Chapter 1170
The elongated throat of Igni Serpang, severed cleanly from its torso, curved like a harvesting blade as it crashed to the earth. Luckily, the neck appeared to possess less mass than the skull, preventing the floor of the cavern from collapsing further under the weight.
Raon reached out and smoothly returned his Heavenly Drive to its scabbard, his eyes fixed on the massive form of Igni Serpang as the last flickers of vitality faded away.
'Is this the extent of my current strength?'
Seeking to evaluate his evolved martial skill, Raon had unleashed a strike with Heavenly Drive at the peak of his power just as Igni Serpang prepared to exhale its inferno. The result surpassed his most ambitious guesses; the dragon's life had been snuffed out before it even grasped that its neck had been parted.
As the head tumbled toward the molten rock, the dragon's eyes were wide with a mix of bewilderment, fury, and paralyzing dread. It was clear the creature only understood it had been decapitated after the veil of death had already fallen.
'Even if Igni Serpang had attempted a defense, the blade would have still split its throat.'
He felt it now with total clarity. Regardless of whether Igni Serpang had released its fire or cast a barrage of high-tier spells, the conclusion would have been identical—execution by a single motion.
The capability to slay the sovereign of the Red clan—the most savage lineage of the dragons, who were themselves considered the world's apex predators—with a solitary blow. He felt he had finally stepped across the threshold into the territory of genuine transcendence.
'What did you think of that?'
Raon glanced toward Wrath, a subtle grin playing on his lips.
'I’ve progressed a fair bit, wouldn't you say?'
-This brat...
Wrath bit his lip, clearly stunned by what he had witnessed.
-How could you just lop off the lizard's noggin like that!
He roared as though demanding a formal apology.
-The meat from the head is a delicacy, why would you just discard it!
Wrath ground his teeth together, his fury directed not at Raon’s terrifying display of power, but at the loss of a prime culinary ingredient.
'...'
Raon let out a weary breath as he observed Wrath.
'That gluttonous spirit truly never evolves.'
He reflected on how he himself was constantly shifting, while Wrath remained stubbornly stagnant, and he simply shook his head at the thought.
-This King is already the pinnacle of perfection!
Wrath gave a prideful snort, looking down at his own form.
-Unlike a half-baked mortal like you, I have no requirement for change!
He dismissed the comparison with a sharp wave of his hand.
-However, I suppose...
Wrath narrowed his gaze as he studied the neatly butchered remains of Igni Serpang, the monarch of the Red clan.
-It wasn't terrible. That swing certainly manifested your advancement.
Despite his annoyance over the wasted meat, he gave a slow nod, conceding that the swordsmanship was brilliant enough to momentarily distract him from his hunger.
'High praise indeed, coming from you.'
Raon gave a short, sharp whistle.
'It means you actually noticed the technique before the dragon roast.'
As a monarch of the abyss, Wrath was rarely moved by mundane events, his focus almost always tethered to his stomach. For such a being to prioritize the quality of the strike over the corpse of the dragon meant Raon had indeed reached a new level.
-Hmph! Your blade is still amateurish, so don't stop practicing!
Wrath squinted at him, warning Raon against arrogance.
-You haven't even reached the height of this King's knee yet!
'Naturally.'
Raon rested his palm on the hilt of Heavenly Drive and wet his lips.
'My hunger for power is just as bottomless as Greed’s, so don't you worry.'
-The same applies to this Great King.
Wrath squeezed his fist tight to illustrate his own resolve.
-That is to say, my hunger for food! Cook that lizard's carcass this instant! The magma below is the perfect grill!
'...'
You are supposed to be the embodiment of fury...
"What... exactly... is this...?"
Bartius found it hard to swallow as he stared at the cooling remains of Igni Serpang, whose spirit had vanished in a heartbeat.
"What just occurred..."
He hadn't been able to properly track the movement. By the time his mind registered that Raon Zieghart had drawn his weapon, Igni Serpang’s skull was already tumbling away.
'It defies belief.'
Igni Serpang wasn't just any leader; he was the sovereign of the Red clan, a lineage defined by their thirst for war. Having survived countless duels with legendary masters and possessing immense combat experience, it was unthinkable that he would be decapitated by a single opening move from Raon.
'This level of martial art is beyond my understanding.'
Bartius let out a breathy, hollow laugh while watching Raon stand calmly over the fallen dragon king.
'Was Raon Zieghart always this formidable?'
He hadn't recruited Raon solely for his combat ability, but because he found him to be a man of honor through the legends surrounding the Sword Emperor. Raon had met those expectations today by following him without demanding any compensation.
Yet, the Raon Zieghart standing there now wielded a power that shattered all projections. He had anticipated a desperate, bloody struggle to bring down Igni Serpang, but Raon had dismantled the Red clan leader solo, and with terrifying efficiency.
"Ha..."
Valasiur let out a shocked, empty chuckle.
"Were you truly this powerful all along?"
He blinked several times, as if he had expected victory but never imagined it would look like this.
"You weren't at this level during our previous encounter! Were you suppressing your strength? Or have you ascended since then?"
Valasiur’s fingers twitched as he spoke of the overwhelming power. It was the kind of strength that would strike terror even into the hearts of the battle-hardened Red dragons.
"During the time you were tracking the Lord's coordinates, I had a bit of a stroke of luck. Actually, it wasn't just luck; I gained some deep realizations about the nature of life."
Raon nodded toward Valasiur.
"And yes, it’s also true that I wasn't going all out back then."
He offered a small smile, suggesting both explanations held weight.
"It has only been two months."
Bartius's brow furrowed as his fingers curled into a fist.
"Human beings don't typically evolve at such a frantic pace, do they?"
He shook his head, concluding that Raon was an anomaly among mortals.
"Raon isn't your typical human."
Evelyn gave a radiant smile, moving closer to Raon's side.
"He is in a state of constant flux. You should pay close attention to him while you can."
She spoke with a casual air, as if Raon's effortless victory over Igni Serpang was a foregone conclusion.
"Wow, I... I'm still breathing..."
Dorian let out a long, shaky breath and collapsed to the floor, finally processing the reality of the situation.
"I honestly thought it was over for us... Gwaaargh!"
He scrambled to his feet instantly as the scorched ground began to singe his trousers.
"Ending the leader of the Red clan with just one swing..."
Burren ran a hand through his usually tidy hair, clearly shaken despite his familiarity with Raon’s talent.
"I wonder where his limit lies. Does he actually plan to take down the Dragon Lord by himself?"
Initially, he believed the assistance of the other dragons was vital, but now it seemed Raon might be capable of handling the Dragon Lord single-handedly.
"Incredible!"
Martha clapped her hands together, unable to hide her respect.
"That's how it's done! A warrior should always let a single strike do the talking!"
She nodded with fierce approval, clearly enamored with the efficiency of Raon’s killing blow.
"Hmm..."
Bartius gave his own cheek a light slap to clear the fog from his mind. Woooong! A pulse of azure light signaled the arrival of three dragons in human guise. These were the Blue Dragon Sirtiren, the White Dragon Bursiarabi, and the Black Dragon Dariauran, who had been holding the perimeter.
"I feared the worst when Igni Serpang’s presence vanished so abruptly..."
Sirtiren’s mouth hung open as she viewed the corpse of the Red king.
"He's dead? So soon?"
She looked to Bartius, seeking an explanation for the impossible.
"A single sword stroke. It was over instantly..."
"Madness. It's beautiful and terrifying at the same time."
Dariauran and Bursiarabi both swallowed hard, feeling the residual intent of Raon’s technique still echoing around the body.
"Bartius."
Raon addressed the dragon with a calm, steady gaze, looking as relaxed as if he were taking a break.
"Begin the process."
He gestured with his chin, signaling for him to retrieve the artifact needed to find the Dragon Lord.
"I understand."
Bartius nodded and pressed his palms together. As he chanted a cryptic incantation in the ancient dragon tongue, a shimmering, translucent gold key manifested from the remains of Igni Serpang. Bartius took hold of the key and gave a firm nod.
"This is the first component required to unlock the path to the Lord's realm. There are two remaining."
He absorbed the golden key into his essence, explaining that once the other two ancient dragons were dealt with, they could breach the dimension where the Lord was sequestered.
"Then let’s proceed to the next target."
Raon was ready to move, but he noticed Valasiur standing perfectly still. The dragon was silently observing the cooling body of Igni Serpang. Judging by his demeanor, the two had shared a bond closer than Raon had realized.
"Should we leave the remains behind?"
Raon lowered his hand, offering to respect Valasiur’s feelings.
-Wh-what kind of idiocy is this!
Wrath glared at him as if Raon had lost his mind.
-Why on earth would you leave all that meat! We have to cook it now!
He yanked on Raon’s collar, demanding he reconsider.
"Master Raon, what are you suggesting! That dragon’s body is worth a literal fortune!"
Dorian’s eyes nearly popped out, though his excitement was purely financial.
"If you wish it, I will leave him here."
Ignoring both the spirit and the merchant, Raon kept his focus on Valasiur.
"The choice is yours."
In his past life, Raon would have harvested the corpse without a second thought, but having learned the value of human connection and empathy, he wanted to prioritize his ally's peace of mind.
"No. Take it with you."
Valasiur shook his head, declining the offer.
"If it stays here, it will simply dissolve back into the elements. It would be far more useful if you utilized it for your needs."
He spoke with the logic of a mediator, acknowledging that the spirit was gone and only the shell remained.
-Ooooooh!
"Wowaaaaaah!"
Wrath let out a jubilant cry, and Dorian charged forward alongside the spirit’s invisible influence to shove the massive form of Igni Serpang into his magical pouch.
"Wait, what?"
"How does all of that fit in there?"
"What sort of sorcery is that? I need to study this."
The visiting dragons were stunned by the incredible spatial compression of the small bag.
'If we resolve this matter, the dragons might truly change for the better.'
Raon allowed himself a small smile as he watched Valasiur maintain his composure despite losing a friend.
'Not as the "lizards" Wrath calls them, but as the ancient dragons of legend, the true "mediators" of the world.'
"I am ready."
After securing the golden key, Bartius walked over to Raon.
"Are you certain we should continue immediately?"
He tilted his head, suggesting they could wait until the following day if needed.
"I'm fine. I feel capable of facing the Lord this very second."
Raon smiled, reassuring him and urging their departure.
"I would have doubted those words moments ago, but now they ring true."
Having seen Raon’s power with his own eyes, Bartius offered a faint smile of agreement.
"Then we shall go at once."
He wove his fingers through the air and whispered in the dragon tongue, causing a shimmering golden portal to tear open in space.
"Step through."
"After you."
Raon nodded calmly and crossed the threshold of the second gate. Immediately, a refreshing, damp breeze greeted them on the other side.
As his vision cleared, he found himself looking out over an infinite expanse of water, with a solitary, tiny island sitting at its heart. While the previous lair had been a furnace of fire, this location was its polar opposite—the center of a vast, emerald-colored ocean.
"This is the domain of Azgoros, the monarch of the Blue clan."
Bartius gave a small shrug, indicating the surrounding waters.
"Uh, I don't see anything?"
Dorian blinked, looking confused.
"A lair? That island looks way too small for a dragon."
Martha squinted, her eyes scanning the lone island in the distance.
"The ocean. I’ve heard rumors that the Blue clan builds their homes beneath the waves."
Burren nodded, concluding the lair was submerged.
"Correct!"
Sirtiren, the Blue Dragon, nodded toward Burren.
"The Blue clan's homes are underwater, making them incredibly difficult to breach. Furthermore..."
She gave a knowing smile as she looked at the waves.
"Azgoros is a paranoid dragon. He has filled the waters with countless sea monsters to guard his home. He’s conditioned them to slaughter anyone who isn't him."
Sirtiren licked her lips, noting that a stealthy entrance was likely impossible.
"And on top of that..."
She was about to elaborate further when Raon interrupted.
"There are other Blue dragons present as well."
Raon narrowed his eyes, peering deep into the dark water.
"You can actually sense them? I only knew because I was told beforehand."
Sirtiren laughed in disbelief at his perception.
"My senses are particularly sharp right now."
Raon shrugged it off as simple intuition.
"If you have intuition like that twice, you'd know every secret in existence."
Sirtiren waved her hand dismissively.
"Regardless, you're right. Azgoros recently called in the adult dragons of the Blue clan to act as a security detail. They are quite formidable, so a silent approach is off the table."
She frowned, noting that while they could trap Azgoros inside, it would lead to an all-out war within the lair.
"That's perfectly fine."
Raon didn't seem bothered by her warning; in fact, he looked pleased.
"The dragons down there..."
Raon pointed toward the depths and let a dark, sharp grin spread across his face.
"You three will take care of them. If you fail, consider yourselves dead men."
He gestured toward Burren, Martha, and Dorian, giving them the order to engage the dragons.
"Wait... what?"
Dorian’s jaw hit the floor as he saw Raon’s cold, demanding expression.
"It's not just 'considering' it, we will actually die! This is the middle of the ocean!"
