Chapter 754
Episode 185: The Remaining Ones (4)
[If it’s the family’s former chief steward…?]
“Runtia Runkandel, my sister and the steward to the 3rd generation and the first head of the family, and Ruet Damiro Yul, are each trapped in separate pocket dimensions. Once the announcement is over, I will go find them.”
Runtia had to be found first.
With the cursed god dead, there was a high chance that the spiritual energy sustaining her was now unstable.
But what worried Jin most was that Runtia had already undergone physical transformation—her horns had grown. The current purification methods wouldn’t be able to reverse her condition.
‘I can only rescue her properly once she can merge with the fighting spirit again, or after my half-brother comes out.’
Still, as long as she was alive, there was hope for recovery.
Jin held onto that hope.
“From now on, Great-Grandfather and Sir Alpen will take charge of the Black Sword Society and the Guardians, respectively.”
During the appointment ceremony, Jin confirmed the survival of Telrot Runkandel, the current head of the Hommin Council.
For now, the best candidates for the remaining two chair positions were Balas and Alpen.
[Agreed.]
[I take it as a directive to manage and groom successors in advance.]
“Exactly, Sir Alpen. And Sir Tasha, please take on the role of Chief Instructor for the cadets.”
The position of ‘Chief Instructor for Cadets’ might seem somewhat less prestigious for a former family head.
But Jin believed that nurturing talent was more urgent than ever, and the previous heads agreed.
[It will be an honor.]
“If it becomes known that Sir Tasha is personally training the cadets, not only the students but also active knights will flock here.”
They needed to recruit more personnel.
For the upcoming wars against massive forces, and to protect those who had gathered under Jin’s leadership in Runkandel.
[Indeed. But my standards are very high, and selection will be strict. Recruitment might take longer than you expect.]
“Of course. That’s why I entrusted the position to Sir Tasha. Show us your insight as a former family head.”
[The responsibility is heavy, but you may expect great things.]
Once the former heads stepped down, Jin headed straight to the family head’s office.
Inside, Mary and the Tona siblings, along with stewards and scribes, were waiting.
Jin barely had time to feel the weight of stepping into the office as the new family head before sitting down.
“Family head, although I filtered the reports, there are still many.”
“Reports keep coming in from all over. If you set the standards today, we’ll try to minimize future reports.”
Mary and the Tona siblings spoke. Their demeanor toward Jin had shifted, given the official setting.
Jin smiled quietly at them, feeling a renewed sense of relief that they had all survived the war.
Among the stewards, some familiar faces appeared.
But the two stewards who knew the family’s deepest secrets were nowhere to be seen.
“Have Chief Stewards Heinz and Howard died?”
“…Yes, family head.”
Petro answered.
“What about the documents they held?”
“While you were absent, Miss Valeria conducted a review, but they could not be found. Records indicate they were destroyed even before the cursed god’s death.”
Jin decided not to dwell on it.
The most important secrets of the past likely concerned Sirion—the reason he spent so much time in the Black Sea in his youth, and why he eventually led the expedition.
By now, Jin felt he understood that reason.
‘Father went to the Black Sea to avoid becoming a monster like the cursed god.’
He had felt this certainty when he met Sirion in the inner world, and it had been his suspicion ever since learning the nature of the ‘Creation’ power.
For a while, Jin silently reviewed the reports.
Like with the siblings, he was moved each time he confirmed the number of survivors.
“Petro.”
“Yes!”
“Lend all the unused legendary swords stored in the family warehouse to allied families and the empire. The rental fees will be handled by Sir Picon. Contracts will be for five years, with ownership transferred if rented for over twenty years. All proceeds should be invested in stabilizing Hupester.”
Petro wanted to ask if he was serious but held back and bowed.
“But do not force the lending. Only lend to families willing to borrow, even if it means opening secret funds.”
“Understood.”
“They’ll be surprised. The family’s legendary swords haven’t been used like this in a thousand years. But we need money now. To stabilize Hupester and to produce fleets later, we need huge funds. We can always make more swords.”
“If I may, family head, even in these times, the Minche Blacksmiths’ Guild is unlikely to lower their pride. Most of the weapons we lend are their work, so if this becomes known, it will be even harder.”
One strategist spoke cautiously, and Jin glanced around at his retainers.
The three heads of the Minche Blacksmiths’ Guild—‘Anvil,’ ‘Fire,’ and ‘Hammer’—had even refused exclusive contracts offered by Sirion in the past.
“From now on, when you offer me opinions, speak boldly without hesitation. Unless it’s nonsense, I won’t reprimand you. It’s important that sharp minds keep sharing ideas.”
“Understood!”
“I already have plans for weapon production through the Minche Guild. Some know this, but the guild’s founder and legendary blacksmith, Sir Picon Minche, belongs to the Balmur Union. He’s even the current guild god after Groller. Picon himself will lead negotiations.”
The Minche Blacksmiths’ Guild was essentially composed of Picon’s devoted followers.
If Picon told them to step down, they would likely comply immediately.
Jin had saved the ‘Picon’ card for moments like this.
“Don’t hesitate to lend the legendary swords. Allied warrior families will grow stronger, we’ll earn money, and produce better weapons. Also, those cadets and knights who show exceptional results will receive some of these swords.”
Jin believed that in chaotic times, personal goals and a sense of achievement motivated most people more than grand ideals.
“Petro, you can probably guess what order I’ll give next?”
“I will dispose of all family treasures except those with historical significance.”
“Excellent. Coordinate that with the Golden Pang Merchant Guild. Sell everything through secret black market deals to the Lutero Federation and the beastmen lands. Remember, no matter how much we gather, money will always be short.”
“Yes!”
“Also, for now, only Petro and five senior stewards and scribes will remain at the sword garden. The rest are to be dispatched immediately across Hupester to report on local conditions regularly. The 7th generation will handle assignments.”
“Yes.”
“Financial measures within the family seem mostly settled. Now, the remaining issue is manpower.”
Highly skilled personnel for fleet production—magical engineers.
Finding them was key.
A war without fleets was unimaginable now.
To build the ‘Golden Fleet,’ magical engineers were essential.
“We can secure some mages within Hupester and through the empire, but it’s not enough. Is there anyone who can suggest ways to recruit magical engineers?”
“There is.”
Surprisingly, the voice came from Valeria.
She had just entered the office and overheard Jin’s voice.
“Valeria?”
“I heard from the former heads that you plan to put me forward from now on. You didn’t consult me, though. Now that you’re the family head of Runkandel, I can’t just get angry…”
“Hmm, I was going to ask you about that.”
Jin answered in a deliberately serious tone.
Mary and the Tona siblings struggled to hold back laughter, their faces reddening, while the stewards rolled their eyes awkwardly.
Valeria was now truly comfortable around Jin and his companions.
“Anyway, since we’ve decided to reveal my existence, we can use that to recruit many magic students. As you know, there are quite a few mages obsessed with the name ‘Hister’ in this world.”
In the past, figures like Kidard Hall were prime examples.
‘Hister’ was a legend and myth among mages.
Especially for those who had received ‘higher education’ in Ziphl and had even visited their secret archives.
Under different circumstances, Jin’s recruitment through Hister would have caused an uproar in Ziphl, but not now.
If anything, Ziphl had to watch their step around Jin.
“High-ranking mages tend to have a strong desire for Hister, so naturally, skilled personnel will come. If Yuria handles identity verification, we can filter out spies sent by Ziphl.”
“Good idea.”
“However, I’d prefer my face not appear on those huge billboards that were envisioned for the family head.”
“I’ll tell the Golden Pang Merchant Guild, but don’t expect much. They believe there’s no better advertisement than that, and it’s been effective.”
Valeria showed displeasure but kept it to herself.
Jin chuckled softly at her expression.
The meeting continued for about two more hours.
All discussions focused on Hupester’s finances and reconstruction.
It was the first time in this era that such a smooth, cooperative atmosphere had been seen in a meeting.
A scene unseen during Sirion and Rosa’s leadership.
“This should be enough for now. The announcement will be made tomorrow at noon, in the imperial capital.”
Just as Jin stood to end the meeting, Mary caught his eye.
“Family head.”
“Speak, 7th generation.”
“You should visit the underground prison.”
“…The underground prison?”
Currently, the former top ten knight, Padler Runkandel, was imprisoned there.