Chapter 16: Garden of Swords (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 16: Garden of Swords (1)
“Seriously, why didn’t you tell me about the transformation’s side effects beforehand?”
An hour had passed since the formation of the unofficial Runcandel trio.
Outside the inn, the Black King Corps was busy preparing for departure. Inside, the three of them sat in a circle on the floor, deep in conversation.
“Kid, you try sleeping for a thousand years and see if your brain doesn’t get a little stiff. Huh? I just forgot. Besides, it’s been so long since I last transformed that it was hard to maintain.”
“You crazy dragon! You almost got stuck as a cat forever!”
Transformation—a privilege granted only to dragons.
While certainly a privilege, it wasn’t exactly a ‘blessing’ due to several fatal restrictions.
First, a dragon in a transformed state is extremely weak. If they transform into a cat, they possess only the combat power of a cat. The same applies if they turn into a lion, a fish, or a bird.
Second, if the transformation is maintained beyond a certain period, the dragon can never return to its original form. At that stage, their draconic ego gradually fades until they degenerate into an ordinary animal.
“Phew… I was terrified, too. A long time ago, I spent about two hundred years laughing at some idiot who transformed into a fish for fun, missed his window to change back, and got caught by a fisherman. Dammit, I almost ended up just like him.”
“Hahaha! My goodness, to think such a foolish dragon exis—ah.”
Gilly, who had laughed instinctively, instantly wiped the expression from her face.
“My apologies, Young Master. And to you as well, Murakan.”
“Strawberry Pie, you were having a good laugh. Why the sudden change?”
“I was too unguarded. It was unprofessional for an escort to laugh so freely.”
“Good grief, Strawberry Pie, are you some kind of golem? A person can laugh a little, can’t they? Hey, kid! How on earth have you been treating your nanny all this time?”
“M-Murakan. The Young Master has always treated me very well.”
“If this wicked brat ever treats you poorly in the future, just tell me. I’ll give him a proper scolding.”
They’re really hitting it off, aren't they…
Jin thought to himself with a small chuckle. It had been a long time since he had seen Gilly look so lively.
“By the way, Murakan, is transforming into a human okay?”
“Yeah. There aren't any major restrictions on human transformation. It’s actually more comfortable. In my true form, I’m constantly consuming mana. Maintaining a massive body requires a lot of energy.”
“Why is it that only human transformation has no restrictions?”
“The gods were being considerate in their own way. We look exactly like humans when we’re born. In our dragon forms, there are certain… difficulties regarding the preservation of the species. Or satisfying various desires…”
“Okay, that’s enough.”
Thinking he had made a hilarious joke, Murakan let out a loud “Ku-hel-hel” laugh. Surprisingly, Gilly was on the verge of a lip cramp from trying to suppress her own laughter.
What has the world come to?
The thought flickered through his mind, but Jin didn't dislike this strange, newly formed party. In fact, he was quite satisfied. Having trustworthy companions with whom he could share his secrets was always a good thing.
“Anyway, it looks like we’re leaving soon. Transform back.”
Murakan grumbled as he turned back into a cat. Until Jin grew up, this cycle of transformation was set to continue for a while.
* * *
Over the next two days, the Black King Corps did an excellent job transporting Jin’s group to the capital of the Mitel Kingdom. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a dignified escort worthy of a formal knight order rather than a mere mercenary group.
During the journey, the fact that a black cat picked up from the street had joined their party was a little hard to explain. However, the members of the Black King Corps simply took it as a sign that the young lord had a warm, childlike heart.
“Thank you for your hard work, Sub-captain Murka of the Black King Corps 3rd Company. The Runcandel main house will generously compensate you for the additional request later.”
“This mission was a good experience for us as well, Gilly. I look forward to the future of the young Runcandel you serve.”
While Gilly and Murka exchanged farewells, Jin stood a short distance away with Murakan perched on his shoulder.
“By the way, Gilly McLoran.”
“Yes, Murka?”
“This may be an impolite question, but having seen you fight firsthand, I can't help but ask. As someone who lives by the sword, I felt a deep respect. Why did the McLoran clan…?”
Gilly’s expression darkened. Murka cleared his throat and waved his hand dismissively.
“My apologies. I wish I could go back ten seconds and shut my mouth.”
“It’s fine. Well then, farewell.”
As soon as the Black King Corps departed, Gilly let out a long sigh. Quickly composing herself, she led Jin and Murakan toward the Mitel Teleport Gate management office.
“Welcome to the Mitel Teleport Gate. Please show your identification.”
Gilly presented a dagger engraved with the Runcandel crest, the ‘Black Sword.’
“Ah! You are retainers of the Runcandel family. It is an honor to meet you. I assume you’ll be heading to Kalon in the Huphester Alliance?”
Kalon was the city where the Runcandel main estate, the ‘Garden of Swords,’ was located. Furthermore, the Huphester Alliance was a collection of nations effectively under Runcandel rule.
“That is correct.”
“Please come this way. I will escort you to the VIP lounge.”
Since Mitel was also part of the Huphester Alliance, it was essentially Runcandel territory. The gate manager’s face was flushed, as if he considered it a great honor just to guide Jin’s party.
“If you wait just two hours, you’ll arrive in the blink of an eye. Have a pleasant journey.”
The VIP waiting room for Mitel’s express teleport gate was as luxurious as the drawing room of any noble house. There were no other guests.
Jin sank into a plush sofa and pulled out his transcription notebook. Studying whenever he had a spare moment was a habit he had formed during his days as a mage.
“Sigh, Young Master.”
“What is it?”
“To be honest, I’m a little worried. If the family were to discover that you are a contractor of a god, or Murakan’s true identity… we might be able to smooth things over, but…”
“You mean the magic?”
“Yes. That is something no one in Runcandel will ever tolerate.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll hide it well…”
Just then, someone opened the door to the VIP lounge.
It was a boy who appeared to be a noble. He had light bronze skin, was about a head taller than Jin, and was accompanied by two guards.
The moment they entered, the peaceful atmosphere of the lounge turned sharp and tense. Gilly and the boy’s attendants began to glare at one another.
It was sudden, but entirely natural. A Runcandel and a Zipple had just met in the same room.
They’re Zipples. Who is he?
Jin calmly scrutinized the boy’s face. It was somewhat familiar, but since he hadn’t seen many Zipples up close in his past life, he couldn’t place him.
“I knew I didn’t want to come to Huphester. I suppose it was because I was destined to run into such unpleasant people here.”
The boy, who sat a good distance away from Jin, muttered just loud enough to be heard. His guards were now casting blatant glares not just at Gilly, but at Jin as well.
It was a childish provocation.
The veins on Gilly’s neck bulged, but Jin decided to wait and see. Gilly, in turn, remained still.
“Meow.”
Murakan, in his cat form, seemed to find the situation amusing. He let out a cry as he circled the space between the two groups.
“Oh, at least the cat they’re keeping is cute. It’s a waste for a coward like that to own it. Come here, kitty.”
“Nyan!”
Murakan hopped right into the boy’s arms. He allowed himself to be petted for a moment, and then…
“Hiss!”
He suddenly bared his claws, scratched the bridge of the boy’s nose, and leaped away. Seeing this, Jin couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“Pfft!”
“Eighth Young Master!”
The moment the guards reached for their swords, the boy raised a hand to stop them.
“Ah, it’s fine. It’s just a scratch. It’s an animal, not a person. I got what I deserved for picking a fight.”
Wiping his nose, the boy stood up and continued.
“…Besides, drawing a sword in front of a Runcandel is a stupid thing to do, regardless.”
The boy shrugged and looked toward Jin.
He wasn't scared; he was just being calm. Or is he just ignoring me?
The boy’s childish provocation had been intentional. He had been curious to see what kind of mettle the youngest Runcandel, fresh out of Storm Castle, possessed. And now, he had his conclusion.
“Jin Runcandel. You’re quite an interesting fellow.”
The boy approached Jin and held out his hand.
“I am Veradin Zipple. I threw out a few words because I wanted to test you, for which I formally apologize.”
Veradin Zipple!
The moment he heard the name, Jin realized why the boy’s face was familiar.
In his past life, Veradin had become a 9-star mage by the age of thirty and was the leading candidate to become the next Patriarch of Zipple. As a massive celebrity, Jin had often seen his face in newsletters. He was an idol to young mages, a man who possessed skill, character, and background in equal measure.
To Jin, who had barely become a 5-star mage at the time, Veradin had been a being infinitely distant and high above.
“Is that so? I stayed quiet because I was curious what kind of person you were, too. I’m glad to see you’re not a complete idiot.”
“Oh? And what made you judge me that way?”
“If you had let your subordinates draw their swords, even as a joke, they would have had to wander Huphester without a single attendant. You probably would have lost a couple of fingers yourself.”
“Haha, that’s a funny joke.”
“Does it sound like a joke?”
Veradin flinched for a moment at Jin’s cold gaze.
“…Well, fine. You’re cool. But as a senior in a similar position, let me give you one piece of advice. Even if you meet other Zipples later and they do something unpleasant, don’t go cutting off fingers recklessly. It would make things exhausting for our respective families, wouldn’t it?”
He was implying that such an act could start a war. Veradin was giving sincere advice.
“Now that is a funny joke, Veradin Zipple.”
“Hmm? Why? If the Runcandels and Zipples fought a bloody war every time there was a minor issue, there wouldn't be much of a world left. I said it in the sense that we should think of the people who would suffer.”
“My father, Cyron Runcandel. And your father, Kelliark Zipple.”
Jin continued with a slight smile.
“Do you really think those men would move their entire families over a mere children’s spat?”
Veradin’s eyes widened. He looked as though he’d been caught completely off guard.
“Even if I had cut off your fingers today, there would have been no war between Runcandel and Zipple. It’s a matter that would have ended with us paying you back a few thousand gold bars.”
Blinking, Veradin slowly nodded.
“I’m walking away with an unexpected lesson. I’ll be sure to repay this debt later.”
“Forget later. Pay it back now.”
“How?”
“By staying quiet until the teleport gate activates. I don’t want my rest disturbed any further.”