Chapter 157: Reward (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 157: Reward (3)
While Gilly was away at the Garden of Swords, Jin ordered the Seven-Colored Bird to gather information on the remnants of the Dark Magic Association.
The Dark Magic Association was a group that had been at its peak about two hundred years ago.
As their name suggested, they were a fanatical organization that worshipped dark magic and demons. Despite their nature, they had a long history, and during their prime, their influence was strong enough to plunge the entire continent into terror.
And the one who effectively destroyed them was Riol Zipple. The only time in her life she ever unleashed the Destruction Flame Orb of the Dark Heaven, Demon Emperor Form 1, was to kill the leader of the Dark Magic Association.
This was a piece of history Jin had learned while studying magic in his previous life.
Shortly after contracting with Solderet, Jin had spent some time researching the life of Riol Zipple, a former Patriarch of the Zipple Clan.
He did so because the "Dark Heaven" aspect of the Destruction Flame Orb of the Dark Heaven—the ultimate destructive magic Riol had created—was related to Solderet’s power.
Veradin called it the Destruction Flame Orb of the Dark Heaven, but in truth, what he tried to cast should simply be called the Destruction Flame Orb.
Riol was a mage who had contracted with Solderet two generations before Jin. Although she wasn't a Contractor of a Thousand Years, she was the contractor Solderet had been most fond of, second only to Temar and Jin.
It was none other than Solderet who had told Jin the location of the magic tome containing the final form of the Destruction Flame Orb of the Dark Heaven.
—My contractor, let us go find Riol’s magic tome once you have become strong enough. Once you are capable of passing the trial she left behind.
He had heard those words about a month after contracting with Solderet.
Perhaps it was because he had recently seen Veradin’s miserable failure to cast the spell, but Jin felt the urge to go find it immediately. However, he knew the trial left by a legendary Archmage who had reached the pinnacle would be far from easy.
For now, I should focus on growth by refining what I've already gained, rather than chasing a legendary spell I can't handle yet.
Whirrr—!
A sharp vibration emanated from the Reverse Flow Explosion in Jin’s palm. Ever since Gilly left for the main house a few days ago, he had been holed up in the training hall, practicing Reverse Flow magic.
“Sir, it’s Jet.”
Jin extinguished the Reverse Flow Explosion as Jet entered. Jet politely handed over a stack of papers. It was a document detailing the location, scale, and recent movements of the Dark Magic Association’s remnants.
“Southern Viment? They’re actually operating there?” Jin asked, raising an eyebrow.
He hadn't expected them to be active within the Viment Empire itself rather than in one of the smaller principalities.
“And there are over fifty of them gathered there? I can’t believe Viment is just letting that slide. According to these reports, they aren’t exactly staying quiet, either.”
“Yes, sir. They’ve started raiding private homes and occasionally releasing tamed monsters, yet for some reason, the Viment authorities aren't responding.”
“Hmm… something smells fishy.”
“Isn’t it obvious, sir? Corrupt officials taking bribes to look the other way, or incompetent ones waiting for a chance to take all the credit. Sigh, it’s always the common folk who suffer.”
“Officials that reckless are rare in Viment. The Empire didn't earn its name for nothing. There must be another reason.”
“Should I look into it further, sir?”
“No, I’ll find out once I get there. Knowing their approximate strength is enough.”
Most of the Dark Magic Association remnants were mages between 3-star and 4-star. There were a few high-level mages of 6-star or higher mixed in, but they weren't a threat to the current Jin.
In fact, he was confident he could win even if fifty mages of 7-star or lower attacked him at once.
Jin was beginning to realize that he was finally entering the ranks of the truly strong. Of course, he had no intention of becoming complacent.
“Oh, and Lady Gilly has returned, sir.”
“Oh?”
When Jin went up to the mansion, Gilly greeted him with a flushed face and a wide smile.
“Young Master!”
“Gilly. How was the trip?”
“You’ll be shocked when you hear what I’ve brought back. Hoho, when the Patriarch slapped Young Master Joshua’s cheek, it was so satisfying!”
“Wait, Father slapped Joshua?”
“Yes! And right in front of me and Lord Oul! Ah, I haven’t even mentioned Lord Oul was there. I never imagined such a sight. I was startled, but it felt so good.”
“The Nameless King was there too? Tell me everything.”
“Well, what happened was…”
*
Three days ago, at the Garden of Swords.
As soon as Cyron left the Black Sea, he sent a formal invitation to Oul and a letter to Tikan summoning Gilly.
Upon arriving at the Garden of Swords, he held a brief meeting with all the elders regarding Yona. Afterward, he called Gilly, Oul, and Joshua to his office.
“Joshua.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Thanks to you, Yona’s return to the clan has been delayed by five years. Do you have anything to say for yourself?”
“…I do not.”
“I won’t even mention the shame of a 2nd Flagbearer showing such weakness before the youngest, who is only a reserve flagbearer. However, I believe I gave a clear warning to you and your siblings. What was it?”
“You told us not to touch Yona.”
Slap!
That was when Cyron struck Joshua’s cheek. Slap, slap! Even though he hadn't imbued his hand with Aura, blood and bits of flesh flew from Joshua’s cheek.
“A coward like you wouldn't have dared to intentionally disobey my order. And yet, this is the result.”
“I am sorry.”
“Return the Black Light Armor. It is not an item that suits you.”
“…Yes.”
Joshua immediately took off his coat and unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the Black Light Armor. Looking at the brilliant, oily black breastplate, Cyron clicked his tongue.
“It has been years since Rosa gave this to you… yet the luster remains the same. Did you not even understand your mother’s intention in granting you this armor?!”
Clank, clank.
After removing the Black Light Armor, Joshua adjusted his clothes. By then, Gilly was looking down, not daring to breathe too loudly.
“The next time I must leave the Black Sea to summon you, be prepared to be stripped of your status as a flagbearer. Leave!”
*
Jin’s eyes deepened as he listened to Gilly’s story.
“Isn’t it amazing? Young Master Joshua will have to lay low for a while, and you’ve obtained the Black Light Armor!”
The Black Light Armor.
It was a peerless breastplate crafted thirty years ago by the Minche Blacksmith Association, a group founded by the legendary blacksmith, Picon Minche.
Originally, the Minche Blacksmith Association had crafted it for the Zipples, not the Runcandels.
However, Zed had seized it after a war with the Zipple’s 5th Magic Tower, and it had been kept in the Runcandel warehouse ever since. Rosa had bestowed it upon Joshua seventeen years ago.
She had given it to him to help him during the time he was being overshadowed by Luna.
“I see why Father punished Joshua in front of Gilly and the Nameless King. And why he gave the Black Light Armor to me.”
“What’s the reason? Aren’t you happy, Young Master? I didn’t expect you to be so calm.”
“I am happy. Especially about Joshua getting hit. But Father has given me a homework assignment with this armor. He’s telling me to fight opponents strong enough to break it during my time as a reserve flagbearer. This is more of a task than a reward.”
“So that’s what he meant when he yelled at Young Master Joshua about the luster still being the same.”
“And Father was also warning the Nameless King. He was showing him that since he can cast aside even the 2nd Flagbearer of the clan, he won't hesitate to crush the Nameless if they cross him.”
“I felt that, too. It seemed the Patriarch holds Lady Yona in special regard. I didn’t know that before. She didn't even have a nanny and went to Samil at such a young age, so I just assumed there were some complicated circumstances.”
“The fact that he made it obvious enough for even you to notice proves my point. He was also warning me through you, Gilly. He was telling me to give up any thought of using Sister Yona.”
“Ah… oh my, the Patriarch had a purpose for everything!”
Jin’s deduction was correct.
This was exactly why Cyron had left the Black Sea and specifically summoned the three of them together.
There’s definitely something about Sister Yona. The reason Father reacted so sensitively is likely because of a special power she possesses.
—You have a secret too, don't you?
Yona’s words suddenly came to mind.
It seems Sister Yona has a bigger secret than I thought. It’s not something I need to know right now. Just being aware of it is enough.
Jin organized his thoughts and nodded.
“I’ll have to start diligently looking for opponents strong enough to break this Black Light Armor. I can’t afford to disappoint Father, too.”
“Phew, I was just being foolishly happy again. To think it was a reward that’s no different from a heavy burden for you…”
Jin smiled at Gilly.
“No, being happy at times like this is your job, Gilly.”
A week later, when Casimir returned, Jin prepared to leave for Viment with Enya.
Casimir’s face looked quite haggard, likely from fighting monsters in the Black Sea for nearly a month.
However, perhaps because he had achieved something as a martial artist, his eyes were shining with a clear light.
“My, it’s been a while, Young Master, and you’re already leaving again. You’re going to wipe out the remnants of the Dark Magic Association this time?”
“Father gave me a homework assignment. It seems it will be difficult for me to take it easy for a while. By the way, did you retrieve your item?”
“Pardon? Item?”
“Didn’t you say you had something left in Viment and were gone for nearly a month? You even emphasized that it was something you had to find entirely on your own.”
When Jin asked while feigning ignorance, Casimir cleared his throat.
Jin had guessed from the moment Casimir first left that he was going to the Black Sea at Cyron’s summons.
“A-Ah! That! I found it safely and am on my way back from storing it in Vankella’s Eternal Warehouse.”
“Hmm, that’s strange. For some reason, the pungent smell of monster blood is wafting off you, Sir Casimir. If you had gone to Vankella… I don't think they would have even let you in.”
“The smell of monster blood, haha. Your jokes have improved while I was away, Young Master. Anyway, I’m worried about Miss Enya.”
“Because of me?”
“That too, but… you said the remnants of the Dark Magic Association are currently active in southern Viment, right? And that Viment isn't taking any action despite their looting and rampaging.”
“That’s right. I was finding that hard to understand. Do you have any guesses?”
“Hmm… Viment is famous for its public security. So much so that common thieves or bandits are wiped out by the guards as soon as they appear. However, they tend to intentionally leave criminals with a certain level of skill or scale alone.”
“Why?”
“To keep them as prey for the nobles. In my opinion, the reason the Viment guards aren't attacking the Dark Magic Association is because they intend to create an opportunity for the academy mages to distinguish themselves.”
As a former prince of Viment, Casimir knew the Empire’s old corrupt practices inside and out.
“That’s why I’m worried about Miss Enya. If she happens to run into the nobles who used to ostracize her, it might reopen old wounds.”