Chapter 752: Those Who Remain (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 752: Those Who Remain (2)
‘Knight King’ Balas Runcandel.
The moment he saw Jin, he burst into a boisterous laugh.
[Khahaha! I thought it would take another thousand years for someone of your caliber to appear in the clan after my grandson. Yet here you are, surprising your great-grandfather once again. Just like that brat, Cyron!]
At the mention of ‘that brat,’ Jin’s eyes widened involuntarily.
There was no one else in this world who would dare to refer to Cyron in such a manner.
However, upon reflection, there was no reason a grandfather couldn't call his beloved grandson that.
‘I suppose in my great-grandfather’s memories, Father is still just a boy.’
Balas was a man who had met his end when Cyron was only fifteen.
Though Jin didn't know the full details, the relationship between Balas and Cyron had been much like the one between Ron and Dante. Many of the clan elders believed that the period when Cyron truly began to turn cold was right after Balas’s death.
The other retainers of the clan had long grown accustomed to Balas’s unrestrained speech and behavior, so they showed no particular surprise.
Even so, Alphen seemed uncomfortable with the current Patriarch being addressed so flippantly in a public setting. He leaned in and whispered into Balas’s ear.
“57th, even so, would it not be proper to show more respect to the current Patriarch in a place like this?”
But Alphen’s efforts only earned another hearty laugh from Balas.
[Guffaw! Ancestor, it’s fine! Cyron may have aged a bit, but he isn’t the type of fellow to take offense and embarrass his grandfather.]
“Calling him ‘that brat’ wasn't enough, and now he's a ‘fellow’? 57th!”
[Khahat! Let’s set aside such trifles and welcome our great-grandson.]
Alphen pressed a hand to his forehead, while Tasha smiled, finding her father’s reaction amusing. She recognized the conflict raging within her father’s rigid nature, a battle between ‘etiquette’ and ‘protocol.’
The problem with rebuking Balas for his rash behavior was that, as an ancestor, Balas was simply too old. Unlike Alphen and Tasha, who had died young in battle, Balas had served as Patriarch until his old age. Consequently, even though Alphen was the senior ancestor, he found Balas difficult to manage.
‘Father really does have a cute side to him.’
Tasha was simply delighted to be standing here with her father, whom she had thought she would never see again.
“It is an honor to meet you, Great-grandfather. I am the 12th Flagbearer, Jin Runcandel.”
[Right!]
Jin waited for Balas to say more, but a silence lingered. Balas’s gaze, which swept over him from head to toe with a wide grin, felt somewhat burdensome.
“Ahem, 57th. The clan’s retainers are all waiting. Would it not be best to conclude the appointment ceremony quickly so everyone can return to the front lines? Time is of the essence.”
[Ah! Right, you are correct. I was so pleased to see my great-grandson that I momentarily forgot. His frame is sturdy, his eyes are sharp, and the aura he exudes is practically radiant. Don't you agree, Ancestor?]
“I suppose so.”
[But Ancestor, why have you been whispering this whole time? Does your throat ache? Shall I brew some medicine for you?]
Tasha’s face turned beet-red as she struggled to hold back her laughter, and Alphen let out a series of awkward coughs in embarrassment.
[……Ahem! I am fine.]
[It sounds much better when you speak clearly. Now, great-grandson, come closer. We all gathered here in a hurry, just like cadets, the moment we heard you woke up. Do you have any idea how fast this grandfather of yours ran? My empty sleeve was flapping so hard it practically kicked up a dust storm. We must get through this appointment ceremony!]
Balas spoke while playfully shaking the sleeve that covered his missing arm.
At that, Jin barely suppressed a laugh, much like Tasha, as he stepped closer to him.
[You understand the meaning of that coat you are wearing, don't you?]
“I do.”
[Normally, the Black Sword Kiner should be bestowed along with the coat, but I heard some insect-like fellow is currently in possession of it. For your information, we are currently tracking that insect and Kiner.]
“Did Joshua survive?”
[To be honest, we don't know if he’s dead or alive. The former is more likely. Some say they saw him being tossed around by the shockwaves on the battlefield. Ran and Vigo have been confirmed dead.]
Jin felt a slight, lingering discomfort regarding Joshua and a touch of bitterness for Ran and Vigo. However, their fates were not as significant as the fates of those who remained.
[In any case, we have decided that you must lead the clan until Cyron returns. With the three of us here, there should be no lack of authority, prestige, or legitimacy.]
The 20th Patriarch, known as the Knight of Light, who led the Holy Kingdom Defense War to victory five hundred years ago; his daughter, the 21st Patriarch, who wiped out the remnants of the demons; and the 57th Patriarch, who laid the foundation for the modern Runcandel clan.
Without question, the legitimacy these three held was more than enough to appoint Jin as the Young Patriarch.
“Instead of me becoming the Young Patriarch, if the three of you were to take over as Acting Patriarchs…”
[Uh-huh! Don't go spoiling the mood. What use would wraiths like us be as Acting Patriarchs?]
Jin swallowed a bitter sigh at the word 'wraiths.'
Of course, as comrades who had braved the Land of the Malevolent God together, and as ancestors who were needed now more than ever, Jin wished for them to continue existing.
However, the resurrection of these three had been achieved by infusing the souls in the Mausoleum with the Authority of Chaos. If so, they were destined to vanish when the Evil God died.
‘If the fact that their manifestation hasn't ended means the Evil God’s power hasn't completely vanished, then the war isn't over yet…’
The moment Jin reached that thought, Alphen shook his head, having read his mind.
[12th Flagbearer. The Hister mage has confirmed several times that the Evil God’s power has completely vanished from this world. So, for now, put your mind at ease and kneel on one knee to pay your respects to the 57th.]
Jin knelt on one knee and bowed his head.
Balas wiped the playfulness from his face and looked down at his great-grandson with deep, serious eyes.
[We, Alphen Runcandel, the 20th Patriarch; Tasha Runcandel, the 21st Patriarch; and I, Balas Runcandel, the 57th Patriarch, in accordance with the long-standing traditions and laws of the clan, wish to grant a certain qualification to the most brilliant among the Flagbearers.]
The knights raised their swords in unison.
[Jin Runcandel, the 12th Flagbearer of the 59th generation. Since the clan suffered the humiliation of the Covenant a thousand years ago, he has protected the Garden of Swords from its greatest crisis and upheld the name of Runcandel. Therefore, acting on behalf of the current Patriarch, we hereby formally appoint the 12th Flagbearer as the Young Patriarch of the clan.]
Shring!
Balas drew his sword and pressed it against Jin’s shoulder.
Jin felt a pain as if his shoulder were being crushed. Because his body had not yet fully recovered, the pressure felt even more agonizing. As an increasingly powerful energy was channeled into the sword pressing down on his shoulder, the ground of the garden where Jin knelt began to sink.
[Let the 12th Flagbearer overcome the weight of the sword and stand.]
As Jin began to rise, his legs trembled violently as if he were struggling.
After about ten seconds, when Jin had fully stood up, Balas nodded in satisfaction.
‘Heh, this fellow is even pretending to struggle just to save his great-grandfather’s face. He could have stood up without breaking a sweat.’
Balas withdrew his sword.
[From this moment forth, you are the Young Patriarch of the clan. Whenever a major decision must be made in the Patriarch’s absence, everyone shall seek you first. When something good comes to the clan, you shall be the first to partake. And when a crisis befalls the clan, you shall bear all the responsibility.]
“I will keep that in mind.”
[From now on, you are Runcandel, and Runcandel is you. Your word is the law of Runcandel, and your actions are the will of Runcandel. Turn around and face your retainers.]
As Jin turned around…
Every retainer of the clan knelt on one knee and placed their right hand over their heart. Even his siblings holding the flags bowed their heads in respect.
It was the first time in history that an appointment of a Young Patriarch had occurred without a single dissenting voice from the entire clan, including three former Patriarchs.
Jin felt a strange emotion welling up in his chest.
From his previous life to this one, he was finally just one step away from the clan throne he had desired so much.
His heart was full, yet the path ahead felt daunting. There had been too many partings and too much sorrow to reach this point, and the clan had been pushed to the brink of ruin.
“……Even more than my father.”
Jin slowly looked down at the retainers.
“I shall show you a performance far superior to that of the former, disgraceful Acting Patriarch. Even in the Patriarch’s absence, I will ensure that none of you feel the void he left behind.”
At such a confident declaration, the retainers couldn't help but flinch.
Setting aside Rosa during her time as a human, it was hard to even imagine a Flagbearer announcing before everyone that they would surpass Cyron.
However, the retainers were feeling a familiar sensation for the first time in a long while. They were all recalling the 12th Flagbearer’s youth, which had always been defiant and unconventional.
Looking back, Jin had always been this way. He never hesitated to step forward into tasks everyone else shunned, and even when everyone mocked his words, he always made them a reality.
The boy who had shone back then had now become a giant harboring an even deeper light.
[Khahat! That lad certainly has a refreshing personality! With this, the appointment ceremony is concluded. Well then, Young Patriarch?]
Balas signaled with his eyes, as if telling him to hurry up and give orders to the retainers.
“Everyone, dismiss immediately and return to the front lines. Flagbearers, bring the reports I need to personally review to the Patriarch’s office in twenty minutes. Furthermore, the butlers and scribes are to compile a detailed inventory of the clan’s assets and supplies and submit it to me. From this moment, we shall begin the reconstruction of the clan.”
“We obey your command!”
As soon as the order was given, the thousands of knights lined up dispersed in perfect order. In the Garden of Swords, the Patriarch’s command was absolute.
In an instant, only Jin and the former Patriarchs remained in the garden.
After expressing his gratitude to them, Jin asked one question.
“Ancestors, and Great-grandfather. May I ask the reason why the three of you are still able to exist?”
At those words, Alphen replied with a faint smile.
[12th Flagbearer, we may appear to exist perfectly fine, but in truth, we are slowly fading away.]