Chapter 81
Episode 28: Meeting Siron (Part 1)
Less than a month had passed since Jin became a provisional heir and left his family.
In that short time, he had wiped out Akin’s underground organization, Tesing; established a stronghold in the free city of Tikan; and eliminated Ziphl’s subordinate, Bujaju, along with Buretta.
Though Luna had handled the final battle, none of it would have been possible without Jin in the first place—he was the one who brought them all to the deserted island.
No provisional heir in Runkandel’s history had ever achieved so much in such a short span.
But the problem was—
“After all that hard work, none of it actually helps your reputation as a provisional heir,” Murakan sighed.
“Well, I can just claim credit later when the time comes. It’s better if I stay under the radar for now,” Jin replied.
A provisional heir’s reputation was built under a pseudonym assigned by the family. Runkandel’s main house would only reach out to confirm one’s qualifications once they deemed the heir had earned enough renown.
In other words, the reputation had to spread naturally all the way to the main family, marking the heir as a formidable force.
But Jin couldn’t do that. He hadn’t solved everything with just his sword.
“Most of it was handled with magic, so no one can know about that yet.”
When, then, should the truth be revealed?
Only when he had grown strong enough—when the fact that a Runkandel used magic wouldn’t be a problem for the other heirs.
Until then, Jin would exist only as a rumor.
A rumor about a lone human standing against massive forces like Ziphl.
A rumor about someone who wielded both sword and magic and commanded a secret faction.
And even a rumor that he was the contractor of Solderet.
“Until then, the only ones who know I use magic are my comrades, Luna, and Father.”
Luna had suspected it long before Andrei told her Jin had ‘broken his oath.’ She had known her younger brother was a magic user.
It was only natural—she had sensed Murakan’s presence from the moment they arrived at the Storm Fortress.
And Jin assumed that if Luna knew, Siron must know as well.
“Our youngest, a Runkandel who uses magic too? What a rebellious delinquent! If Father finds out, he’ll chop your head off, haha,” Luna teased as she approached Jin.
Jin just shrugged lightly, but Gilly’s face darkened as she listened.
“Master’s magic worries me greatly, Miss. If Father hears about it, he won’t let it slide.”
“No, nanny. Father probably already knows everything—the destruction of Tesing, Andrei Ziphl’s death. Soon, he’ll suspect it’s all connected to me.”
Luna nodded quietly.
“You sound pretty confident. Have you got some plan in mind?”
“Yes, sister. I’m thinking of visiting Father with you tomorrow.”
“Oh? Visiting Father… what did you say?”
Luna stared at Jin intently.
“Everyone here knows you’re unconventional, but wouldn’t it be better to stay quiet while Father turns a blind eye? What do you intend to do by meeting him?”
“I’m going to warn him. Ziphl is plotting something against Runkandel.”
Gilly turned pale, and even Murakan looked a bit surprised.
“Ah, you mean about the Demonstone? Wouldn’t it be better if I told Father? A provisional heir returning to the family without permission is basically disqualifying himself.”
Luna was right—provisional heirs couldn’t visit the Sword Garden without the family’s approval. It was practically a declaration of giving up.
“No, even if you tell him, Father will eventually find out I was the one who went to that deserted island. It’s better I tell him myself. And I plan to negotiate with Father based on that.”
Gilly nearly spat out her tea.
“Master, you’re joking, right?”
“Not only returning to the family, but proposing a deal to Father? Ha… I’ve never even thought of that at my age.”
A heavy silence fell.
Proposing a deal to Siron Runkandel…
Could such a thing even be possible? Even Luna couldn’t help but wonder if her brother’s head had been scrambled by the last battle.
“What exactly do you plan to ask Father for?”
“There’s too much to list. I’ll pick one or two things on the way.”
“…I can only imagine how much trouble you’ve caused Gilly all this time. Sigh. Trying to stop you is pointless. Maybe the only way is to beat some sense into you until you come to your senses. It’s not just about losing your status—you could die if you’re not careful.”
“If things go badly, I’m sure you’ll talk me down, sister.”
“Ugh, seriously!”
Luna jumped up and strode toward Jin, looking like she might hit him any second. But just as Gilly grew anxious, Luna suddenly laughed.
“Heh. You’re such a reckless brat. Fine! I’ll be your shield. Since everyone in the family seems ready to devour you, I might as well play the warm older sister.”
Though Luna didn’t actually hit him, Gilly couldn’t breathe a sigh of relief.
“Don’t worry, Gilly. If I step in, Father won’t go too far.”
“Miss… if that’s the case, I’ll come along too.”
“Oh, you too? This is getting tough.”
Though she said that, Luna secretly admired Gilly.
“She must be scared, but still willing to stand with Jin even if it means death. He’s lucky to have such a nanny.”
But Luna also felt bitter. She knew the whole story behind how Gilly McLoran had become Jin’s nanny.
“If she hadn’t become Jin’s nanny, she probably would have been McLoran’s next top swordsman. Their fates are quite similar.”
Ahem. Murakan cleared his throat to get their attention.
“Eldest daughter of Runkandel, then I’ll come with my strawberry pie.”
“Lord Black Dragon, you’ll stay here. You’d just have to stay transformed as a cat anyway.”
“That’s right, Murakan. You help Lord Kashimir until we return. There’s a mountain of information the Seven-Colored Bird needs to dig up.”
“Understood…”
Murakan, looking dejected, transformed into a cat and drooped his tail. But no one paid him any mind, so he went to find Yuria and Enya playing in the next room, where he was much more popular.
“Well then, let’s set off for the first transit gate tomorrow. It’s been less than a month, but it feels like a long time since we last returned to the main house.”
The next day, just before leaving the Sword Garden, Jin visited Kashimir’s office.
“Prince Jin.”
“Lord Kashimir, I’ve come with some requests.”
“Requests? Not at all. Now, you and I are practically bound by fate. My forces are yours as well.”
Jin knew Kashimir was the deposed crown prince of Biment, and that his daughter was a contractor of Az Mil.
Kashimir knew Jin was a provisional heir of Runkandel and a magic user who bonded with a dragon.
In other words, they held each other’s vulnerabilities, making them a community of fate.
Moreover, Kashimir felt indebted to Jin. Though Latri hadn’t come to him directly, Jin had effectively saved his daughter.
“If I hadn’t met you, I would have had to watch my daughter die without understanding why. I’ll never be able to repay this debt in my lifetime.”
Kashimir’s eyes glistened with moisture.
‘Surprisingly delicate and sensitive,’ Jin thought. ‘Well, the Free City of Tikan was rumored to be a golden age under the Saint King in the previous life.’
While Jin considered his reply, Kashimir hastily pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his eyes.
“Oh dear, I’m being sentimental… Haha, that almost made things awkward. What should I prepare for you? Just say the word.”
“Please order the Seven-Colored Bird to investigate these.”
Jin handed over a sheet of paper from his pocket.
It detailed the atrocities committed by Ziphl that Jin had witnessed firsthand—the biological golem experiments at the Colon ruins, the Demonstone incidents on the deserted island, and even the ‘Graveyard Giant of the Kurano Duchy’ that Murakan had confessed about while explaining the Origin Stone.
Kashimir’s eyes flickered with interest as he took the paper.
“Biological golem experiments, huh? If that got out, Ziphl’s reputation would be ruined instantly. The Demonstone won’t matter much to those who don’t know about the Origin Stone.”
“Yes, but these matters must not be leaked yet. If they’re exposed, they’ll conduct experiments even more covertly.”
“I agree. I’ll only order our most trusted informants to investigate. But may I ask why you need information on this ‘Spider-Hand Alu’ thug and Vishkel Ibliano?”
Kashimir’s question was a test—to see if Jin truly considered him an ally.
Jin answered without hesitation.
“Alu seems to have some connection with Runkandel. It was my team and I who recently wiped out Tesing. As for Vishkel… there was something suspicious at the recent banquet. But it’s still too uncertain to say anything definite.”
“I understand. The Alu and Vishkel matters can be resolved quickly, but the others—I have no idea how long they’ll take.”
“I get it. Investigating Ziphl isn’t exactly an easy task.”
Jin and Kashimir exchanged a meaningful glance.
Then Jin extended his hand to Kashimir.
“I look forward to working with you, Sir Kashimir.”
“The feeling’s mutual. I trust you’ll return safely from the Garden of Swords. I’ll have some good wine waiting—we have much to discuss about the Duke. This city will soon become a nation, and the Duke will be the closest friend of the Free State of Tikan.”
Kashimir clasped Jin’s hand firmly as he spoke.
Soon after leaving the estate, Jin boarded a carriage bound for the Tikan transit gate, accompanied by Luna and Gilly.