Chapter 433: Raiders, Brothers (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 433: Raiders, Brothers (1)
Steam billowed in thick clouds from the large pot. From within, the pleasant scent of bubbling seafood—blue crabs, shrimp, abalone, and octopus—wafted through the air.
Seafood stew.
It was a dish that Yuria, the only daughter of Casimir and Alisa, had loved since she was two years old.
Now nine, she was unable to attend school due to various circumstances, but her days were neither lonely nor boring. She spent them with Pinte, Enya’s younger brother; Kou, Jet’s son; and the old dog, Pupi.
The days Yuria loved most were moments like this, when the children and adults gathered to share a pot of seafood stew.
“Seafood stew, sea-food stew!”
Influenced by Yuria, all the children sang that strange little song. The sight was so undeniably adorable that even Beris, whom the children usually perceived as something of a witch, couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.
Casimir and Alisa, in particular, often felt a profound warmth welling up in their chests whenever they looked at Yuria—as if their hearts were melting.
If it weren't for Young Master Jin, Yuria would have…
What a blessing it is to see our daughter like this.
As the couple ladled stew into the bowls of their daughter and the other children they considered their own, they were overcome with emotion.
“Eat up, children. Chew thoroughly so you don't get an upset stomach.”
“Yes!”
The adults clinked their glasses, using the sight of the children eating as a side dish to their drinks. It was a picture of perfect harmony.
“Saving Yuria was one thing, but this scene wouldn't exist at all if not for Young Master Jin,” Casimir remarked.
“You’re absolutely right, Sir Casimir. It’s thanks to the young master that people who would never have met are gathered here as a family. Ah, this is sweet, truly sweet. The alcohol tastes incredible today. It’s a shame the young master isn't here, though.”
Since the terror at the Sword Emperor Castle, the companions in Tikan were finally enjoying their first moment of true leisure. While staying at the Sword Emperor Castle, they had accumulated a mountain of unfinished business and information that needed investigating.
“I’m sad that Uncle—no, Big Brother Jin isn't here today,” Yuria said, and the other children and companions nodded in agreement.
“Auntie Strawberry Pie, too,” Pinte added.
“And Nabi,” said Kou.
“Yes, we miss them too,” Alisa said gently. “Is it delicious?”
“Yes!”
“The young master said he was supervising the Guardian Knight promotion exams, right?” Enya asked.
“That’s right, Miss Enya. As expected, you have his schedule memorized,” said Scott. “It seems he intends to keep the Elder Council in check so the promotions don't just go according to their whims. Lord Murakan said he’d attend as well to lend weight to the young master’s words.”
The companions couldn't see the scene themselves, but it was easy to imagine Murakan causing a ruckus—shouting about how he was the family’s guardian deity and a Great Black Dragon.
“Lord Murakan is probably the only one in the world who can give the Runcandel Guardian Knights a dressing-down,” Kuzan mused.
“He did mention he was itching to give the Elder Council a similar workout soon,” Beris added with a smirk.
The companions snickered, then smacked their lips regretfully. Thinking that Jin, Murakan, and Gilly were the only ones missing out on this intimate, warm moment made them feel almost apologetic.
“Next time, we should invite the Ghost Captain along with the young master for a meal,” said Scott.
“I heard he acted like a total mad dog at first, but this time he risked his life to protect the young master. Hehe, he’s more than qualified to be my successor,” Jet boasted.
“Jet. If you say that somewhere else, you might disappear without a trace,” Beris warned. “I might let it slide because it’s cute, but Rata Prochi isn't that kind of person.”
“If he were standing in front of you, you’d have lost at least a few fingers by now,” Kuzan chimed in. “Do you think the Ghost Captain is a pushover?”
At Kuzan and Beris’s words, Jet replied without a hint of embarrassment.
“I’m just trying to act tough for once. Why be so picky, you guys? Come to think of it, you two are my successors as well.”
On the other hand, Julian, who was sitting beside them, gave Jet a quiet nod as if in agreement. His guardian dragon, Kaltor, had yet to wake up, despite Quicantel feeding him elixirs brewed daily. However, ever since the day Jin brought back Ozdok’s inner core, Julian had maintained an extremely favorable attitude toward all the companions.
As the conversation flowed, Alisa brought out more alcohol and looked at her comrades.
“After today, things are going to get hectic again for a while. You all realize that Young Master Jin is quite worried about Tikan, right?”
As she said, Tikan was currently one of Jin’s greatest concerns.
Since his declaration as a Flagbearer, the family feud had intensified in earnest. Recently, there had been a psychological battle with the Emperor, and Zipple and Kinzelo were continuously making suspicious movements.
It was no exaggeration to say that the whole world now knew Tikan was Jin’s base of power. In truth, it wouldn't be strange for them to be attacked at any moment.
“Fortunately, Runcandel can't strike us directly because of Young Master Jin,” Casimir said. “He said he’d send reinforcements from the Ghost Corps soon, but we can't just rely on him for everything. We need to make our own preparations.”
Of course, those residing in Tikan possessed power that exceeded the military of most small nations. However, their greatest weakness was the sheer lack of combat personnel. While their individual martial prowess was exceptional, they were only strong when compared to small nations.
“The war and disaster preparedness system the young master has been working on since he was a reserve flagbearer is nearing completion,” Scott noted.
“That alone isn't enough, honey,” Alisa countered. “Besides, that system is specialized for escape, not defense or counterattack. Hmm, maybe I should really track down some juniors who were discarded by the Imperial Palace and train them up again.”
“Special Task Force dropouts are too dangerous,” Casimir said.
“I know, I’m just venting. If I could have it my way, I’d even hire the Great Mercenary Amela.”
Amela of the Gaifa Archipelago. She was a figure who vied for the top spot among the world’s top three mercenaries, alongside the Black King Commander.
“I don't know about Amela, but I’ve been considering the Black King Corps,” Casimir mused. “I should meet with the Black King Commander before the young master arrives.”
Creak—
As Casimir finished speaking, someone approached the group with light, cheerful footsteps.
“Dessert is served! Special Litra Cookies! Crunchy, crispy, and far too dangerous for children—the fatal taste and texture!”
It was Latri. At his appearance, the children’s eyes instantly glazed over in anticipation, and even the adults smacked their lips.
“Give me some!”
“Me too!”
As the children rushed forward, Latri wore a deeply satisfied smile.
But a moment later, as he was handing out the cookies, Latri’s expression contorted in horror as his gaze shifted to Yuria.
Unlike the other children, Yuria hadn't rushed over for cookies. She was staring into empty space with hollow eyes.
“Yu—Yuria!”
The moment Latri shouted, the companions knew.
The Authority of Az Mil was manifesting.
Though she was much better than when she was very young, Yuria still couldn't fully control Az Mil’s power—a side effect of glimpsing too much of the future during her infancy.
Latri quickly tried to initiate a 'Resonance,' but it didn't happen as easily as it had when she was a toddler.
“Lord Latri! Is Yuria going to be okay?!” Alisa cried out.
“I might have to transform into my true form to enter her mind…”
“No, it’s okay, Latri.”
It was Yuria’s voice. She was still staring at the future unfolding in her mind, but unlike before, she seemed aware of the boundary between what she was 'seeing' and the present.
“Can you hear my voice, Yuria?” Latri asked urgently.
“Yes, I can hear you.”
“Are you in pain? Do you see something terrible?”
“I don't see anything like that yet.”
Latri and the companions exchanged glances.
Soon, Latri sat cross-legged in front of Yuria and closed his eyes. Resonance still hadn't occurred. Instead, Latri decided to calmly ask what she was seeing.
“Yuria, tell me what you see.”
“Tikan…” Yuria answered in a hazy, dreamlike voice, as if intoxicated by sleep.
“Where in Tikan? Our mansion? The tea house? The streets?”
“Everything. I see everything… like I’m looking from far away.”
“Are you riding something? Like Lord Murakan, or me?”
“Neither.”
“Then what do you think it is?”
There was no answer for a while. She was concentrating, trying to identify the exact perspective Az Mil’s power was showing her.
“A ship… it’s a ship. A small ship. And…”
Aaaah!
Suddenly, Yuria let out a piercing scream and snapped her eyes open.
Latri and the companions embraced her simultaneously. She was trembling as if she had seen a truly terrifying sight.
“Tikan is…” Yuria continued in a shaking voice. “Going to be attacked.”
“When?” Quicantel demanded.
“Now.”
BOOM—!
No sooner had Yuria finished her sentence than a distant explosion echoed from outside the mansion. A vibration followed, as if a minor earthquake had struck.
Something with considerable power was striking the outer walls of the Free City.
“Is—is it ship cannons? Mana bombs?” Jet shouted, reflexively checking the window.
But Quicantel and the other martial artists already knew. That wasn't the sound of siege weapons.
What was attacking the Free City was a warrior’s sword energy. And not just one—multiple sources, all at 9-star or higher.
“Get the children to safety! Everyone, prepare for battle!” Quicantel roared. “These aren't ordinary foes! Contact Jin and the Ghost Corps immediately!”
Even as she shouted, the explosions and vibrations continued to roll in.
*
At the Central Training Ground of the Garden of Swords, Guardian Knights were undergoing their promotion exams in a solemn atmosphere.
Jin and Murakan sat opposite the Elders, observing the evaluations. It was a strategic position intended to grade not only the Guardian Knights but also the Elders who were evaluating them.
“Those Elder bastards… if you weren't here, they would’ve only promoted the ones who fit their tastes perfectly,” Murakan grumbled. “It’s a problem that the family has too many geniuses. Even with this kind of corrupt management, they’re overflowing with exceptional knights. Tsk.”
“The ones who were skilled but failed to promote were being absorbed by the various Flagbearers anyway,” Jin noted. “Hmm, that fellow over there looks promising.”
While Jin and Murakan were picking out the best of the best, someone rushed into the training ground.
Clack!
It was Butler Petro.
Petro maintained as calm a face as possible to avoid alerting their enemies, but Jin saw right through to his anxious and unsettled heart.
Young Master, an emergency signal has come from Tikan.
The moment Petro approached and whispered in his ear, Jin almost failed to hide his expression.
Instead, he calmly asked for details.
What exactly does it say?
They say warriors of 9-star or higher have invaded. There have been no further signals yet.
If there were no further signals by the time he reached the teleport gate, it meant the situation was so dire that they couldn't even send one.
You’ve contacted the gatekeepers, I assume?
Of course.
We leave immediately. Also, are any of my allies currently near Tikan?
If not, he felt as though something terrible was about to happen.
But perhaps it was a stroke of luck in the midst of misfortune. Petro gave this answer:
Young Masters Daytona and Heitona have been stationed near Tikan for several days, waiting for a chance to see you.