Chapter 1162
After finally managing to take his first real rest, Raon unbuckled the Heavenly Drive and the Wooden Ring Sword from his belt. These were weapons he usually kept as close as his own skin, yet now, carrying these two blades that were as vital to him as his own life, he walked over to Dorian. The latter was currently casting wary, suspicious glances at his surroundings.
"Keep a close watch on these for a bit."
Raon moved with deliberate care as he held out the Heavenly Drive and the Wooden Ring Sword toward Dorian.
"Huh...?"
Dorian’s pupils dilated to twice their size at the sight of the two legendary blades being thrust toward him.
"W-why are you handing these to me?"
Unable to process the situation, Dorian's lower lip began to quiver with sudden anxiety.
"Is this payback because I grumbled about the inventory yesterday...?"
"That’s already slipped my mind."
Raon gave a slow shake of his head, making it clear that such a petty grievance hadn't even registered.
"Then why...?"
"Because you are the person I trust more than anyone else to safeguard my things."
Raon tilted his head slightly, appearing genuinely puzzled that Dorian would even need to ask.
"Huh? Whoa!"
Dorian’s cheeks puffed out with pride like a loaf of rising bread, and he let out an odd, strangled noise of excitement.
"Ah, yes! Naturally! There isn't a soul better suited for the task than me!"
He bowed deeply, clearly moved by the recognition of his skills.
"Excellent."
A ghost of a smile touched Raon’s lips as he passed the Heavenly Drive and the Wooden Ring Sword to Dorian, who had reached out his arms to receive them.
"I am curious about one thing, though—why exactly are you parting with your blades?"
Dorian moistened his lips, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"For a short while, I want to experience life as a simple human being, rather than a warrior."
Raon offered a faint grin, adding that it wouldn't be a permanent change.
"Um..."
Dorian gave a heavy swallow and stole a glance toward the high platform. Glenn was clearly monitoring the exchange, but he remained silent. It appeared he was willing to grant Raon the freedom to follow his own path.
"Understood. I shall protect the Heavenly Drive and the Wooden Ring Sword with my very soul!"
Dorian struck his chest with a heavy fist, pleading for Raon's confidence, before tucking the swords safely into his specialized pouch.
"Good. I’m leaving them in your hands."
Raon gave Dorian’s shoulder a soft tap and began walking toward the training ground's exit.
—Wait, what...?
Wrath knit his brows together, scanning Raon from head to toe in disbelief.
—Are you actually walking away from the training hall? You? The freak who lives and breathes the sword?
The spirit’s mouth hung open, wondering if Raon had finally snapped.
'I wouldn't be doing any real training even if I stayed.'
Raon shook his head, noting that staying would just be a repeat of the previous day's stagnation.
—I get that, but physically removing yourself from this place is a different level of commitment, isn't it?
Wrath snorted, maintaining that the two actions were worlds apart.
'You aren't wrong. It is a major shift. But at this moment, this is the path I choose to take.'
Reaching the threshold of the training ground, Raon paused to look back one last time.
"Hmm..."
"D-did he actually take a blow to the head during a duel?"
"Is that truly our Palace Master...?"
The warriors of the Light Wind Palace watched him with wide, bewildered eyes, though they didn't stop the rhythmic swinging of their own blades.
"Raon! Make sure to bring back something tasty!"
"That's right. Go out and enjoy yourself with friends for a change!"
Sia and Sylvia beamed at him, waving their hands enthusiastically, seemingly relieved that Raon was finally prioritizing some downtime.
"..."
"On a side note, when exactly is he going to hand over my Martial Arts Manual...?"
While Karoon remained entirely buried in his drills, Balder scowled, his mind stuck on the promise of a new technique Raon had made long ago.
"Hmm!"
Lastly, Glenn watched Raon’s departure in total silence. His steady gaze held a quiet intensity, silently giving Raon his blessing to seek his own answers.
"I’ll return shortly."
Raon offered a respectful bow to Glenn and stepped out of the head of house’s training hall. The moment he crossed the threshold, the soft glow of the morning sun—not yet at its scorching peak—bathed him in warmth. It had been an incredibly long time since he had been anywhere but a training field during these hours.
"The sun feels wonderful, doesn't it?"
Raon shed his expensive martial arts attire, swapping it for simple, everyday clothes, and made his way toward the lively heart of Zieghart.
'So many people.'
He saw merchants haggling, laborers moving crates, families browsing the stalls, and travelers taking in the sights. Everyone was occupied with their own unique lives and goals. Realizing that the world moved on even while he was isolated in training gave Raon a strange, fluttering sensation in his chest.
—I truly cannot wrap my head around you.
Wrath shook his head side to side, still baffled by the change in routine.
—I'll admit your spirit seems lighter and your body is in better shape, but is all this really necessary... Hm?
The spirit's grumbling stopped abruptly as he whipped his head to the right.
—They are grilling chicken skewers over there! I never realized they were here since they usually don't show up on weekdays!
Wrath's mouth practically watered as he stared at the modest stall.
—That aroma is absolutely divine...
'Should we get some, then?'
—Wait? What?
The spirit's jaw dropped as if he couldn't believe his ears.
—Are you being serious?
'Yes. Let's get some bead ice cream too and have them together.'
Raon chuckled softly as he purchased a variety of flavored skewers and a cup of bead ice cream. He found a spot on the edge of a nearby fountain to enjoy them.
'This is great. The flavors really complement each other.'
After finishing the savory, spicy chicken and the sugary, frozen treat, he gave his stomach a satisfied pat.
'What did you think?'
Raon used his elbow to nudge the dazed Wrath, who was hovering in mid-air.
—It was... d-delicious. You have finally grasped the essence of the salty-sweet harmony that this king has championed.
Wrath nodded slowly, forced to admit it was an excellent decision.
—But are you sure your mind is still intact?
Even with the lingering taste of the food, he glanced at Raon with genuine concern.
'I'm perfectly fine.'
Raon smiled, waving off the spirit’s worries.
'I think I'm starting to grasp the culinary joy you always talk about.'
He spent the rest of the afternoon observing the crowds while drifting toward the western edge of the marketplace. He had never explored this specific path before, and it was filled with the sounds of children playing and elders chatting. He eventually found a small, quiet park tucked away from the main road.
Youngsters were chasing one another in circles, while the older generation sat in groups, trading stories.
With so many people lounging on the benches, no one spared him a second glance.
'This is a nice spot.'
Raon claimed a vacant seat and leaned back. The rustling of the green leaves above and the soft caress of the wind made him feel more peaceful than he ever had within the walls of a dojo.
'My spirit is finally at rest.'
Raon didn't fight the heaviness in his eyelids, allowing the fatigue to take over. Before long, his breathing turned rhythmic and soft as he drifted off.
—Uh, hmm...
Wrath rubbed his chin as he watched the sleeping Raon, gradually growing accustomed to this new version of him.
—Connecting with your humanity is one thing, but this is just...
—You’ve turned into a complete slacker!
"Is Raon... is he seriously not coming back?"
Martha scowled, her eyes fixed on the vacant spot in the center of the yard where Raon was usually found.
"In all the time I've known him, I've never seen that man—who would wake up from a coma for a sword—take a break for a full week."
She let out a frustrated breath, surprised his absence had lasted this long.
"It hasn't been a week; it's been ten days."
Burren sighed deeply, staring up at the clouds.
"Raon hasn't even stepped foot in this area for ten straight days."
His brow was furrowed with obvious apprehension.
"I’m so stressed about him that I can’t even sleep..."
Despite Runaan’s claim of insomnia, she was currently rubbing the sleep-creases off her face from a long nap.
"Where is he, and what is he doing...?"
She bit her lip, suggesting that maybe it was time to form a search party.
"I feel like these swords are getting heavier by the hour..."
Dorian’s shoulders slumped, the weight of the pouch holding the Heavenly Drive and the Wooden Ring Sword clearly taking a toll on him.
"You don't think... our Palace Master has actually lost his mind, do you?"
Krein’s hands shook slightly as he spoke, finding Raon's extended absence more unsettling than his usual intensity.
"Maybe it's a mental blockage or a heart demon..."
"My nephew moved past his heart demon a long time ago."
Alice appeared out of nowhere, slinging an arm around Krein’s neck.
"Ah, Lady Alice!"
Krein jumped back, startled by her sudden presence.
"I appreciate your concern for my nephew. Though, are you suggesting you're closer to him than I am?"
Alice raised an eyebrow playfully, as if reconsidering her praise.
"But there's no need to fret. I saw him just a little while ago, wandering the city and looking quite content."
She gave a cheerful grin, mentioning that he was even engaging in pleasant conversation with strangers.
"Is that true?"
Martha’s mouth fell open.
"That guy’s tongue is usually so sharp that normal people are too intimidated to even look at him."
She blinked rapidly, finding the idea of a social Raon hard to reconcile with reality.
"I'm serious. He was playing with the local kids and sharing smiles with the elderly."
Alice waved a hand dismissively, saying he seemed like a completely different person.
"Oh, though his mood did sour a bit when Evelyn cornered him trying to set up a date."
She chuckled to herself, clearly amused by the memory.
"Evelyn actually tracked him down again?"
Burren sighed, realizing he couldn't match that level of persistence.
"Well, if Raon is doing okay, we should focus on our own progress since training is almost over..."
As Burren turned to encourage Martha and Runaan, he found they were already sprinting toward the exit, their faces set in grim determination. They were moving so fast they were actually utilizing high-level movement techniques to leave the grounds.
"Hehe!"
Alice rubbed her palms together, a mischievous glint in her eyes, having fully expected that reaction.
"Now, who else can I mess with?"
She strolled off with a smirk, hunting for her next target.
"Good grief..."
Burren watched her leave with a tired sigh.
"Raon really has a lot to deal with."
Two months had flown by, and Glenn’s specialized training period reached its conclusion.
The warriors gathered in formation before the high platform, their appearances and auras vastly altered from the day they had first entered the training hall.
"Hmm."
Glenn stroked his beard, looking over the group with a sense of pride from his seat.
'They have truly evolved.'
Through their grueling efforts, nearly every swordsman present had managed to ascend by at least one rank. Those who were Master High Rank had reached Top Rank, and Grandmaster Middle Ranks had climbed to High Rank; the improvement was palpable.
'And it isn't just about their raw power.'
During their time under his guidance, these warriors had gained immense experience through relentless sparring against high-level opponents. Their focus and presence had shifted to an entirely new tier of mastery.
'Those children in particular have made incredible strides.'
Glenn shifted his gaze to Sylvia, Sia, Burren, Martha, and Runaan on the left side of the formation.
'Their natural gifts are in a league of their own.'
The talent displayed by Sylvia and Sia was arguably the finest in Zieghart, second only to Raon. They had soaked up new techniques like parched earth absorbing rain. Burren, Martha, and Runaan had also reached new heights, driven by their proximity to Raon’s own standards.
Because they aimed for higher peaks, they had achieved remarkable growth.
Runaan stood out even among that elite group, appearing to be on the very cusp of reaching transcendence. While no one had officially broken into the transcendent stage yet, several—including Balder and Runaan—looked ready to leap over that hurdle when the moment was right.
'However...'
Glenn’s expression softened into a slight frown as he looked at the empty space at the very front.
'Is he still not here today?'
Raon hadn't returned for the duration of the training, and even now, at the final ceremony, his spot remained vacant.
'I'll have to go find him once this is finished.'
While Raon was trying to settle his internal turmoil, Glenn worried that too much isolation might be counterproductive. It was time to offer him some direct guidance.
'I suppose he couldn't find the answer on his own after all.'
Glenn felt a pang of regret and gave a quiet shake of his head.
"You will now undergo a final evaluation to demonstrate the fruits of your labor."
Just as he was about to call the first warrior forward, the heavy doors of the training ground creaked open. Raon stepped inside, his once-shining golden hair now appearing dull and muted. Yet, in contrast to his dusty appearance, his eyes burned with a crimson clarity that was sharper than ever.
"Forgive my tardiness."
Raon offered a polite bow to Glenn, dressed in simple, worn-out clothing, and moved to his position.
"Hmm..."
Glenn felt a lump in his throat as he studied Raon.
'He has changed. Entirely.'
The energy Raon projected was unrecognizable. The brilliant, sharp-edged genius had been replaced by a vague, almost misty presence. He looked as harmless as a simple village boy or a wandering vagrant who had no interest in the way of the sword.
"Uh..."
"I-is that Raon?"
"Can that really be him?"
"What's happened...?"
The other warriors were equally stunned, their eyes glued to Raon as they stood frozen in their tracks.
"Hmm!"
Glenn took a deep breath and stood up from his throne.
"I repeat: I have set the stage for you to display how you have grown as martial artists over the last two months. Step forward and show me your progress."
He looked directly at Raon, his decision already made.
"Raon Zieghart."
Glenn spoke the name with a booming resonance.
"You shall be the first."
Under normal circumstances, Raon would have been the finale, but Glenn’s curiosity regarding his grandson's transformation was too great to wait.
"As you wish."
Raon nodded calmly and walked over to Dorian.
"May I have my swords back?"
"Ah, y-yes! Right away!"
Dorian blinked, snapping out of his trance, and frantically pulled the Heavenly Drive and the Wooden Ring Sword from his pouch to return them.
"My thanks."
The moment Raon’s hands closed around the hilts, he offered a small smile. Even though he had done nothing more than hold them, every warrior in the room felt a sudden, chilling sensation, as if an invisible blade was pressed against their jugular.
'This feeling...'
The eyes of the assembled swordsmen turned cold and serious. A single, shared thought flashed through all their minds at once.
'Just what kind of monster has he turned into during his time away!'
