Chapter 625

Raon sighed as he met Denning Rose’s intelligent gaze.

‘Well, I suppose it would’ve been stranger if those crazy bastards didn’t come for it.’

The Holy Sword Alliance worshiped the sword and swordsmanship, and they were insane enough to even kill their parents and siblings in order to obtain an advanced sword technique.

Since they would even intrude into the Six Kings’ home base in order to obtain the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s legacy,  it would’ve been stranger if they hadn’t come for it.

“Who came from the Holy Sword Alliance?”

“Croy, the Master of the Abyssal Sword.”

Denning Rose took out a document and placed it on the table. Croy’s name was written on the topmost line, and his activities were written underneath.

“He even reached the highest level of Master before the Holy Sword Alliance stopped their activities,” she stated.

“Croy…”

Raon had heard about the Master of the Abyssal Sword in his previous life. People even said that Croy’s feet were his real weapon instead of his sword because of his excellent footwork.

“Then he might have reached Grandmaster by now.”

“Do you remember Liston?”

Denning Rose suddenly brought up Liston while talking about the Master of the Abyssal Sword.

“Of course.”

Liston was the agent from the Black Market who’d guided him to the Suran tribe when he was trying to save Judiel. Raon clearly remembered him because he was originally an assassin and he’d carried out his instructions perfectly.

“Even he couldn’t see the Master of the Abyssal Sword’s footwork properly. The previous owner of the map, White Snake Rain, was also proficient in footwork and concealment—however, he still easily managed to get to stab him in the back. It should be safe to assume that at least his footwork is at the Grandmaster level.”

Denning Rose tapped on the document with her finger, saying that Raon should be careful of him. The blunt sound felt like it was expressing her worries.

“Then the Master of the Abyssal Sword should’ve already entered the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s grave.”

Unlike the Shadowless Wanderer and White Snake Rain, the Master of the Abyssal Sword was a powerful warrior. That was why Raon guessed that he must’ve quickly found the Sword and Saber Sovereign's grave and entered it.

“No.” Denning Rose shook her head with unwavering eyes. “The Master of the Abyssal Sword is simply on the move, just like the others. He wouldn’t have managed to interpret the map perfectly yet.”

“Interpret?”

“Rather than interpretation, it’s more like it’s difficult to find the location because the terrain has changed over the hundreds of years.”

“Ah…”

Raon could understand what she meant. Since hundreds of years had passed since the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s death, many places had changed compared to when the map was created, and they were unable to find the grave’s location as a result.

“Both the Shadowless Wanderer and White Snake Rain were moving in the neutral area between Zieghart and the Balkar Kingdom, and they are gradually heading west.”

Her finger pointed at the far end of Zieghart and Balker. The letters indicating the Black Tower could be seen further away from there.

“If our Black Market has guessed right, the grave should be around here.”

Denning Rose rolled her finger and drew a triangle connecting Zieghart, the Balkar Kingdom, and the Black Tower. It was a neutral area that didn’t belong to any of those three factions.

“This area is currently a huge mess because even the neutral factions and hidden powerhouses have appeared, not just the Six Kings and the Five Demons. They are even massacring commoners, blinded by the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s martial art.”

Denning Rose crinkled her nose, saying that it wasn’t a good situation.

Raon made sure to remember the area that Denning Rose pointed out to him and took a gold pouch that he’d prepared in advance from his subspace pocket.

The table shook once Raon placed the heavy gold pouch on it.

“What is this…?”

“I’ll purchase all information about this matter in real-time.”

“We can track them, but are you really going there? I believe you received a scouting mission from what I’ve heard…”

“I need to go because I have a scouting mission.” Raon touched the part of the map that Denning Rose had pointed at a moment ago. “I can’t just leave those pigs who are blinded by treasure alone.”

Finding the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s grave or defeating the Master of the Abyssal Sword were both important, but protecting Zieghart’s domain had the highest priority. He couldn’t leave them alone since they were threatening Zieghart’s safety.

“It won’t be an easy task. The Six Kings and the Five Demons are obviously dangerous, and even the previous powerhouses who disappeared from the scene and nameless warriors who’ve been living in seclusion are also appearing.”

“It’s fine.” Raon smiled faintly and shook his head. “If I can’t even overcome that much, I’m going to die next year anyway.”

“The duel to the death…”

Denning Rose briefly nodded, showing that she understood what he meant.

“You wouldn’t listen even if I tried to stop you,” she sighed, sweeping her hair up from the back of her neck. “Then we will have to assist you to the best of our abilities, under the Black Market’s name. First of all, we’ll find the Master of the Abyssal Sword’s location…”

“No, that can be saved for later.” Raon swung his finger diagonally and pointed at the map.

“The first thing we need to do is…”

* * *

Raon went to the fifth training ground after meeting with Denning Rose.

The Light Wind swordsmen had been waiting inside the training ground and gathered in front of the platform. Even though they were still on holiday, their foreheads were sweaty and they were wearing their training outfits. They had started to train again on their own accord after only a single day of rest.

They were getting addicted to training just like Raon.

“Division leader.” Martha politely lowered her head. “The entire first team is here.”

She was showing perfect courtesy, unlike when he was a vice division leader. It was rather unexpected because Raon had thought that she would be the least obedient one.

“Everyone in the second team is here, too.” Runaan raised her hand with blank eyes. She was being polite, but it didn’t really feel like she was at the same time.

“The entire third team is also here.” Burren stepped forward and lowered his head.

“Good job.”

Raon nodded at them casually and examined everyone in the Light Wind Division. No one seemed to have any complaints about the sudden call, probably because they were already training in the training ground anyway.

No, one person had complaints.

“I-I’m dying. The world looks like it’s doubled.” Rimmer shook his hand, sitting with his back against the platform. “Why are you summoning us when it’s already so painful that I could die…?”

Rimmer clutched his head and groaned in pain. It looked like he was still suffering from a hangover even though it had already been two days.

Raon ignored Rimmer and parted his lips while gazing down upon the Light Wind Division. “I think you should already be aware, but we’ve been assigned a mission from the round table meeting.”

“I heard about it! It’s a scouting mission!” Dorian raised his hand. “Scouting has such a nice sound to it, that puts me at ease. It’s giving me a strong feeling that nothing special is going to happen.”

He smiled, saying that he was thankful that Raon had taken a safe mission.

“Sounds boring,” Martha clicked her tongue in displeasure.

“Who is even going to intrude on Zieghart’s domain?”

“We don’t know that,” Burren shook his head at Martha. “Zieghart’s name isn’t invincible. You should’ve fully experienced it already.”

“Hmph.”

“It’s a noble mission where we need to protect and search the domain of our house. Pull yourselves together.”

Burren strengthened the Light Wind Division’s spirit with an organized voice.

‘Is it because of Karoon?’

He felt like Burren had gotten an even stiffer personality, probably because of Karoon’s issues. It looked like heavy burdens were pressing upon his shoulders.

“I can sleep while walking.”

Runaan blinked, saying that she could sleep twice as much as before. It was amazing how consistent she was—she’d said that right after Burren had finished talking.

Clap.

Raon clapped his hands to focus the Light Wind Division’s attention.

“The third team leader is right.” Raon nodded while looking at Burren. “Some of you should’ve heard about it already, but there’s currently a storm brewing on the continent right now. It’s called the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s grave.”

“I heard about it as well. I heard it’s a huge mess already.” Krein energetically raised his hand. “That grave doesn’t matter to us though, does it?”

“That’s right. We just need to scout the area.”

The others nodding their heads looked like they’d also heard about the grave.

“Yes, it does matter. The Sword and Saber Sovereign’s grave is most likely located near Zieghart’s domain.”

“A-are you sure?”

Burren’s eyes widened, showing that he didn’t know about that part. The other swordsmen also widened their mouths, gasping in surprise.

“Yes. Our mission is to patrol Zieghart’s domain to discover and eliminate potential danger. As a result, it’s heavily related to that matter.”

“Division leader.” Martha walked up to the platform, curling her lips into a smile. “You got the scouting mission for that purpose, didn’t you?”

Raon smiled faintly without responding to her.

“Our division leader is definitely crazy.”

Martha smiled cheerfully despite calling him crazy. She seemed to like it a lot more than a simple scouting mission.

“How did you even come up with that idea when it was your first time participating in the round table meeting…?”

Burren shook his head, unable to understand him.

“He is definitely remarkable.”

“That sly personality of his can be good for us sometimes.”

“The Sword and Saber Sovereign’s grave…”

The other Light Wind swordsmen also talked about the grave with faint smiles on their faces, showing that they were interested in it.

“......”

Rimmer quietly watched Raon and the Light Wind Division from behind without saying anything. A peaceful smile surfaced on his lips.

“You can talk about it later.” Raon gathered the Light Wind Division’s attention once again. “The Sword and Saber Sovereign’s grave should be dangerous by itself, but countless monsters are gathering around it as well, which should make this a difficult journey. Since the holidays aren’t even over yet…”

Raon lifted his finger and continued, “I’ll take volunteers for this mission. Those who don’t wish to go can stay in the house and rest.”

He was serious about it. He didn’t want to force everyone to come since their break wasn’t even over yet.

“What are you talking about?!” Martha furrowed her brow and leaped forth. “It’s finally time to vent our frustration after being bullied by you for three whole weeks. Why would we refuse?”

She clenched her fist strongly enough to make a cracking sound, saying that she wanted to destroy her enemies already.

“She’s right.” Burren clenched his back teeth. “Since we’ve been training in hell for the past three weeks, we need to see the results!”

He clenched the hilt of his sword, saying that he also wanted to vent his stress.

“I won’t let them get any sleep.”

Runaan widened her eyes, shouting that she would force the sleepless nights on others. She wasn’t really scary though because her eyes were still blank.

“I’m going too!”

“I’ll crawl and follow you if you try to leave me behind!”

“I’ll kill them all!”

“No, I’ll tear off their heads.”

It wasn’t just the team leaders. The entire Light Wind Division ground their teeth, showing their ferocious spirit. Their eyes were sparkling yellow like those of a dog, rather than a human being—and a mad dog at that. There wasn’t any sanity left in them.

“Ugh…”

Dorian tried to read the mood without raising his hand until the end and reluctantly raised his hand.

‘I like their spirit, but…’

Raon tilted his head while looking into their eyes, which had halfway entered the domain of insanity.

‘Why does it look like everyone went insane?’

Is your moral compass broken? You’re the one who drove them to insanity!

Wrath gasped at his ridiculous comment. He furrowed his brow while watching the Light Wind Division’s madness, which was blazing more and more intensely. 

Even a circus trainer feeds the animals and lets them sleep, you crazy bastard!

‘......’

* * *

Lucen Village was located on the border between Zieghart and the neutral area. It was a small village where every villager managed an orchard together to make their living, and an unprecedented number of warriors entered the village.

“It’s here. Search the entire village.”

A middle aged man riding a black horse shook his finger, with a fiery gaze. He was Vullant, the leader of the Black Marauder Squad that was called the wind of death in the White Orchid desert.

“Yes!”

“Open all the doors!”

“Search everything, don’t miss the smallest detail!”

Mounted bandits wearing black bandanas destroyed the village and broke the trees with their horses. They were wielding different weapons, but their eyes were burning with desire.

Crack!

Apples that were carefully raised by the villagers of Lucen were smashed and burst under the hooves. As the apple trees kept being cut down, the orchard even started to look like a barren land.

“Wh-why are you doing this?!”

Lucen’s Village chief approached Vullant, who was riding a black horse.

“Please stop it!”

“If you kill those trees, it’s also going to kill us!”

“We will give you money if that’s what you want!”

The villagers followed the chief, falling on their knees and lowering their heads.

“Do you have a death wish?”

The scar carved across Vullant’s forehead wriggled in a grotesque manner. He wasn’t asking a question. He was really about to kill him if he said one more word.

“Ugh…”

“Ah…”

Since the villagers and the chief had never been around a warrior before, they stepped back, their pale lips trembling in fear.

“Squad leader.”

The Black Marauder Squad’s vice leader, who was wearing an eyepatch on his left eye, came towards Vullant and lowered his head.

“We didn’t find anything even though we cut down every tree in the orchard and also searched the houses. Is it really here?”

“The map I saw when the Master of the Abyssal Sword killed White Snake Rain definitely had a mark over here.”

Vullant shook his head, saying that he was certain about it.

“But we didn’t find anything…”

“Set it on fire.”

“What?”

The vice squad leader’s eyes widened in surprise.

“We’ve cut down the trees, but the bushes are still interfering with the search. Set everything on fire.”

“But Zieghart’s domain is nearby. If they end up appearing because of that…”

“Even Zieghart should be focused on the Master of the Abyssal Sword right now. We just need to quickly get it done.”

Vullant shook his finger, saying that they would finish the job quickly and leave.

“Hmm, understood.”

The vice squad leader was convinced that it was a good idea and nodded his head, then gathered the subordinates.

“Set the orchard and the village on fire.”

“At your command.”

The four magicians covered in gray robes unleashed flames from their hands. The crimson flame dashed like a beast and engulfed the entire village and the orchard.

“Wa-water! Bring water! Quick!”

The village chief shouted for the villagers to bring water with a trembling chin. He overcame the fear and crawled on his knees towards Vullant.

“Please stop! I’ll give you all the money I have! Please…”

He rubbed his hands, but Vullant swung the spear that was resting on his shoulder.

Pssh!

A dark hole was made in the village chief’s chest, and his body tilted towards the ground.

“Cough!”

He tried to cover the wound in his chest, but the blood kept flowing from him like a broken dam.

“Kyaah!”

“Chief!”

“Aah…”

The villagers blankly sank on the ground, unable to believe the village chief’s death.

“Get rid of all of them as well.”

“Yes!”

“I’ve been waiting for that order.”

“This makes it easier.”

“Who even cares about Zieghart?”

The mounted bandits rode their horses with frightening smiles on their faces because their job was easier that way.

The moment the heated spears were about to stab the villagers, the sound of an explosion occurred from the direction of the orchard’s entrance.

Whaaam!

The mounted bandits guarding the entrance were thrown into the flame, their bodies cut apart.

“What is it…?” Vullant lifted the spear from below while glaring at the smoke.

“Open the path.”

A quiet voice flowed from the shadow surging from the gray smoke 

Three swordsmen dashed out the moment that arrogant voice stepped upon the land.

Whaam!

A swordswoman with black hair and dark eyes was the first to charge, thrusting her sword forward. A huge amount of energy concentrated at the tip of her sword like a tidal wave and exploded at once.

The vice squad leader and the elite guards next to Vullant were shattered to pieces.

Slash!

The blue-haired swordsman followed closely, drawing a line of light as beautiful as the crescent moon in the sky. An impeccable line that had never been seen in the human realm advanced, and the heads of the magicians who’d been preparing to defend were instantly cut off like toys.

Whaap!

The purple-eyed swordswoman walked out after the others and swept the land with her sword. The frost dwelling at the tip of her blade advanced through the wind and froze the legs of the bandits and the horses alike.

“Wh-who are you…?”

Vullant stepped backwards, and his lips trembled once he noticed the burning sword emblem engraved in their outfits.

“Z-Zieghart?” He gasped and clenched his spear. “Why is Zieghart here?!”

The frightening sound of footsteps resounding from the gray smoke seemed to be responding to his shout.

The black-haired swordswoman who popped the vice squad leader’s body, the blue-haired swordsman who beheaded the magicians, and the purple-eyed swordswoman who’d frozen the entire bandit squad took a step back.

Red eyes appeared from behind them, blazing even more powerfully than the sun. Vullant’s heart tightened to the point of bursting just from meeting his eyes.

“W-wait!”

“Just…”

The man with blond hair and red eyes calmly shook his head. Vullant could tell who he was because there was no other swordsman in the world who had such monstrous subordinates at such a young age.

“Raon Ziegha—”

“…consider yourself unlucky.”

Vullant’s head dropped to the ground with a frightening sound cutting through the wind.

***

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]