Chapter 418

Under the purple evening sky, the Light Wind squad and Habun Castle’s knights were having a friendly chat at the camping ground after finishing their dinner.

Raon ate the swamp grapes that Dorian had taken out as dessert and rubbed his lips.

‘It’s delicious for sure.’

The swamp grapes were plumper than ordinary grapes and they had a delicious red color like a ripened apple. The lack of seeds made them easier to eat.

Raon could understand why people were so fond of the wines made from the swamp grapes.

Sniff…

Wrath was lying on his stomach over Raon’s head, sniffling while looking at the swamp grapes.

‘Why are you crying? And come down from my head already.’

We don’t have many swamp grapes left anymore. Living without tasting those delicious grapes would be a waste of human life!

Wrath complained that the blueberries were already gone and that there weren’t many grapes left anymore with teary eyes.

‘Wait, you’re a demon. Stop pretending to be a human and come down from my head already.’

Why does happiness always have to end so quickly?

Wrath pouted while looking at the grapes that were gradually being reduced without listening to Raon.

‘Come down.’

Kweh!

Raon slapped away Wrath as he kept rolling on his head before he stood up.

Clap!

He loudly clapped his hands to gather the attention of the Light Wind members, who were playing around.

“Don’t tell me you’re planning to waste this golden dinner time.”

“Err, hmm.”

“About that…”

“I think I’m fine the way we are…”

The Light Wind members’ lips were trembling in surprise from the clapping sound.

“Squad leader!”

“Please help us!”

“He’s already getting started! We just left House Arianne!”

The swordsmen asked for help from Rimmer, but he was still out of his mind because he couldn’t recover from the huge loss he’d suffered.

“Heeh…”

Rimmer gulped down the grapes while drooling from his mouth.

How can he be so wasteful?!

Wrath pulled his hair while watching him.

What is he doing right now when those grapes should be properly savored one by one?! Take them away from him right now!

‘Stop him yourself.’

Raon threw Wrath at Rimmer and looked at the Light Wind squad.

“Do you prefer that I train you myself? Or will you start training already?”

Raon rolled his lips into a smile while looking at the Light Wind squad’s panic.

“We are obviously going to train by ourselves. I was going to do it even if you didn’t mention it.”

Burren stood up before anyone else and tapped on his scabbard.

“Because I made the painful realization during the war that I’m still too weak.”

His eyes sparkled enthusiastically as he declared that he didn’t want to experience that ever again.

“I can agree with you for once.”

Martha swept her hair up from her forehead and straightened her back.

“It’s extremely irritating to admit, but it’s true that I wasn’t too helpful this time.”

She pushed Burren’s shoulder away and went into the forest.

“I’ll train.”

Runaan nodded and clenched her cherished sword, Snow Flower.

“I don’t want to stay back anymore.”

She didn’t even finish the ice cream she was eating, going into the forest on Martha’s other side.

Even though they’d reached the wall to become Masters, they still thought they were too weak and started to train.

“Vice squad leader.”

Mark Goetten walked up to him and bowed.

“I’m also heading out.”

He was also enthusiastic about training even though they were on the move because he was about to reach the intermediate Master level.

“Me too, I’m going to train.”

Yua jumped like a frog and started to swing her sword right next to them. She was extremely energetic, probably because she was about to see her grandfather again.

“I’m also doing it since you are!”

Yulius went right next to Yua and drew his sword. He swung his sword at least twice as fast as usual, feeling competitive.

“This is making it difficult…”

“It can’t be helped, we should also train.”

“I guess we need some exercise for digestion.”

“I don’t want to be protected anymore either.”

The Light Wind members were influenced by their team leaders and Mark Goetten, scattering around the forest with determined expressions on their faces.

“Hmm…”

Milland put down the grapes he was eating and looked at the knights and swordsmen who were sitting around, clearly uncomfortable and with awkward expressions on their faces.

“Are you going to sit there doing nothing?”

His gaze was even colder than the evening wind.

“The Light Wind squad just went to practice when they are stronger than you despite being younger. Can you still sit there and eat grapes in this situation?”

“Ugh!”

“Not at all!”

“We going as well!”

The knights and swordsmen quickly stood up and ran into the forest.

Whoosh!

The forest used to be quiet, but the shouts of concentration from the swordsmen created a small orchestra.

“I’m also going to exercise a little.”

Raon bowed to Milland.

“You haven’t changed at all from the past.”

Milland smiled while throwing firewood into the campfire.

“You pretty much monopolized the training ground when you stayed at Habun Castle.”

“People die if they suddenly change.”

“Yes, that’s how you are.”

He waved his hand to send him off.

Raon nodded with a faint smile on his face and went to the area of the forest behind him that was still unoccupied.

Just as he was about to draw Heavenly Drive, the Sword Demon and his disciple, Mustan, appeared behind him.

“I’d like to watch your training. Is that alright?”

The Sword Demon quietly asked for permission.

“I’m fine with it.”

Since Raon was planning to practice basic swordsmanship, the Fangs of Insanity, and the Blizzard Sword Arts, it didn’t matter if other people saw his practice. Moreover, the Sword Demon helped him in various ways, so he didn’t mind him watching.

“Make sure to properly observe him.”

The Sword Demon called Mustan to his side and pointed at Raon.

“You need to witness various techniques because you still lack knowledge and experience. Watching him shall be a good lesson for you, as he’s walking the same path as you from a further point.”

“…I understand.”

Mustan glared at Raon, looking like a flounder. It was obvious that he didn’t appreciate the idea.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter whatever he does. I’ve already overcome him.’

Raon drew Heavenly Drive. He slashed down vertically with his sword using the flow of heavy, swift, and powerful swords.

Whoosh!

Even though he didn’t use any aura, a heavy wind cut through the evening air.

“Even for the basic techniques, the power and speed will be different depending on the principles you incorporate. You should practice your swordsmanship differently each time to find the most suitable method for you.”

The Sword Demon pointed out Mustan’s shortcomings while advising him.

‘He doesn’t look like he’s listening to his lesson.’

Judging from the jealousy brimming from Mustan’s expression, the Sword Demon’s advice must’ve been going in one ear and out the other.

‘Too bad for him.’

The Sword Demon’s teachings were easy to understand and right on point at the same time. Raon could only sneer because Mustan was voluntarily missing out.

‘Next up is…’

Raon started to practice the Fangs of Insanity after the basic techniques. While he was using the third technique, which consisted of slashing in a cross shape, he heard the Sword Demon’s voice from behind him.

“Hah, it would be better if he extended his left foot a bit further and turned his sword’s trajectory around five degrees to the right.”

He was advising while pretending to talk to himself instead of teaching Mustan.

“As for this one, it would be better if he lowered his center of gravity by about ten percent and focused on the heavy sword…”

He also murmured to point out the shortcomings of the fourth technique.

‘He’s getting started again.’

Raon tried to modify the Fangs of Insanity according to his comments.

‘It’s a lot better than before.’

The third technique became a lot faster and more powerful while the fourth technique gained a thicker aura when blocking the opponent’s space.

“You can see that a small change can result in a huge difference when it comes down to swordsmanship. You should always try to find a better method.”

“Yes…”

Mustan nodded at the Sword Demon, but his dangerous glare looked as sharp as a blade.

The Sword Demon was, of course, teaching Mustan a lot more than he was helping Raon. However, Mustan’s expression was gradually turning more fiendish.

‘Is he trying to make us get along? I don’t think that’s happening though.’

Raon had the feeling that the Sword Demon wanted Mustan to get closer to him, but it looked totally impossible.

‘Haa.’

He breathed a small sigh and continued with the Blizzard Sword Art, and he could hear the Sword Demon’s advice once again.

“It would be perfect if the angle between his ankles was slightly wider.”

“Ugh…”

Raon licked his lips as he heard Mustan’s groan.

‘I’m thankful for your advice, but… Why are you doing this to me…?’

* * *

Mustan chewed his lip to the point of bleeding.

‘You said I was your only disciple… So why are you teaching him now?!’

Even though his master had told him that he had no intention of taking another disciple, he was still giving Raon advice.

He was also teaching him, but he couldn’t understand why his master was helping a potential enemy improve.

‘Circumstances, he said? What the hell are those circumstances?’

When he previously asked why his master was teaching Raon, he’d simply said that there were circumstances around it.

His master had told him that he would tell him about it as soon as he confirmed the matter, but Mustan couldn’t believe it.

‘Damn it…’

He didn’t like it—neither Raon, who was gladly accepting his advice, nor his master, who kept teaching him.

He couldn’t even hear what the Sword Demon was telling him because of the boiling anger in his chest.

‘There’s no way I wouldn’t get suspicious when you are going all the way to Zieghart for him! You must be planning to take him as your disciple!’

The Alliance treated House Zieghart as the biggest threat.

Mustan’s heart tightened because he felt like he figured out the reason his master was visiting such a dangerous place.

‘And this is all because of… That son of a bitch.’

His talent was recognized in the Alliance and he became Rector’s disciple. He was going to become the strongest once he inherited his swordplay… yet the appearance of Raon had ruined everything.

He wanted to jump at him and assault him with his sword immediately.

“Mustan, that swordsmanship is an intuition sword, which consists of prying open the opponent’s weakness. The real way of using an intuition sword is to incorporate the right principle depending on the situation instead of using the strongest principle. With the level of mastery he has, showing his techniques won’t become his weakness.”

“…I see.”

Mustan clenched his fist so hard that his nails dug into his hand. He glared at Raon without hiding his jealousy.

‘I won’t lose to you no matter what.’

He thoroughly observed Raon’s technique in order to crush him and reclaim his master’s attention. 

* * * 

Zieghart

Lord’s Manor

Glenn was looking outside the window while leaning his back against the throne, then lowered his gaze under the platform.

“Did you finish the preparations?”

“Yes.”

Roenn bowed from the left upon hearing his question.

“The golden tablet for the young master Raon and the silver tablets for the other young masters are ready. We’ve even made new ones.”

 Roenn walked up to Glenn while holding a large wooden crate in his hands.

“You can check them out.”

He opened the crate, and the plates prepared as rewards were shining brilliantly from inside.

“Hmm…”

Glenn narrowed his eyes while looking at the golden tablet embedded inside the crate.

“I think the sword emblem on the golden tablet is slightly tilted…”

“It must look that way because they’ve used a deeper color in order to emphasize Zieghart’s emblem.”

Roenn gently brushed his hand over the golden tablet in denial.

“Don’t worry about it. It was made with the utmost care for Sir Raon. Moreover, it’s only covered in gold on the outside—it’s actually made of platinum.”

“Not bad.”

Glenn nodded in satisfaction as soon as he mentioned that it was made with the utmost care for Raon.

“My lord.”

Sheryl walked up to Glenn as he rolled his lips up into a faint smile.

“Judging from Raon’s personality, he will be happy enough that my lord is bestowing a golden tablet to him. Don’t worry about it.”

“Ahem!”

Glenn shook his hand while clearing his throat.

“I don’t care what he thinks about me. I was just worried because it would hurt my dignity if the emblem looked strange. I wasn’t really giving him any special treatment…”

He shook his head and murmured some shabby excuses.

Sheryl smiled faintly while watching Glenn’s slightly flushed face.

‘He’s so cute.’

Glenn had ordered them to make the golden tablet as soon as he returned to the house. Because Raon could come back at any moment, he’d organized the treasury to look for the gift and even wrote down a list of liquors he wanted to drink with Raon.

She could only smile because he blatantly loved his grandson yet still tried to hide it.

Sheryl and Roenn smiled while meeting each other’s eyes because of how cute Glenn was, and the leader of Shadow Agents, Chad, entered the audience chamber.

“Greetings, my lord.”

Chad bowed politely and stepped forward.

“What’s the matter?”

“The Light Wind squad leader sent a message.”

He took out a yellow letter from his clothes.

“Did you read the contents?”

“No, I brought it as soon as I received it.”

“Read it here.”

“Understood.”

Chad nodded and opened the letter. A thin piece of paper could be found inside.

“Err…”

His chin started to tremble after he skimmed through the letter.

“Leader of Shadow Agents?”

“Ah, yes!”

“Read it as it is, without adding anything without reason.”

“Ah, understood.”

Chad licked his lips and started to read the letter.

“R-Raon defeated the Specter, wow….”

His trembling voice sounded like he was having a seizure when he said ‘wow’. He secretly peeked at Glenn. It almost looked like veins were bulging on his forehead.

“The Sword Demon came to visit House Arianne, and he’s hitting it off with Raon. I almost thought that he was the r-real grandfather….”

Chad felt like his shoulders were being crushed by the heavy atmosphere. It was as if the sky were falling. He could feel the cold sweat flowing like a waterfall down his back.

“W-we will be back after playing around at Habun Castle. I don’t know the exact date. P-peace…”

His hand trembled violently as he lowered the letter. He was unable to speak any further because he was getting frostbite from the cold atmosphere.

“What a crazy bastard. He’s completely insane.”

Sheryl shook her head while clicking her tongue.

Whir!

While Chad was wondering what to do, the letter floated by itself and flew towards Glenn.

Glenn confirmed that it was really written on the letter before burning it up without leaving a single piece.

“He thought that he was the real grandfather, huh…”

His lips curved into a thin smile. Chad felt like his heart skipped a beat just from seeing that frightening smile.

“Roenn, Sheryl.”

Glenn bared his teeth while crushing the throne’s armrest as if it were a piece of paper.

“Prepare the funeral for the Light Wind squad leader.”

Crimson sparks were glimmering around him, showing that he wasn’t joking about it.

“I shall grant his wish since he’s so eager to die.”

“Yes!”

“Huhuhu.”

Sheryl nodded while clenching her fist, and Roenn laughed like always.

Chad swallowed nervously while looking at the pressure around the three people who were making his hair stand on end.

‘Light Wind squad leader… Rest in peace.’

* * *

Raon raised his gaze after he climbed the hill covered in white snow.

He could see the high castle walls covered in traces of dried blood and yellow dirt.

Habun Castle, where he’d gone through the last trial to become a swordsman and gained an alias for the first time, looked no different from before.

“This is a nostalgic scent.”

The nostalgic stench of blood brought a small smile to Raon’s face.

“Aaaargh! This is the same scent as before!”

Dorian scowled while screaming like a dying pig. He wasn’t retching like the last time, at least.

Looking at Habun Castle, where the traces of battle still remained, reminded him of his stay in the past. He could feel the violent pounding of his heart, as it served as a foundation to grow into his present self.

“The commander is returning! Open the gate!”

“Open the gate!”

Habun Castle’s gate opened up with a tremendous noise that sounded like the entire land was being twisted.

Milland stared at the opening gate, which was the silver color of the snowy mountain, before he turned around.

“You were just an unwelcome novice mercenary when you first came to this place.”

His smile deepened, and he pounded the left side of his breastplate with his fist. His powerful gaze looked like he’d returned to being the castellan instead of a traveling companion.

“We welcome our benefactor, Raon Zieghart, upon his return under the name of Milland Brydon, the Habun’s castellan!”

“Whoaaa!”

People cheered loudly from inside the castle following Milland’s shout.

A chill ran down Raon’s spine upon witnessing Habun Castle’s military discipline, which was as heavy as a lance.

‘They said return…’

His heart pounded violently because he was still considered a member of the castle by them.

Raon pounded the left side of his chest with his fist while looking at the knights and the scouts waving their hands at him.

“I’m back.”

***

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]