The Forgiveness Phase is a very rare ability of the dreaded Rune of Punishment, the True Rune that governs atonement and forgivness. Normally, the rune will consume its master's life every time he uses the power of the Rune. However, once the forgiveness phase has been activated the rune will no longer ebb away at its bearer's life force, thus allowing them to use the True Rune to its full power and force without fear of instant death.

Lazlo En Kuldes, the hero and leader of the Island Liberation War is the only known bearer of the True Rune, who has lived long enough to finally see this phase come to fruition. This was due in part to his ability to forgive his close childhood friend, Snowe, who had betrayed him out of jealousy and anger. With Lazlo's forgiving actions coupled together with the spirit of the 108 Stars of Destiny he had gathered around him, Leknaat was able to help him move the Rune into this less dangerous phase.

Before departing she warned Lazlo that during the phase change she had gleaned the will of the Rune, and that if he ever parted with the Rune of Punishment it would certainly return to wandering the world and harvesting souls as it had once done prior to Lazlo's ownership.

After then events at Fort El-Eal, Lazlo was once again forced to unleash the power of the Rune of Punishment in order to protect his friends and commrades from an explosive shock wave. He releases so much power of the True Rune, that it would kill the Hero permanently unless he had previously unlock the forgivness phase and had collected all 108 Stars.

A few years after the events of Suikoden IV, Lazlo is seen using Rune of Punishment fully without danger to himself during the events of Suikoden Tactics. With the forgiveness phase in full effect, the Rune of Punishment and its bearer are easily the most powerful weapon and character in that game.