Chapter 966
Episode 238: Atonement and Letters (3)
“…Barisada, the family head’s sword. That’s the item the fake Murakan is after.”
“Huh? Barisada? What would that imposter want with it?”
“In the past, Solderet told the family head that Barisada isn’t just a sword—it’s also a key to somewhere.”
“A key? I’ve never heard that before.”
“We only learned about it recently from the steward. No one knows exactly where it leads, but we were warned it must never fall into the hands of the fake Murakan or the witch. They said a great danger is coming…”
This was part of a conversation from within Kaytam’s painting.
Even then, it raised questions. Not even Picon, who forged Barisada, knew its true nature. Leet and Veil, survivors from a thousand years ago in Runcandel, were completely in the dark as well.
“I thought the idea of Barisada being a key might be an error caused by corruption in Kaytam’s painting, but Father confirmed it himself.”
“Rokia Ganesto… I never expected that name to appear in the family head’s letter,” Jin and Leet said as they read on.
(The voice that gave me information about that space was Solderet’s. It wasn’t a direct manifestation but more like a recorded message. I believe it was arranged so that whoever holds Barisada and reaches a certain point in the depths of the Black Sea can access it.
In any case, Solderet labeled Rokia Ganesto a traitor and said that upon reaching the abyss of the Black Sea, one could learn the location of that space.
I don’t know why that space exists or what’s inside, but whatever it is, it won’t bring any good to the family.
Therefore, the expedition team and I will seek clues about that space alongside the mission to subdue the Five Kings of the Black Sea.
Meanwhile, you must gather information about Rokia Ganesto in Inse. If he’s still alive, make him pay for his betrayal a thousand years ago.)
“Solderet’s voice, huh? Like the Tomb of Temar, it seems records remain in the Black Sea as well…”
Suddenly, Solderet’s intricate arrangements felt strangely deliberate.
A thousand years ago, he had already chosen Jin as the final contractor. Every Tomb of Temar they had found seemed like a legacy left for Jin. Now, even the Black Sea held records.
That meant Solderet must have foreseen all this a millennium ago—not just Jin becoming the last contractor, but also his growth, the discovery of Temar’s tomb, and the family head a thousand years later confirming records about Rokia in the depths of the Black Sea.
“Ameris said the Sun God transcends time and space. If Solderet is one of the greatest fragments of the Sun God, or even a part of that fragment, then he might possess such transcendental qualities. But if that’s true, then the Solderet who communicated with me in my past life… was it all an act?”
They couldn’t fathom why Solderet left such complex and layered arrangements.
But his intention was clear.
He wished for Runcandel not to fall to enemies like Ziphl or Ganesto. All the records and preparations he left behind proved that.
“No need to overthink it. Even if the methods are complicated and ambiguous, the intention is clear. We just need to use Solderet’s legacy well to protect the family.”
At the time of writing the letter, Siron shared the same thoughts as Jin.
(I don’t know why the God of Sword and Shadow left such cryptic signals. Solderet once left Runcandel and blessed Ziphl, so there must be a reason. Unless he intended to insult me and the family.
Even if he was a god who had been with Runcandel since the first family head, and even if he left arrangements for Runcandel again now, we can’t blindly trust him.
As the contractor, you’ve probably received far more guidance than I have. Even if Solderet appears more clearly now, always judge coldly what truly benefits the family.
Like all other families and people, Runcandel sometimes relied on divine blessings, but ultimately, we’ve protected the family with our own swords and struggles.
Don’t forget that.)
“Wow, what a lecture,” Luna said, and Jin nodded. Siron’s letter made not only Jin but all the children feel closer to him.
(…I sense many powerful beings awakening in Inse. A strong and ancient wizard related to Ziphl has awakened, and two others connected to your other brothers, the Pluto clan, have appeared. I also felt dangerous auras from powerful beings somewhere not on the surface.
As Luna probably told you, that’s why I sent that child and some Black Knights back to the family.
Bring order.
Kill those who would harm us, and spare those who can become swords for the family, sharpening them harshly until then.
In your era, it won’t be just one person but the entire family standing alone in the heavens.
I await with hope.
P.S. Luna could use a harsh defeat once in a while. The youngest should help her.
I think Luntia has regained her senses. When she was tormented by the demonic aura, your fierce eyes sometimes made me chuckle in disbelief. If she ever shows that face again, she must leave the family.
Merry, I regret you never challenged me. When I return, feel free to point your sword at me anytime.
Daytona and Heitona, try to be even half as good as Uncle Zed. You can’t imagine how moved I was when Zed arrived alone in the Black Sea. He had less talent than you.
Yona, you don’t have to do anything. If you’re content with your anonymous life, stay there. But wherever you are, from today you are the 13th Knight of Runcandel.)
The letter ended there.
The siblings stared silently at the letter for a while. The Tona brothers were openly weeping. Siron had been cold to almost all his children during those harsh times, but the Tona brothers had been treated worse than people. Their sisters giggled and pointed fingers.
“Ugh, what losers.”
“Huh? Jin just cried too, Sister Merry.”
“You and Jin are the same? I don’t want to see it, so cut it out.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
More than the information about Rokia, the siblings were shocked by Siron’s attitude toward them.
“I only heard from Sister that Father overcame the demonic aura, but experiencing it firsthand is amazing. Kan, the expedition members must have felt pretty strange too.”
“I did, Third Knight. But surprisingly, the senior Black Knights adapted quickly. Probably because they served the family head before he fell into the demonic aura.”
“Oh, that makes sense. Hmm, but Sister saying she needs a harsh defeat… and that the youngest should help? That’s a bit much.”
No matter how warm the letter was, Luna’s pride was stung. Luntia smiled brightly, watching Luna’s reaction.
“The youngest has risen to Changseong, so probably stronger than me.”
“Probably? Jin’s definitely stronger, Sister. But I can’t really picture you losing to anyone.”
“Well, I wanted to have a proper match with the youngest once. But not now. We can only fight when there’s no gap in defense, even if we get badly hurt.”
“I agree. Father probably didn’t want me and Sister to fight directly. The situation is too unstable, as Luna said.”
“Then what did Father mean by telling the youngest to help Sister?”
Luna shrugged.
“Who knows… Since the limit on the Red Sword’s uses, it feels like he keeps giving us riddles. Kan, do you have any ideas?”
“Unfortunately, no, First Knight.”
“Your expression says otherwise. I won’t pry since you need to be careful.”
“By the way, those powerful beings Father mentioned… The one related to the Pluto clan is probably Luke of the Sun God’s Church. He endangered Shinu and threatened Ayula. But if there are two, could the other be the war god of the Red Eye clan?”
The powerful beings “not on the surface” that Siron mentioned must be the defeated Zito and his subordinates.
“We haven’t paid much attention to the Red Eye clan lately because we were busy subduing the Demon Realm. They’re fighting the Lutero Federation without touching our territory.”
Currently, with Keliak sealing off the entire federation, gathering information on the Red Eye clan had become even harder.
Of course, if they deployed their best anonymous forces, including Yona, they could get proper intel. But Yona was still tracking and monitoring Kinzel, which was why she wasn’t here.
“Whether Red Eye or not, that one must be Changseong level, so we have to stay alert.”
“Yes. I felt that keenly when fighting Paelito. He was even tougher than Zito.”
Jin sealed the letter again.
“Kan, prepare a reply right away and rest while you wait. I have a lot to say in my letter too, especially about Ganesto… Father doesn’t seem to know yet that Joshua and the other deceased brothers have been resurrected and are active through Ganesto’s power.”
“…Is that true?”
“That’s right. As the letter said, Lokia Ganesto did betray Runcandel a thousand years ago. And even now, he’s still lurking in the shadows, threatening us.”
“We must inform the clan leader at once. Please let me know when the reply is ready.”
After that, Jin spent a full five hours filling the pages with dense writing.
It felt like finally unburdening a grudge that had weighed on him since his past life. There was so much he wanted to say—not just about Ganesto and the current steward, but about the state of the clan itself.
“Well then, I’ll see you again next time, young clan head.”
Khan loaded his horse with plenty of dried rations. Those provisions would be a sweet treat for the expedition members.
“I’ll be waiting with anticipation.”
Khan gave a sly smile and turned his horse toward the Black Sea.