Chapter 11

Chapter 4: Until He Turns Ten (3)

Jin and Luna had an age gap of nineteen years. As the first and the youngest of Shiron and Rosa's thirteen children, this was only natural.

Usually, with such a significant age difference, the youngest sibling would be unable to act freely and would be doted on. However, this did not apply to Jin in his previous life.

As a result, Luna's sudden visit was more bewildering than welcome.

'Unnecessarily burdensome. Has the eldest sister ever shown interest in the other siblings?'

Even when he quickly searched his memory, there was no such instance.

Among the people, Luna's nickname was "White Whale" (白鯨).

This nickname was given because she was as noble and untouchable as the "white whale" in mythology. Just like the white whale, which is the only one in the world, her nickname also reflected her solitary nature.

"First Young Miss!"

"First Young Miss!"

The guardian knights, who had been clapping loudly, rushed out and shouted.

Although she had not yet entered the castle, the servants gathered at the table were already bowing their heads.

"Let's go down to greet your sister, nanny."

Gilli was also somewhat dazed. Meeting Luna in the family was an extremely rare event, so she was tense.

"Ah, yes. Young Master."

Jin and Luna met in the central hall. It was the first time he had seen his eldest sister since the Selection Ceremony.

Shining silver hair, skin like white jade, and... eyes that seemed to see through everything.

Luna's eyes held an indescribable dignity. The eyes of someone who had spent a lifetime approaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship and had cut down countless strong opponents.

When he met her gaze, Jin's heart raced.

'Is this the gaze of someone close to the strongest...?'

However, there was no time to marvel. It was also possible that she had noticed Murakan's awakening and had come to investigate.

If that were the case, how should he handle it?

While Jin was thinking, Luna relaxed the posture of the gathered guardian knights.

"You've grown a lot, little one."

Her voice was calm and dry, not at all fitting for a long-lost youngest sibling she hadn't seen in eight years.

However, Jin could sense a faint hint of goodwill in her dry tone, though it was too early to be reassured.

"If you had given us notice, I could have dressed more formally to greet you. Thank you for coming."

"You're being cute. Do I need to give notice to see my little brother?"

Luna said, stroking Jin's head.

In his previous life, he had hardly exchanged a few words with his eldest sister, yet now she was stroking his head... It was a situation he found hard to understand.

'Why?'

'Why?'

'Why is she acting like this?'

These questions quickly overlapped in his mind.

When Shiron had visited, everything had gone as expected, but for some reason, Luna felt unpredictable.

However,

Just because she was hard to read didn't mean he should stop thinking. No matter how great a person Luna was, she was still just a twenty-eight-year-old young lady.

On the other hand, Jin had lived a total of 37 years, so there was no need to feel intimidated.

"You're right. There's no need for formalities when you step on the land of Runkandel. But to be honest... I feel a bit unfamiliar with you, and it makes me nervous."

Luna's hand, which had been stroking Jin, stopped. Gilli, who had heard Jin's innocent words, was startled and coughed. The guardian knights nearby could only widen their eyes.

For a moment, silence filled the air. The gathered people were tense, sensing the exchange between the two siblings.

"Nervous...?"

"Yes, sister."

"Does that mean you find me uncomfortable?"

"I don't find you uncomfortable. It's just that it feels like I'm meeting you for the first time..."

Silence again.

However, Luna's demeanor was peculiar.

The guardian knights and nanny naturally expected her to be angry, but the opposite was true. Her deep indigo eyes held an emotion no one had anticipated.

Sadness, regret, and bitterness.

These were the emotions that briefly showed on Luna's face.

"...I see, I was lacking in consideration. Even though you're still young, I momentarily forgot that you are Runkandel. I'm sorry."

Jin was equally unfamiliar with her reaction.

Runkandel.

This great swordsmanship family was not a place where siblings built affection, sometimes sacrificed, and cheered for each other.

Instead, it was a family where they monitored, stole from, and trampled on each other. Therefore, when Luna heard Jin's words, she thought he saw her as an "obstacle."

This was why Luna had a sad look in her eyes.

"Everyone, step back... No, Jin. Can I have a moment alone with you, without your guardian knights and nanny?"

Luna lowered her body to meet Jin's eye level. When Jin nodded, the guardian knights and Gilli left the central hall.

Although Jin still couldn't understand her intentions, he didn't think it was a bad situation.

"My youngest brother."

"Yes, sister."

"I came to see you suddenly because... I have something to say to you. It's also your birthday today, after all."

Jin relaxed his guard slightly.

"What do you want to say...?"

"Your father and all your siblings are watching you. I don't need to explain what that means, seeing you now."

Everyone in Runkandel was paying attention to Jin.

The reason was simple. The reason Shiron had visited Storm Castle last year was solidified as the official story in the family: to check on his youngest son.

Moreover, Jin had chosen Barisada in the Selection Ceremony, so it was only natural that he would receive attention.

"Yes, I understand. From the moment I left Storm Castle, it means that other siblings might start to monitor me."

Luna placed her battle-axe, Kranthel, on the ground. Thud! Even though she placed it down carefully, it made a heavy sound.

"Yes, you understand well. The reason you were wary of me is also because of this, right?"

Jin didn't answer but met Luna's eyes.

"But, little one. What I want to say is this: I don't want you to get involved in the dirty family fights and lose your happiness."

It felt like he had been hit on the back of the head with a hammer.

'Is the eldest sister thinking this way all along? Is the reason she didn't participate in the bloodshed to become the head of the family... because of this?'

Luna, being the strongest among the siblings, could have taken Joshua's position as the next head of the family at any time if she wanted to.

Yet, she had stayed away from the family's bloodshed, so what she was saying wasn't entirely out of the blue. It was just surprising to hear it directly from her.

However, Jin also felt a bit of resistance.

'If she didn't want me to be a victim of sibling rivalry, why didn't she give me a hint in my previous life?'

Was it because she didn't think it was worth telling him?

Or was it because the other siblings didn't even consider Jin as a competitor? Such thoughts suddenly came to mind, but they weren't the main issue now.

"Luna, sister."

"Speak your mind."

"Your words are very kind, but I don't plan to avoid the fight."

His tone was firm but respectful.

"I'm serious. I'm not saying this because I'm worried you might be a threat to me in the future."

"I can feel that, sister. I'm truly grateful. I'm also sincere. I never thought other siblings would be concerned about me."

"Then, may I ask why?"

"You might not know, sister."

Jin took a deep breath and continued.

"I've already experienced an assassination attempt. It's something I've never told anyone, not even Gilli. In that sense, the fight has already started."

Technically, it wasn't an assassination attempt but a curse. The "Widow's Grief" curse was worse than death for a member of Runkandel, so it wasn't a wrong statement.

"Preposterous!"

Rumble!

As Luna shouted, particles of aura burst from her body. The central hall shook as if an earthquake had struck due to the aura's vortex for a few seconds.

"Someone in this Storm Castle tried to kill you! Who was it, the Torn brothers?"

"I can't tell you."

Although he answered dryly, Jin felt a pang in his heart seeing Luna so enraged on his behalf.

"To be more precise, I don't know who it was."

"Ha!"

There was no need to say more.

Luna had to acknowledge that her youngest brother was already embroiled in the family's dirty fights and mire.

After a while, as Luna looked troubled, Jin cautiously embraced her neck.

"But, not all my siblings hate me. I'm very grateful to you for helping me realize this today."

"Jin, my brother. I am so sad."

Who would have thought the White Whale, Luna Runkandel, could be so tender.

To Jin, she was no longer a terrifying 9-star knight but a human being who was suffering from sad events.

"Don't be too sad."

* * *

Luna stayed for another two hours before leaving Storm Castle. Jin's desolate birthday party became a bit brighter with her presence.

'I didn't know the eldest sister had this side.'

Jin thought, touching the pendant around his neck.

It was a birthday gift from Luna.

'She said to break this gem only once, when I face something I can't handle.'

If he broke the blue gem in the pendant, Luna would instantly teleport to his location. It was an artifact she had obtained by slaying a demon long ago.

"Wow. Kid, that thing around your neck! Could it be the item of the Demon King Orgal? Yes! Man, what a precious birthday gift. Dozens of kings must have risked their lives to get it a thousand years ago."

"Who is Demon King Orgal?"

"He existed. A great demon from my time. I can recognize it at a glance. Since the powerful aura's owner gave it to you, it's like you've gained a life. Congratulations, kid."

Murakan knew the pendant's power.

"I know it's a good item, but Murakan, you felt a powerful aura?"

"Of course. I may have lost a lot of power, but I'm still a dragon. Who was it? At first, I thought it might be your father, but since he noticed my existence and just left, it seems it wasn't him."

"What? Wait. You mean the eldest sister might have noticed your existence?"

Jin was startled.

"Ha ha, the owner of that aura was your sister? Well, it's a crazy family as always. I was even considering running away with you if things got out of hand."

"Hmm."

"Well, since she gave you the Orgal pendant, it doesn't seem like she'll betray you to the family. It's a good thing overall."

"Will she turn a blind eye?"

"I bet a hundred apple pies. If she were that petty, she wouldn't have given you that pendant. You have a good sister. I'm envious, kid. On the other hand, my sister..."

While Murakan was describing his sister, Jin was worried that Luna might reveal his existence to the family.

However, recalling Luna's words just before she left, he quickly felt at ease.

'Remember this, Jin. My brother.'

'No matter what you do, no matter who you become, I will always support you.'