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He probably cried for an hour.
In his heart, Dante wanted to cry until the end of his life in this place. He wished to disappear into the gentle light, like the smile his grandfather used to show, like his embrace.
If there was nothing left for him.
The clan, the people who fought for it, the friends who came running after leaving everything behind, his people, the land he had to protect, and himself.
If all of that had truly disappeared, Dante probably wouldn't have gotten up again.
But there was that much left.
And what remained was because his grandfather gave his life in return. He really gave his all....
"Even if I wanted to sit down, I couldn't."
Dante wiped his tears and looked back at Jin.
"I made you wait for too long, sorry."
It had been a month since the two met. Dante needed time, and Jin had been unconscious for over two weeks receiving intensive healing.
Thanks to Ron's protection during the escape, there were no additional injuries, but the accumulated shock was too much.
Dante finally made up his mind today. He will no longer be buried in his sorrow. That's why he came here.
To say goodbye to his grandfather with Jin. As Ron said, not to say goodbye forever, but to say goodbye to move on.
Now, Dante had to inherit the duty of protection that Ron had taken on.
However, Jin, in reality, couldn't take a step forward like Dante. The guilt still weighed heavily on Jin's chest like a rusted piece of iron.
"I know what you are thinking."
As Jin was about to open his mouth, Dante spoke first.
During the war, in the last moment when Ron sent the two of them out of the path of light, Dante was able to receive Ron's will, which Jin did not recognize.
"You have done nothing wrong, he said so. This is what he said to both you and me."
It's not just Jin who suffers from guilt. Dante also had a hard time getting over the thought that he had lost his grandfather because he hadn't saved anything himself.
How many people had died for him to stay alive, and how much had been destroyed?
"You have done well enough. Perhaps it was beyond what I could have done."
Like leaves catching fire, Jin's eyes became moist. This time, Dante turned his head away to avoid seeing Jin's crying face.
"There is only unavoidable sadness. So, you'd better forget everything that didn't happen."
Dante was talking as if he knew about Jin's regression.
It was because Ron recognized that fact just before he became the light. Dante had vaguely glimpsed the secret that Jin held from Ron's will.
He didn't know it clearly, but he was aware that his friend's guilt was somehow related to that secret.
And Ron knew all that at the moment of death and said so. His grandson or Jin done nothing wrong. Because they really didn't.
"The secret you hold, tell it when the time comes. Just like Veradin did."
Another friend who is not here.
Jin and Dante were grateful to him. Now they know that Veradin had sacrificed himself for his friends.
It was thanks to the letters sent secretly by Sandra.
(My dear Jin! Hello, The reason I wrote this letter today is to schedule our next date! And I think I should let you know something.
You know our Radin put in some effort so that the clan's main force doesn't attack the sword emperor castle?
I can't tell you in detail, but he decided to risk his life to help his friends. Isn't it admirable? Going to such lengths to support the love of this older sister! I'm so proud.
Anyway, if it wasn't for Radin, this fight would definitely have been harder.
Congratulations on your victory. My clan atmosphere is a bit tense, but hey, as long as you are happy, that's all that matters.
Even though my younger brother almost died, and I was almost beaten to death by Kadun while begging him to help you instead of suppressing chaos, and I heard a lecture from Hedo for a few days, my head is about to explode because of resource restoration.
Haha, don't be too pressured. It's just a matter of going on a date. You know what I mean? I'll be waiting for you. - Your one and only love, Sandra Zipfel)
Although the letter was a bit messy, it left no doubt that Veradin was helping them.
"... But Jin, are you really dating Sandra Zipfel? Then the lady of the hidden palace."
"One Sandra Zipfel is enough to talk nonsense, Dante."
The two burst into laughter.
"It would have been nice if Veradin was here too. People know that I will even resent Zipfel for attacking the sword emperor castle, but that's not the case at all. He is my friend anytime, anywhere."
Even if Veradin loses himself to mind manipulation one day and becomes a monster, so even if he attacks himself, Dante was prepared not to hate him.
That was the form of trust he thought, and that was the righteousness. Even after going through so much grief and pain, he did not become a vengeful demon or fall into madness like he did in the first battle.
The hard and shining heart of a human named Dante Hairan has not lost its original form. Just like how his grandfather finally overcame demonization.
"Let's create an opportunity to meet him soon."
"You talk like you're going somewhere."
"Yes, I will leave for training."
"When?"
"Not right away, but after sorting out the situation and taking care of a few things."
Jin had already planned to go to Laprarosa and achieve 10 stars, but the weakening of Zipfel and Runcandel worked especially well for Jin.
'There will definitely be a ceasefire agreement, so the possibility of my comrades being threatened while I'm gone has been greatly reduced.'
Even if the truce was broken while he was training, the Vamel Alliance was now a force that even Runcandel could not help but protect.
It could not be said that they were entirely part of Runcandel, but it was because they were the people of Jin.
With this incident, Jin has further solidified his position as the next patriarch, and the moment he becomes the patriarch of the clan, the Vamel alliance will become the strength of Runcandel.
Above all, people were more precious than ever now that the power of great clans has weakened.
There was no reason not to maintain friendly relations with the Vamel Alliance, which was emerging as the fifth force after Zipfel, Runcandel, Empire, and Kinzelo.
"How long do you think it will take?"
"Madame Talaris said it would be a short training session, but I think I'll know if I try it."
"You will be strong again."
"Now I am in a position to follow you."
Dante shook his head.
"Not to that extent. Although my grandfather gave me some of his true energy, it seems like it will take a long time for it to fully become my strength."
"Rather than that, what are you going to do?"
It was a question about the empire.
Currently, the imperial throne is vacant. Although the emperor did not officially step down from the throne, it was impossible for him to rule the empire again.
As the full story of the incident was revealed, public sentiment literally plummeted, Zipfel did not receive what he promised, and Runcandel and Hidden Palace were also severely hit by the emperor and Zipfel's decision.
That's why the major factions didn't covet the empire that became communist even though talented people became precious.
The Empire's strongest sword was killed as soon as it reached the genesis knight realm, and most of the Empire's best figures, including the Empire's second sword Jonsina Perral, died in this war.
Besides, occupying the empire now only added to the trouble. Which lands did the chaos of Glyek polluted most? The one who swallowed the empire had to deal with and purify the contaminated area intact.
"The Emperor cannot be spared. Aside from personal grudges and vengeance, he has done irreparable damage to the Empire. And the throne will be mine for the time being. In the form of putting a scarecrow down and acting as a regent."
"Didn't you just consider ascending the throne? If legitimacy is a problem...…."
"Since the birth of the empire, the imperial family has never been loved more than Hairan by the people. Legitimacy and justification aren't the problem."
"Then why?"
Then Dante slowly pulled out Rashid.
"This sword is not for reign. Rashid was forged to protect this land. I will not forget my duty, as my grandfather and ancestors didn't. Instead."
Dante turned his head to Jin.
"When the empire gets back on track, please do me a favor. Vamel alliance's Sir Kashmir, King of the Tikan Free Country. Let him rise to the throne. At that time, I will step down as regent and become the lord of Sword Emperor Castle again. This is my conclusion."
"The fact that Sir Kashmir takes charge of the empire you restored means that the empire will soon become my land, Dante."
"All the people of the Empire know that you fought for us until the end. And, you don't know very well that the empire will need your strength in the future anyway."
Dante was sincere. He thought that he could not continue to defend the empire with his own strength.
"Amir Vermont is already a dead man, but there will still be other cards left in the imperial family. He might negotiate with Zipfel again, maybe even Kinzelo or Runcandel. Even if it's not that, after the restoration of the contaminated area, the giant forces will aim for the empire again. In a situation like that, who should I trust?"
Although it was emotionally uncomfortable for Jin to take what Dante would build, Jin had nothing to refute.
"You are the only one. There is also Veradin, but he is always exposed to threats. So don't be afraid, but please take good care of me in the future."
Jin grabbed Dante's outstretched hand.
Dante then took out a bottle of wine and three glasses from his bosom. The bottles were intact, but the glasses were all broken or cracked.
The glasses were Ron's favorite pottery.
From the broken cabin across the plains of sword emperor castle, Dante had come to visit.
"Miraculously, some pottery remains in the ruins of the cabin where my grandfather used to play with me when I was a child. I picked out the most intact ones, pasted them on, and brought them. With the wine that my grandfather enjoyed drinking."
Clang...….
Dante uncorked the bottle and looked at the ground.
The black soil they were sitting on was gradually regaining its original color.
Ron's light was purifying the contaminated territory of the Sword Emperor Castle.
Very slow, and sluggish, but.
As with taking steps, it would surely be completely purified someday.
One in front of Ron's light, one in his own, and one in Jin.
Dante and Jin raised their glasses to Ron's light.
After the fight is over, let's have a drink together with my lovely grandson, Jin was thinking about what Ron had said.
After slowly emptying their glasses, the two stood up. Before leaving, they each drew their swords and engraved these words under Ron's light.
Sword Emperor Ron Hairan.
Becoming the light of Hairan or the light of the world in this place.
'Goodbye, Grandfather.'
Dante had a subtle smile on his face, just like the light while leaving the territory.