N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
Chapter 683
A new sword field?
Wrath lifted his round chin sharply.
…You bastard! Don't tell me you're trying to copy the King of Essence's Flower in the Snow!
‘Who knows?’
Raon raised a finger and pushed Wrath’s nose.
You wretch! You can't do that! Do you know how much effort he put into creating the Flower in the Snow? Cough!
Wrath shook his head wildly, insisting that the Flower in the Snow was his unique technique. It looked like cotton candy melting in the sun and curling up.
‘I'm joking.’
Raon smiled lightly and waved his hand.
‘Even if I wanted to imitate the Flower in the Snow, I can't with my current level.’
Of course. The Flower in the Snow embodies my authority completely...
‘But thanks to you, I did get some inspiration.’
Inspiration?
‘Yes.’
Raon looked into Wrath’s blue eyes and raised his index finger.
‘There are three types of sword field I've seen so far. The first is the continuous type, like my Harmony of Heaven and Demon or the vice leader’s Eye of the Storm, which allows for prolonged combat."
He raised his middle finger as he continued.
"The second is the setup type, like the Gambling Monster's Black Blade, which draws enemies into one's space. And finally..."
He extended his ring finger to point at Wrath.
‘The instant type. Like your Flower in the Snow or the head of house Seamless Perfection, which annihilates enemies instantly upon activation. It's no exaggeration to call them instant-kill techniques.’
Wrath’s Flower in the Snow freezes everything in front of him upon activation, while Glenn's Seamless Perfection tears enemies apart with three streams of sword energy: Thunder, Earth, and Light.
Both are ultimate techniques that crush enemies by unleashing their full power.
So, what you're creating is...
Wrath narrowed his eyes, as if understanding the implication.
‘Yes.’
Raon smiled and left only one finger up.
‘I'm thinking of creating an instant-kill type sword field like yours and the head of house’s.’
While the Harmony of Heaven and Demon has Red and Blue Invincible Sword as its ultimate technique, it can't match the power of an instant-kill sword field that explodes all of one's power upon activation.
Raon wanted to create a new sword field that could crush enemies instantly, like Wrath did to Greed.
Cough. If it's something like that...
Wrath, seeming to understand it wasn't a direct copy, nodded calmly.
‘I didn't say I wouldn't copy it, though?’
W-What do you mean by that! Cough!
‘I said I couldn't imitate it, not that I wouldn't copy it.’
Raon smiled slyly as he looked at the wide-eyed Wrath.
‘With such a good reference right in front of me, how could I not copy it?’
You insane wretch!
Wrath ground his teeth, as if expecting this.
But then, for some reason, he let out a deflated laugh.
Well, he guesses it doesn't matter. It won't be easy for you anyway.
‘Not easy? Why?’
You have a lot you're hiding. Cough!
Wrath shook his head, as if mocking him.
As the King of Essence said before, emotions become important after reaching transcendence. His Flower in the Snow is powerful because it expresses everything he has.
Wrath clasped his hands together as if unleashing the Flower in the Snow. But unlike before, his fingers were missing, making them look like thick loaves of bread.
You have an eerie killing intent and wrath that doesn't match your age, but there are times when you seem strangely soft-hearted. To be honest, he still can't figure you out.
He let out a heavy sigh.
Actually, you yourself probably don't know what kind of person you are. Cough!
‘Hmm...’
Raon bit his lip lightly.
'He's right.'
Aside from the desire for revenge against Derus and the hope that Sylvia, the people of the annex building, and the Light Wind division would do well, Raon felt empty.
Just as Wrath said, even he couldn't gauge himself either.
The instant-kill sword field you mentioned requires pouring out your emotions as if you're unleashing your power all at once. It won't be easy for you right now.
‘That might be true. But...’
Raon smiled calmly.
‘I still have plenty of time.’[
There were three months left until the duel to death with the Axe King.
It was a short yet long period to focus solely on training, giving him ample time to reflect on himself.
Time? You don't mean...
Wrath’s lips trembled in disbelief.
Are you planning to stay in this training room for three months? Cough!
‘No, I'll leave ten days before. Probably about two and a half months.’
Then what about food...
‘This.’
Raon grinned and pulled out a large bundle filled only with nadine bread from his spatial pocket.
Kyaaaaaak!
Wrath screamed and backed away as soon as he saw the nadine bread bundle, just like when he met Merlin.
Put that away! Just looking at it makes the King of Essence lose his appetite! Cough!
’What else can I do?.’
Raon tossed and caught the nadine bread as he chuckled.
‘There's no better food than nadine bread to eat in seclusion in the training room..’
Nadine bread had no smell, and one piece would cause overeating.
It was as essential as water in the training room.
Cough, Cough...
Wrath coughed repeatedly, letting out hollow breaths.
‘Are you okay? Why are you coughing so much...’
Raon furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at the shrinking Wrath.
Though Wrath had coughed before, this time it didn't seem to stop. Despite witnessing his strength firsthand, Raon was worried.
That's why he has something to say. Cough.
Wrath nodded slowly.
After taking the backlash of your sword field, he suffered spiritual damage. It seems he needs some sleep.
‘You sleep every day.’
Raon tilted his head in confusion. He didn't understand what Wrath was talking about, as he seemed to sleep most of the time when he wasn't eating, he seemed like a combination of Sloth and Gluttony.
A longer sleep.
Wrath shook his head, saying it would take some time to stabilize his spirit form.
The King of Essence has enjoyed the festival, had enough home-cooked meals and desserts, so now is the perfect time. Cough!
He laughed, telling Raon to eat plenty of nadine bread while he slept.
‘How much of the backlash did you take?’
Just enough. Cough!
Wrath laughed as he said that. It seemed he had taken on a bit more of Raon's Demon King's Descent.
Don't get the wrong idea! The King of Essence wouldn't worry about a human! Of course, the ice cream girl, pineapple girl, and beef girl are exceptions!
‘So, how long will you sleep?’
Raon squinted at the grinning Wrath.
Before you have your duel to the death. The King of Essence needs to take over your body before you die. Cough!
‘That's good enough.’
As long as he wasn't leaving permanently, it was fine. It even allowed Raon to focus on training.
'Wait...'
That's good enough?
He used to wish for Wrath to leave, but now he felt relieved knowing he would return after a short sleep.
It wasn't because of Wrath’s abilities or the system rewards. He had grown deeply fond of the chattering cotton candy by his side.
Wrath seemed to have become something different from an enemy or ally to him.
‘Hey.’
Raon shook off his confusing thoughts and tapped Wrath’s forehead.
‘If you come back late, I'll explore all the good restaurants by myself.’
Hmph! Don't worry! The King of Essence always keeps meal times... Cough!
Hearing his coughs, Raon couldn't fully believe it.
But he is looking forward to it. How you'll change.
‘Yeah. I'll leave you in awe the moment you wake up.’
Hmph. There's one more thing.
Wrath shook his head, telling Raon not to get the wrong idea.
Since saying goodbye is awkward, he'll leave now.
With those words, he disappeared into the bracelet. The ice flower bracelet shimmered with a faint silver light before settling down.
‘Wrath.’
Raon tapped the bracelet and called out to Wrath. There was no response.
‘ I actually brought some bead ice cream too.’
...You should have said so earlier! Cough!
Wrath poked his face out from the bracelet.
‘You were lying about being injured, weren't you?’
D-Don't be ridiculous! The King of Essence doesn't feign injury!
‘I don't believe that.’
Raon shook his head and took out the bead ice cream that Sylvia had given him from his spatial pocket.
‘Think of it as your last supper.’
Last supper, my foot! The King of Essence will live forever and eat all the bead ice cream that ever gets launched!
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After eating the bead ice cream, Wrath really fell asleep.
‘I still have another box of mint chocolate.’
It seemed he was deeply asleep as he didn't wake up even at the mention of mint chocolate.
‘It's strange when he's quiet, after talking non-stop.’
Raon absentmindedly tapped his wrist, then took out the holy fire given by the saintess and the holy elixir he received from Hopen.
'These two should be enough.'
Both the holy fire and the holy elixir were based on holy power, so there was no need to consume them separately. If he could receive the effects of Gluttony as well, he would be able to replenish all the aura he had lost and then some.
'However...'
What I want is not just aura.
To create a new sword field, I need to enter the mental world.
Using the holy fire and the holy elixir as mediums, he intended to enter the calm yet chaotic mental world without wasting any time.
"Hoo..."
Raon took a long breath and opened the wooden box containing the holy elixir. Instead of a bitter herbal scent, a fresh autumn wood aroma wafted out.
When he opened the lid containing the holy fire, a sweet scent that whetted his appetite
flowed out. Both had pleasant fragrances, likely due to the holy power.
'That cotton candy would have liked this.'
He smirked and put the holy elixir and holy fire into his mouth. The holy elixir melted like water as soon as it touched his tongue and went down his throat along with the holy fire.
Fwaaaah!
The two elixirs imbued with holy power, as soon as they confirmed that they were not enemies, harmonized and spread throughout his body.
It felt as if holy water imbued with a gentle warmth was flowing through his blood vessels and mana circuits.
The minor wounds in his mana circuits healed instantly, and the damage to his bones and muscles vanished. The healing power was tremendous.
The holy energy, not satisfied with merely healing, spread from his head to the tips of his toes, activating his body and senses.
He could feel the minute muscles and mana circuits as if they were within reach, and his five senses became so acute that he could hear the sound of ants crawling on the ceiling of the training room.
Just as he felt like he was shedding the shell of his body, the holy power subsided, and the mana that had filled its place began to surge.
He circulated the large amount of mana that emerged from the shell according to the flows of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation, Glacier, and Garunua.
The new aura filled the empty energy center.
Because he had purified his body before practicing aura cultivation, the energy accumulating in his energy center was purer than ever.
The mana filling his energy center turned toward the middle energy center and soon knocked on the door of the upper energy center.
Wooooong!
The fragrance of dense mana and the finely honed senses of his body naturally opened the door to the mental world.
Fwaaaah!
With a brilliant light, the world of swords that he had built came into view.
The sprouts of swords that bloomed on the red and blue land remained, and the small wind that had taken root slightly expanded its territory.
However, at the center of the world, a black pit caused by the Demon King's Descent was stirring, and eight rings of fire floating in the sky creaked like a broken clock pendulum. ‘Well then…’
Raon looked at the distorted rings of fire and smiled faintly.
‘Shall we start there?’
* * *
"That's it for today."
As the moon showed its gentle smile, Rimmer clapped his hands.
"It's late, so let's wrap it up."
He yawned widely, saying that today’s training was over.
"Yes."
The Ligtw Wind swordsmen, exhausted from the continuous training, responded briefly and bowed their heads.
"I'm tired."
"Right? We're pushed hard by Sir Gambling Monster in the morning and the vice leader in the afternoon. It's exhausting."
"Although it's not as bad as the division leader."
"But why is the vice leader suddenly working so hard?"
While the swordsmen chatted and cleaned up the training ground, one person was thrusting their sword more energetically.
It was Runaan. She slowly raised her sword, which was bathed in moonlight, and blossomed an ice flower.
Her sword techniques, which gradually increased in speed, fell gracefully like the brush of a painter, drawing dozens of snowflakes.
Screeeech!
As Runaan lowered her sword, the ice flowers floating beautifully in the air shattered at once.
If she had imbued her sword with astral energy, a storm of ice would have erupted, devastating the area.
"Hey!"
Martha frowned as she looked at the ice fragments settling on the training ground.
"Don't get cocky. I'll catch up with you soon, so keep your neck stretched out."
"Pfft."
Runaan sneered at Martha with a blank expression.
"Irrgh!"
Martha exhaled sharply as if she was about to charge at her.
"Your level may be higher, but if we fight, I'll win! Come at me!"
"Calm down. How do you two fight every day?"
Burren shook his head as he blocked Martha.
"She laughed at me! You saw it, right?"
"I saw you picking a fight first."
"I just said I'd catch up! She sneakily got stronger all by herself!"
Martha raised her fist, calling it sneaky.
"Well, that's true..."
Burren nodded briefly and looked at Runaan.
"Runan. You suddenly made great progress. Did something happen in Schpern?"
"I don't know."
Runaan shook her head with a calm gaze.
"Since I woke up there, my training has been going well."
After fainting in the Holy Kingdom of Schpern and waking up, her aura increased, her body strengthened, and her swordsmanship level naturally rose.
She was confused herself because she had only slept and woken up.
It felt similar to when she became stronger by feeling the cold emanating from Raon during her trainee days.
"Anyway! I'll catch up with you. Just wait there!"
"Hmph."
"Argh! That emotionless sneer is even more infuriating! Let me go!"
"Rakshasha woman. See you tomorrow."
Runaan waved at Martha, who Burren was holding back, and left the fifth training ground. She headed not to the dormitory but to house Sullion.
Strolling leisurely through the bustling streets, she noticed something different.
"Hmm?"
What is it?
The light in the front hall, always on when she returned, was off.
She spread her aura perception just in case but didn't notice anything unusual in the movements of the people inside the mansion.
Runaan furrowed her brows slightly, opened the front door, and cautiously stepped inside.
"Oh my! Young lady!"
"When did you arrive?"
Perhaps because the lights were off, the maids were startled and bowed their heads.
"Just now."
"Runaan!"
Hearing Runaan's voice, Rokan and Clara emerged from the dining room.
"You're a bit late."
"Yes. But why..."
Runaan tilted her head, pointing at the lights-off hallway.
"Oh, sorry. I was deep in thought."
"......"
Rokan scratched the back of his head, and Clara awkwardly smiled.
"It's late, so let's have dinner first."
He grabbed Runaan’s shoulder and walked her to the grand dining room.
"......"
Runaan squinted at their backs.
Usually, they would have hugged her immediately, but their awkward behavior suggested something had happened. She decided to pretend not to notice and sat at the table.
Nothing unusual happened during the meal. The food was delicious, and her favorite mint chocolate bead ice cream was served.
However, Rokan and Clara’s expressions remained awkward. They smiled, but their eyes occasionally turned serious.
"Dad."
Runaan put down her unfinished bead ice cream.
"Did something happen?"
"Um..."
Rokan couldn't answer immediately, his brow furrowed.
"Was it that obvious?"
Clara sighed and asked.
"Very."
Runaan nodded, saying it was impossible not to notice.
"Well, you're not a child anymore."
Rokan scratched his forehead and nodded.
“I was debating whether to tell you or not, but I think it’s better to let you know so you can prepare.”
He let out a long breath and continued.
“There have been reports of a strange figure in the south wearing Baphomet's helmet and wielding a greatsword. It seems that Syria is still alive.”
Rokan bit his lip hard enough to draw blood.
'It must have become a trauma.'
For Runaan, Syria is more than just an enemy.
If he told her that he was alive, Runaan would be scared, but it was better than her being caught off guard, so he decided to tell her.
“Still, there’s no need to worry.”
Rokan raised his fist.
“This dad won’t let him touch a hair on your head…”
“Is that it?”
Runaan muttered, “It’s nothing serious,” and picked up her bead ice cream again.
“R-Runaan?”
Clara looked at her, wide-eyed in surprise.
“I figured he might be alive.”
Runaan nodded calmly as she ate her bead ice cream.
The goat, symbolizing Baphomet, had long been considered a demonic animal. Hearing that Syria’s body had disappeared, she had already anticipated that he might still be alive.
“Dad, Mom, you don’t need to worry.”
A faint smile appeared on Runaan’s lips. Her purple eyes no longer held any fear of Syria.
“I will be the one to crush him.”
* * *
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“Hoo…”
Raon sighed and lowered his gaze. The black pit that had weakened his upper energy center were all sealed, and new sprouts of swords bloomed on the once-blackened land.
The Ring of Fire rotating in the sky were also fully restored, the eight rings resonating with a solemn hum.
‘That was faster than I thought.’
Having walked this path once before and with Wrath having taken much of the damage, he managed to heal the wounds in his upper energy center more quickly than expected.
‘Now to create a new sword field… hmm?’
As he rotated his wrist and smiled, a few swords he hadn’t seen before emerged next to the slowly rotating the Ring of Fire, tracing grand trajectories.
‘No way, is that…’
Raon’s lips trembled as he looked at a familiar-shaped sword among them.
‘Heavenly Tremor?’