Chapter 319: Joshua’s Counterattack (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 319: Joshua’s Counterattack (3)
“Joshua’s villa… Do you mean the secret villa Lady Luna told us about?”
“That’s right, Sir Casimir. It’s a place I’ve been meaning to raid eventually.”
Joshua possessed dozens of private villas.
Among them, five were classified as secret villas, effectively serving as safe houses.
—Sister, your trip to the Black Sea is a stroke of luck for me. I need you to find out exactly what mission Father and the former Black Knights are on, and why Father’s Runcandel is so obsessed with the Black Sea.
—I understand. This is the first time Father has taken someone who isn't an old comrade to the Black Sea, so I’ll bring back news that’s worth your while. In exchange, you have to stay up all night drinking with me and tell me everything you've been through out there.
Before leaving for the Black Sea, Luna had given Jin the locations of two of those five secret villas.
It was information she had uncovered after Jin had asked her to “look into Joshua” during the Holy Kingdom incident.
“Surely you aren’t suggesting we strike right now?”
“I’d like to, but Kuzan and Julian haven’t returned from southeastern Mitel yet.”
The dragons could not participate in the raid on Joshua’s secret villa. The moment a dragon got involved, things would get complicated if any enemies survived.
It would look like Runcandel was attacked by the Black Dragon—the family's own guardian—and the Silver Dragon, who was unofficially wanted by Viment.
“Besides, I want to keep him confused. Let’s make a show of struggling for money. I’m looking forward to seeing the look on his face when his secret villa is ransacked while he’s busy gloating over our financial troubles.”
“But Young Master, it’s a fact that we are likely to struggle, not just pretend to. For now, the captains of the Seven-Colored Bird are meeting with their contacts in Viment, but… honestly, I don’t want to use the Imperial family’s money.”
“I understand, Sir Casimir.”
“Of course, if the situation doesn’t improve, I’m prepared to swallow my pride and go to the Imperial Palace. The Emperor… if I ask, he will undoubtedly provide a massive sum of money.”
Nothing could be more damaging to his pride than bowing to the same Imperial family that had exiled him.
Though Casimir had the qualities of a good leader and was prepared to cast aside his pride, he desperately wanted to avoid using that final resort.
Jin didn't want Casimir to suffer such an indignity on his account, either.
“Don’t worry too much. I’ll find the money. As Strawberry Pie—no, as Gilly said, it might be impossible to beat Joshua in terms of sheer capital, but I can at least prevent the city from going bankrupt.”
Casimir placed a hand on Jin’s shoulder, his smile a mixture of gratitude and apology.
“I feel ashamed, Young Master. It feels as though I am always placing too much of a burden on you.”
“What are you talking about, Sir Casimir? This problem arose because of me in the first place. Don’t think like that. If anyone should apologize, it’s me.”
“No, Young Master Jin, you did nothing wrong…”
“Look at you two playing house,” Murakan cut in. “Fine, let’s just say the kid and the lowly creature are both at fault. So, how do you plan to get the money?”
“You’re a dragon. Don’t you have any hidden assets?”
“I don’t. Storm Castle, my original lair, is being used by Runcandel now. Do you think anything would be left?”
“Then I’ll have to sell your vomit and scales. They’ll sell like wildfire as perfume and armor materials.”
“What!?”
Gilly let out a small chuckle.
“It’s a joke. Don’t get so flustered,” Jin said. “First, I’ll borrow the money we need immediately. Then I’ll start the business I’ve been putting off.”
“What business?”
“The one my friends from the Gold Snow Tribe prepared. I’ll have to move quickly. Since my vacation just ended, I shouldn’t leave the Garden of Swords empty for too long.”
*
The next day, Jin arrived in Viment.
Once again, he entered the country in disguise, using a fake identity. He dyed his hair white and used Gold Snow Tribe cosmetics to style himself as an artist from a wealthy noble family.
I feel like I have to hide my identity a lot, even after becoming a Flagbearer.
In his arms, he held a ceramic vase wrapped in the finest silk.
—Do you really have to take that? It’s something I quite cherish.
—I have a specific use for it.
—Nothing else will do? That is an artwork over fifteen hundred years old, its value incalculable…
—Hey! You’re a guardian dragon too, aren’t you? What’s the role of a guardian dragon? Your contractor of a thousand years says he needs it, so just hand it over. Come on, khaha! Kid, what are you going to use this for? How about breaking it right in front of her?
—That’s it. You need a beating, little brother.
This had happened a few days ago when he visited The Veil, the tavern run by Misha.
Jin had recognized at a glance that the decorations inside the high-end tavern were extraordinary. It was a top-tier establishment operated strictly on a membership basis, owned by a dragon with over three thousand years of life and an exquisite sense of aesthetics.
Among the items decorating the interior were ancient artworks that most archaeologists had never laid eyes on.
Jin had requested the ceramic vase that was placed in what was clearly Misha’s most cherished spot: her bedchamber.
I wanted to use this at a better time, but it can’t be helped. This isn’t bad either. Thank you, Lady Misha.
It was all in preparation for his visit here.
“We’ve arrived, sir.”
“Keep the change.”
As he paid the fare and stepped out of the carriage, a mountain-like fortress immediately came into view.
Dozens of gatekeepers clad in shimmering armor guarded all sides of this place—the main estate of the Hairan family.
The Sword Emperor Castle.
It was an arrogant yet fitting name for the greatest swordsmanship family in Viment.
After looking up at the Sword Emperor Castle for a moment, Jin approached the gate.
Unlike the intimidating fortress, the gatekeepers welcomed him with surprising kindness.
As one could guess from Dante’s personality, the Hairan family maintained a public image just as virtuous as the Zipple clan's.
“What brings you here?”
“Ah, I am a craftsman named Paul Gray Mick. The ceramic piece Sir Dante ordered has been completed, so I have come to deliver it personally.”
The gatekeepers glanced at the vase Jin was holding. They nodded in understanding, as it was common knowledge that Dante collected ceramics.
“This man will guide you. Please wait in the drawing room.”
“I must deliver it to Sir Dante personally.”
“I cannot guarantee that the Young Patriarch will come himself. He is very busy, so please do not take it personally.”
Jin almost smiled when the gatekeeper referred to Dante as the Young Patriarch.
He knew Dante had been on the right track before his regression, but seeing it firsthand was a completely different feeling.
“How could I dare think such a thing? I arrived without prior notice because it was finished sooner than expected. I am merely grateful for your hospitality.”
“You are the most sensible artist I’ve met.”
He followed the gatekeeper into the castle’s drawing room.
Perhaps Jin was the only visitor to the Hairan estate today, as a lonely draft blew through the vast, empty room.
He had succeeded in entering.
However, he wondered if Dante would recognize the name ‘Paul Gray Mick.’ If he didn’t, Jin would have to find another way to approach him, which would be troublesome.
He stood still, making small talk with the gatekeeper as he waited.
After about thirty minutes…
Thud, thud, thud…!
The sound of someone running echoed from the corridor leading to the drawing room.
“Ji—no, where is Paul Gray Mick!?”
Dante, who had almost blurted out Jin’s name, hurriedly corrected himself. As soon as he appeared, the gatekeeper gave a disciplined salute, and Jin bowed his head as if greeting a superior.
“Ah, ahem. Ahem! My apologies for being so forward. I was just excited about a piece I’ve been waiting for. You may leave now.”
“Yes, Young Patriarch!”
As soon as he confirmed the gatekeeper had disappeared, Dante gave Jin a tight hug.
“Jin, you! How could you visit like this without a word? More importantly, it’s been too long! Have you been well? You’ve grown even stronger since I last saw you!”
It was that characteristic gravelly voice he hadn't heard in ages.
“Slow down, Dante. It looks like you’ve grown a bit taller.”
“I’ve grown about the width of a finger. You noticed.”
Even though he had grown, Dante was still much smaller in stature than Jin. It was simply his natural bone structure.
However, Jin could immediately tell how much incredible training Dante had undergone in the time they hadn’t seen each other.
He became the Young Patriarch at nineteen, and his swordsmanship must have reached a level where even the word ‘genius’ is insufficient. Yet, he still seems to be working ten times harder than anyone else.
It was admirable.
Jin wanted to set out some drinks and catch up, but that wasn't why he had come today.
“Dante, I have a favor to ask.”
“Oh, ask anything.”
“Lend me some money.”
A friend who asks to borrow money right after meeting for the first time in over a year is certainly not a good friend.
However, Dante felt that if it was Jin, it was perfectly fine. He felt he could grant the request even if Jin asked for something far greater than money.
“How much do you need? Ah, I should also take this chance to pay back the money I borrowed from you when we escaped the Holy Kingdom. I’ll pay you back with a terrifying amount of interest.”
“Roughly 300 million gold coins.”
“Understood… W-Wait. Please say that one more time.”
“I need 300 million.”
For the first time in a very long while, Dante felt a cold sweat run down his spine. Even for the Young Patriarch of Hairan, 300 million gold coins was a staggering sum.
“Did Runcandel tell you to bring 300 million—the amount of your bounty—in exchange for appointing you as a Flagbearer?”
“It’s not that. Can you get it?”
“I can only use that much money with my grandfather’s permission. But I have no justification to ask him.”
Jin pulled back the silk covering the ceramic vase.
“How about telling him it’s for this vase?”
Dante was not particularly well-versed in art, but he could tell that Jin’s vase was by no means an ordinary object. This was thanks to having seen top-tier ceramics every day in the study and workshop of his grandfather, Ron Hairan, who was a fanatic.
But no matter how excellent the ceramic was, could it possibly be worth 300 million gold coins? Just as that doubt crossed his mind…
“I was curious as to who exactly was the fellow who shook my grandson’s heart a few years ago.”
A new voice echoed from the other side of the drawing room.
Ron Hairan.
The peerless knight who had competed the longest against the Creation Knight Cyron Runcandel, and the Patriarch of Hairan. It was his voice.
“I didn't expect him to be such a swindler. 300 million gold coins? You were just standing there listening to such nonsense? I am disappointed, Dante.”
“Grand—Grandfather. This person is not a swindler, I’ll explain…”
Sring…!
Ron drew the sword from his waist.
As the blade left its scabbard, a faint tremor shook the drawing room, and the very air began to distort.
“Furthermore, I can smell that foul scent unique to Runcandel coming from that boy.”
“Grandfather!”
“I won’t kill you. Instead, I’ll take one of your arms. Consider it a lesson and never show your face before Dante again.”