Swordmaster's Youngest Son Novel - Chapter 857

Chapter 857

The Tower of Stories, Elona’s office.

«The White Whale and Zed Runcandel, the former Black Knights, have returned….»

Beradin sighed as he looked at the news articles spread out on the table.

All the articles were about Luna and the others’ return.

Huphester’s articles particularly described how they immediately dealt with the large fracture in Siatello upon their return, led by Dino Zaglan.

«Who is the White Whale?»

«She’s the first Flagbearer of Runcandel who went to the Black Sea with Cyron Runcandel, Lady Elona. Except for Cyron, she was known as the strongest Knight of Runcandel.»

Following Ronil’s explanation, Elona nodded.

«Is she still the same?»

«Now with the Young Patriarch, Jin Runcandel, I’m not sure. Because she went to the Black Sea, it’s been quite a while since the White Whale achieved anything significant. But considering the White Whale’s reputation during her prime… Maybe she’s not far from Jin Runcandel even now. She could even be stronger. The White Whale also achieved a lot.»

«It reminds me of the traitor, Kelliark Zipple’s, evaluation of the White Whale.»

«What evaluation was that? Satrin.»

«Luna Runcandel is a person who has the potential to win against anyone in the world, even if it’s Cyron Runcandel or himself. That’s what he said. In fact, when the traitor was the patriarch, she was the one he was most wary of after Cyron Runcandel.»

«A person who has the potential to win against anyone… Even if it’s Cyron or himself.»

Saying that, Elona recalled memories from a thousand years ago.

Even back then, there were people like that.

‘It reminds me of Temar and the Flame Empress. Just like Jin Runcandel and Luna Runcandel now, those two were also close siblings.’

Naturally, those two were the ones who frustrated Elona the most at the time.

They were both clearly weaker than her, but when she fought against them, she felt an inexplicable sense of impatience.

‘Besides those two, there was also one more person… Who was it? Anyway, the current Runcandel is strong, just as it was back then.’

Jin Runcandel, Luna Runcandel.

Elona silently repeated their names, hoping she wouldn’t have to encounter them soon.

However, someday, they would inevitably have to fight, and that moment should arrive after she regains her full strength and awakens.

«What’s fortunate at least is that the tremendous energy I felt near the Black Sea… At least Cyron Runcandel didn’t return himself. Ah, but on the other hand, it’s also a problem that there could be someone else at the same level as Cyron…! It’s unlikely that the White Whale is a Genesis Knight, but she cleanly destroyed the fracture like I did…! Ugh.»

«Lady Elona.»

«Yes, patriarch.»

«Don’t worry too much. Now, like a thousand years ago, you won’t have to face them alone.»

Elona was surprised and made eye contact with Beradin.

He always understood her inner thoughts.

«Thank you for saying that, patriarch.»

«Since your return, not only Runcandel, but also the Red Legend Tribe, and now there are presumptions of another force from the underworld. You probably haven’t felt at ease.»

Fractures.

The signs of the demon world transferring to the Lutero Magical Federation continued.

As Nameless informants recently interpreted, the reason for Zipple’s recent defeat in the battle against the Red Legend Tribe was because Elona left the battlefield to eliminate a fracture.

«It seems so. According to what I’ve confirmed through the Tower recently, it’s probably a demon… a kind of demon we’ve never encountered before. Although we haven’t had direct communication yet, they’re creating dimensional portals within our territory without permission, so they will undoubtedly become our enemies.»

Zipple was aware that those fractures were a form of invocation magic.

«Ultimately, those demons’ dimensional portals will summon their fortress somewhere in Lutero.»

«Because Lady Elona and the Tower can’t eliminate all the fractures….»

«And that’s not Lady Elona’s responsibility either. Rather, it’s our incompetence for not creating means of teleportation like the Vamel Alliance. Anyway, once their fortress is established, I plan to meet with them immediately.»

Beradin was thinking about negotiating with the Demon World. It was a daunting task to deal with them while fighting a war with the Red Legend Tribe.

«If they are the kind we can negotiate with, it could be an opportunity to completely expel the Red Legend Tribe. First of all, as soon as the shrine maiden’s prayer ends, I will ask her to find out more information about the demons.»

The Sun God shrine maiden, Sanna. She was currently praying to find Kelliark Zipple.

Sheenu and Kelliark’s powers were still essential components to complete the Demon God Orb and the Tower of Stories.

«Also, we must also prepare for the scenario where the demons don’t respond to negotiations. Most importantly, their relationship with the Red Legend Tribe… We will keep an eye on it for now.»

***

True Demon World, Demon Swordsman’s Castle.

«So, does this mean that out of the thirty fractures created by Zito-nim on the surface and the middle world, twenty-three have been destroyed?»

Paellito said as he drank the soul wine from the glass flask.

Soul wine was created from the souls of surface and middle world beings who hadn’t fallen under the cycle of reincarnation and had been sent to hell.

The screams of agony from the souls, condensed into alcohol, were slightly calming the discomfort in his heart.

«I anticipated this, but it’s still incredibly unpleasant to think that Zito-nim’s magic has been damaged. When I think about the time it took me to counter Zito-nim’s magic for the first time… the fact that beings as ephemeral as humans have achieved this is amazing.»

«That’s why humans must be controlled through suffering. After the Sun God’s death, they’ve gained too much potential.»

«You’re right, Sakiel.»

«According to the information we got from the Witch this time, the person who destroyed the most crucial fractures is a human named Luna Runcandel.»

«The fractures in Siatello, I assume. Cyron Runcandel’s daughter who returned from the Black Sea.»

«That’s correct.»

«If it’s true that she used the crimson aura, then this human Luna Runcandel, along with Cyron Runcandel, is currently the most dangerous person for Zito.»

Sakiel handed over a report containing Luna’s information.

Paellito carefully studied it while savoring the soul wine.

He was contemplating how to push Luna into suffering.

It didn’t take Paellito long to find her weaknesses.

«Despite having considerable power, she’s a human with a weak heart and strong emotions.»

«That’s true for most humans on the surface. It’s the same even for the person of most concern, Jin Runcandel.»

«But unlike Jin Runcandel, this Luna Runcandel seems to have a subtle sense of guilt towards her blood relatives.»

A smile appeared on Paellito’s lips.

«Sakiel.»

«Yes, Paellito-nim.»

«Temporarily stop the production of soul wine from now on. Also, thoroughly record hell and confirm the existence of Luna Runcandel’s brothers. They must have fallen into hell at some point. If they haven’t already become soul wine, they are likely still here.»

«Inducing mental suffering through guilt, a classic method.»

«Classics are always exemplary. Oh, have you confirmed the life or death of that insectoid Basset?»

Basset Visepps.

He was the leader of the resistance against Zito in the demon world and a key figure in the resistance.

«It seems Dylus-nim’s pursuit unit has cornered him.»

«He’s persistent. I never expected him to escape even after being mortally wounded by me. How many times has he escaped now? I’m not sure if I’m incompetent or he’s exceptional.»

«I think Basset has been lucky. Should I send the pursuit unit after him again?»

Paellito pondered for a moment before shaking his head.

«No, leave him be. It seems he’s somehow managed to survive and wants to establish a connection with the surface forces later… It wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring him greater despair then. Keep an eye on hell as well.»

«Understood.»

***

Garden of Swords.

«Oh, my ears are suddenly itching. Who’s talking about me?»

Said Luna, scratching her ear.

«Right now, probably everyone is talking about you and the returnees, Elder Sister. It’s okay if your ears are itching.»

«Well, that’s true.»

The welcoming ceremony for Luna and Zed, the former Black Knights, had just concluded grandly.

And now, Luna and Jin were sitting face-to-face, engaging in conversation.

There were so many stories to catch up on.

Since Luna left for the Black Sea, Jin had found Temar’s seven tombs, made a declaration of patriarch, developed Tikan, and experienced the Sword Emperor Castle War and Gliek’s War.

He had even defeated Joshua and finally killed the Evil God, enduring numerous trials and tribulations.

Among these, Luna felt most acutely the deaths of her brothers.

But she also enjoyed listening to the stories of her brothers who had joined forces until the end to protect the clan.

«Joshua, Myu, Anne, Ran, Vigo… I was too indifferent to them. I should have taken better care of them to prevent them from going astray.»

«It’s not your responsibility, Elder Sister.»

Jin naturally thought that Luna would shake her head at those words.

It was obvious that she would feel tormented by the heavy responsibility she carried.

However, Luna simply showed a slightly bitter expression as she nodded.

«You’re right. After all, it’s not my responsibility. Everyone chooses and takes responsibility for their own lives. I never forced them to go astray or become corrupt. I’m not completely devoid of guilt, and it’s sad that we, as siblings, have participated in bloody battles. But more than that, I’m proud of you for being right as a Runcandel, and I’m more sorry for you.»

«Please stop saying you’re sorry for me, Elder Sister. How long will you keep saying you’re sorry? You didn’t go play in the Black Sea.»

«Is that so? Hm, whatever! If the day comes when I encounter those guys again, even then, I will definitely scold them.»

«Will there be a day to encounter them again?»

«Well, I’ll also age and die someday, so won’t we eventually meet somewhere like the afterlife?»

«Even if there’s a place like the afterlife, Elder Sister, you and they would probably be in different places.»

«Is that so? Anyway, that’s how I feel. I will definitely scold them. Whenever it happens, I’ll give them my opinion.»

Seeing Luna clench her fist exaggeratedly, Jin burst into laughter.

«Now that you’ve heard enough about my past experiences, please, tell me about your past experience, Elder Sister. What happened in the Black Sea all this time?»