C963
"A way to shorten the time, even if it’s just a little..."
Martha looked at Denier and swallowed.
"Can we really reduce the time it takes to reach the wall of transcendence?"
Having recently achieved Grandmaster status, she thought it would take at least 10 years to reach the wall of transcendence, no matter how fast she progressed.
Assuming she could achieve transcendence, 10 years was an incredibly short time, but when she thought about her mother suffering under the Leader of the White Blood Religion, even a year felt like an eternity.
Despite feeling frustrated and gloomy, she couldn’t show it. When she heard Denier’s words about being able to shorten that time, her heart started racing as if it was going to explode.
"It depends on you, but the possibility is high."
Denier nodded, saying Martha could definitely do it.
"Hmm..."
The wall Martha was leaning against crumbled. She had applied too much force with her fingertips, causing the bricks to break.
"That doesn’t mean you will immediately reach the wall of transcendence, though."
Denier shook his head as he cleaned up the broken bricks himself.
"It will only shorten the time slightly."
"What’s the method?"
Martha clenched her fist, which was covered in brick dust.
"Will I learn new martial arts? Or will I undergo special training?"
She immediately asked about the method, confident that she could endure any kind of training.
"Both are necessary. But the focus isn’t on training or martial arts."
Denier slowly shook his head.
"It’s an elixir."
As he said "elixir," he pulled out a black wooden box from his chest.
"An elixir?"
"To be precise, it’s more of a poison than an elixir."
"P-poison?"
Martha’s eyes widened as she looked at the black wooden box.
"There’s no need to be afraid. Would I do anything to harm you?"
Denier gestured slightly with his hand as if to calm her down.
"Of course not. I was just surprised when you said poison."
Martha nodded with a slight smile.
‘If I can’t trust Father, who can I trust?’
Denier had adopted her as his daughter despite the opposition of the entire Zieghart family, and he cherished her as his own daughter. If he had wanted to kill her or use her, he could have done so a long time ago, which made him one of the most trustworthy people along with Raon.
‘Besides, if he really intended to poison me, he wouldn’t have called it poison.’
The fact that he openly called it poison made it clear that he had no intention of deceiving her.
"But why poison..."
Martha looked at Denier with eyes full of trust.
"The Dreamshade Elixir in this box is made from a poisonous herb called dreamshade. It has the effect of putting a person in a state of suspended animation."
Denier raised one finger and drew a cloud-like shape.
"Suspended animation?"
"Yes. But it’s not just simple suspended animation. It’s the state of extreme focus we call enlightenment. You can enter the deepest part of the mental world."
He nodded gravely, saying that the moment one takes the Dreamshade Elixir, they can immediately enter the deepest part of the mental world.
"In a way, the effect is similar to the Hall of Self. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a small Hall of Self."
Denier clenched his fist, saying that the moment one takes the Dreamshade Elixir, they can enter the mental world and achieve faster growth than anyone else.
"I didn’t know such an elixir existed..."
Martha let out a gasp of surprise.
"I obtained it by chance during this recent mission. The dreamshade plant is now extinct and forgotten, but its effects are certain."
He stroked the black wooden box, saying it was an elixir that couldn’t be obtained even for ten million gold coins.
"Dreamshade Elixir..."
Martha’s fingers trembled as she looked at the black wooden box.
‘This is completely unfair.’
The mental world isn’t a place one can enter at will. It was astonishing that one could forcibly enter this mental realm, which can only be accessed through extreme concentration and enlightenment. And entering its deepest part, no less.
‘If this is true…’
She might be able to save a few years. If Denier’s words were true, she could reduce her training period by at least a year. Sweat unconsciously formed on her hands. While this was something she should accept without question, there were some things to consider.
"If it’s a poison, it must have side effects, right?"
Martha slightly bit her lip as she looked at the Dreamshade Elixir box in Denier’s hand.
"Yes. There are side effects of not waking up from the suspended state or losing memory."
Denier calmly explained the side effects of the Dreamshade Elixir.
"Not waking up, or memory loss..."
Martha frowned deeply.
‘Should I say it’s not as bad as I thought?’
Given how potent the Dreamshade Elixir seemed, she had thought the side effects could be fatal, but memory loss was something she could potentially accept depending on the extent.
"Of course, there’s a solution. Both side effects occur due to entering too deep into the mental world, so we just need to wake you up before that happens."
Denier shook his head as he lightly tapped the wooden box.
"If you take the Dreamshade Elixir, I will be on guard and take care of you, so there’s no need to worry."
He revealed eyes full of sincerity, saying he could handle everything himself.
"Hmm..."
Martha shook her head again as she looked at the box.
"How long will I sleep if I take this?"
"To see effects, you need to be in a suspended state for at least two months, and the limit without side effects is about half a year."
Denier spread his fingers, saying that according to previous records, everyone who exceeded six months experienced side effects.
"Two months to half a year..."
Martha raised her trembling hand towards the box but stopped.
"I appreciate your consideration, but I don’t think it’s possible right now."
"What’s the reason?"
"Right now is the most crucial time to establish the structure of the Light Wind Palace. As a squad leader, I can’t be absent."
While it was true that her mother was the most important thing to her, Raon and her comrades in the Light Wind division were almost equally precious. She couldn’t let everyone waste such an important time because of her. Even if she took the Dreamshade Elixir, it would have to be after the Light Wind Palace structure was fully established.
"If that’s the case, it can’t be helped."
Denier smiled and put the box back in his chest, as if telling her to let him know when she was ready.
"Thank you. Really..."
Martha bowed her head, slightly biting her lip.
"That’s not something a family should say to each other."
Denier patted Martha’s head and shook his chin.
"And don’t tell anyone about the Dreamshade Elixir. The fewer people who know about treasures, the better."
"Of course. I won’t tell anyone."
Martha raised her hand, saying not to worry.
"Oh, but why don’t you take the Dreamshade Elixir yourself, Father? Why give it to me...?"
"I don’t particularly need it. I wanted you to take it."
Denier closed his eyes, as if it was unnecessary for him.
"You don’t need it?"
"That’s right. I’m already at the wall of transcendence. Taking a Dreamshade Elixir won’t be enough to cross that high wall."
He smiled lightly, saying he wanted to give it to her because she could benefit from it more.
"The wall of transcendence...?"
Martha took a step closer to Denier.
"So, Father, did you enter the Hall of Self when you reached the Grandmaster wall?"
"No. I didn’t enter the Hall of Self."
Denier shook his head, saying he had never entered the Hall of Self.
"What? Why didn’t you enter? If you’re at the wall of transcendence, you could enter the Hall of Self and cross the wall like the Master of the Central Martial Palace!"
She was curious to know why Denier hadn’t entered the Hall of Self despite being at the wall of transcendence.
"I thought it wasn’t the time yet. Unlike my brother, I haven’t been at the wall of transcendence for long."
Denier turned his wrist, saying he needed to accumulate more training.
"That common sense doesn’t always apply! That kid Raon came out stronger than those who were at the wall, even though he hadn’t reached it himself! The Head of House and the Master of the Central Martial Palace..."
Martha repeated the words of Karoon and Glenn, who had evaluated Raon’s martial prowess.
"Enter the Hall of Self as soon as it opens! Your achievements are more than enough!"
She took Denier’s hand, insisting that he could definitely do it.
"If you also become a Transcendent, Zieghart will have five Transcendants!"
"It would still be four." (E/N: He’s not even hiding it at this point...)
"Huh? Aren’t there five?"
Martha slightly narrowed her eyes.
"The Head of House, Alice, the Master of the Central Martial Palace, Raon, and you, Father. There are five, right?"
She tilted her head, finding it strange.
"...Yes, you’re right."
Denier lightly patted Martha’s head, saying he had made a mistake.
"Come on, that’s not funny."
Martha chuckled, saying she was surprised.
"Anyway, make sure you enter! You promise!"
She extended her pinky finger, asking him to make a promise.
"Alright. I understand."
Denier smiled lightly and linked his pinky finger with Martha’s.
"Then I’ll see you at dinner later. I need to prepare some things for the Light Wind kids."
Martha went to her room first, saying she had some preparations to make for the Light Wind division.
"..."
After watching Martha enter her room, Denier entered the study on the second floor.
With a dull thud, he placed the black wooden box on the desk and carefully opened the lid. The inside of the Dreamshade Elixir box that he intended to give to Martha was completely empty.
"Five, huh..."
Denier closed the empty box, with a lonely smile like a dry leaf.
* * *
The fifth training ground of Zieghart.
Usually a quiet place away from the main building, it was now rumbling from morning to night due to the construction of the Light Wind Palace.
Raon entered the fifth training ground, feeling the pleasant vibrations.
The swordswomen of the Light Wind division were standing in front of the platform in their black uniforms, waiting for him. The sharp energy emanating from the tips of their fingers seemed to cause a pricking pain on his skin.
‘They’re starting to look experienced now.’
Martial prowess can’t be judged only by age.
-Of course! This king raised them, didn’t he?
Wrath nodded, saying this level was basic for his subordinates.
‘Maybe so.’
Although the swordswomen of the Light Wind division were young, they had gained enough martial prowess and experience to be considered high-level martial artists due to their numerous real battles and training. Remembering their childhood one by one filled his chest with a strange sense of pride. Raon stepped onto the platform, revealing his admiration for the Light Wind division.
"Greetings to the Master of the Palace!"
"Greetings to the Master of the Palace!"
At the shout of Burren, who was standing at the front, all the swordswomen of the Light Wind division bowed.
"Everyone, rise."
Normally, he would have raised his hand and asked what kind of greeting this was, but today was an important event for the Light Wind division, so he accepted his subordinates’ greetings by raising his hand.
"Did everyone rest well while I was gone?"
Raon curved his lips as he made eye contact with the swordswomen of the Light Wind division.
"How could we rest when the Master of the Palace went into training? We all just trained."
Martha vigorously shook her head, saying they spent their vacation training.
"I felt like I had many deficiencies, so I just swung my sword at home."
Burren also wrinkled the bridge of his nose, saying he had perfected his swordsmanship like Martha.
"I slept. Deeply..."
Runaan yawned long, saying she had spent a happy time without leaving her bed.
"I diligently replenished our supplies! We shouldn’t be lacking anything now!"
Dorian smiled, saying he could produce anything. Judging by his illuminated face, it seemed he had really accumulated supplies to his liking.
"Then tell him to bring bead ice cream right now!"
Wrath waved his chubby hand, saying they should try it.
"I followed this guy... I thought I was going to die..."
Krein sobbed, saying it was more tiring than going shopping with his mother and father.
"What about you, Master of the Palace? There are rumors saying you’ve obviously become stronger."
Trevin licked his lips, curious about how much stronger Raon had become.
"It’s getting noisy now that you’re here. Damn Light Wind..."
The Game Monster, who was sitting on the platform, raised his hand. He seemed to be asking for silence, saying he had a headache from the alcohol he drank yesterday.
"Jo, jo."
Unlike the Game Monster, Mark Goetun let out a chuckle, seeming to enjoy the noisy atmosphere of the Light Wind division.
"Hurry up and organize the system. It’s driving me crazy."
The Game Monster drank some water, telling them to quickly establish the organization and system of the Light Wind division.
"Understood."
Raon nodded to the Game Monster and stood at the edge of the platform.
"I will now announce the organizational structure and system of the Light Wind Palace. There were many conversations about the name ‘Light Wind Palace,’ but I intend to keep it as it is."
While he could accept opposing opinions on other matters, he wanted to keep the name "Light Wind" to remember Rimmer.
"Yes!"
The swordswomen of the Light Wind division nodded without any objection, seemingly without complaint.
"First, the Warring Steel Division will become the first division of the Light Wind Palace, keeping its name. Of course, the Division Leader will remain the same."
Raon decided to make the Warring Steel Division the first battalion of the Light Wind Palace, considering their martial prowess, experience, and achievements.
"We accept the order."
"We accept the order!"
At the shout of Trevin, the swordswomen of the Warring Steel Division behind him simultaneously knelt and bowed their heads.
"The Light Wind division will form units following their squad leaders due to the lack of swordswomen."
Raon nodded calmly as he looked at Burren, Martha, and Runaan.
"Units, huh?"
"Well, there aren’t enough numbers to be Division Leaders."
"I’m fine with anything."
Martha, Burren, and Runaan curved their lips, satisfied with becoming Unit Leaders instead of Squad Leaders.
"The names of the units are based on the Unit Leaders’ nicknames. The unit that Runaan will lead is called the Full Moon Unit, based on her nickname ‘Full Moon Fairy,’ and..."
Raon twisted the tip of his fingers as he looked at Martha, whose face was turning bright red.
"The unit that Martha will lead is called the Rakshasa Unit, based on her nickname ‘Miss Rakshasa’..."
"Hey, bastard!"
Martha violently stomped and jumped onto the platform.
"Rakshasa Unit? You want me to show you what a real rakshasa is like? Huh?"
"C-calm down! This is an official event right now!"
Burren took Martha’s shoulders as she was about to pounce on Raon.
"Yes. I like the name..."
Runaan murmured with a slight smile, saying it was an enviable name. Looking at her now, this girl was also quite mischievous.
"This damn ice woman’s unit is called Full Moon, and we’re Rakshasa? You damn fools!"
Martha shouted that she absolutely couldn’t accept this.
"Well, that’s how it is. I plan to supplement the numbers through the next selection ceremony. I want to promote the units to divisions."
Raon nodded, saying he wanted to promote both the Full Moon Unit and the Rakshasa Unit to divisions.
"Sounds good."
"I agree..."
Burren and Runaan nodded, seeming to like the idea.
"I object! No one will come with a name like Rakshasa Unit!"
Martha shouted that it was absolutely unacceptable.
"It’s great, isn’t it? I’d even like to change the Light Wind Palace to Rakshasa Palace if I didn’t have an attachment to the name ‘Light Wind.’"
Raon licked his lips, saying he would have changed it immediately if he didn’t have lingering feelings for the name "Light Wind".
"Well, it’s not bad. It sounds strong."
Krein nodded in agreement.
"It would be nice if we also changed the emblem to look like a ghost."
Burren chuckled as he drew the shape of a ghost with his finger.
"I totally agree!"
Runaan raised her hand, unusually high.
"You’re all crazy..."
Martha lowered her head, already seeming exhausted.
"Well, let’s stop joking around here."
Raon raised his hand as he looked at everyone.
"Huh? Oh..."
Martha looked at Raon with eyes full of expectation.
"Next is Sir Mark Goetun."
However, Raon betrayed her expectations and called Mark Goetun’s name.
"Sir Mark Goetun said he prefers to work with fewer people, so please assume the role of guardian of the Light Wind Palace."
He chose Mark Goetun as the guardian of the Light Wind Palace, accepting his opinion that he preferred to fight alone rather than lead a group.
"It’s an honor! I will protect the Master of the Palace with my life!"
Mark Goetun knelt, saying he would become the Master of the Palace’s shadow as a guardian.
"I will assign Dorian and Krein under your command."
Dorian and Krein are the strongest swordswomen in the Light Wind division after Trevin and the three Unit Leaders. Each has their specialties, so moving with Mark Goetun will be a great help.
"Huh?"
Burren’s eyes widened the moment Mark Goetun became the guardian. He seemed surprised that the organizational structure was different from what he had expected.
"And..."
Raon smiled lightly as he looked at the surprised Burren.
"I appointed Burren Zieghart as the Vice Master of the Palace of the Light Wind Palace."
He put Burren’s name in the position of Vice Master of the Palace without any hesitation.
"H-how could I..."
Burren’s jaw trembled, seeming to have thought that Mark Goetun would become the Vice Master of the Palace.
"Burren. You’re the only one who can control and nurture these troublesome Light Wind members in my place."
Raon stepped down from the platform. He patted Burren on the shoulder, saying he trusted him.
"Ugh..."
Burren closed his eyes tightly as if he was moved, then opened them and knelt, bowing deeply.
"I will repay that trust even if it costs me my life!"
He shouted not that he was grateful, but that he would answer the trust. Raon liked that answer even more.
"The members of the Light Wind squad three, which Burren was in charge of, will be divided equally between the Full Moon Unit and the Rakshasa Unit."
Raon lowered his hand after finishing the assignment of the remaining personnel.
"Now that we have completed the basic organizational structure, should we create the system?"
"Huh?"
"Isn’t everything finished?"
"Aren’t the organizational structure and the system the same thing?"
The swordswomen opened their eyes wide, as if they didn’t understand what he meant.
"Training."
Raon nodded lightly with a thin smile.
"The system for swordswomen is ultimately about martial prowess. I have prepared a very special training to improve your martial prowess."
He twisted his wrist, saying it would be different from the training they have had so far.
"Oh! The Master of the Palace’s training?"
"I’m looking forward to it."
"Training prepared by a Transcendent himself, it will surely be extraordinary."
The swordswomen of the Warring Steel Division nodded, smiling with anticipation.
"Oh, here it comes..."
"I should have taken a sick leave..."
"Damn it! I didn’t know we would start training right away."
In contrast, those from the Light Wind division trembled with pale faces, as if they were facing hell.
"Everyone, move to the entrance of North Grave Mountain."
"W-we’re going..."
Burren, as befits his role as Vice Master of the Palace, guided the struggling swordswomen towards North Grave Mountain.
"Hmm..."
The Game Monster slowly got up and shook his head.
"Now that the Light Wind division has become the Light Wind Palace, I guess I’m not needed anymore."
He shook his head, saying it had been difficult so far.
"It’s going to be even harder from now on, but thank you for your hard work..."
"Where are you going?"
Raon shook his head, asking why he was leaving.
"Didn’t I say? Now that the Light Wind division has become the Light Wind Palace, I no longer have..."
"Head Manager, it seems you have a big misunderstanding."
He gestured with his hand with a smile.
"W-what do you mean...?"
The Game Monster swallowed, seemingly nervous about Raon’s relaxed attitude.
"Head Manager, you’re not the Head Manager of the Light Wind division, but of the annex building, isn’t that right? Have you forgotten after all this time?"
Raon shrugged, telling him to remember it well.
"Huh? Oh, my god!"
The Game Monster’s jaw dropped as if memories of the past were coming back.
"In other words, even if you want to escape, you can’t."
Raon shook his head, telling him not to worry.
"W-wait! Then how long do I have to stay here?"
"For life."
He shook his head, saying there was absolutely no escape.
"And Head Manager, you should also go to North Grave Mountain. It would be good for you to train together from now on. To avoid distractions."
Raon shook his head, saying that now even the Head Manager couldn’t escape.
"Damn it!"
The Game Monster grabbed his head, regretting ruining everything by talking.
-To even constrain an old man like that...
Wrath’s jaw trembled as he watched Raon laughing and the Game Monster lamenting.
-Truly a ruthless guy.
‘If I can enslave a demon king, isn’t an old man okay?’
Raon raised his hand, asking why he was so surprised.
-Enslave a demon king? Who...?
As Wrath tilted his head, Raon pointed his finger at him.
-This king? This king is... Ah!
Wrath finally realized that he was also in a similar situation to Raon’s own slave and shouted.
"Aaagh!"
-Uwaagh!
"Well, are we going?"
Raon climbed North Grave Mountain, listening to the harmony of human and demonic screams.
"As long as they don’t die, it should be fine."
Should we start with climbing the infernal fire mountain?
-
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