Chapter 1228
"A fight to the death...?"
Raon swallowed hard, his throat dry as he stared at Glenn’s retreating figure.
"Did you truly mean a duel where only one survives?"
In the past, the land’s most formidable powers were recognized as the Six Kings and the Five Demons, but that balance had shifted to the Five Kings and One Demon. Even if Eden, the solitary remaining demonic entity, possessed the most terrifying military strength, a unified front by the Five Kings could surely overwhelm them through sheer numbers.
To be fair, the Five Kings were not at their peak. Lecross, the Silent Sword Master and sovereign of Owen, had stepped away from the world, and the Archmage Chamber of Eternal Flame was nursing wounds that hindered his combat capabilities. Regardless, with the rest of the alliance still functional, a direct confrontation should have yielded a certain win.
Even if Derus Robert was still breathing, his influence had been carved down to a fraction of its former glory, rendering him a minor factor. It was baffling to Raon why Glenn would choose a solitary, fatal gamble against the Heavenly Demon, the undisputed leader of Eden.
"Hmm."
Glenn pivoted his frame slowly to meet Raon’s gaze.
"Your eyes are filled with confusion."
A faint smirk touched his lips, as if he were reading Raon’s inner turmoil as easily as an open book.
"That is correct..."
Raon gave a small, sharp nod.
"We hold the advantage in this conflict. I cannot fathom why you would risk everything in a single duel against the Heavenly Demon."
He voiced his internal conflict to Glenn, his teeth grazing his lower lip in frustration.
"The Heavenly Demon is a force of nature."
Glenn folded his arms behind his back, returning his focus to the expanse of the sky.
"Long ago, he moved past the boundaries of standard transcendence and entered the territory of absolute dominion. Now, he even commands a power that defies explanation."
He dipped his head slightly, a gesture of solemn respect toward the Heavenly Demon’s prowess.
"Even if every Transcendent among the Five Kings struck at once, they would be mere statistics to him. They might delay the inevitable, but their lives would be the price."
He shook his head with a grim certainty; in his view, no one currently breathing could halt the Heavenly Demon.
"Therefore, the responsibility falls to me. As the Patriarch of Zieghart and a member of the Five Kings, I must be the one."
Glenn shut his eyes for a moment before reopening them, his resolve appearing as natural as the rising sun.
"Unless, of course, you wish to take my place?"
He let out a short, teasing huff and gave a casual shrug.
"I..."
Raon bit down on his lip at the suggestion.
'It is impossible for me.'
The Heavenly Demon was a relic of a martial age that even Derus Robert had failed to overcome. Despite Raon's rapid advancement and varied skills, he was not yet a match for a titan on the level of Glenn.
'And yet...'
With enough time, the gap might close. His speed of progression was unheard of, surpassing even those from other realms. If he maintained this momentum, he felt certain he could reach the Heavenly Demon’s heights before long.
'Yes. It would be safer if I were the one to fight him.'
If Glenn clashed with the Heavenly Demon, he would be forced to unleash his absolute peak. Regardless of who walked away, Glenn would likely have to leave this world behind and ascend to the higher planes.
'I am not ready to say goodbye to my grandfather.'
He had only just managed to bridge the distance between them. He wanted more time to watch Glenn share a laugh with Sylvia, lecture Edgar, or hold Sia in his arms. He craved just a bit more of this normalcy.
"Grandfather. I cannot do it this instant, but if you give me just a little while..."
Raon started to plead for a delay.
"Enough."
Glenn offered a gentle smile and dismissed the request with a wave of his hand.
"Allow this old man the chance to go out in a blaze of glory for once."
His eyes remained fixed on the obsidian sky, showing a stubborn streak that refused to bend.
"Just as you sought your own resolution with Derus Robert, I have a debt of destiny to settle with the Heavenly Demon."
Glenn nodded firmly, his mind clearly made up long ago.
"......"
Raon’s clenched fists loosened as he observed the steady, crimson light in Glenn’s eyes.
'I was being selfish.'
His grandfather was right. Glenn was, above all else, a seeker of the way. He was the ultimate master of the blade who had spent his entire existence pursuing the pinnacle of strength. No matter how much Raon wanted to keep him close, he couldn't deny the man his final path.
-You made the right choice by yielding.
Wrath manifested in the air, resting a hand on Raon’s shoulder.
-Every warrior eventually faces a day where their life is the only stake left. You may not see it because your entire life has been a struggle, but that old man’s time has finally arrived.
The demon king nodded solemnly, validating the necessity of this path.
'I understand.'
Raon let out a heavy breath and tightened his hands again. As his emotions flared, the calm lake beneath his feet began to churn with sudden, violent ripples.
"From my youth, I knew my sword would lead me to the heavens, and I always looked forward to that departure. But watching you flourish was so captivating that I kept finding excuses to stay. Now, however, it feels like the right time. Because..."
Glenn eased his posture and closed his eyes, appearing to drift back into his early memories.
"I feel I can finally leave the future in your hands."
He opened his eyes, wearing a smile that lacked his usual sternness. It was an expression of profound, soul-deep relief.
"Grandfather..."
Raon pressed his tongue against his teeth, the weight of the word "entrust" sinking in.
'This isn't just about the family.'
Glenn hadn't dismissed the chance that Derus Robert might still be lurking. He was also wary of the remaining Archangels. Yet, despite those shadows, his faith in Raon was so absolute that he felt free to pursue his own closure against the Heavenly Demon of Eden.
-That old fellow...
Wrath smirked while observing Glenn.
-He used to look like he was carrying the weight of the world, but now he actually looks full of life!
He pumped a fist, clearly approving of Glenn’s renewed spirit.
'You're right.'
Raon couldn't help but smile, noticing how the deep lines of worry seemed to have vanished from Glenn’s face.
-And the old man isn't just looking for a sparring match.
Wrath clicked his tongue, his tone turning more serious.
-With Derus Robert out of the picture, he intends to drag the biggest remaining threat to your safety down into the grave with him.
He shrugged, confident that a man with that much conviction would not be easily defeated.
'I can feel it too.'
Raon’s lips trembled as he recognized the fierce, protective love hidden behind Glenn’s resolve.
'But how are you so perceptive about this?'
He was genuinely curious how a demon king could be more in tune with human sentiment than the humans themselves.
-...I've been there.
Wrath cut the conversation short with that cryptic remark, signaling he wasn't ready to share his own history. It seemed he had faced a similar crossroad in his past.
-What are you waiting for? The old man needs your word!
He gestured wildly, nudging Raon to finish the conversation.
"...I accept."
Raon nodded, the tension leaving his frame.
"When that day comes, I will be right there behind you, watching your battle."
He bowed deeply, promising to accompany him as a witness rather than an interloper.
"I appreciate that."
Glenn’s smile was faint but sincere, showing his gratitude for Raon’s understanding.
"But how will you even find him to challenge him?"
Raon looked up, a practical question coming to mind.
"Eden's current base is a total mystery."
Unlike Derus Robert, who had left behind breadcrumbs of his influence, Eden had gone completely dark. He didn't see how Glenn could summon the Heavenly Demon from the shadows.
"Bringing the Heavenly Demon out won't be as hard as you think."
Glenn rotated his shoulders with an air of absolute certainty.
"If I reach out using his own language, he will find me."
The following morning, Glenn departed from the main complex and began his ascent of North Grave Mountain. He passed the mid-slope where he had once stood with Rimmer to watch over the annex, reaching the peak in a single, fluid motion.
"Phew..."
Standing at the very top, Glenn took a deep, exhilarated breath as he surveyed the entire Zieghart domain laid out below him.
'It has been quite a while since I stood here.'
The last time he had scaled the summit of North Grave Mountain was when he had sensed that particular individual’s aura.
'The Heavenly Demon.'
He recalled the summons from the only other warrior on the continent who stood on his level. He had climbed to this very spot back then for a brief exchange of words.
'Since he reached out to me that way...'
It was only fitting to return the favor. The Heavenly Demon cared nothing for Raon or the clan; his eyes had always been fixed solely on Glenn. By standing here and radiating the specific frequency of one who had touched the heavens, he would send an unmistakable signal.
'It might not happen instantly.'
But he would feel it. Glenn released his aura, certain that his rival would hear the call. It was a presence so refined that even Transcendents would be blind to it. He projected the power of an absolute master across the breadth of the continent.
"Wait."
As he let his energy flow, Glenn caught the sensation of Raon’s gaze drifting up from the annex. He let out a surprised chuckle.
'He can sense this?'
He had assumed only the Heavenly Demon or perhaps a newly empowered Darkan would be able to pick up on this specific vibration. He hadn't expected Raon to detect it immediately.
'He hasn't reached that stage of power yet. And yet, that boy...'
Glenn looked down at Raon, who was standing by the annex lake, his heart swelling with a mix of pride and wonder.
'He never ceases to amaze me.'
To be honest, Glenn had been plagued by doubt throughout their recent maneuvers. Despite his faith in Raon, he had spent many sleepless nights worrying about the threat of Derus Robert. But Raon had proven those fears unnecessary, outmaneuvering the man and dismantling a legacy built over years.
Derus Robert, ever the slippery fox, had retreated to his core stronghold to rebuild, but Raon had predicted his every move and crushed him utterly.
Even if Derus Robert survived, it was clear he was no longer a threat that Raon couldn't handle.
'That is why I can finally focus on myself.'
It wasn't just Raon; Zieghart was now filled with capable people he could rely on. He could finally shed the weight of leadership and return to being Glenn Zieghart, the martial artist, to finish things with the Heavenly Demon.
'I owe you all so much.'
Glenn took one last look at the lands of Zieghart, then gave a low bow of sincere appreciation.
'Thank you.'
For an entire week, Glenn returned to the peak of North Grave Mountain every day, pulsing with the absolute energy meant for the Heavenly Demon. He had initially expected a response within hours, but seven days passed in silence.
'Is he unable to respond?'
A titan like the Heavenly Demon should have felt the call regardless of distance. The lack of movement suggested some kind of complication.
'Or has he actually gone into hiding?'
The news of Derus Robert’s defeat was common knowledge by now. Even if Eden operated in the shadows, they couldn't have missed those reports. There was a chance they had burrowed even deeper into the earth.
'No. Others might hide, but the Heavenly Demon is different.'
The man Glenn knew was a relentless force who would pursue his singular path even if his entire organization crumbled around him. He wasn't the type to run.
"Sigh..."
Glenn watched the sun dip below the horizon, painting the world in shades of violet.
"If a few more days pass without word, I’ll have to find him the hard way..."
He began to brush the light dusting of snow from his heavy coat, preparing to head down for the night. Suddenly, from beyond the mountain, originating from the furthest reaches of the North Sea, a majestic surge of energy tore through the sky, making his very soul vibrate.
"At last, he answers."
Glenn turned around, his movements heavy with anticipation. He let out a low, predatory growl as his eyes flared crimson, encased in a fierce blue radiance.
"Heavenly Demon."
