Chapter 318: Joshua’s Counterattack (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 318: Joshua’s Counterattack (2)
As everyone in the conference hall gasped at Rosa’s radical proposal, Jin’s expression remained exceptionally calm.
In truth, Joshua hadn’t expected to see anything special hidden behind Jin’s stoic mask. Jin always maintained a poker face, so there was nothing strange about his composure.
Nevertheless, his sudden claim that Jin had already found Aria Owlheart was a judgment based purely on instinct.
A silence fell over the room.
What is this? Was I the only one who didn't look shocked? Even so, he wouldn't speak with such confidence based on that alone.
Jin quickly searched his memories.
He couldn't fathom when or how Joshua might have discovered that he had met Valeria. For the first time since their confrontation began, Jin felt a flicker of unease.
Fortunately, even when Joshua threw out the name, Jin’s characteristic expressionless face didn’t falter.
He let out a thin smile.
Ultimately, regardless of how Joshua had found out, the solution was simple: play dumb and deny everything.
“You and Mother both seem quite desperate, spouting such nonsense.”
“Youngest.”
“I’d prefer you didn’t call me so affectionately. It’s not as if we share some deep brotherly bond.”
“This is a more important matter than you realize.”
“Which is why Mother offered the Eastern 5 Regions as a reward, I presume.”
Joshua had spoken with certainty at first, but since it was a gamble based on pure instinct, he was now contemplating how to steer the conversation.
Does that mean you haven't found her yet, either?
He couldn't bring himself to ask that so bluntly.
“Hand her over to me, and I will give you the Eastern 5 Regions and more. I swear it on my name and the honor of the family.”
“What’s this fascinating story that has you barking up the wrong tree? Let’s hear it.”
“Your life.”
Pfft.
A chuckle escaped Jin’s lips.
Then, his face went cold as he locked eyes with Joshua.
“You still have no talent for jokes. Didn't I tell you last time? That was your final chance to kill me.”
“And the safety of your comrades.”
Joshua expected Jin to flare up at those words—just as he had turned cold and addressed him as "you" a moment ago.
However, Jin felt no need to get agitated. He simply thought that the inevitable had finally happened.
I was wondering when he’d start using my comrades as leverage. So it’s now.
His comrades were Jin’s strongest shield, but they were also his greatest—and only—weakness.
Therefore, Jin had long expected that his mother, Rosa, and Joshua would eventually try to pressure him by targeting his friends. It was a problem that not only Jin but all his comrades had anticipated.
The bounty on my teacher’s head is becoming more and more suspicious. Not just the Eastern 5 Regions... he’s playing his strongest card now just to pressure me?
His curiosity about what Rosa stood to gain in exchange for a Hister intensified.
His life, and the lives of his comrades. What Joshua meant by guaranteeing those two things was…
It’s highly likely related to Solderet’s contract. Mother might have demanded the Demon God Stone from the Zipples, or some other means to transfer my contract to Joshua.
It was just a guess, but it felt plausible. Joshua’s goal wasn't to kill him but to steal Solderet’s authority, and Rosa’s goal would align perfectly with that.
Mother has seemed strangely reluctant to dispose of me lately. Transferring only my contract to Joshua and using me as a flagbearer for the family would be the best outcome from her perspective.
In truth, even without Solderet’s authority—even if he lost his magic and the power of the Pluto Tribe—Jin was still one of the most outstanding Runcandel flagbearers, with immense potential. His growth in pure swordsmanship alone was enough to make him a candidate for future Patriarch.
As long as Jin handed over the Authority of Shadow to Joshua and didn’t betray the family, Rosa had no reason to give up on her youngest son.
Furthermore, the fact that the Zipples could transfer a god’s contract was almost certain, considering the different contractors of time in his past and present lives, and the fact that Midore Elner and Veradin could use Space Explosion.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant. The various assumptions swirling in his head eventually converged into a single question.
Why were Joshua and his mother so obsessed with Spirit Energy?
“Well? Do you feel like talking now?”
Jin smiled at Joshua’s question.
“I’ll say it again: I have never found a Hister. I have no idea what you’re basing this on. It feels like you’re just taking a shot in the dark.”
“I’ll give you ten days. Within that time, bring the Hister to me.”
“If you’re that desperate for an achievement, you’d be better off running around outside instead of wasting time talking nonsense to me.”
Jin turned around and added one last thing.
“Just in case, I hope you’re not foolish enough to suffer heavy losses for a clumsy delusion. I’m saying there’s nothing to be gained by recklessly touching my comrades.”
“I’ll take your advice into consideration.”
“It’s not advice; it’s a warning. Who knows? In a moment like this—say, in an empty hallway where it’s just the two of us—I might impulsively draw my sword and take the 2nd Flagbearer’s head. Without a thought for the consequences.”
“Laughable. Do you think you can beat me one-on-one?”
“If you’re confident, we can have a go right now.”
Joshua shrugged.
“The 12th Flagbearer is in a better position than I thought. You have nothing to lose even if I crush you.”
Jin had thrown out the challenge knowing Joshua wouldn't fight. As Joshua said, even if Jin lost a one-on-one duel, he had nothing to lose, whereas Joshua would inevitably damage his reputation, even if he won.
Joshua watched Jin’s retreating figure until he disappeared. Then, he became certain.
His dear youngest brother had, at the very least, met Aria Owlheart.
If the youngest truly knew nothing about the Hister, he would have tried to strike a deal the moment I revealed my hand.
That was the kind of person Joshua perceived Jin to be—someone who, upon seeing an opponent’s desire, would find a way to exploit it, even without holding the right cards. To Joshua, his youngest brother possessed that terrifying quality.
But this time, even after Joshua revealed his desire first, Jin only feigned ignorance. He showed no intention of using it to propose a deal or any will to toy with him.
That was why Joshua was certain of the connection. A smirk played on his lips, feeling he had made a great discovery.
However, even if I were to kidnap or kill his comrades, Jin would never hand the Hister over to me.
It would only serve to provoke a wild beast.
It’s actually a relief that the youngest knows the Hister. If he’s hiding her, neither our Runcandel clan nor the Zipples will be able to find her. She’s safe.
The youngest never let go of the cards he held. That, too, was the Jin that Joshua understood.
The two were clearly enemies—rivals, perhaps even nemeses—but Joshua acknowledged Jin. From the time everyone looked down on him until now, Joshua had never once underestimated his younger brother.
“My Lord.”
The 1st Butler, Howard, who had stepped back, approached Joshua. He was the younger brother of Head Butler Heinz and one of Joshua’s closest confidants.
“Did you gain anything?”
“I’ve hooked an unexpectedly big fish. Howard, regarding Aria Owlheart… do not assign a single one of my knights to the search. It would be a waste of manpower.”
“Understood.”
“Instead, spread false information about the Hister to the other flagbearers. While they’re distracted searching for her, secure as many death row inmates as possible from Ricalton.”
Howard did not question Joshua’s judgment.
“Also, find out the list of all business partners—merchants, tycoons, and nobles—who have ties with the Free City of Tikan.”
“The scribes have already identified them. The information is updated weekly, so any errors should be minimal.”
Joshua nodded, satisfied.
“Cut them all off. I want to choke their finances. It doesn't matter if the youngest and his comrades find out why their partners suddenly vanished, but the outside world must not know that our pressure was behind it.”
“I will ensure total silence. What should we do about partners from the Zipple, Secret Palace, and Imperial sides? It will be difficult to enforce strict security there.”
“How many are there?”
“I’ll have to check, but I heard there are about ten. Roughly half of them are Zipples.”
“Leave the Secret Palace alone. For the rest, find out if they have proper connections with the Zipple main house or the Imperial family. If not, have pirates raid them and incite strikes.”
“Understood.”
There was no need to provoke the beast into a full-scale war. Instead, Joshua decided to slowly grate on Jin’s nerves. He was curious to see how Jin would react when his funds were cut off and his comrades were subtly threatened.
And he wondered if those comrades would truly stay by Jin’s side until the end, enduring all sorts of disadvantages.
That clever fellow won't start a full-scale war with me over this. But it will be quite annoying for him.
*
Ten days passed.
April 10, 1799. The Free City of Tikan.
Casimir’s expression was dark as he sat in his office. The city’s economy was being paralyzed at an unprecedented speed. More than eighty percent of their business partners had already requested to terminate their contracts—even at the cost of paying breach fees—and the remaining twenty percent looked likely to follow.
“The power of the Runcandel 2nd Flagbearer is truly immense. Not a single partner is telling us the reason for cutting ties, Young Master.”
As soon as he heard the news, Jin had arrived in Tikan in disguise, accompanied by Murakan and Gilly.
“Kid, that brother of yours… who does he take after to be this petty?”
“Who knows.”
“We were prepared for a potential attack from the 2nd Flagbearer, as you warned. But I never imagined it would be like this… We’re using the slush funds to resolve the immediate issues, but I don't know how long we can hold out.”
Joshua’s attack was effective. In some ways, the damage was greater than a direct assassination attempt. Since the leadership of Tikan was paying enormous sums to various powers every month to have the Free City recognized as a "nation," their finances were already strained.
“It’s frustrating, but with our current financial power, we cannot defeat that son of a—no, Joshua… that wicked man! We can’t win, Young Master. Even the tourists have vanished because of news of pirate ships appearing in nearby waters,” Gilly said with suppressed rage.
Jin’s personal funds were substantial, but not enough to support an entire city.
“I didn't expect him to come at me like this, either. But since he wants a fight this badly, I can’t just sit still.”
“Do you have a plan?” Casimir asked.
A smirk played on Jin’s lips.
“I’m going to have to hit one of his villas.”