Chapter 121: What Are You Doing Here?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 121: What Are You Doing Here?
For the next month, the world was in an uproar over the "Colon Native Massacre."
As Dino released his articles, rival factions—including the Runcandels—joined the public outcry, prompting the Zipples to shift all responsibility onto a single individual: Myuron Zipple.
However, when debris from the destroyed Kozec was discovered as additional evidence, the Zipples found themselves backed into a corner.
Naturally, they dismissed the deployment of the Kozec as just another of Myuron Zipple’s insubordinate acts. Meanwhile, they funneled massive bribes to various news outlets and dispatched several merchant ships laden with gold to the Viment Empire, the very heart of the media world.
While the common folk of the Huphester Alliance seethed with rage and those in the Lutero Magic Federation spoke only in hushed whispers…
Viment took the lead in championing the Zipples' innocence. Like a boiling pot taken off the heat, the scandalous rumors began to subside. Their dirty deal had paid off.
In the end, the Runcandels gained incidental benefits, Viment grew richer, and the Zipples lost both honor and prestige.
Leaving such an indelible stain on the reputation of the Zipple Clan—who had always championed "goodness" and "justice" as their absolute values—was a remarkable achievement in itself.
"The Zipples will have to keep a low profile for a while. From the recent death of their Vice-Patriarch to the Colon Massacre, their ugly true face is slowly being revealed. There's no way for them to stop their prestige from crumbling."
Dino spoke while idly twirling his pen.
He and the natives had arrived in the Huphester Alliance not long ago and were now under Luna’s protection. Although they had yet to meet Luna in person, the estate managers were treating them with such lavish hospitality that the natives were deeply moved.
"Young Master Jin. To think you could foresee the course of these events so accurately at your age… It’s amazing, no matter how much I think about it. I always thought the Runcandels were nothing but sword-obsessed maniacs."
"But there's one thing the Young Master didn't expect," Tika said with a smile, pointing toward the manor's courtyard below the window.
Stacked high were tokens of support sent to the people of Colon from all over the world. Among the various relief supplies were countless letters expressing condolences and encouragement.
The manor's staff had been busy for days just sorting through them.
"Because you saved us, Young Master, so many people have become interested in Colon. Us, the people everyone ignored for hundreds of years."
Tika turned slowly and relit the candles filling the room.
They were candles to mourn the dead, including Laosa.
"From now on, our prayers will be directed not to Klam, but to you, Young Master Jin. I wonder when the world will find out who the 'Passing Pedestrians' from your article really are."
Passing Pedestrians.
In his articles, Dino had identified the heroes who saved Colon only by that name. Even now, as the incident quieted down, questions poured in about who these mysterious pedestrians could be, but no news outlet had managed to uncover the truth.
And every time Dino was asked, he put on a convincing show of frustration, claiming he "truly didn't know."
"The fact that it was your group, Young Master Jin, will likely be revealed after you become a Runcandel Flagbearer. Naturally, this incident will be brought back into the spotlight, and you’ll officially state your position as a Flagbearer then."
"While also revealing the details about the sacred object we were guarding, the 'Mirror'?"
Dino nodded. He was already looking forward to that day.
The sight of Jin, having become a Flagbearer and seized power within the Runcandel Clan, sinking the Zipples one by one with just cause.
*
Sender: Casimir
Recipient: Cyron Runcandel
Report: The "Passing Pedestrians," the key figures in the "Colon Massacre," are Jin Runcandel, Murakan, and myself. Furthermore, Jin Runcandel, in cooperation with Murakan and myself, has killed Myuron Zipple.
Note: Myuron Zipple's body was recovered by the Zipples.
The Black Sea.
A thick vein bulged on Cyron's forehead as he finished reading the letter from Khan.
The Patriarch is furious. Just what on earth did the Ghost Sword write this time…?
The already heavy air of the Black Sea grew even more oppressive. While Khan stood by, nervously watching his master's mood…
Sigh…
Cyron let out a sigh laced with irritation.
"Patriarch. Has something happened to the youngest Young Master?"
"No, Khan. Quite the opposite. It seems he has taken Myuron Zipple's head."
"I expected the youngest Young Master to be a key figure in the Colon Massacre, but hearing it confirmed is still surprising. Following Andrei Zipple, he has now taken down the Tower Master of the 7th Magic Tower. He has eliminated two of their major pure-bloods before even becoming a Flagbearer."
"However, take a look at this letter yourself."
As soon as Khan scanned the letter, his face turned pale.
"Could it be… has the Ghost Sword been sending such half-hearted reports to the Patriarch since last time?"
"The simplicity of the format is fine; I told him to keep it brief. But this time, the Ghost Sword has deliberately withheld information from me. How dare he…!"
Just as Cyron said, Casimir had omitted most of the crucial details that should have been in the report.
Grind!
As Cyron gnashed his teeth, a faint tremor shook the central region of the Black Sea.
"The whole world has been in an uproar over this incident. But no matter how outstanding the boy is, he is not yet at a level where he can handle the Kozec."
"Yes, someone else must have intervened. There is no way the Ghost Sword is unaware of that."
The names of Jin's group weren't the only things missing from the articles about Colon.
The fact that Palace Master Talaris Endorma and her daughter Siris were involved was also not mentioned, not even in a single line.
Thus, the public could only speculate. Some thought the Ghost Squad or the first division of the Black King Corps had stepped in, while others guessed Ron Hairan had made a move, the Secret Palace had joined the fray, or that Runcandel Flagbearers were on the scene.
Since both the journalist Dino and the Zipples were keeping their mouths shut, even Cyron did not yet know who had stopped the Kozec.
"To dare withhold such information from the Patriarch… If you give the word, I will go at once and educate the Ghost Sword…"
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a snow-white dimensional gate opened directly in front of Cyron. Just as Khan instinctively moved to draw his sword, Cyron raised a hand to stop him.
Vwooom!
Emerging from the white gate was the Snow Toad Mort, and riding atop him was Talaris.
"Hmm, I was worried you might have moved your meditation spot. Fortunately, it seems I found the right place. It's been a while, Cyron."
"Talaris?"
"Can't you give a warmer reaction after all this time?"
Khan gave Talaris a slight bow, while Cyron stared at her intently for a moment.
Soon, as if finding the gaze burdensome, Talaris waved her hand dismissively.
"Oh my, that look. If we keep eye contact any longer, I might start blushing. I didn't come here for a duel like last time, so please relax your expression."
"It was you."
"What was?"
"The one who stopped the Kozec. It seems you helped Jin, Talaris."
As Cyron's gaze softened, Talaris smiled.
"Yes. And I unintentionally overheard what your subordinate was saying. It seems Casimir hid information from you?"
Cyron held out the letter to Talaris, who read it with a peculiar smile.
"You have every right to be angry. Even if I was involved, to dare hide information from you to this extent… So, are you going to send that fellow over there to give him a sound thrashing?"
"I intend to give him a light warning."
"I'd like to tell you not to. This is something you should praise him for instead."
"Praise?"
"Yes. With this letter, Casimir has simply made it clear whose man he is. He's declaring that he isn't Cyron Runcandel's man, but Jin Runcandel's."
Cyron narrowed his eyes.
Soon, he nodded as if he understood.
"...I suppose that's true. He's saying that even when reporting to me, he will consider Jin's position first."
"It just means your youngest son is good at winning people over. That Casimir fellow, he had a look in his eyes like he'd put his life on the line when he came to the Secret Palace. All for Jin's sake. He seems like a quite useful fellow, so even if it's galling, why not let it slide?"
Eventually, Cyron's expression relaxed completely.
As she said, Casimir had essentially declared himself Jin's man. And the number of people who would dare do that to Cyron was very small indeed.
"I almost made things difficult for the boy's subordinate. I'll consider myself in your debt for this, Talaris."
"And what about the debt your son owes me? Hmm, the Kozec. It was quite a struggle to stop that thing. I almost made an enemy of the Zipples."
"Did you come here to collect on that debt? Take that up with the boy himself."
"I'm joking. The reason I came to see you today is…"
Talaris paused for a moment.
"My daughter and your youngest son. What do you think about the two of them getting married?"
Khan, who was listening quietly, stood there with his jaw dropped.
*
Shiver.
"What is it, Young Master?"
"Oh, it's nothing. I just suddenly got a bad feeling."
"Did you feel it too, Young Master? Lately, I've been getting these random chills for some reason."
Jin and Casimir looked at each other and nodded.
Aside from the occasional shiver down their spines, they had been spending peaceful days since returning from Colon.
The rest was much needed. Since leaving the clan as a reserve flagbearer, it felt like Jin had been caught in major battles almost every single day.
From the destruction of Tessing to the Colon Massacre, Jin had been at the center of most of the incidents that had recently shaken the world.
And he had achieved growth that could only be described as a series of leaps and bounds.
Six-star swordsmanship, five-star spiritual energy. And by obtaining the Mirror, my mana reached seven-star in an instant.
He had to refrain from using the Mirror to increase his mana as much as possible. If Solderet's seal loosened, the world would be doomed.
However, his mana had naturally risen just by possessing the Mirror during the journey from Colon to Tikan, so there was nothing he could do about it. Besides, it would be a problem if he didn't get at least this much of a reward after all that trouble.
Nevertheless, Jin felt an inexplicable sense of urgency.
Spider-Hand Alu.
A man who might be connected to Jin's eldest brother, Joshua Runcandel. And perhaps, a man who was also linked to the mage who cursed Jin.
The Seven-Colored Bird still hadn't found any significant information regarding Alu.
—Anyway… you cannot stop that person.
—What?
—Even if it failed back then…
The final words Alu had spoken just before his death still bothered him. While exposing the Zipples' corruption and uncovering the world's secrets was rewarding…
What Jin was most curious about was the person who had placed the "Delusion of the Blade" curse on him in his past life.
It keeps bothering me that all information about Alu has been erased. If even the Seven-Colored Bird hasn't been able to dig anything up by now, I might never find it…
Just as he was about to let out a frustrated sigh, a servant came looking for Casimir.
"Master."
"What is it?"
"Um, a man has come to the manor. He looks like a beggar, but he introduced himself as an informant. He says he wants to work under you."
"Haha, my good man. How many of those types do we get in a year? No doubt some street thug who's run out of ways to survive heard rumors about me and came looking. Give him enough money for a bath and a meal, then send him away."
"I was going to do that. However… he knew the exact location of one of the Seven-Colored Bird's secret headquarters. So I thought I should report to you before deciding how to handle him."
Casimir's eyes grew sharp.
"...He knows one of our secret headquarters? Where is he now?"
The servant pointed cautiously out the window.
"Haha, I've shown you something embarrassing, Young Master. I thought the Seven-Colored Bird's security was quite impressive… I'm ashamed."
Casimir and Jin went to the window and looked down at the man in question.
Casimir rubbed his forehead in annoyance upon seeing the man in a pathetic state, clinging to the gatekeepers and pleading.
But Jin was startled, calling out the man's name in his mind.
Jet…?!
The man who had come looking for Casimir was the informant from Akin, Jet.