Chapter 350: Kinzelo's Visit (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 350: Kinzelo's Visit (2)
For a moment, Jin couldn't believe his eyes.
Crazy… Is she mouthing words to me right now?
He was so flabbergasted he was almost speechless, but a moment later, he realized an even more shocking fact.
No one else in the reception room had noticed Margiella moving her lips.
Even a 5-star knight—no, even an ordinary person with keen eyes—should have been able to see it. Yet, these master warriors, who had reached the pinnacle of their craft, were missing it entirely.
It was an utterly bizarre phenomenon.
This woman is strange, too.
Was it a mere coincidence?
There were far too many powerful warriors in the room to think so. With Rosa herself present, the probability of every single one of them ‘coincidentally’ failing to see Margiella’s actions was lower than the odds of winning the lottery.
"May I listen from here?"
Since no one had seen Margiella mouthing words, no one found it strange when Verakt responded to Jin’s previous statement.
However, Verakt’s words made the Enforcement Knights bristle once again. Even with Rosa right in front of him, he continued to speak as if he wanted a private conversation with Jin.
"There is nothing said here that I cannot hear."
As the 12th Flagbearer of Runcandel, Jin could offer no other answer.
"Then that is fortunate."
Verakt paused for a moment before continuing.
"This is precious information that money can't buy. First, I hope you realize how highly our Leader thinks of you."
"I've been sensing this for a while, but it seems Kinzelo is truly hurting for talent."
"It's a world where useful people are scarce. The information I have for you is this: you are not the only one in this world searching for the tomb."
Jin nearly flinched, his eyes widening in shock.
There was only one tomb Jin was currently searching for.
Someone else is looking for Temar’s tomb… besides me?
He managed to maintain his composure, but Verakt smirked as if Jin’s internal turmoil was plain to see.
"I assume that’s enough for you to understand what I mean."
"That is an interesting story."
Jin replied in a nonchalant voice, but his mind was already racing.
Is it Kinzelo themselves? Or Zipple? Either way, what do they intend to do with Temar’s tomb? And how did Kinzelo find out I was looking for it? I have no idea.
The most likely possibility was a recent event: the day Verakt and Margiella had visited the cave of the small beastmen to help him.
Did the Wraith Squad discover information about Temar’s tomb while breaking the catfolk’s barrier, and Verakt interrogated them before killing them…?
That seemed unlikely. No matter how strong Verakt was, it was doubtful that an elite combat force like the Wraith Squad would leak information out of fear of death.
Kinzelo already knew about Temar’s tomb before that. Their Leader is someone who existed even in Temar’s era, so he might have personally witnessed Zipple tracking the tomb back then.
Having reached a conclusion, Jin met Verakt’s eyes.
"Then finally, tell me what you expect in return."
Give back the compass you stole, Jin expected him to say.
But once again, something else came out of Verakt’s mouth.
"Cosmetics."
"…What?"
"I’d like to take a sample of the cosmetics the beastmen under you are selling. What was the name… Mok-seol?"
"It is Jade Snow, Lord Verakt."
"Ah, right. Jade Snow. Can you spare some of that, Jin Runcandel?"
Jin didn't even need to ask why Kinzelo was making such a ridiculous request.
That madman Bubar must be jealous. I suppose business has been slow for him lately?
The business reports Jin received weekly from the Gold Snow Tribe included sales figures as well as details on the customers using their secret product, Jade Snow.
The number of Jade Snow users was increasing rapidly. As far as Jin knew, Bubar was the only one in the world who had been running a ‘disguise business,’ so he was bound to take a hit.
Jin nodded without hesitation.
"Give me an address, and I will have it sent."
"Good. It seems our talk is wrapped up. Now then… Rosa."
"Speak."
"How about we have a cup of tea, just the two of us, for old time's sake? Get rid of all the small fry. I’d prefer alcohol, but I doubt it would taste the same as it did back then."
Rosa readily agreed.
"Everyone, withdraw."
The Enforcement Knights exited the reception room with disciplined strides. No one questioned whether it was safe for her to be left alone with Verakt.
"You two go and wait as well. Warriors, wait outside the Garden of Swords entirely."
Thanks to Rosa’s permission, Jin was naturally able to speak with Vishkel and Margiella separately.
Mother created this opportunity because she wants me to gather more information from them.
‘You aren't the only one searching for the tomb.’ With just that, Rosa had also gained new information—specifically, about what her youngest son was up to.
"I want a cup of tea too!" Margiella chirped as they left the reception room.
"Let’s do that."
Poof!
Suddenly, Murakan transformed into his human form, his brow furrowed. At the sight, Margiella let out a series of exaggerated "Wows" in admiration.
"Kid."
"Yeah."
"I’m going to go listen in on their little chat."
Murakan looked rather annoyed.
—In any case, the youngest is in a position where he must continue to cause anomalies. Otherwise, he cannot be recognized here in Runcandel, even if he has become a Flagbearer. Is this explanation sufficient?
—Fine. Then I shall ask one last thing.
—Speak.
—Where is Temar’s tomb?
—I do not know. May I withdraw now?
It was because of the conversation Jin had with Rosa immediately after becoming a Flagbearer.
Though he was currently Jin’s guardian dragon, Murakan was originally a being who protected all of Runcandel. In his mind, if the topic of Temar’s tomb had come up, Rosa should have invited him to join the conversation before he had to seek it out himself.
"Mother and Lord Verakt?"
"Yeah. Even if I go back in, your mother has no excuse to kick me out, right?"
"Well, give it a try. Just don't throw a tantrum and come back to my room if she tells you to leave."
"Got it."
Murakan headed back to the reception room, while Jin, Vishkel, and Margiella headed to Jin’s room.
"Tea, please, Gilly."
Margiella was a person with incredible social skills. As she drank her tea, she praised it endlessly, and since she seemed entirely sincere, Gilly couldn't help but smile.
However, Gilly tried to remain wary of Margiella. Kinzelo had been Jin’s enemy ever since his cadet days.
"What is your rank within Kinzelo, Lord Vishkel?"
"I am the Vice Captain."
As if he had no reason to hide it, Vishkel readily revealed his rank.
"I feel like I've been deceived. When I first heard you were in Kinzelo, I thought you were trying to use their power to bring about the revival of your family. It seems you have a completely different purpose."
"You only feel that way, Lord Jin, but I was the one who was actually deceived. On the day you visited the Kurano Duchy as a reserve flagbearer. I don't know what trick you used that day, but you walked away with information about the compass."
Since there was no evidence, Jin didn't feel the need to admit it.
"Aside from trying to kill Bubar that day, I don't think I made any particular mistakes. Do you want the compass back?"
"No. It would be absurd to demand the return of an item lost in defeat. It belongs to you now."
"You don't seem very disappointed. I suppose it's because as long as Bubar exists, you can make another one whenever you want."
"That’s not necessarily true. It’s just that I have faith that when you use the compass, you won't do anything that benefits Zipple."
As Jin shrugged, Margiella spoke up.
"Lord Jin, you probably have no idea how hard we had to work to soothe Mr. Bubar because of that compass."
"It seems you need Bubar Gaston quite badly to make your King the king of the world. Is even Lord Verakt, who could chew up and spit out the Wraith Squad, walking on eggshells around Bubar?"
Even though Jin directly mentioned Kinzelo’s ‘Great Work,’ Vishkel’s expression didn't change.
However, like Jin, he was merely suppressing his emotions; internally, he was shocked.
The details of our Great Work have never been publicized. How does he know? Has information leaked?
Information about the Great Work had never leaked. It was information Jin had learned before his regression. But there was no way for Vishkel to know that.
"Think whatever you like."
"That energy of chaos must be quite something. Both for Bubar Gaston and for you, Lady Margiella."
It was a guess that Margiella also possessed the ‘energy of chaos.’
Vishkel’s eyes narrowed.
"…It is unwise to speak so recklessly about matters you don't fully understand, Lord Jin."
"It can't be any worse than Kinzelo barging into Runcandel today and blabbing about the tomb."
Jin had been very displeased with that fact for a while now. If they truly wanted to recruit him or propose an alliance, they could have delivered that message anywhere without prying ears.
"The reason you brought up the tomb in front of my mother and the Enforcement Knights is because it benefits Kinzelo. It seems Runcandel knew nothing about that tomb, except for me."
Jin was certain that after today, Runcandel would pour all its resources into finding Temar’s tomb. It was a natural consequence that would restrict his own independent search.
I can move in secret, but eventually, I’ll run into members of the family during the search.
Since he was the only contractor of Solderet, he wouldn't have to share what he gained from the tomb, but it was still an uncomfortable situation.
I have to make it so that the family’s search for the tomb benefits me as well.
Temar’s tomb.
Runcandel would now participate in the search, and someone else was already looking for it. In that case, the benefit Jin could gain was clear.
I’ll use the family as a shield. To interfere with other factions searching for the tomb, or to prevent them from approaching it once it's found.
Kinzelo had revealed the information hoping Jin would use Runcandel in exactly that way.
"Who is it? The other factions searching for Temar’s tomb."
He asked while looking at Margiella. That was the real information Kinzelo intended to give Jin.
"Who do you think it is?"
"Zipple."
"Correct! But that’s not all."
Clink… Margiella quietly set down her teacup.
"The Viment Imperial Family is also searching for the tomb of Runcandel’s First Patriarch. And your movements have already been exposed to them once."