Chapter 302: Vacation (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 302: Vacation (3)
They were the elders.
About twenty of them. It was a rare sight for the elders of Runcandel to move in such a large group.
The servants dared not lift their heads, and the guardian knights offered disciplined salutes whenever they passed. Everyone wondered where the elders were headed, but no one dared to ask.
‘Wait, aren’t those the elders?’
The Tona brothers, who had just woken up, rubbed their eyes and looked out the window.
‘Where are they going? Uncle Zed is there, too. It looks like they’re heading toward the youngest’s room.’
Just as the Tona brothers suspected, the elders were heading for Jin’s room.
“Elder Zed, is that story truly certain?”
“Good heavens, have you people lived your whole lives being deceived? How many times must I tell you? I clearly showed you the advanced form of the Decisive Technique: Falling Petals. I didn't achieve that on my own.”
The reason the elders were seeking Jin was simple.
The Decisive Technique.
After completing the refinement of Falling Petals, Zed had submitted it to the Elder Council for review. Unaware of the circumstances, the elders had congratulated Zed and suggested that the newly born version of Falling Petals should naturally bear his name.
However, Zed insisted that the name added to Falling Petals should not be his, but rather Jin’s, as he was the one who had provided the decisive clue.
“No, it’s just… I find it utterly incomprehensible. To think you found the clue to advancing a Decisive Technique from a boy who just became a flagbearer…”
“Furthermore, it hasn’t even been that long since Jin Runcandel was taught Falling Petals by you, Elder Zed.”
“Dammit, are you suggesting I’m lying just to build up the 12th Flagbearer? You’ve been doubting me this whole time. If you’re going to be like this, you shouldn't have come along!”
“Now, now, that’s not what I meant. Please, calm your excitement. I was in the wrong.”
“Indeed, indeed, he was in the wrong. Elder Zed is not one to tell lies. Besides, didn't the 4th Flagbearer come by last night and tell us a strange story?” another elder spoke up, gently massaging Zed’s shoulders.
“He said the 12th Flagbearer used a sword technique superior to the 6th Decisive Technique: Lightning Flash during this mission. Perhaps the 12th Flagbearer really is someone who can provide the crucial clues for our Runcandel Decisive Techniques to evolve, just as Elder Zed said.”
Dipus had intentionally leaked information to the elders about the Pluto Sword Ultimate Technique: Thunder Blade that Jin had used.
Knowing Jin wouldn't explain it even if he asked, Dipus decided to use the elders' curiosity instead. It was an excellent choice.
“The 4th Flagbearer isn't one to talk nonsense either. At any rate, we’ve gathered here to see for ourselves. We’re almost there, so everyone, please suppress your curiosity just a little longer.”
Ahem, hmph! Hem! Hmmm!
The elders cleared their throats, stealing glances at Zed.
Soon, the group stood before Jin’s door.
‘These old fogies,’ Zed thought. ‘I can already picture them drooling over the kid once he shows them his swordsmanship, yet they have the gall to doubt me?’
Grit!
Zed gnashed his teeth and knocked on the door.
“By order of the Elder Council! 12th Flagbearer Jin Runcandel, come out at once!” Zed shouted in a triumphant voice.
However, there was no response from inside the room.
“Youngest! Come out quickly!”
When there was still no answer after a second call, Zed abruptly turned the doorknob.
Crr-ack. The lock shattered as the door swung open, revealing an empty room.
“Wait, why is this brat… not here? Ahem, hmmm!”
This time, it was Zed who stole glances at the other elders.
The elders simply shrugged, their expressions screaming, ‘We knew it.’
“That is unfortunate, Elder Zed. We all took time out of our precious schedules to come here…”
“Th-that the youngest isn't here is one thing. But why do you all look so disappointed? Do you really not believe me?”
“Now, now, it’s not that. Of course, we believe Elder Zed. The 12th Flagbearer must have had some business, haha. Let us head back for now.”
As the elders turned back in a swarm, Zed couldn't help but resent Jin inwardly.
‘Where on earth did that brat go? Does he not know his uncle is being humiliated like this?!’
* * *
Screech—skree, screech!
Jin was sitting at an open-air beach tavern where seagulls were calling, sipping a cocktail.
In front of him, Gilly, dressed in a light, breezy outfit, was tossing food to the gulls.
“Two more cocktails, please. The same ones. By the way, shouldn't they be arriving soon, Young Master?”
“Yeah, there they come.”
As Jin pointed toward the sky, the seagulls began to flee in a hurry.
A single dragon had just appeared in their sight and was descending.
It was Murakan.
On his back were the companions from Tikan.
“Oh, my lord! Do you have any idea how much this Jet has missed you!”
“Waaaaah! Lord Jiiiiin!”
Jet and Enya were the first to come running.
They showed their delight without reservation, like puppies reuniting with a master they had almost lost.
“Jet, Enya. How have you been?”
“Oh, I’ve been living happily thanks to you, my lord. My goodness, how much you must have suffered. I heard things were hectic as soon as you arrived at the Garden of Swords.”
“Wait, should I call you 'Sir' now instead of 'Lord'? You’re as handsome as ever! Please give me an autograph first! Make sure to write that you’re the Runcandel 12th Flagbearer. Right here, on my back!”
As always, Enya expressed her joy by thumping her chest like an excited primate.
“Sigh, fine. Enya. You’re happy now that you’re getting an autograph, right? Yeah, I bet you are. Good to see you, Jin.”
“Have you been well, Lady Quicantel?”
“Of course. Aside from Enya, Yuria, and Pinte whining every single day about wanting to see you.”
Quicantel no longer told Enya to maintain her dignity as the Contractor of Olta.
“Sir Jin. You never seemed like a child, but now you truly look like an adult.”
“Lady Alisa, please just call me as you used to. You too, Enya.”
“Shall I?”
Jin and Alisa shook hands and shared a light hug.
“This reminds me of the day I first met you, Lord Jin.”
Casimir, who approached next, met Jin’s eyes.
“Sir Casimir.”
“Thanks to you saving her back then, my daughter is growing up well even now. She’s already nine years old.”
“Time seems to fly. She was five when we first met.”
It had already been over four years since he had formed ties with the people of Tikan.
To Jin, they felt more like family than his actual siblings, and Tikan felt more like home than the Garden of Swords.
“My daughter and Lord Latri couldn't come. They have a backlog of work at the confectionery… Beris is helping them out, too. Kuzan and Julian are still carrying out the mission you assigned.”
The fact that Beris, with her personality, was working at a confectionery was truly surprising.
The basket Casimir held out was full of cookies. Litra Cookies, the signature of the Litra Tea House.
However, those weren't cookies prepared for Jin.
Jin checked the condition of the cookies and closed the basket again.
“I hope he likes them.”
“He probably will. According to what the informants confirmed, the Contractor of Olmango has been dying to eat these…”
Jin and Casimir let out hollow laughs.
The Seven-Colored Bird had identified the exact location of the Contractor of Olmango long ago. They had confirmed it even before Jin gave the order this time.
As a result, they even learned that the Contractor of Olmango had a strange obsession with Litra Cookies.
Since about last year, Litra Cookies had been spreading their fame across the world for their mysterious taste and aroma. They had become cookies that even famous figures from various countries had to stand in line to eat.
They were frequently featured in all sorts of magazines and newsletters. To those who considered themselves connoisseurs of tea and snacks, Litra Cookies were known as the "dream snack."
It got to the point where some bards preached that one must visit Tikan Free City at least once before dying, if only to eat a Litra Cookie.
However, those who could actually travel to Tikan Free City just to eat a cookie were limited to wealthy, time-rich nobles and financiers.
Unfortunately, that did not apply to the Contractor of Olmango.
“At any rate, first,” Jin looked at his companions and continued, “Let’s enjoy a few days of vacation. There won't be many days when we can all gather like this again.”
From then on, they did nothing but relax on the beach.
They shared stories and caught up, listened to songs by invited city bards, tasted dishes from the chefs they brought along, and spent time swimming and fishing.
In that way, four days and three nights vanished in the blink of an eye. The companions had forgotten for a very long time that simply ‘playing’ could be this much fun.
“You all seem to get along very well. Thanks to you guests, I think we’ll set a new sales record this month,” a young waiter at the tavern said to Jin.
He was a young man who looked like he had just turned twenty, with an innocent face and unusually smooth skin. He didn't yet know the true identities of Jin and his companions. Had he known, he wouldn't have been able to strike up a conversation so easily.
“Jogoby.”
The waiter flinched at the sudden mention of his name.
From his perspective, it was a natural reaction since he had never told Jin or the others his name.
“…Yes, guest?”
Thud.
Jin placed the basket full of Litra Cookies on the table.
“I am Jin Runcandel, the 12th Flagbearer of Runcandel and the Contractor of Solderet. And this is a gift.”
The reason Jin and his companions had spent several days on vacation at this corner of the beach was for no other reason.
This was where Jogoby, the Contractor of Olmango, worked.
For a moment, Jogoby froze like a stone statue, his mouth agape.
As he opened the box with trembling hands, the fragrant and savory smell of cookies wafted up.
“I came because there is something I must receive from your god. If it’s alright, could you call Lord Olmango for a moment?”
He seemed to be in great shock.
Not because he had learned of Jin’s status, but because his eyes had practically rolled into the back of his head at the sight of the cookies piled before him.
“Are these… are you really giving all of these to me?”
“Of course.”
“Ca-can I talk while I eat?”
When Jin nodded, Jogoby picked up a cookie with trembling hands.
Crunch. The moment he took a bite, his face immediately flushed with a rosy hue.
A moment later, his eyes truly rolled back until only the whites were visible.
The taste of the cookie was shocking, but this was the reaction of a god manifesting. It was almost identical to when Picon entered Vinn Branche’s body.
[This is incredible! Yes, I’m so sick of seafood!]
“…Lord Olmango?”
[Wait a moment, Contractor of Solderet. Let me finish eating these, and then I’ll give you what you’re looking for.]
From Olmango, who had his head buried in the basket devouring the cookies, not a shred of divine authority or dignity could be felt.