil god left behind the Garden of the Sword as remembered by the human Rosa Runcandel, not the Garden of the Sword she had defiled."
Jin recalled the final battle at that moment.
The white lonely scenery that resided in the deepest part of the evil god's inner realm.
"...Perhaps she left behind the last castle in preparation for her defeat. Because if she were to die, you would have to lead the remaining people."
There was a commotion outside.
It was because Jet had gone out and revealed that Jin had awakened.
The heavy footsteps of the knights of the clan were causing vibrations.
It was in preparation to greet Jin. Gilly opened the wardrobe and took out a coat that Jin had never worn before.
"Young master, it would be best for you to go out and see the details later."
Jin quietly looked at the coat that resembled the attire of a Flagbearer but had different embroidery.
'Ten black swords embroidered on the collar...'
The only one who had this coat in Chiron's Runcandel was Luna before she turned nineteen.
That coat symbolizes the 'Young Patriarch' of the swordsmen clan.
Even when Joshua performed the role of the young patriarch externally, Chiron did not allow him to wear this coat.
"...Could it be that my father has returned?"
"The patriarch has not yet returned."
"Then who can permit me to wear this coat? Even if I made this much contribution, I cannot wear it on my own. I am still the twelfth flagbearer of the clan, Gilly."
Instead of answering, Gilly bowed her head silently, as if telling him to put it on.
In the end, after staying still for a few seconds, Jin stood up and quickly washed his face before putting on the coat.
As he stepped out of the room, the knights who had been waiting in the corridor followed him, saluting.
Jin wanted to see each of their faces, but it seemed that he had to go to the garden first.
In the garden, all the surviving members of Runcandel were lined up.
Mary and the Tona brothers were at the forefront, raising the clan flag.
Hearing and seeing are different experiences.
Jin felt his heart swell as he looked at the lined-up knights.
As Jin approached, the knights stepped aside, saluting.
At the end of the line, there were people that Jin had never expected.
[You've come, 12th flagbearer.]
[You have finally awakened.]
Alpen and Tasha were the first to speak to Jin.
And among them stood the one-armed former patriarch, who had a face very similar to Chiron.
[Come, my great-grandson.]
The one-armed former patriarch, who was rescued in the final battle, smirked and spoke.
He was the 57th patriarch of Runcandel and Chiron's grandfather.
[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 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.]
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