Chapter 275: The Congratulatory Delegation, An Unexpected Encounter (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 275: The Congratulatory Delegation, An Unexpected Encounter (1)
“I have been far too negligent, offering my greetings only after my subordinates have committed such a blunder.”
Rosa spoke as she set down her teacup.
She had come to Jin’s room immediately after receiving the report from the Guardian Knights.
“Indeed, you have been negligent. Now that I have awakened and graced the Garden of Swords with my presence, is it not proper for you and your husband to offer your greetings? Yet the Patriarch left without a word, and your underlings are this insolent. I am more than a little disappointed.”
“As of this moment, I shall see to it that everyone within the Garden of Swords treats Lord Murakan with the same respect accorded to a Grand Elder of the clan.”
At the mention of being treated like a Grand Elder, Murakan’s eyebrows twitched.
It was irritating to be equated to a mere Grand Elder. However, Murakan had resolved not to dwell on the ‘old days’ any longer. Not only had he yet to recover his full strength, but it had been over a thousand years since Temar had departed from this world.
When Temar first established Runcandel, Murakan was closer to the clan than anyone else.
Now, he was more of an outsider. Furthermore, he was in a clearly hostile relationship with Rosa, who held the clan’s practical power.
The scenery and the people are all different from a thousand years ago. Temar, I find myself missing you after all this time.
Murakan let out a short, dry chuckle.
“Runcandel has certainly changed.”
“It is only natural to evolve with the passage of time.”
“Evolve, you say? If Runcandel had truly evolved, Zipple would no longer exist in this world. Ever since you lost your magic, you have done nothing but grow weaker for the past thousand years.”
“As a mere mortal, I can only glimpse the majesty of the old Runcandel through records. I cannot dare to fathom how strong the clan was in those days. I simply follow our traditions and laws.”
“And do you truly not know that those very traditions and laws stem from that humiliating covenant you made with Zipple?”
“I am aware.”
“Then why does the majority of the clan seek to ostracize your youngest son—the only being capable of shattering that covenant?”
Rosa held Murakan’s gaze for a long moment.
“I hear the Elders have no intention of teaching him the Decisive Techniques, and you intend to saddle him with an impossible mission the moment he returns. I would appreciate an explanation I can accept.”
“Lord Murakan. First of all, the claim that the youngest is the only one who can break the covenant is incorrect. Anyone with the power to subjugate Zipple can render that covenant null and void.”
“What is etched into Runcandel blood is a curse. A curse that seals mana, and it cannot be broken by any magic or authority except for the power of Solderet.”
“If Solderet is so omnipotent, why has he left us to our own devices for the past thousand years? He even resided as the guardian deity of Zipple.”
Murakan had no retort for that.
What makes a god a god? They are gods because they protect the humans who serve them or achieve things humans cannot. In that sense, Solderet had never truly been Runcandel’s god since Temar’s death.
“Is that not why he contracted with your youngest son?”
“A simple contract may aid the youngest’s personal strength, but unless the god manifests directly to lift the curse, it holds little meaning for the clan as a whole. On the contrary, breaking the covenant risks inviting pressure from Zipple or causing chaos within the clan due to a perceived breach of legitimacy.”
“It is laughable to hear you speak of legitimacy in my presence.”
Rosa toyed with her teacup.
“That is the reason the Elders are reluctant to pass down the Decisive Techniques. Furthermore, there seems to be a misunderstanding… I have never given the youngest an impossible mission.”
“Continue.”
“Eliminating the Black Knight spy is not a solo mission for the youngest. As it is a matter of grave importance, other exceptional Flagbearers will accompany him. Since it was the Patriarch’s wish, I too have no desire for the youngest to come to harm. I am well aware of his outstanding capabilities.”
“It sounds to me like you want to use those outstanding capabilities to the fullest before discarding him.”
“In any case, the youngest is in a position where he must continue to produce miracles. Otherwise, he will never be recognized within Runcandel, even if he has become a Flagbearer. Is this explanation sufficient?”
Murakan stared into Rosa’s eyes for a while.
“Fine. Then I shall ask one last thing.”
“Speak.”
“Where is Temar’s grave?”
“I do not know. May I take my leave now?”
Rosa stood up before Murakan could even respond.
“The knights who were insolent to Lord Murakan shall be punished severely.”
As Rosa left the room, Murakan clicked his tongue.
“She’s not quite on Cyron’s level, but she’s certainly something else.”
Gilly let out a long, held breath and shook her head.
“Lord Murakan, I can’t believe you actually summoned the Madam… Please, you must never do that again. She is currently the Acting Patriarch of Runcandel.”
“I know that, Strawberry Pie. I just wanted to have a direct conversation with her for once. To see what kind of person the kid’s greatest enemy is.”
“I was so anxious, worried she might take offense.”
“I didn’t think she’d be so lacking in dignity as to do that.”
“Regardless, you must stop embarrassing her in front of everyone. At this rate, even you might be summoned before the Clan Tribunal… Oh!”
Gilly suddenly flinched and cut herself off.
Through the window, she saw Rosa, who had just stepped out of the building, cutting down the Guardian Knights.
“Gah!”
“Ugh…!”
Amidst the brilliant sunlight pouring into the Garden of Swords, the crimson blood of the Guardian Knights sprayed into the air.
They were the knights who had been pursuing Mary and had been rude to Murakan.
Rosa’s face remained expressionless as she struck them down. Her sword was swift and precise, severing the arms or legs of the knights.
The one who had acted as their leader was decapitated. His head fell to the ground, but Rosa didn’t spare it a single glance.
Gilly reflexively covered her mouth. A moment later, Murakan watched the scene unfold.
Naturally, it was a warning directed at him.
A warning that if he ever summoned her so recklessly again, he should not expect to be treated as the clan’s Guardian Dragon.
Soon, Rosa left the area as if nothing had happened, and servants moved busily to collect the corpses and transport the wounded.
* * *
“That happened?”
After returning from his treatment, Jin listened as Gilly recounted the afternoon’s bloodshed.
“It was the first time I’ve seen the Madam punish the Guardian Knights in such a manner. I fear the clan’s retainers will be walking on eggshells for a while.”
“They were all Joshua’s knights anyway, so they would have been killed or injured by my hand eventually… but Mother was indeed harsh. They were people who dedicated themselves to the clan, yet she gave them an excessive punishment for something so trivial.”
“Do you think it was simply because she was angry at Lord Murakan’s actions?”
“No. Mother’s intention is clear. She’s sending a message to the retainers to avoid getting involved with me at all costs. She’s telling them to be prepared for dire consequences even for minor issues if they concern me.”
“I’ve been thinking this for a while, but what kind of mother is she?” Murakan grumbled. “Kid, Temar’s Runcandel had a grim atmosphere too, but at least there was affection for kin and retainers. There was a tight-knit bond.”
“That kind of bond still exists. It’s just localized rather than clan-wide. And it’s nothing to be surprised about now, is it? Gilly, send condolences and compensation to the families of the knights who died today. Do it discreetly, and leave my name out of it.”
The fallen knights were Joshua’s men, making them Jin’s clear enemies.
Nevertheless, in a broader sense, they were also people of Runcandel.
Enemies, yet retainers. Their deaths were both the deaths of enemies and the deaths of kin.
Therefore, he felt he should show at least a minimum level of respect for their passing.
When he had killed Joshua’s knights in Samil, he was a Reserve Flagbearer and had no such obligation. But now, he was a Flagbearer.
Even if no one recognized it, and even if he had no intention of making it known, he was in a position where he had to look after the deaths of the clan’s retainers—provided they hadn't betrayed the family or harmed his inner circle.
“Yes, Young Master. I will handle it quietly. And congratulations; I see you’ve reclaimed your sword.”
“I had to roll around in a field of mana bombs to get this back from Sister Mary. I honestly considered whether I should just kill her.”
“I believe Lady Mary will become a reliable ally for you. Also, Young Master, Elder Zed sent someone earlier. He asked that you visit him immediately after the congratulatory delegations finish their visits.”
“Understood.”
Following that, Jin refrained from any special activities and focused solely on his private training.
Since he had caused a series of major incidents immediately upon his return, he needed to keep a low profile.
In the meantime, rumors that Jin had ‘defeated Mary’ spread rapidly through the Garden of Swords, and the news of his appointment as a Flagbearer reached the rest of the world.
It was only natural for both the Garden of Swords and the outside world to be in an uproar.
Dino faithfully wrote articles according to Jin’s orders, while Kuzan and Julian were busy driving ‘Mad Dog Jack Glow’ and the ‘Apostate Knight Hwirok’ toward the snowy mountains of southeastern Mitel.
Like the eye of a storm, time flowed quietly for Jin alone.
Finally, on February 15, 1799.
Delegations to congratulate Jin began arriving at the Garden of Swords one by one. The knights who had gone to encourage the subordinate forces had not yet returned.
Various neutral powers, the martial houses of Huphester, and even the Viment Empire sent envoys, but Jin rarely met with those who came to see him. He even committed the rudeness of accepting only their gifts before sending them away.
“Young Master, is it truly all right to keep sending them back like this?”
At Petro’s question, Jin nodded.
“Those who would judge me for such minor actions aren't worth recruiting in a hurry anyway, and those who remain bold despite my rudeness will recognize my value on their own. More importantly, I have nothing to give them right now. Getting close for no reason would only result in unnecessary debt.”
When you have nothing to give, owing someone a debt often comes with heavy interest.
“I will only personally receive the envoys from the Delki Kingdom, the McLorans, Billga of the Jhan Kingdom, and the Holy King. Send the rest back after accepting their gifts.”
“Understood. I will keep a separate record of those who showed particular goodwill.”
“Ah! And if the Volta family sends an envoy, report it to me. I must meet them personally as well.”
“The Volta family, you say?”
Volta was one of the poorest noble families in Huphester.
And being poor in Huphester meant that the family did not possess a single outstanding warrior.
It was difficult for Petro to understand why Jin would send away envoys from all sorts of powerful and influential factions, only to personally receive an envoy from such a fallen noble house.
Oops, I brought up the Voltas too abruptly.
The moment Petro tilted his head in confusion, Jin subtly scanned his surroundings.
Fortunately, Gilly and Murakan hadn't heard the conversation and were busy chatting amongst themselves.
If I ever have to explain to those two why I’m looking out for the Voltas, I’ll have to come up with a suitable excuse then.
The reason Jin intended to look after the Volta family was because of his memories from his previous life.
However, unlike Murakan and Gilly, Petro was a retainer, not a ‘comrade,’ and Jin was now a full-fledged Flagbearer.
When giving orders, there was no need to provide detailed justifications or explanations.
In Akin, I needed Jet to utilize my past life memories, and afterward, Sir Casimir’s help played a huge role. But I no longer need to do that.
Realizing this fact anew, Jin smiled inwardly.
“Understood, Young Master. I shall report to you immediately if an envoy from the Volta family arrives.”