Chapter 169: Sculptor of Chaos (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 169: Sculptor of Chaos (4)
It was, of course, a lie I had just made up on the spot. I had no choice, given how openly Vishkel was displaying his displeasure.
Vishkel Ivliano is the type who becomes a headache the moment he suspects you. I need to tell a story he’ll find believable…
Vishkel tilted his head, his sharp eyes glinting with scrutiny.
“You came here to see me, not Bubar?”
“Yes.”
“For what reason would you… Ah. Don’t tell me.”
A provocative, challenging glint lit up Jin’s eyes. Watching him, Vishkel’s lips curled into an interested smirk.
“As a Reserve Flagbearer, did you wish to duel me?”
It wasn't a bad reaction.
“It’s embarrassing to admit, but yes. Given my status, I couldn't exactly show up at the Ivliano estate without an invitation. So, I first sought out Bubar, whom Lady Margiella introduced as ‘our friend.’”
At the mention of "our friend," Vishkel’s eyebrows twitched.
“Hmm, so you intended to use Bubar as a bridge to meet me.”
Vishkel didn't bother asking how Jin had found the workshop. He simply assumed that Runcandel would have thoroughly investigated Bubar, the man who had dueled the guest of honor at their own banquet.
“The part about wanting a bust of my father wasn't a lie, though. If I had known Bubar was the most talented sculptor in this city of art, I wouldn't have spent the entire afternoon wandering the workshop district.”
A brief silence followed.
Jin couldn't tell if his lie had truly taken root, but he kept his poker face. Vishkel pulled a cigarette from his breast pocket.
Sizzle. A match was struck, and thick smoke began to drift.
Vishkel didn't speak again until the cigarette was more than half-burnt. He was organizing his thoughts on Jin’s sudden visit.
“...That duel was an impressive event for me as well, Young Master Jin. I, too, have been looking forward to the day we might cross blades again.”
“I appreciate the high praise.”
“However, I do not believe that time is now.”
“Why not?”
“Just because you’ve shown a few small thorns doesn't mean I can trample a growing flower. Young Master, if I may offer a piece of advice as your senior: impatience is a poison unto itself.”
A strange light flickered in Jin’s eyes.
Look at this guy…
The request for a duel had started as a lie, but there was no reason to let himself be looked down upon like this.
Of course, he had no intention of reacting poorly out of spite.
“Since becoming a Reserve Flagbearer, I’ve fought many people. But perhaps my opponents were lacking, because I haven't once felt that sense of desperation I experienced when facing you, Sir Vishkel. That sensation of manifesting the Heart Sword.”
“You must not mistake a realm reached for a fleeting moment as your own, Young Master.”
“It was because of that fleeting moment that an upset nearly occurred in our duel that day.”
The provocation escalated.
However, Jin suspected that Vishkel would never actually fight him.
He’s not the type to fall for such obvious bait. Besides, for Vishkel, this is a fight with nothing to gain.
Vishkel was an 8-star knight. Jin was known to have been 5-star at the time of the banquet. A vast chasm existed between them.
Yet, Vishkel could sense that the achievements Jin had made in the year and a half since were by no means small. Even so, he judged they weren't significant enough to change the outcome of a fight.
Sigh.
Vishkel crushed his cigarette and let out a long breath.
“That is enough, Young Master. I have no desire to waste energy on pointless matters. Furthermore, I am here on vacation. Don't you think you’re being somewhat rude?”
“I apologize for that.”
Whoosh!
Suddenly, Vishkel formed a palm-sized blade of aura and sliced through Jin’s bangs.
Before the shimmering trajectory of the blade faded, before the severed strands of hair could even begin to fall, he swung again—a display of divine skill that diced the hair to dust in mid-air.
Jin flinched, a half-beat too late, a chill running down his spine. Even Bubar’s eyes widened, thinking for a split second that Vishkel had actually slit Jin’s throat.
“I showed you this in case you weren't convinced. For a duel to even be considered, shouldn't you at least be able to react to a surprise attack of this level?”
He was right.
Except for the fact that Jin had intentionally refrained from reacting.
I almost dodged by reflex. Terrifying. If I had, a real duel would have broken out.
That was something Jin didn't want either. Provoking Vishkel this far was strictly to avoid suspicion and to draw attention away so Yona wouldn't have any issues.
If a duel actually happened, Jin would either have to lose using only his swordsmanship or reveal his hidden strength. Neither was a good option.
Fortunately, he doesn't seem to realize I chose not to dodge.
Still, it was a formidable surprise attack, enough to make his toes curl. It was also a sharp response that cleanly ended the situation.
Smack! Bubar smacked his lips in disappointment.
“You should have just cut that arrogant brat down, Lord Vishkel. Imagine how refreshing that would have been.”
“Bubar, know when to stop. What will you do if Young Master Jin becomes a Flagbearer?”
“This guy will definitely die before he ever becomes a Flagbearer! I can tell just by seeing him recklessly challenge you, Lord Vishkel. He thinks just because he’s a Runcandel, he’s everything…”
“Bubar Gaston.”
As Jin spun around and strode toward him, Bubar’s face contorted.
“W-What?”
“How exactly do you plan to handle it?”
“Hmph, you think I’m scared?”
Shring!
Jin leveled Bradamante at him.
“Young Master Jin?”
“I acknowledge my arrogance and discourtesy, Sir Vishkel. I am nothing more than a fledgling who dares not cross swords with you. However, this man insulting the Runcandel name is another matter entirely…”
This time, the killing intent radiating from him was real, not an act. Just as Bubar flinched and tried to scramble behind Vishkel—
“Move a single step, and I’ll cut you down, Bubar.”
“Young Master Jin, stop.”
“Sir, would you stand idly by if the Ivliano name were insulted right before your eyes?”
Vishkel couldn't answer. It was a fact that Bubar had insulted the Runcandels.
“I could tolerate him insulting me personally out of respect for you. But to drag the Runcandel name into it? This man is truly, utterly insane.”
With things having reached this point, Bubar could no longer run his mouth. He realized instinctively that if he moved, he really would be cut down.
“...I understand. But if you do this, I have no choice but to stop you.”
“Then do so.”
“And if that results in your death?”
“Even if I die, I will cut him down and protect the prestige of Runcandel. Of course, since I am a Reserve Flagbearer, the family will not seek retribution against you.”
“If you kill Bubar, I will kill you. If that happens, what good is it that you threw your life away to protect Runcandel’s honor?”
“Even if this matter never reaches the family, I will not be ashamed of myself. That is enough.”
“Must you be like this!” Vishkel shouted for the first time.
Damn it! It’s my fault for not keeping that idiot’s mouth shut. Judging by the boy’s attitude, this is no bluff.
What should he do?
A bead of cold sweat rolled down the back of Vishkel’s neck. While he wanted to kill Bubar even more than Jin did, the man had to stay alive until Kinzelo’s grand ambition was realized.
If he tried to block half-heartedly, the distance between Bubar and Jin was too short. He would have to sever Jin’s arm or slit his throat before the sword could swing.
But he wasn't confident in his ability to stop Jin by just taking an arm.
Vishkel only had a belt at his waist. He had been in the workshop basement eating sweet potato croquettes with Bubar when Jin arrived, so he had set his sword aside.
Even if he formed a blade of aura as he had before, such a small blade wouldn't suffice. To sever an arm, he would need to form a blade at least the size of a longsword, but doing so would likely take Bubar’s head off first. In other words, Vishkel’s only real option was to kill Jin to stop him.
If Jin Runcandel dies, will Lord Cyron really stay quiet?
Cyron was a man who would never retaliate even if Vishkel killed Jin. It was true that he favored Jin, but the moment word spread that Runcandel had retaliated for a Reserve Flagbearer, it would look as though the Patriarch himself was denying the family’s traditions.
However, for Vishkel, it wasn't a matter he could be certain of. If rumors spread that the youngest son—the first guest of honor at a Runcandel banquet since Luna—had been killed by the Ivliano family…?
Not only the Ivlianos, but even Kinzelo might suffer the consequences. That was Vishkel’s concern.
I could hide it. No, I can't. Too many people saw the Young Master’s face in the workshop district.
Leaving the wavering Vishkel behind, Jin spoke.
“I’ll count to three, Bubar. Kneel and apologize within that time. One.”
“Kneel, Bubar!” Vishkel screamed. If Bubar just knelt, this terrible incident could end without any repercussions.
“Two.”
“Knee—!”
Thud!
Bubar’s round knees hit the floor. Just as Vishkel was about to let out a sigh of relief, Jin pressed the tip of his sword against Bubar’s throat.
“I did what you told me to—!”
“No, now it’s time for the apology. I hope you can come up with something convincing before my hand slips.”
Watching Bubar tremble with rage and humiliation, Vishkel’s insides could only burn with frustration.
“I was… wrong….”
Only then did Jin sheathe his sword and smile.
“If it weren't for Sir Vishkel, I would have killed you after taking your apology. That is the proper procedure for insulting Runcandel. Be grateful to him, sculptor.”
Then, Jin approached Vishkel and bowed politely.
“This junior has been excessively discourteous, Sir Vishkel. If you wish, you may strike me until your anger is appeased.”
Vishkel pressed a hand to his forehead as if exhausted.
“...They say Runcandels are like fire, but you are the first of your kind I’ve encountered. There was nothing wrong with your actions in punishing Bubar. As the head of the Ivlianos, I offer you my respect.”
He was genuinely impressed.
It’s absurd and annoying, but few of the actual Flagbearers of Runcandel could act like this. Jin Runcandel, you continue to surprise me, just as you did at the banquet.
At the same time, he resolved to strictly police Bubar’s mouth whenever they met outsiders in the future.
“However, I hope there will be no more such unpleasant incidents. Do not forget that the reason I did not harm you today is because of the mercy you showed Bubar.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“You may leave now.”
As Jin left the sculpture workshop, Vishkel watched his retreating back through the window for a long time.
And as soon as Jin vanished from sight, he let out a low string of curses.
After five consecutive profanities, Bubar, who had been about to cling to Vishkel and complain, had no choice but to quietly head for the basement.
I’ve never seen Lord Vishkel this angry. Jin Runcandel, that damn bastard. He must have been incredibly rude…!
Bubar had no idea that Vishkel’s rage was directed at him, not Jin.
Perhaps that was why, when Bubar returned to the first floor, his arms were full of sweet potato croquettes.
Crinkle, crinkle.
“Please eat some of these and feel better, Lord Vishkel. Ugh, that damn brat definitely won't live a long life.”