C1077
"We've done enough for today."
Darkan motioned with the hand that gripped his dark sword.
"Whew..."
Raon exhaled a pale cloud as he drove the Heavenly Drive into the ground.
"It keeps growing ever more difficult."
After completing the Fire Spirit, he mastered the Flame Dragon Strike, and once that was done, he refined the Flame and Ice Unification. Yet even then, more advanced sword techniques still awaited development, leaving him both physically and mentally drained.
"The early sessions prove equally grueling."
Glenn acknowledged his progress and reinforced the Willpower he had infused into his sword accordingly. In his Mental Image, Willpower still clashed with the demon kings' Authority, so despite his bodily and mental growth, he was subjected to life-threatening training every day.
"I never imagined I'd be this worn out after only a week."
Raon tightened his quivering fist. Even though he had trained for merely one week, he couldn’t help but let out a wry chuckle at how the exhaustion felt as though several months had passed.
"Had I not vented my irritation on the Light Wind Palace kids, I probably would have already crumbled."
—Hey, did you just claim that you vented your anger?
Wrath gave an enthusiastic nod, as though he had anticipated that.
—You insisted it was training for the Light Wind Palace children, yet ultimately, you were merely offloading your irritation! You filthy bastard!
He ground his teeth, castigating Raon as wicked.
"So, did the Light Wind Palace kids become stronger or not?"
Raon lifted his chin as he regarded Wrath.
—Huh? Uh...
Wrath blinked rapidly, looking somewhat disconcerted.
"They did get stronger, right? The children advance, and I ease my tension. It accomplishes two objectives at once."
Raon swelled his chest with even more pride.
—I—is that so?
Wrath’s mouth parted in a round shape, clearly perplexed.
—It appears accurate, but it also sounds absurd. Being alongside the world’s craziest madman is driving this King insane as well...
He groaned, clutching his head as if he couldn’t quite comprehend it.
"Raon, have you pondered the question I posed to you a week ago?"
Glenn stepped forward and gazed down at him.
"I've contemplated it, yet I still haven't discovered an answer."
Raon shook his head, letting out a gentle sigh.
"Then you still aren’t able to partake in our discussion?"
Darkan laughed softly as he turned away.
"Let's move on."
He gestured toward Glenn, implying that Raon in his current state likely couldn’t contribute to the discourse about the Soul Sword.
"Even though I dislike it, he's right. Reflect more profoundly on what I mentioned earlier."
After these words, Glenn departed from the training area with Darkan.
“Haa…”
Raon lowered himself onto the earthen ground, his brows tightly knit.
“Damn it…”
It was true that his Martial Prowess had surged considerably during that week of training with Darkan and Glenn. Yet, the most crucial aspect of this regimen wasn’t the improvement in his swordsmanship or the bolstering of his Willpower.
"Soul Sword."
The primary objective was to cultivate the Soul Sword—which had reverted to level 1 after the Blade of Requiem shattered—but he never anticipated that he wouldn’t even be able to begin its development.
"Consider what you are capable of expressing via the Soul Sword. What significance does that hold?"
Even after much contemplation, he failed to grasp the underlying meaning of Glenn’s remarks.
"The Soul Sword is merely a blade crafted from the essence of one's soul."
—What a pathetic fool!
Wrath clicked his tongue in disapproval.
—Are you implying that you are incapable of accomplishing anything without the Blade of Requiem?
He furrowed his brow with obvious contempt.
"Yeah, I agree—it's rather pathetic."
Raon nodded, exhaling a sigh.
"I suppose I've been depending excessively on Master and the Blade of Requiem."
He had believed he was channeling the Soul Sword with his own willpower, but now he recognized that he had been leaning on Rimmer and the Blade of Requiem for the most essential aspects.
Woooong. An ethereal glow ascended above Raon’s hand—a misty Soul Sword emerged. Although it pulsed with energy, it remained an unfinished blade devoid of definitive form and will.
"I can wield the Soul Sword, yet I remain ignorant of its true nature."
Raon emitted a self-mocking chuckle while observing the quivering Soul Sword.
"I believed I comprehended the Soul Sword, but I have no idea how I came to understand it. How pitifully wretched."
He bit his lip sharply, berating himself.
"I have no time for repose, yet I yearn for it."
While Raon reclined upon the training ground, a diminutive swallow descended from the heavens.
"Huh? You're back so soon?"
The swallow he had dispatched to convey a message to Rector returned carrying a response. Jjaek! The bird cocked its head, as though a considerable time had passed, then extended its right leg bearing the attached letter.
"Thank you."
Raon patted the swallow’s head gently before untethering and reading the letter.
[I had faith that you and Zieghart would overthrow the White Blood Religion and vanquish its Leader. Now that I've witnessed that vision come true, I find myself almost speechless with pride. Age has made me sentimental. I wished to assist you, and I regret that I couldn't accompany you. I...]
The note was succinct. It offered congratulations on his triumph and conveyed sorrow for not being able to aid him.
"But..."
What is this section about?
[Your sword sliced through even the unwavering resolve of the White Blood Religion's Leader. Your fights continually stir the hearts of many. I am immensely proud.]
In his message to Rector, he had omitted any reference to his own hand in slaying the Leader of the White Blood Religion. He merely stated that the White Blood Religion had been obliterated and its Leader was deceased, yet Rector composed his letter as though he had witnessed the battle firsthand.
"No way..."
Raon’s chin quivered ever so slightly.
"Did Grandfather attend as well?"
Upon reflection, it would have been more peculiar if he had not appeared. After all, Rector cared for him more than anyone else.
"Wrath. The individual who aided us during the conflict with the White Blood Religion..."
Raon turned his gaze towards Wrath, his brows deeply furrowed.
"Was that Grandfather?"
—Hup!
Wrath pursed his lips firmly.
—It wasn't the other demon kings but Grandfather who lent his aid, so why did you keep it from me?
Raon playfully pulled on Wrath’s cheeks as if stretching cheese, demanding an explanation.
—I—I-if the old geezer intentionally withheld his presence, I presumed he must have had his own reasons!
Wrath lifted his hands, urging Raon to ponder it more carefully.
—If his aim was solely to mislead Derus Robert, he could have at least sent you an aura message!
He shook his head, explaining that he was simply being considerate toward Rector.
"Hmm..."
Raon emitted a low groan.
"I suppose you have a valid point."
As Wrath mentioned, if Rector intended to keep even him in the dark, then there must be an alternative explanation.
"Typically you act like an idiot, yet in moments like these you show surprising thoughtfulness."
Raon regarded Wrath with a smirk.
—What do you mean by "moments like these"! I, as King, am consistently considerate!
Wrath didn’t mind being labeled an idiot, but he bristled at the suggestion regarding his thoughtfulness. As always, he remained a rather eccentric character.
"And there were several others as well."
"A few others?"
—I don't know most of their names, yet one was the fellow who booted you out for making too much noise.
"Booted me out for making a racket? Ah! Lawrence!"
Raon clapped his hands excitedly.
"So, Lawrence was there as well."
Lawrence had vowed to take part in the conflict against the White Blood Religion but ended up not appearing. Although both were disappointed, it appeared that he had aided Raon and Martha from behind the scenes. Human bonds seemed to endure even when they appeared severed.
"It's heartening to know about Lawrence, yet I remain concerned for Grandfather."
Raon squinted as he perused Rector's letter once more.
"He ought to be steering clear of perilous circumstances."
Rector had remained in the background as one of the Five Demons rather than engaging directly in the war, aiming to ambush Derus from behind. It troubled Raon, wondering what scheme he might be concocting that necessitated deceiving even him.
"Whew."
Just as Raon exhaled and shook his head, Woooong! The unfinished Soul Sword hovering above his hand rippled like a disturbed pool and began assuming the shape of a diminutive blade. Although it was a sword, its broad blade could also function as a shield.
"Could it be..."
Raon’s eyes grew wide as he gazed at the shield-resembling sword.
"Is this the very thing the Head of House mentioned?"
It appeared that his urge to be concerned for and safeguard Rector had materialized in the form of that shield-like sword. The Soul Sword’s manifestation unmistakably shared its essence with Willpower.
"So that explains why they inquired about my willpower before beginning the training."
At last, he comprehended why Glenn and Darkan had questioned the nature of the sword he wished to forge. Raon smiled slyly as he restored the Soul Sword to its initial circular form.
"Now, I have a clear understanding."
It appeared that Glenn and Darkan had held their tongues until this moment, allowing his soul to etch this realization.
"Things are bound to become more hectic. Ah, but prior to that..."
He was on the verge of refining his Soul Sword in light of his newfound insight when his eyes fluttered open once more.
"I must respond first."
Raon composed his reply to Rector and secured it to the leg of the young, drowsy swallow.
"I'm relying on you."
Jjak! The swallow emitted a confident chirp, as if assuring him not to worry, before soaring into the far-off sky.
—Aren't you going to follow the old geezer and the madman?
Wrath squinted, puzzled as to why Raon wasn’t trailing behind Glenn and Darkan.
"Now that I think about it, there's no necessity to follow them."
Raon smirked as he levitated his soul above his palm.
"Because I'm forging my own Soul Sword, not borrowing another's."
Glenn and Darkan weren’t present to craft a Soul Sword on his behalf; rather, they were there to aid him in its development. He had to forge his own blade.
—It appears that you're finally grasping it.
Wrath nodded in agreement, clearly approving of his reasoning.
"Watch closely."
Raon gradually closed his eyes and summoned all that he had accumulated thus far.
"Observe how my sword transforms."
***
"What is making you smile?"
Lawrence frowned at Rector, who was beaming after reading the letter.
"What did that youngster Raon write?"
"He instructs me to refrain from any odd behavior and to take adequate rest."
Rector gestured dismissively, still keeping his gaze fixed on the letter.
"It appears he deduced that we had visited the White Blood Religion Headquarters."
"He deduced that?"
Lawrence chuckled wryly while glancing at Rector's letter.
"He's always been astute. Even his meddling with me was entirely intentional."
He smiled subtly, recalling when Raon had purposefully visited his cave.
"He mentioned that he acquired understanding of the Soul Sword due to my influence. It was worthwhile to send a response, even amidst busy moments."
Rector's countenance lit up with joy merely from reading Raon's note.
"Do you cherish your grandson that dearly?"
Lawrence squinted as he observed Rector handling the letter as if it were a precious treasure.
"Certainly, I do. My son, whom I believed to be dead, blessed me with a wonderful daughter-in-law and fathered two of the Continent's most exceptional talents. How could I not be delighted?"
Rector nodded in agreement, remarking that family becomes even more precious after enduring hardships.
"I understand, though I doubt I will ever experience that emotion."
Lawrence shook his head, his eyes tinged with bitterness.
"Why not? You ought to experience it as well."
Rector patted Lawrence on the shoulder, advising him to find a worthy woman and marry.
"Who knows what might emerge if I were to have a child."
Lawrence rolled his eyes, remarking that one monster is sufficient.
"Monsters are not born; you can attest to that yourself."
Rector regarded Lawrence warmly, stating that he himself was proof of that fact.
"You too are part of my family, Lawrence."
"Hmm..."
Lawrence furrowed his brow, seeming uneasy under Rector’s gaze, yet he did not refute his words.
"Master. Sir Lawrence."
Mustan, who was proceeding ahead, signaled to the two of them.
"I observe a white curtain up ahead. It appears we've reached the proper location."
He indicated a white curtain fluttering at the base of a rugged mountain. It shared the hue of the White Blood Religion's Barrier, yet instead of bloodshed, it emanated sacred energy.
"Cease the idle chatter and concentrate."
Lawrence bit his lip while shoving away Rector's hand.
"A single lapse in caution and you might never lay eyes on that cherished grandson again."
He gathered his hair as he advised him to fortify his resolve.
"Make sure you remain vigilant as well. This is not a battle, merely a reconnaissance."
When Rector pressed a button on his sleeve, his countenance transformed into that of a man in his twenties. It appeared to be an Artifact designed to hide his true identity.
"Let's proceed."
Rector strode toward the white curtain without any pause.
"For family."
***
Another week elapsed. Raon continued to train in bolstering his Willpower with Glenn after sparring sessions, and further delved into the enigmas of Ten Thousand Swords with Darkan. Over time, he could distinctly sense the growth of both his Willpower and swordsmanship.
There were no issues except for Wrath grumbling about being fed the monotonous fare of the main building, and the ongoing incompleteness of the Soul Sword.
—Isn't that the most significant issue?
Wrath's eyes widened in astonishment.
"Yet another week has gone by."
Darkan stood in front of Raon, his smile twisted.
"How goes it? Have you gleaned any insight thus far?"
He shrugged, as if questioning how much longer he must wait.
"Your Willpower and swordsmanship are advancing more rapidly than one would expect for your present level."
Glenn nodded serenely as he observed him.
"However, it is disappointing that there has been no progress with the most crucial element—the Soul Sword."
He furrowed his brows, remarking that it was taking more time than anticipated.
"Tell me how much of my words you have comprehended."
"Everything. I have grasped the complete significance of what the Head of House conveyed."
Raon nodded while looking up at Glenn.
"A week ago."
"What?"
Glenn halted mid-sentence, his eyes widening.
"Huh? If you understood it a week ago, then why are you only revealing it now?"
Darkan blinked in confusion, as if he couldn't fathom it.
"Because I had to forge my sword on my own."
Raon embedded the Heavenly Drive into the training ground and pressed both hands to his chest.
"I have finally discerned the will and shape I desire."
Inviting them to observe, he conjured an unseen sword that was invisible to ordinary eyes. Hwaaaak! Bursts of flame and frost surged over his still formless soul like iron—the dual energies pounding and shaping his essence as though with a Master's hammer, forming a blade of vibrant acuity.
Though it took the form of a modest dagger, its dignified and exquisite look evoked the lost Blade of Requiem. Huuuuk! The blade, with red flames and blue frost burning concurrently, was attached to a black hilt, crafting an image both enigmatic and eerie.
"An eternal flame, and frost that refuses to thaw..."
Darkan exhaled deeply as he sensed the power and determination infused in the Soul Sword.
"Are you truly mad?"
He bestowed upon him the highest compliment that he, being a madman himself, could offer.
"And a sword that remains unbreakable."
Glenn's jaw quivered as he witnessed his oath materialize through Willpower and aura within the Soul Sword.
"I was mistaken. You have achieved it more swiftly and superbly than I anticipated."
He nodded warmly, his eyes brimming with pride that Raon had greatly surpassed his expectations.
[Willpower strengthens.]
[The demon kings' Authority intensifies.]
[The realm of the soul has ascended.]
[The trait <Soul Sword> has advanced by two tiers.]
Raon smiled upon seeing the messages manifest before him.
"Hmph. After a week of not having a minute's sleep and sleepless nights, this is hardly surprising."
Instead of reacting with anger as before, Wrath snorted, as if this outcome was entirely natural.
"I have done it."
Now you can proceed with a clear conscience. Raon shut his eyes while a crisp breeze brushed over his head.
"Today..."
For the first time since commencing this training, Raon drifted into a deep, dark slumber with a smile.
"I can finally rest peacefully now."
-
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