Chapter 282: Temar’s First Grave (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 282: Temar’s First Grave (3)
February 25, 1799.
All the Flagbearers, who had left to encourage the subordinate factions, returned to the Garden of Swords.
While touring their respective regions, they had heard nothing but stories about Jin from the world outside the clan.
"Good work, brother!"
Thwack!
Mary slammed her fist into Dipus’s back.
"Ah, you crazy… Mary! How many times have I told you not to greet me like that?"
"Anything interesting happen out there?"
"What could be more interesting than the mess you made? I gave you the means, but I told you to handle the fallout yourself."
He was referring to Mary seizing Bradamante and handing it over to Jin.
"Why? You were with our eldest brother a little while ago. Did he say anything?"
"Surprisingly, not much. But you know our eldest brother is more dangerous when he’s quiet, right? You should probably keep your head down for a while."
"Wouldn't know. I've never 'kept my head down' in my life. More importantly, I asked if anything interesting happened outside."
Dipus pressed a hand to his forehead.
"Right. I’m the fool for trying to have a real conversation with you."
"Did it or not?"
"Yeah, it did. From the fourth day of my tour, I heard stories about the youngest everywhere I went."
"Tell me."
"Honestly. Don't you think that's a bit too commanding, 7th Flagbearer?"
"Please tell me, 4th Flagbearer."
"As expected, many factions were displeased. They said the youngest tarnished Runcandel's legitimacy."
"Is that all?"
"There were some who praised him, saying the saints are helping Huphester again thanks to him. They were in the minority, though."
"No, I don't care about that crap. You know what I mean. Were there any rumors about the youngest's martial prowess?"
"Well, there were some comparisons to Dante Hairan. Apparently, quite a few Huphester nobles attended the Cosmos Arena when the youngest participated as a reserve flagbearer. They said the finals were worth watching. The tournament where you were the runner-up."
"Runner-up? I crushed him two months later, so I’m the winner. And it’s not like we’re the only ones with ears here. It’s a problem when you blurt out secrets like that. Anyway, Dante Hairan… The world still doesn't know a thing."
"What do you mean?"
"I almost lost to the youngest."
Dipus froze.
"You're joking, right?"
"Would I joke about something like that? The next patriarch of Hairan is impressive, sure, but he’s not in the same league as our youngest."
"I think you're underestimating Dante."
"Brother, can you even imagine me losing to Dante?"
Dipus was momentarily at a loss for words.
She's right. If she had fought Dante, Mary wouldn't be reacting like this. To be on her level at nineteen… Is the youngest really that much of a monster?
Dipus had naturally assumed Mary would crush Jin in their spar.
He had even planned to go on the Black Knight assassination mission alone, assuming Jin would be too heavily injured to participate.
If this is how things are, I'm just dancing to Mother's tune. Damn it.
The Black Knight assassination mission.
Rosa had already decided to deploy Dipus alongside Jin for that very task.
A moment later, butlers came looking for the two of them.
"The Madam has summoned a Flagbearer meeting."
All the Flagbearers immediately gathered in Rosa’s office.
"Today’s meeting will discuss a single agenda item. It was mentioned before the Patriarch departed: the Black Knight assassination mission."
"Yes, Mother."
A heavy tension filled the brief silence that followed.
"This mission will be handled by the 4th Flagbearer, Dipus Runcandel, and the 12th Flagbearer, Jin Runcandel. The objective is to arrange the target's death in combat. The location is Ventica, a conflict zone near the Mila Kingdom."
The moment the 4th and 12th Flagbearers were named, the other siblings' expressions shifted. Some breathed sighs of relief, while others hid their disappointment.
Dipus immediately looked at Jin, but Jin deliberately avoided his gaze.
"A mine suspected of containing ancient Ten Thousand-Year Steel was recently discovered in Ventica. Consequently, we've received intelligence that Zipple has decided to deploy the White Night and the Kozec to the area. In response, we will dispatch one Black Knight, two Flagbearers, and ten Guardian Knights."
Runcandel and Zipple fought constant wars, big and small, over land, mines, resources—everything. When fighting over ordinary gold mines or territory, the outcome was usually decided by Guardian Knights, mages, or subordinate families.
However, when it came to securing something as rare as ancient Ten Thousand-Year Steel or traces of the Fairy Race, their core forces would inevitably clash.
This time, Zipple was sending the White Night and the Kozec. Runcandel would respond with their 'Black Knight spy,' two Flagbearers, and ten Guardian Knights.
"The two of you will lead a unit with the ten Guardian Knights and the Black Knight spy to engage Zipple. During the battle, you will ensure the Black Knight spy dies at the hands of the enemy."
Needless to say, the difficulty of this mission was astronomical.
Killing a Black Knight was a massive undertaking in itself, but they had to make the death look natural. The reason for such a convoluted method was the clan's prestige. For Runcandel to eliminate one of its own Black Knights without facing external complications, the death had to be staged to look as if it occurred during a battle against a powerful enemy force—one at least as strong as the Kozec.
"Currently, very few within Zipple know that a Black Knight spy exists. As far as we have identified, only Kelliark Zipple, Octavia Zipple, and their three highest elders are aware."
This was the primary reason Runcandel was preparing this grand piece of theater called the 'Black Knight Assassination Mission.'
The White Night had no idea that the Black Knight they would be fighting was a Zipple spy.
Runcandel's reasoning was simple: if their spy appeared to be slaughtering the White Night alongside the Flagbearers right up until his own 'death,' Zipple would be discouraged from ever trying to plant a new Black Knight spy again.
Furthermore, if the plan succeeded, Zipple would have effectively been tripped up by their own scheme.
"And naturally, after the Black Knight spy is dead, you must repel Zipple's forces and secure the mine. If even one of these two objectives is not met, the mission will be considered a failure."
A brief silence fell.
Every Flagbearer was certain: there had been no mission more difficult than this in the past year.
"The mission begins on March 8th. Complete all preparations by then. 4th and 12th Flagbearers, if you have any requests or complaints, speak now."
"None," Dipus said.
"Please tell me the name of the Black Knight spy," Jin said at the same time.
As the 12th Flagbearer, Jin didn't have the authority to view all of the clan's documents. To access the personal files of a Black Knight, one needed the rank of 4th Flagbearer or its equivalent.
"Barton Vichena. I will give you a document with his detailed information. Review it."
It was a name Jin didn't recognize.
This meant he couldn't use knowledge from his past life to gain an advantage in a fight against Barton Vichena.
"Thank you."
"This is a mission the clan has prepared with great care. I expect the 4th and 12th Flagbearers to bring back a successful result. That is all. Dismissed."
The Flagbearers filed out of the office.
Joshua showed no particular reaction toward Mary, who had recently raided his warehouse, or Jin, the one who benefited. He walked away without a single glance.
Luntia yawned a few times before ducking back into Rosa’s office. She wasn't up to anything; she had simply forgotten some documents.
Myu and Anne also refrained from picking a fight with Jin.
Ran and Vigo just looked back and forth between Jin and Mary before leaving.
The Tona brothers hovered awkwardly near Jin again before scurrying off.
"Are those cute little guys wanting to have a go at you like I do?" Mary asked.
"Probably not."
"Well, that’s a relief. Youngest, I have some advice for you."
"It's fine, Sister Mary."
"Well, I'm not fine with it. During this Black Knight assassination mission, try to work with Dipus if you can. Do it for the sake of the contract you made with me, if nothing else."
Although Mary held Jin in incredibly high regard, she still thought it was far too early for him to fight a Black Knight, especially as part of such a complex mission.
"If you die or get too badly hurt, think of how bored I’ll be. These days, all I can think about is fighting you when spring comes in three months. I’m heading out. You two talk it over."
Once Mary left, only Jin and Dipus remained in the hallway.
"Mary is right, youngest," Dipus said, breaking the silence.
"What do you mean, second brother?"
"About coordinating. I am well aware you view all your siblings as enemies. But this is important. Even Father expressed his wish for us to put the war of succession on hold for now."
"Are you suggesting we train together until the mission starts?"
"Yes."
"I refuse."
Dipus shrugged.
"Why?"
"Even without me, you're more than capable of completing this mission alone, brother. Excluding Sister Luna, I personally believe you're the strongest among us."
"Is that so?"
"And you aren't selfless enough to hand all the credit over to me. So, why should I train with you? I’d just end up being used as bait or a figurehead. My precious time would be wasted."
"Well, I thought I'd ask. I need something to tell Mary if she grills me later."
"You cherish Sister Mary quite a lot."
"Probably more than our eldest sister cherishes you. So, youngest…"
Dipus paused for a moment, his tone calm.
"I hope that during your duels every three months, you never kill Mary or leave her crippled."
"Is that a warning?"
"No. This is a request, from one human to another. I'm sure someone like you can understand what I mean."
Jin and Dipus’s eyes met.
There was no overt bloodlust or killing intent, but a strange, heavy pressure filled the space between them.
"You know requests usually come with a price, right?"
"Tell me what you want."
"Do not lower the dignity of Runcandel."
His cold tone was born of disappointment.
Dipus’s brow twitched.
"Making requests of an enemy isn't the Runcandel way. Since I also have siblings I love, I'll overlook it this once. But if you ever show such a side again… I will no longer categorize you as an enemy, second brother."
Jin turned and walked away.
Dipus could only stand there, lost in thought, until Jin's back disappeared from view.