Swordmaster's Youngest Son Novel - Chapter 845

Chapter 845

«The patriarch’s order?»

«Yes, he said he’s going to attack Elona Zipple.»

Sylderay’s eyes widened.

Currently, Zipple was experiencing internal divisions due to their rejection of Elona.

On the other hand, despite losing many forces, Runcandel still maintained strong unity.

Because of Zipple’s recent response to the surrender, Runcandel’s allies were even more eager to fight than before.

In this situation, if Temar, in his previous state and strength, joined the battle, he could potentially turn the tide in a single blow.

«Diana, are you sure the patriarch’s health has improved that much?»

«Only three days… He said he can fight for three days. He intends to kill Elona and end the war.»

It was Solderet who provided those three days for Temar.

He, along with Olta, the god of time, and Az Mil, combined their powers to create this scarce opportunity.

«…What will happen after those three days?»

«The patriarch will enter an eternal sleep. That’s why we couldn’t communicate with the Head Maid until now. She’s been preparing the patriarch’s tomb with Sir Solderet.»

Temar’s fate was still predetermined, but it was a better situation than before, both for Runcandel and Temar.

«Murakan, did you hear that? It’s only three days, but the patriarch will return as the person we knew.»

«Ah.»

«So, before that, gather your strength. It might be difficult to fight together because of your heart, but we have to witness the patriarch’s last flame.»

Murakan didn’t respond and only blinked.

From that day on, Temar’s final order spread throughout Hufester.

All the knights of Hufester were ready for the final battle.

Meanwhile, something remarkable happened.

«Wow, his heart is truly healed! It couldn’t be because of the Holy King’s prayer… Solderet must have done something.»

The Snow Witch, the second Hidden Palace Master who came to see Murakan, spoke.

«Is it true?»

«Probably- We can’t know for sure unless Solderet or Murakan himself confirms it, Diana. Or maybe after hearing that Temar can fight for a few more days, he’s in the process of self-recovery. Either way, it’s a good thing. If he continues to recover at this rate, he might be able to participate in the final battle.»

«Miracles seem to happen one after another as soon as the patriarch tries to move. Thank you for coming to see him, Hidden Palace Master.»

«There’s no need for thanks. After all, I’m in a position where I desperately wish Murakan would participate. Temar is the only chance to stop Elona right now… If Murakan can also fight, it will be the best.»

After giving the order, Temar never appeared outside Storm Castle.

Occasionally, Temar’s roars could be heard breaking the barrier.

However, Runcandel and its allies firmly believed that he would definitely appear on the day of the final battle.

And their belief became reality.

On November 20th, 799, the final battle between the Hufester Alliance and the Lutero Magical Federation began.

Hufester’s forces, led by the Ten Great Knights, were deployed in all the major magic towers of Lutero, and Lutero deployed Magicians and Dragons to counter them.

Of course, the target that Temar chose was the Heart of Zipple, the Tower of Stories.

He looked towards the Tower of Stories with no trace of wraith transformation or demonic transformation, appearing completely unscathed.

The Hufester forces stationed at the Tower of Stories were only Temar, Diana, and Sylderay.

On Lutero’s side, there was only one person guarding the tower, Elona Zipple.

«Where is Murakan?»

«He couldn’t come, patriarch. The Hidden Palace Master said his heart has recovered enough to fight, but he’s struggling with mental issues.»

«That’s to be expected. If that guy were here, it would have been more reassuring. So now, all we can hope is that he dramatically appears as our hero when we’re rejected.»

«…Do you think you’ll be rejected? The current patriarch is stronger than I’ve ever seen. And Elona is in a devastated state due to prolonged torture and manipulation.»

«However, Elona came alone to defend the Tower of Stories on Zipple’s side. She was just an incredibly powerful monster, but her determination and resolve were even stronger. It would have been less burdensome if she had been stronger, you know?»

«Mm, it’s hard to understand. From Zipple’s perspective, Elona is the greatest war heroine, and yet, despite receiving such treatment, she continues to fight against us. What could be the reason?»

«Blind devotion, I guess. Aren’t you all the same? After coming to Runcandel, you’ve lost more than you’ve gained, and yet, here you are, willing to fight alongside me.»

«I guess that’s true.»

«Before I go to my grave, this is the only thing I can do for my clan. Let’s settle it in three days.»

The moment Temar and the Ten Great Knights began their battle against Elona, the other knights who infiltrated Lutero were also starting their final fights.

Chaos.

The beginning of the battle was exactly that: Chaos.

The entire area, including the Tower of Stories, was filled with intense combat.

Even after 24 hours, there was no respite on the battlefield.

Everyone with bloodshot eyes fought relentlessly, determined to kill each other.

Elona didn’t show the same level of destructive power as before.

While she still had a firepower advantage over Temar and the Ten Great Knights, it was clear that she wasn’t as formidable as she used to be before the internal struggle.

The Tower of Stories also seemed unable to exert its full power, like when Temar turned the knights into wraiths.

Some of the connections between Elona and the tower had been severed by members of Zipple who feared her.

«I’ve never seen that monster so exhausted. She’s not the same as before, maybe because she can’t properly utilize the tower’s power.»

On the second day, Temar and the Ten Great Knights could see that Elona was out of breath.

The Ten Great Knights thought victory was within reach, but Temar noticed an invisible element.

«The tower is about to activate…»

«Excuse me?»

«The Tower of Stories is gradually merging with Elona. This is an unexpected turn of events. We need Murakan. Sylderay, tell the Hidden Palace Master to bring Murakan here.»

«Understood!»

The Hidden Palace was casting a barrier around the Tower of Stories.

Once Temar and the Ten Great Knights dealt a fatal blow to Elona, all the members of the Hidden Palace planned to enter the battlefield and seal Elona.

Temar’s final role would be to kill the sealed Elona. Without Temar and Murakan, they couldn’t even kill the sealed Elona.

«Now? If I bring Murakan now, there will be a gap in the barrier. And there’s no guarantee that Murakan is in any condition to fight.»

«The patriarch was sure that we would be rejected if Murakan didn’t come to help.»

«Then there’s no other choice. If we don’t fix things here, our Hidden Palace will also face destruction. I’ll call Mort and head there.»

Murakan was staring out the window.

Even when Sylderay and the Hidden Palace Master arrived at the Garden of Swords, he didn’t acknowledge their presence.

«Murakan, the patriarch needs you.»

To be precise, Murakan was completely unaware that Sylderay and the Hidden Palace Master had come. He was simply awake, unable to distinguish between his inner realm and reality.

«Murakan, please. Come out of there…!»

Seeing that Murakan didn’t respond, Sylderay remembered what Temar had said before going to get Murakan.

Even if Murakan doesn’t come, don’t resent him or blame him.

He’s already carried more than he could bear.

However, Sylderay couldn’t accept that.

If that were the case, what was the meaning of the miraculously healed heart? Sylderay grabbed Murakan by the neck and shouted.

«Get up! Are you going to let the patriarch’s last fight be in vain? You’re the only one who can make us win. We can end this terrible war and return to our normal lives!»

«Stop, Sylderay. It seems like a futile attempt. First of all, even with his heart healed, he can’t exert the same level of power as before. Temar must have known that, and maybe he just wanted to rely on Murakan. After all, he’s still human.»

«Murakan!»

«I… can’t… kill… Temar.»

«It’s Elona, not the patriarch, who must be killed!»

Murakan could barely open his mouth, repeating the same words over and over.

In the end, the two had no choice but to leave Murakan behind and return to the battlefield.

Even after they left, Murakan continued to repeat the same words.

He could no longer kill Temar, his comrades.

Thus, the three promised days passed.

The war ended with Runcandel’s defeat.

Murakan was left alone in Storm Castle, unaware of the outcome.

He lost himself in a long, dark autistic episode.

In December, one day when strong gusts of wind and rain fell upon Storm Castle.

Murakan lost consciousness and collapsed.

The heart that had briefly adhered, broke apart again.

Those who had desperately wished for Murakan to join the final battle didn’t know.

In truth, Murakan had been struggling to break free from his inner torment all along.

He just needed more time.

Time to overcome his pain and return to reality, time to be able to start anew for those who had gone before him.

The heart that had briefly adhered was, in fact, the result of Murakan being consumed by his inner torment.

The forcibly healed heart was actually accelerating Murakan’s complete death. Inside him, the desire for death and the desire to resurface continued to clash.

The fact that his heart scattered again meant that his determination to return to his remaining comrades was stronger.

Even though he couldn’t be with them when they needed him most, even though he couldn’t fight alongside them right now.

«Haa, haa.»

Murakan opened his eyes again and looked at the dark ceiling. Amidst the feverish haze, he felt someone approaching his bed.

«Diana…?»

«Murakan, it’s all over…»

She didn’t blame him.

Not because it was Temar’s order, but because she understood the situation he was in.

Even though he and his remaining comrades were about to disappear from this world soon.

Murakan knew that he had to carry his battered body and spirit to continue fighting a solitary battle that might never end.

He knew he could be that person.

«Fortunately, the patriarch’s last stand made a miracle. We managed to avoid annihilation. We’ve decided to make a pact with Zipple.»

«Ugh, ack.»

«Murakan, forgive us for leaving you with the burden of the entire future.»

«Don’t leave, Diana…»

«I’ll be back soon. I have a meeting with Zipple. Rest, Murakan.»

Diana’s voice faded as she left the room, leaving Murakan alone to contemplate the future.