The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth-Chapter 487: Epilogue

“Karyl.” Allen Javius’s voice rang out amidst the triumphant cheers.

Karyl looked up at him.

“Yula is dead, but the Dimension Spirals you hold are fragments of Divine power. If you keep them in your possession, they will consume you,” Allen explained with a calm expression.

The lingering black mist between them scattered like ashes, carried away by the gentle breeze.

“That’s why I stayed.”

“Allen...” Karyl gazed at him.

“It all started as a glorious thing, but in the end, I was the only one left. The other commanders are gone. I’m ashamed to admit it, but the reason I stayed behind and watched them die was that I had another duty to fulfill.”

Allen reached out a hand to Karyl.

“It’s 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’re meant to do.”

“Allen...!!”

Karyl lunged for Allen’s hand, but he only grasped the air. Allen’s form dissipated like smoke, and with him, the Dimension Spirals within Karyl vanished.

[It has been a pleasure, Karyl. I will always be watching over you.]

“No...! Allen, don’t...!!!”

As Allen drifted farther and farther into the distance, Karyl stretched out his arms, desperate to grab hold of him.

Rumble...

But his teacher was no more. With his disappearance, the Tower of Pharel slowly crumbled like a sandcastle.

Swirling dust clouded Karyl’s vision. He felt as though he had been plunged into an abyss, and from those depths, he called out to Allen like a drowning man crying for salvation.

“Allen...!!!”

When Karyl opened his eyes, he wiped the sweat from his brow. The suffocating darkness was gone, and only the stars outside the window glowed clearly, quietly asserting their presence.

“Ah...” Karyl heaved a sigh.

That dream again.

Months had passed since that accursed tower collapsed, yet he still occasionally dreamed of his farewell with Allen Javius.

Why did those final moments linger in his dreams? Karyl did miss his teacher, but he wasn’t some child who couldn’t let go, was he?

An echo of our soul contract, perhaps...?

He slowly rose from his bed, a melancholic smile straying on his face.

Those final words Allen had said to him before disappearing still echoed in his ears. It felt like a promise—that they would meet again, someday.

“Phew...”

Indeed, just as he had climbed Pharel and turned back time to reunite with his companions, perhaps Allen Javius might also return to them, one day. After all, the Great Sorcerer of the Magical Era had always been an unpredictable force.

But for now, that reunion remained a dream—occasionally reawakened by the longing that throbbed in Karyl’s heart.

Click—

As Karyl opened the window, a cool breeze brushed gently against his face. Dawn was breaking. Though the darkness of night had receded, the pain of parting lingered.

Nevertheless, the world moved on. On some mornings, as he gazed at the rising sun, Karyl felt as though the world urged him to move on as well—to cast aside his melancholy and dreams, and face reality.

“Why are you up so early?” Miliana murmured, stirring in bed. “It’s a good day, isn’t it? What, is the great Karyl MacGovern unable to sleep?”

Her teasing drew a faint smile from Karyl. He poured a cup of warm tea and handed it to her.

As she took a sip and the warmth flowed down her throat, spreading through her body, she smiled contentedly and stepped closer to him.

After sharing a light kiss, she looked up at him, her cheeks slightly flushed.

“Oh, right. I suppose you’re not MacGovern anymore, are you?” she said in a soft, playful voice, her eyes twinkling with joy.

***

This day marked the beginning of a new era.

An empire required an emperor, and its very existence defined the imperial calendar—but those concepts were now obsolete, as Karyl had abolished the very notion of empire.

The monumental change was to be declared on this day—a new chapter in the Free Nation’s history, one that marked the end of war and heralded the transformation of the continent.

Sandcastles are easy to build, but they collapse just as easily. A nation, on the other hand, isn’t something that can pile up overnight. Rather, it must be built slowly and steadily over the decades.

Naturally, the first step on such a journey would be the most crucial.

“I’m ready.”

Karyl slowly opened his eyes. The reflection of himself in ceremonial attire felt unfamiliar, even awkward, but it wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

“What do you think?”

“It’s a bit of a shame it’s not Digon’s traditional garb, but this will do.”

Miliana fastened a small ring crafted from an animal tooth to his collar—a newly designed symbol of the Horned King.

Karyl’s attire was adorned not only with symbols of Digon but also with decorations representing the northern territories, the former principality, and allied forces. Even his sleeves bore embroidery that honored the Guidance Mercenary Gang and the magic societies.

His outfit essentially represented all the powers on the continent.

Thud!

The great hall doors swung open, and Karyl stepped into the carpeted chamber where many awaited him.

“Salute!”

At the knight’s command, warriors clad in armor of various colors raised their swords in unison, and the soldiers lined along both sides erupted into cheers.

Beikan, Kinu Mukari, Hwarin, Mikhail, Serica, Kay Rothschild, Thompson, Lilliana, Hashir, Patun, Kayla Spear, Hawat, Anchar, Serga, Darryl Harian, Israphil, Nain Darhon, Kadin Luer Anthem Howard...

As the familiar faces filled his view, Karyl was overcome with a wave of gratitude. He was glad that so many of his comrades had survived and were now by his side.

Step, step, step...

“Cheer for your Great Warrior!!” Hwarin’s voice echoed through the hall as Karyl strode forward.

“WAAAAAHHH...!!!”

“HURAAAAAAY...!!!”

The northern warriors erupted in roars, pounding their chests with their fists. The former imperial knights looked mildly displeased by such rowdiness during a formal ceremony, though some chuckled to themselves and shook their heads in amusement.

It would still take time for the knights and the various tribes to truly understand one another, but what mattered most was that a new bond had been forged. By fighting side by side as comrades, they had cast away the centuries-old hatred that had spilled so much blood.

Differences lingered, but hostility did not—and that alone marked a monumental shift in the continent’s history.

“You look magnificent,” Zigra remarked awkwardly, as though merely being in Karyl’s presence was now uncomfortable.

Karyl nodded.

“This is a scabbard crafted by the Black-Eyed Tribe,” Zigra went on, handing him the long scabbard.

Karyl cocked his head. “This is...”

Given that his Agnel was a dagger, he was understandably confused by the oversized scabbard. Before he could ask, another figure stepped forward and handed him something else—a gleaming silver sword.

“Hah...”

Karyl recognized the weapon instantly, his lips curling into a faint smile.

“This sword is not meant to be yours,” Randol MacGovern explained. “Rather, we’ve prepared it as a symbol of unity between the north and the empire.”

It was Yulstern, Kuwell’s treasured sword.

“The MacGovern family stood at the frontier between the north and the empire, so for you to wield an imperial sword with scabbard crafted in the north... it sends a message—that the walls between us have finally crumbled. This sword shall represent our collective will.”

“It was Tiren who came up with this, right?” asked Karyl.

Randol shrugged and chuckled. “Well, who else could come up with something like this?”

“It might just be symbolic... but sometimes, symbols are more than just that.”

With that, he took Yulstern and sheathed it in the tribal scabbard. The blade slid in with a satisfying sound, its metallic resonance heavy with significance.

“Not bad.”

The sheathed weapon reminded Karyl of his two fathers.

“And what about Gordon?”

“He... hasn’t attended the ceremony. Last night, he boarded his airship loaded with liquor and departed,” Anthem replied, a faint smile crossing his face.

Karyl gave a dry chuckle. The one man who had been close to both his fathers was likely raising a glass at their graves.

“That sounds like him.”

With that, Karyl moved forward.

“Though months have passed since the end of the war, we still feel its aftermath. But I have no doubt that peace now stands before us.”

Standing at the top of the platform, Karyl’s words drew everyone’s attention.

“I will remain human. We all... must continue living as humans.”

His proclamation drew nods from the crowd.

To live as humans, to preserve their autonomy and their very existence—not as tools, but as beings with free will.

That had been the purpose of their fight.

“We must now usher in an era of peace. But to maintain peace, no single individual should stand out above the rest. We must remain vigilant, recognize one another, and acknowledge our differences. Trust is necessary, but so is strength.”

Whummm...

Karyl reached into his robe and drew out a Dimension Spiral.

When Allen had departed, the Dimension Spirals within Karyl had vanished with him—save for one fragment, the last piece Kuwell had consumed.

Whether it was Allen’s final contingency or not, Karyl knew right away what he needed to do with the Spiral when he found it in Kuwell’s remains.

“Calypson.”

At Karyl’s call, the elderly gnome motioned for a few knights to bring in a large chest.

“We melted the Aegis to forge this anew,” Calypson explained.

Karyl nodded as the chest was opened to reveal a massive hammer, forged from the remnants of the Aegis, the sole remaining artifact imbued with Divine Power.

Vwom—!

Karyl slowly lifted the hammer and brought it crashing down onto the Dimension Spiral.

Bang!

A brilliant white light erupted from the hammer’s head, eliciting gasps from the crowd.

Crackle...

As the light faded, the hammer—having expended the last of its divine energy—crumbled into dust. But it didn’t matter.

With the hammer and the Dimension Spiral gone, no trace of Divine Power remained. In its place, Karyl stood as a symbol of humanity’s autonomy, leading a new era where they would no longer need gods or their power.

Karyl looked down at the fragments of the Dimension Spiral and nodded. The collision with the Divine Power of the Aegis had shattered the Spiral into seven pieces.

“This power is one that humanity must neither wield nor lose to others. Therefore, I will use this power as a symbol of our covenant.”

With that, he picked out one of the fragments and called, “Viola.”

Viola promptly approached him and went down on one knee, her face tense with anticipation.

“I entrust this to you. The Ranion Alliance will now carry on as a single house.”

“I am honored.”

Raising her hands above her head, she received the fragment.

“Ganeth Avelant.”

The figure behind Viola bowed deeply in knightly reverence.

“You stood steadfast with the Spear King as both a loyal vassal of the principality and as a living emblem of its oldest traditions. Continue to nurture our friendship and protect the people as you always have. The principality will cast away its old name and move forward into the future. To you, I grant the name Granbell.”

“I shall not forget your words.”

“Anchar.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“You are one who can wield the power of Tarak. Maintain the strength of the Wildlings and ensure that the peace we’ve fought for remains unbroken. No longer shall your tribes live in hiding. Your new name shall be Froy, symbolizing freedom.”

Anchar cradled the fragment against her chest and nodded solemnly.

“Hawat.”

“Yes...?”

“Thoug Giants are now few and far between, they have not been wiped out. To solar power within you is a gift, a vital element in the balance of power. Therefore, I grant you the name Nobuka, meaning journey. Seek out the remnants of your kin as the leader of your house.”

Hawat Tashun accepted the fragment, his expression taut with apprehension.

Whummm...

Unlike the others, the fragment reacted in his hands, emitting a faint glow of divine energy.

“Zouk, your Eastern Land must seek new horizons, beyond that island of yours.”

She knelt before Karyl, bearing the twin blades that had once belonged to Aidan.

“Carry the legacy of Aidan, who once led the Burning Darkness. To your people, I grant the name Airia, symbolizing lightning. Let it guide your settlement in the north and the shaping of new lives.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You must guard this power vigilantly, ensuring it is never misused in the shadows. Let light guide you, not darkness.”

Finally, Karyl turned to Calypson, who stood at his side.

“The Gnome Kingdom has always thrived in secrecy, dedicating itself to research and discovery. You will be the final piece of my covenant, the most fitting guardian of this power.”

“We will hide it deep within the earth,” Calypson replied, receiving the fragment. “And when the world needs us, we gnomes will always lend our strength.”

Karyl took a deep breath and looked out at the assembly.

“Today, I abolish all borders. There will be no more separation between us. From this day onward, we will no longer see the continent as a multitude of nations, but as houses—equal and united. Whether a hundred, two hundred, or even a thousand years pass, and even if this covenant is forgotten or distorted, the vow we make here today shall remain true.”

His proclamation moved all who heard it. Overwhelmed with emotion, they understood how monumental this moment was. The one whom the entire continent followed was choosing to step down from his throne and stand among the people as their equal.

“Warriors of the north and south, bear witness to this covenant, become its wardens, and condemn any who dare break it. The same duty applies to the magic societies and the Guidance Mercenary Gang.”

Thud! Thud, thud...!

Everyone in the grand hall knelt at once.

“Behold this sword. I carry the blood of the north and the kinship of the empire. The Black-Eyed tribe and House MacGovern endure, and they shall continue to forge their own paths.”

Eyes sparkled with anticipation as Karyl’s voice filled the hall.

“I have met you all and begun a new life. As this day marks a new beginning for the world, I shall also announce my new name before you all.”

This was the moment everyone had been waiting for.

“The fragments of the gods had almost succeeded in plunging our world into despair and destruction. But now, these fragments have become a spark, opening a new era for us.”

Karyl lifted the final fragment of the shattered Dimension Spiral.

“I declare to those who follow me! We must always remain vigilant over the power of the gods, safeguarding it while ensuring it does not consume us. I etch this resolve into my name so that, for generations to come, our duty will not be forgotten.”

The seven houses entrusted with the fragments of the Dimension Spiral would become kingdoms, watching over one another as they moved toward a new era of peace.

In this new world, all were meant to be equal. Even so, the divide between the strong and the weak would inevitably remain, and Karyl was not so naive as to believe this ideal could last forever.

The future belongs to those who will live it. For Karyl, the fact that he had opened the door to that future was enough.

“I am...”

As Karyl began to speak, Nain Darhon blinked slowly, and Israphil began chanting a spell as if on cue.

Thud—!

The windows of the grand hall swung wide open.

“WAAAAAAAHHHHH...!!!”

The massive crowd gathered in the square outside erupted into thunderous cheers. High above, magical projections of Karyl’s visage illuminated the skies.

“Rhoaaaa...!!”

Three dragons soared into the air, their roars amplifying the celebration, joined by wyverns circling in their wake.

“I am Karyl...”

He closed his eyes for a moment. Then, with a clear and resolute voice, he declared his new name to the roaring crowds and countless voices of adoration.

“...Karyl Burnstein.”

The End.