Chapter 48: The Banquet (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 48: The Banquet (3)
The senior butlers continued their report, their faces stiff with tension.
“There are five in total. Andrei Zipple, the Vice-Patriarch, is leading the retinue himself.”
Andrei Zipple, the Vice-Patriarch of the Zipple Clan.
He bore the epithet ‘Wind King.’ True to his name, he was the contractor of Melzaier, the God of Wind, and a man blessed by the Wind Dragon, Buretta.
He was second only to one man and above all others within the Zipple Clan. A 9-star mage capable of annihilating several small nations overnight, and he had just arrived at the Runcandel estate without any prior notice.
Andrei Zipple, huh…
Before his regression, when Jin had been a mere student of magic, Andrei had been an object of envy, much like Veradin.
Had it been the Jin of his past life, his heart would have hammered against his ribs at the news that a Great Mage—one even his own magic teacher revered—was nearby.
But he’s more ill-mannered than I thought.
Now, the man was nothing more than an arrogant, uninvited guest.
Whether he was a Great Mage or the grandfather of all Great Mages, a visit to the sacred Garden of Swords demanded proper etiquette and a measure of caution.
Even Kelliark Zipple, the Patriarch of the Zipple Clan, who visited twenty years ago, and the Emperor of the Viment Empire, who visited twelve years ago, had maintained a minimum level of decorum.
Glancing sideways, Jin saw that Cyron shared his sentiment.
“Arrogant fool.”
The guests on the first floor looking up at Cyron didn’t know the details of the situation, but those quick-witted enough to sense the change in his expression were instantly gripped by tension.
The butlers waited for Cyron’s response, their heads slightly bowed.
“Heinz.”
The white-haired senior butler in the center leaned toward Cyron.
“Yes, Patriarch.”
“Tell Andrei Zipple to get lost. Only the retinue he brought is to be allowed inside. And don’t tell him yourselves—send the servants to deliver the message.”
Jin, listening from the side, nearly choked back a laugh.
It was true that Andrei’s visit was disrespectful, but to turn him away at the door with such a humiliating snub… It was a display of power only a true sovereign could afford.
“Understood.”
Heinz replied in a calm voice.
As the butlers departed, Cyron turned back to Jin, his expression significantly softened.
“Do you think my treatment was too harsh?”
“I found it quite satisfying. Andrei Zipple is going to be in a rather difficult position now.”
“In what way?”
“Since you ordered that only his retinue be allowed in, he must comply. If he leaves with his people out of spite, he would be defying the Runcandel Patriarch’s permission for them to enter. That is something that can never happen here in the Garden of Swords.”
“Haha, I didn’t expect you to think that far ahead. Indeed. Andrei will do as I say. If he doesn’t, he’ll have to crawl back with both his legs severed.”
Had Andrei visited any other family, the hosts would have been walking on eggshells, serving him with the utmost devotion.
However, no matter how great a mage he was, he was just a human before Cyron, who had reached the realm of a demigod. A slightly strong human, at best.
Furthermore, the Zipples would not start an all-out war even if Cyron crippled Andrei. Instead, they would wait, biding their time to take revenge only after Cyron eventually passed away.
About twenty minutes later, four more people entered the banquet hall. They were the Zipple retinue. As the Patriarch had commanded, Andrei himself was not in attendance.
With the exception of one, the Zipple subordinates looked around cautiously, clearly on edge. They all appeared to be in their late teens or early twenties.
Seeing this, Cyron clapped his hands once with a satisfied look.
Clap!
The sound echoed through the hall, as resonant as the boom of a drum. Every guest on the first floor who had been chatting amongst themselves immediately turned their attention to Cyron.
The Zipple youths looked on with worried eyes, fearing Cyron might rebuke them. Of course, Cyron wasn’t paying them any mind.
In the ensuing silence, Cyron looked down at the guests.
“I thank you all for coming. I am Cyron Runcandel, Patriarch of this clan. Having gained a rather fine son in my later years, I am able to share a drink with such welcome guests. For that, I first offer my thanks to Jin Runcandel.”
Clap, clap, clap, clap!
Formal applause and cheers followed, as was customary at any banquet.
However, Runcandel banquets were famous for being unique: the greetings were short, no gifts were accepted, and the atmosphere was unlike any other.
“As you all know, there are only two rules to follow at a Runcandel banquet. First, if a fight breaks out while drinking, follow the Guardian Knights to the dueling grounds. Second, the loser must accept defeat, and the winner must show mercy. It is a banquet, after all.”
People called Runcandel banquets the ‘Single-Log Bridge Party.’
Over a thousand influential figures who dominated the continent were gathered here, and many of them shared various grudges and debts.
If they met at an ordinary party, they would glare and engage in a war of nerves before going their separate ways. But a banquet hosted at the Garden of Swords was different.
If enemies locked eyes while sipping wine, they could simply head quietly to the dueling grounds.
The only rules were: no killing, and accept the result.
While not being able to kill one's enemy might be disappointing, the winner could still feel quite satisfied after giving them a thorough thrashing. It was also an official way to determine who was superior.
“Now, enjoy yourselves.”
“Whoo!”
Another round of cheering erupted. Jin felt a shiver run down his spine as he looked at the flushed faces on the first floor. A thrilling, electric sensation coursed through his body.
Seriously… this family is insane.
And he was an undeniable member of that insane family.
“You go and mingle. If you find someone you like, take them to the grounds. However, you are not to pick on anyone who looks weaker than you—unless that person has insulted you or the clan.”
“Yes. And I assume I must never lose.”
“That goes without saying. If you do, I will reclaim everything I’ve given you. Not just Bradamante, but even your nanny.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Cyron descended to the first floor and began to mingle with the guests. Although the banquet was for Jin, he had no intention of dragging his son around to show him off.
Jin let out a short chuckle as he watched his father’s back. As he headed down the opposite staircase, a thought suddenly occurred to him.
…Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve had a conversation like this with Father.
It was something he couldn't have even dreamed of in his past life, yet they had just spoken like a fairly normal father and son.
He cleared the strangely heavy feeling in his heart with a single breath.
Fatherly affection and being a beloved son were not his goals for this life.
Surpassing you, Father—that is the only thing that matters.
The son didn't quite realize that this was exactly what Cyron wanted most from his children.
As soon as Jin stepped onto the first floor, countless gazes snapped toward him. Various groups openly or subtly scrutinized him.
It was a sight to behold.
Was that pretty, youthful boy really a 5-star knight? The guests' curiosity-filled eyes seemed to ask that very question.
What should he do?
Should he walk among them like a lion, with a confident expression and a dignified stride? Or should he go around greeting people like an innocent child, thanking them for coming?
Jin smiled to himself, imagining actions he had no intention of performing.
He planned to simply stand in the middle of the central hall with an indifferent expression. His place today was the center, and it would remain so in the future.
The host simply stays put.
It was the guests who had to come to him.
Jin picked up a glass of wine from a passing servant’s tray. A famous vintage that even wealthy noble families would only uncork on special occasions was being poured like water.
“Ha, haha… Youngest, congratulations.”
“Is it okay if we stand next to you for a bit?”
The first to approach Jin were none other than the Tona brothers. Jin gave a bright smile to his older brothers as they stood side-by-side.
“Of course. How is the Blue-Eye Stone training going?”
As Jin welcomed them warmly, the Tona brothers’ faces lit up.
They were children at heart. In a place with so many powerful people, the Tona brothers wanted to use Jin’s halo to puff out their chests. They wanted to show everyone, ‘Hey, we’re close with this guy.’
It was also an instruction from Emma.
Since they had completely fallen out of favor with Myu and Anne, she had ordered them to get on Jin’s good side. Jin, of course, had anticipated all of this and decided to dial back his hostility toward Emma for the time being.
She was an unpleasant woman, but she seemed to be among the most quick-witted in the Runcandel family.
“It’s getting better and better! It’s much easier now that we’ve switched our weapons to a greatsword and a chain sword, on Uncle Zed’s recommendation.”
“Really? That’s good to hear. I’m always rooting for you two, you know that, right?”
“Of course! With you around, we feel reassured, too!”
Having said that, Daytona mustered his courage and draped an arm over Jin’s shoulder.
Jin found his brothers’ desperate desire to show off by using him rather cute, so he let the arm stay.
However, he didn't forget to whisper, “Leave once you’ve shown off enough. And tell Emma I hope she continues to make good use of that quick wit of hers.”
Daytona, barely managing to maintain his composure, nodded. After chatting with Jin for about five more minutes, they excused themselves.
Once the Tona brothers broke the ice, the guests who had been watching for an opening began to approach Jin one by one.
Thanks to the Tona brothers, the guests realized that Jin wasn't as prickly as Luna had been. Most of the guests gathered here had also attended the banquet celebrating Luna reaching 5-star nineteen years ago. They all remembered just how incredibly sharp and cold she had been back then.
“A pleasure to meet you. I am Julado Ken of the Ken family.”
“The pleasure is mine, Sir Julado Ken. Is the food to your liking?”
“A pleasure. I am Siger Ken, also of the Ken family.”
“Nice to meet you. I am Jin Runcandel. I’ve wanted to meet the members of the Ken family, famous for their spearmanship, for some time now.”
“Hah! I rushed here the moment I heard the young master of Runcandel reached 5-star. Good to meet you! I am Johnsina Perel of the Dragon King Knights.”
“Ah, Sir Johnsina! My nanny often told me stories of your bravery when I was a child. It is an honor to meet you.”
As these warm, albeit formal, greetings were exchanged, a giant of a man suddenly ruffled Jin’s hair and shouted with feigned intimacy.
“Whoa, Jin Runcandel! I was so curious to see what kind of kid reached 5-star at fifteen. Hah, you really are just a kid, a total brat. Must be ten years younger than me. Nice to meet ya! My name is Uger.”
Uger didn’t state his family name, as if assuming Jin would naturally know him. He was a rising powerhouse of the Tuko family.
Perhaps because he had been put on a pedestal within his own family, he had forgotten that this was the Garden of Swords.
Jin gave a gentle smile and replied.
“Oh, sure. Nice to meet you, Uger.”
The atmosphere around them turned cold in an instant.