Chapter 397
Episode 119: The Black King’s Feast (2)
At Quikantel’s words, the group’s gaze once again fell on the backs of Murka and Zephyrin.
Murka was scolding Zephyrin the entire way back to the Black King’s table.
“Huh? Quikantel, what do you mean by that?”
“Quikantel, man. Are you saying you don’t even consider idiots like that as human? I didn’t think you were like that.”
Jet and Murakan exchanged puzzled looks, prompting Quikantel to sigh deeply.
“Murakan, how can a dragon be so dense? Well, I guess you’ve always been pretty oblivious.”
“That’s not something I need to hear from you.”
“Didn’t you catch some kind of scent from that person?”
“What scent? All I smelled was some weird perfume. First-timers at these feasts always douse themselves in perfume like that. Maybe they don’t bathe regularly or something…”
At Murakan’s words, Enya and Jet both sniffed their own collars simultaneously. Since it was their first time at a feast, they’d also applied a lot of perfume.
“W-well, that doesn’t necessarily mean those people don’t bathe regularly…”
“Y-yeah, exactly! Haha, I just accidentally spilled some perfume this morning while handling the bottle.”
Of course, the scent Quikantel was talking about wasn’t perfume.
“It was the scent of their kin’s blood, Murakan.”
The companions looked at Quikantel, startled.
“…What?”
“It was definitely there, even beneath the perfume. The scent coming from that person was the blood of their kin—mixed from several different species.”
For seasoned mercenaries who had fought countless battles, hiding the scent of blood was impossible.
The smell of blood clinging to them was as strong and intense as sizzling meat on a grill.
But dragon blood was entirely different from human blood.
Each dragon species had its own unique blood scent, with a strange aroma that human senses couldn’t easily detect.
“It was even stronger than the terror from the Ante Mountains.”
“Wow, no way. So, Quikantel, are you saying that Zephyrin is some kind of dragon hunter?”
“Dragon hunter? There’s never been such a thing, you idiot. The closest was Vanessa Olson, maybe. Hmm, the scent of kin’s blood… So the perfume was probably to cover that up?”
“That’s possible.”
“If what you say is true, then that person is either a demon or a devil dragon. But as far as I know, no demon can perfectly transform into human form, so it’s more likely a devil dragon.”
Devil dragons.
They were dragons who served demon gods or demon lords. Whether created by demon gods from the start or those who switched allegiance from other deities to the demon realm, they were all called devil dragons.
“The last time a devil dragon appeared in the mortal world was during the Holy Kingdom’s defense war. Before that, it was twelve hundred years ago when Helluram summoned the demon god.”
“Before the demon god’s descent, they were seen occasionally. Well then, I’ll go ask. ‘Are you a devil dragon?’”
“And what if they say yes?”
“I’ll make them pay.”
“Yeah, better to stay put, Murakan.”
Jin stopped him, and Murakan shrugged.
“Why?”
“If they deny it, there’s no way to prove it. They might really not be one. More importantly, if their identity is exposed and they suddenly go berserk, there’s no way to handle that. This is Lord Ron’s feast, after all.”
If Murakan’s actions ruined the feast, Jin would bear full responsibility.
“Jin’s right, Murakan. What’s the point of having a brain? Besides, maybe the scent of kin’s blood is just on their weapon. It’s unlikely, but if that’s the case, they might be an ordinary human. Only the weapon belonged to a devil dragon or someone like Vanessa.”
Having been scolded, Zephyrin scratched the back of her head and turned around.
Their eyes naturally met Jin’s, and she gave a sly smile, waving her hand.
“Hey, if you’re as strong as me, you don’t really need to use your brain much. What do you guys know? Hah, seriously. That Zephyrin or whatever—she looks like a total fool.”
“But Quikantel, if she really is a devil dragon, there must be a reason she came looking for me. I think… it’s about that grimoire. The Rontelgius.”
The Rontelgius grimoire.
It was the item they had seized months ago when they raided Joshua’s secret villa. If a devil dragon had business with her, it had to be about that.
“I think so too, Jin. After the feast, we need to find out more about Zephyrin.”
“I have business with the Black King’s faction anyway. After the feast, I’ll visit their main base. If possible, I’d like to meet the Black King himself at the feast.”
The Black King’s faction, the world’s top mercenary group, was one of the most important neutral forces Jin needed to recruit.
Even Runcandel couldn’t ignore their power.
“Also, if it turns out Zephyrin is connected to Rontelgius, we might learn more about Joshua and their relationship.”
“But, Lord Jin.”
“Yes, Enya?”
“How did Zephyrin know you had the grimoire?”
“Because she sensed the unique magic of demons or devil dragons, Enya. We’ve had that ominous item with us for months now—it’s bound to have seeped into our aura.”
Quikantel answered on Jin’s behalf.
“Oh, then that devil dragon must have a really keen nose…”
Since finding the grimoire, Tikan had been searching for information on Rontelgius.
But so far, nothing had come up, so Zephyrin’s appearance could be a clue.
Also, devil dragons were hardly a positive influence in the mortal world.
It was important to uncover Zephyrin’s identity and purpose as soon as possible.
Of course, if she turned out to be an ordinary human, there’d be no problem.
While the group discussed Zephyrin, another figure approached their table.
Unlike Zephyrin, this newcomer wore an expression filled with unmistakable murderous intent and malice.
He made no effort to hide his aura, and others who sensed his killing intent fixed their gaze on him.
“Hmph, what’s this? Haven’t seen such hateful eyes in a long time.”
Murakan frowned immediately, clearly annoyed by the attitude. The others didn’t react much.
“Jin Runcandel.”
Jin looked up and met his gaze.
He immediately recognized who it was.
Rata Prochi. The young leader of the Ghost Squad and kin of Faye Prochi, whom Jin had captured recently.
“Kid. Tell this reckless bastard that if he doesn’t open his pretty eyes, he’ll never see again.”
“That’s what he says, Lord Rata. What business does the eldest of the Prochi demons have with me?”
Despite Murakan’s words and Jin’s calm voice, Rata’s emotions remained unchanged.
Not because he had regained composure, but because he had come seething with rage from head to toe—there was nothing left to push him over the edge.
“Did you kill that guy?”
He meant Faye.
“I spared her.”
“I won’t ask twice. Tell me what you want.”
The room stirred. This was Runcandel’s feast, very different in nature from the One-Bridge Party. Even if there was hatred between them, fighting openly was forbidden.
Still, everyone seemed eager to see what would happen.
The 12 Riders of Runcandel, who single-handedly devastated the Garden of Swords, and the Ghost Captain, hailed as the reincarnation of Smarion.
There was no better spectacle anywhere else.
“Will the 12 Riders of Runcandel cause another upheaval?”
“Rata Prochi is a monster among monsters. If the 12 Riders defeat him, the higher ranks of Runcandel will feel threatened once again.”
The onlookers were full of anticipation.
But Jin didn’t want to fight Rata.
Like the Black King’s faction, the Ghost Squad was another important neutral force Jin needed to recruit.
Since their base was in Biment, recruiting them could be a great help in checking the empire later.
Of course, great powers like Runcandel, Ziphl, and Biment had spent years courting these groups.
The reason the Black King’s faction and the Ghost Squad remained neutral was clear.
If they sided with the wrong faction, their very existence would be at risk.
So, large neutral forces sometimes aligned with Runcandel, sometimes with Ziphl, sometimes with Biment, and sometimes with none at all.
“But now, all neutral forces must unite. To not only claim Runcandel’s throne but to bring down Ziphl. It’s absolutely necessary.”
If Ziphl completed the Demon Stone and achieved their goals,
not only Runcandel but those standing in the gray zone would be finished.
In a manipulated world, it would become impossible even to truly exist as oneself.
“I have to let everyone know that I’m the only one gaining the means to stop that.”
While Jin was lost in these thoughts, Rata’s hostility grew stronger.
“Seems like recruiting him will be a real pain. If I had said I killed Faye, he probably would have drawn his sword without hesitation.”
Before him stood the infamous Ghost Captain.
But to Jin, he just seemed like a rebellious teenager going through a rough phase.
Someone who needed to be coaxed and guided back onto the right path.
“You still haven’t made up your mind, have you?”
“Then decide right now.”
“And if I refuse?”
“I said I won’t ask twice. There’s no negotiation—you’ll be my enemy forever.”
“That sounds like you’re planning to turn all of Runcandel against me.”
“I’ve heard your family isn’t the type to cause trouble just because they trust you. But if you want to take it that way, fine. I see Veradin Ziplo is here too—I’m ready to talk with him as well.”
Though he showed his hostility without any caution, Rata truly lived up to his reputation as the leader of the Ghost Corps.
Even boiling with anger, he knew exactly how to apply the most pressure on Jin.
As Jin pondered how to respond, he noticed Veradin standing behind Rata, clearing his throat.
Veradin gave Jin a sly smile and said, “Hmm, Rata, I’m not exactly ready to talk with you. But you two seem to be getting along well—when exactly did the Ghost Corps and Runcandel form an alliance?”