Episode 453
Chapter 130: New Year, Rumors, Major Overhaul (Part 2)
“There’s definitely a problem.”
A warrior reported with a grim expression. He was briefing Joshua Runcandel, the second commander of the Runcandel family.
For a while, silence hung in the air as the cigarette’s ember slowly burned down. Joshua’s face, illuminated by the faint glow, was even more hardened than the messenger’s.
He had never imagined something like this could happen.
Of all people, it was the Black Knight.
The family’s strongest guardian knight, one of only ten allowed to wear the black helmet. Black Knights never failed their missions.
Even in the rarest of cases—
If failure was unavoidable, they would find some alternative solution. If faced with an incomprehensible variable beyond their control, they would at least return safely.
If even that was impossible—if death was the only outcome—they were duty-bound to leave a message for the family.
In other words, no matter what happened, a Black Knight disappearing without a word was unthinkable.
At least, that was how Joshua saw them. And most others felt the same.
Yet, days had passed since news of the “Black King’s faction incident” began flooding in, and the Black Knight sent to meet Valkas still hadn’t returned.
“By all indications, he was involved in the battle at Black King’s stronghold…”
A deep sigh escaped Joshua’s lips, the gray smoke flickering in the darkness.
He wanted to cut the messenger down.
Even without him saying a word, Joshua knew. So why did he have to voice the obvious and stir his anger?
No one would blame him if he took out his frustration on the man.
His fingers trembled slightly around the cigarette. Five seconds after the surge of violent impulse, Joshua restrained himself and didn’t strike.
Those five seconds felt like thousands of insects crawling all over his body, yet he showed no outward emotion or movement.
He seemed proud of his ability to control even the most terrible urges.
“I know enough. You may leave. Bring Howard.”
“Yes, sir.”
After the messenger left, Joshua sank back into thought, his gaze drifting to the stack of newsletters on his desk.
With the Black Dragon Murakan having destroyed the Black King’s stronghold, neither the 12th squad nor the Black King’s faction had revealed the true cause of the war… What were the most likely scenarios moving forward?
The dragons who knew Murakan and their contractors continued to refuse interviews or comments.
Judging by their fear, this incident might have been triggered simply because Murakan was displeased.
A thousand years ago, Murakan was called the Sky Sovereign, a dragon who struck terror into the world… What kind of being was he?
The newsletters were flooded with stories about Jin and Murakan, especially Murakan.
“If the Black Knight is dead…”
The most obvious cause would be Murakan.
Valkas Kran, the cunning opportunist, wouldn’t have joined in killing a Black Knight just because the chance arose.
So why Murakan?
Like many others, Joshua had no clear answer.
“The youngest wouldn’t have ordered Murakan to kill the Black Knight.”
The youngest—the 12th squad.
Joshua had always respected Jin. While his other brothers dismissed Jin as a reckless kid, Joshua saw the youngest’s brilliant talent and potential.
He was exceptional—not just in swordsmanship, magic, or contracts, but as a leader of a group.
A ruler’s virtues are countless, but to Joshua, the most important was love for those he governed.
“In that sense, the youngest wouldn’t kill a Black Knight just because he wasn’t his own man. Never!”
The youngest loved Runcandel more than anyone.
“From what I’ve heard from Mother and experienced myself, the Black Dragon Murakan is a capricious and violent being. If Murakan killed the Black Knight, it must have been an accident against Jin’s will.”
That meant Jin was failing to control Murakan.
But Joshua quickly dismissed that idea. If Murakan had slipped from Jin’s control, there would have been many moments when a bigger disaster should have already happened.
Creak!
A man with pure white hair and a straight back entered the room. Howard, the head steward.
“You called, my lord?”
“Howard, what do you think?”
Despite the abrupt question, Howard showed no sign of surprise. He already knew what Joshua was pondering.
“There are two possibilities: death or desertion. Either way, I believe betrayal is involved.”
At the mention of betrayal, Joshua’s eyes narrowed.
“Betrayal, huh? That man… Gilly, the youngest’s wet nurse. Probably his brother before becoming a Black Knight.”
Joshua recalled the complicated relationship between Gilly and McLoranga.
“…And Gilly McLoranga likely harbors deep hatred for McLoranga.”
“I feel the same.”
“There was a report that the Black Knight exposed the use of Klo in the Sword Emperor’s Castle to the youngest. So the youngest probably guessed the Black Knight’s connection to McLoranga.”
The youngest betrayed the family and killed the Black Knight.
Howard was suggesting just that. Unlike Joshua, he didn’t believe the 12th squad truly loved the family.
Since Jin valued Gilly over the family, he killed the Black Knight to avenge her and to strike a blow at Joshua.
“Considering how much the youngest cares for Gilly, that theory has some weight.”
But Joshua shook his head.
“It makes sense, but I don’t think the youngest is that emotional.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Gilly’s thirst for revenge will likely be satisfied in another way. If betrayal is involved, it’s more likely someone like Barton Vichna.”
“You mean that traitor?”
“Yes. If the missing Black Knight was in a situation like Barton’s, it makes sense the youngest killed him. He would be punishing a traitor to the family.”
“My lord, but if that’s the case, it means there’s a problem with our unity. If another traitor emerges among the family’s Black Knights…”
Howard trailed off.
Joshua hoped that wasn’t true. If the traitor was someone he hadn’t even noticed, unlike with Barton, that would be a serious problem.
Meeting with Howard hadn’t cleared anything up. He felt trapped, like wandering lost in a fog.
Suddenly, Joshua realized what he had to do.
“The fact that a Black Knight was involved in the Black King’s faction incident is still classified information. Not just to the public, but to enemy forces as well.”
Only the Black King’s faction and Jin’s group knew about the Black Knight’s involvement.
“And the youngest, who loves the family, would never leak that information to Zephyrin or any other faction. Even if it could harm me, he would prioritize Runcandel’s interests.”
In other words, whether the Black Knight betrayed them or not, there was nothing for Runcandel or Joshua to lose publicly.
“If the 12th squad and the Black King’s faction keep quiet, this information will never be revealed.”
Of course, they didn’t know about Zephyrin’s existence.
“Losing a Black Knight is an unbearable blow, but the family must seize the maximum advantage from this.”
Howard bowed his head.
“Just say the word.”
“Write and distribute articles praising the 12th squad. Frame it as the Black King’s faction being defeated by Jin and falling under his control. It must feel like fact, not rumor. Valkas Kran will be displeased but won’t dare respond recklessly. The fate of the Black King’s faction is at stake.”
“Yes.”
“Also, distribute articles glorifying Murakan’s might. Spread rumors that the dragon of dragons protects Runcandel, and Zephyrin fears him.”
Howard couldn’t help but ask.
“Are you sure, my lord? This could be seen as giving wings to the 12th squad. And provoking Zephyrin so much…”
“The youngest suddenly swallowed up a major neutral faction that had been cautiously watching each other.”
Howard bowed again.
“Several days have passed since this impossible event, yet Zephyrin hasn’t issued a proper statement. What do you think that means?”
Zephyrin has no intention of fighting.
Joshua continued.
“Whether out of fear of my father or genuine fear of Murakan, Zephyrin has abandoned the Black King’s faction. They just watched and lost it to Runcandel.”
Joshua also considered how to respond if the Black King’s faction pushed back.
“Valkas Kran might react fiercely. Claiming they never surrendered and threatening to rely on Zephyrin if this keeps up.”
That was exactly the question Howard wanted to ask.
“If Valkas acts like that, we just erase the Black King’s faction from the world.”
“Ah…!”
Howard gasped, realizing the implication a moment too late.
“JPL has already made it clear they have no intention of going to all-out war with Runcandel just to gain the Black King’s faction. In that situation, do you really think the Black King’s faction would entrust themselves to JPL? If we take a stance ready to fight to the death, JPL will never help the Black King’s faction.”
“I’ll put it into action immediately.”
“Good. You’ll oversee the detailed orders and make sure they’re carried out.”
“Yes, my lord.”
As Howard left the room, Joshua sank back into his chair. Lighting a fresh cigarette, the crackle of the burning ash sounded unusually loud.
It’s like giving wings to the 12th Division…
Howard’s words kept echoing in his mind.
He was right. This move would elevate Jin’s status once again.
‘But, in the end…’
Everything Jin gains and achieves will eventually come back to me…
Amid the thick gray smoke filling the air, Joshua held onto that certainty.