Chapter 1169
"Hmm!"
Glenn’s mouth twitched ever so slightly as he studied Raon, who maintained a poised confidence and a serene look.
"Dragons are notorious for their guile and treachery, but considering your current level of martial skill, I trust you can manage whatever schemes they might attempt."
He gave a solemn nod, recognizing the undeniable power and self-assurance before him.
"I am of the same mind."
Sheryl allowed a faint smile to play on her lips.
"The small boy from the Light Wind division I once took out for training has vanished. It is both heartening and a bit bittersweet to see you transformed into a Palace Master, one who has endured so much and embraced such heavy duty."
She closed her eyes briefly and reopened them with a look of deep affection, as if she were seeing the young Raon of the Light Wind days superimposed over the man standing there now.
"It is precisely because I lived through those days that I have become the person I am today."
Raon met Sheryl’s gaze with a subtle, knowing smile.
"I am perpetually thankful."
He inclined his head, offering a sincere gesture of appreciation to Sheryl for the guidance and care she provided during his formative years.
"Haah, I still find it hard to grasp."
Sheryl exhaled a dry, disbelief-filled laugh, resting a hand on her hip.
"How did someone of your caliber emerge from under the tutelage of such an idiot?"
She gave her head a dismissive shake, noting the jarring disparity between Raon and his mentor, Rimmer.
"You are well aware of the truth, Heavenly Blade Division Leader."
Raon let out a small smirk as he noted the slight furrow in Sheryl’s brow.
"That my master was more than just a shiftless loafer, a gambling addict, a teller of tall tales, and a fool who drifted through life without a single thought."
He tilted his chin up just a bit, suggesting that his mentor possessed virtues that far outweighed those obvious flaws.
"I—I never suggested such a thing!"
Sheryl blinked rapidly, her expression asking if his description wasn't a bit over the line.
"That fellow did plenty of bizarre things, but he always had his justifications!"
She raised her voice slightly, instinctively stepping up to defend Rimmer.
"Is that the case?"
Raon’s lips curled upward as he watched the tension in Sheryl’s forehead.
"It seems the Heavenly Blade Division Leader is coming to my master’s defense."
He murmured the observation as if to himself, letting out a playful, mocking laugh.
"Huh? Urgh!"
Sheryl finally caught on to the trap Raon had set, let out a sharp gasp, and took a step back.
"Hmm..."
Glenn also narrowed his eyes, clearly finding Sheryl’s flustered irritation to be a source of amusement.
"That isn't what’s happening!"
Sheryl let out a heavy, weary sigh and smoothed out her distorted features.
"I have no fondness for that master of yours. Therefore, I will never play along with his desires!"
She gave a sharp snort, declaring that she had no intention of fulfilling Rimmer’s wishes either.
"I understand."
Raon clasped his hands together as he observed Sheryl, who had abruptly turned her face away.
'Just as I suspected...'
Sheryl truly did care for him. Rimmer wanted Sheryl to find someone else and seek a happy life, but in contrast, Sheryl had carved Rimmer’s image into her soul and intended to remain alone for the duration of her life.
'So, this is the nature of love.'
Looking at Rimmer and Sheryl, he felt he was witnessing one facet of the complex affection between a man and a woman. It was only a small window, but he was beginning to comprehend the essence of love.
'My father and mother shared something similar, though the circumstances differed.'
Sylvia and Edgar had also been denied a conventional romance. They had found each other again after enduring countless trials in a world that had forced them apart. The deep-seated love and the eventual reunion of those two were now starting to resonate within his own heart.
Perhaps it was the result of discovering these new sentiments, but it felt as though the blade being tempered within his soul was growing sharper and more substantial.
—No...
Wrath’s eyes turned cold and hard, as if he were utterly stunned.
—Go out and experience love for yourself! Stop scavenging emotions from the romances of others!
He bellowed, questioning why Raon insisted on learning about feelings in such a detached manner.
—You really are a human beyond all logic! Honestly, I’m starting to doubt if you even qualify as human anymore!
Wrath ground his teeth together, stating that the mere sight of Raon was becoming a source of intense irritation.
'I am human. Perhaps a bit different from the norm, but...'
Raon offered a ghost of a smile to the fuming Wrath. He gave a quiet nod, making a silent vow to himself that one day he would disclose the entire truth.
"Hmm."
Glenn scrutinized Raon, his brows twitching slightly.
"I believe I can trust you with any task now."
He nodded slowly, as if he—much like Wrath—had picked up on the shift in Raon’s emotional state.
"The fact that such a relaxed mood persists even as we prepare to confront the highest-ranking ancient dragons is likely a testament to your martial skill and your inner certainty."
Glenn gestured with his hand, signaling for him to proceed as he saw fit.
"My thanks."
Raon held a formal, respectful posture as he bowed to Glenn.
"I will not let you down."
He lifted his gaze, declaring his intention to deal not only with the leaders of each dragon lineage but with the Dragon Lord himself.
"Which companions will you be taking on this journey?"
Glenn squinted, showing interest in the roster for the mission.
"I believe it is best for Runaan to stay behind, as this is a pivotal time for her development. I intend to bring Burren and Martha along so they can gain necessary experience. Dorian is a mandatory inclusion, and as for Evelyn, even without me mentioning it..."
"Hmm, I see."
Raon left the rest unsaid, but Glenn nodded as if the conclusion was obvious.
"If you ever find yourself in need of my power, do not hesitate to reach out."
Glenn lowered his finger, warning him not to fall into the trap of carrying every burden alone simply because he had grown more capable. He clearly wished to prevent his grandson from enduring the same isolation he once had.
"I will keep that in mind."
Raon smiled, assuring him that he lacked the vanity to believe he could conquer every obstacle by himself.
"Very well."
After promising to remain cautious and ensure a safe return, he pulled open the doors to the audience chamber.
"Hmm?"
The moment the doors swung wide, he found Karoon and Roenn standing right outside.
"Lord Raon. May your journey be a safe one."
Roenn bowed his head with a warm, deep laugh, as if he had been privy to the entire conversation.
"Yes. I shall see you upon my return."
Just as Raon acknowledged the farewell and prepared to depart.
"Make Burren work until he breaks."
Karoon tossed out those words about pushing Burren to his limits before entering the chamber. Despite the abrasive nature of his command, there was an unmistakable trace of warmth when he uttered Burren’s name.
"Understood. I will push him to his absolute limit."
Raon gave Karoon a nod and stepped out of the Lord's Manor.
'Now, it isn't just the annex building, but this entire Zieghart...'
He stole a glance back at the audience chamber Karoon had disappeared into and let a faint smile touch his face.
'It feels like home.'
He felt a glow of warmth in his chest, knowing that Zieghart had evolved into a genuine sanctuary where he could return and feel welcome at any time.
'Somehow...'
Raon tightened his fist as he exited the manor and looked out over the sprawling landscape of Zieghart.
'I will ensure its safety.'
The following morning. Woooong! Once Raon had completed his final preparations and walked into the garden of the annex, Bartius’s image manifested within a blue shimmering window, just as it had the day before.
"Are you prepared?"
Bartius jerked his chin, asking if they were ready to set out immediately.
"Awuu, we—we’re actually doing this."
Dorian’s shoulders shook with a visible tremor of fear.
"I just finished my meditative training and was hoping for a moment of rest..."
Even as he grumbled about wanting a break, he was busy verifying the gear in his storage pouch. It was evident he had packed a massive amount of supplies in just twenty-four hours, and the presence of Gluttony seemed to have grown notably more potent.
"Dragons. And not just any, but leaders of the great clans..."
Burren focused on his breathing, inhaling and exhaling with quiet intensity.
"Merely observing such a conflict will be an incredible lesson."
He squeezed his fist, vowing to absorb every detail of the coming events.
"Just watching? No way! We’re getting in there and fighting!"
Martha let out a scoff, as if the idea of sitting on the sidelines was ridiculous.
"We need to apply what we’ve been practicing in a real struggle!"
She rested her hand on her hilt, expressing a fierce desire to test herself against the dragon race.
"Ignorance must be bliss, right?"
Evelyn smirked as she brushed past Martha’s shoulder.
"With your current level of ability, you wouldn't last a second against an ancient dragon."
She tilted her head, suggesting Martha needed a reality check.
"Hmph! Do you honestly think only ancient dragons stay by the clan leaders? There will obviously be lesser ones as well."
Martha swatted Evelyn’s hand away, telling her to stop acting so superior.
"Save the bickering for later."
Raon let out a tired sigh as he moved to stand between the two women.
"Bartius. Let us go."
He stepped forward, prompting Bartius to lead the way.
"We will be heading straight to the domain of the Red clan leader."
Bartius nodded, confirming that the coordinates were already set. Woooooong! As he spread his palms, a shimmering golden dimensional portal flickered into existence in front of Raon.
"Step through the gateway."
Bartius maintained a steady, calm gaze, urging them to trust his lead and enter the portal.
"Um, Palace Master."
Dorian swallowed hard, his face pale with anxiety.
"Sh—Should I be the one to go first?"
Despite his terror, he stepped in front of the gate out of a sense of loyalty to Raon’s safety.
"I am not the sort of leader who uses his people as shields."
Raon gave a small laugh and moved Dorian back.
"And once I have made the choice to trust, I will hold to that trust until the moment a blade finds my back."
He locked eyes with Bartius, who was observing through the blue pane, and stepped into the golden light of the gateway. Woooooong! After a brief sensation of weightlessness, his feet met solid earth again, and he found himself standing at the peak of a colossal volcano where molten rock churned and explosions of fire rocked the air.
"Woaaaah..."
Dorian gasped, reeling from the sheer intensity of the volcanic heat and instinctively backing away.
"Starting off with a volcano..."
Burren bit his lip, his body tense with anticipation.
"In moments like this, I actually miss that dimwit."
Martha smacked her lips, imagining Runaan’s miserable reaction to the heat and wishing for the cooling ice she could provide.
"So this was the place after all."
Evelyn gave a calm nod, as if the location matched her expectations.
"Hmm."
While Raon surveyed the volcanic landscape, the golden portal vanished, and Bartius manifested in the flesh behind them.
"I admire your lack of hesitation."
Bartius’s lips curved as he looked at Raon.
"Naturally. That is precisely why you were my choice."
He nodded, confirming that Raon was proving his worth.
"This location..."
Raon narrowed his eyes, taking in the scorched surroundings.
"This is Sky Fire Volcano, the residence of Igni Serpang, the head of the Red clan."
Instead of Bartius answering, a gravelly voice that sounded like the crackle of a forest fire spoke from behind them. Valasiur, the adult dragon of the Red clan, approached with a sharp, focused gaze.
"I shall be your guide from this point forward."
Valasiur shook out his hands, signaling for them to follow, and pointed toward a dark silhouette looming near the lava flow. Although obscured by the shimmering heat and thick smoke, a massive opening large enough for an ancient dragon to traverse was visible.
This site, protected by a natural wall of extreme heat and fire, served as the inner sanctum of Igni Serpang.
"Let’s move."
Raon trailed after Valasiur into the cavernous depths. The interior heat was just as punishing as the exterior, but by now, no one in the group was weak enough to be deterred by it.
"Allow me a moment to speak first."
Valasiur spoke in a low murmur as they progressed. His usual bluntness had been replaced by a more cautious, hesitant behavior, indicating he was still grappling with the weight of the situation.
"A moment to speak?"
Raon’s eyes sharpened slightly.
"If Igni Serpang manages to send word outside, our situation will become critical."
He didn't mind the dialogue, but if the secret was leaked, the entire strategy would fail, making a casual decision impossible.
"That will not be an issue."
Bartius raised a hand in a calming gesture.
"Dariauran, Sirtiren, and Bursiarabi have already established a containment barrier."
He nodded, explaining that the Black, Blue, and White dragons were currently sealing Igni Serpang’s routes for escape and communication.
"Hmm."
Raon glanced back at Evelyn for confirmation.
"Unless he had defenses prepared long in advance, a barrier of that magnitude won't be easily broken."
Evelyn nodded, signifying that the claim was reliable.
"Then we shall proceed as you suggest."
Raon gave a firm nod.
"You have my thanks."
Valasiur thanked him for his cooperation and increased his pace as they delved deeper into the lair. Numerous Guardians were stationed throughout the tunnels, but they remained motionless, likely due to Valasiur’s high standing.
"Whew."
Valasiur paused to collect his breath before a cavern so vast that it could have housed a small city.
"We are here. Now..."
He was just about to step into the chamber, having steeled his resolve, when... the massive cave—and indeed the entire Sky Fire Volcano—shuddered. The head of a flame dragon, so gargantuan its crown seemed to scrape the sky, emerged from the shadows. The sheer scale of the creature was so overwhelming it felt like a hallucination.
[Valasiur. And Bartius.]
Igni Serpang, the monarch of the Red clan, pushed forward a body larger than a mountain range, radiating a heat so fierce it could liquify bone.
[What is the purpose of your arrival? And why have you brought these vermin with you?]
Igni Serpang glared down at the two dragons, his aura thick with simmering rage.
"Uuugh..."
"Is this truly the leader of the Red clan?"
"This pressure is absolutely insane!"
Dorian struggled to draw air, Burren gripped his hilt and forced his legs to stay upright, and Martha bit into her lip until it bled as she refused to look away from the dragon’s gaze.
"..."
Raon remained where he was, honoring his earlier agreement not to interfere yet. With his hands clasped behind him, he completely masked his presence and stared unblinkingly at Igni Serpang.
[Leader. Our people are currently treading a path of ruin.]
Valasiur stepped toward the massive dragon, holding both hands out in a gesture of supplication.
[Dragons are a species meant to preserve the equilibrium of this realm. It is for this reason we are known as arbiters or neutrals, and why we are gifted with such immense power.]
He tilted his head back, projecting dragon speech from his human form.
[But the dragons of today have abandoned that purpose. The Dragon Lord and the clan heads, who should be the bastards of neutrality, are instead collaborating with entities from other dimensions to wipe out humanity—a core part of this world. To usher in the reign of the Demonic Dragon with our own hands is a betrayal we cannot accept!]
Valasiur cast aside the typical arrogance of the Red clan, attempting to reach Igni Serpang with a voice of reason.
[Valasiur...]
Igni Serpang shifted his focus to Valasiur, his brow—wider than a hillside—furrowing in deep displeasure.
[To think that the one chosen to succeed me would utter such nonsense! Why can you not see our vision? The human race has rotted to its core. Only by burning away the old and allowing the new to grow can we restore the balance of this world!]
He let out a ferocious roar, making it clear he hadn't truly listened to a word Valasiur had said.
"Even if that were true, the solution should come from within us. Aligning with beings from beyond our reality means forfeiting the very identity of being a dragon."
Bartius added his voice, supporting Valasiur’s stance.
[Valasiur, Bartius. Have you both become so soft because you were pampered as future leaders? You have lost your senses.]
Igni Serpang’s fury boiled over as he stepped fully out of the shadows. His entire massive form was now visible, creating a gravitational pressure that made every breath a struggle.
"Uuuugh..."
"Huuuurp!"
"Aaaagh..."
As Igni Serpang unleashed a wave of genuine killing intent, Burren, Martha, and Dorian lost the ability to breathe and collapsed to their knees.
"Damn it..."
"Ha! So it comes to this."
Valasiur and Bartius also felt their shoulders sink under the weight of the aura, stepping back as they felt the full force of the leader’s conviction.
[Today, I shall demonstrate the gulf between our powers! And the difference in our resolve to save this continent!]
Igni Serpang ignited a torrent of blazing red mana, stating he would give Valasiur and Bartius a final lesson. The volcano erupted from the sheer output of energy, and a tremor shook the ground as if the very tectonic plates were being twisted.
"As I thought, words are useless."
Raon let out a short sigh as he stepped forward. He moved with a terrifying calm, acting as though Igni Serpang’s rage was nothing more than a light breeze.
"I can tell from your words alone. You have already crossed a line from which there is no return."
[A human? How dare a mere insect...]
Just as Igni Serpang let out a mocking snort and prepared to unleash a devastating breath of fire... a flash of blue light cut through the air in total silence.
[Uh...]
The dragon, mid-breath, froze like a stone carving, his entire mountain-sized frame beginning to quiver.
[I—Impossible...]
Igni Serpang couldn't even finish his sentence before his throat split open and his gargantuan head slid from his neck, crashing onto the floor of the lair. The weight was so immense that the ground gave way, plunging the head into the churning lava below.
The head, severed with a precision that defied logic, began to dissolve as it sank into the molten rock that shared the same fiery hue as his scales.
"You aren't even worth the time it takes to repent."
Raon gave the Heavenly Drive a light flick to clear it, having drawn and sheathed the blade faster than anyone could perceive.
"Die as the filth you have become."
