Chapter 606

Raon followed Glenn and entered an open area near the North Grave Mountain’s entrance.

Glenn was quietly looking up at the North Grave Mountain, standing at the center of the area. Raon wondered what he was thinking—his shoulders seemed to be swaying gently under the moonlight.

“My lord,” Raon called out to Glenn and walked up to him.

“What did you mean, you still have more to give me?”

Glenn had even given him an artifact, an elixir, and a golden tablet. Since it was more than plenty, Raon couldn’t really understand what more he came to give him.

“Ahem!”

Glenn cleared his throat and turned around. His red eyes were as cold as the night wind.

“In addition to rescuing the elves at the auction, you even obtained the account book to save the ones who’ve already been auctioned off. This is going to be extremely helpful in maintaining a good relationship with Seipia in the future. The artifact and elixir aren’t enough to reward your achievements.”

“Hmm…”

Raon honestly thought that rescuing the elves and getting the account book was included in the same matter, but there was no reason to refuse an additional reward.

Oh, damn it!

Wrath popped out, shaking his fat stomach.

Why is he giving you so much stuff? That geezer is extremely soft on the inside despite his coldhearted face.

Wrath furrowed his brow, saying that his face was the only scary part about Glenn.

‘Be quiet since you ate as much as you wanted.’

The King of Essence doesn’t want to be quiet, so…

‘I’ll take that as you not wanting any ice cream.’

Haap!

Wrath shut his mouth and Raon pushed his stomach away before looking at Glenn.

“How much have you managed to learn of the Azure Sky Sword?”

“Up to the fourth technique. Of course, it’s still not perfect.”

Thanks to the enlightenment he’d gained during the battle against the Crimson Flame Demon, he’d become capable of using the fourth technique.

However, he still couldn’t perfectly display his will through the sword.

“I guessed as much.”

Glenn simply nodded, having guessed it would be the case.

“Come here at this hour starting from tomorrow.”

“What?”

“I’ll be helping with your training for the next two weeks.”

He closed his eyes, saying that he would teach him for two weeks as a reward for his achievements.

Raon’s eyes widened in surprise.

‘This reward is even better than an elixir.’

A Master and a Grandmaster saw the world completely differently. Since his enlightenment had broadened upon becoming a Grandmaster, he could absorb Glenn’s teachings in even more detail. It was a great opportunity for him.

“Thank you.”

Raon lowered his head at Glenn sincerely.

“Hmmh!”

Glenn cleared his throat and shook his head.

“There’s no reason to thank me since I’m just rewarding you for what you’ve done.”

“Even so, I believe your teachings surpass my achievements. Thank you.”

“It’s fine.”

He shook his hand, telling him that he didn’t need to say any further.

“Let’s get started quickly. I don’t wish to waste time.”

“Understood.”

Raon raised his head and went to the center of the area.

“You are prepared at least, since you bring your sword with you every time I call for you.”

“It’s the natural thing to do as a swordsman.”

Being called a swordsman pulled his heartstrings slightly.

‘Swordsman…’

He could casually call himself a swordsman now without even thinking about it. He felt like the darkness from his previous life was fading away even more.

“Demonstrate all of the sword techniques you’ve learned.”

“Yes.”

Raon responded calmly and unsheathed Heavenly Drive. He raised the sword overhead and slashed down vertically. The wind dwelling on the blade cut through the cold atmosphere of the night, drawing a line on the ground that was even thinner than a hair.

After the basic sword techniques, he displayed the Fangs of Insanity, the Blizzard Sword Arts, the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation’s sword techniques, and even the ones he’s created himself, then he clenched Heavenly Drive with both hands.

‘The last one is the Azure Sky Sword.’

He added the sturdiness of his middle energy center to the huge amount of aura coming from his lower energy center, then unleashed it towards the sky. The four techniques of the Azure Sky Sword were executed one after the other, creating a red and blue radiance in the dark sky. The majestic sight looked like a comet soaring into the sky.

“Hmm.”

Glenn nodded, his expression remaining as cold as in the beginning.

“You’ve improved a little. I can feel the will you mentioned before—that you will never be defeated.”

Even though he’d gone from a Master to a Grandmaster, it was just a small improvement for him. It was ridiculous, but he had to admit it since Glenn was the one who said it.

“Thank you.”

“However.”

Glenn’s eyes became even colder.

“I can see that your sky is limited.”

“Limited…”

“Even I can see your goal. Don’t take a warrior or a martial art as your goal. Imagine the sky that you want,” he advised as he took a step towards him. “What is the sky you’ve been imagining for the Azure Sky Sword?”

“That’s…”

Raon licked his lips, unable to answer right away.

“Say it without hesitating.”

“…You, my lord.”

“Hmm?”

Glenn’s eyes widened, surprised that his name was unexpectedly mentioned.

“It’s when you were using the Azure Sky Sword. No, it’s the swordsmanship you used against the White Blood Religion’s leader and the Fallen when I was kidnapped. I’ve made that into my sky.”

“Hmmh!”

Glenn hurriedly turned around. His earlobes were as red as a ripe persimmon.

“It can’t be helped, then.”

“What?”

“Don’t change your goal. Just keep going.”

“But you just told me to change…”

“Stop! It’s too early for you to reach infinity! Just start swinging your sword already!”

“…Understood.”

Raon tilted his head but still lifted Heavenly Drive.

‘Even the head of house is whimsical sometimes.’

It’s because he is in his menopause.

Wrath nodded, saying that he could understand him.

* * *

On the tiger boulder at the North Grave Mountain’s midpoint, Rimmer briefly clicked his tongue. He had been turned into a panda because of the bruises around both his eyes.

“The corners of his lips are going to reach the sky.”

Glenn’s lips were curved to the point that he looked like a madman. His lips were reaching the ears.

“Well, it’s not like I don’t understand him.”

He could understand why he was so happy. His precious grandson had told him that he was his sky.

“But…”

Rimmer furrowed his brow, watching Glenn’s lips rising higher and higher.

“Why is he teaching him personally? He should’ve just let him enter the Chamber of the Self!”

The Chamber of the Self was inherited from the founding head of Zieghart and allowed a warrior to speak to his own soul. Since Raon was definitely going to gain enlightenment from it, Rimmer couldn’t understand why Glenn was teaching him personally.

“Huhuhu.”

Roenn smiled faintly, standing on the boulder.

“He must want to teach him directly.”

He laughed gently, watching Glenn advise Raon with only his voice, his back turned away from him.

“He must want to spend more time with the young master Raon.”

“Then he should just show it on the outside!”

Rimmer shook his fist violently. Glenn had turned around as he smiled again. Since everything would be resolved if he just showed that smile to Raon, Rimmer couldn’t understand why he was acting like that.

“Moreover, you can only stay in the Chamber of Self for a month. I suspect that he will open up the chamber by the time the winter starts.”

“So he is using the time as efficiently as possible.”

Rimmer nodded, watching Raon continuously wield the sword despite being sweaty.

‘That’s indeed better. After all, he will have more to gain if he enters the Chamber of Self after he gets stronger.’

The Chamber of Self didn’t guarantee an improvement, but most people gain a small enlightenment at least. Since there was more to gain the stronger they were, teaching him before letting him enter the room was a good method.

“By the way…”

Roenn looked at Rimmer with a faint smile on his face.

“Sir Rimmer, you seemed to have made up your mind.”

“You are so insightful.”

Rimmer nodded, grasping his empty right shoulder.

“I wanted to open a casino and idle around, but the heat in my heart hasn’t faded away since I saw Raon.”

He smiled, tapping on the sword hanging around his waist.

“Since my life is already ruined, I’d like to use it for Raon and the youngsters.”

Rimmer closed his lips tightly, looking at the moon above Raon’s head.

“I’ll wish for that to happen.”

Roenn laughed gently and stood next to Rimmer.

They watched Raon and Glenn’s training for a long time without saying anything.

* * *

Raon left his room before sunrise.

Yaawn!

Wrath glared at him sideways, yawning widely enough for his mouth to tear.

You crazy bastard! Which nutcase in the world goes out to train at dawn after training all night long?!

He tapped on his shoulder, asking him to sleep.

‘I don’t have much time left.’

Since he’d reached the Grandmaster’s realm, he might be unable to advance without years of training. He had to practice the sword to the best of his ability while he had the chance.

You are going to die while training instead of during a battle!

‘That would be a happy ending.’

Aaaaack! This is so frustrating! You are always… Hmm?

Wrath suddenly stopped raging and started to sniff.

L-look at that!

His hand trembled as he pointed at a tray on a table in front of the entrance.

It smells delicious! Try opening the lid!

‘Hmm…’

Raon opened the silver lid covering the tray and found toast with ham, egg, and cheese inside.

Hell yeah! Home is really the best! Mom!

Wrath shouted for Sylvia upon seeing the still-steaming toast.

‘This wasn’t made by mom.’

Who else?

‘Judiel made it.’

Sylvia’s toast included egg and vegetables while Judiel’s toast included egg, ham, and cheese. That was why he could tell that the toast was made by Judiel.

‘She knows me so well now.’

He could guess that she’d prepared the toast because she expected him to immediately start training again.

She’s sharp, probably because she had a difficult childhood. She is nice!

Wrath nodded, saying that she was a good girl.

‘Is that so?’

Raon chuckled and picked up the toast to take a bite.

Even the inside is nice and crispy! Yes! This is how bread should be! Nadine bread shouldn’t be called bread!

Wrath sniffled, deeply moved by the taste of the toast.

‘I agree, it’s pretty good.’

It was simple food, but it was clear that she put her heart into making it.

Raon murmured his gratitude towards Judiel’s room and left the annex building.

He immediately went to the fifth training ground, unexpectedly finding someone who’d arrived before him once he opened the door.

“You’ve become so lazy.”

Martha furrowed her brow with her arms crossed.

“In the past, you would’ve arrived an hour earlier and started to swing the sword already,” she snorted, calling him slothful.

“I know, right? This is the time he usually scolds us for coming too late.” Burren nodded with a faint smile on his face.

“Zzz…”

Runaan nodded while sitting on the ground. She seemed to be dozing off.

“I heard you caused another issue.” Martha narrowed his eyes, examining Raon up and down. “How did you end up saving the elven country?”

“That’s not all. I heard he was some spirit king’s big brother,” Burren gasped, finding it ridiculous as he spoke.

“Zzz…”

Runaan was still dozing off.

“I got lucky in various ways.”

Raon shrugged his shoulders while looking at them.

“That luck again!”

Martha shook her head, telling him to stop calling it luck.

“It’s true. I would’ve never won on my own.”

He wasn’t lying. The Crimson Flame Demon would’ve killed him without Siyan’s help.

“Was it those masked guys again?”

Martha clenched her fist, thinking about Eden.

“By the way, did you get stronger again?”

Burren tilted his head, checking Raon up and down.

“The atmosphere around you feels different…”

“I ate the World Tree’s fruit.”

“Th-the World Tree’s fruit?”

“That’s insane. Are you seriously trying to take every single elixir in the continent?”

Martha blinked in disbelief.

“I was curious about that one. Is it tasty?”

Burren licked his lips, curious about the taste of the world tree’s fruit.

“To be honest.” Raon closed his eyes, thinking about the taste of the World Tree’s fruit. “It tastes like Nadine bread.”

“Bullshit!”

Martha shook her head.

“How is that even possible?”

“I can’t believe it either. There’s no way the World Tree’s fruit would taste like Nadine bread.”

Burren couldn’t accept it either, his brow furrowing.

“Zzzzz!”

Runaan shook her head to express her denial even though she was dozing off.

“It’s true…”

It was the truth, but Raon gave up on explaining it since their expressions made it look like they would never believe him.

It’s only natural that they are unable to accept it.

Wrath nodded calmly.

There’s no way they would believe it since even the King of Essence still can’t believe it after tasting it himself! How is the World Tree a rubber tree? This is way too unreasonable!

He went completely nuts after a while and shouted that he was going to burn the World Tree.

Raon kicked Wrath away and looked at Burren, Martha, and Runaan.

“That’s enough about the World Tree. What brought you here at this early hour?”

“What else? We’ve been training every day at this hour.”

Martha shook her head, saying that it wasn’t even a question.

“That’s right. We’ve been training every day at this hour ever since you left.”

Burren smiled, saying that training before sunrise became a daily routine.

“Zzz…”

Runaan snored as if she were agreeing with them.

“Hmm…”

Raon narrowed his eyes, looking at Burren, Martha, and Runaan one after the other.

‘They’ve indeed gotten stronger.’

The improvement wasn’t as drastic as his, since he’d eaten the World Tree’s fruit, but he could feel a higher prowess from them. He could tell that they’d been training hard while he was at Seipia.

“The Wise Martial Palace master has been helping us with our training in the evening. We learned a lot from him as well.”

“From Sir Denier?”

“Yes. My father came to help us every day, and our aunt has been helping us as well.”

Martha showed an unusually bright smile, saying that Aries’s lessons were so precious.

“It’s a great opportunity.”

“Hmm…”

Raon stroked his chin, thinking about Denier.

‘Denier…’

Unlike Aries, Karoon, and Balder, he could hardly read Denier’s thoughts.

‘He’s giving off a similar impression as Derus, but I might be wrong.’

He hadn’t done anything suspicious so far, nor picked a fight with him. He didn’t have enough information to judge him yet.

‘Shall I look into him just in case?’

He figured he should ask Denning Rose to gather information about Denier for him.

‘But before that… There’s something I need to do.’

Raon’s lips curved into a refreshing smile as he stood in front of Burren, Martha, and Runaan.

Pop.

Runaan was making a balloon from her nose, but she finally woke up and blinked.

“Raon.”

Apparently, she really had been dozing off. She really looked glad to see him.

“Let’s eat some ice cream.”

The first thing she asked about was eating some ice cream. She never changed.

“Yeah.”

Raon calmly nodded.

“Oh!”

Ooh!

And of course, the answer came from both Runaan and Wrath.

“Of course, it won’t be right now. I need to check first.”

“Check?”

“What are you checking?”

Runaan tilted her head, and Burren did the same.

“What else? I’m obviously checking out your skills.”

Martha stepped back and placed her hand on the hilt of her sword.

“Look at his eyes. He’s trying to kill us! Get ready. Now!” She shouted with trembling lips.

She was already certain that they would have to fight against Raon.

“You shouldn’t be aware, but we’ve been training hard so far.”

Runaan walked up to him and widened her purple eyes, saying that they didn’t need to spar.

“We’ve been doing the daybreak training and the evening…”

“We’ve already told him about that.”

Burren sighed and shook his head.

“He’s acting like that because he wants to check that out!”

He understood Raon’s intentions and unsheathed his sword.

“Uhh…”

Runaan reluctantly lifted Snow Flower, but freezing coldness was emanating from her sword.

Raon’s lips curved into a faint smile as he felt the ferocious, sharp, and cold pressures from respectively Martha, Burren, and Runaan. Feeling their sword pressures made him feel at home.

“Let’s confirm how much stronger you’ve become.”

He nodded and stepped forward.

“I’ll let you have a break as soon as you land a hit on me.”

Raon shook his finger up and down, telling them to come at him.

“What if we don’t?”

Runaan tilted her head.

“Then we will keep fighting until you do.”

Raon licked his lips while facing their trembling eyes.

“Just tell us from the beginning that you want to spar all day long!” Burren shouted at his ridiculous statement.

“You just need to land a hit and you can rest. It’s not that hard.”

Raon shrugged his shoulders, saying that it was an easy task.

“His personality became worse as he became a Grandmaster,” Burren sighed. “He’s back. The demon king of training.”

Martha raised her sword while biting her lip, saying, “Alright, we’ll show you that we haven’t been playing around. Die!”

She charged from the front to thrust her sword while Burren and Runaan rushed from left and right to execute their sword techniques.

“It’s time to play.”

Raon curled his lips into a smile while watching the dazzling attacks of the three team leaders.

“All day long.”

Huh…

Wrath shook his head.

He’s seriously a pervert, isn’t he?

* * *

Whaaam!

Blue radiance welled up to the dark sky. It was a magnificent sight, looking like a huge hole was made at the center of the sky.

Glenn nodded, watching the sky as it appeared to have collapsed.

“So this is the fifth. Not too bad for two weeks of training.”

“It’s all thanks to you, my lord.”

Raon lowered his head at Glenn.

"You should be aware that it's still far from perfect. You've only managed to build the framework, so you need to push yourself harder to complete it."

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I’ll be taking my leave.”

Glenn nodded and turned around, having said everything he wanted.

“Thank you.”

Raon lowered his head at Glenn’s back. He was completely gone by the time he raised his head.

‘He is like the wind.’

Glenn always came exactly on the appointed time, helping with his training for just two hours and disappearing without a trace. He almost felt like a ghost sometimes.

‘But it all paid off.’

He could feel that his skills were rapidly increasing as he trained with the Light Wind division from dawn to evening and trained with Glenn at night. The two weeks he’d spent were quite valuable.

‘It’s a shame now that it’s over.’

It was a bit of pressure to be taught by Glenn, but he was saddened once it was over.

‘Maybe he will teach me again if I get another achievement.’

He returned to the annex building while thinking about such nonsense, and he heard a small sound from the main entrance. He opened the door and saw that Sylvia was placing toast on the table in front of the door.

“Mother?”

“You returned at the perfect time!”

Sylvia handed out the toast that she’d placed on the table, saying that he came at a good time.

“You should make sure to eat properly since you’ve been training until so late!”

You are the only one who cares, Mom!

Wrath ran at Sylvia with his arms spread.

‘Get away.’

Raon kicked Wrath away and shook his head.

“I’m always thankful for the treat. You don’t have to overexert yourself.”

“A mom caring for her son isn’t called overexerting herself.”

Sylvia shook her head, saying that it wasn’t an issue.

“Thank you.”

Raon received the toast with a faint smile on his face. It was healthy toast, including eggs and vegetables.

“Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen Judiel recently.”

He mused, taking a bite of the toast. He hadn’t seen Judiel since the first day of training, when she’d given him the toast. Even though he’d been leaving home at dawn and returning at dawn, it was still a strange thing to happen.

“Judiel is on holiday.”

“Holiday?”

“Yes. She told me not to tell you about it because you might be concerned. She should be back next week.”

Sylvia shook her head, saying that Judiel wasn’t in the annex building at the moment.

“I see.”

Raon casually nodded, as if it weren’t a big deal.

“Don’t work yourself too hard. Make sure to manage your health.”

Sylvia told him to finish eating the toast and returned to her room.

Raon put down the toast he was eating and went to Judiel’s room instead of his own.

Hmm? Where are you going without finishing it?! She is on holiday, she said!

‘Judiel is pretty much my vassal. It’s a serious matter since she didn’t tell me about her holiday.’

He forced the locked doorknob open and entered her room.

It was an extremely simple room. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that it was completely empty.

However, it seemed to be how the room always looked rather than because she’d left with her belongings.

Raon looked around the empty room and took out a brown piece of paper protruding from the desk drawer.

Raon spread the paper, and his eyes distorted fiercely.

“This is…”

***

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]