Chapter 268: An Unwelcome but Reliable Flagbearer (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 268: An Unwelcome but Reliable Flagbearer (1)
The Elder Council's hall resembled the Supreme Court of the Viment Empire.
The first thing that caught the eye in the center of the vast hall were three massive, heavy wooden platforms that exuded a suffocating, imposing aura.
The Elder Council Head, Vice Elder Council Head, and Secretary General stood upon these platforms. Behind them, the other elders were seated in an arch.
These three individuals were the leaders of the organizations that answered to the Elder Council: the Black Sword Council, the Guardian Association, and the Homin Association.
In other words, they were the pillars of the Council.
The Guardian Association and Homin Association were dedicated to upholding Runcandel’s laws and protecting the people of Huphester. The Black Sword Council, on the other hand, was responsible for the family's general 'settling of scores.'
They were the ones who decided who needed to be killed and who needed to be spared, handing down punishments as they saw fit.
The Elder Council wielded formidable power within the clan.
Among its branches, the Black Sword Council was peerless.
If they decided someone in Huphester needed to die, that person would be branded a rebel, no matter how innocent, or a traitor, regardless of their achievements.
They were old ghosts capable of erasing anyone—commoner or noble—from the world without a sound, so long as they were within Huphester.
Of course, while they possessed near-absolute power, they were not entirely beyond restraint.
The Patriarch, his wife, and the twelve Flagbearers were the only ones who could keep them in check.
Even if the Council issued an execution order, they had to strike the target’s name from their ledger the moment the Patriarch voiced his opposition.
Just as Jin’s own name had been struck from the Runcandel execution list that very day.
“Jin Runcandel.”
“Yes, Elder Council Head.”
“Nineteen years old this year. Your name was placed on the Runcandel execution list on January 1st, 1798, and was removed today, February 9th, 1799, around noon.”
The Elder Council Head and leader of the Black Sword Council, Jorden Runcandel, arched an eyebrow, making it clear he found this fact highly distasteful.
His voice was thin and irritable, uncharacteristic of a Runcandel. Combined with the wispy white beard on his chin, he lacked any outward sense of majesty.
He doesn't look like much, but my great-uncle is a self-made man. He even competed with Father for the position of Patriarch and survived, eventually seizing power in his own way.
Usually, only the Patriarch’s children competed as Flagbearers in Runcandel.
However, there were special cases. For instance, if the heir eliminated the other Flagbearers too quickly during the succession process, or if an exceptional talent emerged from the Patriarch's relatives, the story changed.
Jorden’s case was a mix of both.
Having distinguished himself in his youth, he had waged a war for rank against Cyron as a second-tier Flagbearer.
Of course, compared to Cyron, Jorden was a sparrow to a phoenix.
But had his rival been any other pure-blooded Runcandel, Jorden would have been the phoenix.
In short, he was a man who might have become the Patriarch if Cyron had never been born.
“How does it feel?”
“It feels good.”
“I see… I imagine it's quite a pleasant turn of events for you. For me, however, it has been a rather unpleasant experience. To think a wanted criminal would walk in here, only for us to make him a Flagbearer.”
Jorden openly expressed his dissatisfaction with Cyron’s decision.
Everyone in the clan knows Great-Uncle Jorden has always harbored a mix of fear and inferiority toward Father, and that it warped his personality. But I didn't realize he was this reckless.
The reason for his recklessness was obvious.
Not only was he the supreme authority within the Elder Council, but none of the other elders would dare tattle to Cyron over a few petty remarks.
Furthermore, Jorden was Madam Rosa’s confidant.
They were all old men. What good would come from an ordinary elder getting on his bad side?
“Elder Council Head, please calm yourself. I, too, find it distasteful that a magic swordsman has become a Runcandel Flagbearer, but shouldn't we at least offer a proper welcome today?”
The Vice Elder Council Head and leader of the Guardian Association, Lin Milkano, spoke up in a refined tone.
As the former head of the Milkano family, she was also one of Rosa’s people.
That meant the two pillars of the Council—the Black Sword Council and the Guardian Association—were both backing Joshua.
The Secretary General of the Council and leader of the Homin Association, Telot Runcandel, merely watched Jin in silence.
“Indeed, the Vice Elder Council Head is right. The family’s twelfth Flagbearer has been born, so it is an occasion worthy of celebration… Very well. Congratulations, Jin Runcandel.”
Jorden spoke, waving his hand dismissively—a clear signal for Jin to leave.
I expected this, but it's still a bit extreme. I can't believe he wouldn't even mention the Decisive Techniques.
Normally, when a Flagbearer visited the Elder Council for the first time, the elders would offer their congratulations and promise to pass down Decisive and Secret Techniques.
However, with Jorden expressing his refusal so blatantly, the other elders couldn't easily step forward.
Regardless.
Jin hadn't expected much to begin with.
He had, however, been mindful of one elder who had been watching the situation with a deep scowl for some time.
Zed Runcandel.
His uncle, who had taught Jin during his time as a cadet. He looked as if he wanted to tear Jorden apart right then and there, but he was suppressing his rage, unable to act.
He had no choice.
Seeing the child he once taught being so thoroughly ignored was no different from being ignored himself.
I should give Uncle Zed a small gift.
Jin met Jorden’s eyes with a calm expression.
“Thank you for the congratulations, Elder Council Head.”
“I heard you, so leave. Why are you still standing there?”
“If it weren't for you, Elder Council Head, I never would have survived.”
The moment Jin finished speaking.
Jorden’s eyes went bloodshot.
Slam!
Jorden slammed his fist on the platform and glared at Jin.
“What did you just say?”
The reason he was so incensed was the same as Zed’s.
He had been insulted.
And by a green youth, the youngest, who had just become a Flagbearer.
If it weren't for you, Elder Council Head, I never would have survived.
The words implied that Jin had only survived on the run because the Black Sword Council was incompetent.
In truth, it wasn't that the Black Sword Council and Runcandel's knights were incompetent, but that was beside the point.
It was at that moment that Zed burst into boisterous laughter.
“Hahahaha!”
Everyone’s eyes turned to Zed as he suddenly stood up.
“What is so funny, Elder Zed?”
“The Elder Council Head just took a blow. When that brat first joined the intermediate class, he made me eat dirt a few times myself. I felt a flash of camaraderie, so I laughed. Don't take it personally.”
“Why, you…!”
“It seems our youngest Flagbearer is quite upset that us old folks in the back room are being so prickly. I understand, to some extent. No, in fact, no one felt a greater sense of betrayal than I did when I found out he was a magic swordsman.”
“Elder Zed, what are you trying to say?”
At Lin’s question, Zed pointed at Jin.
“Right now, in your eyes, he might just look like a brat provoking the Elder Council Head, but think about it. Jin took a strike from the Patriarch and woke up in three hours. What was the first thing he did after that?”
When no one answered, Zed continued.
“He went to the Mausoleum. Not the infirmary, not the dining hall, and not the Patriarch’s office—he went to the Mausoleum. It means he’s not entirely without manners. Was there a single Flagbearer of the current generation who went to pay respects to the clan's guardian deities immediately like Jin did? Not one.”
“Is that such a grand gesture that you must praise him for it? Even if he's a child you taught, Elder Zed, you're laying it on a bit thick.”
“It is a grand gesture, Elder Council Head. Especially from the Council’s perspective, wouldn't you agree? A man with that kind of respect is exactly the type who will take care of old-timers like us even after he seizes power in the future.”
Whether they were from the Black Sword Council, the Guardian Association, or the Homin Association.
Surprisingly, quite a few ordinary elders were nodding in agreement with Zed’s words.
In fact, among the Flagbearers, not many treated the ordinary elders with proper respect.
At best, Joshua had once served the elders devotedly, but after securing his power, he began treating them strictly as his subordinates.
“You’re overreaching. If the 12th Flagbearer knew even a shred of etiquette, he wouldn't have dared to mock me.”
Jorden clicked his tongue.
“That’s because you were being too mischievous, Elder Council Head. Anyway, everyone seems reluctant to teach this boy a Decisive Technique. I, Zed Runcandel, intend to pass one down to the 12th Flagbearer, thinking of the day when I am even older and weaker.”
“Well, do as you please. But Elder Zed, you haven't forgotten, have you? There are many Decisive and Secret Techniques that can never be passed down without the consent of more than half of the Council.”
Veins instantly bulged on Zed’s forehead. He was, at his core, an ordinary elder—stubborn and hot-tempered.
Jorden and Lin, as the Elder Council Head and Vice Elder Council Head, led the ordinary elders.
It was clear whose opinion the elders would support.
However, Zed replied as if his pride wasn't wounded at all.
“Do you think I’m a fool? As if I’d forget such a rule. If you all won't agree, I’ll simply teach him the ones I can pass down independently.”
“Then let’s hold a vote right now. Any elder who wishes to pass a Decisive Technique to the 12th Flagbearer, raise your hand!”
As Jorden barked the command, the hall fell silent as if cold water had been poured over it.
Wait, these old fossils! No matter how much they fear Jorden, not a single one is raising their hand? Did Jin really do something so wrong? If anything, standing up to the Elder Council Head is something a Runcandel should be praised for!
Truly, not a single person raised their hand. Even Telot Runcandel, the leader of the Homin Association whom Zed had secretly been counting on, was subtly avoiding Zed’s gaze.
“Heh. As you can see, this is the result. A pity, Elder Zed. I believe we can dismiss the 12th Flagbearer now. You can handle the Decisive Techniques that can be taught without the Council’s consent on your own.”
In Runcandel, there were a total of ten Decisive Techniques, seven Secret Techniques, and three Profound Techniques.
However, the Elder Council could not pass down Profound Techniques. Among the Decisive and Secret Techniques, eight and five, respectively, required majority support to be taught.
This meant Zed could only teach the Decisive and Secret Techniques that the elders colloquially referred to as 'low-grade.'
Zed nodded, suppressing his boiling insides.
A shame, Jin.
Zed thought so, but Jin concluded that he had gained far more than expected from this meeting with the elders.
In any case, some of the Decisive Techniques were modeled after the Fighting God Techniques and the Pluto Sword. It's not as if I'm in such a desperate hurry to improve my martial arts that I need to learn them right this second.
On the other hand, discovering an ally in Zed Runcandel was an unexpected gain.
I had calculated that if even my uncle had completely sided with Joshua, winning over the Elder Council would be a massive headache.
Dealing with Great-Uncle Jorden is a problem I can solve gradually. The one who concerns me more is the leader of the Guardian Association, Lin Milkano… I wonder what that old woman's weakness could be?
The Milkano family.
As it happened, there was someone Jin knew well from that house.