Chapter 443

[Support me here:- https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]

Thud!

The thick handle of the axe-sword struck the back of Zephyrin's head. It wasn't someone else who had done it; it was an incident that happened when she bowed to Murka.

"Ugh!"

Murka was frustrated by the sight of Zephyrin grabbing her head, and punched her.

It was entirely unclear where this kind of trouble had come from and was obstructing the discipline of the 3rd division.

"I'm sorry, Captain!"

"If you're sorry, your mercenary career is over...."

"Oh, it's Sir Jin Runcandel, isn't it!?"

Zephyrin looked at Jin with twinkling eyes.

Jin and Murakan found it odd that this stupid-looking young woman might be a demon dragon.

However, Murakan was carefully sniffing the scent emanating from her.

-Murakan, why are you so clueless? Oh, you have always been a carefree guy, right?

-I don't expect to hear those kinds of words from you.

-Didn't you smell something from that human?

A conversation between Murakan and Cuicantelle at the Sword Emperor Castle banquet hall.

Zephyrin was emitting a scent of dragon's blood that human sensory organs couldn't identify. And it was a dense and horrifying scent of dragon's blood. It was a smell that came from various types of blood mixed together.

Meow!

Suddenly, Murakan made a threatening sound and bristled his fur.

He had smelled something that he did not recognize at the banquet hall. Therefore, Murakan was ready to scratch Zephyrin's face with his sharp claws at any moment.

"Huh!"

Zephyrin was startled and took a step back. Murka understood that Murakan was showing his displeasure at Zephyrin's appearance.

"...I'm really sorry, Sir Jin. Sir Murakan. The leader is still busy with the previous guest and their matters. My subordinate will let you know when it's your turn."

Murka spoke, and tried to suppress his boiling anger as much as possible. Soon after, he took Zephyrin and disappeared somewhere, leaving only mercenaries, Jin, and Murakan in the empty reception hall corridor.

"Why did you do that just now? Did you smell what Ms. Cuicantelle mentioned last time?"

"Nyaaw!"

"Transform and speak like a person."

Poof!

"That's right, it was that scent. If Cuicantelle hadn't told us, I might not have noticed it again because of the fragrance."

"What do you think?"

"Do I think that woman might be a demon dragon?"

"Yeah."

"Well, it could be just the smell from the weapon, as Cuicantelle suggested."

If Zephyrin was a demon dragon, then all the two previous encounters might not have been mere coincidences. In that case, Zephyrin's only reason to approach would be the magic tome of Rontelgius.

'I heard something like, she wants to meet the 1st flagbearer.'

According to Murka, Zephyrin's reason for carrying an axe-sword she couldn't even use properly was her admiration for Luna.

If she were just a pure human, one might think she was a bit eccentric. But suddenly, Jin recalled how Luna had obtained the "Pendant of Orgal."

'My sister said she got the pendant by defeating a demon in the past.'

A pendant obtained by defeating a demon, a magic tome obtained by killing a demon, and a demon dragon. There were puzzle-like pieces that seemed to fit perfectly.

"If Zephyrin is a Demon Dragon, then maybe all three encounters were not mere coincidences."

In that case, Jin thought that Zephyrin might intentionally approach them only to get the magic tome.

"Let's ask her directly if she's a demon dragon after we're done with the Black King leader. I didn't ask at the banquet because it would be awkward then."

"Yeah, that's better. He might not tell us outright."

"Don't worry, there's a way to confirm it. If she turns out to be a demon dragon, we might also learn about your brother's relationship with Rontelgius. We'll squeeze out every piece of information we can."

"What if she's stronger than us?"

"There's no dragon stronger than Lord Murakan in the world... Well, yeah. I haven't fully recovered my strength yet, so I guess that's possible. Anyway, we should get going."

Jin shrugged.

"By the way, the guy inside seems to be Runcandel. Considering what Zephyrin said about wanting to meet the 1st flagbearer."

"He's probably one of the top flagbearers or their representative. I think it's from the 2nd flagbearer."

Joshua needed a force to replenish his lacking strength after the recent conflicts within the Elder Council. He also needed to show his ability to recruit and unite neutral forces as the next patriarch.

'But the Black King mercenaries have maintained neutrality for a long time, so it's almost impossible to recruit them without substantial compensation.'

Regardless of who the person meeting with the Black King leader was, if they had come not just for a simple contract but for "recruiting," there was a possibility that they were well-prepared for the negotiations.

The servants brought in a simple refreshment and tea. The two of them quietly enjoyed it while waiting for the meeting to begin.

The door to the reception room opened at around three in the morning.

"We will meet again tomorrow morning, Black King leader."

"Understood."

The voices of the Black King leader and his guest were heard.

It seemed like they were planning to continue the conversation tomorrow.

The person who came out of the reception room wore a robe and a hood that covered their entire body. Jin immediately recognized that this person was not one of the top flagbearers but rather their representative.

The man also noticed Jin and Murakan. The person tried to pass them without saying a word, but Jin called out to him.

"Hey."

The person in the robe stopped and turned to look at Jin.

"You are that guy from back then, right?"

That guy from back then.

The black knight who had attempted to kidnap Dante at the Sword Emperor's banquet. Jin was confident that the person in the robe was the same one.

"I was a bit confused, but I'm sure now as you get closer. Claw users tend to have a distinctive way of walking. Should I say they have a unique posture?"

Claws were not commonly used weapons, but Jin had spent a long time with Gilly and was familiar with its characteristics.

"It seems like the 2nd flagbearer had something quite important to discuss if he sent a black knight. Tell me what went on inside. I need to meet the Black King leader too."

"..... You're still as bold as ever. You have no fear, probably because you have a Black Dragon by your side."

"Well, it didn't seem much different even when Murkan wasn't there during our first meeting. Would you have been able to come here alive if things had gone all the way back then?"

The man turned around without answering. He judged that he could get involved with Murakan if he continued to converse with Jin.

"Tell the Black Knights. I'm always open."

"The Black Helmets will never become your sword."

"Keep that in mind."

After the black knight left, the mercenaries on duty signaled for Jin to enter the Black King leader's reception room.

"Please come in."

"Just in case, Murakan."

"What is it?"

"Even if the Black King leader isn't as courteous as you hope, don't give him any attitude or try to hit him."

"..... Am I a fool?"

"I'm just worried."

"Sheesh."

The fact that such a grand space unfolded at the end of a not-so-wide corridor was astonishing. The reception room was impressively grand, with large windows letting in the moonlight and starlight from the imposing ceiling. 

It was a surreal sight that did not seem to fit the dark profession of mercenaries.

Beneath it, the Black King leader, "Valkas Kran," sat at his desk and welcomed the two men.

Amela, the great mercenary of Gaifa islands, Valkas Kran, the Black King leader, and Lata Proch, the Ghost leader. 

Among the world's top three mercenaries, Amela and Valkas competed for the top position.

'Certainly, he gives off a much more powerful vibe compared to Sir Lata."

Jin's first impression of Valkas was that he seemed taller even while sitting. 

Jin didn't know much about him, beyond that he had achieved some legendary exploits before becoming the leader and had built up an impressive reputation as a mercenary. He had a rough idea of his personality, but that was about it.

In both his past life and current one, Jin had never encountered Valkas, which was why he didn't have much information about him. Valkas wasn't a public figure with a lot of known information.

-Valkas Kran. Hmm, he's more of a romantic type than I thought.

-Really?

-Should I say he cares about his family a lot? It's the reason why Black King mercenaries are generally friendly, despite being the world's best mercenaries.

-I see.

-The problem is that except for his family, he treats the rest of the human beings as clients who pay money or living meatballs.

Before reaching Black King Mountain Hideout, Talaris had said that about Valkas.

"Even though Zephyrin makes such mistakes, it usually ends with just a lecture. Is it because he values his subordinates so much?"

Or perhaps, Valkas also had suspicions about Zephyrin and ordered to watch her closely.

The latter seemed more likely. No matter how much he cherished his subordinates, the Black King mercenary corps was known for being a disciplined and sharp organization.

Valkas raised his hand and began to speak.

"Welcome, 12th flagbearer of Runcandel."

"It's an honor to meet you, Sir Valkas. Thank you for your hospitality."

"Hospitality might be a stretch. And the one next to you, is he the great Black Dragon?"

Murakan nodded his head in acknowledgment, despite his somewhat disrespectful tone.

Fortunately, Valkas did not go beyond that level of rudeness.

"My subordinates have been talking quite a bit about you. It seems that the memory of escorting you when you were young remains a pleasant memory for the 3rd division."

"Is that so?"

"And the 12th flagbearer of Runcandel is probably the hottest topic in the world right now, not just for my subordinates. There's no way the stories won't circulate everywhere. I've been curious myself and wanted to meet you at least once."

Jin and Valkas smiled and their gazes met.

Somehow, Jin felt like Valkas was peering through him and trying to figure out why he had come here and what kind of request he might have.

And that feeling quickly turned out to be true within a few seconds.

"You've come to me most likely to entrust the task of protecting the Tikan Free City, haven't you? Am I wrong?"

Jin was surprised inwardly, but he nodded without showing any signs of it.

"It seems like I sent a letter with the details of the request in advance by mistake. Yes, you are right, Sir Valkas."

The need for "Tikan Protection Measures" was a matter that most of the world's powerful figures were aware of to some extent.

Valkas couldn't be ignorant of it either.

Above all, Valkas was currently more aware of the issue, given that Joshua's representative had just visited.

"Unfortunately, it seems difficult to accept that request."

"But you haven't even heard of the conditions."

"That's true, but I mean you're a step too late."

Joshua hadn't sent the black knight to hire the Black King mercenaries for a mission.

He had sent black knight to "prevent" the Black King mercenaries from accepting Jin's request.