Chapter 298

Induce a natural death in the battle against Zipfel.

This situation was undoubtedly different from what Rosa had ordered. It wasn't the ideal outcome that Jin had in mind. However, considering the variable Veradin, it was the closest to the best he could do.

"Respect, huh?"

Barton burst into laughter. 

The guardian knights spread out and surrounded Barton. Sureng! The blade slid out of the scabbard and produced a sharp friction sound. Diphus's eyes were filled with murderous intent.

"I have never once expected such a thing after turning my back on Runcandel. You're mentioning boring things, 12th flagbearer."

Rigaf Klever.

Jin was suddenly reminded of Barton's real name. 

He was the unfortunate Black Knight who lost his right to decide on his own life, and he had to watch in silence as his family and relatives were killed for being aware of that fact. 

That was the Barton Vicenna that Jin thought he was.

Therefore, it didn't come as a surprise when Barton scoffed at the word "respect."

But something was amiss.

'For some reason... I can't feel any resentment or anger from Barton.'

Runcandel had taken away Barton's life, deprived him of his right to choose, and he watched silently as his family and relatives were killed. Was it because the hatred and anger toward Runcandel were too deep, dark, and immense to be easily discerned?

Barton's pupils shone calmly behind the helmet.

"I had a hard time putting up with your disgusting acting from a while ago, Barton Vicenna. Have you no honor for the black helmet? You chose to become Zipfel's rat of all things!"

Swoosh!

Diphus's greatsword struck down on Barton's head. At the same time, Jin drew Sigmund and aimed for Barton's neck.

The Guardian Knights did not move. Their role was not to attack but to maintain their formation and limit Barton's movements.

Kang!

Barton drew his sword at a lightning speed that was invisible to naked eyes and easily deflected both their swords.

He may have been injured, but it didn't diminish his achievement of 10-star level.

Barton rotated his body to close the distance between him and Diphus.

Jin extended his blade straight towards Barton's back but only managed to pierce his cape.

"Is that a problem, Diphus Runcandel?"

Barton questioned his accusation despite being in the middle of a battle. Diphus feel like his head was about to explode.

"You traitor bastard, are you asking if it's a problem? How dare you say that kind of nonsense."

"Diphus. That's why you will never match Joshua. You have the greatest fighting spirit among your siblings, but shallow motives."

Barton and Diphus' sword met and they engaged in a brief power struggle.

Barton was the first to step back, not because he lacked strength. It was to avoid Jin's Plutonian lightning bolts that were beginning to fall.

Barton looked at the spot where the lightning had struck and nodded his head.

"Ah, I can no longer say that your fighting spirit is greatest among your siblings, can I? Sir Chiron has praised the 12th flagbearer's fighting spirit since I was a cadet. Now, I'll ask again, Diphus. Do you think my betrayal was a problem?"

Both Jin and Diphus remained expressionless and didn't answer.

However, Jin was genuinely calm, and Diphus was struggling to maintain his composure.

"Why can't you answer, Diphus Runcandel? I'm asking if my betrayal was really a problem!"

Disappointment was evident in Barton's voice as he shouted.

It was a strange situation. The traitor himself was actually confronting the Runcandel's flagbearers.

At that moment, Jin could read Barton's emotions towards Runcandel.

It was a mixture of love and hate. It was quite apparent now.

"You seem to be spouting nonsense now that you're about to die. But I can't tolerate it anymore."

"Then what about, the 12th flagbearer, Jin Runcandel. Why don't you answer my question?"

Barton abruptly turned and started to extend his blade towards Jin. He didn't hesitate to switch positions, even though it was more challenging to confront Jin directly.

Barton already seemed prepared for death.

He had used too much aura while pretending to fight Kozec in mid-air, and the injuries from the spatial explosion were far from superficial.

If it were only Diphus and Guardian Knights, there might have been some hope, but Barton couldn't hope to survive as long as Jin was present.

How could they minimize the damage and cut Barton's throat?

That was all that mattered to Runcandels.

"Sir Barton, why are you acting like a child?"

Barton flinched and met eyes with Jin. Diphus landed a blow in that brief moment of opening, but Barton managed to avoid a fatal injury.

"Are you looking for an apology, Sir Barton? Regarding how Runcandel ruined your life."

"What?"

Barton responded angrily and raised his energy.

"When did Runcandel ruin my life?"

"I examined your records before coming here. According to the records, you became a Black Knight against your will and lost your kins."

Barton's eyes shook in surprise as if he had heard the most absurd statement of his life.

Even Diphus had the same look. Therefore, Jin couldn't help but feel like he had made a mistake.

"....Haha."

Barton suddenly burst into a bitter laugh.

Diphus readjusted his stance and added more aura to his Greatsword.

"Mother apparently didn't give you all the records about Barton. The youngest, he never lost his life to Runcandel. In fact, he was crazy to become a Black Knight."

Jin's eyes widened.

"Don't tell me... Could it be that Runcandel killed Klever clan members who knew Sir Barton's identity because he wanted it himself?"

"Yes. The records you saw were created to ensure that flagbearers below the 5th rank wouldn't despise Barton when they later went on missions with him. That man wanted to become a Black Knight so badly that he abandoned his clan and killed his kins."

It felt like a hammer had struck Jin in the back of his head.

-It's a bit hard to believe. If this is true, I will be quite disappointed.

-Are you saying you're disappointed by the clan?

-No, not by the clan. But by my father. The clan is more than capable of such things. In fact, the clan can do worse.

-My father is certainly ruthless, but he is not the one to play dirty tricks, at least in my eyes. He's not weak enough to control someone by threats or likes. So why? Why did he have to get Barton Vicenna like this?

A conversation Jin had with Gilly just before arriving in Ventika.

On one hand, Jin felt relieved. It was fortunate that Chiron didn't make Barton a Black Knight in such a disgraceful manner.

Then a feeling of disgust overwhelmed him.

"Then Why?"

Pzzzzz!

Lightning energy surged over Sigmund's blade. While Barton was occupied with Diphus, Jin was channeling the power of his illuminating heart to execute the Mystic Technique of Plutonian Swordsmanship.

"What filthy reason did you have in becoming a Black Knight like this?"

There was no longer any need for politeness.

Regardless of how much Barton had sacrificed for Runcandel before his betrayal, he was now just a hideous man who happened to be strong.

In the next moment, a single word escaped from Barton's mouth: Power.

"The ultimate power that rules the world. It's the only thing I worship. Bloodline, kins, clan! Those things mean nothing. Obtaining the ultimate power from the greatest clan was the sole purpose of my existence."

The statement was so absurd that it left Jin speechless.

"That's why Sir Chiron's Runcandel was a paradise for me...".

"It seems you are suffering from a severe mental illness."

"Do you think I, someone without a blessed body, could reach the 10-star level without that kind of obsession? No, it's impossible. I made my choice long ago, between humanity and power."

Emotionally, there was no way to accept it, but rationally, Jin could understand.

He had encountered people who spoke and acted in a similar way in the past.

Kidard Hall of the backflow and Barton appeared to have some overlapping traits.

Both were willing to go to great lengths to become stronger.

Though both were villains, Barton was even more relentless in his pursuit of power.

"An insignificant life tainted by betrayal."

"So, do you also think I was wrong, like Diphus? If it were Sir Chiron, he would never react like that."

"You're right, Barton. If it were my father, he would have said something like."

"Fine, that's your value. So prove that your way is correct. Is this what you wanted to hear?"

Barton nodded satisfactorily. He had betrayed Runcandel, but he still had infinite respect for Chiron Runcandel.

"Then prove it. That you're right. You seem to like my father's ways, I'm okay with that. If you convince me, I will spare your life."

Diphus didn't retort to Jin's provocative words.

There was nothing Barton could do at this point.

"Right now, it's impossible. I will face death at your hands today."

"Then your choice is wrong."

"When I was under Sir Chiron's Runcandel, I used to think that death meant failure, and the end of everything. But after meeting Sir Kelliark, I realized that death is not the end, Jin Runcandel. What I need is just time."

"Are you going to talk nonsense? The 10-star power you obtained after giving up so much and betraying Runcandel, and that new master of yours, can't even save you right now?"

"There are two things that will never change even if you kill me today. First, if Sir Chiron disappears, Runcandel will inevitably perish. Second, even if my body is destroyed, I can exist longer than you."

The power surging within Sigmund's blade grew stronger.

"When that time comes, you will eventually have to admit that Barton Vicenna's choice was not wrong."

Barton exuded an uncomfortable level of conviction.

Though he appeared to be rambling, he firmly believed that Zipfel would inevitably destroy Runcandel.

It was an uncomfortably firm belief. Was it because of his worship of power and obsession, or was it because he suddenly felt hopeless after facing unexpected resistance?

Regardless of the reason, Jin shuddered at the fact that just a few minutes ago, he had felt a slight sympathy for Barton.

"The youngest, that's enough for now. There's no need to continue listening to this mad nonsense. Let's finish what we started."

Diphus spoke as he donned the Great Sword with the aura he saved against Kozec. Just as Jin had raised the power of the illuminating heart to prepare his Mystic technique of Plutonian Swordsmanship, Diphus was ready to execute his decisive killing move.