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'Knight King' Vallas Runcandel.
As soon as he saw Jin, he burst into laughter.
[Hahaha! I thought it would take another thousand years for someone worthy to emerge in our clan after my grandson. You're surprising this old man once again, just like that fellow, Chiron!]
At the mention of "that fellow," Jin unconsciously raised his eyebrows.
No one in this world dared to call Chiron by that name.
But come to think of it, there was no reason why a grandfather couldn't refer to his cherished grandson that way.
'Well, I suppose my father in my great grandfather's memories is still a young boy.'
Vallas met his fate when Chiron was fifteen years old.
And though Jin didn't know much, Vallas and Chiron had a relationship similar to Ron and Dante.
Among the elders of the clan, there were quite a few who saw the time when Chiron began to become truly cold-hearted as the time after Vallas' passing.
The other members of the clan, however, had already adapted to Vallas' bold actions and didn't show any remarkable surprise.
Only Alpen, although in a different manner, whispered to Vallas, as it seemed uncomfortable to casually address the current patriarch in such a public gathering.
'The 57th patriarch, wouldn't it be more respectful to the current patriarch in a situation like this?'
However, Alpen's efforts were in vain as Vallas burst into laughter once again.
[Hahaha! Ancestor, worry not! Since Chiron has grown older, there is no way that bastard is going to embarrass this old man.]
'And to think he even used the word 'bastard' this time, the 57th patriarch!'
[Hahaha, let's put trivial matters aside and welcome my great-grandson.]
Alpen rubbed his forehead, and Tasha smiled as she found her father's appearance amusing.
She recognized the contradictory aspects of her father's wisdom regarding "etiquette and law."
As an ancestor it was problematic to scold Vallas, who is too old, for his reckless words and actions, unlike Alpen and Tasha, who died in young age.
Because of this, Alpen struggled to treat Vallas with the respect he deserved as an ancestor.
'In any case, Father has some adorable aspects.'
For Tasha, the fact that she was standing here with her father, whom she thought she would never see again, was simply delightful.
"Nice to meet you, Great-grandfather. I am Jin Runcandel, the 12th Flagbearer."
[Oh, yes!]
Jin waited for Vallas to say something more, but silence filled the air for a while.
Vallas's gaze, as he smirked and examined Jin thoroughly, felt somewhat uncomfortable.
'57th patriarch, all the members of the clan are waiting. Wouldn't it be better to conclude the appointment ceremony and have everyone return to their duties? We are busy at the moment.'
[Ah, right. I momentarily forgot how enjoyable it is to see my great-grandson. You are looking well, with a robust body, a bright gaze, and a lot of energy. Isn't that how it appears to you as well, ancestor?]
'Yes, it does.'
[But, ancestor, why have you been whispering since earlier? Is your throat sore? Shall I prepare some medicine for you?]
Tasha's face turned almost bursting red as she struggled to hold back her laughter, and Alpen coughed repeatedly out of embarrassment.
[...Ahem! I'm fine.]
[It sounds much better when you speak clearly and distinctly. Now, great-grandson, come closer. We gathered hastily like cadets when you woke up. Do you know how quickly this old man ran? My empty sleeve was fluttering in the wind, kicking up dust. We need to expedite the appointment ceremony!]
Vallas playfully pointed his outstretched arm while speaking.
In that moment, Jin, like Tasha, stifled his laughter and approached him even closer.
[Do you know the significance of the coat you're wearing?]
"Yes."
[Originally, in addition to the coat, you should also inherit the black sword, Kainer. I heard that some wretched creature has it. By the way, we are currently tracing that wretched creature and Kainer.]
"Did Joshua survive?"
[In truth, we can't tell if he perished or survived. The chances are higher for the former. There were people who witnessed him being tossed around by shockwaves on the battlefield. As for Ran and Vigo, their deaths have been confirmed.]
Jin felt a slight uneasiness regarding Joshua and a somewhat bitter feeling concerning Ran and Vigo.
However, compared to the remaining individuals, both matters were not of great importance.
[Regardless, we have decided that you will lead the clan until Chiron returns. The three of us should have enough authority, legitimacy, and justification.]
The 20th patriarch, known as the Knight of Light who led the Holy Kingdom Protection War to victory over five hundred years ago, the 21st patriarch who purged the remnants of demons as his daughter, and the 57th patriarch who laid the foundation of modern-day Runcandel.
There was no doubt that the three individuals possessed sufficient authenticity to appoint Jin as the young patriarch.
"Instead of me becoming the young patriarch, would it be possible for the three of you to act as acting patriarch...?"
[Ah, what nonsense you're talking about. What can a ghost like us do as an acting patriarch?]
Upon hearing the term "ghost," Jin swallowed a bitter sigh.
Of course, as comrades who had fought together in battles and as ancestors who were needed now more than ever, Jin wished for them to continue existing.
The resurrection of the three individuals was achieved through the fusion of the souls of the mausoleum and the power of chaos.
In that case, when the power of chaos vanished upon the death of the evil gpd, they should have disappeared as well.
'If the manifestation of three of them is not over because the power of the evil god hasn't completely vanished, then the war is not yet over…'
Just as Jin had that thought, Alpen shook his head, recognizing his inner thoughts.
[12th flagbearer, the Hister's mage has confirmed multiple times that the power of the evil god has completely vanished from this world. So, for now, you can relax and kneel before the 57th patriarch.]
Jin knelt down on one knee and lowered his head.
Balas, with a serious expression on his face, looked down at Jin with deep eyes.
[Alpen Runcandel, the 20th patriarch of Runcandel, Tasha Runcandel, the 21st patriarch, and I, Vallas Runcandel, the 57th patriarch, following the long-standing tradition and principles of our clan, wish to bestow a certain qualification upon the most shining individual among the flagbearers.]
The knights simultaneously raised their swords.
[Jin Runcandel, 12th flagbearer of the 59th patriarch of Runcandel. Since the clan's greatest crisis a thousand years ago, you have protected the Garden of the Swords and upheld the name of Runcandel. Therefore, we, on behalf of the current patriarch, officially appoint the 12th flagbearer as the clan's legitimate successor and the young patriarch.]
Swoosh!
Vallas drew his sword and tapped Jin's shoulder.
Jin felt a pain in his shoulder that seemed like it would shatter him. Due to his body not being fully recovered, the pressure became even more agonizing.
As the energy in the sword pressing against his shoulder grew stronger, the garden floor beneath Jin, who was kneeling, began to sink.
[12th disciple, rise with the weight of the sword.]
Jin started to lift his body and his trembling legs seemed weak.
After about ten seconds, when Jin finally stood up completely, Vallas nodded with satisfaction.
'Haha, this guy is pretending to struggle and even upholding the honor of his ancestor. He could have stood up effortlessly.'
Vallas put away the sword.
[From now on, you are the head of the clan. Whenever there is a need to decide on important matters in the absence of the patriarch, anyone should come to you first. When good things come to the clan, you should be the first to enjoy them, and when the clan faces a crisis, you should bear all the responsibility.]
"I will keep that in mind."
[From now on, you are Runcandel, and Runcandel is you. Your words are the law of Runcandel, and your actions are the will of Runcandel. Turn around and look at your people.]
When Jin turned around, all the members of the clan knelt on one knee with their right hand on their chest. Even the siblings holding the flag bowed their heads in respect.
Appointing a young patriarch of the clan without any dissent from the entire clan, was undoubtedly an unprecedented event.
Jin felt a strange emotion welling up in his chest.
From his previous life, he had longed for the throne of the clan, and now he really had only one step left.
His heart was overwhelmed, yet the future seemed daunting. There had been too many farewells and sorrows to reach this position, and the clan had been on the brink of destruction.
"...More than my father."
Jin gazed down at his people calmly.
"I will show a much better appearance than the dishonorable former acting patriarch. Even in the absence of the patriarch, I will ensure that you cannot feel that void."
His confident words unexpectedly startled clan members.
They did not know about Rosa in her human life, it was hard to imagine the flagbearer publicly declaring that he would surpass Chiron.
But everyone was reminiscing about the daring and unconventional youth of the 12th flagbearer from a year ago.
Looking back, Jin had always been like this.
He never hesitated to step forward in situations where no one dared to, and even when everyone laughed at his words, he always made them a reality.
The boy who shone in those days had now become a giant with an even deeper radiance.
[Heh! You have such a refreshing personality! With this, let's conclude the appointment ceremony. Well then, young patriarch?]
Vallas gestured to give orders to clan members.
"Everyone, quickly disband and return to your posts. The flagbearers, bring the reports that I need to personally check in the patriarch's office in 20 minutes. And the scribes and record-keepers, thoroughly organize the clan's assets and inventory and report them to me. From now on, let's rebuild the clan."
"We will obey the command!"
As soon as the order was given, thousands of knights dispersed without any hesitation.
In the Garden of the Swords, the head's command was absolute.
In an instant, only Jin and the former patriarch of the clan remained in the garden.
After expressing his gratitude to them, Jin posed a question.
"Ancestors, and great-grandfather, may I ask why the three of you can still exist?"
In response, Alpen faintly smiled and replied.
[12th flagbearer, though we may appear to exist perfectly fine, in reality, we are gradually fading away.]
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