Chapter 382
Episode 117: Who Is the True Runcandel? (Part 2)
Gush—gush—gush…!
A spray of blood burst forth from the severed limb. Within moments, a pool of blood had formed on the floor, and the execution knights sheathed their swords and took a step back.
Jin’s expression remained calm, unshaken. His gaze never left Jorden.
To Jorden, that cool, unflinching stare from such a rookie was chilling beyond words. Even though Jin was just shambling forward with both arms severed, unarmed, there was an inexplicable chill crawling down Jorden’s spine, as if he’d been slashed across his back.
This is absurd…!
That thought flashed through Jorden’s mind as he gritted his teeth.
Absurd.
To see the young Jin Runcandel now and glimpse the same aura that once belonged to Siron Runcandel in his youth—that was absurd.
Back then, when Jorden competed against Siron as a second-rank knight, there was only one moment when Siron silently warned him.
With his eyes.
A look that said: Keep pushing, and I will eliminate you.
Young Jorden only truly understood after facing Siron’s cold warning that they were on completely different levels—living in different worlds, existing on different planes.
He was nothing more than an ant that Siron could crush and kill at any time.
Back then, the head of the family was already at the pinnacle of the world. A being who literally stood alone in supreme dominance.
So why did this 12th-rank knight, with both arms severed, radiate the same terrifying aura? An aura that no one had felt since Siron?
Blink.
In the blink of an eye, a flood of impressions washed over him.
All this déjà vu was condensed into that single, fleeting moment.
“Medical team! Someone get the medical team—now!”
A frantic voice pierced through Jorden’s ears, as if muffled underwater.
Gasp!
Only then did Jorden swallow hard and snap out of the trance. Goosebumps, like shards of iron dust, prickled the nape of his neck.
“Bring the medics quickly! Damn it, hurry!”
The one shouting was steward Petro.
Even though the elders and knights stood before him, no steward would normally dare to shout like that. But Petro’s mind was consumed by one thought: treatment had to begin before Jin’s arms became necrotic.
Even for top-tier healers, perfectly treating a severed limb was no easy feat.
Reattaching a lost limb was simple enough, but a warrior’s arm was different from an ordinary person’s. If it didn’t fully regain its original function, it was as if the warrior’s wings had been clipped.
Even the continent’s finest healers couldn’t guarantee a full recovery if treatment was delayed even slightly after amputation.
“Medical team!”
Mary bit her lower lip and called out for the healers. Her knights sprinted madly toward the infirmary.
Within twenty seconds, knights carrying the medical team returned. Meanwhile, Dipus and Mary were drenched in sweat as they applied pressure to Jin’s arms to stop the bleeding.
“Jorden, your end won’t be a good one.”
Amid the chaos, Jin swallowed a victorious smile inside.
Though he hid it, everyone watching from the central hall knew the truth: between Jin and Jorden, the winner was clear.
“Step aside!”
“You two, go gather the herbs! Just perform emergency treatment here, then move the 12th-rank knight to the operating room!”
The Runcandel healers shouted as they examined Jin’s body.
“Is the youngest one going to be okay? Can his arms be restored?”
The Tona brothers, who had been anxiously watching from the sidelines, finally ran over and asked the medics.
“We can’t give a definite answer!”
The bleeding was severe, and Jin was already exhausted from fighting assassins before returning to the family. The situation was far from ideal.
Though the Runcandel infirmary was staffed by the best healers in Huepester, even they couldn’t be sure if they could fully restore Jin’s arms.
“Make sure the treatment is perfect. Absolutely perfect!”
“Rank 7 knight here. I’m fine, so don’t worry too much.”
Jin gave Mary a faint smile. The healers, pouring their magic into the severed limbs, were breathing heavily.
“Also, sorry for leaving the meeting to you alone.”
“Don’t worry about that. Damn it, we still have a long fight ahead.”
“Petro.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Jin nodded toward the carriage, signaling Petro.
“That one is my prize.”
He meant that while he was undergoing surgery, no one was to take or even check on Pey.
Normally, this was a difficult order for Petro to carry out. If the elders demanded it, Petro would have no choice but to hand over Pey, given his and Jin’s positions.
But after this incident, the name Jin Runcandel had risen to a new level within the family.
No one could casually touch the 12th-rank knight—or those close to him—anymore.
Even the elder chairman, who had tried to pressure Jin with seemingly valid reasons, had been publicly humiliated. Now, anyone who dared to cross Jin within the family would have to be prepared for serious consequences.
“Understood!”
Though still worried about Jin, Petro felt a surge of pride deep in his chest, a tingling sensation at the back of his neck.
“12th-rank knight, we’re moving to the operating room!”
“Take good care of him.”
“We’ll do our best.”
The medics finished emergency treatment and began moving Jin toward the operating room.
Jorden and the elders watched silently for a while, unable to speak.
The elder chairman still had business with the 12th-rank knight, so no one told them to leave. No one scolded the steward for calling the medics, nor did anyone say the execution knights were justified in cutting off the knight’s arms and that there was no need to make a fuss…
The atmosphere simply didn’t allow for any of that.
Above all, Jorden had lost some of his fighting spirit.
Even if only for a moment, I—the great Jorden—felt fear from that rookie’s mere presence.
Was the terror he’d felt from Siron in his youth really that overwhelming? Or was it the 12th-rank knight’s indescribable willpower? He couldn’t tell yet.
One thing’s for sure: he’s not someone to be taken lightly…!
In truth, Jorden had recognized Jin’s potential long ago. He knew Jin was exceptional compared to other knights.
Still, he had never considered Jin a true rival.
Just like Siron long ago, he thought he could crush Jin whenever he wanted.
But today’s humiliation shattered that belief completely. After a lifetime of wielding a sword and cutting down opponents at will, this was the first time he’d felt defeated.
Joshua… he could be an even greater threat to me than the second-rank knight. Or maybe…
Jorden was aware of Rosa’s gaze from the main residence, watching him.
He might be even more dangerous than Lady Rosa.
There was someone else thinking along similar lines.
Joshua Runcandel, the family’s second-rank knight, stared down at the pool of blood Jin had left behind, gripped by a foreboding sense.
…At first glance, it seemed reckless, but it was clearly a calculated move. From the moment Mary was urged to publicize the first head’s tomb, Jin must have been preparing to detonate a bomb within the family.
The recent clash with Elder Jorden was just the opening salvo.
Joshua was certain of that.
He’s not going to stop at this. He must have a solid ace up his sleeve to pull this off.
After Mary revealed the information she’d heard from Jin at the last meeting, Joshua had been pondering Jin’s true intentions.
An inheritance.
Mary had said there were treasures left by Solderet for Jin in the first head’s tomb.
It’s not just that he found it too difficult to search for the inheritance alone at some point. There’s another reason. What is it, Jin?
Joshua needed to figure out Jin’s motives before the surgery was over.
Because as soon as it ended, Jin would surely stir up another commotion within the family.
Joshua believed the youngest was a man capable of that and more.
He had to prepare. If he stayed caught off guard by unexpected developments like this, he wouldn’t be able to keep up with the youngest’s plans.
Countless possibilities swirled through Joshua’s mind. His head felt like it might explode, and an inexplicable anxiety tightened his chest.
There must be something fundamental. The youngest’s actions are ultimately aimed at achieving what he truly desires.
After much thought, Joshua finally reached a conclusion.
The family headship competition.
He wondered why he hadn’t thought of it sooner.
Jin leaked the first head’s information to Mary to gain an advantage in the headship race.
Encouraging other Runcandels to join the search through Mary, attending the meeting with only Mary present while he stayed out, and even losing both arms upon his return to undermine Jorden’s prestige…
All were moves to secure the upper hand in the family headship contest.
Having Mary leak the first head’s information was to gain legitimacy. Sending only Mary to the meeting was to secure the last inheritance he could obtain without relying on the family’s power. And undermining the elder chairman’s prestige was…
A show of presence.
Having reached his conclusion, Joshua glanced around.
What he saw were the restless faces of the Runcandels.
Jin’s every move was now exerting a significant influence on the family.
At some point, it was no longer Jin watching the family’s mood, but the family chasing the currents Jin stirred.
That meant the status of the 12th-rank knight now carried considerable weight.
It also meant that the solid ground he had built as the next head of the family was starting to crack.
“Howard.”
Joshua called for his steward.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Starting today, there will be those who place their bets on the youngest sibling’s fate.”
Howard flinched and met Joshua’s gaze.
“There’s no surprise in that. After all, he’s the one Father had his eye on from the start. It’s only natural. There won’t be many, but once the snowball starts rolling, it grows fast.”
“How do you plan to handle it?”
“Gather all my knights at the Garden of Swords. Every single one who can arrive before the youngest’s surgery is over—no exceptions.”
“Understood.”
The reason Joshua was assembling his knights was clear.
No matter what bombshell Jin might drop once he woke up from surgery,
it was time to show the dignity and strength of the family’s second generation—and the next head.