Chapter 351: Kinzelo’s Visit (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 351: Kinzelo’s Visit (3)
The Viment Imperial Family.
They were the rulers of the Empire, a line of sovereigns whom commoners often called the noble bloodline or the mysterious imperial house. Jin had never once considered the possibility that they might be searching for Temar’s tomb.
Why?
Before he could even process the claim that his movements had been exposed, a more fundamental question surfaced.
What do they intend to do once they find Temar’s tomb?
Anyone who was not a Contractor of Shadows could not utilize the legacy Solderet left behind. If that were the case, the most likely reason for a third party to seek the tomb was to prevent the contractor from ever using it.
Or, perhaps there was something else inside Temar’s tomb that Jin didn’t know about.
“You don’t look particularly surprised. I’m sure you must be, though.”
“I am surprised.”
“Wow. This is the first time I’ve seen someone as good at maintaining a poker face as my brother.”
Recalling how Vishkel had handled Bubar, Jin didn’t think he was particularly good at hiding his expressions, but that wasn’t the point.
“Let’s say I can understand the Zipples, but the Viment Imperial Family is also searching for Temar’s tomb? How did you obtain this information?”
“Well, there isn’t much in this world that our Leader doesn’t know. Is that explanation not enough?” Margiella answered with an innocent look, and the corners of Jin’s mouth curled into a smirk.
“It’s not that it’s insufficient. Kinzelo has no obligation to report everything to me clearly and honestly. I was just asking.”
“You’re letting it go quite easily.”
“Even if the source is unclear, the intention is obvious. And it doesn’t seem like false information, either.”
It wasn’t that he wasn’t curious about the source. He simply assumed they wouldn’t tell him anyway.
“Do you know the reason as well?”
“The reason why the Viment Imperial Family is looking for the tomb of Runcandel’s First Patriarch?”
“Yes.”
“Hoho, I don’t recall that very well. But if Sir Jin were to join our revolution, it might just pop back into my head.”
“Then please, continue to live your life having forgotten it.”
“Are you sure you won’t regret it? This is the most incredible piece of information I’ve given you so far.”
She was no ordinary woman.
Her identity was unknown, she was presumed to be tainted by chaotic energy, she was thick-skinned, sly, and possessed an infuriating sense of leisure. Margiella was an exhausting person to deal with.
Fortunately, Jin knew how to handle people like her.
“You may leave now. I won’t charge you for the tea.”
“Charge me for the tea?”
“It was top-quality tea from Mila Mountain. Even I save it for special occasions. But that’s not important. Gilly, see Sir Vishkel and Lady Margiella out.”
“Understood, Young Master.”
“You’re joking, right?”
“I’m serious.”
“Wait, wait a moment!”
Jin turned away abruptly, not even bothering to listen.
“Just a hint! I’ll give you just a little hint. Sit back down for a second…”
However, Jin had already entered another room and closed the door.
Margiella stared blankly at the closed door for a moment before shaking her head.
“In social circles, they call this ‘push and pull.’ Did I pull too hard? Brother, what do you think?”
“…I don’t think that’s a very appropriate expression.”
“Hmm. Sir Gilly McLoran? If I apologize for my rudeness, do you think Sir Jin will come back out?”
Gilly shook her head.
“He will absolutely not come out. Please, follow me.”
As Gilly stepped out of the room first, Vishkel had no choice but to follow, pushing the wheelchair. Margiella looked extremely disappointed, while Vishkel’s face was cold. He seemed angry that Jin had slighted his sister.
“Sir Gilly McLoran.”
“Speak, Lady Margiella.”
“What the Imperial Family is looking for is the body of Temar Runcandel. Please relay that to Sir Jin.”
Gilly didn’t answer and kept walking. On the outside, she was impassive, but her heart was pounding like a drum.
Gilly had seen the perfectly preserved form of Sarah, who had been fashioned into a guardian in the second tomb. Because of that, she thought that perhaps Temar might also exist inside one of his tombs in a similar state—in a human form that appeared to be alive.
At the same time, an ominous feeling crept over her.
If the First Patriarch exists somewhere in a tomb… will he be friendly toward the Young Master?
Sarah had attacked Jin the moment she saw him. And according to Jin, the guardian he met in the first tomb, Silderay Runcandel, had been the same.
This feels ominous for some reason, but it’s a matter for the Young Master to judge, not me.
When Gilly didn’t respond, Margiella let out a disappointed sigh.
“I just want to be on the same side as Sir Jin, but he doesn’t seem to like me very much. It feels like I’m suffering from unrequited love.”
“Stop.”
Gilly suddenly halted and turned to face Margiella.
“Kinzelo has been in conflict with the Young Master for a long time. During his cadet days, you kidnapped his people. You allied with the Zipples to create bizarre objects that threatened the world. The number of innocent people sacrificed in that process is not small.”
That wasn’t all.
“Furthermore, using the compasses you created, the Zipples have been collecting contractors like curiosities. And the Dark Magic Association under Kinzelo even turned the subjects of the Holy Kingdom into bio-golems.”
“Ah…”
“I heard you saw it yourself during the Holy Kingdom incident. The victims of the bio-golems. Seeing them lose their lives as their bodies were hideously transformed—did you feel no remorse at all?”
“That is…”
“Do not be mistaken just because you gave the Young Master a little help. He would have overcome this crisis even without you. The people the Young Master loathes most in this world are people like you.”
Gilly, who had momentarily unleashed a surge of killing intent, forced her expression back to one of indifference.
…I lost my temper thinking about these madmen’s past. I said things I didn’t need to.
Just as she turned back around to continue guiding the Ivliano siblings, Margiella spoke with a faint smile.
“It might be hard for you to understand. And we certainly must look like bad people to you. But in a broader sense, our Kinzelo is working for the sake of the world.”
“What did you say…?”
“We are going to create a better world than the one we have now. And we sincerely hope Sir Jin will join us in that endeavor. Once Sir Jin eventually understands our intentions, he will surely think positively of it as well.”
At those words, Gilly almost lost her reason. She would have, if someone hadn't grabbed her shoulder.
“…Fourth Young Lady.”
The one who placed a hand on Gilly’s shoulder was Myu.
“Fourth Young Lady? Are you allowed to call me that?”
“My apologies, 8th Flagbearer.”
“Yes, that’s more like it. I won’t let it slide with just a warning next time, Gilly McLoran.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Gilly bowed her head respectfully. Myu’s gaze was fixed on the Ivliano siblings. She had happened to overhear their entire conversation while walking down the hallway.
“Madmen like you exist everywhere, don’t they? ‘Working for the sake of the world?’ Is that the best a bunch of third-rate terrorists can come up with? It’s disgusting, so shut your mouths and get out of here. Before I smash that wheelchair and make sure you can’t use your arms either.”
Instantly, killing intent flared in Vishkel’s eyes.
But Myu just snorted, unfazed.
“What? Don’t like that, Sir Vishkel? Feeling insulted?”
“Your words are excessive, Myu Runcandel.”
“If you have a problem, let’s go to the dueling grounds. It’s not a banquet, but a Flagbearer has that much authority.”
To ensure her beloved brother wouldn’t be put in a difficult position or make a mistake fueled by rage, Margiella spoke with a bright smile.
“Oh my, so you are Sir Myu Runcandel. Harsh words from a pretty face have long been a preference of mine. I’m getting to see another wonderful sight, aren’t I?”
“What?”
“It was a pleasure meeting you. I had no intention of being unpleasant, but I would appreciate it if you could show the magnanimity expected of a Flagbearer from the family that rules Huphester. Well then, goodbye!”
Whoosh!
Margiella pushed her wheelchair at full speed, zipping past Myu. She moved so fast it was hard to believe such speed could come from those slender arms.
“Oh, and Sir Gilly! Thanks for the guidance! Next time, I’ll be the one to make tea for you.”
Vishkel glared at Myu for a moment before running after his sister. In that instant, the number of people he wanted to kill as much as Bubar had increased by one.
“Gilly.”
“Yes, 8th Flagbearer.”
“Weren’t you just about to strike them? For a mere nanny, have you gone mad?”
When Gilly bowed her head, unable to answer, Myu’s hand went up. She was about to slap Gilly’s cheek.
Fortunately, that didn’t happen.
“Hey, Myu. Are you trying to lay a hand on the youngest’s nanny right now? Put it down.”
This time, it was Mary.
Coincidentally, they were right in front of Mary’s room. She had been listening to the commotion with interest and stepped out into the hallway, knowing what was about to happen.
“Sister Mary?”
“Are you supposed to call me that?”
“…7th Flagbearer.”
“Right. I’ll make this quick. If you don’t want to die, just go on your way.”
“Sister!”
“There you go calling me sister again. Hey, you idiot. You finally managed to create a situation where you could look good to the youngest, so why are you going out of your way to lose points? If you hit Gilly, do you think you can handle the consequences?”
Of course, Myu hadn’t insulted the Ivliano siblings to gain Jin’s favor. She simply hated hearing trash like the Ivlianos spouting nonsense in the Garden of Swords. There was no other intention.
“Ha.”
“‘Ha?’ Try me.”
Grind…!
Myu gritted her teeth and glared at Mary.
“…I’ll back down for today, but you should take it easy too, Sister. Only beasts learn from being beaten, and I’m a human. Don’t think I’ll just endure it forever.”
“You talk a big game. If even beasts listen when beaten, shouldn’t humans listen even better?”
As Myu left with her fists clenched and trembling, Mary shrugged.
“I can see why Sister Luna found those two so exhausting.”
“…Thank you, Lady Mary.”
“Myu spoke unpleasantly, but you should be grateful to her, not me. If you had actually attacked the Ivlianos just now, there would have been no fixing it.”
It was a fact Gilly knew better than anyone. If she had attacked the Ivliano siblings out of anger, she couldn’t imagine what a difficult position it would have put Jin in. The thought made her loathe herself. Instead of being helpful to Jin, she had almost made a terrible mistake by being swayed by petty emotions.
“Well, still, I like that… sense of justice, or whatever you call it. Like master, like nanny. My nanny probably would have done the same.”
Mary grinned and patted Gilly’s shoulder.
“Tell the youngest to set a date and event for our duel soon. And Gilly.”
“Yes.”
“From what I’ve seen, the only time the youngest loses his cool and goes wild is when something happens to his comrades. Since you’re especially dear to him, be smarter from now on. You are more precious to the youngest than anyone else.”