Chapter 17: Garden of Swords (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 17: Garden of Swords (2)
Veradin repaid his debt exactly as Jin had demanded.
He didn’t utter a single word until the moment the teleport gate activated. However, he kept stealing glances at Jin, watching his every move.
‘Jin Runcandel… In a few years, he’s going to be the kind of guy who sets the world ablaze. Ugh, I’m so curious! I want to talk to him more, but I can’t since he told me to shut up.’
Veradin’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as he peeked at Jin. Though they had only exchanged a few words, today’s encounter had been an eye-opening experience for him.
Consequently, his inquisitive gaze began to soften with a hint of goodwill.
‘If he weren't a Runcandel, we might have become good friends… I’ll have to settle for the feeling of having discovered a worthy foe. Perhaps he’ll even be my lifelong rival!’
While Veradin indulged in these boyish fantasies, practically buzzing with excitement, Jin was thinking something else entirely.
‘Idol of mages or not, what a bothersome fellow.’
To make matters worse, every time Veradin accidentally made eye contact with Jin, he would flush red and whip his head away.
‘Looking at his flushed face and that look in his eyes, he seems a bit unhinged. Ha, maybe I should have just cut off a few of his fingers.’
It was impossible to concentrate under such an unsettling gaze. Jin simply closed his transcription notebook, stroked Murakan, and waited for the teleport gate to activate.
“Thank you for waiting. The teleportation will begin shortly. As the aftermath may cause headaches or dizziness, passengers are advised to…”
Vrrrrm!
The interior of the VIP waiting room began to glow with deep blue mana. The shimmering energy rose like mist, enveloping Jin’s party and Veradin’s group.
“It was fun! Let’s meet again, Jin Runcandel!” Veradin shouted, his voice thick with excitement.
Once they arrived, their paths would diverge immediately, so this was his only chance to say goodbye.
“Yeah, whatever.”
Not that Veradin heard Jin’s reply.
Veradin was teleported to the standard immigration desk, while Jin, being a Runcandel, arrived at a private VIP terminal.
In Huphester, the Runcandels were a family of absolute power and unrivaled prestige. Conversely, the Zipples were considered the ultimate villains here, so the difference in their treatment upon entry was vast.
Most of the world was divided between the Runcandels and the Zipples in this manner. There were very few nations free from the influence of these two families.
“Blegh, hurrrk…!”
Pat, pat!
Gilly patted Murakan’s back with a worried expression.
“You’re really something else. What kind of dragon are you…?”
“Urgh, cough. Phew! We didn’t have these contraptions in my day. Ugh, I feel like my innards have been twisted into knots.”
Mages had developed teleport gates about a hundred years ago. Since the technology and devices were designed for humans, they weren't exactly dragon-friendly. After a long bout of retching, Murakan took a deep breath as if he were finally coming back to life.
“Lord Murakan, are you alright?”
“I’m fine. It’s been a thousand years since I last vomited. In the old days, there were plenty of idiots who used dragon vomit as an ingredient for perfume.”
“That’s still true today. If you gave what you just spilled to the nobles, they’d go crazy and throw gold coins at you.”
“Oh, is that so? Strawberry Pie, is there anything you want? I’ll sell that and…”
“Quiet. Throw it in the incinerator over there. There will be people from the family waiting outside.”
Stepping out of the waiting room, they saw the normally bustling teleport gate of the Huphester Alliance was deserted. It was a place that was typically crowded even on non-holidays, but today, the area had been completely cordoned off for the youngest Runcandel’s return.
Clank, clatter!
A group of knights in ceremonial armor approached Jin’s party. They were the Runcandel Guardian Knights.
“We have been waiting for you, Youngest Young Master. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Petro, the Second Butler.”
A middle-aged man standing among the knights spoke.
Jin’s party boarded the steel carriage they had prepared and headed toward the Garden of Swords.
*
The Garden of Swords.
The very symbol of the Runcandel family.
True to its name, this vast garden seemed to have more swords thrust into the earth than flowers or trees. Those thousands of blades belonged to deceased Runcandels or their retainers, but not every member of the family was granted the honor of planting their sword in this soil.
It was a privilege reserved only for those who had contributed to the family’s prosperity.
As they entered the Garden of Swords, the steel carriage slowed. Jin looked at the swords passing slowly outside the window and was lost in a brief memory.
‘Once, it was my dream to die and plant my sword in this ground.’
Why had he been so naive and pathetic back then?
If he had faced reality sooner, the Jin of his previous life might have left the family much earlier. There was no way they would have given the “shame of the family”—someone who only became a 1-star Knight at the age of twenty-five—the chance to plant a sword here.
Why was he so naive and pathetic?
He asked himself the question once more. He already knew the answer, but it was a way to steel his resolve now that he had returned to the main estate.
‘Because I was weak. And because, despite being weak, I wasn't shrewd enough to act first.’
Jin smirked and closed his eyes.
The swordsmanship talent he regained through his contract with Solderet, his innate magical talent, the cunning he gained from living a total of thirty-eight years, the audacity that comes from having died once, and the information only a regressor could possess.
On top of that, he had Gilly and Murakan—strong allies with whom he could share his secrets. One of them was even a legendary Black Dragon.
‘Yes, this time, life will be worth living even in this godforsaken place.’
This was the real beginning.
He thought he would be nervous before arriving, but seeing the swords planted in the garden only made his confidence and fighting spirit soar.
“Salute!”
“Salute!”
As the carriage stopped in the center of the Garden of Swords, the Runcandel Guardian Knights lined up in formation and offered a sword salute.
And standing before the Guardian Knights were Jin’s twelve siblings… and his parents.
The Master of Runcandel and every human with the potential to become the next Master were gathered in one place. It was a rare occasion for them all to be at the main estate at once.
Creeak…
Petro opened the carriage door. Jin, holding Murakan, and Gilly stepped lightly onto the ground. As soon as she descended, Gilly bowed deeply to show her respect to Cyron, while Jin gave a slight nod.
“It has been a long time, Youngest.”
His mother, Rosa Runcandel, was the first to speak.
“Yes, Mother.”
Thump, thump.
Jin walked slowly toward Cyron. Throughout his walk, he felt the gazes of his siblings lined up on either side.
It was because of Murakan. They found it absurd that the youngest, who was supposedly receiving their father’s attention, was carrying a mere cat.
Cyron narrowed his eyes and asked Jin, “Did you find it?”
He was asking about Murakan.
Jin had expected his father to ask this question before even greeting him. He also knew exactly how to answer to satisfy this incredibly difficult and powerful man.
“I took him in, Father.”
“You took him in, rather than just finding him…”
A faint smile played on Cyron’s lips.
“I like your certainty and boldness. Yes, that is exactly the attitude a Runcandel should have when acquiring something.”
The expressions of several siblings hardened instantly.
Most of them had memories of being severely punished in their childhood for losing their hearts to cute animals. Others simply didn't like Jin.
Jin turned his head to scan the faces of his siblings.
‘Among them… is the one who cursed me.’
Who was it?
Ever since he witnessed the curse with his own eyes in the Cradle nine years ago, he had wondered about this every single day.
And why did they do it?
What was the reason for attempting to inflict a curse worse than death upon a one-year-old—their youngest brother who hadn't even shown his potential yet?
‘Was it simply because I chose Barisada? Or was it just to remove a competitor in advance?’
He wanted to grab them one by one and interrogate them right now, but this was not the time.
None of the twelve siblings were weaker than Jin. Even the Tona brothers, whom he had treated like underlings at Storm Castle, had been training in Runcandel swordsmanship for two years, so they were likely stronger than him at the moment.
Besides, wasn't today a happy day, with the family gathered for the first time in a long while?
There would be plenty of days to see blood in the future.
Smiling at that thought, Jin set Murakan down on the ground.
“Meow.”
Murakan hopped over and nestled into Rosa’s arms. Surprisingly, Rosa calmly stroked him.
“My son. What is this child’s name?”
“It is Nabi Runcandel, Mother.”
Pfft.
Rosa burst into laughter, while the faces of most of the siblings twisted into grimaces. Cyron watched Jin in silence.
“Father, Mother! No matter how young the youngest is, this is unacceptable!”
“How dare he give the Runcandel name to a mere beast? I agree with my fourth brother.”
“Gilly! You wench, how did you raise the youngest? How could the boy be so attached to a cat…!”
As the siblings protested, Cyron spoke in a low voice, and the area fell silent instantly.
“Why did you give him the Runcandel surname, of all things?”
Jin met Cyron’s eyes and replied, “To give myself a sense of responsibility. Even if he is a mere animal, he is the first life I have taken in by my own will. I felt his name needed to carry weight.”
The eyes of the now-silent siblings were filled with shock, but Cyron nodded slowly.
“Interesting. But Youngest… do you understand the weight that the name Runcandel carries?”
To this heavy follow-up question, Jin nodded without hesitation.
“I understand. It means that if anyone tries to harm Nabi, I must personally… make them pay the price.”
The expressions of the Tona brothers, who had been glaring at Jin as if they wanted to kill him, crumpled. They thought they were no longer afraid of their youngest brother, but seeing him now brought back memories of Storm Castle.
“Youngest, you certainly have a talent for making enemies. Seeing how your siblings are glaring at you.”
That was a warning from Cyron. Not to Jin, who was causing a stir with a few words as soon as he arrived, but to his other children who dared to show murderous intent in his presence.
The siblings instantly corrected their expressions and posture.
“It seems so. But I believe I also have a talent for killing my enemies, Father.”
“Khahaha… Everyone better stay on their toes if they want to handle this shrewd youngest of ours.”
The siblings bowed their heads in response.
Following that, all the Runcandels gathered and entered the mansion, where the banquet for Jin began.
Throughout the meal, most of the siblings couldn't shake the sense of unease they felt as they watched their audacious youngest brother.