Episode 140
Chapter 47: After the Death of Kidad Hall (Part 1)
News of Kidad’s death only came to light a month after it happened.
The world was naturally thrown into chaos. Though he had secluded himself for quite some time, fading from the public eye, the death of a 9-star mage was shocking in and of itself.
What made it worse was that no clear cause of death could be determined.
Kidad had died in a remote hideout deep within the Romp Forest. The people of Romp weren’t particularly suspicious when he hadn’t been seen in the bustling town for a whole month. They simply assumed he was engrossed in some research with the boy who always accompanied him.
As a result, Kidad’s body was left unattended for a month, becoming prey to wild animals until only a few small bones remained.
Therefore, reporters, members of the Magic Society, and those who had personal grudges or ties with Kidad focused all their attention on the cryptic inscription carved into the wall.
Articles with headlines like these flooded the news day after day.
Even those who knew the name ‘Jin Gray’ debated among themselves.
“Surely it can’t be the youngest, right? Jin Gray’s a common enough name…”
“No way. The youngest is incredible, sure, but a 9-star mage? That’s impossible. Yeah, definitely not him.”
“Haha, right…?”
The Tona brothers, who were about to become apprentice knights, couldn’t shake the nagging suspicion that it might be the youngest, even as they denied it.
“Honestly, our dumb little brothers have never even met a 9-star mage, yet they spout nonsense like that. And they’re going to be apprentice knights in just a few months… tsk.”
“Hey, don’t be so harsh, Mu. Sometimes their stupid chatter is kind of cute—makes me want to strangle them. Forget 9-star mages, even the White Wolf tribe incident was ridiculous.”
Mu and Anne chuckled as they shot the Tona brothers a sharp look. Then Mary turned her gaze on them.
“Everyone, shut up. You’re disturbing the meal.”
“Tch! Mary, can’t we say just a little?”
“I said shut up.”
“Ha! Why do you stay quiet when the Tona boys are talking…?”
“Mu, Anne, if either of you says one more word, Mary’s going to blow up. I can’t stop her anymore. Especially now that Mother isn’t here.”
The second son, Dipus, shrugged.
Luntia shook her head as if all this was a bother, while Ran and Viego quietly focused on their food.
At the table sat the pureblood second generation—all gathered except for Luna, Yona, and the apprentice knight Jin.
Clack.
Joshua set down his knife and wiped his mouth.
“Alright, enough. It’s been a while since we all had dinner together. Is there any need to get worked up? Besides, I’m starting to think the youngest might actually be the one who killed Kidad Hall.”
All eyes turned to Joshua—even Luntia, who had been staring blankly, showed a flicker of interest.
“Big brother, why would you say that? Does it even make sense?”
“Hmm… Of course, the youngest couldn’t have done it alone. But if Yona helped, it’s possible.”
Mary and Dipus glared at Joshua with pure hostility. They were always fed up with his scheming.
“Enough, brother. I didn’t think you invited us just to stir up trouble at dinner, but this is getting old. Now you’re even targeting the apprentice knights?”
“Can you back up your claim that Yona helped? Big brother.”
“Well, it’s just a guess. Do I have to take responsibility for it? A 9-star archmage died, and no cause of death was found. Unless it was the work of ‘Nameless,’ it seems unlikely.”
‘Nameless.’
Yona was no longer with the Runkandel family but belonged to an assassin group called ‘Nameless.’
“Big brother’s always hoping something bad will happen to Yona. It’s disgusting how he suddenly brings up that name out of nowhere. And now he’s dragging the youngest into it—unbelievable.”
“There was a name left at the crime scene—Jin Gray. Here’s my theory: the youngest hired Nameless to make a name for himself, and Yona carved the name into the wall with a sword on his behalf.”
Mu and Anne clapped and nodded enthusiastically.
“Oh, that actually makes sense! So maybe the youngest borrowed Nameless’s help for those successful missions back when he was a cadet?”
“It’s just a hypothesis. But since the youngest has done incredible things that no one can understand, it wouldn’t hurt to investigate once.”
“Exactly, big brother. There have always been too many questions about Jin. I’ve also wondered what Yona thinks about our family.”
Bang!
Mary suddenly slammed her hand on the table. Mu and Anne flinched and looked away, while Luntia sighed inwardly, bracing for more trouble.
“As the family’s second heir, I won’t dare contradict the seventh heir. But remember this, big brother: if you hurt Yona, Father won’t just stand by quietly.”
Dipus stood up and added, “Brother, sometimes you should show a straightforward side. If you want Yona, just cut him down and put him beneath you. This tongue-wagging isn’t the Runkandel way.”
“Heh… You’re not in a position to say that, Dipus. If you don’t like it, why don’t you draw your sword right now?”
Dipus’s gaze briefly flicked to Luntia.
“For whose sake?”
Mary and Dipus turned sharply and left the room, leaving Joshua with a satisfied smile.
Meanwhile, the two who had sparked this whole mess could only think, feeling like they might choke.
“Ugh, now that the bottom’s gone, the top’s even crazier…”
“I have no idea how long Mu and Anne will keep tormenting me. Damn it. If only the youngest were here, maybe they’d be less harsh… I never thought I’d miss him this much.”
The Tona brothers were gloomy.
“Dante!”
At the notoriously dull banquet hall of Ziphl, Veradin shook a newsletter as he sat beside Dante.
Though invited, Dante had been struggling to figure out what expression to wear at this stuffy party so as not to offend anyone.
Having just finished greeting everyone, he forced a stiff smile when Veradin approached.
“You came? Veradin. Truly… a splendid… banquet. Thanks for not forgetting to invite me.”
“Oh, don’t bother with formalities between us. I know our family’s banquets are boring. I just wanted to see you. Sorry, sorry. You must be bored, right? I was too—missed the arena nights so much.”
“Oh… the arena! That was great. No need to apologize. I’ve felt pretty empty since that day.”
“I’ve spent more than a few days just fiddling with an empty treasure chest, reminiscing. But hey, have you heard? This.”
Veradin held out the newsletter.
Surprisingly, Dante had only just learned of Kidad Hall’s death. He’d been so absorbed in secluded training that he hadn’t kept up with the world.
“Hah! What the hell… A 9-star mage was murdered, and the name Jin Gray was left at the scene?”
“I’m more surprised you didn’t know until now. Anyway, I think this is that guy’s doing. Dante, what do you think?”
Hmph!
Dante snorted confidently.
“Of course! He’s more than capable. I don’t know the why or how, but I’m certain it’s his work.”
“So, Dante, can you spare some time?”
“Now?”
“No, starting tomorrow, with some leeway.”
Leaning close, Veradin whispered in Dante’s ear.
‘Want to go see him after a long time?’
‘Do you know where he is?’
‘I’ll find out!’
As Dante smiled broadly and nodded reflexively, the guests and reporters at the banquet hall interpreted the scene very differently.
“Those two just talked about Kidad Hall, right? But they were smiling like they shared some secret only they knew.”
“I heard relations between Ziphl and Hailan have been improving lately. Looks like Ziphl was involved in Kidad Hall’s death, and Prince Veradin gave Prince Dante some info.”
“Maybe Ziphl is strengthening friendly ties while dealing with non-aligned factions. Kidad was someone Ziphl cast out. We need to handle this case carefully.”
Meanwhile, the central figure in all this was searching for his ear pick.
“Who’s badmouthing me? Why do my ears keep itching… Murakan.”
“Why?”
“Is the work on the Reflux Tome almost done?”
“Ah! Damn it, kid, I have the right to live like a human too! I’ve been stuck with this magic book for a whole month already!”
Just as he said, Murakan had been working nonstop since Jin’s return, deciphering the runes inscribed in the Book of Reflux. The substitution had to be completed before the runes could be transferred and engraved onto Jin’s body.
Unlike the flash cannon incident with Chenmi, the rune structure this time was far too complex, which was why the work was still unfinished.
“But you’re the only one who can work on the spellbook, right?”
“Why do you always leave Quikantel out? He can do this too!”
“He’s always left out of the conversation. But once it’s all done, I’ll get you a whole cartload of limited-edition spring art collections…”
“Just try bringing anything below first-class rank—I’ll finish you off.”
While Murakan was grumbling, Kashimir came looking for Jin.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes, Lord Kashimir.”
“Hmm… I wanted to let you know that I’ll need to be away for about a month.”
“Oh, a whole month? Where are you going?”
“Well, it’s… Biment. Yes, I have to go back there for a bit. There are some things I left behind.”
As the exiled prince of Biment, Kashimir rarely had reason to return there himself these days.
Jin knew well that whenever Kashimir hesitated and spoke oddly like this, there was only one explanation.
“His father must have called him. To the Black Sea. Probably because of Kidath Hall. He must want to see him in person and get a direct report this time.”
It was the same moment Kashimir lied about Siron. Kashimir still thought Jin didn’t know he was reporting to Siron.
“Is there anything I can help with?”
“Oh, no! This is something I have to handle entirely on my own, haha. Anyway, Jin, Your Highness, I’ve secured what you asked for last time, so please think carefully about using it while I’m gone.”
Jin smiled quietly to himself, silently wishing Kashimir good luck.