Chapter 444: To the Black King Corps (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 444: To the Black King Corps (5)
Jin recalled the Black Knight he had encountered in the hallway.
‘At the entrance of the reception room, that knight clearly said he was to meet the Black King Commander again in the morning.’
In a typical situation, one might assume it was merely a courtesy call after signing a contract, but this was no ordinary person—it was a Black Knight.
‘If the deal were already finalized, a figure of a Black Knight’s caliber wouldn’t be idling around here. This isn't the kind of place one lingers for leisure.’
Jin was certain. Valkas had not yet accepted the request Joshua had sent through the Black Knight.
Nevertheless, there were plenty of reasons for the Black King Corps to refuse Jin’s request.
In the current political climate, a person like Jin Runcandel was akin to a poisoned chalice.
Drinking from it carried a high probability of making enemies out of the world’s true supreme powers.
Though Jin was the brightest among the supernovas, it remained uncertain whether he could truly tear down the sturdy walls of the world’s rulers.
In fact, no one thought he could—unless they were close to him or knew his true potential.
Most people believed Jin’s future would end with him being crushed or absorbed by a larger star. No matter how brilliantly his achievements and successes shone, miracles were bound to end eventually.
The ordinary masses, who made up the majority of the world, could neither imagine nor believe in a continuous string of miracles.
The public still regarded Joshua Runcandel as the next master of the Garden of Swords, and that perception applied even to someone like Valkas Kran, who far exceeded the category of an ordinary man.
‘He seems reluctant to earn Joshua’s resentment by taking my request for no good reason.’
And it wasn't just Joshua.
Through the ‘Holy Kingdom Incident,’ Jin had left an indelible stain on the Zipple Clan, and recently, rumors had even circulated that he was on bad terms with the Viment Imperial Family.
The rumors stemmed from their recent meeting, after which the Emperor had bestowed nothing but gold upon Jin. Furthermore, the Emperor had ordered Viment’s newsletters not to feature the meeting on their front pages, implying it was not a significant event.
In short, Jin was on poor terms with the next Patriarch of Runcandel, the Zipple Clan, and the Viment Empire. It wouldn't be strange for anyone associated with him to suffer a terrible fate.
Valkas had summarized all these reasons with a single phrase: “You’re one step too late.” It was a firm refusal delivered without offending his guest.
Joshua, too, had not wounded Valkas’s pride by making a direct demand like, ‘Do not help Jin.’ The mere act of sending a Black Knight here served as a subtle warning.
Both men were displaying the conduct expected of seasoned and cunning power players.
‘I can’t afford to be reckless in the midst of this.’
A surge of annoyance rose within him, but he had to wait for an opportunity. To refuse a rejection in such a situation was the mark of an amateur and would only lead to negative consequences.
To change Valkas’s mind, Jin needed a trump card—something that would make the commander willing to become his potential ally despite all the risks. After all, ‘protecting Tikan’ was no simple request.
As of now, he held no such card.
Jin did not yet know Valkas Kran well, and since Valkas wasn't being particularly cooperative, the chances of obtaining such a card in the near future were slim.
Zephyrin.
He had information that the Black King Corps’ troublemaker might be a Demon Dragon, but that lead held little value for now.
If he investigated her without certainty and she turned out to be innocent, it would only trigger a severe backlash.
‘Should I wait to attempt recruitment until the Black King Corps grows stronger and the true faces of Joshua and the Zipples are fully exposed?’
He quickly reached a conclusion.
He hadn't come here with massive expectations in the first place. Jin was well aware of his own circumstances.
Of course, Jin was confident.
In the not-so-distant future, the day would come when the Black King Corps would seek him out first, or they would regret not taking today’s conversation further.
‘I’ll have to visit the Great Mercenary Amela of the Gaifa Archipelago. Seeing as a Black Knight came here, Joshua must have already sent someone to her as well.’
For Joshua, this was the first time in a long while that he had dealt Jin a meaningful blow.
It wasn't a fatal strike, but it was as irritating as a small thorn stuck in the sole of one's foot.
If both the Black King Corps and the Great Mercenary were taken off the table, Jin would have no choice but to rely too heavily on the Secret Palace to protect Tikan.
“One step too late, I see. Then it can’t be helped,” Jin said in a calm voice, causing Valkas to narrow his eyes.
“Ho, you back down quite easily.”
“It seems the rumors about me that reached you, Sir Valkas, weren't very favorable, given that you used the word ‘easily.’”
“Well, it’s not exactly that. I’ve heard many stories about how you achieve whatever you desire… I just said it because of that. Especially since the fellows in the 3rd Army seem to be quite fond of you.”
Glug, glug, glug…
Valkas took a glass from his drawer and poured some liquor as he spoke.
It was a gesture suggesting they stop talking business and share a light drink. In his own way, Valkas was showing goodwill.
Though he couldn't accept the request, he didn't dislike Jin as a person. In fact, Valkas thought that if Jin were the 2nd Flagbearer instead of the 12th, he would have joined hands with him in a heartbeat.
“Thank you, Sir Valkas.”
“Would the Black Dragon care for a glass as well? It is fine liquor.”
“Oh, give it here.”
The three glasses clinked together lightly, producing a pleasant sound.
Jin thought this situation wasn't entirely bad. Since the request had been shot down before it was even properly voiced, he could have been shown the door without another word.
“Dragons who have some connection with our mercenary corps have told me that Lord Murakan was once the strongest being in the world.”
Despite being the Commander of the Black King Corps, Valkas had not forgotten the simple ways to please those of higher status.
His initial, somewhat irreverent tone toward Murakan had also been intentional. Sometimes, lowering expectations slightly makes the ensuing conversation even more enjoyable.
“In the skies, that was certainly the case. I am the strongest in history and the greatest of all time.”
“Oho, so the stories of those dragons were true. But you speak as if you had rivals on the ground.”
“Rivals… there were a few who could be called that, though we never fought to a clear conclusion. I think I would have won if we had fought to the end, though.”
“If I were still in my hot-blooded youth, I would have challenged Lord Murakan right now. It is no easy feat to meet such a powerful and historical being.”
“Well… even in my era, a fellow like you would have held some sway.”
“Hehe, you flatter me.”
The Black King Commander refilled Murakan’s empty glass. He was satisfying the dragon’s sense of superiority without excessively demeaning himself.
‘Of all the strongest humans I’ve met, he has the most exceptional social finesse.’
In terms of individual martial prowess, Valkas was a superhuman who had reached 10-star long ago.
Usually, such superhumans did not display this kind of behavior.
It was because they had the confidence that they didn't need to walk on eggshells around anyone, and that even stronger individuals or factions couldn't touch them easily—a mindset of ‘if you mess with me, a lot of you will die too.’
Valkas was clearly different from other superhumans. He was still carefully walking a tightrope as a neutral party between the great powers, even though he was in a position to act exactly like other superhumans.
The reason was simple.
Black King Commander Valkas Kran cherished his subordinates dearly.
It was Valkas’s philosophy that if he put in a little extra effort, his men wouldn't have to be sacrificed needlessly in the wars of the great powers.
Jin saw right through Valkas’s heart.
It wasn't difficult. There could be no other reason for such an attitude from a man of Valkas’s stature.
‘I think I know why he bothered to start this drinking session with us.’
Furthermore, Jin was beginning to realize the significance of this gathering.
This drinking session would surely not stop until the morning sun rose—until Joshua’s Black Knight returned to this reception room.
Just as Joshua had sent a Black Knight to Valkas to subtly urge him not to get involved with Jin, Valkas intended to express his own stance by intentionally showing the Black Knight the three of them enjoying a drink together.
I won't go against your wishes for now, but I will continue to keep an eye on the 12th Flagbearer’s growth.
That was the message Valkas intended to send to Joshua.
Having reached this thought, Jin nodded inwardly.
‘It’s only a one-night meeting, but he is a man worth learning from.’
Jin naturally joined the conversation and began to drink. Murakan mostly led the talk, with Jin and Valkas chiming in.
They discussed the greatest warriors and mages Murakan remembered, the most prosperous eras, the most peaceful times, the biggest differences between dragons and humans, life and death, apples and watermelons, the most beautiful beasts, and more.
As all sorts of topics flowed in a stream of consciousness, the conversation shifted to Zephyrin around ten in the morning.
“How did that strange brat even join this place? The kid told me the Black King Corps is the best mercenary group in the world.”
“She might look a bit clumsy, but her swordsmanship is top-notch. I heard she’s self-taught, and I thought she was quite a genius.”
“What? She’s good with a sword? And a genius?”
“She lacks Aura, so she can’t show off her full destructive power. It seems she has a constitution that naturally struggles to accumulate Aura. I also find her to be a peculiar one in many ways.”
Creeak!
Coincidentally, Zephyrin entered the reception room at that moment. She carried the same Axe-Sword on her back that she had the previous night.
Beside her stood the Black Knight who was supposed to meet with Valkas in the morning.
Though hidden by his hood, he couldn't help but look displeased at the sight of the drinking party. He hadn't expected Valkas to act this way.
“Commander, I’ve brought the guest!”
“…Right, Zephyrin. But I believe the 2nd Captain was supposed to personally escort our guest this morning. Why did you come?”
“Ah, about that.”
Zephyrin shrugged with her characteristic cheerful and exaggerated gestures.
And then, Jin, Murakan, and Valkas could only doubt their own eyes at the scene that followed.
Thwack!
Suddenly, Zephyrin’s hand pierced through the Black Knight’s flank.
She had originally aimed for his heart, but the Black Knight had managed to react, resulting in a wound to his side.
Her purple fingernails—it was unclear when they had grown so long—looked like poisoned daggers. The Black Knight coughed up blood and hurriedly put distance between them.
“Cough, ack…!”
“Is there really a need for you to know?” she said, turning to Valkas. “Since you’re about to die anyway, Commander.”