C897
Raon turned his cold eyes to check the rewards for defeating the Demonblade.
[You have achieved a great feat.]
[You have ended an era.]
[All skills increase by 50 points.]
[The rank of the Trait <Demonic Energy Adaptation> increases.]
[The rank of the Trait <Aura of Death Resistance> increases by 2 levels.]
[The rank of the Trait <Askara’s Fighting Spirit> increases.]
All skills increased by 50 points, and three Traits had their ranks enhanced. Among them, <Aura of Death Resistance>, which had been greatly affected, went up two levels in one go.
Although it was improbable, if he faced the Demonblade again, it seemed he could win more easily.
“Look at this! The rewards are excessive for defeating someone who could kill with a single finger!”
Wrath gritted his teeth, complaining that the rewards were too much compared to the Demonblade’s level.
“He’s only weak against you. In this world, he’s one of the… well, maybe not fingertip level?”
Thinking about it, there were only eleven leaders of the Five Kings and the Five Demons, so there didn’t seem to be room for the Demonblade among the fingertips. Even among the Five Divine Orders, there was no one weaker than the current Demonblade, and with other retired figures like the Sword King or the former leader of the Holy Sword Alliance, it seemed they could barely include the Demonblade even if they counted all their toes as well.
“A-anyway, he’s among the top 20 in the entire continent. That’s worth recognizing, right?”
“Top 20? Who counts strong people up to 20?! At most, it’s 10!”
Wrath snorted, insisting that he would at most recognize 10, but no more than that.
“He may be a bug and a weakling to you, but not to me. Don’t you remember saying he could be dangerous at first?”
Raon waved his hand lightly, reminding him that he had said the Demonblade could be dangerous.
“T-that’s…”
Wrath seemed to be at a loss for words for that part, unable to continue his sentence.
“Urgh! Damn it!”
He frowned, seemingly having to admit that he had defeated the Demonblade with his current strength.
“When we get back. No! Even on the way back, you’ll offer me all the dishes I want!”
Wrath shouted, saying he would acknowledge it if Raon brought him the food he wanted even during their return.
“That’s no problem.”
Raon nodded, saying that wouldn’t be difficult.
“You know you’re lucky. If it were any other demon king and not the magnanimous me, they would never have acknowledged it.”
“I don’t think so.”
As Raon was about to shrug, thinking that it wouldn’t be too difficult to roast and boil other demon kings except Greed, the Blade of Requiem began to vibrate strongly, transmitting pure mana to him.
[The Blade of Requiem offers you purified death energy.]
[All skills increase by 25 points.]
[A new Trait <Death Energy Detection> is created.]
The Blade of Requiem, having absorbed all the Demonblade’s death energy and the one remaining in its own body, was now transmitting the purified energy to him.
“Urgh…”
Wrath’s blue eyes trembled, seemingly unable to detect this.
“25 points? It absorbed quite a bit.”
The Blade of Requiem keeps half of the absorbed energy for itself and transmits the other half to him.
Seeing that even half of that increased his skills by 25 points, it seemed that it had absorbed a considerable amount of death energy.
“But what is Death Energy Detection?”
He checked the ability of the newly acquired Trait <Death Energy Detection>. <Death Energy Detection>: Ability to detect subtle death energy that cannot be found by senses or Aura perception.
“Not bad.”
The Demonblade had said that it was because of his death energy that he found the passage to the Black Tower in Montiro. With this Trait, he might be able to discover the passage leading to the Black Tower as well.
“Of course, I probably can’t do it as easily as he did.”
Traits become more powerful as their rank increases. It would be unreasonable to search like the Demonblade with the newly created <Death Energy Detection>, but it was better than not having it at all.
“Argh!”
Wrath shouted, throwing his head back.
“Just when I acknowledge you, something new appears! I can’t take it anymore! Get out right now! Today, we’ll settle this, whether I die or you die!”
He swung his fist in the air as if he wanted to fight the system to the death.
“Hmm…”
Raon took a step back, shrugging his shoulders. When Wrath went into that state, it was better to leave him alone, as he wouldn’t listen to reason for a while.
“Raon.”
As Raon sighed and began to maintain the Heavenly Drive and the Blade of Requiem, Trevin approached him.
“Congratulations. You’ve changed the era.”
Trevin patted him on the shoulder, congratulating him.
“As I said before, saying I changed the era is too grand. It’s not that big of a deal.”
“No, it is.”
Burren shook his head, standing behind Trevin.
“The Five Kings, the Five Demons, and the Five Divine Orders were an impregnable wall. You’re the first to put a crack in that wall.”
He nodded as if to say that Raon should acknowledge it.
“Even before entering Zieghart, I knew the names of the Five Kings, the Five Demons, and the Five Divine Orders. Ah, they weren’t called the Five Divine Orders back then, but I knew the individual names.”
Martha chuckled and wagged her finger.
“You’ve erased a name that everyone, from newborns to dying elders, knew. It’s no exaggeration to say that you’ve changed the era.”
She stomped her foot forcefully, saying that it was the greatest achievement so far.
“Yeah. Cool.”
Runaan gave him a thumbs up, shouting “cool” regardless of the situation.
“Hey! Division Leader! Stop being so modest! Your heart is beating hard too!”
Krein laughed, saying he could see through him.
“No, it’s not.”
Raon hit the back of Krein’s head, shaking his head firmly.
“Ugh…”
Unable to withstand the force in Raon’s hand, Krein’s face hit the ground.
“I knew he’d hit him.”
Dorian clicked his tongue, muttering that Krein deserved it. However, true to his role as the steward, he immediately took out medicine and ice to hand over.
“I’m being sincere. The current Demonblade is weaker than the other Five Divine Orders.”
Raon shook his head calmly, looking at Trevin and the Light Wind division.
“Because his spirit and energy are broken.”
For martial artists who reach the realm of transcendence, the balance of spirit, energy, and body is crucial. It’s meaningless if only the body is strong, or only the spirit is strong, or if there’s only a lot of aura. Only when these three are in proper harmony can one fully exert their martial prowess.
The Demonblade had gained a tremendous amount of death energy that exceeded the level of the Five Divine Orders, but his spirit had crumbled, preventing him from properly handling that power. When Raon had told him that he had become weaker than before, it wasn’t a provocation, but the truth.
“As expected of Raon Zieghart.”
Trevin said that it was a response befitting him and took a step forward.
“I have something to tell you.”
“Please speak.”
“If the Light Wind division is promoted to a palace, I and the Warring Steel Division would like to serve under it.”
He unsheathed his sword and held it upside down.
“To be honest, we initially accepted the Central Martial Palace Master’s proposal with the intention of helping you. But today’s events have changed our minds.”
Trevin held the inverted sword in front of his chest, his eyes burning with fervor.
“Now, I want to support you and the Light Wind division of my own free will. Give us the opportunity to walk by your side.”
He performed the Zieghart sword salute, asking Raon to accept them.
“We also want to be with the Light Wind division!”
The Warring Steel Division swordsmen standing behind Trevin also showed their determination by performing the sword salute.
“Are you sure about this?”
Raon narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Trevin and the Warring Steel Division swordsmen.
“I’m a person with many flaws. You might regret it later.”
As Wrath had said, he still lacked human aspects. Since Trevin and the Warring Steel Division were showing their sincerity, he also wanted to sincerely advise them.
“Family members fill each other’s flaws. I don’t know what you’re lacking, but if there’s anything I can do, I’ll help you in any way I can.”
Trevin smiled slightly, telling him not to worry.
“How can you not accept after I say that?”
“Right. The Warring Steel Division has always been the only martial force that has matched our wavelength.”
“Yeah. All good…”
Martha, Burren, and Runaan also nodded as squadron leaders, indicating that they would accept the Warring Steel Division’s transfer.
“Alright then. To be honest, that’s part of the reason we came all the way here to rescue you.”
Raon nodded, saying that he would accept the Warring Steel Division.
“Thank you. And thank you for rescuing us. This will probably be the last time I talk to you informally.”
Trevin smiled awkwardly, saying that he would probably have to use formal language when they returned to the house.
“You can talk to me like before when we meet in private.”
Raon nodded with a smile. Given their respective positions, they would need to use formal language in official settings, but it didn’t matter in other situations.
“I feel good. More people to suffer with us.”
Burren smiled, looking at the smiling Trevin and the Warring Steel Division.
“Welcome to hell.”
Martha waved her hand, saying they should die together.
“Yeah. No giving up now…”
Runaan also tilted his chin with a cold look.
“Hehehe.”
“Hihihi…”
“I wonder how many will survive?”
Dorian and the other Light Wind division swordsmen also let out unsettling laughs, as if looking forward to what was to come.
“W-why are they acting like that?”
Trevin’s eyes trembled, seemingly bewildered.
“Don’t worry about that. It’s just a welcome greeting. Hehe.”
Even Mark Goetun shook his head with a sinister smile.
“Village Chief.”
Raon approached the village chief of Boardri, leaving the others behind.
“This area will probably be uninhabitable for a while.”
He shook his head, pointing to the prairie and river ruined by the Demonblade’s energy.
“I suppose so…”
The village chief bit his lip deeply, as if he understood well.
“Then, how about coming to Zieghart?”
“Z-Zieghart? But we don’t have any money. Most of our livestock died and we lost our food supplies…”
He lowered his gaze, saying that they couldn’t protect their livestock and food supplies because of the monsters and death energy.
“Zieghart’s territory has expanded quite a bit recently. There are still uninhabited pastures, so we’ll help you establish residences there. We’ll give you a grace period for taxes, so don’t worry.”
“R-really? Why…?”
The village chief stammered, seemingly uncomfortable with the conditions being too good.
“Because a faction’s strength ultimately comes from its people.”
Raon nodded calmly, looking at the village chief and the people of Boardri village standing behind him.
“An organization without people will only wither and die.”
These people hadn’t committed crimes and had fled; they had only stayed here to escape the oppression of the world and the flames of war. If Zieghart protected them with its strength, they in turn would help Zieghart with their own strengths.
As the war with the Five Demons continued, it was right to constantly increase the number of people and strengthen Zieghart’s force.
“Y-you not only saved our lives, but you’re also providing us with a way to live… Thank you. Thank you very much.”
The village chief dropped his staff and knelt down. He bowed his head, sobbing with sincere gratitude.
“Thank you! Our benefactor…”
The other villagers also shouted their thanks and bowed deeply, just like the village chief.
“Seems like we become benefactors wherever we go?”
“Yeah. We just became the benefactors of the dwarves before this.”
Krein and Dorian exchanged small smiles, seemingly feeling satisfied with their mission.
“My heart feels all warm and fuzzy…”
Runaan also nodded, as if he enjoyed helping others.
“Well, we should prepare to return now.”
“We have a lot of people to take care of, so we should move quickly.”
Burren and Martha returned with the Light Wind division swordsmen to give instructions for the preparations for their return.
“Hmm.”
Raon licked his lips, watching the swordsmen prepare for their return.
“We’ve gained a lot this time.”
He had killed the Demonblade, received several rewards for it, and even found a clue about the Black Tower’s location. It was a bigger harvest than usual.
“Grandpa will be happy too.”
As he turned his head, thinking about how Glenn would react…
“Argh! Get out!”
Wrath shouted and began to spray frost into the air.
“Still…”
Raon’s gaze sank colder than the frost clinging to his hand.
“Were you still fighting?”
* * *
Raon returned to Zieghart with the Light Wind division, the Warring Steel Division, and the people of Boardri village. Because there were so many people, using the Dimensional Gate cost a considerable amount, but thanks to the spoils from the dragon’s lair, it didn’t even make a dent in their wealth.
“How do you always come back with more people every time you return?”
External Commander Illiune let out an exasperated sigh.
“Today seems to be the most so far.”
“These are people we’re going to accept into Zieghart.”
Raon tilted his head, saying he intended to accept the people of Boardri village into Zieghart.
“Nomads, huh…? Well, I’m sure you know what you’re doing.”
Illiune nodded, seemingly completely trusting Raon, and opened the main gate of Zieghart.
“Thinking about it, I won’t have many chances to talk to you informally anymore. If you become a Palace Master, you’ll be above even me.”
“You can still treat me like you do now. In fact, you said something similar when I became a Division Leader, but then you went back to talking informally.”
“D-did I say that? Well, should I keep doing what I’ve been doing then?”
Illiune nodded vigorously, as if he had been waiting for those words.
“Please do. Hmm?”
Raon nodded, but then lowered his eyebrows, looking at the ground. There was a strong tremor in the earth, as if an earthquake was happening.
“Ahem, have I detained you too long? Hurry up and go in.”
As soon as the vibrations began to rise from the ground, Illiune quickly waved his hand, telling Raon to go in.
“Yes. Then.”
Raon nodded and passed through the main gate towards the main building. Strangely, as he approached the main building, the tremors shaking the earth began to subside. It was almost as if it was welcoming him.
“There are too many people, so it would be better if only the village chief enters the audience chamber.”
Unable to bring all the villagers of Boardri, Raon brought only the village chief, whose face was turning dark with tension, to the Lord’s Mansion.
“You don’t need to be so nervous. The Head of House is a kind person, unlike the rumors spread throughout the continent.”
Raon told Chaepran not to be afraid of Glenn, then opened the door to the audience chamber.
“Greetings to the Head of House.”
“Greetings to the Head of House!”
As Raon stood in the center of the audience chamber and gave his return greeting, the Light Wind division and the Warring Steel Division knelt behind him. The swordsmen’s postures were all in perfect unison, as if they had already become a single force.
“Rise.”
Glenn stroked his chin, letting out a heavy voice.
“Thank you.”
Raon bowed once more before standing up.
“This time, your report contained nothing more than that you would return soon. Did something happen?”
Glenn raised an eyebrow, seemingly curious about the unusual report.
“There were things that were difficult to convey in writing.”
Raon tilted his head, apologizing for making a personal decision.
“Alright. I can hear it now.”
Glenn leaned forward from his throne, removing his back, as if he was ready to hear anything.
“Then I will report. When the Light Wind division arrived at Boardri village, the prairie and the village were already completely covered in purple death energy. We first rescued the Warring Steel Division and…”
Raon began his explanation, starting with rescuing the Warring Steel Division, while looking up at the dais. Glenn’s lips trembled, his red eyes shining with growing anticipation.
“Hmm…”
Chaepran, the village chief of Boardri, slowly raised his gaze as he listened to Raon’s words. On the dais covered with a red carpet, he saw a man sitting on a golden throne.
Glenn Zieghart, a giant towering at the top of the world, unlike him in his humble position, even though they were of similar age. Raon had said he was kind, but all the rumors Chaepran had heard about Glenn were of a cold-blooded man, so his heart was sinking with tension.
“He said he was kind, but his eyes are so scary… Huh?”
As he swallowed dry saliva and looked at Glenn, strangely, his trembling lips and eyes seemed familiar.
“That’s like…”
The expression I make when I look at my grandson? Whenever Raon spoke about his exploits and those of the Light Wind division, Glenn’s lips would tremble and his earlobes would flush. That appearance was identical to his own expression when his grandson showed talent in agriculture and livestock.
“I see.”
In the end, are all people the same? Chaepran nodded with a faint smile. Realizing what kind of person Glenn was, his chest, which felt like it was about to burst, slowly began to calm down. (E/N: This man is a genius. He needs to be kept close. He instantly discovered what most of Zieghart still doesn’t know even though 897 chapters have passed.)
“…When I cut through that death energy and split the rock, what appeared was Demonblade Dreg, the leader of the Dark Black Lotus.”
Raon paused briefly when mentioning that he had encountered the Demonblade.
“The Demonblade?”
Glenn’s hand crumpled the golden armrest of the throne as if it were paper.
“Yes. He had become a monster of death energy that surpassed the level of the Five Divine Orders through the Black Tower’s magic and attacked us.”
“The Demonblade enhanced by death energy…”
“T-then what happened next? What happened?”
For the first time, Void Sword Division Leader Serena and Vanguard Sword Squad Leader Latein, who normally only listened, opened their mouths. The two sent heated glances, as if urging him to continue. (E/N: TODO - find out who Latein is and check for consistency.)
“Someone must have helped. No matter how much my nephew has reached transcendence, defeating the Demonblade is unreasonable.”
Balder licked his lips, as if curious to know who had helped.
“The Demonblade…”
Raon swept his gaze across the silent audience chamber before looking forward and slowly opening his lips.
“I killed him.”
As soon as those words ended, a thunderous sound of something collapsing came from the dais. Looking up, he saw Glenn’s face contorted with a smile of astonishment, and behind him, the golden throne with its broken legs flying through the air.
-
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