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Torn!
Chiron cut open the seal of the letter with his finger.
It has been almost 7 months since he received last letter, so it was truly a long time. To put it simply, Chiron is enjoying the 'only pleasure' of these days after 7 months.
'It was worth getting covered in monsters’ blood. To see the lord patriarch so delighted...'
Kahn smiled inwardly.
Recently, Kashmir hasn't sent any letters, and that was bothering Kahn as well. He was wondering what the youngest master is doing and what that idiot, who goes by the name "ghost blade," has been up to.
Fortunately, the long-awaited letter seemed to be filled with satisfying words that made Patriarch happy.
'The Plutonian Swordsmanship and Shadow Sword.'
The description of these two sword techniques caught Chiron's attention for some time.
"It says that there is a guy called Vamel active outside. Have you heard any news?"
"Yes, lord patriarch. His name was mentioned during a clan meeting. He might be a contractor of Peitel. I don't know if he was alone or if he had other personnel with him, but he killed five assault team commanders of white wolf tribe on the island of Bellado. He doesn't seem like an ordinary person."
"If they find out he's the youngest, everyone will be shocked."
"Pardon?"
"Handle it discreetly. And take appropriate measures to prevent the flagbearers from showing excessive interest in this matter."
"I will take care of it."
Chiron continued reading the letter.
There was no mention of the compass, and it was filled only with the details of Jin’s visit to Laprarosa and the encounters with Kinzelo and Zipfel. Kashmir also mentioned that the Syris of the Hidden palace also helped.
Chiron didn't feel bitter even though he knew that Kashmir intentionally concealed information. After all, it was not his subordinate, but someone loyal to the youngest.
"Hahahaha..."
Chiron burst into laughter, causing the whole land to tremble lightly.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself, lord patriarch."
"You can't help but laugh when you see this sentence."
Chiron handed over the letter, and the page contained the following content.
(Respected Sir Chiron, last night, young master Jin said something to me while drinking last night. 'Now I feel like I can match one move against my father.' Ah, what amazing news...)
Kahn's expression hardened.
"Ghost blade, that person seems to have gone mad. Even if the youngest master said such a thing, he should interpret and convey it appropriately! I should go and warn him immediately..."
"Kahn, have you ever heard of a race called the Plutonian tribe?"
"Yes, lord patriarch. I know that they were a mysterious race that was considered the conquerors of the world 5000 years ago."
"It seems that the youngest encountered the Plutonian tribe through some kind of trial given by Solderet. Among them, there is a person called Battle God, who according to Jin, is undoubtedly a formidable opponent on par with me."
Kahn couldn't choose his answer.
An individual who can rival Chiron in the world? Moreover, someone who is said to be the Battle god of the Plutonian tribe, which is known to have been destroyed 5000 years ago. To Kahn, it sounded like a fantasy story.
Nevertheless, the youngest master and the ghost blade wouldn't dare to lie. Kahn silently waited for Chiron's next words.
"The youngest's logic is that since he has matched a single sword move against that person, he can do the same against me. Haha, it's so adorable that it brings tears to my eyes."
"To be honest, I think that the youngest master said this due to his lack of understanding of swordsmanship. He's growing brilliantly, but he's still only seventeen."
Kahn is a person who has observed not only Chiron's children but also all the childerns of pure-blood Runcandels at the age of seventeen.
Even Luna, who was always recognized as the strongest, couldn't match a single sword against Chiron when she was seventeen, so it was natural for Kahn not to believe the contents of the letter.
"Kahn."
"Yes, lord patriarch."
"The youngest has never made any false claims about his abilities."
Upon hearing those words, Kahn hastily lowered his head.
"I made a mistake, lord patriarch."
"I'm not blaming you. But this time, even I am curious. Whether the youngest can take responsibility for his words. If he is simply lacking in understanding, it will be a great disappointment."
Kahn immediately understood the hidden meaning behind Chiron's words.
Chiron wanted to personally confirm Jin's skills.
"Shall I quietly bring the youngest master to Black Sea?"
Chiron shook his head.
"No, there's no need for that."
"Surely you're not suggesting that you personally visit Tikan, lord patriarch?"
"That would be too harsh of a treatment for him."
If Chiron were to personally visit Tikan, all attention in the world would be instantly focused on them. In that case, Tikan would no longer be a safe haven for Jin. Various powerful forces would start sending people to Tikan.
Chiron stroked his beard once and smirked.
"Do you have some paper?"
"Here it is, my lord."
Immediately, Chiron began writing something with a pen. His smile didn't fade as he wrote.
Every time this happened, Kahn felt a strange sensation. After Luna gave up on becoming the matriarch, Chiron had completely lost his smile.
After finishing his writing, Chiron handed the paper to Kahn.
What he had written was a letter. And when Kahn saw the recipient's name written at the top, his eyes widened.
‘This person...!’
There was no seal, and Chiron had not given any orders not to read it. But Kahn quickly put the letter in his pocket without checking its contents. He wouldn't examine the content.
"Kahn."
"Yes, lord patriarch."
"Deliver the letter and bought two bottles of drink of regal hymn with my name written on it. Deliver one bottle to Talaris and bring the other to me in ten days."
"Understood, my lord. Then, I shall take my leave."
***
July 21, 1797.
Two men dressed in blue uniforms with red masks arrived at the free city of Tikan.
It was the attire worn by the Vermont Special Task Forces during "official" operations. And the red mask was an item only allowed for the leaders of the task force.
Code-named Latz, the leader of the 3rd team, and code-named Chris, the leader of the 4th team.
As soon as they appeared at the checkpoint, the Tikan defense guards went on high alert. It was inevitable, as it was unexpected for the leaders of the task force to visit this peaceful and idle city.
It took less than ten minutes for the news of their visit to be reported to chief of defense guards, Alisa.
‘They're not here to track down Cuicantelle and Enya.’
Cuicantelle and Enya were currently unofficial fugitives of Vermont. If they had come to capture them, not only would they not have come alone, but they would have come in disguise.
‘Could it be that they found clues about young master Jin?’
Fortunately, it didn't seem to be the case.
Aside from the sudden visit, they had come to Kashmir's mansion with a polite attitude.
Kashmir's mansion was externally known as the residence of the "Seven Heads," the leaders of the Seven Colored peacock. Among them, who were from former Vermont’s loyal families, there were those who were acquainted with Latz and Chris.
Having an acquaintance didn't mean they were close. The Seven Heads were those who were exiled with Kashmir, so their relationship was rather strained.
Members of the Seven Colored peacock who were waiting throughout the city informed Jin's group of their visit.
"It seems clear that they didn't come to see me. Well, I can not think of any reason that brought them here."
"Just in case, young master, please hide with Enya and Ms. Cuicantelle in another room. I will meet them in person to assess their intentions and send them back as quickly as possible."
The Seven Heads, who were urgently summoned, and Kashmir proceeded to the reception room.
Both Kashmir's side and the leaders of the task force were unarmed, but there was a tense atmosphere between them.
It was only natural for there to be a palpable tension when the exiled prince, the last descendants of the loyalist family, and the emperor's personal task force met.
"Thank you for the warm welcome, Sir Kashmir."
Upon hearing that, Kashmir smiled.
"What brings you here, leaders of the task force? Please state your business, although I'm sure you're busy."
The dialogue was polite but had a chilly tone.
The leaders of the task force took out a piece of paper from their pockets without hesitation.
It was a check stamped with the emblem of the Vermont Emperor, and Kashmir's eyes lit up as he saw it.
"...What is this?"
"The Emperor has requested cooperation from the Seven Heads. The payment is fifty thousand gold coins, and the task is to secure the whereabouts of a person named Vamel. After the task is completed, the Emperor will grant double the amount of gold coins."
"Haha."
Rip! Kashmir tore the check apart.
"Sir Kashmir, this constitutes the crime of insulting the imperial family, particularly insulting the Emperor directly."
"It seems that His Majesty is not an honorable person worthy of being insulted, Leader Chris. It seems he wants to mock me. So kindly inform your emperor that he has succeeded in that regard."
"You misunderstand, Sir Kashmir. Don't you know? Vamel has recently become a hot topic among the public. His Majesty simply wants to have a conversation with him before Zipfel and wishes for cooperation..."
"Enough!"
Kashmir suddenly stood up and shouted.
"Do you mean that you can't see the descendants of the former loyalists to Vermont before you? I lost my position as a prince, and their loyalty has been betrayed. Do you think the likes of you can mock and ridicule us?"
While Kashmir's eyes burned with anger, the leaders remained composed.
After a moment of silence, Latz spoke up.
"...We will consider that we didn't see any disrespectful behavior towards His Majesty. Instead, kindly forgive us for disturbing your rest. We will take our leave."
The leaders of the task force took the torn check and stood up from their seats.
They immediately turned back and left the mansion. Kashmir only calmed down after confirming that they had disappeared from sight.
"Well, that was quite a performance after a long time."
Kashmir's anger was fake. No, even if the anger was real, it was merely an intentional act put on for the leaders.
"I can hear the shouts on this side."
"I have to appear as someone who is swayed by past emotions, someone who hasn't forgotten his former position, so that the Emperor can think that he can control my family and this land at any time."
Jin still hadn't heard why Kashmir had become a "fallen prince." Jin was waiting for Kashmir to tell the story himself someday.
"The Emperor didn't just send people to mock me. It seems that he is quite curious about you, young master, if he is asking Seven colored peacock for cooperation with the task force."
"It's probably because of Enya and Ms. Cuicantelle. Latz once saw me wearing a black helmet and being with those two. Vermont probably concluded that if they secure me, they can also find the whereabouts of the two."
"Fifty thousand gold coins, quite a waste. It could have been an opportunity to make up for the money given to the Cosmos, haha."
At that moment, Jet came running towards them.
"Lord Jin, Sir Kashmir!"
"What happened, Jet."
"An unknown elderly lady came to offer sponsorship to the Seven colored peacock."
"Hmm? Isn't that something the officers and members can handle? Besides, if her identity is unknown, what's all this about?"
"Well... She brought an unusual amount of money for sponsorship, as if a large ship was filled with gold coins. So the members hurriedly examined it, but no one knows who she is."
"No one? It seems today is a day with many unusual guests. Where is this elderly lady now?"
"She's coming to the mansion, sir."
Amazing