Chapter 378: Yona’s Warning (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 378: Yona’s Warning (2)
“Some members of the Elder Council are trying to kill me? Don’t tell me you came here as their assassin, Sister. Are you planning to say, ‘Goodbye, Youngest,’ and then lop off my head a moment later?”
“It’d be a suicide mission for those boring old fossils to even try hiring me.”
By Cyron’s strict decree, no one within the family was currently permitted to use Yona.
In the past, even Joshua had been struck across the face by Cyron and forced to return his Silver Light Armor after getting indirectly involved with Yona while trying to keep Jin in check. (Due to a deal between Jin and Oul, Yona’s return to the family had been delayed.)
“And even if they did, would I really kill you?”
“You’re right. There’s no way you’d stab me, Sister. I am the savior of Samil, after all. It was just a joke.”
“I hate jokes like that!”
Jin let out a small chuckle.
“I understand. So, who are they?”
The fact that the elders wanted him dead wasn't exactly news. He had been certain that once he became a Flagbearer, there would be plenty of people gunning for his life.
In fact, Jin had expected those who truly wanted him dead to reveal themselves sooner rather than later—and he figured the first blades would come from the elders rather than the other Flagbearers.
After all, he had been causing trouble for the family since his days as a cadet. Toward the end of his time as a Reserve Flagbearer, a bounty of three hundred million had been placed on his head by Runcandel alone.
Furthermore, he had consistently violated the long-standing, humiliating Runcandel tradition of forbidding magic. In some ways, his execution was long overdue.
If anything, they’re late. No, they’re very late.
The corners of Jin’s mouth curled upward.
At this point, he wasn't afraid of the Elder Council, especially not just ‘some’ of them.
However, Yona’s serious expression was a bit concerning.
“Who are they?”
“I didn't hear exactly which elders they were. If I knew, I would have killed them all already…”
“No, I mean the assassins hired by those unknown elders.”
“Huh? How did you know? I haven't even said they hired assassins yet.”
“It’s obvious. The only ones with enough power to draw their own swords and kill me are the heads of the major councils. And among them, there’s no one who would benefit from my death right now.”
Jorden Runcandel of the Black Sword Council, Lin Milkano of the Guardian Association, and Telot Runcandel of the Homin Council.
Among them, Telot was a tentative ally, Jorden was a clear enemy, and Lin was a potential enemy. But even Jorden had nothing to gain by killing Jin at this very moment.
—You’re showing a lapse in your usual cleverness over such an obvious matter. Isn't it clear? Jorden Runcandel, the Elder Council Head, and the 2nd Flagbearer share a relationship that is both symbiotic and competitive.
—The symbiosis is obvious, as you say, but the competition is news to me.
—Ah, I suppose so. You’re from a slightly different era than me, and even the upper Flagbearers, so that’s understandable. Just know one thing. The Elder Council Head has not yet abandoned his dream of becoming the Patriarch.
Jin recalled the conversation he’d had while making a deal with Telot Runcandel.
As someone who hasn't given up on the Patriarch’s seat, my death would actually be a loss for him. The head of the Black Sword Council wants to see Joshua and me constantly checking and undermining each other until we both fall apart.
Lin Milkano’s true intentions were still unknown, but on the surface, she was Jorden’s person.
“Therefore, the elders trying to kill me must have commissioned an outside force. If they aren't the Council Heads' people, they likely aren't skilled enough to face me in a direct confrontation. And you, Sister, must have used Samil’s information network to identify that force.”
“Heehee, you’re right! Spot on. You really are smart.”
Yona stood on her tiptoes and ruffled Jin’s hair before continuing.
“I’m not going to tell you who the assassins are.”
“Why not?”
“I’ll tell you if you play with me. Youngest, it’s been a really, really, really long time since we’ve met and talked like this!”
It had been nearly two years, and this was their first meeting since he had become a Flagbearer.
Jin smiled at her words.
“You’re right. I missed you, Sister. I received the letter and the Green Rose ring you left in my room last time. I saw them right after I woke up, and they kept me in a good mood all day.”
Yona grinned, revealing her pearly white teeth. It was always strange to think that someone who could smile so innocently was the world’s greatest assassin.
“I’m so proud!”
“I’m also sorry for disappearing without a word before I became a Flagbearer. Circumstances were difficult, so I had no choice.”
“I’ll make a special exception and forgive you. So, what should we play? Hmm?”
“Let’s go fill our stomachs first. I haven't eaten anything since I was in the forest.”
“Should we start with hide-and-seek? Or do you want to play the dagger game?”
“What’s the dagger game?”
“We stand a hundred paces apart and take turns throwing daggers at each other. Every time someone dodges or blocks, we move one step closer. The first one to get stabbed loses.”
“I’ll pass.”
“Fine, then let’s play the hand-axe game.”
“And what’s that?”
“We use hand-axes to chop off each other’s ears—”
“No, that’s enough explanation. Sister, we used to play normally. Instead of something so gruesome, how about shopping, or seeing a play? We could even have a drink and talk.”
“Jin.”
Valeria called out to Jin in a calm voice. At the same time, Yona whipped her head around to look at Valeria. Her expression seemed to say, Oh right, you were there too.
“I’ll be going now. I’ll take this with me for preservation, so contact me when you need it.”
Valeria pointed to the corpse of the Viment Imperial Guard demon wrapped in her robe.
“Going? Where do you think you’re going?”
Grab!
Suddenly, Yona snatched Valeria’s wrist.
“You play with us too.”
“Lady Yona?”
Valeria’s eyes shifted to the left again.
Jin found it strangely enjoyable to see Valeria looking so flustered.
“And I’ve been wondering about this for a while… Lailin. What exactly is your relationship with our youngest?”
“What… relationship?”
“You aren't lovers, are you? What were you two doing in the forest?”
“No, there was an incident—”
“Seeing as your face is covered in tear tracks, did you two have a lovers' quarrel during a date? Youngest, you shouldn't make your partner cry when you’re dating. And Lailin, you especially shouldn't make the youngest cry. You could actually die for that.”
“I believe there has been a misunderstanding, Lady Yona.”
“Got it? I’ll really kill you. Even if you are a savior of Samil. Heeheehee.”
It seemed pointless to try and explain any further.
Snap!
Yona threw her arms wide and wrapped them around both of their waists.
“Let’s go!”
By the time Jin and Valeria regained their senses…
They had already left the Kikken Principality and were enjoying high-end cuisine in another city, shopping, and drinking in a tavern they had rented out entirely (though Valeria only sat with them).
“Heeheehee! As I thought, playing with the youngest is way more fun than killing people. This booze tastes amazing, doesn't it!”
Throughout the night, Valeria looked half-dazed by Yona’s non-stop chatter and erratic behavior, but at some point, she seemed to give up and would occasionally let out a hollow laugh.
However, every now and then, she would let out a genuine laugh. In a way, she was spending a day like any other person her age.
It was the first time such a thing had happened since the Grey Owl Mercenaries were massacred. It was a kind of time she had never experienced in her previous life before meeting Jin—or more accurately, a time she had refused to experience.
“…So the moment that big guy turned around, I sliced his arm off. He didn't scream, but his eyes got so big they almost popped out. Yeah. Lailin, see you next time.”
When the morning sun rose, Yona sent Valeria off after finishing her explanation of how she had crippled a ‘big shot’ in her most recent contract.
Valeria hadn't said she was leaving before Yona said ‘see you next time,’ but she quietly packed her things.
Watching Valeria walk away with a somewhat unsteady gait, exhausted from being tormented by Yona all night, Jin asked:
“Isn't this kind of thing okay once in a while?”
Valeria turned around and met Jin’s eyes.
“Yeah, I guess so. I’m going.”
Once Valeria was gone, Yona’s eyes began to sparkle again.
“Youngest, let’s go too.”
“Where to all of a sudden?”
“To really play.”
“So the drinking and playing we did all night was fake? I had no idea.”
Seeing the grin spreading across Yona’s face, Jin felt a sudden, inexplicable chill run down his spine.
What is this? Is it just my imagination?
“Heehee, follow me. I’ll show you lots of fun things.”
*
It wasn't his imagination.
For two whole days after leaving the tavern, Jin was forced to play various ‘games’ with Yona. All sorts of bizarre and horrific games, including the dagger game and the hand-axe game.
…I forgot what kind of person she is. I should have known the moment she said, ‘Let’s play.’
Back when he was a Reserve Flagbearer, the fact that she had sent assassins after him one by one when he sought out Samil had also been nothing more than a game to her.
So how much more intense would it be now that he was a Flagbearer? Over the past two days of playing with Yona, Jin had truly come close to death several times.
The fact that he hadn't slept for a single minute was just a bonus.
—That was fun, Youngest! Let’s play again when I get a vacation. Heehee.
Unlike Jin, who hadn't slept at all, Yona returned to Samil with a face as fresh as someone who had just woken up from a long nap.
“Phew…”
His body felt as heavy as lead. His face was gaunt, and his eyes were twitching from extreme fatigue.
It’s a bit annoying, but it feels like I’ve had a proper training session for the first time in a while. After enduring Sister Yona’s unique killing intent for two days, I still have goosebumps on my back.
A hollow laugh escaped his lips despite himself.
If it weren't for Yona, no one could leave such a thick aura of killing intent lingering on someone’s body even after they had left.
“Welcome. This is the Varia Central Teleport Gate. Please state your destination.”
“Huphester, Kalon. First class.”
“Identification verified. We wish you a pleasant journey.”
The forged identification used by Flagbearers never caused issues anywhere in the world.
Jin sank into the first-class seat and closed his eyes. He felt like he needed to get at least a little sleep before the teleport gate opened. There would be no time to rest once he returned to the Garden of Swords.
Unfortunately, however…
Jin couldn't keep his eyes closed.
I never thought the killing intent my sister branded me with would be so helpful.
He hadn't noticed the moment he entered the cabin.
But as he sat there quietly, he felt a ‘different,’ more ordinary kind of killing intent pricking his skin, distinct from the one Yona had left behind.
Normally, he wouldn't have noticed it in such an exhausted state. And though he called it ordinary, the killing intent surrounding him was extremely refined.
“Teleportation will begin shortly. Side effects such as headaches and dizziness may occur, so passengers are advised to…”
“Attendant.”
“Yes, guest?”
“Get out.”
“What are you saying all of a sudden…? If I have offended you in any way, please tell me.”
“I mean get out if you aren't in league with the other passengers. Because they're all assassins from Ghost Song Castle, and they're here to kill me.”
Ghost Song Castle, the headquarters of the Ghost Squad.
They were the ones who had accepted the elders' commission.
