Chapter 327: What Kind of Disciplinary Action Is This... (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 327: What Kind of Disciplinary Action Is This... (3)
"The disciplinary hearing is over?"
Telot nodded, his face expressionless.
"May I ask what the verdict was? A three-year ban on leaving the clan grounds… Surely such an absurd punishment wasn't finalized without me even being present."
"You think it's an absurd punishment?"
"Yes, I do."
"In what way?"
"Because it's a disciplinary measure that has never once occurred in the history of Runcandel. A ban on leaving is, quite literally, a deprivation of physical freedom. For a Flagbearer of Runcandel, it's an unacceptable form of treatment. If word gets out that I'm confined, Runcandel's image will become a laughingstock."
As Jin spoke clearly and firmly, a faint smile touched Telot’s lips. It was an expression that hovered somewhere between a smirk and a genuine grin.
"You're right. However, the sentence remains unchanged. A three-year ban on leaving."
"Are the Elders still inside?"
"Do you intend to go in and protest?"
"I do."
"Do you think the Elders will rescind the punishment just because you protest?"
"I appreciate the concern, but I have a knack for making things happen, even when I'm not supposed to."
Jin said this while looking Telot straight in the eye.
A few seconds of silence passed. Just as Jin was about to pass him without waiting for a response, Telot lightly caught him by the shoulder.
"I have suspended your disciplinary action. So, stop right there."
Jin’s eyes widened.
"You suspended my punishment…? You did, Chairman Homin?"
"Indeed."
Suspending the disciplinary action was clearly an act of assistance toward Jin.
This reminded Jin of a truth known to most of the world: there is no such thing as kindness without a reason.
He wouldn't have shown me favor for no reason. Chairman Homin… I only remember that he failed in an attempt to occupy the Colon Ruins long before I was born.
Telot Runcandel.
Jin didn't know what kind of man he was. This was only natural, as he'd had no reason to get involved with the Elder Council in his previous life. Consequently, he couldn't guess what intentions Telot might have in approaching him.
"Chairman Homin, what is it that you want from me?"
When Jin asked point-blank, Telot let out another low chuckle.
"I see you're a quick-witted fellow. How about it? Will you have a cup of tea with this old man? Or will you storm inside to pick a fight with the Elders, insisting you won't even accept a suspension?"
There was no need to hesitate.
The Elder Council was composed of three organizations: the Black Sword Council, the Guardian Association, and the Homin Council.
While the Homin Council was said to have the least influence among them, Telot, as its Chairman, possessed a level of authority incomparably greater than Jin’s.
If Telot had decided on a suspension, then the best result Jin could have achieved on his own would likely have been a suspension as well.
In fact, even getting a suspension might have been difficult. Since Joshua wasn't the one proposing a deal this time, the cards I had to play were limited.
The money that would soon start flowing in from the Gold Snow Tribe business and his advanced decisive techniques.
Currently, those were the only two cards Jin could use to negotiate with the Elder Council. While it wouldn't have been bad to use them now, it was always better to save one's cards for as long as possible—to play them at a more critical moment.
"Tea sounds better."
"Good. Let's go, then. To my secret residence. By the way… you."
"Please, speak."
"Did you really intend to attend the disciplinary hearing looking like that?"
"Yes. It’s a bit embarrassing to be asked that now, after we've already met."
"Hahaha. Consider it a blessing that my way of thinking differs from the other Elders. I can't imagine how the Head of the Black Sword Council would have raged if you had walked in like that."
Telot ordered a servant to bring his private carriage. The two of them boarded and began heading toward his residence.
A secret residence?
Clop, clop…
Inside the carriage, Telot remained silent. Jin didn't go out of his way to show curiosity or start a conversation, and Telot seemed rather pleased by that.
"It's been a long time since I brought a Runcandel here."
It seemed Telot had intentionally brought him to a different residence, not his usual annex within the Garden of Swords.
They stepped out into an alley on the outskirts of Kalon.
Since Kalon was the city housing the Garden of Swords, it was essentially the heart of the Huphester Alliance. No city in Huphester was more developed than Kalon.
Because of this, most residents of Kalon, even the commoners, were people who had accumulated considerable wealth.
However, even here, a slum existed—tucked away just outside the official administrative districts.
Telot’s secret residence was located right here.
I expected a grand space since he called it a secret residence, but a slum?
The alley was too narrow for the carriage to enter, so they walked. For nearly thirty minutes, they navigated a maze of alleys filled with filth and the destitute.
As they walked, beggars and the poor stared at the two of them cautiously.
However, no one dared to beg.
If he keeps a residence in the slums, he must want to revitalize this place. But the way he looks at them… it’s chilling.
Telot felt no pity for the poor.
No, it was more than a lack of pity; he seemed to loathe them. His eyes were filled with murderous intent as he looked at them.
"The alleyway is quite long, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Most of the world would never dream that such a slum exists in this city, the very heart of Huphester. When people arrive via the teleportation gate, all they see are glittering buildings and well-paved roads."
Jin was beginning to understand Telot’s intention.
Creeeak…
Telot opened a wooden door that looked old—no, practically rotten. This cramped, filthy house, built crudely from layers of planks, was Telot’s secret residence.
As the door opened, the pungent smell of animals wafted out.
"Woof! Woof!"
"Bark!"
"Meow!"
"There, there. Eat up."
Telot distributed food to the animals, his gaze gentle. As they crowded around him, they left smudges on his polished armor.
Jin simply watched him for a long while.
"Do you know why I brought you here?"
"You want these slums to disappear. You must have recognized that my business is going to be profitable."
"If I wanted to get rid of this place, I could do it right now. I could send Guardian Knights to kill all those useless humans outside and order workers to tear down this shantytown and erect new buildings. It would be easier than snapping my fingers."
Telot gently pushed the animals away with his hands.
"But that wouldn't be a natural change. Furthermore, the only reason Runcandel lets this slum exist is because our wealth isn't yet overflowing. There's no need to spend money on useless places, no matter how rich you are."
Telot wore a satisfied smile as he watched the animals cling to him again, even after he had pushed them away.
"So you consider the poor to be useless humans, yet you're generous to animals."
"These beasts have committed no sin. Those beggars deserve to die. They have perfectly healthy limbs, yet they do nothing but beg. I don't leave them alive out of pity; it's simply that there's no particular need to kill them."
"I see."
"Are you aware? In Drakka, the central city of the Lutero Magic Federation, there isn't a single slum like this."
"I am. Not just in Drakka—in the twenty or so surrounding cities, poverty simply doesn't exist."
"That's not because Zipple puts any effort into poverty relief in their central cities. It's merely the result of Zipple having so much wealth that it naturally flows downward—so much that you'd trip over it."
It was as Telot said.
In terms of financial power alone, Runcandel vies for second or third place in the world, alongside Viment. Zipple, however, sits in first place, possessing more wealth than both of those powers combined.
"I believe the business you've started can narrow the gap between Zipple's wealth and our own. If that happens, this shantytown will transform into a proper district all on its own, without us having to lift a finger."
"Are you telling me to pay a portion of the business's profits to the Garden of Swords?"
"Precisely."
"If that's the issue, I would have eventually offered a portion anyway, even if left to my own devices."
"Nonsense. From what I've observed, you're the type who never shares what's yours."
"What percentage of the profits do you want?"
Telot’s eyes narrowed.
"Twenty percent."
Jin was inwardly surprised. Any other Elder would have surely demanded a much higher percentage in this situation.
"You've certainly read me correctly. If you had asked for more, I would never have agreed."
"If you faithfully pay twenty percent every month without any deception, I will support your business to the best of my ability. It might not even be impossible to have the disciplinary action, which is currently only suspended, completely erased."
Jin had already been prepared for the clan to extort more than twenty percent from him. He had even considered giving up fifty percent. With Telot making this offer, it was a deal he didn't even need to think about.
But Jin decided to push for a little something extra.
"However, I can't pay twenty percent just to deal with the disciplinary action. The compensation you're offering is a bit lacking."
"What more do you want?"
"Tell me about the relationship between the Elder Council Head and the Second Flagbearer."
Jorden Runcandel.
He was undoubtedly Rosa’s man, but Jin had learned something new from his earlier conversation with Joshua: that Joshua could not completely control the Elder Council.
That guy seemed to be subtly hoping I wouldn't get banned from leaving.
Telot shrugged his shoulders.
"For someone so smart, you're showing a lapse in judgment over an obvious matter. Isn't it plain to see? Jorden Runcandel, the Elder Council Head, and the Second Flagbearer are in a relationship of both coexistence and competition."
"As you say, the coexistence is obvious. The competition, however, is news to me."
Telot’s eyes widened slightly. Then, after a few seconds, he nodded as if it made sense.
"Ah, I suppose so. You belong to a slightly different generation than I, and even the upper Flagbearers, so that makes sense. Just know this: the Elder Council Head has not yet abandoned his dream of becoming the Patriarch."
This was something most people who had spent years alongside Jorden already knew.
However, since Jin was from a completely different generation, he had no way of knowing. Everyone kept quiet about it, after all.
—I stepped in earlier because your actions were refreshing, but Elder Council Head Jorden is more formidable than he looks. He might seem like just another narrow-minded old fogey, but he’s a very cunning and resilient man.
—I know. He’s the one who survived the succession war against my father, isn't he?
—Well… it’s more accurate to say the Patriarch just let him be. Anyway, if you knew that, why did you act like a mad dog?
Suddenly, a conversation he had with Zed right after his Flagbearer investiture ceremony came to mind.
…So that’s why the Elder Council Head proposed the extreme measure of a three-year ban. He intended to use it to put a leash on me and use me to keep Joshua in check.
Now he understood.
The one who intended to offer him a deal using the disciplinary action as bait wasn't Joshua—it was Jorden.
A chill ran down his spine.
If he had continued to believe Jorden was merely 'Joshua’s supporter,' all of his responses would have been based on that flawed assumption.
"Judging by your expression, it seems I've now paid a proper price."
"It was a very satisfying story."
"Good. You may leave. I'll have someone send the contract for this deal to your room. However, do not forget that even with my protection, your business won't be completely safe."
"I'll be grateful just to have you as my umbrella."
Telot lingered in the shantytown, stroking the animals for a long while.
Jin watched the scene from the alley for a moment before turning to leave.
Chairman Homin, he thought, what an eccentric.
Meanwhile, Telot looked toward the spot where Jin had disappeared and thought, I look forward to seeing if the Twelfth Flagbearer can truly bring a fresh wind of change to Runcandel.