Chapter 430: Elders in Crisis (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 430: Elders in Crisis (4)
Smarion Prochi.
Jin didn’t know much about him. However, like anyone with even a passing interest in martial history, he knew the man was a freak of nature.
Smarion was born into an ordinary peasant family.
Yet, from childhood, he possessed a talent for harming others as if possessed by a god of slaughter. The first people he killed were his own parents.
Eventually, he became a mythical figure who annihilated the Seigal family—the clan that had ruled the Wraith Squad for centuries—and planted the Prochi flag atop Ghost Song Castle.
That was Smarion, the father of Rata and Fey.
‘I was under the impression that Smarion died around the time Rata entered his teens.’
It was difficult to immediately accept that the owner of this eerie energy was Smarion.
“…What do you mean by that?”
“My father was a man who was a demon from birth. He killed his own parents, and he tried to kill me and Fey countless times as well.”
However, Smarion’s attempts to kill the Prochi siblings weren't entirely out of pure malice. Like in other assassin clans or harsh martial families, his actions were, in a sense, a form of ‘education.’
Though they loathed to admit it, Rata and Fey were well aware that they had grown strong because of it. In other words, Smarion’s madness had always been tempered by a certain degree of calculated intent.
“But the elders who were close to me said that before they died to become the materials for this seal, a certain line was crossed at some point. He became a true madman.”
Rata continued his explanation.
According to what the elders of that time experienced, Smarion began showing ‘signs’ when Rata was around ten years old.
Smarion had always been famous as a crazed killer, but unlike the previous Ghost Captain, he was also known for cherishing his subordinates deeply. Because of this, the members of the Wraith Squad showed Smarion absolute loyalty, and Smarion, in turn, always gave them his trust.
However, after the ‘change’ began, his behavior slowly shifted.
“I was told he tortured and killed squad members and their families using all sorts of methods beyond imagination.”
“I’ve never heard stories that dark regarding the former Ghost Captain.”
“The elders who died strictly prevented any records or stories of that time from leaking out. And it wasn't just his subordinates he treated cruelly. They said he engaged in horrific self-mutilation as well.”
“If the former Ghost Captain truly showed such abnormal symptoms, it wouldn't have ended with just a rebellion.”
“There were several rebellions, I’m told. They were simply suppressed each time by my father’s overwhelming martial prowess. You likely aren't even aware, My Lord, that my father once fought Lord Cyron.”
“My father and the former Ghost Captain…?”
Jin had no idea such a secret history existed between Runcandel and the Wraith Squad.
In fact, that record was not stored as a document in Ghost Song Castle, and in Runcandel, it remained a top-secret matter that only the Patriarch could verify.
“I didn't see it myself. It happened before I was even born. However, that battle lasted for an entire day, and though victory ultimately went to Lord Cyron, for some reason, he did not take my father’s head.”
The idea of Cyron not taking the head of a defeated foe.
Jin couldn't easily imagine such a scene, but he figured it was possible since Cyron would have been younger back then.
“Afterward, Lord Cyron often visited Ghost Song Castle. He would share drinks with my father or talk about various things.”
“…Is that true?”
“I don't know about the fight that supposedly lasted a whole day, but Fey and I personally saw Lord Cyron and my father drinking together several times.”
Cyron sharing drinks and conversation with someone.
That, too, was an image Jin found difficult to conjure.
“During those times, even that madman became a fairly gentle father. He would sit us siblings on his knees and laugh heartily.”
“That must be a fond memory for you.”
“Thinking back on it now, I think my father wanted to look good in front of Lord Cyron.”
“Do you remember what they mainly talked about?”
What had existed between his father, Cyron Runcandel, and Smarion Prochi? Intense curiosity flared within Jin, even as the horrific, eerie energy pricked his entire body.
“I was too young, so I remember almost nothing of the content. However…”
Rata looked at the red seal as he continued.
“There is one scene I remember with peculiar clarity. I was sitting beside them holding Fey, eating snacks for the first time in a long while, and Lord Cyron watched us for a moment before asking my father a question.”
—Smarion. How is ‘it’ lately?
“‘It’…?”
“And my father replied like this.”
—How could it be fine, Cyron? As you know, I don't have much time left.
“When my father finally became a complete monster and the elders who cared for me became the materials for this seal… I resented him like crazy. Yet, for some reason, that scene kept coming back to me. The image of my father saying he didn't have much time left.”
At that point, a sharp sense of déjà vu surged through Jin.
On the day he returned from Laprarosa and became a flagbearer, Jin had heard the exact same words from Cyron.
‘Not much time left. What on earth does that mean…?’
At the time, he hadn't given the words much thought. To be precise, instead of worrying about why Cyron didn't have much time, he had focused more on the implication: he had to become the Patriarch before Cyron’s time ran out.
Smarion. How is ‘it’ lately?
‘It.’
The thought struck him that ‘it’ might be the link between Cyron and Smarion.
‘Smarion became a monster because of something Father referred to as ‘it.’ What if Father has the same problem…?’
That might be the very reason Cyron and Smarion had interacted.
As his thoughts reached that point, a horrifying hypothesis surfaced.
‘Father… could also become a monster. Just like Smarion Prochi beyond this seal.’
He couldn't shake the idea, especially because of Smarion's words, “As you know.” One only says that when they know the other person is experiencing the same thing.
Jin’s heart hammered against his ribs, his blood racing.
“Sir Rata, have you never heard what ‘it’ refers to?”
“Unfortunately, no. I asked the deceased elders several times, but they didn't know either. Only Lord Cyron would know.”
The Black Sea.
It had to be connected to that dark land. Jin felt certain of it. This surely had a deep connection to the reason Cyron was so obsessed with the Black Sea.
‘The reason Father is obsessed with the Black Sea and what he is looking for there… I’ll only be able to hear about that when Sister Luna returns.’
And the monster beyond this red seal could also be a clue. Of course, before being a potential clue, it was the Wraith Squad’s greatest weakness.
Jin organized his thoughts and met Rata’s eyes.
“Since we aren't in a position to ask Father right now, we’ll need to look into what ‘it’ is on our own.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
“But more urgent than that are the elders who fled. They don't just hold information about this seal; they also know that you and I have formed a blood alliance.”
If possible, Jin did not want to announce to the world that the Wraith Squad had become his faction just yet. While there was nothing inherently wrong with it being known, he wanted to reveal the full extent of ‘Jin Runcandel’s power’ only after he had grown a bit more. In particular, the Wraith Squad needed to keep their channels of communication open with external forces while pretending to remain neutral.
“That is true.”
“The problem is bigger than expected. There’s a high possibility they’ve already surrendered to someone… but let’s pray they haven't. If even one of them—Zipple, Kinzelo, the Imperial Family, or even another Runcandel faction—comes to Ghost Song Castle to break this seal, we’re finished.”
“I have no excuse, My Lord.”
“I will return immediately and deploy my people. Give me a map marking their expected escape routes and all information on the traitors.”
“Understood.”
“And, Sir Rata.”
“Speak, My Lord.”
Jin smiled as he added, “I look forward to working with you.”
“As do I.”
*
Meanwhile, while Jin was receiving the oath of loyalty from Rata and the Wraith Squad at Ghost Song Castle, the elders of Runcandel were holding another gloomy meeting. They were in a desperate situation, their backs against the wall.
“I did not expect the Acting Patriarch to act this way.”
“She cannot do this! How much blood have we shed for the Acting Patriarch’s sake?”
“Hmph, to tell us to prove the Elder Council’s reason for existence and value… what more does she want us to do?!”
Creeeak!
As the elders vented their frustrations one by one, the door opened.
“You’ve arrived, Elder Council Head!”
“Elder Council Head!”
“Elder Council Head, have you heard what happened…?”
The person who entered was the Elder Council Head, Jorden Runcandel. The elders had been waiting for his arrival with bated breath. They believed that Jorden would somehow find a way to break through this situation.
Had it not been for the recent series of events centered around Jin, Jorden would have been quite pleased by the sight of these old men waiting for him like hatchlings waiting to be fed. Until now, he had been intoxicated by the sweet desire for recognition they provided, which had clouded his judgment.
But not anymore.
‘You pathetic bastards…’
Seeing them welcome him only sparked a sudden rage and nausea.
When did it start?
Just when did Runcandel’s sharpest swords end up in this state? The question and regret were so agonizing it felt as if the bones in his chest were shattering.
Part of him wanted to cut down all these useless fossils right this instant.
However, Jorden had not forgotten that they were the largest support base he had left. He also recognized that he, too, had become complacent at some point, even if not to their extent.
‘Both I and all of you… we must reform and become a pillar of Runcandel once again!’
Otherwise, let alone ascending the throne, an era had arrived where even surviving in the Garden of Swords was uncertain.
“I cannot hide my disappointment in both you and myself.”
“Elder Council Head…?”
Jorden’s gaze shifted as he looked at the elders.
“It seems the time has come to reclaim our lost wildness and sharp edge. At this rate, we will be culled and disappear. As of today, the Elder Council will never fight a safe battle again. Those who are afraid, leave now.”