Chapter 702

Right after Raon and Roman's duel to the death.

Glenn’s fingertips trembled as he watched Raon carrying Roman out to the riverbank.

‘He did it.’

Raon had proudly claimed victory in the duel to the death against Roman, just as he had declared in the lake of the annex building.

It was the first time since Aris was born that his eyes stung with emotion.

“Huhuhu!”

Roenn also laughed joyfully as he looked at Raon.

“Young Master Raon will become even stronger.”

He nodded as if he was looking forward to the future.

“I am also deeply moved.”

Federick let out a deep breath as he looked at Raon.

“I never thought that child, who seemed unlikely to live healthily, let alone live as a warrior, would grow up so splendidly.”

He smiled faintly, recalling the young Raon who had been in Sylvia’s arms.

“Happy, aren't you?”

Federick nudged Glenn's shoulder with his elbow.

“Now you can officially call him your grandson. And Sylvia is your daughter again.”

“Hmm…”

Glenn turned his head, curling his trembling lips upward.

‘Yes. There's nothing more to see now.’

The joy of being able to openly care for Raon as his grandson without worrying about others made his heart pound as if it would burst.

“But before that….”

Federick narrowed his eyes as he looked around.

“Is there really someone who uses that energy of death?”

“There is.”

Glenn nodded.

“The exact location is unknown, but he’s definitely hiding.”

He nodded again, noting that a very faint presence was moving.

Shortly after, Roman died standing, and the unit leaders from the South-North Union who had followed him defied the vice union leader's orders to attack Raon.

‘They weren't trash after all.’

When Glenn decided he should save them, admiring their loyalty, a black shadow appeared.

“I’m going.”

Glenn advanced with Supreme Harmony Steps toward the swordsman who had used the energy of death to kill Raon. His sword, enveloped in anger, struck like lightning.

* * *

“Die with that name….”

The swordsman in the blue dragon helmet laughed softly as he caressed the scale embedded in his cheek.

“You seem to have actually met the real Heavenly Demon.”

He licked his lips as he looked into Glenn’s red eyes.

“I haven't heard any information about the Lightning God and the Heavenly Demon meeting, hmm…?”

The swordsman narrowed his eyes, pleased to have obtained valuable information.

“Federick.”

Ignoring the swordsman, Glenn called out to the Ragged Saint.

“I know.”

Federick approached Raon, who was being carried by Rimmer, and examined his condition.

“It’s amazing every time I see it. His wounds are healing on their own. What is he, a troll or something…”

He exhaled a breath of astonishment, commenting on Raon’s extraordinary recovery ability.

‘That’s a relief.’

Glenn gave a short nod. He had been worried because the wounds and internal injuries were severe, but if Raon was starting to recover on his own, there would likely be no serious aftereffects.

“To come all the way here with the Ragged Saint... you must cherish your grandson a lot.”

The swordsman in the blue dragon helmet spoke, drawing out his words to provoke Glenn.

“Enough with the nonsense. Let’s get to the point.”

Glenn summoned red lightning over his sword, Heavenly Tremor. The sphere of lightning energy blazing from the sword's tip flashed, distorting the space around it.

“Ah, wait a minute!”

The swordsman waved his hand lightly.

“Just wait a bit. There are still people who need to come, and things I need to show you. If we fight now, you’ll regret it.”

Despite facing Glenn, he maintained a relaxed smile.

“……”

Glenn narrowed his eyes as he looked at the blue light flickering inside the dragon helmet.

‘Who is this guy?’

It was a disposition he had never felt from any human before.

There had been someone he suspected, but the atmosphere was so different, he thought this was an entirely new person.

‘For someone with such martial power to reveal himself only now…’

Even though the swordsman hadn’t fully shown his strength, he exuded an energy that could suppress even the leader of the Six Kings and Five Demons.

Even the master of the Holy Sword Alliance would probably not be able to defeat this swordsman without drawing the Holy Sword.

‘I must not underestimate him.’

He didn’t think he would lose, but since he didn’t know what might happen, he decided to end this with all his strength.

“It doesn’t matter who comes. I have nothing to regret.”

“Oh, he’s here.”

Ruuuuumble!

The entire Rable River shook as a warship larger than Misfortune emerged from the water. It was the South-North Union’s first warship—Azure Wolf.

Fwoooosh!

Breaking through the rough waters, a young man with red hair stood on the bow of the soaring ship with his hands behind his back.

The noble-looking man stood out even in the darkness. He looked down at Glenn and curled his lips into a smile.

He walked toward the riverbank as though treading on solid ground. Bare-chested, with a long blue dragon jacket draped over his shoulders, a lengthy scar etched his rock-hard abdominal muscles.

Despite his youthful face, as young as Sir Raon’s, the energy he emanated was vast enough to encompass the entire Rable River.

The red-haired man, wrapped in a violent yet noble aura, stood in front of Glenn. The lightning from Heavenly Tremor scattered like mist before him.

“Dranos….”

Sheryl bit her lip as she looked at the young man standing in front of Glenn.

That young-looking man was Dranos, the leader of the South-North Union, who had unified the river pirates of the Rable River and the bandits of Terukan Mountain, dominating the continent’s waterways.

“It’s been a while, Destructive King of the North.”

Dranos twisted his lips as he met Glenn's red eyes.

“Is this the first time since you earned that nickname?”

He laughed, rubbing the scar on his chest.

Sigh…

Dranos nodded at Glenn, then approached Roman.

“He was quite a useful guy in many ways. What a shame.”

He clicked his tongue briefly and closed Roman’s glaring eyes.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect Roman to lose. You’re lucky to have such a grandson.”

“Dranos, did you come here to die?”

Glenn was not surprised by the appearance of the South-North Union’s leader. Instead, his red eyes shone calmly, as if he had anticipated it.

“No, I came because of Raon Zieghart over there.”

Dranos shook his smooth chin.

“Your brilliant grandson has caused us more than a few troubles.”

He counted on his fingers, recalling the incidents that had harmed the South-North Union, starting with Tyler, the sea market auction house, and Roman.

“You will die for the sin of raising such a grandson.”

A blue torrent surged in Dranos’ once calm eyes.

“Do you trust that trash?”

Glenn’s gaze turned to the swordsman in the blue dragon helmet.

“Even with you two...”

“Two?”

The swordsman chuckled.

“Unfortunately, it’s not just the two of us.”

He raised his finger and pointed to the sky.

Crack!

The darkness-filled sky shattered like a thin glass window.

From the cracked fissure, a red sun emerged, erasing the night. It poured holy light down, turning the entire Rable River into day.

From the distorted constellation descended a man wearing the mask of a beautiful youth who seemed not to belong in this world.

Angel wings and demon horns were engraved on his gray garments, glowing as if alive.

A holy and unholy presence. The aura of a fallen angel—praised by the heavens, dreaded by the earth—had arrived.

“The Fallen…”

Glenn frowned. The mana around the Fallen flickered more brilliantly than before. He had grown stronger.

“Long time no see.”

The Fallen bowed politely to Glenn.

“I didn’t expect you to come.”

“I didn’t expect it either. But something happened that I couldn’t ignore, so I had no choice.”

“What happened?”

“Your grandson caused some trouble.”

His gaze turned to Raon’s face.

“He colluded with one of my subordinates and extracted information about the Five Demons. Thanks to him, there’s been a lot of complaints.”

The Fallen waved his hand lightly.

“And there’s someone particularly enraged over a severe defeat.”

He gently raised his lips while glancing at a man in a black robe trembling behind him.

“By the way, borrowing the name of the Heavenly Demon… that’s not a good idea.”

The Fallen narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at the swordsman.

“I thought it would be fun.”

The swordsman bowed playfully, hands clasped together.

“The Heavenly Demon is very different from what you think—”

“Ah, save the lecture for later. There’s more to show right now.”

He snapped his fingers again.

Wooooong!

A blue window appeared in the air, showing a tall and straight gray wall.

“Z-Zieghart?”

Burren gasped.

The wall shown in the vision was clearly Zieghart’s outer wall.

“What are you trying to do now…?”

Federick, who had been watching Raon, trembled in surprise as red and blue flashes poured down from the top of the wall like a meteor shower.

Kuwaaaaang!

The barrier surged up but shattered against the waves of powerful mana.

The seemingly indestructible wall collapsed.

Countless white-robed figures emerged in front of the collapsed wall. They were members of the White Blood Religion.

They weren’t alone. Demons from Eden—both blue and red—executives wearing helmets and masks, and faceless assassins accompanied them.

“I wanted the leader of the White Blood Religion to be there too…”

The swordsman in the blue dragon helmet chuckled and waved his hand.

“But she’s recuperating, so she only sent them.”

He twisted his lips as he watched the white blood fanatics rushing toward the broken wall.

“They’re quick. I suppose the anger from their headquarters being attacked by you still lingers.”

He shrugged.

“What are you going to do? Stay here? Or go back—?”

“Hehehehehe!”

Suddenly, giggling laughter rang out.

“I told you, this guy is a real madman.”

Rimmer chuckled while looking at the unconscious Raon.

“How does everything happen as he says?”

“Right? Did he see the future or something?”

Sheryl shook her head in disbelief.

“What are you talking about?”

The voice from within the blue dragon helmet wavered slightly.

“Have you gone mad with despair?”

“Yeah. Not me, but this guy.”

Rimmer sneered and pointed at Raon.

“My student predicted you would come here and that Zieghart would be attacked.”

“It wasn’t Eden but another group, but the scale is similar.”

Sheryl nodded with a serene expression.

“......”

Glenn also looked at Raon with proud eyes.

“The Heavenly Blade Division and the Warring Steel Division will block them here. The Light Wind Division will escort Raon out of here.”

He quickly issued commands and turned to face the swordsman in the dragon helmet again.

“Yes.”

“Huhuhuhu.”

“Understood!”

Sheryl, Roenn, and Trevin drew their weapons and took their positions behind Glenn.

“Dorian!”

“Yessir!”

At Rimmer’s shout, Dorian sprinted to the riverbank and reached into his belly pocket.

He pulled out a boat—no, a small ship—that looked fit to catch the wind and placed it on the water.

“Uh, what…?”

“Why is there a boat?”

“A boat came out of the belly pocket?!”

The water bandits gasped at the absurd sight.

“Let’s go!”

As the Light Wind swordsmen boarded the vessel, Rimmer activated Garunua and pushed the boat forward.

The sails flared as if hit by a storm, propelling the craft forward at tremendous speed.

“Chase them.”

At the murmured command of the swordsman in the dragon helmet, masked men behind him moved.

“You go too. Kill Raon Zieghart.”

At Dranos’ order, the unit leaders aboard Azure Wolf sprang into action.

Rumble!

Though the Fallen said nothing, Eden’s demons also surged forth, led by a man in a black robe.

Boom!

Glenn waved his hand, unleashing a storm of lightning that blocked the advancing forces—demons, Shadows, and South-North Union warriors alike.

“Where do you think you're going?”

“Hm…”

The swordsman in the blue dragon helmet faced Glenn, tilting his chin.

“You won’t let them go? If we fight like this, you’ll be annihilated.”

“Didn’t I tell you?”

Glenn calmly lifted his chin.

“He predicted your movements.”

He gestured behind him.

“If you’ve seen enough, come out.”

At Glenn’s soft command, a figure in a large hat stepped forward from behind.

* * *

“Kill them all!”

At the Tenth Apostle’s command, white blood fanatics swarmed over the collapsed wall.

Their eyes blazed with fury over the earlier attack on their headquarters.

“Everyone, prepare for battle!”

Illiune, Foreign Minister of Zieghart, shouted as the outer wall’s swordsmen drew their blades and took formation.

Boom!

The Tenth Apostle and Illiune clashed. Their sword and spear flared with blue sparks, each aiming for the other’s throat.

“How dare you attack Zieghart! Have you gone mad from drinking blood?”

Illiune growled, twisting his lips.

“Zieghart without the North King is nothing but a scarecrow.”

The Tenth Apostle bit his lip, showing more emotion than usual.

“Besides, you attacked us first!”

His eyes gleamed darkly as he recalled Glenn and Raon attacking their headquarters.

“You overestimate yourselves! Even without the head of house, you’re no match for me!”

Illiune parried the Tenth Apostle’s spear and turned his gaze briefly behind.

“You won’t even reach the inner wall. You’ll be stopped here!”

“I never said I came alone.”

The Tenth Apostle shook his head, his sneer deepening.

“I’m not the one in charge.”

As his eerie chuckle echoed, two new Apostles stepped onto the wall.

A pale man and a tall, copper-skinned woman—Apostles One and Two—stood at the top. Among the strongest in the White Blood Religion, both were transcendents or close.

“First Apostle!”

Illiune’s face went pale. He could handle the Tenth alone, perhaps even the Second. But the First Apostle was on another level entirely.

And behind them were Eden’s executives and masked assassins, waiting for their moment.

It felt like only a matter of time before the line was breached.

“There’s no need to waste time. Inflict maximum damage and retreat.”

The First Apostle charged, bloody energy flaring around him like a storm.

His hand, shaped into a blade, swung downward, splitting the sky with a deadly arc.

Illiune’s shoulders trembled.

Clang!

A single blow cracked his sword and embedded it into the ground. The power difference was overwhelming.

Fwoooosh!

The hand blade rose diagonally in a follow-up strike. There was no escape.

“Ugh…!”

Illiune gritted his teeth and lifted his broken weapon—

Shiiing!

The air tore open, and a red blade shot through.

Clang!

The First Apostle’s momentum broke as he stumbled back.

“Grr…”

He bit his lip in disbelief, staring at the sword that had cracked his bloody aura.

“Leave the kid alone….”

From the torn space came the scent of the sea and a familiar voice. Aris, with her sunset-colored hair billowing behind her, smiled brightly.

“Play with this big sister instead.”

“W-why are you here…?”

“When my adorable nephew acts all cute and asks for help, how could I not be?”

Aris wiggled her fingers on the hilt of her sword, cheeks faintly flushed.

“And I’ll engrave it into your bones—how foolish it was to attack Zieghart.”

She vanished in an instant, appearing before the First Apostle and slashing down.

“You bastards started this!”

The First Apostle raised his hand blade, unwilling to retreat.

Kraaaang!

The space trembled with their clash, spiderweb cracks spreading through the fortress wall beneath their feet.

***

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]