Chapter 272: Siblings (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 272: Siblings (3)
“If you take the youngest’s sword, Bradamante, he’ll definitely fight you.”
“Bradamante? Isn’t that in Brother Joshua’s armory right now?”
“That’s why I’m telling you to listen. What did I just say? I said the Flagbearers are going to be busy because of Father. Big Brother has to leave the Garden of Swords for a while starting tomorrow. And you’ll likely be the one staying behind.”
“Oh! So you’re saying that even if I raid the annex armory, it won't cause any immediate problems?”
“Probably not immediately. Though he’ll throw a fit once he returns.”
“That’s what the aftermath is for. I’ll worry about that when it happens. The moment Brother Joshua leaves, I’m going for it. Cutting that fruit for you was worth it after all.”
“Handle the consequences yourself.”
“Don’t worry. Just step in if Mother tries to kill me. I’m counting on you, Brother. See you later. I’m off!”
“What? Hey! Hey! Mary! You brat! I’m pretending I didn’t hear that last part!”
Mary was the type of person who would stop at nothing for a fight against a strong opponent—even if it meant raiding the armory of the 2nd Flagbearer, the man designated as the next Patriarch, in broad daylight.
The moment Joshua left the Garden of Swords, she headed for the armory in his annex without a word of warning.
“Everyone, get lost! Unless you want something broken!”
After subduing Joshua’s guardian knights, who refused to leave quietly, she successfully seized Bradamante.
In the process, about fifteen of Joshua’s guardian knights suffered moderate to severe injuries, and Mary herself sustained several light cuts across her body.
For the knights guarding the armory, it was a disaster that came out of nowhere. In truth, however, it was an incident destined to happen the moment Jin returned.
After all, Jin had intended to use Mary to reclaim Bradamante from the start.
I didn’t expect her to bring it back this quickly, though… Sister Mary really is something else. By the way, what is that bundle on her back? It looks heavy.
Jin’s gaze shifted to the mysterious, massive sack on Mary’s back.
Huff, huff!
Mary pointed to Bradamante, which was now tucked into her waist, with her thumb.
“Are you going to refuse again? I never said you could have the Phoenix Heart for free!”
“Aren’t birthday presents usually free?”
“It’s also usual for there to be some give and take!”
“Sister, the reason I haven’t fought you yet is that I didn’t want to draw too much attention the moment I arrived.”
“What?”
“It’s… well, it’s hard to explain.”
The veins in Mary’s neck bulged.
“So you’re mocking me right now, aren’t you? I’ve heard Uncle Zed call our youngest a madman, but I didn’t realize you were this bold.”
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
Another commotion erupted from the hallway outside.
“We’ve found the 7th Flagbearer!”
“Retrieve the item at all costs!”
“7th Flagbearer! Please stop this foolishness and return the sword!”
“Ugh, damn it. They’ve caught up already? Stay right there! I’ll cut down anyone who comes closer!”
Even Jin hadn’t expected things to escalate this far. He had anticipated Mary bringing Bradamante, but he hadn't expected her to drag a trail of pursuing guardian knights along with her.
This is no time to be playing coy.
Jin infused mana into the Red Jade.
Hummm!
[Miyaaa!]
Mary’s eyes widened as Shuri was suddenly summoned.
“Let’s go for now, Sister.”
Jin climbed onto Shuri’s back and reached out a hand to Mary. As she took it, Jin realized the sack she was carrying was even heavier than it looked.
Meanwhile, Gilly and Petro had the presence of mind to throw the largest window wide open so Shuri could exit through it.
Hop!
Thump!
Their efforts were instantly wasted. Because of her massive size, Shuri slammed her head into the window frame and tumbled back onto the floor.
“Ahem.”
[Mya…]
Jin tried his best to hide his embarrassment as he unsummoned Shuri back into the Red Jade. He then jumped out the window with Mary and summoned the cat again outside.
“Let’s just pretend that wasn’t very graceful.”
“I’m going to turn you into a pulp! Follow the path I tell you!”
“Understood.”
Shuri began to sprint across the Garden of Swords, following the direction Mary pointed.
Joshua’s guardian knights tried to follow, barely suppressing the curses rising in their throats, but—
“Have you all lost your minds? Do you not see me? This happens to be Murakan’s room as well. Step inside, and you’re all dead.”
Murakan blocked the knights attempting to enter the room.
For a moment, Joshua’s guardian knights were at a loss. In the ‘Family Hierarchy’ they had been taught, a dragon had never been included.
Is this Black Dragon’s rank higher than the 12th Flagbearer’s? But the Black Dragon is the 12th Flagbearer’s guardian dragon…
Wait, are we supposed to obey this Black Dragon? We need to hurry and pursue the 7th and 12th Flagbearers…!
As the knights hesitated, Murakan’s expression grew even more menacing.
“Ha, I see you lot need a lesson. Even the progenitor of your master—you know, Temar? Even that guy didn't dare intrude upon my territory recklessly. No matter how much time has passed, am I to be treated like this in Runcandel?”
“…We will go around, Lord Murakan.”
One guardian knight spoke up, but Murakan’s pride was already deeply wounded.
“No, no. My pride has suffered an unerasable scar; I can’t just let you go. Your eyes haven't been respectful toward me from the very beginning.”
“We shall withdraw for now. Everyone, turn back and pursue—!”
At that moment, a dark energy gathered in Murakan’s eyes.
Simultaneously, black scales sprouted on his arms and face, and wings erupted from his back.
[Halt.]
He had partially transformed into his true form to unleash his draconic aura.
The knights, who were about to turn away, froze like statues.
In truth, a thousand years ago, ordinary guardian knights wouldn't have even been in a position to meet Murakan’s gaze. Back when Temar was alive, everyone in Runcandel showed Murakan the utmost respect.
[Do you intend to keep standing there with your knees locked?]
At Murakan’s next words, the guardian knights dropped to their knees in unison.
Gilly and Petro were startled by the sight but managed to maintain their composure.
While the aura radiating from Murakan was vast and ominous, the knights hadn't knelt out of fear alone. It was because they had just realized they had committed a grave discourtesy toward a being who, until recently, was the symbolic guardian deity of the family.
“The servants of Runcandel have committed a great mistake against the family’s guardian deity, the Great Black Dragon. We will humbly accept whatever punishment follows.”
Murakan looked down at them for a long while before replying.
[Fine. Since I must hold someone accountable, go bring Rosa Runcandel here.]
The guardian knights could swear on their lives: since becoming Joshua’s knights, there had never been a day as miserable as today.
*
The place where Jin and Mary arrived was a plain on the outskirts of Kalon.
This vast, empty lot was land that Mary had personally designated as a restricted area as soon as she became a Flagbearer. It served only one purpose.
Duels.
Whenever Mary found a worthy opponent, she would drag them here and fight until she was satisfied.
Jin was the first this year. It was also Jin’s first time visiting the place.
Whoosh, swish!
While Mary warmed up by lightly spinning her sword, Jin examined the dried bloodstains and sword scars scattered across the plain.
I think I heard that the number of experts who died here at Sister Mary’s hands reaches into the hundreds.
Indeed, there were many impressive sword scars visible at a glance, suggesting that many of the battles had been quite fierce.
Mary unfastened Bradamante from her waist.
Then, with all her might, she hurled Bradamante far across the plain.
“Even if I stuck it in the ground nearby, it would just get blown away by the shockwaves while we fight. Phew, finally, I get to have a go at you.”
“If it’s here, I can fight you without worry, Sister.”
Jin had been provoking her for the past two days, ever since they first met in the Garden of Swords.
As always, the reason for his provocation was clear: to make it even a little easier to defeat her.
Late 8-star, or perhaps early 9-star. She is by no means an easy opponent.
During the four years Jin had spent as a reserve flagbearer, he wasn't the only one who had grown. Mary, along with all the other flagbearers, had achieved significant growth.
Furthermore, Mary possessed a Decisive Technique.
Surely she won't go as far as using a Decisive Technique. Though, it’s a shame. I provoked her quite hard, but she regained her composure on the way here.
The Mary who had been fuming with veins popping in her neck was gone; she was now looking at Jin with a calm demeanor.
“Youngest.”
“Yes, Sister.”
“Do you know?”
“Know what?”
Pfft.
Mary burst into laughter.
“On the way here, you died at my hands at least thirty times.”
“What a strange thing to say.”
Mary then pulled out a dagger she had hidden in her sleeve.
“While I was sitting behind you on that cat, if I had even the slightest ill intent, this dagger would have explored every inch of your body. I simply didn't want our reunion to end so anticlimactically.”
Looking at his third sister speaking in a subtly triumphant voice, Jin didn't answer for a moment.
Mary Runcandel.
People often misunderstood the most famous battle maniac in Huphester, thinking she was a warrior who always advocated for a fair, head-on fight.
But that wasn't the case at all.
Mary was someone who would do anything for victory. She only refrained from using schemes and plots because she lacked the talent for them, but she had no hesitation when it came to using poison, hidden weapons, or launching surprise attacks.
In that sense, it was true that Mary had gone easy on Jin.
Well, it was only half-true.
“That’s why I said you were talking nonsense. Did you really think I hadn't taken even that much into account?”
Jin had been conscious of Mary’s dagger the entire way. It was a thrill so sharp it made cold sweat run down his back.
Mary licked her lips, seemingly more than satisfied with Jin’s answer.
“Ha, this is worth it. If the Tona brothers had said that, I would have broken their jaws on the spot, but as expected of you. Your words carry weight. They don't sound like a bluff.”
“Thank you.”
“Let’s get started, brother… Ah! Before that, I almost forgot.”
Mary set down the sack she had been carrying on her back.
Thud!
As she untied the sack, even Jin couldn't help but doubt his eyes this time.
Holy… those are mana bombs. And top-grade anti-personnel ones at that!
The egg-sized blue lumps filling the sack were bombs, each containing the power of a 7-star offensive spell.
Without hesitating for even a second, Mary scattered all those bombs across the ground.
The rolling bombs quickly filled the space between them.
They were equipped with safety devices, so they wouldn't explode from minor impacts, but against the shockwaves generated by a fight between these two, such safety measures would be meaningless.
“I’ve waited so long for this fight; the stage shouldn't be boring, should it? I spent all night thinking about how to make this duel more satisfying. Hehe, come at me, Youngest!”