Chapter 742

"You too..."

The man called Heavenly Demon responded without even looking at The Fallen.

"Is that how you address me?"

His tone was peculiar. The name "Heavenly Demon" seemed to both please and displease him at the same time.

"Doesn't it suit you?"

The Fallen shrugged as he looked at Heavenly Demon's broad back.

"I am The Fallen, and you are the Heavenly Demon. I believe these names are perfect for those like us."

The corners of his handsome young mask curved into a long smile. Heavenly Demon didn't respond or turn around. He remained seated as if The Fallen didn't exist.

"This place is always warm and harmonious. The breath of nature is still alive here."

The Fallen smiled slightly as he observed the flowers and green trees.

"It doesn't really suit someone like you."

He rarely spoke words that seemed to seek a fight.

"What is your business?"

Heavenly Demon slightly tilted his chin, ignoring The Fallen's provocation.

"Is that the Green King?"

The Fallen didn't answer about his business, but instead directed his gaze toward Heavenly Demon's right. Underneath an unusually mature apple tree, there was a woman. She was as tall as an adult man, and her posture was straight, suggesting she had learned martial arts.

She wore a black Orc helmet on her face, but curiously, she didn't have protruding teeth, and two flames rose from her forehead.

Unlike the light brown hair that flowed over her shoulders, the inner red light emanating from the center of the helmet burned unsettlingly, as if soaked in blood.

"I've heard rumors about the Green King's awakening, but this surpasses my expectations."

The Fallen licked his lips as he looked at the woman wearing the Black Orc Lord's helmet.

"This level of growth is not inferior to Raon Zieghart. It's quite tempting."

He licked his lips for a long time as if he was seriously considering it, but the woman wearing the Orc helmet didn't even look at him. Instead, the shoulders of the Severing Sword behind her trembled slightly.

"The Green King is my—"

"You've become quite talkative with useless chatter."

A burly man who rose from the bushes shook his head. He wore an Ettin helmet that looked viciously alive, but unlike a real Ettin, it only had one head.

"Our lord asked you a question, did you answer it?"

The voice of the man wearing the Ettin helmet was clear and transparent, as if he hadn't gone through puberty. It was a stark contrast to his fierce helmet.

"You're still insolent, Twin-Headed Demon."

The Fallen smiled, casually dispelling the Twin-Headed Demon's aura.

"You. You're not normal."

Heavenly Demon instantly understood The Fallen's condition and lowered the tip of his finger.

"Your body is intact, but your soul is torn apart. What happened to you?"

He turned his head a little more, as if intrigued.

"There was another monster here."

The Fallen nodded calmly, as if he had expected it.

"It's obvious who could have pushed me to this point, right?"

He moved his finger as he looked at the red scales of the helmet Heavenly Demon wore.

"Glenn Zieghart. He finally reached the realm of dividing souls with his sword."

"Glenn Zieghart..."

Heavenly Demon slightly raised his gaze to look at the sky.

"He was different from any other. I expected him to reach that realm while still human."

He nodded slightly as if it were natural.

"But he's different from you. He's still governed by causality."

"I suppose so."

Heavenly Demon exhaled softly, as if feeling regret.

"So, did you come to ask me to take care of Glenn?"

"Could you do it?"

The Fallen twisted his lips into a smile as he pointed at himself with his finger.

"Given my current state."

"I refuse."

Heavenly Demon shook his head firmly.

"Glenn Zieghart is certainly an attractive prey, but now is not the time. Besides..."

His aura, which had been the smallest among those present, suddenly exploded upwards.

"Your goals and mine are different. Don't think about using me."

As Heavenly Demon slightly moved his hand, the beautiful fragrance of the peach blossom twisted. The green trees exuded murderous intent like evil spirits, and the colorful flowers generated intense pressure.

"Aren't our goals still the same?"

The Fallen didn't stop smiling, not even in the strange illusion created by Heavenly Demon.

"If you're going to say nonsense, then stop—"

"Of course, I didn't come here just to see the back of your head."

As he snapped his fingers, pale light and darkness bloomed, dissolving Heavenly Demon's pressure.

"So! Let's get to the point... Ugh!"

"Could you shut up?"

The Twin-Headed Demon rose up irritated, but suddenly stopped. He swallowed hard as he saw the ominous light in The Fallen's eyes.

"An Archangel has descended."

The Fallen mentioned the word "Archangel" with a faint smile. At that moment, Heavenly Demon, who looked as if he never moved, turned around. An inextinguishable flame began to burn within the helmet adorned with ten horns of different sizes.

* * *

Raon entered the fifth training ground at dawn. He ordered the ground frozen by the cold air of dawn and finished his basic swordsmanship training. When he was about to practice the Fangs of Insanity, the training ground door opened, and the swordsmen of the Light Wind division entered one by one.

"As expected, the Division Leader is the first to arrive."

"It's still more than an hour before the agreed time..."

"Just by looking at how organized the training ground is, he must have arrived at least an hour earlier."

"Doesn't that person sleep?"

The Light Wind division swordsmen clicked their tongues as they looked at the well-organized training ground.

"Ah! I thought I'd be the first to arrive today!"

Krein frowned as he ruffled his hair.

"What time did that guy arrive?"

"From what I can tell, it seems like two hours ago..."

Dorian sighed as he looked at the well-organized training ground.

"Considering he was already practicing swordsmanship, it could be even earlier than that."

Burren shook his head as he looked at the Heavenly Drive sword in Raon's hand.

"Once I went out at 4 AM, and he was already here before me."

He let out a deep sigh, saying he was tired of it.

"For me, it was 3 AM. Damn it."

Martha wrinkled her nose as she responded to Burren's words.

"That guy probably feels more comfortable in the Fifth Training Ground than at home."

She clicked her tongue, saying that Raon only goes to the annex building to eat.

"I just thought I'd be..."

Runaan tilted her head, saying she had long since stopped trying to arrive before Raon. She blinked, still looking sleepy.

"Where is the Vice Leader?"

Mark Goetun narrowed his eyes as he searched for Rimmer, the only one who hadn't arrived.

"Why would that damn guy come at this time?"

The Gambling Monster snorted, telling them not to say nonsense.

"That's it. Let's get started."

He gestured to Raon, telling him to hurry up, as it was annoying.

"Understood."

Raon nodded and climbed onto the platform. As the Gambling Monster said, it seemed like Rimmer would arrive much later, so it was better to start early. Standing on the edge of the platform, he examined the faces of all the members of the Light Wind division, but their expressions didn't seem good.

Having been together for a long time, he could now tell what they were thinking just by looking at their expressions.

"Thank you for answering the call during your vacation period."

Raon raised his chin while keeping his hands behind his back.

"I said it was voluntary participation, but seeing you all gathered here, I think you all had the same thought as me."

"Well, not really..."

As Raon scanned the swordsmen's eyes again, Krein raised his hand.

"I thought there might be retaliation later if I didn't come today..."

"Shut up. Dorian."

"Yes!"

With a gesture from Raon, Dorian pulled out a muzzle from his stomach bag and put it on Krein.

"Since there was an interruption, let's start again. I said clearly that it was voluntary participation, but the fact that you have gathered like this means that I believe you all felt something of this war in your own way."

The Light Wind division silently bowed their heads, as if demonstrating that Raon's words were correct.

"Mmph..."

Krein, realizing that it wasn't the time for jokes, silently bit his muzzle.

"Let me say it clearly. You are strong."

Raon met the wavering eyes of the Light Wind division with his calm red eyes.

"Thanks to the real life-threatening battles and grueling training, there is no martial force stronger than the Light Wind division at your age on the entire continent."

It wasn't a lie. Even if the Five Kings and Five Demons were hiding something, he could confidently say that there wasn't a stronger group at a similar age to the Light Wind division.

"Ooh!"

"Eh, well..."

"It's not exactly like that."

"Sure. We still have a lot to learn."

Krein, Dorian, and the other swordsmen scratched their heads as if they were embarrassed.

"Even so, you were not the protagonists of this war."

Raon's voice turned cold, contradicting his previous words.

"Hmm..."

"That's..."

The Light Wind division bit their lips silently, knowing better than anyone that Raon's words were true.

"You lacked the ability to escape crises on your own, so you couldn't escape the gaze of the strong. Even during the war, you were in a position to be protected. You were no different from abandoned children on the banks of the river."

Raon looked at Burren as he harshly spat out the situation and the emotions the Light Wind division had felt.

"When you tried to take down a Water Demon, Astral Energy flew inwards. When you tried to behead a mountain bandit, Astral Rings spilled out. Even magic exploded, making it impossible for the Light Wind division to move on its own."

He continued speaking as he looked at Martha, who was biting her lip until it bled.

"The same was true for House Robert. All they could do was twiddle their thumbs behind the advance of the powerful figures of the Six Kings."

He lowered the tip of his finger as he looked at Runaan, who revealed the hidden passion in her dull purple eyes.

"The next wars will be tougher and more dangerous. If you remain as you are now, you will be mere spectators or obstacles."

Nothing more than obstacles.

Raon revealed a heavy gaze as he abruptly cut through the hearts of the Light Wind division.

–You're a bastard.

Wrath frowned as if he was disgusted with Raon.

–Why do you treat the kids differently than usual...

Just as he was about to argue, a fierce wind of the Gale Wind Style surged from the center of the Light Wind division.

"We know. We know better than anyone..."

Martha couldn't even speak with the Leader of the White Blood Religion in this war. Her black eyes turned bloodshot as if they acutely felt the helplessness of that time.

"So what should we do?"

Burren, who aspired to be recognized by Karoon, clenched his fist as if he understood why Raon had said those things.

"...I'll do anything. Whatever it takes."

Runaan also nodded firmly, saying she would do anything to become stronger after meeting Syria. All the members of the Light Wind division straightened their backs and revealed burning eyes, as if sharing the same determination as their Squadron Leaders.

"We need to get stronger before the real war begins."

Raon placed his hand on the hilt of the Heavenly Drive with a satisfied smile.

"All members will repeat missions and training relentlessly until everyone becomes a Master, and Mark Goetun and the Squadron Leaders reach the pinnacle of the Master level."

He raised his chin forcefully as he spoke of developing martial prowess to defeat any enemy that might come.

"It would be unfair to give you all only goals, so I will also set a small goal for myself. I..."

Raon raised his finger as if making a vow.

"I will reach transcendence."

Not just a personal commitment, but a promise to the Light Wind division, further strengthening their determination.

"Well, a small goal? But the Division Leader's is the hardest, right?"

Dorian's lips trembled as if in disbelief.

"T-Transcendence, you say?"

"That guy's ability is really..."

"Handsome Raon."

Burren, Martha, and Runaan also let out hollow laughs as they looked at Raon, who had mentioned transcendence.

"Of course. Our Division Leader should at least reach transcendence."

Rimmer, who had just climbed over the wall, nodded quickly.

"As Vice Leader, I'm also planning to challenge transcendence."

Rimmer smiled, saying he would set the same condition as Raon.

"V-Vice Leader?"

Krein narrowed his eyes as he removed his muzzle.

"Nah, that's not going to happen."

"Absolutely not."

Martha shook her head as she stood next to Krein.

"That lazy bum, reaching transcendence? No way."

She snorted, saying that not even a passing dog would believe that.

"To reach my goal, I must reach transcendence."

Rimmer waved his hand, saying he would challenge it, whether they believed him or not.

"So, the regular members become Masters, the Squadron Leaders reach the pinnacle of the Master level, and the Division Leader and Vice Leader aim for transcendence?"

The Gambling Monster laughed as if in disbelief.

"What ridiculously powerful force is about to be born."

He smiled not with mockery, but with expectation.

"That's why we'll need a lot of help from you, General Manager."

Raon bowed his head to the Gambling Monster.

"Tch, I'm past my prime, yet I've been entangled with a strange fellow..."

The Gambling Monster sighed deeply, saying he was worse than a fool in a gambling house.

"It's not much, but..."

Raon approached the Gambling Monster and pulled out five black bottles. It was high-quality liquor he had obtained from the south this time.

"Ahem! What is all this!"

The Gambling Monster smiled as if he had never complained. True to his gambler's nature, the five bottles of liquor disappeared into his sleeve in an instant.

"Everyone, get ready! It won't be easy this time!"

He wiped away his tired expression and shouted at the Light Wind division as if he was going to make a living.

"Don't worry."

"We'll never give up."

"We'll follow through to the end!"

The Light Wind division swordsmen gritted their teeth, saying they refused to be mere spectators.

'Training and missions will be hell, but if we get through that...'

Raon slightly bit his lip as he watched the roaring Light Wind division.

'They will be able to reach a new realm.'

* * *

After finishing the training that lasted from dawn to dusk, Raon entered the House Head's training ground before midnight. Glenn hadn't arrived yet, but the training ground was brightly lit as if instructions had been given.

'Should I warm up a little?'

He slightly rotated his shoulders and pulled out the Heavenly Drive.

Damn it!

Just as he was about to start training with the sword, Wrath jumped, wriggling like a freshly caught fish.

–How can you train all day!

He shook his head, saying he was really fed up with it.

–Because of you, I couldn't even eat properly!

'We ate at the training ground, right?'

–That's not a meal for this king!

Wrath waved his arms, saying he wanted to eat a decent meal in the annex building.

–Your skills increase even when you're just sleeping, eating, or resting, why can't you just stay still?

'That's not enough.'

Raon shook his head as he looked at the moonless night sky.

'Every minute and second counts if I want to behead Derus.'

While the Demon King's Authority helps a lot with growth, there's a limit to what skills alone can achieve. To increase the chances of beheading Derus, he needs to raise his martial realm and relentlessly refine his swordsmanship.

–Ugh. I thought we'd just eat and rest for a while since it's a vacation...

Wrath grumbled with displeasure, but he shut up. It seemed he was trying to be considerate in his own way. As Raon smiled slightly at the quiet Wrath, the training ground door opened, and Glenn entered.

"House Head..."

"We'll see each other for a while, so let go of the formal greetings."

Glenn waved his hand slightly as he approached. As always, he didn't seem to like excessive greetings or etiquette.

"I heard you trained the swordsmen all day. It could interfere with our training, why did you train so excessively?"

His voice lowered. It seemed that this single question had many implications.

"Didn't you tell me, House Head? To become stronger along with my comrades."

He spoke without hesitation, as he had already thought about this.

"As you said, I intend to walk not alone, but with the Light Wind division. Of course, I will make sure it doesn't affect our training at all."

"I see."

Glenn nodded, covering his slightly trembling lips with his right hand. His eyes were still dry, but he seemed satisfied with the answer.

"Then, as time is precious, let's start right away."

He gestured with his finger as he approached the center of the training ground.

"How far have you mastered the Azure Sky Sword?"

"I've learned them all, but in real combat, I can use up to the eleventh form."

Raon responded as he adjusted his grip on the Heavenly Drive.

"The sword techniques you're learning now are the Fangs of Insanity, Blizzard Sword Art, the swordsmanship of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation, the technique you created yourself, the Azure Sky Sword, and several others, right?"

Glenn listed the sword techniques Raon was learning one by one, briefly licking his lips.

"That's correct."

Raon nodded as he answered.

'Hearing it like that... it's too much.'

When Glenn said it directly, Raon realized he was using too many sword techniques. Since concentration was said to be important for transcendence, he thought he should reduce them a bit this time.

"I apologize. In future training, I will focus on only a few sword techniques..."

"If it were anyone else, I would have told them to do that."

It was.

"No, if it were a year ago, I would have told you to focus on only a few sword techniques too. That's the fastest path to transcendence."

He raised his finger, pointing at Raon.

"But after seeing you fight, my thoughts have changed."

"What do you mean..."

Raon blinked, not understanding Glenn's words.

"Even I, who pursue the Ten Thousand Swords, and the Sword Demon, had to give up certain areas when reaching transcendence. But you are different. To reach transcendence, you don't need to focus on just one thing. Learn more and seek a wider world."

As Glenn smiled slightly and pulled out the Heavenly Tremor, the dark clouds parted, and the golden moonlight poured down.

"Your vessel can contain anything."

***

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

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Writing Ant, 글개미]

[Translator – MurimTang]

[Proofreader – Mayank]