648
After Rosa was engulfed in chaos, about a thousand knights rebelled against her Runcandel. They had fought large and small battles in the Garden of Swords, led by Diphus, Mary, and Jorden.
However, before even a month had passed, more than 60% had been subdued, and the remaining had to make a choice. Would they plan for the future or fight to the end?
Their choice was the former, but they couldn't execute it. Rosa easily found the hideouts of the rebels and hunted them down like mole hunting, calling them to the Garden of Swords.
The rebels struggled against the chaos knights of the clan, but in the end, they faced defeat from summoned flagbearers and black knights of the past.
There were about 250 knights imprisoned in the dungeon at that time.
At that time, around 250 knights were imprisoned in the underground dungeon, but the knights brought by Cuicantelle now numbered less than a hundred. In the process of escaping from the Garden of Swords this time, more than half of the remaining knights lost their lives.
There were only 97 left. Jin looked at them without speaking for a while. His hearts felt heavy with hot foam-like emotions surging within it.
"Everyone…… thank you for your hard work.” Jin finally spoke, and the knights saluted.
No one shed any tears. Jin accepted the knights' salute while suppressing his boiling emotions.
'Fortunately, none of the survivors are infected with chaos at a level that cannot be treated with purifier.'
The chaos that stained the knights was not that deep. However, there are many people with serious physical injuries, so they will need the help of the healers of the Holy Kingdom.
“For now, it would be best to treat everyone first. There is a device that can purify the chaos."
Jin explained the purifier to the knights. Along with the fact that the treatment period is long, the target is limited, and that the blood of battle god is used as a medium, so it can’t be used to help the encroached garden of swords.
“I’m okay, 12th flagbearer .” Jorden said.
“Elder chief?”
“What are you talking about? You, as the elder chief, should be the first to receive treatment more than anyone else..."
The Tona brothers stopped speaking while answering Jorden, realizing his intention too late.
Jorden seemed to have no fatal injuries on the surface, but he has irreparable internal injuries. The price of 97 knights surviving was his life.
Jin had noticed Jorden's condition from the first moment he saw him.
Why are you all making such foolish faces? Follow the 12th flagbearer’s words and receive treatment and purification. I must do my last duty before I die."
Jorden met Jin's eyes.
“The 12th flagbearer.”
"Yes."
“From now on, I will pass on all the sword techniques of the clan that I know. We would better go to the training ground immediately. I don't have much time left.”
Jin decided to follow Jorden's words. Even if Lani came directly, there would be no chance of recovery, and Jorden deserved respect.
"All right."
“The training won’t be that long, so don’t worry about anything else. Along the way, I'll explain anything you might be curious about. You can also tell me about what happened in the Garden of Swords.”
On their way to the training grounds, Jorden often stopped in his tracks.
Jin recounted their last battle, marveling at Jorden's incredible determination to complete his final mission.
“So, you fought Rosa one-on-one... and yet you weren't affected by the chaos at all."
“I've developed an immunity."
“It's not the kind of immunity you can share with others, I suppose. I've always envied you for that. The whole clan does."
Jin remained silent, waiting for Jorden to continue.
"The Sword Garden has been in this state for half a year now."
“I was expecting it to some extent because it was said that Kalon was sealed off from that time on and information about me was controlled.”
“Rosa Runcandel kept having seizures up until that point. And then she eventually broke her promise to you and joined forces with the Prophet. It was a moment that required a decision. While Zipfel and Kinzelo were building their fleet and employing all sorts of new technology, we were falling behind. Of course, that wasn't right."
It was as if they had no other choice.
Jorden spoke bitterly.
"Even if you hadn't left, Rosah would have made the same choice. So your decision to enter closed door training was probably the right one. If you were still in the family, Rosa’s first move would have been to eliminate you. Without patriarch...… no one could have stopped her.”
“Is there still no news about my father?”
Even now, when times have changed drastically. The dignity of the knight named Chiron Runcandel has not lost its value at all.
If he and the knights, who left for expedition, were there, even without the Prophet or the fleet, Runcandel would still be a land that other forces could not easily cross.
“…… Rosa said that patriarch is dead.”
Jin stopped in his tracks.
"Was there any evidence to support her claim?"
"No. I don't know if she find out about it through the prophet's ability, or if she said it just to establish her own authority. She just said that he had died. But I also don't expect the patriarch to be alive. Almost everyone who rebelled against Rosa thought so.”
Whether Chiron survived or died in battle, it was difficult for it to have any significant meaning.
If the patriarch of the clan does not return from an external mission as the situation of the clan deteriorates, objectively speaking, he was already disqualified. It was as good as being dead.
“But some thought differently. Your uncle and siblings did. Zed Runcandel, he left for the Black Sea to find the patriarch as soon as Rosa's tyranny began.”
Zed had not yet returned, so his fate was also unclear.
“The 4th and 7th flagbearer are missing since the final battle. As I said then, I cannot tell whether they are alive or dead. But if they escaped alive, they probably headed for the Black Sea too. Those two also said that they had to find the patriarch to resolve the situation."
“Then no one saw the deaths of Diphus and Mary. Perhaps the two are still trapped in the Garden of the Sword. It is not likely that Rosa released all those imprisoned in the underground dungeon."
“That may be true. But if that is the case, they are likely to appear as your enemies. Our 1,033 knights were able to resist Rosa partly because they had the will to do so, but it was mainly due to not being exposed to the chaos that the Prophet directly released."
Does that mean that most of the knights remaining in the Garden of the Sword did not raise their flags voluntarily, but were corroded by chaos?"
“There are probably some who raised their flags voluntarily. But as you said, most of them probably did not. What crazy knight would want to fight under that monster, no matter how strong she is? The knights of Runcandel are particularly proud."
It was already known from several cases that it was almost impossible for humans to resist the madness of chaos. It was only possible for someone as special as Ron. Even Ron was completely engulfed until Jin's help.
‘Elder brother Diphus and elder sister Mary may appear as enemies…….’
Just imagining that made his head feel like exploding. Jin didn't show it, and continued to match Jorden's stride.
“Looks like we are here. It's a pretty good training ground, is this where you mainly sharpened your sword during your time as a reserve flagbearer?”
"That's right."
"Jin."
"Yes."
“Now, you are the only hope for our clan. Never forget that."
After saying that, Jorden held Jin's hand tightly.
The only knight who can fight unrestrained against the great chaos of Rosa Runcandel, the only flagbearer who can straighten out the clan.
Jorden was crying. The image of the present fallen Kandel, the regret of the past when he struggled to become a patriarch, the fallen comrades, and the sense of helplessness that he had to entrust everything to the 12th flagbearer.
These emotions mixed together to make Jorden cry.
“…… I understand, uncle.”
For the next three days.
Jorden taught Jin six decisive killing move, four secret techniques, and one ultimate technique.
Jin, who had already reached a high level, quickly grasped the intricacies of those swords and showed the ability to perfectly execute them just by listening to Jorden's explanations.
Occasionally, when Jorden rested due to exhaustion, he went up to the mansion to receive various reports about the current situation.
As expected, the leaders of each forces were urgently requesting a meeting with Tikan.
Runcandel did not show any special movement until then. There was no troop movement at all, but there were reports that the speed at which Huphester was encroaching had slowed down a bit.
Still there is no news about Valeria. Jin wanted to find out if she was alive or dead by any means at once, but he couldn't leave Tikan until the meeting with the great forces was over.
Because Jin has the responsibility of the carrying the clan crest and the world.
“Now all the inheritance is complete”
Jorden said in a dry voice.
While passing down the sword, they conversed in a friendly atmosphere, not as enemies, but like uncle and nephew.
“Do you remember the day I cut your arms?”
“How can I forget, uncle?”
“In fact, that day I saw your father, patriarch, from you. The sight of you coming towards me, stepping forward with both arms severed, appeared as a nightmare for a while."
“I was pretty scared that day too.”
"Kuk, now you're gilding when I'm dying."
“It's true. I was really afraid that my arms might not be completely reattached. And to be honest, I was sure that your end wouldn't be good that day, uncle."
"So, was that your plan?"
“At that time, uncle and I were no different from enemies.”
“I thought, after that day, that you could be more dangerous than Joshua or maybe more dangerous than Rosa.”
Sssshhh, siiitt....
Jorden's breath made a metallic sound.
The moment of his death was approaching.
"Do you still have that thought?"
"Yes... you will defeat Rosa and become patriarch. But..."
Bang!
Suddenly, Jorden squeezed out the last of his strength and grabbed Jin by the shoulder.
“Never, think that you are already the patriarch. Even if all the remaining resistors accept you as their lord. Even if your father is dead or alive. You must regain the Garden of the Sword to have the qualification. You must regain the Garden of the Sword... Do you understand...?"
Jin nodded with his teeth clenched, and Jorden took his last breath.
And a day after he died.
A flagbearer of Runcandel came to Tikan.
648
After Rosa was engulfed in chaos, about a thousand knights rebelled against her Runcandel. They had fought large and small battles in the Garden of Swords, led by Diphus, Mary, and Jorden.
However, before even a month had passed, more than 60% had been subdued, and the remaining had to make a choice. Would they plan for the future or fight to the end?
Their choice was the former, but they couldn't execute it. Rosa easily found the hideouts of the rebels and hunted them down like mole hunting, calling them to the Garden of Swords.
The rebels struggled against the chaos knights of the clan, but in the end, they faced defeat from summoned flagbearers and black knights of the past.
There were about 250 knights imprisoned in the dungeon at that time.
At that time, around 250 knights were imprisoned in the underground dungeon, but the knights brought by Cuicantelle now numbered less than a hundred. In the process of escaping from the Garden of Swords this time, more than half of the remaining knights lost their lives.
There were only 97 left. Jin looked at them without speaking for a while. His hearts felt heavy with hot foam-like emotions surging within it.
"Everyone…… thank you for your hard work.” Jin finally spoke, and the knights saluted.
No one shed any tears. Jin accepted the knights' salute while suppressing his boiling emotions.
'Fortunately, none of the survivors are infected with chaos at a level that cannot be treated with purifier.'
The chaos that stained the knights was not that deep. However, there are many people with serious physical injuries, so they will need the help of the healers of the Holy Kingdom.
“For now, it would be best to treat everyone first. There is a device that can purify the chaos."
Jin explained the purifier to the knights. Along with the fact that the treatment period is long, the target is limited, and that the blood of battle god is used as a medium, so it can’t be used to help the encroached garden of swords.
“I’m okay, 12th flagbearer .” Jorden said.
“Elder chief?”
“What are you talking about? You, as the elder chief, should be the first to receive treatment more than anyone else..."
The Tona brothers stopped speaking while answering Jorden, realizing his intention too late.
Jorden seemed to have no fatal injuries on the surface, but he has irreparable internal injuries. The price of 97 knights surviving was his life.
Jin had noticed Jorden's condition from the first moment he saw him.
Why are you all making such foolish faces? Follow the 12th flagbearer’s words and receive treatment and purification. I must do my last duty before I die."
Jorden met Jin's eyes.
“The 12th flagbearer.”
"Yes."
“From now on, I will pass on all the sword techniques of the clan that I know. We would better go to the training ground immediately. I don't have much time left.”
Jin decided to follow Jorden's words. Even if Lani came directly, there would be no chance of recovery, and Jorden deserved respect.
"All right."
“The training won’t be that long, so don’t worry about anything else. Along the way, I'll explain anything you might be curious about. You can also tell me about what happened in the Garden of Swords.”
On their way to the training grounds, Jorden often stopped in his tracks.
Jin recounted their last battle, marveling at Jorden's incredible determination to complete his final mission.
“So, you fought Rosa one-on-one... and yet you weren't affected by the chaos at all."
“I've developed an immunity."
“It's not the kind of immunity you can share with others, I suppose. I've always envied you for that. The whole clan does."
Jin remained silent, waiting for Jorden to continue.
"The Sword Garden has been in this state for half a year now."
“I was expecting it to some extent because it was said that Kalon was sealed off from that time on and information about me was controlled.”
“Rosa Runcandel kept having seizures up until that point. And then she eventually broke her promise to you and joined forces with the Prophet. It was a moment that required a decision. While Zipfel and Kinzelo were building their fleet and employing all sorts of new technology, we were falling behind. Of course, that wasn't right."
It was as if they had no other choice.
Jorden spoke bitterly.
"Even if you hadn't left, Rosah would have made the same choice. So your decision to enter closed door training was probably the right one. If you were still in the family, Rosa’s first move would have been to eliminate you. Without patriarch...… no one could have stopped her.”
“Is there still no news about my father?”
Even now, when times have changed drastically. The dignity of the knight named Chiron Runcandel has not lost its value at all.
If he and the knights, who left for expedition, were there, even without the Prophet or the fleet, Runcandel would still be a land that other forces could not easily cross.
“…… Rosa said that patriarch is dead.”
Jin stopped in his tracks.
"Was there any evidence to support her claim?"
"No. I don't know if she find out about it through the prophet's ability, or if she said it just to establish her own authority. She just said that he had died. But I also don't expect the patriarch to be alive. Almost everyone who rebelled against Rosa thought so.”
Whether Chiron survived or died in battle, it was difficult for it to have any significant meaning.
If the patriarch of the clan does not return from an external mission as the situation of the clan deteriorates, objectively speaking, he was already disqualified. It was as good as being dead.
“But some thought differently. Your uncle and siblings did. Zed Runcandel, he left for the Black Sea to find the patriarch as soon as Rosa's tyranny began.”
Zed had not yet returned, so his fate was also unclear.
“The 4th and 7th flagbearer are missing since the final battle. As I said then, I cannot tell whether they are alive or dead. But if they escaped alive, they probably headed for the Black Sea too. Those two also said that they had to find the patriarch to resolve the situation."
“Then no one saw the deaths of Diphus and Mary. Perhaps the two are still trapped in the Garden of the Sword. It is not likely that Rosa released all those imprisoned in the underground dungeon."
“That may be true. But if that is the case, they are likely to appear as your enemies. Our 1,033 knights were able to resist Rosa partly because they had the will to do so, but it was mainly due to not being exposed to the chaos that the Prophet directly released."
Does that mean that most of the knights remaining in the Garden of the Sword did not raise their flags voluntarily, but were corroded by chaos?"
“There are probably some who raised their flags voluntarily. But as you said, most of them probably did not. What crazy knight would want to fight under that monster, no matter how strong she is? The knights of Runcandel are particularly proud."
It was already known from several cases that it was almost impossible for humans to resist the madness of chaos. It was only possible for someone as special as Ron. Even Ron was completely engulfed until Jin's help.
‘Elder brother Diphus and elder sister Mary may appear as enemies…….’
Just imagining that made his head feel like exploding. Jin didn't show it, and continued to match Jorden's stride.
“Looks like we are here. It's a pretty good training ground, is this where you mainly sharpened your sword during your time as a reserve flagbearer?”
"That's right."
"Jin."
"Yes."
“Now, you are the only hope for our clan. Never forget that."
After saying that, Jorden held Jin's hand tightly.
The only knight who can fight unrestrained against the great chaos of Rosa Runcandel, the only flagbearer who can straighten out the clan.
Jorden was crying. The image of the present fallen Kandel, the regret of the past when he struggled to become a patriarch, the fallen comrades, and the sense of helplessness that he had to entrust everything to the 12th flagbearer.
These emotions mixed together to make Jorden cry.
“…… I understand, uncle.”
For the next three days.
Jorden taught Jin six decisive killing move, four secret techniques, and one ultimate technique.
Jin, who had already reached a high level, quickly grasped the intricacies of those swords and showed the ability to perfectly execute them just by listening to Jorden's explanations.
Occasionally, when Jorden rested due to exhaustion, he went up to the mansion to receive various reports about the current situation.
As expected, the leaders of each forces were urgently requesting a meeting with Tikan.
Runcandel did not show any special movement until then. There was no troop movement at all, but there were reports that the speed at which Huphester was encroaching had slowed down a bit.
Still there is no news about Valeria. Jin wanted to find out if she was alive or dead by any means at once, but he couldn't leave Tikan until the meeting with the great forces was over.
Because Jin has the responsibility of the carrying the clan crest and the world.
“Now all the inheritance is complete”
Jorden said in a dry voice.
While passing down the sword, they conversed in a friendly atmosphere, not as enemies, but like uncle and nephew.
“Do you remember the day I cut your arms?”
“How can I forget, uncle?”
“In fact, that day I saw your father, patriarch, from you. The sight of you coming towards me, stepping forward with both arms severed, appeared as a nightmare for a while."
“I was pretty scared that day too.”
"Kuk, now you're gilding when I'm dying."
“It's true. I was really afraid that my arms might not be completely reattached. And to be honest, I was sure that your end wouldn't be good that day, uncle."
"So, was that your plan?"
“At that time, uncle and I were no different from enemies.”
“I thought, after that day, that you could be more dangerous than Joshua or maybe more dangerous than Rosa.”
Sssshhh, siiitt....
Jorden's breath made a metallic sound.
The moment of his death was approaching.
"Do you still have that thought?"
"Yes... you will defeat Rosa and become patriarch. But..."
Bang!
Suddenly, Jorden squeezed out the last of his strength and grabbed Jin by the shoulder.
“Never, think that you are already the patriarch. Even if all the remaining resistors accept you as their lord. Even if your father is dead or alive. You must regain the Garden of the Sword to have the qualification. You must regain the Garden of the Sword... Do you understand...?"
Jin nodded with his teeth clenched, and Jorden took his last breath.
And a day after he died.
A flagbearer of Runcandel came to Tikan.
