Chapter 457: People with Good Intuition, People with Bad Intuition (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 457: People with Good Intuition, People with Bad Intuition (1)
In late January of 1800, Tikan Free City was still a whirlwind of activity as the equipment from the Black King Mountain Fortress was transported and installed.
Initially, the Guardian Knights sent by Runcandel had been a thorn in the side of the Black King Corps, a constant affront to their pride. Now, however, the mercenaries were finding their presence quite convenient.
With Runcandel knights standing guard in the Kingdom of Vise, no opportunistic pests dared to swarm the area.
If Runcandel hadn’t been there, Tikan’s own forces would have had to take on that role. Given the turbulent international climate following the sudden collapse of the Black King Corps, it would have been an exhausting task.
Above all, the corps members were pleased that the leadership of the Guardian Knights stationed in Vise had changed.
"Hmm, look at them. I thought they’d all be wearing the faces of sore losers, but they seem to have accepted defeat quite calmly. No, it's more than that… they almost look satisfied."
Crunch!
Mary spoke as she bit into an apple. The man standing beside her was, of course, Dipus Runcandel.
They had come to prevent any unfortunate incidents, specifically to stop other Flagbearers or the Elder Council—who had recently been put in their place by Jin—from trying to mishandle their youngest brother’s spoils of war.
And it was a good thing they did.
When they first arrived, Joshua’s knights had been treating the Black King Corps members with blatant disrespect. The mercenaries had gritted their teeth and endured the mistreatment, not wanting to drag their new lord into unnecessary conflict. It was only after Mary and Dipus arrived that they could finally work with peace of mind.
The two siblings had swiftly straightened out the Guardian Knights’ discipline. Their actions didn't stem solely from affection for their youngest brother.
It was more of a preemptive measure, born from an underlying anxiety that if someone clumsily provoked Jin again, there was no telling what catastrophe might befall the clan.
Even Mary, who could only be described as obsessed with fighting, believed that Runcandel needed a period of stability.
"Well, on the first day we came to act as their shield, they were all bristling with venom—not at Jin, but at the Second Flagbearer’s lackeys," Dipus said, catching the apple Mary tossed him.
For a while, the siblings sat perched on a tree, devouring dozens of apples as they watched the Black King Corps members work.
"If I’d known it would turn out like this, I would’ve taken on the Black King Corps myself. What a shame. I’m jealous! That lucky youngest of ours."
Mary was more envious of the fact that Jin had gotten to fight the Black King Corps than the fact that he now commanded them.
"Strictly speaking, our youngest didn't fight them alone. Without Murakan, this never would have happened."
"You never know. Murakan’s power was certainly on full display, but the way the Second Flagbearer’s scribes are churning out articles praising him is suspicious. It’s like they’re trying to completely erase Jin’s own accomplishments from the incident."
"You think they’re over-praising Murakan to downplay Jin’s strength?"
"That’s what I think. The Second Flagbearer, us, and everyone else at the estate that day… we all saw it with our own eyes, didn't we? How monstrous he was when he declared himself Patriarch."
The memory of Jin half-destroying the Garden of Swords with the Magic Sword Secret Technique: Karma Fire and Pluto's Sovereign Sword sent a thrilling shiver down her spine.
"He showed that kind of power right after his severed arms were reattached. The chances he was in peak condition were slim to none. He might have been at his absolute worst."
"Aren't you getting carried away? If he could cause that much chaos at his worst, the Patriarch's seat would already be his."
"But can't you just picture it?"
"Picture what?"
"The sight of him crushing the Black King Mountain Fortress all by himself. Unleashing that terrifying Magic Sword and Pluto Sword…"
Mary’s mouth watered as she imagined the scene, as if fantasizing about a delicious meal.
Dipus shook his head, but he couldn't deny his sister’s words. He could picture it all too easily.
In fact, it felt more absurd to think that the person who had single-handedly torn apart the Garden of Swords wouldn't be able to handle the Black King Mountain Fortress.
"If this was only possible because Murakan fought for him, would the Black King Corps be working with such satisfaction? Look at their eyes. They look like they’ve found a lord they can respect from the bottom of their hearts. For a brat who just hides behind his Guardian Dragon? Not a chance."
"You have a point."
"Besides, I've been watching closely for a few days… That equipment from the fortress? All the important pieces are strangely intact. I don't think that was just luck, either."
"…Are you saying our youngest might have controlled his strength during the fight? To make sure the valuable spoils weren't damaged?"
"Yeah."
Honestly, it was an absurd suggestion.
But in reality… it was strange. Among the most expensive and rare pieces of equipment, not a single one was damaged beyond repair.
The siblings had no way of knowing the truth.
It was purely a matter of luck.
On the day Zephyrin went on her rampage, her attacks had, by sheer chance, missed all of the Black King Corps' most valuable assets. To make matters better, even the constant landslides had failed to destroy them.
It was sheer, dumb luck!
Because she was discounting that incomprehensible level of fortune, Mary’s imagination was soaring. Even Dipus was starting to wonder, Could it be?
As silence fell between the siblings, the hearty labor songs of the Black King Corps echoed through the mountains.
"Anyway."
Crunch. Mary crushed the last apple core with her teeth and continued.
"We need to get stronger, Brother. My intuition is screaming it."
"What?"
"If we want to fight alongside—or against—that youngest brother of ours."
Whether to face him or to stand by his side—Dipus felt both possibilities were implied in her voice.
"You’ve always been thirsty for strength. You've never needed a reason before."
"A beloved younger brother and the ultimate rival, a mountain we must one day overcome! Ah, isn't it great? It’s thrilling."
Dipus felt a strange pang of bittersweetness, but he let out a short laugh.
"When you get back, you should get your head checked. I understand what you mean, though."
Mary’s eyes sparkled, and Dipus continued.
"For the time being, do whatever you want. Cause trouble, train however you like. I’ll take responsibility and clean up the mess."
"I knew it! Only you understand me, Brother!"
"Oh, so I'm 'your brother' only at times like this? When will you ever grow up?"
"No take-backs! Surely the great Fourth Flagbearer of Runcandel won't go back on his word. I’m leaving right now, so you take care of things here. And handle my duties for a while, too."
"Hey! Wait! Mary! Hey!"
Before Dipus could catch her, Mary was already sprinting down the mountain range. Her dash was so ferocious that trees snapped and clouds of dust billowed in her wake.
"Sigh… She won't cause the kind of uncontrollable trouble she used to, right? Maybe I should have chosen my words more carefully."
A sudden, intense feeling of dread prickled the back of Dipus’s neck.
*
Dox McLoran had still not fully recovered.
However, as soon as he reclaimed his claws and could move at about thirty percent of his usual capacity, Dox immediately left Tikan Free City. He left only a short note behind.
[I will not forget that you obtained the Blood of Numerus, that sacred relic, to save my life. I admit that without your efforts, I would have died a meaningless death, unable to dedicate what remains of my life to the clan.
Nevertheless, as a Black Knight, I cannot carry out your orders.
Instead, I will carry them out as Dox McLoran. I will send a letter as soon as I am finished. I hope this shows that I have not broken my promise and fled.]
Surprisingly, Dox had slipped out of Tikan without being detected by anyone.
This meant that the reverse was also possible.
The reason Joshua’s Black Knights hadn’t infiltrated Tikan until now was not due to a lack of ability, but because of Cyron’s orders.
'He’s not ungrateful. I didn't expect him to leave a gift like this.'
Jin was well aware that Dox had subtly revealed this fact by leaving in secret.
"Sir Valkas."
"Speak, my Lord."
"Once all the equipment is moved, how much can we improve Tikan’s security?"
"That depends on how much you are willing to invest, my Lord."
"Spare no expense. Manpower, money—provide whatever is necessary."
"My thoughts exactly. You understood the Black Knight's message. If a partially recovered Black Knight could slip out undetected, it goes without saying what a healthy one could do."
Valkas had accepted Jin as his lord, but he had also taken it upon himself to test him at every opportunity, like the veteran leader he was. Jin, for his part, quite liked the role Valkas had chosen.
"So, my Lord. What is next?"
When a force suddenly expands, the textbook move for a leader is to consolidate power and establish a hierarchy.
Valkas hoped Jin wouldn't give such a predictable answer.
"It is time to consolidate our forces and establish a hierarchy."
"Tsk."
"But that is not my job. Consolidation—or more accurately, setting the right atmosphere—will be handled by Tikan’s existing personnel. I will stay out of it. As for the hierarchy, that is up to each individual. I will not intervene at all."
"No intervention at all?"
"Now that we’ve suddenly become one big family, conflict is inevitable. If I step in, I’ll be forced to take a side. I will let the winners and losers establish the pecking order themselves. However, killing or crippling one another is forbidden. Anyone who breaks that rule will have me to answer to, personally."
Valkas couldn't help but applaud inwardly.
'No wonder Rata Prochi, that young mad dog, turned into a loyal pup. The boy the 3rd Army called the Young King ten years ago has now become a giant who commands even me and the Black King Corps.'
He suddenly recalled what Rata and Jet had said during a drinking session the previous night.
—Sir Valkas, you might be the lucky one here. I only realized the Lord's true value after losing my most cherished subordinate, having my only brother captured, and getting my ass kicked after picking a fight with him.
—As for me… haha, thanks to the Young Master, I literally went through hell. He was so convincing when he was acting as Veradin Zipple. I was a total bum when I first came to Tikan. I was living as a fairly prosperous parasite in the Akin Kingdom, but after getting involved with him, I finally became someone worthwhile.
—On the other hand, what did the Black King Corps really lose? Just a fortress and some reputation? Even then, almost all the important equipment is safe. And as for reputation… I am certain of it. When the Lord ascends to the throne of the world, the Black King Corps will gain a reputation dozens of times more brilliant than what they had before. The same goes for my friend Jet and me.
Valkas grinned.
"An excellent answer, my Lord. In that case, what is your task?"
Jin replied without a moment's hesitation.
"The Great Mercenary, Amela."
It was the correct answer.
"We must recruit her. If we can't recruit her, we must ensure she is thoroughly kept in check."