Chapter 397: The Banquet at the Sword Emperor Castle (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 397: The Banquet at the Sword Emperor Castle (2)
At Quicantel’s words, the group’s eyes once again fell upon the retreating figures of Murka and Zephyrin.
Murka was scolding Zephyrin the entire way back to the Black King Corps’ table.
“Huh? Lady Quicantel, what do you mean by that?”
“Hey, Quicantel. Are you saying you’re so cold-hearted you won’t even treat a simple-minded kid like a person?” Murakan asked, confused. “I didn’t take you for someone like that.”
As Jet and Murakan voiced their confusion, Quicantel let out a long sigh.
“Murakan, how can a dragon be so dense? Ah, but then again, you’ve always been a thoughtless fool.”
“That’s rich, coming from you.”
“Didn’t you smell something on that human?”
“What smell? All I smelled was some weird perfume. Kids coming to these banquets for the first time always douse themselves in it. Maybe they don’t wash often…”
At Murakan’s words, Enya and Jet simultaneously brought their collars to their noses and sniffed. It was their first banquet as well, and they had both applied a generous amount of perfume.
“I-It’s not like people who wear perfume don’t wash often, right…?”
“Th-that’s right. Haha, my hand must have just slipped when I was holding the perfume bottle this morning.”
Of course, the scent Quicantel was referring to wasn’t perfume.
“It was the scent of my own kind’s blood, Murakan.”
The companions flinched and stared at Quicantel.
“…What?”
“It was masked by the perfume, but I’m certain. The scent coming from that human is the blood of my kin—specifically, the kind of scent produced when the blood of several different dragons is mixed.”
Hiding the scent of blood was an impossible task for professional mercenaries who had spent their lives on the battlefield. To them, the lingering smell of blood was as thick and pungent as the aroma of sizzling meat.
The blood of a dragon, however, was entirely different from that of a human.
Not only did the scent vary between different types of dragons, but it also possessed a unique, mystical fragrance that was difficult for humans to detect.
“It was even thicker than the scent that came off the Terror of the Ante Mountains.”
“Good heavens. Then, Lady Quicantel… are you saying that woman named Zephyrin is some kind of Dragon Hunter?” Jet asked.
“A Dragon Hunter? There’s no such thing in this world, you idiot. Though I suppose Vanessa Olson came close. Hmm, the blood of our kin… then she used the perfume specifically to cover it up?” Murakan mused.
“It’s a possibility,” Quicantel confirmed.
“If what you’re saying is true, then she’s either a demon or a Demon Dragon. But as far as I know, no demon can take on a perfect human form, so it’s highly likely she’s a Demon Dragon.”
Demon Dragons.
The term referred to dragons in service to a Demon God or a Demon King. It applied to those created by a Demon God from the beginning, as well as those who had once served another deity before defecting to the Demon World.
“The last time a Demon Dragon appeared in the mortal realm was during the Holy Kingdom Defense War. Before that, it was twelve hundred years ago, when Heluram brought about the Descent of the Demon God,” Quicantel explained.
“They used to be more common before the Descent of the Demon God, though,” Murakan added. “Fine, I’ll go ask her myself. I’ll ask if she’s a Demon Dragon.”
“And if she says yes, then what?”
“I’ll crush her.”
“Yeah, you should probably just stay put, Murakan,” Jin intervened.
Murakan shrugged. “Why?”
“If she denies it, we have no way to prove it. And she might not even be one. Most importantly, if your questioning causes her to go on a rampage, there will be no way to handle it. This is Lord Ron’s banquet hall.”
If Murakan’s actions ruined the banquet, the responsibility would fall entirely on Jin.
“Jin is right, Murakan. What’s that head on your shoulders for?” Quicantel chided. “Besides, it’s possible the scent of dragon blood is just embedded in her weapon. The chances are low, but if that’s the case, she might just be an ordinary human. The weapon could have belonged to a Demon Dragon or someone like Vanessa.”
Across the hall, the scolding finally seemed to be over. Zephyrin scratched the back of her head and happened to turn around, her eyes meeting Jin’s. She flashed a wide grin and waved.
“Hey, when you’re as strong as I am, you don’t need to use your head much. What would you guys know?” Murakan grumbled, folding his arms. “Hmph. That Zephyrin person looks like a total airhead from here, though.”
“But Lady Quicantel,” Jin said, “if she really is a Demon Dragon, there’s likely a reason she sought me out. I suspect… it’s that grimoire. Rontelgius’s.”
The Grimoire of Rontelgius.
Jin recalled the item he had obtained months ago after raiding Joshua’s secret villa. If a Demon Dragon had business with him, that had to be it.
“I agree, Jin. We’ll need to look into Zephyrin once the banquet is over,” Quicantel said.
“I have business with the Black King Corps anyway. I’ll have to visit their headquarters after the banquet. It would be good to meet the Black King Commander here if the opportunity arises.”
The Black King Corps, the world’s greatest mercenary group, was one of the most important neutral powers Jin needed to recruit. They were a mercenary band with enough power that even Runcandel could not ignore them.
“Furthermore, if it turns out Zephyrin is connected to Rontelgius, we might be able to uncover the relationship between them and Joshua.”
“But, Young Master,” Enya piped up.
“Yes, Enya?”
“How would Zephyrin know you have the grimoire?”
“It’s likely because she can sense the unique mana of a demon or a Demon Dragon, Enya,” Quicantel answered on Jin’s behalf. “We’ve kept that ominous thing near us for months, so its scent must have rubbed off on us.”
“Oh, so Demon Dragons have incredible noses…”
Since finding the grimoire, Tikan had been searching for information on Rontelgius. They had yielded no results so far, so Zephyrin’s appearance could be a vital clue.
Furthermore, the presence of a Demon Dragon could never bring anything good to the mortal realm. It was crucial to uncover Zephyrin’s identity and purpose as soon as possible.
Of course, that was only if she wasn’t just an ordinary human.
While the group discussed Zephyrin, another individual approached their table.
Unlike Zephyrin, he approached with an expression filled with blatant murderous intent. He didn’t even bother to conceal his aura, and the palpable bloodlust made others in the hall turn to stare.
“Phew, what’s this now? It’s been a while since I’ve seen such an unpleasant pair of eyes,” Murakan muttered, his own eyes narrowing. The other companions remained composed, showing no outward reaction.
“Jin Runcandel.”
Jin raised his head and met the man’s eyes.
He recognized him instantly.
Lata Prochi. The blood relative of Fey Prochi, whom Jin had recently taken prisoner, and the young leader of the Ghost Squad.
“Hey, kid. Tell this fearless brat something for me,” Murakan said. “Tell him if he doesn’t fix that look in his eyes, I’ll make sure he never sees anything again.”
“So he says, Lord Lata,” Jin replied calmly. “To what do I owe the pleasure of a visit from the eldest son of the Prochi devils?”
Despite Murakan’s threat and Jin’s cool tone, Lata’s expression showed no fluctuation. It wasn’t because he had regained his composure, but because he had arrived at the peak of his fury; there was no room left for him to get any angrier.
“Did you kill her?”
He was talking about Fey.
“I kept her alive.”
“I won’t ask twice. Tell me what you want.”
The surrounding area began to buzz. This was a Runcandel banquet, its nature distinctly different from the Single-log Bridge Party. It was not a place where one could recklessly start a fight over a personal grudge.
Nevertheless, everyone seemed to be watching with anticipation.
The 12th Flagbearer of Runcandel, who had single-handedly turned the Garden of Swords into a wasteland, and the Ghost Captain, who was hailed as the second coming of Smarion. One could hardly find a better spectacle than this.
‘Will the 12th Flagbearer of Runcandel cause another stir in the world?’
‘Lata Prochi is also a monster among monsters. If the 12th Flagbearer defeats him, the upper-ranked flagbearers of Runcandel will have no choice but to feel threatened once again.’
The onlookers were full of expectation, but Jin had no desire to fight Lata.
Like the Black King Corps, the Ghost Squad was a crucial neutral force that he needed to bring to his side. Since their main base was located in Viment, recruiting them would be a massive help in keeping the Empire in check later on.
Of course, there was a reason why groups like the Black King Corps and the Ghost Squad had remained ‘neutral’ for so long, despite the efforts of giants like Runcandel, Zipple, and Viment to recruit them.
Siding with the wrong faction could mean the end of their organization. Thus, these sizable neutral powers had survived by sometimes aligning with Runcandel, sometimes with Zipple, sometimes with Viment, and sometimes by refusing to deal with anyone at all.
‘But now, all neutral forces must gather. Not just for me to take the throne of Runcandel, but to bring down Zipple. It is a necessity.’
Once Zipple completed the Demon God Stones and began to achieve their goals, it wouldn’t just be Runcandel that met its end; those standing in the gray zones would be finished as well. In a world manipulated by them, it would be impossible to even exist as one’s true self.
‘I must show everyone that I am the only one who possesses the means to stop them.’
Even as Jin briefly entertained these thoughts, Lata continued to radiate an increasingly intense hostility.
‘He seems like the type who will be incredibly exhausting to turn into an ally. If I had told him I killed Fey, he probably wouldn’t have hesitated to draw his sword.’
The man before him was undoubtedly the infamous Ghost Captain. To Jin, however, he felt like nothing more than a rebellious teenager suffering through a severe bout of puberty—someone who needed to be coaxed and guided onto the right path.
“I haven’t thought of anything yet.”
“Then think of something right now.”
“And if I refuse?”
“I told you I won’t ask twice. There will be no negotiation, and you will be my enemy for eternity.”
“That sounds like you’re declaring the entire Runcandel Clan your enemy.”
“I heard you weren’t the type to hide behind your family’s name. Well, feel free to interpret it that way if you wish. I see Veradin Zipple is here as well; I am more than prepared to speak with him.”
Though he was revealing his hostility recklessly, Lata was indeed a man worthy of leading the Ghost Squad. Even while consumed by rage, he knew exactly what would pressure Jin most effectively.
As Jin contemplated his response, he saw Veradin standing behind Lata, clearing his throat.
Veradin flashed a grin at Jin and spoke.
“Ah, Lord Lata. I’m afraid I’m not quite ready for a conversation. Besides, you two seem to be getting along so well. Tell me, when exactly did the Ghost Squad and Runcandel become such close allies?”