Chapter 153: Yona Runcandel (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 153: Yona Runcandel (2)
Jin quietly locked eyes with Yona.
In my past life… was Sister Yona always the one coming to find me?
He couldn't quite recall when he had first received those two intertwined green roses before his regression. Was it when he was twenty, or perhaps twenty-two? From around that time, someone had made sure to leave intertwined green roses in Jin’s room at least once a month.
There was a time when I wondered who on earth kept leaving them and for what purpose…
He had been curious for a while, but that curiosity didn't last. Jin’s days back then were a repetitive cycle of despair, defined by hellish training sessions that yielded no results. He had no room for such trivial thoughts. In his past life, despite training twice as hard as anyone else, he had only managed to become a 1-star knight by the age of twenty-five.
Even if someone had been secretly leaving green roses in his room for years, he hadn't possessed the luxury to find it strange. On days when he felt particularly frustrated, he would even tear the roses in the vase to shreds for no reason. Gradually, Jin stopped feeling even a flicker of emotion at the sight of the green roses periodically placed in his room.
Then, on the day he was finally kicked out of the Garden of Swords, he had reached into his robe’s inner pocket and felt a green rose.
—Haha.
He remembered laughing hollowly at the sight of it. Jin had intended to keep that last green rose cherished and safe, but… he had lost it during the time he lived like a wreck after leaving the Runcandels. He couldn't even remember the exact moment—whether it was when he was mugged by bandits or during his brief adventures with his magic master.
Jin took the green rose with a slightly trembling hand.
“Twisting them like this… just as you said, Sister, the green roses have a certain charm.”
“Right? I only give these as gifts to people I especially like. Hee-hee.”
Thank you.
He tried to reply, but his throat felt so tight and hot that the words wouldn't come out. For years, without saying a single word.
There was only one reason Yona had done that in his past life. If she had openly shown interest, the other siblings certainly wouldn't have left the youngest alone. In his past life, Yona had always been hovering near Jin. Whether it was her own form of amusement or genuine affection, she had always offered him flowers.
Except for Gilly, no one else had. Not in those dark times when everyone in Runcandel, without a single exception, had turned their backs on Jin.
“What’s wrong?”
Jin shook his head, suppressing his surging emotions.
“What I said before—about us not having enough memories or a bond for deep sibling affection—I take it back.”
“Really!?”
“Yes. And this time, I should be the one to show interest in you, Sister.”
To Jin, Yona was no longer an ambiguous person.
“Hee!”
They sat on the cliffside and talked all through the night. Like ordinary, close-knit siblings meeting after a long time, they chatted about all sorts of trivial things until morning.
“……So you actually tried to kill the Nameless King? Just because he gave you a bit of a scolding? Good grief.”
“Yeah, I was fourteen then. I got caught red-handed by Lord Oul and spent days locked in a solitary cell just writing apology letters. I tried two more times after that, but failed both.”
“He truly deserves to be called the King of Assassins. Even if his assassination skills are inferior to yours, Sister.”
“I think if I push myself a little now, I could succeed. Hee. More importantly, how did you really get the Silver Dragon's Claw?”
“Before that, would you have killed me if I didn't have it?”
“Fifty-fifty!”
“That’s a pity. If you had said ‘yes’ instead of ‘fifty-fifty,’ I might have introduced you to that Silver Dragon someday.”
“Huh, that’s not fair! I want to meet the Silver Dragon too. Are you two close?”
“We are.”
“I’m gonna kill it. I’ll pull out all its claws and use them myself.”
“I’ve said this several times already, but please spare the comrades who have shared life and death with me. I’m telling you, those people could all be your friends too.”
“Hee-hee-hee-hee. But Jin, you’re really not afraid of me. Aside from Father and Lord Oul, I think this is the first time I’ve talked to someone so comfortably.”
“In my eyes, Sister, you’re more suited to be a flower shop owner than an assassin. Think about it as something to do after you retire later.”
“Whoa, a flower shop?”
“Sales probably won't be great. I can give you a regular allowance for living expenses… so it wouldn't be bad as a hobby and a livelihood. Start studying flowers whenever you have time from now on. You seem to have plenty of free time anyway.”
“A flower shop!”
“Of course, you mustn't kill the customers.”
“Okay.”
“Anyway, I should head over to the Nameless King soon. I have to leave Samil by tomorrow, so I need to collect my reward.”
At that, Yona’s expression darkened instantly.
“Where are you going? If you go, you’ll di—”
“Stop, stop, please.”
“Hee.”
“Instead, I’ll give the address only to you. Write to me. Once I’m certain you won't kill my comrades, I’ll even invite you over. But if you leak the address to our other siblings…”
“I’d never do that. Yeah, never. Ah! Right, I had a mission today!”
“A mission? The top assassin forgot that? Hurry up and go.”
“See you later!”
Yona hurried down the hill first with incredibly fast, short steps, and Jin chuckled as he watched her back. Then, after twisting a few green roses together, he slowly made his way toward the Nameless Hall.
Unlike the previous night, the streets were full of Samil cadets. And if there was one thing different from usual, it was that they bowed to Jin whenever they encountered him. It was thanks to the Nameless King classifying Jin as a ‘Ten-Year Benefactor of Nameless.’ If he wished, he could obtain a house in the heart of Samil and live in luxury for ten years.
He caught a carriage driven by a cadet to the Nameless Hall. The assassins there also simply bowed just like the cadets; no one blocked his path.
“You’ve come.”
As soon as he reached the inner chamber of the Nameless Hall, Oul welcomed him. Simultaneously, the assassins guarding his side vanished silently.
“Yes.”
“It seems you spent the night catching up with Yona. Even knowing that I was waiting.”
His tone wasn't one of reproach. Rather, a benevolent smile hung on Oul’s lips. While it was true that he used and relied on Yona as the leader of Nameless, his affection for her as a master was genuine. Thus, he couldn't help but find Jin admirable for spending the night with Yona. He was also a bringer of good fortune who had brought a sacred object like the Silver Dragon's Claw.
“Though you are incredibly audacious and have caused immense financial damage to our Nameless… it is also true that I have taken a liking to you.”
“I’ll tell you in advance, I have no intention of joining Nameless after my qualification as a reserve flagbearer is over.”
“Haha, it seems even the Palace Master has her eye on you, so I have no intention of joining that fray. Besides, aren't you aiming for something much greater?”
Something greater. The Patriarch of Runcandel.
Most people in the world would never believe that the youngest of the Runcandels, who had only just become a reserve flagbearer, could ever become the Patriarch. This was because there were twelve formidable siblings above him. However, absolute warriors like Luna, Oul, and Talaris judged it to be entirely possible. One could tell by experiencing Jin directly—that it was by no means impossible.
“……Preparation to execute what you requested three days ago is complete.”
On the day Oul first came to find Jin, Jin had demanded one reward from Oul on the condition that he ‘saved Veradin and Dante.’
— Since I am risking my life, I hope there will be a reward for me as well. Only in the event that I successfully assist you, Nameless King.
“Even though you didn't exactly follow my orders, you saved the two of them in the end and even brought the Silver Dragon's Claw, so I decided to grant it. Though my blood pressure spiked when I saw the three of you together.”
“I didn't know you enjoyed taking credit so much.”
“Are you speaking so boldly to me just because you’ve become close with Yona?”
“I was just trying to be a bit cheeky because I want to get closer to you as well, Lord Oul. I think it’s better for Sister Yona not to return to the main house, but to stay here and later open a flower shop on my land.”
Oul’s eyes flashed instantly. While other Runcandels only thought of using Nameless by exploiting Yona’s weakness, Jin was the opposite. Not only that, he even hinted at not using Yona as the family’s dedicated assassin. Since it didn't sound like empty talk, Oul couldn't help but show curiosity once more.
“That’s a story Yona would like. But there’s no way your family would let that girl go.”
“I will create a justification so that she won't have to return to the main house in the future.”
“Ho, are those words you can take responsibility for? You, who are a mere reserve flagbearer?”
“Of course. I can delay Sister Yona’s return by at least five years.”
He hadn't obtained it this time, but Jin planned to ask Yona for the Ten Thousand Poison Liquor soon. That would be when he could also give his eldest sister a good gift, and when they had built enough friendship that he wouldn't feel guilty receiving the liquor. When Jin received the Ten Thousand Poison Liquor then, Oul would be able to go to Cyron and protest, just as he had in Jin’s past life. Since a pure-blooded Runcandel had stolen the Ten Thousand Poison Liquor, he could ask to delay Yona’s return.
“At least five years, eh. It seems you heard something from Yona last night.”
“In exchange, King, please help me just once when I need it. Not Jin Runcandel, but Jin Gray.”
“Fine. If you keep your word this time as well, I shall do so. You’ve already made a fool of me twice, so I suppose you have some sort of plan this time too.”
“Then I shall take my leave of Samil. I’ll be taking Dante and Veradin with me, so I won't be causing you any more concern from today on.”
As Jin bowed politely and turned around, Oul lit a cigarette.
“But will it really be alright? Your request, I mean.”
“Of course.”
“I say this because the numbers will likely be greater than you expect. There will be quite a ripple effect. It might even cause you harm.”
Jin wore a meaningful smile.
“That likely won't happen. I’m simply casting a net without much thought and catching a big fish, after all.”
*
Dante and Veradin were still sprawled on their beds, snoring away.
Zzzzz, phew… Zzzzz, phew! Veradin was even scratching his belly.
Sleeping like babies.
Jin shrugged and put his hands in his pockets. Then, he casually tossed the green roses he had twisted earlier for fun onto their faces.
However, his hand caught an unfamiliar object in his pocket.
A stick?
A pitch-black stick. As Jin absentmindedly looked at what he held in his hand, it was only natural for his pupils to dilate as if they were about to pop out.
It’s the Ten Thousand Poison Liquor!
Yona had put it there.
But when? That question was resolved as soon as he rummaged through his other pocket. There was a letter inside.
— It was your birthday a few days ago. So, this is a birthday present. If you let your guard down just because you’ve awakened your Mind's Eye, you’ll be taken out by someone like me without anyone ever knowing.
Once you consume the Ten Thousand Poison Liquor and awaken your Mind's Eye to its peak, there won't be an assassin in the world who can kill you single-handedly. That would be a difficult task even for me.
Since I threatened your life several times while you were staying here, I wanted to gift you a life in return.
Happy birthday, though it’s late, my beloved youngest brother. Oh, and that bit about having a mission was a lie!
The reason Yona had suddenly started talking about a mission in the flower garden that morning was to snatch the Ten Thousand Poison Liquor without the Nameless King knowing.
And at that same time.
“What… is this…!”
Joshua’s knights, who were spying on Jin, were unable to hide their shock.