## Chapter 1118
"Phew..."
Dorian exhaled deeply, his gaze fixed on the mountain ahead. It looked less like a natural peak and more like a colossal pillar hewn by a divine blade.
"I-is that really Sword Dance Mountain? The home of the Unyielding Blade?"
His chin shook as he contemplated the sheer verticality of the climb ahead of them.
"Indeed," Raon confirmed, standing composed at Dorian’s side. "The name comes from its razor-sharp, upright profile, resembling a polished sword. It is a grueling ascent, even for those well-versed in the martial arts."
The mountain was notorious among warriors for its extreme elevation and the jagged, unforgiving nature of its rocks. It was a common saying that simply reaching the summit was a form of high-level cultivation in itself.
—Hmph, this rock is offensively tall.
Wrath let out a heavy, weary breath.
—There won't be a single decent snack up there...
He licked his lips longingly, clearly reminiscing about the pleasant days spent devouring sweets at the Arianne estate.
"I thought the Unyielding Blade was located near the White Whale?" Martha remarked, tilting her head as she mentally reviewed the landmarks on the Continental Map.
"That is merely a secondary branch," Raon clarified with a casual wave of his hand. "While it might be larger in scale than the main house, the true heart of the Unyielding Blade resides here on Sword Dance Mountain."
"So, where exactly is the sect situated?" Martha asked, shielding her eyes from the sun as she scanned the heights. "Given the height, surely they aren't at the very top?"
She furrowed her brow, assuming the headquarters would be nestled somewhere around the mountain’s waist.
"No, it is at the very summit."
Raon extended a finger, pointing toward the clouds obscuring the peak.
"B-but... it looks like a place where even drawing breath would be a struggle..." Dorian wheezed, already feeling the phantom weight of the thin air.
"You aren't wrong. The oxygen is quite sparse at that altitude."
"Then we should use this!" Dorian exclaimed, hurriedly fishing a circular gem from his spatial bag. "It’s a high-altitude artifact designed to make breathing effortless! A must-have for any serious traveler!"
He moved to put the device in his mouth, assuring the group they had nothing to fear.
"That won't be necessary."
Evelyn intercepted the artifact, pulling it away from Dorian as she moved to Raon’s side.
"A single spell from me and we will breathe as easily as if we were in a meadow." She tapped Raon’s shoulder lightly, offering him a confident smile.
"I don't intend to rely on magic or artifacts for this," Raon replied, turning his gaze back to the towering slopes. "The reason the Queen of Swords and her disciples possess such fearsome strength is because they were forged at that summit."
At such heights, the simple act of existing is a challenge. By training in the thin air of the peak, the warriors of the Unyielding Blade developed lung capacities and endurance far beyond those of ordinary martial artists. Their legendary combat prowess was built upon that foundation of deep breath and iron will.
"We will climb this as a training exercise. No use of aura allowed."
Raon set off first, framing the climb as a mandatory drill.
—You are a Transcendent, for pity's sake!
Wrath's expression was one of pure exasperation.
—What possible benefit do you expect to gain from a simple hike!
He gestured wildly, urging Raon to just fly up and get it over with.
*No, there is always something to be gained.*
Raon dismissed the complaint.
—Wow. You are deranged in many ways, but when it comes to training, you are a peerless fanatic. A true lunatic.
Wrath shook his head in resignation, labeling Raon a hopeless addict of self-improvement.
"T-training... even during the approach..." Dorian slumped, looking exhausted before he had even started.
"Training? If that's the case, count me in!" Martha grinned, popping her knuckles and stretching her legs with renewed vigor.
"I assume I'm exempt? I am a mage, after all," Evelyn noted, beginning to hover off the ground to take the easy route.
"Do as you wish," Raon replied with a shrug before beginning the ascent.
The initial trek was comparable to any other rugged mountain, but once they passed the midpoint, the incline shifted dramatically. It was no longer a hike; it was like scaling a vertical fortress wall.
*This is actually quite useful.*
Even without his internal energy and despite the punishing height, Raon wasn't physically fatigued. However, the treacherous angle forced him to focus intensely on his center of gravity and the precision of his movements.
—So you really are squeezing a tiny bit of progress out of this. Incredible...
Wrath gave a dry, defeated laugh.
*As you noted, I have reached Transcendence. I am standing at the threshold of the highest peak.*
Raon glanced at his palms, thick with the calluses of a lifetime of effort.
*The days of explosive growth through sudden awakenings are largely behind me. Now, I must accumulate strength bit by bit, through whatever means are available.*
With the shadow of war against Derus looming, any marginal gain was vital. He had to become stronger, however slowly.
"Oh! Is that a Siban tree? Those are incredibly rare!"
Dorian’s eyes lit up as he spotted a tree with branches resembling fish skeletons.
"I have to have this! It's a vital resource!" He scrambled over, panting heavily as he uprooted the specimen and stuffed it into his bag. "Wait! Is that a Murang fruit? That's an essential component for high-end seasonings!"
Dorian darted to the right, gathering the golden, spherical fruits with frantic energy.
"There he goes again," Martha sighed, watching him scavenge like a squirrel preparing for winter.
*Already?*
Unlike Martha’s annoyance, Raon’s reaction was one of sharp realization.
*Has his Authority truly triggered?*
As Dorian stowed the items, Raon felt a familiar resonance—a shift in the boy’s very soul. It was the Authority of Gluttony, the same power that dwelt within Raon himself. It seemed the gift of Gluttony had finally stirred.
—Hoh, it appears so!
Wrath nodded, confirming the awakening within Dorian’s spirit. Though Dorian was oblivious to the change, a deep vibration was occurring; his physical limits and mental fortitude were expanding through the manifestation of Gluttony.
*This is remarkable.*
The ability to grow more powerful simply by indulging in one's passions—it was a more potent gift than Raon had initially realized.
*We need to cultivate more of this.*
Raon turned to look at Martha and the hovering Evelyn.
*Evelyn will almost certainly align with Lust. But...*
He wondered which Demon Kings would resonate with Martha or Burren. He searched his mind for Authorities that would suit their temperaments, but no immediate match came to mind.
*Regardless, I must find a way.*
To minimize the coming bloodshed, he had to elevate the strength of his comrades. Raon looked at Wrath, his resolve hardening to guide Burren and Martha toward Transcendence.
—W-why are you staring at me like that!
Wrath’s jaw dropped, visibly unnerved by the sudden focus.
—Stop that terrifying look!
He shook his head frantically.
—Whenever your eyes get that specific glint, something miserable always happens to me!
---
Raon arrived at the front gates of the Unyielding Blade just as the sun began to dip toward the horizon. The entrance was surprisingly humble—a gate so narrow it could barely accommodate two people abreast, and so weathered it looked like a stiff breeze might knock it over. It was a modest sight for one of the continent's ten greatest powers.
Yet, despite its rustic appearance, the structure radiated a sharp, piercing intent, as if the building itself were a whetted blade.
As Raon neared, the gate creaked open. A young girl with azure hair, perhaps in her mid-teens, stepped out.
"This is the domain of the Unyielding Blade. What business do our guests have here?"
The girl offered a respectful bow. Though young, she possessed the unmistakable aura of a disciplined swordsman.
"I am the Master of the Light Wind Palace of Zieghart. I have come to request an audience with the Sect Master," Raon replied, matching her courtesy.
"Ah! You are Lord Raon!"
The girl’s green eyes widened as she connected the name to the face.
"Please, wait just a moment."
Despite her obvious surprise, she maintained her composure and hurried back inside the complex.
"She's quite the professional, isn't she?" Dorian remarked, sounding impressed by her maturity.
"She is. Certainly more composed than you," Martha added with a sharp nod.
"H-hey! That's uncalled for! I've been a traveling warrior for years!" Dorian protested, waving his hands.
"The Dorian I know would have fainted. You'd be stuttering your way through a greeting if a guest this important showed up," Martha teased with a smirk.
"I-I would not!"
"See? You're stuttering right now."
While the two bickered, the gate opened once more, revealing two very familiar faces.
"What brings you to these heights?"
Brigitte, the Sect Master of the Unyielding Blade and the famed Queen of Swords, blinked in surprise at Raon’s presence.
"I was informed we had visitors, but I didn't expect the Hero of Zieghart."
Ariel, the Thespian Emperor, wore a soft, welcoming smile.
"I believe I know the reason for this visit. It concerns the support for the succession, doesn't it?"
She nodded, as though she had already received word of the internal affairs of House Zieghart.
"Succession support?" Brigitte looked confused.
"I mentioned it to you. Zieghart is currently conducting trials to select their next head," Ariel explained.
"Did you? I think you told my sister. I have no memory of that conversation," Brigitte replied, tapping her temple.
"Ah, you're right!" Ariel realized, clapping her hands. "I told Briana because she’s always so keen to hear news regarding Lord Raon."
—Ah, that's right.
Wrath whistled as he looked at Brigitte.
—The twins who occupy a single body.
*Correct.*
Raon nodded inwardly.
*The souls of Briana and Brigitte coexist in that frame. It was by my hand that they both managed to fully awaken.*
He smiled slightly, remembering how he had helped them while forging the alliance between Zieghart and the Five Divine Orders.
"Is Lady Briana available?" Raon asked.
"She’s currently locked in her mental world, honing her sword. She rarely surfaces these days, likely determined to close the gap between the two of you," Brigitte sighed, clearly annoyed by her sister’s obsession.
"You seem to have been quite busy yourself, Lady Brigitte," Raon noted, observing her closely.
"What? What are you implying?"
"You claimed you hated physical labor because of your sister, yet your conditioning has improved significantly." Raon smiled as he sensed the increased density of Brigitte’s muscles and spirit.
"Nonsense! I only trained because I felt like it!" Brigitte snapped, her face flushing as she denied it. "Stop talking about that and explain this 'succession support' business!"
She stomped her foot, demanding he get to the point.
"The Lord of my House has tasked the candidates with gathering allies..." Raon proceeded to explain the details of his mission.
"Hmph. So you've come to secure the backing of the Unyielding Blade." Brigitte crossed her arms, looking smug. "My endorsement isn't something handed out lightly—"
"You have mine," Ariel interrupted smoothly.
"Ariel!" Brigitte shouted, eyes bulging. "Are you being serious right now?"
"Given the destiny-altering help Lord Raon provided us, a simple show of support is the very least we can offer. Furthermore..." Ariel’s smile turned knowing. "Brigitte was going to agree anyway after making him work for it, wasn't she?"
"Urgh..." Brigitte bit her lip, her pride wounded by being read so easily. "Fine! I'll give my support as well!" She looked away, pretending she had intended to do so from the start.
"I am grateful to you both. However," Raon raised a hand, looking between the two women. "The succession isn't my only reason for being here."
"Oh? What else?" Brigitte asked, tilting her head.
"It involves the Thespian Emperor's tradition." Raon gestured toward Ariel. "I understand that every decade, the Unyielding Blade hosts a swordsmanship competition where aura is prohibited. The victor is granted access to your secret archives..."
He rested his hand on the pommel of Heavenly Drive, a faint, competitive smile on his lips.
"As an ally of the Five Divine Orders, I wish to enter that tournament."
—You absolute brat!
Wrath's face twisted in disbelief.
—Why would a Transcendent like you join a contest meant for students and novices!
---
*Thud.*
In a dimly lit hallway, the sound of footsteps echoed—a cold, rhythmic noise that made the air feel heavy. The source of this chilling presence was Derus Robert. His silver hair trailed behind him as he walked with a stride that seemed to dominate the very ground.
"I offer my sincere congratulations on your monumental achievement."
Kubara, who had been waiting in the office, dropped to one knee and bowed deeply.
"A monumental achievement..."
Derus seated himself on a sofa, examining his pale, flawless hands.
"I wonder if there is ever a true end to the path of the Soul Sword."
He smiled thinly, manifesting a translucent, shimmering force above his palm.
"Much like the infinite depths of martial arts, the Soul Sword seems to offer endless horizons."
His eyes were clear and calm, resembling a sage who had moved beyond the petty concerns of the world.
"Regardless, I have reached the threshold I aimed for. I suppose I should thank the former Master of the Holy Sword Alliance."
As he uttered the name, a wave of pure, concentrated malice bled into the room, as if the world itself were recoiling from his intent.
"Now, give me the briefing. What happened while I was in seclusion? Start with the most critical matters."
"My apologies, My Lord, but the first report is one of failure. Three of our facilities for harvesting divine essence have been annihilated."
Kubara kept her head low, not daring to meet his gaze.
"A single perpetrator, no doubt," Derus remarked, his tone bored. He signaled for her to continue.
"The first strike was so surgical that the enemy vanished before we could even identify them. The second fell despite our heightened security. For the third..." Kubara paused for a breath. "We enlisted the aid of Lady Raphael. Through her intervention, we finally identified the shadow."
She looked up, her eyes flashing with certainty.
"The one responsible for the destruction is Rector, the leader of the Holy Sword Alliance, along with his inner circle."
"As I suspected," Derus said softly, showing no surprise. "I intended to utilize him until the war began and then discard him. But if he chooses to be this troublesome, I have no other options."
He ran a thin, long finger across his own throat, a cold, predatory smile playing on his lips.
"It is time we put him down."
-
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