REAPER SCANS
Swordmaster’s Youngest Son
[Translator – Junseo]
[Proofreader – Valirius]
Volume 10 Chapter 397 - The Banquet at Sword King Castle (2)
At Quikantel’s words, the group’s gaze once again turned to the backs of Murka and Zephryn.
Murka continued to scold Zephryn all the way back to the Black King Mercenaries’ table.
“Hm? What do you mean, Lady Quikantel?”
“Quikantel, you dumbass. Are you saying that you don’t see people who are a little slow as being human? I didn’t think you were the type to think like that.”
Quikantel sighed as Jet and Murakan questioned her.
“Murakan, how can you, a dragon, be so stupid? Oh, right. You were always insensitive to these kinds of things.”
“It’s not to the point where I should be hearing that from someone like you.”
“Didn’t you smell something from that human?”
“What smell? I only smelled some strange perfume. Kids who come to a banquet like this for the first time always put on a lot of perfume. Maybe it’s because she doesn’t wash herself regularly, but…”
At Murakan’s words, both Jet and Enya sniffed at their collars. Since it was their first banquet, they’d put on a lot of perfume.
“Uhm, w-well, that’s not necessarily a sign that such people don’t wash themselves regularly, right…?”
“Sh-She’s right. Haha, my hand slipped while I was holding the perfume bottle this morning.”
Of course, the smell that Quikantel was talking about wasn’t the scent of perfume.
“I could smell the blood of our kind from her.”
The group looked at Quikantel with a start.
“…Pardon?”
“It was covered in perfume, but I’m certain. The smell of dragon’s blood, and many different dragons at that.”
It is impossible for mercenaries, who had been on countless battlefields, to hide the smell of blood on them.
The thick smell of blood on them was as strong and intense as the scent of sizzling meat.
And dragon’s blood was completely different from that of a human.
The blood of each dragon smelled different, and each had its own unique, strange scent that was difficult for human senses to detect.
“The Terror of Ante. The smell of blood is thicker than it was with her.”
“Hm, goodness. Then, Lady Quikantel… Are you saying that she’s a dragon hunter?”
“A dragon hunter? Such a thing doesn’t exist, you brat. Well, I guess Vanessa Olsen could almost be called that. Hm, the blood of our kind, huh…? So she put that perfume on to cover that smell?”
“It’s likely.”
“If what you say is true, then she must be either a demon or a demon dragon. But as far as I know, there aren’t any demons who can transform into a perfect human, so she’s more likely to be a demon dragon.”
Demon dragon.
It referred to dragons who served a demon god or demon king. Whether they were born from a demon god, or served another god before being transferred to the land of demons, they were given the same name.
“The last time a demon dragon appeared in the human world was during the War of the Holy Kingdom. And before that was twelve hundred years ago, when Helluram caused the descent of a demon god.”
“Well, they weren’t too hard to find before the demon god’s descent. I’ll go and ask, then. If she’s a demon dragon.”
“And if she says yes, then what?”
“Then we’ll have to torture her and get information.”
“Yeah, you’d better stay still, Murakan.”
Murakan shrugged as Jin stopped him.
“Why?”
“If she says no, then we have no way of proving otherwise. And she might not be one, either. Most importantly, if she is one and she suddenly goes on a rampage because her identity was revealed, then there’s nothing we can do. This is Sir Ron’s banquet hall.”
If Murakan’s actions ruined the banquet, the blame would be entirely Jin’s.
“Jin’s right, Murakan. Is that head of yours just for decoration? It could also be that the blood of our kind was on her weapon. It’s improbable, but in that case, she could be an ordinary human being. It could be that it was only the weapon that belonged to a demon dragon, or someone like Vanessa.”
As if she’d finished being scolded, Zephryn scratched the back of her head and turned around.
Then, naturally, her eyes met with Jin’s. She smiled brightly and waved.
“Hey, if you’re strong like me, you don’t need to use your head much. What would you know? Haah, that Zephyn or whatever her name was… If you look at her, she’s clearly just an idiot.”
“But Lady Quikantel, If she really was a demon dragon, then she probably had a reason for coming to see me. I think… It’s because of that grimoire. Rontelgeuse’s.”
Rontelgeuse’s grimoire.
The item he got when he raided Joshua’s secret villa a few months ago came to mind. If a demon dragon had any business with him, it would be that.
“I agree, Jin. After the banquet, we need to find out about her.”
“I have business with the Black King Mercenaries anyway. After the banquet, I should go to the Black King Mercenaries’ headquarters. If I get the chance, it would be a good idea to meet the Black King Commander at the banquet hall.”
The world’s greatest mercenaries, the Black King Mercenaries, was one of the most important neutral forces that Jin had to recruit.
They were a mercenary group with power that even Runcandel couldn’t ignore.
“Plus, if it’s revealed that Zephryn’s connected to Rontelgeuse, then we’ll be able to learn about Joshua’s relationship with the demons.”
“But, Young Master.”
“Yeah, Enya?”
“How would Zephryn know that you had the grimoire?”
“She would’ve felt the mana unique to the demons or demon dragons. We’ve been around that ominous thing for the past few months, so it’s probably on our bodies.”
Quikantel answered on Jin’s behalf.
“Oh, then demon dragons must have really good noses…”
Since finding the grimoire, Tikan had been constantly looking for information about Rontelgeuse.
But since they’d found nothing so far, Zephryn’s appearance could be a clue.
And it was unlikely that an existence like a demon dragon would have a positive impact on the human world.
It was important to reveal Zephryn’s identity and purpose quickly.
Of course, if she were a normal human being, there would be no problem.
While the group was talking about Zephryn, another figure came to their table.
Unlike Zephryn, he approached with an expression full of clear murderous intent and malice.
He didn’t even try to hide his aura, so people who had felt his bloodlust were staring at him.
“Hah, what’s this now? I haven’t seen such an unpleasant glare in a while.”
Murakan furrowed his brows, immediately offended by their attitude. Jin’s other companions reacted similarly.
“Jin Runcandel.”
Jin raised his head and met his eyes.
Jin could immediately recognize who he was.
Lata Floche. The young head of the Ghost Mercenaries and a blood relative of Fae Floche, whom Jin captured as a prisoner some time ago.
“Kiddo. Tell that fearless bastard for me… If he doesn’t make his eyes look nice, I’ll make sure he can never see again.”
“You heard him, Lata. What business does the eldest son of Floche’s devils have with me?”
Despite Murakan’s comment and Jin’s calm voice, Lata’s emotions remained the same.
It wasn’t because he’d regained his composure, but because he’d come to the table so angry that he couldn’t get any angrier.
“Did you kill the brat?”
Lata was referring to Fae.
“I let her live.”
“I won’t ask you twice. Tell me what you want.”
There was a commotion all around. This was because the nature of this banquet was different from Runcandel’s banquet. This wasn’t a banquet where you could fight without thinking just because there was a grudge.
Nevertheless, everyone seemed to be expecting it.
The 12th flag-bearer of Runcandel, who single-handedly devastated the Garden of Swords, and the commander of the Ghost Mercenaries, considered to be the reincarnation of Smarion Floche.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better spectacle anywhere.
‘Will the 12th flag-bearer of Runcandel cause shockwaves around the world again?’
‘Lata Floche is a monster among monsters. If the 12th flag-bearer defeats him, then the higher flag-bearers of Runcandel will have no choice but to feel threatened again.’
Those watching were very much looking forward to it.
Jin didn’t want to fight Lata.
This was because the Ghost Mercenaries, like the Black King Mercenaries, were an important neutral force that needed to be recruited as an ally.
Since the Ghost Mercenaries’ headquarters were located in Vermont, if they could be recruited, they could be of great help in keeping the empire in check in the future.
Of course, even though huge powers like Runcandel, Zipfel, and Vermont had spent many years trying to recruit them as allies. There was a good reason why forces like the Black King Mercenaries and the Ghost Mercenaries had remained ‘neutral’ until now.
Because if they allied with the wrong side, the very existence of the group would be in danger.
That was why neutral forces of decent sizes existed by sometimes allying with Runcandel, sometimes with Zipfel, sometimes with Vermont, and sometimes not taking part at all.
‘But now all the neutral forces must come together. Beyond ascending to the throne of Runcandel, in order for me to take down Zipfel. No matter what.’
If Zipfel completed the Demon God’s Orb, and began to start achieving what they wanted…
At that time, not only Runcandel, but also those in neutrality would be finished.
In a manipulated world, it would be impossible to even exist fully as oneself.
‘I need to let everyone know that I am the only one who has the means to stop that.’
Even as Jin took a moment to think about that, Lata was showing increasingly stronger hostility.
‘He seems like a person who would be really tiring to make into an ally. If I’d said I killed Fae, he would’ve thrust his sword without hesitation.’
The person before his eyes was definitely the infamous Ghost Mercenaries’ commander.
But to Jin, he just seemed like a rebellious youth going through severe puberty.
They were those who needed to be coaxed and guided to the right path.
“I haven’t thought of anything yet.”
“Then think of something right now.”
“And what will you say if I don’t want to?”
“I said I wouldn’t ask twice. There will be no negotiation, and you will be my enemy forever.”
“It looks like you’re planning to turn the entirety of Runcandel into your enemy.”
“I heard you weren’t the type to rely on your clan. Well, if that’s how you want to interpret it, then so be it. Beradin Zipfel’s here as well. I’m ready to talk to him.”
Although he was showing his hostility without caution, Lata was truly worthy of being called the head of the Ghost Mercenaries.
Even when filled with rage, he knew what would most effectively pressure Jin.
While Jin was thinking how to reply.
Beradin was standing behind Lata, coughing.
He looked at Jin, smiled brightly, and spoke.
“Well, Lata. Unfortunately I’m not ready to talk to you. You two seem to be getting along well. When on earth did the Ghost Mercenaries and Runcandel form an alliance?”
Reaper Scans
Translator – Junseo
Proofreader – Valirius
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Read the webtoon on https://reaperscans.com/comics/4050-swordmasters-youngest-son/
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