Chapter 17

Chapter 8: The Garden of Swords (2)

Varedine repaid the debt as Jin had demanded. He did not utter a single word until the moment the portal activated, though he occasionally glanced at Jin to see what he was doing.

'Jin Runkandel... In a few years, you’ll likely be the one to make the world buzz. Ugh, I’m so curious! I wish we could talk more, but he asked for silence, and I can’t just ignore that.'

Varedine’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as he glanced at Jin. Even though they had only exchanged a few words, today’s encounter was a strong stimulus for Varedine.

So, his curious gaze also carried a hint of goodwill.

'If it weren’t for Runkandel, we might have become good friends... I should be content with the feeling of having found a worthy rival. Perhaps even a lifelong rival!'

While Varedine was blowing his nose and indulging in youthful fantasies, Jin was thinking:

'An idol of the mages from before the regression, and a nuisance.'

Varedine even blushed and turned his head away whenever their eyes met.

'He looks a bit out of it, with his flushed face and eyes. Hmm, maybe I should have cut off a few of his fingers.'

It was impossible to concentrate under such an unsettling gaze. Jin simply closed his notebook, petted Murakan, and waited for the portal to activate.

"Thank you for your patience. The teleportation will begin shortly. Due to the aftereffects of teleportation, you may experience headaches and dizziness, so please, passengers..."

Whoosh!

The VIP lounge began to fill with a deep blue magical energy. The swirling magic enveloped Jin’s group and Varedine’s group.

"Enjoyed it. See you again, Jin Runkandel!"

Varedine shouted excitedly. Since their paths would diverge upon arrival, this was the only moment to say goodbye.

"Sure, whatever."

Varedine didn’t hear Jin’s response.

Varedine was teleported to the immigration area, while Jin, being a Runkandel, arrived at the VIP lounge.

In Hufester, the Runkandels wielded absolute power and had a reputation that reached the heavens. In contrast, the Jipels were considered the scum of the earth, so there was a significant difference in their treatment upon arrival.

Most of the world is divided between the Runkandels and the Jipels. Few countries are free from the influence of these two families.

"Whew, whew...!"

Thump, thump!

Gilly patted Murakan’s back, unsure of what to do.

"You’re quite something, really. What kind of creature are you..."

"Whew, cough. Phew! There were no such devices in my time. Ugh, it feels like my insides are twisted."

The portal was developed by mages about 100 years ago. Since it was designed for humans, it wasn’t suitable for dragons. After a while of retching, Murakan took a deep breath.

"Lord Murakan, are you alright?"

"I’m fine. It’s been a thousand years since I last vomited. In the old days, many fools used dragon vomit as perfume ingredients."

"That’s still the case. If you give what you just vomited to the nobles, they’d go crazy and pay in gold coins."

"Really? Strawberry pie. Is there anything you want? I could sell this and..."

"Shut up, and throw it in the incinerator over there. There will be family members outside."

When they stepped out of the lounge, the quiet scene of Hufester’s teleportation portal was visible.

Usually, it’s bustling even on non-holidays, but today, with the youngest Runkandel arriving, extreme control measures were in place.

Clank, clank!

A group of knights in ceremonial armor approached Jin’s group. They were the Runkandel’s guardian knights.

"We have been waiting, Young Master. It’s my first time greeting you. I am the Second Butler, Petro."

A middle-aged man among the knights spoke.

Jin’s group boarded the steel carriage prepared for them and headed to the Garden of Swords.

* * *

The Garden of Swords.

A symbol of the Runkandels.

As the name suggests, this vast garden has more swords stuck in the ground than flowers or trees.

The thousands of swords are all from deceased Runkandels or their vassals, but not everyone who was a member of the family could have the honor of planting their sword here.

It’s a privilege granted only to those who have contributed to the prosperity of the family.

As they entered the Garden of Swords, the steel carriage began to slow down. Jin looked out the window at the slowly passing swords and was momentarily lost in old memories.

'Once, my greatest wish was to die and have my sword planted here.'

Why was I so naive and foolish back then?

If I had faced reality earlier, the Jin from my previous life might have left the family sooner. After all, they wouldn’t have given a chance to plant a sword here to a ‘disgrace to the family’ who only became a 1-star knight at the age of twenty-five.

Why was I so...

Naive and foolish?

He asked himself again, though he already knew the answer. It was a way to reaffirm his resolve now that he was back at the main house.

'Because I was weak. And because I wasn’t proactive or clever enough, despite being weak.'

Jin smiled and closed his eyes.

The swordsmanship talent he regained through the contract with Solderet, his innate magical talent, the cunning he had accumulated over 38 years of life, the boldness he gained from having died once, and the information only a regressed person could possess.

Add to that Gilly and Murakan, strong allies who share his secrets, one of whom is a legendary black dragon.

'Yes, this time, I’ll find a way to enjoy life even in this hellhole.'

This was the real beginning.

Until now, he had been quite nervous, but seeing the swords planted in the garden, his confidence and fighting spirit soared.

"Charge!"

"Charge!"

As the carriage stopped in the center of the Garden of Swords, the Runkandel’s guardian knights saluted.

And in front of the knights, Jin’s twelve siblings and... his parents.

All the potential heirs to the Runkandel family were gathered. It was rare for all of them to be present at the main house.

Creak...

Petro opened the carriage door. Jin and Gilly, carrying Murakan, stepped down gracefully. Gilly immediately bowed to Siron, and Jin gave a light nod.

"It’s been a while, little one."

Mother, Rosa Runkandel, spoke first.

"Yes, Mother."

Thud, thud.

Jin slowly walked toward Siron. He could feel the gazes of his siblings on either side as he walked.

Because of Murakan. The youngest, who had caught his father’s attention, carrying a mere cat on his shoulder, seemed absurd to them.

And Siron, frowning, asked Jin:

"Did you find it?"

The question was about Murakan.

Jin had expected his father to ask this question first, rather than greeting him. He also knew how to answer to satisfy this most demanding of men.

"I claimed it, Father."

"Claimed it, not found it..."

A faint smile appeared on Siron’s lips.

"Good. You’re confident and bold. That’s the right attitude for a Runkandel when acquiring something."

Some of his siblings’ expressions hardened.

Most of them had been scolded harshly for being captivated by cute animals in their childhood.

Or, they simply didn’t like Jin.

Jin turned his head to look at his siblings.

'One of these guys... cursed me.'

Who was it?

For nine years, since witnessing the curse in his cradle, he had been curious every day.

And why?

Why did someone try to curse his youngest brother, who was just a one-year-old and had shown no special abilities? What was the reason for attempting a curse worse than death for a Runkandel?

'Was it just because I chose Barisada? Or was it a simple intention to eliminate a competitor early?'

He wanted to grab each of them and interrogate them, but now wasn’t the time.

None of his twelve siblings were weaker than Jin. Even Tona, whom he had treated like a subordinate in Storm Castle, had trained in Runkandel swordsmanship for two years and was likely stronger now.

Most importantly,

Wasn’t today a happy day, with the family gathered after a long time?

There would be countless days of bloodshed in the future.

With that thought, Jin smiled and placed Murakan on the ground.

"Meow."

Murakan leaped into Rosa’s arms. Surprisingly, Rosa calmly stroked Murakan.

"Son, what is this child’s name?"

"Nabi Runkandel, Mother."

Ha.

Rosa laughed, and most of his siblings’ faces twisted in anger. Siron silently watched Jin.

"Father, Mother! Even if the youngest is young, this is unacceptable."

"How dare you give the Runkandel name to a trivial creature. I agree with the fourth brother."

"Gilly! How did you raise the youngest? How could he...!"

As the siblings protested, Siron’s low voice silenced the room.

"Why did you give it the Runkandel name?"

Jin met Siron’s gaze and answered:

"To give myself a sense of responsibility. Even if it’s just an animal, it’s the first life I claimed with my own will. I thought the name should carry weight."

The siblings, who had been silent, looked at Jin in shock, but Siron nodded.

"Interesting. But, youngest... do you understand the weight of the Runkandel name?"

Without hesitation, Jin nodded.

"I understand. It means that if anyone harms Nabi, I must personally exact the price."

The expression of the Tona brothers, who had been glaring at Jin with murderous intent, suddenly fell.

They had thought the youngest’s arrival wouldn’t be a threat, but this reminded them of their time in Storm Castle.

"Youngest, you have a talent for making enemies. Seeing your siblings glare at you like this..."

It was a warning from Siron.

Not to Jin, who had caused a stir with just a few words upon entering the main house, but to his other children who dared to show hostility in front of him.

The siblings immediately composed their expressions and postures.

"Perhaps. But I also have a talent for eliminating enemies, Father."

"Ha ha... Everyone needs to be on their guard. To handle this ambitious youngest in the future."

The siblings bowed in response.

As the Runkandels gathered in the room entered the mansion, a banquet for Jin began.

Throughout the meal, most of the siblings couldn’t help but feel a strange sensation as they watched the eccentric youngest.