Chapter 319
Episode 97: Joshua’s Counterattack (3)
“If you mean Joshua’s villa… is that the secret villa Lady Luna mentioned last time?”
“That’s right, Lord Kashimir. It’s a place I’ve been planning to raid sooner or later anyway.”
Joshua owned dozens of private villas. Among them, five were classified as secret villas or safe houses.
—My sister’s trip to the Black Sea is actually a boon for me. I want to find out exactly what mission Father and the former Black Knights were carrying out there, and why Father’s so obsessed with the Black Sea. Make sure you get to the bottom of it this time.
—Understood. It’s the first time Father has brought someone who isn’t a comrade to the Black Sea. I’ll bring back news that will satisfy you. But tonight, you owe me a night of drinking and stories about what you’ve been through outside.
Before Luna left for the Black Sea, she told Jin about two of the five secret villas.
This was information Jin had uncovered after being asked to investigate Joshua during the kingdom incident.
“You’re not seriously suggesting we strike right now, are you?”
“I wish we could, but Kuzan and Julian haven’t returned from southeastern Mittel yet.”
The dragons couldn’t join the raid on Joshua’s secret villas. If a dragon got involved and any enemies survived, it could cause serious problems.
After all, the Black Dragon, the family’s guardian deity, and the Silver Dragon, who was unofficially wanted by Biment, would be attacking Runcandel.
“And we need to confuse him a bit. Let’s show him struggling to raise money. While he’s busy gloating over that, when the secret villas get raided, I’m curious to see the look on his face.”
“But Lord, it’s true that we might actually end up struggling ourselves. The leaders of the Seven-Colored Birds are meeting with Biment’s contacts, but honestly, I don’t want to spend the royal treasury’s money.”
“I understand, Lord Kashimir.”
“Of course, if things don’t improve, I’m prepared to bow to the royal family. The Emperor… if I ask, he’ll hand over an enormous sum without question.”
There was nothing more humiliating than bowing to the royal family that had exiled him.
Kashimir, who had all the qualities of a good leader, was ready to swallow his pride—but he wanted to avoid using that last resort if possible.
Jin also hoped Kashimir wouldn’t have to suffer that kind of insult because of him.
“Don’t worry about the money. I’ll find a way. Strawberry Pie—no, Gilly’s right. We can’t beat Joshua with money alone, but I’ll try to prevent the city from going bankrupt.”
Kashimir placed a hand on Jin’s shoulder, smiling with a mix of gratitude and apology.
“I’m ashamed, Lord. I feel like I’m always putting too much on your shoulders.”
“What are you saying, Lord Kashimir? This whole mess started because of me. Don’t think like that. If anyone should apologize, it’s me.”
“No, Lord Jin, you’ve done nothing wrong…”
“You two are just messing around. Just kids, insignificant pests. Both of you are at fault. So, how do you plan to get the money?”
“You’re a dragon. Don’t you have any hidden wealth?”
“No. My old home, Storm Castle, is already being used by Runcandel. There’s nothing left.”
“Then I guess we’ll have to sell some of your drool and scales. They’ll fly off the shelves as perfume and armor materials.”
“What!?”
Gilly chuckled softly.
“Relax, I’m joking. Don’t get so worked up. For now, we’ll have to borrow some money. And start the business we’ve been putting off.”
“What business?”
“A venture my friends from the Golden Snow clan have prepared. We need to move fast. I just got back from vacation, so I can’t leave the Sword Garden unattended for too long.”
The next day, Jin headed to Biment.
Once again, he disguised himself and created a fake identity to enter the city. He dyed his hair white and used Golden Snow clan cosmetics to look like an artist from a wealthy noble family.
‘Even after becoming a Rider, it seems I still have to hide my identity a lot.’
He carried a piece of fine porcelain wrapped in the highest quality silk.
—Do you really have to bring that? It’s a treasured item.
—I have a use for it.
—Nothing else will do? That’s an art piece over fifteen hundred years old, priceless…
—Hey! You’re a guardian dragon too, right? What’s your role? If the contract requires a thousand years, just hand it over quickly. Come on, haha. Kid, how about smashing it in front of her?
—No way. You’re asking for a beating, little brother.
A while ago, when Jin visited Misha’s tavern, “The Veil,” he immediately noticed the extraordinary interior.
It was a top-tier, strictly members-only tavern owned by a dragon who had lived over three thousand years and had exceptional aesthetic sense.
Among the decorations were ancient art pieces that even most archaeologists had never seen.
Jin asked for the porcelain placed in the spot Misha cherished most—her private chamber.
‘I wanted to use it at a better time, but it can’t be helped. This will do nicely. Thank you, Lady Misha.’
He had saved it for a moment like this.
“Here we are, sir.”
“Keep the change.”
After paying and stepping down from the carriage, a fortress as massive as a mountain came into view.
Guarded on all sides by dozens of sentries clad in gleaming armor, this was the Hailan family’s main estate.
Sword Emperor Castle.
A fittingly arrogant yet respectable name for Biment’s most prestigious swordsmanship family.
Jin stared up at the castle for a moment before approaching the gate.
Despite the fortress’s intimidating presence, the guards greeted Jin surprisingly warmly.
The Hailan family, as Dante’s personality suggested, had a reputation for kindness and goodwill comparable to Ziphl.
“What brings you here?”
“Ah, I’m Paul Graymick, a craftsman. I’ve completed the porcelain Lord Dante ordered earlier and came to deliver it personally.”
The guards glanced at the porcelain Jin carried, then nodded knowingly. It wasn’t unusual for Dante to commission such pieces.
“This one will guide you. Please enter the reception room and wait.”
“It must be handed to Lord Dante himself.”
“I can’t guarantee the lord will come out personally. But that’s only because he’s busy with construction. Please don’t take it the wrong way.”
Jin almost smiled at the guard calling Dante “lord.”
He knew Dante had once walked a smooth path before his return, but experiencing it firsthand felt different.
“Of course not. The piece was finished sooner than expected, so I came without notice. I’m grateful just for your hospitality.”
“You’re the most reasonable artist I’ve met so far.”
Following the guard, Jin entered the castle’s reception room.
He seemed to be the only visitor today; the vast room felt empty and cold.
He had made it inside.
But would Dante recognize the name “Paul Graymick”? If not, Jin would have to find another way to approach him, which could complicate things.
He stood quietly, chatting with the guard, waiting.
About thirty minutes later—
Thud-thud-thud!
Footsteps thundered down the hallway outside the reception room.
“W-where is Paul Graymick!?”
Dante, who had been about to call out to Jin, quickly corrected himself. The guard snapped to attention, and Jin bowed as if greeting his lord.
“Ah, ahem. Sorry for the wait. I must have shown poor manners. You may leave now.”
“Yes, my lord!”
As soon as the guard left, Dante pulled Jin into a tight embrace.
“Jin, my friend! How dare you show up without a word? I don’t even know how long it’s been! How have you been? You’ve grown stronger since we last met!”
His rough, familiar voice was a welcome sound.
“Slow down, Dante. You seem taller.”
“I’ve grown about a finger’s length. You noticed.”
Though taller, Dante was still much smaller than Jin. His naturally slight build couldn’t be helped.
But Jin could immediately tell how much intense training Dante had undergone during their time apart.
‘He became lord at nineteen and reached a level of swordsmanship that even “genius” can’t describe. Yet he still trains ten times harder than others.’
Jin felt proud.
He wanted to open a bottle and catch up, but that wasn’t why he came today.
“Dante, I have a favor.”
“Oh? Tell me.”
“Lend me some money.”
After over a year apart, the first thing Jin asked for was a loan. Not exactly the best way to greet a friend.
But Dante trusted Jin enough to think it was okay. He’d even be willing to grant a greater request.
“How much do you need? Ah, and I suppose I should repay the money I lent you when you escaped the kingdom. I’ll add a hefty interest, too.”
“About three hundred million gold coins.”
“I see… wait, say that again.”
“Three hundred million.”
Dante felt a cold sweat trickle down his spine. Even for the lord of Hailan, three hundred million gold coins was an enormous sum.
“Did Runcandel appoint you as a Rider on the condition you raise that bounty?”
“No, that’s impossible.”
“That kind of money? Even I need Grandfather’s permission to use it. But I don’t have a good enough reason to ask him.”
Jin carefully unfolded the silk wrapping around the porcelain.
“How about telling him it’s for this piece?”
Dante wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about art, but he could tell Jin’s porcelain was no ordinary item.
After all, his grandfather, Ron Hiran, was a porcelain fanatic who spent every day in his study and workshop surrounded by the finest ceramics.
Still, no matter how exquisite the piece, three hundred million gold coins? That sounded absurd. Just as the doubt crossed his mind—
“Curious all these years about who managed to capture my grandson’s heart.”
A new voice came from the far side of the parlor.
Ron Hiran.
The head of the Hiran family, a peerless knight who had long competed against Siron Runcandel of the Changseong Knights. It was his voice.
“I never imagined it would be a fraud like this. Three hundred million gold coins? And you just sat there listening to such nonsense? Disappointing, Dante.”
“Gr-Grandfather, he’s not a fraud—I can explain—”
Shing!
Ron drew his sword from his waist.
The energy that surged from the blade caused a faint tremor in the room, and the air itself seemed to warp.
“Besides, that scoundrel reeks of Runcandel’s filthy stench.”
“Grandfather!”
“I won’t kill him. But I will take one of his arms. Let that be a lesson, and never show your face before Dante again.”