Episode 320
Episode 98. Not Prey
Among the ten-star knights known to the world, Ron Hyland was undoubtedly one of the very best, alongside the legendary archer princess, Thalaris Endorma.
If someone like him made up his mind to strike, no matter how skilled Jin was, there was simply nothing he could do.
With purposeful strides, Ron approached Jin, and Dante’s eyes trembled wildly.
Without thinking, Dante stepped in front of Jin.
“Step aside.”
“Grandfather, please listen to me!”
“I don’t want to hear it.”
A few years ago, after returning from the Cosmos Arena, Dante couldn’t help but recall the promise he made to his grandfather.
— I’m sorry, Grandfather. I didn’t win this time, and I barely escaped death twice.
— Twice nearly losing your life in that lowly tournament…? What happened? Was your swordsmanship lacking, or was there a hidden master blinded by money and games?
— My swordsmanship wasn’t lacking, but my spirit was. And while there was no master blinded by money or games, I did meet two boys who stirred my heart.
— Haha, if you say so, I’m curious already. You, who never cared for the stunning beauties that come and go in our family… So, what are the names of these boys who moved your heart?
— Grandfather, I’m sorry, but I cannot tell you their names… And I’m even sorrier to ask you for one favor.
— You little rascal! You come here and make this old man feel slighted! But I’ll forgive you. What’s the favor?
— Please, just once, in any situation, allow me to save them.
At that time, Ron had agreed to Dante’s request.
In less than a second, countless calculations ran through Dante’s mind. Was it truly the right moment to play this card?
Runcandel and Hyland were clear rivals. That meant they were enemies, and with just cause, they could strike each other at any time.
So, if Ron were to withdraw his sword from Jin’s arm now, it would be justified. After all, Jin had infiltrated Hyland’s stronghold in disguise.
‘Maybe the time will come when Grandfather truly intends to take Jin’s life. Not now, when he’s only taking an arm, but then… Perhaps it’s better to hold onto that promise.’
His heart pounded wildly, as if his grandfather and friend could hear it. He had to choose.
Should he save the card given by his grandfather for a day that might never come, or use it now to prevent his friend from becoming crippled?
He squeezed his eyes shut.
Dante made his decision. He couldn’t bear to watch his friend’s arm be cut off right before his eyes.
“Grandfather, please remember the promise we made years ago…!”
But it was already too late.
Ron gently pushed past Dante, who had been blocking Jin, and raised his sword.
Dante had been so focused on his internal struggle in this extreme moment that he didn’t even realize he’d been pushed aside.
Ron’s beloved sword, ‘Rashid,’ the symbol of the Hyland family head, was already glowing with a fierce aura.
Seeing that, Dante felt the blood drain rapidly from his body. A sudden dizziness swept over him, and his vision darkened.
He instinctively threw himself forward, trying to block Ron’s strike with his own body.
Meanwhile, Jin, facing Ron, remained calm. Even after Ron’s arrival, he didn’t lose his composure.
Swish!
No!
Just as Dante was about to shout, he saw Ron’s sword stop inches from Jin.
“Khahaha!”
Suddenly, Ron grabbed his belly and burst into loud laughter.
“Did I fool you perfectly? Hahaha! How was this old man’s acting? Huh? Seeing my grandson so flustered after a long time is just too adorable—I could go crazy! Hehehe.”
“G-Grandfather…? You’re saying this was all a joke?”
Ron nodded, still laughing as if he might die from it.
“I was curious when you suddenly got restless and tried to leave while talking to me.”
Only then did Dante realize he’d been tricked.
Looking back, it had been strange from the start.
The Ron Hyland Dante knew—the one and only grandfather—was not the kind of man to so coldly wound his own grandson’s feelings.
“Who could have come to make my grandson act like this? Could it be the princess from the last banquet? Or perhaps the daughter of the Hensark family, who’s been visiting the Sword Emperor’s Castle every day, hoping to win your heart?”
At that moment, Jin’s eyes widened in surprise.
‘Damn it. I wondered why Dante was so late. He was in the middle of talking with Lord Ron?’
If it had been Runcandel, such a thing would have been unthinkable.
To see the family head so flustered by a friend’s arrival during a conversation.
“Th-Then, Grandfather, you won’t harm my friend?”
“Why would I harm someone my grandson cares for, without reason? Though I’m a bit disappointed that the person you rushed to find isn’t a woman. Still, just confirming the existence of this friend you often spoke of makes this old man very happy…”
Thud!
Suddenly, Dante collapsed to the floor.
Ron’s face instantly turned pale.
“Dante, my grandson! Are you having a… fainting spell!?”
Dante, born with an extremely fragile constitution, often fainted or had seizures when under severe stress or strain.
It had been rare recently.
“I’m sorry, Grandfather. I caused a scene…”
“No, no. It’s my fault. Someone, call the medical team, quickly!”
At Ron’s booming command, the medical staff rushed in. Seeing Dante, they expertly gave him medicine and loaded him onto a stretcher.
“Jin… we’ll talk again soon.”
As Jin nodded, Dante lost consciousness.
“Is my grandson’s condition serious? Is he very ill?”
“It’s just anemia. Please don’t worry, Lord Hyland!”
“That’s worrying! If anything happens to my grandson, I’ll cut off everyone’s heads.”
“Please don’t worry, Lord Hyland! We’ll do everything to improve the young master’s condition quickly!”
As the medical team hurried away with Dante, Ron muttered to himself, clearly worried about his grandson.
Only Jin and Ron remained in the reception room.
“…I’m late with my greetings, Lord Ron Hyland. I am Jin Runcandel, the thirteenth child and twelfth rider of the Runcandel family.”
“I know your name. I didn’t realize you had a hobby for disguises.”
Ron slowly turned to face Jin. Unlike when he looked at Dante, there was no kindness in his expression.
“Why were you so sure I wouldn’t cut you down?”
Jin bowed gently in response.
“I dared to think you were not a man to act lightly.”
“Though it upset my grandson, I seriously considered whether to take your arm.”
“If that’s the case, then I must accept the consequences of intruding into the Sword Emperor’s Castle without permission.”
“You’re no fun to tease. Siron, you remind me of my youth.”
“Thank you.”
“That’s not a compliment. Your father was even more unbearable when he was young.”
Ron’s gaze darkened with greed as he spoke.
A porcelain vase.
Though he spoke threateningly, Ron couldn’t take his eyes off the vase Jin held.
“Because of you, my precious grandson—my pride and joy—was almost hurt. How do you intend to take responsibility?”
“Respectfully, I don’t think it’s my responsibility.”
“Right, it wouldn’t be if you were stronger than me.”
Ron grinned and lightly placed his hand on Jin’s shoulder.
The moment his palm touched Jin, he nearly screamed. The intangible energy and aura radiating from Ron’s hand instantly shook Jin’s internal organs.
‘What is this reflux… trying to mimic a mage’s magic?’
A chill ran down his spine.
Aura reflux among warriors was far harder to induce artificially than a mage’s mana reflux.
It was widely accepted that simply injecting more aura into an opponent to cause reflux was impossible.
Yet Ron did it effortlessly.
“How does it feel? Starting to feel responsible now?”
Ron’s aura reflux grew stronger. Jin trembled but held back a scream, gripping the vase tightly even as his strength waned.
“First… Dante is not… anemic.”
Ron’s eyes widened.
He couldn’t believe Jin had noticed Dante’s ‘feigned illness’ in such a short time. Even Ron himself had been uncertain at first.
“I know that too.”
But he showed no outward surprise.
“Ink and paper go together. Until now, my grandson never responded to my pranks like this, but maybe because he’s been hanging out with you, he’s learned a trick or two.”
Ron withdrew his hand from Jin.
Jin wiped the blood from his nose and mouth, taking a deep breath.
“Dante was very clever. Pretending to be anemic, he made me meet with Lord Ron alone and handed over the decision about the 300 million gold coins.”
“My grandson wasn’t that cunning, but you’ve ruined him. Tch!”
“Shouldn’t you be the one paying me for the meal instead?”
“What did you say?”
“That once-pure Dante showed quite the audacity trying to deceive Lord Ron. If he ever seizes Hiran’s dominance, I doubt he’ll be the one getting stabbed in the back among Bimont’s schemers.”
Ron was momentarily at a loss for words, taken aback by Jin’s shameless attitude.
“Besides, I’ve provoked Dante more than any genius warrior from Hiran or Bimont. You could say part of Dante’s achievements are thanks to my efforts.”
“You want payment for that too?”
“Exactly.”
“Hahaha… So it wasn’t a meal, but evil you dealt. Do you know what that means?”
“It means that even if you cut me down before I fully corrupt Dante, I won’t have a word to say.”
“You’re impossible to argue with. Honestly, I’d love to just behead you right now, but I’ll spare you for my grandson’s sake. I’ll let you live—that’s your payment for poisoning Dante.”
“That’s not enough.”
“Of course it isn’t. For a mere Rune Candle’s 12th Rider to dare propose a deal to the master of the Sword Emperor’s Castle—that alone is insufficient. Leave that pottery behind as well.”
Ron smiled and added, “And hand over the ancient eternal steel you were supposed to receive as payment for your recent Black Knight assassination mission. If you want to live, that is.”