Chapter 271
Episode 87: Siblings (2)
The next day, Luna and some of the squad leaders left the Sword Garden to encourage their respective clans.
Jin felt a pang of regret at parting with his eldest sister once again, but the siblings shared heartfelt wishes for each other’s well-being and success, deepening their bond.
Early that morning, First Steward Petro came looking for Jin.
“First Steward Petro, I formally greet you again on behalf of the 12th squad. From today onward, I will be your personal attendant, my lord. I vow to serve you faithfully and never disappoint you.”
Of course, he was the person Luna had left behind.
Knowing the remaining squad leaders and their stewards would likely be hostile, Luna had thoughtfully arranged for Petro to assist Jin, so that gathering information within the clan wouldn’t become a hassle.
“I’m counting on you, Petro. From now on, just call me ‘my lord’.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Oh? So this guy is your personal steward?”
Bang!
As Murakan transformed into his human form, Petro bowed his head respectfully.
“Hmm…”
Murakan scrutinized Petro from head to toe for a moment.
“Murakan, is there something you want to say to me?”
“From now on, you’re a ‘single-lens.’”
“Pardon?”
Petro was wearing single-lens glasses.
“Listen carefully, single-lens. You’re not only to serve the young master but also to attend to me, Murakan. Understood?”
“Of course, Murakan.”
Petro found it hard to believe that the black cat he’d often seen during Jin’s cadet days was actually this man.
“Good. Excellent. Come closer.”
Petro cautiously leaned in toward Murakan’s ear.
After Murakan whispered something, Petro blinked in disbelief, then nodded.
“Got it?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“What did he say?”
“You, little one, don’t need to know.”
“Petro, if that black dragon makes any strange demands, report everything to me.”
“I will, my lord. Speaking of which, Murakan just ordered me to acquire the complete collection of erotic paintings by the spring-themed artists affiliated with the Mila Art Guild…”
“Single-lens!”
Murakan’s sudden shout made Gilly chuckle quietly.
Jin shook his head but didn’t tell Petro he didn’t have to follow that order. After all, it was a precious hobby of his guardian dragon.
Of course, Murakan glared at Petro with a sharp gaze, grinding his teeth.
“Petro, find out how my faction’s cadet friends are doing and report back.”
“Ah, the youngest squad has been under surveillance even before your return, my lord. Of the ten cadets, one has already become a Guardian Knight, two are taking the final Guardian Knight exam, and the remaining seven are training as senior cadets.”
“Oh, so one of them has already become a Guardian Knight. That must be Mesa Milkano.”
Jin naturally assumed that Mesa, the leader of the youngest squad, was the first to become a Guardian Knight.
But Petro gave an unexpected answer.
“No, Mesa Milkano is taking the final exam alongside Skut Ryman. Bellop Schmitz has been standing out the most lately.”
Bellop Schmitz.
In his previous life, he was a frail character who was expelled from the Sword Garden, later joining the Biment Guard under Hailan.
Back then, Bellop became a murderous puppet involved in all sorts of atrocities and ultimately ended his life by suicide, leaving a remorseful suicide note for his crimes.
“Bellop! That guy? Where is he now?”
Hearing that Bellop had now proudly become a Guardian Knight of Runkandel filled Jin with unexpected pride and joy.
“Well… he’s currently dispatched to the snowy mountains in the southeast of the Mittel Kingdom. It’s an indefinite solo mission to exterminate bandits.”
Jin frowned, displeased.
The snowy mountains in southeastern Mittel were so harsh and uninhabited that barely anyone lived there.
There was only a tiny village of fewer than a hundred households in the vast land, so there were no bandits, not even petty thieves.
Sending Bellop there to exterminate bandits was essentially a demotion right after becoming a Guardian Knight—just because he belonged to Jin’s faction.
Worse, Bellop didn’t even know that Jin had returned yet.
The other faction cadets had all lined up on the day Jin came back.
“I see.”
“Should we bring up Bellop’s return at the next squad meeting?”
“No, leave it be. If we just bring him back, there’ll be unnecessary gossip. He should come back after proving himself.”
“But there are no bandits there. Even if there were, hunting bandits isn’t really a Guardian Knight’s job. The excuse is flimsy.”
“First Steward Petro.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Petro’s eyes shifted as he bowed.
“We must always deliver results beyond expectations. Not just occasionally achieving something remarkable, but every single time, we must produce gains the enemy never anticipates. Otherwise, no one will acknowledge us. In other words, we must never settle for ordinary.”
Small flaws become fatal stains, and great achievements are dismissed as trivial.
The enemies were always ready to treat Jin and his people that way.
And Jin was prepared to be recognized by them in the end—and to bring them to their knees.
“I will keep that in mind!”
“Do you have a list of wanted individuals ranked first class or higher among the squad records?”
“Yes.”
“Bring it here.”
Petro hurried off and returned with the documents.
Jin scanned through them and singled out about five wanted criminals.
“Fhirok, the renegade knight of Vankela; Jack Glow, the mad dog of western Biment; Panta, the assault captain of the Red Wolf tribe… So they’re still active.”
Jin smiled wryly as he looked at their names and faces.
He recalled a conversation he’d had with Dante and Veradin back in Samil during their cadet days.
“There are villains everywhere! The kings of Mamit, Jack Glow of western Biment, remnants of the Dark Magic Council, Fhirok the renegade knight of Vankela, Panta the Red Wolf assault captain…”
“The three of us are going on an adventure to take down those evil scoundrels. My heart’s already pounding with excitement.”
‘They seemed so eager, thinking I might accept the adventure. I wonder if Dante’s been alright, but I’m worried about Veradin.’
Jin wanted to contact them immediately, but it was unthinkable to interact with enemy princes right after arriving at the Sword Garden.
Naturally, he couldn’t contact them recklessly before an opportunity to meet arose.
“Take this list of wanted criminals to the free city of Tikan. Tell my friends Kuzan and Julian to pick two trackable targets and subtly herd them toward the snowy mountains in southeastern Mittel.”
“Understood.”
“During the pursuit, there must be no civilian casualties, and the wanted criminals must not be injured or realize they’re being driven toward Bellop or anyone else. The credit must belong entirely to Bellop.”
“I will relay that without fail.”
But could Bellop, who had just become a Guardian Knight, handle such dangerous criminals? If he were capable of such a tricky pursuit, they wouldn’t still be at large.
Petro kept this thought to himself.
He sensed a strange authority emanating from Jin.
‘When serving Miss Luna, I often felt an untouchable aura, but the presence around Lord Jin is different… His words carry an indescribable power. A force that makes it feel inevitable.’
Just like the words of the clan head, Siron Runkandel.
Though not yet comparable to Siron, Petro instinctively knew that Jin also possessed a similar kind of dignity.
“Also, starting today, reporters across Hupester will be publishing articles about me. For those from media outlets you can control, make sure every single article is reviewed and approved by Dino Jaglun.”
“Yes. What should I tell Dino to look out for when reviewing the articles?”
“Emphasize that I am the contractor of Solderet and Tess. Instruct them to use simpler, more straightforward language than any other media. Remove any mention of clan traditions. The writing should be easy enough for children to understand but not so casual that it loses dignity.”
In other words, Jin wanted to promote the fact that he was a magic swordsman in the most approachable way possible.
“Also, starting next week, various factions will send delegations to congratulate me. Identify those who show goodwill, and the Holy King himself will visit, so make sure to treat him with special care.”
Since Lady Rani ascended as Holy King, the Holy Kingdom had maintained a policy of isolation.
But now that Jin, the kingdom’s benefactor, had become an official squad leader, the king would surely come in person.
“This will be the first time the current Holy King leaves the kingdom. A historic moment. Hmm… It would be appropriate to form an honor guard composed of senior Guardian Knights, but none of your people hold that rank yet.”
Jin gave Petro a moment to think.
“…If I may offer my opinion, to prevent the honor of the Holy King’s guard from going to other squads, why not form a welcoming party composed of survivors from the Colon incident? Since the Holy King’s entourage likely includes survivors of the bio-golem experiments, it would make a good impression.”
Jin nodded approvingly.
That was exactly the answer he wanted.
“Excellent. Proceed as planned.”
Petro bowed again.
“Lastly, who currently has my sword, Bradamante?”
“Bradamante was retrieved from the Golden Snow tribe and immediately stored in the armory of the 2nd squad.”
Jin had expected this, so there was no need to get annoyed.
Jin had already laid the groundwork to track down Bradamante.
“I wonder how long this will take,” he muttered.
“You mean retrieving Bradamante?” Petro asked, his voice heavy with doubt.
He couldn’t think of any clever plan to get Bradamante back.
“No, I mean Mary showing up in front of me holding Bradamante.”
Before Petro could respond, heavy footsteps thundered rapidly down the hallway.
Clack, bang!
The door to their room was flung open with a fierce slam.
Standing there was an uninvited guest, eyes blazing with fierce determination.
Looking at his youngest sister, Jin almost burst out laughing.
“You brat! You little rascal!”
She looked like she’d just come from a serious fight—her hair was wild, and scratches marked her face and arms.
At her waist hung not only her own longsword but also Bradamante.
“Sis, what brings you here?” Jin asked.
“This time, you won’t be able to say no. This sword—Bradamante—you want it back, don’t you? Then come with me right now. I’ll give it to you if you can satisfy me.”
Jin felt like breaking into a joyful dance right then and there.