CHAPTER 634

[T.L: punisher87]

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* * *

February 25, 1803, early dawn.

As expected, Jin was preparing to head to the Garden of Swords.

He even advertised to the whole world that he would return to the Garden of Swords on February 25 through Dino Zaglan.

Even the newsletter issued by Dino himself subtly hinted that Jin would now ascend to the position of "patriarch."

It was nothing short of a declaration of war against Runcandel.

"Will Kinzelo and Zipfel really be going to participate?" Talaris asked.

Jin's companions, standing nearby, alternated their gazes between her and Jin, seeming concerned.

"They will definitely come. If they cannot even recognize such a significant opportunity, then they are not qualified to be the leaders of the major factions."

Jin didn't plan for the two forces to participate in the battle from the beginning. 

He wasn't sure about this when he decided to go to Runcandel 15 days ago, but now it became clear when he saw Runcandel responding to his return article.

The fact that the Prophet had already taken control of the clan. 

Also, the fact that Kinzelo and Zipfel were not touching the garden of swords because they presumed that Runcandel possessed a force strong enough to be burdensome.

That's why Jin threw the odds. 

He decided to create a big stage that none could ignore, unless they were fools.

"Even if the enemy leaders are much more foolish than I anticipate and do not come, I must go. For the sake of those who may be resisting the Prophet within the clan."

Those who have never relied on or tried to rely on the prophet's filthy power. Those who give advice to the end, the real knights of Runcandel, and the siblings. They were supposed to be suffering in the Garden of Swords.

It was inevitable that Jin would go to them.

Moreover, considering the articles about Temar released by Runcandel, there was a possibility that Valeria had been captured.

"As I said before, now is the right time when my clan doesn't know my strength."

"Huh, well... yes. I think the current strength of my son-in-law should be enough to escape no matter how things go wrong. Seriously, when I said it wouldn't take you a long time to reach 10-star, I never thought you would come back stronger than me. Does this make sense?"

"It's not quite like that. You are praising me too much, Madame Talaris. And if it wasn't for your help and Mort, I'd probably think of other options like Red Owl."

"Yes, yes. In my life, there will come a day when this Talaris Endorma becomes nothing more than a means of transportation for someone."

As Talaris laughed, Jin shrugged his shoulders and chuckled.

They now seemed more like close friends rather than superiors and subordinates.

Syris was astonished that she didn't hate this site.

"Jin."

"Yes, Lady Syris."

"Since our hidden palace has protected you countless times, now it is your turn to protect the hidden palace."

Jin didn't answer and made eye contact with Syris for a moment.

"So, go and come back alive. You have to pay your debts by teaching me some swordsmanship."

"Of course, I will guarantee rapid growth."

"Why is my daughter suddenly talking like an adult?"

"Mother, you should be careful too. You must not overdo it with an unhealthy body."

"Young master...."

Gilly put her hand on Jin's shoulder.

"Please, come back safely."

"As soon as you return, you keep marching without a moment's rest. My lord, I apologize for not being able to provide support."

"Lord Jin... are you really okay going alone?"

Jin's companions gathered around Gilly, expressing their concerns for Jin.

Talaris sighed as if frustrated by their worries.

"Ha, really. Now my son-in-law is not at the level where you have to worry about him. So stop acting like Jin's going off to die. I'd rather see that nerd over there in the lab buried in his research."

Qwaul seemed entirely absorbed in his research, seemingly indifferent to whether Jin went to Runcandel alone or not. 

He was completely obsessed with the items that Jin brought from Laprarosa.

For a magic engineer, those were the only materials worth sacrificing anything for. 

The only downside was that Valeria, with whom he could share this happiness, was absent.

"As Madame Talaris said, don't worry too much. I'll be back. It won't happen, but if I don't return within three days, make sure to prepare for evacuation."

"Even my son-in-law adds unnecessary words in the end. Now, let's go!"

Jin boarded the Red Owl.

"I will be back. As always, I'll make sure to bring back what we need."

* * *

Garden of Swords.

For over a thousand years, it has been the home of the Runcandel Swordmasters, revered and feared by all beings in the world.

In the midst of it all, Rosa stood still.

Her face was pale, lips dry. 

With a body so fragile it seemed doubtful if she was the black panther and had ever commanded the Runcandel alongside Chiron, she looked up at the sky.

The sun, unbefitting of winter, blazed down. 

Yet Rosa felt no sensation of burning in her eyes, even as she faced it head-on.

She just had a thought that it's unnecessarily bright.

"The youngest... is coming."

A woman in a black hood nodded her head. 

Ilina Runcandel, the woman known as Joshua's unfortunate partner. 

Now everyone in Runcandel knew about her identity.

The prophet of calamity. The one who saved Rosa and other members of Runcandel from chaos.

"You sound like you're disappointed. Do you think things would have been different if he had come a little faster?"

Swoosh!

Rosa swiftly drew the frenzy and stabbed Ilina's neck. 

Ilina immediately collapsed, gasping for breath, and then she convulsed for a few seconds before she rose again.

Instead of blood, chaos flowed from the affected area.

"Ah, really. How many times do I have to explain that it doesn't cost one or two human lives every time like this?"

"It is unacceptable for a member of Runcandel to speak to me like that. Even if this was your last life, I wouldn't have hesitated to kill you."

"You could make it painless if you..."

"Are you eager to die again? The pain of death is something I've experienced as well, and it's not something I imagine you'd take lightly."

Ilina lowered her head at Rosa's low voice.

"I'm sorry, I will be more careful in the future."

Rosa looked at the main gate in silence again.

The main gate.

Looking back, to Rosa Runcandel, that gate represented countless lonely years of waiting.

How desperately, how fervently she had longed for the day when Chiron, who had gone through that gate to complete his task, would return and save the clan...….

But that day never came.

Instead, what came was her youngest son who would ultimately refuse to bend or compromise, forcing her to break him herself.

That fact was somewhat bitter.

"All Knights of Runcandel, prepare to welcome the 12th flagbearer of the clan."

Rosa's words were solemn and swift like the wind. Just like Chiron's voice no matter how small it is, there is no place where it does not spread, and there is no one who cannot hear it.

Knights rushed out from all directions and lined up in front of her.

It was also the same as when the clan prepared for Chiron's welcome.

The flagbearer stood at the forefront, followed by the Black Knights, Black Sword association, Enforcement Knights, and Guardian Knights. It was a number far beyond what Jin remembered, but the flagbearers were only four.

"Madame Rosa."

It was Stam, the captain of the Black Knights.

"Speak."

"What should I do with the underground knights?"

The underground knights, they were the ones who rebelled against Rosa until the very end.

"Release everyone except for the 4th flagbearer."

"All right. And... may I return the weapons they were using?"

The reason Stam said that was no different. Although they have now turned their backs on Rosa and the clan, they were all knights who once devoted themselves to the clan.

Their rejection of Rosa wasn't betrayal; they simply couldn't reconcile with the logic of power and corruption that Rosa now embodied.

So Stam wanted to offer them one last chance – a chance to fight for the "honor" they believed in, alongside Jin.

Ilina wanted to protest loudly, but Rosa didn't dislike Stam's suggestion. Such individuals were necessary.

"Do it. Also, all of their swords will be planted in the garden."

"... thank you."

"May I dare to say something? I think it's dangerous. The fate of Jin Runcandel has already gone off track once. Even the smallest thing can become a big problem!"

Rosa dismissed her opinion. And she began to focus on her youngest son's energy, which was rapidly approaching from afar.

She recalled the day when Jin first returned to the clan after completing his reserve flagbearer career.

-Looks like someone else is trying to welcome this old man.

-Patriarch, what do you mean by that?

-Rosa, I think you've become dull, too. Quite a powerful force is approaching the Garden of Swords and at a very fast pace.

'Now I can see what you felt back then...… Chiron.'

Excellent.

The first emotion that filled Rosa's heart was no different from Chiron at that time.

Slowly, the main gate was opening. 

Jin strode towards Rosa, regardless of the changed clan and the black energy of the chaos-stained knights.

As the distance closed between them, the two felt as if all the surrounding around them was being erased.

Among these countless human and non-human beings, the mother and child focused all their senses on each other. 

Everything was just like that day. 

The day when Jin proved that he had the qualifications to become a flagbearer by receiving Chiron's sword.

But today was not that day.

"The 12th flagbearer, Jin Runcandel, has returned to the clan after completing the closed-door training."

Jin did not raise his sword. 

Rosa didn't answer and looked down at Jin quietly. 

As a Runcandel, as a human being, as a mother, she wanted to grasp onto this brief moment with her youngest son a little longer.

So, just like Chiron did that day, she wanted to draw her sword. She only once wanted to savor the sword of her son, who grew up this much.

However, Jin did not allow that time to be prolonged.

"But mother... you've broken our promise."

Disappointing.

You no longer have the right to test me.

As Jin continued, Rosa's hand, which had instinctively moved towards her waist, paused unknowingly.

That was the last emotion that Rosa felt as a human being. 

A single streak of black blood trickled from Rosa's cracked lips.

She wiped it away with the back of her hand as she responded.

"The promise still stands. If you can show me what you set out to prove to me, I will put everything in the clan back to its original state right now."

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