They visited the best restaurants in the city, had nice tea, and looked at the night sky from the highest point of the island.
Even until then, Vanessa did not reveal a single thing.
On the table was a cornucopia of fruits.
"Here are some figs, grapes, and walnut cookies, also known as Lythra cookies. It's my first time trying the cookies, but there's always a line where they sell these."
"Is that so?"
"And many still leave without having a taste."
"Hm, I'm having such a great time after just one donation. It seems the leaders of Tikan don't have to wait in line."
"Not at all. I had a fellow named Jet stand in line for me. Luckily, we were able to take the last batch."
Vanessa smirked and bit into the cookie, letting out a pleasant crunch as its flavors spread into her mouth.
The night breeze blew by. Vanessa's smile never left her face after that cookie.
Jin just waited in silence and watched her enjoy it. When the last cookie disappeared, he looked at her and asked.
"I can't contain my curiosity anymore, Madame Olsen."
Vanessa didn't even look up. Neither did she look startled at all. As always, she had a carefree expression.
"I thought I smelled a dragon in the mansion, and so it seemed they told you my name. What do you desire to know, Jin Runcandel?"
She still beamed, but the tone of her voice changed. It deepened a little and became a little slower, putting a little more power into each word.
"Didn't Father send you to test me? I don't understand why you'd act like you came to visit a grandson, which raised my confusion."
"Your suspicions are on point. Lord Cyron sent me a letter and asked me to come see you. Having a moment of peace was just… what I wanted to have. I just thought of a better past after seeing you."
Jin relaxed himself. He still thought that Vanessa's appearance wasn't related to Cyron at all.
"You don't look surprised at all."
"I am, though. I've never heard of such a great knight as you, Madame."
"The world's big, Jin Runcandel. That's why a runt like you exists. Swordsmanship, magic, and spiritual energy…"
"It seems like Father trusts you a lot."
"Enough to have his back on things."
This comment startled Jin. He never would've thought his father would entrust someone with his blind spots.
"…I've heard from the dragons that you are the 'Terror of Ante'."
"I liked the time I was a dark knight instead of being called that stupid nickname."
Jin's eyes widened.
'I had no idea what kind of relationship she had with Father. So she was a former dark knight…!'
Vanessa Olsen.
Before her name became known to the world, she had been a dark knight that defended Cyron, always obeying his orders under heavy black helmet and armor.
'I've heard of the previous generation of dark knights being absolute menaces. Especially the ones that went to the Black Sea with Father.'
Vanessa was one of them.
How many dragons had she killed in the Ante Mountains? What kind of achievements had she attained before becoming a dark knight? And how many people had she killed under Cyron's orders?
Jin couldn't even comprehend it. However, he knew that she was a force to be reckoned with.
'Father passed the dark knights to Joshua because they weren't the best of the best. The best of the best retired dark knights would definitely have Father's trust.'
After meeting Vanessa, Jin could be even more certain.
'Which means that those dark knights will someday become my right-hand men.'
Or his cause of death if he were to disappoint Cyron and fail to grasp power in the clan.
With quick thinking, Jin kneeled on one knee.
"As a provisional flag-bearer, I greet a wise and legendary knight."
Showing respect to a retired dark knight was tradition.
"You've been taught well."
"I apologize for the belated greeting."
"Get your weapons. We're heading towards the Schucheron Kingdom. I'll punish you there."
'"Punish"?'
There were many questions Jin wanted to ask, but he quietly returned to retrieve his weapons.
As soon as the doors opened, he could see the worry on the crew's faces.
"Young Master! We were all worried that she would harm you."
"Young Master, is anything wrong? I've heard the news from Ms. Quikantel. I have no idea why such a historical figure would visit you…"
"Quikantel told me that I'd die if I interfere, so I couldn't even spy on you as a cat. Who the hell is this Vanessa?"
Kashimir, Gilly, and Murakan spoke respectively.
"She's a former dark knight. Good thing you listened. She instantly knew of your presence from the musty dragon smell. Father sent her. She's here to… punish me."
"Wh-What?"
"So she disappeared from the Ante Mountains to become a dark knight… And what about this 'punishment'?"
"I also thought it'd be some test, but I'm surprised she worded it that way. I don't have much time. I must leave for the Schucheron Kingdom. Sir Kashimir, please prepare the Transfer Gates."
"Young Master, will you be alright? I'm sure this Vanessa Olsen person is famous… but she can't just state such words. Did she show some evidence, like Lord Cyron's insignia?"
"She didn't."
"Wait, why are you so naive today? So you're just gonna take her word and follow her?"
"I'm following blindly because I have to. There's a chance she's lying, but what if it's true? If she's really here to punish me, as soon as I show any sign of refusal, I'm doomed."
Jin would never just mindlessly go to the Schucheron Kingdom, let alone follow someone's orders. Even wasting a little more of Vanessa's time inquiring about the punishment may exacerbate his punishment.
"Since she's not history's strongest dark knight nor on many people's radar, her strength and skill set aren't really predictable."
"That is true. A punishment… What did you even do that was wrong? Impersonating a Zipfel? Acting as the Special Forces? Keeping in touch with Miss Luna? Meeting with Miss Yona?"
"…That's a lot of things, Strawberry Pie."
"Shoot! Well, I apologize. It does seem like you have many crimes. I did list them with my own mouth, but I realize there's a little more than that."
Murakan patted Gilly on her back.
"I know that the Runcandels' ability to gather information is top-notch, but how'd they find out?"
"That's true! The impersonation incidents are probably not included. Unless one of us is a traitor!"
Enya shouted, and Kashimir's eyes shook. The color in his face drained, as if he were caught red-handed.
Jin swallowed his laughter.
'Sir Kashimir probably didn't report all of that. Even if he did, there's nothing that would be a problem. He wants to punish me for something else.'
Jin wanted to calm Kashimir down, but he didn't say anything for Kashimir's sake. That poor man shouldn't have more problems on his plate.
"Do not fret, everyone. If it were a serious crime, he wouldn't have sent another person. In that case, he'd summon me to the Black Sea himself. Calling it a punishment might just be her way of wording things."
"Hm… Then it could be a reward. Just like receiving the Thousand Poison Antidote or the Black Light Cuirass."
"Well, anyway, I don't want to keep Madame Vanessa waiting. I'll head out, so please notify me when the Transfer Gate is prepared. "
* * *
Jin boarded a carriage as soon as he arrived.
Vanessa steered the carriage herself for four days, and they arrived in the 'Tolkar Savannah'. A barren land of dry grass and rocks. There was no other reason as to why she chose this place.
"Hopefully, there's no problem giving it your all at this location."
Vanessa released the horses. They galloped into the horizon and left Jin alone with Vanessa.
"So is the punishment a duel with you?"
"Basically. Have you thought of what crimes you committed?"
Jin had really thought hard for the past four days. He couldn't find any reason he was being punished for.
"I have no idea."
"I like your honesty. Ironically, it's that honesty that caused this. Your crime is spreading unproven information."
"Unproven information…?"
"Do you really think you can take one swing from Lord Cyron?"
'Ah…'
—Sir Kashimir, I think I can finally take one swing from Father.
—Oh, is that so, Young Master Jin?
—I died to the Battle Goddess ninety thousand times to get to this conclusion.
He remembered the dangerous words he spouted at the drinking table.
'My goodness… He sent those words to Father…?'
Jin realized why Kashimir's face lost its life after Enya mentioned there being a 'traitor' in their group. He would've never thought this would've happened.
Vanessa slowly drew her sword.
"There's only one way to prove your innocence, and it's simple. Prove those arrogant words you've spewed with all you've got."
"What happens if I can't prove them?"
Vanessa spoke without a curve in her lips.
"What is the crime of disrespecting Lord Cyron? From my experience in this clan, at the very least, it is death."