Chapter 459

It was quiet. Even though the great training ground was brimming with people, it was completely silent.

Raon calmly lowered his gaze. Even though the arena was made of flourite, which was supposed to be an extremely hard rock, a huge rectangular hole was created on it.

The shape was the same as Heavenly Drive. It was the power of the Azure Sky Sword’s first technique, the Great Bind of the Heavy Sky.

‘I think I’m starting to understand what it means to incorporate heaven.’

It was so powerful even though it wasn’t as perfect as Glenn’s demonstration. The result was shocking even though he was focused on heaviness.

‘But the aura consumption is huge.’

Because of his lack of proficiency, the aura consumption was the worst. He was so exhausted that his head felt dizzy, but he didn’t show it on his face and walked towards the hole he’d created.

Ayad was stuck like a worm under in hole that was completely dark because of how deep it was.

“Kuh…”

He raised his distorted gaze while groaning like he was about to die.

“You look comfortable in there.”

Raon looked down on Ayad coldly.

“I bet you couldn’t scream even if you wanted to.”

Ayad’s bones were shattered all around his body, his muscles were ruptured, and his energy center was destroyed.

He must’ve been feeling pain worse than death, and he couldn’t scream even if he wanted to.

“Is it painful?”

Raon rolled his lips into a smile while looking at Ayad’s face, full of veins because of the intense pain.

“It must’ve been even more painful and lonely for the ones you abandoned.”

The swordsmen who’d entered the White Lotus division must’ve trusted Ayad and wielded their swords to bring honor to the house.

However, Ayad simply used their resolve and loyalty as a foothold to gain achievements, only to throw them away without hesitation after using them.

He’d sent the swordsmen to their graves in order to recruit new ones that would be more useful to him. It was an unforgivable action.

“K-kill me.”

Ayad barely managed to open his mouth. His voice was ruined, but Raon could understand what he was saying.

“Death is a luxury for you.”

Raon’s frightening voice was devoid of any emotions.

“I’ll never let you die until you feel the pain and fear even worse than the swordsmen who were abandoned by you who ended up dying.”

He was actually fully capable of killing Ayad when he’d used the Great Bind of the Heavy Sky.

Since it was a sword duel, and Ayad’s reputation was at rock bottom, he wouldn’t have been punished for it even if he’d killed him.

However, Raon let Ayad live on purpose. He wanted to make him feel pain even worse than death.

He wanted him to live a life of emptiness and pain, without his powerful might or even his fame and position.

“Huu…”

Raon bit his lip while watching Ayad’s body tremble in terror.

‘This reminds me of the past.’

His previous life was a neverending nightmare. He was kidnapped by Derus’s subordinates and lived as an assassin for his entire life, only to eventually be boiled inside a pot.

Since he felt like his dark previous life was similar to the lives of the swordsmen who’d been killed by Ayad, his wrath was merciless.

‘Just you wait, Derus Robert. I’ll take everything away from you just like him—no, even worse than him.’

“Pl-please…”

“I wish you a long life.”

Raon smiled cheerfully at Ayad who was pleading for Raon to kill him before he turned away.

Good job!

Wrath jumped like a frog.

People like him, who use their subordinates as their foothold when they should cherish them, deserve pain even worse than death!

He swung his round fist while looking back at the hole where Ayad was.

If the King of Essence were here, he would’ve pierced his body with tens of thousands of ice needles before freezing him, only to leave him for ten thousand years at least.

‘That’s a bit scary…’

Raon broke out in cold sweat because it sounded like a pain that even he couldn’t withstand despite having been an assassin.

Anyway, are you going to prepare the bead ice cream buffet for the King of Essence now, since it’s all over?

Wrath asked the question with a flushed expression on his face. He must’ve been waiting for that moment.

‘Wait a bit longer. I still have something to do.’

Raon waved his hand at the master of ceremonies, who had fallen on his ass and was staring at him blankly.

“It’s over now.”

“Huh? Ah!”

The master of ceremonies briskly stood up while blinking rapidly. He ran towards the hole that used to be the arena and confirmed Ayad’s state before he raised his hand.

“R-Raon Zieghart is the winner of the sword duel!”

His hoarse voice echoed throughout the great training ground, and the spectators returned to their senses one after the other.

“Ah…”

“I-it’s Raon! Raon is the winner!”

“It wasn’t a simple victory. It was an overwhelming one!”

“What the hell is that trace? Can it even be called a trace at that point?”

“I thought it was over when Ayad’s astral energy covered the sky, but what was that technique…?”

“W-was that really a battle between humans? It almost feels like he’s a different species from us.”

The warriors swallowed nervously while thinking about the last clash between Raon and Ayad.

“Raon.”

“Good job, Raon!”

“Hmph! That’s the least I ask from the Light Wind vice division leader.”

“By the way, what have you learned this time?”

“Our vice division leader is so crazy!”

“I’ll be buried under the ground if I disobey him in the future…”

The Light Wind swordsmen—including Runaan, Burren, and Martha—waved their hands at him with smiles on their faces. Their expressions showed that they’d been believing in him all along.

“Whoaaa!”

“Raon! Raon! Raon!”

“White Sword Dragon! White Sword Dragon!”

“Thank you for messing Ayad up! It felt so great to watch!”

“It was so wild! I’m afraid I’ll never see anything like this ever again!”

The spectators started shouting Raon’s name after the Light Wind swordsmen.

It felt like the entire training ground was cheering for Raon because Ayad’s reputation was so bad.

Raon looked around the spectators while listening to their cheers, which were at least twice as loud as when he’d made his entrance.

“Raon!”

“Young master!”

“You did really well!”

Raon looked in the White Lotus division’s direction while listening to the teary voices of Sylvia and the maids.

The higher members, who seemed to be the vice division leader and the team leaders, were scowling, but the common swordsmen behind them were biting their lips with their hands gathered in prayer.

It looked like Ayad’s shadow oppressing their shoulders was finally gone.

Raon smiled gently at the swordsmen who’d obtained the freedom that he’d desired so much in his previous life.

‘I hope you make the correct choice next time.’

* * * 

“Th-that’s!”

Balder briskly stood up, destroying his chair in the process.

“How can a mere Master incorporate his will into his martial art…?”

His chin trembled violently in disbelief as he watched Raon.

“This is impossible!”

Incorporating the swordsman’s will in their sword was only possible after becoming a Grandmaster.

He couldn’t believe that a novice who hadn’t even reached the Grandmaster’s wall had managed to incorporate his will into his sword.

“Hmm.”

Karoon’s quiet groan also sounded like he was panicking.

“It looks like that technique is an extremely advanced one by itself. But no matter how excellent it is, how could a Master use such a thing…?”

He was also chewing his lips while glaring at Raon in disbelief.

“……”

Denier stared at Raon with a pale face, unlike the other times. He almost looked like he was wearing a mask.

“That’s crazy…”

“The White Lotus division leader was single-handedly defeated…”

“Am I really supposed to believe that he’s just a child who is turning twenty-one years old soon?”

“Even among the division leaders, he is one of the strongest. No, I think that no one else will be able to win against him except for the Void Sword division leader.”

“What the hell? I know he is of our lord’s bloodline, but isn’t this just too much?”

“Why is he even a vice division leader? I think he’s stronger than Rimmer.”

“A sword of will…”

The division leaders and the squad leaders’ faces turned pale. Their widened eyes looked like they were about to pop out because they were aware that Raon was powerful, but they had never expected him to be that powerful.

“Hahahaha!”

Serena broke into loud laughter.

“So that’s your answer. I see. I was going too easy on him.”

She nodded in acknowledgment as she watched Raon, who was standing confidently on the training ground.

“Amazing.”

Roenn licked his dry lips. He seemed to be impressed from the bottom of his heart.

“The White Lotus division leader’s last attack was so powerful that anyone less than Grandmasters would’ve been unable to defend against it, but he cut it down perfectly.”

“I was also surprised this time.”

Sheryl gasped while blinking her eyes, which were as wide as a billiard ball.

“He has far surpassed my expectations of his talent. We might not even need to attack the South-North Union at this rate.”

She shook her head, saying that it really looked like Raon might become a Grandmaster before twenty-two years old.

“Ahem.”

Glenn released the muscles that were suppressing his lips upon hearing the compliments of his vassals and the shouts of the spectators. The corners of his lips soared high enough to pierce through the ceiling and reach the sky.

‘You managed to do it.’

Raon hadn’t managed to achieve the Great Bind of the Heavy Sky until the last lesson that was carried out the previous night.

Glenn was thinking that he was forcing him too much, but Raon had displayed the beginning of the Azure Sky Sword in that important scene.

‘I’m so proud of you!’

His heart pounded upon witnessing the way his cherished grandson had punished the sinner of the house with the swordsmanship that he’d personally taught him.

He wanted to shout Raon’s name just like the spectators, but he clenched his fists and barely managed to suppress his urge.

“Haha.”

“Huhuhu.”

Sheryl and Roenn smiled while looking at the bright smile on Glenn’s face when a cheerful wind blew from the edge of the executives’ stand.

“I don’t know who taught him, but he’s such a great fighter.”

It was Rimmer. He came up to the executives’ stand while fiddling with his sleeve.

“Don’t you agree? Do you know who his teacher is?”

“Erm… Isn’t it you, Sir Rimmer?”

The squad leader at the front pointed at Rimmer.

“That’s right! So you knew about it!”

Rimmer clapped his hands and nodded his head.

“He became such a monster because the great me was his teacher! It wouldn’t have happened if it were anyone else!”

He shouted and claimed that it was all thanks to his teachings and training that Raon became that powerful.

“Ugh…”

Glenn bit his lip. The urge to smash the head of the elf that was shouting that Raon was his disciple and declare that it was himself who’d taught him the technique he’d used was welling up like a tide.

“Haa…”

Sheryl sighed and went down from the platform.

“Seriously, you…”

“By the way.”

When she was about to stop Rimmer, his voice became serious.

“It looked like some rat gave something to Ayad.”

His cold gaze skimmed through the executives’ stand.

“I previously visited Ayad’s hospital room to make fun of him, but he wasn’t that powerful back then. The realm was the same, but that much output was impossible for him. It looks like someone played a trick, huh?”

“Hmm…”

Sheryl lowered her hand and closed her mouth.

‘That’s indeed true.’

She could understand because she was the one in charge of Ayad’s investigation. He was completely different from a month ago.

It wasn’t just the amount of his aura. He was using an impossible amount of aura, almost like he’d learned some special technique.

She’d forgotten about it because of Raon’s victory, but it was definitely strange.

“Are you suspecting us right now?”

Karoon glared at Rimmer with a fully irritated gaze.

“Someone like you isn’t allowed in here. Stop talking shit and scram.”

“It’s too bad for you, but I’m also an executive.”

Rimmer pointed at the emblem on his chest with the division leader’s mark on it. The mark was even more visible thanks to his wrinkled clothes.

“You love talking nonsense like always.”

Balder frowned while glaring at Rimmer.

“What can you even tell with your shabby skills?”

“Woof woof!”

Rimmer smiled like a fool while barking like a dog.

“You!”

“You damned bastard…”

“Ah, I haven't finished talking yet.”

He shook his hand towards Karoon and Balder before walking towards the center of the platform.

“Hmm…”

Rimmer rolled his lips into a smile while looking up at the executives.

“Well, it doesn’t really matter whether they gave Ayad some elixir or some martial art. I don’t know who did it, but I’d like to thank them for their useless efforts. Thank you for the money!”

He shook his gambling ticket between his fingers while climbing to the highest platform.

“What do you think, my lord?”

Glenn looked below the platform while listening to Rimmer. The executives swallowed nervously with trembling shoulders upon facing his frightening gaze tightening their hearts.

“You have a point. They are free to help him. However…”

He slowly lowered his gaze and looked at Raon.

“It was pointless in the end. They even wasted their Blue Spirit Elixir and Hundred Potentials Sword Art. It must’ve been a huge waste, whoever that was.”

Glenn sneered. He had already noticed what Ayad had obtained.

“I know, right? I get to make money and even make fun of that idiot. This is catching two birds with one—”

“Shut up!”

Sheryl smacked Rimmer’s head, and he finally stopped laughing.

“My lord, I believe it’s time to wrap it up.”

Roenn smiled faintly and bowed to Glenn.

“Indeed.”

Glenn nodded and stood up from the highest seat before walking to the edge of the platform.

“The Light Wind vice division leader, Raon Zieghart, is the winner of today’s sword duel.”

“Oooooh!”

“Whoaaaa!”

“Raon! Raon! Raon!”

People shouted their heads off from all over the training ground upon hearing their head of house’s declaration. It wasn’t just the warriors. Even the servants and the executives were shouting Raon’s name.

“The conditions that Raon Zieghart has set for this sword duel will be disclosed.”

The conditions that the participants set for each other during a sword duel were usually revealed after the match was decided. The spectators stopped their cheers and fixated their gazes on Glenn’s mouth.

“Raon Zieghart wanted the White Lotus division leader, Ayad, to be banished from the White Lotus division to protect the swordsmen who’ve confessed the fact that he’s been using and sacrificing the White Lotus swordsmen for his personal benefit.”

“Wow…”

“W-was that really his condition?”

“Which means he wasn’t trying to take revenge for disturbing him during the mission, but…”

“Yes. He started the sword duel to protect the White Lotus swordsmen.”

“Huh, even his personality is on a whole different level, on top of his might.”

Since it was a serious matter, the rumors about what Ayad had been doing to the White Lotus division were already widespread. The sword duel’s condition was still not revealed, and people dropped their jaws upon learning about Raon’s caring heart as he tried to protect the White Lotus division.

“According to the winner’s condition, Ayad will be forever banished from the White Lotus division. Moreover, the Heavenly Blade division leader’s investigation revealed that multiple swordsmen had been sacrificed by Ayad. Therefore, he will be sentenced to life imprisonment.”

“Whoaaa!”

The spectators cheered loudly once again upon hearing Glenn’s declaration.

“Kuh…”

Ayad couldn’t withstand the mental shock added to his physical damage and fell unconscious, his eyes rolled back.

“Raon Zieghart.”

Raon shook off the blood flowing from his forehead and stood in front of Glenn.

“Good job.”

The direct lines looked at Glenn upon hearing that. All of them seemed surprised because it was the first time he was showing so much attention to the winner of a sword duel.

“Thank you.”

Raon bowed to Glenn before he turned around. He thanked the people who’d been cheering for him by bowing to them as well.

“Whoaaa!”

“White Sword Dragon! You are the best!”

“I’ll be looking forward to your future!”

“Thank you, Sir Raon!”

“Keep rising higher!”

The warriors waved their hands while shouting their heads off. Raon’s heart pounded upon seeing that most people in that place were yelling his name.

‘This feels different every single time.’

He felt like his whole body was heated up whenever people cheered for him while calling his name. It must’ve been because neither his face nor his name could be known in his previous life.

It’s over now, right?

Wrath smiled while tapping on his shoulder.

It’s time to keep your promise! Go to the ice cream shop right now and buy everything they have!

‘I know.’

Raon nodded. Since Wrath had been holding it back for an entire month, he was planning to keep his promise to prepare a bead ice cream buffet no matter what.

Let’s go right now!

Raon nodded and was about to leave the great training ground when he spotted him.

“Huh…?”

There was a middle-aged man who was waving his hand at him while crying. His face was familiar.

“Look! He is a regular at our shop! Sir Raon! You were really cool!”

The middle-aged man with a noticeable mustache was the manager of the bead ice cream shop.

Ehh?

Wrath also recognized him and his jaw dropped.

Why is Mustache even here?! Why are you away from your shop?!

His head trembled violently from the unforeseen problem.

“Woah! Today’s drink is on me! Follow me!”

The bead ice cream shop’s manager and his companions put their arms around each other’s shoulders as they went to have a drink.

God damn it! Hey! Why are you leaving your shop?!

Wrath’s body, which was normally like blue cotton candy, became a red strawberry-flavored one.

‘Hmm, I don’t think it will be possible today…’

Bullshit! Catch Mustache right now! Drag him to the shop and force him to open it!

‘I can’t really do that.’

It was the manager’s decision to close the shop and take a day off. It was impossible to force him to open.

Why are you doing this to me?! How can this world do this to the King of Essence? He’s been living a life of virtue!

Wrath pointed his finger at the sky while saying that his life was virtuous despite being a demon king.

There must be a faction that’s trying to sabotage the King of Essen—

While he was writhing while screaming, messages appeared in front of Raon’s eyes.

[You’ve achieved an overwhelming victory against a stronger opponent.]

[All stats…]

[The trait…]

Wrath dropped his hand from above upon seeing those messages.

This is driving him nuts!

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Writing Ant, 글개미]

[Translator – Kyangi]

[Proofreader – Harley]