N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
Chapter 682
The first head of house Zieghart?
‘Yes.’
Raon smiled as he stroked the golden part of the tassel.
‘This tassel is an artifact that hung on the pommel of the first head of Zieghart's sword.’
Cough! Even the first head of Zieghart wouldn't be stronger than that old man nadine bread (Glenn), would he?
‘I don't think so.’
He shook his head gently.
‘I don't know if he's stronger, but he certainly wouldn't be weaker.’
He knew because he had seen the first head of Zieghart in person. His power was beyond what Raon could comprehend.
Moreover, the first head of Zieghart in his memory was young. Since he wasn't at his peak, it was certain that his power would eventually surpass what Raon had witnessed.
'Leaving everything else aside...'
He was also the user of the Ring of Fire and the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.
If the first head of house Zieghart had mastered those two martial arts, he would be at least on par with Glenn, if not stronger.
‘You might not be able to defeat him either.’
Wha-what nonsense are you talking about! There's no one in this world who can defeat the King of Essence! Cough! Cough!
Wrath coughed repeatedly and shook his head.
‘You've gotten weaker. You're always coughing. Do you think you can defeat the current head of house now?’
Uh...
Wrath couldn't answer immediately and trembled his lips slightly.
That is...
In the past, he claimed he could win with tens of thousands of exchanges, but now he couldn't speak with certainty.
‘Huh? Really?’
It's not just because the King of Essence has weakened, but that old man has also gotten stronger!
Wrath furrowed his brows, saying that just as he had weakened, Glenn had become stronger. He couldn't lie.
‘The head of house has gotten stronger?’
That's right. That old man seems to have felt some kind of emotional change, and his martial power are increasing slightly every time we meet.
‘You can grow stronger just from an emotional change?’
It was amazing that martial arts power could increase due to an emotional change, not during battle.
Once you reach transcendence, you'll understand. At that point, other factors become far more important than physical growth.
Wrath waved his hand, saying that Raon wouldn't understand because he was still young.
‘Getting stronger...’
Glenn was already considered the strongest on the continent, it was unimaginable how much stronger he could become if he continued to grow.
Well, even if he gets stronger, it's another story whether he can fully utilize that power. Anyway, the King of Essence will never lose to anyone, no matter who they are! Cough!
Wrath shook his head, saying he wouldn't lose to anyone, not that he would win.
‘Right. The Demon King shouldn't lose to a human.’
Raon lightly patted Wrath's head with a faint smile.
No, that’s not what the King of Essence originally wanted to say! What is that tassel?
Wrath scowled, saying the conversation had gotten too long.
"I told you. It's an artifact that hung on the first head of Zieghart's sword."
This tassel always hung on the first head of Zieghart's sword pommel, and its name was also engraved in the manual book of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.
‘Golden Thread Spirit.’
What a tacky name. It can't be a good artifact.
Wrath clicked his tongue, showing his disapproval.
‘The Phoenix Ring I used in the Saber Sword Sovereign's tomb was also the first head of house ziegharts's artifact.’
Oh...?
He was already surprised by the ability of the phoenix ring, so he opened his mouth wide as he looked at the tassel.
Th-then what is the tassel's ability?
‘It's something that makes a sword more sword-like.’
More sword-like?
‘The Ring of Fire and the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation need to grow a bit more, but...’
Raon smiled as he hung the tassel on the pommel of Heavenly Drive.
‘When the seal of the Golden Thread Spirit is released, it'll be quite interesting.’
* * *
House Robert's training ground.
Lephon Robert was sweating profusely as he raised his arm. The sword in his grasp cut through the evening air with a white glow.
The precise yet graceful sword path resembled house Robert's swordsmanship.
However, unlike other swordsmen in the training ground, Lephon only repeated the four basic sword techniques.
As the sun set and the swordsmen started to lower their swords one by one, the training ground door opened, and Derus Robert entered.
"Huh!"
"He-head of house..."
The swordsmen in the training ground were startled and about to greet him, but Derus put a finger to his lips, signaling them to be quiet.
He walked silently and observed his youngest son's training from close behind.
"Phew..."
It was only when the sun had completely set, and the lights turned on that Lephon lowered the sword in his hand.
Turning around, he noticed Derus and widened his eyes.
"F-Father?"
"You're working hard."
Derus raised his hand and wiped the sweat off Lephon's forehead.
"Why are you here...?"
"I heard your shouts and came to see. It was so loud, I thought the training ground might collapse."
Despite his teasing words, his eyes showed admiration.
"Young master Lephon is the hardest worker in our training ground."
"Yes. He comes in early in the morning and doesn't rest until night."
"Just watching him is exhausting."
The swordsmen of the Heroic Sword squad, to which Lephon temporarily belonged, nodded their heads with a smile.
"Don't praise him too much. It'll spoil him."
Derus waved his hand lightly and looked at Lephon.
"But Lephon."
"Yes?"
"Why are you only repeating the basic sword techniques? The leader of the Heroic Sword squad must have taught you new techniques."
"Of course, it's because of Sir Raon!"
Lephon shouted as if it were obvious.
"Sir Raon never missed a single day of practicing the basic sword techniques since he first held a sword! That foundation created the Dragon Slayer!"
He clenched his fist, expressing his desire to follow in Raon's footsteps by focusing on the basics.
"He must have relied on the basic techniques to defeat the demons in the Holy Kingdom of Schper! Besides..."
Lephon began to recount Raon's stories as if he had witnessed them in the Holy Kingdom of Schper. His eyes sparkled with respect for Raon.
"There's no stopping him when he talks about that."
The leader of the Heroic Sword squad, Varian, shook his head with a weary expression.
"If Raon Zieghart were to switch to using an axe, young master Lephon would be the first to grab one."
"It’s Sir Raon Zieghart!"
Lephon waved his hand, insisting that they should add "Sir" when mentioning Raon's name.
"Alright. Sir Raon Zieghart!"
Varian added "Sir" with a sigh.
"No matter what anyone says, I will focus on the basic sword techniques. Sir Raon's special strength must be hidden in those basics. Even during the Conference of the Six Kings duel tournament he crushed everyone with just the basics."
"There was definitely that aspect. Do as you please."
Derus smiled warmly, showing trust in Lephon's words.
"But the leader of the Light Wind division wouldn't have trained without eating."
He raised a finger, pointing to the darkening sky.
"Uh..."
Lephon trembled slightly.
"Aren't the other members waiting because of you?"
Derus looked around at the swordsmen watching Lephon and furrowed his brows.
"The Light Wind division leader is known for his compassion, but it seems you can't follow him in that aspect."
"Ah! I-I'm sorry!"
Lephon bowed deeply to the Heroic Sword swordsmen.
"It's alright."
"We need to take good care of our youngest young master."
"If you go late, there will be a lot of food left, which is rather good."
The Heroic Sword swordsmen laughed and patted Lephon's back.
"I, I'll go first and get ready!"
Lephon apologized again and dashed to the cafeteria. The Heroic Sword swordsmen followed him with amused smiles.
"Isn't it a good sight?"
Varian, the leader of the Heroic Sword squad, chuckled as he watched Lephon and the others' backs.
"He's kind and strong-willed. The young master will be a fine swordsman."
"Will he? Can he become a swordsman?"
Derus' lips curled into a thin smile.
"Never mind Lephon. How are things going on Zieghart’s side?"
He wiped the hand that had wiped Lephon’s sweat with a handkerchief and motioned with his chin.
"As absurd as it sounds, the rumors are true."
Varian's eyes turned dark. The gentle-faced swordsman who had praised Lephon moments ago was gone.
"More than a few people witnessed Raon Zieghart single-handedly taking down mid and high-level demons. They say he didn't just defeat them, he overwhelmed them."
His eyes narrowed as he continued.
"The fact that Glenn Zieghart opened a report to the Light Wind division is proof of that. It means that even that monster recognized his achievements."
"Hmm..."
Derus stroked his chin while listening to Varian.
"It seems Glenn Zieghart is quite fond of Raon, doesn't it?"
"No matter how collateral line he is, who wouldn't like a genius who reached Grandmaster level in his early twenties?"
Varian nodded as if it were obvious.
"The emotional rift caused by Sylvia Zieghart would have been filled by his talent."
"No, that's not what I mean. I think he cherishes Raon as a person, beyond just his talent."
"Despite that, there are many rumors that he was once discriminated against."
"That's why it's even more suspicious. Glenn couldn't have overlooked Raon's talent."
A cold, oppressive energy flickered in Derus' eyes, making even the moonlight seem subdued.
"This might be something we can take advantage of..."
"Are you planning to eliminate Raon Zieghart?"
"Why would I?"
He shrugged lightly.
"There are plenty of people who would be willing to kill him. We need to see the forest, not just the trees."
Derus rubbed the back of his hand and turned his gaze to the right.
"Well, of course..."
He smiled softly as he watched Kubara walking out from the darkness of the training ground.
"But it's only possible if she participates in the plan."
"My lord."
Kubara bowed deeply, lowering her head in front of Derus.
"I got a call from her that she would accept it. However..."
"However?"
"She want to meet in person before proceeding."
"As expected of a formidable woman. The biggest vessel among the fools."
Derus nodded calmly.
"Let her decide the time and place."
"Understood."
As soon as Kubara answered, she disappeared back into the darkness.
"It will be soon."
Varian rubbed his hands together as if in anticipation.
"Yes."
Derus slowly lifted his gaze to the night sky filled with stars, a twisted smile forming on his lips as he captured the largest star in his eyes.
"It's time for one star to fall. Or maybe two."
* * *
"Your speed is too slow."
At Raon's gesture, the Light Wind swordsmen maintained their Great Light Wind Formation and ran to the right side of the training ground.
"Ensure that the wind of the Light Wind Style is fully contained in the tips of your toes!"
"Ugh..."
"Doesn't that guy train? The life-or-death duel is less than three months away!"
"Indeed, now that there are no more missions, why is he focusing on us..."
The Light Wind swordsmen, their training uniforms soaked in sweat, followed Raon's commands and ran back and forth across the training ground.
"You seem to be chattering, so you must still have some energy?"
Raon descended from the platform and blocked the direction the Light Wind swordsmen were running. He struck the center of the Great Light Wind Formation with the scabbard of Heavenly Drive.
Kwang!
The formation, which had been solid even in front of demons, collapsed instantly, sending the swordsmen flying in all directions.
"Focusing only on speed causes the flow of the formation to collapse. How did you kill demons like this?"
Raon clicked his tongue, as if disappointed.
"Don't talk nonsense..."
"How can we block the division leader’s... strike!"
"So tired..."
Burren, Martha, and Runaan struggled to their feet, shaking their heads.
"You were all celebrating for killing one demon..."
Raon frowned as he looked down at the Light Wind swordsmen.
"You got injured killing just a low level demon? That's not what I taught you the Light Wind Style style for."
"Ugh..."
"I knew he'd be like this. No compliments, only complaints..."
"Even if it's a low level demon, it's still a demon, how can we kill it without getting hurt!"
The Light Wind swordsmen looked frustrated, their lips pouting at being scolded despite killing a demon.
"Good point."
Raon formed a cold smile as he drew Heavenly Drive.
"From now on, I'll teach you how to kill demons without getting hurt. Make sure to learn well."
He beckoned to Krein, who was sitting to the right.
"Krein, come forward."
"I didn't even say anything..."
"I just want to start with you."
"That's so unfair!"
Krein, with a face about to cry, stepped forward.
It was then that the door to the training ground opened, and a purple-haired woman in a self-tailored nun's outfit entered. It was the saintess, Olga.
"Saintess?"
Raon widened his eyes as he saw Olga.
"Huh?"
"Why is the saintess here..."
The Light Wind swordsmen also looked surprised, their mouths forming 'O's.
"I have something to give you."
Olga gestured for Raon to come over to talk.
"Train individually."
Raon nodded and called Olga into the division leader's office.
"Phew, I'm alive. She's really a saintess..."
Krein put his hands together, saying that he would believe in God from now on.
* * *
"You said you had something to give me?"
Raon asked as he served Olga green tea.
"You could have given it to me when we were in the Holy Kingdom of Schper. Why come all the way here..."
"I said I'd come see you."
Olga furrowed her brows deeply.
"When?"
"Didn't you see me gesture at the gate?"
"I thought that was to wait for the king to greet us?"
"Nope."
"Oh..."
Raon let out a hollow laugh. He had misunderstood Olga's gesture as telling him to pay attention to the king and knights' greeting.
"You're really clueless."
"Your dirty personality is still the same."
He snorted, not backing down.
"So, what do you have to give me?"
"A greeting."
Olga took a deep breath and knelt down as if praying to God.
"Thanks to your kindness, we were able to save many people. Thank you very much."
She recalled the conversation they had the night before the holy conference, expressing her gratitude.
"It was because you believed in what I said."
Raon grabbed Olga's shoulders and helped her stand up.
What he had told her at that time was that the king had joined hands with the demons, something that would be hard to believe unless one was insane.
But Olga had believed his words and took several measures without sleep.
Had it not been for her, the casualties in Schper would have been more than double.
"You damn bastard! Just accept the thanks and stop trying to give me credit!"
Olga frowned, telling him not to praise her but to simply accept her gratitude.
"You're thanking me while swearing at me. What kind of personality is that..."
Raon shook his head in disbelief.
"This is my thanks. And..."
Olga took out a small, transparent bottle from her pocket. Inside was a liquid that glowed a faint golden color.
"This is..."
"It's an elixir made using holy water. It's called holy fire."
"Holy fire?"
"It's a precious treasure, with only three left in Schper."
She handed over the bottle, calling it a treasure.
"Why give it to me?"
"Don't worry. I made it myself."
Olga shook her head, saying it was an elixir she made personally.
"Then it would be better to use it for the kingdom's reconstruction."
"I feel like I need to give you this to feel at ease. It bothered me that I hadn't given you anything. I wanted to finish it before you left, but it took some time."
"Hmm..."
Raon didn't take the elixir immediately but looked into Olga's eyes. Seeing no hesitation, he realized accepting it would be for her sake.
"...Thank you."
He said thank you and received the holy fire with both hands.
"Then..."
Olga stood up, as if she had really come just to give him the holy fire.
"Hey."
Raon frowned as he looked at Olga's arm after she turned away.
"You did it again..."
"It will be the last."
Olga rubbed her arm and smiled.
"And I don't plan on dying anytime soon. Don't worry."
She shook her head, indicating that she wouldn't shorten her lifespan any further.
"I want to see something, so I decided to defy the lifespan given to me by the heavens."
"See something?"
" Yes. I can't die before I see how well our king and that ugly elf's king grow up."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll find out later."
Olga gave a light laugh and left the office.
Raon bit his lip thinly as he watched Olga's retreating figure.
'It's a pity.'
Olga's lifespan is not something that can be extended by willpower. Even if she doesn't want it, an unavoidable death will come for her.
Knowing her short lifespan, Olga grew up straight and strong.
Remembering his past, when Derus controlled his lifespan, made him want to help her, but he couldn't find a way.
There is a way.
Wrath shrugged as if it were nothing.
‘There's a way?’
But it's not something you can do right now. It’s close to reversing heaven's will.
Wrath shook his head, saying that he had to reach at least transcendence.
‘Transcendence, huh...’
Raon licked his lips as Wrath mentioned transcendence.
‘I have one more reason to reach transcendence.’
* * *
After focusing on the Light Wind swordsmen's training for a week, Raon entered the training room.
‘It's really time to prepare now.’
There wasn't much time left until the duel with the Axe King.
He had given tasks to everyone in the Light Wind division, so it was time to focus solely on the life-or-death duel with the Axe King.
Shouldn't you recover first? Cough!
‘Right.’
As Wrath mentioned, he needed to recover from the backlash of the Demon King's Descent.
Fortunately, thanks to the saintess bringing the holy fire, it seemed that he would be able to quickly resolve the physical part.
The real problem is your mental world.
‘It's going to take quite some time.’
Raon nodded. Although not as much was lost as before, mending the damage itself was no easy task.
‘Of course, I'm not here just to restore my mental world...’
Hmm?
Wrath narrowed his eyes, wondering what Raon meant.
‘While restoring the damaged mental world...’
Raon smiled as he met Wrath’s blue eyes, which looked like they had flowers engraved in them.
‘I'm planning to create a new sword field.’