Chapter 417

Raon opened the training ground’s door during the dark time before sunrise.

Because everyone enjoyed the second festival with Rimmer’s money to their heart’s content, the training ground was completely empty.

‘This is a nostalgic feeling.’

It was a scene he’d seen every day in Zieghart, but he hadn’t been alone on a training ground before sunrise for a while because so many things had happened in House Arianne.

‘Lots of things happened.’

He’d previously thought it was a simple mission, but his job was to drive away the darkness inside the house instead of fighting monsters.

However, the true dark enemies started to attack after he drove away the darkness, and the entire place could’ve been destroyed.

The reinforcements from Habun Castle, Owen, Balkar, the Warring Steel division, and the always-late Rimmer allowed him to drive away the Specter, but it was actually a really close call.

‘It was dangerous.’

Raon clenched Heavenly Drive’s scabbard while looking up to the dawn sky.

‘It’s because I’m too weak.’

People called him the most talented person in the continent because he’d reached the highest-level Master at twenty years of age, but that was the extent of his abilities.

‘Being young doesn’t help during a fight.’

An opponent could be considerate of the younger ones during a spar, but being young and inexperienced only created weaknesses during real battles.

He was bound to encounter more powerful opponents as he got stronger. It was necessary to reach a higher realm, regardless of his age, in order to deal with those monsters in the future.

‘I need to focus on myself now.’

Every single member of the Light Wind squad had reached at least the advanced Expert during the war, and many of them had attained the highest level.

Burren, Martha, and Runaan were already facing the wall, and Dorian was going to follow soon enough.

It was time to focus on his own development while leaving the Light Wind members to train on their own.

Ugh…

Wrath groaned while emerging from the bracelet. He’d become as flabby as a cumulus cloud because of how much he’d been eating.

It was nice how quiet you’ve been recently, but you are going to resume that boring sword swinging at daybreak.

He sighed, saying that the good days were over.

‘Give me some advice then.’

Hmph! There’s no reason for the King of Essence to help his enemy!

Wrath murmured that he wasn’t going to help his enemy and returned to the bracelet.

It took him some time to enter, probably because he’d gained too much fat.

‘Boring sword swings from daybreak, he says… How nostalgic.’

Wrath’s complaint made him feel like he’d returned to being a trainee.

‘I’m still doing the same training though.’

Just like in the past, he still started his practice with the basic techniques. He was about to draw Heavenly Drive to train the basics when the training ground’s door was opened.

‘Who is it…?’

Raon thought it was strange because he hadn’t noticed with his aura perception, and the Sword Demon appeared.

“Sir Rector?”

“I’m simply here for some exercise. Keep training, don’t mind me.”

The Sword Demon shook his hand and went away from him.

‘Huh…’

Raon gasped while looking at the Sword Demon.

‘Is he still practicing at daybreak despite his realm? No, that must be the reason why he managed to reach his realm.’

Witnessing a warrior who competed with the Ten Heavens of the Continent practice from so early in the morning hardened his resolve.

Raon drew Heavenly Drive. He raised his sword above his head. The blade falling from his upper posture was as heavy as a mountain.

Raon warmed himself up by practicing vertical slash, horizontal slash, diagonal slash, and stab before he lowered Heavenly Drive.

‘It’s clearly different.’

The basic techniques were enough for him to notice the drastic improvement in his swordsmanship after the spar against the Sword Demon.

Raon raised Heavenly Drive once again around his waist.

‘Next up is the Fangs of Insanity.’

He unleashed the Fangs of Insanity’s forms one after the other, which consisted of prying open his opponent’s weakness.

Just like the previous swings, the Fangs of Insanity had been further enhanced. It was as if the beast’s fangs had become even thicker.

After he finished one round with the Fangs of Insanity and was about to start the second technique, the rotation, he noticed a presence from behind him.

“Ahem!”

The Sword Demon was there. He was right behind his back before he knew it even though he used to be far away.

“It would be nice if you weaken your grip…”

He murmured quietly while glancing at Heavenly Drive.

“What?”

Raon stopped the Fangs of Insanity and turned around.

“Ah, you must’ve heard me. I was just talking to myself.”

“You were talking to yourself?”

‘Is it really called talking to yourself when you said it right in my ears?’

The Sword Demon smiled awkwardly, saying that he was talking to himself despite how clearly he’d stated it.

“By the way, may I ask what you meant by weakening the grip?”

“Are you asking me right now?”

“What? Oh, yes.”

“Well, I guess I have to respond in that case.”

He gladly nodded and came up next to Raon.

“What’s the name of the intuition sword that you just used?”

“It’s called the Fangs of Insanity.”

“Since the Fangs of Insanity is an intuition sword, it’s important to perfectly understand your own abilities.”

The Sword Demon unsheathed his sword and swung it down to demonstrate. It looked extremely similar to the first technique of the Fangs of Insanity.

“Because you surpassed the wall into the highest level of Master in the blink of an eye, you are still not accustomed to how much your sword principles have grown.”

He continued to speak while swinging his sword in a similar manner to the Fangs of Insanity’s second technique.

“Your swordsmanship looks more powerful at first because your body and aura have both gotten stronger, but you are actually an easier opponent than before. Try to perfect your swordsmanship while focusing on the principles without touching the aura.”

“Ah…”

The Sword Demon told Raon that he was unable to utilize the growth of his principles.

“Relax your shoulders and weaken your aura. Try to incorporate the martial principles you previously came to understand even further. You will manage to create a strike that is even fiercer than before—and more profound at the same time.”

“Thank you for your advice.”

Raon lowered his sword and bowed to him.

‘He’s the first seat of the Five Great Swordmasters for a good reason.’

Amazing wasn’t enough to describe him, because he managed to figure out his problem at a glance of his basic technique and the Fangs of Insanity.

He really deserved his name as the Sword Demon.

Raon unleashed the Fangs of Insanity once again while thinking about the Sword Demon’s advice.

Whir!

The power focused at the center of his sword spread throughout the blade, which was engulfed by the newly polished principles. The Fangs of Insanity’s ferocious roar that resounded was on a whole different level from before.

“Ahem, it might be nice to slightly intensify the principles of heavy and precise swords from there.”

The Sword Demon murmured while passing next to him, pretending he was talking to himself.

“Err….”

“Ah, did you hear it again? My bad, I talk to myself a lot because of my old age.”

He laughed gently and shook his hand.

Raon tilted his head while looking at the Sword Demon’s subtle smile.

‘What’s going on? Why is he doing this?’

* * *

Rimmer scratched his chin while watching the training ground from above the castle walls.

His eyes were focused on the Sword Demon, who was giving Raon advice.

‘Does he want him as his disciple?’

Since he’d witnessed Raon’s talent during the spar, it wouldn’t exactly be strange if he wanted to make him his disciple.

‘It doesn’t matter since Raon isn’t going to accept it. However… Their similar appearance is bothering me.’

They looked even more similar because they were right next to each other. Rimmer honestly felt like they were blood-related.

‘And it’s also strange that he’s coming all the way to Zieghart.’

Raon had told him that the Sword Demon and his disciple would visit Zieghart as guests.

The Sword Demon had never come to the north before, yet he decided to visit Zieghart as soon as he met Raon. There must’ve been a meaning behind it.

‘It will be interesting if he’s really his family.’

Raon’s maternal grandfather was Glenn Zieghart from the Six Kings. If his paternal grandfather was the Sword Demon, the first seat of the Five Great Swordmasters, his bloodline was going to be so overpowered that it wouldn’t be realistic even for theater.

‘Our head of house won’t be able to stay back anymore if that is the case.’

Glenn had been hiding his heart because he believed he was Raon’s only grandfather, but he wouldn’t be able to take it easy any more with the Sword Demon in the picture.

‘I hope I’m not mistaken about this!’

Rimmer smiled in excitement while hoping for something more interesting to happen in Zieghart.

‘My god of wealth, keep granting me super interesting situations in the future… Hmm?’

He suddenly looked at the spire at the center of the castle during his prayer. The Sword Demon’s disciple, Mustan, had climbed there to glare at Raon.

‘Why is he even there?’

Rimmer had seen the Sword Demon ordering him to practice inside the training ground on the opposite side, so he couldn’t understand why he was glaring at Raon from the spire instead of training.

‘I understand getting angry because his master is caring for someone else, but he shouldn’t be making that expression.’

His face was brimming with jealousy. Despite his age, Mustan’s personality didn’t seem mature at all.

The Sword Demon might be great at wielding a sword, but he must’ve been pretty bad at raising a disciple.

Rimmer gave a thumbs down to the Sword Demon with a grin on his face.

“I’m the better teacher here.” 

* * * 

Raon lowered Heavenly Drive after the sun reached the center of the sky.

His smile looked as satisfied as the amount of sweat flowing down from his forehead.

‘He’s amazing.’

The Sword Demon immediately noticed what could be improved in Raon’s movements like a real demon and told him how to get better.

‘I didn’t expect to get used to it so quickly.’

Thanks to the Sword Demon’s continued advice, his swordsmanship managed to catch up to his improved realm through the morning training alone.

“Sir Rector.”

Raon sheathed Heavenly Drive and walked up to the Sword Demon, who was awkwardly exercising.

“I managed to incorporate the improvement thanks to you. I appreciate your help.”

“It’s still far from being incorporated. You should keep training in the future.”

The Sword Demon nodded, telling him to keep improving instead of being satisfied with his state.

“By the way…”

Raon rolled his eyes while rubbing the back of his head.

“It looks like your disciple has been watching us for a while. Isn’t that a problem?”

Mustan had been glaring furiously at them. It looked like he hadn’t learned his lesson the day before.

That’s how unsightly it is to be blinded by envy.

Wrath clicked his tongue at his pathetic behavior.

It’s not like he is going to lose his master just because he helps you a little, but it’s so pathetic how he’s wasting his time.

Wrath frowned, saying that he’d rather use that time to eat some delicious food.

“It’s fine.”

The Sword Demon looked up to the spire. Mustan hurriedly went down upon meeting his eyes.

“He’s older than you, but he is extremely inexperienced in worldly affairs. He should eventually realize it as he gains more experience. I’ll need to keep teaching him in the meantime though.”

His voice was brimming with worry for his disciple as he smiled faintly.

“It looks like someone is doing similar things to you.”

The Sword Demon looked at the western castle walls.

“He seems even more interested in us than my disciple.”

“You don’t need to worry about him.”

Raon sighed while looking at Rimmer.

“My squad leader has always been a voyeur.”

Rimmer proudly waved his hand once he realized he had been found out—as if he were trying to prove what Raon had said.

“He loves to be the protagonist and only appears to help during the crisis.”

“We are both suffering in our own way.”

“Indeed.”

Raon nodded with a cheerful smile and the Sword Demon smiled in return.

“……”

An awkward moment of silence followed after they stopped smiling.

“Hmm…”

The Sword Demon walked away with his hands clasped behind his back.

“I’m leaving for now. You should keep training.”

“Thank you for your help today.”

“It wasn’t a big deal.”

He shook his hand before he left the training ground.

Raon said goodbye to the Sword Demon before he raised Heavenly Drive once again.

Whoosh!

He created a frozen wind with the Blizzard Sword Art and suddenly heard a quiet voice from the training ground’s door.

“It would be nice if you slightly raised the direction.”

‘He’s still here?!’

* * *

At the eastern gate of House Arianne, the swordsmen from the Light Wind squad, Habun Castle, the Warring Steel division, and Morell’s subordinate magicians were lined up together. They looked like they were ready to leave since they were riding horses in their armor and combat uniforms.

Wendy walked up to them wearing a robe with a blue wind emblem, which was the symbol of Arianne's head of house, on it.

“We won’t forget the help we received from Arianne’s benefactors for the rest of our lives.”

She neatly folded her sleeve and bowed politely.

“Thank you for saving our lives!”

“Thank you!”

People from House Arianne bowed just like her from behind her.

Raon looked aside while receiving the gratitude of the entirety of Arianne. Milland, Borini Kitten, Trevin, and Morell were smiling gently.

“Since unfavorable events have come to an end, I wish you prosperity and recovery of your fame from a thousand years ago.”

Raon bowed while accepting their gratitude.

“We will go ahead and leave since we are done with the farewells.”

Morell was the first one to turn around.

“I tend to get goosebumps in situations like this.”

“Thank you for coming to help.”

“Don’t worry about it. After all, I was here because of our donkey princess.”

He shook his hand to stop him from thanking him.

“But you still helped to the best of your abilities. Let me know if you ever need help later on.”

“That’s not going to happen. See you later.”

Morell and his magicians turned into light and disappeared after he said goodbye.

“Hey.”

Trevin came up next to Raon and tapped on his shoulder.

“We are going to leave for now since the Light Wind squad is planning to visit Habun Castle.”

“Yes, I’ll visit you after we return to Zieghart.”

“I won’t be there anymore since we should be going on a mission right after this. Let’s have a match after we return.”

“You are always welcome.”

“Let’s do it before the end of this year.”

Trevin and the Warring Steel division left through the gate with nice smiles on their faces.

“Sir Raon.”

Borini Kitten nodded at Raon. He smiled brightly, saying that he had a fun time.

“I managed to get great experience and connection thanks to you. I really appreciate it.”

“I should be saying that. I was reassured by your help.”

Raon thanked Borini Kitten back and looked at the third prince.

“Err…”

The third prince nodded faintly, his eyes as blurry as a zombie’s. Judging from the blue bruise around his eye, the information he’d gotten from Rimmer must’ve been useless.

“See you next time. Let’s have a spar when we see each other again.”

Because the third prince seemed to be out of his mind, Borini Kitten dragged him away as he left through the castle gate.

“We should also get ready.”

Burren turned around and ordered the Light Wind swordsmen to prepare to leave.

“That was so annoying.”

Martha’s frown looked like she was irritated from the bottom of her heart. It looked like the third prince only left her with an unfavorable impression.

“Ah, I couldn’t pack enough…”

Runaan bit her lip while holding onto the blueberry ice cream that she couldn’t eat anywhere else tightly. Her blank eyes were brimming with sorrow.

“Dorian.”

Raon walked up to Dorian and extended his hand.

“Can you give that to me?”

“How am I supposed to understand what that is?”

Dorian murmured that he wasn’t a mind reader and took a large paper bag from his belly pocket.

“You did it perfectly fine.”

Raon accepted the bag and went to Wendy Arianne.

“Do you remember what you asked me last time?”

“What? Did I ask something…?”

She tilted her head, wondering what he was talking about.

Raon stood in front of Wendy with the paper bag in his hand.

Because the bag was completely full, a few of its contents fell on the ground. They were red and yellow lollipops.

“Those lollipops…”

Wendy picked up the two candies that fell on the ground and looked inside Raon’s bag. All kinds of candies of different colors were filling the large bag.

“I was just saying it…”

She swallowed nervously while looking at the candy.

“New memories cover up old memories. Please do your best for the people who trust you.”

Raon smiled and handed over the candy bag.

“…I shall.”

Wendy exhaled nervously and nodded.

“Because I’m the head of this household now.”

She smiled while feeling an illusion where her memories of childhood with Weegen were overwritten with happy memories with Raon and the other people.

“We’ll be leaving now.”

Raon smiled in satisfaction upon seeing Wendy’s smile.

When he was about to turn around to leave, he heard the rustling sound of clothes sweeping the ground behind him.

“House Arianne, including me, will be waiting for our lord’s call.”

“We’ll be waiting for your call!”

Wendy went on one knee and clenched her scabbard. The other swordsmen of House Arianne followed her into the same posture and shouted that they would be waiting.

Raon’s heart pounded violently upon hearing the entirety of House Arianne express their will to follow him while calling him their lord.

“I’m also looking forward to the day I’ll summon Arianne once again.”

He returned their smile with a wholehearted one of his own before he turned around.

While meeting the Light Wind squad’s eyes—which were surprised, dumbfounded, and confident at the same time—he went towards the castle gate. It was wide open, unlike when they arrived.

“Let’s go.”

Raon took the lead with the Black Dragon Coat fluttering into the wind, and the Light Wind squad and Habun Castle’s swordsmen followed him.

Raon.

Wrath took a glance back before he sat on Raon’s shoulder. Raon figured he must’ve been deeply impressed by the situation just like himself, as his expression was rather strange.

‘What’s up?’

He was wondering about this…

Wrath licked his lips and glanced backward. Raon was filled with joy because of how impressed Wrath was, but his deep emotion came to a halt upon hearing what followed.

Do you have any more candy left?

‘……’

***

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

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Writing Ant, 글개미]

[Translator – Kyangi]

[Proofreader – Harley]