Chapter 626

“Ah…”

Vullant’s headless corpse dropped like a rock.

“Huh…?”

“Aaaah!”

“Sq-squad leader!”

“N-no…”

The Black Marauder Squad screamed and yelled while looking at Vullant’s corpse.

“Light Wind Division.”

Raon met the eyes of the Light Wind Division, who were waiting behind him.

“Kill them all.”

Those mounted bandits were human scum who were trying to slaughter innocent people and burn the village. There was no point in keeping them alive.

“I hear and I obey.”

The Light Wind Division lifted their blades against the Black Marauder Squad with coldhearted eyes, as if their personalities had changed from when they were in the fifth training ground.

Slash!

The Light Wind Division’s swords cut off the bandits’ heads without the slightest hesitation, as they’d become full-fledged warriors after countless battles.

“Pl-please spare us!”

“We’ll withdraw!”

“St-stop it! Please stop!”

The Black Marauder Squad went on their knees while shouting to be spared, but the Light Wind Division’s swords carried out Raon’s order. They didn’t stop the slaughter until the last bandit was slain.

Raon walked over to the headless bandit leader’s corpse and approached the old man who was bleeding intensely from his stomach.

‘It’s a serious injury.’

The gravity of the wound was an issue, but the fact that he was an old man with a weak constitution and the intense bleeding made it unlikely that he could be saved by just being showered with holy power.

However, Raon still wanted to save him, since he was a righteous man who tried to save the village until the very end without yielding to the threat of the bandits.

Whir!

Raon unleashed the Divinity Blooming from the Underworld and focused it in his hand.

He used the enlightenment he’d gained during the incident at the Suran tribe and polished the holy power in the shape of a needle and a thread.

“Sw-swordsman!”

“Please save our chief!”

“I’m begging you!”

The villagers went on their knees, asking for him to save the chief first even though they were also stabbed and injured. That allowed him to understand what kind of person the village chief was.

“I’ll do my best.”

Raon made the rings of fire resonate. He increased his focus, just like when he was entering the extremely advanced realm.

He removed the dead blood and examined his organs by shoving the holy power in his body, but the bleeding continued even though the holy power tried to stop it, implying that all of his blood vessels had ruptured.

‘Damn it, I need to stop the bleeding first… But too many vessels have ruptured.’

He broke out into a cold sweat because it was his first time treating such a serious injury in the organs even though he was somewhat knowledgeable in medicine.

“Let me see.”

As he was wasting holy power with a furrowed brow, Martha came next to him.

“This way.”

She inserted her hand coated with holy water into the village chief’s stomach directly to find the area where he was bleeding the most.

“Reconnect this blood vessel first. The other parts can still wait.”

“Alright.”

Raon nodded. He believed in Martha, connecting the village chief’s blood vessels with the needle and thread made by polishing the holy power.

As she’d said, the bleeding drastically decreased once he fixed the first blood vessel, and he could finally afford to examine his organs. He used the remaining holy power to stop the wounds and fill his flesh.

“Uhh…”

The village chief’s face used to be so pale that he looked like he would die at any moment, but his complexion slowly started to improve. He slowly raised his eyebrows.

“I-I…”

“Chief!”

“Aah!”

Once the village chief opened his eyes, the villagers ran towards him while sobbing.

“I thought I died.”

“These swordsmen saved you!”

“They seemed to be from Zieghart.”

“Oh my…”

The village chief flailed his limbs in an attempt to stand up as soon as he heard the villagers.

“You still need to rest.” Raon pressed down on the village chief’s shoulder to make him lie back down on the ground.

“Hmm…”

All he could do was look at him with wavering eyes, but the gratitude he was expressing was even deeper than a bow.

“I-I’m really thankful that you saved our village. I don’t even know what I should say.”

He was more thankful about the village being saved than his own life. His personality was just what Raon had expected.

“We aren’t affiliated with Zieghart…”

“That doesn’t really matter.”

As the village chief said, the village was outside Zieghart’s domain. However, that wasn’t a reason to ignore their crisis. He would be no different from Derus Robert if he ignored innocent people dying right in front of him just because he was occupied with other things.

“You should stay in Zieghart’s domain until this matter is concluded, just in case. The village under our protection is directly north of this area, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find.”

“I-is it really okay? We haven’t done anything for Zieghart.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Raon shook his head with a faint smile on his face.

“Ah, I-I’d like to give you something, but everything was burnt…”

The village chief raised his heavy head. He bit his lip while looking at the apple trees that had turned into ash.

“Then send us some apples after you manage to revive the forest.” Raon shook his head after applying the ointment to the village chief’s abdomen.

“That’s enough.”

“Ah…”

The village chief’s eyes widened and he fell speechless, not expecting him to only ask for some apples.

“Dorian.” Raon finished the treatment and shook his hand towards Dorian.

“Yes!” Dorian walked up to him and lowered his head.

“Guide them to Simon Village.”

“Understood!” He nodded and carefully carried the village chief on his back.

“Just take the essentials and follow me!”

Dorian placed the usable items among the incinerated goods in his belly pocket and went to the north with the villagers.

Raon watched the villagers leave with Dorian for a while before he turned around. He went to Martha, who was looking at her hand, and nodded his head.

“Thank you. We were able to save them thanks to you.”

“It was nothing.”

Martha calmly shook her head while lowering her bloody hand. She seemed to be planning to keep her word, as she was still talking politely even though no one else was around.

“Have you been studying medicine this whole time?”

“I’ve been going to the saint whenever I have the time to learn little by little.”

She must’ve been serious about wanting to treat everyone’s injuries after Orgos’s assault if she’d been learning medicine all this time.

“It’s truly a strange feeling to save people with hands that were used to kill.”

Martha stared at her hands for a while. It looked like her lips were softening.

Wow!

Wrath exclaimed as if he were chewing on a large lump of beef.

That’s Beef Girl for you! You deserve to be the King of Essence’s subordinate!

He nodded, acknowledging Martha’s mental growth.

‘She doesn’t even know about your existence.’

It doesn't matter! A true king simply watches his subordinate’s growth.

Wrath curled his lips into a smile, saying something befitting a demon king for once.

Whir!

Raon chuckled while watching Wrath wagging his tail, and the sound of the wind could be heard from behind him.

“Division Leader.”

Mark Goetten walked up to him violently, like a bison, and went to his knees. The Light Wind members who came with him also lowered their heads.

“Just as the Black Market informed us, some warriors were occupying Kuben Village. We’ve taken care of them all and returned.”

“Good job.” Raon nodded at Mark Goetten.

“We’re also done over here.” Rimmer was walking from the north-east. He shook his hand, showing his exhaustion. “Haa, I don’t even understand why they were so persistent despite being so weak.”

“Thank you for your work.” Raon smiled faintly while watching Rimmer’s exhausted steps.

‘It’s all over now.’

The first information that Raon had requested from Denning Rose wasn’t the Master of the Abyssal Sword’s location but the location of villages that were harmed by warriors blinded by greed.

The Light Wind Division’s mission was to scout and protect the domain instead of looking for the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s grave, and he’d seen ordinary people being slaughtered by greedy warriors so many times before that he wanted to resolve that issue first.

“Since we’ve saved five villages now, did we manage to clear them all up?” Burren came up next to him, shaking the blood off his sword.

“Assuming the Black Market’s information is correct, that should be the case.” Martha nodded, her eyes glowing calmly.

“......”

Runaan stared at Martha blankly.

“What?! Speak up if you have something on your mind!” Martha furrowed her brow in displeasure.

“Thank you for the warm treatment behind your cold appearance.” Runaan put her hands together while looking at Martha. “Miss Rakshasa is so kind.”

“Shut up! You little shit!” Martha charged at Runaan as if her calm appearance was just a lie.

Psh!

Just as they were about to clash against each other, a man in a gray robe rose from the shadow on the ground.

“Greetings, Light Wind Division Leader.”

He put his hand on his chest and bowed. He was Denning Rose’s direct subordinate, who was delivering the information in real time.

“Are any other villages being harmed?”

“No, no other village is in trouble. The warriors followed the Master of the Abyssal Sword to the west.”

The agent nodded, saying that the threat was gone thanks to the Light Wind Division.

Raon turned around. He jerked his chin at the Light Wind Division, whose eyes were glowing coldly.

“The real fight begins now. Are you ready?”

“Yes!” The Light Wind Division responded, not too loudly nor quietly.

Raon nodded after meeting their eyes, which were carrying a balance of confidence and tension.

Raon touched Heavenly Drive’s scabbard with a smile on his face. He clenched his hand while feeling the wave of bloodlust and desire coming from the west.

“Guide us to the Master of the Abyssal Sword’s location.”

* * *

Raon and the Light Wind Division followed the Black Market agent to the west.

Once they left Zieghart and Balkar’s domains and reached a strange terrain which was a mixture between forest and desert, their visions were filled with a wall of people.

“Why are there so many people here?” Martha furrowed her brow, annoyed by the amount of people.

“Even though they are just randoms, the numbers are overwhelming.” Burren also showed his surprise by shaking his head.

“Yaawn.” Runaan simply sighed, showing that she didn’t really care.

Raon narrowed his eyes while watching the people who had to stay there because they couldn’t enter the desert.

‘Someone must be blocking the path.’

None of the warriors and magicians looking for an opportunity in front of the desert were exceptionally powerful. The really powerful ones should’ve been hiding their abilities and turning their eyes to the corner of the forest and desert.

‘On the other hand… Those who are blocking their path are powerful.’

The reason all those people couldn’t advance into the desert wasn't because they weren’t organized. It was because someone was blocking their path from the front. Considering the fact that they could stop so many people, they must’ve been rather powerful.

“Tsk tsk. They are full of greed.” Rimmer clicked his tongue while looking at the people who were trying to go inside no matter what. “Throwing your greed away is the most important thing in life.”

Raon and the Light Wind Division turned around at the same time upon hearing his murmur.

What is Shitty Ears saying now?

‘I don’t even know.’

Even Wrath stared at him blankly, wondering what the hell he was talking about.

“What? I didn’t say anything wrong!”

“You would’ve been right if you weren’t the one who said it, vice division leader.” Martha shook her head at his pathetic behavior.

Raon chuckled, and a middle-aged man wearing a hood landed along with a small wind.

“Sir Raon.”

“It’s you, Mister Liston.”

It was Liston, the Black Market agent who’d guided him to the Suran tribe. Raon had heard that he’d been tracking the Master of the Abyssal Sword, and he must’ve followed him all the way there.

“You still recognize me even though I’ve changed my appearance.” Liston smiled awkwardly while taking off his hood.

“That’s because you have the same presence.”

“Hah, disguise and concealment of energy would be meaningless against you.” He shook his head and took a step forward. “Since there’s no time to catch up, I’ll explain the situation right away.”

Liston was so polite that he almost felt like a Zieghart agent rather than one from the Black Market.

“The ones blocking the path in front of that crowd are the Holy Sword Alliance’s swordsmen and the Black Tower’s demonized humans.”

“Black Tower?”

“Yes. They are the floor overseer Snow Wraith Duchess‘s subordinates.”

“The Holy Sword Alliance and the Black Tower must be working together.”

In the past, the Black Tower had attacked Balkar while the Holy Sword Alliance Master was attacking the Five Divine Orders. The two factions must’ve maintained their alliance.

“It looks like it.” Liston nodded, saying that he thought the same.

“Where are the Master of the Abyssal Sword and the Snow Wraith Duchess?”

“They are currently fighting against the Void Sword Division leader from Zieghart and Balker’s Barphil the Boltweaver inside the desert. They seemed to be looking for the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s grave while fighting.”

He immediately explained the situation as if he’d been watching the entire area all along.

“Among those who are currently blocking the path, the powerful warriors are Luciton, the Abyssal Sword Division’s vice master, and Bellurian, the vice floor overseer. Those people can’t even set a single foot inside the desert because of how powerful they are.”

Liston shook his head while looking at the people who couldn’t advance because their path was blocked.

“Many powerful warriors seem to be hiding around, though.”

“Indeed. However, they seem to have no intention of making a move until the grave is found.”

Liston licked his lips. He also seemed to have noticed the presence of outstanding people hiding all around.

“What are you going to do?” He lowered his head, showing his intention to follow whatever plan Raon came up with.

Raon turned around. The calm look in the Light Wind Division’s eyes implied that they were ready to follow any order.

‘I would’ve hidden just like the others in the past.’

In his previous life, he would’ve concealed himself and looked for an opportunity, but he’d gained the name of Raon Zieghart, the Light Wind Division leader, in his new life. There was no reason to hide anymore. Since the Light Wind Division had hammered their swords once again, it was the perfect opportunity to spread their name.

“We’ll break through,” Raon declared and went ahead.

Step.

Because of the heavy step pressing upon the land and the blazing wave of power emanating from below, the warriors who’d been solely focused in front of them naturally looked back and stepped aside to make a path for him.

“Ah…”

“Wh-what…?”

“Wh-why do you keep pushing me?!”

The warriors kept pushing and colliding with each other but still opened a path for him. They didn’t even seem to understand why they were stepping aside.

“Huh? That’s…”

“Is that Zieghart’s emblem?”

“Blond hair and red eyes, could he be…?!”

“Y-yes, it’s Raon Zieghart.”

“The Mad Dog—I mean, it’s the Light Wind Division!”

The warriors swallowed nervously and stepped back upon recognizing Raon and the Light Wind Division. Raon moved through the crowd of people ebbing away like a receding tide, eventually spotting a middle-aged swordsman wielding a thin sword and a woman with dark circles under her eyes.

“Hmh?”

“That’s…”

They also recognized Raon and the Light Wind Division, causing them to furrow their brows.

“Raon Zieghart, the Dragon Slayer.”

Luciton, the vice Master of Sword from the Abyssal Sword division, licked his lips while looking at Raon.

“Entry is prohibited here.”

Bellurian nervously narrowed her eyes and warmed up her fingers.

“......”

Raon didn’t stop walking, as if he was completely ignoring them

“Leave him alone.” Luciton shook his hand at Bellurian, who was about to attack Raon. “I was actually curious.”

He tilted his head, with a strange look in his eyes and continued, “I want to see if he really is that strong.”

“What are you even talking about? He is the Dragon Slayer!” Bellurian frowned while looking at Luciton.

“Think about it. Aries Zieghart was there when he killed Cloud, and that monster was also next to him when he killed the mad dragon.”

“Huh? Which means…”

“Yes. Aries Zieghart dumped all the achievements onto him. It’s impossible for a twenty-one-year-old to be that powerful.” Luciton’s lips curved into a sneer as if he’d figured out Raon’s secret. “He can’t do anything on his own.”

“That’s reasonable…” Bellurian also started to smile, finding Luciton’s claim to be believable.

“So what do you want to do?”

Raon’s steps came to a halt in front of Luciton and Bellurian.

It was true that such a rumor had recently been spreading. It was necessary to clearly show them his prowess for the sake of the reformed Light Wind Division.

“What else? I’ll stop that groundless rumor about you right here! If you manage to defeat me, I’ll spread the rumor about you even after death!”

Luciton unleashed a furious wave of power and charged at him as if he were certain he was going to win.

The moment his thin blade sparkled faintly, it rushed towards Raon’s throat as if it had pierced through the space.

Cring!

Bellurian closed the distance from the left side and shoved her nails, which were engulfed in a blazing darkness, toward him, showing that they’d had practice coordinating their attacks.

The violent harmony implied that it wasn’t the first time that they’d fought together.

Raon slowly lowered his hand and clenched Heavenly Drive’s hilt. He casually extended his left foot as if he were going for a walk and lifted his sword.

Cring!

The tip of the blade soared along with a blue wind and created a dazzling light in between Bellurian’s demonic energy and Luciton’s sword strike.

Crack!

Luciton’s sword and Bellurian’s claws were severed at the same time, and a red line appeared on their necks.

Tap.

Luciton and Bellurian’s heads fell to the ground before a single breath could be drawn. Heavenly Drive descended with a dim light after drawing the surreally beautiful line.

“You don’t need to spread the rumor for me.” Raon shook the blood off Heavenly Drive while stepping over their corpses.

“After all, a cheap mouth will only spread cheap rumors.”

***

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]