Raon closed his eyes as he moved in the direction of the trade city Cameloon.
'Seven stars are indeed different.'
With the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier reaching seven stars, the speed at which his Aura replenished had doubled compared to before.
Although he wasn't using the Supreme Harmony Step, his Aura was still recovering even while using his full-strength footwork.
'The battle isn't over yet. I should focus on recovery rather than speed.'
Although the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance and the Leader of the White Blood Religion were blocked by the leaders of the Five Divine Orders, their subordinates were still plentiful.
Since he didn't know when they might catch up, he always had to be ready for battle.
While Raon maintained his pace and adapted to his grown body and traits, Wrath popped out above the ice flower bracelet.
-Yo.
Raon could guess why Wrath had appeared. He would definitely demand an increase in speed to get ice cream.
-Increase the speed immediately.
'Wait a bit. I have a lot to check right now.'
When Raon smiled at Wrath's predictable words, Wrath's expression hardened without a hint of emotion.
-...Are you just going to pass by? No, it can't be that simple. You knew from the beginning. You will meet soon.
Wrath muttered incomprehensible words while looking up at the dark night sky.
'Wrath?'
-Pour all the power you have right now into running. Otherwise, you'll regret it.
He pointed in the direction they needed to go, slightly west of Cameloon.
Raon looked into Wrath's dry eyes and nodded heavily.
'...Alright.'
Wrath often failed to read the atmosphere, but when serious, he became endlessly serious.
If Wrath was saying this, something must have happened to those ahead.
"Phew..."
Raon exhaled heavily, stamping his foot fiercely. The heat of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation, which had reached seven stars, condensed in the Mana circuit of his feet and calves, creating a formidable explosive power in his Supreme Harmony Steps.
The speed increased so rapidly that his vision darkened.
Boom!
Despite the quick depletion of the Aura he had accumulated, he trusted Wrath and continued running in the direction Wrath indicated.
"Ah..."
Less than a minute after running at full speed, Raon looked up into the air and trembled.
"What, what is that?"
Not far away, a massive demonic energy surged. An extraordinary force beyond even a Grandmaster was revealing itself in the sky.
'Is it the Black Tower?'
Except for the Demonized Humans and the Black Tower, no other entity had such demonic energy.
Given that the Demonized Humans, who hadn't shown themselves for decades, wouldn't suddenly appear, it was undoubtedly a demon from the Black Tower.
'A monster from the Black Tower at this level of transcendence in this forest...'
Raon bit his trembling lip with his fang.
'It means the Black Tower Vice Master is here.'
There were two transcendents in the Black Tower: the Tower Master and the Vice Master. Since there was no reason for the Tower Master to come here, it had to be the Vice Master Orgoth, who had come looking for Barene.
'Damn it.'
He glared at Wrath.
'I understand why you told me to hurry.'
Given Orgoth's immense demonic energy, it was clear who would be there. The Light Wind division, neutral forces, and civilians would be captured.
-You felt it too, right? You can't win against that now. Are you going to run away?
Wrath stared at him with a serious gaze, asking what he was going to do.
"Run away?"
Raon laughed coldly while looking into Wrath's sky-blue eyes.
"How could I abandon them after raising them?"
There was no option in his mind to run away. The only thing he thought about was planning how to save the people there.
Boom!
Raon left deep footprints in the snowy ground as he took a step. His steps, rushing towards the vortex of demonic energy, showed no hesitation.
Crack!
The martial arts of the transcendent warriors remaining in Barene split the sky and the earth, creating a dark dimension.
The city trembled as massive vibrations that seemed to tear the ground apart emanated from the various cracks, like patched-up rags, in their ragged clothes.
The transcendents, who had been narrowing their eyes while staring at each other, simultaneously turned their gazes northward toward Cameloon, as if by prior agreement.
"Hmmm..."
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance rolled up his sleeves and stroked his beardless chin.
"They are boldly revealing themselves. If it's such a powerful energy, it must be the Black Tower."
He licked his lips as if he had found a new toy.
"Orgoth..."
The Thespian Emperor frowned, recognizing the owner of the demonic energy. It was the first time since the battle began that she showed genuine emotion.
'Why is he here?'
When she foresaw today's events, Orgoth didn't appear in the visions of heaven's flow. This was far beyond her expectations, causing her fingertips to tremble.
'Could it be...'
Raon Zieghart again?
No, it was certain. The presence of that guy had once again twisted the flow of heaven.
"If it's Orgoth, it must be the Black Tower Vice Master."
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance lost interest immediately upon realizing the opponent wasn't a swordsman and lifted his black sword into the air.
"Let's leave that side to handle itself and resume."
He murmured not to spoil the fun and beckoned to Demonblade and the Queen of Swords.
Not long after the transcendents sensed the demonic energy, Sheryl and Rimmer also noticed the disturbance in the north.
"If it's that direction, it must be..."
"The direction the children went."
Rimmer and Sheryl's swords wavered. Although they were facing the Dragon Sword Master, an apostle, and the Ghost Squad, they couldn't focus on the battle and kept glancing back.
"Where are you looking?"
"It ends now."
The brown fire dragon rose from the Dragon Sword Master's sword, and a colorless Astral Ring extended from the apostle's hands.
The massive offensive peeled back the earth's crust, and nearby buildings collapsed.
Roar!
Rimmer and Sheryl watched the incoming intense energy waves and gathered all their energy into their swords.
A flash that divided light and darkness soared from Sheryl's black and white dual swords, while crimson lightning and wind energy flashed from Rimmer's sword.
Instead of directly colliding with the incoming energy, they swung their swords in a flexible form.
Using the resilience of the curved sword blade, they propelled themselves against the energy, leaping over the wall by utilizing the opponent's force.
"Heavenly Blade Division, disperse! Return to the house with all your might!"
Sheryl ordered the Heavenly Blade Division, who wouldn't be much help in the current situation, to disperse and create a distraction before crossing the wall.
"Will it be alright?"
She glanced at Rimmer with narrowed eyebrows.
"I don't know. But we have to go."
Rimmer bit his lip, glancing at the Dragon Sword Master standing idly by.
'Damn it...'
His heart screamed. It urged him to turn back immediately, to behead the enemy, and to avenge the fallen.
But now was the time to think of the living rather than the dead.
'I will avenge them, even if it costs me my life. Just wait.'
Rimmer vowed to someone and increased his speed. As the brilliant light of seven colors flashed in the sky, Merlin, with a shattered mask, appeared.
"Raon!"
Merlin surrounded himself with multiple layers of amplification magic and shot towards Cameloon like a beam of light.
"Damn it!"
The Leader of the White Blood Religion ground her teeth. She flung her jet-black hair back and dashed northward.
"Where do you think you're going!"
The Demon Slaying Spear, still not finished with his battle, chased after her on his demonic horse.
"Hmmm..."
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance narrowed his eyes as he caressed the hilt of his black sword.
'They are chasing after Raon Zieghart.'
It seemed all those who had left were moving to save Raon Zieghart and the Light Wind division.
'Even that vampire is moving.'
Is he becoming a new vessel?
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance raised his black sword and extended his senses northward. Although Cloud was still alive, he was on the brink of becoming a cripple, and Raon was nowhere to be seen. Many charred corpses nearby seemed to have targeted Raon and were defeated.
'Did he capture Cloud and defeat the assassins?'
He became intrigued by Raon's talent and the actions of those moving to save him.
"Kellin, take care of Cloud."
The Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance ordered the Ghost Squad and then jumped onto the black sword.
"I'll just grab one trophy."
He gestured lightly and flew north on the black sword. The speed was on a different level than footwork. A terrifying wave spread around him.
"Where are you going!"
"..."
Demonblade screamed, and the Queen of Swords bit her lip in silence.
"Phew..."
The Thespian Emperor sighed and pressed her temples.
'When will that damned guy stop interfering?'
If things ended like this, the desired result could be achieved, but it didn't seem likely to end so easily.
'What should I do?'
If Orgoth near Cameloon dealt with Raon and the Light Wind division and then attacked the Five Divine Orders, it would be dangerous. However, there was support coming from Balkar and Owen nearby.
With reinforcements rushing in from those places, it might be better than staying here.
"Let's go too."
The Thespian Emperor, having made her decision, gestured to the Queen of Swords and Demonblade.
"We need to see how things unfold firsthand."
Dorian leaned against a rock. Without it, he couldn't have endured.
He no longer felt pain; his only thought was to persevere.
"Haa..."
Forcing himself to lift his head, he saw Orgoth turning his chin sideways.
His already bizarre appearance became even more terrifying. His white eyes scanned the Light Wind division and fixed on Dorian, who was at the very center.
He felt it again. Orgoth was neither human nor monster. A natural disaster. The current Light Wind division couldn't handle this entity.
Roar!
Just meeting Orgoth's gaze caused Dorian to float in the air.
"Dorian!"
"Stop."
"This bastard!"
"Look at me!"
The Light Wind division, raising their sword formations, tried to rush at Orgoth, but demonized humans emerging from the shadows blocked their way.
"Damn it..."
Burren gritted his teeth, clutching his pierced shoulder. He couldn't handle even one Vice Master, and the demonized humans were formidable opponents too.
Though the thought that it was all over flashed through his mind, he shook his head forcefully.
Orgoth paid no attention to the others, focusing solely on Dorian.
"If you speak properly now, I'll spare you. Who are you?"
Orgoth twisted his lips, seemingly interested in Dorian, who had mentioned Raon's name first.
"I-I told you. I'm Raon Zieghart."
Despite his pale complexion from pain, Dorian continued to mention Raon's name.
"I'm glad I didn't kill you right away."
Orgoth flicked his finger, twisting Dorian's left leg.
"Ahhhh!"
Unable to move his limbs, Dorian could only scream in pain while floating in the air.
"Dorian!"
"You bastard!"
"I'll kill you!"
Unable to endure any longer, the Light Wind division rushed at the demonized humans blocking their path.
Aura and demonic energy clashed, sparking sharp sparks on the white ground.
Burren spat out the blood pooled in his mouth and looked back at the others.
"Everyone, run away! We'll buy time!"
Even in this moment, he thought of the civilians and neutral warriors, urging them to escape quickly.
"Ah..."
"I want to go, but my legs..."
"My body won't move."
Unlike the Light Wind division, who had steeled themselves with rage, the neutral forces and civilians were frozen in place, unable to move under Orgoth's overwhelming presence.
"Who are you?"
Orgoth sneered at Burren and the Light Wind division, repeating his question to Dorian.
"O-old man, don't you have ears to hear..."
Dorian, unable to even look at Orgoth, stared blankly into the sky, his lips trembling.
"...I'm Raon. I'm the White Sword Dragon, Raon Zieghart."
"I see."
Orgoth lightly flicked his finger. A thunderous noise echoed as a black hole appeared in Dorian's abdomen.
"Ugh..."
Unable to even scream, Dorian coughed up blood and collapsed to the ground.
"Such a tenacious relationship."
At Orgoth's gesture, the blood flowing from Dorian's stomach stopped.
"He's killed quite a few of my subordinates."
A sinister smile spread across his lips.
"It will be amusing to burn you in front of him."
"You old bastard! Look at me! Stop picking on the weak and fight me!"
Burren pounded his chest and stepped forward.
"The person you should be looking at..."
"I don't like those eyes of yours."
"What?"
As Orgoth's lips twisted, Burren's right eye burst.
"Ahhhh!"
Burren knelt, clutching his bleeding eye.
"..."
Next, Runaan, who had been staunchly stemming the bleeding from her stomach, stepped forward. Holding her beloved sword Seolhwa, her violet eyes showed no fear.
"It's my turn."
"There's no need to rush. I don't intend to grant you a painless death."
Orgoth twirled his finger, not even glancing at her.
"Die regretting your ties to Raon Zieghart."
"Ah..."
Runaan staggered, falling to her right. Her right thigh looked as if it had been bitten by a wild beast.
"Arghhh!"
Having severed a demonized human's neck and broken through the encirclement, Mark Goetun roared and charged at Orgoth. He had no thought of winning. His only focus was protecting others as he charged with his broken sword.
"Eyes devoid of fear. I don't like them."
As Orgoth twisted his lips and flicked his finger, blue flames engulfed Mark Goetun's uniform.
Sizzle!
The small flames rapidly spread, engulfing his shoulder. Despite the searing pain, Mark Goetun didn't retreat.
"You must have heard, these blue flames never extinguish."
As Orgoth shook his head, the flames spread from Mark Goetun's shoulder, enveloping his arm.
"Ugh..."
Mark Goetun's steps slowed. Unable to endure the pain, he knelt on the blood-soaked ground.
Orgoth looked down at the despair-stricken Light Wind division, curling his lips.
"Yes, those eyes. Human ties crumble like sandcastles before fear. Raon Zieghart..."
He paused as the Light Wind division slowly rose before him.
Dorian, clutching the sword stabbed into the ground with his shattered arm, stood up. Burren's empty eye socket burned with fiercer energy. Runaan, freezing her leg wound, lifted her violet eyes. Mark Goetun, with veins bulging from the burning pain, stood once more with his broken sword.
They didn't shout Raon Zieghart's name, but their spirit and determination were firmer than ever.
"Honestly..."
For the first time, Orgoth frowned.
"You are detestable."
He seemed to forget his words about decapitating them in front of Raon, raising his hand filled with murderous intent.
The blue flames burning Mark Goetun's arm paled in comparison to the massive flames now igniting.
"Turn to ash."
As Orgoth unleashed the flames towards the Light Wind division, a black dagger flew towards his temple.
Crack!
The dagger didn't reach Orgoth, instead crumpling mid-air, but it broke his concentration.
In the split second the trajectory of the flames wavered, a sacredly transparent wall of silver frost rose in front of the Light Wind division.
Roar!
The supposedly inextinguishable flames couldn't penetrate the wall, instead turning the surrounding area to black ash.
"T-this wall..."
Dorian trembled at the sight of the frost wall encircling the Light Wind division. The wall that had saved countless lives in House Arianne. He could never forget Raon's martial arts.
"You're late."
Orgoth's gaze moved upward. A twisted smile appeared on his lips.
"Raon Zieghart."
Above the wall that even the flames couldn't melt, a swordsman with bloodshot eyes looked down at him.