Episode 41
Chapter 17: Enemies Inside and Out (1)
Five-Star Knight.
Jin had expected it would take at least three years, maybe up to five, to reach that level. After all, the average age for becoming a five-star knight in Runkandel was twenty.
But Jin defeated Kazin and became a five-star knight at fifteen.
Granted, Kazin had underestimated Jin’s full strength and let his guard down, but even if they fought again, Jin would win.
“The youngest… got trampled by you?”
“Hah, now you’re lying? That can’t be true. The youngest was only a three-star until recently. No matter how dumb you are, that just doesn’t add up.”
Miu and Ann exchanged doubtful looks after hearing Kazin’s report.
It was understandable. Jin hadn’t ambushed Kazin, nor had Kazin handicapped himself. Kazin had overwhelming experience and physical advantages.
“I’m sorry.”
“Did you go easy on the youngest because he’s pure-blooded?”
“Or did you take money from him?”
“…Absolutely not, miss.”
“Then what? You expect us to believe the youngest really became a five-star in such a short time?”
“Not just me—everyone in the training ground saw it. That aura was definitely five-star or higher.”
“Hah!”
Miu rubbed her forehead, and Ann let out a bitter laugh.
“Enough. It was a mistake to expect anything from you. Get lost.”
After Kazin left, the two women looked at each other.
“So, the youngest really showed his teeth to us, huh?”
Ann asked, and Miu replied,
“No, not just us. He’s shown his teeth to the entire family. Looks like the next mission has to be somewhere the youngest can’t come back alive… and the others too.”
In an instant, the Sword Garden was buzzing.
The rumor that Jin had defeated Kazin and was now the undisputed strongest in the intermediate class spread even to the servants. Yet many, like Miu and Ann, still couldn’t believe Jin’s achievement.
It was an unbelievable growth spurt. Becoming a five-star knight at fifteen was unprecedented in Runkandel’s thousand-year history—only three had ever done it: the first head of the family, Temar, Siron, and Luna.
But people thought Jin’s accomplishment was limited to swordsmanship.
“Swordsmanship five-star, magic four-star, spiritual energy four-star.”
The five-star swordsmanship was unexpected even to Jin himself.
Since returning from Mamit, he had simply continued his usual training with the blue crystal, but somehow his aura had reached five-star.
Every break, he layered his sword spirit with aura and sustained it, causing his aura to accumulate at an incredible rate.
It wasn’t just Jin’s exceptional talent with the sword.
It was a kind of synergy.
Three forces flowed within Jin’s body: spiritual energy, magical power, and aura.
Ordinary people never handled all three at once, so it was an unknown realm, but Jin sensed they were interconnected.
When one grew stronger, it influenced the others. The most influential was spiritual energy, and recently Jin had experienced a ‘spiritual energy surge’ that led to great growth.
As a result, the pathways for aura and magic power also opened up a level. Jin felt like he’d hit the jackpot without even buying a lottery ticket.
“Now that I’ve openly revealed I became a five-star at fifteen, my brothers will finally have to take me seriously.”
Of course, it was a remarkable milestone.
But Jin wasn’t yet strong enough to face his brothers. Maybe the Tona brothers, but the family’s top figures could crush him anytime if given the chance.
Not just Miu and Ann.
Joshua, already named the next head of the family, and the heavy-hitter brothers chasing him closely would now have to pay attention to Jin.
Jin had become a thorn in the side of those aiming for Runkandel’s throne.
Choosing Barisada during the selection ceremony might have seemed like mere superstition, but truly standing out was a whole different matter.
“Hiding my strength for now might have been a good choice.”
If he’d revealed it around eighteen, those close to the throne might have let their guard down.
But Jin judged that the benefits of going public outweighed the risks.
“From today, the world outside Runkandel will start hearing that I’m a five-star at fifteen. All kinds of families and alliances will come to see me, and with more eyes watching, my brothers won’t be able to act recklessly.”
Most importantly, his father, Siron Runkandel, would come to the Sword Garden himself.
Siron desperately wanted a successor to replace Joshua. Since Luna, he had never felt satisfied with any of his children.
But Luna, the only one he favored, had no interest in the throne. She even preferred to stay out of the family’s bloodshed.
So no matter how strong she was, Siron judged Luna unfit to lead the family.
Joshua, the second choice, was acceptable in personality—not perfect, but decisive, driven, and coldly rational.
And even if Joshua failed, Siron had alternatives.
He considered his second son, Dipus, second daughter, Runtia, and third daughter, Merry, as potential successors.
The succession structure was solidifying.
But now, there was Jin.
Jin’s arrival changed the game. Siron was the kind of man who gave chances regardless of age.
“Like back in the beginner class, the results of this mission will be reported to Father. Along with my achievements… and he’ll probably give some orders.”
Jin expected Siron’s orders would include two things.
First, a trial.
To see if Jin could overcome the age gap with the brothers chosen as successors.
Second, protection.
Now that he had shown his strength, direct attacks from his brothers were inevitable. Siron wouldn’t let Jin become prey before even taking the test.
Jin was a special case. Siron usually didn’t interfere in his children’s disputes.
“Gilly.”
“Yes, young master.”
“Soon, major families and organizations will request meetings with Runkandel. They’ll want to see who this youngest son who reached five-star at fifteen really is—the one who’s about to flood the world news.”
Not only the massive martial families like Ivliano of swordsmanship, Kenga of spear fighting, and Tuko of hand-to-hand combat.
But also national groups like the Biment Empire’s royal guard and special forces, and the Dragon King’s Knights. Armed groups like the Hidden Bow, Black King’s Squad, and Ghost Corps would send people too.
“Wow, our kid’s really something. What’s with the confidence? Don’t they have anything better to do?”
“It’s crucial for them to understand Runkandel’s situation. Everyone expects my achievements to shake up the succession. They have to come see for themselves.”
Jin’s certainty came not only from reading political currents but also from stories he’d heard in his past life.
He’d heard countless tales of how many people flocked to the family when Luna became a five-star at fifteen. It was legendary among the brothers.
“Oh, you’re so impressive. No one pays attention to a lowly Black Dragon like me.”
“That’s right. You know your stuff. Anyway, once the official letters start coming in, Father will come to the main house himself. He’ll probably hold a banquet.”
“The head of the family will leave the Black Sea again. We’ll prepare thoroughly.”
“Please do. And keep a close eye on Murakan. If he sneaks in disguised as a human at the banquet, it’ll be a disaster. Got it?”
“Am I a kid? I can handle that much…”
“I’m counting on you.”
When Murakan shot a sharp glance, Gilly quickly looked away.
Two days later, the newsfeeds began flooding with stories about Runkandel’s youngest son.
Since Jin hadn’t made any public appearances, reporters were frustrated.
All they knew was his age and the rumor of his five-star rank.
Wealthy journalists bribed Runkandel’s servants, while skilled ones questioned gatekeepers at the Mittel Kingdom’s portals or the Black King’s Third Division about Jin.
Because only those people had seen Jin firsthand. But the gatekeepers were too cautious to talk, and the Black King’s Squad despised the news media.
Inexperienced reporters—those unfamiliar with the world—had so little information they suspected Runkandel was spreading false rumors to stir up attention.
“Who exactly is Jin Runkandel?”
Such sighs were common among reporters.
The Sword Garden was off-limits to mere journalists, so all they could do was fidget and try to make connections with powerful families who could visit the Sword Garden.
Another week passed, and by May 1795,
requests to visit the Sword Garden began pouring in like a flood. Everything was unfolding exactly as Jin had predicted.
“Lately, the butlers have been swamped replying to official letters, young master. Petro said even the Biment royal family sent letters.”
“The empire’s royals? That’s surprising. Even those mystics must be curious.”
“I’m more amazed that you foresaw all this, young master.”
Gilly smiled proudly and added,
“And today, Father announced his visit to the main house through Guardian Knight Khan. He’s coming in a month. Other families and organizations are scheduling their visits around the same time.”
Thanks to Jin, chaos reigned both inside and outside the family.
Among the brothers, there hadn’t been any notable movement yet. They went about their duties and training as usual, and Jin was no different.
It was only natural. At a time when all eyes were on him, trying to undermine Jin would be sheer foolishness.
The moment someone started to challenge him, it would be like announcing to the world that they feared or disliked him. That would inevitably damage their reputation.
But not everyone was wise enough to avoid such foolishness.
“M-Master Jin!”
The man who came looking for Jin with a tense expression was Petro, the second steward.
The moment Jin saw his face, he knew something was up.
‘Mu, Lady Ann must be scheming again.’
Petro was drenched in sweat, having run tirelessly across the vast Sword Garden.
“Catch your breath and speak slowly, Petro.”
“Huff, huff! Thank you. Whew… It’s about your next mission, Master Jin. The assignment location is…”
“Where?”
“The Colon Ruins.”
“Hah! The Colon Ruins? Master Jin, the riders really dropped the ball this time. That’s Zipl’s territory!”
“That’s right… The riders did overlook it. Lady Rosa is furious. It seems several riders have already been summoned to her, so you should probably pay her a visit as well.”
Jin nodded calmly.