Chapter 16

Chapter 8: The Garden of Swords (1)

"Hey, why didn't you tell me earlier that transformations have side effects?"

An hour had passed since the unofficial trio of Runcandel was formed.

Outside the inn, the Black King Corps was busily preparing to depart, and the three of them were sitting in a circle on the floor, chatting.

"Kid, you've been asleep for a thousand years. Your head must have gotten rusty, right? Oh, I forgot. And since it's been so long since you transformed, it was also hard to maintain."

"You crazy dragon. You almost turned into a cat!"

Transformation, a privilege granted only to dragons.

It is certainly a privilege, but it's not something you can call a 'blessing' due to a few extremely fatal restrictions.

First, a dragon in transformed state is very weak.

If you transform into a cat, you can only have the combat power of a cat. The same applies if you transform into a lion, fish, or bird.

Second, if the transformation lasts for a certain amount of time, the dragon can never return to its original form by its own power.

At that stage, the dragon's sense of self gradually disappears, and it becomes an ordinary animal.

"Hmm... I was also scared. Back then, I laughed for two hundred years after seeing a dragon who transformed into a fish for fun and got caught by a fisherman because he missed the time to return. But, damn. I almost ended up like that."

"Hahaha! Seriously, there's a dragon as foolish as that... Oops."

Gilly, who had laughed unconsciously, wiped the expression off her face.

"I'm sorry, young master. Lord Murakan."

"Strawberry pie. Why did you suddenly stop laughing?"

"I showed too much laughter while on guard."

"No, Strawberry Pie, what are you, a golem? People can laugh a bit, right? Hey! Kid! How have you been treating your nanny?"

"Lord Murakan, Lord, you are usually very kind to me."

"If that wicked brat treats you badly in the future, tell me. I'll give him a good scolding."

Very, very well matched... Jin thought, smiling lightly. It had been a very long time since he had seen such a lively Gilly.

"But, Murakan, is it okay to transform into a human?"

"Yeah. There are no major restrictions on human transformation. It's actually more convenient. When in our true form, we constantly consume magic power. Maintaining a large body also requires a lot of energy."

"Why are there no restrictions on human transformation?"

"The gods, in their own way, considered us dragons. We are born with the same appearance as humans. As dragons, there are some issues with reproduction and satisfying various desires..."

"Yeah, stop there."

Murakan seemed to have made a very funny joke, as he even chuckled to himself. Surprisingly, Gilly was trying so hard not to laugh that her lips were twitching.

The end of the world.

For a moment, such a word came to mind, but Jin didn't dislike this odd party that was hastily formed.

No, he was quite satisfied. Having a trustworthy companion to share secrets with is always a good thing.

"Anyway, it seems we're about to depart. Transform again."

Murakan grumbled and transformed into a cat. This transformation was expected to continue for a while until Jin grew up.

* * *

Over the next two days, the Black King Corps excellently escorted Jin and his party to the capital of the Mittel Kingdom. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the escort was as dignified as that of a formal knight's.

However, it was difficult to understand why a stray black cat had joined the escort.

The Black King Corps understood that the young emperor had a kind and loving side.

"Thank you for your hard work, Captain Murka of the 3rd Division of the Black King Corps. The payment for the additional request will be provided by the Runcandel family without fail."

"This mission was a good experience for us, Gilly. I look forward to the future of the young Runcandel you serve."

While Gilly and Murka were exchanging pleasantries, Jin stood a distance away with Murakan on his shoulder.

"By the way, Gilly Macrolan."

"Yes, Murka?"

"Though it may be an impertinent question, I must ask since I saw you fight. As a swordsman, I felt a sense of admiration. Why did the Macrolan family..."

Gilly's expression darkened. Murka cleared his throat and waved his hand.

"I'm sorry. I wish I could have gagged my mouth from ten seconds ago."

"It's fine. Well, then."

As soon as the Black King Corps left, Gilly let out a long sigh. She soon composed herself and led Jin and Murakan to the Mittel Kingdom's teleportation gate office.

"Welcome to the Mittel Kingdom's teleportation gate. Please show your identification."

Gilly presented a dagger with the Runcandel emblem, the 'Black Sword.'

"Ah! You are a member of the Runcandel family. It's an honor to meet you. Are you heading to Calon in the Hufester Union?"

Calon was the city where the Runcandel family's main residence, the 'Garden of Swords,' was located. Hufester was essentially a union under the rule of the Runcandel family.

"Yes."

"Please come this way. We will escort you to the VIP section."

Since Mittel was part of the Hufester Union, it was practically Runcandel territory. The teleportation gate officer seemed very honored to guide Jin and his party, with a bright expression on his face.

"Please wait for two hours, and you'll arrive in no time. Have a pleasant journey."

The VIP waiting room of the Mittel Kingdom's teleportation gate was as luxurious as any noble family's reception room. There were no other guests in the VIP section.

Jin buried himself in a plush sofa and took out his notebook. Studying whenever he had spare time was a habit he had developed as a mage.

"Ah, young master."

"What is it?"

"To be honest, I'm a bit worried. About you being a god's contractor and Lord Murakan's true identity. Even if it leaks to the family, I don't know if I can smooth things over..."

"Magic, right?"

"Yes. That is something no one in the Runcandel family will tolerate."

"Don't worry. I'll hide it well..."

At that moment, someone opened the door to the VIP waiting room.

It was a boy who looked like a noble. He had a light bronze complexion, was a bit taller than Jin, and was accompanied by two guards.

As soon as they entered, the previously peaceful VIP waiting room became tense. Gilly and the boy's guards began to glare at each other.

It was natural for this atmosphere to form, given that Runcandel and Ziph were in the same place.

'Ziph brats, huh? Who is it?'

Jin calmly examined the boy's face. It was familiar, but he hadn't seen Ziph closely in his previous life, so it was hard to identify him.

"Thought I didn't want to go to Hufester. I guess it was to meet such unlucky guys here."

The boy, sitting far from Jin, muttered loudly. The guards were now giving Jin overt looks, not just Gilly.

It was a rather childish provocation.

Gilly's neck veins bulged, but Jin decided to watch for a moment. Therefore, Gilly also remained silent.

"Meow."

Murakan, transformed into a cat, seemed to find the situation amusing, meowing as he circled between them.

"Oh, your cat is cute. It's a waste for a coward like you to keep it. Come here, purr purr."

"Meow!"

Murakan leaped into the boy's arms. After a while, he submitted to the boy's petting...

"Kyaa!"

Suddenly, he extended his claws and scratched the boy's nose, then quickly escaped. Jin burst out laughing at the sight.

"Ugh!"

"Eighteenth young master!"

As the guards reached for their swords, the boy raised his hand to stop them.

"Ah, it's fine. It's just a scratch. It's not a person, but an animal. What can you do? He got scolded for starting a fight."

The boy wiped his nose and stood up, continuing.

"...And, even so, drawing a sword in front of Runcandel is a foolish act."

The boy shrugged and looked at Jin.

'Not scared, but calm. Or, is he not even paying attention to me?'

The boy's provocation of Jin, who had just left the Storm City, was intentional.

He was curious about what kind of potential the youngest of the Runcandels possessed. The boy had reached a conclusion.

"Jin Runcandel. You're quite an interesting guy?"

The boy approached Jin and extended his hand.

"I'm Veradin Ziph. I threw a few words to test you, but I formally apologize."

Veradin Ziph!

Upon hearing the name, Jin realized why the boy's face was familiar.

In his previous life, Veradin had become a 9th Circle Mage at the age of thirty and was a strong candidate to become the next head of the Ziph family. As a very famous person, Jin had often seen his face in news bulletins.

A young mage who was an idol to his peers, possessing both skill, character, and background.

To Jin, who had just become a 5th Circle Mage at the time, Veradin was an impossibly distant and high figure.

"Really? I was curious about what kind of guy you were, so I stayed quiet. It's a relief that you're not a complete fool."

"Hmm, what did you evaluate about me?"

"If you had let your subordinates draw their swords, even if it was a joke, you would have had to wander Hufester without any guards. You would have lost a few fingers too."

"Haha, an interesting joke."

"Does it sound like a joke?"

Veradin flinched at Jin's cold gaze.

"...Well, fine. Impressive. But as a senior in a similar position, let me give you some advice. Even if you encounter other Ziph members and have some unpleasant experiences, don't cut off their fingers. It would be too troublesome for both our families, wouldn't it?"

Considering that such an act could lead to war, Veradin was genuinely giving advice.

"That's an interesting joke, Veradin Ziph."

"Why? If we and Runcandel fight over every minor issue, the world wouldn't last. I'm also suggesting that you consider the suffering of the people who would be affected by the war."

"My father, Siron Runcandel, and your father, Kelliac Ziph."

Jin continued with a slight smile.

"Do you think they would mobilize the entire family over a mere children's fight?"

Veradin's eyes widened, as if he had been hit.

"Even if I had cut off your fingers today, there wouldn't have been a war between Runcandel and Ziph. It would have been settled with a few thousand gold pieces."

Veradin, who had been blinking, nodded silently.

"I'm learning an unexpected lesson. I'll definitely repay this debt someday."

"Let's settle it now."

"How?"

"Until the teleportation gate activates, it would be nice if you could be quiet. So as not to disturb my rest."