C1082
"What is the mystery behind the holy ground?"
Raon squinted with focused intensity.
"Which specific holy ground do you mean?"
"Clearly, I'm referring to the Holy Sword Alliance's holy ground."
Darkan lifted both his arms, almost as if questioning whether any other holy ground existed apart from that of the Holy Sword Alliance.
"That is precisely where our paths crossed once more, isn’t it?"
He tapped his chin, urging Raon to recall the memory.
"I do remember. But still..."
Raon’s gaze fell upon Darkan’s eye patch, which flapped gently in the breeze.
"Why do you inquire about the mystery of the Holy Sword Alliance's holy ground?"
Raon recalled that the Holy Sword Alliance's holy ground had been established by the First Patriarch of Zieghart and his comrades, yet he was reluctant to divulge this fact.
"Hmm?"
Darkan ran his fingers over his eye patch as he fixed his eyes on Raon.
"That tale sounds like a fabrication to me."
"What makes you think so?"
"It’s simply a hunch, nothing more."
He smiled faintly, implying that every instinct of his screamed deception.
"Huh..."
Raon gulped dryly while observing Darkan tilt his head in curiosity.
He seemed almost spectral.
It was said that his sixth sense had become unnaturally heightened after his loss of sight, and rumors suggested his Mind's Eye surpassed even Dorian’s.
"Enough of the idle chatter—what of the holy ground?"
Raon steered the conversation back, reminding Darkan of their real topic.
"Honestly, it’s of no consequence."
Darkan gestured dismissively with his hand.
"Because it's you."
He smiled subtly, conveying that his trust in Raon was unwavering regardless of any doubts.
"Hmm..."
Raon emitted a quiet groan.
He’s being completely earnest.
Darkan’s tone bore no hint of hesitation, confirming his genuine trust. Raon was somewhat surprised, as he had never anticipated such faith from the Dark Night Sword God.
"The purpose of the Holy Sword Alliance's holy ground is protection."
Using the finger gripping his dark sword, Darkan traced a small circle.
"Isn't that self-evident?"
Raon responded with an empty laugh.
"It’s so evident that words are superfluous—they implemented the most advanced barrier and concealed its whereabouts to safeguard what lies within from external dangers."
He snorted, remarking that if that were truly a secret, then even the annex building's breakfast menu would be classified.
"You simply do not understand."
Darkan clicked his tongue in mild disapproval.
"That territory wasn't built to repel external foes; rather, it serves as a containment for something within, preventing its escape."
He shook his head, signifying that Raon’s line of thought was entirely mistaken.
"What...?"
Raon’s lips quivered ever so slightly.
"So you're suggesting that it isn't meant to bar outside foes, but rather to stop something from within from escaping?"
"Consider the sky-bound barrier and the transit formation behind that rocky peak—each element confirms my claim. That area is designed to confine something."
Darkan nodded, remarking that his enhanced perception, a consequence of his lost sight, allowed him to discern the distinction.
"Wrath."
Raon shifted his gaze towards Wrath.
"-I—I have no knowledge of this?"
Wrath blinked his enormous eyes, clearly showing his cluelessness.
"-As I always remark, I don’t equate barriers and formations with martial skill!"
He rolled his eyes dismissively, indicating his lack of interest in such insignificant details.
You’re never of any assistance.
"-Y-you detestable bastard!"
"Step aside."
Raon pushed past the irritable Wrath and refocused on Darkan.
"I hardly understood it myself, so it's likely that your grandfather is unaware as well."
Darkan smirked, affirming that Rector wouldn’t have any insight either.
"Then who was it that they attempted to imprison by creating the holy ground?"
Raon posed the most vital inquiry.
"I don’t have an answer to that either."
Darkan shook his head in calm resignation.
"You truly don’t know?"
"Indeed. I have no clue about its origin or manifestation. In truth, after nearly a millennium, whatever it was meant to contain may well be extinct or vanished."
He shook his head once more, explaining that despite thoroughly exploring the holy ground, he found no trace of any extraordinary entity.
"-I sensed nothing unusual there either."
Wrath brushed his hands off, remarking that although he didn't grasp the concept of barriers, he too had detected no presence.
"So why discuss something that has long since vanished?"
Raon frowned, directing his gaze back at Darkan.
"Truthfully, I hadn't intended to bring it up. As you pointed out, it is indeed gone. However..."
Darkan curled his lips into a wry smile as he regarded Raon.
"I felt compelled to mention it because I observed something intriguing while surveying Zieghart."
"What exactly did you observe?"
"This Zieghart..."
He cast his eyes over the whole of Zieghart.
"It bears numerous resemblances to the holy ground of the Holy Sword Alliance."
"What...?"
Raon gazed at Darkan with eyes widened in astonishment.
"I sense nothing unusual from the more recent structures, yet..."
Darkan pointed his finger toward the Lord's Manor in the main building and the North Grave Mountain looming behind it.
"Those ancient edifices exude an aura akin to the holy ground. In particular, the training hall, the head of house's training grounds, and the millennia-old trees resonate with a potent energy. I believe..."
He tapped his temple, as if to signal his inner thoughts.
"It is highly probable that the founder of Zieghart and the architect of the Holy Sword Alliance's holy ground are linked, perhaps even one and the same."
Darkan nodded, his expression conveying near certainty.
"..."
Raon forced himself to steady his racing heartbeat.
*Was he always so fixated on these matters as well?*
To trace the lineage of Zieghart solely through his senses was an astounding skill.
"Well, perhaps I'm mistaken."
Darkan licked his lips, cautioning not to take his words at face value.
"If I am incorrect, it would be embarrassing, so let’s keep this confidential. I’ll catch up with you later."
He waved dismissively, as if he’d conveyed all that was necessary, and strode toward the main building.
"..."
Raon bit his lip as he observed Darkan's figure recede from view.
*I must inform grandfather about this, first and foremost.*
Though uncertain of all the details, he believed it best to relay Darkan's insights to Rector.
"Is it finished?"
Evelyn came forward, her brows knitted in concern.
"Yes, it's done."
Raon nodded in agreement.
"Heuugh!"
Dorian showed up belatedly, panting heavily, with beads of sweat on his brow as if he had sprinted at full tilt.
"I—I apologize for my tardiness."
"Why apologize for something that didn't warrant it?"
Raon tapped his wrist, hinting that they must strictly adhere to their schedule.
"S-sorry! Since our departure was abrupt, I had many items to gather."
Dorian wiped the sweat from his brow, implying that someone had put him through a strenuous packing ordeal.
"That person wasn’t me, correct?"
"...N-not at all."
"Exactly."
Raon averted his gaze, feigning ignorance.
"-You insane, filthy bastard..."
Wrath squinted in repulsion.
"Since Dorian is present as well, I'll instruct the external commander to unlock the gate!"
Yua dashed to the outer wall, announcing that she would contact Illiune personally.
"M-me too!"
Julius blinked and quickened his step to keep pace with Yua.
"The discussion took quite a while, didn't it? My apologies."
Raon waved dismissively at Evelyn.
"It's alright. I caught every word regardless."
Evelyn chuckled softly, remarking that she had overheard everything via Darkan's aura barrier.
"Uh... huh?"
Raon gaped at Evelyn, his mouth agape in astonishment.
"You really heard all of it?"
He couldn’t fathom how she managed to listen through a barrier established by a Transcendent. Truly, the real monster was among them.
"I’ll pass on the news to grandfather."
Evelyn declared she had caught every detail, and assured she would send a letter directly to Rector.
"Ah..."
Raon blinked in a daze.
*How did she know about that as well?*
Only Wrath was aware of the letter exchanges with Rector, and he was baffled by Evelyn’s insight. A cold shiver crept along his spine.
"-Didn't I warn you! She’s the world’s greatest stalker! Not even your grandfather can outpace her!"
Wrath tapped him on the shoulder, urging him to flee at once.
*How can one possibly escape from the world's greatest stalker...*
He shook his head in resignation, knowing they would be caught regardless.
*But beyond that...*
Raon squinted as he recalled Darkan’s words regarding the Holy Sword Alliance’s holy ground.
*I wonder what it was that the First Patriarch intended to confine when he established the Holy Sword Alliance's holy ground.*
***
"I'm here!"
Darkan flung open the audience chamber door, his resounding voice standing in for a knock.
"..."
Glenn let his hand drop from his chin as he observed Darkan advancing along the red carpet.
"Are you departing?"
A dignified expression appeared in his eyes, as though he understood the reason behind Darkan's visit.
"As expected of the head of house, you knew immediately."
Darkan nodded, affirming Glenn's observation.
"I believe it is time to consolidate the knowledge I've gathered here."
He smiled, remarking that he might reclaim the martial prowess he had lost to Derus.
"Wasn't that loss considered permanent?"
Glenn slightly squinted his eyes.
"It is indeed permanent. My upper dantian and Soul Sword still bear voids. However..."
Darkan curled his lips while gazing at Glenn.
"Thanks to you, Raon, and the family’s swordsmen, I believe I can mend those gaps. In fact, not merely recover but become even stronger than before."
He nodded, his instincts affirming this belief.
"Even the ordinary swordsmen?"
Glenn raised his eyebrows in astonishment.
"Yes, indeed. Although Zieghart's swordsmen may be considered weak, each possesses a unique style and breathing method. I find my heart racing at the sight."
Darkan smiled, expressing his delight in training alongside swordsmen whose swords seemed imbued with life.
"You have an undeniable passion for the sword."
Glenn returned a gentle smile.
*It appears it wasn’t a fabrication.*
Encountering Darkan once more, it was clear he was nothing more than a sword-obsessed madman. Naturally, the sword both blessed him and reciprocated his affection.
"I extend my gratitude to you and Raon alike. A month of training has once again illuminated the path I must follow."
Darkan expressed his thanks directed towards Raon, who was not in attendance.
"We merely aided one another—there is no need for such gratitude."
Glenn shook his head calmly.
"There is a significant distinction between uttering words and remaining silent."
Darkan tapped his lips with his finger, as though reminding Glenn of that very point.
"Now that I consider it, Darkan, if our meeting had been under different circumstances..."
Glenn offered a faint smile.
"We might have forged a closer bond."
"You mean, as true friends?"
Darkan returned a smile much like Glenn’s.
"To me, a friend is one with whom you can bare your heart. Haven't we already accomplished that?"
He shrugged, implying that their hearts had already been shared through their Soul Swords.
"If that is how you see it, you are not mistaken."
Glenn nodded serenely, sensing his affection for Darkan deepen, even feeling remorse for having to part with a true friend.
"When we next meet, we shall resolve our matters. Until that time, do not seek ascension to heaven, do not perish for anyone—just wait."
Darkan wore a chilling smile, hinting that their next encounter might culminate in a deadly duel.
"It is you who must not meet your end."
Glenn chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.
"I refuse to die—I withstood your Soul Sword, did I not?"
Darkan waved dismissively, signaling not to fret, and then turned away.
"I'm off."
Even without sight, he exited the audience chamber sporting a clear smile, as though he had perceived Glenn's expression.
"Well then..."
In a flash, Darkan ascended to the summit of North Grave Mountain, feeling the gusts from the far-off Northern Sea.
"Where should I head next?"
***
"Habun Castle..."
Raon exhaled a plume of white vapor as he gazed upon the white walls of the castle, where frozen streaks of red lingered.
"Still unchanged."
Habun Castle continued to radiate an imposing, nearly impregnable aura. Observing the very walls he had defended with the knights, a smile gradually spread across his face.
"This is the place where our paths first crossed, isn’t it?"
Evelyn pulled out a doll adorned with a witch's mask and shook it playfully.
"Those were indeed good times—I was truly happy back then..."
She licked her lips, lost in the memories of that era.
"I-it couldn’t have been that perfect, though..."
Raon averted his trembling gaze, for this place was etched in his memory as one of terror—the origin of Evelyn’s fixation.
"Who approaches there!"
From atop the walls, rangers who had sighted Raon and his entourage shouted warnings and took aim with their arrows. Contrary to expectations, the security was exceptionally stringent.
"Everyone! It’s me—Yua!"
Yua stepped forward and waved her hand enthusiastically.
"Huh? Yua?"
"It truly is Yua!"
"W-wait! Who is that person!"
"It’s Lord Raon Zieghart—the Light Wind Palace Master has arrived!"
The rangers exclaimed in shock upon seeing Raon.
"Raon has arrived? Who is spouting nonsense... huh!"
Terian, the vice-commander of Habun Castle stationed on the wall, widened his eyes in disbelief.
"I—it truly is him! Quickly, open the gate!"
In response to his command, the supposedly impregnable gate of Habun Castle swung open.
"We salute the Light Wind Palace Master!"
The rangers and knights of Habun Castle bowed respectfully before Raon.
"I have not come in the guise of the Light Wind Palace Master; please stand."
Raon swiftly averted his gaze, urging them not to feel obligated.
*What is this?*
The atmosphere was grim. Even though skirmishes at Habun Castle had lessened after delegating monster control to Sloth, the Monarch of Sloth, many of those around him bore wounds.
"Raon!"
Terian motioned towards him with his hand.
"Ah, now that you are the Light Wind Palace Master, I ought to address you more formally."
He bowed his head, as if he had erred in his address.
"No, please feel at ease with me."
Raon smiled, indicating that he wished to be treated as before.
"Is that truly acceptable?"
Terian smiled, his eyes weary.
"Yes, that is much more comfortable. But what has transpired recently..."
"Grandfather!"
Before Raon could pose his question to Terian, Yua dashed into the castle.
"Oh, my dear granddaughter!"
Yua’s grandfather, the proprietor of the "Frost Branch" tavern, opened his arms wide and embraced her.
"I can scarcely lift you now!"
He beamed as he hoisted Yua a little.
"It has been too long."
Raon bowed respectfully to Yua's grandfather.
"Please, refrain from this, Benefactor!"
Yua's grandfather exclaimed that it was overwhelming and bowed even lower than Raon did.
"Oh my..."
He staggered backward, as though his balance faltered while regaining his posture.
"B-be careful!"
Julius hurried over to assist Yua's grandfather.
"You are..."
"My friend!"
Yua smiled and pointed towards Julius.
"F-friend..."
Julius’s face froze like dried plaster.
"Yes, a friend who would do anything for me!"
Yua grinned, indicating that he was no ordinary friend.
"Oh..."
The instant Julius heard Yua’s words, his chin quivered and his face flushed; his genuine emotions were written plainly across his features.
"I understand. Thank you."
Yua's grandfather expressed his gratitude to Julius with a pat on the shoulder.
"Follow me; I shall prepare a meal in no time."
He rolled up his sleeves, declaring that a feast was in the making.
"-Whooaaah!"
Wrath whistled and raised his head.
"-It’s been too long since our last meal at the Frost Branch!"
He licked his lips eagerly in anticipation.
"I’ll first pay a visit to the castle lord."
Raon bowed, explaining that he would visit after meeting Milland, the lord of Habun Castle.
"Ah, indeed. I understand. Then I'll begin the preparations."
Yua's grandfather nodded and proceeded toward the Frost Branch accompanied by Yua and Julius.
"I will lead you to your father."
Terian nudged his chin, signaling for them to follow.
"Let us go as well."
Raon motioned towards Dorian and Evelyn before trailing after Terian.
"Um..."
Raon cast his gaze solely to the right as he walked side by side with Terian.
"It appears there was a recent battle. Was it a serious one?"
He frowned slightly, as the scent of blood and charred remains wafted from various areas.
"Father will explain, but the situation is dire."
Terian’s eyes crinkled as he regarded him.
"It’s not merely a recent occurrence—monsters are emerging daily. And..."
He bit his lip until it drew blood, a testament to how dire the situation had become.
"They are both stronger and more numerous than when you last were here."
"Ah..."
Raon's fingertips quivered as he gazed at the mountains by the Northern Sea in the distance.
*Could it be Sloth?*
-
More Ch4pters on KoreanPlayer
↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓
Thanks for the support
