Chapter 341: Debt and Debt and Debt (8)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 341: Debt and Debt and Debt (8)
The elders, who had been glaring at Jin as if ready to tear him apart, went blank at Rosa’s judgment.
Though dissatisfaction was etched on every face, no one dared to oppose Rosa’s decision. Even Jorden, the Elder Council Head, couldn't raise an objection.
In Runcandel, the Patriarch’s word was absolute.
The same held true even for the ‘Acting’ Patriarch. Throughout the clan's history, those who defied the Patriarch's judgment were rarely allowed to live, whether the matter was trivial or monumental.
“Yes, Mother. I will keep that in mind.”
Jin looked up at Rosa quietly.
Sitting like a monarch on the seat of honor, her calm expression betrayed no specific emotion.
I feel this often, but Mother is actually much harder to deal with than Father…
Strangely, since his regression, Jin hadn't found dealing with Cyron all that difficult. It was a peculiar realization—that he now felt comfortable around the monstrous father he hadn't even dared to make eye contact with, let alone exchange a single word with, in his past life.
On the other hand, facing Rosa was always a challenge.
Just as with Cyron, he didn't have many memories of Rosa from before his regression.
This was because, from a certain point onward, both Rosa and Cyron had treated Jin as if he didn't exist.
Forget words of affection or warm gazes; he hadn't even received the rebukes, scoldings, contemptuous glares, or the verbal and physical abuse that often passed for discipline.
He hadn't experienced any of it—at least not from the age when he began to form 'clear memories.'
There was only that utterly indifferent, cold gaze, the kind reserved for a passerby with whom one has absolutely no connection.
That was all the Jin of his past life had ever received from his parents.
At the very least, it was said that Rosa had fasted for two days to show her grief on the day the 'trash Jin Runcandel' was exiled.
Was that a lie?
Or was it an act to alleviate her own guilt?
Whichever it was, it doesn't really matter. But looking at the mother I know now, I can't even imagine it.
What did his mother want?
Information about my teacher? A share of the business? Surely she doesn't expect me to withdraw from the succession race over something like this.
Since Jin hadn't backed down even when Rosa played the card of the Eastern 5 Regions, they were ultimately destined to fight until one side was ruined.
While he pondered this, Rosa left the meeting room without another word. It was as if she had set the broad framework and was leaving the rest for them to figure out.
Sigh.
Jorden let out a heavy breath.
“Luck always seems to follow you, 12th Flagbearer.”
“I look forward to working with you, Elder Council Head. It seems the Black Sword Council will be quite busy on behalf of my business.”
“I will be watching to see how long that luck of yours protects you.”
“Of course. I intend to compensate you handsomely for your help, so please don’t think me too unreasonable.”
Jin bowed politely, but no one in the room felt his gesture was genuinely respectful.
Jorden left the meeting room without wasting any more breath on Jin. He knew that doing so would only make him look more ridiculous.
Watching this scene, most of the siblings were once again fed up with the being they called their youngest brother.
What on earth is going on inside the youngest's head? How can he act like that toward the Elder Council Head?
It’s not just once or twice. At this point, I wonder if he’s even the same species as us.
The Tona brothers looked at Jin with eyes filled with their usual mix of fear and admiration.
What is Mother thinking? She was clearly trying to put Jin in his place, but now she’s practically shielding him.
She must have a plan. Surely she’s discussed something with Brother Joshua.
Myu and Anne were once again plunged into a pit of rage and defeat. It was their life's greatest regret that they hadn't killed the youngest when he was still a cadet.
Jin could see right through them—the sisters' lingering regret over failing to kill him when they had the chance.
As long as Joshua coveted my contract, you sisters wouldn't have been able to kill me no matter what you did. And it will be the same in the future.
Jin smiled at Myu and Anne.
They, too, left the room shortly after, having nothing more to add to the meeting.
Luntia merely yawned as if bored, offering no comment as usual, while Ran and Vigo looked displeased. The two of them simply wished the youngest would stop causing such massive turmoil within the clan.
“Then I shall take my leave as well.”
As if he had made up his mind, Jin spoke while looking around at those remaining in the room.
While walking through the inner courtyard of the Garden of Swords, Jin ran into Rosa, who had been the first to leave the meeting.
She was receiving a report from Heinz, the Head Butler, and her expression was grave, as if the matter were of great importance.
Heinz.
He was Cyron’s man. Recalling that fact, Jin instinctively sensed that the report he was giving Rosa was related to the ‘Black Sea.’
It’s news about Father, my eldest sister, and the Black Knights.
It bothered him that Rosa, who rarely showed emotion, looked so grim. This was the same Rosa who had remained perfectly expressionless even while helping Jin in the meeting room just moments ago.
As Jin approached naturally—his room was in that direction—Heinz fell silent.
“What is it? Is the meeting over already?”
“I was just passing by. I left after the Elder Council Head walked out; there was nothing more to say. Since you ordered him to help me, he’ll have to comply, even if he’s not happy about it.”
“Is that so?”
“Is it news from the Black Sea?”
“It is none of your concern.”
“I am also a Flagbearer.”
“That may be, but being a Flagbearer does not grant you the right to know every affair of the clan.”
Jin hadn't expected her to answer. He could always hear about the Black Sea through Luna later anyway.
Jin and Rosa stared at each other in silence for a few seconds.
“Jin.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Do you have something to say to me?”
Jin nodded.
“What do you want from me?”
“What?”
“Mother, you just nullified my punishment and ordered that my business be protected.”
“And what of it?”
“I believe you gave those orders because there is something you want from me.”
In Jin's opinion, Rosa could have easily protected the cosmetics business while cutting Jin out of the profits. But she hadn't done that.
Rosa’s eyes widened.
Haha!
Then, she burst into laughter and shook her head. Jin was momentarily speechless at the sight.
“If there were something I wanted, do you think you could even provide it?”
“I have never ignored a debt.”
“A debt… Debts can only exist between equals. I do not believe that term applies to you and me.”
“You are right.”
“I did not make that judgment because I wanted something from you. So, don't concern yourself with it and be on your way.”
“I understand.”
As Jin bowed and began to walk past, Rosa turned to look at him.
“Youngest.”
“Yes.”
“What I want is the survival and prosperity of Runcandel.”
Her voice was calm yet sincere.
“That is also what I want.”
At that, Rosa gave a faint smile.
“No, it will be slightly different.”
Jin bowed his head again and continued walking.
Before heading to his room, he first visited the infirmary where Mary and Dipus were admitted. According to Butler Petro, the two had sustained minor injuries…
Wait, this is what he calls minor?
It seemed Petro had either misheard or the two had been bluffing.
Both were covered from head to toe in bandages and splints.
“So, if you had just—bam!—pushed in right there and created an opening, I could have jumped in from behind and slit their throats! Then it would’ve been over in a flash, wouldn't it?”
“I bought more than enough time.”
“Ugh, you should’ve done better! If I had your level of martial prowess? I would’ve bought twice as much time. Sometimes I think you’re just all brawn and no skill, Brother. What is fighting? It’s all about the brain! The brain!”
“Fine, you’re the best. Whatever you say. I can’t believe I stood at the front and held them off for this.”
“That’s why I’m saying if it were me, I would’ve held out twice as long… Oh, Youngest, you’re here?”
At least they were bickering cheerfully from their hospital beds.
Seeing their state, Jin felt a bit guilty for coming empty-handed. He wondered if he should have at least brought some fruit.
“Are you both alright?”
“As you can see, I’m perfectly fine!” Mary said with a grin.
“You look quite badly hurt to me.”
“It’s an illusion.”
“Was the Wraith Squad that strong? Enough to injure the two of you this much?”
It didn't make sense.
If it had just been the two of them, perhaps, but they had been accompanied by fifty Guardian Knights, each on par with an Enforcement Knight. Even if the Wraith Squad was formidable, the two of them should have been able to overwhelmingly tear them apart.
“Well, I pushed myself a bit to make sure the Guardian Knights didn't die while we were taking them down. And my Decisive Technique usually leaves my body in a mess after I use it anyway.”
A variation of the Decisive Technique: Volcano.
Recalling the sight of Mary unleashing it, Jin nodded in understanding. Since it was essentially a self-destructive move that exploded aura so violently, it was bound to put an extreme strain on the body.
“Hehe, who knows? Youngest, if you ever beat me one day, try asking for it as a wish. If you ask nicely, this big sister might just teach it to you.”
“I’m fine. You just focus on getting better.”
“Tch, no fun. Don't worry about me or Brother Dipus. Just think about how you’re going to manage your friends from now on.”
By 'friends,' she meant the small beastmen.
“For now, the Guardian Knights have moved them to my safe house. The meeting probably concluded that your business should be protected, but it’ll still be better for you to manage them directly,” Dipus said.
“I was planning to do exactly that.”
Receiving support from the clan was good, but he couldn't leave everything to them.
That was only natural. In the end, he had to remain the one in control. The role of the Black Sword Council or the Guardian Knights was merely to prevent the business from being attacked, not to act as its owners.
“Do you have a plan in mind?”
“I do.”
“I’ll give you the location of my safe house. Go and lead them out yourself.”
Dipus didn't ask what Jin’s plan was. He judged that doing so might seem like he was interfering.
…In the end, it looks like I’ll be indebted to the Secret Palace again.
Jin intended to send the small beastmen to the Secret Palace. Now that the catfolk tribe’s barrier was gone, there was no place safer in the world for the small beastmen than there.
I also need to search for the catfolk.
For now, he could only pray that they hadn't all perished at the hands of the Wraith Squad.
Before leaving the infirmary, Jin looked back at his siblings.
“What?”
“Just… thank you.”
As Jin walked out, Mary and Dipus looked at each other and blinked.
“Well, that’s a first… him actually saying thanks. Right, Brother?”
Dipus shrugged. The two of them stared at the spot where the youngest had been for a while before returning to their argument over who had messed up during the battle with the Wraith Squad.