Chapter 269: The Unwelcome, Reliable Flagbearer (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 269: The Unwelcome, Reliable Flagbearer (2)
As Jin stepped back, the crowd in the Elder Council hall dispersed.
Zed naturally followed Jin out and nudged him in the ribs.
“Uncle Zed. I apologize for not greeting you properly earlier; the situation didn't quite allow for it…”
“Is that really the first thing you have to say to me? I was wondering how you pulled off that mission in Mamit when you were still in the intermediate class. To think it was magic! Where on earth did you learn it? Ah, it must have been Lord Murakan.”
“I had no choice if I wanted to survive. I am sorry.”
“You say that with such a straight face.”
Zed felt an urge to crack open his audacious nephew’s head and see what was going on inside.
“Jin.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“I stepped in because what you did was refreshing, but don't underestimate Elder Council Head Jorden. He might look like a narrow-minded old fossil, but he's an incredibly shrewd and resilient man.”
“I am aware. He is one of the few who survived the war of succession against my father.”
“Well… it’s more accurate to say the Patriarch simply let him live. Regardless, if you knew that, why did you run wild like a mad dog?”
“I was merely following your teachings, Uncle.”
“What?”
“Back in the intermediate class, didn't you tell me to struggle every single day? I've been putting those words into practice my entire life. My… provocative remarks to the Elder Council Head were just part of that struggle.”
Zed was speechless for a moment.
I knew he was gutsy even as a cadet, but… what kind of madman is this? Even the Patriarch wasn't this reckless in his youth.
Just as he had in the intermediate class, Jin was once again piquing Zed’s interest.
“Too much of anything is poison. Keep this up, and I might teach you a Decisive Technique only for you to die before you even get to use it. I'll pass it on soon, so wait for my call.”
“Thank you, Uncle. I won’t forget your kindness today.”
“And I’ll forget it the moment I decide you’ve gone astray.”
It was by no means an empty threat.
It seems even those who favor me see me as a villain to some extent.
A villain, or perhaps a prodigal son.
That was exactly how Jin was being treated in Runcandel right now.
The only people who truly welcomed him were Cyron and Luna. But Cyron never showed his feelings, and Luna wasn't in a position to openly support him yet.
One could argue that Emma had welcomed him as well.
But she was merely plotting to use him to ensure her own safety and that of the Tona brothers; she didn't actually like him.
Discrimination and prejudice.
He was sick to death of fighting such things in his past life.
Besides, his current reputation as a villain wasn't entirely baseless, so he could accept it easily enough.
After seeing Zed off, Jin was about to return to the room where Gilly and Murakan were waiting when a voice called out.
“Youngest Master.”
A middle-aged man with neatly combed-back hair approached Jin and bowed.
Jin briefly noted his attire before accepting the greeting.
“Congratulations on your promotion, Petro. You've made 1st-class butler.”
“Thank you. I am here on the Patriarch's orders. He has summoned a Flagbearer meeting. I should also offer my congratulations, Young Master. This will be your first. Please head to the Patriarch’s office.”
As soon as he arrived, he had received Cyron’s sword, held an appointment ceremony, and met the elders. Now, a meeting. Even Jin felt like his first day back was a whirlwind.
“I understand.”
“Also, I am very happy that you returned safely. I hope I can be of great help to you in the future.”
“I appreciate the sentiment.”
It was the first time since returning to the Garden of Swords that someone had treated him with such simple, warm sincerity.
Yet, for some reason, Petro’s attitude felt ominous.
It wasn't because he felt Petro was being two-faced; it was just a bad premonition.
When he arrived at the office, the eyes of his siblings, who were already waiting, fell upon him.
As Jin scanned their familiar faces, he noticed Luna’s expression was particularly dark.
Did something happen to Eldest Sister? No wonder Petro’s friendliness felt so ominous.
Petro was one of Luna’s people.
“Everyone is here. Sit.”
“Yes, Patriarch.”
Jin took his seat at the very end of the line.
Without any explanation or preamble, Cyron spoke.
“As of today, I am returning to the Black Sea. I have been called back to the clan far too often recently. This time, I do not intend to return until I have achieved a definitive result.”
The Flagbearers nodded solemnly.
No one dared to ask what kind of result he intended to achieve.
“Furthermore, the 1st Flagbearer and three Black Knights will accompany me.”
So that’s why Sister’s expression was so dark.
Jin deliberately avoided looking at Luna.
The sudden news of her departure was indeed disconcerting.
However, showing Cyron he was concerned about Luna at a moment like this would be fatal.
To Cyron, even such a minor gesture could be interpreted as, I can’t do anything without my big sister.
“The fact that I had to return from the Black Sea so frequently means that the Flagbearers have failed to meet my expectations. You must all strive harder.”
“We apologize, Patriarch.”
“Our apologies.”
As the Flagbearers bowed in unison, Rosa stepped forward.
“With the 1st Flagbearer departing on a long-term mission, your workloads will increase. However, with the 12th Flagbearer’s arrival today, the vacancy will be filled. Therefore, while you must remain vigilant, you need not worry too much.”
With those words, Rosa simultaneously undermined Luna’s dignity and foreshadowed Jin’s future.
Her words implied that the 1st and 12th Flagbearers were on the same level, while also telegraphing her intent to dump all of Luna’s former missions onto Jin.
It seems she’s determined to suffocate me.
For Jin, this was actually welcome.
It was better to be given missions, no matter how difficult, than to be intentionally sidelined.
He knew all sorts of sabotage and misrepresentation would follow, but in the end, all he had to do was complete every mission without a single mistake.
Eventually, the momentum would naturally shift in his favor.
Mother and Joshua will use every foul trick in the book to prevent that from happening.
Looking back, Rosa’s tactics weren't much different from the way Joshua, Myu, or Anne had pressured him.
But even if the tactics were similar, Jin had to be on guard when the one wielding them was Rosa.
In terms of both intellect and martial prowess, she was far superior to Joshua.
She had commanded the Garden of Swords in Cyron's stead during his frequent absences at the Black Sea, effectively holding Runcandel in the palm of her hand for decades.
“As always, Rosa will have supreme command of the family in my absence. While it is important for you to establish your hierarchy, you must remember that the clan's current state is not good.”
It was quite surprising for Cyron himself to mention that the state of affairs was poor and to tell them to keep the war of succession within reasonable bounds.
This essentially gave Rosa free rein, while also signaling to the other Flagbearers that there was a world of threats Jin knew nothing about.
“3rd Flagbearer.”
“Yes, Patriarch.”
“How many Zipple spies are currently in the Garden of Swords?”
“The confirmed count is ninety-seven servants, twenty low-rank Guardian Knights, twelve intermediate Guardian Knights, five top-rank Guardian Knights, fifteen clerks and butlers of 2nd-class or higher, two Reserve Flagbearers, five Enforcement Knights, seven elders, and one Black Knight. In addition, we estimate there are at least twenty more spies capable of high-level intelligence gathering.”
The moment he heard Luntia’s report, Jin almost gasped.
What? A Black Knight?
The Reserve Flagbearers and Enforcement Knights were shocking enough, but the fact that there was a confirmed spy even among the Black Knights was truly staggering.
“And the spies we have planted in Zipple?”
“In the Zipple main house: forty servants, ten low-rank mages, five intermediate mages, one elder, and one Magic Tower mage. That is all.”
For a moment, Jin wondered if this conversation was a sort of initiation—an attempt to scare him by inflating the intelligence situation.
But Cyron Runcandel was not the type of man to engage in such trivialities.
“As you can see, they maintain thorough security with all manner of spells and artifacts. Meanwhile, the Garden of Swords is practically dancing in their crystal balls for all to see.”
“Patriarch, it is all due to my inadequacy.”
“It is merely lamentable that the enemy remains so strong even after all the years since I reached the Realm of Creation; you are not at fault. However, the Black Knight spy needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.”
“I intend to assign that task to the 12th Flagbearer as his first mission.”
Jin and Joshua were the only ones whose faces didn't twitch at those words.
The rest of the siblings couldn't hide their momentary bewilderment.
Their bewilderment was a mix of feelings: that the mission was too much, a secret gratification at the impossible task, and a nagging fear that the youngest might actually pull it off with the help of his guardian dragon, Murakan.
It had always been like that.
Though he had secrets like spirit energy and magic, every time everyone believed he would die, Jin had returned in triumph.
Thus, an ominous belief began to circulate among the siblings: that Jin might actually succeed in assassinating the Black Knight.
“I shall leave it to your judgment.”
As Rosa bowed slightly, Cyron turned his gaze to Jin.
He didn't say anything else.
The personal guidance and care Cyron had provided, both openly and in secret, had truly ended.
But in another sense, it meant Cyron trusted him that much.
“The meeting is adjourned. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Flagbearers will remain. The rest of you are dismissed; wait until Rosa issues instructions.”
The Flagbearers who left the office began to scatter to their respective quarters.
Ran and Vigo left the hallway while giving instructions to their waiting butlers, while Myu and Anne disappeared after flashing unpleasant smiles at Jin.
The Tona brothers looked like they wanted to say something, but couldn't think of what, so they just lingered for a moment before shuffling away.
Heh.
The moment Jin let out a light chuckle while watching the Tona brothers’ retreating backs, the last remaining sibling slapped him hard on the shoulder.
“Hey! You brat, you’ve grown up quite well! I’m very satisfied.”
“Sister Mary.”
“You know, this sister of yours got so itchy the moment I saw you, my hair practically stood on end. Come on. I need to collect payment for that Phoenix Heart.”
“As it happens, my head's feeling a little dizzy too. Shall we have a drink and catch up?”
At that, Mary immediately scowled.
“What? What nonsense is that? You think I waited all this time just to have a drink with you? Hurry up and follow me. Let's have a match.”
Jin gave her a bright smile.
“I’d rather not, Sister.”