Chapter 326: What Kind of Disciplinary Action Is This... (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 326: What Kind of Disciplinary Action Is This... (2)
He thought he must have misheard.
"What...? A three-year ban on leaving the estate? Are you certain?"
"Yes, Young Master. The news is already circulating among the butlers and scribes."
"On what grounds?"
"Well, it’s because of the business you recently started..."
"Are you telling me the Elder Council is imposing a three-year ban just because I did some advertising?"
"It appears so."
"Have they lost their minds? What kind of absurd disciplinary action is this for a Runcandel Flagbearer? What is he, some rebellious teenager they can just ground? A ban on leaving? A ban?! This is preposterous! Summon the Elder Council this instant. I’ll tear them apart—"
"Calm yourself, Lord Murakan. There are many ears listening," Gilly interjected.
"Let them listen! Strawberry Pie, I can't believe what I'm hearing. To think the Runcandel Elder Council would even consider such a petty punishment!"
Jin felt the same way, but he couldn't afford to lose his temper alongside Murakan.
This is Joshua's doing. This didn't come from the Council; it was his idea. He’s likely planning to offer me a deal, using the lifting of the ban as leverage.
He had expected house arrest or a remote posting, but he hadn't anticipated any other form of discipline. Consequently, he hadn't devised a countermeasure for this specific scenario.
Grit!
He clenched his teeth at the thought of such a dirty, petty move.
And yet, that very pettiness was the most effective way to deal with him.
It’s a bit jarring, but if you think you can get something out of me this way, you’ve sorely miscalculated, Joshua.
Jin composed his expression.
"Petro, when is the disciplinary hearing?"
"The Chairman of the Elder Council said he would convene it as soon as you returned. Since your arrival was reported from the teleport gate, the elders are likely already gathering in the Elder Council Hall."
"I'll change and head there immediately."
He walked briskly toward his room.
"Young Master, I will prepare a clean Flagbearer uniform. Perhaps you should trim your hair before you go?"
"No, that won't be necessary. Prepare the flashiest clothes I own. Bring out all the Gold Snow Tribe cosmetics and the hair dye as well."
"Pardon?"
"The elders seem to dislike our products so much. I should show them exactly how good they are."
After washing his face, Jin began to liberally apply the cosmetics. He even dyed his hair, making it glow with a bright, lustrous golden sheen.
Gilly stood by, at a loss for words, while Murakan clutched his stomach, roaring with laughter at the sight.
"Bwahaha! The elders are going to be stunned! Good, kid. That’s the spirit! A Runcandel should always be this provocative, right?"
When the makeover was finished a short while later, Gilly offered an awkward smile.
"Y-Young Master. Do you truly intend to go looking like that?"
"Yes. Make sure you keep a tight grip on Murakan so he doesn't cause any trouble. Oh, should I take some product samples with me?"
"I think it’s best if you just go as you are. Young Master, if I may ask... what exactly are you planning?"
"Strawberry Pie, why ask such a difficult question? Hey, kid. This is hilarious, but are you going to be okay?"
"I’ll be fine. As I see it, this disciplinary action is just a show. Joshua simply wants to use this as leverage to strike a deal. He’ll probably offer to rescind the punishment if I return what I took from him."
Gilly nodded, seemingly convinced.
"Phew, that’s a relief. I thought you were doing this just out of spite."
"Hardly. I’m not that immature. I’ll be back. Don't worry too much."
Of course, a part of him did want to irritate the old fossils on the Council.
Not long after leaving his room, Jin encountered his siblings in the hallway.
The first person he ran into was Joshua, who had clearly been waiting in the corridor since hearing of Jin’s return. He wanted to say something before Jin reached the disciplinary hearing.
"Jin, we need to talk—wait. You. Aren't you on your way to the Elder Council Hall for your hearing?"
"I am."
"Then what in the world is with your appearance?"
"What’s wrong with my appearance?"
Faced with such a confident attitude, Joshua momentarily felt as if he were the strange one.
"What’s wrong with it? The light reflecting off your hair is practically blinding. And that heavy makeup... you look like a clown from some theater troupe! You’re going to a disciplinary hearing looking like that?"
"Is there a rule in the Runcandel laws stating a Flagbearer cannot wear makeup or dye their hair? As far as I know, there isn't."
Joshua pressed a hand to his forehead.
"Ha, fine. There is no such law. However, there is a law regarding the maintenance of dignity. The reason you are being disciplined is precisely because you failed to uphold it."
"I presume the reason for this discipline has less to do with dignity and more to do with the influence the 2nd Flagbearer exerted over the Council."
A thin, cold smile spread across Joshua’s lips.
"That's right. I personally suggested to the elders that you be disciplined. But it wasn't because you raided my villa. It was a matter of dignity, just as it is now."
"Is that so? This is the first I’ve heard of me raiding the 2nd Flagbearer’s villa."
"Deny it all you want. I have no intention of asking for the stolen items back anyway."
This reaction was unexpected.
When Jin didn't respond, Joshua continued.
"It’s all part of the war of succession. You won this round, so you are entitled to the spoils."
"I’m glad to hear you won't be framing an innocent man."
Jin replied calmly, but Joshua’s attitude added new variables to his calculations.
Is the stolen Spirit Energy Orb not that important to him? Or did it belong to the dead demon from the start, not Joshua? No, that can't be it.
There was some other motive.
A hypothesis formed in his mind.
Joshua doesn't know the Spirit Energy Orb is a recording device yet. And he and Mother... they feel like they can take everything I have whenever they want. So they’re trying to use me until the perfect moment arrives to seize it all.
If that was the case, the reason Joshua wasn't obsessed with the Spirit Energy Orb might be because he expected Jin, Solderet’s official contractor, to "discover its use" for him. Or perhaps he wanted to secretly assign someone to watch Jin and see how he used the orb.
"Furthermore, the ban on leaving the estate was not my idea. That was a punishment decided by the Elder Council themselves. It’s harsh for a failure to maintain dignity, but you brought the Council’s animosity upon yourself."
"So, what are you getting at?"
"I’m telling you to choose wisely. Even I cannot completely control the Elder Council. If things go wrong, you really could be banned from leaving for three years."
"I appreciate the advice, but I’ll handle myself. Oh, and 2nd Flagbearer."
"What?"
"I suggest you don't think about touching my comrades directly in the future. As long as you don't cross the line into life-threatening territory, as you did this time, I will let it slide."
"Let it slide? I don't think you're in any position to say that to me. Do you think I’ve left your comrades alone until now because I lacked the ability to kill them?"
As Joshua radiated killing intent, Jin shook his head.
"What I meant was, you should think carefully about which side has more to lose."
At those words, Joshua grinned.
"I hope you manage to deal with the discipline waiting for you first."
Jin and Joshua walked past each other.
It seems Joshua didn't plot this just to strike a deal with me.
If that were the case, he wouldn't have brushed off the villa raid so lightly.
In any case, Joshua wasn't the one who pushed for this specific punishment... I'll find out what the Council’s true goal is once I get to the hall.
On his way to the hearing, the second group he encountered was the Tona brothers.
They looked worried upon seeing Jin, as always, but something was slightly different about them today. For some reason, the usual tension was absent from their demeanor.
"Uh, um. Youngest, are you okay? I’m sure it’ll work out."
"Yeah, yeah. You’ll probably get through this unscathed again."
The Tona brothers no longer worried about their youngest brother. They had come to believe that no matter what happened, their 'Youngest' would somehow handle everything on his own.
"Still, that flashy outfit is a bit... no, I’m sure you have your reasons."
"Hang in there, Youngest. We’ll see you later if we can!"
Jin found his two older brothers strangely endearing as they cheered him on with clenched fists.
The next siblings he met were Dipus and Mary.
"Ugh, those stuffy old men. What kind of punishment is that? Hey, Youngest, it’s fine. There’s no way they’d lock up someone as capable as you for three years. Think of how many missions have piled up."
"They’ll only ban personal outings. They’ll still send him on missions, just with surveillance attached. Youngest, this might be quite tiresome."
"Brother Dipus, you sound like you’re actually hoping that happens to him. Hmm?"
"When did I ever say that?"
"More importantly, Youngest."
"Yes, Sister Mary."
"Um, are you really going in looking like that? It’s provocative and all, but... how should I put it? It feels a bit inappropriate for the occasion, doesn't it?"
"It would probably be best to change, if possible," Dipus added.
Every single person he met pointed out his attire. This only reinforced Jin’s belief that he had chosen his clothes perfectly.
Once the Elder Council sees that the Gold Snow Tribe products are profitable, they’ll lose their justification for this discipline. If that’s not enough, I can just reveal the advanced Decisive Techniques. They were a force I had to either win over or dominate eventually anyway.
The reason Jin was so confident as he approached the Elder Council Hall was simple. He was certain that the business he started with the Gold Snow Tribe would not fail, and he was certain the elders would not be able to abandon their desire for the Decisive Techniques.
Dignity.
Jin felt that now was not the time for Runcandel to be chasing such a hollow concept. Unless it was dignity in the truest sense, the family’s expansion into business was an absolute necessity.
Just as the Zipple were subtly enslaving the world through their magical products, Runcandel needed such tools as well. If they failed to develop them, they would inevitably fall behind. In fact, they were already falling behind.
If I were an elder and a Flagbearer started a business like this, I would have thrown my full support behind them. Even if that Flagbearer was my enemy. Or, I would have tried to seize the business by any means necessary to grow it myself.
Jin found it frustrating that neither the Elder Council nor anyone else in the family understood this simple, clear reality.
Passing through the Flagbearers' Corridor, the Elder Council Hall came into view.
Whew.
He took a light breath and prepared to step inside.
Creeeeak—!
Just then, an elder emerged from the hall. Having unintentionally blocked the man’s path, Jin bowed his head slightly.
"Chairman Homin Telot."
Telot stared down at Jin for a long moment without responding.
"12th Flagbearer, Jin Runcandel."
"Yes."
"There is no need for you to enter. The disciplinary hearing concerning you has already concluded."