Chapter 320

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Ron Hairan was undoubtedly one of the greatest knights among the 10-stars knights in the world, along with the master of Hidden Palace, Talaris Endorma. If he had made up his mind to strike, there would be no way out for Jin, no matter how skilled he was.

As Ron approached Jin, Dante's eyes shook uncontrollably.

Dante instinctively stood in front of Jin.

"Step aside."

"Please, listen to me, Grandfather!"

"I don't want to hear it."

Dante couldn't help but recall the promise he made with his grandfather when he visited the Cosmos Arena a few years ago.

-I'm sorry, Grandfather. Not only did I fail to win this time, but I also narrowly escaped death twice.

-You almost lost your life twice in that vile competition... What in the world happened? Was it a lack of swordsmanship achievement, or were there blinded masters obsessed with money and pleasure?"

-My swordsmanship was not lacking, but I lacked discipline. And while there were no blinded masters obsessed with money and pleasure, I encountered two young man who captured my heart.

-Heh, for you to say it so openly, it piques my curiosity. A brat who doesn't even show interest in the enchanting women who visit our clan... Very well, what are the names of these people who have shaken our grandson's heart?

-I'm sorry, Grandfather, but I cannot reveal their names... And once again, I humbly request one favor from you.

-Oh, you impudent child! You've only just arrived, and you already make this old man anxious! However, I will forgive you. What is your request?

Dante's mind raced for a moment. Was it really the right time to use that card?

Runcandel and Hairan were clearly in a competitive relationship. That meant they classified each other as "enemies" and had every right to strike each other if they had a valid reason.

Therefore, it was a justifiable act for Ron to sever Jin's arm now, who disguised as whatever reason, as an invasion of Hairan's territory.

'Perhaps my grandfather really intends to take Jin's life someday. Maybe it would be better to bring up that promise then...!'

His heart pounded as various calculations raced through his mind. Dante had to make a choice.

Should he save the card given by his grandfather for a day that might never come, or should he use it now to prevent his friend from becoming an cripple?

He closed his eyes for a moment.

Dante made his decision. He couldn't bear to see his friend's arm being severed right in front of him.

"Grandfather, please remember the promise we made years ago...!"

But it was already too late.

Ron gently pushed Dante, who had been blocking Jin's path, aside and his sword, "Rashid," was already poised to strike.

Dante felt his blood run cold at the sight. He experienced a momentary dizziness, and his vision darkened.Instinctively, he threw himself forward, even if it meant using his own body to block Ron from cutting

Jin.

On the other hand, Jin, who faced Ron directly, maintained a calm gaze. He didn't lose his composure even after Ron appeared.

Swish!

No!

Just as Dante was about to shout, he witnessed his grandfather's sword stopping just before it reached Jin.

"Hahaha!"

Suddenly, Ron burst into laughter while clutching his stomach.

"You fell for it so easily, didn't you? Hahaha, how did you like this old man's performance? Huh? Seeing my grandson's bewildered face after a long time is just... adorable, it's driving me crazy! haha."

"Gr-Grandfather...? You mean to say this was all a joke?"

Ron, with a smirk on his face, couldn't stop laughing for a while.

"I was very curious when you showed signs of wanting to leave abruptly without even having a proper conversation with this old man."

It was only then that Dante realized he had been fooled.

In retrospect, something had been off from the beginning.

Ron Hairan, the grandfather known by Dante, is not someone who would act so indifferently towards something that could hurt his own heart.

"Why would my grandson be like this because of someone who came? Perhaps it's the princess we saw at the last gathering? Or maybe it's the woman from Hensirk clan who used to visit the sword emperor castle alone every day with utmost sincerity because she like you, and has finally achieved results?"

Unintentionally, Jin's eyes widened at that passage.

'Crazy. Dante, why are you so slow? Were you in the middle of discussing something with Sir Ron? Is that what he was saying?'

If it were Runcandel, it would be unimaginable. To see a friend come while having a conversation with the patriarch, unable to make a coherent sentence.

"Well... then, Grandfather. Are you not going to harm my friend?"

"Why would I hurt the person my grandson likes without any reason? Of course, it's a bit disappointing that the person you hurriedly searched for is not a woman. But just confirming the identity of that friend you often talk about is enough to make this grandfather very happy..."

Thump!

Dante suddenly collapsed to the floor.

In an instant, Ron's face turned pale.

"Dante, my grandson! Is it anemia that has come?"

Dante, born with an extremely frail body, often experienced anemia or seizures when under severe shock or exertion.

Recently, those symptoms had almost disappeared.

"I'm sorry, Grandfather. Your grandson has..."

"Oh, no. It's the old man's fault. Look! Call the medical team, quickly!"

At Ron's urgent cry, the medical team rushed in immediately. They skillfully fed Dante medicine and carried him away.

"We... we'll talk again later."

The moment Jin looked up, Dante lost consciousness.

"Is my grandson in a very bad condition? Is he in great pain?"

"It's just anemia, please don't worry, lord patriarch."

"I'm worried! If something happens to my grandson, I'll kill all of you."

"Don't worry, lord patriarch! We will take immediate measures to improve young patriarch's condition."

As the medical team swiftly left with Dante, Ron muttered to himself, as if he were the only one suffering and worrying about his grandson.

In the reception room, only Jin and Ron remained.

"... I'm late with greetings, Sir Ron Hairan. I am Jin Runcandel, the thirteenth child of Chiron Runcandel and the twelfth flagbearer."

"I know your name. I didn't know you had a hobby for disguises."

Ron slowly turned to face Jin. Unlike when he looked at Dante, there was no trace of kindness in his expression.

"Why were you so sure that I wouldn't kill you?"

Jin gently nodded his head in response to Ron's question."I dared to think that you wouldn't be so easily swayed."

"My grandson may have been upset, but I seriously considered whether I should take one of your arms."

"If that were the case, it would be my duty to bear the consequences of intruding into the sword emperor castle."

"You're not a person to be trifled with. It seems like I am seeing the younger self of my enemy, Chiron."

"Thank you."

"It's not a compliment. Your father, even now, was someone I didn't want to see more of in his younger days."

Ron's gaze as he spoke carried a hint of greed.

Pottery.

He couldn't take his eyes off the pottery that seemed to intimidate him as he spoke, his voice filled with determination.

"Because of you, my precious and cherished grandson, who is so dear to me, almost got hurt. How will you take responsibility for this?"

"Excuse me, but it seems that it's not my responsibility."

"Yes, it won't be your responsibility. If you were stronger than me."

Ron chuckled and lightly grabbed Jin's shoulder.

The moment his palm touched Jin, he almost screamed. Ron's invisible energy surged through Jin's body, instantly paralyzing his organs.

'He is trying to create a backflow... like a mage.' 

Jin's bones trembled.

Aura backflow for non-mages was much more difficult to induce artificially compared to the

backflow of a mage's mana. It was considered an established fact that simply injecting more energy into the opponent to cause a backflow was impossible.

However, Ron was doing it as if it were nothing.

"So, do you feel a sense of responsibility now?"

Ron's induction of the backflow grew stronger. Jin's body trembled, but he didn't scream, and even in the midst of his grip weakening, he didn't let go of the pottery.

"First... Dante didn't have the anemia."

Ron's pupils widened at Jin's words.

He couldn't believe that Jin had noticed Dante's "deception" in that short moment. It was a problem that even he had initially doubted.

"I know it too."

However, he didn't show any surprise on the surface.

"It's a way to eat when you're eating together. Although he has never responded to my pranks like this before, it seems that he has learned something from you. He seems to have learned a trick."

Ron spoke as he let go of Jin.

Jin wiped the blood flowing from his nose and mouth and took a breath."Dante used his head very well. Pretending to had anemia, he made me confront you head-on and passed the judgment on the 300 million gold coins to you, sir."

"My grandson may not be a malicious guy, but you abandoned everything. Tsk!"

"On the contrary, shouldn't you give me a meal?"

"What?"

"The innocent Dante showed remarkable audacity in trying to deceive Sir Ron. If he were to gain control over the Hairan clan later, he wouldn't just be stabbed in the back among the stratagem masters of Vermont. It seems to imply that."

Ron was momentarily speechless at Jin's audacious attitude.

"Also, I have provoked Dante more than any genius swordsman from Hairan and Vermont. Some of my efforts are melted into the achievements Dante has made."

"Do you want compensation for that too?"

"Yes."

"Ha-ha... you weren't food, but a wicked one. Do you know what that means?"

"It seems to mean that even if you cut me before I dye Dante in more evil, I will have nothing to say."

"I can't handle you with just words. Fine, it seems I want to just kill you. But for the sake of my grandson, I'll let you off. I'll spare your life. That's the price for what you did to Dante."

"That's not enough."

"Well, it seems that's not enough. The 12th flagbearer of Runcandel dared to propose a deal to the owner of the sword emperor castle. Leave that pottery here."

Ron smiled and added the rest of his sentence.

"And as a reward for the recent assassination mission you performed, hand over the ancient iron that you agreed to receive. If you want to live, that is."