Chapter 154: Meeting at the Black Sea
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 154: Meeting at the Black Sea
Squelch…
“Gah! Huff, huff!”
As thick streams of blood sprayed into the air, the Runcandel Guardian Knights learned the true meaning of helplessness.
There were twenty of them, all 7-star and 8-star knights. These were the very same Guardian Knights who had been surveilling Jin under Joshua’s orders.
The moment they stepped out of Samil, however, they became nothing more than prey for the assassins of Nameless, unable to mount even a proper resistance.
Nine of the ten greatest assassins of Nameless had gathered, excluding only Yona. It was only natural that a mere twenty elite Guardian Knights could not handle them. While they were not quite on the level of Runcandel’s infamous Black Knights, the top assassins of Nameless possessed a prestige that nearly rivaled them.
“Identify their positions! They’re definitely top-tier assassins!”
“Damn it! Don’t scatter! They’ll just pick us off one by one!”
Despite all of them being users of the Mind’s Eye, they couldn't sense the assassins at all. Every time a flash of light gleamed from the darkness, another Guardian Knight collapsed.
The knight leading the group, having made a desperate decision, raised his voice.
“Does Nameless not fear Runcandel’s retribution?! I don’t know your reasons for this, but we are the knights of Runcandel’s next Patriarch—”
Thwack.
A single dagger pierced through the back of his head.
All the remaining Guardian Knights could do was grit their teeth in despair.
“Finished. Disperse. I will deliver the report to the King myself.”
It had taken only three minutes for the top assassin, Bizen, to utter those words. The Nameless attire they wore remained as pristine as ever, without a single drop of blood on it.
—I would like you to erase the record of my presence in Samil. I want no one to have any memory of Jin Gray or Jin Runcandel, except for the commoners of the Con Principality, the Nameless cadets, and the assassins.
This was the request Jin had made to the Nameless King.
To erase the fact that Jin Gray, or Jin Runcandel, had ever “been to Samil.” This was the reason the top assassins had just slaughtered Joshua’s knights.
I want no one to have any memory of me, except for the commoners and those involved with Nameless…
Oul mulled over those words again as he flicked the ash from his pipe.
‘Jin… that boy claimed a prize catch got caught in a net he cast without thinking. But he probably expected things to turn out this way from the start. What a terrifying brat.’
Just as he was lost in thought, Bizen appeared before him.
“Mission complete. A total of twenty-three Runcandel Guardian Knights were neutralized. Disposal of the bodies will be finished within the hour.”
“Good work.”
“I am concerned about how Runcandel will react. Even if we have a justification, killing that many Guardian Knights will surely bring pressure upon us.”
“Don’t worry, Bizen. I plan to visit Sir Cyron personally. I’ll be leaving for the Black Sea within two days, so take charge of the Nameless Hall while I’m away.”
“As you command.”
*
A man who, thanks to his aristocratic good looks and ghostly swordsmanship, was often misunderstood by the public as a mysterious recluse.
Casimir was currently drenched in sweat.
He had expected Khan to come out and meet him once he got near the Black Sea. However, Cyron had not sent a guide, and Casimir had spent over a week drenched in the blood of monsters.
He couldn't even remember how many beasts he had cut down to reach this point. After countless struggles, he had finally arrived at the heart of the Black Sea where Cyron was located, but…
‘Why are those people here…?’
Cyron alone had summoned him. Yet, there were four people in his sight.
“Have you arrived, Ghost Sword?”
First, there was Guardian Knight Khan. Though he spoke politely, Khan was inwardly thinking, Serves you right. He wanted Casimir to understand the hardships of a letter carrier, and his gaze carried a silent pressure, telling Casimir to write his letters more clearly from now on.
“Cyron, why did you call this married man here? What’s this? I thought we were going to have a cozy chat, but there are so many uninvited guests.”
Next was Palace Master Talaris. She looked at Casimir’s bedraggled state and clicked her tongue, her expression questioning whether someone who struggled so much against mere monsters could properly assist her future son-in-law.
“Ghost Sword Casimir? Sir Cyron, it seems the Free City of Tikan has also forged a friendship with Runcandel.”
And finally, the Nameless King, Oul. He had arrived exactly thirty minutes before Casimir.
At the center of it all was the strongest knight of the era, Cyron Runcandel, sitting cross-legged and hovering slightly in the air, silently watching Casimir. As their eyes met, Casimir quickly bowed his head.
“I apologize for being late, Sir Cyron.”
“Sit. And Talaris, the uninvited guests are you and Oul, not the Ghost Sword.”
“Oh?”
“Ah, it seems you had a prior engagement with the Ghost Sword…”
At Cyron’s single remark, Talaris and Oul surprisingly took a step back, making way. They created a space for Casimir to stand before Cyron.
The Palace Master and the Nameless King. Cyron was the only person capable of moving those two with a single word—even while subtly embarrassing them in front of someone like Casimir, who was practically their junior.
Casimir couldn't help but be deeply moved.
‘Sir Cyron is looking out for me!’
The exhaustion from his life-or-death struggles over the past week seemed to melt away. Casimir quickly took his place, carefully reading the room.
‘Lady Talaris must be here to propose a marriage alliance again, but why the Nameless King? Did Young Master Jin cause some trouble in Samil?’
It was nice that Cyron had made a place for him, but he couldn't help feeling like he was sitting on a bed of needles. Talaris and Oul were sending him blatantly annoyed glares.
With Casimir and the Nameless King here, I can’t bring up marrying the kids!
…With the Palace Master and the Ghost Sword here, it’s difficult to bring up the matter of Jin and Yona.
Cyron, on the other hand, was feeling quite pleased. Although Casimir lacked the status of the other two, three famous figures—whom the public would be lucky to meet even once in a lifetime—had come to find him, all because of his youngest son.
“I originally called you here to share a drink, but two unexpected guests have arrived. Please understand. We shall have our drink after these friends have left.”
With this one sentence, Cyron temporarily elevated Casimir to a status equal to that of the Palace Master and the Nameless King. It was a gesture that Talaris and Oul couldn't help but be shocked by.
It was the consideration of an absolute being. Cyron did not want Casimir to feel intimidated and filter his words because of the other two.
“Understand? Not at all, Sir Cyron. It is an honor.”
“Right. How is the youngest doing?”
“Around the time I left for the Black Sea, Young Master Jin departed for the city of the Nameless King, Oul, here. He said he was going to train so that he would not fall victim to poisoning or assassination.”
This time, a strange light flickered in the eyes of Cyron, Talaris, and Oul simultaneously.
Why does that boy keep seeking out dangerous places? What if he dies? What about my daughter?
It’s true that Jin is an extraordinary brat, but for Sir Cyron to show this much interest in a mere Reserve Flagbearer…?
Cyron’s gaze turned toward Oul, signaling him to explain.
“Ahem. The Ghost Sword is correct. I have also come to see you because I have something to say regarding that. However, it doesn't seem like the kind of story that should be told with the Palace Master or the Ghost Sword present.”
“Just speak. As you know, while the Secret Palace and Runcandel are not one, the Palace Master is one of my few friends. And the Ghost Sword is a man who keeps his mouth shut.”
After a moment of deliberation, Oul nodded. In his mind, the Secret Palace and Tikan would now be categorized as allies of Runcandel.
Soon, as Oul began to recount in detail what Jin had done in Samil, everyone listened with rapt attention. He naturally omitted the parts about Veradin and Dante.
When Oul reached the part where Jin had caused all sorts of havoc, successfully survived, and achieved the Mind’s Eye, a smile played on Cyron’s lips. And when he got to the part where Oul had killed twenty-three Guardian Knights at Jin's request—who had noticed Joshua’s spying—Cyron burst into laughter.
“Hahaha!”
The energy contained in that laughter caused the heart of the Black Sea to tremble.
“I see why you’ve come. Did you worry I would hold you responsible for that?”
“I am ashamed to admit it, but yes. It wasn’t just one or two, but twenty-three.”
“He’s already learned how to purge his own. What a wicked brat…”
Though his voice lacked laughter, his expression was one of satisfaction. To Talaris and Oul, “wicked” sounded more like “admirable.” Only Casimir was worrying his heart out, wondering if Jin had made a terrible mistake.
“Do not worry about that matter. It would have been the same even if he had killed two hundred instead of twenty.”
“You put this junior’s mind at ease. However, Sir Cyron, there is one more regrettable story.”
“What is it?”
“…I think it would be best for you to see this note. This is something I absolutely cannot reveal to the Palace Master and the Ghost Sword.”
“Let me see it.”
As Cyron took the note, his brow twitched.
—I received the Ten Thousand Poison Liquor as a gift from Sister Yona. Therefore, Nameless King, use this as leverage to negotiate with my father. Ask him to delay Sister Yona’s return to Runcandel.
With the Ten Thousand Poison Liquor, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to ask for at least five years.
Ah, for your information, I didn’t obtain it through trickery. It is only right that I return it, but since the Nameless King himself said, ‘Be at ease from the assassinations of Nameless for ten years,’ my greed for the Ten Thousand Poison Liquor outweighs my fear…
Though it is a cheeky method, I have kept my promise this time as well. I trust that the King will also keep his promise to me.
Thank you.
It was the note Jin had left behind when he departed from Samil.
“Why? What’s wrong, Cyron? Did our son-in-law cause some trouble you can’t handle?”
Unable to contain her curiosity, Talaris finally spoke up.
“…Oul, is this truly the truth?”
“It is. In fact, besides what is written in that note, he blindsided me a few more times.”
“A man of your stature, by that green boy? He is clever, but is such a thing even possible? Surely you didn’t plot this together because you wanted to keep Yona.”
Sigh.
Oul shook his head with a deep sigh.
“I wish that were the case.”
“It seems I have been played as well, not just you.”
“But to you, Sir Cyron, he is your son. Unlike me, who was stripped bare, you have many more reasons to find him admirable.”
“Hahaha… We shall discuss this matter again soon. I will send a formal invitation, so come visit the Garden of Swords shortly.”
“I will tell you the details then as well.”
“Cyron, are you leaving the Black Sea again? I don’t know what it is, but surely you aren’t going to punish our son-in-law, are you?”
“Who has been your son-in-law for a while now, Talaris?”
“Hmph, you can at least answer my question. Did Jin make a big mistake that requires punishment?”
Cyron lightly shook his head.
“No.”
“That’s a relief.”
Silence fell. Cyron was lost in thought, Talaris was relieved, and Oul was contemplating just how long he should ask for Yona’s return to be delayed.
“Ghost Sword.”
“Yes, Sir Cyron.”
“I’m also curious about the news you brought. I couldn’t hear it because I was talking with Oul.”
“I was just about to tell you. The death of the Great Mage Kidad Hall, which caused quite a stir recently… I came to inform you that it was the work of Young Master Jin.”
“What?”
“Ha!”
Talaris and Oul shouted simultaneously, while Cyron simply nodded with an expressionless face.
“I see. Then, uninvited guests, please excuse yourselves. I must now have a drink with the Ghost Sword.”
“I think I know what you’re going to talk about. It doesn’t matter to me, so let me join in. Don’t keep leaving me out; it’s hurtful.”
Since she knew Jin was a magic swordsman, there was no problem with her finding out how he had killed Kidad. In the end, only Oul, who did not know Jin’s secret, had to return alone.
‘The Palace Master aside, is the Ghost Sword closer to Sir Cyron than I am…? Besides, I’m also curious about how that brat killed Kidad.’
He felt strangely slighted, but since he had achieved all his goals, it was fine. Oul decided to think of it that way.