Chapter 422
Episode 122: The Emperor (Part 2)
“…Show me some confidence.”
A silent laugh slipped through his lips.
He had expected the emperor to propose some sort of alliance under the pretense of a reward.
Everyone knew the royal family was stabbing Hailan in the back. So, calling him out with promises of a reward was hardly surprising.
“To swallow Runcandel whole, and even gain the strength to stand against Ziphl.”
“How does that sound? Tempting, isn’t it?”
Jin studied the emperor’s gleaming eyes for a moment.
‘Still, he’s the emperor of the empire. His gaze is solid.’
But it was hard to read what lay beyond those eyes.
“Are you aware?”
“Of what, exactly?”
“Not long ago, at the Garden of Swords, when I proved my power—I declared my intention to become the Gaju.”
“Of course I know. That day, your display of authority earned you the nickname ‘The Sword’s Return’ and the ‘Gaju Declaration’ among the gossipers. For a while, the entire Bimant region was filled with ballads sung by minstrels about you. Even I enjoyed those songs enough to order the royal orchestra to perform them.”
“That’s embarrassing to hear. But the reason I declared it publicly was simple: I already have the power to become Gaju.”
As Jin trailed off, the emperor blinked softly.
“I’ve heard that most of the Elder Council, the Execution Knights, and the Black Knights have already fallen under the control of the Second Cavalry. Yet your forces seem rather weak in comparison.”
Jin couldn’t help but laugh again.
“So that’s how outsiders see me.”
Weak.
There was a time when that was true—back when Jin was in the Storm Fortress, with only Gilly as an ally.
But since awakening Murakan in the secret underground glass chamber beneath the fortress, Jin’s forces had never been weak by any absolute standard.
Though Murakan’s power had waned somewhat, with time to recover, he could easily return to the ranks of the strongest.
Following Murakan came Luna, the comrades from the free city of Tikan, the Bikyung, the Meiwang tribe of Laprarosa, the Holy Nation, Misha, the arrangements in Solderet, the small beastmen, the Wantaramo Forest, and Hailan under Ron and Dante.
Within Runcandel itself were Yona, some elders, knights who had shown favor since Jin’s Gaju declaration, and Veradin, who was still sane. Beyond these, there were numerous tentative allies.
Currently, Jin’s forces ranked among the world’s top, with tremendous potential for expansion.
So hearing them called “weak” was almost laughable.
“You’ve done well to cultivate your public image. I know the true extent of the power you conceal.”
“As you say, I’m not desperate enough to need the emperor’s help.”
“Perhaps. But while I may not know the full strength of Runcandel’s Second Cavalry… I thought you understood Ziphl’s power well.”
“Is there anyone who doesn’t know the power they wield?”
“They dominate the world with just the tip of the iceberg. I’m asking if you’ve ever glimpsed what lies beneath Ziphl’s surface. If you have…”
The emperor paused.
Then shivered, recalling the ‘true power’ of Ziphl he had once glimpsed—a tremor that was hard to tell if it was fear or awe.
“You won’t be able to say you’re not desperate no matter who you meet.”
“So the emperor fears Ziphl.”
“Are you not afraid of them?”
“You just said you think you know me a little, yet you’re wasting time on pointless talk.”
“Temar Runcandel, the first Gaju of Runcandel.”
The emperor suddenly spoke the name. Jin kept his calm expression.
—Who are the other forces searching for Temar’s tomb?
—Who do you think?
—Ziphl.
—Correct! But that’s not all.
—The Bimant royal family is also searching for the first Gaju’s tomb. Your movements have been exposed to them once.
Jin recalled the conversation between Marjiela and Berakt when the latter came to see Rosa recently.
It was the first time he learned that forces beyond Runcandel and Ziphl were seeking Temar’s tomb—and that Bimant desired Temar’s corpse.
‘I didn’t expect the emperor to bring up Temar first.’
Jin met the emperor’s gaze, waiting for him to continue.
“Records say he possessed power stronger than anyone in history. No one of his time dared challenge Temar Runcandel…”
“Where are these records kept?”
“If you become my man, I’ll show you.”
Without warning, a powerful aura burst from Jin like a volcanic eruption. Cracks formed beneath his feet, and the air grew heavy, pressing down.
Even in the emperor’s audience chamber, there was no reason to hold back anger at such words.
Temar was Runcandel’s ancestor. No one—not even Bimant—had the right to speak of records Runcandel itself did not possess.
Just as the imperial guards and royal guards moved to intervene, the emperor raised his hand to stop them. Jin did not release more energy.
“Since the emperor has restrained his swords, I will consider the insult you just made as if it never happened.”
Jin’s calm voice stirred a burning heat in his chest, recalling the Bimant ‘Mines’ he had encountered in Wantaramo Forest.
Bimant was trying to use Temar’s corpse to create Mines.
Since Wantaramo Forest, Jin had suspected this.
Today’s meeting with the emperor only strengthened that conviction. If confirmed, it would justify wiping out the royal family entirely.
“And I warn you only once, Emperor. If you dare use the first Gaju’s body to create some crude puppet… the thousands of years of Bimant’s history will be for nothing.”
“Ha ha, talking with you is like walking a tightrope—thrilling.”
“Whenever and wherever you find clues about the first Gaju’s tomb, you must report them to Runcandel.”
The emperor showed no anger or displeasure at Jin’s words.
“Consider that after you become the King of Sword Ghosts.”
Though he spoke lightly, the meaning was clear.
You won’t become Gaju without my help, the emperor was saying.
“Anyway, for now, it seems I cannot be your ally. But what can I do? I’ve already decided to grant you a reward…”
The emperor clapped his hands as if struck by an idea.
“Hailan. How about you take that entire family? After all, I called you here to reward you for saving Hailan.”
“You speak as if I can just control Hailan at will.”
“Of course. There’s nothing I can’t do in Bimant.”
“To take a family, loyalty must come first. Even if you grant me intangible sovereignty, would Ron and Dante swear loyalty to me? The mountains and rivers would laugh.”
“You make simple things complicated. Do you really think there’s no way?”
“Taking Dante hostage to pressure Ron?”
“That’s not bad, but there are other options.”
“When the terror attack happened, I did my best to minimize Hailan’s damage. Do you think I would stab Hailan in the back like the royal family?”
“Why not?”
Throughout the conversation, this was the first time the emperor showed such strong emotion.
He looked puzzled, unable to understand why Jin protected Hailan.
“When I heard you were active in Sword Emperor Fortress, I was very curious. From Runcandel’s perspective, the terror attack was a huge gain. Yet I couldn’t think of a good reason why you protected Hailan. What is it?”
“Helping a friend doesn’t need a grand reason.”
“…What? A friend?”
The emperor jumped up, shouting in disbelief.
“You’d give up such a great advantage for such a trivial reason!?”
His tone was dripping with disappointment. Jin just shrugged at the outburst.
“Is that a problem?”
The emperor sighed as he sat back down.
“The thrill and awe I felt talking with you have cooled. I never expected such soft talk…”
“Losing interest?”
“If you keep that up, you won’t survive the battles ahead.”
“I’ve always survived that way.”
Now the emperor’s eyes showed disbelief, but soon he regained his composure and shook his head.
“Summon the guards.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Grant Lord Jin Runcandel the Golden Crown.”
Jin gave a brief bow and turned to leave.
“Lord Jin.”
As he began walking out of the audience chamber, the emperor called after him.
“From today, the chance of us becoming allies is all but gone. Remember that well. Next time we meet… show me more respect.”
After their conversation, the emperor concluded that Jin must belong to one side or the other, and that there was no need to join forces with Runcandel.
Until the time comes, if the Emperor cannot see any new possibilities in anyone other than Jin among the Runcandel, then there’s absolutely no need to try.
In other words, from today onward, he won’t receive this kind of treatment again.
“Oh, by the way, there’s something I almost forgot to mention. Sir Ron asked me to pass this along to Your Majesty: it would be wise to choose carefully in many ways.”
The Emperor said nothing. As Jin left the audience chamber, he finished his parting words.
“In other words, it’s a warning to pick your allies wisely. So you won’t have any regrets.”
After Jin stepped out, the Emperor remained seated, staring intently at the spot where Jin’s figure had just disappeared.