章節 149: Chapter 308

Jin's eyes widened.

'What is this...?'

In the scene played by the orb, Murakan was saying something that the Murakan Jin knew would never say.

A silence followed.

Sarah's eyes were trembling in anger as she glared at Murakan. Gradually, a fierce killing intent filled her eyes, while Murakan remained expressionless.

"Give up on the patriarch... Yes, I've heard that you've been saying such things. I heard it from the Magic Swordsmen of the enforcement division. Padler also said something similar."

Sarah spat out blood and continued.

"I thought there was some misunderstanding. Since they don't know you better than me, or maybe they're just talking nonsense because they're all exhausted from the relentless battles…"

Sarah approached Murakan and grabbed his collar.

"But now, I'm hearing it directly from your mouth. Are you really saying we must kill the patriarch? Are you serious? You are the Guardian Dragon of the patriarch!"

"Sarah."

"Answer me, Murakan."

"Look around you."

Sarah turned her head and looked around.

There were corpses all around them. It was the aftermath of their recent battle. The dismembered bodies were full of Runcandel Black Swords and dragon crests of Zipfel.

"More than half of the dead mages had been killed by Temar. If we hadn't come to support, the situation would have been much more difficult. Probably, this battle ended in Zipfel's victory."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I arrived on the battlefield before you did. Unlike you, I watched Temar fighting. The ones he killed weren't just Zipfel's mages."

"You don't mean to say that the patriarch killed our knights, do you...?"

Murakan slowly nodded his head.

Sarah, who had been holding onto his collar, released her grip. She then looked around again to check the bodies of the dead knights.

She examined the wounds and cut marks carefully, and she soon realized that many of their own knights, or rather, the majority, had been killed by Temar's sword. Anyone who died at his sword carried a noticeable mark.

"Sarah, he's losing his mind. Temar... is no longer the person we once knew." Murakan spoke after a long silence.

"No, the patriarch isn't mad..."

"Don't turn away. You already know the truth."

"Nonsense."

"How long do you think you can deceive yourself? You don't want to face the truth. I understand because I was like that too. But you witnessed Temar attacking our allies in the past battles. He tried to kill Padler and only stopped in the nick of time."

"The Patriarch is also human. That day, he momentarily lost his senses due to the relentless battles that had been going on."

"Will you continue to turn a blind eye to the dead knights?"

Sarah shook her head.

"There must have been some reason why the patriarch killed them. Murakan! What do you want us to do if we can't trust the patriarch?"

"I know how difficult it is to accept. But we must see the truth, even if it's for his sake."

"The truth!"

Sarah shouted, her voice sounding choked with anger.

"The truth is that the patriarch is still the person we know, Murakan. There must be a reason why he killed them."

"Sarah."

"Those knights must have been manipulated by Zipfel's mind control magic. You know how they can manipulate human minds. We have to trust the patriarch."

"Do you really believe that?"

"Perhaps they were spies. They must have been spies. So, Temar killed them directly..."

Smack!

Murakan slapped Sarah's cheek.

Her eyes lost focus and she blankly stared at the sky.

"Do not disrespect the dead knights. They fought and died for Runcandel, for Temar, for you and the other clan members, to prevent the world from falling under Zipfel's control. How can you, one of the ten great knights, belittle their sacrifices?"

Tears welled up in Sarah's eyes. She regretted her words, but what was said could not be taken back.

Sarah slumped to the ground with a sigh, and embraced the bodies of dead allies. Her emotions were in turmoil, and she didn't know how to deal with them.

Murakan watched Sarah for a moment before gently embracing her.

"What could have driven the patriarch to such a state? You... you know, right? What's causing him to go mad? Tell me."

Zzzzzt!

Zzzzzzzzt...!

The grey sphere displaying the scene distorted. At the same time, the screen began to blur and sharpen rapidly.

As a result, Jin couldn't see them clearly, and the sound also became muffled.

"This is happening again..."

It wasn't unexpected, given his previous experience with the first tomb.

Jin had suspected that there might be an issue with the recording device after considering the state of the shattered subspace.

He had no choice but to wait quietly until the sphere returned to normal.

'The shadow force marble that I obtained from the first tomb and the recording device in the tombs as well... They all feel like they are damaged.'

The recording device was like a malfunctioned pocket watch. It would show events from a thousand years ago, but then it would often glitch at crucial moments.

'According to the recording device, Murakan was trying to kill Temar, who had gone insane. It might have something to do with why Sir Sylderay seemed to dislike Murakan.'

It seemed like he needed to meet Misha as soon as possible. She might have some information about the recording devices.

Zzzz!

The grey sphere's scene cleared up again, but like in the first tomb, the perspective had shifted.

Murakan and Sarah were no longer on a battlefield filled with the corpses of Runcandel and Zipfel. Instead, they were in a desolate wasteland overrun by monsters.

The Black Sea.

He could tell at a glance; there was only one land so dark and desolate in this world, and that was the Black Sea.

However, there was something strange about this scene.

'A tower in the Black Sea...?'

He knew it was definitely Black Sea, but there was a tall tower standing there in the distance. A tower that didn't exist in the current Black Sea.

"There really is a tower... you said that the patriarch is inside."

The man spoke. Murakan and Sarah called him "Padler."

The three of them stood there for a long time, and looked at the distant tower. A constant stream of black smoke billowed at the top of the tower, which was none other than shadow force.

It didn't look eerie at first glance, but the shadow force billowing from the tower somehow seemed to carry an evil energy.

"Ha..."

Padler let out a deep sigh.

"Murakan, is this really the only way?"

Murakan didn't respond, so Padler continued.

"I'm honestly not confident about this."

"Temar has become weak. I can handle him all by myself. The reason I called you was just…"

"That's not what I am trying to say. I'm not sure if this is the right thing to do. It seems too cruel to kill the patriarch with our own hands, for both the patriarch and us."

"Don't hesitate here, Padler. Do you think I want to kill him? There are no words to express how painful this situation is for me. It's torture for me as well."

Murakan looked back at Padler with bloodshot eyes.

"There was not a single day more dreadful than today in my two thousand years of life. Can you imagine what it feels like for a guardian dragon to kill his contractor? I can't even kill myself out of pain like you humans can. If only I could, I would take my life after killing him."

Murakan clenched his teeth and stopped talking.

The land of the Black Sea they were standing on was trembling. The dark energy flowing from the tower was suppressing the entire area.

Not a single demonic creature was in sight. They had fled, just like beasts instinctively hiding from disaster.

"Murakan, remember this one thing." Sarah spoke.

Murakan didn't turn his head toward her.

"If he were in your position, the patriarch, no. My orabeoni would never give up on you."

"I know that."

"You sound like it is for my orabeoni's sake, but you, and your god too, will ultimately make the choice that benefits yourselves the most. Unfortunately, we have no choice but to follow that decision."

Sarah began to walk forward, and the two followed her. Their footprints remained on the dark ground of the Black Sea.

As they approached the tower, the Black Sea landscape turned even darker. The shadow force emanating from the tower seemed to carry a more sinister venom compared to anything else in the Black Sea.

Near the entrance, they had to muster all their strength to deploy protective shields. Murakan revealed his true form and released his shadow force.

The giant tower was hollow inside. There was a spiral staircase at the center, and the trio climbed it without exchanging a word.

Finally, they reached the top of the tower.

There, they faced Temar.

He had black spots all over his body, Temar appeared like someone afflicted with a plague. He didn't even react when the group arrived.

"Orabeoni."

Temar said nothing.

"We are... I am here, orabeoni. Why are you alone in this desolate place?"

Sarah held onto the hope that Temar might respond despite his lack of reaction. Hope that her beloved brother might not be entirely mad and that they could somehow make things better.

[Sarah...]

Sarah's eyes widened and she nodded her head.

"Yes, it's me. Sarah. Can you recognize me? Can you?"

[Come closer... It's... so cold...]

Sarah smiled brightly and approached Temar. But at that moment, Murakan grabbed her shoulder.

"Don't get any closer to him."

"Let go."

"If you approach him recklessly, you might get attacked."

"I said, let go."

"Damn it, Sarah. Please listen to me. Look at the shadow force swirling around Temar! Can't you see it is forming into blades? They're poised to stab you, Sarah."

Padler closed his eyes tightly.

He had recognized the blades of the shadow force when he first saw Temar.

That's why he had to admit it.

That the patriarch was insane.

The Temar that Padler knew would never retaliate, even if his younger sister stabbed him from behind.

But now, Temar was trying to deceive Sarah and kill her.

Padler drew his sword. The blade, imbued with lightning, emerged from its scabbard and illuminated the surroundings.

"I, Padler Runcandel, one of the great knights of the Runcandel. I have been honored with the name of Runcandel by the patriarch and have enjoyed infinite glory until now. I shall attack you now, patriarch, but I shall make amends for doing so, even in death."

Then a sinister smile spread across Temar's lips.

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章節 150: Chapter 309

[That's a shame,] Temar's eyes turned black with shadow force.

Sarah, too, had no choice but to make a decision as she saw it happen. She had to slash down her Orabeoni.

A blade cloaked in flames emerged from its scabbard with a swift motion.

Sarah's eyes were filled with resolute will. Now that she decided to slash him down, she wanted to send him off as painlessly as possible.

She would worry about the sorrow and anguish once this was done.

A blade shot out from the shadow force that swirled around Temar's back. Sarah and Padler swung their swords to block the incoming attack while a sword took form in Temar's hand.

It appeared to be Barisada but it was not real, it was a counterfeit created from shadow force.

Even Temar, who was wielding the sword, was not the same person the three remembered. He was nothing but a monster who could not even recognize his loved ones.

Blade waves filled with shadow force burst from Temar's dark blade.

Each of them held immense power, but compared to the 'real Temar,' these blades were feeble.

Huuung!

Murakan spread his wings, and Temar's intense energy that filled the tower came to a halt instantly as if a prey had frozen in the face of a giant predator.

This Murakan, who was dealing with the mad Temar, was the black dragon at the peak of his prime a thousand years ago.

People often said that Temar and Murakan were equal in terms of battle prowess, even when Temar was in perfect condition. Temar, who had lost his sanity, couldn't be a match for Murakan.

Moreover, Sarah and Padler were with him.

The mana of two attributes, flames and lightning, were merging with aura and forming sword energies of various colors. These sword energies extended as if they could cut through the entire tower.

Murakan used his shadow force to restrain Temar, while Sarah and Padler attacked him from both directions and put pressure on Temar.

Clang, clank, creak...!

Their energies clashed and collided as their swords met. They were in shock at the sight of Temar barely holding his ground and managed to block the swords of Sarah and Padler.

This could not be the power possessed by the giant known as Temar Runcandel.

[I'm sorry, Temar.]

Murakan gathered all of his released shadow force as if implying this would be over soon. The shadow force surged like waves from all directions, and enveloped Murakan.

At that very moment, the entire sky above the tower was filled with shadow force, and even the sky of the Black Sea in the distance fell under Murakan's control.

Even the unique poison of the Black Sea that rained from the sky was swallowed and vanished in this shadow force.

It was the power fitting of the name the people once called Murakan, the King of the sky.

[Sarah, Padler, it's time to finish this.]

However, just as Murakan finished speaking, a dimensional portal made of steel opened right in front of Temar. And a blurry figure of a human came out of the portal.

His translucent body emitted a brilliant light.

Sarah and Padler stepped back cautiously at his sudden appearance and took defensive positions, and Murakan stopped his attack.

[Fate can be quite cruel at times... just like your god, don't you think? Murakan.]

[...You bastard, how do you know about this place, and how did you suddenly appear here?]

[There aren't many things in the known world that I am unaware of, as long as they haven't been erased or manipulated, you know?]

He and Murakan seemed to be on familiar terms. Sarah and Padler also appeared unfamiliar with him.

[Temar, I assume everyone here wants to save this pitiful fellow, right?]

He said, placing a hand on Temar's shoulder. Temar stood still and did not act hostile against him, although he was struggling under the weight of Murakan's shadow force and breathing heavily.

Sarah and Padler exchanged uncertain glances.

[What kind of bullshit is this?]

Murakan glared at him.

[Bullshit? I just want to be kind to the pitiful orphans, as one vastly troubled with overflowing fortune.]

[Cut the crap and leave before I kill you too.]

Murakan's killing intent was directed at him.

But Sarah and Padler interposed themselves between Murakan and the mysterious figure, and shook their heads.

Their eyes seemed to say, just once listen to what he has to say.

It appeared to be a plea, grounded in faith. They believed that perhaps he could offer them a way to turn Temar back to normal.

[Don't act so harshly. At least hear my proposal, my old friend. I have prepared a bright future for everyone.]

Shiiiiink! Hiss...

The grey sphere distorted once again.

It didn't seem to be returning to the previous scene. Just like the time in the first tomb, the sphere was breaking down after the change of scene.

However, Jin barely felt frustrated about the scene that abruptly cut short. His heart was still beating too fast from the shock of seeing 'him' at the end.

He was a person that Jin had met in person only once.

'The leader of Kinzelo...!'

It was undoubtedly him. The translucent body, the lighting radiating from his body, his manner of speech, voice, and even the dimension portal made of steel, all matched exactly.

He also sounded like he knew Murakan back then too. It was as if he knew Murakan quite well.

However, unlike the day they met at the old Otterium, Murakan also acted as if he knew him also.

'What on earth? If Murakan knew him, why did he pretend not to know him then?'

However, Jin had to correct his thoughts quickly. 'No, it's not that Murakan pretended not to know him. Murakan genuinely doesn't know who he is now.'

The issue lay with Murakan's memories.

It was not too hard to deduce.

Suddenly, Jin recalled a conversation he had in Oterium near the end of his reserve flagbearer days.

-[It was me who stopped Temar from killing you when you went berserk. Murakan. Don't you remember me?]

-You bastard, how dare you nonchalantly flaunt someone's name? You seem to be quite an old demon, but there's no way Temar would've associated with the likes of you. And what's with the berserk thing, by the way? You must have picked up some news, huh? The one who lost control that day was...'

-[Do you want to insist it was Temar and not you? Not recognizing me is one thing, but remembering the fight that day as Temar's fault. I wouldn't even begin to fathom how unjustly the late fellow would feel if he ever found out.]

-Say Temar's name one more time. I'll kill you on the spot and send all of the scums called the Kinzelo or whatever to hell.

-[That's an impossible feat even for you in your prime. Furthermore, I can't help but be curious. Is there really an issue with your memory? Do you truly believe it was Temar who went on a rampage and not you?]

-Are you provoking me into hastening your death?

-[Or did you manipulate your memories in a way more convenient to yourself?]

-Shut up...

A conversation between the leader of Kinzelo and Murakan.

After hearing that conversation, Jin had occasionally wondered what exactly had happened between Murakan and Temar a thousand years ago.

And if there really was a past between the leader of Kinzelo and Murakan, what could it have been?

Jin's mind was in turmoil.

'The scene ended abruptly, but given the circumstances, it's likely that Temar didn't die in that tower.'

This thought was based on the reactions of Sarah and Padler when the leader of Kinzelo appeared, but there was another reason.

In the scene, Temar didn't possess the power to pierce and destroy Murakan's heart, even if Sarah and Padler were not there. He was in a severely weakened state, to the point where Murakan could have easily defeated him.

Such a Temar wouldn't have been able to put Murakan, at the peak of his prime, to sleep for a thousand years.

Although he only glimpsed it briefly, Jin immediately recognized how monstrous the shadow force displayed by Murakan in the scene was.

'Contrary to what the leader of Kinzelo said, it was Temar who went berserk instead of Murakan after looking at the situation in the scene. But what happened next is unclear. The scene was cut off, so there's no way to verify it properly.'

It was frustrating.

If the recording device hadn't been damaged, perhaps he could have observed what happened afterward.

It was no different from the time with Sylderay. Every time the perspective shifted, he had to infer the missing past, and it left his mind in chaos.

'Would Ms. Misha know? There must be a way to restore this recording device... Wait. Recording device, recording device, record…'

Suddenly, several words and a name came to Jin's mind.

Record magic.

Hister's record magic, and the teacher from his past life, Valeria Hister.

She was probably still wandering the world, trying to restore the old and lost magic spells of the Hister clan.

'Why did I only remember my teacher's name now? If it's her, she might know something about the recording device left by Solderet!'

Record magic was a unique and distinctive magic of Hister. Although he saw Plutonians and Solderet use similar devices, they didn't compare to what Hister possessed.

Record magic was a major reason why the Hister clan was completely obliterated by Zipfel. To the Zipfels who sought to manipulate history as they wished, nothing was more threatening than Hister's record magic.

But how?

How could he find his former teacher, Valeria Hister?

That was the problem. He had wanted to meet her desperately a few times after his return, but for various complex reasons, he had been waiting for the right moment.

One of those complex reasons was the justification.

Now that he had become a flagbearer, it wouldn't be too difficult to issue a search warrant to locate Valeria. He could even ask the Seven-colored Peacock as well.

Jin knew all the hiding places Valeria used and the places she frequented, along with the various aliases she used.

However, although he could abruptly seek her out to hold a reunion of his own, Valeria would only see him as a stranger. It would even complicate things if he sought her out with unknown reasons.

Although they had a deep connection in their previous lives, in this life, they were complete strangers.

'Ms. Misha once mentioned that my teacher's alias is Arya Aulhart, so I could use that as a reason to meet her. However, my presence might introduce a significant variable into her life.'

-If you are the child chosen by the Shadow, then Arya is the child chosen by history. If you ever meet that child, please give her encouragement. In a greater scope of things, she can be considered an ally to you.

At that time, Misha had been cautious when talking about his mentor. She seemed to be careful about revealing too much.

'Now that my identity has been revealed, approaching her carelessly could make my teacher a target of my enemies. I need to think carefully. First, I should meet Ms. Misha and discreetly ask for her opinion.

Jin's influence wasn't strong enough yet to provide sufficient protection for Valeria. Therefore, Jin wanted to be extra cautious when it came to meeting her.

Jin came outside as the subspace continued to crumble at a rapid pace, and he could see his companions standing on the giant clam. After that, he noticed two things: Sarah's broken sword and the new shadow force marble.

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