Chapter 1307
"Are you departing this very moment?"
Roseline, the mistress of the Black Market, widened her eyes, which were recessed deep into her face as if the thought had never crossed her mind.
"Did you not just admit that defeating Archangel Uriel is currently beyond you?"
She moved her head side to side, signaling that an immediate departure was a poor decision.
"I am of the same mind."
The Tattered Saint, Federick, stroked his jawline while voicing his concurrence with Roseline’s assessment.
"If the adversary is still one you cannot overcome, would it not be more prudent to remain until your companion returns?"
He knit his brows slightly, implying they should wait for Glenn to emerge from his solitary training so they could strike together.
"Your words are logical."
Raon offered no counterargument, acknowledging the validity of Roseline and Federick’s perspective. However, he stopped short of saying he would follow their counsel.
-It is somewhat awkward for me to be the one to say this, but...
Wrath inhaled a small breath before finding his voice.
-Uriel is a powerhouse. He is fundamentally different from a being like Sariel who relies on deception—he is a pure combatant.
He curled his lip in a cold sneer, warning that treating Uriel like the other archangels would lead to a gruesome demise.
-There is no way you are ignorant of that fact, so why are you insisting on leaving right now?
Wrath scowled, noting the extreme peril Raon would face if he happened to cross paths with Uriel.
"I recognize what you are all worried about."
Raon met the gazes of Roseline, Federick, and Wrath in turn before giving a short nod.
"Nevertheless, there is a massive gap between scouting the terrain ahead of time and arriving there for the first time when the stakes are at their highest."
Should he run into Uriel, a confrontation would be unavoidable. There was a distinct advantage to investigating the temple Sariel mentioned beforehand rather than going in blind later; a preliminary search would yield far better strategic data.
"Furthermore, based on Sariel’s testimony, it is highly unlikely Uriel is present at that temple right this second."
Sariel had indicated that Uriel was currently occupied with frantic movements and likely couldn't spare time for that location. Since the conflict Derus Robert orchestrated was still some time away, it was actually the ideal window to explore the temple while they had the chance.
-You truly are a monster with a liver so swollen it might burst...
Wrath shook his head back and forth, unable to comprehend Raon’s lack of trepidation.
"Even so, wouldn't it be wiser to dispatch someone else?"
Federick let out a brief, weary breath.
"Operatives from the Black Market could retrieve data regarding that temple without leaving a single footprint."
He gnawed on his lip, suggesting that even for someone of Raon’s caliber, the risk was unnecessary.
"That is not an option."
Raon shook his head with finality.
"That location is an Angelic temple saturated with divine energy. It is distinct from the normal geography of this continent; if an ordinary person steps inside, they will inevitably leave a trail."
He lowered his hand, explaining that sending subordinates might actually trigger a catastrophe.
"That is likely the case."
Roseline nodded slowly in agreement.
"It is for that very reason I did not send my own people."
She shared Raon’s intuition and reached for her cup of tea.
"Then, truly..."
"Yes. I must handle this personally."
Raon wore a smile that radiated confidence.
"There is no need for concern. I intend only to see what resources or advantages can be gained there and then retreat."
Since there might be a method to diminish the archangels' might, visiting the temple was a necessity.
"With Derus Robert’s passing confirmed, the greatest threat is no longer the Heavenly Demon who stands in the light, but Uriel who maneuvers in the shadows. If there is a way to thwart him, I would travel to the very edge of the world."
"But how will you handle the matter of your own traces?"
Federick tilted his head, pointing out that since Raon also lacked divine power, wouldn't he leave a mark as well?
"I have a solution for that."
Raon gave a thin smile, indicating it wasn't a complex hurdle.
"And I intend to establish a fallback route should complications arise."
He dismissed their fears with a wave of his hand, asserting that he would remain safe regardless of the outcome.
"Well, if you are that certain, I suppose I must trust you."
"Indeed. Since Lord Raon claims to have a strategy, it is only right to support him."
Seeing the unwavering focus in Raon’s eyes, Federick and Roseline nodded, feeling they had no choice but to place their faith in him.
-Since you have proven yourself so often, it is only natural they believe you.
Wrath smacked his lips as if he understood the sentiment.
-However, let me emphasize once more that you must remain wary of Uriel. Oh, there is one other, but you likely don't need to stress over that one for now...
He sighed, telling Raon to simply keep his guard up against Uriel for the time being.
'I am aware.'
Raon confirmed he would stay alert and idly spun his finger.
-But what is this method for interfering with divine power?
Wrath shifted his attention, clearly curious about the plan.
'......'
Raon remained silent, fixing a steady, intense stare on Wrath.
-Hmm...?
Wrath blinked, meeting Raon’s gaze.
-Why... why are you staring at me like that?
'......'
Raon kept his silence and directed a broad, meaningful grin toward Wrath.
-What! What is it this time! How are you planning to exploit me now!
Wrath shrieked, his blue tail quivering in agitation.
-It is terrifying when you smile like that!
"Raon—no, the Acting Head of House—has stirred up trouble once again."
Sheryl gave a sharp, appreciative whistle as she stepped into the Lord’s Manor.
"Hehehe."
Roenn chuckled softly while buffing the throne, seemingly unbothered by the news.
"He actually reached the state of a sage and ended an archangel? And that new moniker he earned..."
Sheryl smirked and stepped firmly onto the crimson rug.
"Sword Sage! A name denoting a sage of the blade! It implies one who is both a master of the sword and one who performs righteous acts through it!"
She beamed, noting that the title fit Raon perfectly.
"Though, it does seem a bit grand for the Acting Head’s actual age."
Sheryl shrugged, remarking on the irony of such a mature title for a young man.
"Sword Sage. I believe there is no designation more fitting for Lord Raon than that one."
Roenn nodded respectfully as he whispered the title to himself.
"Why do you say that?"
Sheryl tilted her head, wondering about his reasoning.
"A sage—specifically, an immortal—is described as a being who can ascend to the heavens without a moment's doubt."
Roenn smiled warmly and spoke as if he were well-versed in the lore of immortals.
"We once viewed the heavens as the domain of sacred deities and angels, but Lord Raon saw things differently. From the start, he recognized that those winged Angels were not the holy beings we imagined, and he did not hesitate to strike them down."
He gripped the cloth in his hand into a fist, envisioning Raon’s battle against the celestial beings.
"A warrior who slays tainted Angels, carves away the agony in people's hearts, and rises toward the sky with effortless grace. No one is more deserving of being called a sword immortal."
Roenn smiled as if he had been a witness to every event in the Winten Kingdom.
"What! You were already aware of everything!"
Sheryl wrinkled her nose, accusing him of playing dumb.
"Hehehe. I never claimed to be in the dark."
Roenn shook his head, maintaining his gentle smile.
"Regardless."
Sheryl let out a huff and leaned her back against a stone pillar in the grand hall.
"Things have taken an interesting turn. The Head of House is now known as the Sword God, and the Acting Head is the Sword Sage. It seems the true heavens are located right here in Zieghart, doesn't it?"
She laughed, suggesting there was no point in looking elsewhere for divine figures.
"Hehehe. That is quite true. Which is why I am filled with anticipation."
Roenn’s lips curved upward as he looked between the sunlit window and the polished floor.
"I wonder how much more powerful our god and our sage will become by the time they return."
'So this is the place...'
Raon clicked his tongue as he navigated the thick woodland, moving without a sound or a trace of his presence.
'Mount Melvin, was it?'
It was his first time hearing of Mount Melvin since his birth, and it was surprisingly tall.
'This is odd.'
-What is odd about it?
Wrath blinked while observing the mountain's terrain.
'A peak of this magnitude should be famous, yet it is completely unknown.'
Mountains are typically cataloged by their height; it was bizarre that such a massive range had remained obscure until now.
'Even the Black Market couldn't locate it immediately; they had to dig through ancient records.'
The Black Market’s scouts knew the continent's layout better than anyone, yet Melvin was a mystery to them. Only after a tedious search through archaic maps did they find its coordinates.
-Why is that even a question? It is obviously the work of those Angelic fools' sorcery!
Wrath snorted, annoyed by Raon’s confusion.
-The Angels aren't about to advertise a place that could be their undoing.
He twisted his mouth, suggesting the Angels used divine energy to cloud the minds of the masses.
'That makes sense.'
Raon nodded, maintaining his swift pace up the incline.
'On any other mountain, this place would be crawling with people gathering rare herbs and elixirs.'
Even before reaching the midway point, he spotted valuable medicinal plants that would fetch a fortune. It seemed the divine enchantments placed on Mount Melvin prevented ordinary humans from even considering an ascent.
-Spiteful, arrogant wretches!
Wrath gnashed his teeth, noting that the Angels had no qualms about deceiving humanity.
'I agree.'
Thinking back to Uriel’s appearance and his recent encounter with Sariel, it was clear the Angels viewed the inhabitants of the continent as little more than livestock.
-But...
Wrath knit his brow and looked toward the right.
-Why did you have to bring that lunatic woman along!
He grumbled while looking at the violet female doll fastened to his right pocket.
'Because I need Evelyn’s expertise if things go sideways.'
Raon glanced at the doll and sighed.
'You know as well as I do. Evelyn is unrivaled in this line of work.'
There wasn't a caster alive who could compete with Evelyn when it came to tracking, stealth, or high-stakes escapes. Even Chamber, the Archmage, or the Master of the Mage Tower would have to yield to her in those specific fields.
-Hah, I suppose that is true.
Wrath nodded, conceding the point.
-At least she is being quiet today.
He let out a breath of relief, imagining how grating it would be if she were talking.
'Actually, she isn't.'
Raon waved a hand dismissively.
'You probably can't hear her, but she is speaking to me incessantly even now.'
He wasn't exaggerating. Even as he conversed with Wrath, a barrage of unsettling messages from Evelyn flooded his mind.
[This mountain is lovely. Maybe we should move to a place like this eventually?]
[One child won't be enough. No, let's have five! I'm ready!]
[A picnic with the kids would be so nice. The autumn leaves would provide such a romantic backdrop!]
[Do you prefer the mountains or the sea, Raon?]
[I love whatever you love! I'll follow you to the ends of the earth!]
[Staying still during that archangel business was torture! I want to be by your side forever!]
[Raon! Raon! Raon! Raon!]
Raon wiped a bead of cold sweat from his brow and blinked hard.
'It feels like her obsession is intensifying.'
Despite his best efforts to tune her out, her constant internal chatter made him fear that she was reverting to the days when she was known as Merlin.
'There is one more thing that doesn't feel right.'
Raon narrowed his eyes as he neared the mountain's peak.
-Now what is it?
Wrath tilted his head, confused.
'I have climbed this high, yet I haven't sensed a single drop of divine power.'
At the base, he assumed the energy was merely suppressed, but even now, near the summit, there was no trace of it.
'What does this mean?'
A sense of dread washed over Raon. He accelerated his movement, leaping toward the very top of Mount Melvin.
'The temple...'
His brow furrowed deeply before his feet even touched the summit.
'It isn't here!'
In the exact spot where Sariel had sworn the Angelic temple stood, there were only barren, skeletal trees and ancient rocks cracked by the passage of eons.
