Swordmaster's Youngest Son Chapter 802
Previously on Swordmaster's Youngest Son...
Chapter 802
***
Tikan.
Upon receiving a message while at the Garden of Swords, Jin set out for this location immediately.
A mere twenty-four hours had passed since the strategy meeting regarding the Red Legend Tribe.
“It has been a while, Bishkel.”
Jin dismounted from the Red Owl and offered a handshake. Bishkel accepted with a wooden expression, though Jin easily sensed the suppressed anxiety beneath that stoic mask.
“What brings you here so suddenly? If I recall, our last contact was a month ago. The alliance reached out to Orgal for a meeting back then. Have you finally arrived to provide an answer?”
- I must speak with Orgal. He undoubtedly recognizes Sanna. If I approach him directly as I did before, it will cause a commotion, so deliver a letter at once.
Following the encounter with Sanna at the Tower of Stories, the Vamel Alliance had sought an audience with Kinzelo to dig for information about her.
Kinzelo, however, remained silent. During that delay, Ameris regained consciousness, Orgal and Zephilin lapsed into comas, and the Red Legend Tribe launched their assault.
Jin highlighted this failure immediately, causing visible discomfort for Bishkel and the other Kinzelo executives.
“Sir Jin, the delay occurred because the Leader was occupied. I offer his apologies for the lack of a timely response.”
“I see. So, Sir Bishkel, you haven't come today to answer my previous letter, but for an entirely different reason. Is that right?”
“…Yes.”
“Let me be clear. You disregarded a meeting request from the Young Patriarch of Runcandel and the Vamel Alliance leader, citing a busy schedule. Yet now, for reasons I have yet to hear, you find yourself needing to express remorse and have rushed here without notice or regard for my time. Do I have the right idea?”
Bishkel kept his face neutral while cursing internally. Jin’s biting sarcasm was hitting its mark perfectly.
“Whatever your assessment, I have no defense. I am prepared to take responsibility for any rudeness in any manner you see fit.”
Jin studied Bishkel for a moment, mentally pieceing together the situation.
‘Kinzelo’s state is even more dire than I suspected. It’s obvious that Orgal and Zephilin are facing issues that go beyond just the Red Legend Tribe.’
Kinzelo was presenting itself with far more humility than Jin had anticipated.
“You’ll take responsibility in any way? Even if I were to ask for Bouvard’s head?”
“That pig... no, I cannot surrender his life. However, I will offer my own arms instead.”
“You cannot do that, Elder Brother!”
Margiella cried out to Bishkel, her voice thick with exaggerated emotion.
She even produced a handkerchief to dab at her dry eyes, a performance that made Jin smile inwardly.
“It was merely a passing thought; there’s no need for such resolve. I am not a member of the Red Legend Tribe, nor am I someone who collects human limbs for any reason.”
Bishkel’s brow furrowed deeper the moment the "Red Legend Tribe" was mentioned.
“I will accept a different form of compensation for your discourtesy. Since I once barged into Kinzelo’s headquarters and nearly traded blows with Orgal, let us consider the past settled.”
“I am grateful for your understanding.”
“In exchange, I expect our dialogue today to be completely transparent. If you truly demonstrate a willingness to hide nothing—just as you offered your arms—I will be a generous listener. But if you attempt to scheme or withhold information, Kinzelo will walk away today with nothing.”
Bishkel gave a firm nod.
Reflecting on their history, Kinzelo had always engaged in secretive dealings with Jin, but today's terms felt exceptionally lopsided.
“I shall be cautious.”
“Good. I shouldn't keep guests standing; there is a lovely spot in the garden. Let us sit and talk over tea.”
As they settled at the garden table, a spread of cookies and cakes was brought out.
Ainas wasted no time, stuffing her pockets with cookies. Watching her, Bishkel had to fight to keep his temper from boiling over.
He felt a wave of relief that Bouvard had stayed behind this time.
“Now, to start, I am curious why you have come in place of Orgal or Zephilin.”
“Both of them are currently in a state of unconsciousness.”
Bishkel spoke the truth plainly, confirming Jin’s suspicions.
“…Unconscious?”
“It has been roughly ten days. It occurred without warning or symptoms.”
Hearing the timeline, Jin realized it aligned perfectly with the moment Ameris woke up.
Upon confirming the specific dates, the timing of their collapse and Ameris’s awakening was an exact match.
‘It appears to be linked to Ms. Ameris... but why? She claimed not to know them. I’ll have to ask if she has any theories once Kinzelo departs.’
With Orgal and Zephilin incapacitated, Jin couldn't immediately verify if they had any connection to Ameris.
Jin let out a sigh of feigned disappointment, bowing his head slightly.
“I thought he might have toughened up after his encounter with Bale, but Orgal’s health still seems fragile. Are there any signs that he might wake?”
“The demons who examined him believe it is a result of psychological trauma rather than a physical ailment.”
“I see. So even while the Red Legend Tribe tore through Kinzelo’s lands, Orgal and Zephilin were unable to intervene. Ah, you might wonder how I know so much. I dispatched my Elder Sister Yona to scout, and she found them before Kinzelo did.”
“…Just who are they? Truthfully, I suspected you might be behind this. But their tactics are far too extreme.”
“Indeed, the Red Legend Tribe has no ties to the Vamel Alliance, Runcandel, or my siblings. They are a prehistoric warrior race that has awakened by accident.”
“A prehistoric warrior race?”
“It seems Kinzelo lacks intelligence on the Red Legend Tribe, despite them living in proximity to the demons.”
“What…?”
Jin pointed toward the earth beneath them.
“Underground. The Red Legend Tribe dwells in the depths. Surely you knew the demons resided beneath the surface?”
Bishkel struggled to mask his shock.
He couldn't fathom how Jin knew that the gateway to the demon world was located underground.
Kinzelo was unaware of Jin’s meeting with Sheenu, nor did they know what had transpired within the Tower of Stories.
“As for my first meeting with the Red Legend Tribe and why I was forced to kill some of them, I’ll leave that to your imagination. However, do not assume their resurgence is my fault or that Kinzelo’s suffering is my doing. You people have been meddling with the underworld for far too long.”
Bishkel remained silent, waiting for Jin to continue.
“From what I have gathered, it is assumed that you, Bishkel-nim, hold the role of opening the demon world gate for Kinzelo.”
Bishkel immediately flashed back to Octavia’s words in the Sota Desert.
- A demon… Did you open the gate? So that is your power, Bishkel Ivelianos!
‘At that time, Hedo was a ranking member of Zipple… Did he pass what he heard from Octavia to Sir Jin?’
It was a total misunderstanding then, and it remained one now. Bishkel did not possess the power to open the gate.
This was his chance to correct the record.
“I possess no power over the gate to the demon world. Whatever you heard was likely a false assumption by Octavia Zipple. Matters concerning the demon world are the sole domain of the Leader.”
“Then what of Miss Margiella?”
“My sister is the same. She has no such power.”
“Euria.”
Euria used her ability to verify his words, and a blue thread manifested, confirming the truth.
“Then how exactly does Orgal summon demons from their realm?”
The hidden part of Jin’s question was how they bypassed the underworld entrance guarded by Ameris.
Bishkel, however, didn't pick up on the subtext.
He knew nothing of Ameris.
“I have not yet stated the favor I require. If you wish to ask about the demon world, it is only right that you hear my request first.”
“Go on, then.”
“Provide us with every scrap of information you have regarding the Red Legend Tribe.”
“I don't know everything. However, with Kinzelo’s consent, I can share everything we've gathered through Record Magic.”
“Furthermore, you must act as our shield against the Red Legend Tribe until the Leader recovers.”
“Sir, your words could be taken to mean Kinzelo is powerless. If the Vamel Alliance were to strike now, you would fall. That is a dangerous admission. Is Kinzelo truly unable to handle even a fraction of the Red Legend Tribe?”
“We only wish to halt the slaughter of the beastmen. It isn't that we cannot hold them back with demons, but without the Leader, our ability to move is restricted. Our data shows they utilize spatial teleportation. As you are aware, the beastmen cannot stand against them.”
“True, even Berakt and Badray were shaken. To the beastmen, the Red Legend Tribe is a natural predator.”
“Will you accept the terms?”
“It isn't a terrible deal. We can study the Red Legend Tribe while assisting Kinzelo. If I agree, I also expect to learn how Orgal utilizes the demon world.”
Jin paused as if thinking it over before nodding.
In truth, Jin stood to gain everything. Since the Red Legend Tribe was currently focused on the beastmen, he needed Kinzelo’s blessing to use Record Magic in those territories.
Furthermore, Jin didn't actually think the Red Legend Tribe could wipe out Kinzelo entirely. As Bishkel noted, the beastmen would take heavy losses, but Kinzelo would survive.
Most importantly, Jin wanted to prevent any potential alliance between the Red Legend Tribe and Kinzelo. Despite their different paths, both groups seemed to desire the Sun God’s return.
“Very well. But I have one final condition to add.”
“Name it.”
Jin smirked and gestured toward Ainas.
“I want Ainas Kaligo to pay for the value of the cookies she’s taken.”
“What? I have to pay for these!?”
Ainas stared at Jin in shock.
“…How should the payment be calculated?”
“Last time, Kinzelo turned down my deal for steel... even though I offered several times the market rate. You ended up selling that steel to Zipple instead of me.”
He was suggesting that Bishkel hand over the steel from that failed transaction to cover the cost of the snacks.
Bishkel could only offer a pained smile and nod in agreement.