Chapter 322
Episode 99: The Villa Raid (Part 1)
“Hmm… I see. Pang, Number One Operative of the Golden Pang Guild. If that disguise was the best you could manage, I must say I’m quite disappointed. As future business partners, I expected a bit more trustworthiness.”
“Disappointed? After all the experience you’ve had with our technology, you say that? I’m truly let down, hehe.”
Pang’s laugh was quickly echoed by the other three members of the Golden Pang clan.
“I’m Soon, Number Two Operative of the Golden Pang Guild. You might remember me from when we disguised you as a retired elite mercenary traveling the world.”
“I’m Dol, Number Three Operative. Good to see you again, Jin Runkandel.”
“And I’m Song, Number Four Operative! Looking closely, your face is quite handsome for a human. You’d make a perfect figurehead for our Golden Pang Guild.”
Pang, Soon, Dol, and Song—the four of them were the key players who had turned the Golden Pang clan from mere cave dwellers into the wealthiest magnates in the Jan Kingdom.
“Hey, how can these tiny guys be so disrespectful, talking down to me like that? I’m the great Runkandel’s rider, you know?”
Jet clenched his fist comically, but Kashimir grabbed his shoulder.
“Quiet now, and step back. The master will handle this just fine.”
“Yessir!”
“Are you the swordmaster Kashimir? Thanks for stepping in. I was about to teach that rude fellow a lesson!”
Pang scoffed quietly as Jet retreated.
Whoosh! Whoosh! The Golden Pang clan members blew air through their mouths, thrusting their fists into the air.
Watching them, Jin and Kashimir suppressed their smiles. They really were an endearing bunch.
“Anyway, thanks to your seed money, we’ve come this far. But the real game starts now.”
“We’ve been ready, but without the main player, we couldn’t kick off the business.”
Pang and Soon looked at Jin.
—This is promising. Once I officially become Runkandel’s rider, we’ll get down to serious business. It was good meeting you all. I’m off now.
That was what Jin had said the last time he met the Golden Pang clan.
The “business” they spoke of was the cosmetics venture.
Until now, the Golden Pang clan had only grown their wealth by investing seed money into various guilds and enterprises.
But now, they wanted to launch a direct, groundbreaking business—one that could shake the world.
Crack!
Dol and Song unfurled a thick stack of papers they had brought along.
The documents contained detailed business plans and contract terms.
“Take a quick look. Party A is Jin Runkandel, Party B is the Golden Pang Guild. Nothing too complicated. To sum up: profits split fifty-fifty, the guild runs operations entirely, and you must commit fully to advertising. No breaking the contract under any circumstances…”
“That’s not going to fly. The profit split is seventy-thirty, with me taking seventy. You can run the guild freely in the beastfolk territories, but in human regions, my opinion must be partially considered.”
“I can accept the latter, but the former is too much. Seventy-thirty? Are you trying to strong-arm us from the start?”
“In exchange, the Golden Pang Guild will officially be under the protection of the twelve riders of Runkandel. Any direct attacks—raids, theft, or damage to property—will be fully compensated by me.”
“Now that’s tempting.”
For the Golden Pang clan, this was a very attractive offer.
There were two main reasons they hadn’t launched their own business until now: waiting for Jin, and lacking means of protection.
The second was the bigger problem.
No matter how much money they had, finding a reliable armed force was no easy task. They were, after all, nouveau riche.
They had no connections, no prestige, no power—just a bunch of wealthy beastfolk.
Thanks to the Runkandel knights dispatched after reclaiming Bradamante, they had some protection to guard their fortune.
But their wealth was like a candle flickering in the wind.
The Red Tiger clan was starting to pressure the Runkandel knights for tribute, threatening to kill and plunder if refused.
“If Runkandel attacks us, will you cover the losses?”
“Of course.”
“Even if Zipple attacks?”
“Absolutely.”
“Alright, I accept.”
Pang surprisingly agreed to Jin’s terms without hesitation.
Better to have a safe thirty percent than risk losing half at any moment.
“You’re getting the gist from the papers, but the business plan is very detailed and innovative. Especially the advertising—we’ve put a lot of thought into it…”
Pang and the Golden Pang clan began explaining their plan.
It was a long story, but it boiled down to one thing: they intended to use Jin Runkandel’s ‘character’ very directly in their advertising.
“Think about it, Jin Runkandel. Your face painted on every big building in every city—about the size of a ship’s sail. You’d be holding our cosmetics, striking a pose.”
“Below the image, there’d be slogans like: ‘The beauty chosen by Jin Runkandel—experience Golden Pang color cosmetics.’”
“Or: ‘Discover your new beauty. Recommended by Jin Runkandel, Golden Pang color cosmetics.’”
“Pretty revolutionary, right? When people think of Golden Pang cosmetics, your handsome face will naturally come to mind.”
Indeed, no other guild had ever advertised their products like this.
“Plus, our cosmetics come in three lines: premium Gold Snow, standard Silver Snow, and special disguise Jade Snow. We’ll rake in money from everyone—from ordinary commoners to the royal family of Biment.”
“The Jade Snow disguise cosmetics are applied by Golden Pang technicians themselves, creating perfect transformations like the one that turned you into a retired elite mercenary. These are special products for those working in the shadows. They won’t be advertised publicly and will only be sold discreetly.”
“Also, part of the profits will be donated to various organizations to build a positive, friendly image for the guild. Ever heard of ‘cosmetic donations’? Our technicians will travel the world, holding free makeup events every week.”
Kashimir couldn’t close his mouth in amazement the entire time.
Jin himself was inwardly impressed by their business savvy.
“Master, this might sound crazy at first, but it will definitely work. Every young person in the world will be desperate to imitate you.”
“Have my face painted on every major building in every city…?”
“You’re not a prospective rider anymore, so why hide your face? If you really want, we can use a different face, but few can match your influence and looks. Maybe none at all.”
“I’m not opposed. It’s a brilliant idea. Hmm, not bad at all. Actually, it’s a very good plan.”
Jin had first considered doing business with Golden Pang cosmetics back when he was a prospective rider.
Their products were far ahead of the common goods circulating in the market. If properly distributed, they could captivate the world.
In that sense, Jin saw a similarity between Golden Pang cosmetics and Zipple’s ‘everyday magic products.’
People, whether they liked it or not, had no choice but to use Zipple’s products.
Their various magical conveniences—magic lamps, magic heaters, and other enchanted household items—dominated the world.
Zipple used this to gain leverage in every deal, threatening to cut off supplies if demands weren’t met.
Few knew of Zipple’s underhanded tactics, and even fewer dared to challenge them.
Meanwhile, Runkandel’s strength lay solely in military power.
Though their blacksmiths’ weapons sold well, demand was limited. Ordinary people vastly outnumbered warriors.
So, as years passed, Zipple’s influence spread wider, while Runkandel’s presence shrank.
Magic could do more than brute force.
This decline was invisible for now, but the gap would inevitably show.
‘My family seems focused only on defeating Zipple and seizing their influence, but that’s not enough. The business with Golden Pang is the start of change.’
Jin smiled as he shook hands with the Golden Pang clan.
“When do we start?”
“As soon as you sign the contract.”
“Then right now.”
Jin signed the contract, and the Golden Pang clan clasped his hand.
“Let’s make a fortune together! First, we’ll start advertising in Huepester.”
From today on, whenever people heard the name Jin Runkandel—or just Runkandel—they would naturally think not only of overwhelming military might but also of dazzling, colorful cosmetics.
A week later.
Joshua arrived at the Kurano Duchy with his butler Howard and a few close aides.
He had heard a ridiculous rumor: a giant portrait of Jin Runkandel, his youngest brother, was hanging in the town square.
Sure enough, Joshua confirmed the enormous portrait at the entrance to Kurano’s art district.
(Jin Runkandel’s Choice: Golden Pang Color Cosmetics)
A smile.
The bright smile in the portrait stabbed at Joshua’s insides like a blade.
“…Howard.”
Joshua, momentarily dazed, read the inscription beneath the painting and finally spoke.
“Yes.”
“What on earth do you think you’re doing? The heir of the family, slapping on that… that—cosmetics? Cosmetics? I’m at a loss for words. After cutting off the funds, I never imagined something this catastrophic would happen.”
Grit!
Joshua clenched his teeth.
He couldn’t even begin to guess how much people would mock Runcandel after seeing that advertisement.
What kind of name was Runcandel?
For a thousand years, Runcandel had been a symbol of pure terror in this world.
And now, the youngest heir, just recently appointed, was daring to tarnish that name. The very name that would soon be his own.
It wasn’t just Joshua—quite a few people had gathered in front of Jin’s portrait, smirking as if they were watching some strange creature on display.
Seeing that twisted expression on their faces made Joshua’s blood boil; he felt like he was about to lose his mind.
“Immediately inform the council and demand they discipline that lunatic. And get rid of that damn portrait.”
“What about the portraits outside Hupester?”
“There are portraits outside Hupester too…?”
“I’ve heard that the 12 heirs’ portraits are already hanging in the cities of the Lutero Magical Federation.”
“…Find out who made these. Don’t just arrest them recklessly—figure out who they are and who’s backing them. Investigate thoroughly.”
Meanwhile, while Joshua was venting his frustration in the Duchy of Kurano,
Jin and his companions were gradually gathering in a forest within the Kingdom of Ekan.
It was the location of Joshua’s secret villa.