Chapter 81

Chapter 28. Meeting Shiron (1)

Before even a month had passed since leaving his family as a probationary knight.

Akin had destroyed the underground organization Teshing, established the free city of Tikkan as a base, and assassinated Zep's vice-duke and Buretta.

While the final battle was resolved by Luna, it was only possible because Jin had brought them to the deserted island in the first place.

In the history of Runkandel, no probationary knight had ever achieved so much in such a short period.

However, the problem was...

"Despite all the hard work and effort, there's nothing that can immediately help my reputation as a probationary knight."

Murakan sighed.

"Well, it's not a big deal. I can always reveal everything I did later. For now, it's better if I don't show myself to the world."

A probationary knight's reputation is built using a pseudonym assigned by the family.

Runkandel contacts the probationary knight when they judge that they have accumulated enough reputation, informing them that their qualifications have been proven.

In other words, the reputation must be strong enough to naturally reach the Runkandel main house.

But Jin couldn't do that. Because he didn't solve all the problems with just his sword.

'Most of it was handled using magic, so I can't let my brothers know about it now.'

When should he reveal it, then?

When he has enough power. When he is strong enough that revealing he is a magic user won't be a problem to his other brothers.

Until then, Jin planned to exist only as a rumor.

A rumor of a person who stands alone against giants like Zep.

A rumor of a person who uses both sword and magic and has a secretive independent force.

And a rumor of a contractor of Solderet.

'Until then, only my comrades, Luna, and Father should know that I am a magic user.'

Luna had suspected that her brother was a magic user even before Andrei told her that Jin had 'broken his vow.' It was natural, given that she had sensed Murakan's presence since the first time they visited Storm Castle.

Jin thought that Shiron, who knew Luna, would also know.

"Our youngest, using magic despite being a Runkandel. You're a complete flying teenager, aren't you? Father would cut your head off if he knew, hehe."

Luna approached Jin with a playful tone.

Jin shrugged it off lightly, but Gilli's face darkened.

"Sir, I'm also very worried about your magic, Miss. If it gets to the head of the family, he won't let it go easily."

"No, nanny. Father probably already knows. He'll soon suspect that I'm behind the destruction of Teshing and the death of Andrei Zep."

Luna nodded.

"You seem pretty confident. Do you have a plan?"

"Yes, Sister. I'm thinking of visiting Father with you tomorrow."

"Ah, really? Visiting Father... What do you mean?"

Luna stared at Jin intently.

"Everyone here knows you're unconventional. Wouldn't it be better to stay quiet while Father turns a blind eye? What do you plan to do by meeting him?"

"I'll warn him. Zep is planning something to attack Runkandel."

Gilli turned pale, and even Murakan looked a bit surprised.

"Hmm, about the Maestro Stone? Wouldn't it be better if I told Father? A probationary knight returning to the family without permission is like declaring they're giving up their qualifications."

As Luna said, a probationary knight couldn't visit the Garden of Swords without the family's permission. It was almost like a declaration of giving up.

"No, even if you tell him, he'll eventually have to know I went to the deserted island. It's better if I tell him myself. And I plan to use this as leverage to make a deal with Father."

Gilli spat out the tea he had been sipping.

"Sir, are you joking?"

"Returning to the family and proposing a deal with Father? Haha... I've never even thought of such a thing at my age."

There was a moment of silence.

Proposing a deal to Shiron Runkandel...

Was it even a feasible idea? This time, even Luna had to wonder if her brother's mind was affected by the previous battle.

"What exactly do you plan to ask from Father?"

"There are too many, so I'll pick a couple on the way."

"I can see how much Gilli has struggled to handle you. Sigh, what should I do? Trying to reason with you won't work, so should I just beat some sense into you? Losing your qualifications is the least of your worries; you might end up dead."

"If things go badly, you'll talk some sense into me, right, Sister?"

"Ah, you're serious!"

Luna stood up and approached Jin.

The atmosphere was tense, as if she was about to hit him. While Gilli was anxious, Luna suddenly smiled.

"Such a reckless kid. Fine, I'll be your shield. Since everyone in the family wants to eat you, I'll have to play the role of a caring sister."

Luna didn't hit Jin, but Gilli couldn't sigh in relief.

"Don't worry too much, Gilli. If I block with my body, Father won't go too far."

"Miss... Sir, then I'll go with you."

"Ah, you too? I'm tired."

Although she said that, Luna was secretly impressed by Gilli.

'You must be scared, but you're willing to go with Jin even if it means death. What a lucky kid, our youngest.'

She also felt a bit bitter. Luna knew the whole story of how 'Gilli the nanny' had become 'Gilli the nanny.'

'If she hadn't become Jin's nanny, she would have been the next First Sword of Macrolan. She has a fate similar to Jin's.'

Murakan cleared his throat to draw attention.

"Daughter of Runkandel, then I'll go with Strawberry Pie."

"Black Dragon, you should stay here. You'll have to stay in cat form anyway."

"Right, Murakan. You'll help Sir Casimir until we return. There's a mountain of information the Rainbow Birds need to dig up."

"Understood..."

Murakan, looking dejected, transformed into a cat with a drooping tail. But since no one paid attention, he went to play with Yuria and Enya in the next room.

They were very popular there.

"Then, let's leave for the first teleportation gate tomorrow. It feels like a long time since I've been back to the main house, even though it's been less than a month."

The next day, just before leaving for the Garden of Swords, Jin visited Casimir's office.

"Master Jin."

"Sir Casimir, I have some requests."

"Requests? That's not appropriate. Now that we are a community of fate, my resources are also yours."

Jin knew that Casimir was the deposed prince of Biment and that his daughter was a contractor of Az Mil.

Casimir knew that Jin was a probationary knight of Runkandel and a magic user who could interact with dragons.

In a sense, they held each other's weaknesses, making them a community of fate.

Moreover, Casimir felt indebted to Jin. Although Jin didn't personally rescue Latry, he was the one who saved his daughter.

"If I hadn't met you, I would have helplessly watched my daughter die without knowing why. I can never repay this debt, even until the day I die."

Casimir's eyes were moist.

'He seems to be more delicate and sensitive than I thought. In my previous life, the free city of Tikkan was rumored to have entered the era of the Holy King right after its founding.'

While Jin was choosing his words, Casimir quickly wiped his eyes with a handkerchief.

"Sorry, I'm being silly... Haha, the atmosphere was about to get awkward. What preparations do you need me to make? Just tell me."

"Please order the Rainbow Birds to investigate these."

Jin handed over a piece of paper from his pocket.

The paper listed the evil deeds of Zep that Jin had witnessed firsthand, including the bio-golem experiments at the Kolon ruins and the Maestro Stone incident on the deserted island. It also included the information about the 'giant tomb of the Kurano Principality' that Murakan had explained to him.

Casimir's eyes sparkled as he read it.

"Bio-golem experiments. If this becomes public, Zep's reputation will plummet. The Maestro Stone might not be a significant issue to those who don't know about the Origin Stone, though."

"Yes, but these matters must not be leaked yet. If there's a problem, they'll conduct their experiments more covertly in the future."

"I agree. I'll only order my most trusted informants to investigate. By the way, why do you need information about this 'Spiderhand Alu' and Bishkel Ibliano?"

Casimir asked to confirm if Jin truly considered him a comrade. Jin answered without hesitation.

"Alu seems to have connections with Runkandel. My party and I were the ones who destroyed Teshing recently. And Bishkel... there was something suspicious at a recent banquet, but I can't say more yet."

"I understand. While Alu and Bishkel can be resolved quickly, the other matters might take some time."

"I understand. Investigating Zep's background isn't easy."

Their gazes met.

Jin extended his hand to Casimir.

"I look forward to working with you, Sir Casimir."

"Likewise. I believe you'll return safely from the Garden of Swords, and I'll prepare good wine. I have a lot to talk about with you. This city will soon become a nation, and you will be the closest friend of the Free City of Tikkan."

Casimir shook Jin's hand.

Jin then left the mansion and immediately boarded a carriage with Luna and Gilli, heading to the Tikkan teleportation gate.