Episode 48
Chapter 19: The Banquet (3)

The top-ranking butlers continued their report with stiff expressions.

“There are five of them in total. The deputy head of House Ziphl, Andrei Ziphl, personally led his retainers here.”

Andrei Ziphl, deputy head of House Ziphl.

Known by the epithet “Wind King,” he was the contracted mage of Melzayer, the god of wind, and blessed by the wind dragon Buretta.

A 9th-rank mage of such caliber—whether a subordinate or a vassal of Ziphl—could, if he wished, destroy several minor nations overnight. Yet he had come to Runcandel without any prior notice.

“Andrei Ziphl, huh…”

Before his reincarnation, Jin had admired Andrei just as much as he had Veradin.

Back then, if Jin had heard that a great mage recognized even by his own magical mentor was nearby, his heart would have pounded with excitement.

“But he’s surprisingly rude.”

Now, he was nothing more than an arrogant, unwelcome guest.

No matter if he was a great mage or a legendary elder, anyone who came to the sacred grounds of Runcandel should show proper respect and caution.

Even Kelliak, the head of House Ziphl who visited the Sword Garden twenty years ago, and the Emperor of Bimont who came twelve years prior, had at least observed the minimum courtesies.

Glancing sideways, Jin saw that Siron shared the same sentiment.

“What an insolent bastard.”

Those on the first floor looking up at Siron didn’t fully grasp the situation, but a few perceptive guests noticed the change in his expression and were instantly gripped by tension.

The butlers bowed their heads slightly, awaiting Siron’s response.

“Heintz.”

The white-haired, dignified first-rank butler stepped closer to Siron’s ear.

“Yes, Lord.”

“Tell Andrei Ziphl to get lost, and only allow his retainers inside. Don’t speak to him yourself—send the servants.”

Jin almost coughed in surprise at the bluntness.

Though Andrei’s visit was undeniably rude, to be turned away so insultingly… only a true sovereign could afford such an attitude.

“Understood.”

Heintz replied calmly.

Once the butlers left, Siron turned to Jin with a softened expression.

“Did you think I was too harsh?”

“I thought it was satisfying. And Andrei Ziphl is going to be in quite a bind.”

“In what way?”

“Your father said ‘only the retainers may enter,’ so Andrei has no choice but to comply. If he gets upset and leaves with his retainers, he’d be openly defying the Lord of Runcandel. That’s unthinkable in the Sword Garden.”

“Haha, I didn’t expect you to think that far ahead. Yes, Andrei will obey. Otherwise, he’ll be crawling back on two stumps.”

If it had been another house, the host might have been more cautious and hospitable toward a visitor like Andrei.

But no matter how great a mage he was, before Siron—who had reached demigod status—he was just a man. A slightly stronger man.

Moreover, Ziphl would not wage all-out war even if Siron crippled Andrei. Instead, he would wait until Siron’s death to exact revenge.

About twenty minutes later, four more people entered the banquet hall—Ziphl’s retainers who had come with Andrei. As the deputy head had said, Andrei himself was not attending the banquet.

Except for one, the retainers looked tense and cautious, glancing around nervously. They appeared to be barely out of their teens.

Seeing this, Siron clapped his hands once with a satisfied smile.

Clap!

The sound was more like a deep, resonant drumbeat, and all the guests on the first floor who had been chatting fell silent, turning their attention to Siron.

Ziphl’s young retainers exchanged worried glances, fearing Siron might reprimand them. Of course, Siron didn’t even notice them.

In the quiet, Siron looked down at the guests.

“Thank you all for coming. I am Siron, Lord of Runcandel. Thanks to having a rather fine son in my later years, I can now enjoy the company of such esteemed guests. First, I would like to express my gratitude to Jin Runcandel.”

Clap clap clap!

Polite applause and cheers followed, as in any formal banquet.

But Runcandel’s banquets were famous for their brevity, no gift-giving, and unique customs.

“As you all know, Runcandel’s banquets have only two rules: If a fight breaks out, the knights will escort you to the dueling grounds. The loser must accept defeat, and the winner show mercy. After all, it’s still a banquet.”

People called Runcandel’s gatherings “the narrow bridge party.”

Over a thousand powerful figures from across the continent gathered, many with complex grudges and alliances.

In an ordinary party, enemies might glare and engage in tense standoffs before going home. But at the Sword Garden’s banquet, if enemies locked eyes over wine, they quietly went to duel.

The only rules: no killing, and accept the outcome.

Though not being able to kill your foe was a bit frustrating, a thorough beating was enough to satisfy the victor—and officially settle scores.

“Well then, enjoy yourselves.”

Cheers erupted again, and Jin shivered as he looked at the flushed faces on the first floor. A strange, thrilling chill ran down his spine and spread through his body.

“Damn… what a crazy house.”

And he was an inevitable part of that madness.

“If you find someone you like, bring them along. But no one weaker than you—unless they haven’t insulted you or the house.”

“Yes. And I must never lose.”

“Of course. If you do, everything I’ve given you will be taken back. Bradamante, and even your nurse.”

“I’ll remember.”

Siron headed down to the first floor, blending into the crowd. Though the banquet was for Jin, Siron had no intention of parading his son around to boast.

Jin smiled softly at his father’s retreating figure, then headed down the opposite staircase, suddenly struck by a thought.

“…This is the first time I’ve really talked with my father like this.”

In his previous life, it had been unthinkable. Yet just moments ago, they had spoken like a proper father and son.

A strange warmth welled up inside him, but he pushed it away with a breath.

Affection and love between father and son were not part of his goals this life.

“Surpassing you, Father—that’s all that matters.”

Though his father hoped for that from his children, Jin didn’t fully understand.

As he reached the first floor, countless eyes immediately turned to him. Groups of relatives and acquaintances openly or subtly scrutinized the boy.

It was curious.

Could this handsome, delicate-looking boy really be a 5th-rank knight? The guests’ curious gazes seemed to ask.

What should he do?

Stride confidently through them like a lion? Or approach them innocently, thanking them for coming?

Jin smiled at the thought of actions he wouldn’t actually take.

He planned to stand quietly in the center of the hall, expression neutral. This was his place now—and would remain so.

The host simply stands still.

It’s the guests who must come and speak.

Jin took a glass of wine from a passing servant’s tray. Even noble houses with plenty of money only opened such fine wine on special occasions.

“H-Haha… Congratulations, youngest.”

“Can I stay by your side for a bit?”

The first to approach Jin were the Tona brothers. Jin smiled warmly at the two standing side by side.

“Of course. How’s your training with the Qingash stones going?”

Jin’s friendly greeting brightened their faces.

They were just kids, eager to show off a bit by leaning on Jin’s reputation in front of so many people. They wanted to say, “Hey, we’re friends with him.”

It was also Emma’s instruction.

Having completely fallen out of favor with Mew and Anne, they were told to cozy up to Jin from now on. Jin had anticipated this and decided to ease his hostility toward Emma a little.

She was a somewhat unpleasant person, but at least one of the sharpest minds in Runcandel.

“It’s getting better. Uncle Jed recommended switching to greatswords and chain swords, and it’s much improved.”

“Good to hear. You know I’m always rooting for you, right?”

“Of course! Having you around makes us feel secure!”

Daytona, the younger brother, boldly draped an arm over Jin’s shoulder.

Jin found their eagerness to use him to brag endearing and let him rest on their shoulders.

But he whispered quietly:

“Don’t get too carried away. Tell Emma to keep her sharp instincts as they are.”

Daytona managed to keep a straight face and nodded.

After chatting with Jin for about five minutes, they excused themselves.

Once the Tona brothers broke the ice, other guests who had been watching cautiously began to approach Jin.

Thanks to the Tonas, they realized Jin wasn’t as prickly as Luna had been in the past. Most of these guests had also attended Luna’s 5th-rank achievement banquet nineteen years ago.

And they all remembered just how sharp-tongued and cold Luna had been back then.

“Good to see you, Zula of Kenga, sir Ken.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Sir Zula Ken. How do you find the food prepared by Runkandel?”

“Good to see you as well, Seeger of Kenga.”

“Greetings, I’m Jin Runkandel. As a fellow Kenga swordsman, I’ve wanted to meet you for some time.”

“Ha! I heard the young lord of Runkandel has reached 5-star rank, so I came running. Pleasure to meet you! I’m Jonsina Peral of the Dragon King Knights.”

“Ah, Sir Jonsina! My nurse used to tell me many tales of your valor and kindness when I was a child. It’s an honor to meet you.”

As these formal yet warm greetings passed back and forth, a burly man suddenly ruffled Jin’s hair and called out in a friendly tone.

“Well, well, Jin Runkandel! I’ve been dying to know what kind of kid reaches 5-star rank at fifteen. Ha! You really are just a kid—must be at least ten years younger than me. Nice to meet you! The name’s Uger.”

Uger didn’t bother to mention his family name, assuming Jin would know who he was. He was a rising power from the Tuko clan.

Perhaps because he was held in high regard by his family, he seemed to have forgotten that this was the Garden of Blades.

Jin smiled gently and replied,

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you, Uger.”

The atmosphere among the guests, who had been watching cautiously, suddenly turned cold.