Chapter 832
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The Ten Great Knights alternated their gazes between Jin and Murakan. Murakan emphasized that he had no intention to fight as he transformed into a human.
"Right! I just took a quick look, and it seems like you three are not enough. Temar is injured and fleeing, but where are the others? Why are only you three here?"
"The others are..."
Before Dranax could answer, Frey raised her hand to stop him.
"They are all on external missions. They will be back soon."
Murakan believed Frey's words at face value, but Jin immediately realized that it was a lie.
'They probably don't trust us yet, so they want to hide their full strength. But most likely, the current personnel present are their maximum forces. They probably didn't set up any ambush or sneak attack.'
With this assumption, they took a combat-ready stance, believing that the "fake Murakan" would engage them in an all-out battle. Surely, if there were more Ten Great Knights and troops, they would have deployed them all.
"I see."
"We haven't heard your answer yet. How do you explain that clothing and Ruby cat of Witch? Vamel."
"The clothing is an item made by the Plutonian tribe of Laprarosa in the past for Lord Temar. It was woven to be given to him to wear when his training was complete, but he forgot to take it with him. So, when I came out this time, I wore it. As for Ruby cat, her name is Shuri. She was abandoned by Helluram and picked up by Solderet."
"She was also in Laprarosa?"
"Yes. She went through extreme hardships and before abandoning her, the witch cursed Shuri with immortality."
Frey gazed into Jin's eyes for a moment, remaining silent. It was not easy to determine if their words were true or not.
"... In summary, you are Solderet's prepared secret weapon. The Murakan here was previously harmed by the fake one and has received treatment, and he also has memory issues... And now he has returned to fight for the clan. That's the story."
"Yes, Dame Frey."
Frey fell into deep thought for a moment.
If their words were true, it meant an unexpected reinforcement. It provided a chance to eliminate the fake Murakan.
'But if it's a witch's scheme...'
As Frey pondered that possibility, Jin removed Sigmund from his waist and offered it to her.
"If me and Murakan were enemies, there would be no reason to go this far. If I were the witch, I wouldn't send beings like me or Murakan just to spy on you. If anything, it makes more sense for us to join forces with the fake Murakan. It's inevitable that Storm Castle will be conquered. For now, as I can't think of any other way to gain your trust, I'm handing over the remaining sword as well."
"It doesn't seem like someone like you would be weakened just because they don't have a sword."
"You can bind me if you want."
"Even if I bind you with ancient everlasting steel, I doubt it can suppress you."
"Oh, then what do you suggest, Frey! Can you consider my perspective for a moment? I mean, I rushed back to the clan right after recovering from the attack of the fake guy. But Temar is fleeing after being attacked by the fake, and you attack me instead. How do you think I feel? Geez!"
"Murakan, calm down."
"Calm down? No way! Haven't I explained this a thousand times? Tell me where that fake bastard is! Even if you can make a rough guess. If I and the kid go and take his head, you'll have no choice but to believe us. We are enough to handle him, so tell us quickly."
Jin thought it would be better to match the rhythm. When Jin shrugged and asked for his sword back, Frey eventually nodded.
"Alright, I'll believe you. That the Murakan, who is currently committing betrayal and slaughter is fake... I really, desperately want to believe it. I've doubted whether that demon is the Black Dragon we knew countless times."
"Frey, are you sure about this?"
"Hey, why are you getting all grumpy about Frey believing? Vyollo, you seem smarter than Frey, don't you?"
"Dranax, I am just asking... But why are you picking a fight since a while ago?"
"Well, don't you like it? Want to have a match after a long time?"
"Both of you, stop it. I have decided to believe them, and now these individuals are our returned friend and the person the patriarch's god granted for us. Especially Dranax, it's embarrassing if you keep showing such an inadequate attitude."
"Yeah, sorry."
Frey returned the swords to Jin once again.
"Vamel, you seem like a wise person, so I think you can understand why we have doubts. For us, accepting you and Murakan is somewhat of a gamble. Honestly, we would like to spend more time verifying, but... the situation isn't that favorable."
"Of course, I understand, Dame Frey. Until you experience fighting alongside me, it's hard to completely believe me. But once we fight together, you'll know. I am someone who can lay down my life for Runcandel anytime."
"How can that be? You say you trained in Laprarosa with Solderet's help, but it seems like you have no connection to the clan."
"It was decided that way from the moment I was born."
"Yeah, the kid, uh, from the time he gained consciousness, he trained only for Runcandel, you could say it's like a one-sided love."
"If that's the case, Solderet had a cruel side as well. To make someone born solely for Runcandel lead such a desolate life."
Murakan didn't answer immediately, and Jin noticed that they didn't have a completely positive perception of Solderet.
-Damn it! Solderet, you treacherous bastard! Is this what you meant by keeping your promise? Show yourself, you damn...!
-Sir Sylderay! If you act like this, what should other clan members do? Please calm down!
-Hold your temper, Sir Sylderay. It's not the will of the patriarch's god. Lower your voice, please.
-If it wasn't Solderet, then who is responsible for the patriarch's condition? When the patriarch was in trouble, what was that inept god doing?
Jin remembered the cries of Sylderay from the recorded video in the first tomb. Also, the image of Temar lying unconscious on the bed, groaning.
At that time, Diana scolded Sylderay and told him to follow the "Last Order of the Patriarch."
".... You might have hated Solderet since you thought Temar suffered because of me. But what Vyollo said earlier, what was that? He shouted that the witch would prevent Solderet's annihilation."
"Murakan, you seem to have significant memory issues. You even forgot that the god you serve is heading towards extinction. Solderet has been gradually disappearing even before making a contract with the patriarch. Both us, Zipfel, and everyone else knew about this fact."
Jin's eyes widened.
'If that's the case, then my communication with Solderet being cut off before my regression might be related....'
However, the history in the picture they were currently viewing was not complete, so he couldn't make hasty judgments.
'But one thing is certain; Solderet hasn't completely vanished even now. There's a high possibility that some circumstances are forcing him to remain hidden. If he had disappeared, not only my shadow force but also Murakan and Ms. Misha wouldn't be able to maintain their current forms. Or maybe he has vanished, and he left all his remaining power to me and the Black Dragons...'
Regardless of which possibility it was, Jin speculated that Solderet must have used all its remaining power for himself, Murakan, and Misha, including during the "regression."
"What? Damn it, I have no recollection at all. If that's the case, does the witch has a way to prevent his annihilation?"
"I don't know. But even if there is, it probably wouldn't be a conventional method. It would most likely demand a significant... sacrifice."
"Oh, of course, I have no intention of seeking help from the witch. I would never do something like that, no matter the circumstances. It was just an impulsive thought, so don't doubt me or anything."
"I guess it was quite convincing since we believed that you are the real Murakan. Anyway, I'm glad you're back, Murakan. You might have forgotten many things, but at least you remember your mission and our names, which is fortunate."
"As I told Dranax earlier, I can't believe how I lived without remembering you. You came to mind so clearly as soon as I saw you. Haha, the saintess of Hamalen even had a one-sided love for me."
"You say that in front of the person herself, Murakan. That's an old story now. Your shameful behavior hasn't changed even after losing your memories?"
"Yeah, that's right. Maybe it's part of Frey's dark history... what's so good about him?"
"Exactly, for once, you're saying something right, Vyollo. How could anyone choose Murakan over a handsome guy like me?"
"I always give opinions similar to Frey or the Head butler's. You just keep picking a fight. And you're closer to a beast than a man, Dranax."
"Oh, where is Leut?"
"The Head butler is serving the patriarch, so we don't know her exact location, Murakan."
"Still, you're not hiding it because you can't trust us yet, right?"
"I really don't know. But even if we knew, we wouldn't tell you. If we need something, the patriarch will contact us first."
"Alright, so it means we can't fully be seen as family until we kill the fake guy. Can we go and get him now?"
"No, you can't. It would be better for both of you to stay here and help us defend Storm Castle."
"Why? We heard from the villagers on our way here that he's causing havoc all over Huphester. Wouldn't it be better to find and eliminate him before more innocent people die?"
Frey hesitated for a moment before choosing her words carefully.
"Dame Frey, in my opinion, there's something you need to protect here in Storm Castle."
"It's difficult to hide anything from you, Vamel. Yes, there is something the fake Murakan is after in Storm Castle. That's why he's intentionally attacking various places in Huphester. He's trying to lure us out."
"May I ask what that item is? If you don't feel like sharing, you don't have to. Anyway, Murakan and I will be on standby, waiting for the fake Murakan's attack."
Frey stared at Jin for a moment before eventually providing an answer.
"...Barisada, the sword of the patriarch. The item the fake Murakan is after is that."
"Huh? Barisada? Why would the fake want to take that?"
"In the past, Solderet told the patriarch that Barisada is not just a sword but also a key that leads to somewhere."
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