Episode 853
Chapter 212: The Order to Return (Part 2)
Zed Runcandel—the sole survivor among Siron’s siblings.
The moment Rosa lost her mind, he left the Garden of Swords and headed straight for the Black Sea. He believed that only Siron’s return could save their family from the chaos engulfing it.
That was already four years ago.
For four years, he had navigated the uncharted depths of the Black Sea alone. Everyone facing Zed now—the expedition members—knew better than anyone how incredible that feat was.
It was nearly impossible.
Zed’s combat power was only at the 8th rank. Though blessed with the Runcandel physique, granting him strength comparable to a 10th rank warrior, reaching the heart of the Black Sea was beyond even true 10th rank fighters.
Yet here he was, standing before Siron.
Luna’s eyes welled with tears as she thought of the countless hardships and injustices Zed must have endured. The former Black Knights, who had been close to Zed for years, also felt their emotions swell.
Only Siron and Zed met each other’s gaze calmly.
“It’s been a long time. Why call me ‘Head of the Family’ now?”
“I thought if I called you ‘Brother’ right away, you’d get annoyed and say I wasn’t using the proper title. You used to do that a lot when we were kids.”
Siron smiled wryly, recalling how he used to scold Zed in their youth. Since overcoming the demonic influence, he found himself smiling more often.
Zed immediately noticed the change.
“I should’ve scolded you less back then. Even now, you worry about that first.”
“You’ve changed, Brother. For the better.”
“That’s true.”
Zed chuckled for a moment before his expression darkened.
“Brother, the reason I came here is…”
“I know. It’s because of Rosa.”
“How did you know?”
“I met the youngest in the Netherworld. And I also know that he finally cut down the fiend…”
Siron’s voice carried a bitter edge. Zed recognized the sadness beneath that bitterness.
Having overcome the demonic influence, Siron now possessed a more human sensitivity. Not ordinary feelings, given how long he’d lived immersed in swords and blood, but he clearly felt the sorrow of losing his wife.
Yet, as head of the family, because of Rosa’s sins, and because he had been away from the family then and now, he could not afford to grieve.
“You said he cut down the fiend?”
For Zed, that was even more shocking than Siron’s sadness. After all, the very reason he risked his life to cross the Black Sea was because of the fiend.
“You must have been wandering the Black Sea all this time, completely cut off from the outside world.”
“No, Brother, you were in the Black Sea long before I was.”
“When you reach my level, you’ll understand.”
Zed was momentarily at a loss for words but soon nodded.
“Ha… Well, please tell me everything in detail. Did the youngest really cut down the fiend? What happened to the family then? Did I come here for nothing?”
“It’s true the youngest cut down the fiend. What happened to the family afterward, I don’t know. But if it’s him, I’m sure he’s leading well. And you coming to find me was the right thing to do.”
“Why do you say that?”
“You’ve grown stronger. Even if a powerful enemy like the fiend threatens the family again, many will rely on you. Even when hope seems lost, they’ll look to you. They’ll believe Zed Runcandel can turn the tide.”
This wasn’t just empty praise for his miraculous journey through the Black Sea.
Siron truly believed Zed had achieved something remarkable. And no one could assess another’s strength more accurately than Siron.
Zed had finally entered the realm of transcendence—not just the beginning, but well into the middle stages, in Siron’s eyes.
“Ozdok.”
[Yes, Elder!]
“Set the table properly. It’s been a long time since I’ve met my brother; we should at least share a meal.”
[Understood! Oh my, I was wondering who you were when you silently passed by Lady Vanessa earlier. So you’re the Elder’s brother! Nice to meet you. I’m Ozdok, in charge of meals and the resident entertainer of the expedition.]
Ozdok swiftly carved a table from the Black Sea’s rocks. Watching his practiced movements, Zed could guess how the expedition’s meals had been prepared all this time.
But the dishes that soon appeared on the table were even more shocking. When Siron purified the remnants of chaos and monsters Ozdok had gathered, pale, unappetizing lumps formed. Ozdok skillfully distributed these lumps across the table.
‘Unbelievable… Is this really all they’ve been eating?’
While Zed was aghast, the rest of the expedition greeted Siron warmly.
“Uncle, it’s such a joy to see you unexpectedly.”
“Luna, you’ve grown stronger too. Seeing you reminds me how far I still have to go.”
“I feel the same when I look at Father.”
“Indeed… those words are comforting.”
“Zed, you’re probably the first to have crossed the Black Sea alone all the way here.”
“It was only possible because you and the expedition cleared the path ahead, Lady Vanessa.”
“Even so, what you’ve accomplished is a feat that will be remembered by the family forever.”
“Thank you, Tuben. I remember when I was young and tried so hard to surpass you. And Heijin sitting over there is the same.”
As the warm exchange continued, the meal was ready. Just as Siron reached for one of the lumps, Zed pulled something from his cloak.
“Oh! Zed, what’s that!?”
“Uncle! This is…”
Food.
A few handfuls of dried grains and elixirs, saved and treasured until the very end. For an expedition that had eaten only purified chaos and monster remnants for years, this was the first time in ages they’d seen proper food.
If the expedition hadn’t dealt with the Black Sea’s kings and regional monster lords beforehand, all this food would have rotted.
Zed clicked his tongue in pity as he watched the expedition’s eyes sparkle at the sight of the food.
Siron was the first to touch the food. He picked one grain of each kind and a tiny piece of root or leaf from the elixirs.
“This is enough for me. The rest should be shared equally among you.”
“I’ll pass, Brother. I ate a lot on the way here.”
“Very well. Luna, you too.”
“Yes, Father… Wait, me? Why?”
“You’re finally talking back. You think your old man is a joke, don’t you?”
“Ah, understood.”
“Vanessa.”
“Yes, Head of the Family. You don’t mean me too…?”
“Yes. And Tuben.”
“Understood.”
“Heijin. You as well.”
“Yes, Head of the Family.”
Zed, Luna, Vanessa, Tuben, and Heijin.
Ozdok distributed the food perfectly among everyone else, down to the last grain.
A human meal was finally beginning after so long. Those who didn’t receive the food ate as usual.
Chewing and swallowing sounds filled the air. To the expedition, the grains’ blandness and the elixirs’ bitterness tasted as sweet as sugar.
“Why do you think I excluded you five?”
“I don’t know, Father.”
“I was strong from birth, like you, so I rarely had to decipher others’ true intentions. But you’re a bit much. When you return, make sure the youngest learns what tact is, Luna.”
“Yes, understood… Wait, did you say ‘when I return’?”
Luna and the former Black Knights’ eyes widened. Ozdok was so startled he nearly choked.
[cough, cough… Oh! The bitterness of the elixir feels even richer now. Haha. But… return? Are you and the others leaving the Black Sea now!?]
Siron nodded. Those who had received the order to return calmed their racing hearts and looked at him.
“When you go back, you’ll eat better food. So it’s only right that what Zed brought stays here for the others.”
“Father, we can’t leave you and the others with this heavy burden alone.”
“I said not to talk back but to learn tact.”
“But Father!”
Luna stood and shouted, making the other knights flinch. Even Luna shouldn’t show such defiance to Siron.
Yet Siron gestured to the knights to stand down.
“You’re worried about me and the other knights, Luna.”
“No matter how much you’ve overcome the demonic influence, we’ve all seen it here. Even you, Father, are too vulnerable without us. Please reconsider your order.”
“Luna, if you think I’m preparing for the expedition’s annihilation, you’re wrong. And I have no intention of perishing here alongside the remaining Black Sea kings.”
I will kill all the Black Sea kings and return to the family.
Siron’s words trailed off as he locked eyes with Luna.
“If I shared even a fraction of your thoughts, I would have entrusted Barisada to you right now. Told you to go and deliver the message to the youngest. But I’m keeping Barisada with me. I have no plans to die in the Black Sea. Honestly, I once had such thoughts, but not anymore.”
“Then all the more reason for us to return quickly. The sooner we eliminate the Black Sea kings, the sooner we can all come back together…”
“Because right now, it’s not here that’s in the most danger—it’s the youngest’s side.”
“The youngest’s side… You’re saying Inse is in more danger than here?”
“Relatively speaking, yes. I’m not at the family’s side right now. Powerful enemies are awakening in Inse. It seems an incredibly strong mage, beyond anything we’ve seen, has appeared in Ziphl, and there are unknown beings revealing their power somewhere I’ve never been—somewhere off the surface.”
There was no way he was making this up. The sensations the expedition had experienced from Siron were no longer just godlike—they had reached a realm where calling him a god wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
“So you all must return and help the youngest. From this moment on, I officially appoint him as my successor, the head of the family.”
Those ordered to return bowed their heads in unison.
“Once the meal is over, I will open a path to make your journey back easier. I need some time to release all my energy across the Black Sea region. Until then, we can catch up on the stories we’ve missed.”
“…Understood, Father. We will return, help the youngest, and wait.”
“Zed.”
“Yes, brother?”
Siron lifted his gaze briefly to the dim sky over the Black Sea, then added quietly,
“When you go back, tell the youngest this for me: I’m sorry it wasn’t me who struck down the evil spirit, but you.”