Swordmaster's Youngest Son Novel - Chapter 853

Chapter 853

Zed Runcandel.

The only survivor among Cyron’s brothers.

He left the Garden of Swords as soon as Rosa lost her mind and headed for the Black Sea.

He believed that Cyron’s return was the only way to reclaim the Chaos Family.

That was four years ago.

For four years, he traversed the Black Sea alone, without even a map.

The expedition team knew, more than anyone, how remarkable this feat was.

It was a task that was almost impossible.

Initially, Zed’s strength was only 8-star.

With the Runcandel-blessed body, he could be considered as powerful as a 10-star Warrior, but reaching the depths of the Black Sea was impossible even for true 10-star Warriors.

However, Zed was now standing in front of Cyron.

Luna shed tears as she thought about the countless hardships and absurd things Zed would have experienced, and the former Black Knights who had been close to Zed for a long time also felt their emotions stir.

Only Cyron and Zed looked into each other’s eyes calmly.

«It’s been a while, but why did you call me patriarch?»

«I did because if I call you ‘Elder Brother,’ you might get upset and say something like, ‘Can’t you address me properly?’ You used to do that often when we were young.»

Cyron smiled as he remembered the times when he used to reprimand Zed as a child.

After conquering his demonization, Cyron had become more prone to this kind of laughter.

And Zed, looking at him, quickly recognized the change in Cyron.

«I should have reprimanded you less back then. To think that you would worry about that kind of thing even at a time like this.»

«You’ve changed for the better, Elder Brother.»

«So it was.»

Zed laughed heartily for a moment, then his expression turned serious.

«Elder Brother, the reason I’ve come…»

«I know. It’s about Rosa, right?»

«…How did you know?»

«I met with the youngest in my inner world. And I also know that he finally killed the Evil God…»

There was a hint of bitterness in Cyron’s voice.

Zed also recognized the sadness within that bitterness.

Cyron, who overcame his demonization, now possessed human emotions unlike before.

Of course, even if we exclude his demonization, after having lived for so long immersed in bloodshed and battles, he could never be considered to have typical emotions.

However, he certainly felt the sadness of losing his wife.

However, because he’s the patriarch, because of Rosa’s crimes, and because he left the Family then and now, he couldn’t afford to be sad.

«…He killed the Evil God?»

For Zed, this revelation was more shocking than the fact that Cyron was feeling sadness.

After all, the reason he risked his life to come to the Black Sea was the Evil God.

«You’ve been wandering the Black Sea all this time, so you’re completely uninformed about the news from the outside.»

«No, Elder Brother, you’ve been in the Black Sea much longer than me.»

«When you reach the same level as me, you’ll understand.»

Zed was momentarily speechless, then nodded.

«Ha… Well, please, tell me the details. Did the youngest really kill the Evil God? What happened to the Family? Was there no need for me to come here?»

«The fact that the youngest killed the Evil God is true. I don’t know what happened to the Family afterwards. However, if it’s the youngest, he’s surely leading well. And it’s very good that you came to find me.»

«Why is that?»

«Because you’ve become stronger. Even if a formidable enemy like the Evil God threatens the Family again, now many Family members will rely and depend on you. Even when there’s no hope, they will think of you. They will believe that Zed Runcandel could turn things around.»

It wasn’t just compliments for crossing the Black Sea as if it were a miracle.

Cyron truly believed that Zed had achieved something of that magnitude.

And in this world, there was no one who could accurately assess an opponent’s strength like Cyron did.

Zed had finally entered the realm of transcendence.

And, in Cyron’s eyes, it wasn’t just the beginning, but already the middle.

«Ozdock.»

[Yes, Sir!]

«Prepare a proper table. I think I should share a meal with my long-lost brother.»

[Understood! Oh, you just passed by me and Lady Vanessa without saying a word before. Nice to meet you, I’m Ozdock… you could say that I’m in charge of the expedition team’s meals and also entertainment.]

While Ozdock greeted them, he quickly carved the Black Sea rocks to set up the table.

Zed could infer how meals were normally prepared in the Black Sea from Ozdock’s familiar actions.

Even the dishes placed on the table a while later were quite simple.

After Cyron purified the remains of chaos and monsters collected by Ozdock, they became peculiar lumps. Ozdock skillfully distributed the lumps on the table.

‘Well… Does that mean everyone here has been living on this kind of food?’

While Zed was surprised, the rest of the expedition team exchanged greetings.

«Uncle, I’m happy to see you at such an unexpected time.»

«Luna, you’ve become stronger as well. Seeing you, I realize that I still have a long way to go.»

«I feel the same seeing my father.»

«I see… Truly, those are comforting words…»

«Zed, you must be the first person to reach this far in the Black Sea alone.»

«It was only possible because my Elder Brother and the expedition team cleared the path ahead, Vanessa.»

«Even so, what you’ve achieved is a monumental task that should be remembered by generations in the Family.»

«Thank you, Tuben. It reminds me of the times when I tried to beat you in our youth. The same goes for Heijin over there.»

In the midst of the exchange of heartfelt words, the meal preparation was complete.

Just when Cyron was about to take a bite, Zed pulled something out of his chest.

«Oh, ohh! Zed, what’s that!?»

«Uncle. This is…»

It was food.

A few handfuls of dry grains and medicines that he had saved and treasured until the end.

For the expedition team, who had been surviving solely on remains of chaos and monsters for the past few years, these were truly rare and untouched provisions.

If the expedition team hadn’t dealt with the Black Sea Kings, like Kial and Seu, and the monsters who ruled different regions in the Black Sea beforehand, all this food would have surely spoiled.

Zed, seeing the expedition team members’ bright eyes at the food, inwardly sighed with a mix of sorrow.

The first to touch the food was Cyron.

He picked up the grains one by one, sorted by type, and chose only the smallest roots or leaves of the medicines.

«I’ll be fine with this, so share the rest equally among all of you.»

«I’ll pass as well, Elder Brother. I’ve eaten a lot on the way.»

«Understood. Oh, Luna. You too.»

«Yes, father… I mean, yes? Me? Why…?»

«Now you’re answering back, do you find this father funny?»

«Eh, I understand.»

«Vanessa.»

«Yes, patriarch-nim. Oh, don’t tell me you also…?»

«That’s right. And Tuben.»

«Understood.»

«Heijin, you too.»

«Yes, patriarch-nim.»

Zed, Luna, Vanessa, Tuben, Heijin.

Ozdock distributed the food to everyone except these five.

The distribution was perfectly balanced, down to each grain.

A meal longed for like that of humans began.

For those who hadn’t received food, it was a usual meal, as always.

Chew, chew.

For a while, the sounds of chewing and swallowing filled the air.

For the expedition team, the slightly bland taste of the grains and the bitterness of the medicines felt sweet, almost like sugar.

«Why do you think I excluded you five?»

«I’m not sure, father.»

«I’ve also lacked the need to decipher the intentions of others since I was as strong as you when I was young. But you, Luna, are quite extreme. Learn to notice small things from the youngest when you return.»

«Yes, I understand… Eh? When I return? Did you just say when I return?»

Luna’s eyes and the former Black Knights’ eyes widened.

Ozdock was so surprised that he almost dropped the food.

[Cough, cough. Oh… I’m surprised because I now feel a richer bitterness in the medicine. Ha, hahaha. By the way, return? Are Lady Luna and the other Knights… leaving the Black Sea now!?]

Cyron nodded.

Those who received the order to return looked at him with an expression of surprise, trying to regain their composure.

«They will have better meals when they return, so it’s right to offer what Zed brought to the others who are staying.»

«Father, I can’t leave this heavy burden just for you and the others. I can’t leave like this.»

«I told you to develop your intuition, not to answer back.»

«But father!»

While Luna got up and protested, the other Knights were surprised.

Even if it was Luna, showing this kind of attitude towards Cyron was unacceptable.

However, Cyron gestured to the Knights who were trying to calm Luna.

«You must be worried about me and the other Knights, Luna.»

«Father, even if you’ve overcome your demonization, everyone here has witnessed it. It’s too dangerous without us. So, please, reconsider your order, father.»

«Luna, if you thought that maybe I was preparing for the possibility that the expedition would be annihilated and planning for the future, you were wrong. Also, I have no intention of returning before killing the Black Sea Kings.»

I’m going to kill all the Black Sea Kings and return to the Family.

Cyron continued with these words and made eye contact with Luna.

«If I had even a little of the same thoughts as you, I would have entrusted Barisada to you here and now. Go and tell the youngest. But I will continue to hold onto Barisada. It’s because I don’t plan to die in the Black Sea. Honestly, maybe I had such thoughts before, but not now.»

«Then, all the more reason for us to stay, right? It might be better to finish dealing with all the Black Sea Kings a little faster and return together…»

«Right now, the situation is more dangerous on the youngest’s side.»

«On the youngest’s side…? Are you saying it’s more dangerous there than here?»

«Relatively speaking, yes. I’m not currently in the Family. Formidable enemies are awakening in the human world. It seems that a Magician with incomprehensibly strong power has appeared in Zipple, and not on the surface. Somewhere underground, unknown beings are revealing their strength.»

It can’t be made-up words.

Cyron’s senses, which the expedition team has seen until now, have reached a realm that can be called divine, not just that of a demigod.

«So all of you must return and assist the youngest. And from now on, I officially appoint that boy as my successor, the young patriarch.»

Those who received the order to return bowed their heads in unison.

«After the meal, I will facilitate your return by opening the path. I will need some time as I have to disperse all my energy throughout the Black Sea. Until then, we can share some stories from the past.»

«…Understood, father. I will return and assist the youngest, and I will be waiting for you.»

«Zed.»

«Speak, Elder Brother.»

Cyron briefly lifted his head, directed his gaze at the dark sky of the Black Sea, and continued with his words.

«When you return, tell the youngest. Tell him: ‘I’m sorry for making you kill the Evil God.’”