Swordmaster's Youngest Son Novel - Chapter 829
Chapter 829
The two approached the circle as Kaytam had indicated, and as soon as they put their heads inside, they felt a sensation like they were sinking into the ground.
They blinked once, and a dense thicket appeared in front of them. It seemed to be somewhere in the ancient Mount Murakan, a thousand years ago.
“Well, his abilities are truly amazing. Is this place really like a painting? Everything, from the earthy scent to the wind blowing, feels so real.”
Murakan looked around.
“This tomb is different from the ones we’ve encountered before. It’s not just about glimpsing the past; we can directly exert physical forces here.”
Jin said, sitting down and gently stroking a blade of grass.
As Jin’s fingers ran across the grass, it moved back and forth.
The circle through which they had entered was nowhere to be seen.
“I don’t see the circle. There’s only one entrance, and it seems there’s no exit.”
“Are you worried? Are you afraid we can’t get out?”
“No, in the end, this is a subspace, so I can just break it with the Shadow Blade if necessary.”
However, Jin didn’t try it.
This subspace is already damaged, so he didn’t want to risk causing more problems by playing around with it.
“No, with me here, you feel calm. Honestly, since you and I started traveling together, facing danger anywhere doesn’t feel like a big problem. Even if Elona Zipfel arrived, it wouldn’t be terrifying.”
That statement was true.
The combination of Jin and Murakan was now at a level where they could handle most situations without much planning and deal with any variables through brute force.
That’s why Jin had entered the painting without much hesitation.
“That’s true.”
“Haha! It’s been so long since I felt like this! Yes, that’s how things should be in Murakan’s domain. It should be so majestic!”
Jin felt relieved to see Murakan so lively.
In the past, whenever Murakan recalled events from a thousand years ago, he experienced headaches or lost his composure.
It was the same when they first met Orgal in the old Oterium during their days as Provisional Flagbearers, and when they saw Hedo’s old sword (now used by Bale) in the Sota Desert.
‘Every time, I had to hit Murakan to bring him back to his senses, but fortunately, this time he recovered quickly on his own. Is it because he’s become stronger, or maybe the memories that resurfaced this time weren’t that impactful.’
-[When Temar went crazy and tried to kill you, I was the one who stopped him. Murakan. Don’t you remember me?]
-How dare you mention someone’s name so casually? Judging by your appearance, you look like an old demon or something, certainly not someone who could have been associated with Temar. Besides, where did you get that ‘going crazy’ from? What happened that day…
-[Are you trying to say that it was Temar, not you? Not being able to recognize me is one thing, but remembering that day’s fight as Temar’s responsibility… It’s unimaginably unfair to the friend who died.]
Jin recalled the conversation between Orgal and Murakan in the old Oterium.
‘If the truth about Temar and Murakan’s fight remains here… And if what Orgal said that day is true. Can he handle it?’
More than the mysterious guardians that Kaytam had drawn in this subspace, Jin was actually more worried about this.
“Brat, why are you thinking so much? That’s not the expression I expected to see when you entered Murakan’s domain.”
“I’m just worried about what might happen if I have to deal with you again. Like facing the past and losing my senses.”
“Hmph, is it because of the headache I had a while ago?”
“What if you cause a ruckus again, which becomes unbearable?”
“That’s not going to happen, so don’t worry, boy. Let’s see, according to a quick observation, it seems this is the southern part of Mitel.”
“It’s just a random place in the mountains, how did you figure it out?”
“It’s my home, how could I not know? I recognized it even from outside when I looked at the painting. This area was one of my favorites. Many annoying dragons used to pass by without knowing it was my territory. Dealing with them was quite satisfying. Ah, I miss those days.”
For a while, Murakan enthusiastically reminisced about the memories of those days spent mainly in the mountains.
However, he couldn’t remember anything significant about Runcandel.
“That sounds great.”
“It is. But now, I prefer the present with Strawberry Pie and you, boy. So don’t be jealous, Contractor.”
“My god, I’m grateful beyond words. By the way, I’m not sure where we should go now. Does Temar’s tomb exist separately?”
“Kaytam said he depicted events from a thousand years ago. I think this whole space is the tomb. It seems he painted the entire Mitel Kingdom from a thousand years ago. Since we’re in the southern region, let’s head towards the borders. Let’s see if the depiction extends beyond the border.”
[Nyyaahh!]
Jin summoned Ruby Shuri. As she ran across the mountain, a strange border area came into view.
There was nothing beyond the border, just a white background.
Kaytam hadn’t depicted anything there, and there were no signs of the guardians who should be protecting the border.
“Yes, there’s nothing there.”
“That makes it obvious where we have to go, boy. To the Storm Castle. Is there anywhere else we can go?”
“In that case, the guardians should also be gathered there.”
“I wonder what kind of guys the guardians are. Since Kaytam drew the Mitel Kingdom, they could be the Ten Great Knights.”
“Let’s fly and get there quickly.”
“Can’t we take a slower stroll on Shuri and look around first? Black Dragons sometimes like to enjoy memories. But I guess you wouldn’t understand, boy.”
“Yes, yes. So, let’s take a look before we leave.”
Although time may be precious, witnessing Murakan’s cheerful attitude, Jin couldn’t refuse the opportunity. If Jin himself had the chance to relive the memories of his youth someday, he wouldn’t pass it up either. Of course, Murakan wasn’t too old by dragon standards, but he had lived quite a long time.
[Nyaa!]
Shuri began to run quickly along the mountain path. Occasionally, wild animals looked at them with curiosity.
After running for a while, Shuri had already jumped onto a mountain peak, and as they reached lower peaks, they could see cities and towns below.
At least, for now.
They couldn’t identify which part of the painting had been damaged.
The mountain range was filled with refreshing scents of memories, and there was no trace of contamination in the landscape.
The weather was clear and pleasant, which further improved Jin’s mood.
“Let’s go down to that town over there. The humans might remember me.”
“Sure. But won’t they be scared if you suddenly appear? In the past, they usually reacted like that when they saw you.”
This time, Murakan transformed and carried Jin and Shuri on his back.
As they began their descent, they reached the town in an instant.
[Dragons, demons, or strong humans with twisted personalities, they might react like that. But the ordinary humans of the Mitel Kingdom who had seen me didn’t react like that. They even revered and worshipped me. Sometimes, for fun, I helped those poor humans with their problems. Capture monsters, dig wells for them, punish abusive officials. That kind of stuff. Everyone liked me very much.]
“Did you have that side to you?”
[Do you think I was out there killing and defeating everyone all the time? I’m a lenient Black Dragon when it comes to those small creatures, that’s Murakan.]
Now that Jin looked back, it did seem like that. While Murakan often intimidated and scared creatures like dragons or demons (Kashmir being a typical example when they first met), he showed many friendly moments with ordinary and weak people. He also played well with children.
In a way, Murakan only sought fights and threatened those he considered enemies or warriors according to his criteria.
[Hahaha, humans! I’ve arrived!]
Although it was just a painting and not reality, Murakan shouted as if he was really facing the villagers of that time.
And the people walking through the streets, upon seeing Murakan, were filled with a mixture of surprise and terror, screaming in fear.
“Aaah!”
“Run…!”
“Run? How can we run? Haven’t you heard of Loron? A single breath of his can raze an entire region!”
Seeing that, instead of landing on the ground, Murakan froze in the air.
His large pumpkin-colored eyes blinked incessantly.
“Damn it, this monster! Why is he still causing trouble for no reason? Are we just toys for him, for him to play with us and kill us like insects?”
Loron was the name of another nearby city.
“Shut up! Murakan-nim, I apologize. It seems my friend is crazy. Please, I beg you to at least forgive the children… We’ll do anything, please.”
The town became chaotic in an instant.
The people gathered in front of Murakan were begging, cursing, and screaming.
Their screams were so vivid that Jin couldn’t help but wonder if this was still just a painting.
[…What is this? Who do you think I am? When have I ever killed any of you?]
“You were the one who annihilated Loron just two days ago! Have you already forgotten? You kill every day, so it’s no wonder you can’t remember.”
“Shut up! Why are you still provoking Murakan-nim like that? Shouldn’t you at least forgive the children…!”
“Hah, do you really think begging like that would save the children? He’s evil incarnate. He shouldn’t exist in this world.”
Through the scale on his back, Jin felt Murakan’s heart beating wildly.
He also felt the volatile Shadow Energy that Murakan was struggling to control.
It was a sign that he was losing control.
[Nyaaah…]
Shuri licked Murakan’s back as if she was worried.
[I’ve never done such a thing… I don’t have a single memory of killing weak humans for no reason…]
“What’s with that reaction? Are you suddenly feeling guilty? Just because you don’t remember it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.”
A young man who had been hurling insults at Murakan spoke calmly.
Jin was considering whether he should hit Murakan or not.
However, fortunately, Murakan soon regained control, calming his erratic Shadow Energy.
He let out a deep sigh.
[It seems there’s a misunderstanding. First of all, I have no intention of harming any of you. And believe it or not, the things you just mentioned are not my doing. So, tell me in detail. It seems there’s another me here, and I must find myself and make sure to avenge whoever is imitating me.]
“Really, really, you’re saying that?”
[Yes! I never lie. And while that imitating bastard is causing this mess, what has Runcandel been doing? What about Temar and the Ten Great Knights?]
Upon mentioning Temar’s name, the people’s eyes widened.
“…Temar-nim is running away after being severely injured by you, Murakan-nim. Can’t you really remember, or are you just playing with us? If not, are you really a different Murakan?”