Chapter 275
Episode 88: The Unwelcome Delegation and an Unexpected Encounter (Part 1)
“Only after the subordinates made mistakes did they come to pay their respects? I suppose I was far too indifferent,” Rosa said as she set down her teacup.
She had come to Jin’s room immediately after receiving the report from the guardian knights.
“Yes, you were indifferent. When I awoke and sought out the Garden of Swords, it was only right that you and your husband would come to greet me. Yet the head of the family left without so much as a word, and the subordinates behaved with such disrespect—it’s more than a little disappointing.”
“From this moment on, I will ensure that everyone affiliated with the Garden of Swords treats Lord Murakan with the same respect as a senior elder of the family.”
Murakan’s eyebrows twitched at the phrase “the same respect as a senior elder.” It irked him to be regarded as merely equal to an elder.
But he had resolved not to dwell on the past anymore. He hadn’t even fully regained his prime strength yet, and after all, Temar had left the surface world over a thousand years ago.
When Temar first founded Runcandel, Murakan had been closer to it than anyone else.
Now, he was more of an outsider. In fact, he was openly hostile toward Rosa, who held the real power.
“Everything’s changed since a thousand years ago—the landscape, the people. Temar, I find myself wanting to see you again after all this time,” Murakan chuckled softly.
“Runcandel has certainly changed,” Rosa replied.
“Progress is natural over time,” Murakan said.
“Progress, huh? If Runcandel had truly advanced, then Ziphl wouldn’t exist. Since losing magic, you’ve only grown weaker over the past millennium.”
“I’m but a mere mortal, so I can only glimpse the former glory of Runcandel through records. I can’t even begin to imagine how powerful it once was. I simply follow tradition and law.”
“Do you not realize that those traditions and laws stem from the humiliating pact made with Ziphl?”
“I am aware.”
“Then why does most of the family reject your youngest son—the only one who can break that pact?”
Rosa held Murakan’s gaze for a long moment.
“I’ve heard the elders refuse to pass on the decisive techniques, and that you immediately assigned your son an impossible task upon his arrival. I expect a reasonable explanation.”
“Lord Murakan, first of all, it’s wrong to say the youngest is the only one who can break the pact. Anyone with the power to subdue Ziphl could nullify it.”
“The blood of Runcandel is cursed. It seals magic, and no spell or power can break it except for Solderet’s might.”
“If Solderet is truly omnipotent, then why has he left us alone for the past thousand years? He even served as Ziphl’s guardian deity.”
Murakan had no answer for that.
A god is a god because they protect their followers or accomplish what mortals cannot.
In that sense, Solderet had never truly been Runcandel’s god after Temar’s passing.
“So you made a contract with your youngest son?”
“A simple contract might help him personally, but unless the deity manifests directly to lift the curse, it holds little meaning for the family as a whole. In fact, breaking the pact risks Ziphl’s retaliation and internal chaos from questions of legitimacy.”
“It’s laughable to hear you talk about legitimacy in front of me.”
Rosa toyed with her teacup.
“The elders’ refusal to teach the decisive techniques stems from that. Also, I believe there’s a misunderstanding—I have never given your son an impossible mission.”
“Go on.”
“Killing the Black Knight spy is not his task alone. It’s a critical matter, so other skilled riders will join him. The head of the family has his reasons, and I don’t want your son harmed. I know well how capable he is.”
“That sounds like you want to use his talents to the fullest and then discard him.”
“Either way, your son must keep causing anomalies. Otherwise, he won’t be accepted in Runcandel, even as a rider. Does that explain things?”
Murakan met Rosa’s eyes for a long moment.
“Very well. One last question.”
“Please.”
“Where is Temar’s tomb?”
“I don’t know. May I take my leave?”
Before Murakan could respond, Rosa rose.
“I will see to it that the knights who were disrespectful to you are severely punished.”
As Rosa left the room, Murakan clicked his tongue.
“Not quite like Shiron, but still… she’s no ordinary woman.”
Gilly exhaled sharply, shaking her head.
“Lord Murakan, I never expected you to summon the lady yourself… You must never do that again. She is currently acting head of the Runcandel family.”
“I know that, Strawberry Pie. I just wanted to see for myself who my youngest son’s greatest enemy is.”
“I was so nervous, worried she might take offense.”
“I didn’t think she’d be so lacking in dignity.”
“Still, you must stop embarrassing her in front of everyone. If you’re not careful, even you could be brought before the family tribunal… Wait!”
Gilly suddenly stopped speaking, startled.
Outside the window, Rosa was seen cutting down the guardian knights as they stepped out of the building.
“Ugh!”
“Ah!”
In the harsh sunlight streaming over the Garden of Swords, the guardian knights’ blood splattered vividly.
They were the very knights who had been rude to Murakan while chasing Mary.
Rosa’s face was expressionless as her sword swiftly and precisely severed their arms and legs.
The lead knight’s neck was cleanly cut. His head dropped to the ground without a glance from Rosa.
Gilly instinctively covered her mouth, and Murakan watched the scene unfold, albeit belatedly.
Of course, it was a warning to Murakan.
If he summoned her so carelessly again, he should not expect to be treated as a family guardian dragon.
Once Rosa left as if nothing had happened, the servants hurried to clean up the bodies and tend to the wounded.
“Did that really happen?”
After finishing treatment, Jin returned and Gilly recounted the bloody scene from earlier.
“I’ve never seen the lady punish the guardian knights like that before. I worry the entire family’s retainers will be intimidated for a while.”
“They were all Joshua’s knights anyway. Sooner or later, they’d have died or been injured by me… but Mother went too far. They devoted themselves to the family, yet she punished them so harshly over something trivial.”
“Was it just anger over Lord Murakan’s actions?”
“No, her intent was clear. She sent a message to the retainers: stay away from me as much as possible. If you get involved with me, even minor issues will bring severe consequences.”
“I’ve always thought… what kind of mother is that? Temar’s Runcandel was harsh, but at least there was affection among kin and retainers. A strong bond.”
“That bond still exists, just not universally. And it’s not surprising, is it? Gilly, send condolences and compensation to the families of the knights who died today. Quietly, without my name attached.”
The fallen knights were Joshua’s men, clearly Jin’s enemies.
Still, in a broad sense, they were Runcandel’s people.
Enemies, yes, but retainers nonetheless. Their deaths were both enemy and retainer losses.
Therefore, Jin believed the minimum respect for their deaths was necessary.
When he killed Joshua’s knights in Samil, he was only a prospective rider, so it wasn’t required. But now, as a rider, he had to care for the deaths of retainers—unless they had betrayed the family or harmed his kin.
“Yes, my lord. I will handle it quietly. And congratulations on reclaiming your sword.”
“I rolled through a field of magical bombs to get this from Mary. I even seriously considered killing her.”
“I think Miss Mary will be a strong ally for you. Also, Lord Jed Elder sent someone earlier. He said to come see you right after the congratulatory delegation finishes.”
“Understood.”
After that, Jin kept a low profile, focusing solely on personal training.
Having caused major incidents immediately upon his return, it was best to stay quiet.
Meanwhile, rumors that Jin had defeated Mary spread quickly throughout the Garden of Swords, along with news of his appointment as a rider, reaching the wider world.
The Garden and the outside world buzzed with excitement.
Following Jin’s orders, Dino diligently compiled reports, while Kuzan and Julian each took on one of the “Mad Hound Jack Glow” and “Fallen Knight Hylok,” driving them toward the snowy mountains in the southeast of Mittel.
Like the eye of a storm, only Jin’s time flowed quietly.
Then, on February 15, 1799, delegations began arriving one by one at the Garden of Swords to offer their congratulations. The riders who had gone to encourage the lower factions had not yet returned.
Despite sending envoys from all neutral factions—including the warriors of Hupester and even the Bimants—Jin barely met with any of those who came to see him. In fact, he was so rude that he accepted their gifts and sent them away without a word.
“Sir, are you sure it’s alright to keep turning them away like this?” Petro asked.
Jin nodded.
“There’s no need to rush to win over those who judge me by such trivial actions. Those who can overlook my rudeness will recognize my worth on their own. Besides, right now, I have nothing to offer them. Getting too close would only leave me owing unnecessary debts.”
When you have nothing to give, owing someone is always a debt with high interest.
“I’ll only receive envoys from the Delki Kingdom, Macloran, and Vilga of the Jan Kingdom—the envoy of the Holy King himself. The rest can be sent away after accepting their gifts.”
“Understood. I’ll make a special note of those who show particular goodwill.”
“Oh, and if the Volta family sends an envoy, report it directly to me. I want to meet them in person as well.”
“The Volta family, sir?”
Volta was one of the poorest noble houses in Hupester.
And in Hupester, being poor meant the family had no outstanding warriors at all.
Petro found it hard to understand why Jin would dismiss envoys from powerful clans and influential factions, yet insist on personally receiving envoys from such a fallen noble family.
‘Ah, I spoke of Volta without thinking it through,’ Petro thought, tilting his head in confusion.
Jin glanced around subtly.
Fortunately, Gilly and Murakan hadn’t overheard the conversation—they were busy chatting among themselves.
‘If I ever need to explain why I’m looking out for the Volta family, I’ll come up with a suitable excuse when the time comes,’ Jin thought.
The real reason Jin cared about the Voltas was because of memories from his past life.
But unlike Murakan and Gilly, Petro wasn’t a comrade—he was a subordinate, and Jin was a proper knight.
There was no need to explain or justify everything in detail when giving orders.
“In Akin, I needed Zett to make use of my past memories, and later, Lord Kashimir’s help was crucial. But now, that’s no longer necessary.”
Realizing this anew, Jin smiled quietly to himself.
“Understood, sir. I’ll report immediately if the Volta family sends an envoy.”