Chapter 392: Impossible to Hide (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 392: Impossible to Hide (2)
Just as Cyron had said, this was not something that could be hidden.
They had blockaded all of Huphester, controlled every media outlet, and strictly forbidden anyone present during the "Magic Swordsman Declaration" from leaving the estate.
However, in the heart of the Garden of Swords, the Dark Blue Karma Fire had blazed, followed by the unleashing of Pluto's Sovereign Sword and over a dozen Decisive Techniques all at once.
There was no way the residents living in the center of Kalon could remain ignorant of such a battle.
It was a conflict on a scale that simply could not be covered up.
Through informants from various factions already embedded among the residents, the upheaval Jin had caused was rapidly spreading beyond the Garden of Swords and across the world.
The rumors spread with the speed and intensity of a thunderclap.
No matter how hard one tried to block or hide it, the tide would always find a way in.
*
"…Good heavens. I asked him if he was planning to commit treason, but I never imagined he’d pull something like this. If this isn't treason, then what is?"
In the Vankella Holy Kingdom, inside the Holy King’s office.
As soon as she heard the news from the priests of the Dawn Carriage Society—the Holy Kingdom’s intelligence unit—Rani pressed a hand to her forehead, her expression troubled. To think he would cause such a massive incident right after I snuck out at dawn to treat him…
"I should have known from the moment he started talking about ‘giving his arm a chance’ or whatever. Sigh. What do you all think? Do you believe Sir Jin is currently safe?"
The priests shook their heads.
"The security is too tight for us to investigate directly, but according to the information leaked from Kalon’s residents and various faction informants, the situation does not look good."
"There are rumors that he is in critical condition, and some are even saying he is already dead."
"What? Dead!?"
"…No faction has been able to confirm Jin Runcandel’s whereabouts since the incident."
"Ha."
One priest stepped forward, his mind seemingly made up.
"Your Majesty, as a priest and a child blessed by Ayula… if I may be so bold, you must make a decision for the sake of our nation's savior."
Since the Holy Kingdom Incident, the name 'Jin Runcandel' held a symbolic weight within the country that rivaled even the Holy King herself. Furthermore, those in the know were aware that Jin continued to provide astronomical financial support to the Holy Kingdom, which was why the priest felt he could offer such direct advice.
Rani pondered with a grave expression for a long while before replying.
"…Very well. Huphester may have declared a Level 2 Emergency, but if I formally request a visit, they will have no choice but to comply. I shall go personally to check on his condition and take measures to treat him. However…"
Rani looked at the determined priests and continued.
"As far as I know, he is a man who always has a plan. He wouldn't have done this without thinking things through. If I step forward unnecessarily, it might provide his future enemies with a pretext to use against him. Besides, neither Sir Jin nor his guardian dragon has asked me for help directly yet. For now, we will wait for more news."
The priests bowed their heads at Rani’s decision.
If Jin’s life were truly in grave danger, the Holy Kingdom intended to mobilize every possible means to help him.
*
"Grandfather!"
At the same time, a conversation regarding Jin was taking place at the Sword Emperor Castle in Viment.
The moment Dante sought out Ron with a frantic look on his face, Ron was hearing the very same news from the knights of Hairan.
And he, just like Rani, pressed a hand to his forehead.
It wasn't because he was troubled by Jin. It was because the future looked bleak as he wondered how to soothe his grandson, who would surely start screaming that he was heading to the Garden of Swords this instant.
"Ah, my grandson. You've come?"
"Grandfather, I must speak boldly. This may be the last time I see you."
The last time? Ron Hairan’s head began to throb from the very first sentence.
"…Why is my grandson suddenly acting like this? Did you eat something wrong? Ahem."
"I intend to head to the Garden of Swords immediately."
"Well, Dante."
"Even if you stop me, I will go. Even if you and the entire clan condemn me, I will go without fail. However, shamelessly, I wish to make one final request of you, Grandfather."
"Well, hoho… speak, then."
"Please help me save my friend. Also, if… just if, my friend has already lost his life… please respect whatever choice I make then."
He was saying that if Jin were dead, he would go on a solo rampage in the Garden of Swords. Naturally, that would end in either his death, being crippled for life, or the humiliation of the entire Hairan clan struggling to save him.
Not a friend, but a curse.
From the first time Ron saw that scoundrel who had seduced his innocent grandson—no, from the moment his grandson returned from the Arena of Cosmos, all excited about meeting a friend—he had felt an inexplicable sense of foreboding.
‘At this rate, even if I hand over the patriarch position to my grandson, the Sword Emperor Castle might end up falling into that devil’s hands.’
The mere thought made his blood boil. He felt that Jin being dead might not be a bad outcome after all. How hard had he worked to build this clan for his grandson!
"Dante Hairan, my beloved grandson."
"Yes, Grandfather."
"Calm yourself. This grandfather of yours did not raise you to be this way."
"I know. But shamefully, I cannot value the clan over my friend, nor can I value my friend over the clan. I am a man unfit to be the patriarch."
Dante was exactly the kind of person who would give up his position as the next patriarch and lose all his rights just to go to the Garden of Swords alone. That was the grandson Ron knew.
Naturally, he couldn't just stand by and watch that happen.
"That is not what I meant. Do you not trust your friend?"
Dante’s eyes widened as if he had been struck on the back of the head.
He fell for it, Ron thought.
"From what I know, that brat—no, your friend Jin Runcandel is not the type to fall so easily. He is a filthy schemer who always has a backup plan. He will surely reappear as if nothing happened."
He didn't truly believe that. Having caused such a massive incident, it wouldn't be strange if Jin were dead, but he needed to mix in some lies to stop his grandson.
One could only say Dante's simplicity was remarkable. At those few words, he looked deeply moved.
"Grandfather…! Now that I think about it, you are right! It’s true. If it’s him, there is definitely a chance! I was being too hasty!"
"Hoho, yes. So, wait quietly while focusing on your training. There is nothing better than closed-door training at a time like this. If he is your friend, you must trust him. If a situation arises where you must make a decision, this grandfather of yours will step in personally."
Dante’s eyes sparkled as he bowed.
"Thank you, Grandfather! I will head to the training ground immediately!"
"Yes, go cool your head while gripping your sword."
With light steps, Dante withdrew with a joyful heart. He hadn't even expected his grandfather's promise to step in personally, so this level of cooperation made him feel as if a weight had been lifted from his chest.
As soon as Dante entered the training hall, Ron summoned his knights and issued an order.
"The moment it is confirmed that Jin Runcandel is either crippled or dead, ensure the Young Patriarch’s closed-door training continues for ten years. Block the entrance so tightly he can never come out. Let him sublimate all his sorrow, despair, and rage into his sword within those walls."
"Understood!"
That was the best he could do for his beloved grandson if the worst came to pass for Jin.
Not being able to see his grandson for ten years would be more painful than any torture, but he could not let him die or wage war against Runcandel over Jin.
*
"Hmm, our son-in-law… what should we do?"
The Secret Palace.
Talaris spoke while lounging on a bed sculpted from ice. The administrators of the Top Merchant Group tirelessly groomed her nails, while members of the Water Tail Tribe massaged her scalp with slow, rhythmic movements.
"Daughter, your husband-to-be. He might be dead, you know?"
"Jin. Die. Not."
"Hey, Dark Flame. Change your word order. You sound like you're jinxing him!" Top glared at Dark Flame.
"Not. Jin. Die."
"Ugh, not like that!"
"Die. Jin. Not."
"Ha, forget it. I’m the fool for expecting anything. If you’re going to talk like that, why don't you just go and kill him yourself?"
"Quiet. Focus on what you're doing. Understand? My lovers are arriving soon. If they don't like my nails, you're all getting kicked out. I'll even pretend not to notice if you get eaten by wild beasts."
Scrub, scrub, knead, knead!
While the small beastmen moved busily, Talaris looked at her daughter’s back with a mischievous expression.
"Mmm, if you're so worried, why don't you go visit him?"
"Judging by your reaction, Mother, I doubt that's necessary. Even if I went now, I’d only be turned away."
"Oho, so you are worried?"
Thud!
Siris stood up, lightly striking the ice table with her fist.
"Mother, do you take me for a fool?"
"Oh, you startled me. Why are you suddenly so angry?"
"One item has disappeared from the undersea warehouse. Do you think I wouldn't know that Runcandel’s head butler came and took it personally?"
The reason for Siris's anger was something else entirely.
"When did you even start rummaging through the undersea warehouse?"
"It’s been ten years since you stopped managing it, Mother. I have checked it in your stead every single day I’ve been on standby at the Secret Palace."
A certain sacred object had been enshrined deep within the Secret Palace for ages: Numerus's Blood.
She had always believed the drop of blood that Butler Heinz came for belonged to the Secret Palace. But now Runcandel had suddenly claimed ownership and taken it, leaving her in a foul mood.
"Goodness, when did I ever tell you that was ours?"
"Whose is the undersea warehouse? It belongs to the Secret Palace. That means Runcandel shouldn't be using it as they please."
"That’s because of a promise I made with Cyron a long time ago. Anyway, I tried to sneakily claim ownership while I was looking after it, but I failed. Happy now?"
"Regardless, it twists my gut to see Runcandel treating us like their personal storage unit."
"Then why don't you go get some compensation? From that boy, Jin. Don't take your anger out on your mother."
"I plan to do exactly that."
Talaris shook her head as Siris turned sharply and marched out of the Great Hall.
"She’s my daughter, but she’s a handful sometimes. It was originally Runcandel’s property, and it’s being used to save her husband-to-be. What is she so annoyed about?"
"That. Is. All. Of. It."
When Dark Flame suddenly spoke, the eyes of Talaris and the small beastmen all turned to him.
"Love. Justice. Misguided. Expression. Or. Friendship's. Distorted. Expression."
"Mmm, I see. So she wanted to give it to him with her own hands, even if it meant she had to return it? That makes sense."
At that, Top couldn't help but widen his eyes and shout.
"You—you! Look at this! You can speak in the right order! Hey, why were you messing up your words earlier!?"
"Did. My. Best."
"Aargh! So frustrating!"
"Now even these things are getting angry in front of me. Do you all want to be kicked out? If you're done with the nails, prepare the special scented oil."
While the Gold Snow Tribe beastmen hurried to prepare the oil, Talaris considered what choice Kelliark Zipple would make regarding Jin’s "Magic Swordsman Declaration."
‘Cyron is about to enter the territory of the Five Kings of the Black Sea… I’d better hope Kelliark doesn't find out about that.’
If he knew…
It was entirely possible that Zipple would declare all-out war on Runcandel.