N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
Chapter 665
Raon bit his lip as he looked at the man wearing the blue snake helmet.
‘Same voice as Unfaceable Snake (Horned Snake Helmet) and the Red Demonic Snake.’
It wasn't just the voice that was identical. The man also had a similar aura as a person.
However, the attributes he possessed were different. The man in front of him was using water-attribute energy, unlike Unfaceable Snake and the Red Demonic Snake.
Is it really the same person? But...’
He's much stronger than them.
The man with the blue snake helmet was a Grandmaster level. He was on a level that
couldn't be compared to Unfaceable Snake and the Red Demonic Snake.
If Unfaceable Snake and this man with the blue snake helmet were the same person, it would mean he had grown to the same level as me, which doesn't make sense.
No, it's actually absurd to even consider that they might be the same person. After all, I saw Unfaceable Snake and the Red Demonic Snake die right in front of me.
‘What the hell is going on?’
He couldn't understand why someone with the same voice, physique, and aura as the dead men kept appearing.
“Me?”
The man in the blue snake helmet pointed at himself and laughed.
“I'm Blue Snake.”
“I didn't ask for your name.”
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Blue Snake, who had introduced himself.
“What’s your relation to Unfaceable Snake and the Red Demonic Snake?”
“What do you think?”
Blue Snake chuckled. Now that Raon saw him more closely, his demeanor seemed lighter than Unfaceable Snake’s.
“Do you think I'm the same person as Unfaceable Snake?”
“Absolutely not.”
Raon shook his head firmly, as he had concluded.
“Right. That's the only reasonable thought. You must have seen Unfaceable Snake and the Red Demonic Snake die. That's correct. However...”
Blue Snake shook his index finger side to side.
“It's also incorrect.”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
Raon tilted his chin as he gripped Heavenly Drive and The Blade of Requiem more tightly.
“Well…”
Before Blue Snake could continue, footsteps from the Light Wind swordsmen could be heard approaching.
“Where's the king?”
“What kind of king would have such strong monster minions?”
“Is it over already... huh?”
The Light Wind swordsmen, having finished their battle with the royal guards, looked up at Blue Snake floating in the air and widened their eyes.
“E-Eden?”
“It's Eden!”
“Prepare for battle!”
The Light Wind swordsmen immediately formed their combat stance upon seeing Blue Snake.
Whiz!
Blue Snake seemed to think that Raon's concentration was disturbed by the Light Wind swordsmen, so he launched himself into the air and reached out toward the Double-Headed Ogre’s head.
The speed at which he moved was unbelievable, as if his body defied human limits.
Screeech!
At that moment, the blade of Heavenly Drive in Raon’s grip traced the moon rising along the mountain ridge. At the center of that elegant sword strike was Blue Snake's outstretched hand.
Zeeeeeeeong!
Blue Snake, struck by Raon's sword instead of the ogre’s head, was forced back. Blood burst from his grasp as a fierce shockwave rippled through the air.
“...You reacted to that?”
Blue Snake chuckled in disbelief, seeming more shocked than hurt by the blood flowing from his hand.
“Isn't that the guy who attacked Seipia?”
Rimmer also seemed to have the same thought, frowning as he looked at Blue Snake.
“The voice and aura are similar, but that guy died.”
He gulped, recalling that he had confirmed the corpse himself.
“I don’t know either. So...”
Raon licked his lips as he raised Heavenly Drive and the Blade of Requiem.
“I intend to find out now.”
“Ha!”
Raon charged at Blue Snake, with the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier, but Blue Snake leaped back into the air, a mocking smile on his face.
“I have no intention of fighting you guys.”
Blue Snake raised both hands and shook his head.
“I only need the body of that lovely ogre. Or just the head will do. If you give it to me…”
“Shut up.”
Raon stomped the ground forcefully. He dashed forward, leaving deep footprints on the rock, closing the distance to Blue Snake’s position.
Blue Snake laughed mockingly as he retreated through the air.
Raon anticipated his movement, stepping through the air with the Ghost Demon Swordmaster's footwork. He crossed the air and struck down with the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation's Crimson Slash.
Caaaaaaaaak!
The line of fire drawn by Heavenly Drive wrapped around the wind and fell. Blue Snake’s aura shield melted, and his chest was split open.
Splurt!
Though Blue Snake quickly leaned back, the deep gash on his chest spewed bright red blood.
“Urrgh…”
Blue Snake stared with wide eyes, clearly shocked that he was hit even from that distance. He retreated further.
Tsk.
Raon clicked his tongue and fell back to the peak where the Light Wind swordsmen were. It was still impossible for him to continuously step and move in the air.
“The Ghost Demon Swordmaster's footwork, huh?”
Blue Snake laughed bitterly as he looked at the bleeding wound on his chest.
"I didn't know you'd steal that difficult footwork. But..."
He pointed at his own body, a twisted smile forming on his lips.
"You can't steal this, can you?"
"That's not a martial art. And..."
Raon shook his head as he read the flow of mana supporting Blue Snake’s movements.
“Not having that doesn't mean I can't kill you.”
“Let me tell you one thing.”
Blue Snake chuckled, placing a hand on his chest. The wound, which had been gushing blood, began to heal slowly.
“Killing me won't necessarily be beneficial for you.”
For the first time, his voice took on a serious tone.
“……”
Raon frowned as he looked at the smiling Blue Snake.
'I can't easily ignore those words.'
If someone else had said that, he might have dismissed it as bravado, but Blue Snake was different.
After Unfaceable Snake and the Red Demonic Snake, he had appeared in a new form, and each time he reappeared, he had grown to a level comparable to Raon's.
Based on past experience, if he killed this guy, the next snake helmet might come back stronger than him.
"It seems like a bluff, but why doesn't it feel like one?"
Rimmer frowned, as if annoyed.
“Seems like you understand.”
Blue Snake smiled faintly and nodded.
“Well, since it looks like you’re not willing to give up the corpse, let's call it a day.”
He waved his hand lightly and retreated further. However, his voice still sounded as though he were right in front of them.
“Be careful until we meet again.”
Blue Snake smiled lightly and waved.
“Because I want to kill you.”
With those final words, he turned into a droplet of water and vanished.
“I can’t figure out what that guy’s deal is.”
Rimmer shrugged, comparing him to a poker player whose hand couldn’t be read at all.
‘Wrath.’
Raon called Wrath perched on his shoulder.
‘What do you think of that guy?’
Haaah....
Wrath yawned and shook his head.
His last words seemed genuine. He might indeed come back stronger.
‘Is that possible?’
As the King of Essence has stated many times, he is not well-versed in sorcery, and their powers are so foreign that he can't discern them for sure.
Wrath frowned, annoyed.
‘What a useless Demon King.’
Ugh, p-perhaps many conditions are needed. Like, you shouldn't die on purpose, or you should try to survive until the end.
Wrath groaned as he provided some information.
‘So they're not the same person as the ones I saw before?’
That's the strange part. The souls are similar, but different. That kind of thing usually only happens with siblings born from the same womb...
Raon pondered Wrath’s words as he stared at the spot where Blue Snake had disappeared.
‘Siblings...’
* * *
Raon set aside his questions about Blue Snake and stood before the Light Wind swordsmen.
‘They look better now.’
Unlike when they were training in the training ground, the wind of Light Wind Style was now perfectly integrated into the swordsmen’s bodies.
It seemed they could now call themselves masters of the super-sensory martial art without shame.
“How do you feel?”
Raon gestured at the Light Wind swordsmen one by one.
“It feels like I finally understand what the true Light Wind Style is.”
“Yes. I’ve realized how to control my strength and how to use it properly.”
"As expected, there's no better teacher than actual combat."
The Light Wind swordsmen laughed, saying they had learned and experienced a lot.
“The duration and durability of the Light Wind Formation have also increased. Thanks to the Light Wind Style, wasted aura has decreased.”
Burren nodded with satisfaction.
“The best part is that the frustration is gone. The wind of the Light Wind Style has taken my speed and power to another level.”
Martha laughed heartily, saying that the power of her swordsmanship had become more refreshing.
“It's easier to support. The wind makes protection faster.”
Runaan nodded, saying that spreading ice to protect the swordsmen had become much quicker.
“I also feel like I’ve seen a new stage of my swordsmanship.”
Mark Goetten bowed his head, saying he had found a way to go further.
As everyone spoke about how they had become stronger thanks to the Light Wind Style, a sense of pride welled up in Raon as the creator of the martial art.
It was a joy greater than being praised for achieving a great feat.
“I’m glad everyone has improved.”
Raon’s satisfaction showed in his smile. However, there was a hint of something else in that smile.
“But why do you look like that?”
Dorian shivered, his lips trembling with fear.
“Yeah. Why do you look like an angry person?”
“Krein.”
As usual, Raon called Krein’s name first.
“Show me the inside of your right arm.”
“Wh-what?”
Krein’s shoulders shuddered at the command.
“Th-that is….”
Krein trembled, his jaw quivering as he raised his arm. There was a very small wound under his armpit, with a trickle of blood seeping out.
“It’s an injury, isn’t it?”
“It’s a very small wound, but….”
“If it were any bigger, your arm would have fallen off.”
“Ah….”
Krein had no words, his head hanging low.
“Dorian.”
“Yes!”
Dorian quickly straightened his head, as if to say he was present.
"The smell of blood doesn't go away even if you change clothes."
“Gasp….”
Dorian’s shoulders shrunk like roasted meat.
“You hurt your back, didn’t you?”
“Well… yes….”
He muttered as he rubbed his injured back.
“Next….”
Raon called out the names of the members of Light Wind, one by one, who had even the slightest injury, his smile growing darker each time.
“Wh-what’s this?”
“Is our division leader a bloodhound? How did he smell the blood?”
"No, he must have seen it! But when did he see it?"
"Wait… We've been tricked. That demon got us again!"
The Light Wind swordsmen trembled, seeing that Raon had observed all the details they hadn’t mentioned.
"Phew..."
"Thankfully, it wasn't us."
"No injuries, right?"
Burren, Martha, and Runaan, who had no injuries, looked at each other with relief.
“And lastly….”
Raon pointed to the sky, where the night was setting in.
“I clearly said to finish before sunset, but you reached the summit after the sun had already set.”
Though it was a small difference, the Light Wind swordsmen had reached the mountain summit after the sun had gone down.
“Therefore, all members of Light Wind will have additional focus enhancement training.”
As soon as Raon mentioned the focus enhancement training, the Light Wind swordsmen’s faces turned pale.
“Aaaargh!”
Rimmer tore at his hair, screaming.
"I handed over the leader position too soon!"
He wailed in regret.
“I’m fine with it!”
Mark Goetten smiled as he drew his sword, as if he had found a new goal. The other swordsmen shook their heads, calling him a pervert.
Raon smiled faintly, watching the Light Wind swordsmen wail.
'After one last focus enhancement training, I can start preparing for the life-or-death duel.'
With about four months left before the duel with the Axe King, Raon thought it would be enough to spend two weeks with the Light Wind swordsmen and then focus on his own training.
“We’ll head back right away. Be ready.”
Raon told the Light Wind swordsmen to prepare to return and then stood in front of the double-headed ogre’s corpse.
He had to burn all its bones and flesh so that Eden couldn’t find it again.
“Sir Raon.”
As Raon was about to use the Ten Thousand Flame Cultivation’s fire to burn the double-headed ogre’s body, Hopen approached him.
"I think you can go back now and report that it's all over."
Raon placed the fire in his hand on the double-headed ogre’s corpse, smiling slightly.
“Thank you. But….”
Hopen licked his lips and took a step closer.
“Would you consider visiting our kingdom?”
“The Holy Kingdom of Schper?”
“Yes. You’re my benefactor, and you’ve helped us greatly this time as well. We want to repay you.”
“Hmm….”
Raon licked his lips as he looked at Hopen. He had some free time since he finished early, but he didn’t have a particular reason to go.
Especially since it was a holy kingdom, he thought it would be boring for someone who didn't believe in god.
You have things to do! Where would you go? Holy places are all nonsense!
Wrath grumbled, saying they should go back home and have a home-cooked meal. Being a demon king, he instinctively felt repulsed by the holy kingdom.
“I am….”
Raon was about to say he wouldn’t go when Hopen continued.
"There's also a treasure that was originally intended for Sir Raon because of Barene incident, which was left in an ambiguous state."
“A treasure?”
“Yes. The king himself bestowed these items.”
Hopen bowed his head, mentioning elixirs and martial arts manuals directly given by the king of the Holy Kingdom.
‘This changes things.’
If he could obtain elixirs and swordsmanship, it was worth making time for the trip.
Are you thinking of going?
‘Well…That’s...’
A servant of the Monarch of Wrath dares to set foot in a holy kingdom! Those who feign purity often reveal themselves as the foulest scoundrels. They could play tricks on you!
Wrath frowned, instructing Raon not to turn his head towards the holy kingdom.
"Come to think of it, Sir Raon, you liked bead ice cream, didn't you?"
Hopen clapped his hands as if remembering something from Barene.
"We've opened a big bead ice cream shop in our kingdom. My younger brother says they have many special flavors that you can only taste there, so you surely won't regret it."
Sp-Special flavors?
"Special flavors?"
Both Wrath and Runaan stood up simultaneously, their eyes sparkling.
What are you doing!
Wrath patted Raon's shoulder and furrowed his brow.
Tell him you're going right away!
'You said not to go. Those who feign purity often...'
Watch your mouth! If you mock the holy kingdom once again, the King of Essence won't stay silent!
Raon sighed as he looked at Wrath, biting his lip.
‘Is this one really a Demon King?’
* * *
Raon headed to the Holy Kingdom of Schper due to the endless urging of Wrath and Runaan, and to receive the rewards the kingdom had prepared.
Since Hopen knew a shortcut through the mountains, they arrived at the Holy Kingdom faster than expected.
"That's our Holy Kingdom of Schper."
Hopen smiled, pointing to the white walls that looked like they were built from clouds.
"Wow..."
"H, holy power is flowing around the castle."
"It's not called the Holy Kingdom for nothing. It wouldn't be strange if a god descended right now."
"It's not just beautiful, it's mesmerizing."
The Light Wind swordsmen marveled at the sight of the Holy Kingdom of Schper.
Raon nodded, listening to the swordsmen's words.
'Indeed...'
The Holy Kingdom was wrapped in a radiant light, as if embracing the sunlight, and the buildings were tall and elegant.
Although it was more splendid than the trading city of Cameloon, Owen, or Balkar Kingdom, the feeling of divinity came first rather than a human touch.
As someone had said, it seemed as if a god was watching over this kingdom.
As expected of the Holy Kingdom! It looks delicious!
Wrath smacked his lips as if the entire Holy Kingdom were made of vanilla ice cream.
Let’s go quickly! To the biggest shop… hmm?
He narrowed his eyes, stopping mid-sentence.
‘What?’
...It’s nothing.
Wrath waved his hand dismissively, as if it were nothing.
'How anticlimactic.'
Raon chuckled and followed Hopen into the Holy Kingdom.
The knights standing before the noble white gate, which looked like it was made of sacred wood, bowed their heads to Hopen.
“Captain, you’ve returned. And these people are...?”
The knights guarding the gate tilted their heads as they looked at the Light Wind swordsmen.
“They are the heroes of Zieghart, Light Wind division. They saved us on this mission.”
Hopen politely introduced them, revealing that they had saved them even though Raon had said it wasn't necessary.
“Ah! So, you must be…”
The knights trembled slightly as they looked at Raon.
“It is an honor to meet the Dragon Slayer!”
The knights bowed their heads with deep respect.
“Nice to meet you.”
Raon nodded slightly with a faint smile.
“Oh, we’ll open it right away!”
The two knights stepped aside and opened the gate. Not a small side gate, but the main gate.
Rumble!
As the main gate opened, everyone passing by turned to look.
“Oh? The captain has returned!”
“You finished really quickly!”
“Are you hurt?”
Residents holding white books in their arms approached and greeted Hopen and his subordinates.
It was unusual for common residents to be so friendly with knights.
“You seem to be close with the residents.”
“It’s part of our doctrine. We are not bound by status or gender.”
"Ah, what a good doctri..."
Raon nodded with a smile but then turned his head to the right. It was a brief, almost imperceptible moment, but he felt a dark energy brush against his shoulder.
‘What was that?’
Why is there demonic energy in the Holy Kingdom?
