Episode 154
Chapter 52: The Black Sea Gathering
Scritch…
Gasp! Huff!
As thick streams of blood splattered, the Rune-Kandel Guardian Knights could only painfully realize just how helpless they were.
There were twenty of them—each a Guardian Knight ranked between 7th and 8th star.
These were the very knights Joshua had ordered to inspect the camp.
But the moment they stepped out of Samil, they were reduced to prey for the Nameless assassins without mounting any real resistance.
Nine of the top ten Nameless assassins had gathered here, all except Yona. It was no surprise that twenty elite Guardian Knights couldn’t handle them.
Though not quite as infamous as Rune-Kandel’s dreaded Black Knights, the Nameless assassins were equally fearsome in reputation.
“Identify their attack positions! These are definitely the top assassins!”
“Damn it! Don’t scatter! If we break formation, we’ll just get picked off!”
Despite all being users of the Mind’s Eye, they couldn’t detect the presence of the top assassins at all. Every time a flash of light appeared somewhere, a Guardian Knight would fall.
The captain, as if making a grim decision, raised his voice.
“Surely the Nameless aren’t afraid of Rune-Kandel’s retaliation! Whatever their reason, we are the next heirs of Rune-Kandel’s house…”
Thunk.
A dagger pierced the back of his head.
All the remaining knights could do was grit their teeth.
“Mission complete. Disperse. I will report to the king myself.”
It took only three minutes from that moment until the top assassins, led by ‘Bizen,’ spoke those words. And the Nameless uniforms they wore were spotless—no bloodstains, just as pristine as when they first arrived.
—Please erase any record that I ever came to Samil. I want no one except the commoners of the Kon Principality and the Nameless trainees and assassins to remember Jin Grey or Jin Rune-Kandel.
This was the request Jin made to the Nameless King.
To erase the fact that Jin Grey—or Jin Rune-Kandel—had ever been to Samil. That was why the top assassins had just wiped out Joshua’s knights.
No one but the commoners and Nameless affiliates were to remember him…
Owl mulled over those words again, flicking ash from his cigarette.
“Jin said it was like catching a big fish in a net he threw without much thought. But he probably expected this outcome all along. That kid’s terrifying.”
Just then, Bizen sought out Owl.
“Mission accomplished. We killed twenty-three Rune-Kandel Guardian Knights. The cleanup will be done within an hour.”
“Well done.”
“I worry how Rune-Kandel will react. Though we have justification, killing that many Guardian Knights will surely bring pressure.”
“Don’t worry, Bizen. I plan to meet Sir Siron myself and discuss it. We’ll depart for the Black Sea within two days. Take charge of the Nameless Hall while I’m gone.”
“Understood.”
A man with noble, handsome features and uncanny swordsmanship, often misunderstood by the public as a mystic.
Kashimir was sweating profusely.
He had expected the Khan to come meet him near the Black Sea.
But Siron hadn’t sent the Khan, and Kashimir had been drenched in monster blood for over a week without a guide.
He had lost count of how many monsters he’d slain just to reach this place.
After countless trials, he had finally arrived at the heart of the Black Sea where Siron awaited.
Why are all these people here…?
Surely, only Siron had summoned him. Yet Kashimir saw four figures.
“Welcome, Swordmaster.”
First, Guardian Knight Khan.
Though polite, Khan inwardly felt a bit smug.
He thought, Now you know how hard it is to deliver a letter. His gaze silently pressured Kashimir to write his letters more clearly in the future.
“Siron, why did you call that married man? I wanted a private talk, but there are so many uninvited guests.”
The Lady of the Bow, Thalaris.
She glanced at Kashimir’s disheveled state and clicked her tongue, doubting whether he could properly support her future son-in-law while suffering from mere monster attacks.
“Swordmaster Kashimir? Siron, it seems the Free City of Tikan has also forged ties with Rune-Kandel.”
The Nameless King, Owl.
He had arrived just thirty minutes before Kashimir.
Finally, the strongest knight of this era, Siron Rune-Kandel, sat upright, half-floating in the air, quietly observing Kashimir.
When their eyes met, Kashimir quickly bowed.
“Apologies for being late, Siron.”
“Sit. And Thalaris, the uninvited guests are not the Swordmaster, but you and Owl.”
“Huh?”
“Oh, so the Swordmaster had prior engagements…”
Surprisingly, at Siron’s words, Thalaris and Owl stepped back, making room for Kashimir to stand before Siron.
Only Siron could command the Lady of the Bow and the Nameless King with a single word. He even subtly embarrassed Kashimir, who was far beneath them in status.
Kashimir couldn’t help but feel grateful.
Siron is looking out for me!
The hardships of battling monsters seemed to melt away. Kashimir quickly took his seat, watching carefully.
Thalaris is probably here to propose marriage again, but why is the Nameless King here? Did Prince Jin cause trouble in Samil?
Though Siron had made space for him, Kashimir couldn’t shake the feeling of sitting on a bed of thorns. Thalaris and Owl were openly shooting him annoyed looks.
With Kashimir and the Nameless King here, it’s awkward to bring up marriage talks!
…And with the Lady of the Bow and the Swordmaster present, it’s hard to mention Jin and Yona.
But Siron was only pleased.
Though Kashimir was of lower rank, three famous figures—two of whom were almost legends—had come solely because of the youngest member.
“I originally called you for a drink, but two unexpected guests have arrived. Please understand. We’ll drink after they leave.”
With that, Kashimir was momentarily elevated to a status comparable to the Lady of the Bow and the Nameless King. Thalaris and Owl were internally shocked.
It was the consideration of an absolute being. Siron didn’t want Kashimir to hold back his words out of fear of their gazes.
“Understand? That’s absurd, Siron.”
“So, how is the youngest one doing?”
“When I left for the Black Sea, Prince Jin had departed for Owl’s city, the Nameless King’s domain. He said he wanted to train to avoid poisonings and assassinations.”
At that, Siron, Thalaris, and Owl all showed concern.
Why does he keep seeking danger? What if he dies? What about our daughter?
Jin is an extraordinary kid, but Siron’s interest in a trainee knight is surprising…
Siron’s gaze shifted to Owl, silently asking for an explanation.
“Ahem. The Swordmaster is right. I came to discuss that as well. But it’s not something to say in front of the Lady of the Bow or the Swordmaster.”
“Just speak. You know, the Lady of the Bow and I aren’t the same, but she’s one of my few friends. And the Swordmaster is trustworthy.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Owl nodded. From now on, he would consider the Lady of the Bow and Tikan allies of Rune-Kandel.
Owl then began detailing Jin’s actions in Samil. Everyone listened intently, though the parts about Veradin and Dante were omitted.
When Owl described how Jin caused chaos in Samil, survived, and achieved mastery of the Mind’s Eye, a smile crept onto Siron’s lips.
And when he reached the part about killing twenty-three Guardian Knights on Jin’s orders to foil Joshua’s spies, Siron burst out laughing.
His laughter caused a faint tremor in the center of the Black Sea.
“I understand why you came. Were you worried I’d hold him accountable?”
“Embarrassingly, yes. It’s not just one or two, but twenty-three.”
“You’re already thinking about purges. That brat…”
Though his voice lost its humor, his expression was oddly satisfied. To Thalaris and Owl, ‘that brat’ sounded more like ‘remarkable.’
Only Kashimir fretted, wondering if Jin had made a mistake.
“Don’t worry about that. Even if it were two hundred, it would be the same.”
“You ease this junior’s mind, but Siron, I have one more troubling matter.”
“What is it?”
“…You should see this note. It’s something I can’t reveal to the Lady of the Bow or the Swordmaster.”
“Let me see.”
Siron’s brow twitched as he took the note.
—I received a gift of deadly poison wine from Sister Yona. Nameless King, please use this as leverage to negotiate with my father. Ask him to delay Yona’s return to Rune-Kandel.
With poison wine like this, asking for at least five years’ delay isn’t unreasonable.
Oh, and I didn’t trick anyone to get it. I should return it, but since the Nameless King said, ‘Rest assured from Nameless assassinations for ten years,’ my greed for the poison outweighs my fear…
Though it’s a despicable method, I’ve kept my promise again. I trust the king will keep his promise to me as well.
Thank you.
This was the note Jin left behind when he departed Samil.
“Why? What’s wrong, Sir Siron? Has our son-in-law gotten himself into some trouble he can’t handle?”
Finally unable to contain her curiosity, Talaris spoke up.
“…Owl, is this really true?”
“Yes. In fact, beyond what was written on that note, I’ve been blindsided a few more times.”
“You, of all people, taken in by that greenhorn? He’s clever, sure, but is that even believable? Surely Yona didn’t scheme out of envy.”
Sighing, Owl shook his head.
“I wish it were something like that.”
“Looks like it’s not just you who’s been fooled.”
“Well, Sir Siron is still family. Unlike me, who’s been completely duped, there are still plenty of admirable qualities to hold onto.”
“Hahaha… We’ll have to discuss this matter again soon. I’ll send a formal invitation—come visit the Garden of Blades sometime.”
“I’ll share more details then as well.”
“Siron, you’re leaving the Black Sea again? I don’t know what’s going on, but you’re not going to punish our son-in-law, are you?”
“Who says he’s your son-in-law, Talaris?”
“Hmm, that much you can answer, can’t you? Has Jin made some huge mistake that needs punishing?”
Siron shook his head lightly.
“No.”
“That’s a relief.”
A silence settled over them. Siron was lost in thought, Talaris felt reassured, and Owl was busy wondering how much longer to ask for Yona’s leave.
“Guikyeom.”
“Yes, Sir Siron?”
“I’m curious about the news you brought. I didn’t catch it while talking with Owl.”
“I was just about to mention it. The recent death of the great mage Kidard Hall that shook the world—it turns out it was the work of Prince Jin.”
“What?”
“Ha!”
Talaris and Owl exclaimed in unison, while Siron nodded with a blank expression.
“I see. Then, unwelcome guests, please excuse us. I’m going to have a drink with Guikyeom now.”
“I think I know what you two will talk about. I don’t mind, so include me—don’t keep leaving me out.”
Since she knew Jin was a magic swordsman, it wasn’t a problem for her to know how Jin had killed Kidard.
In the end, Owl was the only one who left without knowing Jin’s secret.
‘Even if the Lady of the Secret Bow is like that, is Guikyeom closer to Sir Siron than I am…? And I’m curious myself how that guy managed to kill Kidard.’
It stung a little, but since everything they aimed for was accomplished, it was fine.
Owl decided to think that way.