Episode 443
Chapter 127: To the Black King’s Order (4)
Thud!
The thick handle of the axe-sword slammed into Zephyrin’s back of the head. It wasn’t someone else’s doing—she had accidentally hit herself while bowing to Murka.
“Ugh!”
Murka watched as Zephyrin clutched the back of her head, frustration bubbling up inside him. He couldn’t understand where such a person had come from to disrupt the discipline of the Third Army like this.
“I’m sorry, Captain!”
“If you’re sorry, then your mercenary career is over…”
“Ah! Isn’t that Sir Jin Runcandel!?”
Zephyrin’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Jin.
Both Jin and Murkan found it strangely unsettling that this somewhat foolish-looking young woman might actually be a demon dragon.
Murka, however, was carefully sniffing the air around her.
—Murkan, how can you be so oblivious to dragons? Well, I guess you’ve always been pretty insensitive.
—I’m not the one who should be hearing that.
—Didn’t you catch some kind of scent from her?
This was a conversation Murkan had shared with Quikantel at the Sword Emperor’s banquet.
Zephyrin carried a scent of dragon blood so thick and terrible that no human senses could fully detect it. It was a mixture of several different kinds of dragon blood.
Haah!
Suddenly, Murkan bristled, letting out a threatening growl.
He had caught that scent he’d missed at the banquet. His claws sharpened, ready to slash at Zephyrin’s face at any moment.
“Ah!”
Startled, Zephyrin took a step back. Murka interpreted her reaction as a sign that Murkan was displeased with her behavior.
“…I truly apologize, Sir Jin, Murkan. The captain is still attending to a prior guest, so when it’s your turn, my subordinates will inform you directly.”
Murka forced down his rising anger and spoke calmly. Soon after, he took Zephyrin away somewhere, leaving only the mercenaries on duty, Jin, and Murkan in the quiet hallway outside the reception room.
“Why did you do that just now? Did you catch the scent Quikantel mentioned last time?”
“Meow!”
“Transform and speak like a human.”
Bang!
“Yes, it was that scent. If Quikantel hadn’t told me, I probably would have missed it again because of the perfume.”
“What do you think?”
“You mean, do I think she’s a demon dragon?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, it could be the scent from her weapon, as Quikantel suggested.”
If Zephyrin was a demon dragon, then their two previous encounters might not have been mere coincidence.
At that moment, Jin thought: ‘She said she wanted to meet the First Ranker—was that just talk?’
According to Murka, the reason Zephyrin carried an axe-sword she couldn’t even properly wield was her admiration for Luna.
If she were a pure human, it would just seem a little odd. But suddenly, Jin recalled how Luna had obtained the ‘Pendant of Orgal.’
‘She said she got that pendant by slaying a demon tribe in the past.’
A pendant taken from a demon tribe, a grimoire won by killing demons, and a demon dragon.
It was too perfectly fitting to be mere coincidence—a puzzle falling neatly into place.
When Jin shared this with Murkan, he nodded and replied:
“Let’s just finish our business with the Black King’s Order leader and ask her directly if she’s a demon dragon. We couldn’t ask at the banquet, but I can’t shake this feeling.”
“Yeah, that’s probably best. She won’t just tell us outright, though.”
“Don’t worry, there’s a way to find out. If she turns out to be a demon dragon, we can also look into your brother’s connection with Rontelgius. We’ll squeeze every bit of information out of her.”
“But what if she’s stronger than us?”
“Where in the world is there a dragon stronger than me, Murkan? Hah. Well, she might be, since she hasn’t fully regained her power yet. In that case, we’ll just have to run.”
Jin shrugged.
“By the way, the person inside seemed like Runcandel. Considering Zephyrin’s wish to meet the First Ranker…”
“Probably one of the higher rankers, or their representative. Most likely from the Second Rank.”
Since there was conflict with the Elders’ Council, Joshua would need forces to supplement his lacking power. As the next clan head, he’d have to show he could recruit and unite neutral factions.
‘But the Black King’s Order has maintained neutrality for a long time. They won’t be swayed by just any offer.’
Whoever was meeting with the Black King’s Order leader now, if they came not just to request a favor but to recruit them, they must have a strong card to play.
Servants brought simple refreshments and tea. The two quietly nibbled and waited for their turn.
The door to the Black King’s Order leader’s reception room opened around three in the morning.
“We’ll meet again tomorrow morning, Black King.”
“Understood.”
Voices from inside indicated they planned to continue their discussion the next day.
The figure who stepped out was cloaked and hooded, covering their entire body. Jin immediately recognized that this was not Joshua or another high ranker, but their representative.
The figure also recognized Jin and Murkan. They tried to pass by silently, but Jin spoke first.
“Hey.”
The cloaked figure stopped and turned to Jin.
“You’re that guy, aren’t you?”
That guy.
The dark knight who had tried to kidnap Dante at the Sword Emperor’s banquet. Jin was certain this was the same person.
“I wasn’t sure at first, but now that you’re close, I can tell. Claw users have a certain way of moving, a unique gesture.”
Claws weren’t a common weapon, but Jin had spent a lot of time with Gilly, so he knew their characteristics well.
“Looks like the Second Ranker is entrusting you with something important, sending a dark knight. Tell me what was discussed inside. I have to meet the Black King’s Order leader too.”
“You’re still as sharp-tongued as ever. Having a black dragon by your side must make you fearless.”
“Well, I don’t think I was much different when Murkan wasn’t around at our first meeting. If I’d pushed it then, would you even be alive to be here now?”
The cloaked figure said nothing and turned away, deciding it wasn’t worth tangling with Murkan.
“Tell the dark knights I’m always open to talk.”
“The black helmets will never become your sword.”
“Make sure you remember that.”
After the figure left, the mercenaries on duty signaled for Jin and Murkan to enter the Black King’s Order leader’s reception room.
“Please come in.”
“Just so you know, Murkan…”
“What is it?”
“Even if the Black King’s Order leader isn’t as polite as you expect, don’t say things like ‘open your eyes nicely’ or ‘turn your chin this way.’”
“Am I an idiot?”
“I’m just worried.”
“Tch.”
The reception room was surprisingly spacious, almost unbelievable given the narrow hallway leading to it.
Large glass panels in the impressive ceiling let in the moonlight and starlight of the early dawn—a dreamlike scene that didn’t quite fit the dark profession of mercenaries.
Beneath it all sat Valkas Kran, leader of the Black King’s Order, at his desk, greeting the two.
Amela of the Gaipa Archipelago, Valkas Kran of the Black King’s Order, and Rata Prochi of the Ghost Battalion—three of the world’s greatest mercenaries, with Valkas rivaling Amela for the top spot.
‘Compared to Rata, Valkas definitely gives off a more commanding presence.’
Jin’s first impression was that Valkas seemed taller than him even while sitting.
Jin didn’t know much more than the common knowledge about him—roughly what legendary feats he had accomplished before becoming leader, his formidable martial prowess, and a general sense of his personality.
They had never crossed paths in past or present lives. He wasn’t a figure with much publicly available information.
—Valkas Kran. Hm, he’s more romantic than I expected.
—Excuse me?
—I mean, he really cares about his own people. That’s why the Black King’s Order is such a close-knit group despite being the world’s top mercenary force.
—I see.
—The problem is, everyone outside his inner circle is just a client who pays or a piece of living meat.
Before coming to the Black King’s mountain stronghold, Jin recalled Talaris’s words about Valkas.
‘Is that why Zephyrin only gets scolded lightly despite her mistakes? Because he cares about his subordinates?’
Or maybe Valkas had ordered them to keep a close eye on Zephyrin, suspicious as he was.
The latter seemed more likely. No matter how much he cared, the Black King’s Order was known for its strict discipline and sharpness.
Valkas raised his hand and spoke.
“Welcome, the 12th Ranker of Runcandel.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, Sir Valkas. Thank you for your hospitality.”
“No need to thank me. And is that the great Black Dragon by your side?”
Despite the somewhat disrespectful tone, Murkan silently nodded.
Fortunately, Valkas didn’t commit any further rudeness.
“My subordinates talk about you a lot. It seems your protection of the young you left quite a pleasant memory for the Third Army.”
“Is that so?”
“And even if they weren’t my subordinates, the twelve members of Runcandel are probably the hottest names in the world right now. Their stories are bound to spread everywhere. I admit, I was curious enough to want to meet at least once.”
Jin and Valkas exchanged smiles, their eyes locking.
For some reason, Jin felt as if Valkas could see right through him—like he already knew why Jin had come.
And that feeling was confirmed within seconds.
“You came to find me because you want to entrust me with protecting the free city of Tikan, didn’t you? Am I wrong?”
Though inwardly taken aback, Jin kept his composure and nodded.
“It’s almost as if you thought I’d already sent a letter outlining the request in advance. Yes, Sir Valkas.”
The fact that Jin needed ‘protection for Tikan’ was something most of the world’s powers were at least somewhat aware of.
Valkas couldn’t have been unaware either.
More than that, Valkas had just been visited by Joshua’s envoy, so the matter was fresh in his mind.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think I can accept that request.”
“You haven’t even heard the terms yet.”
“That may be, but it means you’re already too late.”
Joshua hadn’t sent someone to recruit the Black King’s faction.
He had sent someone to ensure the Black King’s faction didn’t accept Jin’s request.