Chapter 456: New Year, False Rumors, Major Construction (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 456: New Year, False Rumors, Major Construction (5)
I headed straight for the temporary healing room set up in the mansion's basement.
The reason was simple: the toxic energy from Zephyrin still lingering in the Black Knight’s body was contaminating the air.
As I opened the door leading to the basement, a pungent, acrid smell wafted up from below—the scent of the toxins Kuzan had neutralized as they seeped from the Black Knight.
“You’ve arrived, Young Master.”
Kuzan spoke, his face etched with weariness. Beside him, the high-ranking healers sent by Rani and the poison masters of the Ghost Squad were slumped over, completely exhausted.
Nearly fifteen days had passed since the New Year began, and with the Black Knight having only just woken up, none of them had gotten a moment of proper sleep.
“Jet, take the healers to the recovery room. And for this month, quintuple the amount of gold we send to the Holy Kingdom.”
Five times the usual amount was a sum that would account for over thirty percent of the Holy Kingdom’s annual budget, but money was no object.
The more hype surrounded Jin, the faster the Gold Top Merchant Group's products flew off the shelves. Considering Rani’s recent contributions, even fifty times the amount wouldn't have felt like a waste, let alone five.
The moment news broke that the 12th Flagbearer of Runcandel had subjugated the Black King Corps, the managers of the Gold Top Merchant Group had smelled money like predators.
They immediately began selling "Black Dragon Murakan Limited Edition Cosmetics," produced in both luxury and standard versions.
The Gold Snow Tribe was even intentionally limiting sales volume to drive up the value of the limited editions. Consequently, long lines of customers stretched in front of the shops every day, and the limited editions were being traded on the black market for dozens of times their original price.
Those who couldn't get their hands on the limited editions flocked to other products—air fresheners, soaps, and even indoor slippers featuring images of Jin and Murakan.
Everything was selling out instantly. Money was pouring in like a waterfall.
“Yes, sir!”
“Kuzan, you go up and get some rest too. You can take Beris and go somewhere quiet for a couple of days.”
“I'll rest after the construction is finished, Young Master.”
“Heh, this guy is a complete workaholic. In that case, just have a quick drink with me tonight. I'll ask Sir Valkas and Sir Rata to join us.”
Kuzan, Jet, and the healers filed out of the basement.
Creeeak.
I opened the inner door and found the Black Knight sitting on the bed.
As Quicantel had mentioned on the way here, he still couldn't hold his body steady. But with the detoxification complete, all he needed now was medicine, rest, and time.
“Black Knight.”
As Jin approached, the Black Knight slowly raised his head.
His expression was dazed, like a man just roused from a long dream. Even with a 10-star Steel Body, fifteen days of potent toxins and aggressive treatments had ravaged his system. His strength had yet to return.
“Or perhaps, I should call you Dox McLoran?”
Dox McLoran.
That was the name I had discovered while he was unconscious.
A 12th Flagbearer's authority wasn't enough to access the personal information of a Black Knight. One had to be at least a 4th Flagbearer or hold an equivalent rank to view the records of an active Black Knight.
However, I didn't need to request information from the family to find Dox's name, as I had with Barton.
It was because he was a member of Gilly’s family.
“12th Flagbearer…”
Dox’s lips parted as he surveyed his surroundings. He instinctively reached for a weapon, only for the clank of chains to answer. Specially manufactured restraints were bound to his limbs as a precaution.
Jin unfastened the chains.
“I never thought I'd see a Black Knight in such a defenseless state. I imagine the feeling is mutual.”
Dox merely stared at Jin in silence.
He wasn't searching for the right words; he was focused on suppressing the residual toxins still writhing within him. It was also a moment to piece together the memories he hadn't been able to process since waking up.
What in the world happened? Damn it, for a Black Helmet to end up like this…!
He clearly remembered the moment he was ambushed by that strange mercenary, Zephyrin.
A shudder ran through his body as he recalled the chilling sensation of purple claws erupting from nowhere and piercing through him.
But the events that followed were a jumble of fragmented memories, like shattered glass.
My consciousness faded instantly from a poison I’d never encountered. That mercenary kept attacking, and I couldn't block because of the lethal toxin. I thought I was dead.
In truth, if Jin's party hadn't been there, the follow-up attacks would have finished Dox off.
And then… a strange space had formed, and the 12th Flagbearer, Murakan, and the Black King Corps fought to protect me.
The 12th Flagbearer saved me. Dox could easily reach that conclusion.
But why? He had no idea how the battle between Jin’s party, the Black King Corps, and Zephyrin had unfolded afterward.
Furthermore, he reasoned that if the enemy was strong enough to incapacitate him in a single blow, it would have been nearly impossible for the 12th Flagbearer and the Guardian Dragon to fight while also protecting him.
Therefore, the 12th Flagbearer should have abandoned him and fled, especially since he was in direct conflict with the 2nd Flagbearer.
Did he decide that protecting me was the right call for the family, putting it above his conflict with the 2nd Flagbearer? It might have been possible if he'd used the Black King Corps as a shield, but…
Did the 12th Flagbearer risk his life to save him—for the good of the family? Even though it was an act that would only help the 2nd Flagbearer?
A sudden headache throbbed through his brain, and Dox clutched his head.
“Urgh…!”
“Don't try to force the toxins out,” Jin said calmly. “I have no intention of torturing you for information about the 2nd Flagbearer or holding you prisoner, so relax.”
Screech. Jin pulled up a chair and sat down in front of Dox.
“Of course, I know torture wouldn't make a Black Knight talk, and even if I held you prisoner, Joshua wouldn't lift a finger to save you.”
“Did you… save me?”
“Yes. Murakan, the Black King Corps, and I fought off that monster to protect you.”
Dox let out a heavy breath.
“After we escaped, at my request, the Holy King herself treated you.”
Dox could easily imagine that much. No one in Runcandel was unaware of the relationship between Jin and Rani.
But Jin’s next words made Dox flinch, his eyes widening as he momentarily forgot his dignity as a Black Knight.
“However, even Rani couldn't fully cure you. So, I opened the Eternal Warehouse and used the last remaining Drop of Numerus's Blood in the Holy Kingdom.”
Cough! Hack!
He was so bewildered that he broke into a fit of coughing—something he hadn't done since the day he became a Black Knight.
“You were the one hit by that lethal poison; you should know best. No matter how great the Holy King's divine power is, that poison was incurable. Even with the Drop of Numerus's Blood, it still took you nearly fifteen days to wake up.”
“Ha, that’s…”
“Do you think I’m lying?” Jin asked, meeting Dox’s gaze.
Of course, it was a lie.
The blood of Numerus had never been used. Dox had recovered purely through Rani’s divine power and the resources of the Holy Kingdom.
But Dox had no reason to doubt him. Just as Jin said, it wasn't a stretch to believe that such a poison was incurable without something like a Drop of Numerus's Blood. He had never used such a relic himself, and with no one else to contradict the story, he had to take Jin at his word.
“Why? I can express my gratitude as a member of the family, but do you think I would swear my loyalty to you just for using a relic?”
He was a Black Knight. The Black Helmets were not so shallow as to betray their lord just because someone else saved their life.
At that, Jin let out a short laugh. He hadn't expected loyalty anyway; he’d only said it because it was a lie that cost him nothing.
“Loyalty? I wasn't expecting that. Before we continue, why don't you take a look at these?”
Jin handed over a stack of newsletters.
They were filled with articles praising Jin and Murakan, all written by Joshua’s propagandists.
What is this… These are definitely news outlets controlled by the 2nd Flagbearer. Did he order them to publish articles like this? Furthermore, there’s no mention of Zephyrin anywhere. It’s just full of news about the 12th Flagbearer and the Guardian Dragon taking over the Black King Corps.
From the moment he opened his eyes, the world was full of things he couldn't understand.
But the meaning of these articles was clear.
This isn't the result of some deal the 12th Flagbearer made using me as a bargaining chip. The 2nd Flagbearer thinks I'm dead. And he's decided that this is the best path for the family, even if it gives the 12th Flagbearer wings.
Dox thought he knew Joshua better than anyone.
He wasn't entirely wrong. After being assigned to Joshua with the consent of the Patriarch and the Acting Patriarch, he had served him as a Black Knight from the closest possible proximity.
“I don't need to explain why Joshua published these articles, do I?”
“…I think I understand. Zephyrin escaped, so you took credit for subjugating the Black King Corps. The 2nd Flagbearer is publishing these articles because he doesn't know the truth.”
“Exactly. But even if you tell Joshua about Zephyrin’s existence, nothing will change. And if you return, Joshua will no longer trust you.”
That was exactly the kind of person Jin knew Joshua to be: someone who never trusted anything that had once slipped from his grasp, regardless of the reason.
Much less a Black Knight, presumed dead, returning with a tale about being ambushed by a new mercenary from the Black King Corps and then being saved by the 12th Flagbearer…?
For Joshua, that would only disrupt his calculations. He has already secured the family's prestige and practical gains by accepting the loss of a Black Knight. Above all, it’s impossible for him to trust a Black Knight who returned after being saved by me.
—Losing a Black Knight is an unspeakably painful matter, but the family must gain the maximum practical benefit from this incident.
Those were the words Joshua had spoken to Howard.
Jin hadn't heard those words directly, but his assessment of Joshua was dead-on.
“…Think what you like. What do you intend to do with me now?”
“What do you think I'll do? I'm sending you back to Joshua. Whether he trusts you again is his problem. You won't betray him anyway. Joshua and I are fighting a war for succession, but in the grand scheme of things, you are one of the family's most vital assets. That's why I used a relic to save you.”
“Are you serious?”
“I am. But first, I must be paid for saving your life. Once you've recovered, but before you return to Joshua, you will carry out one order for me.”
Dox looked up at Jin.
A sudden command—he couldn't immediately grasp the 12th Flagbearer’s true intention.
“Let me be clear: it's your choice whether or not to carry out that command. But if you refuse… well, once I take control of the family, you'll have to deal with how I remember this day.”
“You speak as if you’re certain to become the Patriarch.”
“The future is uncertain, isn't it? So, what will it be? It's not a difficult command—a small price to pay for the life of a Black Knight.”
Dox had no reason to refuse right now.
If he refused and Jin’s attitude changed, he would be at a dead end.
He could decide whether to obey after he had recovered and was safely away from this place.
“Fine, I accept. Tell me what the command is.”
At those words, Jin smirked.
“As soon as you recover, head to Ricalton, a city in the southern region of Huphester. Investigate the truth of what is happening there and bring me the report.”
Ricalton.
That was the land suspected of being the source of the ‘human materials’ Joshua used for his clones.