Chapter 454: New Year, False Rumors, and Major Construction (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 454: New Year, False Rumors, and Major Construction (3)
*
January 1, 1800.
A new year had dawned.
The residents of Tikan were gathered at the Litra Tea House, celebrating the turn of the year with a modest gathering. The pleasant sound of children crunching on snacks filled the air, while candles placed throughout the room cast a vibrant, multicolored glow. The aroma of baking bread and cookies—magical scents conjured by Latri in the kitchen—was enough to make anyone’s mouth water, regardless of age.
The scene was one of simple, yet sophisticated, New Year’s bliss. Pupi, the old dog, let out a long yawn and padded over toward the children.
This was because the tables where Pupi had been resting were now occupied by rugged men with dark expressions that stood in stark contrast to the warm atmosphere. They hadn't even changed out of their blood-stained clothes, and their disheveled hair remained uncombed.
Scowling, they tapped their fingers on the tables, their entire bodies radiating profound displeasure.
They were the Captain and executives of the Black King Corps. Their refusal to change was their own way of showing loyalty—a sign that they were still fighting alongside Valkas, who remained in a coma.
The reason they were here in Tikan on New Year’s Day instead of the Vise Kingdom was simple: they were unable to reclaim the ruined Black King Mountain Fortress.
To be precise, that right had been usurped.
By Runcandel.
1800: As a New Century Begins, the Star of Runcandel’s 12th Flagbearer Shines Brightest.
The World's Greatest Mercenary Group, the Black King Corps! Why They Were Incorporated Under the 12th Flagbearer.
Black King Commander Valkas Kran Revealed to Have Secretly Sworn Loyalty to the 12th Flagbearer in Tikan Free City…
Runcandel: The New Masters of the Vise Kingdom's Black Pearl, a Prize No Other Great Power Could Claim.
1799 Was the Year of Jin Runcandel. Will That Momentum Continue?
The War Between the 12th Flagbearer and the Black King Corps Was One of the Greatest Events of the Past Century. The Victors: The 12th Flagbearer and Runcandel.
The Sovereign of the Skies, the Great Black Dragon! Murakan Lets Out His Terrifying Roar Once More.
The Dragon Among Dragons, Ruler of the Firmament. The Name Even Zipple Fears! MU-RA-KAN.
“Phew…!”
“Ha!”
The members of the Black King Corps let out sighs and groans as they read the newsletters scattered across the table. They couldn't fathom how every single sentence could be so galling and infuriating.
They wanted to march straight to Runcandel and demand answers. How could the family think so little of them to pull such a stunt? When had they ever said they would serve the 12th Flagbearer?
After the articles were published, Runcandel had dispatched knights and personnel to prevent the Black King Corps from managing the recovery of the Black King Mountain Fortress. Publicly, Runcandel claimed to be acting as a sovereign house, stepping in to help the “disoriented Black King Corps.”
In reality, it was a declaration that the Black King Corps now belonged to Runcandel and must follow their lead. It was a calculated move to solidify the group's affiliation in the eyes of the world.
Their insides boiled with rage.
Losing their home in an instant was hard enough, but to endure such shame on top of it…!
Crunch!
Grind!
The sound of children snapping cookies and the sound of mercenaries grinding their teeth played in sharp contrast. It was as if a line had been drawn down the middle of a canvas, with two completely different pictures painted on either side—the Tikan family on one, and the Black King Corps on the other.
“Why the long faces, friends?”
A man walked over from the Tikan side and sat down at the Black King Corps' table.
“Our lord has provided such a wonderful spread. Is it right to sit there looking like you’ve chewed on a bug? Did you lot ever taste cookies this good during your mercenary days? This is a first for me.”
It was Ghost Captain Rata Prochi. He had come to pay his New Year’s respects to Jin.
His sister, Fey Prochi, stepped up beside him and added her own comment.
“Exactly. Don’t make such terrifying faces in front of the kids. It makes me want to rip them right off.”
The Ghost Captain's group and the Black King Corps had never been on good terms. Rata, in particular, had long been ranked the lowest among the World’s Top 3 Mercenaries and had been waiting for any chance to flip that narrative. Now that he was Jin’s confidant, that old ambition had faded, but seeing the Black King Corps acting this way was simply absurd to him.
“What did you say?”
“That’s ‘What did you say, sir,’ friend. Excluding Sir Valkas, none of you outrank me. Since we’ll be breaking bread together from now on, shouldn't we get the hierarchy straight?”
“Breaking bread? Who said we’re breaking bread with the likes of you!”
As an executive shouted, a flicker of ghostly killing intent appeared in Rata’s eyes. The executive flinched, and the other captains narrowed their eyes. Rata let out a smirk, as if deciding to be patient.
“I get how you feel, but listen. Now isn't the time for this. Why are you so bad at reading the room? When Sir Valkas wakes up, what kind of decision do you think he’ll make? Do you really think he’ll say he’s going back to being a neutral power?”
A tense atmosphere settled between Rata and the Black King Corps. As Rata said, Valkas had yet to regain consciousness.
Immediately after the incident, Jin had taken Valkas and the Black Knight straight to the Holy Kingdom. He had judged that no one but Holy King Rani could neutralize Zephyrin’s poison.
Even for Rani, however, pure divine power wasn't enough to fully cure them this time. She had requested approximately five hundred different medicinal ingredients for the treatment, some of which were so rare that even Runcandel classified obtaining them as a 1st-Class mission.
Because of this, Jin and several of his companions had spent their days in a frantic blur right up until New Year’s Day. They had explored the remote corners of the world, traversing dangerous regions and unprotected territories to gather the herbs.
Rata, the Ghost Captains, and Kuzan had suffered the most during this ordeal.
However, Rata had no intention of telling that to the Black King members who were currently trembling with suppressed rage. He believed he had endured those hardships for his lord, not for them.
“…Sir Rata, do you truly believe our Commander will serve the 12th Flagbearer?”
“I do. I hate to admit it, but Sir Valkas is superior to me in every way. Martial prowess, social maneuvering, judgment, experience… though I think my temper is probably worse. And I might have more guts.”
“And you’re better looking, brother,” Fey added.
Strangely, as she said it, she made a gagging gesture. The siblings were usually very close, but it seemed they didn't actually consider each other beautiful. It was more of a courtesy in front of others.
“Anyway,” Rata continued. “Do you think a man like Sir Valkas would miss what I’ve seen? Becoming our lord’s strength is the best and only choice right now. If the Black King Corps just throws a tantrum, you’ll be abandoned by both Runcandel and Zipple. That leads straight to ruin.”
“That is a matter for the Commander to decide once he wakes. It is not for you to meddle in.”
“Fine. But you bastards have been using a tone that’s been getting on my nerves for a while now…”
“You there, mercenary scum. Do you think you’re the only ones here? Know your place. If you think the Secret Palace is a joke, shall we give you a lesson?”
It was Ryu and Hiten of the Secret Palace 7 Swords, who were stationed in Tikan by Talaris’s order. They were sitting on the Tikan side, enjoying tea and cookies.
“Ha! What? Say that agai—!”
Creeeak!
Just as Rata and the Black King members were about to snap, the door opened and a voice rang out.
“Hey, what is this! Why is the place full of such gloomy bastards on New Year’s Day? Huh? Are you punks fighting? Did you seriously start a fight? With kids playing right over there?”
It was Murakan. At the sound of his voice, Rata and Fey immediately bowed in respect, while the Black King members cleared their throats and looked away.
“Our apologies.”
“Quicantel, why didn't you say something to them? They’re making a mess on the first day of the year.”
“I left them alone because I was afraid I’d kill them if I started hitting them,” Quicantel replied calmly.
“Ah, right. Good call. Latri, bring out some cookies. Hurry. The smell is fantastic.”
Quicantel added, “I was also curious to see how far they’d push their luck.”
Beside Murakan stood Jin, Valkas—who was covered in bandages—and the Black Knight, who was also wrapped in bandages and carried on a litter. Holy King Rani followed, her hood pulled low.
The Black Knight was still unconscious.
As Rani lowered her hood, a deep and divine energy seemed to illuminate the teahouse. Faced with that strange majesty, the mercenaries instinctively bowed their heads. Knowing that she was the one treating their Commander made them bow even deeper.
“We greet the Holy King!”
“I am here today as a friend of Tikan. It is burdensome, so please, raise your heads.”
Rani then shrugged as she looked at Jin and Valkas.
“By the looks of the atmosphere, it seems you two have some work ahead of you. Anyway, give me some cookies. I have to eat and get back to lead the New Year’s Consecration Ceremony.”
She had snuck away to Tikan during a break in the ceremony. As Rani naturally blended in with the Tikan family to exchange New Year’s greetings, the Black King members raised their voices.
“Commander!”
“Are you alright!”
“I’m fine, so stop making a fuss. And all of you, fix your attitudes.”
At Valkas’s words, the Black King members straightened up in unison and bowed their heads.
“Would you like to speak, or shall I, Sir Valkas?” Jin asked.
Jin and Valkas had already finished discussing the future of the Black King Corps before arriving.
“I will speak. It seems this is my last chance to speak as the independent leader of the Black King Corps.”
The Black King members’ eyes widened at his words, while Rata nodded as if he had expected it. The mercenaries hadn't imagined that Valkas would actually accept this forced choice.
Valkas, just as Rata had predicted, accurately recognized that this was the only way for the Black King Corps to survive.
“As of today, the Black King Corps serves the 12th Flagbearer as our lord. This does not mean he is a captain in the sense of the mercenary world, bound only by gold. It means we serve him as the sovereign of a blood alliance, bound by faith and loyalty.”
The Black King Corps placed even greater trust in Valkas than the Ghost Captains did in Rata. Though the members were bewildered by his sudden decision, they soon composed themselves and nodded.
“Yes, Commander!”
“And from this moment on, we will move all equipment from the Black King Mountain Fortress here, to Tikan Free City. This will involve a total renovation of the city, so everyone stay sharp and prepare to transport the gear.”
It was the moment Tikan’s ultimate defense system was decided.