301
"Really? That's a good idea. I just got 10 days off from my mother."
“Oh, really?”
Unlike Murakan, whose face was almost distorted with disappointment, Gilly smiled and her eyes twinkled. She was really happy to go on vacation together.
"This sounds really exciting! I need to buy some clothes and do my hair."
"You sound happy, Gilly."
"It's been a while since all our companions gathered, so I'm feeling a bit excited. Haha, when are we departing?"
"We can’t delay it if you like it so much, Gilly. Let's leave tomorrow."
"Uh, tomorrow? Then I must get to town immediately before the shops close!"
“Go ahead, Gilly.”
Gilly took her purse and left the room. Jin smiled looking at her leaving, and Murakan sighed.
"I am telling you this in advance, I just told Gilly to go on vacation. I never asked her to go with me."
“Hey, did I even ask?”
“No, I feel like you want to put the blame on me for getting dumped…”
“Who says I got dumped!”
"Or not, never mind."
For some reason, Jin felt satisfied.
"...well, it's not too bad seeing her so happy. If strawberry pie is happy, then it’s fine."
“If you say that, I feel bad for gloating.”
"What?Were you gloating? You damn kid."
Murakan glared at him, so Jin pointed outside.
"If you want to go on a date, go after Gilly right now. You can help her to choose clothes and watch her get hair done. That’s a date of sorts, right? You buy drinks for her while doing all the shopping."
“Oh, that’s a way! I take back when I said damn kid."
Slap!
Jin and Murakan naturally raised their hands for a high-five.
"I will be back!"
Whoops! Murakan runs at full speed.
Jin smiled as he looked out of the window and watched Murakan catch up with Gilly. They left the Garden of Swords. Gilly looked very happy as she looked back and grinned at Murakan.
'They are cute. Shall I take a nap after a long time?’
Jin was severely fatigued after returning to the Garden of Swords
He endured a strike from Chiron right upon arrival, fought a duel with Mary, fought Sylderay, and even went on a mission to kill the Black Knight. It was literally torture to his body without a break.
Jin fell asleep as soon as he put his head on the pillow.
It was night by the time Jin woke up. A cool breeze blew in, and the moonlight was shining beautifully through the open window.
Gilly and Murakan have not returned yet. They were atop a hill, and enjoying the night view of Kalon while drinking beer and eating fruit.
Just as Jin was about to enjoy the gentle night breeze without getting out of bed, he jumped up.
'I never opened the window. There's no way Petro would have opened it.'
Window wasn’t even opened by the wind. Jin had checked the lock before sleeping.
There is only one person who can enter through the window like a thief.
Assassins.
'...It is true that I slept quite well, but I should have been alert enough to notice if there were any assassins.'
He didn’t think his siblings would be foolish enough to bring an assassin directly into the Garden of Swords, but just in case, he always maintained a certain level of alertness.
But Jin did not notice the window opening at all. How talented are they?
Jin looked around with a sharp gaze, but soon burst into laughter.
It was because he saw a knotted flower on the side table.
It was a green rose.
'Seems like Elder Sister came by. After all, I can’t feel my sister’s presence with this level of alertness.’
Next to it was a letter.
(My dear youngest! Congratulations on being a Flagbearer.
Your older sister came all the way in front of you, but you slept like you don’t have a care in the world.
I did consider killing you after I thought of the accident at the end of last year when you disappeared without saying a word to me.
But then again, if I had pulled out a dagger, you would have felt it and woke up.
I came here because I missed you. Did you miss me too? Well, I know without you having to say anything.
I feel proud because you seem to have gotten a lot stronger. You were sleeping soundly, so I didn't wake you up.
I've been so busy with assignments lately and have been extremely busy.
I hope that some of my targets might be people you need to kill or those who wronged you.
Anyway, let's hang out together again when things are sorted out. See you later!)
Psss….
Surprisingly, as soon as Jin finished reading the letter, it turned to dust and scattered away. It was not magic, but paper made with Samil's unique method.
‘Sssh, I don't know if I should call her cute or cruel.'
A smile spread when Jin thought about how Yona had secretly come and left the green rose and the letter.
He felt very grateful. The rest of his siblings want him dead, but Yona and Luna are the only ones who remind Jin what it meant to have a family.
Jin quietly picked up the green rose and looked at it in the moonlight. He remembers seeing the green rose fields with Yona in Samil, and he couldn't take his eyes off of it for a while.
'Oh, I almost forgot.'
He remembered that he had agreed to Tona brothers for a drink tonight. They said they would prepare a good drink.
'Tona brothers and Emma will be waiting for me desperately. Emma would even be more nervous.’
Jin walked lightly towards Tona Brother’s room. And the moment he opened the door of Tona Brothers, he burst out laughing once more.
‘Many things are making me laugh today.’
(A dinner party to celebrate the friendship of the 12th, 10th and 11th Flagbearers of Runcandel and the completion of the 12th Flagbearer’s first mission. A great honor!)
The first thing Jin saw was a large banner with such lettering as soon as he opened the door.
He felt a very obvious intention in placing '12th flagbearer’ at the forefront.
Next, Jin saw the Tona brothers wearing colorful cone hats, didn't know where they got them, and a candle was shining between the full table of refreshments and fruits.
"Uh. Hey, youngest."
“Come on, sit anywhere. Haha.”
“Brothers, what is all this?”
"Oh, that's. Emma says you're coming..."
Chiiig-!
Jin could also hear the sound of meat being grilled inside. Emma had been waiting all evening to show Jin that she’s grilling the meat when he arrived.
She then struck out her head to meet eyes with Jin, and hurriedly took off her apron to politely greet him.
"You came, young master Jin. I've made a lot of mistakes in the past, so I was preparing simple drinks and dishes as an apology."
It was beyond burdensome, and so absurd that Jin had no choice but to laugh.
"It doesn't look that simple. This seems quite serious. Did you make all these dishes yourself?"
"It's nothing compared to how much you took care of me and the Tona young masters on the day you returned."
“You didn't mix poison, did you?”
"Haha, no way. I'll prepare the food quickly and come over, so enjoy the snacks till then."
Jin sat down, and Emma's face turned bright.
The Tona brothers also relaxed, because they had been worried about what to do if Emma's extravagant welcome fails.
This is quite commendable.
Jin thought so. He was quite pleased that Tona brothers go to such lengths to display their desire to stand on his side. Yona’s gift also contributed to this good feeling.
'They are flattering me so openly, let's try to match the rhythm a little bit.'
Pong!
Heytona opened the bottle. Its good smell filled the room.
“Congratulations, youngest!”
"Congratulations!"
It was the first time Jin had a casual conversation with the Tona Brothers. They had a conversation like close friends. The conversation between Jin and Tona brothers was filled with trivial topics.
Mostly, the Tona brothers babble, and Jin listens.
Although Emma told them to 'get close' to Jin, the Tona brothers genuinely wanted to get closer to Jin.
At first, it was because Jin was strong and special, but now it was just brotherly affection, the ones who grew in storm castle and spent cadet years together.
Of course, in the process, the Tona brothers offended Jin many times, but on the other hand, there were many moments when they were always worried about Jin and cherished him.
Empty wine bottles piled up. Emma spoke for the first time around dawn, to tell Jin about the recent clan matters and what Huphester had been up to.
Among all things discussed, Jin paid attention to this part...
“Young Master Jin, my clan is originally a knight clan, but we are a family that produces judges every year. There are quite a few active judges among my relatives. However, not long ago, I heard something odd from my brother, who is the judge in the province of Ponta.”
"What is it?"
“He said that young master Joshua gave orders to judges throughout Huphester to broaden the standard for the death penalty.”
"Is it to lower the crime rate? It's better to catch and kill those who did anything bad."
Emma nodded at Daytona's words.
"Perhaps that's the reason. But after broadening the death penalty, most of the prisoners on death row are escorted to Rikalton for execution."
“If it’s Rickelton, isn’t it a southern city?”
"That's right, young master Jin. There is one more strange thing."
“Keep talking.”
“It is said that the death row inmates escorted to Rikalton are executed only as a group. They executed a group of hundred people at a time, but no one has seen it in person. They only show the burned bodies.”
Suddenly, a conversation from the past flashed through Jin's mind.
- Do you know how she cloned Joshua?
- I only know that it needs a lot of humans.
-......What?
- It seems they were using Huphester’s death row convicts. They would be sent to the Prophet, and he would get a clone body. Then he uses those cloned bodies to strengthen his potential contractors like me, and directly suppresses them when they go berserk.
A conversation Jin had while persuading Yulian in Tikan.
According to Emma, 'Rikalton' is most likely the city Joshua was using the convicts required to make clones.
'Emma couldn't possibly have said this with knowledge of the Prophet and Joshua's cloning. She must have talked about anything related to him just knowing that Joshua and I are at odds, but I found a clue in an unexpected place.’
In fact, Emma was unaware of the Prophet and body cloning. However, as she saw Jin pondering while listening to this information, Emma could guess that there is something wrong with Rickelton.
"I believe a mere nanny like me should not have casually discussed something about the 2nd flagbearer. I will be careful with my words from now on, especially when you are not around, young master Jin."
This means that she will never tell this to anyone other than Jin in the future.
Emma had her own ways of handling situations.
“You better do that.”
Jin smiled as he made a toast with Emma and Tona brothers.
***
Early next morning.
A group of swordsmen clad in robes walked across the courtyard in the Garden of Swords.
They all had determined looks in their eyes, as if they were dealing with some important things.
301
"Really? That's a good idea. I just got 10 days off from my mother."
“Oh, really?”
Unlike Murakan, whose face was almost distorted with disappointment, Gilly smiled and her eyes twinkled. She was really happy to go on vacation together.
"This sounds really exciting! I need to buy some clothes and do my hair."
"You sound happy, Gilly."
"It's been a while since all our companions gathered, so I'm feeling a bit excited. Haha, when are we departing?"
"We can’t delay it if you like it so much, Gilly. Let's leave tomorrow."
"Uh, tomorrow? Then I must get to town immediately before the shops close!"
“Go ahead, Gilly.”
Gilly took her purse and left the room. Jin smiled looking at her leaving, and Murakan sighed.
"I am telling you this in advance, I just told Gilly to go on vacation. I never asked her to go with me."
“Hey, did I even ask?”
“No, I feel like you want to put the blame on me for getting dumped…”
“Who says I got dumped!”
"Or not, never mind."
For some reason, Jin felt satisfied.
"...well, it's not too bad seeing her so happy. If strawberry pie is happy, then it’s fine."
“If you say that, I feel bad for gloating.”
"What?Were you gloating? You damn kid."
Murakan glared at him, so Jin pointed outside.
"If you want to go on a date, go after Gilly right now. You can help her to choose clothes and watch her get hair done. That’s a date of sorts, right? You buy drinks for her while doing all the shopping."
“Oh, that’s a way! I take back when I said damn kid."
Slap!
Jin and Murakan naturally raised their hands for a high-five.
"I will be back!"
Whoops! Murakan runs at full speed.
Jin smiled as he looked out of the window and watched Murakan catch up with Gilly. They left the Garden of Swords. Gilly looked very happy as she looked back and grinned at Murakan.
'They are cute. Shall I take a nap after a long time?’
Jin was severely fatigued after returning to the Garden of Swords
He endured a strike from Chiron right upon arrival, fought a duel with Mary, fought Sylderay, and even went on a mission to kill the Black Knight. It was literally torture to his body without a break.
Jin fell asleep as soon as he put his head on the pillow.
It was night by the time Jin woke up. A cool breeze blew in, and the moonlight was shining beautifully through the open window.
Gilly and Murakan have not returned yet. They were atop a hill, and enjoying the night view of Kalon while drinking beer and eating fruit.
Just as Jin was about to enjoy the gentle night breeze without getting out of bed, he jumped up.
'I never opened the window. There's no way Petro would have opened it.'
Window wasn’t even opened by the wind. Jin had checked the lock before sleeping.
There is only one person who can enter through the window like a thief.
Assassins.
'...It is true that I slept quite well, but I should have been alert enough to notice if there were any assassins.'
He didn’t think his siblings would be foolish enough to bring an assassin directly into the Garden of Swords, but just in case, he always maintained a certain level of alertness.
But Jin did not notice the window opening at all. How talented are they?
Jin looked around with a sharp gaze, but soon burst into laughter.
It was because he saw a knotted flower on the side table.
It was a green rose.
'Seems like Elder Sister came by. After all, I can’t feel my sister’s presence with this level of alertness.’
Next to it was a letter.
(My dear youngest! Congratulations on being a Flagbearer.
Your older sister came all the way in front of you, but you slept like you don’t have a care in the world.
I did consider killing you after I thought of the accident at the end of last year when you disappeared without saying a word to me.
But then again, if I had pulled out a dagger, you would have felt it and woke up.
I came here because I missed you. Did you miss me too? Well, I know without you having to say anything.
I feel proud because you seem to have gotten a lot stronger. You were sleeping soundly, so I didn't wake you up.
I've been so busy with assignments lately and have been extremely busy.
I hope that some of my targets might be people you need to kill or those who wronged you.
Anyway, let's hang out together again when things are sorted out. See you later!)
Psss….
Surprisingly, as soon as Jin finished reading the letter, it turned to dust and scattered away. It was not magic, but paper made with Samil's unique method.
‘Sssh, I don't know if I should call her cute or cruel.'
A smile spread when Jin thought about how Yona had secretly come and left the green rose and the letter.
He felt very grateful. The rest of his siblings want him dead, but Yona and Luna are the only ones who remind Jin what it meant to have a family.
Jin quietly picked up the green rose and looked at it in the moonlight. He remembers seeing the green rose fields with Yona in Samil, and he couldn't take his eyes off of it for a while.
'Oh, I almost forgot.'
He remembered that he had agreed to Tona brothers for a drink tonight. They said they would prepare a good drink.
'Tona brothers and Emma will be waiting for me desperately. Emma would even be more nervous.’
Jin walked lightly towards Tona Brother’s room. And the moment he opened the door of Tona Brothers, he burst out laughing once more.
‘Many things are making me laugh today.’
(A dinner party to celebrate the friendship of the 12th, 10th and 11th Flagbearers of Runcandel and the completion of the 12th Flagbearer’s first mission. A great honor!)
The first thing Jin saw was a large banner with such lettering as soon as he opened the door.
He felt a very obvious intention in placing '12th flagbearer’ at the forefront.
Next, Jin saw the Tona brothers wearing colorful cone hats, didn't know where they got them, and a candle was shining between the full table of refreshments and fruits.
"Uh. Hey, youngest."
“Come on, sit anywhere. Haha.”
“Brothers, what is all this?”
"Oh, that's. Emma says you're coming..."
Chiiig-!
Jin could also hear the sound of meat being grilled inside. Emma had been waiting all evening to show Jin that she’s grilling the meat when he arrived.
She then struck out her head to meet eyes with Jin, and hurriedly took off her apron to politely greet him.
"You came, young master Jin. I've made a lot of mistakes in the past, so I was preparing simple drinks and dishes as an apology."
It was beyond burdensome, and so absurd that Jin had no choice but to laugh.
"It doesn't look that simple. This seems quite serious. Did you make all these dishes yourself?"
"It's nothing compared to how much you took care of me and the Tona young masters on the day you returned."
“You didn't mix poison, did you?”
"Haha, no way. I'll prepare the food quickly and come over, so enjoy the snacks till then."
Jin sat down, and Emma's face turned bright.
The Tona brothers also relaxed, because they had been worried about what to do if Emma's extravagant welcome fails.
This is quite commendable.
Jin thought so. He was quite pleased that Tona brothers go to such lengths to display their desire to stand on his side. Yona’s gift also contributed to this good feeling.
'They are flattering me so openly, let's try to match the rhythm a little bit.'
Pong!
Heytona opened the bottle. Its good smell filled the room.
“Congratulations, youngest!”
"Congratulations!"
It was the first time Jin had a casual conversation with the Tona Brothers. They had a conversation like close friends. The conversation between Jin and Tona brothers was filled with trivial topics.
Mostly, the Tona brothers babble, and Jin listens.
Although Emma told them to 'get close' to Jin, the Tona brothers genuinely wanted to get closer to Jin.
At first, it was because Jin was strong and special, but now it was just brotherly affection, the ones who grew in storm castle and spent cadet years together.
Of course, in the process, the Tona brothers offended Jin many times, but on the other hand, there were many moments when they were always worried about Jin and cherished him.
Empty wine bottles piled up. Emma spoke for the first time around dawn, to tell Jin about the recent clan matters and what Huphester had been up to.
Among all things discussed, Jin paid attention to this part...
“Young Master Jin, my clan is originally a knight clan, but we are a family that produces judges every year. There are quite a few active judges among my relatives. However, not long ago, I heard something odd from my brother, who is the judge in the province of Ponta.”
"What is it?"
“He said that young master Joshua gave orders to judges throughout Huphester to broaden the standard for the death penalty.”
"Is it to lower the crime rate? It's better to catch and kill those who did anything bad."
Emma nodded at Daytona's words.
"Perhaps that's the reason. But after broadening the death penalty, most of the prisoners on death row are escorted to Rikalton for execution."
“If it’s Rickelton, isn’t it a southern city?”
"That's right, young master Jin. There is one more strange thing."
“Keep talking.”
“It is said that the death row inmates escorted to Rikalton are executed only as a group. They executed a group of hundred people at a time, but no one has seen it in person. They only show the burned bodies.”
Suddenly, a conversation from the past flashed through Jin's mind.
- Do you know how she cloned Joshua?
- I only know that it needs a lot of humans.
-......What?
- It seems they were using Huphester’s death row convicts. They would be sent to the Prophet, and he would get a clone body. Then he uses those cloned bodies to strengthen his potential contractors like me, and directly suppresses them when they go berserk.
A conversation Jin had while persuading Yulian in Tikan.
According to Emma, 'Rikalton' is most likely the city Joshua was using the convicts required to make clones.
'Emma couldn't possibly have said this with knowledge of the Prophet and Joshua's cloning. She must have talked about anything related to him just knowing that Joshua and I are at odds, but I found a clue in an unexpected place.’
In fact, Emma was unaware of the Prophet and body cloning. However, as she saw Jin pondering while listening to this information, Emma could guess that there is something wrong with Rickelton.
"I believe a mere nanny like me should not have casually discussed something about the 2nd flagbearer. I will be careful with my words from now on, especially when you are not around, young master Jin."
This means that she will never tell this to anyone other than Jin in the future.
Emma had her own ways of handling situations.
“You better do that.”
Jin smiled as he made a toast with Emma and Tona brothers.
***
Early next morning.
A group of swordsmen clad in robes walked across the courtyard in the Garden of Swords.
They all had determined looks in their eyes, as if they were dealing with some important things.
