Chapter 199: Rumors and Pursuers (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 199: Rumors and Pursuers (2)
Rip!
Cyron sliced through the letter’s seal with his index finger.
It had been nearly seven months since he last received one, making this a long-awaited arrival. In a way, Cyron was finally indulging in what had become his only pleasure after a seven-month drought.
It was worth getting covered in monster blood just for this. To think the Patriarch would be this pleased…
Khan smiled inwardly.
Casimir hadn't sent a single letter recently, which had left even Khan feeling anxious. He had no idea where the youngest young master was or what he was up to, and he was beginning to wonder what the Ghost Sword was doing.
Fortunately, this long-overdue letter seemed to be packed with news that thoroughly satisfied the Patriarch.
The Pluto Sword and the Spirit Sword.
The descriptions of the two swordsmanship styles in the letter held Cyron’s gaze for a long time.
"I heard there’s a fellow named Barmul making a name for himself out there. Have you heard the news?"
"Yes, his name came up during a meeting at the main estate. They said he might be a Contractor of Paitel. It’s unclear if he’s alone or has companions, but he killed five assault captains of the White Wolf Tribe on an island in the Bellado Principality. He doesn't seem to be an ordinary individual."
"Everyone will lose their minds when they find out that’s the youngest."
"Pardon?"
"Keep it quiet. Also, take measures to ensure the flagbearers don't take too much interest."
"I shall obey."
Cyron finished reading the rest of the letter.
Any mention of the compass was omitted; instead, the pages were filled with details about Jin’s visit to Laprarosa and his confrontations with Kinzelo and Zipple. The fact that Siris of the Secret Palace had assisted him was also dutifully recorded.
Even though Cyron knew Casimir was intentionally withholding certain information, he didn't feel slighted. After all, the Ghost Sword belonged to the youngest, not to him.
"Khahaha…"
Cyron let out a low chuckle that caused the ground to vibrate faintly.
"You seem to be in high spirits, Patriarch."
"You wouldn't be able to stop yourself from laughing either if you read this part."
On the first page of the letter Cyron held out, the following was written:
[Respected Lord Cyron, during a drinking session last night, Young Master Jin said this to me: 'I think I can finally trade a blow with my father now.' Ah, what a truly marvelous tale…]
Khan’s expression stiffened.
"Ghost Sword… that man has finally lost his mind. Even if the youngest young master said such a thing, he should have filtered it appropriately before reporting it! I shall go at once and give him a stern warning—"
"Khan, have you ever heard of a beastman race called the Pluto Tribe?"
"Yes, I know of them. A mysterious race said to have been the overlords of the world five thousand years ago."
"It seems the youngest met the Pluto Tribe through a trial granted by Solderet. Among them is an individual called the Fighting God. According to Jin’s description, he is surely a powerhouse on par with me."
Khan struggled to find a response.
Where in the world was there a human who could rival Cyron in a one-on-one fight? Moreover, the king of the Pluto Tribe, a race thought to have perished five millennia ago? To Khan, it sounded like a tall tale.
Still, neither the youngest young master nor the Ghost Sword would dare to tell a lie. Khan quietly waited for Cyron’s next words.
"The youngest’s logic is that since he exchanged a blow with that man, he can do the same with me. Haha, it’s so endearing I could almost shed a tear."
"To be honest, I believe the young master only said that because his insight into martial arts is still lacking. He is growing at an astonishing rate, but he is still only seventeen, is he not?"
Khan was a man who had seen the seventeen-year-old versions of all the pure-blooded Runcandels of this generation, not to mention Cyron’s other children.
Even Luna, who was always recognized as the strongest among them, could not have traded a blow with Cyron at seventeen. It was only natural that he couldn't believe what was written in the letter.
"Khan."
"Yes, Patriarch."
"That boy has never once told me he could do something he couldn't."
At those words, Khan hurriedly bowed his head.
"I have spoken out of turn."
"I didn't say that to rebuke you. However, even I am curious this time. I wonder if the youngest can take responsibility for his words. If it turns out he simply lacks insight as you said, my disappointment will be great."
Khan immediately understood the meaning hidden in Cyron’s words.
Cyron wanted to verify Jin’s skills for himself.
"Shall I quietly bring the youngest young master to the Black Sea?"
Cyron shook his head.
"No, there’s no need for that."
"Surely you aren't suggesting you will visit Tikan yourself…"
"That would be too harsh on the boy."
If Cyron were to visit Tikan personally, the eyes of the entire world would instantly focus on it. If that happened, Tikan would no longer be a safe haven for Jin. All sorts of great powers would begin planting spies in the city.
Stroking his beard, Cyron broke into a grin.
"Do you have any paper?"
"Here, sir."
Soon, Cyron began to write something with a pen. The smile never left his face the entire time.
Khan felt a sense of wonder whenever this happened. After Luna gave up her claim to the throne, the Patriarch had completely lost his laughter for a long time.
Having finished writing, Cyron handed the paper to Khan.
It was a letter. When Khan saw the name of the recipient written at the top, his eyes widened.
This person is…!
There was no seal, and he hadn't been ordered not to read it, but Khan quickly tucked the letter into his breast pocket without checking the contents. He wouldn't look at it until it was delivered.
"Khan."
"Yes."
"Deliver the letter. Then, receive two bottles of King's Liquor under my name from Butler Heinz. Deliver one bottle to Talaris, and bring the other to me in ten days."
"Understood. I shall take my leave."
*
July 21, 1797.
Two men wearing red masks and blue uniforms arrived in Tikan Free City.
That was the attire of the Viment Special Task Force, worn during official operations. The red masks were items permitted only to the force’s section leaders.
Section Leader 3, codename Latz. Section Leader 4, codename Chris.
The moment they appeared at the teleport gate, the Tikan Guard went on high alert. It was only natural, given that two section leaders of the Special Task Force had suddenly arrived in their peaceful, leisurely city.
It took less than ten minutes for news of their visit to travel from the lowliest patrolman to Alisa, the Captain of the Guard.
They didn't come here tracking Quicantel and Enya.
Quicantel and Enya were currently unofficial fugitives of Viment. If the task force had come to capture them, they wouldn't have sent just two men, and they certainly would have arrived in secret.
Could it be that they found a clue about Young Master Jin?
Fortunately, that didn't seem to be the case either.
Though their visit was sudden, they approached Casimir’s mansion with a polite attitude.
To the outside world, Casimir’s mansion was the residence of the leaders of the Seven-Colored Bird, known as the 'Council of Seven.' Some members of the council, who were all descendants of Viment’s former loyalist families, were acquainted with Latz and Chris.
Being acquainted didn't mean they were close. Since the Council of Seven consisted of those who had been exiled along with Casimir, their relationship was awkward, to say the least.
Members of the Seven-Colored Bird stationed throughout the city informed Jin’s group of the visit.
"It seems certain they aren't here for me. Hmm, nothing immediately comes to mind."
"Just in case, Young Master, please hide in another room with Lady Enya and Lady Quicantel. I will meet them personally to discern their intentions and send them back as quickly as possible."
The Council of Seven, called in for an emergency meeting, stepped into the drawing room with Casimir.
Neither Casimir’s side nor the Special Task Force section leaders were carrying weapons, but a sharp tension flowed between them. It was a natural atmosphere for a meeting between the last descendants of an exiled prince and his loyalist families and the Special Task Force that served the Emperor directly.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Casimir."
At that, Casimir smiled.
"What brings the section leaders of the Special Task Force all the way here? I’m sure you’re busy, so please state your business."
His words were polite, but his tone was cold.
Unfazed, the section leaders pulled a piece of paper from their pockets.
It was a check stamped with the seal of the Emperor of Viment. A murderous glint flashed in Casimir’s eyes.
"…What is this?"
"His Majesty has requested the cooperation of the Seven-Colored Bird. The payment is five hundred thousand gold coins, and the task is to secure an individual named Barmul. Upon completion, twice that amount in gold will be granted."
"Haha."
Rrrrip! Casimir tore the check to pieces.
"Lord Casimir, that constitutes the crime of imperial insult—specifically, an act of directly insulting His Majesty."
"It seems the current Emperor is not an honorable enough figure to discuss insults, Section Leader Chris. He must have sent you here to mock me, so tell the Emperor that he has succeeded brilliantly."
"You misunderstand, Lord Casimir. As you know, Barmul has recently become a major topic of conversation. His Majesty simply wishes to speak with him before Zipple does. That is why he asks for your cooperation—"
"You scoundrels!"
Casimir suddenly leaped to his feet and roared.
"Do you see the descendants of Great Viment's former loyalists as nothing? Just because I lost my status as a prince and their loyalty was betrayed, do you think the likes of you can dare to toy with us?"
While Casimir screamed with bloodshot eyes, the section leaders remained perfectly calm.
After a moment of silence, Latz spoke.
"…We shall overlook your disrespectful remarks regarding His Majesty. In exchange, we ask that you forgive us for disturbing your rest. We shall depart."
The Special Task Force section leaders gathered the torn pieces of the check and stood up.
They immediately retraced their steps and left the mansion. Only after confirming their figures had vanished did Casimir let his anger subside.
"That wasn't a bad performance, even after all this time."
Casimir’s rage was fake. Or rather, even if the anger was real, displaying it was merely a calculated performance.
"I could hear you shouting all the way over here, Lord Casimir."
"The Emperor will only believe he can do as he pleases with my family and this land if I appear to be a fool driven by old emotions, unable to forget my former status."
Jin had not yet heard why Casimir had become a 'deposed prince.' He was waiting for the day Casimir would tell him the story himself.
"The Emperor didn't send people just to mock me. He must be quite curious about you, Young Master, if he’s willing to have the Special Task Force collaborate with the Seven-Colored Bird."
"It’s likely because of Lady Quicantel and Enya. Latz has seen me with them before while I was wearing the black helmet. Viment probably figures that if they secure me, they can also find them."
"Five hundred thousand gold coins… it’s a bit of a waste. I thought it might be a chance to make up for the money we gave to the Cosmos Pirates, haha."
Just then, Jet came running toward them in a frantic rush.
"Young Master! Lord Casimir!"
"You’re going to burst my eardrums, Jet."
"An unidentified old lady has come looking for us! She says she wants to sponsor the Seven-Colored Bird!"
"Hmm? Isn't that something the executives can handle on their own? Besides, what do you mean she’s unidentified?"
"That’s the thing… the sponsorship money is no joke. It seems she brought a whole large sailing ship filled to the brim with gold coins. The members went to check, but… well, none of them have any idea who she is."
"None of them? Today is a day for unusual guests. Where is this old lady now?"
"She’s on her way to the mansion right now, sir!"