Swordmaster's Youngest Son

Chapter 723

C723

When the two of them left the palace of Tikan, the gazes of the people on the street naturally converged on them.

Mary was aware of the hostility emanating from the crowd's eyes toward Dyfus.

It was natural.

Although he had eventually regained his sanity, it was no less true that he had massacred hundreds of thousands of innocents.

This troubled Mary.

Her brother's hands were already stained with blood that could never be washed away.

Could I forgive Oraboni?

In truth, that question was the real reason Mary had been unable to sleep in recent days.

Even if she heard an explanation from Dyfus today, Mary couldn't find it in herself to understand why Dyfus had submitted to the evil god.

They walked in silence for a while, as if they had made a promise.

Before she realized it, Dyfus and Mary had reached the beach, leaving the city behind.

Their steps extended across the white sandy beach, dyed red by the setting sun.

"It seems we've been walking for three hours."

Mary was the first to speak.

"Really? I thought only thirty minutes had passed."

Dyfus replied, turning around.

He saw Mary and the distant view of the Tikan Palace.

"Why are you dragging this out? Are you avoiding the conversation after all?"

Resentment filled Mary's eyes as she looked at Dyfus.

"It's not that."@@@@

"Then what is the reason for stalling with the excuse of taking a walk?"

"You already know."

Mary hesitated, then lowered her head.

"No, I don't. Tell me. The younger one already told me. He said that receiving the power of the evil god is only possible if one does so willingly. So if that's true, then Oraboni, you..." R̃aNǑᛒĚȿ

"That's true."

Bam!

Mary fiercely grabbed Dyfus's shoulder.

Dyfus didn't let go of her grip.

"You succumbed to the torture and surrendered to the evil god, is that what you're saying?"

"It's not an entirely incorrect statement."

"Liar. The Oraboni I know isn't someone who would break under torture."

"No, I truly despaired under the endless torture. Both physically and mentally."

"What kind of torture did you endure?"

"I can't explain it in words. At some point, my consciousness would disappear and then return, like a flickering light bulb. Each time, my memories would fade a bit. In the end, I didn't even remember my name. But now, everything has returned."

"So Oraboni's mind was completely destroyed, and you had no choice but to accept the power of the evil god... Well, I suppose it's the only option. I asked a foolish question."

"Mary."

"Yes?"

"Is this explanation enough for you, considering how I was lost in the torture? Is it enough for you not to be tormented by my corruption any longer? If you trust it, let's return now."

Mary stared at Dyfus for a while without saying anything.

"...No, it's not enough."

When Mary's grip loosened, Dyfus turned around and began to walk again.

Mary followed him, watching as their footsteps were erased by the waves.

"One day, when the torture continued, the evil god who was once our mother, or rather, the monster, told me something."

"What did she say?"

"She said that my despair is the greatest aid in completing her divinity. The more I suffer and despair, the stronger her power becomes."

"Ah..."

"At first, I didn't believe those words. But I became more and more anxious. If those words were true, then her power would keep growing as long as I lived and breathed, and I wouldn't be able to die as I wished."

A special despair of a special being.

Just like Joshua, Dyfus's despair was also the greatest aid in the culmination of divinity.

"Why, why are you all only looking for me? Isn't Dyfus Oraboni right here beside me?" Mary shouted without turning to look at them.

If she took her eyes off Dyfus once more, she felt she would never catch up to him again.

"Dyfus Oraboni, let's go back. I'm sorry. I've been making you suffer with unnecessary words until now. So please... stop for a moment... please."

Soon, Dyfus stopped walking and turned to look at Mary.

Mary unknowingly smiled.

Dyfus's face seemed blurry because of the tears.

"Mary. Whatever the reason for my choice, I can never be forgiven. I committed unforgivable acts. I killed too many people."

"But, but in the end, Dyfus Oraboni returned. You originally received the power to weaken the evil god, and in the end, thanks to you, many people survived when Gliek subdued...!"

"Regardless of this and that, I simply lost to the evil god. I was weak and lost, and irresponsibly left the consequences to the younger one and you."

"People can lose too...!"

"As a Runcandel, there are battles that must never be lost. So, Mary, don't support me like this; keep fighting. Alongside the younger one. Alongside the people."

"Why do you keep talking as if you're going to disappear now? Don't do that."

Dyfus smiled faintly.

"I told you before, didn't I? Go back to those people."

Mary grabbed Dyfus's hand and turned to look back.

Kashimir, Enya, the Tona siblings who had called out to her earlier, and all the comrades from Tikan were watching her.

They were gesturing for her to return.

"It's just a meeting; why is everyone like this?"

"Mary."

"I'll return soon, with Dyfus Oraboni."

"Mary, you must go alone."

Dyfus said that suddenly, and Mary felt his hand slipping from her grasp.

No matter how hard she tried to hold on, she couldn't keep her grip.

It felt like a dream; her strength was waning.

Immediately, Dyfus gently pushed Mary's shoulder from behind.

"Even though I only experienced it through your dream, Tikan is truly a wonderful place."

"Oraboni!"

"But we need to reclaim our home. The Garden of Swords is Runcandel's home."

"Dyfus Oraboni, DON'T GO!"

"It was nice to be able to walk together after a long time..."

Even without me, you must be brave, my little sister.

ORABONI...!

Mary collapsed.

At the moment she tried to stand up again to chase after Dyfus, what caught Mary's attention was not his back.

Her siblings and comrades, who were anxiously watching over her, were in front of her.

"Elder Sister Mary!"

"Elder Sister Mary has awakened!"

"Heh, Unnie has awakened!"

"Elder Sister!"

Jin hugged Mary tightly.

Mary stared at the ceiling for a while and then returned Jin's embrace.

The Yona and Tona siblings also hugged the two of them.

And Valeria, who was in front of them, opened the recording window to show it to Mary.

Mary couldn't take her eyes off that record for a long time.

/SHADOWK

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