Chapter 258

“Yes, I’ll remember that.”

Theo’s response to Kyle was firm and resolute, but tinged with a deep sense of longing.

He knew this would be their final conversation, the last exchange of words they would ever share.

He couldn’t help but imagine a different scenario—one where Kyle had chosen to remain as the Elder Patriarch instead of transcending. If so, they could have shared all the conversations they had missed over the years.

Whooosh!

A soft wind began to blow.

The storm clouds that had covered the sky slowly dissipated, and beams of dawn pierced through, casting golden light over the battlefield.

On Kyle’s shoulders, the light of Sublimation scattered rapidly, as if the very heavens were calling him forth.

Julius, the Plum Blossom Sovereign, and Black Dragon held their breaths as they watched the final moments of the man who had led them for so long.

They all knew Kyle’s last words would not be for them, but for his successor.

Kyle Ragnar.

A man who had embraced his destiny as an Executor, carving his own path with unwavering conviction.

For decades, he had stood as the unchallenged symbol of strength, the pillar of the Ragnar Clan.

Now, at long last, he had found a worthy successor to inherit the immense responsibilities he carried.

Under normal circumstances, such a historic transition would have been marked by a grand ceremony in Winterer.

But the present situation made such a thing impossible—a shame, but not one that could be helped.

Kyle stepped toward the Nine Dragons, leaving Theo momentarily.

“Given the circumstances, Winterer must not fall into chaos. My wife, I entrust this to you.”

“Don’t worry,” replied the Plum Blossom Sovereign with a smile.

As Kyle’s first wife, her word carried absolute authority within Winterer. Her composure and resolve assured everyone present that the transition would be seamless.

Kyle, as if there were nothing more to say, turned his attention to Julius next.

“Julius, guide Theo well.”

“Yes, big brother.”

“Robert, I leave the rest to you.”

“Of course. Watch over us from above, brother.”

Their exchanges were brief, punctuated by smiles.

Finally, Kyle turned back to Theo, who now stood tall and unwavering before him.

Kyle placed a hand on Theo’s shoulder—a large, calloused hand, rough from countless battles but radiating warmth.

“If it’s you, I know you’ll surpass even me.”

Kyle’s gaze was filled with trust and pride, the eyes of a father looking upon his child.

The light of sublimation accelerated, golden rays intertwining with the sunlight that streamed down from above.

The hand on Theo’s shoulder grew fainter and fainter, the touch dissipating as Kyle’s transition quickened.

“As you always have, I trust you will make the right choices.”

Kyle reached for his treasured sword, Caliburn, untying the strap from his waist and holding it out to Theo.

[You have been acknowledged by the Guardian of Ragnar.]

[As a reward, you inherit the clan’s sacred sword, Caliburn.]

Theo accepted the blade with trembling hands.

This was the sword that had fought alongside Kyle through countless victories, a symbol of Kyle himself.

In all his lifetimes, no one had ever been entrusted with Kyle’s sword.

Theo’s heart swelled with emotion.

‘It’s heavy...’

The weight of Caliburn wasn’t just physical—it carried the legacy of Kyle and the Ragnar Clan.

It was as if the sword itself was reminding Theo of the burden of responsibility he now bore.

Kyle chuckled, ruffling Theo’s hair playfully.

“It feels good to be free.”

A hum filled the air as all the blades Kyle had wielded throughout his life—the swords of the vanquished champions and rulers he had defeated—began to gather around Theo.

Even Hilda’s sword was among them.

“How you choose to use them is up to you.”

With those words, Kyle offered his final piece of advice, no more and no less.

He then turned to bid farewell to his comrades.

“Serve him well. It’s been a pleasure.”

Though his goodbye was simple, the emotions behind his gaze carried an undeniable weight.

Julius and the Plum Blossom Sovereign’s eyes grew wet, and Black Dragon smiled faintly, though his expression was bittersweet.

“You’ve worked so hard.”

“Rest easy, big brother. We’ll take good care of Theo.”

“You’ve done enough, brother. Farewell.”

They had all prepared themselves for this moment, and yet they still struggled to suppress the raw emotions that surfaced.

Whooosh!

The wind blew harder.

The storm clouds had completely disappeared, leaving only the brilliant morning sun.

It was as if nature itself had chosen this moment to signify the end of an era.

The strong gusts forced their eyes shut briefly, and when they reopened, Kyle was gone.

All that remained was the dazzling morning sunlight.

Theo felt a hollowness in his chest.

Kyle’s presence had been so absolute, so monumental, that his absence now seemed almost surreal.

Yet, at the same time, Theo couldn’t help but think that this was fitting for Kyle.

A man who had blazed through the world like a comet, leaving a legacy as radiant as it was brief.

Even his departure felt like an extension of his unmatched strength and singular existence.

‘Maybe he’ll send me a message one day.’

Theo couldn’t believe that this would truly be the last he’d hear from Kyle.

As one who had ascended to divinity, Kyle would surely find some way to intervene if necessary.

At that moment, Lodbrok’s amused voice echoed in Theo’s mind.

『He’ll be too busy dealing with the gods for a while, don’t you think?』

‘You’re probably right.’

Even the gods despised Kyle, so it was impossible to imagine him tolerating their existence.

Surely, Kyle would not leave them unchallenged.

Theo couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh as he momentarily pictured Kyle rampaging through the Pantheon, cutting down deities left and right.

Perhaps he might even challenge the God of Causality itself.

Still, Theo allowed himself a moment of silent mourning for the gods.

‘Loddy, have you wrapped things up outside?’

『Returned it to nature. That corpse will not be desecrated again.』

For a brief moment, Theo wondered if he should have salvaged a few ribs from the Bone Dragon, but quickly dismissed the thought.

It would be too cruel, both to Lodbrok and to the ancient dragon.

Besides, there was a substitute nearby if needed.

『…Why are you looking at me like that?』

“Because you’re so lovable.”

『Hearing that from you now makes my ribs ache…』

Lodbrok grimaced, as if feeling phantom pain in his ribcage.

“Theo…”

A familiar voice called out from a distance.

Ray was approaching, her steps heavy and uneven. Her tear-streaked face made Theo’s heart sink.

“Ray?”

A foreboding sense of unease washed over him.

Behind her, Hulcus carried someone on his back, followed closely by Erica.

“...Wellington.”

It didn’t take long for Theo to realize who Hulcus was carrying.

Wellington’s limp form, combined with the grim expressions on the others’ faces, made the truth painfully clear.

Theo’s steps quickened.

The short distance between them felt impossibly long.

When he finally reached them, he could see it plainly—Wellington had already passed.

For someone who shouldn’t have fallen on this battlefield, the shock hit Theo like a blunt weapon to the head.

Hulcus, silent as ever, carefully laid Wellington’s body on the ground.

Wellington’s face bore a serene smile.

Theo’s trembling hands gently cradled Wellington’s head, resting it on his lap.

[‘Skill: Dragon Synchronization’ activated. Reading Wellington Narcio’s final thoughts.]

Flash!

The world flipped. Theo found himself seeing through Wellington’s eyes, his emotions flooding in like an unstoppable tide.

It was so vivid that Theo felt as though he had become Wellington himself.

In Wellington’s memory, Dungryong stood before him, holding a blade with a conflicted expression.

The anguish Wellington felt as he faced Dungryong—the man he regarded as a father figure—was palpable.

Rejecting Dungryong’s proposal had been agonizing, an act that tore at Wellington’s heart.

But Wellington’s unwavering loyalty to Theo had given him the strength to refuse, even as it felt like swallowing fire.

‘Once this battle is over, I’ll stand by Theo’s side and wield my sword for him.’

Wellington had clung to that hope, that dream of fighting alongside Theo, with joy and anticipation filling his heart.

But the reality was harsh.

Dungryong was no ordinary foe. Facing him required more than determination—it demanded sacrifice.

Wellington had made peace with his decision.

‘Theo has plenty of capable allies. My absence won’t matter…’

Bitterness lingered in those final thoughts, a resignation that stung Theo deeply.

“You fool…”

Theo whispered words Wellington would never hear.

He wanted to tell him how wrong he was, how precious he had been.

‘I wanted to see Theo one last time.’

Wellington’s unspoken wish reached Theo’s heart, unfulfilled and poignant.

Tears welled in Theo’s eyes as he felt the depth of Wellington’s devotion—a loyalty so pure, it shattered his composure.

In Wellington’s final moments, he had envisioned a grand scene:

The vast northern plains, where he, Theo, Ray, and Hulcus stood together, fending off enemies with valor.

It was a heroic image, like a masterpiece from an epic tale.

That vision lingered briefly before the synchronization ended, returning Theo to the present.

Wellington’s peaceful smile came into focus once more.

Theo placed a hand over his heart, bowing his head in silent mourning.

‘Wellington, you’ve always been a hero to me.’

Theo had always held Wellington in high regard, even from the beginning.

While Theo had relied on fortuitous opportunities to grow stronger, Wellington’s strength came from relentless effort and discipline.

Even though they had followed different paths, Theo had cherished the thought of calling Wellington a friend, sharing drinks, and celebrating their victories together.

Theo’s hand trembled as he gently stroked Wellington’s face before carefully laying him to rest on the ground.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Wellington deserved a grand funeral in Winterer.

But for that to happen, this battlefield had to be settled first.

Theo rose to his feet, his expression cold and resolute.

“…We need to finish this battle quickly.”

He turned to Black Dragon, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions within him.

Black Dragon, sensing Theo’s turmoil, nodded silently before heading toward the gathered forces of the allied factions outside.