N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
Chapter 713
Hwooong!
Raon swung Heavenly Drive upward, unleashing the newfound power of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation that he had obtained in the mental world.
The moment a golden sun rose from his energy center, he felt a liberating sensation as if Heavenly Drive—no, his hand—could reach infinitely.
Hwaaahhhh!
The thick fire that bloomed from the tip of the sword erased the undead army without a trace and even split the breaths of the bone dragons.
Heavenly Drive, revealing its invincible energy, finally headed for the neck of the Specter. It sliced through the flesh of the creature, which was preparing a high-level magic with dark mana.
Slice!
The concept of distance vanished, and the Specter's neck fell. The creature felt astonishment before pain, as if it could not fathom this situation.
Cheooong!
As the Specter's body sank into the river, it dissolved into black smoke.
Raon lowered Heavenly Drive and lifted his gaze. Only the blue sky remained, with no trace of the undead army that had been there.
The King of essence thought it's strange that you have more energy than you should, but now he understands.
Wrath nodded as he looked at Raon.
You bastard, you've learned how to compress and use your power.
He curled his lips in amusement.
Yeah. I think I understand a bit.
Raon created the sun of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation above his right hand and smiled faintly.
Thanks to the enlightenment he gained in the mental world and from the duel to death, he could operate his astral sphere faster and stronger.
It felt as if he was in the state of the Harmony of Heaven and Demon sword field.
It’s not just a feeling.
Wrath shook his head calmly.
You're indeed in a similar state to when you raised that sun.
'Really?'
Yes. Although you're not using Glacier, your current state is similar to when you used that fire and ice sword field.
He pointed with his finger, indicating that energy at the level of the Harmony of Heaven and Demon sword field was moving in his body.
'Hah...'
Raon sighed as he felt the steady burning fire of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and the cold energy of Glacier.
'This is beyond my expectations.'
He had only raised the rank of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier using the image of the Harmony of Heaven and Demon, but he did not expect such a result. He was so happy his hands were trembling.
"Uwaaaa..."
Flumen let out a faint groan as he looked at the transparent sky where the undead army had melted away.
"Ra, Raon! Have you become a god?"
He blinked rapidly, asking if Raon had become the god of the sword.
"No, I haven't."
Absolutely not!
Wrath shouted when Raon tried to shake his head in response to Flumen.
What kind of lousy brat would become a god! There's no possibility at all!
Wrath snorted, saying Raon should never become a god.
'That's true.'
Raon laughed softly, looking at Wrath, who frowned.
"I'm not a god. I don't want to be one either."
What I want is the downfall of Derus Robert and the happiness of the people around me.
I had no desire to become a god or a demon king.
D, Demon king?
Wrath came closer, blinking his eyes.
You know, demon king is fine. It's actually fun.
He lightly tapped Raon's shoulder with his plump hand.
As he always said, you are perfectly suited to become a demon king. Aren't you wicked enough to make even the demons withdraw in disgust?
‘Am I not kind in my own way?’
Are you out of your mind?
Wrath twirled his finger around his temple and blinked.
A guy who deceives the demon king is far from kind!
He shook his head, telling Raon not to talk nonsense.
The reason the King of Essence wants to make you the demon king is to let others suffer like he did!
Wrath waved his hand, saying he just wanted to inject some crazy energy into the boring, stagnant devildom.
Anyway, you definitely have to come with me to devildom and…
'No, I'm not going.'
Eeek!
Raon pushed Wrath, who clung to him like a leech, and gestured to Flumen.
"Flumen, can you bring Merlin out now?"
"Okay!"
Flumen nodded and entered the river.
Chaaaang.
After about a minute, Flumen emerged with blue water droplets, carrying Merlin, who was covered in a black robe, on his shoulder.
"I've treated the serious wounds for now."
Flumen said he had used magic to stop the severe injuries, wiggling his clawed hand.
"Thanks."
Raon patted Flumen's head and brought Merlin to the riverbank.
As he tore off the tattered robe, Merlin's face, without the mask, was revealed.
'Is this woman Merlin?'
With dark purple hair, as if it was melted from dawn, and pale skin that showed her veins. She was so beautiful that it made him believe the old saying about a country falling because of a woman might be true.
She's not as good as me, but she's got something.
Wrath observed Merlin's face, lifting his round eyes.
Why did she cover this face with an old woman's mask?
'I don't know.'
Since Merlin's appearance was not important right now, Raon took out an internal injury medicine from his spatial pocket and fed it to her.
He used the Ring of Fire and Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation to spread the medicine's energy inside her body.
'This should do for now.'
When he was about to leave the rest to Flumen, Merlin's eyelids trembled.
"Ugh..."
Merlin let out a moan-like breath and opened her eyes.
In her light purple eyes, resembling azaleas, a red cross appeared, reflecting Raon's image.
"Raon?"
"Merlin, are you okay?"
"Raon. Raon."
"Yes, it's me. Are you hurt anywhere..."
Raon nodded and lowered his eyes to check Merlin's condition.
"Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon."
Despite her injuries, Merlin started calling Raon's name randomly as if rapidly chanting a spell.
Kuueeeek!
Wrath let out a pig-like squeal and hid inside the bracelet.
"Wait! Merlin, calm down...."
Raon also panicked and tried to get away, but Merlin grabbed his wrist tightly.
"I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you."
The red cross in Merlin's eyes shone vividly as if it contained divinity. As Raon met her gaze, his chest tightened.
"Please, stop!"
Raon, trembling with his jaw, struck the back of Merlin's neck with his hand.
"I love... ah."
Merlin uttered the word "love" until the end, closed her eyes and fell unconscious.
“Huuuf…Huuuf…”
Raon exhaled a rough breath, his whole body trembling. It was only for a moment, but it was so chilling that he regretted waking her up.
S, See! The King of Essence told you! We should've had mint chocolate first and left that madwoman alone!
Wrath shouted as he peeked out from the bracelet.
‘I really should have done that.’
Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Raon shuddered.
“Flumen, take care of her.”
“She’s scary…”
Even Flumen, terrified by Merlin's obsession, bit his lip tightly.
“If she wakes up, knock her out again.”
Saying it was okay to use magic to make her sleep, Raon stood up.
So, are we going to the battlefield now?
‘No, there’s still something to do.’
Raon looked at the forest behind him and shook his head.
'I need to finish this properly.'
* * *
Wooooong.
A black dimension opened in the forest near the Rable River, and the Specter emerged.
“Grrrr….”
The Specter clenched his teeth and struck the ground with his fist.
“Damn you, Raon Zieghart!”
What the hell is he?
He was said to be dead, but suddenly he reappeared, displaying a level of swordsmanship that was almost absurd.
He couldn’t even block a single sword strike from Raon despite receiving new power from the Fallen and growing through relentless training.
Unlike the first time, this time he wasn’t careless, which made the defeat even more frustrating.
'I won't forgive you.'
The Specter moved towards the river where Merlin was hiding, biting his lip.
‘Even if I can’t beat you, I will kill Merlin.’
He was too resentful to be defeated like this, so he accepted the risk of his soul being damaged and immediately resurrected to return to the Rable River.
He held his breath, planning to ambush and kill Merlin, then report to the Fallen that Raon was alive.
‘Hm?’
The Specter frowned upon returning to the place where he had been defeated by Raon.
‘He’s not here?’
He was sure he returned to where Merlin was, but Raon was nowhere to be found, only the young blue lugh and the unconscious Merlin were visible.
“Where is he… Ugh!”
As he spread his mana to search for Raon, the Specter felt a tearing pain in his back and collapsed forward.
“Kurrghh….”
Looking back, he saw a sharp blade ripping through his back, and above it, a red moon illuminating the forest’s darkness.
No, that’s not the moon. It was Raon Zieghart’s blood-red eyes.
“You, how did you…”
“As expected, you returned.”
Raon lowered his gaze and lightly nodded.
"You came back here as soon as you resurrected. Were you that upset?"
“Yes, I am. Even if you kill me now, I will return! I will make sure you and Merlin can neither live nor die!”
The Specter snarled, twisting his lips into a smirk.
“No, this will be the last time.”
Raon spoke in a cold tone, placing his hand on the Specter’s back.
“Bullshit! Your fire can’t burn my soul!”
“Don’t worry. It’s not fire.”
He shook his head, a colorless energy forming in his palm.
Wooooong!
As the colorless wave Raon unleashed penetrated the Specter’s back, it felt like his soul was being torn apart rather than his body.
“Kuaaaak! What is this….”
“It won’t work on Transcenders, but it's easy for someone like you.” (“Not work my ass!” -The White Blood Religion’s leader)
“Kurrrrghhh….”
The pressure from Raon’s hand intensified, causing excruciating pain, the pain was so intense that he couldn't think straight.
“D-damn it!”
The Specter tried to abandon his body and escape with his soul, but the colorless energy Raon unleashed held him back.
“Urrrghhhh….”
The pain increased rapidly, and he felt his soul vessel hidden in another dimension breaking apart. At this rate, he would truly die.
“Waa…wa…wait!”
The Specter turned to Raon, his chin trembling.
“I…I can tell you what the Fallen… is planning! Right now, Eden is….”
“No need to talk.”
Raon shook his head, twisting the blade of Heavenly Drive.
“I already know what you’re all planning.”
Smirking, he fully unleashed the Raging Sea technique.
Wooooong!
The energy from the Raging Sea didn’t just destroy the Specter’s body but crushed his soul completely.
“Kuuuuaaaaaaaaaagh!”
The Specter let out a blood-curdling scream and turned into white ash, disintegrating entirely.
Now he’s truly dead.
Wrath nodded towards the white ash.
‘Yes.’
Raon brushed off the ash on his hand and nodded.
‘Even though it was an incomplete Raging Sea, fortunately, it worked.’
The Specter had crossed over to this place right after resurrecting, so he wasn't in his normal state.
Thanks to that, even with his still low-level Raging Sea could damage his soul.
“Flumen, it’s over!”
Raon waved to Flumen by the river, then turned his gaze towards the Rable River where the war was unfolding.
It was time to turn the tide of the battle.
* * *
Kwaaang!
A sword wreathed in red lightning clashed endlessly with a spear wielding a blue dragon.
Every time Glenn Zieghart’s Heavenly Tremor and Dranos’ Sea Dragon Spear collided, the sky split and the river was swept away.
It was like a descent of hell on earth, with a storm of black energy engulfing the entire Rable River.
Chiiing!
Amidst the raging storm of energy, Glenn raised Heavenly Tremor. Lightning flared from the blade, leaving red trails as it extended in all directions.
It was an eerie sight, as if red lightning was covering the entire Rable River.
Wooooong!
On the other side, the South-North Union leader Dranos swung the Sea Dragon Spear downward.
The spear blade split into three, summoning three dragons. The three water dragons roared grandly, not stopping even in the face of the red lightning.
Kuwooong!
Thousands of lightning bolts and the water dragons that enveloped the river clashed, causing a massive explosion.
The shockwaves and thunderous noise melted the ships of the South-North Union and Zieghart into nothing.
It was a catastrophe, like a war of gods rather than a battle between humans.
“Kurrffhh….”
Dranos was thrown back, exhaling rough breaths. Blood trickled from his lips, indicating internal injuries.
“You must be injured too, but you don’t even flinch. Damn it.”
He bit his lip, looking at Glenn, who stood unwavering.
“Those bastards are no different.”
Dranos exhaled heavily as he watched the swordsmen of Zieghart push back the South-North Union, despite the disadvantage of being by the river.
“I have no intention of talking to you.”
Glenn pulled Heavenly Tremor over his shoulder, showing he had no intention of conversing.
Lightning rose from the sword, forming a dark red orb that flickered and dimmed.
“Is that the Lightning Spirit?”
Dranos chuckled leisurely, resting his spear on his shoulder.
“You really intend to kill me. But…”
He pulled out a small black cloth from his pocket, barely covering his hand.
“I have no intention of dying!”
Dranos threw the black cloth into the air.
Whooooosh!
The cloth rapidly expanded, covering the entire battlefield before anyone could even take a breath. It looked like the night sky had fallen.
“Where do you think you’re going!”
Glenn shot the orb of lightning energy from the sword. The space the orb traveled through was torn apart, causing a tremendous ripple.
Kugugugu!
The black cloth covering the battlefield was sucked into the orb of lightning and torn into thousands of pieces.
But Dranos and the South-North Union’s warships, which should have been under the cloth, were already gone from the river.
They hadn’t been destroyed—they had vanished entirely.
All that remained were the Zieghart warships and the swordsmen left in the river.
“If you want to kill me, come to the South-North Union headquarters. I’ll be waiting.”
As the pieces of the black cloth fell into the river, Dranos’ voice echoed.
“……”
Glenn narrowed his eyes as he picked up the wet pieces of cloth.
‘Is this Rikuas’ cloth?’
Rikuas’ cloth is a legendary artifact that can transport designated people and objects in one go.
It had only been a rumor, but it seemed the owner was the South-North Union leader.
'Now I understand why they wanted a head-on confrontation.'
because they were confident they could escape at any time.
“Roenn.”
“Yes.”
As soon as Roenn received Glenn's gaze, he disappeared into black mist.
“Father!”
Aris approached Glenn, frowning.
“Where did those bastards go?”
“……”
"D, Did they run away?"
Karoon and Sylvia followed her, eyebrows furrowed.
“They used an artifact. They likely moved to their headquarters.”
“What? There’s an artifact like that?”
Aris scoffed in disbelief.
“It’s Rikuas’ cloth, which can only transport allies.”
Glenn nodded, holding up the piece of cloth.
"Then if those bastards run away every time they're at a disadvantage..."
"That won't happen. It's a one-time use."
Even a legendary artifact can’t be used repeatedly. Rikuas’ cloth was a single-use artifact.
“Division and squad leaders, report the situation.”
Glenn motioned for the approaching executives.
“Ten wounded, two dead in the White Sword squad. The wounds aren’t severe.”
“The Blue Wolf division has wounded….”
The executives reported the status of their subordinates and took a brief rest.
“Head of house.”
While Glenn was listening to the reports and organizing, Roenn approached and bowed.
“As expected, Dranos and the warships moved to the South-North Union’s headquarters.”
He reported that everyone had gathered at the South-North Union’s headquarters.
"Any other factions?"
“None are visible. Only the South-North Union.”
Roenn shook his head, saying that not only the Five Demons but also the neutral factions were nowhere to be seen.
"We depart after 30 minutes of reorganization. Prepare yourselves."
“Yes!”
The executives bowed deeply and headed to their subordinates.
“Ugh, this is frustrating! We almost killed them all!"
Aris bit her lip and punched the air.
Whooooong!
A cute-looking ship approached from behind Zieghart's warships. The green ship honked its horn loudly, as if to signal it wasn't an enemy.
“That’s….”
As Glenn slowly turned his gaze, Rimmer, Sheryl, and Trevin jumped off the ship.
“Head of house, we will fight too.”
“We can’t stand by any longer.”
“Please let us fight!”
The three knelt and bowed, expressing their desire to join the fight.
“Raon…”
“……”
“That’s…”
Sheryl and Trevin couldn’t answer, biting their lips.
“…We couldn’t find him.”
Rimmer sighed deeply, his lips trembling.
He admitted they couldn’t find Raon, accepting his death.
“Ah…”
Sylvia sank weakly to the ground, covering her face with trembling hands.
“……”
Karoon watched Sylvia, then turned his head as if annoyed.
“Ha, damn it…”
Aris rubbed her head roughly and placed her hand on her sword. Her hand convulsed, shaking the sword as if it would fall out of its scabbard.
“I see.”
Glenn’s voice cracked. He looked at the distant river and exhaled a breath from the bottom of his soul.
‘Raon.’
Hearing that the astral sphere had exploded in his pierced chest, he had already thought in his mind that Raon was dead.
But he couldn't accept it in his heart, which is why he fought the war without the Heavenly Blade Division and the Light Wind Division, despite them being key forces.
‘But now….’
He had to let go.
Even after searching the entire river, Raon didn’t appear, meaning he had left this world. It was time to accept it.
‘I’m sorry, Raon.’
Glenn closed his trembling eyes. He bit his lip, recalling his young grandson smiling while practicing swordsmanship.
‘You don’t need to forgive this worthless grandfather. But I will ensure your funeral is marked by the loudest requiem.’
When he reopened his eyes, his red eyes were burning with only chilling murderous intent.
He turned and looked at the ship. The Light Wind Division swordsmen, including Burren, Martha, and Runaan, were clenching their teeth, clearly eager to join the war.
"Do as you wish."
Glenn nodded at Rimmer.
“Thank you.”
Rimmer, Sheryl, and Trevin saluted, ready to risk their lives.
"Head of house, the preparations are complete."
Karoon reported that it was time, bowing.
“Then set sail. There will be no rest until we destroy their headquarters.”
"Yes!"
The executives screamed as they bowed their heads to Glenn's chilling command.
Rumble!
Following Roenn's guidance, the pirate ship Blue Wind, Zieghart's warships, and Dorian's boat sailed upstream along the Rable River.
Strangely, the river seemed to widen into a sea as they traveled for a long time, revealing a massive castle floating on the water.
"That is the headquarters of the South-North Union."
Roenn pointed to the headquarters of the South-North Union, which was even larger than Zieghart's main building, his cold killing intent rising.
"......"
Glenn met the eyes of Dranos, who stood atop the headquarters' spire, and extended his hand forward.
"Advance."
Following his gesture, Zieghart's warships surged forward rapidly.
"Since we can't win in a frontal confrontation, we'll have to change our strategy."
As Dranos smiled and raised his hand, the river water surged as if to touch the sky, forming a water barrier that protected the headquarters of the South-North Union.
"Gasp!"
"What, what is this!"
"Crazy…."
Zieghart's swordsmen were at a loss for words at the water barrier, which was higher and thicker than Zieghart's own walls.
But the barrier wasn't the only problem. The magic cannons, warship cannons, arrows, and harpoons possessed by the South-North Union gleamed menacingly from atop the walls.
It seemed as if an enormous amount of mana was imbued, causing heat waves to rise around the headquarters.
"If you think you can break through, give it a try."
Dranos taunted, beckoning them with a finger.
"A water barrier…."
"That filthy bastard prepared something like this?"
"This is going to be troublesome."
Sylvia, Karoon, and Rimmer bit their lips as they looked at the high barrier.
Shing.
Without a word, Glenn raised Heavenly Tremor.
Kuwooong!
As he slowly lowered the sword he had raised, the water barrier split open, revealing the headquarters of the South-North Union.
"Huh…."
Even Dranos, not expecting such a situation, widened his eyes in surprise and let out a breath.
"Do not be afraid and advance."
Glenn raised Heavenly Tremor, pointing it at the headquarters of the South-North Union. A murderous intent that erased all reason bloomed in his eyes.
"I will lead the charge."
