C752
"The 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 Family after my grandson. You continue to surprise this old man, just like that fellow, Cyron."]
At the mention of "that fellow," Jin unconsciously raised an eyebrow.
No one in this world dared to refer to Cyron by that name.
But now that he thought about it, there was no reason why a grandfather couldn't address his beloved grandson that way.
'Well, I suppose my father, in my great-grandfather's memories, is still a child.'
Vallas met his fate when Cyron was fifteen years old.
And although Jin didn't know much, Vallas and Cyron had a relationship similar to that of Ron and Dante.Among the elders of the Family, there were many who believed that the moment Cyron began to have a truly cold heart was after Vallas's death.
The other Family members, however, had already adapted to Vallas's bold actions and showed no noticeable surprise.
Only Alpen, though differently, whispered to Vallas, as he seemed uncomfortable addressing the current patriarch so casually in such a public gathering.
["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, don't worry! Since Cyron has grown older, there's no way that rascal will embarrass this old man."]
'And to think he even used the word "rascal" this time, 57th patriarch!'
["Haha, let's set trivial matters aside and welcome my great-grandson."]
Alpen rubbed his forehead, and Tasha smiled, finding 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 was too old, for his reckless words and actions, unlike Alpen and Tasha, who had died young.
Thus, Alpen strove to treat Vallas with the respect he deserved as an ancestor.
'In any case, Father has some adorable aspects.'
For Tasha, being 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 Twelfth Flagbearer."]
["Oh, yes!"]
Jin waited for Vallas to say something more, but silence filled the atmosphere for a while.
Vallas's gaze, smiling contentedly and scrutinizing Jin, felt somewhat uncomfortable.
["57th patriarch, all the Family members are waiting. Wouldn't it be better to conclude the appointment ceremony and have everyone return to their duties? We are busy right now."]
["Ah, right. I momentarily forgot how pleasant it is to see my great-grandson. You look good, with a strong body, a bright gaze, and a lot of energy. Doesn't it seem that way to you too, ancestor?"]
["Yes, indeed."]
["But, ancestor, why have you been whispering since before? Does your throat hurt? Should I prepare some medicine for you?"]
Tasha's face almost turned red as she struggled to contain her laughter, and Alpen coughed repeatedly in 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 fast this old man ran? My empty sleeve fluttered in the wind, kicking up dust. We need to speed up the appointment ceremony."]
Vallas pointed playfully with his extended arm as he spoke.
At that moment, Jin, just like Tasha, suppressed his laughter and moved even closer to him.
["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 miserable creature has it. By the way, we are tracking down that miserable creature and Kainer."]
["Did Joshua survive?"]
["We can't truly say whether 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 unease regarding Joshua and a somewhat bitter feeling regarding Ran and Vigo.
However, compared to the rest of the individuals, both matters were of little importance.
["In any case, we have decided that you will lead the Family until Cyron 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's War of Protection to victory over five hundred years ago, the 21st patriarch who purged the remnants of demons like his daughter, and the 57th patriarch who laid the foundation for the current Runcandel.
There was no doubt that these three individuals possessed enough 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 patriarchs...?"]
["Ah, what nonsense are you talking about? What can ghosts like us do as acting patriarchs?"]
Upon hearing the term "ghost," Jin let out a bitter sigh.
Of course, as comrades who had fought together in battles and as ancestors who were now more needed than ever, Jin wished they could continue to exist.
The resurrection of these three individuals was achieved through the fusion of the mausoleum's souls and the power of chaos.
In that case, when the power of chaos disappeared after the death of the evil god, they should have disappeared as well.
'If the manifestation of the three of them hasn't ended because the power of the evil god hasn't completely vanished, then the war isn't over yet...'
Just as Jin had that thought, Alpen shook his head, acknowledging his internal thoughts.
["Twelfth Flagbearer, the Histor magician has confirmed multiple times that the power of the evil god has completely disappeared from this world. So, for now, you can relax and kneel before the 57th patriarch."]
Jin knelt down and lowered his head.
Vallas, with a serious expression on his face, looked 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 tradition and principles of our Family, wish to bestow a certain qualification upon the most brilliant individual among the Flagbearers."]
The knights simultaneously raised their swords.
["Jin Runcandel, Twelfth Flagbearer of the 59th patriarch of Runcandel. Since the greatest crisis of the Family a thousand years ago, you have protected the Garden of Swords and defended the name of Runcandel. Therefore, we, in the name of the current patriarch, officially appoint the Twelfth Flagbearer as the legitimate successor of the Family and young patriarch."]
Swoosh!
Vallas drew his sword and struck Jin's shoulder.
Jin felt a pain in his shoulder that seemed as if it would shatter. As his body hadn't fully recovered, the pressure became even more agonizing.
As the sword energy pressing on his shoulder grew stronger, the ground of the garden beneath Jin, who was kneeling, began to sink.
["Twelfth Flagbearer, rise with the weight of the sword."]
Jin began to lift his body, and his trembling legs seemed weak.
After about ten seconds, when Jin finally stood up fully, Vallas nodded in satisfaction.
["Haha, this guy pretends to struggle and even defends his ancestor's honor."]
'He could have risen effortlessly.'
Vallas sheathed his sword.
["From now on, you are the Head of the Family. Whenever important matters need to be decided in the patriarch's absence, anyone should come to you first. When good things come to the Family, you should be the first to enjoy them, and when the Family faces a crisis, you must bear all the responsibility."]
["I'll 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 knelt with their right hands over their chests.
Even the Flagbearers holding the banner bowed their heads in respect.
Appointing a young patriarch of the family without any dissent from the entire family was undoubtedly an unprecedented event.
Jin felt a strange emotion in his chest.
Since his previous life, he had longed for the family's throne, and now only one step remained.
His heart was overwhelmed, but the future seemed daunting.
There had been too many farewells and sorrows to reach this position, and the family had been on the brink of destruction.
"...More than my father."
Jin looked at his people calmly.
["I will show a much better aspect than the disgraceful former acting patriarch. Even in the patriarch's absence, I'll ensure you won't feel that void."]
His confident words unexpectedly startled the Family members.
They didn't know Rosa in her human life; it was hard to imagine the Flagbearer publicly declaring that he would surpass Cyron.
But everyone remembered the daring and unconventional youth of the Twelfth 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, 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 that, let's conclude the appointment ceremony. Well then, young patriarch..."]
Vallas gestured to give orders to the family members.
["Everyone, disperse quickly and return to your posts. The Flagbearers, bring the reports I need to personally review to the patriarch's office within 20 minutes. And the scribes and archivists, meticulously organize the family's assets and inventory and report them to me. From now on, let's rebuild the family."]
["We will obey the order!"]
As soon as the order was given, thousands of knights dispersed without hesitation.
In the Garden of Swords, the Head's order was absolute.
In an instant, only Jin and the former family patriarchs remained in the garden.
After expressing his gratitude to them, Jin asked a question.
["Ancestors and great-grandfather, may I ask why the three of you can continue to exist?"]
In response, Alpen smiled faintly and answered.
["Twelfth Flagbearer, although it seems like we exist perfectly, in reality, we are gradually fading away."]
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