C940
The Staff's Rest, located in the center of the capital of Balkar. The century-old and elegant teahouse was filled with wizards dressed in various robes and ceremonial attire. Instead of elegantly enjoying the aroma of tea as they normally would, the wizards were raising their voices in celebration of the victory in the war, as if they were in a tavern in a back alley.
"I can't believe the Black Tower has really fallen."
A middle-aged wizard in a red robe laughed in disbelief.
"I can't believe it either. Those leeches disappeared all of a sudden..."
The blonde knight sitting across from him nodded.
"If I had known, I should have gone with them no matter what."
He licked his lips, seemingly regretting not participating in the war.
"To be honest, I thought this expedition would fail..."
The middle-aged wizard shook his head as he ran his finger along the edge of his teacup.
"You thought it would fail?"
The blonde knight blinked, as if asking if he was serious.
"Yes. Because I have actually seen the Master of the Black Tower."
The fingers of the middle-aged wizard trembled, causing tea to spill from the cup.
"The danger of the Master of the Black Tower is not just due to his strength. He never reveals his true self. He always hides his power and creates an escape route."
He continued, frowning.
"Lady Chamber said she was confident of victory, but I thought that even just expelling the Black Tower would make this expedition a success."
The middle-aged wizard furrowed his brows deeply, saying that not only he, but other wizards had thought the same.
"Indeed, the Master of the Black Tower often retreated without any loss to himself while only causing us harm."
The blonde knight nodded, as if he understood what he meant.
"If that’s the case, he must have also created escape routes from the Black Tower. There would have been more escape routes than a rabbit hole."
The middle-aged wizard bit his lips, recalling the cunning nature of the Master of the Black Tower.
"That’s why I can believe that the Black Tower has fallen, but I still can’t believe that the Master of the Black Tower is dead."
"Hmm, so is it a lie?"
The blonde knight squinted, lightly tapping the table.
"It could be a well-intentioned lie to turn the tide against the Five Demons..."
"That’s not true at all."
The middle-aged wizard shook his head firmly.
"If it were discovered that the Master of the Black Tower is alive, we would completely lose the trust of the neutral factions. Moreover, Lady Chamber is not someone who would lie about the death of the Master of the Black Tower."
He drank his tea, stating that although he couldn't believe it, the death of the Master of the Black Tower was certain.
"So is it really because of Raon Zieghart?"
The blonde knight leaned forward and lowered his voice.
"Lady Chamber herself admitted it. She said that Raon Zieghart beheaded the Master of the Black Tower. We thought he just finished things, but did he really play an important role?"
He licked his lips, saying it seemed closer to the truth.
"Well, in my opinion..."
"That’s not true!"
Before the middle-aged wizard could respond, the young wizards at a table behind them suddenly stood up, nearly breaking their chairs.
"It’s just Lady Chamber being considerate!"
"Even among Transcendents, there’s a huge difference in power. How could Raon Zieghart interfere in a battle between two absolute beings!"
"The war needs a hero, so they’re just promoting Raon Zieghart."
"It was Lady Chamber who killed the Master of the Black Tower!"
The young wizards expressed their beliefs without hesitation, seemingly completely trusting Chamber.
"Hmm..."
"That seems more logical."
"Even if Raon Zieghart’s martial prowess has increased, it wouldn’t be enough to reach the Master of the Black Tower."
The blonde knight and others in the teahouse nodded, apparently having similar thoughts.
"Well, everyone has different opinions."
The middle-aged wizard smiled slightly as he watched the young wizards.
'They are young.'
No, perhaps 'immature' would be a better word. They couldn't believe that Chamber, whom they respected more than anyone, had fallen and entrusted the final moment to Raon. No, it was clear they did not want to believe it.
Those young wizards did not know Chamber as a person, just as they were young. She was not someone who would tell such lies, even if it meant her death. So he had to tell them.
"Lady Chamber, as the greatest mage on the continent, has a pride that reaches the heavens. She often makes playful jokes, but at such important events, she would never twist the truth, even if it meant her death."
The middle-aged wizard looked around with unwavering eyes.
"The one who beheaded the Master of the Black Tower was definitely Raon Zieghart. If what Lady Chamber said is true, she could not have defeated the Master of the Black Tower alone."
He lowered his chin calmly, as if he could say it just from the rumors he had heard.
"How do you know, senior?"
"You didn’t even see it yourself."
"He probably just interfered in Lady Chamber's fight with the Master of the Black Tower and only intervened at the end!"
"Without Lady Chamber, Raon Zieghart's head would have flown off with a single touch from the Master of the Black Tower!"
The young wizards shook their heads vigorously, as if asking how he could know without seeing it.
"They're not listening..."
"Enough."
As the middle-aged wizard sighed in resignation, a woman in a purple robe stood up from an inner table.
"Who are you... oh?"
The young wizards, who thought their words had been accepted, opened their eyes at the sight of the woman in the purple robe.
"P-Princess?"
"Princess Jayna..."
With Jayna’s appearance, the noisy interior of the teahouse became as silent as a library.
"If you’re so curious, I’ll tell you."
The man in the red robe sitting across from Jayna moved his finger.
"I am the one who was there."
As he removed the hood covering his face, the sharp features of the middle-aged Morel Kazan were revealed.
"N-No way..."
"Lord Morel Kazan?"
The wizards in the teahouse gasped as they looked back and forth between Jayna and Morel Kazan.
"Uh, um..."
"Why are Lord Morel and Princess Jayna here..."
The wizards trembled, unable to put their words together properly.
"I returned early to report instead of Lady Chamber. I was just going to have a bit of tea before heading to the palace, but this is truly unbearable."
The young wizards swallowed hard and stepped back at the cold gaze of Morel Kazan.
"Did you ask if I saw it myself? Yes. I personally witnessed Raon Zieghart decapitating the Master of the Black Tower. Do you say the Master of the Black Tower could not have been caught without Lady Chamber? That is correct. But Lady Chamber could not have killed the Master of the Black Tower without Raon either."
He frowned, stating that Raon was one of the main protagonists of this war.
"I climbed the Black Tower with him. I saw with my own eyes how he killed countless demons and demonized humans, including the Black King and the Demon Thunder, and finally beheaded the Master of the Black Tower."
Jayna nodded, recalling her memory of climbing the Black Tower following Raon.
"I understand your desire to see Lady Chamber more highly. It may seem like Raon has stolen her achievements and fame. But there’s no need to think that way. He is different from us."
She felt strangely renewed defending Raon, whom she had hated so much. It seemed that gratitude and affection had now accumulated more than hatred.
"That's right. Raon Zieghart is of a different caliber. He is a leader of the Five Kings and the Five Demons who currently rule the continent. No, he is a martial artist who will surely ascend to an even higher position than them."
Morel Kazan waved his hand, saying that Raon deserved to be elevated.
"A different caliber..."
"Higher than the leader of the Five Kings and the Five Demons..."
The young wizards swallowed hard, seemingly shocked by the words of Morel and Jayna.
"What proves this is the new epithet that Raon Zieghart has earned. An epithet that only one person can have, without any other modifier."
Morel Kazan curved his lips as he looked at everyone in the teahouse.
"Sword Emperor."
He shivered as if just saying it sent chills down his spine.
"Sword Emperor Raon Zieghart. A name that perfectly fits a swordsman who has dethroned kings and embarked on the path of an emperor himself."
* * *
"Sword Emperor Raon Zieghart."
Chamber smiled as she added the epithet 'Sword Emperor' to his name.
"Sword Emperor...?"
Raon’s eyes widened upon hearing Chamber’s words.
"A-Am I the Sword Emperor?"
He had just awakened, hadn’t even thought about his epithet changing, much less imagined it would be Sword Emperor.
"Originally, they were going to call you Sword King due to your age, but your previous epithet was King Slayer, right? A 'Sword King Slayer' didn’t feel right, so they changed it to Sword Emperor."
Chamber smiled brightly, saying it didn’t seem bad.
"Thinking about it, the rank doesn’t match. How many kings have you toppled? There’s the Axe King you defeated in a death battle, the Holy King who was devoured by demons in Suphren, and now you have even killed the Black King here."
"Hmm..."
"Even the Master of the Black Tower, who controlled the Black King, fell by your hand, so going directly to Sword Emperor is fitting."
He nodded, saying whoever came up with the name had done a good job.
"Well, it’s a bit heavy..."
Raon lowered his eyes. He didn’t mind the other parts, but having the 'emperor' part attached to 'sword' felt too overwhelming.
"There are some strange people who sometimes make up their own epithets, but most epithets are given by the public. Based on a person’s achievements."
Chamber clicked her tongue and bit her lollipop with her lips.
"Among them, there are epithets of the highest rank. Like Sword King, Battle King, or Conqueror King—Sword Emperor is a name that can only be received by those who are at the top."
She raised her finger, saying it was a recognition from everyone.
"In your grandfather's case, he was called the Northern Destroyer or Northern Conqueror for his achievements in the north, but in the end, now he is only known by one name."
Chamber stared at Raon as she spoke.
"Sword God. A being found at the highest point on this continent. No one can reach him except for the Celestial Demon."
She laughed, saying it was a name that sent chills down her spine just to say it.
"So I’m also by the reputation of my grandfather...?"
"No, it has nothing to do with that old man. You earned that name through your own achievements and future potential."
Chamber placed her small hand over her left chest.
"You earned this name by beheading the Master of the Black Tower, so make sure not to lose it."
He nodded, saying he hoped he would continue to show achievements worthy of the name Sword Emperor.
"Hmm..."
Raon rubbed the back of his neck and diverted his gaze.
"Sword Emperor Raon Zieghart? It suits you well."
Burren nodded, saying that as the master of the Light Wind Palace, he should at least have that title.
"Thinking about it, my epithet has also changed. Perhaps because I became a Grand Master, they now call me the Star of Heavenly Rain."
He nodded, pleased with his new epithet.
"Handsome Sword Emperor Raon."
Runaan also gave a thumbs up, seeming to like it.
"The new epithet for Runaan is the Fairy of the Full Moon. They say it means a moon fairy that saves people."
Burren smiled as he explained Runaan's new epithet. It seemed like an epithet earned from always moving in a direction that saved others.
"And you?"
Raon looked at Martha. She had also reached Grand Master, so her epithet should have changed.
"Ugh..."
Martha didn’t respond immediately, instead biting her teeth with her shoulders raised.
"Hm?"
"Miss Raks..."
"Eh? Miss Raks? What kind of title...?"
"I'm still Miss Rakshasa! Damn it! Why am I the only one still called Miss Rakshasa! I've reached Grand Master; they should change it!"
She bit the iron plate where the bandages were placed, saying she couldn’t understand it.
"Well, they say Miss Rakshasa is still the most unique epithet to express your fighting style..."
Burren lowered his eyes slightly, saying that was why her epithet remained the same.
"Miss Rakshasa for life."
Runaan smiled slightly, seemingly pleased that Martha's title hadn’t changed.
"Shut up! Bitch! It’s your fault I’m not Blade of Rakshasa, just Miss Rakshasa!"
Martha shouted and lunged at Runaan, who stuck out her tongue and ran away.
"Sigh..."
Raon shook his head as he watched Runaan and Martha run out of the hospital room.
"I'm sorry. They’re still young..."
"No, that’s the right age for that."
Chamber smiled slightly, as if she had been the same.
"And..."
She lowered her hand and grabbed Rensia's shoulder.
"May I take this girl you saved with me?"
Chamber tilted her head slightly, as if asking if it would be alright.
"What do you mean by take her?"
"It seems Rensia has quite a talent for magic. It might be because she became the core of the barrier I created, but she seems to have considerable talent even before that."
She licked her lips, saying she sensed a talent comparable to her own.
"Really?"
"Yes. It’s a bit late, but unlike martial artists, wizards don’t necessarily have to start at a young age."
Chamber nodded, saying Rensia would likely become an exceptional mage.
"But why are you telling me this?"
Raon tilted his head as he looked at Chamber and Rensia.
"Because you saved this girl, and she needs to obtain your permission first."
Chamber patted Rensia's head, saying she had a good personality unlike someone else. They seemed like friends touching due to their similar heights.
"Ah, I see."
Raon smiled slightly as he looked at Chamber.
'She is really different.'
Someone of Chamber's position could simply take Rensia without anyone being able to refuse. But she first considered the opinions of him and Rensia. As he always felt, she was someone who did not care about things like status.
"Rensia. What do you think?"
Raon made eye contact with Rensia and nodded slightly.
"Well, I..."
Rensia lowered her eyes slightly and licked her lips.
"I want my brothers to be happy."
Even in a situation where her own choice was at stake, she thought of her brothers first.
"You don’t have to worry about that. Your role was significant this time, so I intend to reward you more than that. In terms of money, it would be enough for you and your brothers to live comfortably for the rest of your lives."
"Ah..."
"So now, choose what you want to do."
Raon told her to make a decision thinking only of herself for the first time.
"I..."
Rensia slowly turned her eyes to look at Chamber.
"I want to learn magic!"
She bit her lip, saying she wanted to follow Chamber and strengthen herself by learning magic.
"Then it’s decided."
Raon removed his hand from Rensia's shoulder.
"Please take good care of her."
"Of course. I will take care of her better than my own injuries."
Chamber smiled brightly, as if telling him not to worry.
"You don’t have to go that far."
Raon chuckled and shook his head.
"Thank you. Thank you so much, Lord Raon."
Rensia smiled and cried. It was not the false smile she showed while working as a guide, but tears and a smile flowing from her heart. Perhaps he had fought until the end because he wanted to see this girl's smile, this laughter, after learning her circumstances. All the strength left his body.
- It's not over yet!
Wrath stood up, grinding his teeth.
- This king hasn’t eaten yet!
'Everything is over. Let me sleep a little more...'
- I tell you no!
* * *
Three days later. A small festival was held in Montiro to celebrate the victory in the war against the Black Tower. Thanks to supplies gathered from all over the continent, the festival was much larger and more splendid than the ones typically held in Montiro.
"This is quite nice."
Raon nodded in satisfaction as he popped a skewer of chicken with leeks and chicken meat into his mouth.
- Hmm, not bad, but this king prefers soy sauce over salt.
Wrath waved his round hand, saying he preferred thicker sauces.
'Then should we eat more salty chicken skewers?'
- No, now I have a craving for something else. First...
Just as he was about to choose the next food he wanted to eat, whoosh! Something pale passed by the street stall, and all the food there disappeared, leaving only a single gold coin.
- That bastard!
Wrath's jaw trembled.
- That glutton is eating everything!
He shouted for Raon to quickly save the food.
'Okay, okay.'
Raon chuckled softly as he stood up.
'So what do you want to eat?'
- The beef tripe that’s grilling nicely on that grill...
Just as Wrath was talking about the beef tripe, there was a whoosh, and all the grilled tripe disappeared.
'It seems she took it all.'
- T-Then the wood-fired pizza over there...
As soon as he mentioned the wood-fired pizza, two well-baked pizzas disappeared in an instant. Again, only a single gold coin remained on the counter.
"Oh! The Golden God has come!"
"Here too! Please come here too!"
"Our meat is the most delicious!"
Although it was a festival and the prices were high, paying a gold coin for each item was quite extravagant, so the merchants were delighted despite having all their food disappear at once.
'Hehe...'
Raon chuckled awkwardly and waved his hand.
'It seems Gluttony was very hungry.'
- Ugh, then let's go straight to dessert before everything runs out! To the account ice cream!
Wrath seemed to want to take revenge on Gluttony, as he gave up on food and urged Raon to go straight for dessert.
'Right. There should still be ice cream left.'
Raon nodded and headed toward the account ice cream shop. But it seemed they had arrived too late, as only the owner of the shop remained, cleaning the floor.
"Are you closing already?"
He approached the owner who was about to close the door and asked.
"Ah, before the festival started, a little girl came and said she wanted to buy all the ice cream. I agreed, thinking she would give up halfway, but she really ate it all and left."
The shop owner wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, saying he couldn't believe it even though he saw it with his own eyes.
- T-That bastard...
Wrath shook his head, clutching it.
- That glutton! She ate all the ice cream first and then went to the other places!
He shook his head, saying it was definitely Gluttony's doing.
- W-We’ve been tricked! It’s because we’re too used to the flow of the human world of having dessert after a meal!
Wrath gritted his teeth in frustration.
- Now! Summon me right now! I won’t be satisfied until I kill that glutton!
He waved his fist up and down, saying he couldn’t take it anymore. Raon was also surprised, as he had planned to buy everything Wrath wanted to eat today, but he hadn’t expected this to happen.
'Just be patient for now.'
As Raon was about to move to buy some food, Karoon approached him.
"It seems you've fully recovered."
Karoon also seemed to have fully recovered, wearing his usual neatly pressed uniform as he lowered his eyes.
"Yes, thanks to you."
Raon smiled slightly and nodded. In this war, Karoon had taken charge of the lower battles, allowing him to focus on the fight with the Master of the Black Tower without worries. Though it was their first time fighting together, it felt as comfortable as if they had been working together for a long time.
"I've come to understand what kind of martial artist you are in this war."
Karoon nodded as he looked into Raon's eyes, which were the same color as his own.
"You were the one who best fulfilled the name Zieghart in the war against the Black Tower. Well done."
He turned around after saying these words, which seemed to acknowledge Raon for the first time.
Karoon disappeared into the festival crowd without any lingering attachment, as if he had only wanted to say those words.
"..."
Raon smiled wryly as he watched Karoon's seemingly unburdened back.
'Some people do change.'
Some say people never change, but from what he could see, there were those who changed and those who didn't.
'I should also change more.'
- What do you mean by change! You've been a pesky brat since I first saw you!
Wrath shook his head, saying Raon had never changed.
'Not that, I mean martial prowess. I need to strengthen myself from now on.'
He wanted to face someone of the level of the Five Kings and Five Demons with his own strength next time. He was still far away, but it would surely be possible someday.
- Hmph. You’re still far off!
'I know. But if you look at this, I might get a little closer.'
- What are you looking at! Even if you look a thousand times... Eh?
Raon ignored Wrath's ramblings and called up the message window.
- Wait... Ugh!
As a large number of message windows appeared simultaneously, Wrath, who had been in front of him, was thrown backward as if hit by a carriage.
'Hm?'
Raon opened his eyes as he looked at the end of the messages, not even paying attention to Wrath flying away.
'Does this appear here too?'
-
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