N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
Chapter 607
Raon followed Glenn and entered an open space near the entrance of North Grave Mountain.
Glenn stood silently in the center of the open space and looked up at North Grave Mountain. His shoulders seemed to sway gently along with the moonlight, indicating he was lost in thought.
"My Lord."
Raon called out to Glenn and approached him.
"What is it that you haven't given?"
Glenn had given him not only the golden plate, but also artifact and elixir. Even after receiving everything, Raon wasn't sure what was lacking.
"Ahem!"
Glenn cleared his throat and turned around. His red eyes were filled with the coldness of a night wind.
"You didn't stop at rescuing the elves, you even acquired the ledger to rescue the elves who were already sold at auction. This will greatly help in maintaining good relations with Seipia in the future. Your deeds go beyond just artifacts and elixirs."
"Hmm..."
Honestly, rescuing the elves and acquiring the ledger seemed like similar tasks to Raon, but there was no reason to refuse additional rewards.
Damn old man!
Wrath popped out, shaking his hefty belly.
Why are you giving him so much stuff! That old man's face is cold, but his heart is as soft as cotton!
Wrath scowled, saying that only his face was fierce.
'If you've eaten well, just stay quiet.'
I don't want to stay quiet...
'Don't you want ice cream?'
Hmph!
Raon pushed Wrath’s belly tightly shut and then looked at Glenn.
"How far have you mastered the Azure Sky Sword?"
"I have mastered it up to the fourth technique. However, Of course, it's not perfect."
Thanks to the enlightenment he had received while fighting against the Red Flame Demon and Siran, he was able to perform the technique of Azure Sky Sword.
However, he had not yet reached the stage where he could perfectly display the swordsmanship.
"I see."
Glenn nodded lightly, as if he had expected it.
"Starting from tomorrow, come here at this time."
"Yes?"
"I will help you with your training for the next two weeks."
He closed his eyes, offering to provide guidance for the next two weeks as a reward for what had been done.
When Raon heard this, he widened his eyes.
‘This is a reward greater than any elixir.’
The eyes of a Master and those of a Grandmaster see things differently. Having reached the Grandmaster level, Raon could absorb Glenn's teachings with more precision, expanding his understanding even further. It was akin to enlightenment.
“Thank you.”
Raon bowed his head sincerely to Glenn.
“Ahem!”
Glenn cleared his throat and shook his head.
"There's no need to thank me. I'm just giving you a reward for what you've done."
"Even so, I consider the teachings you provide as a reward beyond what I've achieved. Thank you."
"Enough."
He waved his hand as if to say that no further words were necessary.
"Time is precious, so let's get started quickly." "Understood."
Raon raised his head and headed towards the center of the field.
"You've gotten used to it. You always bring your sword with you when I call you."
"It's natural for a swordsman."
When he said "swordsman," a small ripple of pride welled up inside.
'Swordsman...'
Now he could naturally refer to himself as a swordsman without thinking about it. It felt like the darkness of his previous life as an assassin was being gradually erased.
"Show me all the sword techniques you've been practicing."
"Yes, my lord."
He calmly replied and drew Heavenly Drive. After raising the sword vertically, he struck downward. The wind generated by the blade drew a thin line on the ground, thinner than a hair, cutting through the cool night air.
After demonstrating basic sword techniques, he performed the swordsmanship of Fangs of Insanity, Blizzard Sword Art, Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation's swordsmanship, and his own created swordsmanship before grasping Heavenly Drive with both hands.
'Now, the last Azure Sky Sword.'
He stretched out his arms towards the sky, connecting the lower energy center with the middle energy center. The fourth technique of the Azure Sky Sword were drawn in succession, painting red and blue flashes across the dark night sky. A magnificent spectacle unfolded as if a comet was soaring upside down.
"Hmm."
Glenn nodded, his expression unchanged from his initial cold demeanor.
"You've improved a bit. I can feel the will you mentioned before, never to yield or break."
Even though he had become a Grandmaster from a Master, it was absurd to say that he had only improved a bit. However, since the one who said that was Glenn, he had no choice but to acknowledge it.
"Thank you, my lord."
"But."
Glenn's eyes grew even colder.
"I can see the limit in the sky you envision."
"Limit..."
"I can see your goal even with my eyes. Don't aim for martial arts or martial artist, but paint the sky that you desire."
As he said this, he took a step closer.
"What sky did you envision while drawing the Azure Sky Sword?"
"That..."
Raon hesitated to answer immediately.
"Don't hesitate, just tell me."
"...It's you, the head of house."
"Hmm?"
Glenn's eyes widened in surprise.
"When you unleashed the Azure Sky Sword. No, when you showed me your swordsmanship against the leader of the White Blood Religion and the Fallen when I was kidnapped – that became my sky."
He confessed that he had been thinking of Glenn while envisioning the sky of the Azure Sky Sword. It felt a bit embarrassing to say it in front of the person himself.
"Kuh-huh!"
Glenn turned his back quickly. His ears turned red.
"Well, then, there's no helping it."
“Yes?”
"Don't change your goal, just go a little further."
"You told me to change it just a moment ago...."
"Ah! It's still too early for you to discuss infinity! Hurry up and swing your sword!"
“…Understood.”
Raon raised Heavenly Drive while tilting his head.
‘The head of house seems to have frequent changes of mind.’
Perhaps it's because of menopause.
Wrath nodded his head, saying he understood.
* * *
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On top of the Tiger Rock in the middle of North Grave Mountain.
Rimmer, who resembled a panda with dark bruises around both eyes, briefly licked his tongue.
“He’s going to poke the sky with the tip of his mouth."
Glenn's mouth was curled up so long that it was more like a grin than a smile. It wasn't a joke, it looked like his mouth was really hanging on his ear.
"Well, I can understand that inexplicable joy."
Having heard that the sky his grandson envisions is himself, he could understand why he was so happy.
"But..."
Rimmer narrowed his eyes as he watched Glenn's mouth corners rising higher and higher.
"Why is he teaching directly? Why not put him in the Chamber of Self?"
The Chamber of Self is a special space left by the first head of house where a person can communicate with one's own soul.
If it were Raon, he would surely be able to gain enlightenment there. He couldn't understand why he was teaching him directly.
"Heh heh heh."
Roenn, who was standing on the rock, smiled faintly.
“It seems like he wants to teach him himself.”
He chuckled, watching Glenn giving advice to Raon without turning around.
“He just wants to spend time with young master Raon.”
“Then tell him to show some affection! Affection!”
Rimmer shook his fist vigorously. Even now, Glenn was smiling with his back turned. He couldn't understand why he was just doing that instead of showing that smile to Raon.
"Moreover, you can only spend a month in the Chamber of Self. Maybe he'll open it when winter comes."
"So he wants to make the most of his time."
Rimmer nodded as he watched Raon, who was sweating but not letting go of his sword.
'Surely that's better.'
The more he grows, the more benefit he can make by entering the Chamber of Self.
Entering the Chamber of Self doesn't necessarily mean achieving enlightenment, but most of the time, one comes out with at least one small realization. Since he can gain more as he becomes stronger, so it was a good way to send him off after raising him further.
"But..."
Roenn looked at Rimmer with a thin smile.
"It seems like you've made your decision, Sir Rimmer."
"Indeed, you are like a ghost."
Rimmer nodded, grabbing his empty right shoulder.
"I wanted to set up a gambling den and have fun, but seeing Raon, my heart won't calm down."
He laughed, patting the sword on his waist.
"After all, this life is already ruined. I'll use it for Raon and the kids."
Rimmer bit his lip tightly as he looked at the moon floating above Raon's head.
“I wish I could be like that too.”
Roenn stood next to Rimmer, chuckling softly.
The two watched Raon and Glenn's training in silence for a long time.
* * *
Raon left his room at dawn, before the sun had risen.
Hwaaaaaaaa!
Wrath yawned so wide his mouth seemed to split open and rubbed his eyes.
Hey, you crazy bastard! You trained all night, and now you're going out at dawn again? What kind of crazy guy are you!
He shook his shoulder, urging him to get some sleep.
'I don't have much time.'
Even training for years under a Trancendent might not move him from his current level. He had to swing his sword with all his might while he had the chance.
You won’t die in battle, but you’ll die from training!
'That sounds kind of nice.'
Aargh! That's irritating! You're the only one... hmm?
Wrath stopped ranting and sniffed the air.
Look over there!
He pointed to the tray on the front table, his hands trembling.
It smells delicious! Open the lid of the tray!
'Hmm...'
He opened the silver lid covering the tray, and found a single toast filled with ham, eggs, and cheese.
Kreeeu! Home is the best after all! Mom!
Wrath shouted for Sylvia, looking at the toast that was still steaming.
'This wasn't made by Mom.'
Then who?
'It's Judiel.'
Sylvia's toast had eggs and chives, and Judiel's toast had eggs, ham, and cheese. This toast was Judiel's handiwork.
'She knows me well now.'
It seemed like she had made the toast in anticipation of him leaving for training right away.
She has grown up well and become perceptive. I like it!
Wrath nodded, acknowledging Judiel’s growth.
'Yeah.'
Raon smiled and took a bite of the toast.
It's perfectly toasted! Yes! This is how bread should be! Nadine's bread isn't bread!
Wrath sniffed, seemingly moved by the taste of the toast.
'Yeah, it's good.'
It was a simple meal, but it showed she had put effort into it.
He muttered his thanks as he looked towards Judiel's quarters (room) and left the annex building.
He went straight to the fifth training ground and opened the door, but contrary to his expectations, there were already people waiting for him.
“You're late.”
Martha crossed her arms and frowned.
"If you were the old you, you would have been here an hour ago, already swinging your sword."
She accused him of being lazy with a snort.
"That's right. It's time to scold him for being late."
Burren nodded with a faint smile.
“Kuu...”
Runaan was nodding her head slumped over. It seemed like she was sleepy.
"You encountered another accident, didn't you?"
Martha narrowed her eyes as she looked Raon up and down.
"How did you end up saving the elves tribe?"
"That's not all, I even heard something about the Spirit King's big brother."
Burren sighed as if he couldn't believe what he was saying.
“Kuuuu...”
Runaan was still sleepy.
“I was just lucky.”
Raon shrugged at the three of them.
“What kind of luck is that!”
Martha shook her head, telling him to stop talking about luck.
“Seriously. I couldn't have won alone.”
It wasn't a lie, as he would have been killed by the Red Flame Demon if it hadn't been for Siyan's help.
“Those masked and helmet guys again?”
Martha clenched her fist, thinking of Eden.
“But did you got stronger again?”
Burren looked at Raon from top to bottom and tilted his head.
“Something's different about your aura….”
“I ate the World Tree's fruit.”
“Wo, World Tree's fruit?”
"You're crazy. Are you planning to eat all the elixirs on the continent?"
Martha blinked in disbelief.
"I was curious about that. Is it tasty?"
Burren licked his lips, wondering what the World Tree fruit tasted like.
"To be honest...."
Raon closed his eyes, thinking back to the taste of the World Tree's fruit.
“It tasted like Nadine bread.”
“Nonsense!”
Martha shook her head.
“Does that make sense?”
"I can't believe it either. There's no way the fruit of the World Tree tastes like Nadine's bread."
Burren furrowed his brows, finding it hard to believe.
“Kuuu!”
Runaan shook her head, indicating that it didn't make sense, even though she was sleepy.
“I'm serious….”
Though it was true, Raon gave up explaining, seeing their expressions, they wouldn't believe him.
It's natural that they wouldn't believe something they haven't tried.
Wrath nodded calmly.
The King of Esssence, who ate it himself, still can't believe it, so how could they believe it! How can the World Tree be a rubber tree! It's absurd!
He shouted that he would burn down the World Tree with his eyes rolling crazily after a long time.
Raon pushed Wrath away and looked at Burren, Martha, and Runaan.
"Forget about the World Tree, what are you all doing at this hour?"
"What do you mean 'what'? We're training at this hour every day."
Martha raised her head as if to ask what he meant.
"Yeah. We've been training at this hour every day since you left."
Burren also laughed, saying that training at this time was a daily routine now.
"Kuuuf..."
Runaan exhaled heavily as if to agree.
"Hmm..."
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Burren, Martha, and Runaan in turn.
'They've all definitely grown.'
It wasn't the same kind of drastic growth as his own after eating the World Tree's fruit, but he felt they were more refined than before. It seemed like they had been training hard while he was in Seipia.
"The master of Wise Martial Palace helped us with our training in the evening. We learned a lot from him."
"Sir Denier?"
"Yes. My father also comes every day, and our aunt helps us too."
Martha replied with a bright smile, saying that learning from Aris was precious time.
"We really are like family."
"Hmm..."
Raon stroked his chin as he thought of Denier.
'Denier...'
Unlike Aris, Karoon, or Balder, Denier was a man who was hard to read.
'He smells similar to Derus, but that might not be the case.'
He hadn't done anything suspicious so far, and he had never caused any trouble. He still didn't have enough information to make a judgment about him.
'Maybe. I should investigate him a bit.'
He thought he should ask Deninng Rose to gather information about Denier for him soon.
'But before that...'
There was something he had to do.
Raon stood in front of Burren, Martha, and Runaan with a warm smile.
Pang.
Runaan, who had been blowing a small balloon with her nose, woke up and blinked.
"Raon."
It seemed like she had really been asleep until now. Her happy face was genuine.
"Let's eat ice cream."
The first thing she said upon waking up was ice cream, showing that she was still the same.
"Sure."
Raon nodded calmly.
"Oh!"
Oh!
Of course, the answer came from both Runaan and Wrath.
“Of course not now. I need to see first.”
“See?”
“What do you mean, see?”
Not only Runaan, but Burren also tilted his head in confusion.
“What are you guys asking? Obviously, he means to see our skills.”
Martha stepped back and placed her hand on the hilt of her sword.
“Look at that bastard's eyes! He's ready to kill us! Get ready quickly!”
She trembled her lips as if she had already confirmed that she would fight Raon.
“I don't know about Raon, but we've been training hard.”
Runaan approached, her purple eyes widened as if there was no need for a spar.
“Dawn training and evening training...”
"We've already told him about that."
Burren sighed and shook his head.
“He's doing that to confirm if it's true!”
He understood Raon's meaning and drew his sword.
“Ugh...”
Runaan reluctantly raised her sword, but a chill that could freeze anything it touched emanated from her blade.
Raon felt the fierce, sharp, and cold energy of Martha, Burren, and Runaan, and smiled faintly. Seeing their stance, he felt like he was back home.
“Let's see how strong you've become.”
He nodded and came forward.
"If anyone manages to land a blow on me, I'll give you a break right away."
Raon snapped his fingers, telling Burren, Runaan, and Martha to attack him.
“What if we can't?”
Runaan tilted her head.
“Then we keep fighting.”
Raon savored the trembling eyes of the three.
“Just say you want to spar all day from the start!”
Burren shouted in disbelief.
“I said I'd give you a break if you could land a single blow. It's not that hard.”
Raon shrugged, saying it was easy.
“Becoming a Grandmaster has not only increased your skills but also your temprament.”
Burren sighed.
“It’s back. The Demon King of Training.”
Martha chewed her lips and raised her sword.
“Alright. Let's show him that we haven't been slacking off either. Die!”
She lunged forward and stabbed her sword, and Burren and Runaan also attacked from the left and right, unleashing their sword techniques.
"Let's have some fun."
Raon rolled up his sleeves, watching the dazzling swordsmanship of the three captains.
“All day long.”
Urgh
Wrath shook his head repeatedly.
This guy is a real pervert.
* * *
Kwaaaaa!
A blue brilliance surged above the dark sky. A grand scene as if a huge hole had been pierced in the center of the sky.
Glenn nodded as he observed the sky settling down.
"This makes it the fifth time. It's been okay for this week."
"It's all thanks to you, head of house."
Raon bowed his head to Glenn.
"As you know, it's still far from perfect. But you've only gotten the basics down, so whip yourself and strive for perfection."
"I will keep that in mind."
"Then let's call it a day."
Glenn nodded as if he had finished what he had to do and turned his back.
"Thank you."
Raon bowed his head to Glenn's back. When he looked up again, he was already gone.
'He's like the wind.'
Glenn would come exactly at the appointed time, train him for two hours, and then leave suddenly. Sometimes he felt like a ghost.
'But it was a rewarding time.'
From dawn until evening, training with the Light Wind Division, and then with Glenn at night, Raon felt his skills growing rapidly. It was a worthwhile week.
'It's a shame it's over now..'
Although he felt burdened when he was being taught by Glenn, he felt a little disappointed when it was over.
'Maybe he'll train me again if I request it.'
As he walked back to the annex building with these unrealistic thoughts in mind, he heard a small sound from the entrance. When he opened the door, Sylvia was putting toast on a table in front of the door.
"Mother?"
"You came just at the right time!"
Sylvia said that he had come at a good time and held out the toast that she had placed on the table.
"If you've been training until this hour, you need to eat well!"
That's why you're my mom!
Wrath ran towards Sylvia with his arms outstretched.
'Get out of the way.'
Raon pushed Wrath away and shook his head.
"I'm eating well. You don't have to do this, I don't want to bother you at this hour."
“Why would it be a burden for a mother to take care of her son?”
Sylvia shook her head and said that it was okay.
"Thank you."
Raon smiled faintly and took the toast. It was a healthy toast with eggs and vegetables.
"Speaking of which, I haven't seen Judiel much lately."
He asked while taking a bite of the toast. Judiel had not been seen since she gave him the toast. It was strange that he went out at dawn and came back at dawn.
"Judiel took a vacation."
"Vacation?"
"Yes. I didn't tell you because I thought you might worry. She said not to tell you. She'll be back next week."
Sylvia shook her head and said that Judiel was not in the annex building.
"I see."
Raon nodded casually as if it was nothing.
"Don't overdo it and take care of your health."
After telling him to finish his toast, Sylvia returned to her room.
Setting down the half-eaten toast, Raon headed not to his own room, but to Judiel's room.
Huh? Where are you going when you’re eating? Didn’t that woman go on vacation!
‘Judiel is like my subordinate. If she didn’t tell me she was on vacation, something must be wrong.’
He forcibly twisted the locked doorknob and entered.
The room was extremely spartan. It would be no exaggeration to say that it was completely empty.
However, it seemed that the room had been like this from the beginning, rather than that she had packed up her belongings and left.
As he looked around the empty room, Raon pulled out a brown piece of paper sticking out of the worn desk drawer.
Raon’s eyes narrowed sharply as he unfolded the paper.
“This is….”
