Chapter 340: Debt and Debt and Debt (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 340: Debt and Debt and Debt (7)
The elders’ eyes blazed with a murderous rage. They looked ready to tear limb from limb anyone who dared to cross them.
Of course, their fury was not directed at Jin, who had dared to interrupt their meeting, but at the Zipple Clan.
Most of the elders either disliked Jin or, even if they remained neutral, viewed him with a certain degree of distaste. However, above all else, they were warriors who had dedicated their entire lives to Runcandel.
Whether they were pure-blooded, from branch families, subordinate clans, or outside forces, the elders were the ones most filled with loathing and hatred for Zipple. Having fought against the clan for decades, it was only natural. Most of them carried memories of losing family, comrades, or lovers to the Zipples.
"Speak, 12th Flagbearer!" Jorden shouted, his eyes bloodshot.
"First, I must apologize. This unpleasant situation occurred because of me."
"Cut the useless chatter and get to the point!"
"The retaliation must stop."
At those words, the elders' eyes widened. The other flagbearers in the meeting room also looked at Jin in horror.
"What?! 12th Flagbearer, what on earth are you—!"
Jorden strode toward Jin until their noses were almost touching, glaring down at him menacingly. The other elders were in a similar state, doubting they had heard him correctly.
"Are you in your right mind?"
"Yes, I am."
"You had better offer a reasonable explanation, and be prepared to take responsibility for it. Otherwise, I will cut off your arm right here."
"It seems a lot of people are after my arms these days. Fortunately, no one has succeeded yet."
"Do not be flippant! Do you truly believe this is the time or place for such words?"
"If you had let me finish, Elder Council Head, you would have agreed. When I said we should not retaliate, I was referring strictly to physical retaliation."
"Physical retaliation? You mean we shouldn't strike Zipple's magic product production sites?"
"That is correct."
As Jin answered without blinking, sighs of exasperation erupted from all around.
How could a flagbearer utter such nonsense? This is why he’s so disliked… The elders clicked their tongues in disapproval.
Looking at them, Jin thought to himself, Are they naturally this slow-witted, or has age clouded their judgment? To think they would use such a golden opportunity to start a fight they can't possibly win.
It wasn't just the elders who were exasperated. Jin found their simplistic plan equally absurd.
"Tell me your reason! Why do you think that?" Jorden demanded.
"Isn't it obvious? What will you do if a full-scale war breaks out because we touched their production sites? Can you win?"
"What!"
"I am speaking realistically. Can we defeat Zipple? Can we crush them right now and make the entire world ours?"
A brief, heavy silence fell over the room.
It was a question to which everyone knew the answer, but no one could voice.
"The Patriarch and the strongest flagbearers are absent, as are the former Black Knights and some of the current ones. In such a situation, if we start a war with Zipple, we will be the ones to bleed the most."
Even if the strongest swords of Runcandel, who had left for the Black Sea, were still at their posts, the result would be the same.
Runcandel could not defeat Zipple.
At least, not for now. There was a reason Cyron Runcandel hadn't declared all-out war on Zipple, even after reaching the realm of Creation and telling his youngest son, "I don't have much time left." That single reason was enough.
Therefore, now was not the time to make angry declarations about things they couldn't—or shouldn't—execute.
There is a reason Father has remained still until now. Surely, Jorden and the elders know this as well. They simply find it difficult to control their rage.
They were like children, desperate to spite their opponent but lacking the strength to do so. They were just venting their aimless anger like a tantrum.
Jin had to soothe them and lead them in a better direction.
"Striking the enemy's most vital facilities in this situation is a shortcut to ruin. Besides, we haven't actually suffered a single loss, have we?"
"I never said there were no losses. How did you know?"
"I received a report from my butler on the way here. I heard that the 4th and 7th Flagbearers killed the intruders, and our side only sustained minor injuries. Moreover, an elder just mentioned that civilians could have been hurt. Doesn't that mean no civilians were actually harmed?"
Jorden was momentarily speechless. He knew Jin was right, but he hated listening to anything this annoying brat had to say.
"Therefore, this attack of theirs should be viewed as a major victory for us. While we suffered no damage, Zipple lost elite mages who hadn't even been revealed to the public."
Grind!
Jorden gnashed his teeth, looking as if he wanted to swallow Jin whole.
"So what are you suggesting? That because we won a major victory, it doesn't matter how things look on the surface?!"
The reason Jorden was so angry was simple. The decision to strike Zipple's production facilities was partly intended to help Jin, whose wings they usually wanted to clip. He was furious that Jin was raining on his parade after he had gone to the trouble of being indignant on his behalf.
"Besides, they aren't fools. They know that even if a few facilities are destroyed, other powers are watching with hawk-like eyes, waiting for an opening should we start a full-scale war."
"As you say, the possibility of Zipple launching a full-scale war is slim. However, there is always a 'what if.' And more importantly, there is no need to take a reckless gamble when a much more efficient form of retaliation is possible."
"A more efficient retaliation?" Jorden's eyes narrowed.
"We make public opinion turn against Zipple."
"Ha! I wondered what you were going to say, and it's just a PR war? They invaded our territory, and you want to play with pens!"
It was the reaction Jin expected.
"Elder Council Head, please calm down and listen. I am well aware that you were angry on my behalf, despite your dislike for me. But you will soon understand that my way is ultimately the best path forward."
Jorden glared at Jin in silence.
"I'm sure you are all aware of how much influence Zipple's magic products have on the world. Even we are currently facing great inconvenience because we cannot import their products."
Since the Holy Kingdom incident, Zipple had completely cut off the supply of magic products to Huphester. Although Runcandel was importing lifestyle magic products through the black market and smuggling, the supply was incomparably lower than before.
"In this situation, striking Zipple's production facilities would mean throwing away all public support. Of course, our family has never cared much for such things, but now, we need to. Recently, the perception of the world's greatest villain has been shifting from Runcandel to Zipple."
Since the Holy Kingdom incident, Zipple's image had been plummeting day by day. "The Benevolent Zipple" was now a thing of the past.
In contrast, Runcandel was benefiting from the reflected light. While the image of "Runcandel of the Overlord's Path" remained, a perception had formed that they at least didn't use humans for experiments or meddle with neutral nations like the Holy Kingdom.
All of that was, of course, Jin's doing.
"We simply add momentum to this trend. Innocent beastmen making cosmetics, Zipple trying to massacre them without warning, and Runcandel appearing heroically to save them. Isn't it a perfect narrative?"
"Even if we sway public opinion, what kind of retaliation is that against Zipple?"
"If public opinion favors Runcandel, the recognition of my cosmetics will naturally rise. That will lead directly to sales, and as my business grows, Zipple will look like fools."
The reason Zipple had attacked the small beastmen in the first place was that the cosmetics business belonged to "Jin Runcandel." It was retaliation for a wanted man of Zipple brazenly putting his face on advertisements in the Lutero Magic Federation.
Yet, despite deploying the Wraith Squad, they had failed to crush the business of a 'mere' 12th Flagbearer. That in itself was a humiliation for Zipple.
"Just as the 4th and 7th Flagbearers did this time, I ask that you protect my business from this moment on. And begin providing support at the clan level."
"This just keeps getting better and better," Jorden muttered.
"The clan protecting my business creates a picture where Runcandel is clearly looking down on Zipple. In the process, there will naturally be localized battles. We can kill Zipples then."
As Jin smiled, Jorden let out a sigh of exasperation. He knew Jin's words were correct. He just found it hard to shake the feeling that he was being played by the young flagbearer.
"In the end, it sounds like you just want to line your own pockets by selling those damn cosmetics!"
"That is correct," Jin said without hesitation. "But if my pockets are full, it means Runcandel's pockets are full as well."
Jin glanced toward Telot. Despite having agreed to support him, Telot had remained silent until now for some reason.
Why is Telot staying quiet? If he steps in now, the Elder Council Head will likely back down while pretending to be forced.
But before long, Jin realized why Telot had been silent.
"Do so."
A sharp yet dignified voice affirmed Jin's proposal.
It was the voice of the Black Panther, Rosa Runcandel—Jin's mother. As soon as she spoke, the restless atmosphere in the meeting room vanished instantly.
"We will protect your business. As you said, it seems better to secure practical interests. In exchange, from this day forward, the clan will take twenty percent of the profits from your business."
A faint smile appeared on Telot's lips.
—If you faithfully offer twenty percent every month without deception, I will do my utmost to help your business. It is not impossible to completely erase the disciplinary actions that are currently suspended.
The twenty percent figure Rosa mentioned was the same one decided when Jin first spoke with Telot. As soon as Telot heard the news of the Wraith Squad's attack on the beastmen, he had gone straight to Rosa and arranged for her to propose the twenty percent share to Jin.
"Furthermore, I will completely lift your currently suspended disciplinary actions," Rosa continued, her voice cold. "Bear in mind that this is not because of your merit, but because the situation has unfolded this way."
There is no such thing as a favor without a reason.
Especially in a relationship like the one between my mother and me, Jin thought. There is never a favor without a reason. She's trying to make me owe her.
Jin could sense that Rosa wanted something from him.