Chapter 320: Without Food (1)
C320 - Without Food (1)
Ron Hairan was undoubtedly one of the greatest Knights among the 10-Star Knights in the world, alongside the Mistress of the Hidden Palace, Talaris Endorma.
If he decided to attack, there would be no escape for Jin, no matter how skilled he was.
As Ron approached Jin, Dante's eyes trembled uncontrollably.
Instinctively, Dante stepped in front of Jin.
"Step aside."
"Please, Grandfather, hear me out!"
"I don't want to."
Dante couldn't help but remember the promise he made with his grandfather when he visited the Cosmos Arena a few years ago.
"Sorry, Grandfather. Not only did I not win this time, but I also narrowly escaped death twice."
"You were on the verge of losing your life twice in that vile competition... What in the world happened? Was it a lack of sword skills, or was there a master blinded by money and gambling hiding there?"
"My sword skills weren't lacking, but I lacked discipline. And although there were no money and pleasure-obsessed masters there, I encountered two young individuals who captured my heart."
"Heh, to say it so openly, I'm curious. A kid who doesn't even show interest in the charming women who visit our clan... Very well, what are the names of these people who have shaken my grandson's heart?"
"I'm sorry, Grandfather, but I can't reveal their names... And once again, I humbly ask for a favor."
"Oh, you insolent child! You've just arrived, and you're already making this old man nervous! However, I'll forgive you. What is your request?"
Dante's mind churned for a moment.
Was it really the right time to use that card?
Runcandel and Hairan clearly had a competitive relationship.
That meant they classified each other as "enemies" and had every right to strike each other if they had a valid reason.
Therefore, it was a justifiable act for Ron to now cut off Jin's arm, who was in disguise, as an invasion of Hairan's territory.
'Maybe my grandfather really intends to end Jin's life someday. Perhaps it would be better to bring up that promise then...'
His heart pounded as several calculations raced through his mind.
Dante had to make a decision.
Should he save the card his grandfather had given him for a day that might never come, or should he use it now to prevent his friend from becoming a cripple?
He closed his eyes for a moment.
Dante made a decision.
He couldn't bear to watch his friend's arm being cut off in front of him.
"Grandfather, please remember the promise we made years ago...!"
But it was already too late.
Ron gently pushed aside Dante, who had been blocking Jin's path, and his sword, "Rashid," was already poised to strike.
Dante's blood ran cold as he watched. Instinctively, he lunged forward, even if he had to use his own body to prevent Ron from cutting Jin.
Jin.
On the other hand, Jin, who was facing Ron head-on, maintained a calm gaze. He didn't lose his composure even when Ron appeared.
Bam!
Woosh!
Just as Dante was about to shout, he saw his grandfather's sword stop just before reaching Jin.
"Hahaha!"
Suddenly, Ron burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.
"You fell for it so easily, didn't you? Hahaha, what did you think of this old man's performance? Huh? Seeing my grandson's bewildered face after so long is just... adorable, it's driving me crazy! Haha."
"G-Grandfather...? You mean all of this was a joke?"
Ron, with a mocking smile on his face, couldn't stop laughing for a while.
"I was very curious when I suddenly saw you looking restless and eager to leave while talking to this old man."
That's when Dante realized he had been tricked.
In retrospect, something had been amiss from the beginning.
Ron Hairan, the grandfather known to Dante, is not someone who would act with such indifference toward something that could hurt his own heart.
"Why would my grandson be like this over someone who came? Perhaps it's the princess we saw at the last gathering? Or maybe it's the woman from the Hensirk Clan who used to visit the Sword Emperor's Castle alone every day with the utmost sincerity because she liked you, and now she has achieved results?"
Unintentionally, Jin's eyes widened at that passage.
'Crazy... Dante, I wondered why you arrived so late. Were you talking to Sir Ron?'
If it were Runcandel, it would be unimaginable. While talking with the Patriarch, being restless because a friend had come to visit.
"Well... then, Grandfather. You won't harm my friend, will you?"
"Why would I harm someone for no reason who is liked by my grandson? Of course, it's a bit disappointing that the person you hastily searched for is not a woman. But just confirming the identity of that friend you often speak of is enough to make this old man very happy..."
Thump!
Dante suddenly collapsed to the floor.
In an instant, Ron's face went pale.
"Dante, my grandson! Has anemia struck you again?"
Dante, born with an extremely fragile body, often experienced anemia or seizures when subjected to strong blows or exertion.
Recently, those symptoms had almost disappeared.
"I'm sorry, Grandfather. This grandson has..."
"Oh, no. It's this old man's fault. Listen! Call the medical team, quickly!"
At Ron's urgent shout, the medical team rushed in immediately. They skillfully administered medicine to Dante and took him away.
"We... will talk later."
As soon as Jin looked up, Dante lost consciousness.
"Is my grandson in very bad condition? Is he suffering greatly?"
"It's just anemia, please don't worry, Lord Patriarch."
"I'm worried! If anything happens to my grandson, I'll kill all of you."
"Don't worry, Lord Patriarch! We'll take immediate measures to improve the Young Patriarch's condition."
As the medical team quickly left with Dante, Ron muttered to himself, as if he were the only one suffering and concerned for his grandson.
In the reception room, only Jin and Ron remained.
"...I'm late with greetings, Sir Ron Hairan. I'm Jin Runcandel, the Thirteenth Son of Cyron Runcandel and the Twelfth Flagbearer."
"I know your name. I didn't know you had a penchant for disguises."
Ron turned slowly to look at Jin. Unlike when he looked at Dante, there was no trace of kindness in his expression.
"Why were you so confident I wouldn't kill you?"
Jin gently nodded in response to Ron's question:
"I thought you wouldn't be so easy to deal with, sir."
"I considered seriously whether I should cut off one of your arms."
"If that were the case, it would be my duty to bear the consequences of intruding into the Sword Emperor's Castle."
"You're not a person to be trifled with. You bear a striking resemblance to my enemy when he was younger, Cyron."
"Thank you."
"It's not a compliment. Your father, even in his youth, was a person unpleasant to the eye."
Ron's gaze as he spoke carried a hint of greed.
Ceramics.
He couldn't take his eyes off the ceramics that seemed to intimidate him as he spoke, his voice filled with determination.
"Because of you, my precious and beloved grandson, whom I love so much, was nearly injured. How will you take responsibility for this?"
"Excuse me, but it seems it's not my responsibility."
"Yes, it wouldn't be your responsibility. If only you were stronger than me."
Ron chuckled under his breath and lightly grabbed Jin's shoulder.
As soon as his palm touched Jin, he almost screamed. Ron's invisible energy pierced through Jin's body, instantly paralyzing his organs.
"It seems like he's trying to create a reverse flow, like the Magicians."
Jin's bones trembled.
Creating a reverse flow in someone's energy was much more challenging than causing a reverse flow in a magician's mana. In fact, it was considered nearly impossible.
However, Ron was doing it as if it were nothing.
"So, do you feel responsible now?"
Ron's induction of the reverse flow grew stronger. Jin's body trembled, but he didn't scream, and even in the midst of his weakening grip, he didn't let go of the ceramics.
"First... Dante doesn't have anemia."
This statement made Ron's eyes widen in surprise.
He couldn't believe that Jin had realized Dante's "deception" in that brief moment.
It was a problem that even he had doubted at first.
"I know that too."
However, he didn't show any surprise outwardly.
"Even the whitest of dragons get stained when they're with a black dragon. Although Dante had never responded to my jokes like this before, it seems he's learned something from you. He seems to have learned a trick."
Ron spoke as he released Jin.
Jin wiped the blood from his nose and mouth and took a breath.
"Dante used his head very well. By pretending to have anemia, he made me confront you head-on and passed the 300 million gold coin judgment onto you, sir."
"My grandson may not be malicious, but I completely underestimated him. Tsk!"
"So, shouldn't I receive some compensation for that?"
"What?"
"The innocent Dante showed remarkable audacity in trying to deceive Sir Ron. It seems that in the future, when he gains control of the Hairan Clan, he won't be backstabbed by Vermont's strategists."
Ron was momentarily speechless at Jin's bold attitude.
"Moreover, I have provoked Dante more than any genius swordsman from Hairan or Vermont. Some of my efforts are fused into Dante's current achievements."
"Do you want compensation for that too?"
"Yes."
"Haha... you're not a black dragon, but an evil dragon. You know what that means?"
"It seems to mean that even if you cut me down before I stain Dante with more evil, I won't have anything to say."
"I won't be able to settle this with words. Honestly, I would like to kill you right now. But I'll refrain for the sake of my grandson. I'll let you live. That's your reward for corrupting Dante."
"That's not enough."
"Then, isn't it enough with just that? As the Twelfth Flagbearer of Runcandel who dared to propose a deal to the owner of the Sword Emperor's Castle, leave that ceramics behind and go."
Ron smiled as he said the rest.
"And also, hand over that ancient iron you agreed to receive as a reward for your recent mission to assassinate the Black Knight. If you want to keep on living, of course."
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