Chapter 455
Episode 130: New Year, Rumors, Major Construction (Part 4)
From that day on, the massive construction project began immediately.
Jin and his comrades were so busy that they barely had time to properly greet the new members or exchange New Year’s wishes. There was no moment to get to know each other—they were caught up in a whirlwind of activity.
Because, quite literally, the grand overhaul had started.
“Master Jin.”
Kashimir stood beside Jin.
They were on one of the sailing ships encircling the free city of Tikan, watching the progress of the construction.
With almost no outside help, the Black King’s faction members themselves were moving and installing the equipment.
Even the warships were brought by the Black King’s group.
Though their stronghold was in the mountain lair, as mercenaries, they had plenty of equipment for naval warfare.
“Sir Kashimir.”
Jin turned to him.
“Thanks to you, Master Jin, Tikan has come this far. Outside of the great powers, there are hardly any regions left in the world with defense capabilities on par with Tikan.”
Kashimir’s expression was deeply moved, his eyes glistening as if tears might fall at any moment.
Jin suddenly recalled the thoughts he had before meeting Kashimir.
“When I first wanted to establish a foothold in Tikan, I thought what Sir Kashimir needed most was the foundation of national power for when the city would eventually be elevated to a nation.”
Tikan had a small population, and with that, few talented people and scarce resources.
It was a land that relied solely on the intelligence network of the Seven-Colored Bird. Even after its elevation to a nation before Jin’s return, it remained a minor state.
“So, before I knew the dangers of the Colon’s cursed mirror, I wondered if I should propose a deal to share its benefits.”
But without even needing to use the mirror, they had built a defense system second only to the great powers.
Both Jin and Kashimir had achieved results far beyond what either had imagined when they first met.
Once the construction was complete, Tikan’s chances of rising beyond a ‘free city’ to a full-fledged ‘nation’ were very high.
That was why Kashimir was so deeply moved.
“As soon as the construction is finished, we will declare to the major powers and nations that we, too, have become a nation.”
Kashimir’s face shifted from emotion to determination.
“Yes, I thought you would say that.”
“And if you wish, Sir, you may ascend as Tikan’s first king.”
That was an unexpected proposal.
And one Jin had no intention of accepting.
“Why on earth would I do that?”
“Because you have achieved far more than anyone else.”
It wasn’t just idle talk; Jin could feel the sincerity behind Kashimir’s words, which only made him more flustered.
“There are some who serve as kings of certain nations in Runkandel, aren’t there?”
“That’s purely symbolic. They don’t actually perform royal duties; they simply accept the crown under the pretense of protection. It’s not a form of tribute they particularly like.”
“I know that. And that’s not what I’m suggesting.”
Jin shrugged and shook his head.
“No, I refuse, Sir Kashimir. The king of a free nation should be you. Besides, I’m a double-edged sword in Tikan.”
“A double-edged sword? Master Jin, that’s absurd! Why would you think that?”
“Because I’ve seen it. Before my return, you and your people made Tikan a free nation without anyone’s help.”
Jin didn’t voice this, but he locked eyes with Kashimir.
“You know as well as I do that if Tikan declares itself a nation, the great powers—especially Runkandel and the Imperial Court—will be the most displeased.”
The Four Great Powers: Runkandel, Zipple, Biment, and Kinzello.
Of these, Zipple and Kinzello were unlikely to apply direct pressure even if Tikan became a nation.
“As long as my father is around, Zipple won’t dare touch me or Runkandel directly. They might apply indirect pressure, but that’s about it.”
Kinzello had targeted Jin through Zephyrin this time, but she fled after suffering significant damage.
“At least until she recovers, she can’t attack me. And Zephyrin’s actions at the Black King’s mountain lair were very different from how Kinzello usually dealt with me. It’s possible that her attack was a rogue move.”
After the Black King’s faction incident, Jin and his comrades had tentatively concluded that Zephyrin was the demon dragon of the Kinzello leader.
If her power is that great, as Murakan said, she must be a direct subordinate of a demon lord-level being. There are few possibilities, and I still don’t know the name Zephyrin. She might be an ancient demon who never appeared in my or Murakan’s era, or a being erased from history. One of the two.
Erased from history…?
Zipple didn’t just erase the history of old Runkandel. As you know, many who lived in that era, like the archmage Chenmi, have been wiped from the memories of dragons as well.
Then the leader might also be a victim of historical manipulation. I thought so when I heard Linpa siblings say they met the leader.
Even if not, it could just be a being defeated in an ancient power struggle and naturally forgotten. Either way, Zephyrin’s recovery will be slow. Such demon dragons usually borrow power from demon lords or equivalent beings, and the leader was already in poor condition during the Sword Emperor era.
This was a conversation Jin had with Quikantel after the Black King’s faction incident.
Though many questions remained, Quikantel was certain that Zephyrin’s slow recovery was because she was the leader’s dragon.
Because of this, Jin judged that even if Zipple and Kinzello found Tikan’s elevation to nationhood uncomfortable, they would not intervene directly.
But Runkandel and the Imperial Court were a different matter.
“Runkandel’s stance will depend on my mother’s decision, but she will likely try to maximize the family’s benefit through Tikan. At minimum, they’ll demand tribute; at most, they might assign missions or insist on using Tikan as a base for the Paladins.”
Of course, they wouldn’t just stand by quietly, but this would be a heavy burden for Tikan.
“I’m prepared for that. Besides, even without you, Master Jin, pressure from the great powers was inevitable. And as for the Imperial Court, I suppose you’re referring to the recent emperor’s proposal you declined and your plan to release evidence of the biological experiments.”
Kashimir smiled bitterly as he continued.
“Tikan has always been a thorn in the emperor’s side. It’s only because you’re here that they can’t act recklessly. So, I believe the greatest credit for Tikan’s elevation belongs to you.”
Kashimir didn’t know that before Jin’s return, he had elevated Tikan to a free nation entirely on his own.
Back then, Tikan was still a minor state, but Kashimir was called the Saint King and protected their small territory.
At least, as far as Jin knew, no power had threatened Tikan.
That made Jin feel a pang of guilt.
Because of him, Kashimir and Alisa had regained Yuria, and the nation had grown far stronger than before.
But with that came even greater risks.
“Will Tikan be in a better position in the coming war than before my return?”
It was a thought Jin often had after growing closer to his comrades in Tikan.
Was his return truly a blessing for them, or had he burdened them with a dangerous fate beyond what was necessary?
No matter how much he pondered, there was no clear answer.
Kashimir seemed to understand Jin’s feelings perfectly and nodded.
Though he had no idea about Jin’s return, he fully grasped the dilemma.
Even without the element of reincarnation, forming a deep bond with someone as special as Jin Runkandel meant accepting many risks.
From the moment Jin found Yuria, he had been a benefactor worth risking their lives for in Kashimir and Alisa’s eyes.
The same went for the others.
Quikantel owed his life to Enya’s rescue; Zett, to Jin taking in him and his son; Kuzan and Beris, to Jin revealing the truth about Taimun and sheltering them; Julian, to saving the brain dragon Kaltor.
Even the recently joined Ghost Squad and Black King’s faction owed their lives to Fei and the members.
In this way, everyone in Tikan had become family only after Jin had given so much first.
Their relationship had long since transcended simple calculations of profit and loss.
“We are always ready to sacrifice for each other. Isn’t that right, Master Jin? So don’t overthink things. Especially calling yourself a double-edged sword—that’s quite hurtful.”
Jin smiled and nodded.
“But I still can’t be king.”
“Then I’ll do it. Honestly, who wears the crown among us isn’t that important. I was just willing to give it to you if you wanted.”
“Oh… then maybe I could do it?”
Zett, who had been sweating profusely carrying equipment alongside the mercenaries, suddenly chimed in.
With his usual charm, he navigated the tense atmosphere between the Black King’s faction and the Ghost Squad, making sure neither side took offense.
His comrades believed Zett would play a key role in resolving conflicts among the mercenaries.
It was simply amazing that such a capable man had once been an information broker in the back alleys.
“Are you serious? If you want to do it, well… I won’t stop you. Though I can already see how that’ll turn out.”
“Heh, just kidding, Sir Kashimir. Actually, I came by to share some news. I overheard something while carrying the cargo down the hall… Ah, there you are.”
A woman was waving in the direction where Zed was looking.
It was Quikantel. The moment Jin and Kashimir saw her, they immediately understood the news Zed had been trying to deliver.
“Jin! He just regained consciousness. Hurry over.”
When Quikantel referred to “him,” she meant the Black Knight they had rescued from the Black King’s stronghold.