Chapter 361: Traces (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 361: Traces (1)
Ten days had passed since Jin obtained the new Bradamante.
He had yet to test the sword in earnest. As a martial artist, he was itching to see his enhanced weapon’s performance, but another matter weighed more heavily on his mind.
‘The Anz Great Plain, where Temar’s first grave was located. And the Schuteron Kingdom, where Jogoby and Olmango reside… People have been visiting those places.’
The thought had been preoccupying him ever since Kinzelo revealed that other factions were also searching for Temar’s graves. Before heading out to hunt Ozdok, Jin had asked his comrades in Tikan to re-examine the graves he had already visited.
Today, Casimir delivered the report.
He informed Jin that individuals suspected to be from Zipple and the Viment Empire had been spotted near the Anz Great Plain and the coast of the Schuteron Kingdom, respectively.
As Solderet’s contractor, Jin had discovered the locations of those graves through arrangements the god had left behind. In other words, it was virtually impossible for anyone who wasn't a contractor to find them.
‘Their visits to the Anz Great Plain and the Schuteron coast can only mean one thing: they’re tailing me.’
Ever since becoming a Flagbearer, Jin had always moved in disguise when handling matters related to Temar or other personal business.
When he visited the Anz Great Plain, he had intentionally detoured through the Hola Mountains to shake any potential pursuit, though he had mostly been wary of Joshua at the time. When he visited the Schuteron coast, he had simply pretended to be on vacation with everyone else, spending a few days relaxing.
The Beastmen's secret dimension, home to the third grave, was naturally impossible to enter without their guidance. Yet, even there, the Wraith Squad had managed to track him down.
‘My movements are being exposed.’
It wasn't that someone was physically tailing him.
If that were the case, he would have noticed—unless the one following him was on the level of Yona or the Nameless King.
‘Margiella did mention that my movements had been leaked to the Viment Imperial Family before. They likely tracked the aliases I used and pieced together the traces of my activities, narrowing their search to several key regions. That’s why they sent people to the Anz Great Plain and the Schuteron coast.’
Of course, just because Zipple and Viment had sent people to those locations didn't mean they had unearthed any significant information. The graves there had been fully investigated, and Jin had already secured the recording devices.
However, the fact that he was being "followed" was significant in itself.
He had expected this to happen eventually. The Great Powers weren't fools. He was just disappointed it had happened sooner than he’d hoped.
The position of 'Twelfth Flagbearer of Runcandel' made it impossible to act with total secrecy. It was a status that compelled not only his own clan at the Garden of Swords but also his enemies to monitor his every move.
Furthermore, his enemies were searching for Temar’s graves, just as he was.
It was a miracle he'd discovered three graves on his own without any fatal incidents.
‘I’ve done well so far, but I’ll eventually hit a limit. Besides, encountering the Wraith Squad at the third grave was a stroke of luck; it could have been a devastating blow.’
Without the sudden intrusion of Kinzelo and the help of Dipus and Mary, he would have suffered significant losses.
‘I need more allies.’
Jin alone—no, even with his comrades in Tikan—could not handle both Viment and Zipple. The Runcandel Clan itself was filled with enemies, and Kinzelo would eventually join the "grave race" as well.
As he was lost in thought, someone slapped his shoulder.
"Hey, kiddo!"
It was Mary.
"Sister."
"What are you thinking so hard about? Oh, were you having admirable thoughts like when to have a rematch with your big sister?"
Mary sat beside Jin. He stared at her blankly for a moment.
‘If Sister Mary were a complete ally, she would certainly be a reliable one.’
Mary already considered Jin one of her own. Jin also felt a human fondness for her, along with a sentiment that could be called sibling affection.
Nevertheless, Jin hadn't told her about Vinn Branche and Picon Minche. He judged there was a high chance she would claim them as clan blacksmiths in her capacity as the Seventh Flagbearer.
But there was another, more fundamental reason he couldn't fully trust her.
‘As long as my second brother is around, Sister Mary can never be completely on my side.’
Dipus Runcandel, the Fourth Flagbearer of the clan.
To make Mary an ally, he had to recruit Dipus. However, neither Dipus nor Mary had given up on the throne.
‘Me, Brother Dipus, Sister Mary, and Joshua. Currently, the four of us have definitely not given up on the position of Patriarch.’
And then there was one person whose intentions were completely inscrutable: Luntia Runcandel. If she was also aiming for the position, it was a five-way race.
Therefore, approaching Dipus to solve his immediate problems was too much of a gamble. Attempting to recruit Dipus just to win over Mary could easily end with him leaking information only to be stabbed in the back.
‘Recruiting Dipus and Mary right now would be reckless. But… I can still use them.’
As Flagbearers, Dipus and Mary always prioritized the clan's interests above all else.
Recalling that fact, Jin smiled inwardly.
"A rematch? I think it’s better to just conclude that our last match was your victory, Sister."
"Huh? What’s this? Since Sir Tuben interrupted, it’s only right to call it a draw and go again!"
"Even before Sir Tuben intervened, the match was as good as decided. Your secret technique was what forced Ozdok to transform."
"Wait, you really think so?"
"Yes."
Mary had expected Jin to insist on a draw. She was only thinking about fighting again, so his ready admission of defeat was a completely unexpected turn of events.
‘This isn't right. If he gives up now, I’ll have to wait another three months to scrap with the kid!’
Thinking this, Mary let out a groan. She had expected the youngest to have a competitive streak as strong as her own and readily accept a rematch.
"I don't think so. Let's go again."
"Please don't be so hard on an opponent who has admitted defeat."
"Then I’ll use my right as the winner to give a command. My command is a rematch. Got a problem with that?"
"…Did you not properly read the contract I sent when we first agreed to the duel?"
—Every time we fight, victory or defeat will be determined by a knockout. The first one to fall is the loser, and the loser must carry out one command from the winner. Of course, we’ll draw up a contract to ensure it’s enforced.
—I like it. Though a contract is a bit bothersome.
That was the conversation they had during their first duel. At the time, Jin had actually drafted a contract and obtained Mary's signature.
Recalling that fact, Mary tilted her head.
"Uh… I think I read it."
"There is a clause in the contract regarding the limits of the winner's command. Along with clauses stating the winner cannot demand the loser commit suicide, be expelled from the clan, or have their assets seized… there is also a clause stating that a rematch cannot be commanded."
"Suicide and expulsion are one thing, but why a rematch!?"
"…You don't seriously think that needs an explanation, do you?"
"Th-then let's take back the fact that I won! Let's go back to the beginning and say the duel with that monster was a draw. Let's just agree that we have to fight again."
"The moment you mentioned your right to command as the winner, I believe the victor was clearly decided."
Mary had nothing left to say.
"You slippery little brat!"
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Phew, fine. Okay. You're so smart, you got me. Let's say I won. Then I'll use my actual command. Give me that cat."
"If you're talking about Nabi Runcandel, you're welcome to take him."
"Not Nabi—I mean, not Lord Murakan. Shuri, your Red Jade Cat."
"If you look at the contract, there is also a clause stating that the winner cannot give a command that the opponent cannot fulfill. Shuri is under contract with me, and it cannot be undone."
"You… you jerk."
"Sister, give a more realistic command. It’s not that hard, is it?"
Mary almost smacked Jin on the head. But it wasn't Jin's fault. She was the fool for not properly checking the contract.
Besides, she had tried to get another fight out of him for free, so she didn't really have a right to feel wronged—even if her anger was still boiling over.
Jin caught the look in the huffing Mary's eyes.
"For instance… you could command me to buy you some delicious alcohol."
"I don't need anything like that!"
"Or perhaps ask me to steal a few limited-edition erotic picture books that Murakan owns?"
"The ones I have are much better than—phew, no. Seriously, do you take me for a fool?"
"If you don't like those either, you could ask what information Kinzelo gave me when they came to see me. There are so many realistic commands like that."
Mary’s eyes went wide.
Her expression screamed, Ah, why didn't I think of that? She was the one who had stopped Gilly from making a mistake when Kinzelo visited the clan.
‘I feel like I’m being played by this kid… but well, it’s information that wouldn't hurt to know. Brother Dipus also seemed curious about what was discussed between Mother, Jin, and Kinzelo back then.’
Since Kinzelo’s visit, Rosa had yet to share any details about it with the Flagbearers.
"Tch, fine. What information did Kinzelo give you?"
"That various factions, including Zipple and Viment, are tracking the legacy of the First Patriarch."
"What? The First Patriarch’s legacy?"
"I'm talking about the graves of Temar Runcandel."
"…What about the First Patriarch’s graves?"
"His graves hide the ancient power and long-held secrets of Runcandel. And I have been searching for those graves independently of the clan, which Kinzelo noticed."
Mary’s eyes flared with anger.
"You’ve been searching for the First Patriarch’s graves independently of the clan? And you’re saying Mother knew that and just sat still?"
Mary’s sudden fury wasn't directed at Jin.
It was directed at Rosa Runcandel.
She was furious that her mother had kept such a vital matter hidden from the Flagbearers until now.
‘You probably didn't expect me to reveal the truth about Temar’s graves to the other Flagbearers, did you, Mother?’
Jin nodded, hiding his smile.