Chapter 752
Episode 185: The Remaining Ones (2)
“Sir Balas Runcandel, the Knight King.”
The moment he saw Jin, Balas burst into hearty laughter.
“Ha ha ha! I thought it would take another thousand years before anyone in the family could match my grandson. Yet here you are, surprising your great-grandfather once again. Just like Sir Siron!”
At the mention of “that guy,” Jin’s eyes widened involuntarily.
No one in this world dared to refer to Sir Siron that way.
But then again, there was no reason why his great-grandfather wouldn’t speak fondly of his cherished grandson.
“Of course, in Great-Grandfather’s memories, Father is still just a boy.”
Balas had passed away the year Sir Siron turned fifteen.
Though Jin didn’t know much, Balas and Sir Siron had a relationship much like Ron and Dante’s.
Among the elders of the family, many believed that Sir Siron’s cold, calculating nature truly began after Balas’s death.
The other family members, already accustomed to Balas’s blunt and bold manner, showed no particular surprise.
Only Alpen seemed uncomfortable with Balas’s casual way of addressing the current head of the family in such a formal setting, and quietly whispered into Balas’s ear.
“57th Head, shouldn’t we show a bit more respect to the current family head in a place like this?”
But Balas just laughed again, loud and carefree.
“Ha ha! Ancestor, don’t worry! Sir Siron’s grown enough now not to embarrass his old grandpa.”
“Not only that, but now you’re calling him ‘that guy’ too? 57th Head!”
“Ha ha! Enough of the small talk. Let’s welcome our great-grandson properly.”
Alpen rubbed his forehead, while Tasha smiled, clearly amused by her father’s stubborn adherence to tradition clashing with his playful side.
As an ancestor, it was difficult for Alpen to scold Balas’s reckless words—after all, Balas had remained head of the family well into old age, unlike Alpen or Tasha, who had died young in battle.
So Alpen treated Balas with a certain reverence despite being the senior ancestor himself.
“Tasha thought your father was just adorable.”
Tasha was simply happy to be standing here with her father, whom she thought she might never see again.
“Nice to meet you, Great-Grandfather. I am Jin Runcandel of the 12th Generation.”
“Ah, yes!”
Jin waited for Balas to say more, but silence stretched between them.
Balas’s gaze swept over Jin with a sly smile, making Jin feel a bit self-conscious.
“57th Head, the family is waiting. Shouldn’t we finish the appointment ceremony quickly and get everyone back to their posts? Time is of the essence.”
“Ah, yes, you’re right. I got so caught up in seeing my great-grandson that I forgot. Strong build, sharp eyes, and a radiant spirit. Don’t you agree, Ancestor?”
“That’s true.”
“But, Ancestor, why have you been whispering all this time? Is your throat sore? Shall I prepare some medicine?”
Tasha’s face flushed as she tried to hold back laughter, while Alpen coughed awkwardly.
“…Ahem! I’m fine.”
“It’s much easier to hear you when you speak clearly. Now, great-grandson, come closer. We all gathered in a hurry because you’ve awakened. Do you know how fast this old man ran? My empty sleeve was flapping so hard it kicked up dust. We must get this ceremony done quickly!”
Balas waved his empty sleeve playfully.
Jin, barely holding back a smile like Tasha, stepped closer.
“You know the significance of that coat you’re wearing, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Originally, I was supposed to present you with the black sword Kainer as well, but some vermin has it now. We’re tracking that pest and Kainer as we speak.”
“Joshua survived?”
“Truthfully, no one knows if he’s dead or alive. The former is more likely. Some saw him tossed around by the shockwave on the battlefield. Lan and Vigo’s deaths have been confirmed.”
Jin felt a twinge of unease about Joshua and a bitter sadness for Lan and Vigo.
But compared to the others left behind, these were minor concerns.
“In any case, we’ve decided that until Sir Siron returns, you will lead the family. The three of us together provide enough authority, legitimacy, and justification.”
Over five hundred years ago, the 20th head of the family, known as the Knight of Light, led the Holy Kingdom’s defense to victory; his daughter, the 21st head, eradicated the remaining demon forces; and the 57th head laid the foundation for the modern Runcandel family.
Without question, their combined legitimacy was more than enough to appoint Jin as the sub-head.
“If I become sub-head, would you three serve as acting heads…?”
“Nonsense! What kind of nonsense is that? Ghosts like us acting as heads?”
At the word “ghosts,” Jin swallowed a bitter sigh.
Of course, as comrades who had fought through the Dark God War and as ancestors more needed than ever, Jin wished for their continued presence.
But their resurrection was made possible by the chaotic power of the Dark God’s soul lingering in the ancestral shrine.
If the Dark God had truly died, they should have vanished with him.
“If their manifestation continues because the Dark God’s power hasn’t fully faded, then the war isn’t over yet…”
Just as Jin thought this, Alpen shook his head knowingly.
“12th Generation, the mages of Hister have confirmed multiple times that the Dark God’s power has completely vanished from this world. So, for now, kneel on one knee and pay your respects to the 57th Head.”
Jin knelt, bowing his head.
Balas’s playful expression faded as he looked down at his great-grandson with deep eyes.
“Alpen Runcandel, 20th Head; Tasha Runcandel, 21st Head; and I, Balas Runcandel, 57th Head, in accordance with the family’s long-standing traditions and laws, bestow upon the brightest among the generations a singular honor.”
The knights all raised their swords in unison.
“Jin Runcandel, 12th Generation of the 59th family head. Since the family suffered the humiliation of the Covenant a thousand years ago, you have protected the Sword Garden from its greatest crisis and upheld the Runcandel name. Therefore, on behalf of the current head, we officially appoint you as the family’s sub-head.”
Shing!
Balas drew his sword and pressed it down on Jin’s shoulder.
Jin felt a pain as if his shoulder was about to shatter. His body wasn’t fully healed, making the pressure even more agonizing.
As the sword’s power intensified, the ground beneath Jin’s kneeling form began to cave in.
“Rise, 12th Generation.”
Jin struggled to stand, his legs trembling.
After several seconds, he was fully upright, and Balas nodded with satisfaction.
“Heh, this one even pretends to struggle just to save his old great-grandfather’s pride. He could have stood up easily.”
Balas sheathed his sword.
“From this moment, you are the family’s sub-head. When the head is absent or major family matters arise, you will be the first to be consulted. When blessings come to the family, you will be the first to receive them. And when crisis strikes, you will bear all responsibility.”
“I will remember.”
“From now on, you are Runcandel, and Runcandel is you. Your words are the family’s law, and your actions its will. Turn and face your kin.”
Jin turned around.
All the family members knelt on one knee, placing their right hands over their hearts. Even the brothers holding the banners bowed respectfully.
This was the first time in history that the appointment of a sub-head had passed without a single objection from the entire family, including the three former heads.
A strange emotion welled up in Jin’s chest.
The throne of the family he had longed for since his previous life was now just one step away.
His heart swelled with pride, yet the path ahead felt daunting. So many farewells and sorrows had led to this moment, and the family had been pushed to the brink of ruin.
“…Even more than Father.”
Jin looked carefully at his kin.
“I will surpass the disgraceful former acting head. Even in the absence of the family head, I will make sure you never feel that void.”
His confident declaration made the family members flinch involuntarily.
Even if they didn’t know Rosa in her human days, it was hard to imagine the 12th Generation openly proclaiming he would surpass Sir Siron.
But the family felt a familiar spark of old times.
They remembered the 12th Generation’s youth—always bold, always challenging the status quo.
Looking back, Jin had always been like this.
He stepped forward where others hesitated, and even when mocked, he made sure to fulfill every promise.
The boy who once shone so brightly had now become a giant with an even deeper light.
“Ha! What a straightforward character! This concludes the appointment ceremony. So, Sub-Head?”
Balas gestured for the family members to give their orders.
“Everyone, disperse immediately and return to the front lines. Standard-bearers, gather the reports I need to review personally in twenty minutes and bring them to my office. Also, stewards and scribes, compile a detailed inventory of the family’s assets and supplies and submit it to me. From this moment on, we will begin rebuilding the family.”
“Yes, sir!”
The moment the order was given, thousands of knights standing in formation broke ranks with military precision.
In the Garden of Blades, the family head’s command was absolute.
In an instant, only Jin and the heads of the vanguard units remained.
Jin expressed his gratitude to them, then posed a question.
“Ancestors, great-grandfather—may I ask why the three of you still exist?”
At those words, Alpen gave a faint smile and replied,
[The 12th Standard-Bearer, we may seem intact, but in truth, we are slowly fading away.]