[T/L: punisher87]
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The expression on the faces of the elders, who had been glaring at Jin as if they were about to chew and kill him, became blank.
Though everyone seemed discontented, no one dared to oppose Rosa's decision. Even the Elder president, Jorden, couldn't raise any objections.
In Runcandel, the orders of the patriarch were absolute.
Even if it was an "acting" patriarch, it was no different. Throughout history, the patriarch had seldom spared those who opposed their judgment, whether it was a minor or a major issue.
"Yes, Mother. I will keep that in mind."
Jin looked calmly at Rosa.
From her composed expression as she sat on the head seat in the conference room, it was hard to read any emotions.
'I sometimes feel that my mother is even more challenging to deal with than my father…'
Since his regression, Jin found it oddly not very difficult to deal with Chiron. It was strange to think that his father, who was like a monstrous figure that Jin couldn't even dare to look in the eyes or utter a word in his past life, had become easier to handle.
On the other hand, facing Rosa was always challenging.
Jin didn't have many memories of Rosa or Chiron from before his regression.
Both Rosa and Chiron. At some point, they treated Jin as if he didn't exist.
Not only the words and glances filled with deep affection, but also the scolding, ridicule, contemptuous gazes, harsh words, and violence in the guise of discipline...
He had never experienced any of that. At least not from the age when he starts having "clear memories".
Just an endlessly indifferent, cold gaze, as if looking at a complete stranger passing by on the street.
That was all Jin received from his parents in his previous life.
Rosa did show some emotions, like cutting off communications and secluding herself for two days when 'trash Jin Runcandel' was exiled.
Was that all a facade?
Or was it an act to alleviate her own guilt?
'Neither really matters, but looking at her now, it's hard to imagine.'
What does Mother want?
'Information about the teacher? Partial ownership of the business? Surely she wouldn't hope for me to step back from the patriarchal race at this point.'
Since Rosa had already revealed her Eastern five region card, and Jin didn't step back, they were fated to fight until one side was destroyed.
While Jin was contemplating, Rosa left the conference room without saying anything more. She had given the big picture, and the rest was up to Jin to decide.
Sigh.
Jorden let out a sigh.
"It seems luck always follows you, 12th Flagbearer."
"Please take good care of me from now on, Elder president. The Black Sword association will have many tasks to undertake for my business."
"I will watch to see how long that luck of yours will protect you."
"Of course, I will take care of it so that you won't feel too resentful for helping. I hope you don't think badly of me."
Though Jin politely bowed his head, there was no one who genuinely thought he was sincere.
Jorden left the conference room without arguing any further with Jin, as he knew it would only make himself look ridiculous.
Most of the siblings who were observing this scene had grown tired of their youngest brother again.
'What on earth is going on in the youngest's mind? How can he face the Elder president like this?'
'It's not just once or twice; now it feels like he's different from us.'
The Tona brothers looked at Jin with a mixture of fear and admiration, as always.
'What is Mother thinking? She seemed like she was trying to restrain Jin, but this looks more like she's protecting him.'
'She must have a plan. Surely, she must have discussed something with elder brother Joshua.'
Myu and Anne felt anger and defeat once again. The fact that they couldn't kill the youngest when he was still a cadet haunted them.
Jin clearly understood their feelings. The feelings of his sisters who regretted not being able to kill him when they could have, due to the taboo of harming family members.
'Since Joshua desires my contract, no matter what you all did, you couldn't have killed me. It will be the same in the future.'
Jin smiled at Myu and Anne.
Seeing that they had nothing else to add to the meeting, the sisters soon left the conference room.
Luntia, as always, yawned with a seemingly bored expression, while Ran and Vigo looked disgruntled. The two of them hoped that the youngest would not cause any more significant disturbances in the clan.
"Well then, I will take my leave."
As if determined, Jin opened his mouth while looking around at the people in the conference room.
As he walked outside and strolled through the courtyard of the Garden of Swords, Jin unexpectedly ran into Rosa, who had been receiving a report from the butler, Heinz. Her expression seemed serious, indicating that the report might be related to the Black Sea.
Heinz. He was Chiron's person. Jin had an intuition that the report he was giving Rosa had something to do with the Black Knights and their news.
'News about Father, Eldest Sister, and the Black Knights.'
Jin was bothered by the dark expression on Rosa's face. She had been emotionless even when helping Jin in the conference room just now.
As Jin naturally approached (the direction of his room), Heinz closed his mouth.
"What's going on? Is the meeting already over?"
"Just passing by. Since Elder president Jorden left the room, there was nothing for me to say, so I came out. Since, mother, you gave an order to help, he has no choice but to carry it out, but he doesn't look very pleased."
"I see."
"Is it news about the Black Sea?"
"You have no need to know."
"I am a flagbearer too."
"Not just you, but any other flagbearer as well. Being a flagbearer doesn't give you the right to know everything about the clan's affairs."
Jin didn't expect Rosa to answer. Anyway, he could hear all about the Black Sea issues through Luna later.
Jin and Rosa stared at each other in silence for a few seconds.
"Jin."
"Yes, Mother."
"Do you have something to tell me?"
Jin nodded his head.
"What is it that you want?"
"What?"
"Since you just lifted my punishment and ordered to protect my business."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"I think you gave that order because you want something from me."
In Jin's view.
Rosa could have used other means to protect the cosmetics business while excluding Jin's benefits. But she didn't do that.
Rosa's eyes widened.
Haha!
Then Rosa burst into laughter and shook her head. At that moment, Jin found himself at a loss for words.
"If there is something I want, would you be willing to grant it?"
"I have never just passed by owing debts."
"Debts... Those things are only allowed when the relationship is equal. I don't think it applies to you and me."
"You're right."
"I didn't make that judgment because I want something from you. So don't worry and go your own way."
"I understand."
As Jin bowed and was about to pass by, Rosa turned to him.
"Youngest."
"Yes?"
"What I want is the survival and prosperity of Runcandel."
In a composed yet sincere voice.
"That's what I want as well."
Upon hearing that, Rosa smiled faintly.
"No, it might be slightly different."
Jin bowed his head again and continued walking.
Before heading to his room, he first went to the infirmary where Mary and Diphus were staying. According to the butler Petro's words, the two of them had suffered minor injuries...
'No, these are considered minor injuries?'
It seemed that Petro had misheard or Mary and Diphus were boasting.
Both of them were covered in bandages and had their limbs wrapped up.
"So, when Oraboni was there, I would have gone like this! Ah? And created an opening, and then I would have swiftly taken care of those bastards. Then it would have been over in no time, right?"
"I had bought enough time."
"Ah, you should have done better. I mean, I was invincible back then, right? I would have bought twice as much. Every time I see you, oraboni, you seem strong but not that good at fighting. What's fighting? It's all about using your head, using your head."
"Yeah, you're great. You're as thick-headed as ever. That's why you were able to hold your ground in front of them."
"So, if it was me, I would have held my ground twice as much... Oh, oh, has the youngest arrived?"
They were chatting cheerfully even while lying in their beds.
Seeing the state they were in, Jin felt a bit guilty for coming empty-handed. He thought he should have brought some fruit or something.
"Are you both okay?"
"As you can see, we're perfectly fine."
Mary grinned.
"It looks like you've suffered quite a bit."
"It's just an act."
"Were the Spectres really that strong? To the point where both of you got hurt like this?"
It didn't make sense.
If it was just the two of them, it might be understandable, but there were over fifty guardian knights at the level of enforcement knights, with them. Even if the Spectres were formidable, they should have been overwhelmingly outnumbered and defeated.
"Well, we went a bit overboard, thinking that the guardian knights might get killed for nothing while trying to catch those mages. Besides, after using my decisive killing move, my body goes berserk."
A variation of Volcano move.
Jin recalled the image of Mary activating that technique and nodded in agreement. As a self-destructive technique and one that explosively released Aura, it seemed to put a significant strain on the body.
"Hehe, do you know? Youngest, someday if you defeat me and make a wish. If you're good with words, I might be able to teach you a thing or two."
"It's okay, please recover quickly."
"Tsk, you are no fun at all. Don't worry about your sister and brother's bodies, think about how you're going to take care of your friends in the future."
The term "friends" referred to the small beastmen.
"For now, they're in the safe house that the guardian knights sent them to. Maybe the conclusion at the meeting was to protect your business, but it would still be better to manage them directly," Diphus said.
"That was what I had in mind."
Receiving support from the clan was good, but he couldn't hand over everything.
It was obvious. In the end, he still had to be in charge. The tasks of the Black Sword association or the guardian knights were only to prevent the business from being attacked, but they weren't the ones in control.
"Do you have any plans in mind?"
"Yes."
"I'll let you know the location of my safe house. Lead them there yourself."
Diphus didn't ask Jin about the specific plan he had in mind. He decided not to interfere with that aspect as well.
'…I'll probably end up depending on the Hidden Palace again.'
Jin was planning to send the small beastmen to the Hidden Palace. Since the barrier of the felinoids tribe had disappeared, there was no place safer for them than the Hidden Palace.
'I should also look for the felinoids tribe.'
For now, he could only hope that not all of the small beastmen had died at the hands of the Spectres.
Before leaving the infirmary, Jin turned back to his siblings.
"What?"
"Just...to say thank you."
As Jin left, Mary and Diphus blinked at each other.
"Haha, something's up... He said goodbye to us properly. Isn't that right, oraboni?"
Diphus shrugged. The two of them stared at where the youngest had left for a while, then they started discussing the fight with the Spectres and who was at fault.