C442 - To the Black King (3)
The next day, Luton headed to the Holy Kingdom, while Jin and Murakan went to the Mila Kingdom.
They were going to visit Grace Shields' (Misha) ultra-secret tavern known as "The Tabernacle."
The bartender recognized the two imdiately but gave them the sa response as the last ti they visited.
"The Mistress is not here at the mont."
"She wasn't here even when we ca a few months ago. When will she be back?"
"The Mistress hasn't returned since you two last visited."
It was customary for Misha to be absent for a month or two. She not only represented Solderet but also had many hideouts besides The Tabernacle.
However, it was almost unheard of for her not to visit The Tabernacle, even when the seasons changed.
"Did she leave a separate ssage for us?"
"No. It's been a long ti since we had a case like this, so we're also worried about the Mistress."
"When she returns, please let her know to contact us here."
Jin handed a paper with the address and a small purse with gold coins, and the bartender nodded with a dignified attitude.
Until dusk, the two crossed through various transfer gates, visiting the other hideouts Misha had inford them about.
Once again, they couldn't find her anywhere.
"Haha, they say there's nothing as useless as dog poop when it cos to dicine!"
Murakan seed satisfied with not having to et her.
"Aren't you too happy? There might be reasons to worry a bit, you know?"
"What's there to worry about? It's not a big deal if a Dragon leaves her post for a few months. It's not like it's been decades. She's probably snooping around sowhere."
"I have a strange feeling about this," said Jin, and Murakan snorted.
"A strange feeling? Well, it might not be so bad if so powerful human beats her to death. But the problem is, there probably aren't many people in the world who can defeat her like that."
As Murakan said, it was safe to say that there was no one who could catch Misha. During the thousand years Murakan had been asleep, Misha had never been caught, even while fighting the Specter Corps.
"You're right, but..."
Jin had so many things he wanted to know from Misha as soon as possible. Things like Temar's tomb, Kinzelo's leader, the Demon Dragon, Chaos, Valeria, and more. Even if Misha couldn't explain everything clearly, she could provide so clues. Especially when it ca to Valeria and her 'Record Device Restoration,' only she could give the most appropriate explanations.
"Don't worry; let's go look for the Black King's rcenaries."
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The Black King's Hideout was in the "Bise Kingdom," an unprotected territory in the central continent.
The Bise Kingdom was a minor country that didn't belong to any of the three prominent factions, now four (Zipple, Runcandel, Vermont, Kinzelo). Although the royal family and the army were maintained, no one actually considered the ruler of the Bise Kingdom to be the royal family.
It was a common belief that the Black King's rcenaries and their leader were the true rulers of the Bise Kingdom. It was a natural consensus. The Black King's rcenaries had enough power to destroy the Bise Kingdom with just a portion of their Third Division. It was widely believed that the Black King's rcenaries didn't take over the kingdom just to maintain their identity as a "rcenary force."
"Well, these guys are sothing."
"What do you an?"
"Normally, when a military organization like this is established in a small country, they tend to take control of the royal family and exploit and oppress civilians."
The Black King's rcenaries were far from that. They provided substantial support to both the royal family and civilians, to the point where it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they were actually nurturing the Bise Kingdom.
As a result, the Bise Kingdom was perceived as a pleasant place to live, and immigration requests never ceased. It was a place bustling with the footsteps of academy professors, scholars, and students due to well-preserved ancient ruins and artifacts.
"It goes against the typical image associated with rcenaries obsessed with money."
"These seemingly kind and cute guys, indeed. If they beco uncooperative, we can persuade them kindly."
"Kindly, huh? We'll see about that."
Jin responded with a mocking smile.
"Why? Is there a problem?"
"The fact that the Black King's rcenaries manage and take responsibility for the Bise Kingdom isn't because they're kind-hearted philanthropists. This Bise Kingdom is a hostage warehouse for the Black King's rcenaries."
As Jin said, the Black King's rcenaries were using the Bise Kingdom as a hostage warehouse and the ultimate shield to maintain "neutrality." For any major faction to forcibly subjugate and absorb the Black King's rcenaries, they would have to trample the Bise Kingdom. It would lead to the deaths of nurous residents, and the destruction of ancient ruins would be inevitable.
When Jin explained this, Murakan's eyes widened.
"I see... They are really clever and cunning. Although I don't particularly like the na 'Black King.'"
Of course, the Black King's rcenaries could maintain their neutrality without the Bise Kingdom, but having more options at their disposal was always preferable.
"Well, no hostage has been killed since I was born. We're almost there. You should transform."
Murakan transford into a cat and landed on Jin's shoulder.
Jin had altered his face and dyed it red using costics from the Golden Snow Tribe, making him unrecognizable to the guardians and civilians of the Bise Kingdom.
However, Jin was convinced that soone from the Black King's rcenaries would recognize him if he moved through the Bise Kingdom in this form.
Murka and the mbers of the Third Division couldn't forget this appearance.
When it was revealed that the black cat Jin had when he departed for the Storm Castle was actually Murakan, the story beca a topic of discussion among the Black King's rcenaries for quite so ti.
After all, they couldn't believe that the "Young Emperor" carried just an ordinary cat with him.
The city was frequented by outsiders, so Jin and Murakan didn't attract too much attention.
Jin wandered around the bustling city while observing billboards and bulletins hanging around.
He subtly emitted an aura that those below six stars couldn't perceive.
Before long, as expected, Jin felt a rcenary approaching him.
"... That cat. Don't tell it's you."
He seed unsure, but the rcenary soon convinced himself that the feline in front of him was none other than Jin Runcandel, whom he had directly escorted on a protection mission so ti ago.
"Mr. Latam."
Jin spoke before the rcenary could say more.
The rcenary seed surprised and could only look at Jin in astonishnt.
He didn't expect Jin to rember his na.
"I didn't know you rembered my na. I'm ashad of myself for not recognizing you right away."
Latam hurriedly responded with a silent bow.
"I rember you as the one who was often by Murka-nim's side back then. It's good to see you."
As they shook hands, Latam realized the truth of the rumors circulating about Jin in recent tis.
He also felt secretly impressed by the imnse power emanating from Jin's grip.
"You haven't co here for nothing, have you? Do you have business with our leader?"
Latam explicitly ntioned the leader without referring to any other superior, showing how he assessed Jin's stature.
"Yes."
"Fortunately, the leader is in the mountain fort. I will personally guide you there. However, please understand that there is another guest who arrived before you."
The Twelfth Flagbearer of Runcandel is in a position where he can et the leader at any ti without prior notice.
However, Jin couldn't et the leader without considering another guest.
Jin deduced information from Latam's words.
The other guest is soone of higher rank than .
And he was right.
At that mont, there was a guest of higher rank than Jin in the Black King's Mountain.
Therefore, Jin had to wait until that person's affairs concluded.
Who could it be?
There weren't many people who imdiately ca to Jin's mind.
Jin didn't care about this peculiar guest as long as it wasn't soone ddling in his affairs.
"Of course, I understand."
"Thank you, please follow ."
Following Latam, Jin arrived at the Black King's Mountain, and it was close to midnight.
Although it didn't exude an overwhelmingly powerful aura like the Phantom Fortress, there was a unique energy in the rugged mountain range where the fortress was located.
Visitors coming to the Black King's Mountain were neither guided nor escorted.
If you couldn't traverse the mountains on your own, you'd have to be transported by soone, looking quite pitiful.
Traveling on a dragon or airship was the only way to maintain dignity.
However, there were only a handful of people in the world capable of soaring the skies of the Black King's Mountain Hideout.
Finally, when Jin beheld the spectacular view of the Black King's Mountain, he couldn't help but be impressed.
The deeply carved mountain slopes gave the impression of being excavated by giants, and towering over them were huge and dark castles.
There also seed to be fortified walls.
It looked as if they were prepared for a dragon invasion.
Rows of massive mana cannons pointed towards the sky, and various magical devices and traps twisted like serpents.
'The Garden of Swords seems quite straightforward when I see sothing like this,' Jin thought as he marveled at the formidable defenses of the Black King's Mountain.
Entering the central castle, a row of rcenaries in formation saluted.
The news of Jin's visit had already spread throughout the mountain hideout even before he began to climb.
"Welco, Jin Runcandel-nim! I'm glad to see you again."
Murka greeted Jin.
As they headed to the reception room, Jin occasionally searched for that girl, Zephyrin.
Just when Jin was curious, he heard Zephyrin's unique and lively voice coming from ahead.
She was right in front of the reception room of the Black King's Leader.
"I'm sorry, Second Captain!"
"Sorry? Is that all? Do you know how much trouble you'll be in when the Third Captain finds out? Hm? What were you thinking, showing such disrespect in front of the leader's guests!"
"I didn't know!"
"No, and the leader didn't even call you, so why did you co to greet the guest? Are you shaless? Also, why the hell do you want to et the First Flagbearer of Runcandel...?"
"Don't hit , please!"
"Oh, my head. Eh, can soone please move her out of my sight!"
Just like the first ti he saw her at the Sword Emperor Castle, Zephyrin was causing trouble again and was visibly agitated.
"Oh... Haaah! I'm sorry, Jin-nim. I'm showing such rudeness again."
"It's okay."
"What do you think you're doing, huh? Zephyrin! Co here right now!"
Zephyrin ran over in a hurry, and Jin couldn't help but smile.
Jin and Murakan couldn't take their eyes off the enormous sword-axe strapped to her back, which seed larger than her body.
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