Chapter 317
Episode 97: Joshua’s Counterattack (Part 1)
Aria Owlheart.
The moment Rosa’s lips uttered the name most cherished by Valeria, the riders couldn’t help but exchange uneasy glances.
Because none of them knew who that was. Among all the riders, only Jin and Joshua recognized the name.
Yet no one dared to ask Rosa, “Mother, who is that exactly?”
It was an absurd situation, but asking would only expose their own ignorance and incompetence.
Meanwhile, the elders who were deciding on Joshua’s commendation were, of course, fully aware of Aria’s existence.
They subtly flaunted their informational advantage over most of the riders, maintaining an air of superiority.
“The acting head of the family and the Second Rider have made a significant decision. This is a matter that must be shared with all riders so that we can swiftly locate this individual,” said Jorden Runcandel, the Elder Chairman of the Black Sword Council, with a smile. Lin Milcano, the Vice Chairman of the Defense Council, nodded in agreement, while Telrot Runcandel, the Secretary of the Elders’ Council, remained silent.
Jorden’s gaze shifted subtly toward Joshua.
“This mission owes much to the efforts of the Second Rider.”
“Indeed, Elder Jorden. Since the Second Rider uncovered that name, we’ve been able to move faster than the GPL.”
“That’s right.”
As the elders supporting Jorden and Joshua chimed in, the riders felt their frustration mounting.
‘Joshua hasn’t told us anything, has he?’
‘Damn old men, cutting out all the details—what the hell are they babbling about? Could they at least explain it properly?’
Mew and Anne’s thoughts.
‘What kind of incredible achievement did our big brother pull off to make the elders act like this?’
‘Are they finally laying the groundwork to promote him as head of the family?’
Ran and Vigo.
‘Uh, let’s just stay quiet.’
‘Still, we need to keep up appearances.’
The Tona brothers.
‘Have you heard anything, big brother?’
‘Nope.’
Merry and Dipus.
‘This is so annoying…’
And finally, Luntia.
While each brother mulled over their own thoughts, Rosa spoke again.
“Most of you probably don’t know what the name Aria Owlheart means. Allow me to explain. She is the last surviving member of the Hister family, a once-feared magical lineage that threatened the GPL…”
Rosa went on to explain the Hister family in detail.
She spoke of the era when the Histers were active, how their magic posed a real threat to the GPL, and how such a powerful family had been erased from history to the point that even related records were nearly impossible to find.
‘She knows quite a lot.’
Before his reincarnation, Jin wasn’t a rider and had no access to such meetings.
His knowledge of the Runcandel family was limited.
Rosa—and by extension, the Runcandels—had a far deeper interest in the Hister family than Jin had anticipated.
“…Therefore, if we find Aria Owlheart, the last of the Histers, and acquire the knowledge she holds about the Hister family’s legacy and their record magic, we will gain a crucial advantage to pressure the GPL.”
It was genuinely surprising that Rosa herself mentioned “record magic” and “the Hister family’s legacy.” Everyone except Joshua had assumed she wouldn’t share such information.
‘Well, it makes sense. Only a few key elders and riders are privy to this.’
When Rosa finished, the riders’ eyes gleamed.
They all sensed an opportunity had arrived.
“Mother, then the reason you convened this meeting today is to order us riders to find her?”
“Exactly, Ran. From today onward, searching for and capturing Aria Owlheart is a standing mission for all Runcandel riders. This is classified as top secret, and no external forces are to be involved.”
“Understood.”
“If any information leaks that we are searching for the Hister, we will find the source and punish all involved without exception. No exceptions. Therefore, each rider must carefully select the knights under their command for this mission.”
The riders nodded gravely.
The promise of severe punishment without exception meant that if anyone slipped up and leaked information, they could lose their rider status.
Losing that status meant exile or indefinite banishment.
“The GPL is also desperately searching for her, but they don’t yet know the name Aria Owlheart. We must secure the Hister before they do.”
“Yes!”
Ahem!
Jorden cleared his throat to draw attention.
“As Elder Chairman, I have a few points to share regarding this mission. First, I want all riders to understand clearly that this is not just a chance to earn merit, but a matter of utmost importance to the family…”
Jorden paused for emphasis.
“Second, whenever there is progress in the mission, all riders must report directly to the current highest-ranking rider, the Second Rider.”
At this, some riders’ faces fell in disappointment, as if they had expected otherwise.
They had hoped this would be a rare chance to earn merit without favoritism from Rosa, but once again, it seemed the eldest son would monopolize the glory.
Of course, everyone accepted the reality that Joshua would become the family head.
So, few riders truly wished to compete for the position by earning merit.
Still, moments like this brought a sense of disillusionment. They felt like mere puppets filling quotas, not riders who had earned their place through hardship.
Even if they couldn’t become head, they wanted to keep their pride.
Rosa saw through their feelings but thoroughly ignored them.
She had trained them so that unless they proved their worth, they could never rebel.
Among the eleven riders remaining in the family, only four dared to openly express displeasure toward Rosa and the elders at times like this.
“Elder Chairman, I don’t understand. Why must we report mission progress through the Second Rider?”
“That’s right, Elder Chairman. The Second Rider is just a rider, not the head or acting head of the family.”
Dipus and Merry spoke up.
They had consistently proven their worth before becoming riders.
Whether in combat or mission performance, they had never disappointed Siron, Rosa, or the Elders’ Council.
But that didn’t mean they were on good terms with the entire council. They didn’t respect Jorden and hadn’t given up on claiming the family headship.
“Heh. So the Fourth and Seventh Riders have complaints?”
“Do you expect us not to? This tramples on the riders’ pride. You say it’s a matter of family importance, yet you deliberately sow discord like this. It’s incomprehensible.”
“Then why didn’t you find out who Aria Owlheart is?”
“What did you say?”
“The name that even the GPL hasn’t identified was discovered by the Second Rider alone. It’s entirely his achievement. We’re actually being considerate by letting you share in the credit.”
As if expecting this, Jorden calmly countered their objections.
“Oh? Is that so? I wasn’t aware. Then why don’t you just let Joshua, the Second Rider, handle the search alone? Why gather us all here? Is this your idea, Elder Chairman, or the Mother’s?”
“That’s a bit harsh!”
“Is it worse than Jorden treating us like shadows?”
Merry ground her teeth, but Rosa raised a hand lightly.
“Enough, Seventh Rider. I understand you’re upset, but show respect to the Elder Chairman. Elder Jorden will surely understand your youthful passion.”
Rosa’s words silenced the three who had been growling.
She then turned her gaze to two other riders with speaking rights: Jin and Luntia.
“Third and Twelfth Riders, do you have anything to say?”
“No.”
“Neither do I.”
“Then this is what we’ll do. Fine. Following the Fourth and Seventh Riders’ suggestion, report directly to me instead of Joshua. Furthermore, whoever brings back the Hister will be granted governance over the five eastern territories of Hupester.”
At those words, every eye in the meeting room fixed on Rosa. Even Joshua and Jorden, clearly on Rosa’s side, looked stunned.
Only Jin maintained a calm expression.
‘Governance over the five eastern territories… That dwarfs the 400 million gold coins I once had hanging around my neck…’
Joshua, surprised himself, turned to look at Rosa, but happened to catch Jin’s composed face and sensed something unusual.
Governance over the five eastern territories.
Aside from becoming family head, this was the greatest reward a rider could receive.
Even if one failed to become head, holding governance over the eastern territories meant building an independent power base.
Among the territories a rider or elder could govern, the “five eastern territories” ranked among the top three most desirable lands.
The other riders, who had barely concealed their disappointment over the eldest son’s monopoly, quietly rejoiced inwardly.
Whether they had earned Rosa and Siron’s recognition or not, if they could just find and bring back Aria Owlheart, they would reign as the rulers of the East.
“Now, I trust everyone fully understands the gravity of this mission. Once again, this is a top-secret, standing assignment. Stay sharp and bring the Hister before me. That is all!”
The meeting had come to an end.
The senior members and elders bowed their heads to Rosa and began filing out of the chamber. The attendants and scribes waiting outside quickly gathered their lords and followed behind.
‘Since they’re looking for the Master, it means the deal between Mother and Keliak Ziphl fell through. And now it’s the Eastern Five Regions? What on earth is Mother hoping to gain by handing the Master over to Ziphl?’
At this point, Jin had no clear idea. But one thing was certain—Rosa mentioning control over the Eastern Five Regions meant this was no small matter.
Just as he was about to head back to his room, lost in thought—
“Jin.”
Joshua called out to him.
“Yes, sir? 2nd Senior.”
Jin turned around, and Joshua dismissed his attendants and scribes.
With the hallway now empty except for the two of them, what Joshua said next caught Jin completely off guard.
“You’ve already found him, haven’t you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Aria Owlheart. You’ve already found him.”