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"Some members of the Elder Council want to kill me? Surely, they haven't sent you as assassins, right? Farewell my youngest. I am going to cut your head..."
"It's suicidal for those boring and old meats to entrust me with their requests."
Due to the strict order of Chiron, there was currently no one within the clan who could utilize Yona.
Even in the past, Joshua had indirectly crossed paths with Yona (and the time for Yona's return to the clan was delayed because of the dealings between Jin and Owal) while trying to restrain Jin. He received a slap on the face and had to return the Black Light Armor.
"And if that were the case, do you think I would kill you?"
"Yes, you're right. You wouldn't kill me, elder sister. I'm also a benefactor of Samil. It was just a joke."
"I don't like that kind of joke!"
Jin chuckled softly.
"Alright, so who are these guys?"
The fact that some members of the Elder Council were trying to kill him wasn't particularly surprising. After all, he was confident that there would be plenty of people wanting to kill him once he became a flagbearer.
Jin had always caused trouble for his clan since his cadet days. At the end of his reserve flagbearer career, there was even a bounty of three hundred million solely within Runcandel.
He had consistently violated the long-standing and humiliating traditions of Runcandel by using the magic, so in a way, assassination attempts were natural.
'It's actually quite late. No, it's way too late.'
The corner of Jin's mouth curled up.
At this point, an attack from the Elder Council, even if it was from 'some' of them, didn't frighten him anymore. However, Yona's grave expression bothered him a bit.
"Who are these guys?"
"I don't know exactly who among the Elders they are. If I had known, I would have killed them all..."
"No, the assassins were commissioned by some unknown elder."
"Huh, how do you know about it? I haven't even mentioned the assassination request yet."
"It's obvious. The only ones who have the power to draw their swords and kill me directly are the leaders. Among them, there's no one who would benefit from my death right now."
Jorden Runcandel of the Black Sword Association, Lynn Milcano of the Guardians of Law, and Tellot Runcandel of the Guardians of the civilians.
Among them, Tellot was Jin's potential ally, Jorden was a clear enemy, and Lynn was a potential enemy. But even Jorden had nothing to gain from killing Jin right now.
-You are smart but you show a careless appearance in an obvious problem. Isn't it obvious? Jordan Runcandel, the council president, and the Second Flagbearer have a mutual prosperity relationship as well as a competitive one.
-You're right about mutual prosperity, but I had never heard about the competition.
-Oh, right. Well, it makes sense. You are different from me, let alone the higher-ranking flagbearer, so it's understandable. Just remember one thing. The Elder Council president hasn't given up on his dream of becoming the patriarch.
Jin remembered the conversation he had with Tellot Runcandel during their dealings.
'It is rather a loss for him as he has not yet given up on patriarchy. Black Sword Association's chief desires to see Joshua and me continuously restrain and devour each other, eventually ruining each other together.'
While the intentions of Lynn Milcano were still unclear, on the surface, she was affiliated with Jorden.
"Therefore, it's likely that the elders who want to kill me have entrusted outsiders with the task. It's unlikely to be anyone among the leaders themselves, they're not probably powerful individuals who could face me in direct confrontation. And elder sister, you probably used Samil's intelligence network to confirm this."
"Hehe, right on. That's absolutely accurate. You're really smart, you know."
Yona tousled Jin's golden hair as she continued speaking.
"I won't tell you who the assassins are."
"Why not?"
"I'll tell you if you hang out with me. Youngest, it's been such a long, long, long time since we met like this for a real talk!"
It had been almost two years and it was the first time they met after he became a flagbearer.
Jin smiled at her words.
"That's true. I missed you, elder sister. I received the letter you left in my room last time, and the rose ring, and I felt great all day after seeing them as soon as I woke up."
Yona revealed her pure white teeth as she smiled. It was always strange to think that the world's greatest assassin could smile so innocently.
"I'm glad!"
"Before becoming a flagbearer, I disappeared without a word, and I'm sorry for that. It couldn't be helped because things weren't going well."
"I understand that. So what shall we do now? Hm?"
"Let's start by filling our stomachs. We haven't eaten anything in the forest."
"How about playing hide and seek first? Or maybe a dagger throw?"
"What's a dagger throw?"
"It's when we stand a hundred paces apart and take turns throwing daggers at each other. Every time you dodge or block, we take a step closer, and the one who gets stabbed first loses."
"I'll pass on that."
"Alright, how about an axe game?"
"What's that?"
"We use axes to hit each other's ears..."
"No, I get it. Elder sister, we used to have normal fun, you know. Things like shopping, watching plays, having a drink, and chatting."
"Jin."
Valeria called Jin with a calm voice. At the same time, Yona turned her head abruptly, oh, you were still here. She wore that kind of expression.
"I'm going now. I'll take care of this Imperial Guard Majin's body, so contact me if you need it."
Valeria pointed at the body of an Imperial Guard Majin that she had wrapped in her robe with her finger.
"Where are you going?"
Swish!
Suddenly, Yona grabbed Valeria's wrist.
"You should join the party too."
"Lady Yona?"
Valeria's pupils shifted left once again.
Jin found it strangely enjoyable to see Valeria's flustered appearance one after another.
"Also, something has been bothering me, Rylin. What's going on between you and my youngest brother?"
"What... going on between us?"
"Don't tell me you're lovers? What were you two doing in the forest?"
"No, we had some business to attend to."
"I see tear marks all over your face. Were you having a great time and suddenly had a lover's quarrel? Youngest, when you're in love, don't make your partner cry. And Rylin, don't make my youngest brother cry even more. Seriously, I will really kill you."
"Seems like there's a misunderstanding, Lady Yona."
"Is that so? I really will kill you. Even if you're Samil's benefactor. Hehehe."
It seemed futile to explain any further.
Spread!
Yona spread her arms wide and wrapped around both of them.
"Let's go!"
When Jin and Valeria finally came to their senses,
They had already left Kiken and were enjoying fine cuisine in another city, shopping, renting out an entire tavern for drinking (Valeria only watched), and more.
"Hehehehe! Hanging you with the youngest is more fun than killing people, after all. It increases the taste of alcohol, right?"
Throughout the day, Valeria was half-absent-minded, listening to Yona's continuous chatter and impulsive actions, but at some point, she seemed to have given up and occasionally burst into hollow laughter.
But from time to time, she also laughed sincerely. In a way, she had spent an ordinary day like their peers.
This was the first time it had happened since the Gray Owl Mercenaries were wiped out. In her previous life, she had never experienced it until she met Jin, or rather, she had refused to experience it.
"...So when that big shot turned around, I chopped off his arm. He didn't scream, but his eyes were so wide it looked like they were about to pop out. Yeah. Rylin, see you next time."
When the morning sun rose, Yona explained how she crippled a big shot on her recent mission and sent Valeria away.
Valeria had never said she would leave before Yona said "see you next time," but she was calmly packing her things.
Watching Valeria, who was walking somewhat hesitant while leading her exhausted body after being tormented by Yona all night, Jin asked.
"Isn't this kind of thing okay once in a while?"
Valeria turned around and met Jin's gaze.
"Yeah, I guess so. I'm going."
After Valeria left, Yona's eyes began to sparkle again.
"Youngest, we should go too."
"Where all of a sudden?"
"To have real fun."
"Just a moment ago, were you just pretending to drink and have fun all night? I didn't know at all."
Seeing Yona raising the corner of her mouth, Jin somehow felt the back of his neck go cold.
'What's this? Is it just me feeling it?'
"Hehe, follow me. I'll show you lots of fun things."
***
It wasn't because of his feelings.
After leaving the tavern, Jin had to endure Yona's various "games" for two whole days. Games like dagger throwing and axe throwing, among other gruesome and terrifying games.
'…I forgot what kind of person my elder sister is. I should have realized it from the moment she suggested we hang out.'
When Jin was a reserve flagbearer, it was only a game for her to send executioners one by one to kill him when he visited Samil.
So imagine how it would have been now when he became the flagbearer? During the past two days of hanging out with Yona, he narrowly escaped death several times. It was a bonus that he hadn't slept even for a minute.
-It was fun, youngest! Let's play again if I get some time off. Hehe.
Compared to him, who didn't get a wink of sleep, Yona returned to Samil looking refreshed, as if she had slept soundly.
"Whew…"
His body felt as heavy as lead. His face was darkened, and he experienced constant muscle spasms around his eyes.
'It's a bit annoying, but it feels like I've had proper training after a long time. I still get goosebumps on my back even after going through elder sister Yona's unique killing intent for two days.'
[T/L: 살기 - killing intent/ bloodthirst/ bloodlust.]
Jin let out a hollow laugh without realizing it.
If it weren't for Yona, no one could reek such a thick bloodlust until they left.
"Welcome to the central transfer gate of Baria. Please state your destination."
"Huphester, Kalon. First class."
"Your identification has been verified. Have a comfortable journey."
The fake identification documents used by the flagbearers don't pose any issues anywhere in the world.
Jin sat down in the first-class seat as if he was buried in it and closed his eyes. He felt like he needed to get some rest before the transfer gate opened. There wouldn't be time to rest once he returned to the Garden of Swords.
Unfortunately, though.
Jin wasn't able to rest.
'I didn't know living in my elder sister Yona's killing intent would be this helpful.'
Jin didn't notice it as soon as he entered the room.
But as he sat quietly, he began to feel it. There was a "different" ordinary type of killing intent piercing his entire body.
Jin wouldn't have felt it on a normal day. Not with a body this exhausted. Also, despite being ordinary, the killing intent surrounding Jin was extremely refined.
"In a moment, teleportation will begin. You may experience headaches and dizziness due to the side effects of teleportation, so passengers..."
"Guide."
"Yes, sir?"
"Leave."
"Why are you suddenly saying such... If I have somehow made the guest uncomfortable, please let me know."
"If you're not one of the passengers, leave. They're all assassins who've come to kill me from Ghost Castle."
The Ghost castle, the headquarters of ghost mercenaries.
They were the ones who had received the Elders' request.