He probably cried for an hour. In his heart, Dante wanted to cry until his life here ended. He wanted to disappear in the light of his grandfather embrace, like the smile his grandfather used to show him when he was alive.
If there was nothing left of 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 really gone away, Dante probably wouldn't have risen again.
But that much remains.
And what remained was the price his grandfather gave his life for. He really gave his all....
“Even if I wanted to sit down, I couldn’t.”
Dante rolled his eyes and looked back at Jin.
"Looks like I've kept you waiting too long, I'm sorry."
It had been a month since the two met. Dante needed time, and Jin received intensive healing after more than 15 days of fainting.
At the time of the escape, thanks to Ron's protection, he did not receive any additional injuries, but the cumulative shock was already too great.
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 guardianship that Ron had taken on.
But Jin, like Dante, couldn't take a single step. It was because the guilt like rusty iron was still weighing heavily on Jin's chest.
“I know what you are thinking.”
As Jin was about to open his mouth, Dante spoke first.
During the war, 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 my grandfather said to 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 felt he had nothing to protect himself.
How many have died, how many have been broken in order to keep him alive.
“You have done well enough. Maybe it was to the extent that I couldn’t do better.”
As if the fallen leaves were on fire, Jin's eyes were wet. This time Dante turned his head away from 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 the fact just before he became a light. Dante had peeked at Jin's secret from his will.
He didn't know for sure, but he knew that his friend's guilt had something to do with the secret.
And Ron knew all that at the moment of death and said so. His grandson or Jin done nothing wrong. Because it really is.
“Please tell me the secret you have when the time comes. Just like Lord Veradin did.”
Another friend who is not here.
Jin and Dante were feeling grateful to him. Now they know that Veradin had sacrificed himself for his friend.
It was thanks to Sandra secretly sending him a letter.
(Dear Jin! Hello, The reason I wrote this letter today is to schedule the next date! And I thought I should let you know.
Don't you know that our Radin put in some effort so that the entire clan’s main force doesn't attack the sword emperor castle?
I can't give you any details, but he's decided to risk his life to help his friends. Isn’t it unique? To cheer for his older sister's love! I'm so proud that I'm going to die.
Anyway, if it wasn't for Radin, this fight would definitely have been harder.
Congratulations on your victory. My clan has the atmosphere of a mourning house, but for me, what I like is the best.
Even though my younger brother almost died, and he was beaten to death by Kadun while begging him to help Sir Jin instead of suppressing chaos, and I heard a sermon from Hedo for a few days, and 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 wasn't enough to make the guess 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 Lord Veradin was here too. People know that I will even resent Zipfel for attacking sword emperor castle, but that's not the case at all. He is my friend anytime, anywhere.”
Even if Veradin loses his self 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 Laprarosa and achieve 10 stars, but the weakening of Zipfel and Runcandel worked especially well for Jin.
'There will definitely be an 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 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 when 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 unique powers, 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 emperor and Zipfel’s decision.
That's why the giant forces 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 authenticity 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 grandfathers and forefathers did. 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 State. 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 took what Dante will built, but Jin had nothing to refute.
“You are the only one. There is also Lord 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.”
Pong...….
Dante uncorked the bottle and looked at the ground.
He could see the black ground they were sitting on, slowly regaining its original color.
Ron's light was purifying the contaminated territory of the sword emperor Castle.
Very slow, slow though.
As always to walk the right path, one day it will definitely be completely purified.
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 let's have a drink with my pretty grandson, Jin was thinking about what Ron had said.
After slowly emptying their glasses, the two stood up. And before they left, they each took out their swords and carved these words under Ron's light.
Sword Emperor Ron Hairan.
Become the light of Hairan and the light of the world here.
'Goodbye, Grandpa.'
Dante was smiling as softly as the light while leaving the estate.
He probably cried for an hour. In his heart, Dante wanted to cry until his life here ended. He wanted to disappear in the light of his grandfather embrace, like the smile his grandfather used to show him when he was alive.
If there was nothing left of 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 really gone away, Dante probably wouldn't have risen again.
But that much remains.
And what remained was the price his grandfather gave his life for. He really gave his all....
“Even if I wanted to sit down, I couldn’t.”
Dante rolled his eyes and looked back at Jin.
"Looks like I've kept you waiting too long, I'm sorry."
It had been a month since the two met. Dante needed time, and Jin received intensive healing after more than 15 days of fainting.
At the time of the escape, thanks to Ron's protection, he did not receive any additional injuries, but the cumulative shock was already too great.
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 guardianship that Ron had taken on.
But Jin, like Dante, couldn't take a single step. It was because the guilt like rusty iron was still weighing heavily on Jin's chest.
“I know what you are thinking.”
As Jin was about to open his mouth, Dante spoke first.
During the war, 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 my grandfather said to 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 felt he had nothing to protect himself.
How many have died, how many have been broken in order to keep him alive.
“You have done well enough. Maybe it was to the extent that I couldn’t do better.”
As if the fallen leaves were on fire, Jin's eyes were wet. This time Dante turned his head away from 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 the fact just before he became a light. Dante had peeked at Jin's secret from his will.
He didn't know for sure, but he knew that his friend's guilt had something to do with the secret.
And Ron knew all that at the moment of death and said so. His grandson or Jin done nothing wrong. Because it really is.
“Please tell me the secret you have when the time comes. Just like Lord Veradin did.”
Another friend who is not here.
Jin and Dante were feeling grateful to him. Now they know that Veradin had sacrificed himself for his friend.
It was thanks to Sandra secretly sending him a letter.
(Dear Jin! Hello, The reason I wrote this letter today is to schedule the next date! And I thought I should let you know.
Don't you know that our Radin put in some effort so that the entire clan’s main force doesn't attack the sword emperor castle?
I can't give you any details, but he's decided to risk his life to help his friends. Isn’t it unique? To cheer for his older sister's love! I'm so proud that I'm going to die.
Anyway, if it wasn't for Radin, this fight would definitely have been harder.
Congratulations on your victory. My clan has the atmosphere of a mourning house, but for me, what I like is the best.
Even though my younger brother almost died, and he was beaten to death by Kadun while begging him to help Sir Jin instead of suppressing chaos, and I heard a sermon from Hedo for a few days, and 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 wasn't enough to make the guess 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 Lord Veradin was here too. People know that I will even resent Zipfel for attacking sword emperor castle, but that's not the case at all. He is my friend anytime, anywhere.”
Even if Veradin loses his self 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 Laprarosa and achieve 10 stars, but the weakening of Zipfel and Runcandel worked especially well for Jin.
'There will definitely be an 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 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 when 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 unique powers, 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 emperor and Zipfel’s decision.
That's why the giant forces 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 authenticity 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 grandfathers and forefathers did. 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 State. 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 took what Dante will built, but Jin had nothing to refute.
“You are the only one. There is also Lord 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.”
Pong...….
Dante uncorked the bottle and looked at the ground.
He could see the black ground they were sitting on, slowly regaining its original color.
Ron's light was purifying the contaminated territory of the sword emperor Castle.
Very slow, slow though.
As always to walk the right path, one day it will definitely be completely purified.
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 let's have a drink with my pretty grandson, Jin was thinking about what Ron had said.
After slowly emptying their glasses, the two stood up. And before they left, they each took out their swords and carved these words under Ron's light.
Sword Emperor Ron Hairan.
Become the light of Hairan and the light of the world here.
'Goodbye, Grandpa.'
Dante was smiling as softly as the light while leaving the estate.
