* * *
February 25, 1803, early dawn.
As expected, Jin was preparing to head to the Garden of Swords.
He even advertised to the whole world that he would return to the Garden of Swords on February 25 through Dino Zaglan.
Even the newsletter issued by Dino himself subtly hinted that Jin would now become the 'patriarch'.
That would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Runcandel.
“Will Kinzelo and Zipfel really going to participate?” Talaris asked.
Jin’s comrades beside her looked at her and Jin worriedly.
“They will definitely come. If they can't read even such a great opportunity, then they don't deserve to be the leaders of the great forces.”
Jin didn't plan for the two forces to participate in the war from the beginning. He wasn't sure about this when he decided to go to Runcandel 15 days ago, but now it became clear when he saw Runcandel responding to his return article.
The fact that the Prophet had already taken control of the clan. Also, the fact that Kinzelo and Zipfel were not touching the garden of swords because they presumed that Runcandel possessed strong enough power that would be burdensome.
That's why Jin threw the odds. He decided that he had to form a big plate so that they would follow him if they are not idiots.
“It’s just right for me to go even if the enemy leaders are much dumber than I thought and don't come. For the sake of those who may be resisting the Prophet within the clan.”
Those who has never relied on or tried to rely on the prophet's filthy power. Those who give advice to the end, the real knights of Runcandel, and the siblings. They were supposed to be suffering in the Garden of Swords.
It's impossible not to find them himself. Besides, Valeria might have been captured if you look at Runcandel's article about Temar.
“As I said before, now is the right time when my clan doesn’t know my strength.”
“Huh, well…… yes. I think the current strength of my son-in-law will be enough to escape no matter how things go wrong. Seriously, when I said it wouldn't take you a long time to reach 10-stars, I never thought you would come back stronger than me. Does this make sense?”
“It’s not quite like that. You are praising me too much, Madame Talaris. And if it wasn't for Madame Talaris' help, I'd probably think of other options if it’s not for Mort and the Red Owl.”
“Yes, yes. In my life, there will come a day when this Talaris Endorma becomes nothing more than a means of transportation for someone.”
As Talaris laughed, Jin shrugged his shoulders and let out a chuckle. The two no longer looked like superiors and subordinates, but like close friends.
Syris was astonished of herself that she didn't hate this sight.
"Jin."
“Yes, Lady Syris.”
“Since our hidden palace has protected you countless times, now it is your turn to protect the hidden palace.”
Jin didn't answer and made eye contact with Syris for a moment.
“So, don’t die and come back. You have to pay your debts by teaching me some swordsmanship."
“Of course, I will guarantee light-speed growth.”
“Why is my daughter talking about grown-up things?”
“Mother, you should be careful too. You must not overdo it with an unhealthy body.”
"Young master…….”
Gilly put a hand on Jin's shoulder.
“Please, return safely.”
“As soon as lord came back, he is continuing to push ahead without a break. Lord, I'm sorry I couldn't be of any help.”
“Young master Jin…… are you really okay by yourself?”
Jin’s comrades gathered around Gilly and were worried about him.
Talaris sighed in frustration at the sight.
“Ugh, really. Now my son-in-law is not at the level where you have to worry about. So, everyone, don't act like Jin is going to die. I'd rather say that the junk stuck in the lab over there is looking better.”
Qwaul was working hard on his research as if he didn't care if Jin went to Runcandel alone or not. He was completely obsessed with the items that Jin brought from Laprarosa.
If it is a magic engineer, he would sell his soul only to obtain the data. If there was one regret, it was the fact that Valeria, who would share this happiness with him, was absent.
“Like Madame Talaris said, don't worry too much. I'll be back. It won't happen, but if I don't come back within three days, be sure to prepare for evacuation.”
“In the end, even my son-in-law adds useless words. Now get on, let's go!”
Jin boarded the Red Owl.
“I will be back. As always, let's get what we want.”
* * *
Garden of Swords.
For over a thousand years, it has been the home of the Runcandel Swordmasters, and has been revered and feared by all martial artists who have existed in the world.
Rosa stood still in the middle of it. Her face was pale and her lips dry. She lifted her head and looked at the sky, with a skinny body that doesn’t look like the black panther of Runcandel who commanded the clan with Chiron.
The sun, incongruous with winter, is scorching. Even when Rosa faced it head-on, she didn't feel the burning sensation in her eyes. It's just an thought that it's unnecessarily bright.
“The youngest…… is coming.”
A woman in a black hood nodded her head. Ilina Runcandel, the woman known as Joshua's unfortunate partner. Now everyone in Runcandel knew about her identity.
The prophet of calamity. The one who saved Rosa and other members of Runcandel from chaos.
“You sound like you’re disappointed. Do you think things would have been different if he had come a little faster?”
Swoosh!
Rosa pulled out frenzy in an instant and stabbed Ilina’s neck. Ilina immediately collapsed, gasping for breath, and then she convulsed for a few seconds before she rose again.
Instead of blood, chaos flowed from the affected area.
"Ah really. How many times do I have to explain that it doesn't cost one or two human life every time like this?"
“It is unacceptable for a member of Runcandel to speak to me like that. Even if this was your last life, I wouldn't have hesitated to kill you.”
“You can tell me nicely…….”
“Do you want to die again? The pain of death is something that I have felt as well, so it won't be as light as it is for you.”
Ilina lowered her head at Rosa's low voice.
“I’m sorry, I will be more careful in the future.”
Rosa looked at the main gate in silence again.
The main gate.
Looking back, for Rosa Runcandel that main gate was an immeasurable number of lonely years of waiting.
How terribly and desperately she had been looking forward to the day when Chiron, who had gone through that gate to complete his task, would come back and save the clan...….
After all, that day never came.
What will come instead is the youngest son, who will definitely not bend or compromise until the end, so she has no choice but to beat him herself. That fact was a bit bitter.
“All Knights of Runcandel, prepare to welcome the 12th flagbearer of the clan.”
Rosa's words are like the wind and solemn. Just like Chiron’s voice no matter how small it is, there is no place where it does not spread, and there is no one who cannot hear it.
Knights rushed out from all over the floor and lined up in front of her.
It was also the same as when the clan prepared for Chiron’s welcome.
The flagbearer stood at the forefront, followed by the Black Knights, Black Sword association, Enforcement Knights, and Guardian Knights. It was a number far beyond what Jin remembered, but the flagbearers were only four.
“Madame Rosa.”
It was Stam, the commander of the Black Knights.
“Speak.”
“What should I do with the underground knights?”
The underground knights, they were the ones who rebelled against Rosa until the very end.
“Release everyone except for 4th flagbearer.”
"All right. And…… may I return the weapons they were using?”
The reason Stam said that was no different. Although they have now turned their backs on Rosa and the clan, they were all knights who once devoted themselves to the clan.
It is not a betrayal that they rejected Rosa. It's just that they couldn't overcome the power that Rosa had and the logic of defeat.
So, Stam wanted to give them one last chance.
A chance to fight together with Jin while achieving what they think of ‘honor’.
Ilina tried to raise her voice by saying "Are you crazy?", but Rosa didn't hate Stam’s that kind of attitude. There had to be someone like him.
“Do it. Also, all of their swords will be put in the garden.”
“…… thank you."
“May I dare to say something? I think it's dangerous. The fate of Jin Runcandel has already gone off track once. Even the smallest thing can become big problem!”
Rosa dismissed her opinion. And she began to focus on her youngest son's energy, which was rapidly approaching from afar.
Recalling the day when Jin first returned to the clan after completing his reserve flagbearer career.
-Looks like someone else is trying to welcome this old man.
-Patriarch, what do you mean by that?
-Rosa, I think you've become dull, too. Quite a powerful force is approaching the Garden of Swords and at a very fast pace.
'Now I can see what you felt then...… Chiron.'
Excellent.
The first emotion that filled Rosa's heart was no different from Chiron at that time.
Slowly, the front gate was opened. Jin strode towards Rosa, regardless of the changed clan and the black energy of the chaos-stained knights.
As the distance got closer, the two felt as if all the surrounding around them was being erased.
Among these countless human and non-human beings, the mother and child focused all their senses on each other. Everything is the same as that day. The day when Jin proved that he had the qualifications to become a flagbearer by receiving Chiron’s sword.
But now is not that day.
“The 12th flagbearer, Jin Runcandel, has returned to the clan after completing the closed-door training.”
Jin did not raise his sword. Rosa didn't answer and looked down at Jin quietly. As Runcandel, as a human being, as a mother, she wanted to hold on to this brief last moment to treat her youngest even a little longer.
So, just like Chiron did that day, she wanted to draw her sword. She only once wanted to savor the sword of her son, who grew up this much.
However, Jin did not allow that time to be prolonged.
“But mother…… you broke your promise to me. It’s disappointing. You have no right to test me now.”
As Jin said, Rosa involuntarily stopped raising her hand on her waist.
That was the last emotion that Rosa felt as a human being. A drop of black blood flowed from Rosa's cracked lips.
She replied, wiping blood with the back of her hand.
“The promise is still valid. If you can show me what you set out to prove to me, I will put everything in the clan back to its original state right now."
[T/L:- Buy 5 ahead chapters on a discounted price from my ko-fi page. Hurry offer is valid for today only.]
* * *
February 25, 1803, early dawn.
As expected, Jin was preparing to head to the Garden of Swords.
He even advertised to the whole world that he would return to the Garden of Swords on February 25 through Dino Zaglan.
Even the newsletter issued by Dino himself subtly hinted that Jin would now become the 'patriarch'.
That would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Runcandel.
“Will Kinzelo and Zipfel really going to participate?” Talaris asked.
Jin’s comrades beside her looked at her and Jin worriedly.
“They will definitely come. If they can't read even such a great opportunity, then they don't deserve to be the leaders of the great forces.”
Jin didn't plan for the two forces to participate in the war from the beginning. He wasn't sure about this when he decided to go to Runcandel 15 days ago, but now it became clear when he saw Runcandel responding to his return article.
The fact that the Prophet had already taken control of the clan. Also, the fact that Kinzelo and Zipfel were not touching the garden of swords because they presumed that Runcandel possessed strong enough power that would be burdensome.
That's why Jin threw the odds. He decided that he had to form a big plate so that they would follow him if they are not idiots.
“It’s just right for me to go even if the enemy leaders are much dumber than I thought and don't come. For the sake of those who may be resisting the Prophet within the clan.”
Those who has never relied on or tried to rely on the prophet's filthy power. Those who give advice to the end, the real knights of Runcandel, and the siblings. They were supposed to be suffering in the Garden of Swords.
It's impossible not to find them himself. Besides, Valeria might have been captured if you look at Runcandel's article about Temar.
“As I said before, now is the right time when my clan doesn’t know my strength.”
“Huh, well…… yes. I think the current strength of my son-in-law will be enough to escape no matter how things go wrong. Seriously, when I said it wouldn't take you a long time to reach 10-stars, I never thought you would come back stronger than me. Does this make sense?”
“It’s not quite like that. You are praising me too much, Madame Talaris. And if it wasn't for Madame Talaris' help, I'd probably think of other options if it’s not for Mort and the Red Owl.”
“Yes, yes. In my life, there will come a day when this Talaris Endorma becomes nothing more than a means of transportation for someone.”
As Talaris laughed, Jin shrugged his shoulders and let out a chuckle. The two no longer looked like superiors and subordinates, but like close friends.
Syris was astonished of herself that she didn't hate this sight.
"Jin."
“Yes, Lady Syris.”
“Since our hidden palace has protected you countless times, now it is your turn to protect the hidden palace.”
Jin didn't answer and made eye contact with Syris for a moment.
“So, don’t die and come back. You have to pay your debts by teaching me some swordsmanship."
“Of course, I will guarantee light-speed growth.”
“Why is my daughter talking about grown-up things?”
“Mother, you should be careful too. You must not overdo it with an unhealthy body.”
"Young master…….”
Gilly put a hand on Jin's shoulder.
“Please, return safely.”
“As soon as lord came back, he is continuing to push ahead without a break. Lord, I'm sorry I couldn't be of any help.”
“Young master Jin…… are you really okay by yourself?”
Jin’s comrades gathered around Gilly and were worried about him.
Talaris sighed in frustration at the sight.
“Ugh, really. Now my son-in-law is not at the level where you have to worry about. So, everyone, don't act like Jin is going to die. I'd rather say that the junk stuck in the lab over there is looking better.”
Qwaul was working hard on his research as if he didn't care if Jin went to Runcandel alone or not. He was completely obsessed with the items that Jin brought from Laprarosa.
If it is a magic engineer, he would sell his soul only to obtain the data. If there was one regret, it was the fact that Valeria, who would share this happiness with him, was absent.
“Like Madame Talaris said, don't worry too much. I'll be back. It won't happen, but if I don't come back within three days, be sure to prepare for evacuation.”
“In the end, even my son-in-law adds useless words. Now get on, let's go!”
Jin boarded the Red Owl.
“I will be back. As always, let's get what we want.”
* * *
Garden of Swords.
For over a thousand years, it has been the home of the Runcandel Swordmasters, and has been revered and feared by all martial artists who have existed in the world.
Rosa stood still in the middle of it. Her face was pale and her lips dry. She lifted her head and looked at the sky, with a skinny body that doesn’t look like the black panther of Runcandel who commanded the clan with Chiron.
The sun, incongruous with winter, is scorching. Even when Rosa faced it head-on, she didn't feel the burning sensation in her eyes. It's just an thought that it's unnecessarily bright.
“The youngest…… is coming.”
A woman in a black hood nodded her head. Ilina Runcandel, the woman known as Joshua's unfortunate partner. Now everyone in Runcandel knew about her identity.
The prophet of calamity. The one who saved Rosa and other members of Runcandel from chaos.
“You sound like you’re disappointed. Do you think things would have been different if he had come a little faster?”
Swoosh!
Rosa pulled out frenzy in an instant and stabbed Ilina’s neck. Ilina immediately collapsed, gasping for breath, and then she convulsed for a few seconds before she rose again.
Instead of blood, chaos flowed from the affected area.
"Ah really. How many times do I have to explain that it doesn't cost one or two human life every time like this?"
“It is unacceptable for a member of Runcandel to speak to me like that. Even if this was your last life, I wouldn't have hesitated to kill you.”
“You can tell me nicely…….”
“Do you want to die again? The pain of death is something that I have felt as well, so it won't be as light as it is for you.”
Ilina lowered her head at Rosa's low voice.
“I’m sorry, I will be more careful in the future.”
Rosa looked at the main gate in silence again.
The main gate.
Looking back, for Rosa Runcandel that main gate was an immeasurable number of lonely years of waiting.
How terribly and desperately she had been looking forward to the day when Chiron, who had gone through that gate to complete his task, would come back and save the clan...….
After all, that day never came.
What will come instead is the youngest son, who will definitely not bend or compromise until the end, so she has no choice but to beat him herself. That fact was a bit bitter.
“All Knights of Runcandel, prepare to welcome the 12th flagbearer of the clan.”
Rosa's words are like the wind and solemn. Just like Chiron’s voice no matter how small it is, there is no place where it does not spread, and there is no one who cannot hear it.
Knights rushed out from all over the floor and lined up in front of her.
It was also the same as when the clan prepared for Chiron’s welcome.
The flagbearer stood at the forefront, followed by the Black Knights, Black Sword association, Enforcement Knights, and Guardian Knights. It was a number far beyond what Jin remembered, but the flagbearers were only four.
“Madame Rosa.”
It was Stam, the commander of the Black Knights.
“Speak.”
“What should I do with the underground knights?”
The underground knights, they were the ones who rebelled against Rosa until the very end.
“Release everyone except for 4th flagbearer.”
"All right. And…… may I return the weapons they were using?”
The reason Stam said that was no different. Although they have now turned their backs on Rosa and the clan, they were all knights who once devoted themselves to the clan.
It is not a betrayal that they rejected Rosa. It's just that they couldn't overcome the power that Rosa had and the logic of defeat.
So, Stam wanted to give them one last chance.
A chance to fight together with Jin while achieving what they think of ‘honor’.
Ilina tried to raise her voice by saying "Are you crazy?", but Rosa didn't hate Stam’s that kind of attitude. There had to be someone like him.
“Do it. Also, all of their swords will be put in the garden.”
“…… thank you."
“May I dare to say something? I think it's dangerous. The fate of Jin Runcandel has already gone off track once. Even the smallest thing can become big problem!”
Rosa dismissed her opinion. And she began to focus on her youngest son's energy, which was rapidly approaching from afar.
Recalling the day when Jin first returned to the clan after completing his reserve flagbearer career.
-Looks like someone else is trying to welcome this old man.
-Patriarch, what do you mean by that?
-Rosa, I think you've become dull, too. Quite a powerful force is approaching the Garden of Swords and at a very fast pace.
'Now I can see what you felt then...… Chiron.'
Excellent.
The first emotion that filled Rosa's heart was no different from Chiron at that time.
Slowly, the front gate was opened. Jin strode towards Rosa, regardless of the changed clan and the black energy of the chaos-stained knights.
As the distance got closer, the two felt as if all the surrounding around them was being erased.
Among these countless human and non-human beings, the mother and child focused all their senses on each other. Everything is the same as that day. The day when Jin proved that he had the qualifications to become a flagbearer by receiving Chiron’s sword.
But now is not that day.
“The 12th flagbearer, Jin Runcandel, has returned to the clan after completing the closed-door training.”
Jin did not raise his sword. Rosa didn't answer and looked down at Jin quietly. As Runcandel, as a human being, as a mother, she wanted to hold on to this brief last moment to treat her youngest even a little longer.
So, just like Chiron did that day, she wanted to draw her sword. She only once wanted to savor the sword of her son, who grew up this much.
However, Jin did not allow that time to be prolonged.
“But mother…… you broke your promise to me. It’s disappointing. You have no right to test me now.”
As Jin said, Rosa involuntarily stopped raising her hand on her waist.
That was the last emotion that Rosa felt as a human being. A drop of black blood flowed from Rosa's cracked lips.
She replied, wiping blood with the back of her hand.
“The promise is still valid. If you can show me what you set out to prove to me, I will put everything in the clan back to its original state right now."
[T/L:- Buy 5 ahead chapters on a discounted price from my ko-fi page. Hurry offer is valid for today only.]
