Chapter 746

"Rimmer."

Glenn stood in the center of the ruined training ground.

"You've always said you wanted to make Raon the Head of House. You often mentioned treating him like a young king. But..."

He lowered his chin, looking at Rimmer, who was performing a sword salute.

"Why suddenly do you want to make Raon a true king? Even Raon doesn't think about becoming the Head of House."

Glenn frowned, unable to understand Rimmer's actions.

"No matter how Raon views the Zieghart throne."

Rimmer slowly lifted his head, meeting Glenn's gaze.

"I am the one who wishes to follow that boy's path."

"The path of Raon?"

"Yes. If Raon wants to be the Head of Zieghart, I will prepare the way to the throne. If he leaves the family to build his own castle, I will be the first to grab a shovel and lay the bricks."

His eyes shone with a solemn color, as if he had already made his decision.

“Eh...”

Glenn sighed softly.

He's serious.

Rimmer's aura was as sharp as if he were in battle. It meant he had made a decision before coming here.

"When Raon was attacked and went missing, I thought a lot."

Rimmer tilted his head, biting his lip until it almost bled.

"Why couldn't I protect him? Why couldn't I prevent it? Why did I let my guard down? Desperate over my own incompetence, I couldn't sleep or eat, swinging my sword ceaselessly."

His hand, still in the sword salute, trembled as he continued to speak.

"After Raon reappeared and saved the Head of House, I realized how important Raon is to me. And to the Light Wind division."

Rimmer exhaled a long breath and looked up again.

"Although it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, the same could happen again, and the day could come when Raon truly dies."

He gritted his teeth as if the thought was unbearable.

"That is why I want to establish my own resolution."

"So that's why you want to serve Raon as your lord."

Glenn nodded, as if he finally understood.

"Right now, the first person I must protect is the Head of House. Even if Raon and the children of the Light Wind division die before my eyes, protecting the Head of House takes priority."

Rimmer revealed a chilling murderous intent, as if he were in the middle of a battlefield rather than a training ground.

"I want to break that frame. I want to protect Raon and the Light Wind division before the Head of House."

He struck the ground with his tightly clenched fist.

"Before I die, I will ensure that no one can harm Raon."

Rimmer struck his left chest where his heart beat, with his bleeding fist, as if making a vow.

"Please grant me permission."

He knelt down, as if he would not rise until given permission. Sheryl looked at Rimmer intensely, arms crossed. She seemed to have anticipated this situation.

"Rimmer. You're still impulsive."

Glenn looked at the sky that seemed to have a hole in it, then lowered his gaze.

"You've been impulsive since we met. Many elves tried to stop you, but you even stole that sword to follow me."

He slowly lowered his gaze to look at Rimmer's sword.

"Hey, I didn't steal it!"

Rimmer shook his head, insisting he had received it legitimately.

"I liked that impulsive side of you. That's why I accepted you."

Glenn met Rimmer's clear eyes.

"After those children died, you've been hiding your emotions behind false smiles, but now you've finally returned to the Rimmer of Light Sword that I know."

He smiled brightly, as if pleased.

"Do what you want."

Glenn firmly grasped Rimmer's shoulder, urging him to walk the path he had chosen.

"Th-thank you."

Rimmer deeply bowed his head, his shoulder trembling under Glenn's touch.

"Haa..."

Sheryl let out a long sigh, relieved that the conversation had ended well.

"Idiot."

She leaned her head against the wall, as if exhausted.

"Still, it’s going to be a bit lonely."

Rimmer said, biting his lips as he stood up.

"I haven't even thought about how to treat you if I don't serve you as my lord."

He scratched the back of his neck, as if finding the situation awkward.

"It's simple."

Glenn turned to Rimmer with a slight smile.

"Comrade. And friend. Isn't that enough?"

It was something he would never have said before, but spending time with Raon and Sylvia had helped his emotions grow. Now, he felt he could build new relationships not just with Rimmer, but also with others.

"That sounds good."

Sheryl nodded softly, as if she liked the idea of that relationship.

"Ah..."

The tips of Rimmer's fingers trembled, seemingly moved by Glenn's words.

"What are you doing?"

Sheryl approached Rimmer and lightly elbowed him.

"You must respond."

She motioned with her chin, urging him to speak.

"Um, Head of House..."

Rimmer's eyes reddened as he curved his lips.

"I'm sorry, but the difference in our facial value is too great for us to be friends."

He shook his head, covering his mouth.

"I still look like I'm in my vibrant 20s and can fit in anywhere, but you, Head of House, have so many wrinkles it wouldn't be strange if you ascended to heaven right now..."

"Fool..."

Sheryl, who had been smiling, now squeezed her eyes shut with a hardened expression.

"If we become friends, people will curse me. For now, I will continue to serve you as Head of House..."

As Rimmer rambled with his hands outstretched, a red lightning bolt gathered in the sky, forming a figure like a sword.

"Eh, Head of House?"

Rimmer's lips trembled as he looked at the red lightning sword covering the entire night sky.

"My aura is completely depleted right now, so if that hits me, I will really die, you know?"

He waved his hands, laughing awkwardly.

"Then die."

At the moment Glenn lowered his hand, the lightning sword began to descend, splitting the sky.

"Hey, comrade! Friend! Head of Hooooouse!"

A massive lightning bolt fell with Rimmer's scream, destroying the Head of House's training ground.

BOOOOM!

Raon felt the powerful aura and looked back.

Red lightning?

Seeing the enormous red lightning fall from a clear sky, it seemed Glenn struck Rimmer for being reckless.

Looks like I’ll have to train with the Gambling Monster just today.

Shaking his head at what seemed like a daily occurrence, he entered his room.

– That looks a bit big...

Wrath narrowed his eyes, noticing the unusual aura.

It's fine. That elf will never die.

Raon smiled as he took off his outer clothing. It seemed that even if he died, even if Wrath died, Rimmer would never die. That was the kind of person he was.

– Ooh! There's a sandwich!

Wrath licked his lips at the sight of the sandwich on the desk.

– This is Helen's work! Put it in my mouth right now!

The guy drooled, loving Helen's food more than anything.

There's something I need to check first.

– Check? What?

The gift from the <Blade of Requiem>.

He checked the reward sent by the <Blade of Requiem>.

[The <Blade of Requiem> has accepted the energy of the Soul-Cutting Orb.]
[The <Blade of Requiem> offers purified energy.]
[All abilities increase by 25 points.]
[A new trait <Blood Path> is created.]

The power hidden in the Phantom King's orb was beyond expectations, instantly raising all abilities by 25 points and even creating a new trait.

– Ugh...

Wrath let out a choked groan, as if he had just realized the meaning of those messages.

– This is insane! Not content with taking from my main body, now you're even devouring human blood and resentment! Parasite!

The parasite isn’t me, it’s you.

Raon snorted, pointing at Wrath.

When I eat food, you also taste it. You can't do anything without me. If this isn't parasitic, what is it?

– Huh...?

Wrath blinked with his round eyes, seemingly at a loss for words.

– N-nonsense! I'm not a parasite! The reason I'm here is not for food, but for your body and revenge—

Then I suppose it's fine if I have this for tonight's snack?

Raon waved a Nadine bread in front of Wrath's eyes.

– Ah, no way, right? You won't eat it, will you? There's a sandwich there...

Wrath waved his trembling hand, asking why a rich guy like Raon would eat such bland things.

First, I need to activate Gluttony.

Raon smiled at Wrath and stuffed the Nadine bread into his mouth. A chewy texture like rubber and a dry but sticky taste filled his mouth.

– You angel bastard!

No matter how I think about it, it's not that bad...

– Aaaaargh!

It's just your preconceptions. The taste isn't ba—

– Guaaaaargh!

Wrath's screams didn't cease until Raon finished eating the sandwich.

* * *

Dawn at the Fifth Training Ground, filled with gray mist.

Raon unsheathed the Heavenly Drive, facing Martha.

"Are you ready?"

"Ready?"

Martha bared her teeth, brushing the black hair falling over her forehead aside.

"I almost fainted waiting. I've oiled my sword so much it might rust."

She exhaled forcefully, urging to begin.

"Then, let's see your swordsmanship first."

Raon nodded, standing two steps away from Martha.

"It's the Crushing Ocean Sword I received from my father."

Martha nodded and raised her sword high. As she brought it down, the air vibrated, and the ground trembled. It was immense power.

The Crushing Ocean Sword...

Raon rotated his wrist as he watched Martha's swordsmanship unleash explosive strikes.

It's still an extreme offense. No, it's even more intense than before.

Martha's swordsmanship had always focused on quick sword techniques, heavy sword, and strong sword since her apprentice days, but now she was even employing the Crushing Sword technique, considered the strongest among strong sword techniques.

– I feel sadness in that sword.

Wrath frowned, as if feeling pity.

It's a sword to save her mother.

In reality, the chance to attack the Leader of the White Blood Religion with a sword would rarely come, so Martha was perfecting only her strong sword techniques to not miss that moment. There was a chilling yet sad determination to kill her opponent even if it meant her own death.

"What do you think?"

Martha rested her sword on her shoulder after demonstrating all the techniques of the Crushing Ocean Sword.

"It's offensively one-sided to the point of being crude."

Raon stepped closer to Martha, rotating the Heavenly Drive.

"We can start right away."

"Are you done analyzing already?"

"Your sword style is simple, so it's easy to understand. Of course, I've also seen it many times."

He gestured with his finger, as if to say attack whenever you want.

"You'll regret that!"

Martha charged with a fierce shout, bringing her sword down. The blade, imbued with Titan Aura, fell like rain laden with wind.

I'll give her credit for the power.

Raon narrowed his eyes as he watched Martha's sword strikes rushing as if to crush the ground.

Martha doesn't need to change her style.

Unlike other swordsmen, Martha had precisely understood the sword style she should pursue. It seemed better to open a path for her to further develop her strengths.

Clang! Raon blocked her sword strike with the same technique.

BANG!

At the moment the swords clashed, a powerful shockwave spread, shaking the entire training ground.

"Ugh..."

Martha staggered back five steps, almost falling. But Raon didn't move an inch from his spot.

"What...?"

Martha bit her lip as she watched Raon calmly holding his sword.

Her aura was definitely weaker than mine, wasn't it?

Just a moment ago, Raon's aura was only at the lower Master level, and he hadn't used his monstrous physical strength. She couldn't understand why she had been pushed back when she had used the same technique with greater force.

I can't say it with just one attempt.

Martha gritted her teeth and unleashed the fifth technique of the Crushing Ocean Sword, the Strong Cloud Crushing Strike. Her sword strike fell wide and heavy like a cloud propelling a lightning strike. Once again, Raon countered her sword with the same technique.

BANG!

When the two Strong Cloud Crushing Strikes collided, the resulting explosion sent Martha flying without being able to do anything.

"It can't be..."

Martha swallowed hard as she looked at Raon, who remained motionless, not even a wrinkle in his clothing.

"Is it the center of gravity?"

With trembling lips, she wielded her sword fiercely.

"Is it so different just because of the center of gravity?"

"It’s not just that."

Raon calmly shook his head.

"The center of gravity of the body can change the very essence of swordsmanship. It can make heavy things heavier, lighter things lighter. It’s a crucial factor."

"But I moved exactly as the sword manual indicated!"

Martha stomped the ground, seemingly unable to comprehend.

"The sword manual doesn't know you."

Raon opened his eyes calmly as he lowered the Heavenly Drive.

"Don't settle for following the teachings of others. Find your own sword and path. Strong swordsmanship doesn't necessarily create a strong person."

He rotated his shoulder, saying she should be able to understand.

"There's no need to rush. You’re not alone."

"Ah..."

Martha bit her lip as she repeated Raon's words. The urgency in her eyes began to slowly diminish.

Was I in such a hurry that even that distracted guy could notice it...

No, she couldn't have overlooked it. The Leader of the White Blood Religion she saw on the battlefield had become much stronger than before, as if mocking her growth. The overwhelming aura made it impossible to even approach her. Every day had been hell since she felt that absolute martial prowess.

No matter how much she trained her swordsmanship and footwork, she only felt she couldn't save her mother, and even when she slept, she only had nightmares.

On the surface, she trained as usual, but there was no way she could do well. However, Raon's words that she wasn't alone, her faith in him, and seeing the rapid growth of the members of the sword division reignited her hope that she could do it too.

"Fine..."

Martha nodded.

"The Miss Rakshasa who rose from hell cannot stop here!"

She charged at Raon, bringing her sword down. By slightly bending her knee forward and lowering the angle of her arm, the power of her sword strike increased by half. A gasp escaped her at the incredible result.

"There’s still a long way to go."

Raon gestured with his finger, urging her to improve even more instead of praising her.

"I know!"

Martha unleashed all the techniques of the Crushing Ocean Sword to maintain her current sensation. She used Raon as a mirror, perfecting her own movements.

"Let me be clear."

Raon deflected Martha's sword, revealing a dry look in his eyes.

"You mentioned Grand Master, but the chances of you and the other squad leaders reaching Grand Master level for the next war are extremely low. It's not an exaggeration to say it's impossible."

He shook his head, his voice cold.

"So what will you do?"

"What do you mean, what will I do!"

Martha drew a smile that was both fierce and beautiful.

"I will carry on anyway!"

This was not like before, when she didn't care what happened. It was a hopeful commitment to do her best in the given situation. Martha finally managed to push Raon back a step before lowering her sword. She felt an emotion, thinking that if she could organize her current realization, she might be able to advance to the next level.

"Not yet. Let’s keep going!"

Just as she was about to charge at Raon again—

"That's enough."

Runaan interposed in front of Martha, shaking her head.

"Why all of a sudden..."

"Time."

She pointed her finger to the sky, much past noon.

"Ugh, but it's just the right moment..."

"I’m next. Miss Rakshasa is done."

Runaan shook her head, saying this was as far as she would go.

"Who are you calling Miss Rakshasa?!"

Martha frowned at Runaan.

"You called yourself that. 'The Miss Rakshasa who rose from hell.'"

Runaan repeated Martha's words, nodding slightly.

"Eek..."

"Step aside, Miss Rakshasa."

Just as Martha and Runaan were glaring at each other, about to draw their swords, a powerful wave of aura surged from the right side of the training ground. It was Dorian and Krein. Clusters of materialized aura burned from the swords of the two who were sparring.

"Astral Energy."

"Have those guys reached Master level?"

Runaan and Martha opened their eyes, looking at the Astral Energy blazing from Dorian and Krein's swords.

"Is this Astral Energy...?"

Krein's eyes filled with tears, as if he couldn't believe the Astral Energy he had produced.

"My hands feel like they're going to fall off! What do I do with this? Help me!"

Dorian's hands trembled, seemingly terrified of his own Astral Energy.

"With this... The first step has been taken."

Raon curved his lips, looking at the Astral Energy of different colors flickering from Dorian and Krein.

* * *

Four gray windows appeared before Derus Robert's faded throne.

"It’s been a while. Or rather, this is the first time in this form."

He gestured with his finger towards the figures reflected in the gray windows.

"Derus Robert."

The Leader of the White Blood Religion, reflected in the first gray window, crossed her legs while lifting the hem of her dress.

"You've been deceiving everyone quite well."

She frowned, as if displeased with Derus.

"Have we not gained our own benefits because of that?"

The Fallen, reflected in the second gray window, smiled slightly.

"Of course, if you had explained the situation, we could have gained even more."

He murmured with regret, revealing a strange look in his eyes towards Derus. Meanwhile, the third gray window reflected no one. Only darkness like a bottomless abyss swirled within it.

"But why a conference of Five Demons?"

The Leader of the White Blood Religion waved her hand, looking at the fourth gray window.

"If the old sword-obsessed man and those water demons are dead, it should be Four Demons, right?"

She snorted, as if saying they couldn't even count.

"Whether the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance is dead or not, the Holy Sword Alliance participated in the conference."

With Derus's gesture, the last gray window flickered, revealing an old swordsman with sharp features.

"From now on, I am the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance."

Rector, the Blood Sword Master of the Holy Sword Alliance and known as the Sword Demon, lifted his chin.

"If anyone has objections, speak now."

His eyes burned silently, as if illuminating the darkness.

***

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]