Chapter 845

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"Command from lord patriarch!?"

"Yes, he said he is going to attack Elona Zipfel."

Sylderay's eyes widened.

Currently, Zipfel was experiencing internal divisions due to their rejection of Elona. On the other hand, despite losing many forces, Runcandel still maintained a strong unity.

Due to Zipfel's recent response to surrender, Runcandel's allies were even more eager to fight than before.

In this situation, if Temar, in his previous state and strength, were to join the battle, it could potentially turn the tide in one fell swoop.

"Diana, are you sure lord patriarch's health has improved that much?"

"Only three days... He said he can fight for three days. He intends to capture Elona and end the war."

It was Solderet who provided these three-days to Temar. He, along with Olta, the god of time, and Az Mil, the god of sight, combined their powers to create this slim opportunity.

"...What happens after those three days?"

"Lord patriarch will enter in eternal sleep. That's why we couldn't communicate with Head Butler until now. She has been preparing the tomb of the patriarch with Lord Solderet."

Temar's fate was still predetermined, but it was a better situation than before, both for Runcandel and Temar.

"Murakan, did you hear that? It's only three days, but lord patriarch will return as the person we knew."

"Ah."

"So, before that, gather your strength. It may be difficult to fight together due to your heart, but we have to witness the patriarch's last flame."

Murakan didn't respond and just blinked his eyes.

From that day, Temar's final command spread throughout Huphester. All the knights of Huphester were ready for their ultimate battle.

Meanwhile, something remarkable happened.

"Wow, his heart is really healed! It couldn't be due to the Holy King's prayer... Solderet must have done something."

The Snow Witch, the second master of the Hidden Palace who came to check on Murakan, spoke.

"Is it true?"

"Probably? We can't know for sure unless Solderet or Murakan himself confirms it, Diana. Or maybe after hearing that Temar can fight for a few more days, he's in the process of self-recovery. Either way, it's a good thing. If he continues to recover at this rate, he might be able to participate in the final battle."

"Miracles seem to happen one after another as soon as the lord patriarch tries to move. Thank you for coming to check on him, master of the Hidden Palace."

"No need for thanks. After all, I'm in a position where I desperately wish for Murakan to participate. Temar is the only opportunity to capture Elona right now... If Murakan can fight too, it'll be the best."

After giving the order, Temar never appeared outside of Storm Castle. Occasionally, roars of Temar could be heard breaking through the barrier.

However, Runcandel and their allies firmly believed that he would definitely appear on the day of the final battle.

And their belief became a reality.

On November 20, 799, the final battle between the Huphester Alliance and the Lutero Magic Federation began. Huphester forces, led by Ten Great Knights, were deployed to all major Magic towers of Lutero, and Lutero deployed mages and dragons to counter them.

Of course, the target Temar chose was the Heart of Zipfel, the Tower of Stories.

He looked up at the Tower of Stories without a trace of wraith transformation or demonic transformation, appearing completely unharmed.

The Huphester forces stationed at the Tower of Stories were only Temar, Diana, and Sylderay. On the side of Lutero, there was only one person guarding the tower, Elona Zipfel.

"Where is Murakan?"

"He couldn't come, lord patriarch. The master of Hidden Palace said that his heart has recovered enough to fight, but he is struggling with mental issues."

"That's to be expected. If that guy were here, it would have been more reassuring. So now, all we can expect is for him to dramatically show up as our hero when we are pushed back."

"...Do you think you will be pushed back? The current patriarch is stronger than I have ever seen before. And Elona is in a devastated state due to prolonged torture and manipulation."

"Nevertheless, Elona came alone to defend the Tower of Stories from Zipfel's side. She was just an insanely powerful monster, but her determination and resolve were even stronger. It would have been less burdensome if I had been stronger, you know?"

"Hmm, it's hard to understand. From Zipfel's perspective, Elona is the greatest war hero, and yet, despite receiving such treatment, she continues to fight against us. What could be the reason?"

"Blind devotion, I suppose. Aren't you all the same? After coming to Runcandel, you've lost more than you've gained, and yet here you are, willing to fight alongside me."

"I guess that's true."

"Before going to my grave, this is the only thing I can do for my clan. Let's settle this within three days."

At the moment when Temar and the ten great knights began their battle against Elona, the other knights, who infiltrated Lutero, were also starting their final fights.

Chaos.

The beginning of the battle was exactly that - chaos. The entire area, including the Tower of Stories, was filled with intense fighting.

Even after 24 hours, there was no respite on the battlefield. Everyone with bloodshot eyes fought relentlessly, determined to kill each other.

Elona didn't display the same level of destructive power as before. While she still held an advantage in firepower over Temar and the ten great knights, it was clear that she was not as formidable as she used to be before internal struggle.

The Tower of Stories also seemed unable to exert its full power, just like when Temar turned the knights into wraiths. Some of the connections between Elona and the tower had been severed by members of Zipfel who feared her.

"I've never seen that monster look so exhausted. She is not the same as before, perhaps because she can't properly utilize the power of the tower."

On the second day, Temar and the ten great knights could see that Elona was out of breath.

The ten great knights thought victory was within their grasp, but Temar noticed an unseen element.

"The tower is about to activate..."

"Excuse me?"

"The Tower of Stories is gradually merging with Elona. This is an unexpected turn of events. We need Murakan. Sylderay, tell the master of the Hidden palace to bring Murakan here."

"Understood!"

The Hidden Palace was casting a barrier around the Tower of Stories. Once Temar and the ten great knights dealt a fatal blow to Elona, all members of Hidden Palace were planning to enter the battlefield and seal Elona.

Temar's final role would be to kill sealed Elona.Without Temar and Murakan, they couldn't even kill the sealed Elona.

"Now? If I go to bring Murakan now, there will be a gap in the barrier. And there's no guarantee that Murakan is in a condition to fight."

"The patriarch was sure that we would be pushed back if Murakan didn't come to help."

"Then there's no other choice. If we don't settle things here, our Hidden Palace will also face destruction. I'll call for Mort and head there."

Murakan was staring blankly out the window.

Even when Sylderay and the master of the Hidden Palace arrived at the Garden of Swords, he didn't acknowledge their presence.

"Murakan, the patriarch needs you."

To be precise, Murakan was completely unaware that Sylderay and the master of the Hidden Palace had come. He was just awake, unable to distinguish between his inner realm and reality.

"Murakan, please. Snap out of it...!"

Seeing Murakan not responding, Sylderay recalled what Temar had said before he went to find Murakan.

Even if Murakan doesn't come, don't resent or blame him. He has already carried more than he could bear.

However, Sylderay couldn't accept that.

If that was the case, what was the meaning of the miraculously healed heart? Sylderay grabbed Murakan by the collar and yelled.

"Get up! Are you going to let the last struggle of the patriarch go in vain? You alone can make us win. We can end this dreadful war and return to our normal lives!"

"Stop, Sylderay. It seems like a futile attempt. In the first place, even with the healed heart, he can't exert the same level of power as before. Temar must have known that, and perhaps he just wanted to rely on Murakan. After all, he's still human."

"Murakan!"

"I... can't... kill... Temar."

"It's not the patrairch but Elona who must be killed!"

Murakan could barely open his mouth, repeating the same words over and over again.

In the end, the two had no choice but to leave Murakan behind and return to the battlefield. Even after they left, Murakan continued to repeat the same words. He couldn't kill Temar, his comrades, anymore.

Thus, all the promised three days passed.

The war came to an end with Runcandel's defeat. Murakan was left alone in the storm castle without knowing the outcome. He was lost in a long and dark autistic episode.

In December, on a day when sharp gusts of wind and rain poured over the storm castle.

Murakan lost consciousness and collapsed. The heart that had briefly attached itself, broke into pieces again.

Those who had desperately wished for Murakan to join the final battle were unaware.

In truth, Murakan had been struggling to break free from his inner turmoil all along.

He only needed more time. Time to overcome his sorrow and return to reality, time to be able to start again for those who had left before him.

The heart that had briefly attached itself was, in fact, the result of Murakan being consumed by his inner turmoil.

The forcefully healed heart was actually accelerating Murakan's complete demise. Within him, the desire for death and the desire to rise again kept clashing.

The fact that his heart scattered again meant that his determination to return to his remaining comrades was stronger. Even though he couldn't be with them when they needed him the most, even though he couldn't fight alongside them right now.

"Haa, haa."

Murakan opened his eyes again and gazed at the dark ceiling. Amidst the feverish haze, he sensed someone approaching his bed.

"Diana...?"

"Murakan, it's all over now..."

She didn't blame him. Not because it was Temar's order, but because she understood the situation he was in.

Although he and his remaining comrades were about to disappear from this world soon.

Murakan knew that he had to lead his battered body and spirit to continue fighting a lonely battle that might never end.

He knew he could be that person.

"Fortunately, the patriarch's last stand worked a miracle. We managed to avoid annihilation. We have decided to make a pact with Zipfel."

"Ugh, ack."

"Murakan, forgive us for leaving you with the burden of the entire future."

"Don't go, Diana..."

"I'll be back soon. I have a meeting with Zipfel. Rest, Murakan."

Diana's voice trailed off as she left the room, leaving Murakan alone to contemplate his future.

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