-The First Patriarch?
'Right.'
Raon smiled as he caressed the golden part of the tassel.
"This tassel is an artifact that was attached to the First Patriarch's sword hilt."
-Kelock! Even if it's the First Patriarch, he'd be weaker than that old geezer Nadine bread, right?
"I don't think so."
He gently shook his head.
"I'm not sure if he's stronger or not, but he definitely wouldn't be outmatched."
I can say this because I've seen the First Patriarch myself. His martial prowess was beyond my ability to gauge.
Moreover, the First Patriarch in my memories was young. Since it wasn't his prime, the martial prowess he would possess later would undoubtedly be higher than what I saw.
'Putting everything else aside...'
Because he's the master of the Ring of Fire and Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.
If he completed those two martial arts, he'd be at least on par with Glenn, certainly not below him.
"You might not be able to beat him either."
-Wh-What nonsense are you spouting! There's no human in this world who can defeat me! Kelock! Kelock!
Wrath shook his head while coughing repeatedly.
"You've gotten weaker, haven't you? You keep coughing. Do you think you could beat the Head of House now?"
-Uh....
Wrath couldn't answer immediately and his lips trembled slightly.
-Well....
In the past, he said he could win if he put in enough effort, but now he couldn't say it with certainty.
"Huh? Really?"
-W-Well, I've gotten weaker, but that old geezer has also gotten stronger!
Wrath furrowed his brow, saying that Glenn had gotten stronger just as he had gotten weaker. He still couldn't lie.
"You're saying the Head of House has gotten stronger?"
-That's right. That old geezer seems to have experienced some emotional change, and his achievements are increasing slightly every time I see him.
"Can one get stronger just from emotional changes?"
It was amazing that martial arts achievements could increase from emotional changes, not even during battle.
-You'll understand when you reach transcendence. At that point, other factors become much more important than physical growth.
Wrath waved his hand dismissively, as if saying you're too young to understand.
"Getting even stronger..."
Hearing that Glenn, who could easily be called the strongest on the continent, was getting even stronger, I couldn't imagine where his limits were.
-Well, even if he's gotten stronger, fully utilizing that power is another matter. In any case, no matter who the opponent is, I will never lose! Kelock!
Wrath shook his head, saying not that he would win, but that he wouldn't lose.
"Right. The Demon King shouldn't lose to a human."
Raon smiled faintly and lightly patted Wrath's head.
-No, this wasn't what we were originally talking about! What's that tassel?
Wrath frowned, crying out that the conversation had gotten too long.
"I told you. It's something that was attached to the First Patriarch's sword."
This tassel was an artifact that was always attached to the First Patriarch's sword hilt, and its name was also engraved in the information of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.
"Golden Sparrow Bell."
-Even the name sounds tacky. It can't possibly be anything good.
Wrath clicked his tongue in disapproval.
"The Phoenix Ring we used in the Sword Saint's Tomb was also an item of a previous Head of House, you know?"
-Huh...?
He had already been amazed by the abilities of the Phoenix Ring, so he gaped at the tassel.
-Th-Then what's the ability of that tassel!
"It's something that makes a sword more sword-like."
-More sword-like?
"The Ring of Fire and Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation need to grow a bit more, but..."
Raon smiled as he attached the tassel to the hilt of the Heavenly Drive.
"It'll be quite interesting when the seal of the Golden Sparrow Bell is broken."
* * *
The training ground of House Robert.
Lephon Robert raised his arm, beads of sweat rolling down his face. The sword in his grip became a white beam of light, slicing through the evening air.
The straight yet elegant sword path resembled the swords of House Robert perfectly.
However, unlike the other swordsmen in the training ground, Lephon only repeated four basic sword techniques.
As the sun set and the swordsmen began to put down their swords one by one, the door to the training ground opened and Derus Robert entered.
"Huh!"
"H-Head of House..."
The swordsmen in the training ground were startled and about to greet him, but Derus put a finger to his lips, signaling them to be quiet.
He walked silently and watched his youngest son's training from right behind him.
"Phew..."
Lephon only lowered his sword-wielding hand when the sun had completely set and the lights came on.
He turned around, saw Derus, and his eyes widened.
"F-Father?"
"You're working hard."
Derus raised his hand and wiped the sweat flowing from Lephon's forehead.
"Why are you here..."
"I heard your shouts and came to see. It was so loud I thought the training ground was going to fall apart."
Despite his teasing words, his eyes showed pride.
"The Young Master is probably the most diligent in our training ground."
"Yes. He comes out from dawn and doesn't rest until night."
"It's tiring just watching him."
The Young Sword Division swordsmen, to which Lephon temporarily belonged, nodded with smiles.
"Don't praise him too much. It'll only spoil him."
Derus lightly waved his hand and looked at Lephon.
"But Lephon."
"Yes?"
"Why are you only repeating basic sword techniques? Surely the Young Sword Division Leader has taught you new techniques?"
"Of course, it's because of Lord Raon!"
Lephon shouted as if wondering why he was even asking that.
"They say Lord Raon has practiced basic sword techniques every single day since he first held a sword! That foundation is what made him the Dragon Slayer he is now!"
He clenched his fist, saying he wanted to focus on basic techniques to reach the same level as Raon.
"Even his recent victory over demons alone in the Suphren Kingdom must have been based on basic sword techniques! And..."
Lephon went on at length about Raon as if he had been in the Suphren Kingdom himself. His sparkling eyes were filled with admiration for Raon.
"It's useless to try and stop him when it comes to that."
Young Sword Division Leader Varian shook his head with an exasperated expression.
"If Raon Zieghart were to say he's abandoning the sword for an axe, he'd be wielding an axe from tomorrow onwards."
"Lord Raon Zieghart!"
Lephon waved his hand, insisting on adding 'Lord' to Raon's name.
"Alright. Lord Raon Zieghart!"
Varian sighed as he added 'Lord'.
"No matter what anyone says, I'll focus on basic sword techniques. Lord Raon's special strength must be hidden in the basics. Even during the Six Kings duel, he overwhelmed everyone with fundamentals."
"There's certainly something to that. Do as you please."
Derus smiled warmly, believing Lephon's words.
"However, I doubt even the Light Wind Division Leader trained without eating." (E/N: did you hear of our lord and savior Nadine bread?)
He raised a finger, pointing at the darkened sky.
"Hmm..."
Lephon's shoulders twitched.
"Aren't the other members waiting because of you?"
Derus lowered his eyebrows as he looked around at the swordsmen watching Lephon.
"The Light Wind Division Leader is known for his consideration, but it seems you can't match up."
"Ah! I-I'm sorry!"
Lephon bowed deeply to the Young Sword Division swordsmen.
"It's alright."
"We have to take care of our youngest."
"If we go late, there'll be more food left, which is even better."
The Young Sword Division swordsmen chuckled and patted Lephon's back.
"I-I'll go ahead and prepare everything!"
Lephon apologized again and ran towards the dining hall. The Young Sword Division swordsmen followed him, smiling as if they found him cute.
"Isn't it nice to see?"
Young Sword Division Leader Varian smiled gently as he watched Lephon and the swordsmen's backs.
"He's kind-hearted yet determined. The Young Master will become a great swordsman."
"I wonder? Will he be able to become a swordsman?"
The corners of Derus's mouth curled up thinly like a snake's tail.
"Enough about Lephon. How are things going on the Zieghart side?"
He gestured with his chin as he wiped the hand that had dried Lephon's sweat with a handkerchief.
"It's unbelievable, but the rumors were true."
Varian's eyes darkened. The kind-faced swordsman who had been praising Lephon just moments ago no longer existed.
"There are quite a few people who saw Raon Zieghart take down mid-to-high level demons alone. They say he didn't just defeat them, but overwhelmed them."
He narrowed his eyes as he continued speaking.
"The fact that Glenn Zieghart opened the treasury to the Light Wind division is also proof of this. It means it's an achievement that even that monster acknowledges."
"Hmm..."
Derus stroked his chin as he listened to Varian's words.
"It seems Glenn Zieghart cares quite a lot for Raon, doesn't it?"
"Even if he's from a branch family, who wouldn't like a genius who reached Grandmaster in his early twenties?"
Varian nodded as if it were obvious.
"His talent must have filled the emotional gap created by Sylvia Zieghart."
"No, that's not what I meant. It seems he cares for Raon's existence itself, beyond his talent."
"For that to be true, there are too many rumors about him being discriminated against at one point."
"That's why it's even more suspicious. That Glenn couldn't have failed to recognize Raon's talent."
A chilling aura that could suppress even moonlight rippled over Derus's eyes.
"This might be something we can exploit..."
"Are you thinking of eliminating Raon Zieghart?"
"Why would I?"
He shrugged lightly.
"There are plenty of people who would kill him for us. We need to look at the forest, not the trees."
Derus turned his gaze to the right as he caressed the back of his hand.
"Well, of course..."
He smiled gently as he watched Kubara walking out of the darkness of the training ground.
"This plan requires her participation."
"Head of House."
Kubara bowed her head, prostrating herself before Derus.
"We've received word that they will accept. However..."
"However?"
"They want to meet in person before carrying out the task."
"As expected, she's a tough woman. She has the largest vessel among the fools."
Derus nodded calmly.
"Tell them to decide the time and place."
"Understood."
As soon as Kubara answered, she disappeared back into the darkness.
"It will be soon now."
Varian rubbed his hands together as if in anticipation.
'Right.'
Derus slowly raised his gaze to the star-filled night sky, twisting his lips into a smile as he fixed his eyes on the brightest star.
"It's time for a star to fall. No, perhaps two."
* * *
"Your feet are slow."
At Raon's gesture, the Light Wind division ran to the right side of the training ground while maintaining the Light Wind Formation.
"Make sure to channel the wind of the Gale Wind Style all the way to your toes!"
"Ugh..."
"Doesn't that guy train? There's less than three months left until the life-and-death duel!"
"Yeah, he shouldn't have any missions now, so why is he keeping us..."
The Light Wind division ran back and forth across the training ground following Raon's instructions, their training clothes soaked with sweat.
"Looks like you still have energy to chat, huh?"
Raon stepped down from the platform and blocked the direction the Light Wind division was running. He struck down at the center of the Light Wind Formation with the scabbard of his Heavenly Drive.
Kwaaaang!
The Light Wind Formation, which had been solid even in front of demons, instantly collapsed, and the swordsmen were sent flying in all directions.
"You're only focusing on speed, so the flow of the sword formation is breaking down. How did you manage to catch demons when you can't even withstand this?"
Raon clicked his tongue, saying it was pathetic.
"Th-That's absurd..."
"How are we supposed to block the Division Leader's... sword!"
"We're exhausted..."
Burren, Martha, and Runaan shook their heads as they struggled to get up.
"You were jumping for joy after catching just one demon..."
Raon frowned as he looked down at the Light Wind division.
"Getting injured from catching just one low-level demon? That's not what I taught the Gale Wind Style for, is it?"
"Ugh..."
"I knew that guy would be like this. So much for praise..."
"Even if it's low-level, it's still a demon. How are we supposed to catch it without getting injured!"
The Light Wind division pouted, seemingly upset at being scolded even after catching a demon.
"Well said."
Raon drew his Heavenly Drive with a chilling smile.
"From now on, I'll teach you how to catch demons without getting injured. Make sure you learn it well."
He beckoned with his finger to Krein, who was sitting to the right.
"Krein, come forward."
"B-But I didn't say anything?"
"I just want to start with you."
"That's so unfair!"
Just as Krein was coming forward with a tearful expression.
The door to the training ground opened, and a beautiful young girl with purple hair, wearing a haphazardly mended nun's habit, entered. It was Saintess Olga.
"Saintess?"
Raon widened his eyes as he looked at Olga.
"Huh?"
"Why is the Saintess..."
The Light Wind division swordsmen also opened their mouths in round shapes, as if surprised.
"I have something to give you."
Olga gestured to Raon as if she wanted to talk.
"Continue with your individual training."
Raon nodded and invited Olga to the Division Leader's office.
"Ah, we're saved. It's really the Saintess..."
Krein clasped his hands together, saying he would believe in God from now on.
* * *
"You said you have something to give me?"
Raon asked as he served Olga some green tea.
"You could have given it to me when I was in the kingdom. Why come all the way here..."
"I told you I'd come to you, didn't I?"
Olga furrowed her brows deeply.
"When?"
"Didn't you see me nod at the city gate?"
"Wasn't that telling me to wait because His Majesty Hoppen was doing a greeting?"
"It wasn't?"
"Ah..."
Raon let out a sigh. He had thought Olga's chin gesture meant to watch the king and knights' greetings, but it seems that wasn't the case at all.
"You're really terrible at reading the atmosphere."
"Your nasty personality is still the same, I see."
Not backing down, he snorted.
"So what do you have to give me?"
"A thank you."
Olga took a short breath and knelt down as if praying to God.
"Thanks to your kindness, we were able to save many people. Thank you."
She expressed her gratitude, recalling the information about demons that he had shared with her the night before the Holy Assembly.
"That's because you believed what I said."
Raon grabbed Olga's shoulders and helped her stand up.
What he had told her then was that the king had joined hands with the demons, something hard to believe unless one was crazy.
But Olga believed his words and prepared various measures without even sleeping.
If it hadn't been for that, the casualties in Suphren would have been more than doubled.
"You damn fool! Just accept the thanks when I'm giving it!"
Olga furrowed her brows, telling him to stop praising her and just accept her thanks.
"Thanking me while cursing. What kind of personality..."
Raon shook his head in disbelief.
"This is my way of greeting. And..."
Olga took out a palm-sized transparent bottle from her bosom. Inside was water that shimmered with a pale golden color even without light.
"This is..."
"It's an elixir made using holy water. We call it Holy Flame."
"Holy Flame?"
"It's a precious treasure of which only three remain in Suphren."
She called it a treasure as she held out the bottle.
"Why give it to me?"
"Don't worry. I made this one anew."
Olga shook her head, saying it was an elixir she made herself.
"Wouldn't it be better to use it for rebuilding the kingdom then?"
"I felt I needed to give you at least this for my peace of mind. I felt uneasy because I hadn't given you anything in return. I wanted to finish it before you left, but it took some time."
"Hmm..."
Raon didn't immediately accept the elixir, but looked into Olga's eyes. There was not a hint of hesitation in her gaze. It seemed that accepting it would be for her sake.
"...Thank you."
He thanked her and accepted the Holy Flame with both hands.
"Well then..."
Olga immediately stood up, as if she had really come just to give the Holy Flame.
"Hey."
Raon frowned as he looked at Olga's arm as she turned away.
"You again..."
"It was the last time."
Olga smiled as she caressed her own arm.
"And I don't plan on dying anymore. Don't worry."
She shook her head, saying she wouldn't draw on her lifespan anymore.
"There's something I want to see, so I've become interested in defying the lifespan given by heaven."
"Something you want to see?"
"Yes. I can't die before seeing how well our king and that ugly elf's king grow up."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You'll understand later."
Olga let out a light chuckle and left the office.
Raon bit his lip thinly as he watched Olga's retreating figure.
'How unfortunate.'
Olga's lifespan isn't something that can be endured by willpower alone. Death will come for her inevitably, whether she wants it or not.
Olga grew up straight and true, even knowing her own lifespan was short.
It reminded me of my past self, whose lifespan was controlled by Derus, and I wanted to help, but there was no particular way to do so.
-There is a way, you know?
Wrath shrugged as if it was no big deal.
'You're saying there's a way?'
-However, it's not something you can do right now. It's close to defying heaven itself.
Wrath shook his head, saying one would need to reach transcendence at minimum.
'Transcendence, huh...'
Raon savored the word transcendence as he spoke it.
'I've found one more reason to reach transcendence.'
* * *
After focusing on training the Light Wind division for a week, Raon entered the cultivation room.
'Now I really need to prepare.'
There wasn't much time left until the final battle with the Axe King.
He had given tasks to all members of the Light Wind division, so now it was time to focus solely on the life-and-death duel with the Axe King.
-Shouldn't we start with recovery first? Kelock!
'Right.'
As Wrath said, he needed to recover from the aftereffects of the Demon King's Descent first.
Thankfully, thanks to the Holy Flame the Saintess had brought, it seemed he could quickly resolve the physical aspects.
-The mental world will be the problem.
'It'll take quite some time.'
Raon nodded. Even though not as much was lost as before, filling in the damage itself wasn't an easy task.
'Of course, I didn't come here just to restore the mental image...'
-Hmm?
Wrath narrowed his eyes as if asking what he meant.
"While restoring the damaged world of mental images..."
Raon smiled as he met Wrath's blue eyes that seemed to have flowers engraved in them.
"I'm going to try creating a new Sword Domain."