Chapter 224: News Heard, News to Find (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 224: News Heard, News to Find (5)
“Of course, that’s only if you become one of my people. Until then, you’re a prisoner. I'll treat you humanely, so I hope you don’t disappoint me,” Jin added.
As he said, Julian was a prisoner, defeated and brought back by force. Though he had already spilled a significant amount of information, he could not yet be considered one of Jin’s men.
Julian himself knew he should be grateful just to be alive. His request for Jin to save his guardian dragon was more an expression of his desire to switch sides.
Until now, Julian had never even imagined the possibility of Joshua falling.
His family had been murdered and his village had vanished without a trace. Yet no one in Huphester spoke of it, and no organization dared to uncover the truth.
It was because the Runcandels were the ones who had done it.
Furthermore, as far as Julian knew, Joshua was the Next Patriarch of Runcandel—a man in a league of his own, with no rivals to speak of.
And was that all?
He had personally seen Joshua use a Prophet to create clones, hunt down contractors, and effortlessly suppress and imprison their dragons.
Julian had been forcibly subjugated by Joshua since the age of twelve. To him, Joshua was a god-like being who could not be defied, an absolute and indescribable terror.
But in Jin, he saw hope for the first time.
A Runcandel who had not only defeated the avatar of Paitel inside him but had also killed one of Joshua’s clones.
Somehow, it felt like this man could help him end his horrific and miserable servitude.
“……I understand.”
“Let’s take our time building trust. Unlike Kuzan, you don’t have enough motive or reason to join me yet. Lady Alisa?”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“I’ll leave him in your care. Keep him in the basement until I’m certain it’s safe to bring him up.”
“Understood.”
Jin couldn't just let a man capable of mass slaughter roam free. He intended to keep Julian in the basement and observe him for the time being.
“Ah, and one more thing. If you find yourself craving another sandwich, just say the word.”
As Jin left the basement with Kuzan, his mind was already crowded with thoughts.
The clones were real. And a Prophet was involved…
Kuzan also wore a troubled expression.
“It seems you weren’t aware of the Prophet’s existence either.”
“I apologize.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. Starting today, go to the basement every evening and have dinner with Julian. Find out everything he knows about Joshua’s forces. Then, cross-reference it with the information you already have.”
Joshua likely knew that Julian was still alive. The captive guardian dragon would not have shown any significant changes.
This meant that when moving against Joshua's forces, they had to avoid targeting anyone Julian named, at least for now. Otherwise, Joshua would realize Julian had betrayed him, and he wouldn't hesitate to kill the guardian dragon.
Understanding the intent, Kuzan nodded.
“I will organize it to look as though Julian hasn't confessed anything.”
“Good. You should also rest until dinner. You can go see Beris. I’ll hear the full story about you two once she has fully recovered.”
“Thank you.”
“Also, I’ll be consulting with Sir Casimir soon to decide where to station you. You’ll likely be assigned to the Seven-Colored Bird. There won’t be any special privileges, so make sure you complete the basic training diligently.”
“Young Master.”
“What is it?”
“Even if… even if Beris can never use mana again… I will somehow fulfill her share of the duties as well.”
Kuzan and Beris had lived their entire lives as tools called ‘hounds.’
The belief that they would lose their right to live once they were no longer useful was deeply ingrained in them. Thus, he couldn't help but worry that Jin might discard Beris.
Kuzan had now decided to become Jin’s tool. Of course, Jin was not the type of person to view people as mere tools.
“So, you’re asking me not to discard Beris or deem her worthless?”
“……Forgive my impertinence, but yes.”
“If negotiations with the Saints of Vankella go well, she’ll receive further treatment. Even if they don’t, there are plenty of places where Beris can be useful, so don’t worry. Anyway, come to Sir Casimir’s office tomorrow around noon. Gilly will find a room for you to use.”
As Jin turned and walked away to meet his other companions, Kuzan bowed deeply toward his retreating back.
Just then, Quicantel, who was passing through the hallway, grabbed Kuzan by the scruff of his neck and hauled him up.
“What are you doing in the middle of the hallway? At this rate, you look like you’re about to set up an altar.”
Because of her, Jin, who had been trying his best to ignore Kuzan’s bow, cracked an awkward smile. Kuzan, looking embarrassed, headed toward the infirmary where Beris was resting.
“Lady Quicantel.”
“Did you find anything out?”
“Yes. Let’s go talk.”
When they arrived at Casimir’s office, the rest of the group was already gathered.
As soon as Jin relayed the information he had gotten from Julian, not only Casimir but also Quicantel and Latri could not hide their shock.
“A sorcery that clones humans using other humans as materials… what a horrific tale. It’s not like people are cookie dough.”
As Latri shrugged, Quicantel shook her head.
“Just what kind of person is this brother of yours? First, one Runcandel tries to curse you with a mage, and now this? Clones? And on top of that, this ‘Prophet’ can even transfer contracts?”
“Ugh, it gives me the creeps. I’ve thought this before, but he’s so insidious that it’s hard to believe he shares the same blood as the Young Master.”
Having almost become a victim of the Demon God Stone herself, Enya felt a chill run down her spine at the mere mention of transferring contracts.
“Do you dragons have any idea what this could be?”
“Demons.”
“It sounds like the work of demons.”
Quicantel and Latri answered simultaneously.
“If it’s a Demon King-class demon, it’s not an impossible story. Except for the contract transfer part. But seeing as Zipple and Kinzelo tried to transfer a contract using the Demon God Stone, the demons might have a method as well.”
“Demons, huh…”
The Holy Kingdom Defense War.
In that war, the only time Runcandel and Zipple had joined forces, the demons had suffered a catastrophic defeat. Consequently, they were currently preoccupied with rebuilding and were unable to interfere significantly in the human world.
“Or perhaps it’s the Witch Heluram. Nothing would be surprising if that woman were involved. Whether it’s cloning humans or transferring contracts, it all seems well within her capabilities.”
“Whether it’s demons or Heluram, we have to figure out how Joshua formed a relationship with them and what his goal is. However…”
Jin let his voice trail off.
“Realistically, that will be difficult. It’s too dangerous to even deploy the Seven-Colored Bird. And I’m starting to think this Prophet might be involved with the entire clan, not just Joshua.”
“That is a distinct possibility, Young Master. If such a figure is by Joshua’s side, it’s unlikely the core members of Runcandel are entirely unaware of it,” Casimir agreed.
Everyone nodded. If the Runcandel clan were that incompetent, they never would have been able to compete with Zipple for global hegemony.
“Whether Runcandel is feigning ignorance while knowing Joshua is with the Prophet, or if they are providing their full support—that will be the most important distinction,” Casimir said in a heavy voice.
“If it’s the latter, I wonder what Temar would think if he saw his descendants.”
“I don't think I can touch this issue until I officially become a Flagbearer.”
One wrong move could result in an uncontrollable backlash.
It was also impossible to go and ask Cyron. Even with a witness, that alone was insufficient, and there was no telling how he would be treated if he asked for help in the clan’s ‘succession war.’
Since Kinzelo and Zipple have significant hidden forces, it’s possible our clan does as well. Is Joshua receiving Mother’s full support because he’s so good at this kind of thing?
Having peeked into the great powers' secrets as a Reserve Flagbearer, he knew Zipple was using all sorts of foul play to become the one true god, and Kinzelo was doing something similar. Viment had not yet directly clashed with Jin, but circumstantially, they seemed to be playing both sides between Zipple and Kinzelo.
In such a climate, there was no way Runcandel was just sitting idle.
—Not at all! If I wanted to, I could have caught up to our eldest sister whenever I pleased. But, my youngest brother, do you know? Do you know what lurks in the world you haven't experienced, at those heights?
—Even with Father present, why do you think Runcandel hasn't been able to surpass Zipple? Why do you think Father hasn't cast me out despite being disappointed in me? It’s because he knows that even if I don’t satisfy him, I am the one in the Garden of Swords who is more vigilant against our enemies than anyone else.
Suddenly, the words Joshua had spat at him in the Blue Bird Archipelago came to mind.
Zipple and Kinzelo ultimately wanted the same thing.
To become the sole masters of the world.
There’s no way the main house is unaware of what I know. Did Joshua mean that he is the one most wary of Kinzelo and Zipple?
If the Runcandels were aware of the Prophet and doing nothing, it was likely because she was part of that vigilance.
Or is there something else I don’t know?
After a moment of contemplation, Jin looked at his companions with resolve.
“It seems I won’t be able to use the full five years Father gave me. I need to move up my return to the clan.”
It was nearly three years since he had become a Reserve Flagbearer. There was a limit to the information he could uncover in his current position. Information related to Runcandel, specifically, was completely inaccessible.
“When do you plan to return?”
“Early '99 would be best.”
“It’s October of '97 now… so about a year remains.”
“I'll get what I need and build a reputation so flawless that the clan has no grounds to criticize me. As for that woman—the Prophet—I'll investigate her openly once I have the authority of a Flagbearer.”
His martial prowess had already far surpassed the level required to become a Runcandel Flagbearer. As for fame, he could achieve that whenever he wanted, to whatever extent necessary, under any name he chose.
However, he was still underprepared to return immediately. He was not ready to wage war against Joshua’s ‘foundation.’
Ten active Black Knights. The Elders, their knights, and the martial families of Huphester subordinate to him. Even excluding the Prophet, that was the extent of Joshua's visible strength.
Jin would have to fight them all the moment he returned as a Flagbearer.
“I just hope Murakan can recover at least fifty percent of his old strength before you return. Then I could send you off with a lighter heart.”
“He left with a grand resolve to meet his sister, so he’ll surely return changed.”
The time Murakan said he needed to find his sister was roughly two months.
However, one month later, Jin and his companions heard news that they presumed was related to Murakan.