Episode 1145
Chapter 260: The Head of House Succession Ceremony (Part 2)
“Quit with the gloomy talk. Just chat with Jin for a bit, then go see him. He’s probably nervous too, right? I heard this is something he’s dreamed of since his past life. Go on, be a good father and give him some encouragement.”
“Even if an era of peace has come, Runcandel is still Runcandel. Do you really think that suits us?”
The others nodded in agreement. They knew how Sir Siron had overcome the Demonic Star and the strength he’d shown since.
“Hmm, I suppose that’s true.”
There were three hours left until noon, when the head of house succession ceremony would begin.
Siron spent two of those hours talking with the guests seated around him. The conversations were ordinary—just everyday life talk.
“Ozdok.”
[Yes, sir!]
“The ceremony starts in an hour. Tell the staff to start bringing people inside.”
[Understood!]
“Well then, I’ll see you all later.”
Siron rose from his seat and made his way to the balcony on the top floor of the mansion.
“Father.”
Jin stood quietly in the corridor leading to the balcony.
“You’ve been waiting, haven’t you?”
“Yes. Since you’ll be greeting the guests here.”
“So, you’re already trying to act like the head of house with your old man, huh? There’s still an hour left.”
Siron smiled as he looked at Jin.
“You’ve seemed busy lately, Father. Every time I came to talk, you were off meeting someone.”
“What did you want to talk about?”
“Just… life, really. I was even secretly hoping you might pour me a drink.”
“Hah, you make it sound like a big deal.”
Father and son stepped out onto the balcony together.
As they appeared, the crowd gathered in the Garden of Swords erupted with cheers so loud the sky seemed to tremble.
“This reminds me of old times. That banquet you held when you achieved five stars at fifteen.”
“We stood on the balcony just like this, looking down on the courtyard.”
The two men recalled the conversation they’d had that day.
“I told you back then that if I ever disappeared, many would turn their backs on Runcandel. But now that you’re here, no one will dare cross us. This is the era you’ve created.”
“If it weren’t for you, Father, none of this would have been possible.”
“That goes for everyone who fought alongside us. But the main player is you. You led us to victory.”
Jin no longer felt awkward or uncomfortable receiving praise from Siron.
“What do you want to do once you become head of house?”
“I want to live freely.”
“Still as bold as ever. The steward will handle internal affairs, and there’s no external enemy to fight… it will be a rather leisurely position.”
“And what about you, Father? What do you want to do now?”
Jin asked calmly. Siron didn’t hesitate.
“I want to be free.”
They both gazed silently at the crowd watching them. Time seemed to fly. It was time to begin the ceremony.
“Let’s go down.”
“Yes, Father.”
The sound of drums and voices announced the start of the historic event. The guardian knights lined up in perfect formation, and the vast crowd fell silent.
Siron and the riders took their places on the stage first, while Jin stood at the start of the path formed by the family’s knights facing each other.
The VIP seats on either side were filled entirely with Jin’s comrades.
The seat of honor, naturally, was occupied by Gilly. From the moment Jin appeared, she couldn’t hide the redness in her eyes.
Jin felt a pang of guilt for her. At this moment, Murakan should have been sitting beside her.
“Jin Runcandel, 59th head of house, please come forward.”
It was Lucy.
She stood beside Siron as the representative of Runcandel from a thousand years ago, along with Luet, Veil, and her daughter Haylin. Behind them stood Alpen, Tasha, and Balas.
The knights raised their swords simultaneously, crossing their blades. Jin walked slowly forward through the corridor.
At the end of the path, his brothers waited: Luna, Runtia, Merry, Yona, Daytona, and Heitona. One by one, the six riders knelt before Jin and kissed the back of his hand.
The Runcandel head of house succession ceremony usually involved many more rituals, but Siron and Jin had agreed to keep it as simple as possible.
Since a banquet was scheduled to follow, and many guests had already waited outside for days or even weeks, they didn’t want to make the event drag on unnecessarily.
Jin then knelt before Siron.
“Jin.”
“I’m listening, Head of House.”
“Being head of house is just a title. Everyone already knows what you’ve accomplished, the battles you’ve fought, and the great era you’ve ushered in—even without this position. Stand.”
Jin rose to face Siron.
“From today, you are the sole master of this garden, Jin Runcandel. You may have always felt indebted to the world, but the world owes you just as much. So live freely from now on. Don’t be bound by the title of head of house. You have already fulfilled your responsibilities to the family and the world.”
Fulfilled his responsibilities to the family and the world.
Jin didn’t truly feel that way yet. But hearing those words directly from his father washed away some of the heavy weight in his chest.
“This may feel a bit anticlimactic, but the ceremony is over. From today, I am no longer head of house, just a knight. So during the banquet that will last ten days, I hope everyone treats me a little less formally. The boring part is over—now, have fun. And finally, let’s give a round of applause for my son, the new head of house.”
It was unusual to see Siron ask for applause for someone else. Those who knew him well found it especially strange.
But for those who had grown close to him after the war, it was no big deal. He was no longer a distant, intimidating father figure.
Boom! Bang! Crackle!
Amidst the continuous applause, colorful magic and fireworks painted the sky in brilliant hues.
“Now! Let the Runcandel banquet—the ‘Narrow Bridge Party’—begin! Even if the world has faced apocalypse and returned, if grudges remain unsettled, settle them here with a good fight and let it all go!”
[As you all know, this banquet is special. Everyone, including the new head of house, Sir Jin Runcandel, all Runcandel knights, and all warriors of the Balmur Alliance, may challenge each other to duels. Who will be lucky enough to face the swords of Head of House Jin Runcandel, Sword God Siron Runcandel, Spear Master Ban, White Knight Luna Runcandel, and Beast King Orgal? Don’t worry—no injuries worse than fractures will occur!]
As Zett and Ozdok raised their voices, tables laden with food and drink suddenly appeared from all directions.
At the same time, all doors leading to the banquet hall opened, and the warriors rushed in like it was a race. After all, when else would they get a chance to cross swords with legends like these?
“Actually, this duel event will be held every year, but it feels like a lie to say that right after becoming head of house.”
“You’ll be away from the Garden of Swords for quite a while after the banquet. So it’s not a lie. No one will be able to challenge you at the next event.”
“That’s true, Father. I do feel a bit embarrassed and sorry to leave the Garden of Swords so soon after becoming head of house.”
Siron smiled wryly.
“I’ve spent more time in the Black Sea than in the Garden of Swords, and you’re giving me that look?”
“So this is the taste of power as head of the Sword family…”
The two chuckled together as they headed toward the banquet hall.
And for ten days straight,
The heroes of the Demon War faced countless challenges but never lost once, reaffirming the might of Runcandel and the Balmur Alliance to all.
“…Ten days have already passed. I’m surprised there were so many people settling grudges at the banquet.”
“That’s right, my lord. But there aren’t many who still see each other as mortal enemies. The banquet will continue to serve as a way to ease tensions between people.”
“Like a cute little war. If it lowers the chance of a real war breaking out, holding the banquet more often wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
Jin looked at the strawberry pie on the table.
Or rather, what was left of it. His comrades and brothers had devoured Gilly’s famous strawberry pie in a frenzy, leaving only crumbs and the scent of strawberries behind.
Sorry, Gilly.
Jin swallowed the words. Saying them would only make her sadder. It would only bring out the pain she was trying so hard to hide.
“I’m sorry, my lord.”
Suddenly, Gilly looked down, avoiding Jin’s gaze.
“…Suddenly? What for? First, lift your head. Gilly, you never have to apologize to me for anything you do from now on.”
Gilly buried her face in Jin’s shoulder for a long moment, swallowing back her tears. Jin gently patted her trembling back, trying to soothe her as she fought to hold back her sobs.
“Young master…”
“Yeah, Gilly.”
“Sir Shiron left this note for you.”
Gilly pulled a slip of paper from her pocket. On it was written:
(You’ve become the head of the family, yet this old man still hasn’t passed Barisada on to you. Come and claim it—I’ll be waiting in the Black Sea.)