C1097
“What are you talking about, all of a sudden?”
Raon blinked in astonishment as he stared at the Blade Queen and the Warlord.
“Aren’t you two meant to be giving my mother a tour of the annex building?”
Since Sylvia—the proprietor of the annex—had promised to guide the Blade Queen and Warlord around, Raon had left them in her care and planned to hone his sword techniques. He couldn’t fathom why these two, who were supposed to be exploring the building, had abruptly brought Sia here, claiming they wished to take her on as their disciple.
“That was the plan originally. But…”
The Blade Queen exhaled deeply while glancing at Sia.
“When I first laid eyes on this child, I simply couldn’t restrain myself. She is, without exaggeration, overflowing with talent!”
Her mouth remained agape as she confessed that she had never witnessed such brilliance in her entire life.
“I feel exactly the same.”
The Warlord pressed a hand to his chest and bowed his head in respect.
“She might not yet match the lord’s level, but her gift exceeds even that of a prodigy. I truly desire to nurture her potential.”
Even his usually placid eyes shivered with excitement.
“Are you alright with this, Sister?”
Raon looked over at Sia, whose shoulder was gently held by the Blade Queen.
“I’m perfectly fine with it.”
Sia offered a serene nod. Ever since her puberty, her demeanor had grown markedly more composed.
“How did this come about?”
Raon inquired of Sylvia, who lingered by the doorway.
“Sia mentioned that she was bored and decided to train by the lake.”
Sylvia continued with a radiant smile, clearly delighted that Sia had attracted the attention of both the Blade Queen and the Warlord.
“When they caught sight of Sia wielding her sword, the Blade Queen and Warlord rushed over immediately, each vying to claim her as their disciple.”
She even pinched her own cheek in disbelief, still unable to decide whether she was dreaming or witnessing reality.
“Then, Sister…”
“I turned them down.”
Sia shook her head firmly, explaining that she had refused their offers to become her mentors.
“So the reason you two have come is that you want to accept my sister as your disciple.”
Raon nodded, murmuring that he now understood.
“Exactly.”
The Blade Queen affirmed with a nod.
“She declined, insisting she would only heed you; that’s why we have come.”
She bowed her head in deference, asking permission to take Sia as her student.
“Your style clearly reflects your own personal instruction.”
The Warlord nodded in agreement, remarking that he could detect traces of Raon’s influence in Sia’s martial techniques.
“Yet there are aspects that seem to lack steady guidance. I intend to correct those deficiencies.”
He clenched his fist as he vowed to mold Sia into the perfect martial artist.
“You’ve got an astute eye.”
Raon’s eyebrows dipped slightly in acknowledgment.
“Although I did instruct my sister in the basics of swordsmanship, I couldn’t monitor her training every day—so there are bound to be gaps.”
Even though he had imparted fundamental sword skills and sensory techniques, his numerous responsibilities and overseeing the Light Wind Palace swordsmen left him with little time for her. With Darkan having departed Zieghart and Edgar along with Sylvia only caring for Sia’s welfare, she must have been practicing on her own for a long while.
“It’s not a bad proposition at all.”
Now that Sia had grasped the essentials of swordsmanship, it was time for her to have a true master. He had considered bringing her to the Light Wind Palace to train with the swordsmen, but now the finest masters had come searching for her on their own, causing his heart to pound with excitement.
“What do you think, Sister?”
Raon first sought Sia’s own opinion.
“Are these people really that powerful?”
Sia raised both hands, indicating the Blade Queen and the Warlord.
“They are strong. Incredibly strong.”
Raon smiled and nodded.
“Stronger than me?”
“Hmm…”
He stroked his chin, murmuring softly.
“At the moment, they’re likely mightier than I am.”
The martial abilities of the Blade Queen and Warlord rivaled even those of the Five Kings’ leaders—aside from Glenn, the Heavenly Demon, Derus, and Darkan. Even if he unleashed his Sword Domain and fought with everything he had, he would only delay his defeat for a while.
“Were they really that formidable?”
Sia’s eyes widened in amazement.
“For now, that’s exactly right.”
The Warlord calmly shook his head as he regarded Raon.
“The Lord is fated to eventually outshine us and soar to the heavens.”
He allowed a slight smile, confident that Raon would one day surpass them.
“Besides, he possesses hidden strengths as well!”
The Blade Queen shrugged nonchalantly, explaining that she sensed a tremendous, latent power within his soul. As befits a high-level Transcendent, her perception was exceptionally keen.
“Being their disciple will be a steep challenge. You might miss the days when you practiced alone by the lake. But…”
Raon leaned in just a bit to meet Sia’s eyes.
“You will undoubtedly grow stronger—strong enough to help me protect the annex building.”
“Then I’ll do it!”
Without hesitation, Sia nodded emphatically.
“I want to become even stronger!”
She reiterated her desire to surpass her current strength in order to defend the annex building.
“That settles everything.”
Raon stepped back with a gentle smile.
“Now, it’s our turn, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Let’s determine who will serve as the master.”
The Blade Queen and the Warlord exchanged narrowed eyes and a challenging glare.
“Aren’t you both supposed to instruct her jointly?”
Raon’s eyes widened in surprise.
“We belong to different schools! Naturally, we must teach her separately!”
“That’s the sensible approach.”
Both the Blade Queen and the Warlord began stretching, declaring that they would engage in a friendly bout to decide who was best suited to be her mentor. Despite their typically mature demeanor, at times they could behave like bickering children.
“Enough.”
Raon raised his hand with a sigh.
“I provided you both with the perfect Diamond Earth Technique, Devil-Fighting Sword Art, and Devil-Cutting Blade Art in the hope that you wouldn’t quarrel needlessly.”
“But this isn’t pointless, is it?”
The Blade Queen lifted her hand in protest.
“Isn’t it true that I mastered the Diamond Earth Technique and rose to lead both the sword school and the blade school?”
Raon inquired, glancing between the Blade Queen and the Warlord.
“That’s absolutely correct.”
“Of course.”
They both nodded in unison.
“And isn’t it also true that there’s no issue with Sia learning both of your martial arts simultaneously?”
“Certainly.”
“Her talent surpasses even our own limits.”
Both agreed that Sia was more than capable of studying both the swordsmanship and the ‘way’ concurrently.
“Then there’s no need to choose just one master—you can both instruct my sister. You could alternate your lessons each day. And…”
Raon raised a finger as he continued.
“From this moment on, I will restore the Sword Saint School by merging the sword school with the blade school. Originally, these two were one, and having been trained by the first master—the Sword Saint—I believe I have every right to reunite them.”
Raon regarded the Blade Queen and the Warlord with a solemn expression as he stroked his chin.
“Hmm!”
“The Sword Saint School…”
Both the Blade Queen and the Warlord bit their lips, their eyes quivering with intense emotion.
“They’re bound to object.”
Having spent their lives entrenched in their respective schools, they would likely resist the notion of uniting them, even if Raon was their master.
“How am I to persuade them?”
“Isn’t that a reasonable idea?”
“It is.”
While Raon’s mind churned over how best to convince them, the Blade Queen and Warlord smiled, indicating their approval.
“Excuse me?”
Raon blinked, looking between them in confusion.
“After giving it some thought, we agree with you, Lord Raon. There’s no real need for a conflict now, and given that our disciple is extraordinary, we can teach her together.”
The Blade Queen nodded in agreement.
“I will abide by your words, Lord Raon.”
The Warlord also nodded, clearly grateful for the sensible decision.
“Yuber of the Sword Saint School greets the Master!”
“Siera of the Sword Saint School greets the Master!”
The Blade Queen and the Warlord exchanged glances, then both knelt and bowed as though they had been waiting for this very moment.
“I told you to stop that…”
Raon smacked his forehead with a resigned sigh. That overly formal greeting emerged at the worst possible time, much to his discomfort.
“Please, take care of me from now on!”
The Blade Queen patted Sia’s head—Sia being taller than she was.
“The road ahead will be arduous, so prepare yourself well.”
The Warlord nodded in earnest, ready to assume his role as mentor.
“Yes, Masters!”
Sia bowed respectfully before both the Blade Queen and the Warlord.
“Sia…”
Sylvia gave a deep nod, evidently pleased with how mature Sia had become.
“Our daughter has truly matured! It’s time to let her venture forth…”
Edgar covered his mouth and sniffled, visibly moved by the clarity in Sia’s tone.
“She’s not getting married, nor is she leaving…”
Raon shook his head at Edgar, silently chiding him for his theatrics.
—Those old folks…
Wrath frowned in disbelief.
—they really seem as if they’d perish if you merely told them so.
He furrowed his brows, marveling at how such steadfast loyalty could develop after barely a month of acquaintance. There was even a hint of envy in his eyes.
“Just as you said before—I was lucky this time.”
It was indeed fortunate that pure-hearted individuals like the Blade Queen and the Warlord would carry on the Sword Saint’s legacy. At last, Raon felt that his fortunes were turning.
—Finally? You say “finally?”
Wrath’s jaw trembled in incredulity.
—A man who’s always relied on luck uttering “finally”? Have you no sense of morality?
He glowered with reddened eyes, demanding an immediate retraction.
“Shall we commence training right away?”
“Ah, but before that, I have one more request.”
Brushing aside Wrath’s angry protests with the back of his hand, Raon advanced toward the Blade Queen and the Warlord.
“If it’s a request…”
“Just speak up.”
The Warlord lowered his eyebrows inquisitively while the Blade Queen nodded, inviting him to continue.
“You’ll understand if you follow me tomorrow.”
Raon nodded with a faint, enigmatic smile.
***
“You’ve no doubt heard the rumors by now.”
Standing tall on the platform of the fifth training ground, Raon lifted his chin.
“These two are none other than the Blade Queen and the Warlord.”
He beckoned the waiting Blade Queen and Warlord forward from behind him.
“That person over there is the Blade Queen? She appears so young! And she’s a woman?”
“The aura they radiate is undeniably formidable. One would find it nearly impossible to approach the Warlord…”
“Although they both have a youthful appearance, their martial skills are absolutely genuine.”
“I never imagined I’d witness the Blade Queen and the Warlord in person!”
The swordsmen of the Light Wind Palace—well aware of the formidable reputations of the Blade Queen and the Warlord—trembled with excitement simply at the sight of them.
“Haaaaah! Haaaaah! Haaa…”
Mark Goetun exhaled clouds of white steam from his mouth, clearly in awe of the Warlord who had attained Transcendence. It was astonishing to see him display such raw emotion for the first time.
“From today on, these two shall serve as your temporary instructors. Although they cannot be present every day, they will each visit daily, so be sure to heed their guidance diligently.”
Raon pointed to the Blade Queen and Warlord as he spoke.
“It would be a shame to let masters of such caliber sit idle.”
Since it wasn’t necessary for both to teach Sia simultaneously, he had arranged for one of them to instruct at the Light Wind Palace—and both had agreed without hesitation.
“And…”
Raon gestured toward Paratheus, who stood off to the side.
“This is Ancient Dragon Paratheus of the Gold Clan. He is capable of altering the training ground to meet specific individual needs if you ask him.”
As he finished speaking, he signaled to Paratheus.
“Honestly, how annoying!”
Paratheus nodded and began chanting; almost magically, a mountain radiating swirling cold energy rose on the right side of the training ground while a deep chasm of searing flames materialized on the left.
“Woooah!”
“Did he really cast such advanced magic without even reciting a full incantation?”
“As expected from a Dragon!”
“Having a Dragon as an ally is incredibly convenient!”
The swordsmen’s eyes sparkled as they directed their astonished gazes toward Paratheus.
“It’s nothing extraordinary! Just wait and see!”
Seemingly delighted by the cheers of the swordsmen, Paratheus continued to make spontaneous adjustments.
—that guy was born soft.
Wrath shook his head with an expression of pity.
“Indeed. Much like someone we know.”
—And who might that be?
“...”
Raon remained silent and shifted his attention back to the Light Wind Palace swordsmen.
“Today, we have three Transcendents present—now choose from whom you wish to learn.”
Raon nodded, instructing them to line up in front of the Transcendent of their choice.
“Warlord! Warlord! Warlord!”
“Are we really allowed to choose?”
“The Light Wind Palace truly is unparalleled!”
“I choose the Blade Queen!”
Mark Goetun charged toward the Warlord with a wild look, while other swordsmen flocked to their selected Transcendents. Most gathered before the Blade Queen and the Warlord, while a few headed over to Paratheus for his specially modified training grounds.
“I can already envision what the future holds.”
If they could develop the swordsmen in this way, they might be able to produce countless Grandmasters before the war even begins. At present, only Burren, Runaan, Martha, Mark Goetun, and Trevin held that title, but with the guidance of the Blade Queen, the Warlord, and Paratheus, many more could potentially rise to that level.
“And Runaan might even be capable of reaching Transcendence.”
Since Runaan had received the Authority of Sloth from Sloth, she might well have the potential to surpass even Transcendence if properly trained.
“I’m eagerly looking forward to it.”
A smile crept across Raon’s face as he imagined an army of Grandmasters overpowering the Angels and Ghosts of Eden.
“Is this really the moment for you to be musing over such things?”
“Huh?”
Raon blinked and lifted his head in surprise.
“What do you mean… W-what?”
Unlike the Blade Queen, the Warlord, and Paratheus, not a single swordsman was standing before him.
—Puhehehehe!
Wrath erupted into mocking laughter while spreading his arms wide.
“I knew this would happen! Who in their right mind would flock to a madman like you?”
He cackled, insinuating that the lack of followers revealed their true nature.
“Ugh…”
Raon squeezed his eyes shut as he surveyed the empty space before him.
“I know I may have been rigorous in training up until now, but this is truly over the top.”
He had driven them so hard not out of a desire to see them perish, but to keep them alive—and yet, the fact that no one chose him pained his heart deeply.
“It wasn’t that you didn’t want them to die—you practically beat them up every time you saw them, didn’t you?”
Wrath snorted, urging him to be honest with himself.
“Haa…”
Just as Raon sighed and shook his head in resignation…
“I shall train under the Palace Master!”
Krein suddenly raised his hand with infectious energy and stepped forward in front of Raon.
“Krein?”
Raon’s jaw dropped in disbelief. He had never expected Krein, of all people, to be the first to step forward.
“It’s all because of you that I’ve grown so much, Palace Master!”
Krein pressed his lips together firmly while glancing around at the other swordsmen.
“What simpletons.”
They could have endured just one grueling day, yet now they would suffer for over a month. Raon, being a perfectionist who tolerated nothing less than absolute discipline, would surely remember this day—and make them all undergo focus enhancement training. Scoring early points with him might just be the saving grace.
“I’m trying to get out of trouble here.”
A smile tugged at Raon’s lips as he imagined the day when he might remember this and be merciful with his training, solely for Krein’s sake.
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
Dorian shook his head slowly, his face pale as if to indicate a mistake had been made.
“Mind your own business.”
Krein snorted and brushed his hands off dismissively.
“Krein!”
Raon leaped down from the platform.
“You have faith in me!”
Krein beamed broadly, his expression genuinely delighted.
“Of course! I, Krein, would lay down my life for you, Palace Master!”
Raising his fist in a solemn pledge, Krein declared his unwavering belief in Raon.
“Excellent.”
Raon’s crimson eyes blazed with intensity.
“I will ensure you become a Grandmaster. Let’s begin our training together starting today.”
He gave Krein a hearty slap on the back as he urged them both to work diligently.
“Kuheck!”
Krein’s jaw trembled as he felt the heat of Raon’s palm.
“F-from today? Not merely for today?”
“I initially planned for it to be a one-day session. However…”
Raon nodded while gripping Krein’s shoulder tightly.
“Your passion and steadfast determination have truly moved me. True to your reputation as the one and only Krein, I will make you the first regular swordsman of the Light Wind Palace to attain Grandmaster status!”
“Ah, you really don’t have to…”
“No, this is absolutely non-negotiable.”
He seized Krein by the nape of his neck and pulled him into the training room, resolute in his decision.
“Kyaaaaaaaaah!”
Krein’s piercing scream echoed from within the soundproof training room.
“Whew…”
Dorian shook his head repeatedly at the spectacle.
“Why on earth did he even come?”
Raon’s outward affection concealed a fierceness that could become toxic if one wasn’t careful. He had nearly lost himself in his own emotions once—only to retreat immediately upon reading his thoughts with his Mind’s Eye.
“Urrrrrgh!”
Dorian silently prayed for Krein’s well-being as his screams continued to resound from the training room.
“May he find peace in his suffering.”
***
“Without a doubt…”
Raon narrowed his eyes as he observed the Blade Queen instructing Sia.
“She is progressing remarkably.”
It had been three weeks since the Blade Queen and the Warlord had taken charge of Sia’s training.
Thanks to their relentless and passionate instruction, Sia had advanced so swiftly that her reputation was already beginning to spread.
“Her innate talent is truly beyond compare.”
Raon clicked his tongue, a trace of envy hidden in his voice at Sia’s extraordinary, natural aptitude.
“Have you truly lost your mind?”
Wrath frowned in disbelief.
“Why? Weren’t I on the lesser side of talent?”
“Yes—you started at the very bottom. Yet through sheer growth, you have elevated your skills tremendously!”
He waved his hand dismissively.
“Your talent, which has shattered its own limits through hard work, is unprecedented—not only in the Human World but even in the Devildom!”
Wrath shook his head vigorously, insisting that his own abilities could never compare to Sia’s.
“Moreover, you are still progressing through relentless effort! There’s no need to envy your sister or even that old fool!”
“What’s with the sudden praise?”
Raon looked at Wrath with an amused smile.
“Because your talent wasn’t bestowed at birth—it was forged by your own sweat and determination.”
Wrath’s eyes softened with a serious glow.
“You’ve risen from the depths all the way to the heavens, so it’s only natural to give credit where it’s due.”
“Hmm…”
Unable to meet Wrath’s gaze, Raon turned his head slightly away.
“Usually you’re such a simpleton, yet you can be remarkably sincere when it matters.”
Since Wrath never uttered empty words, receiving his rare praise felt like the highest accolade.
“Alright then. Today, I’ll treat you to some bead ice cream.”
Raon grinned and playfully punched Wrath.
“R-really?!”
“Now, think carefully about which flavor you want.”
“Then, naturally, I’ll choose mint chocolate…”
Just as Wrath mumbled over his preferred bead ice cream flavor…
“Light Wind Palace Master!”
Shadow Agents’ Leader Chad waved as he approached the annex building.
“Shadow Agents’ Leader?”
Raon rose from his seat to greet Chad.
“What brings you to the annex today?”
“I have something important to inform you.”
Chad nodded, dabbing sweat from his brow.
“Something you need to tell me, you say…”
“The first successor candidate test will conclude at midnight tonight.”
He confirmed that the deadline previously agreed upon with Glenn had now arrived.
“Already?”
“They believe there’s no merit in extending the deadline, as the disparity between the top candidates and the others has grown too vast.”
Chad nodded, remarking that it had been Glenn’s decision.
“The second test will likely be announced tomorrow.”
“Then who are the five individuals who passed the first test?”
While he was aware of himself, Karoon, and Balder, he was curious about the other two.
“It will be made public tomorrow, but I can disclose the names in advance: Lord Karoon, Lord Raon, Lord Balder, Lady Alice…”
Chad swallowed dryly as he listed the four names.
“Aunt participated too?”
“Yes. She has amassed many Golden Tablets from years past and has continued collecting more recently—she wished to enter the competition to be of assistance to you.”
He nodded, explaining how Alice came to be among the candidates.
“And as for the fifth and final candidate…”
Chad paused, then revealed the last name.
-
More Ch4pters on KoreanPlayer
↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓
Thanks for the support
