Chapter 701

Boom!

The Axe King Roman couldn't keep his balance and began to sink into the rough currents of the Rable River.

"Ugh..."

Raon vomited blood and tried to use the River Footwork. His aura was depleted, and he had suffered wounds severe enough that he might collapse at any moment. Using the Supreme Harmony Steps was now impossible.

"Roman!"

He grabbed Roman's shoulder, which was submerged up to his neck, and lifted him up.

So much blood had spilled that the surrounding river water had turned crimson.

"Raon Zieghart."

Even in this condition, Roman spoke Raon’s name with a steady voice.

"I told you. Only one of us walks away. Let go. This wound is fatal."

He lifted his black long coat with trembling hands. A gaping hole the size of a child's head marred his left chest, spurting fresh blood.

"I know."

Raon nodded, gazing at the gaping wound.

'I inflicted that wound. Of course I know.'

Their final clash had been with their lives on the line.

This was a true duel to the death—no room for mercy, only one survivor.

Even if Federick, the Ragged Saint, were here, he couldn't heal the wound inflicted by Genesis.

"Sir Roman, you still have subordinates loyal to you. As the Axe King, you should leave them your final words."

"Heh, what's with the sudden formality? Didn't you always call me ‘old man’?"

Roman chuckled faintly, saying it gave him goosebumps.

"Today, you were a senior warrior worthy of respect."

Raon nodded, locking eyes with Roman as their color slowly drained.

"......"

Roman didn’t answer. Whether he had nothing left to say or was saving his strength for his subordinates, Raon couldn’t tell.

"Huff..."

Raon finally staggered out of the river and laid Roman gently on the sandy shore.

His strength nearly failed several times, and they both almost collapsed, but he bit down on his tongue and endured.

"Raon Zieghart."

With a shallow breath, Roman turned his gaze to him.

"If the vice union leader attacks, escape downriver."

"The river? Why the river?"

Given that the South-North Union’s territory was based in rivers and mountains, the idea confused Raon.

"If you win, the vice union leader may make a move. I destroyed the warships just in case."

Roman glanced at the half-sunken vessels, chuckling softly.

"The warships?"

Raon had wondered why Roman destroyed them with his Red Dragon Axe’s flames before their duel—it had been deliberate all along.

“I’m sure you already secured a boat. Follow the river... and you’ll escape.”

Roman’s voice faded, and his hand dropped. He had reached his limit.

Raon wasn’t in much better condition. Though the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation would prevent death, he would need a long time to recover.

"Sir Roman!"

"Please, please! Open your eyes!"

"Don’t collapse now! We still have things to do!"

The leaders of the Black Wolf, White Mountain, and Martial Wolf Units brought a healer as they rushed to Roman’s side.

"Ugh..."

Vice union leader Helgurum and his warriors stood frozen, still stunned by Roman’s final roar.

"Division leader!"

"Why’d you take the hits? You should’ve dodged!"

"Handsome Raon, are you okay?"

Burren, Martha, and Runaan approached, supporting Raon from both sides.

“D-Division leader, please get treated first!”

“Ugh, that wound…”

Dorian and Krein’s voices trembled as they saw the deep gash in Raon’s waist.

"You did well."

Rimmer approached and grabbed Raon’s shoulder. His hand was damp with sweat, showing how tense he had been.

"Open your mouth."

“What?”

“We don’t have time! Just do it!”

Raon opened his mouth, and Sheryl slipped a red pill inside.

She then placed her hand on the wound at his waist. A warm aura flowed into his core, and the pain began to dull.

"Haa..."

Raon exhaled and tried to keep his eyes open. With the pain fading, his muscles relaxed, and sleep tried to claim him.

‘Too much heat has built up in my head.’

He had planned to conserve energy and avoid serious injuries, preparing for what might follow the duel. But the thrill of growing alongside Roman had overwhelmed that strategy.

It had been more than enlightenment—it had been exhilarating.

He had been so immersed in growth that he hadn’t considered the aftermath, even unleashing Divinity Blooming From the Underworld as an attack.

Though his plan was in shambles, he had prepared contingencies.

Raon wiped the blood from his eyes and looked to his right.

Roman was watching him and smiled faintly as if to say, “Wasn’t that fun?”

‘It was.’

As Raon blinked slowly, Roman smiled in satisfaction.

"Everyone..."

Raon turned to the others. He nodded at Rimmer, Sheryl, and the Light Wind swordsmen.

"Take care of the rest."

With those final words, his vision dimmed.

* * *

On a shadowed hill above the Rable River…

"Th-That... Is that even possible?"

Kubara trembled as she looked down at Raon. She broke the silence herself—an act unthinkable under normal circumstances.

But this wasn’t normal. For the first time, she had seen two warriors grow together during battle.

"...It shouldn't be."

Derus bit his trembling lip and shook his head.

“It’s impossible.”

Yes, there were warriors who grew through battle. He himself had become stronger by fighting mighty foes.

But...

Never in history had two people elevated each other mid-battle—building, adapting, evolving their martial arts in sync.

Raon gained the weight and tenacity he lacked.

Roman forged stability in his thin-string aura.

Both filled their weaknesses in the course of battle.

And their speed—absurd. It was as if they had entered a trance.

Drip. Drip.

Derus removed his gloves. Blood was seeping from his clenched fists—just from watching.

'He's turning 22 tomorrow?'

He already knew Raon was dangerous. But this?

Raon’s growth exceeded all expectations. If he survived, he'd reach advanced Grandmaster... possibly even peak Grandmaster.

‘Neither Glenn nor I grew like that.’

Even among the Six Kings, none had achieved such power at that age.

‘If he keeps this up…’

Derus clenched his jaw.

‘Before twenty-five… he might even transcend.’

That wall—deemed impossible—might fall to Raon Zieghart.

‘How…?’

Even if he was the reincarnated assassin, that couldn’t explain this.

There had to be something more—an unseen force aiding him.

'Good thing I came today.'

Derus burned his bloodstained gloves and donned fresh ones.

‘He must die. More than any other threat, he must not live.’

No one on the continent threatened his plans like Raon.

* * *

"No... No, this can’t be..."

The healer treating Roman trembled as he wiped away blood.

“It’s too late. Even a god couldn’t save him.”

"Shut up!"

"Keep going!"

"You want to die for quitting?!"

“Enough.”

Roman raised a trembling hand.

"I told you... I have no regrets."

He glanced at the unit leaders and gave a weak smile.

"But Sir Axe King..."

“What are you doing, you fools!”

Helgurum’s shout cracked the air.

“I told you—kill Raon Zieghart! Why are you standing there?!”

He raised his hand to signal the attack.

“No.”

The Black Wolf leader bit his lip and shook his head.

“We won’t tarnish the Axe King's honor.”

“Raon Zieghart must walk away today!”

The White Mountain and Martial Wolf leaders stepped forward, blocking the path.

“You pathetic fools!”

Helgurum stormed forward.

“If he survives, he’ll become the union’s worst threat!”

“Even so, this was a fair duel. Even if I fall to him someday, he must walk away today.”

The Black Wolf leader stood firm, as if possessed by Roman’s will.

"Hah...”

Roman, trembling, braced himself and raised his upper body.

“You look troubled, Vice Union Leader.”

Despite his pale face, he smiled.

“You...”

Helgurum swallowed.

A final surge of strength.

Roman was burning the last of his life force.

“The South-North Union was founded by heroes who valued honor. But now…”

He laughed bitterly.

“It’s a cesspool of shame.”

Roman stood—miraculously—on shaking legs.

The healer froze. It was a miracle.

“Strength isn’t about never losing. It’s standing again after defeat.”

His gaze turned to Raon. Then to his unit leaders.

“Did you see my battle?”

“Yes, we did.”

“Then that’s enough. Live with pride.”

With those words, Roman collapsed for the final time. His eyes stayed open, as if demanding they witness what came next.

"You damn bastard!"

Helgurum clenched his bloody fist.

"This is your last chance! Kill Raon Zieghart!"

He raised his finger.

“We refuse.”

“Even if we die, we won’t strike.”

“Raon Zieghart has been acknowledged by the Axe King.”

The three unit leaders blocked the path, weapons drawn.

“Hah...”

Helgurum laughed bitterly.

“Then die with him!”

He raised his spear. Beside him, Beorn drew his sword.

Boom!

The Black Wolf leader gritted his teeth.

We might die here.

Even with Zieghart behind them, Helgurum was a Transcender. And Beorn… a Grandmaster.

“You two! Take Raon and go!”

The Black Wolf leader shouted at Sheryl and Rimmer.

“The river is your escape! We’ll hold them!”

“That won’t be necessary.”

A shadow leapt from the right.

“When toys start acting on their own... they must be crushed.”

A swordsman wearing a blue dragon helmet stepped out of the void, grinning as he slashed.

“Ah…”

The Black Wolf leader felt his throat tighten. I can’t block this.

‘I’m sorry, Roman…’

Crack!

A crimson bolt of lightning surged upward, burning away the deathly energy.

Szzzzzt!

From within that flash of light, a blond-haired swordsman stepped forward.

Red eyes. A massive sword.

Glenn Zieghart.

He raised Heavenly Tremor beside the Rable River.

“So you came.”

A cold light shimmered behind the blue dragon helmet. Derus grinned.

“Who are you?”

Glenn narrowed his eyes, leveling his sword.

“Heavenly Demon.”

Derus lifted his chin.

“I am the Heavenly Demon of Eden.”

“If that’s your final word…”

Glenn’s eyes glowed with killing intent.

“Then die with that name.”

***

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

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Writing Ant, 글개미]

[Translator – Irving]

[Proofreader – Mayank]