Chapter 15

Chapter 7: Transformation, Exposed

Restless.

Restless, uneasy...

Following the fake ones, the newly appointed Black King Corps guarding the camp felt as if they were sitting on a bed of thorns. Since Yuta's mages had gone down the mountain separately, it was entirely their responsibility to escort this terrifying child.

'What kind of ten-year-old is this?'

The entire Black King Corps, including the 3rd Regiment Commander Murka, shared the same thoughts.

The Black King Corps! Warriors of blood, flesh, and bone, forming mountains and rivers on the battlefield.

For them, the horrific scenes of punishing captured enemies were a daily occurrence. The fact that Jin had Gilli kill the fake Jerome and Holtz was not particularly brutal.

Still, the Black King Corps carefully observed Jin's reactions due to his age.

How many ten-year-olds act so boldly in front of assassins? Even if he is from Runkandel, he is just a child who has just left Storm City and ventured into the world.

Moreover, Jin, who gave orders to Gilli, exuded a strange dignity. His attitude and words, even his handling of the enemy, were far from what one would expect from a ten-year-old.

The Black King Corps saw Jin as nothing less than the young king of Runkandel.

"During the escort to the teleportation portal, there must be no room for error. Frivolous words and actions are forbidden. Everyone understand?"

"Yes, Commander Murka."

The rough mercenaries of the Black King Corps, known for their brutality, were now acting like gentlemen of high breeding. They seemed somewhat restless, as if wearing uncomfortable clothes.

However, it wasn't just because Jin felt like a scary child from Runkandel. They were captivated by this dangerous child.

"Master."

While trudging through the snow, Gilli called out to Jin. Despite her calm tone and expression, Jin did not miss the somber look on her face.

"We should reach the village in a couple of hours. It would be best to wait there for the snow to stop."

"Let's do that."

Jin shook the snowballs off his shoulders.

"And Gilli."

"Yes, Master."

"Don't worry about the escort. It wasn't your fault."

He truly believed that. Even Kan didn't know that Jerome and Holtz were fakes, so how could Gilli have known?

Telling the guardians' principles to Jin first wasn't a big issue either. At least, that's what Jin thought, but Gilli kept dwelling on her mistake.

"I'm sorry."

Hearing that, Jin smiled bitterly, recalling an old memory.

Gilli doesn't make excuses.

Not about losing her touch after ten years of peaceful days in Storm City, or her dulled senses due to poor condition.

'In my previous life... I felt so sorry and miserable because of Gilli's personality.'

In the Runkandel of the past, the only person who always cared for Jin, no matter what, was Gilli. Even when Jin was expelled and she became miserable, she never blamed him.

Even when her 7th Circle Aura was sealed and she was exiled from Runkandel with Jin, Gilli said the same thing.

"I'm sorry."

"After we return to the main house, I will accept any punishment..."

"Stop. I told you not to. It's an order."

Gilli bowed her head.

"I understand."

"You are not only my governess but also my current sole guardian. If you are troubled by a minor mistake, it will affect my protection. I don't want to hear this again."

It was painful to say this to Gilli, but it was necessary.

This time, it was his turn to protect his governess. Sometimes, he had to be cold, but he needed to ensure that her warm nature didn't succumb to harsh reality. Jin had to lead her well.

"I will correct it, Master."

Gilli bit her lower lip in response. She knew that Jin was being cold to show his concern for her.

'How could such a brilliant Master end up with someone as dull as me as his governess? I must always be on my guard to avoid causing trouble, like today.'

I must become someone worthy of Master! Gilli clenched her fist and lifted her head, determined. Seeing this, Jin felt somewhat relieved and thought about the assassins.

The fake Jerome and Holtz.

They were part of Zep's 'extreme followers' and had deceived everyone in Storm City with their perfect disguise.

This was impossible with magic. 'Transformation' is a privilege granted only to dragons, and even then, perfectly mimicking someone else is impossible.

So, how did the assassins manage such a flawless appearance?

The Runkandel main house, upon confirming the fate of the real Jerome and Holtz, immediately dispatched the Black King Corps stationed in Mittel to track down the assassins' identities.

They probably won't succeed. Zep's followers were as numerous as cockroaches. Identifying and executing all of them would be politically and practically difficult.

Additionally, if Jin publicly announced the attack and issued a warrant, it would damage Runkandel's reputation.

In the end, Runkandel would, as always, make an example by executing some of Zep's followers to instill fear.

But Jin already knew the culprit.

'Bubar Gaston.'

More precisely, not the culprit but the person who transformed the culprit, Bubar Gaston.

The only person, as far as Jin knew, who could achieve 'perfect transformation' in this world.

Bubar revealed his identity to the world when Jin was in his twenties. It was the result of a ten-year relentless pursuit by the Viment Empire's special forces to end 'transformation crimes.'

Jin recalled the time when Bubar's transformation crimes filled the news.

Back then, everyone knew Bubar, but now only Jin, the reincarnated one, knows.

'Given his ability to achieve complete transformation, Bubar might be worth recruiting as an ally.'

Jin shook his head.

'He was a lunatic who, even in the Viment underground prison, claimed to be an artist and spouted nonsense. It's probably better to eliminate him. After all, he practically raised a weapon against me.'

Bubar was a being who only caused chaos in the world. Chaos for the sake of chaos, that was Bubar's art.

Thinking about this made Jin's head throb.

Fortunately, he didn't need to struggle to find Bubar's location. Jin remembered the location of the 'sculpture workshop' he had maintained for a long time while pretending to be a civilian.

"Arrival is imminent. If you need any supplies, tell my subordinates."

As the group arrived at the village, the bright morning sun rose.

Jin had a light meal of soup and eggs at the inn and then rested in his room. Despite various training, walking for hours in the snow was a tough task for a young body.

* * *

"Meow."

"Meow."

"Meow!"

On November 2, 1790, at 3 PM. The heavy snow that had been falling until noon suddenly stopped, and a black cat was meowing.

The cat was meowing at the third-floor window of the inn where Jin was sleeping. It playfully tapped the window with its tiny paws, looking like any other cheerful and curious cat.

"Ugh."

Jin rubbed his eyes and sat up. After a few hours of deep sleep, his body felt as light as a feather.

"Meow. Meow!"

Now, the cat was scratching the window vigorously with both front paws, as if begging to be let in.

Pfft.

Seeing this, Jin couldn't help but laugh. Who would have thought that the cute cat was actually the great black dragon Murakan?

'Crazy... but cute.'

Should he play with it a bit?

Feeling playful, Jin pretended to ignore it and reached for the warm water by his bedside.

Squawk! Squawk!

Murakan started acting wildly. Jin, fearing the aftermath, gave up on the joke and opened the window.

"Alright, alright. I get it. Don't get so angry over a little joke..."

Bang!

Murakan instantly transformed into a human and fell to the floor.

Thud! At the same moment, Gilli, who had been waiting by the door, entered the room.

"Master!"

Swish!

She immediately drew her claw and, with a menacing aura, approached Murakan.

'Dead. Oh no.'

In an instant, Jin and Murakan found themselves in a dire situation, facing a predicament they hadn't anticipated.

Gilli, mistaking Murakan for an assassin, pounced on him, pressing her claw to his throat.

"Who sent you? Speak the truth before I tear you to shreds!"

She had completely mistaken him for an assassin.

Watching this, Jin felt something slip away from his chest, as if his soul was being sucked out.

"Gi, Gilli."

"Step back, Master! He's a highly trained assassin. He entered without a sound!"

It was natural that Gilli, who had been on high alert while Jin slept, didn't sense him. Murakan had been a cat until just a moment ago.

In a brief moment, Jin thought of every possible excuse to defuse the situation.

But there was no answer.

'I'm wrong. This can't be smoothed over. I have to be honest.'

Phew!

Jin took a deep breath and spoke.

"Gilli. He's not an assassin. Put away your claw."

Gilli's eyes widened as she stood up. Murakan, who had been bent backward by her strength, was now making groaning sounds.

"Master. Then who is he...?"

"And apologize sincerely, then show proper respect. He is the guardian of Runkandel, the black dragon Murakan."

Gilli couldn't believe it.

How could this groaning, sprawled-out man be the great black dragon Murakan? He was still writhing in pain from his arm being bent.

Murakan's current state was due to the side effects of transformation, not Gilli's restraint, but she had no way of knowing that. Jin hadn't heard about the side effects yet either.

After a moment, Gilli, noticing Jin's serious expression, decided to follow his orders silently.

"A lowly servant of Runkandel has shown disrespect to the guardian. Please forgive me."

"Grgh..."

Murakan, flipping onto his back, stared intently at Gilli.

"I forgive you... my strawberry pie."

Strawberry pie!

Hearing this, Gilli suddenly understood why Master was so obsessed with strawberry pies. Why he always brought so many when he went to meditate in the cave behind Storm City.

Whirr...

A gust of winter wind blew through the open window. The three of them exchanged awkward glances in the silence.

"Gilli."

"Yes... Master."

"I'll explain everything, so could you close the door?"

Creak.

As Gilli closed the door, Jin began to explain the various secret events from his days in Storm City. He didn't mention the reincarnation but revealed that he was a scribe of the Vision Book and a contractor of Solaret.

Surprisingly, Gilli remained calm and composed throughout the story, occasionally nodding vigorously, as if excited.

"So, you're now a co-conspirator. The fact that Murakan has awakened and our relationship must not be known by the family yet."

"Please take care of me, strawberry pie."

The moment the unofficial trio of Runkandel was formed.