Chapter 82: Meeting Cyron (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 82: Meeting Cyron (2)
The Huphester Alliance transfer gate was quiet in the early morning.
Still, the moment Jin, Luna, and Gilly arrived, the eyes of the few people present were instantly drawn to them.
It was because of Luna.
While Jin’s face wasn't yet widely known, Luna was recognized by everyone, everywhere she went. This was especially true here in the Huphester Alliance, the heart of Runcandel territory.
However, no one dared to approach her or act familiar. Instead, the local taverns would be filled with talk of her until dawn.
"This is why I hate traveling. It’s much more comfortable in rural villages where no one knows me. To think I feel more at ease outside than at home... what a joke."
As Luna grumbled, Jin pulled his hood lower.
At that moment, the guards stationed at the transfer gate rushed toward their group.
"Salute!"
"Salute! We greet the 1st Flagbearer of Runcandel!"
"We’re heading to the Garden of Swords. Fetch a carriage," Luna said, acknowledging their salute with a nod.
"Understood!"
The guards scurried off. Though they weren't part of the Garden of Swords directly, they were paid by the Runcandels, just like every other soldier in the Huphester Alliance.
After a ten-minute wait, a Runcandel steel carriage arrived before the VIP waiting room.
The driver was the Second Butler, Petro. He had happened to be at the transfer gate to deliver documents to an allied family.
"Lady Luna! The main estate is in an uproar because you suddenly vanished. Where have you been? Wait... and Young Master Jin? And... Gilly?! Why are you with the First Lady?"
Petro’s eyes widened in shock.
As far as he knew, this trio was a combination that should not exist. It was unheard of for a Reserve Flagbearer to be traveling with the 1st Flagbearer.
"...It seems there are circumstances I'm not aware of. Let’s head out first, My Lady. There are too many eyes here. You two, ride ahead and inform the estate of our arrival."
Petro spoke to the Guardian Knights escorting him while scanning their surroundings. He was worried that rumors of Luna and Jin being together would spread.
Clop, clop.
The carriage set off, but Petro couldn't hide his anxiety.
What on earth is going on? If I bring Young Master Jin back to the family like this...
The Garden of Swords would truly be turned upside down this time.
Luna’s sudden disappearances were frequent enough that people usually just accepted them. But for a Reserve Flagbearer, who had left less than a month ago, to return without permission?
It was an incident significant enough to cause a bloodbath within the Garden of Swords before the day was out.
"Um, Lady Luna, Young Master Jin! If I may be so bold as to ask one thing..."
"It is bold, so stay quiet. I’m just as frustrated as you are."
"Yes, My Lady..."
Oblivious to Petro’s mounting dread, the carriage rolled steadily toward the Garden of Swords.
I brought him here, but what if Father really loses his temper? Should I hope Gilly can escape with Jin while I hold Father back?
There were too many Guardian Knights at the Garden of Swords for that. Even setting the knights aside, it was impossible for Gilly to evade the other siblings alone—especially since her powers were currently sealed.
As the Garden of Swords drew closer, Luna’s anxiety grew.
I don't know. Whatever happens, happens. Surely he wouldn't actually kill him? No... Father is exactly the kind of person who would.
Giving up on further thought, Luna stared blankly at Jin.
I’m so nervous I’m breaking into a cold sweat, yet this brat looks annoyingly indifferent.
Jin, meanwhile, was lost in thought with his chin resting on his hand. He was contemplating what would be the most appropriate and reasonable request to make of Cyron.
"Youngest."
"Yes, Sister."
"You really need to be good to me."
"That goes without saying."
The carriage came to a halt.
In the vast garden, where swords were planted as densely as stars, a few servants were at work. The gatekeepers offered a sword salute the moment the carriage arrived.
Petro opened the door, and Luna stepped out.
When Gilly and Jin followed, the gatekeepers and servants flinched. Even the lowest-ranking members of the estate sensed that something extraordinary was about to happen.
Simultaneously, the siblings, who had just received word from the knights who arrived first, emerged from the mansion.
"You crazy bastard! Youngest! Did you lose your mind the moment you left the family? How dare a Reserve Flagbearer set foot in the Garden of Swords!"
The first to shout was the fourth son, Vigo Runcandel. Standing beside him were the fourth and fifth daughters, Myu and Anne.
"This is what happens when Big Sister spoils him too much."
"Even Big Sister won't be able to protect him this time. This is truly unacceptable."
Luna, Jin, and Gilly stood silently, offering no response.
Petro, who had brought them, felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.
Hah, it’s a disaster, just as I expected!
The servants didn't even dare to whisper among themselves. Some stopped their work and hurried toward the servants' quarters to take cover.
That was how grave Jin’s presence here was.
Finally, the second daughter Luntia, the third daughter Mary, and the second son Dipus walked out from the mansion.
"Wow... seeing it in person is even more shocking. What’s the deal, Youngest? Have you decided to give up your status as a Flagbearer? Or did puberty hit and you suddenly felt like dying?"
Dipus clicked his tongue and looked toward Mary, but she didn't react, her gaze fixed intently on Jin.
Youngest... you can't be broken yet. You need to grow more so I can have a real fight with you.
Ever since she had gifted him the Phoenix Heart, Mary had been looking forward to the day she could fight a matured Jin. This situation was troublesome for her.
While the main culprits stood still as statues, Luntia sighed and approached them.
"Sister Luna... what were you thinking, bringing the Youngest back?"
Her voice was soft, but Luntia’s eyes were filled with cold killing intent.
"I didn't bring him. He came on his own."
"Then you should have talked sense into him! Just because the child is being thoughtless doesn't mean you should be too!"
Even Luna had nothing to say in response to Luntia’s rebuke. Every word was undeniably true.
"Ugh... I don't know! So, where is Father?"
Luna turned her head away in annoyance. Since childhood, she had always found Luntia difficult to deal with; Luntia was the only one among the siblings who could actually give Luna a piece of her mind.
"Good grief, Youngest. Did you really come here to see Father?"
"I did, Second Sister."
Luntia pressed a hand to her forehead as curses erupted from various directions.
The siblings glared at Jin as if they would tear him to shreds right then and there if Luna weren't present.
What a beautiful family, Jin thought.
As he did, Luntia shook her head.
"Sigh. I don't care anymore, Big Sister. You, Youngest—I don't know why you’ve come to see Father, but be prepared. Go on, he’s in his study."
The moment Jin took a step and Luna tried to follow—
Shring!
The siblings, along with every Guardian Knight in the garden, drew their swords.
"...As of this moment, 1st Flagbearer, please surrender your weapon and wait here. There is a direct order from the Patriarch to send Jin Runcandel up alone."
Referring to their father as the Patriarch and Luna as the 1st Flagbearer meant Luntia was now treating this as an official matter. It was by Cyron’s command.
Ah, I didn't see this development coming, Luna thought.
If things went this way, she wouldn't be able to act as a shield if her father decided to kill Jin.
"And if I refuse?"
Luna’s eyes flared as her hand moved toward Crantel.
In an instant, a Guardian Knight standing behind Gilly leveled his blade at her throat. Since Gilly's power was still sealed, she hadn't even sensed his presence.
"Stop, 1st Flagbearer. It is the Patriarch’s command."
"You lot...! Put that sword away!"
"A line has been crossed. If he doesn't have a story that satisfies Father, the Youngest will never leave this place alive. And you, 1st Flagbearer, will not escape dismissal."
"Surrender your weapon. We will use lethal force if you resist."
Grit!
Luna clenched her teeth.
I’ve messed up... Should I just grab Jin and escape right now? Damn it, I took this too lightly. I thought since Father is fond of Jin, nothing major would happen...!
If she fought now, she could likely escape.
However, Gilly wouldn't survive, and she and Jin would spend the rest of their lives hiding from Runcandel’s pursuit.
Of course, losing a genius who reached 5-star at fifteen and Luna, who was considered the strongest knight since Cyron, would be a massive loss for Runcandel.
But Runcandel was not a rational family that weighed such losses. Even if the clan’s power weakened, the Patriarch’s word was absolute.
As things stood, there was no other way.
Jin had to move Cyron’s heart.
And even then, Jin remained composed.
"...Brothers, sisters. You’re all far too agitated. I have simply come as a son, and as a member of Runcandel, to inform Father of something. Please, calm yourselves."
The siblings no longer glared or spat insults at him. They merely watched Luna with an utterly professional detachment.
"And Sister Luna, Gilly. I’m sorry for putting you in this difficult position."
Jin began walking toward the mansion.
It wasn't that he hadn't expected such a fierce reaction, but to say he wasn't nervous at all would be a lie.
The other siblings don't know Father well. A Reserve Flagbearer visiting the main estate is certainly against the rules, but Father isn't actually that strict about rules themselves.
It was impossible to gain anything from Cyron without taking a risk. A certain amount of gambling was unavoidable.
Furthermore, after his regression, Jin found his father the easiest person to read.
In his past life, he had been so intimidated he couldn't even meet his father's eyes, but in this life, he felt most at ease whenever he faced him.
If I keep my wits about me, I can pull this off again. If he just gives me the chance to speak, I will succeed.
Whew.
Arriving in front of the study, Jin took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
Knock, knock.
An extremely cautious knock.
And simultaneously—
Swaaaak!
A streak of sword light grazed Jin’s forehead. It was a strike that the current Jin couldn't even hope to perceive.
"It seems I overestimated you. I believe I gave you five years."
Following Cyron’s low voice, the study door literally began to crumble into dust, a result of being touched by his sword light.
As soon as Jin saw Cyron, he smiled inwardly.
For some reason, the moment he saw his father, he felt that sense of ease again, and the words he needed to say came flooding to him.
I mustn't start with an apology. I have to maintain a confident attitude, but not to the point of appearing arrogant.
The answer he chose was this:
"I came because I missed you, Father."