C1075
"Why are you...?"
Glenn's eyelids trembled, clearly not expecting Darkan to suddenly appear.
"It's not like I'm forbidden from coming here. After all, I played a crucial role in this war."
Darkan popped a whole grape from the table into his mouth, as if saying everyone knew this better than anyone.
"Delicious. Worthy of the fruit prepared by a noble house."
He smiled brightly, commenting on how even a single piece of fruit was luxurious, as expected of the Zieghart family.
"..."
Karoon looked at Darkan with eyes as sharp as blades.
"Ah, that crazy bastard..."
Alice muttered in disbelief as she hit her forehead with her bandaged hand.
"Is, is it okay? This is an official gathering!"
"Do you think that guy cares about such things?"
"Well, he's one of the few who can speak informally with the Head of House."
"He was by my side a moment ago, how did he get over there? His actions are so unpredictable."
The Light Wind Palace Swordsmen who knew Darkan's identity sighed deeply, as if they had been expecting this.
"Who is that blind guy? Who is he to speak so casually with the Head of House?"
"I don't know either. I've seen him walking with the Light Wind Palace Swordsmen, but..."
"He was also in the annex building. Is he a guest of the Light Wind Palace Master?"
"Why would a guest of the Light Wind Palace Master speak informally with the Head of House and ask to join the training!"
Meanwhile, those who didn't know Darkan couldn't understand the situation and stared with wide eyes.
"Hmm..."
Raon lowered his eyebrows as he watched Darkan's straight back.
'He certainly has the right to speak that way.'
If Darkan hadn't stopped Derus Robert, Ogram would have died, and both the Owen Kingdom and the Balkar Kingdom could have been destroyed. In the worst case, Derus could have invaded Zieghart along with the Heavenly Demon, potentially killing everyone present here.
It was true that Darkan had played a crucial role, and Raon couldn't speak carelessly since having him in the training could be beneficial.
-That sword-obsessed fool doesn't know how to read the atmosphere.
Wrath let out a hollow laugh, wondering how someone like that could exist.
-If you had to embody the word 'capricious', he would be the perfect embodiment.
He nodded, saying that guy would fit perfectly in the Devildom.
'No, Darkan understands the atmosphere perfectly.'
Raon shook his head as he looked at the plate where Darkan had eaten the grapes.
'He mentioned that the grapes were delicious and worthy of a noble house. He's implying that he deserves a reward worthy of such a prestigious family.'
Darkan pressed Glenn by mentioning the noble house and the Zieghart name. He was suggesting that he deserved a reward for stopping Derus.
'That man may seem foolish, but he's wiser than anyone.'
While Darkan acted as if he knew nothing, his actions were imbued with confidence in his abilities and instinctive calculation.
"Everyone, don't pay him any attention."
Glenn raised his hand with a calm look.
"He is someone who has earned the right to speak that way."
He nodded, showing no intention of dismissing Darkan's presence.
"Come here."
Glenn gestured to Darkan, as if he wanted to speak privately.
"No."
Darkan shook his head as he remained in his place.
"Give me your answer here."
He smiled brightly, saying he wanted to hear the answer in front of everyone.
'As expected.'
Raon let out a hollow laugh as he watched Darkan's smile.
'Darkan is using the atmosphere of the banquet hall to his advantage.'
Since Glenn was attending as Head of House, he would have to keep his word. Darkan seemed to be counting on this when he declared his desire to train together.
"Rewards based on merit. Rewards are given based on achievements. Since I stopped Derus Robert, I believe I deserve a reward."
Darkan even used a formal speech as he rubbed his hands like a fly. He was truly an outrageous person who would do anything for swordsmanship.
"That, that person stopped Derus Robert?"
"That young man was the Transcendent who saved the Beast King?"
"W-who the hell is he?"
The swordsmen at the banquet whispered with increasing curiosity about Darkan's identity. Even this curiosity seemed to be part of Darkan's plan.
"Haaa..."
Glenn let out a long sigh as he watched Darkan's mischievous smile.
"Fine. Since you've reached that level, you should be useful."
He nodded with a frown.
"A good choice!"
Having achieved his goal, Darkan stomped dramatically with his feet and clapped.
"Let's work together for mutual growth!"
He looked at Raon with gratitude. If he still had his eyeballs, he would probably have winked.
"Now I'll go enjoy the festival."
Darkan gestured dismissively with his hand and returned to the table laden with food.
"Ex-excuse me, can I ask your name?"
A swordsman approached Darkan and bowed his head.
"I've already forgotten my name. Just call me the blind swordsman."
Darkan gestured with his hand, saying he had abandoned his name.
"Wait, you, you use a flexible sword?"
"Y-yes, I do. How did you know...?"
The swordsman gaped in surprise at Darkan's words.
"I want to see it! Let's go outside."
"Huh?"
"Follow me!"
Darkan stopped eating mid-bite and left the banquet hall with the True Martial Palace swordsman. He truly lived like a wild beast.
"There's someone even worse than me."
Balder snorted, saying he felt tired just watching.
"W-what was that?"
"I don't know. It's like a storm..."
"Did he really stop Derus?"
"The Head of House acknowledged him. That means it must be true."
The swordsmen's jaws trembled with increasing curiosity about Darkan's identity.
"I'm sorry."
Glenn approached him and let out a short sigh.
"You must have wanted to learn one-on-one."
"It's okay."
Raon shook his head calmly.
"I'm sure Darkan has his reasons."
Darkan was a crazy person who wanted his opponents to become stronger as much as he did himself. Clearly, he wasn't just thinking about what he could get from Raon and Glenn, but also what he could give.
'Besides...'
Since both his grandfather and Darkan could use the Soul Weapon at a high level, there would be much to learn. Glenn's Soul Weapon and Darkan's Soul Weapon were different in nature. Unlike Glenn's Soul Weapon, which was sharpened to kill strong enemies, Darkan's Soul Weapon was created for his own desires.
Because the two Soul Weapons were so different in character, he clenched his fist, determined to absorb the advantages of both.
"I'm glad you think so."
Glenn nodded with a slight smile, as if reading his thoughts.
"However..."
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Glenn.
"Why did you say it would be good to collect the Gold Tablets?"
He couldn't understand why he should collect the Gold Tablets when Sylvia had returned to the direct lineage and he had become Palace Master.
"It's still a secret. However..."
Glenn smiled slightly as he covered his mouth with his finger.
"You'll know soon enough."
***
"Huu."
After the banquet ended, Glenn returned to the audience chamber and sat on the throne. As soon as he placed his hand on the armrest, blue windows descended from the ceiling with a resonant hum.
[It's been a while, everyone.]
Archimage Chamber of the Eternal Flame waved her hand. Her fingers trembled slightly, suggesting she still had a headache.
[*cough* Is, is everyone alright? *cough*]
Magic Tower Master Larian also coughed repeatedly, suggesting her physical and mental strength hadn't fully recovered.
[I'm perfectly fine!]
Despite her words, Ogram had thick bandages wrapped around his abdomen and chest. Although Derus's injuries remained, he seemed satisfied that his martial prowess was returning.
[...I'm fine too.]
King Lecross spoke with difficulty from his bed.
[Aren't you supposed to be not fine?]
Chamber let out a disconcerted laugh.
[I thought I was going to die, so being alive means I'm fine.]
Lecross nodded gravely, as if he was prepared to die on the battlefield.
"Are you really alright?"
Glenn bit his lip as he listened to Lecross's shallow breathing.
[...Actually, no.]
Lecross spoke in broken fragments.
[I barely survived, but I don't think I can stand on the battlefield again.]
He closed his eyes tightly, apparently not having managed to move a single finger.
[Don't be so definitive. All sorts of things can happen in this world.]
Chamber shook her head, suggesting that even those injuries could be treatable.
[Even without wielding a sword, I don't think I have much time left. Before that...]
Lecross smiled slightly, his eyes still showing unwavering determination.
[I intend to make my third son a king worthy of the throne of Owen.]
His blue eyes shone as if he had already decided on his successor.
[The third? Greer? Are you really choosing him?]
Chamber's eyes widened in surprise.
[Although his martial prowess is still weak, his capacity continues to grow. Sending him to Zieghart was the right decision.]
Lecross smiled, saying that Owen's Third Prince Greer had changed for the better after meeting Raon.
[Come to think of it, I'm also alive thanks to Raon. Please convey my gratitude.]
"I see..."
Glenn frowned deeply despite hearing the praise for Raon.
[Actually, I was also thinking about retiring...]
Chamber chewed on the lollipop in her mouth abruptly.
[That young man beat me, so I can't rest yet.]
She wrinkled her nose, lamenting that she had been surpassed.
"Are you also in serious condition?"
Glenn narrowed his eyes as he looked at Chamber.
[Not as bad as Lecross. But the injuries in my superior dantian won't heal easily.]
Chamber clutched her forehead, saying she had pushed herself too hard before her superior dantian injury had fully healed.
[I'll have to focus on recovery for a while. Besides, future battles will only be more intense, so I should also prepare my successor.]
"Do you have someone in mind?"
[Jayna. If I had met my last disciple earlier, I could have passed the position to them, but now Jayna is the right choice.]
She popped the broken lollipop into her mouth, saying she would make Jayna the successor to the Archimage position and pass on many things to her.
"Yes. That girl seems reliable."
Glenn nodded as he recalled how Jayna had perfected long-distance teleportation magic even while shedding tears of blood.
[I'm still strong. This is just the beginning!]
Ogram slammed his pot-lid-sized fist against his chest, saying he would let the successor matter settle on its own while focusing on the battles to come.
[A-and I'm also fine...]
Despite her trembling voice, Larian showed a clear glint in her eyes as she declared that she could still fight.
"They are divided into two pairs."
Glenn narrowed his eyes as he looked at the two who were planning successors and the two who showed no such inclination.
[What about Zieghart? Shouldn't you be thinking about that too?]
Chamber shrugged, suggesting it was obvious.
[I-it must be Raon, right?]
Larian drew circles with her fingertips, saying that even as Magic Tower Master, she had to recognize Raon as a swordsman.
[Both in martial prowess and character, Raon is perfect!]
Ogram raised his fist in agreement.
[Hmm...]
Lecross let out a low groan, as if even looking in his direction was tiring.
[Let's not rush things. All sorts of things can happen in this world.]
Chamber waved her hand, suggesting they should formally contact each other soon.
[P-please avoid the day. I need to sleep...]
Larian clasped her hands, asking them to contact her at night, as her sleep schedule seemed to be reversed.
[Lecross. Focus on your recovery and come back. I'll keep your seat warm.]
Ogram nodded forcefully, saying he would hold on until Lecross regained his martial prowess and returned.
[Yes. I'll count on you.]
Lecross managed a slight smile, seeming somewhat strengthened by Ogram's warm words.
[Well then.]
With Chamber's gesture, the four blue windows floating in the air disappeared.
"A successor..."
Glenn turned his gaze to the moon rising in the center of the sky.
"Of course I've thought about that. But I won't give it up easily."
He curled his lips upward, thinking about his son and grandson who would be wielding their swords even at this hour.
"Come up here. I'll wait here until you both prove yourselves worthy."
***
Raon breathed in the morning air as he headed to the Head of House's training ground. Opening the side door instead of the grand main gate with a creak, he saw Glenn shrouded in the white morning fog like a cloud. Although Glenn seemed to sense his presence, he remained motionless in meditation.
To avoid disturbing him, Raon walked silently, closed his eyes, and emptied his mind.
Just as he stabilized his mind and spirit and was about to begin his aura training, the ground suddenly shook. With a thunderous roar, the main gate of the training ground, normally used only for ceremonies, burst open, and Darkan entered through it.
"Why doesn't this gate open properly!"
Darkan frowned, saying the training ground gate needed oil.
"No..."
Raon's jaw trembled.
"There's a perfectly good gate right there!"
He pointed forcefully at the side door.
"A swordsman uses the main gate, not the small gate!"
Darkan shook his head vigorously, as if this was obvious.
"Who decided that?"
"I, Dark Night Sword God Darkan!"
He was so brazenly confident, as if he owned the place, that Raon was speechless. Besides, despite claiming to have forgotten his name and title, he was now proclaiming them with pride. He was simply crazy.
-I wonder how that guy's brain is wired...
Wrath let out a sigh, unable to understand Darkan.
"Everyone is here."
Glenn opened his eyes calmly, as if he had predicted Darkan's eccentric behavior.
"This training is only for Raon. I don't have time to take care of you."
"I know. I just want to watch."
Darkan smiled brightly, saying he just wanted to see how the teaching and learning were happening.
"Although I don't have eyes, of course."
He touched the black patch over his eye, suggesting he would feel it well enough.
"Raon. Before we start training, show me the swordsmanship you've learned."
Glenn stepped back with his arms crossed, as if to observe how much growth had occurred.
"Yes."
Raon stood in the center of the training ground and unsheathed the Heavenly Drive. With a resonant hum, he demonstrated all the swordsmanship he had learned while facing Glenn and Darkan. Although he wasn't using his aura forcefully, the pure level of his swordsmanship was engraved on the training ground floor and caused a red vortex from the sky.
With a thunderous crack, Raon's heavy but fierce swordsmanship tore through the air like a renewed war, shaking the entire training ground. After demonstrating the Whispering Wind with his Wooden Ring Sword, he sheathed both swords.
"I'm finished."
He bowed to Glenn, saying he had given his all.
"Excellent."
Glenn nodded, as if he had exceeded his expectations.
"Your swordsmanship shows how much you've been working..."
"This is on a completely different level than when I knew you as a beggar! What happened in between!"
Darkan let out an incredulous laugh.
"Ngh..."
Although Glenn was annoyed by the interruption, he barely held back, since they were compliments for his grandson.
"Even 'genius' doesn't do it justice. We might need a new word just for you."
Darkan continued speaking, paying no attention to Glenn's reaction.
"Ahem..."
Glenn's frown softened, his heart seemingly melting at Darkan's sincere compliments for Raon.
"I'll listen carefully to any deficiencies you've noticed."
Raon bowed his head to Glenn as he made his request.
"Your direction of development is correct. You're focusing on the Ten Thousand Swords, you're not overdoing the techniques, and you're showing enough adaptability. However, the Will you imbue in your sword is slightly deficient."
Glenn shook his head, saying that while the swordsmanship itself was progressing towards completion, the Will wasn't up to par.
"Huh? I think the opposite."
Darkan raised his eyebrows as he stroked his chin.
"There's still plenty of room for technical improvement! Although you're learning the Ten Thousand Swords, the techniques are not perfectly harmonized due to different skill levels. Your swordsmanship still has room for improvement. However, that guy's soul is strong enough to rival even mine. He can handle the Will aspect on his own."
He gestured dismissively with his hand, saying there was no need to worry about the Will since he had seen Raon's soul in the mental world.
"I'm not saying the swordsmanship is perfect. I'm just saying that the Will is more important."
Glenn frowned deeply.
"I agree. While the Will is deficient, there's more room to develop the swordsmanship."
Darkan simply smiled, as if he enjoyed simply conversing with Glenn.
"Didn't I tell you not to interfere?"
"It's interesting how our opinions differ."
The two Transcendentals looked at each other's swords with different expressions.
"Um..."
Raon extended his hand forward to intervene between Glenn and Darkan.
Seeing the two of them reminded him of when Glenn and Rector used to argue.
"Perhaps Grandfather could teach me about the Will, while I learn technical improvements in swordsmanship from Darkan..."
He looked at both of them in turn, suggesting it would be best to learn what each had advised.
"I agree with that! Teaching helps me learn too."
Darkan placed his hand on his dark sword in agreement.
"Your grandfather is far above me in the realm of Will anyway."
He nodded without hesitation, immediately acknowledging Glenn.
"...Alright."
Glenn closed his eyes briefly before opening them again.
"No one knows the continent's swordsmanship better than that guy, so it should be useful."
Although he didn't like it, he nodded in acceptance.
"Ah, how about we talk about the Soul Weapon together?"
Darkan moved next to Glenn and shrugged.
"For the benefit of all three."
"...Let's do that."
Glenn stroked his chin thoughtfully, seeming interested in learning about Darkan's Soul Weapon.
"So, should we hear it before we begin the actual training?"
Darkan turned his attention to Raon.
"Have you decided what to imbue into your Soul Weapon?"
He moved his finger as if saying 'tell us now'. Raon slowly opened his lips as he looked at Glenn and Darkan, who both showed expressions of interest.
"I..."
-
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