Chapter 422: Emperor (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 422: Emperor (2)
...Quite the confidence he has.
A silent laugh escaped Jin’s lips.
He had expected the Emperor to propose some sort of alliance under the guise of a reward. It was obvious. The whole world knew the Imperial Family was stabbing Hairan in the back, yet they had summoned him privately to bestow a "reward."
“The power to swallow Runcandel and, furthermore, to stand against Zipple.”
“How about it? Is that not an enticing proposition?” the Emperor asked.
Jin stared into the Emperor’s shining eyes for a moment.
He is the Emperor of an Empire, after all. His gaze is quite firm.
It wasn't easy to read what lay behind those eyes.
“Are you aware?” Jin asked.
“Of what?”
“Not long ago, on the day I proved my abilities at the Garden of Swords, I declared that I would become the Patriarch.”
“How could I not know? The gossips have dubbed the majesty you displayed that day the ‘Magic Sword Return and the Declaration of the Patriarch.’ For a time, bards all across the Viment Empire sang songs about you. I, too, enjoyed them and even commanded the Imperial Orchestra to perform them.”
“It’s embarrassing to hear that. Regardless, the reason I made that declaration in front of everyone was simple. It was because…”
I already have the power to become the Patriarch.
As Jin left the rest unsaid, the Emperor blinked slowly.
“I heard that most of the Elder Council, as well as the Enforcement Knights and Black Knights, have already fallen into the hands of the 2nd Flagbearer. On the other hand, isn't your own influence rather meager?”
At those words, Jin couldn't help but burst into laughter once more.
“So that is how I appear to outsiders.”
Meager.
There certainly was a time when that was true. Back when Jin was at Storm Castle, when his only ally was Gilly.
But ever since he woke Murakan from the glass coffin in the secret basement of Storm Castle, Jin’s forces had never been meager by any absolute standard. Even with much of his power lost, Murakan was a being who could ascend to the ranks of the strongest the moment he had a chance to recover.
After Murakan came Luna. Then came his comrades in Tikan Free City, the Secret Palace, the Pluto Tribe of Laprarosa, the Holy Kingdom, Misha, Solderet’s arrangements, the small beastmen of the Wantaramo Forest, and Ron and Dante of Hairan.
Furthermore, within Runcandel itself, he had Yona and a portion of the Elders, the knights who had shown him favor after his declaration, and a sane Veradin. Beyond these, the number of potential allies was substantial.
Jin’s current influence was among the top in the world, and its potential for future expansion was immense.
Hearing it described as "meager" made it impossible for him to hide his amusement.
“It is thanks to the public image you have cultivated so well. I am aware that the power you are hiding is vast.”
“As you say, I am not so desperate that I require help from the Emperor.”
“However, putting aside the strength of Runcandel’s 2nd Flagbearer… I thought you were well aware of Zipple’s might.”
“Is there anyone in the world who doesn't know the power they possess?”
“They overwhelm the entire world with just the tip of the iceberg. I am asking if you have ever glimpsed what lies beneath Zipple’s surface. If you had…”
The Emperor paused for a moment.
Then, he shuddered. It was a tremor born of both thrill and terror as he recalled the ‘true power’ of Zipple that he had once glimpsed.
“You would not be able to say you aren't desperate, no matter who you were speaking to.”
“It seems the Emperor is afraid of Zipple.”
“And you are not, Sir Jin?”
“You said just a moment ago that you felt you knew me, yet you ask such a pointless question.”
“The first Patriarch of Runcandel, Temar Runcandel.”
The Emperor suddenly brought up the name. Jin maintained his calm expression.
— Who is it? The other factions searching for Temar’s tomb.
— Who do you think?
— Zipple.
— Correct! But that’s not all.
— The Viment Imperial Family is also searching for the tomb of Runcandel’s first Patriarch. Your movements were once exposed to them.
That was the conversation he’d had with Margiella when Verakt visited Rosa not long ago. It was the first time he had learned that factions other than Runcandel and Zipple were searching for Temar’s tomb. He had even learned that what Viment wanted was Temar’s body.
I didn't expect him to bring up Temar first.
Jin met the Emperor’s eyes and waited for his next words.
“According to the records, that man possessed power greater than anyone else in history. It is said that no being of that era dared to challenge Temar Runcandel…”
“In what records is that written?”
“Even he could not overcome the wall known as Zipple. Can you truly face that great evil alone?”
“I asked where you confirmed those records.”
“I shall show you, if you become my man.”
Like a volcano erupting without warning, a powerful aura surged from Jin. Cracks spiderwebbed across the floor beneath his feet, and the air grew heavy, pressing down on everything.
Even if this was the Emperor’s audience chamber, there was no reason to suppress his anger after hearing such words.
Temar was the ancestor of Runcandel. It was unacceptable for the likes of Viment to speak of records that even Runcandel did not possess.
The moment the Inner Imperial Guards and the Imperial Guard were about to move, the Emperor raised his hand to stop them. Jin, in turn, retracted his aura.
“Since the Emperor has restrained his swords, I shall consider the rudeness you just committed forgiven,” Jin said in a calm voice. His heart, however, burned with a furious heat as he recalled the Viment ‘Demons’ he had encountered in the Wantaramo Forest.
Viment was trying to use Temar’s body to create perfected Demons.
Jin had harbored that suspicion since his time in the forest. Today’s meeting with the Emperor had moved that suspicion closer to certainty, and if it became fact… then even destroying the Imperial Family would not be enough.
“And I will warn you just once, Emperor. If you ever obtain the body of the first Patriarch and create some crude doll… the thousand-year history of Viment will be wiped from existence.”
“Hehe, talking with you has the thrill of walking a tightrope.”
“The Emperor must ensure that whenever, wherever, and in whatever circumstance you find a clue regarding the tomb of Runcandel’s first Patriarch, you report it to Runcandel.”
No matter what Jin said, the Emperor showed no anger or displeasure.
“I shall consider that once you have become the King of the Sword Ghosts.”
He spoke lightly, but his intent was clear.
You likely won't be able to become the Patriarch without my help, the Emperor was saying.
“In any case, the atmosphere doesn't seem right for us to become allies for now. But what to do? I have already decided to bestow a reward upon you…”
The Emperor clapped his hands as if something had just occurred to him.
“Hairan. Fine, how about you take that entire family for yourself? I summoned you here to reward you for saving Hairan in the first place.”
“You speak as if you can manipulate Hairan at your whim.”
“Naturally. In Viment, there is nothing I cannot do.”
“To take over a family, loyalty must come first. Even if the Emperor grants me intangible authority, do you think Lord Ron and Dante would swear fealty to me? That’s a laughable notion.”
“You think of simple things in too difficult a manner. Do you truly believe there is no way?”
“By pressuring Lord Ron by taking Dante hostage?”
“That wouldn't be a bad idea, but there are several other ways.”
“When the terror attack occurred, I did my best to ensure Hairan’s damage was minimized. Do you think someone like me would stab Hairan in the back, as the Imperial Family has done?”
“Why?”
Throughout their conversation, this was the first time the Emperor had shown such intense emotion.
He was genuinely puzzled. His face showed he couldn't understand why Jin would protect Hairan.
“When I heard news of your exploits at the Sword Emperor Castle, I was very curious. From Runcandel’s perspective, it was a terrorist attack that could have yielded many practical benefits. I couldn't think of a proper reason why you protected Hairan. What is it?”
“One doesn't need a grand reason to help a friend.”
“...What? A friend?”
The Emperor bolted upright. He shouted as if the idea were absurd.
“You’re saying you’d give up such massive gains for a reason like that!?”
His tone was one of utter disappointment. Jin merely shrugged at the intense reaction.
“Is that a problem?”
The Emperor sat back down and let out a sigh.
“The inspiration and thrill I felt while talking to you have gone cold. To think you would utter such sentimental words…”
“Have you lost interest?”
“If that is your way, you will find it difficult to survive the battles ahead.”
“I have always survived that way.”
The Emperor’s eyes now held a hint of bewilderment, but he soon regained his composure and shook his head.
“Guards.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Bestow a Golden Crown upon Sir Jin Runcandel.”
At those words, Jin gave a short nod and turned around.
“Sir Jin.”
As Jin began to walk toward the exit, the Emperor called out to him.
“As of today, the possibility of you and I becoming allies has effectively vanished. Be sure to recognize that fact. The next time you face me… show more etiquette.”
After speaking with Jin, the Emperor had concluded that when the time came to stop straddling the line and choose a side, he did not need to join forces with Jin. Unless he could see new potential in a Runcandel other than Jin by then, there was absolutely no need.
He was saying that after today, Jin would never receive such treatment again.
“Ah, come to think of it, there was something I forgot to say. Lord Ron asked me to relay a message to the Emperor. He said it would be best for you to make your choices wisely.”
The Emperor did not respond. Jin finished his sentence as he walked out of the audience chamber.
“In other words, he means you should pick the right side. So you don't end up regretting it.”
After Jin left, the Emperor stared blankly at the spot where Jin’s back had been for a long, long time.