Chapter 3: Days at Storm Castle (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 3: Days at Storm Castle (2)
The moment Cyron emerged from the Black Sea, the Runcandels residing outside Storm Castle were thrown into a whirlwind of activity. They had to attend to the Patriarch, who had finally broken his five-year seclusion.
"All Runcandel Flagbearers not currently engaged in imperial commissions are to assemble at Storm Castle immediately."
Upon the command of the Black Panther, Rosa Runcandel, the Flagbearers on missions across the globe—from the Viment Empire and the Akin Kingdom to the Jhan Kingdom and the Kurano Duchy—hurriedly made their way back.
"What on earth is happening? The youngest’s Selection is already over, yet Father is visiting Storm Castle again."
Ran Runcandel, Cyron’s third son, was the one speaking. He had been in the middle of purging monsters on the northern continent when he received the summons.
"Did the Guardian Knights of Storm Castle say anything else?"
This was Vigo Runcandel, Cyron’s fourth son. He had arrived straight from an assassination mission commissioned by a tycoon in the Kurano Duchy.
It was an unfortunate turn of events for that tycoon. The Runcandel family offered no compensation for damages or incomplete commissions resulting from a clan-wide mobilization.
"Nothing. It seems to be a matter of extreme secrecy. If it’s something that would make Father himself move…"
Mary Runcandel, Cyron’s third daughter, chimed in. She had just arrived after a tour of the southern continent, where she had been defeating its strongest warriors one by one.
In this way, Cyron’s seven children, along with over two hundred knights and scholars who served them, gathered at Storm Castle.
It was a mobilization of force equivalent to an army that could wipe out an ordinary city in thirty minutes or bring a respectable kingdom to its knees in a single day.
As news of Cyron’s actions spread, rumors began to circulate among the world's great powers.
‘Why did Cyron make a move? He wasn't supposed to leave the Black Sea for another ten years.’
‘Is Runcandel finally moving to seize global hegemony?’
‘Has the Zipple family shown any reaction yet?’
Cyron, the world's only Creation Knight.
And Runcandel, the root from which he grew.
The ripple effect caused by those two names was immeasurable.
Cyron’s children and the family’s Guardian Knights stood in two rows along the stairs leading up to Storm Castle. With a storm raging around them, they looked solemn, even grim—as if war could break out at any second.
"Greetings, Patriarch!"
"Greetings, Patriarch!"
As Cyron reached the entrance of Storm Castle, they offered a sword salute in unison. Their thunderous voices echoed off the mountain peaks, sounding as if they might trigger an avalanche.
"Mm."
With a slight nod, Cyron began to ascend the stairs.
Father’s aura is strange. As I thought, this is no ordinary matter.
The Runcandel siblings exchanged looks, communicating silently as they followed Cyron with solemn expressions. The family scholars trailed behind them, while the Guardian Knights stood watch at the entrance.
However, none of them knew.
The only reason Cyron had come to Storm Castle was to see his youngest son.
*
"Daytona, Heitona."
"Yes, Father."
Cyron sought out the Tona brothers first. The pair, who had been moping in their room, knelt on one knee before him, sniffing back their runny noses.
"Tell me what your fault was."
Jin, waiting in his room with Gilly, could not hear this conversation.
The Tona brothers hesitated, looking uncertain. At their hesitation, Cyron’s eyebrows twitched minutely.
"I told you to tell me what your fault was."
"Th-That is…"
Whether the Tona brothers were destined to commit their first murder at age ten, or whether they would one day become serial killers who slaughtered fifty people a year for sport—right now, they were just nine-year-old brats.
This meant they were at an age where a stern father was terrifying. This was especially true for a father like Cyron, whose severity was beyond description.
Besides, their fault?
They were the ones who had been beaten up by their younger brother. If blame was to be assigned, shouldn't he be looking for the youngest?
That was what the Tona brothers thought. The memory of their own fault in bullying Jin had already evaporated from their minds.
"We have done nothing wrong," Daytona finally answered, summoning his courage.
Cyron rested his chin on his hand as if waiting for more, and Daytona continued.
"Jin used some unknown power to hit me and Heitona."
"That’s right! He used an unknown power, not aura!" Heitona added, emphasizing the 'unknown power' part.
In this world, there was only one power other than aura: mana. If seven-year-old Jin had used aura, it would have been a cause for celebration in Runcandel. Mana, however, was a different story.
It was unthinkable for one born of the Runcandel bloodline to use mana.
Therefore, the Tona brothers were desperately trying to insist that the black energy surrounding Jin’s fists had been mana.
"My sons."
His voice was benevolent.
"Yes, Father!"
The Tona brothers answered with bright faces, like prisoners who had just found an escape route. Hearing their father’s kind tone, they believed they had the upper hand.
However, Cyron completely ignored the point they had emphasized and spoke in a very soft, quiet voice.
"I will tell you something you must engrave upon your hearts. If you continue to act like that… you will not survive here in Runcandel."
"Ah…"
"W-We’re sorry, Father."
"Go and bring Jin to me."
*
Walking down the hallway, Jin recalled the faces of the Tona brothers he had just seen.
They had looked completely cowed, their faces twisted in terror. It was the look of someone who had miraculously survived being dropped naked into a predator's cage.
That’s the expression I used to wear whenever I ran into Father in my past life. I can guess what happened.
Jin hadn't heard the conversation between Cyron and the Tona brothers, but he could imagine how it went.
Father must have asked them a question, and their answer failed to meet his expectations. It’s only natural. They’re still just kids.
Cyron’s discipline was always like that.
No, could it even be called discipline? Cyron had thirteen children, including Jin, but he hadn't personally raised a single one of them.
In Runcandel, only the nannies raised the children.
Cyron and Rosa merely observed them—watched how they grew, and which of them was most fit to lead the clan.
Only when the children reached adulthood and achieved results that met Runcandel’s standards would their parents begin to pay them even a modicum of attention.
That was why Cyron’s visit to Storm Castle had become such a massive affair.
The other siblings waiting in the lobby were dying of curiosity, wondering what on earth was happening between their father and the youngest children.
Step, step.
In the distance, Jin saw his father sitting on the throne of Storm Castle. As he cautiously walked toward him, memories from his past life flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern.
My father. A man stronger and colder than anyone I know.
His mother, Rosa Runcandel, at least possessed a shred of humanity. When Jin was kicked out of the family, the story of Rosa fasting for two days was a well-known anecdote.
Of course, after those two days, Rosa had completely erased Jin’s existence from her heart.
But that wasn't the case for Cyron.
He had just enough humanity to twitch an eyebrow when angry or let the corner of his mouth rise when amused.
And Jin had heard that in his youth, Cyron had struggled to become the Patriarch, facing despair and finding happiness along the way.
However, after reaching the Realm of Transcendence—the level of a demigod—even those traces were fading. All that remained was a blind concern for the family.
It’s funny. He’s reached the level of a demigod, yet he’s still protecting the family because my eldest brother isn’t good enough for him.
Jin wanted to grit his teeth hard enough to make them crack.
How wretched had his life been before he was kicked out? Even when they ate at the same table, Jin was treated as if he didn't exist.
But he couldn't afford a clumsy display like gritting his teeth. Cyron was not a man who would miss his youngest son showing such defiance.
Even though he’s my father in this life, I will make it so he can never treat me lightly.
With that vow, Jin knelt on one knee before Cyron.
Then, he spoke.
"Greetings, Patriarch."
He spoke as if he were one of the siblings who had already left Storm Castle, or any other member of the clan. He was not meeting his father as the youngest son, but facing the Patriarch as a Runcandel.
Cyron nodded, seemingly pleased.
"Why did you call me Patriarch instead of Father?"
Jin pretended to deliberate for a moment. He had already predicted this reaction.
"My brothers, sisters, and the Guardian Knights—over a hundred members of the family have come to Storm Castle. Therefore, I considered the Patriarch’s visit to be an official family event and spoke accordingly."
Cyron’s eyes widened.
"Excellent."
Jin did not reply but bowed his head slightly in respect.
It was an extraordinary attitude for a seven-year-old, but Cyron suspected nothing. He simply thought that Gilly had taught the boy well and that the insight Jin had shown when he pulled Barisada during the Selection was innate.
The fact that Jin was not a seven-year-old boy, but a young man with memories of a past life, was a truth that even a demigod could not perceive.
Cyron, who had been staring intently at Jin, spoke again.
"I just asked your brothers what their fault was, and those children could not answer."
"Yes, Patriarch."
"However, I feel it is worth asking you. Daytona and Heitona—what fault did your brothers commit?"
Once again, Jin pretended to think. This, too, was a line of questioning he had anticipated.
No, he had been certain of it. His father, Cyron Runcandel, would treat even a snot-nosed son like a battle-hardened veteran who had seen it all.
The answer Cyron wanted was already decided.
"Revenge."
"Hoh!"
Cyron’s widened eyes flashed. After a few seconds of silence, Jin continued.
"My brothers should have sought revenge against me. As members of Runcandel, one must always repay what they have received. Whether it be a favor or a grudge."
Silence fell.
Jin knew this silence stemmed from Cyron’s satisfaction.
However, at this point, he had to show a suitably childlike side. He let a flicker of unease cross his face and asked:
"Was my answer wrong?"
"It was not wrong. I am very satisfied."
"Thank you, Patriarch."
At that, a hint of disappointment flickered in Cyron’s eyes.
"Call me Father for now. Although the family has gathered, I came to Storm Castle today for personal reasons."
"Yes, Father."
Cyron looked down at Jin with a faint smile.
But a moment later, the smile vanished. His expression returned to that of an indifferent, ancient tree as he posed another question.
"What is that special power you used when you defeated your brothers?"