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Zed Runcandel. The Sole Survivor among Chiron's siblings.
He left the Garden of Swords as soon as Rosa lost her mind and headed for the Black Sea. He believed that Chiron's return was the only way to reclaim the clan from chaos.
That was already 4 years ago.
For four years, he traversed the Black Sea alone, without even a map. The expedition team knew, more than anyone else, how remarkable this feat was.
It was a near-impossible task.
Initially, Zed's strength was only at the 8-star. With the blessed body of Runcandel, he could be considered as powerful as a 10-star martial artist, but reaching the depths of the Black Sea was impossible even for true 10-star martial artists.
However, Zed was now standing in front of Chiron.
Luna shed tears as she recalled the countless hardships and absurd things Zed had experienced, and the former Black Knights who had been close to Zed for a long time also felt their emotions stirred.
Only Chiron and Zed were calmly looking into each other's eyes.
"It's been a while, but why did you call me patriarch?"
"I did it 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."
Chiron grinned as he remembered about the times when he used to scold Zed as a child. After conquering his demonization, Chiron had become more prone to such laughter.
And Zed, looking at him, quickly recognized the change in Chiron.
"I should've scolded you less back then. To think you'd be worrying about that kind of thing even in a moment like this."
"You've changed for the better, Elder Brother."
"So it happened."
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 the youngest in my inner world. And I also know that he finally killed the evil god..."
There was a hint of bitterness in Chiron's voice. Zed also recognized the sadness within that bitterness.
Chiron, who overcame his demonization, now possesses human emotions unlike before. Of course, even if we exclude his demonization, after living so long immersed in bloodshed and battles, he could never be considered to have typical emotions. Nevertheless, he certainly felt the sorrow of losing his wife.
However, because he is the patriarch, due to Rosa's crimes, and because he left the clan 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 Chiron was feeling sorrow. 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 unaware of outside news."
"No, Elder Brother, you've been in the Black Sea for much longer than I have."
"When you reach the same level as me, you'll understand."
Zed was momentarily speechless, then nodded his head.
"Ha... Well, please tell me the details. Did the youngest really kill the evil god? What happened to the clan? 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 clan afterward. However, if it's the youngest, he's surely leading well. And it's a very good thing 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 clan again, now many members of the clan will rely on and lean on you. Even when there's no hope, they'll think of you. They'll believe that Zed Runcandel might turn things around."
It wasn't just compliments for crossing the Black Sea as if performing a miracle.
Chiron genuinely believed that Zed had accomplished something of that magnitude. And in this world, there was no one who could accurately assess an opponent's strength like Chiron could.
Zed had finally entered the realm of transcendence. And, in Chiron's eyes, it wasn't just the beginning but already the mid-stage.
"Ozdock."
[Yes, old man!]
"Prepare a suitable table. I think I should share a meal with my long-lost brother."
[Understood! Oh, you just walked past me and Dame Vanessa without saying a word earlier. Nice to meet you, I'm Ozdock... you could say I'm in charge of the expedition team's meals and also the entertainment.]
As Ozdock greeted, he swiftly chiseled the rocks of Black Sea to set up the table. Zed could infer how Black Sea meals were usually prepared from Ozdock's familiar actions.
Even the dishes placed on the table a while later were quite dull. After Chiron purified the remnants of chaos and monsters collected by Ozdock, they turned into peculiar lumps. Ozdock adeptly distributed the lumps on the table.
'Huh... Does that mean everyone here has been living on this kind of food?'
While Zed was taken aback, the rest of the expedition team members exchanged greetings.
"Uncle, I am happy to see you at such an unexpected moment."
"Luna, you've grown stronger too. Seeing you, I realize I still have a long way to go."
"I feel the same way when I see my father."
"I see... Truly, those are comforting words..."
"Zed, you must be the first person to come alone this far into the Black Sea "
"It was only possible because my elder brother and the expedition team had cleared the path ahead, Vanessa."
"Even so, what you've accomplished is a monumental task that should be remembered for generations in the clan."
"Thank you, Tuben. It reminds me of times when I tried to beat you in our youth. The same goes for Heijin over there."
Amidst the exchange of heartwarming words, the meal preparation was complete. Just as Chiron was about to pick up a piece, Zed took something out from his bosom.
"Oh, ohh! Zed, what's that!?"
"Uncle! This is..."
It was food.
A few handfuls of dried grains and medicines that he saved and treasured until the very end. For the expedition team, who had been surviving solely on remnants 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 Kings of Black Sea such as Kial and Seu and the monsters who ruled different regions in the Black Sea in advance, all of this food would have surely spoiled.
Zed, looking at the sparkling-eyes of expedition team members before the food, internally sighed with a mixture of pity.
The first one to touch the food was Chiron. He picked up grains one by one, sorted by type, and chose only the tiniest roots or leaves of medicines.
"I'll be fine with this much, so share the rest equally among all of you."
"I'll pass too, Elder Brother. I've eaten a lot on the way here."
"Understood. Oh, Luna. You too."
"Yes, Father... I mean, yes? Me? Why...?"
"Now you're talking back, this father looks funny to you."
"Huh, I understand."
"Vanessa."
"Yes, lord patriarch. Oh, don't tell me also...?"
"That's right. And Tuben."
"Understood."
"Heijin, you too."
"Yes, lord patriarch."
Zed, Luna, Vanessa, Tuben, Heijin.
Ozdock distributed the food to all except these five. The distribution was perfectly balanced, down to each grain.
A long-awaited human-like meal began. For those who hadn't received any food, it was a usual meal, just like always.
Chew, chew.
For a while, the sounds of chewing and swallowing filled the air. To 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, too, have lacked the need to decipher others' intentions since I was as strong as you from a young age. But you, Luna, you're quite extreme. Learn how to notice small things from the youngest when you return."
"Yes, I understa... Huh? When I return? Did you just say when I return?"
Luna's and the former Black Knights' eyes widened. Ozdock was so surprised that he almost dropped the food.
[Cough, cough. Oh... I am surprised because I sense a richer bitterness in the medicine now. Ha, hahaha. By the way, return? Are Lady Luna and the other knights... leaving the Black Sea now!?]
Chiron nodded. Those who received the return order looked at him with a startled look, trying to compose themselves.
"You'll have better meals when you return, so it's right to offer what Zed brought to the others who remain."
"Father, I can't just leave this heavy burden only for you and the others. I can't leave like that."
"I told you to develop your intuition, not answer back."
"But Father!"
As Luna stood up and protested, the other knights were taken aback. Even if it was Luna, showing this kind of attitude to Chiron was unacceptable.
However, Chiron gestured to the knights who were trying to calm Luna down.
"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 is too dangerous without us. So please reconsider your order, Father."
"Luna, if you thought that maybe I was preparing for the possibility of the expedition being wiped out and planning for the future, you were wrong. Furthermore, I have no intention of returning before killing the kings of the Black Sea."
I will kill all the kings of the Black Sea and return to the clan.
Chiron continued with these words and made eye contact with Luna.
"If I had even a little bit of the same thoughts as you, I would have entrusted you with Barisada right 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, I may have had such thoughts before, but now I don't."
"Then, all the more reason for us to stay, isn't it? 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."
"The youngest's side... Are you saying it's more dangerous there than here?"
"Relatively speaking, yes. I am not currently in the clan. Formidable enemies are waking up in the human world. It seems that a mage with incomprehensibly strong power has appeared in Zipfel, and not on the surface. Somewhere under the ground, unknown beings are revealing their strength."
They cann't be made-up words. Chiron's senses, which the expedition team has seen until now, has reached an realm that can be called god's, not just demigod's.
"So you all should go back and assist the youngest. And from now on, I officially appoint that boy as my successor, the young patriarch."
Those who received the return order all lowered their heads in unison.
"After the meal, I'll make it easier for you to return by opening the way. I'll need some time since I have to disperse all my energy throughout the Black Sea. Until then, we can share some of the stories of the past."
"... Understood, Father. I will go back and assist the youngest one, and I will be waiting for you."
"Zed."
"Speak, Elder Brother."
Chiron lifted his head briefly, directed his gaze to 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.'"
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