N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
Chapter 636
Delphiros let go of the crystal orb the moment Raon cut down the Doppelganger lord. The mana drained from the orb, causing it to lose its light and sink into darkness.
"How, how could this happen?"
The Demon Rain division leader fell backward, as if his legs had lost all strength.
"I used over thirty layers of arrays..."
Despite having witnessed Raon facing the Doppelganger lord himself, he trembled his lips in disbelief.
"This doesn't make any sense!"
Unable to contain his anger, he pounded the floor with his fist. Since he was not a martial artist, the skin on the back of his hand split open, and blood flowed out.
"Hoo..."
Delphiros let out a short sigh as he looked at the now darkened crystal orb.
"Ah..."
The Demon Rain division leader came to his senses at Delphiros's sigh and forced himself to stand up, bowing his head.
"I-I am sorry Sir. I shouldn't have done such a thing..."
"Your plan was not wrong."
Delphiros shook his head calmly.
"The problem was that Raon Zieghart was a monster beyond your plan."
The strength of the Doppleganger lord, enhanced by the Demon Rain division leader, had been immense.
Although maintaining it for a long time was difficult, it possessed enough power to kill most humans who entered this tomb.
This incident was all due to Raon Zieghart's extraordinary talent.
'Stronger than expected. No, rather...'
He's rapidly getting stronger.
The Demon Rain division leader might not realize it, but Raon Zieghart had grown his strength and combat skills while facing the Doppelganger lord.
In this short time, he had compensated for his deficiencies and strengthened his advantages.
'He's truly a monster.'
It became clear why 'he' was concerned about a youngling like Raon Zieghart.
"Should we block the path now? It would be difficult for long, but we could hold him off until the task is complete..."
"No."
Delphiros shook his head firmly.
"It's meaningless."
Raon Zieghart had broken all the rules of each floor and descended to the fourth. It was better to control the situation directly than to let things happen unseen.
"It's the last floor anyway, so I'll end it myself."
From beneath Delphiros's feet, a robust and heavy energy began to rise, forming shapes like water droplets.
"And..."
He paused and turned his gaze to the right corner. Looking at the black eyes flickering in the gray mist, he frowned.
"When the time comes, send that down."
"Understood."
The Demon Rain division leader bowed his head, showing that he had no choice but to trust him.
"It's time to end everything and make a new beginning."
Delphiros disappeared into the darkness with a smile that smelled like blood.
* * *
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Chapter 637-641: https://tinyurl.com/GwangPungDan
Raon opened his eyes after reaching the fifth floor.
'What is this place...'
It was a strange space.
Like a round light beaming from the sky, only the ground was illuminated, while the surroundings were steeped in darkness, with no visible exit.
The space wasn't very large, making it feel like a sealed container.
Luckily, there weren't many people around. If it had been any more cramped, it would have been suffocating.
Raon clicked his tongue as he looked at the fine sand covering the ground like a training ground.
'The scent of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation has become stronger.'
The energy of Zieghart's first head, who created this training ground, felt very close.
If he could analyze the barriers set by the ancestor in a little more detail, he might be able to remove the dark energy that Derus Robert had placed.
Raon rotated the Ring of Fire to the extreme to enhance his concentration. He analyzed the array buried deep in the ground and examined the people on the fifth floor.
'There aren't many.'
Despite the narrow space, there were less than thirty people on the fifth floor.
"......"
Most of the warriors were injured to varying degrees, and unlike the first floor, where they maintained appropriate vigilance, they now exuded an extremely sharp aura, ready to fight at any moment.Strangely, quite a few dead bodies could be seen. He checked just in case, but they had died quite some time ago.
'Fortunately, our members are not here.'
Seeing the corpses made him worry about the Light Wind division. He was about to move to find them when it happened.
"Division leader!"
From inside, Dorian's voice called out. Raon turned his gaze to the source of the sound, seeing him running with his belly pocket shaking.
Oh! The wallet of the King of Essence! It's safe!
Wrath waved his round hands happily.
"Dorian."
Raon smiled faintly as he looked at Dorian. Fortunately, he seemed to be uninjured.
"Di-division leader. Is it really you?"
Dorian cautiously asked, glancing around.
'As expected...'
It seemed Dorian had also been attacked by a doppelganger.
"I wandered the snowy field all day and finally met someone. It was the division leader. How glad I was! So, I greeted you..."
"And then?"
"He greeted me back so warmly! Isn't that strange?"
Was that strange? What have I been doing usually?
Tilting his head, Raon gestured for Dorian to continue.
"It was strange, but I just let it go. The fake division leader also said we should move."
Dorian smacked his lips.
"I jokingly asked, 'We don't have to train here, right?'"
Furrowing his brows, he continued quickly.
"'Yes. It's dangerous here, so let's skip training.' That's what he said! So, I couldn't help but slap him!"
"......"
Raon swallowed dryly.
"The guy who got slapped was so shocked he ran away! I tried to catch him, but he was too fast!"
"...You figured it out from that?"
"There's no way the division leader would say something as ridiculous as not training! He had to be a fake!"
Dorian shook his head, adamant that such a thing could never happen.
"Ha..."
What does this guy think of me?
Raon was shaking his head in disbelief when he heard someone fall behind him. Turning around, he saw Krein walking over with wide eyes.
"Division leader! Is it really you?"
"......"
"No, I saw the division leader walking without training! When I asked why, he said some nonsense about being worried about the others and needing to hurry! I knew right away he was a fake and hit him in the back of the head!"
Krein smiled broadly, saying he felt good even though it was a fake.
"You too?"
"Yeah, me too!"
Dorian and Krein suddenly high-fived above their heads.
Smack!
Raon grabbed his temples as the crisp sound echoed.
Puhehehe!
Wrath burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.
Didn't the King of Essence tell you! There's no difference between that shitty-ears and you!
'Shut up...'
Raon pushed the mocking Wrath aside and bit his lip.
'What do they think of me?'
As he sighed, more people entered the space. Among them was a familiar face, Martha, who looked like an absolute beauty as long as she kept her mouth shut.
"Martha."
"......"
Martha didn't approach right away and frowned, tapping her finger. Judging by her reaction, it seemed Martha had also met the Doppelganger.
"You saw me too?"
"A very strange person."
Martha nodded, biting her lip. She seemed so shocked that she forgot to use honorifics.
"I was walking through the snowfield when you suddenly appeared. But then..."
"Then?"
"As soon as we met, you started worrying about the others. It was a bit odd, but I followed you, thinking it could happen. But you just kept walking. No sword training, no footwork training, just walking!"
"...Why is that weird?"
"You always practice footwork or swordsmanship while walking!"
She bared her white teeth, shouting that it made no sense.
"It was so strange that I asked him. 'Why aren't you training?' Guess what he said?"
"What did he say?"
"He said the others were more important right now! Does that make any sense? Training maniac!"
Martha twisted her lips, saying she immediately recognized him as an enemy.
"So what did you do?"
"I stabbed him from behind!"
"S-Stabbed him?"
Raon swallowed dryly. Imagining the doppelganger getting stabbed while worrying about the others made him feel pity.
"After I caught him, a path to here opened up."
Martha clapped her hands, saying she waited for hours before descending through the door.
"As expected, you know the division leader well!"
"How could I not! Honestly, he's a madman!"
Raon closed his eyes tightly, listening to their conversation.
'How do they really see me?'
What are you asking?
Wrath scratched his belly and shook his head.
A madman.
'......'
* * *
After Marthaa, two more swordsmen from the Light Wind division came down, but no more came after that.
"Do you think there's a problem?"
Dorian bit his lip anxiously.
Dorian bit his lip, looking anxious.
"There's no way they'd be fooled by a fake division leader..."
Krein shook his head, saying it made no sense for the Light Wind division to be deceived by a fake Raon.
"Hmm..."
Raon crossed his arms and leaned against the black wall.
'It's not just us, the numbers are low overall.'
Not only the Light Wind division, but the numbers of the Six Kings, Five Demons, and neutral factions were significantly reduced.
There was no way people like the Ghost Demon Swordmaster or the Sixth Apostle
couldn't reach here, so it seemed the space was divided.
"Let's wait for a bit. Something must be happening..."
Raon was trying to calm the anxious members when suddenly, with a snapping sound, new lights came on from the ceiling.
Tatatata!
As the magical lights turned on in succession, the once dark space revealed itself, one by one.
"Huh?"
"Division Leader!"
"Burren?"
"Captain!"
"There are people over there too!"
The lights illuminated dozens of spaces identical to the one they had been in, forming one large cavity.
Although it was larger than Zieghart's grand training ground, the sheer number of people made it feel somewhat cramped.
"Division leader!"
"You're alive!"
"Division leader! I saw a fake division leader!"
The Light Wind members approached with familiar faces, most of them frowning as they mentioned seeing a strange version of Raon.
"Me too!"
Rimmer nodded with a surprised expression.
"I asked him to borrow some money for gambling, and he said he would lend it right away! I was a bit disappointed, but I knew he was a fake."
He sighed, saying he should have at least taken the money before killing him.
"Me too. The ugly and fake Raon said he hated mint chocolate."
Runaan mentioned that she killed the doppelganger Raon who claimed to dislike mint chocolate, licking her lips.
"......"
Raon had a lot to say, but given the situation, he kept his mouth shut.
But it's fortunate, isn't it?
Wrath shook his head, trying to suppress his laughter, his cheeks puffed out.
Thanks to your crazy personality, there are few injuries!
'...That's true.'
While there were already dead bodies or severely injured people among most factions, the Light Wind division had only minor injuries, with no serious casualties. Even if a fight broke out, it wouldn't be a major issue.
'The Five Demons are also unscathed.'
Unlike the Black Tower they encountered in the maze on the third floor, the Ghost Demon Swordmaster and the Sixth Apostle hadn't suffered any injuries. It seemed the doppelgangers' attacks didn't work on them either.
However, the two, who were in an alliance, were glaring at each other as if ready to kill.
'Then what about the Void Sword division... Hmm?'
Raon narrowed his eyes as he watched the Void Sword division gather in the northwest. Serena's waist was covered in blood. It looked like she had been seriously hurt.
"Damn it!"
Raon ran towards Serena.
"Division leader!"
"Stay back!"
The vice division leader of Void Sword, who appeared to have been with Serena from the beginning, placed his hand on his sword, blocking Raon's path.
"......"
Serena said nothing, merely narrowing her eyes as she looked at him.
"Hmm..."
Raon let out a short breath as he met Serena's cold gaze.
'Could it be...'
Was it a surprise attack using my appearance?
If not, there was no reason for Serena and the Void Sword vice division leader to be so cold.
"Light Wind division leader! Step back!"
The Void Sword vice division leader bit his lip, seemingly ready for a fight.
"Stop."
Serena stepped forward, pulling the vice division leader back.
"Division leader!"
"He's not the one."
She sighed and shook her head.
"I saw his eyes. That wasn't Raon."
"Did you meet me?"
Raon narrowed his eyes, looking at Serena's wound.
"Yes. I met someone who looked exactly like you, with the same demeanor and voice."
Serena sighed lightly, lifting her gaze.
"I was moving to find the exit when you ambushed me from behind."
"......"
"I barely avoided a vital point and tried to counterattack, but you immediately fled."
She shook her head calmly, as if uninjured.
"I couldn't figure out your intention no matter how much I thought about it, but now I understand. It wasn't you."
Serena smiled faintly, her eyes filled with certainty.
"How can you be so sure?"
"I've watched you since you were a child."
She smiled lightly.
"I told you, I wanted to bring you to the Void Sword division from the start."
"Hmm..."
"And look over there."
Serena pointed to the opposite wall. Magicians from the Kingdom of Balkar were glaring at them as if they wanted to kill them.
"Ever since we arrived here, they've been looking at us like enemies, so I found it strange, but now I get it."
"Hmm..."
"It's the same. They were probably attacked by someone who looked like us."
Listening to her, Raon surveyed the entire area again.
"You ungrateful bastards!"
"Who are you calling ungrateful? How dare you aim for our backs?"
"Who aimed for your back?"
"The sword marks on our vice division leader's body! They match your family’s sword technique!"
"A sneak attack? How cowardly!"
The factions that had originally formed alliances or cooperative relationships were now brimming with murderous intent, ready to fight.
While some, like Serena, found the situation suspicious, most were swept up by the atmosphere, expressing their emotions openly.
Raon bit his lip as he observed the increasingly tense atmosphere on the fifth floor.
'Was this their goal?'
He had thought their goal was to kill people with doppelgangers, but now it seemed their real intention was to divide the factions.
'So that's why there were corpses...'
He had found it odd that there were corpses in a place only the living could descend to, but now it made sense.
'Experts can tell who killed someone just by looking at the body.'
It was clearly a plan to use the marks left on the bodies to divide the allied forces even faster.
To cause division in this way... Derus' ruthlessness was impressive.
Raon clenched his fists at the growing tension among the people, like a rubber band being stretched taut.
'But the division here won't be his final goal. What Derus really wants is...'
A war.
If he manipulated the corpses of everyone who entered here and sent them out, the entire Six Kings, Five Demons, and neutral factions would be engulfed in the flames of war.
Derus's goal seemed clear: a continental war.
"Fine! Let's do this! I'll kill you all first!"
"Who are you talking to!"
The neutral factions of house White-Eyed Sword and house Blue Wave Gate pointed their weapons at each other.
"Kill them!"
"Slaughter them all!"
"Wait."
Raon stepped in between the two factions about to clash. He was the only one who could stop this situation, having personally captured the doppelganger.
"Please listen to what I have to say."
"Who the hell are you?"
"Can't you see properly? That's Raon Zieghart, the Dragon Slayer!"
A middle-aged man, who seemed to be the head of White-Eyed Sword, spat at the head of Blue Wave Gate.
"Hmm, I've heard much about the Light Wind division leader. I'd like to exchange greetings, but now is not the right time."
The White-Eyed Sword’s head shook his head, tightening his grip on his blazing red sword.
"Indeed. We need to cut down these treacherous bastards, so step aside!"
The Blue Wave Gate’s head bared his teeth, raising his sword imbued with a sharp blue aura.
"That's exactly why."
Raon imbued his voice with aura so that everyone could hear him. His low voice
pierced through the chilling atmosphere, spreading across the entire space.
"I encountered..."
Just as he was about to explain the events so far, magic lights illuminated the previously dark northern area, revealing a space.
A middle-aged man in white robes appeared on a golden throne that looked like an emperor's seat. His short blond hair radiated nobility and military discipline.
'That guy...'
Raon bit his lip as he watched the middle-aged man elegantly lift a teacup.
'Is it Delphiros?'
Although his face had aged, his aristocratic impression remained unchanged.
Unlike the Shadows who handled assassinations and information gathering, Delphiros was one of Derus Robert's vanguard leaders, responsible for direct combat.
'So he was in charge of this place.'
While Raon was observing Delphiros, Delphiros also narrowed his eyes, looking at him.
"Who are you!"
"What are you doing!"
"Come down at once!"
The martial artists and magicians raised their voices, feeling the pressure from Delphiros.
"I am the owner of this tomb."
Delphiros slightly nodded his head.
"T-Tomb owner?"
"So, you're the Saber Sword Sovereign?"
"That makes no sense..."
"Ah, let me explain again. I mean I am the first to discover the Saber Sword Sovereign's tomb."
He smiled faintly.
"You expect us to believe that..."
"Will you believe this?"
Delphiros produced two thick books from thin air.
One book, glowing red, was titled "Demon Slaying Saber Technique" (마병도법), while the other, shimmering blue, was titled "Demon Slaying Sword Secret." (참마검결)
Both had bold characters that seemed ready to fly off the page.
"De-demon Slaying Saber Technique and Demon Slaying Sword Secret..."
"They're the Saber Sword Sovereign's martial arts!"
"T-This really is the Saber Sword Sovereign's tomb..."
"If we had those..."
The martial artists, who had been showing animosity towards each other, swallowed dryly as they looked at the martial arts books in Delphiros's hands.
"Do you want these?"
No one answered Delphiros's question, but the greed and desire in their eyes were evident. The deep and intense yearning to reach the level of the Saber Sword Sovereign was clear.
"Alright. I'll give them."
Delphiros smirked, shaking the books.
"G-Give them?"
"Those martial arts books?"
"There's a condition."
Delphiros's chilling gaze landed on Raon.
"To whoever kills him, I will give these two books."
In an instant, hundreds of gazes in the fifth-floor space turned towards Raon. It was as if a swarm of fireflies lingering by a dark lake took flight simultaneously.
"H-How do we know if those are real!"
"Right! Your ulterior motive is clear just by bringing us all the way here!"
The heads of house White-Eyed Sword and house Blue Wave Gate shouted in unison.
"You there."
Delphiros gestured to a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar standing at the far left. He was a martial artist from the Owen Kingdom who had arrived late.
"You're the All-Knowing Sword Scholar Krasel, right?"
"...That's correct."
Krasel lifted his gaze, nodding.
"Since you're known for your unmatched expertise in martial arts history and interpretation, you can see for yourself."
"......"
Krasel hesitated, looking at his comrades before slowly ascending to the platform where Delphiros stood.
"Here you go."
Delphiros confidently tossed the "Demon Slaying Saber Technique" book to Krasel.
"Hmm..."
Krasel quickly flipped through the book. Gradually, his expression hardened, and cold sweat trickled down his cheek.
"I-It’s real..."
Unable to take his eyes off the book, Krasel nodded.
"The book itself is from hundreds of years ago, with no signs of forgery or tampering. The contents look flawless!"
Even though he hadn't read it all, he seemed convinced that it was genuinely "Demon Slaying Saber Technique," his lips trembling.
"This should serve as proof."
Delphiros flicked his fingers, and the "Demon Slaying Saber Technique" book flew back into his hand.
"The one who kills him will be the new Saber Sword Sovereign!"
Delphiros threw the books into the air, where a circular aura barrier formed, suspending them.
"Hmm..."
"Hmph!"
The heads of house White-Eyed Sword and house Blue Wave Gate subtly stepped back and gripped their weapons. Their cold eyes showed they were ready to attack at any moment.
"Sigh..."
Raon grasped the hilt of his sword, scanning the surroundings.
'This is the first time I've received this kind of attention.'
Hundreds of people, possessed by the demon of greed, directed their murderous intent at him.
The tension filled his body more intensely than when he was surrounded by the Five Demons.
However, there was no fear. This was the land of Zieghart, and the will of his ancestor who built this land was with him.
“They say when the owner is absent, the dog acts like the owner."
Raon raised the corners of his mouth and tilted his chin to the side.
“I guess I need to put the leash back on.”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
Delphiros leaned forward, furrowing his brow.
"Don't act like the owner on my land, you mutt."
"Your land?"
He placed a hand on his forehead and burst into loud laughter.
“Since when did this place become the land of Zieghart? This is….”
“From the moment I arrived.”
Raon took a step forward. With a thundering sound, the ground cracked.
Golden fire, as if imbued with starlight, spread in graceful arcs around him.
Whoooosh!
With a thick haze, the blazing fire formed a sword of flame, inscribed with the emblem of Zieghart on the golden ground.
“What, what is this!”
“What kind of fire is that!”
“Gah! The energy is burning!”
“Step back!”
The slaves of desire, who seemed ready to pounce at any moment, were startled and retreated.
“Light Wind division. Open the path.”
"Your order is our command!"
The Light Wind swordsmen responded firmly, positioning themselves on Raon’s left and right.
Their chilling aura made the warriors gulp and lower their weapons.
"Come down, you mutt."
A red glow appeared in Raon’s eyes. He stood on the ground of desire and gazed up at the throne with a sneer.
“That’s not your seat.”
