N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
Chapter 701
Kwaaahhhh!
The grand line drawn by Heavenly Drive split the sky filled with dark clouds and churning river water.
But the man standing at the center blocked that noble trajectory with a single red-tinged axe.
The Axe King Roman. With his evolved Revolving Void Axe Strike did not falter even in the face of Raon's newly created sword field.
Of course, Roman wasn't unscathed. He spat out black blood from his mouth, and a fine crack appeared on the once sturdy Red Dragon Axe.
“Huff….”
Raon curled his bloodstained lips into a smile.
‘To think he could withstand the sword field.’
Roman had evolved his Revolving Void Axe Strike to withstand Raon’s new sword field.
Even though he was confident in his enlightenment, which he hadn't fully internalized, it seemed that the monsters of the old era were indeed of a different caliber.
“Khuhuhu!”
The Axe King Roman laughed, revealing teeth stained red with blood.
“It's great! It's been a long time since I’ve seen this much blood.”
Despite suffering severe internal injuries, he smiled broadly as if enjoying himself. His expression showed he was almost ecstatic.
“You must feel the same, right? Young one.”
“Of course.”
Raon nodded while gripping Heavenly Drive, still feeling the satisfaction of the previous sword field.
‘It's more than just fun.’
The stronger Roman gets, the more his body and mind grow along with him.
Even at this moment, his energy center was expanding, his body was evolving, and the realm of versatile sword was widening to catch up with Roman.
The time spent facing Roman was no different from the ultimate enlightenment for him.
“Then let's start again!”
Roman, with a refreshing laugh, swung the Red Dragon Axe.
Kugugugu!
The fiercely spinning axe blade summoned a black and red whirlwind. The entire Rable River was engulfed in a storm of aura.
"If you want to survive, defeat me!"
Roman roared as he stomped on the waves. He lunged with the Nine Palaces Steps, unleashing a barrage of Revolving Void Axe Strikes.
His movements were as natural as if they were part of a single maneuver from the beginning. This monster was still growing even now.
Crackle!
Raon twisted his lips as he watched the Red Dragon Axe rain down like a meteor.
‘No matter how strong he gets, it doesn't matter.
'Because I'll catch up.'
He thrust Heavenly Drive diagonally with his right hand and held the Blade of Requiem in a reverse grip with his left. The two rotating blades created waves of red and blue.
Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation, Thousand Flames.
FireWall.
The crossing waves of fire and frost collided head-on with Roman's Revolving Void Axe Strike.
Kwaaahhhhh!
The shockwave, with a sound as if the earth itself was collapsing, created a twisted crack in the air.
It looked as if the sky and the ground were torn apart.
The entire Rable River darkened as if the apocalypse had arrived, but Raon and Roman paid no heed as they poured out their martial arts toward each other’s throats.
Kugugugu!
Every time Heavenly Drive and the Red Dragon Axe clashed, the river water was carved away, and before they knew it, Raon and Roman were engaged in an extreme battle on the dry riverbed.
The surging river water rode the storm of aura, rising up and creating even denser rain clouds in the sky.
“It feels like a dream!”
Roman laughed joyously.
“To be able to swing the axe techniques I had only envisioned in my mind!”
As he swung the Red Dragon Axe to the right, a red light soared along the horizon of the river.
Profoundness seeped into the malicious energy. It felt like watching a swordsman who had honed his skills for a lifetime rather than an enemy.
“Same here.”
Raon nodded as he saw Roman's astral sphere advancing.
“It feels like there's nothing I can't do.”
As Roman grew stronger, so did Raon. It felt like the sword techniques he couldn’t master in his mental world were now blending into his fingertips.
Kwooong!
With a heavy stomp, he extended Heavenly Drive. The blue sky at the tip of the blade blocked the evolved Revolving Void Axe Strike.
Kuwaaang!
As the sword and axe collided again, the crimson thunder swept through the surroundings. The river water evaporated, and a dense mist rose into the air.
Raon narrowed his eyes as he saw the Red Dragon Axe descending smoothly.
‘I am being influenced.’
I learned the malicious energy contained in Roman's axe swings, and Roman incorporated the profundity embedded in my sword.
It wasn't just their own martial arts that were growing, but they were also learning each other's martial arts and fighting style. It was a duel to the death worthy of being called a duel between mortal enemies.
Raon and Roman struck each other with Heavenly Drive and the Red Dragon Axe, each reflecting his own image in the other's eyes.
Jjuuuuung!
* * *
Literally next chapter: https://tinyurl.com/theAxeKing
Advance chapters: Tinyurl.com/Albnlfff
For Indonesian: Tinyurl.com/Aldbnlff
“What is this….”
The vice union leader Helgurum stood up, trembling. The chair he was sitting on crumbled like dry firewood.
“How can someone like that exist.”
It was supposed to be a fight Roman could easily win. If he had swung his axe with full power, that young monster should have sunk beneath the river, missing his limbs.
But Raon Zieghart, as if gaining enlightenment from the fight, kept growing and eventually stood on the same level as Roman.
It was something impossible by his understanding.
‘This doesn't make sense.’
Since before the era of the Six Kings and Five Demons, he had seen countless warriors.
He had encountered absolute talents like Glenn Zieghart, Holy Sword Alliance's master, Black Tower’s master, and Derus Robert, and even the hidden legend Karuta. But he had never seen a talent like Raon Zieghart.
Now, calling him a young monster is laughable. If Roman falters even a bit, he will be devoured. He was truly a growing monster.
“Urrghh….”
Helgurum trembled as he watched Raon fight, spewing blood.
‘That guy is dangerous.’
It wasn't just a matter of Roman losing and the South-north Union's honor being tarnished.
The thought of such a guy being under Glenn Zieghart of the Six Kings was terrifying.
"What an envious rivalry. They're both growing non-stop."
Beorn gazed into the storm of aura, thinly biting his lips.
“Indeed, just as he said….”
He narrowed his eyes, fixing his gaze on Raon.
“Beorn.”
Helgurum gestured for Beorn to come closer.
“What did you say earlier?”
Rimmer, standing at the edge of the river, called out to Helgurum, raising his chin.
"Did you say we didn't want to admit defeat? Admitting my ass! This is trust."
He sneered at Helgurum with a long grin.
“He's right.”
Sheryl nodded calmly.
“From the start, we never thought Raon would lose.”
She smiled faintly at the Light Wind swordsmen who were just watching, whether Raon was pushing or being pushed.
‘This is true trust.’
The house of Zieghart's swordsmen, including herself, had seen Raon overcome countless hardships firsthand.
Because of the trust built over a long time, they could believe in Raon and watch till the end.
"On the other hand, you guys seem to lack trust."
Sheryl snorted as she turned her gaze to Helgurum.
“Shut your mouth!”
Helgurum shouted at Sheryl and Rimmer, then released a sound barrier.
He prevented any sound from escaping and then looked at Beorn and the unit leaders with a deep frown.
“Be ready to move at any time.”
“What?”
“Wh-what do you mean….”
“Vice union leader. It's not over yet. There's no way the Axe King will lose….”
The unit leaders trembled as if they wanted to believe in Roman.
“That’s not important right now.”
Helgurum gritted his teeth as he looked at Raon.
“That’s a monster. Not now, but a monster that will be even more terrifying in the future. He must never be allowed to leave alive.”
He clenched his fists until they bled, determined not to let Raon escape.
“…….”
Beorn listened to Helgurum's words and calmly lowered his red eyes.
* * *
Clank!
Raon smiled broadly as he pushed the Red Dragon Axe with Heavenly Drive.
It was enjoyable. He wished this moment, where he grew stronger with each clash of sword and axe, would never end.
But the dream-like time was coming to an end. Both he and Roman were covered in severe internal and external injuries, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they collapsed at any moment.
The sweet taste of growth was fading, replaced by the bitter taste of pain. There was not much time left to fight at full power.
Boom!
Raon and Roman created a powerful shockwave and retreated five steps each.
Every time they stepped back, the river water was deeply gouged out.
“I would love to fight you forever, but it seems this is the end.”
Roman lightly laughed and shook his head. He spat out black blood and caressed the wound on his abdomen.
“Let’s finish this.”
Raon spat out blood of dark red blood and cauterized the wound on his shoulder with heat. The pain intensified, but being able to fight properly was more important.
“You’re just as mad about fighting as I am.”
Roman laughed joyfully and slung the Red Dragon Axe over his shoulder.
"I will devote all the martial arts I've accumulated throughout my life to this one move. Radiant Soul Dance. This axe strike will take your head."
He twisted his waist back, lifting the Red Dragon Axe above his head, showing he didn’t care about his injuries.
Woooooooong!
Heaven and earth's energy gathered on the blade of the raised Red Dragon Axe. The insight of an ascetic who had attained enlightenment was embedded within the tyrannical energy that could overturn rivers.
It was a perfect martial art combining strength, skill, and mental image.
Rumble!
As Roman brought down the Red Dragon Axe, crimson flames flared up along the axe blade. It felt as though time had stopped, with only the red flames rising endlessly.
Everything visible seemed to be erased within the flames of the Red Dragon Axe.
Crack!
The dark clouds filling the sky parted, revealing the sinking sun.
A golden sunset reflected in Roman’s aged eyes.
Grip!
Raon firmly grasped Heavenly Drive with both hands. Closing his eyes.
‘I must go further.’
The insight he gained from bringing his mental image into reality deepened even more through the duel against Roman. Now, he could contain even more.
“Sword Field Creation.”
On the sword technique he had nurtured, he now placed the clear blue sky. Azure Sky. The light surrounding Heavenly Drive deepened even further.
The light was not that of a sinking sunset, but the majestic golden light of a rising dawn.
The moment the Radiant Soul Dance and the new sword field clashed, the light dimmed, and the sound vanished.
What remained was only the clash of martial arts. The pinnacle of each one's martial arts, built up over time, was drawn through the brush of sword and axe.
Kuwaaaaang!
A belated, grand explosion engulfed the sky and earth. It was as if the sinking sun had risen again, pouring out mysterious light.
Wooooooosh!
The storm of aura surrounding Raon and Roman subsided, revealing the two figures.
Fuwaaaak!
Raon coughed up dark blood, mixed with pieces of his organs, as he fell to his knees. His waist was split open, as if it had been torn apart.
In contrast, Roman stood firm on both legs, seemingly unscathed.
“Uraaaaah!”
“Sir Roman!”
“We believed in you!”
The unit leaders of the South-North Union raised their hands and shouted Roman’s name.
“Raon!”
“What are you doing! Get up now!”
"If you die there, I'll kill you myself!"
The Light Wind swordsmen screamed for Raon to get up.
“That last one.”
Roman exhaled a low breath and looked down at Raon.
“What is the name of that sword field?”
“…I don’t have one.”
Raon shook his head, spitting blood once more.
“I haven’t named it yet.”
It was a sword field created only today, so it had no name.
“I spent a year at the Rable River, capturing countless sunsets in my eyes. I infused the golden light, like a desperate struggle to prevent death, into the Red Dragon Axe. That’s why it was called the Radiant Soul Dance.”
Roman gazed at the cracked Red Dragon Axe and smiled faintly.
“I saw a similar color in your sword. The deep golden light was the same, but its nature (essence) was different.”
He turned his gaze to meet Raon’s red eyes.
“Your light wasn’t the sunset fearing the night, but the light of dawn raising the sun. Though the color was the same, it was a light full of vitality unlike mine.”
Raon nodded, as he had indeed captured the dawn he saw today.
"It was as brilliant as the moment of the world's creation."
Roman’s black long jacket began to soak in red blood.
“How about Genesis as the name of that sword field?”
"Genesis..."
Raon looked up at the sky. The dark clouds had all subsided, and only the golden sunset filled the vast sky.
Seeing that splendid color, he nodded.
“Let’s go with that.”
He nodded in gratitude.
"Tha... Ugh!"
Roman tried to speak but coughed up black blood. His complexion turned as pale as a sheet.
"Si-Sir Roman!"
"Damn it!"
"Get out of here now!"
Following the vice union leader's gesture, the unit leaders of the South-North Union jumped into the river.
Kwooooom!
The swordsmen of Zieghart, who had been tense, tried to follow, but Roman struck the river with the Red Dragon Axe.
With a massive shockwave, a blue wave rose, blocking their path.
"Stop."
Roman twisted his lips into a smile, looking at the vice union leader and the unit leaders behind the descending wave.
"I was born a man and lived as a warrior. I fought the opponent I wanted in the battlefield I desired, so I have no regrets in this life!"
He revealed fierce eyes that seemed ready to strike with the Red Dragon Axe at any moment.
"Do not insult me. Do not insult Roman Reycal, the Axe King!"
Roman let out a bloody roar, making it clear he would not tolerate anyone interfering in the fight.
Even the vice union leader couldn’t move under the chilling pressure of his energy.
“The arrogant brat from three years ago is no more.”
Roman looked at Raon again, wearing a genuine smile.
"This is your victory, Raon Zieghart."
As he boldly declared his defeat, the Red Dragon Axe shattered into dozens of pieces and sank into the river.
With the receding sunset light, the Axe King Roman fell.
