Swordmaster's Youngest Son Novel - Chapter 846

Chapter 846

Day after day, Murakan would lose consciousness and wake up again.

Those days continued endlessly.

Sometimes, his comrades, including Diana, would come to visit him, but Murakan could barely communicate with them.

On January 1st, 800, Runcandel and Zipple officially announced the end of the war.

People speculated that Zipple, overwhelmingly superior, ended the war unexpectedly because of Temar’s return.

It was said that the war ended because he sacrificed himself to kill Elona Zipple.

However, in the memories of the world, Temar and Elona’s names quickly faded.

The Tower of Stories easily manipulated the perception of ordinary people, who had no power of existence or resistance to manipulation.

However, the members of Runcandel and Zipple still remembered the two.

«It’s just a fake end to the war. Murakan, Zipple is still obsessed with finding the patriarch’s body. It’s like when they mocked us by offering pathetic surrender terms, and they’re strangely obsessed with the patriarch’s body.»

When Lokia said that, Murakan barely opened his eyes and looked at her.

«Lokia…?»

«They keep attacking areas that are supposed to be the patriarch’s tomb. The problem is that we don’t even know where the patriarch is buried. We’re always moving slower than them.»

The reality that Murakan had to accept wasn’t just the fact that Temar was dead.

«Diana… Diana…»

«She’s dead. Yesterday, while trying to protect the patriarch’s tomb. Well, not exactly trying to protect the tomb, because as I said, we don’t even know where the tomb is. She just encountered Zipple’s troops and fought to the death. Even though she wasn’t in good condition, she still fought like a demon.»

Lokia spoke calmly.

Now that Murakan was looking at her more closely, he could see that she was also covered in various wounds.

«Who else survived… besides you?»

«It’s difficult to confirm who survived. Lucy is the most likely.»

«Ugh.»

Lokia conjured mana in her palm and wiped the dried blood from Murakan’s lips.

«…It’s getting harder and harder to use mana. Zipple and their gods have cursed Runcandel. We can’t use mana anymore.»

«Lady Lokia, I’m worried this might be too shocking for Murakan-nim. Maybe we should tell him later.»

«Is that so? Kean. He’s in shock… it’s not bad. Murakan has to pay the price.»

«Lady Lokia!»

«If only this guy had regained his senses and fought alongside us during the patriarch’s final battle, we wouldn’t be in this state now. The facade of the end of the war, a curse in the name of an oath, and those defeated knights fighting to protect the patriarch’s body. It’s disgusting.»

«Murakan-nim is not to blame. We were defeated by the manipulation of history, not because of anyone’s fault.»

«Even if you, blinded by your beliefs, don’t see it, I don’t think that way.»

«With the whereabouts of the Head Maid and ten other Great Knights uncertain, it’s Lady Lokia’s duty to lead the Family.»

«Yes, for now, it’s my responsibility. However, once Lucy or any other survivor returns, I will leave the Family and retire.»

«What do you mean? You’re going to abandon us…?»

«I have no attachment left to this Family. Look, Kean, we fought for Runcandel and lost a lot. However, do you expect me to keep fighting? What right do you have to demand that?»

Kean couldn’t answer.

«For now, be grateful that I’m not leaving immediately. I’m postponing my retirement because I don’t want to see the Family completely disappear without a trace.»

Lokia left the room.

Murakan was enveloped in a new layer of sadness and fell back asleep.

But no matter how many times he escaped into sleep, he still vividly remembered the moment he had to kill his comrades.

Despite Temar’s miracle, Runcandel’s miserable reality didn’t disappear.

Eventually, Murakan began to exhibit strange behavior.

One day, seemingly affected by a sudden case of sleepwalking, he got out of bed and began to wander around Storm Castle.

Sometimes he would walk through the hallways in human form, and other times he would fly in his true form.

No one could stop him.

When they tried to stop him, he showed violent reactions.

This continued for half a year.

Lokia had already left the Family, and the invisible war between Runcandel and Zipple continued.

Murakan’s strange behavior also continued.

He kept moving further and further away from the castle, only to return after a short time.

Sometimes he would leave for a few hours, and other times for several days.

«I’m not sure if Murakan-nim is truly alright. I’m worried that if he continues like this, he might be attacked by Zipple’s assassins. It’s driving me crazy.»

«Mr. Kean, we share your concerns. There’s no reason for Zipple to leave Murakan-nim alone. The day he gets caught in their assassination trap… Currently, he can only fly, and his combat abilities are practically nonexistent.»

«I can’t even ask the Hidden Palace for help because they won’t be able to afford it anymore. All we can do is wait like this.»

As Kean and the members of the Family grew more worried, Murakan’s absence exceeded a month for the first time.

«He still hasn’t returned today? Eh, what’s the situation on Zipple’s side?»

«There’s still no news from anyone who has seen Murakan-nim in the Lutero Magical Federation.»

«Has anyone on our side or from the Empire seen him?»

«No… There have been no reports from anywhere.»

No one had seen Murakan anywhere in the world.

The Black Sea.

At that moment, Murakan was walking in the Black Sea.

Ever since he got out of his bed and started moving, his unconscious mind had been solely fixated on the Black Sea.

And finally, Murakan found himself facing someone in the Black Sea.

[Murakan… You managed to survive and make it here.]

It was the Witch, Helluram.

She looked down at Murakan from a tower rising from the Black Sea.

[With your current condition, you can’t handle the monsters and remnants in this place.]

Helluram seemed genuinely surprised, as she alternated her gaze between Murakan and the depths of the Black Sea.

She pondered how improbable it was that Murakan would enter the Black Sea unharmed with a destroyed heart.

It was a seemingly impossible feat.

[Whether it was someone’s blessing, or if your will was truly transcendent… It’s something worth paying for. So tell me, what brought you here so desperately?]

«Memories…»

[Memories?]

«Please… erase my memories…»

So that I won’t give up.

As Murakan continued with those words, Helluram’s eyes widened in surprise before she broke into a sly smile.

[You’re asking me to erase the memories you’re already forgetting. Wouldn’t it be a waste to ask me that?]

Without hesitation, Murakan nodded.

[Alright, listen.]

When Murakan heard Helluram’s voice and opened his eyes again, he found himself back in Storm Castle, lying in his hospital bed.

He quickly remembered the task he had to fulfill when he saw Kean and the members of the Family entering his room.

Until the thousand-year-old Contractor appeared, he needed to recover his heart as much as possible.

That was his determination.

Whao…

As if scattering ashes, the scene from a thousand years ago was fading away.

Jin remained silent, looking at Murakan and the Ten Great Knights for a while.

Murakan was sobbing and reaching out to the air.

What he was trying to grab were the Ten Great Knights he had killed back then.

Murakan was seeing Dranax, Vyollo, and Frey from a thousand years ago.

But he couldn’t hold onto the illusion caused by the torment.

His two arms were just flailing in the air.

«I was wrong, please forgive me…»

At Murakan’s weak voice, the Ten Great Knights who formed as Guardians, momentarily shook their heads.

The moment of death was imminent.

Their bodies were also gradually fading away as the particles of Shadow Energy scattered.

«Ah, man, why does this bastard make people cry like this, damn it, damn it! Should I start crying too when we’re disappearing? Ugh, sniff!»

«Yeah, I don’t like this either. Huhuhu! Huhuhuhu!»

When Dranax and Vyollo spoke, Frey hugged Murakan from behind.

Dranax and Vyollo also hugged Frey and Murakan, sobbing uncontrollably.

«Murakan.»

«Frey…? Is that you, Frey?»

«Yes, it’s me.»

«Frey, please forgive me.»

«We should be the ones asking for forgiveness. We didn’t know and blamed you, even though you protected us like this.»

«What forgiveness, you bastard!»

«Yeah!»

«Dranax… Vyollo.»

When Murakan turned around, he could see the tearful faces of his two friends and Frey’s smile.

He almost forgot his headache because of Frey’s bright smile.

Murakan blinked repeatedly; seeing them cry felt like a mere dream.

Murakan hugged them too.

Their trembling voices, their heartbeats, and their warmth overwhelmed his entire body.

One by one, the chains that tormented Murakan for a thousand years were breaking.

He was finally able to face them directly.

However, he couldn’t simply surrender to joy.

«Don’t leave. Where are you going?»

The Guardians’ disappearance was accelerating.

With each particle of Shadow Energy leaving, their bodies became increasingly transparent.

«We’re not disappearing; we’re going into your memories.»

Please don’t do that, stay.

Murakan tried to respond, but his throat was constricted, and he couldn’t speak.

«Murakan, that’s a little awkward to say. From now on, we’ll be together in your memories, watching and fighting together.»

«We were the ones who lost back then, not you or the current Runcandel. Listen, Jin! I entrust you. I don’t really understand this thousand-year Contractor thing, but I really like you. If it’s you, I can be at peace.»

Murakan felt the presence of his friends touching him fading away.

Then, Frey stroked Murakan’s hair, who was trying to deny her farewell, and kissed him lightly.

«I’m proud to have loved you. Murakan, you’ve had a hard time protecting us and searching for us. So please, live without falling into sadness again. Please nod once. It will help me find peace by becoming your memories.»

Murakan nodded.

If he didn’t nod now, he would never be able to do it in the future.

He also smiled.

If he didn’t show his smiling face now, he would never be able to show it in the future.

«Farewell , Murakan.»

With Frey’s last words, Kaytam’s painting came to an end.