Chapter 455
Raon briskly stood up and went to the window.
âMy lord, what brings you hereâŠ?â
Glenn didnât respond. He seemed to examine the room for a moment before he bobbed his finger. He seemed to be asking Raon to follow him.
âUnderstood.â
Raon bowed and put on the outerwear that he had taken off before heading to the door.
Wait!
Wrath floated in front of the door and swung his round fist.
You promised the King of Essence! You are supposed to sleep without doing anything else today!
He frowned, asking him to please keep his promise.
âIâm sorry, butâŠâ
Raon shook his head while picking Wrath up by his blue head.
âWe might not get anything to eat anymore if I donât go right now. Do you want to eat Nadine bread for the rest of your life?â
Na-Nadine bread?
Wrath looked outside the window with trembling lips.
Oh, right! That geezer only eats Nadine bread! What are you waiting for?! Go outside already! Donât eat the bread if he gives you one!
He shouted at him to follow already since he couldnât get on Glennâs bad side.
âSure, sure.â
Raon smiled faintly and quietly left the annex building.
Glenn was watching the garden with his hands clasped behind his back, and he slowly looked around. The look in his eyes seemed slightly different than when he was sitting on the throne inside the audience chamber.
âFollow me.â
He placed his foot on the lake behind the annex building. He walked over the lake with light steps. He seemed to be going to North Grave Mountain.
âWhatâs happening?â
The lake was serene. Glenn didnât create even the slightest wave, as if he were walking on land instead of a lake. He almost looked like he was blending into nature.
âHmmâŠâ
Raon put his foot on the lake. He was confident in his water walking skill, but it was still impossible for him to create no waves at all like Glenn was doing.
âHow is he doing it?â
Glenn wasnât the type of person to move without any intention. Raon tried to think about his movements since it seemed to be a lesson.
âIs it the flowâŠ?â
The tip of Glennâs feet had the same flow as the immobile surface of the lake. He figured that he mustâve harmonized his energy into the small lakeâs flow.
âNow that I think about itâŠâ
Glenn and Rector had both mentioned that everything in the world had a flow of its own.
Since the wind had the texture of the wind, while the water had the texture of the water, theyâd advised him to try understanding those flows.
Glenn seemed to be demonstrating how to utilize that flow.
âHeâs really kind.â
Raon closed his eyes while thinking that Glenn might be a lot kinder than heâd thought, just like Yua had said.
He tried to copy Glennâs footsteps, which seemed to be assimilating with the water.
Splash.
He couldnât completely remove the small waves, but the amount of wavering on the surface had clearly decreased compared to before.
Glenn watched him from outside the lake before he started to walk once again. He turned around upon reaching the open area at the entrance of North Grave Mountain.
âGreetings, myâŠâ
âYou donât need to greet me every time you see me.â
Glenn shook his hand and slowly closed his eyes before opening them again. Raonâs fingers trembled upon facing eyes that were as serene as the moonlight.
âIâm just here to give you what I couldnât before.â
âWhat would that beâŠ?â
âYou saved the Warring Steel division and the hostages who were kidnapped by the Black tower, disclosed the White Lotus divisionâs corruption, and captured the White Whaleâs warriors to get information out of them.â
Glenn continued with a disinterested voice, as if he didnât really care about it.
âThey said that a golden tablet was too small of a reward for an achievement like that.â
He pretended he was there because of other peopleâs advice and told Raon that he came to give him an additional reward.
âHmm⊠May I say something?â
Raon bowed to Glenn while biting his lip slightly.
âGo ahead.â
âThe Light Wind division and I arenât the only ones who contributed to the rescue of the hostages. None of them wouldâve managed to survive if the Warring Steel division didnât fight and hold their ground inside the boundary.â
Glenn didnât say anything. He seemed to be telling him to continue.
âI might sound insolent, but Iâd like you to share half of the reward you are giving to me to the Warring Steel division. They are true warriors who brought honor to Zieghartâs name and will keep doing so in the future. Iâd like to help them get back up faster.â
He declared what he wanted to tell him ever since he was in the audience chamber.
âHmm.â
Glenn stared at him for a moment before he rolled his lips into a smile. It looked like his mouth was twitching.
âYou donât need to worry about the Warring Steel division. Iâve already rewarded them accordingly.â
âWhat?â
âI gave them elixirs to heal their wounds and strengthen their bodies and energy centers, and books of martial arts that will allow them to reach even further. They will return even stronger even if you donât worry about them.â
âAhâŠâ
Raon lowered his reddened face. Heâd thought that Glenn didnât take care of them, but he mustâve seen even further into the future than himself.
âI beg your pardon! It was impertinent of meâŠâ
âNo, I donât mind it.â
Glennâs voice was blunt. However, it looked like his eyes werenât as cold as before, unlike his voice.
âHow much did you manage to learn of the Azure Sky Sword?â
âI barely managed to learn the basic forms.â
Raon shook his head. Heâd read the book multiple times, but he couldnât be considered to have learned the sword art.
âDid you not use it when you were fighting the Black Tower or the White Whaleâs warriors?â
âI only used the other techniques since it wouldâve been foolish to use a technique that I havenât mastered yet.â
âI see.â
Glenn stroked his beard and showed his approval. His voice also sounded less cold than before.
âThe reward Iâm about to give you isnât that big of a deal. Iâm going to teach you the Azure Sky Sword for an hour every day at midnight until the day of your sword duel against Ayad.â
âAhâŠâ
Raonâs jaw dropped, and he was unable to reply.
âIs he really saying that itâs not a big deal?â
Lessons from the transcender who was the closest to being the strongest in the continent was definitely a big deal. It was an extremely special opportunity that could never be obtained no matter how much one paid for it.
However, there was one thing that was bothering him.
âDidnât you decide to postpone the sword lessons until Sir Rectorâs return?â
âThe situation has changed. AndâŠâ
Glenn turned around and rolled his lips into a smile.
âItâs his problem for not being here.â
He shook his hand as if telling him to draw his sword already since it was the Sword Demonâs fault for not being around.
âEither way⊠Itâs a great opportunity for me.â
Raon nodded and unsheathed Heavenly Drive.
âTry using the Azure Sky Sword that youâve imagined while reading the book.â
âUnderstood.â
Raon slowly took a deep breath and demonstrated the Azure Sky Sword while focusing on each techniqueâs completion rather than the power or speed.
âItâs superficial.â
Glenn narrowed his eyes. He seemed to be disappointed.
âThe other swordsmanship youâve learned so far shouldâve been somewhat effective even if they were superficial, but the Azure Sky is different.â
He raised his right hand so slowly that it felt boring to watch. He wielded his hand like a blade and pointed at the sky.
Rumble!
Glennâs hand looked like a sword. His hand was even sharper than the noted blades forged by the Continentâs Blacksmiths, and it created a single line in the dark sky, no moon in sight.
Sparkle!
The rain clouds were split apart, and the moonâas red as Glennâs eyesâmade its appearance. It was an overwhelming display that made Raon speechless as he watched.
âAn advanced martial art requires an appropriate method. Itâs better to practice the basic techniques for the rest of your life if you are only going to focus on the techniqueâs perfection.â
Glenn explained as he used the Azure Sky Sword with his hand. The heaven and earth howled according to his handâs movement. The entire space was within Glennâs grasp.
âI believe I told you before. Everything in the world has its own flow and texture.â
âYes.â
Raon nodded while thinking about the water walking technique that Glenn had demonstrated a moment ago.
âDominating the sky, land, and your space with the power of your sword that youâve been accumulating is the Azure Sky Swordâs principle.â
Glennâs hand fell, and the pressure brimming with frightening energy of sharpness dissipated as if they were wiped out by water.
âCan you do it?â
ââŠâŠâ
Raon fixed the grip on Heavenly Drive with trembling hands. It wasnât because he was having a hard time or because he was afraid. His heart was pounding violently because of the anticipation of getting stronger.
âOf course.â
Raon smiled while raising his eyes, which looked like lightning was striking inside.
âIâll follow even if I have to die in the process.â
* * *
Reaper Scans
[Translator â Kyangi]
[Proofreader â Harley]
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* * *
Zieghartâs Main Building
Medical Department
Ayad was lying on the bed, all alone in the hospital room. He was chewing his lips while looking at the ceiling.
âDamn itâŠâ
âHow did it end up going so badly?â
He didnât manage to achieve anything during the mission, he was injured from Merlinâs attack, and he was being investigated by the Heavenly Blade division before he could even rest because of Raonâs tattling.
The superior members of the White Lotus division defended him by telling them that heâd never sacrificed any division members, but he couldnât avoid any punishment because of the normal membersâ testimonies.
âThat motherfucker!â
It was all because of Raon Zieghart.
That shitty situation wouldnât have happened if he hadnât unraveled the Black Towerâs secret and tattled to Glenn.
Rumble.
Ayadâs clenched fist trembled violentlyâto the point where his bed started to shake.
âYou will definitely pay for this.â
He gritted his teeth while resolving himself that he was going to inflict a critical injury on top of winning the duel.
âBut it was strange⊠What was he even thinking?â
Ayad was facing the Grandmasterâs wall.
He was on a whole different level from the opponents Raon had been facing. That was why he couldnât understand why Raon had confidently requested a duel.
âMoreover, he has even wagered his belongings⊠He must be somewhat confident, considering he wagered two golden tablets to request the sword duel. He isnât a fool, after all.â
Raon Zieghart wasnât an idiot.
He didnât lose to Rimmer when it came to making a mockery of his opponent. He must have requested a sword duel because he was certain of his victory.
âWhat is he plotting⊠Hmm?â
While he was guessing Raonâs intention, a dark shadow appeared above his head.
âWh-who are youâŠ?â
ââŠâŠâ
A man whose face was covered with a mask was standing behind his bed even though he didnât even notice the presence. The masked man covered his mouth. He seemed to be asking him to remain quiet.
âDonât speak except for a reply since we need to finish before the Heavenly Blade division leader returns. Itâs not a bad offer for you.â
Ayad hadnât heard the voice before. Considering that a man powerful enough to reach that location while hiding from the Heavenly Blade swordsmen wouldnât be foolish enough to reveal his real voice, it mustâve been a voice created for him to hear.
âYour victory against Raon Zieghart isnât guaranteed in your current state.â
âWhat kind of bullshitââ
âI told you to not speak.â
The masked man glared sharply at him and placed a thick booklet and a wooden box on the bed.
âWh-what is thisâŠ?â
âIt will allow you to crush Raon for sure.â
âHmmâŠâ
Ayad licked his lips and picked up the booklet. Hundred Potentials Martial Art was written on the cover.
âItâs a technique that amplifies your energy more than twice for a short time. You will get an internal injury upon using it, but the Blue Spirit Elixir will enhance your body.â
The masked man opened the wooden box to show him. A clear fragrance of an elixir tickled his nose.
âB-Blue Spirit Elixir?â
It was the best elixir when it came to making mana circuits and energy centers stronger.
Ayad couldnât understand why he was giving away such a priceless elixir.
âWe have one job for you. Either destroy Raon Zieghartâs energy center or cut his right arm off. You should be fully capable of doing that with your power and those two treasures.â
He lowered his gaze and stared at Ayad. He seemed to be asking for his response.
âAre you giving me this Blue Spirit Elixir just for that?â
âYou are stupider than I thought. If Raon Zieghart defeats you, it will be an entirely different problem than before.â
The masked manâs voice was sneering.
âRaon Zieghart has various achievements that shouldâve been impossible for his age, but he hasnât been that influential in the house. He didnât try to get the spotlight and kept carrying out his missions without really being interested in the houseâs affairs. HoweverâŠâ
His serious eyes became ice cold.
âIt will be a different story once Raon defeats you. He requested the sword duel against you for the sake of the common swordsmen of the White Lotus division. If he wins this duel, his influence in the house will be incomparable to before. It will be so huge that even the executives wonât be able to ignore him.â
âAhâŠâ
Ayad swallowed nervously while listening to the masked man. He was right. Ayad realized that heâd been forgetting the most important part because he was fixated on Raonâs confidence.
âI can understand why you donât want me to kill him.â
The masked man in front of him wanted Raonâs downfall instead of his death so that no one except for the direct lines would gain a high position in the house.
âLet me add one more thing. My visitââ
âIâm not an idiot.â
ââŠâŠâ
The masked man nodded quietly.
âYour masterâs wish will come true.â
ââŠIâll be counting on you.â
The masked man wasnât surprised despite the mention of his master.
He nodded, and the wind suddenly blew violently enough to the point where he couldnât open his eyes.
By the time Ayad forced his eyes open, the masked man was gone and the window was very slightly opened.
âIâll do as you wish. HoweverâŠâ
Ayad bit his lip tightly while taking the book and the elixir.
âYou will have to worry about me instead of Raon in the future.â
* * *
Raonâs Heavenly Drive pointed at the sky.
A majestic wave occurred on the calm lake alongside the auspicious energy dwelling in the silver blade.
The huge and heavy pressure of the sword divided the lake down to the ground, and the water droplets floated into the air.
Whir!
The droplets flew around along with the bladeâs movement and looked like they were responding to Heavenly Drive. They combined into a blue waterspout and soared all the way to the dark sky.
Raon swirled Heavenly Drive as naturally as dancing, and the rising droplets rained back down to become the lake.
Shring.
The turbulent lake returned to being calm as if nothing had ever happened, quietly reflecting the world.
âHaaâŠâ
Raon sighed and lowered Heavenly Drive.
âItâs really not easy.â
He was only controlling the lake instead of dominating the sky with the Azure Sky Sword, but he was already so tired.
Incorporating will into nature couldnât simply be described as difficult.
âHmmâŠâ
Raon turned his head around to look at Glenn, who was standing outside the lake.
He was covering his mouth with his right hand. His lowered eyebrows looked like he was displeased with the performance.
âIs he disappointed in me?â
His expression didn't look too good. He seemed to be disappointed because Raon couldnât properly use the Azure Sky Sword even though two weeks had passed.
However, Glenn wasnât actually disappointed at all, despite what Raon was thinking.
Glenn was trying his best to stop the corners of his lips from soaring into the sky while looking at the dejected Raon.
âHe really is a genius! No, genius isnât enough to describe this!â
The Azure Sky Sword was an extremely advanced swordsmanship. It was a real martial art that required blending into nature to show any results, unlike the other techniques that were already effective enough with nothing but principles.
Heâd thought that it would take years of training to get started, even for Raon, but heâd started to grasp it in only two weeks and was blending his will into the water.
âItâs so enjoyable to teach him.â
One lesson was enough for Raon to analyze and calculate ten others. Glenn could understand why Rimmer was trying to raise him by himself instead of leaving to others.
âAnd his personality is commendable.â
It wouldâve been understandable if he became arrogant or lazy considering the talent he had, but he was working even harder than a trainee.
He was callous when he needed to be and warm when he should be. His talent and personality were both great enough to reach the peak in any situation. Glenn wasnât just thinking that because he was his grandson.
âHe should be able to use one technique at least by the time he fights against Ayad.â
Glenn nodded in satisfaction. He forcibly suppressed his twitching lips and walked up to Raon.
âRaon.â
âYes.â
Raon briefly sighed and lowered his head.
âWhat do you think about the sword duel that is going to take place in two weeks?â
âWhat do you mean by that questionâŠ?â
âSo, you are not aware.â
Glenn nodded while looking at Raonâs questioning eyes.
âYou were just trying to release the swordsmen whoâd fallen victim to Ayad by defeating him, werenât you?â
ââŠYes, I am.â
Raon reluctantly nodded.
âI have another reason, butâŠâ
It was also because they reminded him how Derus Robert treated him in his previous life, but he couldnât say that.
âYou are still so young.â
âWhat?â
âThe common swordsmen are the majority in Zieghart. The executives are more influential, but public opinion isnât created by them but by the swordsmen.â
Glenn continued while looking at the moon reflected on the lake.
âAnd you pointed your sword at Ayad, who is stronger than you, for the sake of those common people. What do you think is going to happen if you win this duel?â
âAhâŠâ
âYes. The common people will be more likely to support you. The swordsmen have only been cheering for you so far, but they are going to start following you. As a result, you will gain influence in the house.â
He slowly turned around with his eyes closed.
âThis is a story of a far future, but it will have an impact to realize the restoration of Sylviaâs status to the direct line like youâve been wanting to.â
âHmmâŠâ
Raon groaned. Heâd obviously thought that it would have an impact, but he didnât think that it was important enough for Glenn to point it out. He realized that what he was doing was such a big deal.
âThatâs why Iâd like to ask you this question. Itâs a question that Iâve already asked in the past.â
Glenn calmly opened his eyes. The vanity that used to fill his eyes was gone, and a subtle fervor was replacing it.
âIs your path directed to the peak of this house?â
Raon swallowed nervously while meeting Glennâs eyes, filled with a look that heâd never seen before.
âIâŠâ
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