Chapter 712

Whoooosh!

Raon swung Heavenly Drive upward, unleashing the newfound power of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation he had obtained in the mental world.

The moment a golden sun rose from his energy center, he felt a liberating sensation—as if Heavenly Drive—no, his own hand—could reach infinitely.

Fwoooosh!

The thick fire that bloomed from the tip of the sword erased the undead army without a trace and even split the breaths of the bone dragons.

Heavenly Drive, revealing its invincible energy, finally aimed for the Specter’s neck. It sliced through the flesh of the creature, who was preparing a high-level spell infused with dark mana.

Slash!

The concept of distance vanished—and the Specter’s neck fell. The creature felt astonishment before pain, as if it couldn’t fathom what had happened.

Ssshhh!

As the Specter’s body sank into the river, it dissolved into black smoke.

Raon lowered Heavenly Drive and looked up. Only the blue sky remained—no trace of the undead army that had once filled it.

The King of Essence thought it strange you had more energy than you should, but now he understands.

Wrath nodded as he looked at Raon.

You bastard, you’ve learned how to compress and use your power.

He curled his lips in amusement.

“Yeah. I think I understand a bit.”

Raon created the sun of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation above his right hand and smiled faintly.

Thanks to the enlightenment he’d gained in the mental world and from the duel to the death, he could now operate his astral sphere faster and stronger.

It felt as if he had entered the state of the Harmony of Heaven and Demon sword field.

It’s not just a feeling.

Wrath shook his head calmly.

You’re indeed in a similar state to when you raised that sun.

“Really?”

Yes. Although you’re not using Glacier, your current state is similar to when you used that fire and ice sword field.

He pointed at Raon’s chest, indicating that energy at the level of the Harmony of Heaven and Demon sword field was moving through his body.

“Hah…”

Raon sighed as he felt the steady-burning fire of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and the cold energy of Glacier.

“This is beyond my expectations.”

He had only raised the ranks of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier using the image of the Harmony of Heaven and Demon, but he hadn’t expected such a result. He was so happy, his hands were trembling.

“Uwaaa…”

Flumen let out a faint groan as he looked up at the clear sky where the undead army had melted away.

“Ra, Raon! Have you become a god?”

He blinked rapidly, asking if Raon had become the god of the sword.

“No, I haven’t.”

Absolutely not!

Wrath shouted when Raon tried to shake his head.

What kind of lousy brat becomes a god! There’s no chance!

Wrath snorted, insisting Raon should never become one.

“That’s true.”

Raon laughed softly, looking at Wrath, who was frowning.

“I’m not a god. I don’t want to be one either.”

What I want is the downfall of Derus Robert and the happiness of those around me.

He had no desire to become a god or a demon king.

D-Demon king?

Wrath blinked and floated closer.

You know, demon king is fine. It’s actually fun.

He lightly tapped Raon’s shoulder with his plump hand.

As I’ve always said, you’re perfectly suited to be a demon king. Aren’t you wicked enough to make even demons withdraw in disgust?

“Am I not kind in my own way?”

Are you out of your mind?

Wrath spun his finger near his temple.

A guy who deceives the demon king is far from kind!

He shook his head firmly.

The King of Essence wants to make you a demon king just so others can suffer like he did!

Wrath waved his hand as if saying he wanted to inject some craziness into the boring, stagnant Devildom.

Anyway, you definitely have to come with me to Devildom and—

“I’m not going.”

Eek!

Raon pushed Wrath, who clung to him like a leech, and gestured to Flumen.

“Flumen, can you bring Merlin out now?”

“Okay!”

Flumen nodded and dove into the river.

Clang!

About a minute later, Flumen emerged, droplets of blue water falling from his body, carrying Merlin—cloaked in a black robe—on his shoulder.

“I’ve treated the serious wounds for now.”

He wiggled his clawed hand, explaining that he’d used magic to stabilize her condition.

“Thanks.”

Raon patted Flumen’s head and brought Merlin to the riverbank.

As he tore off the tattered robe, Merlin’s unmasked face was revealed.

‘Is this woman really Merlin?’

With dark purple hair, as if melted from dawn, and pale skin where veins were faintly visible—she was so beautiful it made him believe the old saying that a country could fall over a single woman.

She’s not as good as me, but she’s got something.

Wrath lifted his round eyes and stared.

Why did she cover this face with that old woman’s mask?

“I don’t know.”

Since her appearance wasn’t important right now, Raon pulled out an internal injury medicine from his spatial pocket and fed it to her.

He used the Ring of Fire and Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation to help spread the medicine’s energy through her body.

“This should do for now.”

As he was about to leave the rest to Flumen, Merlin’s eyelids trembled.

“Ugh…”

She let out a low moan and opened her eyes.

In her light purple irises, resembling azaleas, a red cross appeared—reflecting Raon’s image.

“Raon?”

“Merlin, are you okay?”

“Raon. Raon.”

“Yes, it’s me. Are you hurt anywhere…”

Raon nodded and lowered his gaze to examine her condition.

“Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon…”

Despite her injuries, Merlin began repeating his name like a chant, as if possessed.

Eeeeeek!

Wrath let out a pig-like squeal and hid inside the bracelet.

“Wait! Merlin, calm down—”

Raon panicked and tried to step back, but Merlin tightly grabbed his wrist.

“I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you…”

The red cross in her eyes glowed as if imbued with divinity. As Raon met her gaze, his chest tightened.

“Please, stop!”

Raon, jaw trembling, struck the back of her neck with his hand.

“I love… ah.”

Merlin uttered “love” one last time, then closed her eyes and collapsed unconscious.

“Huff… Huff…”

Raon exhaled heavily, his entire body shaking. Even if only for a moment, the experience had been chilling enough to make him regret waking her.

S-See! The King of Essence told you! We should’ve eaten mint chocolate first and left that madwoman alone!

Wrath shouted as he peeked from the bracelet.

‘I really should’ve done that.’

Raon wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, shuddering.

“Flumen, take care of her.”

“She’s scary…”

Even Flumen, terrified by Merlin’s obsession, bit his lip nervously.

“If she wakes up, knock her out again.”

Raon allowed him to use sleep magic if necessary and stood up.

So, are we going to the battlefield now?

‘No. There’s still something I need to do.’

Raon turned his gaze to the forest behind him and shook his head.

“I need to finish this properly.”

* * *

Wooooong.

A black dimension opened in the forest near the Rable River, and the Specter emerged.

“Grrrr….”

The Specter clenched his teeth and struck the ground with his fist.

“Damn you, Raon Zieghart!”

What the hell is he?

He was said to be dead, yet suddenly reappeared, displaying a level of swordsmanship that was nearly absurd.

He couldn’t even block a single sword strike from Raon, despite receiving new power from the Fallen and undergoing relentless training.

Unlike the first time, he hadn’t been careless—making the defeat even more unbearable.

I won’t forgive you.

The Specter moved toward the river where Merlin had been hidden, biting his lip.

Even if I can’t beat you… I’ll kill Merlin.

He was too resentful to accept defeat. Willing to risk soul damage, he had immediately resurrected and returned to the Rable River.

He held his breath, planning to ambush and kill Merlin—then report to the Fallen that Raon was alive.

Hm?

The Specter frowned. He had returned to the place of his defeat, but—

He’s not here?

Only the young blue lugh and the unconscious Merlin remained. Raon was nowhere in sight.

“Where is he… Ugh!”

As he spread his mana to search, a sharp pain tore through his back. He collapsed forward.

“Ghuuurgh…!”

Looking back, he saw a blade ripping through his body—and above it, a red moon illuminating the forest.

No… it wasn’t a moon. It was Raon Zieghart’s blood-red eyes.

“You… how did you…?”

“As expected, you returned.”

Raon lowered his gaze and nodded lightly.

“You came back as soon as you resurrected. Were you that upset?”

“Yes, I am! Even if you kill me now, I’ll return! I’ll make sure you and Merlin can neither live nor die!”

The Specter twisted his lips into a mad smirk.

“No. This will be the last time.”

Raon’s voice was cold as he placed his hand on the Specter’s back.

“Bullshit! Your fire can’t burn my soul!”

“Don’t worry. It’s not fire.”

He shook his head. A colorless energy gathered in his palm.

Huuummmmm…

As the colorless wave pierced the Specter’s back, it didn’t tear his body—it shredded his soul.

“Gaaaah! What is this?!”

“It won’t work on Transcenders, but for someone like you?”

(“Not work my ass!” – The White Blood Religion’s leader)

“Guhhhrrrggh…!”

The pressure from Raon’s hand intensified. The pain overwhelmed his thoughts.

“D-damn it!”

The Specter tried to abandon his body and flee as a soul, but the colorless energy bound him in place.

“Uuuurrghhh…!”

The pain surged. He could feel his hidden soul vessel in another dimension fracturing. If this continued, he would truly die.

“Wa… wait!”

He turned to Raon, his chin trembling.

“I… I can tell you what the Fallen is planning! Right now, Eden is—”

“No need.”

Raon shook his head and twisted Heavenly Drive.

“I already know what you’re all planning.”

He smirked and fully unleashed the Raging Sea technique.

Wooooosh!

The Raging Sea’s energy didn’t just annihilate the Specter’s body—it crushed his soul entirely.

Screeeeeaaam!!

The Specter shrieked and turned into white ash.

He was truly dead.

Wrath nodded at the dissolving ash.

‘Yes.’

Raon brushed off the dust from his hand and nodded.

Even though that was an incomplete Raging Sea, it worked.

The Specter had crossed over immediately after resurrection, meaning he hadn’t fully recovered.

Thanks to that, Raon’s still-developing Raging Sea had been enough to destroy his soul.

“Flumen, it’s over!”

Raon waved to Flumen by the river, then turned his gaze toward the battlefield raging downstream.

It was time to turn the tide.

* * *

Boom!

A sword wreathed in red lightning clashed with a spear surging with the power of a blue dragon.

Each time Glenn Zieghart’s Heavenly Tremor collided with Dranos’ Sea Dragon Spear, the sky cracked and the river churned violently.

It looked like the descent of hell—a storm of black energy swallowing the entire Rable River.

Crackkkkkle!

Amid the chaos, Glenn raised Heavenly Tremor. Lightning flared along the blade, painting red streaks across the battlefield.

It was as if crimson lightning had devoured the river.

Wooooosh!

On the other side, Dranos swung the Sea Dragon Spear downward.

The spear blade split into three, summoning three massive water dragons. They roared and surged forth, undeterred by the storm of lightning.

Kwooooom!

Thousands of bolts of lightning clashed with the rampaging dragons. The resulting explosion shattered the river.

The shockwaves incinerated warships from both the South-North Union and Zieghart.

It was no longer a human battle. It was a catastrophe—a war between gods.

“Khrrgh…”

Dranos was thrown back, coughing blood. His lips quivered as crimson dripped from his mouth.

“You must be injured too, but you don’t even flinch… damn it.”

He glared at Glenn, who remained unwavering.

“Those bastards are no different.”

He watched Zieghart’s swordsmen push back his forces, even with the river disadvantage.

“I have no intention of talking to you.”

Glenn pulled Heavenly Tremor over his shoulder. Lightning surged and condensed into a dark red orb that crackled ominously.

“Is that the Lightning Spirit?”

Dranos chuckled, resting his spear on his shoulder.

“You really do mean to kill me. But…”

He pulled out a small black cloth from his pocket and unfurled it over his hand.

“I don’t plan on dying today!”

He flung the cloth into the sky.

Fwooosh!

The cloth expanded rapidly, shrouding the entire battlefield like a starless night.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

Glenn fired the lightning orb from his blade. Space itself distorted and twisted as it passed.

Kugugugu…!

The black cloth was sucked into the orb, ripped to shreds by the overwhelming force.

But by then, Dranos and his warships were already gone.

They hadn’t been destroyed.

They had vanished.

Only Zieghart’s forces remained in the river.

“If you want to kill me, come to the South-North Union headquarters. I’ll be waiting.”

Dranos’ voice echoed ominously as the shredded cloth fell into the river.

“……”

Glenn narrowed his eyes and picked up a piece of the wet fabric.

‘Is this Rikuas’ cloth?’

Rikuas’ cloth—an artifact said to transport designated people and objects in an instant.

It had long been dismissed as a myth, but it was real. And now, its owner was clear.

‘Now I understand why they wanted a direct battle…’

They had an escape plan all along.

“Roenn.”

“Yes.”

Roenn vanished into mist as soon as Glenn looked his way.

“Father!”

Aris ran up, frowning.

“Where did those bastards go?”

“……”

“D-Did they run away?”

Karoon and Sylvia arrived next, faces tight with frustration.

“They used an artifact. Most likely returned to their headquarters.”

“What? There’s an artifact like that?”

Aris scoffed in disbelief.

“It’s Rikuas’ cloth. It only works for allies.”

Glenn nodded, holding up a scrap of the cloth.

“Then won’t they just run away again next time?”

“They can’t. It’s a single-use item.”

Even legendary artifacts weren’t limitless. Rikuas’ cloth was one-and-done.

“Division and squad leaders, report.”

Glenn turned to the approaching executives.

“Ten wounded, two dead in White Sword. Injuries aren’t serious.”

“Blue Wolf Division has wounded too—”

Each group gave quick updates before taking a short break.

“Head of house.”

Roenn returned, bowing.

“As expected, Dranos and the warships relocated to their headquarters. Everyone gathered there.”

“No other factions?”

“None spotted. No Five Demons, no neutrals.”

Glenn nodded.

“We depart in thirty minutes. Reorganize and prepare.”

“Yes, sir!”

The executives bowed and dispersed.

“Ugh, we almost had them all!”

Aris bit her lip and punched the air.

Hoooooonk!

A small green ship approached from behind Zieghart’s warships. Its horn sounded friendly, not hostile.

“That’s…”

As Glenn turned, Rimmer, Sheryl, and Trevin leapt off the ship.

“Head of house, we want to fight.”

“We can’t stand back any longer.”

“Please allow us to join!”

The three knelt, their faces resolute.

“Raon…”

“……”

“That’s…”

Sheryl and Trevin hesitated, their expressions grim.

“…We couldn’t find him.”

Rimmer lowered his gaze, his lips trembling.

Raon was gone.

“Ah…”

Sylvia collapsed to her knees, covering her face with both hands.

“……”

Karoon turned away, grinding his teeth.

“Damn it…”

Aris clenched her sword so tightly it nearly slipped from her grasp.

“I see.”

Glenn’s voice cracked.

He stared at the river.

‘Raon…’

When he heard Raon’s astral sphere had exploded, he believed—logically—that his grandson had died.

But in his heart, he couldn’t accept it.

That’s why he hadn’t brought the Heavenly Blade or Light Wind Divisions.

He wasn’t ready.

‘But now… I must accept it.’

They had searched the river.

Raon was truly gone.

‘I’m sorry, Raon.’

Glenn closed his trembling eyes.

He remembered Raon’s smile as a child, swinging his wooden sword.

‘You don’t need to forgive your worthless grandfather. But I’ll give you the loudest funeral hymn the world has ever heard.’

When he opened his eyes again, the grief was gone—only a red, killing light remained.

He looked at the Light Wind swordsmen. Burren, Martha, and Runaan stood at the ready, jaws clenched, eyes burning.

“Do as you wish.”

Glenn nodded to Rimmer.

“Thank you.”

The three bowed deeply.

“Head of house, preparations complete.”

Karoon stepped forward.

“Then set sail. No rest until their headquarters is destroyed.”

“Yes!”

The warships roared in unison.

Rumble!

Led by the pirate ship Blue Wind and Zieghart’s fleet, the ships began sailing upstream.

As they advanced, the river widened, revealing a vast sea and a colossal castle afloat.

“That’s the South-North Union’s headquarters.”

Roenn pointed at the massive fortress.

“……”

Glenn locked eyes with Dranos, standing at the top of the spire.

He extended his hand.

“Advance.”

Zieghart’s ships surged ahead.

“We can’t win head-on. We’ll change tactics.”

Dranos smiled as he raised his hand.

Waaash!

The river rose, forming a towering water barrier over the fortress.

“Gasp!”

“What the—?!”

“This is insane!”

Zieghart’s swordsmen were stunned. The barrier was taller than Zieghart’s walls.

And that wasn’t all.

Magic cannons, harpoons, arrows, and more glinted from the walls—fully charged with mana.

“If you think you can break through, go ahead.”

Dranos beckoned with a smug grin.

“A water barrier, huh…”

“That filthy bastard.”

“This won’t be easy.”

Sylvia, Karoon, and Rimmer bit their lips.

Shiiiing!

Without a word, Glenn raised Heavenly Tremor.

Boom!

As he slowly lowered it, the water barrier split apart—like parting waves before a god.

“…Huh.”

Even Dranos’ eyes widened.

“Do not fear. Advance.”

Glenn pointed Heavenly Tremor at the fortress.

Murderous intent, raw and absolute, flared in his eyes.

“I will lead the charge.”

***

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]