Chapter 3

Chapter 2: Days at Storm Castle (2)

As Seiron emerged from the Black Sea, the daily lives of the Runkandel outside Storm Castle became busier. This was because they had to escort the head of the family, who had not left the Black Sea for five years.

"All Runkandel knights not on an imperial mission are to gather at Storm Castle."

When the black leopard, Rosa Runkandel, issued the order, Runkandel knights from various parts of the world, including the Viment Empire, Akin Kingdom, Jean Kingdom, and Kurano Principality, hurried to Storm Castle.

"What could be happening? The youngest son's selection ceremony is over, and Father is coming to Storm Castle again."

Seiron's third son, Ran Runkandel, was on his way while clearing out monsters in the northern continent.

"Was there no other talk among the guardians of Storm Castle?"

Seiron's fourth son, Byugo Runkandel, had just completed an assassination mission for a wealthy patron in the Kurano Principality.

It was unfortunate for the patron. The Runkandels did not provide any compensation for the damage caused by the family's summons or the incomplete mission.

"There was none. It seems to be a highly confidential matter. Since Father is moving, it must be something significant..."

Seiron's third daughter, Mary Runkandel, was on her way after defeating strong opponents in the southern continent.

In this manner, Seiron's seven children and over two hundred knights and scholars who supported them gathered at Storm Castle.

It was as if a force capable of destroying an ordinary city in 30 minutes or a kingdom in a day was on the move.

Moreover, various rumors began to circulate among the world's many strong figures upon hearing of Seiron's movement.

"What is Seiron's reason for moving? He said he wouldn't leave the Black Sea for the next ten years."

"Is Runkandel finally trying to overturn the world's power balance?"

"Has the Zipf side not yet reacted?"

Seiron, the world's only founding knight, and the Runkandels, the roots of Seiron, possessed an influence that was immeasurable.

Seiron's children and the family's guardian knights lined up on both sides of the stairs leading to Storm Castle. The storm raging around them made their appearance even more solemn, as if they were about to go to war.

"I greet the head of the family!"

"I greet the head of the family!"

As Seiron arrived at the entrance of Storm Castle, they all performed a sword salute in unison. The resounding voices echoed through the mountain, as if a landslide were about to occur.

"Hmm."

Seiron nodded slightly and began to ascend the stairs.

'Father's mood is strange. Indeed, it must be something unusual.'

The Runkandel siblings exchanged glances and followed Seiron with solemn expressions. The scholars followed behind them, and the guardian knights guarded the entrance to Storm Castle.

However, they did not know that Seiron had come to Storm Castle simply to see his youngest son.

* * *

"Daytona, Haytona."

"Yes, Father."

Seiron first sought out the Tona brothers. The Tona brothers, who had been bedridden in their room, knelt before Seiron, swallowing their runny noses.

"Tell me what you did wrong."

Jin and Gilli were waiting in another room and could not hear this conversation.

The Tona brothers hesitated. Seiron's eyebrows twitched slightly.

"I asked you to tell me what you did wrong."

"That, that..."

The Tona brothers were supposed to commit their first murder when they turned ten, and later, after growing up, they were supposed to become serial killers, killing about fifty people each year based on their mood.

For now, they were just nine-year-old kids.

At an age where a strict father is scary, especially one as strict as Seiron.

Moreover, what wrong?

They were beaten by their younger brother. If they were to be held accountable, they should find the youngest.

The Tona brothers thought this. The memory of their own wrongdoing had already evaporated from their minds.

"We did nothing wrong."

Finally, Dayton found the courage to answer. When Seiron continued to listen, Dayton continued.

"Jin used some unknown ability to hit me and Hayton."

"That's right. He used an unknown ability, not aura!"

Hayton chimed in, emphasizing the "unknown ability, not aura."

There is only one power in the world that is not aura: magic. If Jin, at seven, used aura, it would be a cause for celebration in Runkandel, but the latter was a different story.

It was impossible for a Runkandel to use magic.

Therefore, the Tona brothers were trying hard to argue that the black energy surrounding Jin's fists was magic.

"My sons."

A gentle voice.

"Yes, Father!"

The Tona brothers answered with bright faces, like prisoners who had found an escape route. Seeing the infinitely gentle tone of their father, they thought they had the upper hand.

However, Seiron completely ignored the content the Tona brothers emphasized and said, in a very soft and gentle tone:

"I have a story to tell you two that you must engrave in your hearts. You cannot survive in Runkandel with that attitude."

"Ah..."

"I'm sorry, Father."

"Go and bring Jin here."

* * *

While walking down the corridor, Jin recalled the faces of the Tona brothers he had just seen.

They were huddled, with an expression as if they had been thrown into a predator's den and had miraculously survived.

'This is the same expression I used to make whenever I encountered Father in my past life. I understand what's going on.'

Jin did not hear the conversation between Seiron and the Tona brothers, but he could guess how it went.

'Father probably asked a question, and the Tona brothers gave an answer that did not meet expectations. It's natural, given that they are still children.'

Seiron's discipline was always like this.

Or, could it even be called discipline? Seiron has 13 children, but he has not directly raised any of them.

Only the wet nurses in Runkandel are responsible for child-rearing.

Seiron and Rosa merely observed the children. They watched how they grew and who among them would become the best leader of Runkandel.

And when the grown children achieved a certain level of success that met "Runkandel's standards," only then did they start to pay attention.

That's why Seiron's arrival at Storm Castle was such a big issue.

The other siblings waiting in the lobby were curious to the point of madness about what was happening between Father and the little ones.

Thud, thud.

In the distance, Jin saw his father sitting on the throne of Storm Castle. As he cautiously approached, memories of his past life flashed by.

'My father. The strongest and most ruthless person I know.'

Mother Rosa Runkandel had at least a bit of a human side. When Jin was expelled from the family, Rosa fasted for two days, a widely known anecdote at the time.

Of course, after two days, Rosa also erased Jin from her heart.

But it was different with Seiron.

He had a bit of humanity, like twitching eyebrows when angry or moving lips when amused.

And he had struggled, sometimes feeling defeated and sometimes happy, to become the head of the family when he was young.

But after reaching the level of a founding knight, a demigod, even that humanity gradually diminished. Only a blind, obsessive concern for the family remained.

'What a joke. He's a demigod, yet he's still not satisfied and is protecting the family.'

I want to grind my teeth so hard they make a sound.

How wretched a life I lived until I was expelled from the family. Even at the same table, Jin was treated as if he didn't exist.

But I shouldn't grind my teeth or do anything clumsy. Seiron is not someone who would miss his youngest son grinding his teeth.

'In this life, even if he is my father, I won't let him treat me however he wants.'

Jin made this resolve and knelt before Seiron with one knee.

"And I greet the head of the family."

Just like the brothers who had left Storm Castle and other members of the family. Not as a youngest son meeting his father, but as a member of the family meeting the head.

Seiron nodded, seemingly satisfied.

"Why did you call me the head of the family and not Father?"

Jin pretended to think for a moment. He had already accurately predicted Seiron's reaction.

"Brothers, sisters, and the guardian knights. Over a hundred members of the family have come to Storm Castle. So I thought the head's visit was an official family event and addressed you accordingly."

Seiron's eyes widened.

"Excellent."

Jin did not respond but slightly bowed his head in respect.

For a seven-year-old, it was an impressive attitude, but Seiron did not suspect anything. He only thought that Gilli had taught Jin well and that Jin's insight in choosing Barisada during the selection was innate.

Jin, in reality, was not a seven-year-old but a young man with the memories of his past life, a realm that even a demigod could not perceive.

Seiron, who had been staring at Jin, spoke again.

"I just asked your brothers what they did wrong, and they could not answer."

"Yes, Head of the family."

"I think it would be fine to ask you the same question. Daytona and Hayton, what did your brothers do wrong?"

Jin pretended to think again. This was also a somewhat expected flow.

No, it was a definitely expected flow. If it were Seiron Runkandel, his father... he would treat even a snot-nosed child like a seasoned veteran.

Seiron had a set answer in mind.

"Revenge."

"Hmm!"

Seiron's eyes widened and sparkled. After a few seconds, Jin continued.

"My brothers should have taken revenge on me. As a member of Runkandel, one must always return what they have received, whether it is a favor or a grudge."

Silence ensued.

Jin knew this silence stemmed from Seiron's satisfaction.

But at this point, he needed to show a bit of a childlike side. He had to slightly act out a worried expression and ask:

"Was my answer wrong?"

"It was not wrong. I am very satisfied."

"Thank you, Head of the family."

Seiron's eyes showed a hint of disappointment.

"Call me Father now. The family members have gathered, but I came to Storm Castle for personal reasons today."

"Yes, Father."

Seiron smiled faintly and looked down at Jin.

But soon, the smile faded, and Seiron, with a detached expression, asked another question.

"What special power did you use to defeat your brothers?"