Chapter 478: Times of Choice (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 478: Times of Choice (5)
"Elder Sister Mary’s ship?"
"Yep. It’s been a really long time since I last saw it. I think the name was… Puberty. Hee-hee, she named her ship Puberty."
"That is a strange name."
"Mary didn't name it herself. Brother Dipus did."
Mary’s sailboat wasn't particularly large, and it didn't even have its name painted on the hull. Like a ghost ship, there were no sailors to be seen on its deck.
Why is Mary coming to see me…? Ah, of course.
The duel.
Jin and Mary had a contract stating that 'the two shall duel once every three months.' Since their last duel had been during the subjugation of Ozdok at the end of August last year, it was indeed time for another round.
Hmm. Jin shook his head, a troubled look on his face.
A duel with Mary was an entirely different matter from taking a stroll with Yona. He needed to find a lead on something bigger than Amela as quickly as possible, and if he dueled Mary, his body would be in no condition to do anything else.
"And Mary’s Puberty rarely sails alone."
"Why is that?"
"Because she always brings along the subordinates she’s subjugated, hee-hee."
A figure appeared on the deck of the Puberty.
The distance was too great to confirm if she was wearing her signature pirate eyepatch, but the way she stood triumphantly at the bow, theatrically brandishing her sword, was unmistakably Mary Runcandel.
"JIIIIIIN! RUUUUUUN! CAAAAAAN! DEEEEEEEL!"
Mary called out her younger brother's name in a voice so booming it felt more like a destructive shockwave than a mere shout.
In fact, the wave of energy was so immense that it violently churned the surrounding waters. It was only natural that the residents of Tikan threw open their windows to find the source of the noise, their gazes fixed on Mary.
Jin couldn't help but press a hand to his forehead as a headache began to throb.
"Hee, Mary’s got quite the set of pipes, doesn't she?"
"It’s a bit more than just 'pipes,' don't you think? Anyway, fortunately, it seems she's alone for now—ugh, what is that?"
Swoooooosh!
On the empty sea where only the Puberty had been floating, a mass of white foam began to churn. It looked as if something massive was about to breach the surface.
The next moment, a fleet of what appeared to be over fifty ships erupted from the foam.
What, submarines? They don't look like them at all.
The vessels that surfaced were far too large and grand to be called submarines. They were so ornate that the already humble Puberty looked even more pathetic in comparison—which, ironically, only made the plain-looking sailboat stand out more.
It was impossible to tell how such a fleet had suddenly burst forth from beneath the sea, but the important thing was that Mary had chosen now of all times to visit.
"Bwahahaha! Arise, fleet of Mary Runcandel! Unfurl the sails!"
At Mary’s shout, the ships raised their masts in perfect unison and spread out like wings to the left and right of the Puberty. Every single unfurled sail was emblazoned with Mary’s face.
"Fire the celebratory cannons!"
Bang! Boom, boom! Bang! At Mary’s command, the entire fleet fired celebratory shots into the sky.
Even with the midday sun shining brightly, the noisy explosions dyed the nearby sea in a kaleidoscope of colors.
"Whoaaa!"
"So cool, Mary Runcandel!"
"What a spectacle!"
"Everyone, come out and see this!"
Though they had been startled by Mary’s thunderous voice at first, the residents of Tikan couldn't help but grow enthusiastic at the sudden naval show. Tikan was structured like a tower, and before long, residents had crowded the side facing Mary’s fleet, waving their hands and whistling.
Jin’s headache, however, was only getting worse.
He decided to ignore Mary for now.
"Um, let’s just get back to our walk."
"Sure, hee-hee. I should finish up before Mary arrives."
"Sister Mary is an uninvited guest, while you are a guest I personally invited. Mary can wait. Why are you worried?"
"Well, because I don't think Mary likes me very much. She probably hates me. Hee…"
Aside from Jin, Yona had failed to form a relationship with any of her other siblings. After committing her first murder at the age of eight, she had always been alone, both at the Storm Castle and the Garden of Swords. She hadn't even been able to participate as a cadet before being sent to Samil, and until then, she had never once shared a proper meal with her siblings.
That was Cyron’s will.
While the succession war was important, he had to prevent his other children from dying meaningless deaths at Yona’s hands. The young Yona was, of course, much more vulnerable to chaos than she was now. Back then, she could have easily killed all her other siblings. Even then, she was already one of the world's top assassins—an uncontrollable blade.
Yet, the reason Yona knew so much about things like the ship Mary used in her teens, or the story of how Dipus gave it the name Puberty, was simple.
It was because Yona had been watching her siblings whenever she had the chance.
The other siblings had no idea. They didn't know she was curious about them, or that she had occasionally felt the impulse to kill them. It was just as Jin hadn't known who the owner of the Green Rose was.
This was all thanks to Yona’s ability. Even if she approached with murderous intent, the only person in the world who could sense her presence and pinpoint her location was Cyron.
I’ve been getting along so well with her that I forgot for a moment. Come to think of it, Mary and Brother Dipus probably have no idea that Sister Yona knows the name of the ship and its origin.
Jin felt a bitter pang of pity for Yona.
"I think she’d actually like you rather than hate you. Sister Mary, I mean."
He wasn't just saying it to comfort her. Jin had often thought that Mary and Yona, his two rather unique sisters, would actually get along quite well.
"Hee, really?"
"Yes."
"I’m happy you said that, Jin. But Mary has never come to visit me."
— You're surprising me in many ways.
— Just think of it as me liking my brother too much. You have no idea how surprised I was when you came to Samil. Even that kind Sister Luna has never visited me.
— That’s a bit sad. Does Sister Luna dislike you?
— I don't think she likes me. I broke my promises a few times. No, quite a lot…
He recalled a past conversation he’d had with Yona in Samil. Just as she’d said, no one had visited Samil except for Anne in his previous life and Jin in this one.
Cyron’s strict order 'not to touch Yona' was the biggest reason, but it wasn't the only one.
Bonding.
It was impossible for any kind of bond to form between people who had never even shared a meal at the same table. Furthermore, Yona was an extremely dangerous individual. Her siblings had no reason to visit her, especially when it meant risking their own lives.
"Hee, anyway, it’s not like I have that much time. I’m fine! Don't make that face."
Just meet her. I’m sure Sister Mary would like it too.
He swallowed the words. It was unlikely, but if Mary showed even the slightest sign of discomfort, Yona would be deeply hurt all over again.
A better idea came to mind—a way for the two of them to form a relationship more safely in the future.
"...I understand."
Yona briefly turned her gaze toward Mary’s fleet, which was now approaching Tikan at high speed.
"Ugh, she’s getting close too fast. I guess I’ll have to give you the gist! Listen carefully, Youngest."
Jin nodded. The 'gist' she was referring to concerned chaos.
"First, Amela will never betray you now. To be precise, she can't betray you. I’ve completely subjugated her chaos. So you can feel safe using her however you want."
Yona spoke quickly, her discomfort growing as Mary drew closer.
"Bwahahaha! Youngest, you rascal! Hurry out and greet your sister! It’s a match! A duel!"
Mary, who couldn't possibly know how Yona felt, continued to shout. Yona was now fidgeting with her fingers and toes.
"And! Amela’s speech and behavior will become childlike. She’s around the same age as the Black King Commander, but you should think of her as a kid. Since she was born with chaos like me, only the part of her ego that wasn't eroded by it has aged."
Yona grabbed Jin’s arm and took a step back. Mary had almost reached Tikan.
"There you are, Youngest! Jin Runcandel, my proud brother! You punk, not even answering me. Increase speed! I need to see my brother up close!"
"Gwahahaha! You heard the Great Captain! Row faster, you morons!"
The answering pirate's voice was very familiar.
...Pirate King Cosmos? Did he become Mary’s subordinate?
While the situation was becoming increasingly confusing, Yona was leaning away as if she were about to bolt at any second.
"Sister Yona, are you really going to leave like this?"
"Hee, hee-hee. If you have anything else you're curious about, ask quickly, Jin!"
It didn't seem like he could hold her back.
"What exactly is chaos, Sister?"
"I can't tell you that! Anything else!?"
"How am I supposed to ask questions when you're backing away?! Forget it! Just explain it to me later when we hang out in Samil!"
By then, Yona had already put a good distance between them.
"Got it! Hee, then I’m going!"
"Wait, before you go, the Green Roses! Do you have any on you?"
"I do!"
"Leave them behind!"
"There are already a few in your pocket!"
When he reached into his pocket, he found five pairs of Green Roses tied together. Jin hadn't noticed her slipping them into his pocket at all, even though she'd been standing right beside him the entire time.
He looked up again to see Yona’s back as she leaped over the manor's wall. He couldn't help but chuckle as she turned back one last time to meet his eyes and give him a wink.
Sister Yona really is something else.
As soon as Yona left, Mary’s fleet arrived at Tikan.
Mary hadn't even headed for the harbor; she had simply stopped the fleet right in front of where Jin stood. She was planning to ignore all entry procedures and just leap from her ship to meet him.
"Youngest!"
"Sister Mary!"
"Finally answering! Wait just a moment, I’m coming up now! You better be ready for a match with your sister—"
"This is a warning! Do not jump up here!"
"What!?"
"Have you forgotten Father’s command? Without my permission, no Runcandel may set foot on Tikan soil!"
"...Are you seriously planning to break our contract? We agreed to fight once every three months!"
Even though her ship was right next to Tikan, Jin was at the very top of the city, so the two had no choice but to shout at the top of their lungs to communicate. And of course, all the residents who had come out to watch were privy to their entire conversation.
"It wasn't 'at least'! Check the contract. Anyway, not today! I'll contact you soon, and we can fight then!"
Mary scowled, clearly disappointed. This time, however, she had come prepared for such a response.
Soon, the corners of her mouth curled into a smirk.
"Really? Fine! Then I’ll head back!"
Her compliance was so uncharacteristic it made him uneasy.
"Even if we can't duel, have a cup of tea before you go!"
"It’s fine. You must be busy, so get back to work!"
"Well, if you say so! Safe travels!"
"Yeah! Oh, but wait. That’s a shame! I was going to give you a huge lead if you beat me this time!"
At those words, Jin felt as if he’d been hit in the back of the head with a hammer.
A lead more important than Amela…!
From the very beginning, Mary had come with a proposal Jin couldn't possibly refuse.