章節 597: CHAPTER 754
"If I were the former butler of the noble family..."
"Luntia Runcandel, my 2nd sister and the 3rd flagbearer, and the former head butler of the clan, Luet Damiro Yul, are trapped in different subspaces. As soon as the announcement is over, I will search for them."
Finding Luntia first was necessary.
There was a high possibility that she would be in trouble, given the chaos that surrounded her after the assassination attempt.
But the most frightening fact was that Luntia had already transformed. With her physical changes, it was impossible to restore her to her current state of purification.
"My sister can only be properly rescued when she is able to merge with her spirit, or when her half-brother appears."
Still, if she was alive, there would be a chance to reverse the situation eventually.
Jin thought with hope.
"Great-grandfather and Alphen, from now on, please take charge of the Black Sword Association and the Lawcraft Association, respectively."
During the appointment ceremony, Jin confirmed the survival of the head of the Lawmin Guild, Tellot Runcandel.
For the remaining two positions, Valas and Alphen were the best choices.
[I understand. You mean to manage and designate successors in advance, right?]
"Exactly, Alphen. And Tasha, please take the position of the Chief Instructor."
The position of "Chief Instructor" might seem less prestigious than being the head of a guild.
However, Jin believed that talent development was urgently needed now, and the previous heads of the guilds thought the same way.
[Understood, with honor.]
"When it becomes known that Tasha will be personally involved in training, not only the trainees but also the current knights will gather."
Replenishing the workforce was necessary.
Not only for future wars against powerful forces, but also to protect those who gather around Jin as Runcandel.
[I can see that happening. But I have very high standards, and the selection process will be strict. Be prepared for the recruitment process to take longer than you expect.]
"Of course. That's why I entrusted Tasha with the role of Chief Instructor. Show your vision as a head of a guild."
"It may be a heavy burden, but you can expect good things."
As the former heads of the family stepped aside, Jin headed straight to the family office.
In the office, Mary and Tona, the siblings, as well as the butlers and maids, were waiting.
Without hesitation, Jin took his seat in the office, without even taking a moment to appreciate his first step as the head of the family.
"Soju, even though you tried to filter them, there are still many reports."
"They are still coming in from various regions, so if you set the criteria today, we will try to minimize the number of reports to be submitted in the future."
Mary and Tona spoke. As it was an official setting, their attitude towards Jin had changed.
Jin smiled as he looked at the siblings. The fact that they had all survived the war gave him a sense of relief.
Familiar faces were among the butlers as well.
However, the faces of the two butlers who knew most of the family's secrets were not present.
"Are the chief butlers, Heinz and Howard, deceased?"
"...Yes, Master Jin."
Petro answered.
"What about the documents they possessed?"
"While you were absent, Lady Valeria conducted a search, but they couldn't be found. Only records of them being damaged before the death of the sorcerer remain."
Jin decided not to dwell on it.
Among the family's past secrets, the most important one was inevitably related to Shiron. The reasons why Shiron had devoted his time to the Black Sea from a young age, and ultimately why he formed an expedition....
Jin now felt like he had a slight idea of those reasons.
"Father, he went to the Black Sea so as not to become a monster like the sorcerer."
When he met Shiron in the underworld last time, he had a strong conviction, and since discovering the characteristics of the power called 'Changseong', he had suspected as much.
For a while, Jin quietly reviewed the reports.
With each confirmation of the number of survivors, he felt a surge of emotion, just like with the siblings.
"Petra."
"Yes!"
"Lend all the unused renowned swords stored in the family warehouse to allied families and the Empire. The assessment of rental fees will be handled by Picon. The contract will be for a period of 5 years, and if the rental exceeds 20 years, ownership will be transferred. The money generated from this will all be invested in Hupester's stabilization."
Petra wanted to ask if this was really happening, but she held back and bowed her head.
"But do not force the rentals. Provide them only to the families that are willing to borrow those swords, even if it means opening up extra funds."
"Understood."
"Everyone must have been surprised. Throughout the past thousand years, the renowned swords of the family have never been utilized in this manner. But now we need money. In addition to stabilizing Hupester, we will need a significant amount of money to produce a fleet in the future. Once the renowned swords are made, that will be the end of it."
"When you mention production... Well, Lord Soju, even in times like these, it is highly unlikely that the noses of the Minshe Forge Association will be lowered. Especially considering that most of the weapons our family is lending are the association's creations. If that fact were to be revealed, it would be even more so."
As a blacksmith struggled to speak, Jin looked around at his relatives.
The three former leaders of the Minshe Forge Association, "Anvil," "Fire," and "Hammer," had even refused exclusive contracts presented by Shiron in the past.
"In the future, when presenting your opinions to me, do so confidently without being cautious. Unless it's a completely foolish idea, I will never reprimand you. It is important for these intelligent individuals to continue expressing their opinions."
"Understood!"
"I have already considered weapon production through the Minshe Forge Association. Some people may already know, but the origin and legendary blacksmith of that association, Picon Minshe, is affiliated with the Barmel Union. Furthermore, he is considered the successor to the current association leader, following Groller. Picon will personally participate in negotiations with the association."
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the Minshe Forge Association was composed entirely of Picon's extreme followers.
Even if Picon were to suddenly give up his position as association leader, it was highly likely that they would immediately agree.
The reason Jin had preserved the favor of Picon all this time was precisely for moments like this.
"Do not hesitate to lend the renowned swords. The martial power of our allied warriors will strengthen, and we will earn money to produce even better weapons. Furthermore, we will distribute those swords to those among the apprentices and knights who have shown significant achievements."
Jin believed that in times of confusion, what moved most people was personal goals and a sense of accomplishment, rather than just righteousness.
"Petra, by now, you can probably guess what other commands I will give."
"I will dispose of everything in the family treasury that doesn't hold historical significance, according to your instructions."
"Excellent. Consult with the Gold Beetle Upper Division on that matter. Sell everything through clandestine transactions on the black market to the lands of the Lutero Federation and the Suyin. Remember, no matter how much we scrape together, it won't be enough money."
"Yes!"
"Furthermore, for the time being, only high-ranking stewards including Petra, along with five scribes and maids, will remain in the Sword Garden. The rest of you will be dispatched immediately to Hupester and report on the local situation regularly. Assignment will be handled by the 7th Squad Leader."
"Yes."
"In terms of financial measures within the family, things seem to be in order. Now the problem we need to address is manpower."
Acquiring skilled personnel for fleet production, magical engineers.
That was the key.
Nowadays, a war without a fleet was unimaginable.
To create the "Golden Fleet," the presence of magical engineers was essential.
"We may be able to secure some through the magic guild in Hupester and the Empire, but it won't be enough. Is there anyone who can propose a way to gather magical engineers?"
"I have an idea."
Surprisingly, it was Valeria.
She had just entered the office and overheard Jin's voice.
"Valeria?"
"I heard from the previous family heads earlier that from now on, you will be putting me in the forefront. Although we didn't discuss it personally. Now that you've become the lord of Luncandel, I can't be rash or..."
"Well, I was going to ask."
Jin replied in a solemn voice.
Mary and Tona, the brothers, struggled to hold back their laughter, while the stewards rolled their eyes in embarrassment.
Valeria now treated Jin and his colleagues with a comfortable familiarity.
"Anyway, since we've decided to make my presence public, we can use that to recruit quite a few magical scholars. As you know, there are quite a few mages obsessed with the name Hyster in this world."
Figures like Kidat Hohl were representative examples of the past.
'Hyster' was a legend and myth to the mages.
Especially for mages who had received the "Advanced Education" of Jiphl and had even visited their secret library, it was even more significant.
In different circumstances, if Jin were to recruit mages through Hyster's promotion, Jiphl would have gone into a frenzy. But not now.
Instead, it was Jiphl who had to be cautious of Jin's reactions.
"As the desire for Hyster grows stronger for high-ranking mages, naturally, advanced talents will come seeking. If Uria takes charge of verifying their identities, we can filter out the spies sent by Jiphl as well."
"That's a good idea."
"However, I hope my face doesn't appear on those giant billboards that depicted the image of the lord of Luncandel."
"I've already mentioned it to the Golden Pangolin. It's better not to have high expectations. Those folks believe there's no better advertisement than that. And it actually worked well."
Valeria showed a displeased expression but didn't voice it.
Jin chuckled at her reaction.
The meeting continued for about two hours after that.
They discussed Hupester's financial situation and the plans for reconstruction.
It was the first time a meeting had been conducted in such a harmonious atmosphere in this era.
It was a scene that could never be seen during the time of Shiron and Rosa managing the family.
"I guess we've covered everything roughly. The official statement will be announced tomorrow at noon, and we'll choose the imperial capital as the location."
As Jin stood up to conclude the meeting, he locked eyes with Mary.
"Lord."
"Speak, 7th Squad Leader."
"You should consider going down to the underground prison."
"...Underground prison?"
Currently, in the underground prison, the former 10th generation Knight Commander, Paradella Luncandel, was imprisoned.
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章節 598: CHAPTER 755
[T.L: punisher87]
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Jin sighed as he pondered the life of a man named Padler.
A thousand years ago, the Blue Thunder King, who had once guarded Runcandel as one of ten great knights, was now imprisoned in the underground dungeon of the clan, transformed into a monster.
"How is he doing?"
"Not well."
"Let's go see him right away. The flagbearers will accompany me, and the rest of you can disband and attend to your tasks."
The underground dungeon was located on the opposite side of the mausoleum. Jin paused momentarily in front of it as he passed by the mausoleum.
Just like the Garden of Swords, the mausoleum retained its original appearance. Many ancestors were exiled due to the evil god, but the mausoleum remained the foundation of the clan.
"Elder sister and brothers."
When Jin addressed them with informal titles, the expressions of his siblings visibly lightened.
"Yes, youngest brother?"
"Let us be like our ancestors who fought to the end even in death."
Padler was on the lowest floor, in the room where Joshua had held in the past, and was locked up.
Jin narrowed his eyes as soon as he saw him.
He had heard that Padler's condition was not good, but it was far worse than he expected. His body was covered in blood mist, gushing out from only six fist-sized holes.
It was evidence of a fierce battle with Bale. Jin was informed in advance that Padler had separated from the battlefield with Bale to fight him alone.
The result was Bale's complete victory. Although Padler had put up a fight, Bale had never once been defeated by him since their active duty days.
Yet, there was one reason Bale had not annihilated Padler.
The presence of the chain.
Jin focused his gaze on the chain that bound Padler's heart inside his hole-ridden chest.
Bale also recognized it during their battle and chose to spare Padler. Although Padler's condition couldn't be considered "alive," so to speak.
"Sir Padler."
The chain binding his heart was already partially broken. Jin's emotions became complex as he looked down at him.
In the end, Padler was nothing more than a fallen ancestor.
However, his corruption was not merely the result of the evil god. Before his heart was bound by the chains, he already held a deep hatred for Temar.
[Have you come?]
"You are forcibly delaying your death."
[Yes. There is no possibility of recovery or resurrection.]
"Do you have any lingering feelings left?"
[No, there isn't. I simply had something to say to you before disappearing from this world.]
"What do you want to talk about?"
[An old story...."]
Padler gave a faint smile.
He had no intention of resorting to cunning excuses to survive. The pupils of his eyes, as Jin observed, were already filled with the sense of emptiness that comes from letting go of life.
"What I desired was not the revival of Runcandel but corruption and destruction.... When we first met, sir, you told me those words. I hope that thought has changed."
-I do not know everything about what happened a thousand years ago, Sir Padler. And when I mentioned the names of Sir Sylderay and Dame Sarah, I didn't mean that you had to become like them... I simply wanted to say that you seemed to hold each other in high regard. Perhaps it was a point in time before the Idal Kingdom fell in your memories.
-[I cannot replace everything, the heart that once belonged to them has disappeared.]
A conversation Jin had with Padler during the first all out attack.
At that time, Padler said he didn't remember any other past except for Temar destroying the Idal Kingdom, and he didn't want to remember.
[In reality, nothing has changed. The fact that Temar annihilated my kingdom without leaving a trace... It hasn't changed.]
Black tears streamed from Padler's eyes. He was recalling the day Temar had attacked the Idal Kingdom.
[But as the evil god's power fades away, one more memory comes to mind. The truth that I had forgotten.]
"If it's the truth..."
[Temar went mad because there was someone who turned him, the hope of the clan and this world, into a crazy monster. There was a traitor in the family.]
Jin's pupils widened.
"... Who is it?"
[It was Lokia. Lokia Ganesto.]
Padler spat out the words.
[She was a traitor... She joined forces with the witch and turned Temar into a monster. It was all Lokia's scheme. How Solderet left Temar for a while, the gods betraying us, and Zipfel gaining power.]
-Patriarch, no! Brother. It doesn't seem possible. I'll go meet that witch who claims to be in the Black Sea. Lokia said there might be a way if it's the witch. To prevent Zipfel's manipulation of history...
Jin remembered the conversation between Sarah and Temar, heard from the third tomb in the past.
At that time, Temar lied to Sarah as if he could persuade the gods, and Sarah secretly planned to meet the witch with Lokia despite his objections.
"Please tell me more specifically."
[Before killing me, Lokia claimed that her purpose was the resurrection of the Sun God. That's why she killed all her comrades and spared only Bale. She wanted to completely erase the current world and regain a righteous world. She called it the original form of the world, and Lokia used everything for that. The clan, the witch, and even Zipfel.]
"There are still people saying similar things now."
[It must be the Demon Beast King, Orgal. He must have suffered as well. Lokia was behind everything to ensure that the Demon Beast King was erased from history. Even with the birth of the evil god this time, it is highly likely that Lokia was involved.]
"How can you be so sure?"
[Because the evil god inherited Ganesto's blood. It was only after the chains of my heart were released that I could know. It seems that Bale also found out recently that she was a descendant of Ganesto. However, she may not have realized Lokia's involvement.]
[T/L:- I told you.]
The reason Padler came to know this was because he had been peering into the inner realm of the evil god for a long time.
[If it weren't for Lokia, if she hadn't betrayed us. Temar wouldn't have gone mad, my kingdom wouldn't have disappeared, and there would have been no need for my comrades and Sarah to die like that...!]
Padler let out a sob.
He trembled and convulsed, gasping for breath that he had forcibly held onto until Jin arrived.
"Sir Padler!"
[All I remember is this... No matter how much I resented Temar, in the end, I became the same puppet, threatening the clan under the same cunning plan... I became a monster who killed many people.]
Padler grabbed Jin's shoulder.
[Jin Runcandel. I endured to deliver the truth because I believe that if it's you, you can break free from this curse... Lokia Ganesto, that demon, is undoubtedly still alive.]
Holes were gradually widening on Padler's body. His death was approaching.
[She received immortality from the witch. With my own eyes, I witnessed Lokia's resurrection multiple times. Neither the patriarch's sword nor Elona's magic could kill Lokia! You must find Lokia, but don't fall victim to her!]
Padler's eyes, in contact with Jin, were disappearing into the darkness.
Now... I must also tell Sarah, the family, and my comrades...
With those final words, Padler completely vanished.
Jin and his siblings stared at the empty space where Padler had disappeared for a while.
"What on earth... Could all of this, all these events, have originated from the betrayal a thousand years ago?"
"If the evil god was used by that traitor, then, youngest, couldn't Dr. Qwaul also be manipulated by Lokia?"
"Dr. Qwaul also recently discovered that he is a descendant of Ganesto, right?"
Soon, Mary and Tona brothers spoke up.
"Now that Sir Padler is gone, it doesn't seem like he was lying, but there are inconsistencies. If Lokia is the traitor, why was she completely erased from history until recently?"
"That part could be explained by Lokia using Zipfel's manipulation of history to protect herself. The stranger thing is the part where Lokia planned against Orgal, who shares the same goal."
"That's right...…."
"The important thing is Lokia's true identity and whether she is alive or not. If she is alive and the fact that she is a traitor is proven true, we must find her and eliminate her, as Sir Padler suggested."
They couldn't fully trust everything Padler said yet. It wasn't because they doubted him, but because there was no guarantee that his memories were entirely accurate.
However, if Padler's story turned out to be true, Lokia had been the greatest puppeteer behind the scenes for the past thousand years. And even now, she extended her influence.
"The clues are insufficient, so let's investigate this matter step by step. First, let's stabilize the situation and prepare for the visible enemies," Jin said as he opened the prison door and saw Bale leaning against the wall.
Jin knew that Bale had been eavesdropping on their conversation while leaning against the wall.
"This is a place you shouldn't enter without my permission, Bale."
"I know, but can't you cut me some slack since I'm a former ten great knight?"
"That's why I only said it."
"The things he said... They're probably all true."
"You knew?"
"No. Padler may be an unlucky guy, but his feelings towards the clan and Sarah were genuine. If what he said is true, then Lokia is Sarah's enemy. I will find not only Zipfel but also Lokia and make sure they suffer."
"Do you remember anything about Lokia?"
"She was a shady woman. I never thought she was a traitor, but it's true that Lokia frequently interacted with the witch. But I have no knowledge of her whereabouts after I was sealed. Oh, by the way... The one who strongly insisted on sealing me instead of killing me was Lokia."
"Understood. Let me know immediately if anything special comes to mind."
"By the way, what will you do with Padler's belongings?"
"Belongings?"
"Silus. His sword."
Padler's sword was currently stored in the warehouse.
As an old comrade, give me your opinion. What should I do?"
"You can't just put it in the mausoleum or stick it in the garden right now."
"Yeah. Even if there were circumstances, Sir Padler killed numerous people."
"In the end, he intentionally lured me out and fought me to prevent him from killing others. I know it's a far-fetched idea."
Bale harbored hatred towards Padler, but now that he regained his senses and vanished, Bale found himself caught in strange emotions.
Although they always argued with each other with Sarah in the middle, there had been a time when they were comrades.
"...So, don't give that sword to anyone and keep it for now. If Padler's words are proven to be true and as a result, the clan regains its former glory, then maybe you can place it in the mausoleum. If not the mausoleum, at least in the garden. That's my request."
Jin looked at Bale quietly and replied, "Okay."
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