N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
Chapter 658
Hey! Who do you think danced out of joy?
Wrath shouted angrily.
The King of Essence is furious about being stuck here, eating only nadine bread....
'If you don't want to eat nadine bread before you're even hungry, then shut up.'
Raon frowned as he looked at the nadine bread placed in the corner of the training room.
Hmph!
Wrath, like a child, clenched his lips and bowed his head. It was ridiculous to think that bread was a weapon to subdue the demon king.
Leaving the now-silent Wrath alone, Raon sat in the center of the training room.
'The first thing to do is....'
...to dismantle the martial arts.
Creating a new martial art was like solving a puzzle.
It was no different from flipping over several completed puzzles, then gathering only the necessary pieces to create a new picture.
With his eyes closed, Raon ruthlessly dismantled the five martial arts books Glenn had given him, the Saber Sword Sovereign’s martial arts, Rimmer's Garunua, and many other martial arts he had already mastered.
Oh! This is complicated!
Wrath mumbled about the noise in his head and retreated into the Ice flower bracelet.
However, Raon was already in a state of extreme concentration, unaware that Wrath had disappeared.
'I'll keep the overwhelming power of the Demon Slaying Saber Technique and remove the complexity of the Demon Slaying Sword Secret. The kids won't be able to keep up.
If he mixed all the strengths of various martial arts, he would surely create an incredible martial art, but the difficulty of learning it would be so high that even he wouldn't be able to master it.
It was necessary to include only the necessary strengths, removing any ambiguous or unnecessary elements to maintain simplicity.
As he assembled the martial arts puzzle in his mind, his brain began to heat up.
When the Ring of Fire rotated naturally, his vision cleared, revealing a white space.
It was mental word, where swords were embedded, like the tomb of the knight.
Thanks to his extreme concentration, he seemed to have entered this place.
However, there was a difference from before.
Originally, half of this world was engulfed in flames, and the other half in cold, but now, wind and earth had also taken small places.
Raon licked his lips as he looked at the swords embedded in the ground.
'It will be easier to fit the puzzle here.'
As he thought of the Demon Slaying Saber Technique, the blue sword embedded on the right side soared and unleashed a heavy strike. It was the Demon Slaying Saber Technique, Heavy Cloud Strike.
When he envisioned the Demon Slaying Sword Secret next, a red sword on the left broke free, spewing a crimson stream. It was the first move of the Demon Slaying Sword Secret, Soul-Chasing Demon.
Just by thinking of a martial art in his mind, the sword embedded in the mental world would perfectly reenact that technique. The time to combine the puzzle pieces began to shorten drastically.
Woooooo!
Before long, all the swords embedded in the mental world floated up, drawing countless moves. It was like watching a storm of swords.
'Perfect.'
Raon's red eyes followed the countless extending sword moves, discerning the lines to discard and the lines to keep without missing a single one.
* * *
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“I will not return.”
Burren answered without the slightest hesitation.
"What's the reason?"
Karoon raised a dry gaze, seemingly having expected this response.
“Because the Central Martial Palace is not where I belong.”
Burren answered without avoiding Karoon's eyes.
'That's right. It's is not where I belong.'
In the past, he would have accepted his father's offer without a second thought.
Becoming the squad leader of the Central Martial Palace and learning martial arts from his father had been one of his goals and dreams.
But now, he’s different from back then.
Through numerous life-and-death situations with the Light Wind, they had become not just comrades, but true family.
‘The place where I should live, and will continue to live, is not the Central Martial Palace, but the fifth training ground where the Light Wind division resides.’
“I am Burren Zieghart, the third team captain of the Light Wind division.”
Burren placed his hand on the sword hanging at his waist. With determined eyes, he declared his affiliation.
“Even if I promise to personally teach you the supreme martial arts?”
“My thoughts remain unchanged.”
He nodded and looked towards the fifth training ground.
“The leader of the Light Wind division is currently in seclusion to create martial arts for the Light Wind members. Even if that martial art is inferior to the supreme level martial arts you would teach, it would still be the best for me.”
His feelings towards Raon were not just as a superior or a friend, but as a lord and a brother.
He would even give his life for Raon, so giving up martial arts was nothing.
“Creating martial arts for the Light Wind division….”
Karoon nodded, following Burren's gaze.
“Indeed, he has that ability. A talent of a thousand years. He is more extraordinary than any human I have seen. Therefore….”
His eyes turned icy.
“You will become Raon Zieghart's shadow.”
“What?”
“Raon Zieghart is a great light. Wherever he goes, he draws people's attention and devours fame. You will be swallowed by that light, becoming a dark shadow that no one can recognize.”
Karoon twisted his lips into a sneer.
“Are you truly satisfied with that?”
“…….”
“Born a direct line of Zieghart, are you content to live as someone else's shadow?”
His voice was sharp as if cutting through the air.
“How many people know the name of the third team captain of the Light Wind division? The name of 'Blade of Tempest? It's just an empty title.”
“…….”
Burren clenched his teeth. Karoon was targeting the spots that would naturally provoke his insecurities. (Karoon was biting into a place where inferiority was bound to arise.)
“But it would be different if you came to the Central Martial Palace.”
A strange heat rose over Karoon's eyes.
"Even if you can't surpass Raon Zieghart, I can prevent you from becoming his shadow. I'll make you the future master of the Central Martial Palace, the protagonist of your own life."
He extended his hand confidently.
“Take it. This is your last chance.”
Karoon kept his right hand raised, not moving.
“Father.”
Burren looked not at the hand that had come close but at Karoon’s eyes.
“You must be having a hard time these days if you’re seeking out the son you once abandoned.”
Karoon curved his lips into a smile.
“That’s right.”
Karoon, showing the enormity of his will, nodded calmly even at the sarcastic words.
“I have not given up the position of the head of family.”
His voice was unwavering. It was a voice filled with self-belief.
“To revive the Central Martial Palace, I need capable people. You can fulfill that role.”
“…I respected you, Father.”
Burren, seemingly indifferent to Karoon's proposal, looked out the window.
"I couldn't sleep with excitement if I received even a small compliment from you. I practically lived in the training ground to keep hearing those compliments. Being acknowledged by you and inheriting your position was my only dream. I've achieved that now."
Recalling his childhood when he grew up admiring Karoon’s back, he smiled faintly.
“Then….”
“But that dream and that goal have already sunk into the ground. Not by me, but by you, Father.”
Burren continued, looking at Karoon’s eyes that were slightly trembling.
“I'm not refusing your offer because I was shamefully abandoned or out of petty resentment. The fifth training ground is now more precious to me than the Central Martial Palace. Raon and the Light Wind are more important than you and my brothers.”
He spoke with unwavering resolve.
“You said you would make me the master of the Central Martial Palace? Yes, I will. I will take over this Central Martial Palace. But it won’t be for my desire, but for Raon and the Light Wind division.”
He pounded his right fist on his left chest.
“I have pledged my heart to the Light Wind division leader. If he wants to become the head of the house, I will pave the way. If he wants to leave the family, I will break down the door. If you stand in Raon’s way, I will draw my sword against you.”
Burren declared the vow he made when Raon saved his life and pounded his chest once more.
“I will proudly live as the shadow of the Light Wind leader as the third team captain.”
Without the slightest hesitation, he spoke his words of rejection and bowed.
“…….”
Karoon said nothing. He simply watched his changed son in silence.
“If you have finished speaking, I will take my leave.”
“There is one thing you are wrong about.”
As Burren was about to leave the room, Karoon lowered his hand.
“Yes?”
“The martial art Raon Zieghart creates will not be inferior to the supreme martial arts I would teach you. He is that kind of person.”
Karoon said something unexpected. It was more surprising than when he asked Burren to return.
“Learn well.”
After saying that, he turned his gaze out the window as if he had lost interest.
“…I will take my leave then.”
Burren, watching Karoon’s back, bowed and left the room. For a moment, just a very brief moment, it seemed like he saw the back of the father he respected as a child.
‘No.’
Burren shook his head to erase such a ridiculous thought.
* * *
The office of the head of house Robert.
When Derus Robert was gazing at the window where the sunset was breaking, a heavy knock sounded.
"Come in."
The voice was soft, as if he already knew who was outside the door.
Bang!
The door was thrown open, and Derus' youngest son, Lephon Robert, entered.
"Father! Have you heard? There's huge news across the continent!"
Lephon ran up to Derus, practically bouncing.
"Running as soon as you return from your mission, still the same as ever."
Derus patted Lephon's head with a smile.
"So, what news is so big that you had to come to me right away?"
"Of course, it's about Sir Raon! He conquered the Saber Sword Sovereign’s tomb and established the sacred land of the Sea of Swords! There's also a rumor that the Archmage of Eternal Flame and the Silent Sword Sovereign have acknowledged that area as Zieghart's territory!"
Lephon's face was flushed with excitement as he clenched his fists.
"He's a true hero! Everyone's chanting Sir Raon's name right now!"
"Tsk tsk."
Derus clicked his tongue, smiling.
"For a supposed big fan of the Light Wind division leader, your news is quite slow. This father already knew long before."
"Oh, but I couldn't help it! I've been on a mission for over two months! I only heard about it just now at the tavern in front of the family estate..."
"So you're saying you went into the tavern right after your mission, without even coming home first?"
"Uh!"
Lephon's eyes widened like a puppy's as he covered his mouth.
"This won't do. I need to have a word with the leader of the Heroic Sword squad." (The Heroic raw is 영, which has multiple meanings: Spirit, Heroic, or Brave.)
"Father, no, Dad! Please!"
He begged, clasping his hands together.
"Humph."
Derus chuckled softly, patting Lephon's head again.
"So, did the mission go well?"
"It was a piece of cake. Shall I tell you all about it?"
"It's almost dinner time, so I'd like to hear it together with your mother."
He shook his head, still smiling.
"Oh, that sounds good!"
Lephon hurried out, saying he'd go wash up quickly.
After Lephon left, Derus’ smile lingered. The servants passing by in the corridor also smiled at the sight.
A moment later, Kubara entered the office and closed the door. Only then did the coldness seep into Derus’ remaining smile.
Kubara felt a shiver run down her spine as she saw Derus' chilling smile.
'It's beyond just being calm.'
Derus had kept a warm smile even as Lephon praised and admired his enemy, Raon. He had even joined in the praise with genuine affection. Such emotional control was something only that monster could achieve.
"Rumors about Raon Zieghart seem to have spread across the entire continent."
Derus resumed his seat at his desk, propping his chin on his hand.
"It was an event that received a lot of attention."
Kubara's face hardened as she mentioned the widespread stories about the Saber Sword Sovereign’s tomb and the sacred land of the Sea of Swords.
"It's a pity we couldn't bury his sword in that Sea of Swords."
Derus twisted his lips into a smile. It was similar to the smile he had shown Lephon, but the warmth was replaced with a chilling coldness.
"Has he returned to Zieghart?"
"Yes. However, it seems he has caused some trouble there as well."
"Trouble?"
"House Zieghart's vice head of the senators Killuan..."
Kubara relayed the incident where Raon had subdued Killuan and made him a slave, as if she had been there herself.
"The revival of Sylvia Zieghart..."
Derus focused more on Sylvia's name than on Raon, narrowing his eyes.
"She was said to be the most talented of Glenn's children, wasn't she?"
"Yes. Though her personality is gentle, her talents were rumored to be exceptional. And..."
Kubara's voice dropped to a whisper.
"There's a story that her artificial energy center has been made from the Dragon Heart of the Blue Dragon Kaibar."
"An artificial energy center made from a Dragon Heart..."
Derus smacked his lips as if coveting it.
"If I get the chance, I must obtain it. Though even an energy center made from a Dragon Heart wouldn't compensate for the losses we've suffered this time..."
He bit his lip, Raon's face flashing in his mind.
"Yes, the losses are severe. Originally, war should have already broken out, turning the entire continent into a sea of fire."
"..."
Kubara's shoulders shook as the suffocating pressure of Derus’ murderous aura filled the room.
"But..."
Red flames began to blaze in Derus’ eyes.
"That spark hasn't completely died out yet."
He looked out over the peaceful house Robert territory, his lips curling up.
"The Six Kings will soon become the Five Kings."
* * *
Swords clashed and vanished.
The surviving sword couldn't overcome the newly born one and was submerged.
In Raon's mental world, countless martial arts were being born and disappearing repeatedly.
Even Raon himself didn't know how many techniques he had created and discarded.
However, thanks to creating and erasing so many martial arts, he had firmly established the pillar for the Light Wind division's martial arts.
'Wind.'
Not just any wind, but a wind that could permeate any martial art.
When attacking, it added speed and sharpness, and filled the walls when defending, like a living being.
That was the martial art he envisioned for the Light Wind division.
With the solid pillar established, bolts of lightning struck his mind.
The eight Ring of Fire rotating wildly at the center of his mental world opened his upper energy center, gathering the scattered martial arts pieces.
Countless fragments of martial arts floated and began to fit together in his mind.
The distorted parts straightened, and the broken pieces were adorned with harmonious robes.
Boom!
At the moment the final piece fit into place, a new martial art emerged in his mind.
A majestic light and wind. A blue wind that would cover the world gently spread, enveloping his entire body.
The brilliantly scattering fragments of light and wind settled in his mental world, and at the same time, Garunua, which had not fully settled, established its own territory.
Rumble!
Raon opened his eyes, feeling the immense rumble that erupted in his head. His mental world had subsided, and the cozy training room came into view.
"Haa..."
He exhaled a thick breath, rubbing his lower abdomen. It wasn't a dream. The newly created martial art's essence was already engraved in his body and soul.
Hey! You brat! You said you'd spread jam on my nadine bread! How dare you starve me for a week! You little... huh?
Wrath was screaming but stopped, eyes widening.
Wh-what is this? Is this your new martial art?
'Yes.'
Raon let the blue-tinged wind rise from his fingertip.
This is pretty good…
Wrath blinked, surprised that it seemed like a decent martial art had been created.
‘I didn't expect to hear your praise.’
The King of Essence is a Demon King who acknowledges that good things are good!
'Right. That's true.'
So, what's the name of this martial art?
'The name...'
Raon pondered briefly before nodding.
"Light Wind Style. Since I made it for the Light Wind division, there's no better name."
It was the most fitting name since it utilized both light and wind.
What a crappy name. You have no talent for naming things...
Wrath was about to sneer when...
[You have created the advanced martial art, <Light Wind Style>.]
[You have received the recognition of <Wrath>.]
[The title <The Youngest Grandmaster> and the recognition of <Wrath> have evolved the advanced martial art into the supreme martial art.]
[You have acquired Garunua.]
[All stats...]
Not only had he created an advanced martial art, but thanks to Wrath’s acknowledgment, it had evolved to the supreme level.
Aaaarggh...
Wrath gaped at the message.
Damn it! It wasn't recognition, I just said it was okay!
He flailed his limbs, demanding that Raon listen to him.
"Wow..."
Raon petted Wrath’s head with a smile.
"You're back after a long time. Sucker…. No, the "generous" giving wrath!"
You just called me a sucker! You punk! I am the Monarch of Wrath, the Demon King...
"Yes, yes. Sucker."
I'm not a sucker!
Tears welled up in Wrath’s round eyes.
You heaven being bastard!
