N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
Chapter 639
Raon wiped the sweat dripping down his chin as he looked at the two martial arts books, "Demon Slaying Saber Technique" and "Demon Slaying Sword Secret", left by the Saber Sword Sovereign.
‘It’s certain.’
Those are the core of the Saber Sword Sovereign.
Thanks to the Wandering Revenant, he confirmed that the Saber Sword Sovereign’s soul was connected to those two martial arts books. The Saber Sword Sovereign’s infinite stamina and aura definitely came from those books.
‘It makes sense.’
The Saber Sword Sovereign left those martial arts books for future generations who would enter this tomb.
He must have had regrets about not having a successor, so it wasn’t strange to make those martial arts books his core.
You finally realized it.
Wrath scratched his nose in disdain.
That corpse was drawing power from those books. They set a restriction to show his core, which also enhanced the power of that corpse. Quite a provocative act.
He laughed, saying it was bold, whoever did it.
‘It’s obvious.’
It’s Derus Robert. Only he could come up with such a plan.
“I found it.”
Raon called Kusan and Barpil with eyes full of conviction.
“You found it?”
“What do you mean?”
The two tilted their heads, not understanding what he meant by “found it.”
“I found the core that gives the Saber Sword Sovereign his infinite power.”
“Really?”
“What is it? I’ll destroy it right away!”
Kusan and Barpil raised their voices, delighted that this hellish battle could finally end.
“Core?”
Delphiros looked down at Raon, sneering.
“Do you think such a thing exists? Stop dreaming and find a way to survive a bit longer….”
“The martial arts books.”
Raon cut off Delphiros and raised his hand, pointing his index finger at the Saber Sword Sovereign’s martial arts books.
“The 'Demon Slaying Saber Technique' and 'Demon Slaying Sword Secret' are the core of the Saber Sword Sovereign.”
“What the…?”
“That’s absurd….”
Kusan and Barpil trembled with disbelief. It was a natural reaction. Exposing the core so blatantly was something only a madman would do.
“……”
Raon didn’t answer the two but observed Delphiros’ expression. His face showed undeniable shock.
“He’s telling us the answer himself.”
Raon lightly smiled and nodded towards Delphiros with his chin.
“Grr!”
Delphiros quickly hardened his expression, but it was too late.
Not just Kusan and Barpil, but everyone here had seen his distorted face.
“Really….”
“So those books are truly the core of the Saber Sword Sovereign?”
"If we burn those books, the Saber Sword Sovereign’s infinite aura will be cut off."
Raon, convinced they had an opportunity, drew his divine and demonic swords.
‘We can win if we finish this quickly.’
His stamina and aura were nearly exhausted, and his sword field was at its limit, but he didn’t think he would lose.
If they fought together, they could end this battle.
“Of all things, it had to be the martial arts books….”
“Hmm….”
However, Kusan and Barpil didn’t move immediately. They bit their lips as they looked at the martial arts books.
“Sigh….”
Raon sighed as he saw their hesitation.
‘It’s understandable.’
To be honest, he felt the same.
The reason warriors and mages came here was for the Saber Sword Sovereign’s legacy. Specifically, those martial arts books.
But now they had to burn the very goal and reason for their presence. Their hesitation and confusion were natural.
Derus must have anticipated this, making the martial arts books the core. To thwart his plan, they had to burn those books.
“I understand your feelings.”
Raon raised his divine sword. The dying fire roared back to life in a deep golden color. The fire seemed to erase the darkness that had settled in the warriors' hearts.
“But burning those books is the only way we can win.”
* * *
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“Kurrggh….”
Delphiros frowned deeply as he looked into Raon’s calm eyes.
‘What is this guy….’
What kind of brat is he to even find the core?!
Raon Zieghart was right. The source of the Saber Sword Sovereign’s infinite aura was indeed those two martial arts books.
Usually, they should keep their core hidden, but they took advantage of that blind spot and made the martial arts books the Saber Sword Sovereign's core.
Thanks to the constraint of showing the core to the enemy, they were able to strengthen the Saber Sword Sovereign's power, but they never imagined that someone would uncover that secret.
‘Why did it have to be him!’
Neither the Wandering Revenant, who couldn’t steal this treasure, Kusan, who had won countless battles, nor the knowledgeable Barpil found it. Yet this young brat did.
He gritted his teeth so hard that his gums bled.
‘I should have killed him sooner.’
No, he tried, but Raon overcame everything.
Since the second floor, they tried to kill Raon Zieghart, but he bypassed all the traps and reached the final floor with his own strength. Honestly, there was nothing to say.
‘Damn bastard.’
As Delphiros gritted his teeth in burning rage towards Raon, Kusan and Barpil, unlike Raon, were still in a dilemma and hadn’t assumed a battle stance.
‘Wait a minute….’
If he could use this.
Delphiros clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms. He had thought of a way to turn the situation around.
‘This time, I won’t let it go easily.’
He quickly finished his thoughts and nodded.
“You’re right. Those two martial arts books, 'Demon Slaying Saber Technique' and 'Demon Slaying Sword Secret', are indeed the source of the Saber Sword Sovereign’s power. So, what will you do?”
Delphiros smiled leisurely, wiggling his fingers.
“Are you planning to burn those books?”
“Yes.”
Raon nodded calmly.
"Even if those really are the Saber Sword Sovereign’s martial arts books?"
Delphiros tapped the armrest of the throne with a crossed leg.
“The current Saber Sword Sovereign isn’t even showing half of his power. If you acquire those books, you could become the second Saber Sword Sovereign. Are you really going to burn that treasure?”
“It’s troublesome. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Raon answered firmly again, but the eyes of the others filled with deeper agony.
“Heh.”
Delphiros lightly laughed, touching his lips. The battle had stopped, and everyone was looking here.
[Sir Delphiros.]
The Demon Rain division leader contacted him as if he had been waiting.
[The control of the barrier has been completely transferred to Raon Zieghart. There’s no way to….]
[There’s no need to regain control. Just add one thing.]
[Excuse me? What…?]
[Desire. Stir up their desire for the treasure. Can you do that?]
[I’ll try! No, I will do it!]
As Delphiros listened to the Demon Rain division leader’s response, he looked up at the Saber Sword Sovereign’s martial arts books.
"These are martial arts books that can lead one to transcendence, which are rare on the continent. They even contain the insights and interpretations that the Saber Sword Sovereign gained in his later years. Don't you agree?"
His gaze turned to Krasel, the All-knowing Sword Scholar who had confirmed the martial arts books.
“Hmm….”
Krasel didn’t answer, but biting his lip was enough to convey the truth to everyone.
He could feel the desire slowly seeping into their eyes. The Demon Rain division leader must have been doing something.
"Think carefully. Will you get the Saber Sword Sovereign's martial arts and become the protagonist of this continent, or will you do someone else's bidding?"
Realizing it was time, Delphiros added strength to his voice.
"Someone else's bidding?"
"What does that mean?"
"Don't you get it yet?"
He laughed and waved his hand.
“Raon Zieghart said he would burn those books. But who handles fire the best here? It’s that guy. Which means….”
“You mean he might pretend to burn the books but actually take them?”
The Ghost Demon Swordmaster lowered his sword and frowned.
“Correct.”
The moment Delphiros snapped his fingers, the atmosphere of the joint forces changed drastically. It was as if the wall of trust that had united them had crumbled in an instant. “You….”
“Heh.”
Delphiros tilted his head, looking at Raon with a sneer.
"Let's continue this dirty fight."
* * *
Raon felt the piercing gazes of the warriors and bit his lip.
'Damn it...'
There was no need to look around. The atmosphere had changed. Desire filled the eyes of the people once again.
'It seems like there's someone else involved.'
It wasn't possible for Delphiros' words alone to create this situation.
It seemed there was a high-ranking sorcerer manipulating the atmosphere in this barrier.
Raon tried to restore the first layer of the barrier using the Ring of Fire, but it wasn't easy. His mental strength and aura were reaching their limits, and the other side was also desperately resisting.
‘I have no choice but to fight in this state.’
It was a disadvantage, but there was no time to waste. The good news was that Kusan and Barpil weren't falling for the desire like before.
However, the two were now filled with fear instead of desire.
“Is there really no other way than to burn that book…?”
“I understand, but destroying a martial book that could lead to transcendence with my own hands…”
The two were afraid of destroying a martial book that could lead to transcendence with their own hands.
“It’s okay.”
Raon infused his voice with the essence of Blue Rain, awakening their spirits with a clear voice.
“It’s not the martial book that’s important, but the people. The Saber Sword Sovereign would want that.”
“Ha, you’re right.”
“I won’t make the same foolish mistake twice.”
The two set their minds, firmly closing their lips and stepping in front of the Saber Sword Sovereign.
“You crazy bastard!”
"Burning the martial arts books! Absolutely not!"
The Ghost Demon Swordmaster and the Sixth Apostle, their eyes bloodshot, unleashed fierce attacks.
The Holy Sword Alliance swordsmen and the White Blood fanatics also revealed their malice, charging
forward as if to stop the martial book from being burned.
“Can’t you read the room? You guys stay back.”
“We won’t!”
Rimmer and Serena, who had been standing back, rode the wind and blocked the Ghost Demon
Swordmaster and the Sixth Apostle.
“Division leader! We’ll take care of this!”
"I didn't like that guy's face from the start, so let's smash it...!"
“Go, handsome Raon, you can do it.”
Burren, Martha, and Runaan blocked the Holy Sword Alliance swordsmen’s onslaught, raising their voices. It seemed safe to leave the rear to them.
“Just clear a path. I’ll burn the martial book.”
Raon nodded at Kusan and Barpil.
“Alright. This kind of fight is my specialty.”
“Whew, my heart feels like it’s going to explode.”
Kusan spat out blood from his mouth and raised his sword, while Barpil straightened up, leaning on his staff.
Gooooo!
Raon repositioned his waning divine and demonic swords, gathering aura behind them.
"Haaaaa!"
Kusan once again took the lead, charging towards the Saber Sword Sovereign. His sword,
imbued with unbreakable resolve, gleamed fiercely.
Claaang!
However, resolve and actual power were different. Kusan's body staggered under the rough blow of the Saber Sword Sovereign.
“Not yet!”
Kusan planted his foot firmly on the ground, forcibly endured the Saber Sword Sovereign’s strike.
“Thunderstorm!”
From Barpil’s trembling hands, arrows of lightning rained down.
Chiiiing!
The Saber Sword Sovereign raised the blue sword, mercilessly splitting the arrows of lightning.
Boom!
Raon seized the moment when the Saber Sword Sovereign's hands were both occupied, stepping forward with the Supreme Harmony Steps.
Just as he was about to thrust his divine sword, he heard a chilling sound from behind.
'An aura blade?'
A sharp aura blade was targeting the backs of Kusan and Barpil.
Normally, he wouldn't even care, but right now, Kusan and Barpil didn't have the strength to block that aura blade.
Swooosh!
Raon abandoned his attack on the Saber Sword Sovereign. Deflecting the incoming aura blade, he quickly assessed who was responsible.
“Ugh…”
"A failure."
“Keep going! They’re exhausted too!”
warrior with blood-red eyes raised their swords again.
“Stop them!”
“Don’t let them burn it!”
“If we get the martial book, we can become Saber Sword Sovereigns too!”
Nearly half of the neutral faction shouted as they launched sword and saber strikes towards them.
“Damn bastards.”
Raon bit his lip and raised a wall of flames. It was a waste of aura, but there was no other choice to protect Kusan and Barpil.
“Ha ha ha ha ha!”
Delphiros clutched his forehead, bursting into mad laughter.
“How does it feel to be attacked by the very people you saved?”
“I never saved bastards like them!”
Raon quickly surveyed the battlefield, blocking both the warrior’ strikes and the Saber Sword Sovereign’s attacks.
'I can't rely on the Light Wind division or the Void Sword division. Same goes for Owen’s knights and Balkar’s mages.'
The Light Wind division and the Void Sword division were entangled with the neutral faction, and the knights of Owen Kingdom and the mages of Balkar Kingdom were engaged with Delphiros' Shadows Demon division.
Unfortunately, there was no one to rely on for help.
‘Should I use a drastic method?’
As he was about to make a quick decision due to the lack of time, it happened.
“You fools!”
“Stop it!”
The warrior who had been retreated, intimidated by the Saber Sword Sovereign’s aura, stepped in to stop those who were firing aura blade.
“Enough is enough!”
“They’re fighting for us!”
“You scum!”
Their faces were familiar. They were the ones he had saved from the Saber Sword Sovereign earlier.
Not only them, but also those helped by the Light Wind division and the Void Sword division, as well as those saved and treated on the first floor, were blocking the greedy ones.
“We’ll handle this!”
“Please, just end it!”
They held their swords with clear eyes, untainted by desire. Even though their hands trembled from lack of strength, they stood firm, protecting the rear.
“What… what is this…?”
Delphiros stuttered, clearly not having anticipated this outcome.
"The people I saved are over there."
Raon pointed at the determined warrior and twisted his lips.
"This is the last time. Please give it your all."
"Of course! We can still do a lot more!"
“We’ll see this to the end too.”
Kusan and Barpil, covered in blood, nodded firmly.
“Haaarrrgh!”
Kusan clashed swords with the Saber Sword Sovereign, his body spraying blood.
Boom!
The Saber Sword Sovereign’s strength and aura were still formidable, but now, having to protect the martial book as well, his focus wasn’t as sharp as before.
“Now!”
Blood vessels burst from Kusan’s skin. Even his muscles tore and bones fractured, yet he refused to lower his sword.
“Thunderclap… cough!”
Barpil unleashed the most potent lightning bolt yet, coughing up blood in the process. Despite his mouth
stained crimson, he persevered, completing the incantation.
A lightning bolt in the form of a goddess enveloped the Saber Sword Sovereign.
Rumble!
Even while withstanding the onslaught from Kusan and Barpil’s ultimate magic, the Saber Sword Sovereign remained unmoved.
Boom!
Raon gritted his teeth and used the Supreme Harmony Steps, his vision blurring as he reached the Saber Sword Sovereign's back with incredible speed.
“…!”
Despite the assault from Kusan and Barpil, the Saber Sword Sovereign sensed the presence behind him and moved.
Ssshhh!
As he turned, Raon unleashed his wrath energy. as if all the mana circuits in his body are freezing, surges onto his divine sword and demonic sword as he takes a stance.
He gathered the power to crush the earth and the energy exploding from his body in his hands. He swung down the holy sword and demonic sword that were held behind his waist and shoulder at the same time.
Raon Zieghart Style Swordplay. Sixth form: Harmony of Heaven and Demon, Combination Technique - Red and Blue Invincible Sword.
The ultimate sword strike containing the realization he gained while fighting the Doppelganger lord stretched out towards the Saber Sword Sovereign's core (soul).
Booom!
Red and blue energy danced gracefully. The destructive energy contained in the thin strike simultaneously shattered both the Saber Sword Sovereign's attack and defense simultaneously.
Rumble!
The Saber Sword Sovereign's body was pushed back for the first time. Each step he took backward gouged chunks out of the ground. The impact was enormous.
"Haaaaa!"
"Raaaargh!"
Kusan and Barpil didn't miss the opportunity and unleashed a flurry of sword strikes and magics.
Boom!
The Saber Sword Sovereign's body, continuously pushed back, eventually crashed into the wall.
'Now... urgh!'
Raon groaned as he tried to stand. The intense pain piercing his head felt like his body and mana circuits were completely torn apart.
But he couldn't stop now. He had to finish this before the Saber Sword Sovereign recovered.
Forcing his unresponsive legs to move, he leapt. His muscles felt like they were tearing, but he ignored it and focused on the fire of the divine sword.
"Stop!"
Delphiros screamed for the first time.
"It's...It's a transcendent martial art! You can become a transcendent too!"
He tempted Raon with words as he kicked the platform, his previously composed expression now filled with panic.
"What's important is not the martial art, but the person."
The ones who taught him that were Glenn and Rector. He remembered their unwavering backs and raised his divine sword.
"I'll reach transcendence on my own."
"Demon Rain division leader, stop him!"
At Delphiros's shout, the mana surrounding the martial arts books thickened.
"It's too late."
Raon sneered at Delphiros and thrust his divine sword into the books.
Crack!
The mana barrier, not yet fully strengthened, cracked, and the blade of the divine sword was lodged in the center of the two books.
Boom!
The divine sword, as if knowing it was the last, emitted golden fire and burned the Saber Sword Sovereign's martial arts books in an instant.
What was once a transcendence martial arts book turned into black ashes and scattered into the air.
Thud!
The Saber Sword Sovereign, who had been running to protect the books, stopped in his tracks. His energy began to fade rapidly.
"Raon Zieghart!"
But Delphiros moved even faster. He rushed forward with an enormous amount of astral sphere concentrated on his sword.
Raon turned in mid-air, biting his lip.
'I can avoid it.'
He used the Ghost Demon Swordmaster's footwork to descend swiftly, but his legs wouldn't move as his mana circuits froze.
'Why now?'
He couldn't move due to the aftereffect of the incomplete sword field reaching its time limit. All he could do was watch Delphiros' sword energy grow larger.
'I have no choice but to take it.'
Avoiding it was impossible. He tried to expose his waist, which had the fewest vital points, but Delphiros aimed for his heart from the start.
"Raon!"
"No!"
Rimmer and Serena screamed.
'Damn it...'
There was no way out of this. He gritted his teeth and tried to move his body when a figure in silver armor flew into view.
Thud!
Delphros' sword didn't pierce him but crushed the chest of the man who blocked his path.
"Urghhhh!"
It was Kusan, the Koman Knights commander. He grabbed Delphros' sword with his hand and let out a refreshing laugh.
"C-Commander?"
Raon trembled as he saw Kusan's back.
"Why...?"
He had already done enough. It made no sense why he would come here and save him.
"I told you, didn't I? I'd help until the end."
Kusan looked back and smiled, blood flowing from his mouth.
"A knight represents his lord! I have disgraced His Highness with my foolishness, so I must do this much to avoid a scolding!"
He used his last strength to push Delphiros away.
"Die already!"
"Get lost!"
Delphiros, his face twisted in rage, lunged again, but Barpil coughed up blood and unleashed a lightning bolt. He looked pale, using his life force instead of mana.
"Stop!"
Raon bit his lip, looking at the two.
"Stop it!"
He shouted for them to stop, but neither Kusan nor Barpil halted their attacks.
"Don't feel too burdened. My internal injuries are too severe, I can't survive anyway."
Kusan opened his cracked armor. His abdomen was blackened.
"It's the same for me. If I'm going to die anyway, I'll go out in a blaze of glory."
Barpil smirked, nodding.
"Thank you for your consideration when our minds were controlled by the barrier."
"It was an honor to fight alongside you, leader of the Light Wind division."
The two men charged towards Delphiros, fully aware they were heading to their deaths.
Booom!
A hazy light like a halo enveloped the three of them. A tremendous explosion erupted, shaking the fifth floor, and black smoke soared into the sky.
"Raaaargh!"
Delphiros emerged from the smoke. He was bleeding, but there were no serious injuries.
"Demon Rain division leader! Bring them all out! Kill them all!"
He screamed, clenching his fists in rage as if he had lost his mind.
Boom!
The darkness surrounding the space split open, and all the monsters they had encountered from the first to the fourth floor poured out.
Screeeech!
The monsters rushed towards all the humans, not discriminating between friend and foe.
"Now I will finally take your head."
Delphiros approached, his eyes twisted with malice.
Raon bit his lip, looking not at Delphiros, but at the ground where the commander of Koman Knights and the Thunder Hammer Barpil had died just moments ago.
'Damn it!'
They hadn't known each other long, but they were both good people. Real adults who could admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness.
He felt a pang in his heart because they were people who could have become comrades if not for this incident.
This angers me too.
Wrath bit his lip.
Give me your body. No, you'll lose your mind if you do that, so do that thing you did before!
He gestured urgently.
'Damn it!'
Raon was frustrated.
He wanted to take revenge with his own hands, but he was completely powerless.
But he had no choice. He was out of aura, stamina, and mental strength.
Raon gripped Heavenly Drive in reverse, ready to stab his stomach when the dark ceiling shook.
Boom!
The ceiling, which seemed unbreakable, shattered, and red flames burst out.
In the brilliant flames that burned away the darkness, the phoenix Kaiyan spread its giant wings.
[You lowly humans! How dare you imprison me!]
Kaiyan, unseen since the fourth floor, roared and created a storm of flames.
Kwaaang!
The spiraling flames incinerated the monsters attacking the humans.
"Ugh!"
Delphiros ignored Kaiyan's flames and rushed forward. The malice in his eyes showed that he wanted to end it here.
Wooong!
At that moment, a deep vibration arose from Raon’s chest, along with intense flames. It was the iron ring he had wrapped in Kaiyan's feathers.
He took the ring out from his pocket. It was glowing with the same light as Kaiyan's feathers, indicating the seal was broken.
"Extinguish the fire."
Raon slipped the ring onto his finger. Muttering with eyes cold enough to quench the flames.
"I'll take that bastard's head myself."
