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Raon's eyes trembled.
'Sword Control?'
Is it really Sword Control? The worn book Darkan handed him contained information about Sword Control. Not just simple explanations or principles, but detailed instructions and methods for mastering Sword Control.
'That guy....'
Raon looked at Darkan from under the book and let out a sigh.
'Is he in his right mind?'
Although Raon had saved his life, the same could be said for Darkan. If Darkan hadn't stepped forward to block Lust, Raon might have been captured and dragged to the Devildom before even making a plan. No, beyond all that, Darkan kept his promise to Raon despite being able to kill everyone here.
It wouldn't be strange for him to ask for a large compensation, but instead, he handed over such a rare martial arts manual. It made no sense.
"What are you thinking?"
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Darkan.
"Why are you giving me this?"
The question burst out before he could stop it; the situation seemed so absurd.
"Raon?"
"What? What's wrong?"
Runaan and Martha lowered their stances, ready to jump at any moment.
"Did a sword really come out of that book?"
Lawrence also raised his guard, looking worried.
"This book..."
Raon frowned as he pointed at the martial arts manual.
"It contains instructions on how to use Sword Control."
"Eh?"
Zalek turned to look at Darkan with wide eyes.
"Sword Control?"
Burren also took a deep breath, seemingly surprised.
"..."
The Rector looked at Darkan with calm eyes, as if he had expected this to some extent.
"I don't need it anymore."
Darkan waved his hand up and down dismissively.
"You don't need it?"
"That's right. I've memorized the contents of that book so I can recite it without missing a single letter, not even in my dreams."
He smiled slightly and said it was no longer necessary for him.
"Still... hm?"
Raon looked back at the martial arts manual and frowned.
'Wait. This swordsmanship isn't Darkan's Sword Control.'
At first, he was surprised it was a Sword Control manual, but upon closer inspection, the method of use was slightly different from Darkan's Sword Control.
'This is more like...'
The more he read the mantras and methods of use, the more they reminded him, not of Darkan's Sword Control, but of someone else.
'The Sword Control of the Zieghart ancestor!'
The Zieghart ancestor's sword he had seen in his dream a while ago. The image of his Sword Control drawing constellations in the sky to form barriers appeared in his mind.
"Dark."
Raon called out to Darkan after quickly scanning the book.
"Where did you get this book?"
"So there was a connection after all."
Darkan tilted his chin slightly as he looked at Raon.
"I had a hunch when I saw your Sword Control."
He smiled slightly as he looked at the hilt of the Blade of Requiem.
"That my Sword Control and the Sword Control in that manual were intertwined."
A sword made of black aura appeared and disappeared from Darkan's fingertips.
"Of course, the mantras and methods of use are quite rudimentary, but how to say it? The flow is the same? The image it draws is the same?"
He smiled, saying he felt the Sword Control in this manual from Raon's sword.
"Now it's my turn to ask. Where did you see that Sword Control?"
Darkan looked at Raon with eyes full of curiosity. Despite his serious injuries, he couldn't hide his interest in swordsmanship.
"...In a dream."
Raon lowered his gaze and gave an answer that was both true and false. There were many things he himself didn't understand, so that was all he could say for now.
"A dream..."
Darkan nodded softly as he looked Raon in the eyes.
"It's not the look of someone who's lying, but that answer must be true. After all, that book is over a thousand years old."
He laughed and said it would have turned to dust long ago if not for preservation magic.
"A thousand years..."
Raon pressed his lips together as he held the martial arts manual with both hands.
"My assumption when I first arrived here was correct."
When he saw the Zieghart ancestor's back in the cave, he thought there might be a connection to the Holy Sword Alliance. Seeing this manual and the flowers he planted, it seemed that was indeed the case.
"Where did you get this book?"
Raon closed the manual and looked at Darkan.
"Here."
Darkan nodded slightly.
"This place has been passed down from generation to generation in the Holy Sword Alliance from the beginning, maintained but not recorded. However..."
He smiled and licked his lips.
"I had a feeling there was something here, so after becoming the leader of the Holy Sword Alliance, I searched everywhere and was able to find that book.
Darkan nodded as he pointed at the martial arts manual.
"Thanks to it, I was able to learn Sword Control and realize that this world is much vaster than I knew."
He smiled deeply and said it was a great fortuitous encounter.
"But your Sword Control is different from the one in this book."
Raon lightly touched the martial arts manual. Darkan's Sword Control and the ancestor's Sword Control seemed similar, but the color was different. Each had its strengths and weaknesses, but overall, the ancestor's Sword Control seemed superior.
"It's different. The Sword Control in that manual is probably more complete than mine."
Darkan nodded calmly as he spoke of the shortcomings in his own swordsmanship.
"But it's not fun to recreate exactly what the previous generation did."
He smiled and said he wanted to forge his own sword even if it was weaker.
"Haha..."
Raon's eyes widened as he saw Darkan genuinely enjoying himself.
"He really isn't normal."
Usually, people want to learn a complete sword technique, but Darkan wanted to complete his own sword even if his skills were deficient. His way of thinking was fundamentally different from ordinary people.
"But it's a little... no, very strange that the Sword Control from that book appeared in the dream of you, a direct descendant of Zieghart."
Darkan stroked his chin as he examined Raon.
"There might be an even greater connection between Zieghart and the Holy Sword Alliance than we know."
He curved his lips and said it was an interesting matter.
"Zieghart and the Holy Sword Alliance?"
Burren let out a scornful laugh as if it was absurd.
"Nonsense!"
He looked at him fiercely, denying it outright due to his strong pride for Zieghart.
"Ah, I'm just saying it could be possible."
Darkan lowered his hand calmly.
"Anyway, I left the Holy Sword Alliance, so I don't care."
He shook his head and said it was just curiosity.
"Actually..."
Raon let out a sigh as he lifted the book containing Sword Control.
"Are you really going to give me this book?"
"You wouldn't want to make me look like someone who takes back what they've given, would you?"
Darkan tapped his forehead, telling Raon to regain his common sense.
"Mmm..."
A groan escaped him without him realizing. To be honest, Darkan was such an unpredictable person that even after receiving the martial arts manual, Raon felt burdened instead of happy.
"If you don't understand, there's no need to understand."
Darkan smiled at Raon's stiff expression.
"You just need to show me a new realm of swordsmanship that didn't exist in this world, according to our promise."
"I know that."
"If your appearance hadn't changed since I went to find Glenn, I would have killed you first."
He turned his back without even a hint of murderous intent in his words about killing.
"As I promised, I will leave as soon as my condition recovers."
Darkan climbed the mountain, saying he would stay away, so there was no need to worry.
"There's no need to feel burdened."
The Rector shook his head as he grabbed Raon's shoulder.
"He's always been that kind of person. He probably already forgot he gave you the book."
He laughed and said there was no need to judge Darkan by normal standards.
"It seems so."
Raon had thought Darkan had changed a bit, but when you think about it, that man was just a sword maniac who wanted to see, learn, and master superior swordsmanship from the beginning.
"This king shares the same thoughts."
Wrath narrowed his eyes as he watched Darkan's back.
"That guy is a strange madman even in the demon realm. Just a crazy bastard who only thinks about swords."
He nodded, saying he had to acknowledge Darkan's conviction.
"But how do we clean up this place?"
The Demon Sword Lord shook his head as he looked around the devastated Holy Sword Alliance.
"This won't be fixed in a day or two."
The String Sword Lord also sighed, saying it would be exhausting for a while.
"If we all work together, we'll restore it quickly."
Zalek moved some debris from the building on the side of the road and said they should start moving first. He smiled sweetly, as if relieved that no one had died.
"This is what happens when you live together."
Lawrence clicked his tongue lightly.
"If you lived far away like me, this wouldn't happen."
He laughed and said he was the ultimate winner living in a cave.
"Um, that cave..."
Raon pointed his finger towards the cave where Lawrence was.
"Seems like it has a new owner?"
Darkan, who had climbed the mountain, entered Lawrence's cave without hesitation. Judging by his confident stride, it seemed he intended to stay there from the beginning.
"Urg!"
Lawrence grabbed his head after seeing that scene.
"W-why is that crazy bastard in my cave!?"
His jaw trembled as if he couldn't imagine that situation. His expression turned worse than those whose houses had just been destroyed.
"Why do you think? Because everything here is in ruins."
"As expected of the former leader of the Alliance. So wise."
The String Sword Lord and the Demon Sword Lord laughed as they looked at the devastated Holy Sword Alliance.
"Well..."
Raon approached Lawrence, who was shouting, and patted him on the shoulder.
"You should have lived together."
"Shut up!"
* * *
After helping with the restoration of the Holy Sword Alliance for three days, Raon prepared to leave for Zieghart and left the mansion. Rector and the swordsmen he had been training with until now were lined up at the exit of the Holy Sword Alliance, which had been somewhat restored.
"Why are you so late? We were all waiting for you!"
Martha narrowed the bridge of her nose, saying she was tired of waiting.
"You weren't in your room before, where did you go?"
Runaan tilted her head curiously.
"To the mountain."
Raon pointed to the mountain behind them. He wanted to see Darkan one last time, but he couldn't see him anywhere; maybe he had already left.
"I went to look too, but he wasn't there."
The Rector also shook his head, saying he hadn't seen Darkan.
"I see."
It was disappointing that Darkan had disappeared immediately, as Raon had a few more things he wanted to ask him. As expected of the former leader of the Holy Sword Alliance, he seemed to keep his promises as precisely as a sword.
"Then we'll return now."
Raon stood in front of the Rector and the swordsmen of the Holy Sword Alliance with his hands clasped.
"Thank you for accommodating us, even though it must have been troublesome."
He bowed in a sword salute to the swordsmen with sincere gratitude.
"We enjoyed it too!"
"Yes. It's the first time I've met a swordsman who gives a different feeling every time we face each other!"
The Demon Sword Lord and the String Sword Lord laughed, saying they had had more fun.
"Now the best leech I've ever seen in my life is finally leaving."
Lawrence let out a long sigh, saying he could finally feel comfortable.
"Why do you look sad when the leech leaves?"
Zalek tilted his head as he lifted Lawrence's long hair.
"Your eyes are even getting teary."
"W-who's crying!?"
Lawrence shook his head and gritted his teeth.
"I didn't say you were crying, but are you really?"
"It's not like that! I just feel bad for sleeping outdoors for three days!"
He lunged at Zalek as if trying to hide his shame.
"Don't worry. I'll come visit you again."
Raon smiled slightly as he watched the argument between Lawrence and Zalek.
"Don't you dare come! I'll kick you out!"
Lawrence waved his hand to tell Raon not to come as he wiped the moisture from the corners of his eyes. Although he was saying not to come, he looked like a dog wagging its tail to tell its owner to come back soon when they left.
"You've done well."
The Rector grabbed Raon's shoulders, Burren, Martha, Runaan, and Dorian, one by one, revealing a smile tinged with pride.
"If you maintain the passion and effort you've shown here, you'll be able to achieve your goals."
He nodded his head widely, saying he would believe in all of them.
"Yes."
"Thank you!"
Raon and his group bowed with their hands on their chests towards Rector.
"Martha."
Lawrence forcefully suppressed his sobs and revealed that his eyes were shining slightly golden.
"I will keep the oath I made before as long as I live. Don't forget to call me when that day comes."
"Of course. Keep increasing your strength."
Martha raised her fist and said she wouldn't let such good manpower go to waste. She also seemed to have improved a bit thanks to his arrival here, although she seemed depressed before.
"Dorian, remember that just because you can see through the Mind's Eye doesn't mean you can do everything. And contact me if anything happens."
Zalek also gave Dorian some final advice as he handed him a sword he had personally cared for.
"Y-Yes, Master..."
Dorian bowed deeply, sobbing. Although it was a short period, he seemed to have grown quite attached to her, as tears like snowflakes fell from his eyes.
"Then we'll leave now."
Raon turned to the Rector after everyone finished saying goodbye.
"Don't overwork yourself."
The Rector hugged Raon and told him to be careful.
"Yes, you too, Grandpa."
Raon hugged Rector back, smiling softly.
"Me too..."
Runaan, who was staring blankly into space, suddenly came closer and hugged Raon and Rector at the same time.
"Haha..."
"Really..."
Raon and Rector smiled as they looked at Runaan, who had her eyes tightly closed, when a fierce explosive sound came from behind. A sword wrapped in black flames flew from the direction of the mountain.
Raon quickly pulled out the Heavenly Drive and deflected the sword aimed at the back of his head. The sword wrapped in black light didn't fly far, but burst into an intense sword aura right in front of him.
It was Darkan's sword. He had sent a final greeting to Raon from wherever he was. It was a greeting worthy of the former leader of the Holy Sword Alliance.
"Don't worry. I will keep my promise."
Raon nodded slightly as he watched the sword floating in the air. The sword vibrated briefly as if satisfied and then returned to the mountain.
"Damn it! Is he still not gone?"
Lawrence gritted his teeth as he realized he might have to sleep outdoors again.
"Then I'll really leave now."
Raon said goodbye one last time to Rector and everyone else and walked towards the exit of the Holy Sword Alliance. Before entering the dark cave, he looked back one last time. Comparing the Holy Sword Alliance from a thousand years ago to the one now, he clenched his fist. He didn't know what image his ancestor was drawing or what he wanted from Raon.
One thing was for sure: he would only walk the path he himself chose.
"This king desires the path of mint chocolate!"
Suddenly, Wrath intervened and declared he would follow the path of mint chocolate.
"Bring mountains of mint chocolate as soon as we get home!"
'Please, stop!'
Raon pushed Wrath, who was demanding mint chocolate, aside and looked towards the top of the mountain.
'However...'
It seemed he would return to that place someday. Whether for good or bad reasons, he felt he would end up going back there at some point.
"..."
Raon examined the landscape of the Holy Sword Alliance one last time before entering the exit.
* * *
Derus Robert, dressed in a deep black robe, sat on the throne with his legs crossed. He watched the sun shining over the sea like a statue. As time passed and the sun sank, a red-haired man who seemed to have captured the sunset rose from the sea water that was violently bubbling and exploding.
The man with a face so delicate that he could be mistaken for a woman tilted his head upwards, revealing his cold eyes.
"The vessel has become even more solid."
Derus raised the hand that held his chin and clapped, as if satisfied with the man's appearance.
"As expected, that appearance suits you well, Beorn."
He called the feminine-looking man Beorn.
"No, now I should call you by your previous name..."
"That's enough."
Beorn shook his head with dry eyes.
"Only two people can call me by that name."
"Is that so."
Derus shrugged as if he didn't care either way.
"Are you mentally prepared now?"
"Of course."
Beorn nodded as he looked at the violently churning sea.
"I will take that power with my own hands."
-
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