Chapter 361
Episode 111: Traces (1)
Ten days had passed since Jin acquired the new Bradamante.
He hadn’t had the chance to properly test it yet. As a warrior, he was eager to put the enhanced weapon to the test immediately, but there was something else weighing on his mind.
“The Anz Plains, where Temar’s first tomb lies… and the Kingdom of Shucheron, where Jogubi and Olmango reside… people have been there.”
Since Kinzel came to inform him that other factions were also searching for Temar’s tomb, Jin couldn’t stop thinking about it. Before heading out to capture Ozdok, he had asked Tikan’s comrades to revisit the tombs they had previously explored.
And today, Kashimir brought news.
Apparently, individuals believed to be from Ziphl and Biment had been spotted near the Anz Plains and the shores of the Shucheron Kingdom.
Jin had learned about the existence of Temar’s tombs in those regions through the arrangements left by Solderet, as a contractor.
In other words, unless you were a contractor, tracking down the tombs was practically impossible.
“The fact that they went to the Anz Plains and Shucheron’s coast means they must have been following my trail.”
Even after becoming a Rider, Jin always moved in disguise when dealing with matters related to Temar or other personal affairs.
When he visited the Anz Plains, he deliberately took a detour through the Hola Mountains—at the time, only Joshua was on his mind—to throw off any potential pursuers. When he went to Shucheron’s coast, he pretended to be on vacation with his group for several days.
The secret space of the Myoin tribe, where the third tomb was located, was a mysterious place that couldn’t be entered without their guidance. Yet, the Phantom Corps had still tracked him down there.
“My movements are being exposed.”
He wasn’t being directly followed.
If that were the case, he would have noticed it—unless the tracker was someone like Yona or the Nameless King.
“Marjiela mentioned that my movements were leaked to the Biment royal family. They probably pieced together my aliases and known whereabouts to narrow down a few key locations. That’s why they sent people to the Anz Plains and Shucheron’s coast.”
Of course, just because Ziphl and Biment sent people there didn’t mean they had uncovered anything significant.
The tombs there had already been investigated, and Jin had taken the recording devices with him.
Still, the fact that he was being followed was crucial.
He had expected this to happen eventually. No powerful faction was foolish.
He just wished it hadn’t happened so soon.
Being a Rider of Runcandel’s 12th Squadron meant he couldn’t operate in complete secrecy. It was natural for both his own faction, the Garden of Swords, and his enemies to scrutinize his every move.
Especially since his enemies were also searching for Temar’s tomb.
Discovering three tombs alone without any fatal setbacks was nothing short of a miracle.
“I did well, but there will be limits eventually. And encountering the Phantom Corps at the third tomb was just luck—it could have been a serious blow.”
Without Kinzel’s sudden intervention and the help of Diffus and Mary, he would have suffered heavy losses.
“I need more allies.”
Jin alone—or even just him and Tikan’s comrades—couldn’t stand against Biment and Ziphl.
The entire Runcandel faction was riddled with enemies, and Kinzel would inevitably join the “tomb race” as well.
While Jin was lost in thought, someone tapped him on the shoulder.
“Hey, rookie!”
It was Mary.
“Sis.”
“What are you thinking about so seriously? Oh, were you just pondering when you’d get a rematch with me?”
Mary sat down beside him.
Jin looked at her quietly.
“If Mary were a full ally, that would be reassuring.”
Mary already considered Jin one of her own.
Jin felt a genuine affection for her, almost like sibling camaraderie.
Still, he hadn’t told her about Vin Blanche or Picon Mintz.
He suspected that, as a 7th Rider, she might use them as the family’s blacksmiths.
But the real reason he didn’t trust her completely was different.
“As long as my second brother is around, Mary can never be fully on my side.”
Diffus Runcandel, the family’s 4th Rider.
To win Mary over, he had to sway Diffus first.
But neither Diffus nor Mary had given up their claim to the throne.
“Right now, the ones who haven’t renounced the family head position are me, Diffus, Mary, and Joshua.”
And then there was one more person whose intentions were a mystery—Runtia Runcandel.
If she was also aiming for the headship, that made five contenders.
Approaching Diffus now to solve the immediate problem would be too risky.
Trying to win Mary over by courting Diffus could easily backfire, leaving him with nothing but betrayal.
“Recruiting Diffus and Mary right now is a gamble, but I can use them.”
As Riders, Diffus and Mary always prioritized the family’s interests in any decision.
Remembering that, Jin smiled inwardly.
“A rematch? I think it’s better to just accept your victory this time.”
“Huh? Why? Since Sir Tuben interrupted, shouldn’t we call it invalid and have a rematch?”
“Even before Sir Tuben’s interference, the outcome was basically decided. Your secret technique forced Ozdok to transform.”
“Really? You think so?”
“Yes.”
Mary had expected Jin to reject the result and demand a rematch.
She was ready to fight again, but Jin accepted defeat quietly, which was unexpected.
“This isn’t good. Now I have to wait another three months for a match with the rookie!”
Mary groaned, frustrated.
She thought Jin, like her, had a strong competitive spirit and would gladly accept a rematch.
“I don’t think so. Let’s fight again.”
“Don’t be too harsh on someone who’s admitted defeat.”
“Then I’ll use the winner’s right to command. My order is a rematch. That settles it, right?”
“…Did you even read the contract we signed when we agreed to the match?”
“Every fight’s outcome is decided by knockout. The first to fall loses, and the loser must obey one order from the winner. The contract will be drafted to prevent any breach.”
“I like that. Contracts are a bit of a hassle, but fair enough.”
Jin recalled the conversation from their first match. He had actually drawn up a contract and gotten Mary’s signature.
Mary tilted her head, recalling.
“Uh… I think I read it.”
“There’s a clause limiting the winner’s orders. The loser can’t be commanded to commit suicide, be expelled from the family, or have their property confiscated. Also, a rematch can’t be ordered.”
“Suicide and expulsion I get, but why no rematch?”
“…You don’t really need me to explain that, do you?”
“Then let’s just say I won’t count this match. Let’s go back to the start and declare the fight using that monster invalid. We should have a proper rematch.”
“Since you yourself mentioned the right to command, the winner is already decided.”
Mary had no comeback.
“You slippery eel!”
“Flattering words.”
“Fine, fine. You’re the best. Let’s say you won. Now I’ll use my command. Give me that cat.”
“If you mean Navi Runcandel, you can have her anytime.”
“Navi? No, not Murakan. Shuri, your red-eyed cat.”
“The contract states the winner can’t order anything the other can’t fulfill. Shuri is contracted to me and can’t be released.”
“You… you devil.”
“Sis, please give a more realistic order. It’s not that hard.”
Mary almost smacked Jin’s head.
But it wasn’t his fault—she was the fool for not reading the contract carefully.
Besides, she had been trying to get a free rematch herself, so she had no right to complain. Though the frustration was understandable.
Jin watched Mary sulk.
“For example… you could order me to buy you some good liquor.”
“I don’t need that!”
“Or to steal a few limited-edition erotic prints Murakan has?”
“Last time I checked, mine were better… Hah, wait, who do you think you’re fooling?”
“If you don’t want that, you could ask what information Kinzel gave me when he came by. There are plenty of practical orders.”
Mary’s eyes widened.
“Oh, how did I forget? When Kinzel came to the family, I was the one who stopped Gilly from making a mistake.”
“I feel like I’m getting caught up in the rookie’s schemes… but it’s good to know. Diffus was curious about what was said between Mother, Jin, and Kinzel back then.”
Since Kinzel’s visit, Rosa hadn’t shared any details with the Riders.
“Tch, fine. What info did Kinzel give you?”
“He said that factions like Ziphl and Biment are all chasing after the first family head’s legacy.”
“What? The first family head’s legacy?”
“It’s about Temar Runcandel’s tomb.”
“…What’s so important about the first head of the family’s tomb?”
“There are ancient powers and long-hidden secrets of the Runcandel clan buried there. I was searching for the tomb independently of the family, but Kinzello caught on to that.”
Mary’s eyes narrowed sharply.
“You were looking for the first head’s tomb on your own? And your mother knew about this—and did nothing?”
Mary’s sudden fury wasn’t directed at Jin.
It was aimed at Rosa Runcandel.
Her anger stemmed from the fact that her own mother had kept such a critical matter hidden from the knights until now.
‘Surely you didn’t expect me to share what I know about Temar’s tomb with the other knights, Mother.’
Jin smiled faintly and nodded.