Chapter 444
Episode 127: To the Black King’s Order (5)
The Black Knight he’d encountered in the hallway came to mind.
‘At the reception room’s entrance, that guy definitely said he’d meet the Black King’s captain again this morning.’
Normally, one might assume they were just going through the usual routine—signing the contract and then spending some casual social time. But this wasn’t just anyone; it was the Black Knight.
‘If the deal had been finalized, someone like the Black Knight wouldn’t be hanging around here idly. This isn’t the kind of place for that.’
Valkas was certain: the Black Knight hadn’t yet accepted Joshua’s commission.
Still, there were plenty of reasons why the Black King’s Order would refuse Jin’s request.
In the current world order, a figure like Jin Runkandel was like a poisoned chalice.
To accept him carelessly was to risk making enemies of the true “highest powers” out there.
Though Jin was a supernova among supernovas, whether he could truly break down the rulers’ impenetrable walls was uncertain.
In fact, no one who wasn’t close to Jin or didn’t truly know him believed he could.
Most people thought his fate was to eventually shatter or be swallowed by an even greater star.
No matter how brilliant Jin’s achievements were, miracles always come to an end.
Ordinary people—the vast majority—could neither imagine nor believe in continuous miracles.
The public still believed the next master of the Sword Garden would be “Joshua Runkandel,” and that perception extended even to someone like Valkas Kran, who was far beyond the realm of ordinary men.
‘Looks like they don’t want to take my commission just to avoid earning Joshua’s grudge.’
It wasn’t just Joshua.
The “Holy Kingdom incident” had left an indelible stain on Jin’s reputation with Ziphl, and rumors had recently spread that his relationship with the Biment royal family was strained.
Apparently, the emperor had only bestowed gold upon Jin after their meeting—and had even ordered the Biment news outlets not to put the meeting on their front pages, deeming it insignificant.
In other words, Jin was on bad terms with the next head of the Runkandel family, with Ziphl, and with Biment. It wouldn’t be surprising if he got caught up in some serious trouble.
Valkas summed it all up with a simple phrase: ‘You’re one step too late.’ He expressed a firm refusal without hurting the other’s feelings.
Joshua, too, had indirectly warned by sending the Black Knight here, implying ‘Don’t help Jin,’ without directly attacking Valkas’s pride.
Both men were showing the savvy, seasoned diplomacy expected of powerful figures.
‘In this situation, I can’t just be stubborn alone.’
Though irritation bubbled up, Jin knew he had to wait for the right opportunity. Refusing and pushing back now would be the mark of an amateur and only cause harm.
To turn Valkas’s mind, he needed a sure trump card—something that would make Valkas willing to risk everything and become a tentative ally of Jin’s. Protecting Tikan wasn’t just a simple commission.
But for now, no such card existed.
Jin didn’t know Valkas Kran well yet, and Valkas wasn’t particularly cooperative, so the chance of such a card appearing anytime soon was slim.
Zephyrin.
There was some information suggesting that troublesome member of the Black King’s Order might be a demon dragon, but it wasn’t valuable enough.
Investigating her without certainty, only to find her innocent, would backfire badly.
‘The Black King’s Order should grow stronger first, and only after Joshua and Ziphl’s true colors are fully exposed should we try to recruit them.’
Jin quickly reached that conclusion.
He hadn’t come with high expectations anyway. He knew well enough what his background was.
Of course, Jin had confidence.
He believed that in the near future, the Black King’s Order would come looking for him first—or that they’d regret not pushing this conversation further today.
‘I should visit Amela, the mercenary from the Gaipa Archipelago. Since the Black Knight came here, he’s probably already sent someone to her.’
For Joshua, this was a meaningful blow against Jin after a long time.
Not a fatal one, but enough to be a thorn in his side.
If both the Black King’s Order and the mercenaries disappeared, defending Tikan would fall too heavily on the Hidden Palace alone.
“One step too late, huh? Then I suppose there’s nothing to be done.”
Jin spoke calmly, and Valkas furrowed his brow.
“Oh? You’re surprisingly willing to back down.”
“Seems the rumors about me that reached you aren’t very flattering. I’m surprised you say that.”
“Well, not exactly. But there are many stories that you get whatever you want… especially among the Third Army, who seem to like you.”
He chuckled as he pulled a glass from the drawer and poured a drink.
No need to talk business—just a casual drink. Valkas was showing a measure of goodwill.
Though he couldn’t accept the commission, he didn’t dislike Jin as a person. Valkas even thought that if Jin were a Second Rank instead of a Twelfth, they could have joined forces anytime.
“Thank you, Sir Valkas.”
“Would the Black Dragon care for a drink? It’s a fine liquor.”
“Ah, pour me some.”
The three glasses clinked lightly, producing a pleasant sound.
Jin thought this wasn’t a bad situation at all. The commission had fallen through before it was even mentioned, so it wouldn’t have been strange if he’d left without a word.
“I’ve heard from some dragons connected to our mercenary company that Murakan was once the strongest being in the world.”
Despite being the Black King’s captain, Valkas didn’t forget simple ways to please those of higher rank.
His somewhat irreverent tone when first addressing Murakan was intentional. Sometimes lowering expectations a bit made the conversation more enjoyable.
“In the skies, definitely. I was the strongest ever, the greatest in history.”
“Oh? So those dragons’ stories were true. But they say you had rivals on the ground.”
“Rivals? There were a few worthy of the name. It was impossible to say who was stronger. But if we’d fought to the end, I think I would have won.”
“If I were younger, I’d challenge you right now. Meeting a strong, historic figure isn’t easy.”
“Well… even in my day, someone like you would have been quite a handful.”
“Heh, you flatter me.”
Murakan refilled his empty glass. He neither belittled himself nor failed to satisfy the other’s sense of superiority.
‘The best display of diplomacy I’ve seen among nearly all the strongest men I’ve met.’
In terms of personal strength, Valkas was also a superhuman who had reached the 10-star level long ago.
Usually, such superhumans didn’t show this kind of behavior.
They either didn’t care about others’ opinions or had the confidence that no one stronger could touch them without paying dearly.
Valkas was different. He was still walking a careful line as a neutral party among the great powers. He could have acted like other superhumans but chose not to.
The reason was simple.
Valkas Kran, captain of the Black King’s Order, deeply cared for his subordinates.
His belief was that with just a little effort, his men wouldn’t have to be senselessly sacrificed in the battles of the great powers.
Jin saw right through Valkas’s heart.
It wasn’t difficult. Without that reason, such an attitude would never come from someone like Valkas.
‘I understand why he started drinking with us.’
Jin was beginning to grasp the meaning behind this drinking session.
This gathering would continue until dawn, until Joshua’s Black Knight returned to the reception room.
Just as Joshua had subtly warned Valkas not to get involved with Jin by sending the Black Knight, Valkas was deliberately showing the Black Knight that the three of them were enjoying drinks together.
He was saying, “I won’t openly oppose you, but I’ll keep an eye on the growth of the Twelfth Rank.”
That was the message Valkas wanted to send Joshua.
Jin nodded silently to himself.
‘A one-night meeting, but there’s something to learn from this man.’
He naturally joined the conversation and began drinking. Murakan led the talk, with Jin and Valkas chiming in.
They covered everything: the greatest warriors and mages in history, the most prosperous and peaceful eras, the biggest differences between dragons and humans, life and death, apples and watermelons, the most beautiful beasts.
Around ten in the morning, the topic shifted to Zephyrin.
“How on earth did that strange kid get into the Order? I heard from the little guy that the Black King’s Order is the world’s best mercenary group.”
“She looks a bit scatterbrained, but her swordsmanship is excellent. I even heard she’s self-taught—a real prodigy.”
“What? She’s good with a sword? And a prodigy?”
“She lacks the aura to fully unleash her power. Seems like she’s naturally unable to build up aura well. I think she’s a strange and peculiar one in many ways.”
Creak!
At that moment, Zephyrin entered the reception room, carrying the same axe-sword she’d had last night.
Beside her stood the Black Knight she was supposed to meet again this morning.
His face was hidden beneath a hood, but there was no mistaking the displeasure etched across it as he took in the drinking scene. He hadn’t expected Valkas to show up like this.
“Captain, I’ve brought a guest!”
“…Right, Zephyrin. But I thought the second lieutenant of the Runcandel Second Unit was supposed to bring the guest personally today. Why are you the one here?”
“Ah, well, you see…”
Zephyrin shrugged with her usual lively, exaggerated flair.
Then Jin, Murakan, and Valkas couldn’t believe their eyes at what happened next.
Suddenly—thunk!
Zephyrin’s hand shot through the Black Knight’s side.
She had aimed for his chest, but he’d reacted just in time, so her strike landed in his ribs instead.
Her violet nails, now grown unnaturally long, looked like poison-tipped daggers, and the Black Knight coughed up blood, hastily putting distance between them.
“Ugh, cough…!”
“Do we really need to know why? Captain, you’re about to die anyway.”