Chapter 317: Joshua’s Counterattack (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 317: Joshua’s Counterattack (1)
Aria Owlheart.
As the name Valeria cherished most as an alias left Rosa’s lips, the flagbearers couldn't help but exchange glances.
It was because none of them had any idea who that was. Among the flagbearers, only Jin and Joshua recognized the name.
However, no one dared to ask Rosa, “Mother, who is that?”
It was an absurd situation, but asking such a question would be nothing more than an admission of their own incompetence.
In contrast, the elders who had decided on Joshua’s reward were naturally aware of Aria’s existence. They sat with an air of dignified superiority, subtly flaunting that they possessed better information than most of the flagbearers.
“The Acting Patriarch and the 2nd Flagbearer have made a grand decision. Ultimately, her name had to be revealed to all the flagbearers so she could be found quickly.”
Jorden Runcandel, Head of the Elder Council and the Black Sword Council, spoke with a smile. Lin Milkano, the Deputy Head of the Elder Council and President of the Guardian Association, nodded in agreement, while Telot Runcandel, the Secretary-General of the Elder Council and Chairman Homin, showed no particular reaction.
Jorden subtly shifted his gaze toward Joshua.
“The 2nd Flagbearer played a very significant role in this matter.”
“Indeed, Elder Council Head Jorden. Since the 2nd Flagbearer discovered that name, we are now able to act before the Zipple clan.”
“That is correct.”
As Jorden and the elders supporting Joshua chimed in, the other flagbearers were growing increasingly frustrated.
‘Brother Joshua didn’t mention a word of this to us.’
‘Those damn old farts, just blathering on without any context. Would it kill them to explain things so we can understand?’
Such were the inner thoughts of Myu and Anne.
‘Just what kind of great feat did our eldest brother achieve for the elders to be singing his praises like this?’
‘Are they finally laying the groundwork to raise him to the position of Patriarch?’
Ran and Vigo thought.
‘Uh, let’s just stay quiet.’
‘Even so, we have to look as serious as possible.’
The Tona brothers.
‘Brother, have you heard anything?’
‘Nothing.’
Mary and Dipus.
‘This is tedious and annoying...’
And finally, Luntia.
While the siblings were lost in their respective thoughts, Rosa spoke again.
“Most of the flagbearers likely do not know what the name Aria Owlheart means. I shall explain. That person is the last remaining survivor of the Hister family—a clan of mages that once threatened the Zipple…”
Rosa continued her explanation of the Hister family for some time.
She spoke of the era when the Hister family was active, the reason their magic was able to threaten the Zipple, and how such a magnificent clan was ultimately erased from history, to the point where it was now difficult to find even a single related record.
‘She knows a surprising amount of detail.’
Since Jin had not been a flagbearer before his regression, he hadn't been able to attend meetings like this. Back then, Jin’s knowledge of the Runcandel family’s internal affairs was extremely limited.
Rosa—no, Runcandel—had a much greater interest in the Hister family than Jin had anticipated.
“…Therefore, if we find Aria Owlheart, the Hister, first—if we obtain information about the Hister family’s heritage sites and the record magic she possesses—we will gain a vital means of pressuring the Zipple.”
It was truly unexpected for Rosa to explicitly mention the terms ‘record magic’ and ‘Hister’s heritage site.’ Jin had thought Rosa wouldn't share that level of information with anyone other than Joshua.
‘Well, I suppose it’s not that strange. She’s only telling the core members of the Elder Council and the flagbearers.’
As Rosa’s explanation ended, the flagbearers’ eyes gleamed. They instinctively realized that an ‘opportunity’ had presented itself to all of them.
“Mother, is the reason you called this meeting today to command us flagbearers to find her?”
“That is correct, Ran. Searching for and capturing Aria Owlheart is, as of today, a permanent mission for all Runcandel flagbearers. It is classified as top-secret, and the use of external personnel is strictly prohibited.”
“Understood.”
“If information that we are searching for the Hister is leaked to the outside, we will find the source of the leak and severely punish everyone involved. There will be no exceptions. Therefore, each of you must carefully select the guardian knights under your command to carry out this mission.”
The flagbearers nodded heavily.
The phrase ‘severely punish without exception.’
It meant that if they fully committed to this mission and their subordinates made the mistake of leaking information, they could be stripped of their status as flagbearers.
And being stripped of that status led directly to exile or indefinite banishment.
“The Zipple are also desperately searching for her. However, they do not yet know the name Aria Owlheart. We must secure the Hister before the Zipple do.”
“Yes!”
Ahem!
Jorden cleared his throat to draw attention.
“As the Head of the Elder Council, there are a few things I wish to tell the flagbearers regarding this mission. First, I hope you all clearly recognize that this mission is not merely for personal achievement, but a matter of great importance to the family…”
Jorden paused for a moment, letting the tension build.
“Second, whenever there is progress on the mission, all flagbearers are to report to the current highest-ranking flagbearer, the 2nd Flagbearer.”
At those words, as if they had expected it, a look of disappointment flickered across the eyes of several flagbearers. They had thought this was a rare chance to earn merit without Rosa’s usual discrimination, but it was once again being funneled toward a ‘first-born monopoly.’
Of course, they all acknowledged it—the fact that Joshua would eventually become the Patriarch anyway.
Thus, they had little desire to compete for the position of Patriarch by earning merit as flagbearers.
However, they felt disillusioned at times like this. They felt like puppets brought in just to fill seats, rather than actual flagbearers. They hadn't suffered through hell to become flagbearers just for this.
Even if they couldn't become the Patriarch, they wanted to have their pride.
Rosa saw right through the flagbearers’ hearts, yet she ignored them completely. She had trained them so that even if she ignored them time and time again, they could never rebel unless they ‘proved their qualifications.’
In that sense, among the eleven flagbearers remaining in the family, only four were capable of expressing their displeasure to Rosa and the elders in a moment like this.
“Elder Council Head, I cannot understand this. Why must mission progress reports be made through the 2nd Flagbearer?”
“The 4th Flagbearer is right, Elder Council Head. The 2nd Flagbearer is, literally, a flagbearer. He is not the Patriarch or the Acting Patriarch, is he?”
It was Dipus and Mary.
They had consistently proven their qualifications even before becoming flagbearers. Whether in martial prowess or mission execution, they had never disappointed Cyron, Rosa, or the Elder Council.
However, just because they hadn't disappointed them didn't mean they were on good terms with the entire Elder Council. They did not respect Jorden, and they had not yet given up on the position of Patriarch.
“Ho-ho. It seems the 4th and 7th Flagbearers have complaints.”
“Of course we do. You’re trampling on the pride of the flagbearers. You said this was a matter of great importance to the family, so I cannot accept you intentionally sowing discord like this.”
“Then why didn't you find the name Aria Owlheart yourselves?”
“What did you say?”
“The one who discovered that name, which even the Zipple haven't found, was the 2nd Flagbearer, not you. It means the credit belongs entirely to him. We are actually being considerate by allowing you to share in that credit.”
As if he had anticipated this, Jorden leisurely countered their arguments.
“Ah, is that so? I had no idea. Then Brother Joshu—no, the 2nd Flagbearer can just search for her on his own. Why did you bother gathering us all? Is this your will, Elder Council Head, or is it Mother’s?”
“Your words are harsh!”
“Could they be any harsher than you treating us like mere background scenery, Elder Council Head Jorden?” Mary shot back through gritted teeth as Rosa lightly raised her hand.
“Enough, 7th Flagbearer. I understand you are upset, but show respect to the Elder Council Head. And Elder Council Head Jorden, please be understanding. This is the age for such vigor, is it not?”
At Rosa’s single word, the three who had been snarling at each other fell silent.
Rosa then turned her gaze toward the other flagbearers who had the right to speak: Jin and Luntia.
“3rd Flagbearer, 12th Flagbearer. Do you two have nothing to say?”
“I have nothing.”
“Neither do I.”
“Then let us do this. Fine. As per the opinions of the 4th and 7th Flagbearers, send your reports directly to me, not Joshua. Furthermore, to the one who brings the Hister to me, I shall grant the governance of the Eastern 5 Regions of Huphester.”
At those words, the eyes of everyone in the meeting hall fixed on Rosa. Even Joshua and Jorden, who were clearly on her side, wore expressions of utter shock.
Only one person, Jin, maintained a calm face.
‘Governance of the Eastern 5 Regions. It’s on a different level from the 400 million gold coins that were once placed on my head...’
As Joshua turned his head to look at Rosa in surprise, he happened to catch Jin’s composed expression and felt a strange sense of unease.
Governance of the Eastern 5 Regions.
Aside from becoming the Patriarch, it was virtually the greatest reward a flagbearer could receive. Even if one did not become the Patriarch, possessing the governance of the Eastern 5 Regions allowed one to build an independent power base.
Furthermore, among the territories a flagbearer or elder could govern, the ‘Eastern 5 Regions’ was a prime piece of land that ranked within the top three.
The rest of the flagbearers, who had been barely hiding their disappointment at what they thought was a first-born monopoly, cheered inwardly. Whether they had been recognized by Cyron and Rosa until now or not, if they could just find and bring back Aria Owlheart, they could reign as the lords of the East.
“Now everyone must truly feel how important this matter is. I will say it once more: this is a top-secret and permanent mission. Everyone, stay sharp, find the Hister, and bring her before me. That is all!”
The meeting concluded.
The flagbearers and elders bowed to Rosa and began to file out of the hall. The butlers and scribes waiting outside followed behind their respective masters.
‘Seeing as she’s looking for my master, the deal between Mother and Kelliark Zipple must have fallen through. Moreover, the Eastern 5 Regions... just what is Mother trying to gain in exchange for finding Master and handing her over to the Zipple?’
Jin still had no inkling of what that might be. However, it was certain that it was something significant enough for Rosa to offer the governance of the Eastern 5 Regions.
Just as he was about to return to his room, lost in thought…
“Jin.”
Joshua called out to him.
“What is it, 2nd Flagbearer?”
When Jin turned around, Joshua dismissed his butlers and scribes.
Once the two of them were alone in the empty corridor, the words that came out of Joshua’s mouth were something even Jin hadn't expected.
“You’ve already found her, haven't you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Aria Owlheart. You’ve already found her.”