C1016
"Could you guide us to where the Thespian Emperor and the Queen of the Swords are?"
Raon said that the sightseeing could wait, looking at Mekein with eyes that emanated cold energy.
"Umm..."
Mekein swallowed, feeling not only Raon's icy aura but also that of the Light Wind Palace swordsmen emerging from the dimensional gate.
"Umm, understood. We'll leave as soon as all the members of the Light Wind Palace arrive."
He bowed his head, saying he would guide them to the Thespian Emperor as soon as the swordsmen came out.
"Thank you."
Raon let out a small sigh of admiration as he watched Mekein reveal a calm look while hiding his nervous appearance.
"As I thought before, the Thespian Emperor certainly knows how to choose her people."
Although not hostile, Mekein wasn't an ordinary man, showing composure even in the face of such an openly cold atmosphere.
"Everyone has arrived."
Burren approached Raon to report after personally confirming the number of Light Wind Palace swordsmen.
"Since everyone's out, let's leave now."
Raon nodded to Mekein, who was waiting by the door.
"Then I'll open the door."
Mekein took a deep breath, bracing himself for the icy aura of the Light Wind Palace swordsmen, and opened the door of the magic tower. The bright sunlight poured in, revealing sophisticated houses and buildings. Although it wasn't late morning yet, people were moving busily, following their own schedules.
"This way, please."
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Mekein began to walk towards the Thespian Emperor's castle without explaining about Barene.
"Let's go."
Raon gestured for the Light Wind Division to follow him and walked behind Mekein.
"Even at first glance, it's changed a lot."
More than half of Barene had collapsed during the previous attack by the Five Demons. The streets were carefully paved, probably because most of the buildings had been rebuilt.
"As you already know, Master of the Light Wind Palace..."
Mekein began to speak slowly, seemingly having noticed Raon's gaze.
"Due to the attack of the Dark Night Sword God and other Five Demons, not only Barene's walls but the entire city was destroyed."
He let out a heavy sigh, saying it had been a desperate situation.
"After that attack, the residents were gripped by fear and tried to flee the city. However, seeing the Thespian Emperor release funds and personally lead the reconstruction efforts, not a single person left this land."
Mekein smiled softly, saying that afterwards, the relationship between the Thespian Emperor and the residents became even stronger.
"It certainly looks better than when I came before."
Raon nodded. As Mekein said, the city seemed to be full of vitality and warmth, perhaps because they had overcome such a difficult time.
"You're right. Before, the city itself was sophisticated, but it didn't seem like people lived here. Now it's full of energy."
Martha licked her lips, seeming to understand what he meant.
"Yeah. The air feels warm..."
Runaan blinked with his dull eyes, saying it felt good too.
"It feels like the inside has changed more than the outside. There seems to be a sense of closeness."
Burren smiled softly as he observed the bustling marketplace.
"I'm glad you see it that way."
Mekein's steps seemed to lighten as he walked up the hill, pleased by the praise for Barene's atmosphere.
"Actually, the castle where the Thespian Emperor stays was also rebuilt. It's over there."
He pointed to a mansion built in the center of the city, saying a new building was erected because the castle had collapsed.
"It's smaller than I expected."
Martha tilted her head, looking at the Thespian Emperor's castle, which was only slightly larger than an annex building.
"Yeah. I think the building we saw before was even larger than the Lord's Mansion."
Burren scratched his chin, indicating he had similar thoughts.
"When rebuilding the city, priority was given to the residents' homes and livelihoods, so this was the best we could do with the limited manpower and funds."
Mekein smiled bitterly, saying that the Thespian Emperor's castle was made smaller because she took care of the residents first.
"The Thespian Emperor didn't seem like that kind of person... ouch!"
Krein quickly closed his mouth after receiving a look from Mekein.
"It may seem that way."
Mekein chuckled lightly, as if to say it was understandable.
"Krein..."
"Don't talk without thinking. This isn't Zieghart."
Burren and Martha looked at Krein with icy eyes.
"S-sorry."
Krein bowed his head deeply to Mekein, saying he was ashamed.
"It's alright. People's perspectives can vary."
Mekein waved his hand, telling him not to worry about it.
"Honestly..."
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at the Thespian Emperor's living space, which seemed more like a mansion than a castle.
"Krein's words aren't wrong."
The Thespian Emperor he had personally seen and felt was a clever opportunist. The fact that she built a smaller house, supposedly thinking of the residents first, made him think she was more concerned about people's eyes and rumors than actual consideration.
-Even if it was for the eyes and mouths of others, isn't it still a good thing in the end?
Wrath rolled his blue eyes as if he found it strange.
"You're right. It's a good thing."
As Wrath said, it was good for the residents regardless of how it happened, so Raon nodded with a small smile.
"Then I'll be back shortly."
Mekein asked them to wait a moment before entering the Thespian Emperor's mansion.
"Is the Thespian Emperor on the second floor?"
A massive soul presence that could envelop the entire city and more emanated from inside the mansion. Perhaps because she had grown stronger, the Thespian Emperor's martial prowess felt powerful enough to shake his core.
"Being so strong even without revealing her aura."
She certainly deserves to be a representative of the Five Divine Orders. Raon turned to the Light Wind Palace swordsmen with a thin smile.
"Not everyone can enter the conference room, so the Warring Steel Leader will stay behind to manage the swordsmen."
He entrusted the swordsmen to Trevin, who had more experience leading subordinates.
"Understood."
Trevin smiled cheerfully and thumped his chest with his fist, as if to say to trust him.
"Light Wind Division, remember what I said and maintain the attitude befitting a Zieghart swordsman."
As soon as he finished talking about maintaining their attitude, the swordsmen's aura, which had relaxed in Barene's warm atmosphere, became even colder than before.
"Understood!"
The Light Wind Palace swordsmen nodded and thumped their chests with their fists like Trevin, as if to say they wouldn't disappoint.
"We must escort the Master of the Palace, so be even more mindful of your behavior."
Burren frowned at Martha and Runaan, begging them to be careful.
"You be careful."
Martha moved her chin towards Runaan.
"Not me, Miss Rakshasa...?"
Runaan shook his head, saying the arrow was misdirected.
"I mean you!"
"You're Miss Rakshasa, not me..."
The two gnashed their teeth as they pinched their cheeks with their fingers.
"Both of you!"
Burren yelled at them to stop, separating Martha and Runaan.
"Hmph!"
Martha snorted and closed her eyes. However, she didn't continue to get angry and instead began to cultivate her aura right there.
"She really seems determined to personally defeat the Leader of the White Blood Religion."
As Raon smiled softly at Martha, who was trying to train even in her free time, Mekein came out of the mansion with a furrow in his forehead.
"Is there a problem?"
Raon lowered his eyebrows as he looked at Mekein, who had come out alone.
"The original appointment was at noon, so the Queen of the Swords hasn't arrived yet. The Thespian Emperor is in the middle of work, but she said she would receive you immediately if the Master of the Palace wishes."
Mekein bowed his head as if asking what they wanted to do.
"For now, it would be better to see the Thespian Emperor first..."
"No. I think it would be better to see both of them together."
Raon shook his head, saying he would see them both together in the conference room.
"Whether this is a ploy or not, there's no need to give them time to think by meeting separately."
The Thespian Emperor could read the atmosphere simply by seeing him. It seemed better to see both of them at once so he could reach a conclusion immediately.
"I apologize."
"There's no reason for you to apologize, Mekein. If anything, we're the ones who arrived early."
"T-then I'll guide you to the reception room for now."
Mekein entered a small building to the right of the mansion. Perhaps because it was where guests waited, it looked more splendid than the mansion.
"I'll bring some tea."
He said he would be back soon and dashed outside.
"We have plenty of time until noon."
The preparation and movement through the dimensional gate had gone much faster than expected, leaving them with extra time.
"Should I read a book in the meantime?"
He pulled out an old book from his subdimensional space bag. It was a book that Glenn had personally brought to the annex building. He hadn't had time to read it due to aura cultivation and wound recovery, but it seemed like a good idea to take a look now.
"I wonder what kind of martial arts manual it is... Hm?"
Isn't this a martial arts manual?
[Nurturing the soul is like raising a young tree. If nurtured with a healthy mind, the deep and thick roots will spread, unshakeable, but if raised with a sick mind, the roots will spread shallow and narrow, breaking even with small rains and winds.]
Looking at the contents of the book, it wasn't a martial arts manual, but rather described methods for controlling the mind and spirit.
[The soul is like water in a vessel. Usually calm and undisturbed, but when impacted from outside, it surges as if to escape the vessel. One must always be able to handle their soul calmly in order to reach higher realms.]
Raon read the contents that seemed like a pseudo-bible and flipped to the last page.
[One year is soon ten years, ten years come together to make a hundred years, and a hundred years flow to become a thousand years. However, ten thousand years cannot be reached in this way. It is a time and realm that human minds cannot handle. It can only manifest through mental imagery and the soul.]
He narrowed his eyes as he looked at the last page.
"This is..."
Something is different. Unlike the sentences he had read so far, it seemed there was more than just soul-related content.
"How should I say it...?"
It feels like I should understand, but I can't.
"Let's keep reading."
Raon immersed himself deeply in the last page of the book, forgetting even that Mekein had placed tea on the table.
***
Knock knock. As Raon engraved the contents of the last page in his mind after reading it countless times, the door opened with a knock.
"The Queen of the Swords has arrived. Would you like to go now?"
Mekein bowed his head, saying that the conference preparations were complete.
"Yes. Let's go."
Raon got up, storing the book in his subdimensional space bag.
"The conference room is behind the mansion. This way, please."
Following Mekein, who began to carefully guide them, they walked towards the back of the mansion. Zaz. Burren, Martha, Runaan, and Mark Goetun moved like shadows, silently following behind him.
"That's the Five Divine Orders' conference room."
Mekein nodded slightly, pointing to a conference room that exuded the dignity of an ancient cathedral.
"This conference room was built as large and grand as possible, considering the reputation of the other members of the Five Divine Orders."
Mekein nodded, saying this was the only thing they couldn't compromise on.
"I agree that it's the right approach."
Raon nodded and examined the conference room.
"It looks splendid and solid."
It wasn't just about the appearance. The conference room seemed to exude firmness as if it vowed never to collapse again.
"Whew."
Mekein composed himself and then personally opened the door to the conference room. With a resounding sound, the massive door swung open, revealing the interior.
In the center of the conference room was a snow-white round table, and at its ends sat two incredibly beautiful women in different postures.
The Thespian Emperor in the center emanated a mysterious atmosphere as if she could wash away all the impurities of this world, while the Queen of the Swords on the right exuded a sharp presence as if a sword had taken human form.
"They have arrived."
The Thespian Emperor gracefully rose from her chair and bowed slightly.
"It's been a while."
The Queen of the Swords simply nodded without changing her posture.
"I'm glad to see you both well."
Raon stood in front of the round table, easily deflecting the transcendent aura naturally emitted by the Thespian Emperor and the Queen of the Swords.
"Hmm."
"..."
A distinct gleam appeared in both women's eyes as they observed him.
"Seeing you in person is even more surprising."
The Thespian Emperor let out a small gasp as she looked at Raon's red eyes.
"I had heard various rumors, but to think you actually reached that level."
She shook her head, saying it was an achievement difficult to believe even after seeing it.
"It's enough to make me doubt my own eyes."
The Queen of the Swords lowered her delicate eyebrows.
"Now I understand why those ugly creatures died."
She tapped her fingers on the round table, saying she now knew why he could defeat the Demonblade and the Demon Slaying Spear.
"Come to think of it, I haven't properly congratulated you. Congratulations on reaching transcendence."
The Thespian Emperor bowed deeply, saying her congratulations were late.
"Thank you."
Raon bowed, meeting the Thespian Emperor's serene gaze.
"She's strong."
Seeing her in person, the soul realm possessed by the Thespian Emperor felt even more immense. A martial artist clearly different from the Demonblade and the Demon Slaying Spear. While his chances of winning were high, it didn't seem easy to guarantee victory unconditionally.
"And the Queen of the Swords..."
He turned his gaze to the right to look at the Queen of the Swords.
"She's weaker than the Thespian Emperor."
As he had seen and felt before, the Queen of the Swords' martial prowess was clearly inferior to the Thespian Emperor's. Higher than the Demonblade, but similar to the Demon Slaying Spear's level. If they fought, he could win ten out of ten times.
"But why did the Head of House talk as if we should be more careful about the Queen of the Swords?"
Glenn had calmly accepted the statement about being able to defeat the Thespian Emperor, but he seemed to have doubts regarding the Queen of the Swords.
"He's not the type to joke."
Unlike Rimmer, Glenn had no reason to joke about such an important matter. It seemed clear that the Queen of the Swords possessed something he didn't know.
"I must be careful."
To avoid being caught off guard no matter what. Thud. Raon placed his clasped hands on the round table, calming his tense inner self.
"There's a rumor I've heard recently..."
The Queen of the Swords narrowed her eyes as she looked at him.
"Is it true that you killed the Fallen?"
She let out a low growl, as if she couldn't believe it.
"Most exaggerated stories are just rumors."
Raon chuckled and waved his hand.
"I thought the same."
The Queen of the Swords clicked her tongue briefly.
"It's true you're strong, but not strong enough to defeat the Fallen."
She nodded, seeming to consider the Fallen's death as a false rumor.
"..."
The Thespian Emperor remained silent, simply looking at him with transparent eyes.
"However, that rumor is true."
Raon slowly raised his hand.
"The Fallen is dead. Of course, it wasn't something I did alone."
He only revealed the fact that the Fallen was dead, without explaining everything.
"Eh?"
The Queen of the Swords' eyes agitated violently like a stormy sea.
"H-how?"
She got to her feet, pounding the round table as if she couldn't understand.
"During the Black Tower Master incident, there was an Eternal Flame Archmage, but not this time!"
The Queen of the Swords looked at him with trembling eyes, as if asking him to explain the circumstances.
"..."
The Thespian Emperor calmly drank her tea, showing no sign of surprise. She seemed to know all the facts already.
"It's not difficult to explain the situation, but before that, there's something I need to ask both of you first."
Raon shook his head calmly.
"What is it?"
The Queen of the Swords narrowed her eyes.
"Please, go ahead."
The Thespian Emperor silently lowered her teacup, as if ready to answer anything.
"I, or rather, Zieghart, believe we've given the Five Divine Orders many opportunities. So now I want to hear a definitive answer."
Raon spoke with a piercing gaze.
"Will you walk the same path as the Five Kings, or will you die here...?"
He tilted his chin arrogantly, looking down at the two women with wide eyes.
"Make your choice now."
-
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