Chapter 454
Episode 130: New Year, Rumors, and the Great Reconstruction (Part 3)
January 1, 1800.
The new year had dawned.
The Tikan family gathered modestly at the Litra Tea House, quietly exchanging blessings for the year ahead.
The crisp sound of children crunching on cookies filled the air pleasantly, while candles flickered here and there, casting a warm, colorful glow.
The scent of freshly baked bread and cookies wafted through the room, mingling with the magical aroma that Latri was conjuring in the kitchen—an irresistible temptation for both young and old alike.
It was a scene both pastoral and refined, the perfect way to welcome the new year. The old dog, Poopy, yawned lazily and padded toward the children.
Near where Poopy had just been sitting, however, sat a group of rough-looking men with dark expressions that clashed starkly with the cozy atmosphere.
Their clothes were still stained with blood, their hair unkempt and tangled.
They sat scowling, tapping their fingers impatiently on the table, their entire demeanor radiating deep frustration and displeasure.
They were the captain and officers of the Black King’s Band. They had deliberately not changed their clothes as a sign of loyalty—showing that they were still fighting alongside Valkas, who remained unconscious.
The reason they were here on New Year’s Day, not in the Vise Kingdom, was simple: they could no longer manage the ruined Black King’s Mountain stronghold.
More precisely, their right to do so had been forcibly taken from them.
Because of Runcandel.
In 1800, as the new century began, the star of the 12th Order of Runcandel shone brightest.
The world’s greatest mercenary group, the Black King’s Band, had been incorporated under the 12th Order.
It was revealed that Valkas Kran, captain of the Black King’s Band, had secretly sworn allegiance to the 12th Order in the free city of Tikan…
About Runcandel, the new owner of the Black Pearl of the Vise Kingdom, a power no other great force could contain.
1799 had been, in effect, the year of true Runcandel. Would that momentum continue this year?
The war between the 12th Order and the Black King’s Band was one of the greatest events of the previous century, with the 12th Order and Runcandel emerging victorious.
The Sky Sovereign, the mighty Black Dragon Murakan, roared fearsomely once again.
The dragon among dragons, ruler of the skies—Murakan, a name even Ziplo feared.
“Ugh…!”
“Hah!”
The Black King’s Band sighed and groaned as they read the news bulletins on the table.
Each word was filled with injustice and frustration, leaving them baffled.
They wanted nothing more than to confront Runcandel directly—how dare they treat them like this? When had they ever agreed to fall under the 12th Order’s command?
After the knights had poured in, Runcandel sent forces to prevent the Black King’s Band from managing the Black King’s Mountain stronghold.
Outwardly, it was presented as if Runcandel was stepping in on behalf of the ‘distracted Black King’s Band,’ acting as the ruling family’s proxy.
But in reality, it meant the Black King’s Band was now under Runcandel’s control, expected to obey their orders. It was a move to clearly establish the Black King’s Band’s new allegiance in the eyes of outside powers and the public.
Their anger was about to boil over.
Losing their base in an instant was bad enough, but this humiliation and insult were unbearable.
Crunch!
Gnash!
The sound of children breaking cookies sharply contrasted with the grinding teeth of the Black King’s Band.
It was as if a line had been drawn down the middle of a canvas, with two completely different pictures painted on either side—the Tikan family on one side, the Black King’s Band on the other.
“Why don’t you all lighten up a bit, friends?”
A voice crossed from the Tikan side to the Black King’s Band’s table as someone took a seat.
“Our lord has prepared such a wonderful gathering for us. Do you really want to sit there looking like you’ve been chewing on bugs all day? Have you ever had cookies like these in your mercenary life? This is my first time.”
It was Lata Prochi, captain of the Ghost Squad. He had come to pay his respects to Jin on New Year’s Day.
His sister, Faye Prochi, joined him and added, “Yeah, and there are kids here, so stop making those scary faces. You’re making me want to tear you all apart.”
The Ghost Squad and the Black King’s Band didn’t get along well. Lata, in particular, had long been considered the weakest of the three great mercenary captains, always waiting for a chance to turn the tables.
Now that he was a trusted subordinate of Jin, his ambitions had softened somewhat, but the Black King’s Band’s attitude still baffled him.
“What did you say?”
“That’s not a question, friend. Except for Sir Valkas, none of you outrank me. We’re going to be under the same roof soon, so let’s be clear on the hierarchy, shall we?”
“Under the same roof? Who the hell would want to share a roof with you?”
One officer shouted back, and a deadly gleam flashed in Lata’s eyes.
The officer flinched, and the captains tensed. Lata merely smirked as if holding back.
“I get how you feel, but now’s not the time for this. Why can’t you read the situation? When Sir Valkas wakes up, what do you think he’ll decide? Do you really think he’ll say he wants to be neutral again?”
A tense silence fell between Lata and the Black King’s Band. As Lata said, Valkas had yet to regain consciousness.
Right after the Black King’s Band incident, Jin had taken Valkas and the Black Knight straight to the Holy Kingdom.
King Rani was the only one who could possibly cure the poison of Zephyrin.
Even she couldn’t heal them with pure holy power alone this time.
She requested five hundred kinds of medicinal herbs, including rare ingredients that even Runcandel classified as first-class missions.
Thanks to that, Jin and some companions had been busy without rest even as the new year began—exploring remote regions, dangerous zones, and unprotected areas to gather the necessary herbs.
The ones who had suffered the most were Lata, his Ghost Squad, and Kuzan.
But Lata had no intention of telling the Black King’s Band that their hardships had been for their lord’s sake, not theirs.
“Sir Lata, do you really think our captain would submit to the 12th Order?”
“I do. I don’t want to admit it, but Sir Valkas is better than me in every way—strength, diplomacy, judgment, experience. Ah, maybe I’m more hot-headed, and braver too.”
“You’re better looking, too, big brother,” Faye teased, making a gagging gesture. The siblings were close but didn’t exactly think highly of each other’s looks—though they did flatter each other in public.
“Anyway, Sir Valkas won’t miss what I’ve seen and read. For now, becoming our lord’s force is the best and only choice. If the Black King’s Band keeps acting stubborn, Runcandel and Ziplo will both turn their backs on you. That could lead to your destruction.”
“That’s something the captain will decide when he wakes up. It’s not your place to argue.”
“Fine, but these guys have been way too rude all day…”
“Hey, mercenary scum. You think you’re the only ones here? Cut it out. If you think the Archers are a joke, maybe we should teach you a lesson.”
Ryu and Hiten of the Archer Seven Swords, stationed in Tikan under Talaris’s orders, were sitting with the Tikan family, enjoying tea and cookies.
“Hah! What did you say? Say that again…!”
Screech!
Just as Lata and the Black King’s Band flared up, the door swung open and a voice rang out.
“Hey, what’s this? Why are there so many gloomy faces on New Year’s Day? Hey! Are you guys fighting? Seriously? The kids are playing over there!”
It was Murakan. At his voice, Lata and Faye immediately bowed, while the Black King’s Band cleared their throats and averted their gazes.
“Sorry.”
“Quikantel, why didn’t you say something? Fighting on New Year’s Day—what a mess.”
“We let it slide because we were afraid someone might get killed.”
“Good call. Latri, bring out some cookies. Quick. The smell is amazing.”
“I was curious how far you’d push it.”
Beside Murakan stood Jin, Valkas—still wrapped in bandages—and the Black Knight, also bandaged and carried on a stretcher, along with King Rani, hooded.
The Black Knight remained unconscious.
When Rani removed her hood, a deep, sacred aura seemed to fill the tea house.
The mercenaries instinctively bowed their heads.
Knowing she was treating their captain, they couldn’t help but show respect.
“Your Majesty!”
“Today, I’m here as a friend of Tikan. Mercenaries, please raise your heads; there’s no need to be so formal.”
Rani shrugged as she looked at Jin and Valkas.
“Judging by the mood, it looks like you two have a tough road ahead. Anyway, I want some cookies too. I have to get back to the New Year’s blessing ceremony soon.”
She had slipped away during a break in the ceremony to visit Tikan. As she mingled naturally with the Tikan family, exchanging well-wishes, the Black King’s Band raised their voices.
“Captain!”
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, so stop making a fuss. And everyone, behave yourselves and keep your attitudes in check.”
At Valkas’s words, the members of the Black King’s Order all fell into formation and bowed their heads.
“Would you prefer that I speak, or shall Sir Valkas address them?”
Jin spoke up, watching the scene unfold.
Before coming to Tikan, Jin and Valkas had already finished discussing the future of the Black King’s Order.
“Let me speak,” Valkas said. “I believe this is my last chance to speak as the independent leader of the Black King’s Order.”
The members’ eyes widened in surprise at his words, while Rata nodded knowingly, as if she had expected this.
The Black King’s Order hadn’t imagined Valkas would accept such a forced choice.
But, just as Rata had predicted, Valkas fully understood that this was the only way for the Order to survive.
“From today onward, the Black King’s Order will serve the Twelve Knights as our lord. This means we are not merely following a mercenary leader bound by money and contracts, but pledging ourselves to a lord united by loyalty and honor.”
While Rata had complete control over the Ghost Corps, save for a few elders, the Black King’s Order placed even stronger trust in Valkas.
Though the members were initially taken aback by his sudden decision, they quickly composed themselves and nodded in agreement.
“Yes, Commander!”
“And from now on, all equipment from the Black King’s mountain base will be moved here, to the Free City of Tikan. The entire city will undergo a transformation, so everyone stay sharp and prepare to move the gear.”
In that moment, the defense system of Tikan was set in motion.