Chapter 704

Baaaaaang!

As the swordsman in the blue dragon helmet stretched out his arm, the energy of death entwined around his blade shot out in hundreds of flashes.

"How trivial."

Even as Glenn watched the surging energy of death, he did not retreat. Instead, he advanced and swung down Heavenly Tremor.

Crackle!

The lightning that exploded on the pure white blade devoured all the energy of death.

The only trace left by Heavenly Tremor was a faint breeze, so gentle it couldn’t sway even a single strand of hair.

"Did you intend to face me with just this level of skill?"

Narrowing his eyes, Glenn lowered the spotless Heavenly Tremor. The energy of death trampled by the lightning dispersed like mist at his feet.

"It's too early to judge me."

The swordsman in the blue dragon helmet smirked and wagged his finger.

"Let's hold off on evaluations until everything is finished!"

As he flipped his wrist, a dark sphere of condensed energy of death surged from the void.

Kraaaaaaak!

The pitch-black sphere crushed the space around it, aiming straight for Glenn's heart.

"I told you, it’s useless."

Lowering his left hand, which did not hold Heavenly Tremor, Glenn caused the approaching sphere to drop abruptly like a puppet with its strings cut, crashing into the ground.

Kuwaaaaaaang!

The energy of death exploded from underground, turning the river and its water upside down.

"Borrowing the words of your grandson…."

The swordsman in the blue dragon helmet laughed delightedly as he rested his sword over his shoulder.

Not only the blade but his entire body began to blaze with the energy of death.

"You've got a long way to go!"

With a roar-like shout, the swordsman in the blue dragon helmet flew at Glenn with his black sword. The pressure, now more than double what it had been during his previous strike, weighed down on Glenn's entire body.

"The weight of that child’s words…."

Glenn’s gaze turned icy cold. On the blade of Heavenly Tremor he extended, anger-infused lightning sprouted.

"...is different from the likes of you."

The blood-soaked lightning blade blocked the charge of the swordsman in the blue dragon helmet.

Kuwaaaaang!

At the moment the swords met, a tremendous shockwave erupted, causing space to crack as if it were being torn apart, yet Glenn did not budge an inch.

He stood his ground, pressing down the swordsman in the dragon helmet with just one hand.

Crunch!

With a chilling sound as if bones were being twisted, the legs of the swordsman in the blue dragon helmet began to buckle.

"You're pretty strong for an old man, but..."

Even under the pressure of Heavenly Tremor, the swordsman in the blue dragon helmet smiled leisurely.

"This isn't your full strength, is it?"

He lightly shrugged his shoulders, as if to say this wasn't enough.

"……."

Glenn frowned as he looked into the eyes of the swordsman in the blue dragon helmet.

'He's holding back his strength.'

Even though Glenn used a similar level of power as when he faced the leader of the White Blood Religion, the swordsman in the blue dragon helmet seemed relaxed, indicating that he wasn’t fighting with all his might either.

‘That fool was right to call him dangerous.’

Ogram had said that even in a one-on-one fight with the swordsman in the blue dragon helmet, he couldn’t guarantee a victory.

At first, he thought it was because of the menacing energy of death he exuded, but that wasn’t the issue.

The guy himself was strong. Regardless of the energy of death, he was a formidable opponent. Among the heads of the Six Kings and Five Demons, there were few who could match him.

‘I should make him reveal his hidden skills.’

Such a warrior wouldn’t appear out of nowhere. It seemed best to make him reveal his true abilities to understand the origin of his martial arts.

Thud!

The moment Glenn twisted his wrist, the swordsman in the blue dragon helmet was violently pushed back.

“This is….”

The swordsman in the blue dragon helmet widened his eyes, not knowing what had just happened.

“I’ll show you the difference in our levels.”

Glenn raised Heavenly Tremor and aimed at the gleaming eyes within the blue dragon helmet. The mere gesture of the swordsman, who had reached the sky, caused the heavens and earth to tremble.

A noble wave of energy, as if the person himself had transformed into the sword of the heavens, spread out in all directions.

“A lot of unexpected things are happening today.”

The swordsman in the blue dragon helmet shuddered as if overwhelmed by Glenn’s energy.

“But I still have a job to do.”

He shook off the shock remaining in his right hand and lunged to Glenn’s right. The black sword, imbued with the energy of death, shot out like a flash of lightning.

Clang!

As Heavenly Tremor and the black sword clashed, their energy intertwined as if trying to devour each other.

Boom!

In the narrow space where their breaths mingled, Glenn and the swordsman in the blue dragon helmet exchanged blows. It was a pure contest of martial skill, not just powerful energy.

Rumble!

After dozens of exchanges, the swordsman in the dragon helmet was flung backward.

Each step he took back dug deep into the ground. He couldn’t fully withstand Glenn’s strength.

“Gahh….”

The swordsman in the blue dragon helmet spat blood onto the ground and panted heavily.

“There’s no way I can win.”

He bit his lip, acknowledging that Glenn surpassed him in swordsmanship, energy, and even endurance.

“Are you satisfied now?”

The South-North Union leader approached with a smirk.

“Not yet.”

The swordsman in the blue dragon helmet shook his hand.

“At least I got a taste.”

“Then let’s start the real fight.”

As the South-North Union leader extended his hand, water surged up like a dragon ascending and gathered in his grasp, forming a blue spear.

It was the Sea Dragon Spear, one of the ancient weapons said to choose its own master.

Whoooosh!

The swordsman in the blue dragon helmet wiped away his composure and raised the black sword above his head.

The energy of death emanating from the blade grew darker and darker, then suddenly flared up as black lightning, as if he were mimicking Glenn.

"Crude from beginning to end."

Glenn, revealing his sharp killing intent, held Heavenly Tremor in the middle stance. The lightning energy rising from the sword's blade covered the sky and the earth, radiating a red brilliance.

"Sword Field Creation."

His calm voice twisted the world.

"Seamless Perfection."

* * *

"Whew…."

Dorian let out a sigh of relief as he held the control stick.

"We somehow survived."

He said it was a relief, but he still seemed tense, dry-heaving as if he couldn't relax.

"It's thanks to the division leader. It looks like this guy never even considered the possibility of losing."

Krein exhaled while looking at Sir Raon, who was lying down with his eyes closed.

"Of course not. Sir Raon must have been confident of victory from the moment he started the duel to the death."

Burren muttered, shaking his head at how terrifying he was.

"That guy has never broken a promise. We just need to trust him."

Martha applied ointment to Sir Raon's abdomen with a faint smile.

"Those words don't suit a Rakshasa Woman."

Runan shook his head at Martha.

"This is really…."

"Today, Sir Raon is in super handsome mode."

Ignoring Martha, who was about to pounce, she gently brushed Sir Raon's hair aside.

"Everyone, stay alert."

Rimmer, standing next to Sir Raon, clapped his hands loudly.

"It's not over yet."

Unlike his usual self, he looked around with deeply sunken eyes.

"We need to be especially careful of the parts that differ from Sir Raon's predictions."

"The parts that differ..."

"Eden."

Rimmer frowned as he looked at Dorian.

"Sir Raon predicted that the Black Tower, not Eden, would come. It's a significant variable."

He tapped his fingertips, uneasy.

"Hmm…."

Mark Goetten nodded and moved to the bow of the boat to spread his aura perception.

"But who is the Eden member working as the division leader's informant?"

Burren squinted at Rimmer.

"Judging by what the Fallen said, it seems like it's an executive…."

"It must be Merlin."

Rimmer stroked his chin and lowered his gaze.

"M-Merlin?"

"That madwoman?"

"Yes. Merlin pretended to capture Sir Raon but kept blocking the intervention of the Five Demons. At the time, we were too busy to notice, but looking back now, it seems very strange."

Merlin appeared every time Sir Raon was in danger and dealt with the other Five Demons.

At that time, they thought she was just crazy, but after hearing the Fallen's words, it became clear—she had been feeding information to Sir Raon.

"I-I saw it too!"

Dorian raised his hand, eyes wide.

"Remember when we all almost died before, and Merlin suddenly showed up looking for the division leader?"

He swallowed dryly, recalling when the Light Wind division was nearly wiped out by the Blazing Flame Demon Commander.

"I understand that Merlin is on Sir Raon's side. But..."

Martha bit her lip.

"The fact that the division leader didn’t know Eden was hiding here, despite Merlin being his informant..."

"It means that Merlin… has been exposed."

Burren nodded solemnly.

"T-then, Merlin now…."

"She's either already been captured or in a very dangerous situation."

"Ah…."

"That's…."

"For now, let's just think about getting out of here. We'll figure it out the re…."

Rimmer abruptly cut himself off. Numerous presences were moving in the rear.

"Prepare for battle."

Rimmer placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and turned around.

"Prepare for battle!"

As Burren echoed the order, the entire Light Wind division spread out across the deck, drawing swords. They raised the winds of the Light Wind Style to maintain the Great Light Wind Formation on the swaying boat.

* * *

About a minute passed.

With a sound like a blade slicing the river, small fast boats appeared.

Two warships followed, with unit leaders personally aboard—powerful waves of energy rippled from the decks.

"Found them! Over here!"

"I see Sir Raon Zieghart and the Light Wind division! Increase speed!"

On land, members of the White Blood Religion and assassins followed. The presence of an archbishop among them meant they were no minor threat.

Rimmer frowned at the South-North Union forces on the river and the assassins on land.

'At this rate, we’ll be caught.'

Though Dorian’s boat was fast, it couldn’t navigate well. Capture was inevitable.

They had to shift the battlefield to the enemy’s warships.

Shrring!

Rimmer drew his sword, wind swirling around him.

"Protect Sir Raon here. I'll be back soon."

He gave orders to the three team captains and jumped into the river.

Splash!

Riding the currents, he reached the first fast boat.

"The Sword of Light!"

"Attack!"

Surprised warriors of the South-North Union charged with blades.

"I don't have time to play with you."

Rimmer didn’t target them—he slashed the deck itself.

Crash!

The central deck exploded, tossing the warriors into the water.

Thud!

Using the sinking bow as a springboard, he moved to the next boat.

"Stop him!"

"He's trying to destroy the ship!"

Unfazed, Rimmer sliced the boat apart.

Boom!

One by one, fast boats sank.

‘If I destroy the warships, we can escape.’

They’d bought distance from the White Blood Religion. Destroy the ships, and Zieghart could be reached unharmed.

"Whew."

Rimmer caught his breath and boarded a warship.

"Kill him!"

"Stop him!"

The bandits charged as if waiting.

"Sorry, but I’m in a hurry today."

Rimmer unleashed the wind of Garunua, his sword slicing open the enemies.

Slash!

Bodies fell, not even realizing they'd been struck.

“You the leader?”

He rushed the unit leader when—

Screeeeech!

A bone-chilling screech echoed overhead.

"T-that’s…."

A massive skeletal dragon, blazing with dark mana, soared above. An undead bone dragon.

Rumble!

Behind it followed an undead horde—gargoyles, wraiths, and specters.

A figure in a skull mask with glowing golden eyes stood atop the dragon.

“Specter?!”

Rimmer’s lip trembled.

The same Specter Sir Raon had once slain in House Arianne.

‘Resurrected?’

The Specter had the power to return from death—and he had.

And stronger than before.

He wasn’t built for duels. In chaotic warfare, he was the worst opponent imaginable.

‘And… he’s stronger than before.’

Specter raised his finger, and the bone dragon’s mouth opened.

Kraaaaaaaah!

A stream of dark breath surged toward Dorian’s boat.

The Light Wind swordsmen formed a barrier with the Great Wind Formation.

But the boat itself took a massive hit, slowing down.

"Kill them all!"

Specter unleashed the undead horde toward the boat.

“Dorian! Faster!”

Rimmer slashed wildly, but there were too many enemies.

They came from the sky and the water.

‘Damn it.’

They were about to be overwhelmed.

“Come out! Come out now!”

Specter’s attack was a lure—for Sir Raon.

The undead clashed with the Light Wind Formation, scattering the formation.

Boom!

The defensive wall fell.

"If you don’t come out now…."

Specter raised his hand. A dark sphere swirled above his head.

“I’ll destroy him completely!”

It plummeted toward Dorian’s boat.

Too fast.

No one could stop it in time.

But then—

Whoosh!

A soft light flashed.

Merlin appeared, her mask cracked, her robe soaked in blood.

Crackle!

White flame erupted from her magic circle, blocking the dark sphere.

Boom!

The explosion rocked the boat.

“Thanks for the save… huh?”

Rimmer was stunned.

Merlin was in tatters.

"You’ve finally come out!"

Specter’s golden eyes gleamed.

“Yes. I knew you would come out if I targeted Sir Raon Zieghart.”

"You obsessive bastard."

Merlin let out a ragged laugh.

“I thought of nothing but how to kill you in that prison.”

Specter’s face twisted with madness.

"If not for the Fallen, I would’ve gone insane."

"You already are."

"You think you can protect Sir Raon?"

"I know he’ll never look at me."

She smiled beneath her ruined mask.

"But I don’t care."

Magnificent wings of flame spread behind her.

“My love… has always been one-sided.”

***

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]