The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 487

Epilogue

[Karrl.]

Alrn Zabiuss’s voice cut through the cheers of victory. Karrl looked up.

[God is dead. But the Dimension Spiral you possess is a fragment containing God’s power. If you harbor it, it will destroy you.]

As the black mist scattered and disappeared like ash in the wind, Alrn said, a hint of relief in his voice.

[That’s why I remained.]

“Alrn…….”

Karrl gazed at him.

[I started grandly, but in the end, I was left alone as the other Commanders disappeared. It’s embarrassing, but the reason I had to watch them vanish was because I had another calling.]

Alrn reached out his hand to Karrl.

[To fill the vacant seat of the Divine Throne.]

“What are you talking about?”

[Leave the future to the future. Live in the present. That’s what you must do.]

“Alrn!!!!”

The hand he extended sliced through the air. Like smoke, his form dissipated, and the Dimension Spirals within Karrl’s body erupted outwards.

[It was fun. I will always be watching over you.]

“No, Alrn……!!!!!!”

In his fading form, Karrl reached out, grasping at empty space.

Kugugugugugu…….

But with the release of the Dimension Spirals, Alrn’s existence vanished completely, and Parell, which had been spewing out monsters, began to collapse like a sandcastle.

White dust obscured Karrl’s vision, and as if sinking into a deep abyss, he cried out his name.

“……Alrn!!!!”

He awoke with a start, wiping the sweat from his forehead. The suffocating darkness had lifted, replaced by the starlight visible through the window, each star a bright declaration of its presence.

“…….”

Karrl let out a low sigh.

It was a dream.

Even now, months after Parell’s collapse, he occasionally relived his farewell with Alrn Zabiuss.

Why did he keep having that dream?

He was saddened by their parting, but Karrl wasn’t one to deny or cling to what was lost.

‘Is the afterglow of the soul contract still lingering……?’

Karrl got out of bed with a wry smile.

Alrn’s last words echoed in his ears. It was as if he were promising a reunion someday.

“Hoo…….”

Just as he had climbed Parell, regressed through time, and reunited with them, Alrn Zabiuss might truly return to this world again.

The great mage of the Magic Era was never predictable.

But a dream is just a dream.

If he really does come back, then he can sincerely welcome him when that time comes.

Click-

Karrl opened the window.

A cool breeze gently brushed his face.

Dawn was breaking.

Saying goodbye was still difficult, but as always, just as the sun rises after darkness, the world was signaling the start of a new day.

As if telling him to set the dream aside for a moment and face reality.

“Why are you up already?”

Miliana, awakened by the sound, spoke to Karrl.

“It’s a happy day. Does even the great Karrl McGovern get nervous and have trouble sleeping?”

At her words, Karrl chuckled. He poured warm tea and handed it to her. As the warmth spread through her body, Miliana smiled pleasantly and approached him.

Kiss-

With a light kiss, she looked at him, her face flushed.

“Ah, is it not McGovern anymore?”

Then she said in a low voice, as if savoring the moment.

* * *

Today, the era name changes.

The empire existed because there was an emperor, and the imperial calendar existed because there was an empire. But Karrl had completely eliminated the name of the empire from his world.

Naturally, the imperial calendar that had been used until now would disappear.

Today was the day of that declaration.

It was the day the new history of the Free States began, and it was also the day to announce the end of the war and the transformation of the continent.

Sandcastles are built quickly but collapse just as easily. A country is not built overnight but must be slowly built up over a long period.

No one would disagree that the first step is the most important.

“I’m ready.”

Karrl slowly opened his eyes.

The figure wearing formal attire in the mirror felt unfamiliar and awkward, but not entirely unpleasant.

“How is it?”

“It’s a bit disappointing that it’s not a Digon traditional outfit, but I have to be satisfied with this much,” Miliana said, hanging a small ring carved from an animal’s tooth on his collar. It was a newly made symbol of the Horned King [a symbol of Karrl’s rule over the north].

Karrl’s clothes not only bore the symbol of Digon but also decorations symbolizing the north, the former duchy, and the union.

In addition, the patterns engraved on the sleeves held meanings from the mercenary corps to the magic association, so the uniform he wore represented all the forces of the continent gathered in one place.

Koo-oong—

The doors of the large hall opened, and Karrl looked at the many people waiting for him in the carpeted hall.

“Salute!!”

At the knight’s command, the knights in colorful armor simultaneously raised their swords, and the warriors lined up on both sides shouted in unison.

Beikan, Kinu Mukari, Hwa-rin, Mikhail, Serika, Kay Rothschild, Thompson, Liliana, Hashir, Pakun, Kaila Chang, Hawat, Anchar, Serga, Deril Harian, Israfil, Nine Darhon, Kadin Luer, Anthem Howard…….

Familiar faces. Karrl was grateful they were still alive by his side.

Step- Step- Step-

“The Archmage enters!! Everyone, shout!!!”

Hwa-rin shouted as she watched Karrl walk into the hall.

Waaaaaaa—!

Waaaaaa–!!

The northern warriors roared, pounding their chests with their fists!

The knights of the former empire were slightly displeased by their commotion during the ceremony, but soon they just smiled faintly and shook their heads.

It was still a time for mutual understanding, but it was clear that a new relationship had formed: they were comrades who had fought together.

Understanding was required, but there was no animosity.

That alone was a significant change in the history of the continent.

“You look great.”

Jigra said, seemingly awkward to be exposed to the bright sunlight.

“The chieftain will surely be pleased.”

Karrl nodded.

“It’s a scabbard made by the Black Eyes tribe.”

He handed Karrl the long scabbard he was holding. His Agnel [Karrl’s personal weapon] was in the form of a dagger, so Karrl tilted his head, wondering what it meant, and looked at him.

“This…….”

At that moment, another person standing behind him handed something to Karrl.

A silver, sharp sword.

The moment Karrl saw the familiar sword, he let out a low sigh and smile, as if he understood.

“It’s not meant to be used as the lord’s sword. It’s just prepared as a symbol of harmony between the north and the empire.”

Randall McGovern handed him Yulston, Kwell’s beloved sword.

“The fact that the scabbard of the northerners is combined with the sword of the McGovern family, which is on the border with the north, means that the walls are no longer meaningful. It is our will.”

“Tyren’s idea, right?”

At Karrl’s question, Randall shrugged slightly with a wry smile.

“He’s the only one who would do something like this.”

Karrl grabbed Yulston and inserted the sword into the tribe’s scabbard.

“It’s just a formality……. But sometimes what is visible has more value than that. Not bad.”

Clang-

The sound of the sword and scabbard fitting perfectly together was pleasant. The heavy feeling reminded him of his two fathers.

“Where’s Gordon?”

“That’s……. He didn’t attend. He left last night on an airship full of alcohol.”

Karrl smiled bitterly at Anthem’s words.

The only one who was a friend to his two fathers must be pouring alcohol in front of their graves.

“Typical of him.”

Karrl moved his steps, thinking of him somewhere.

“It’s been several months since the war ended, but we are still living with its damage. But now I have no doubt that peace will be with us.”

Everyone’s attention was focused on Karrl’s words as he stood on the platform.

“I will exist as a human. No, we must live as humans.”

Everyone nodded.

Living as a human.

Having the autonomy to protect one’s existence, not as someone’s tool.

That was what they fought for.

“We must now usher in an era of peace. However, in order to maintain peace, no one should stand out, and we must be wary of each other and know how to recognize each other. Trust is necessary, but strength is also required.”

Woo-woo-woo-woong…….

Karrl took out one of the Dimension Spirals from his chest. All the Dimension Spirals that had been in Karrl’s body disappeared when Alrn left, but only the last fragment that Kwell had swallowed remained.

Whether that was Alrn’s last arrangement or not, Karrl had no difficulty in deciding how to use it when he found it in Kwell’s body.

“Calibson.”

At the mention of his name, the knights moved a huge box at the gesture of the old gnome.

“It was made by melting Aegis anew.”

Karrl nodded.

Inside the box was a large hammer made by melting Aegis [a relic containing divine power], the only relic that once contained the power of God.

Boom-

Karrl lifted it and struck the Dimension Spiral with all his might.

Kwaaaaaang—!!!

White light burst out from the head of the hammer, and people exclaimed.

Pasususu…….

The light disappeared, and the hammer made of Aegis crumbled into powder as if the divine power it contained had run out.

But it didn’t matter.

Karrl looked at the Dimension Spiral on the floor and nodded. Due to the collision with the divine power of Aegis, the fragment was divided into seven pieces.

“This power is a power that humans should not have, but it is also a power that should not be taken away. Therefore, I will use this power as a token of covenant. Viola.”

Karrl called her name, holding up one of the fragments, and she walked up to him with a slightly nervous face and knelt down on one knee in front of him.

“I entrust this to you. The Ranion Alliance will now continue its lineage as one family.”

“I am honored.”

She raised both hands above her head and received a piece of the fragment.

“Ganes Abelant.”

Behind Viola, he paid his respects as a knight.

“You are a loyal subject of the former duchy and the oldest symbol, along with the Spear King. Continue to strengthen your friendship with me and care for the people as you do now. The duchy will shed its past name and move towards the future. I bestow upon you the name Granbell.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Anchar.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“You are the one who can handle the power of corruption. Continue to protect the power of barbarism and be wary so that this peace we have achieved can continue. The barbarians no longer need to live in hiding, so I will give you the name Proi, which means freedom.”

Anchar nodded, holding the fragment he received dearly in his arms.

“Hawat.”

“Yes……. Please speak.”

“Giants are now difficult to find, but that doesn’t mean they are extinct. The power of the sun that the giants possess is also a special power that has been chosen. It will surely play an important role in the balance of power. Therefore, I will give you the name Nobuka, which means travel. From now on, you will find the remaining tribes as the head of a nation and family.”

Hawat Tashun accepted the fragment with a nervous face.

Woo-woo-woo-woong…….

Unlike the others so far, the divine power remaining in the fragment that went to him seemed to react and emit a faint light.

“Juke. Your Eastern Kingdom must now leave the island and find a new home.”

She wore Aidan’s relics, two twin swords, on her waist and knelt down towards Karrl.

“In honor of Aidan, who led the Dark Shadows, I bestow upon the people of your Eastern Kingdom the name Airia, which means lightning, and I hope you will pioneer a life in the new home of the north.”

“I understand.”

“You must be wary so that this power is never misused in the darkness. Light, not shadows, will lead you.”

Karrl finally looked at Calibson standing next to him.

“The Gnome Kingdom has existed in secret until now. You enjoy exploring and researching rather than going out into the world, so you will be the most suitable person to guard the last piece of the puzzle I will create and be wary of this power.”

“I will hide it well in the earth. But the gnomes will always lend a hand when the world needs it,” Calibson said after receiving the fragment.

“From now on, I will eliminate the borders of the country and look at the world from an equal and equal position under the name of the family. 100 years, 200 years……. Or even more time may pass, and even if it goes wrong and is erased, our vows living in this moment will be true.”

People felt overwhelmed by his words.

This was because everyone knew how difficult it was for him, whom everyone on the continent followed, to voluntarily step down from his throne and look at them at the same eye level.

“Warriors of the north and south. Watch over my covenant with the family, and you will be our guardians and punish those who break the covenant. The same goes for the Magic Association and all mercenary groups.”

Chuck-! Chuck chuck-!!

At Karrl’s words, everyone in the hall knelt down in unison.

“Look at this sword. I have the blood of the northerners and the brothers of the empire. The Black Eyes tribe and the McGovern family are still strong and will continue their lineage in the future. So now they must go their own way.”

People listened to Karrl’s words with sparkling eyes.

“I have met you and embraced a new life, so today, as the world begins again, I will declare my new name before you.”

Perhaps it was because everyone had been waiting for this moment.

“The fragments of God tried to drive our era into despair. But now, the fragments have become a new spark and opened up an era for us.”

Karrl raised the last piece of the Dimension Spiral that had been broken into seven pieces.

“I tell those who follow me. We must always be wary of the power of God and remember that we must protect it. So that the mission is not forgotten over the years, I engrave that will in my name.”

The seven families who shared the Dimension Spiral would become families and kingdoms, wary of each other and moving forward together towards a new peace.

A world where everyone is equal.

But even within that, there will surely be the strong and the weak. That’s why I know that such an ideal world cannot last forever.

The future belongs to those who will live in the future.

Karrl is just satisfied that he was able to open the door to that future.

He will now remain as a human being who lives in the present, not trying to change the future.

“I am…….”

As Karrl’s words began, Nine Darhon blinked slightly, and Israfil chanted a spell as if he had been waiting.

Koo-oong-! Koong-!!!

The windows of the hall opened wide.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaa—!!

Waaaaaaaaaa–!

The countless people gathered in the square cheered enthusiastically, and the magic mirrors created in the sky illuminated Karrl’s face.

[Krrr……!!]

Three dragons soared into the sky to celebrate this day, and wyverns circled behind them.

“I am Karrl…….”

He closed his eyes.

And he said in a clear voice towards the cheers and applause of countless people.

“Karrl BurnStein.”

The End

Author’s words.

Hello.

I can finally express my gratitude to the readers who have loved 9th Class Sword Master – Seeker of the Sword, which started in November 2017.

Thanks to all of you who have looked kindly at my lacking writing and followed me for a long time, I was able to finish this article.

When I write, I always want to include many stories, but I think there were times when I was disappointed due to my lack of ability.

I will continue to work hard to show you a more developed side.

I was happy to have you for over a year, and I will cherish each and every precious moment as a memory, and I will prepare to give you another pleasure with a new novel.

9th Class Sword Master – Seeker of the Sword is now over, but I am already looking forward to the day I can meet you, thinking that it is not the end but the beginning of a new novel.

I will write the next work more interestingly.

Please look forward to it.

I hope you will be healthy and remember me until then. Thank you for waiting.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to my beloved family and wife.

Lee Hyung-seok