Chapter 15: Transformation, Exposed
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 15: Transformation, Exposed
Fidget.
Fidget, fidget…
Following the impostors’ departure, the Black King Corps—now Jin’s new escort—felt as if they were sitting on a bed of needles. With the mages having descended the mountain separately, the task of attending to the terrifying child fell solely on them.
What kind of ten-year-old is like that?
The entire Black King Corps, including Vice-Captain Murka of the 3rd Army, felt the exact same way.
The Black King Corps! They were veteran warriors of the battlefield, men who had seen enough blood, flesh, and bone to form mountains and rivers. To men like them, the gruesome punishment of a captured enemy was nothing more than another day’s work. This meant that Jin ordering Gilly to kill the fake Jerome and Holtz wasn't particularly shocking.
Nevertheless, the reason the Black King Corps was walking on eggshells around Jin was his age.
Where else in the world could one find a ten-year-old so bold in the face of assassins? No matter how much of a Runcandel he was, he was still a child who had just left the cradle of Storm Castle to face the world.
Furthermore, a strange aura of majesty surrounded Jin as he gave orders to Gilly. His bearing, his speech, and his cold judgment of his enemies were simply not things one could attribute to a ten-year-old.
The Jin they witnessed was, in every sense, a young sovereign of the Runcandel clan.
“Leave no openings while we escort him to the teleport gate. Frivolous behavior is strictly forbidden. Do you all understand?”
“Yes, Vice-Captain Murka.”
The mercenaries of the Black King Corps, notorious for their roughness, were behaving like refined gentlemen. Still, they seemed restless, as if wearing clothes that didn't fit.
It wasn't just that Jin was a scary Runcandel child, however. They were genuinely fascinated by the dangerous boy.
“Young Master.”
As they trudged through the deep snow, Gilly called out to Jin. Though her voice and expression were calm, he did not miss the somber shadow on her face.
“We will reach a village in about two hours. I think it would be best to wait there for the snow to stop.”
“Let’s do that.”
Jin brushed the clumps of snow from his shoulders.
“And Gilly.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Don’t blame yourself for what happened with the escorts. It wasn't your mistake.”
He truly meant it. Even Khan hadn't realized that Jerome and Holtz were fakes; how could Gilly have known?
The fact that Jin had been the one to point out the irregularities in the Guardian Knights' escort protocols wasn't a major issue either. At least, that was how Jin saw it, but Gilly continued to dwell on her failure.
“I am sorry.”
Hearing her reply, Jin gave a bitter smile as old memories surfaced.
Gilly never made excuses.
She didn't claim her instincts were dull from ten peaceful years at Storm Castle, nor did she protest that her senses were clouded because she wasn't feeling well.
In my past life… Gilly’s personality always made my heart ache.
Before his regression, Gilly was the one person in Runcandel who had cherished Jin unconditionally. Even after her life was ruined because of him, the exiled Jin, she never once resented him.
The moment she was banished from Runcandel alongside him, her 7-star aura sealed away, she had said the exact same thing.
I am sorry, she had said.
“Upon our return to the main estate, I will accept any punishment—”
“Enough. I told you not to do that. That’s an order.”
Gilly lowered her head.
“Understood.”
“You are my nanny, but you are also my only Guardian Knight right now. If you let a small mistake cloud your judgment, it will affect my safety. I hope I don't have to repeat myself.”
It pained him to speak to Gilly this way, but it was necessary.
In this life, it was his turn to protect his nanny. Even if he had to be cold at times, he had to lead her, ensuring her warm nature would never be crushed by the harsh world they lived in.
“I will correct my mindset, Young Master,” Gilly replied, biting her lower lip. She knew he had spoken coldly only out of consideration for her.
To think such a brilliant Young Master would have someone as dull as me for a nanny. I must stay sharp so I never cause him trouble like I did today.
I will become someone worthy of the Young Master! Making a silent vow, Gilly clenched her fists and lifted her head. Seeing her resolve, Jin felt a flicker of relief and turned his thoughts to the assassins.
The fake Jerome and Holtz.
They were “extremist followers” of the Zipple family, and they had used a perfect disguise to deceive everyone at Storm Castle.
It was an impossible feat to achieve with magic. Shapeshifting was a privilege granted only to dragons, and even they couldn't perfectly mimic another person.
Then how had the assassins looked so identical?
As soon as the Runcandel main estate confirmed that the real Jerome and Holtz had been dealt with, they had urgently dispatched the Black King Corps stationed in Mitel and were now tracking the culprits.
They likely wouldn't find anything. Zipple followers swarmed the world like cockroaches. Identifying and killing all of them was a monumental task, both politically and practically. Besides, if Jin were to announce the attack and put out a bounty, it would only damage Runcandel’s reputation.
In the end, Runcandel would do what it always did: make an “example” of a few other Zipple follower groups to instill fear.
However, Jin already knew the culprit.
Bubar Gaston.
To be precise, not the culprit… but the one who had provided the disguise.
As far as Jin knew, Bubar Gaston was the only person in the world capable of achieving “perfect transformation.”
In his past life, Bubar’s identity was revealed to the world around the time Jin turned twenty. It was the result of the Viment Empire’s Special Task Force relentlessly tracking him for ten years to put an end to his “transformation crimes.”
Jin recalled a time when news of Bubar’s exploits filled every newsletter in the world. Back then, everyone knew of Bubar, but now, only Jin, the regressor, knew of him.
Given that he’s capable of perfect transformation, Bubar might be worth recruiting as an ally…
Jin shook his head.
But they said that even in the Viment underground prison, he was a madman who did nothing but spout nonsense about being an artist. It’s probably better to just eliminate him. Above all, he basically pointed a blade at my throat.
Bubar was a being who brought nothing but chaos to the world. Chaos for the sake of chaos—that was the “artistry” he pursued.
The thought gave Jin a headache.
Fortunately, he wouldn't need to struggle to find Bubar. Jin even remembered the location of the “sculpting workshop” Bubar had run for years while pretending to be an ordinary citizen.
“We’ve almost arrived,” Murka called out. “If you need anything, just tell my men.”
The bright morning sun rose as the group reached the village.
Jin had a simple meal of soup and eggs at the inn before heading to his room. Though he had undergone various training, walking through a blizzard for hours was a heavy burden for his young body.
*
“Meow.”
“Mew.”
“Meoooow!”
On November 2nd, 1790, at three in the afternoon, the heavy snow that had poured down until noon vanished as if it were all a lie. A single black cat was wailing.
The cat clung to the third-floor window of the inn where Jin was sleeping. It raised its dainty front paws to tap on the glass, looking no different from any other cheerful, curious cat.
“Ugh.”
Jin sat up and rubbed his eyes. After a few hours of deep sleep, his body felt refreshed and as light as a feather.
“Mew! Meow!”
The cat was now frantically scratching the window with both paws, as if demanding to be let in.
Pfft.
Jin couldn't help but burst into laughter. Who could have imagined that this cute cat was the great Black Dragon Murakan?
Crazy… He is pretty cute, though.
Should I tease him a bit?
A mischievous urge took hold. Just as Jin was about to feign ignorance and take a sip of the warm water by his bedside—
Hiss! Hyaaaaah!
Murakan began to throw a fit. Realizing that dealing with the aftermath would be a headache, Jin gave up on the prank and opened the window.
“Alright, alright. I get it. Why are you so angry over a little joke—”
Poof!
In an instant, Murakan transformed into his human form and sprawled onto the floor.
Thud! The moment the heavy sound echoed, Gilly, who had been waiting outside, burst into the room.
“Young Master!”
Shring!
The moment she saw Murakan, she unsheathed her claws, which began to glow with a chilling blue aura.
I’m screwed. Oh, god.
The situation had turned awkward and unexpectedly dire in a heartbeat. Before Jin or Murakan could even open their mouths—
Gilly lunged forward like a bolt of lightning. She pinned the fallen Murakan to the ground, pressed her claws against his throat, and whispered, “Who sent you? Speak the truth before I tear you to pieces…!”
She had mistaken Murakan for an assassin. Completely and utterly.
Watching this, Jin felt his soul slide right out of his chest.
“G-Gilly.”
“Stay back, Young Master! He is an extremely well-trained assassin. To approach without making a sound…!”
It was only natural that Gilly, who had been on high alert while Jin slept, hadn't sensed anyone. Until a moment ago, Murakan had been a cat.
In that brief moment, Jin wracked his brain for any possible excuse to navigate this unforeseen disaster.
But there was no answer.
It’s no use. There’s no covering this up. I have to tell her the truth.
Whew.
Jin took a deep breath and spoke.
“Gilly. He isn't an assassin. Withdraw your claws.”
Gilly’s eyes widened as she stood up. Murakan, whose arm had been twisted backward, was barely managing to wheeze.
“Young Master. Then this man is…”
“And apologize. Sincerely. Then show him proper respect. He is the Guardian of Runcandel, the Black Dragon Murakan.”
Gilly simply couldn't believe it.
How could this pathetic man sprawled on the floor, gasping for air, be the great Black Dragon Murakan? He was even writhing as if having his arm twisted was still painful.
Murakan was struggling not because Gilly had overpowered him, but because of the side effects of his transformation. However, there was no way Gilly could know that. Jin hadn't heard about the side effects yet either.
After looking into Jin’s eyes, Gilly decided to follow his order without a word.
“A lowly servant of Runcandel has committed a grave insolence against the Guardian. Please forgive me.”
“Kh-ugh…”
Murakan rolled over and stared up at Gilly.
“I forgive you… my Strawberry Pie.”
Strawberry Pie!
The moment she heard those words, Gilly instinctively understood why the Young Master had been so obsessed with strawberry pies. And why he had taken so many of them with him every time he went to the cave in the Storm Castle backyard to “meditate.”
Whoosh!
A gust of winter wind blew in through the open window. For a long while, the three of them could only exchange awkward glances in the silence.
“Gilly.”
“Yes… Young Master.”
“I’ll tell you everything, so could you close the door first?”
Creak.
Once Gilly closed the door, Jin began to explain the secret events of his past few months at Storm Castle. He didn't mention his regression, but he did reveal that he was a transcriber of secret manuals and a contractor of Solderet.
Surprisingly, Gilly remained calm and composed throughout the story, though she did nod her head vigorously at times, looking somewhat excited.
“So, you’re an accomplice now,” Jin said. “The family must not know that Murakan has awakened, or about my relationship with him.”
“I’ll be in your care from now on, Strawberry Pie,” Murakan chimed in.
It was the moment the unofficial Runcandel trio was formed.