âWhen you say âmatterâ, do you mean a mission?â
âYes.â
Sheryl nodded, as if it were obvious.
âIsnât the Heavenly Blade enough for it?â
âThe Heavenly Blade exists to defend the house and the head of house. Its role is different from the other armed organizations.â
He did hear from Judiel that the Heavenly Blade swordsmen protected every important base of the house. In fact, the swordsmen protecting the annex building were also from the Heavenly Blade.
âMoreover, thirty percent of the division is currently away because of recent missions. I donât have many people I can use right now.â
Sherylâs eyes calmed as she said she didnât have many swordsmen she could use. Despite what she said, she didnât look like she needed him that much. Raon felt like she wouldnât really care even if he declined the offer.
âHmm.â
Raon licked his lips.
âThis could be an opportunity.â
Since the Heavenly Blade leader was a powerhouse at Grandmaster level, observing her would allow him to learn many things.
âBut it might be dangerous, too.â
A mission where the Heavenly Blade leader had to move personally was bound to be an extraordinary matter. He might end up dying or lose all of the reputation that heâd gained if he failed.
âBut I will gain even more if I succeed.â
He should be able to earn the Heavenly Blade leaderâs trust, as well as plenty of rewards, from properly completing the mission.
There was a clear advantage and disadvantage in taking the mission.
âMay I ask what kind of mission it is?â
âOf course. I shall tell you.â
Sheryl raised her index finger.
âThis is an escort mission.â
âEscort? Then, is it about escorting the head of houseâŠ?â
âNo. You are going to escort another important guest during this mission.â
âWhy is the Heavenly Blade in charge of that?â
Just as Sheryl had said a moment ago, the Heavenly Bladeâs role was to protect the house and the head of house, so it was strange for her to have a mission like that.
âThat is because a debt has been called on.â
âDebt?â
âItâs a debt the head of house left when he used to be a successor. Since he left it under the name Glenn Zieghart, the Heavenly Blade has to take care of it.â
She strained her eyes, telling him it was her duty.
âCan you explain a bit further?â
âThe daughter of a prestigious family is suffering from a mysterious disease. The priests, healers, and doctors have all given up on her. Our mission is to bring her to Retran, where the Ragged Saint is located.â
âRagged SaintâŠâ
âYou are also acquainted with him, I believe.â
âYes.â
Raon nodded. The Ragged Saint Federick was the one who visited him every year, from when he was a baby to when he was five years old, to check his condition and give him an elixir with fire attribute.
âThat means the reason why you chose me wasâŠâ
âIt was partly because your last spar was impressive, but mostly, it was because you are acquainted with the Ragged Saint.
âI see.â
He finally understood why Sheryl visited him despite being pretty much unrelated to him. She only chose him because of the small connection he had with the Ragged Saint.
âIt looks like you also understood why we have to bring her to him.â
âYes. Itâs because the Saint doesnât choose his patients.â
The Ragged Saint Federick wouldnât care even if a king called on him and wouldnât refuse a patient even if they were a slave. He healed everyone, regardless of whether they were an enemy or not, and the most important person to him was the patient in front of him.
Even for a prestigious family, it was pretty much impossible to call for Federick.
âI still need to thank him.â
The way he visited him every year to check on his condition and give him an elixir was really exceptional. It wasnât an exaggeration to say that Raon owed him his life.
âThat doesnât sound bad.â
The mission itself didnât sound dangerous, and the rewards should be sufficient, as they involved the daughter of a prestigious family.
âAnd I want to see him, since itâs been a long time.â
Actually, he was more interested in meeting with the Ragged Saint to express his gratitude than the mission itself. He also became curious about what the Saint would tell him, since he almost finished overcoming the Curse of Frost.
âIâll do it.â
âWe will depart at daybreak in two days. You should bring six people with you, including the team leaders of the Light Wind.â
âAre six people enough?â
âSince we are also going to have the guards from that house, we donât need that many people. Having too many people will slow down the journey and complicate matters. We only need six of you.â
âUnderstood.â
Sheryl nodded, expressing neither positive nor negative emotions.
âCan I ask you one thing?â
She was about to leave, but she turned back to stand in front of Raon.
âPlease, go ahead.â
âYou were practicing making astral energy just now, right?â
âYes.â
Since he knew that Sheryl had been watching all along, he nodded honestly.
âWhy did you give up and go back to basic training? You should be aware that you are right on the cusp of becoming a Master, right?â
âOf course, I do. However, I figured I donât need to be too focused on astral energy.â
âY-You donât need to be focused?â
âI realized after trying a few times that I canât achieve astral energy at this rate, even if I practice for ten years.â
Raon stared at Heavenly Drive. What had appeared on the blade was nothing but concentrated aura, which couldnât be called martial arts. Something like that was bound to be meaningless, even if he practiced it for years.
âI figured I would naturally reach the area beyond as long as I slowly train my martial arts, just as Iâve always done.
âSeriously, you areâŠâ
The Heavenly Blade leader frowned, gripping her left wrist tightly with her right hand.
âSorry?â
âNo, nothing.â
She quickly hid her surprise and turned around.
âSince we are departing in the morning two days from now, make sure to be on time.â
âMay I ask a question as well?â
âWhat is it?â
âWhich house is our escort target from?â
âYonaan.â
âYonaanâŠâ
Yonaan wasnât famous for their might, but they were a house that specialized in crafting, competing with Balkar in artifact crafting.
âOur mission is to escort the youngest daughter of that family to Retran, where a war is currently ongoing.â
The Heavenly Blade leader turned around and smiled slightly.
âSince the mission isnât really going to be difficult, you should rest assured.â
* * *
The Heavenly Blade leader went straight to the audience chamber and stood in front of Glenn.
âRaon accepted the mission.â
âDid he accept immediately?â
Glenn tilted his head while smoothing his hand over his chin.
âHe accepted after confirming the contents of the mission and giving it enough thought.â
âHow was the condition of his body?â
âHeâs completely healed. His internal aura and body were both stable.â
âI see.â
Glenn slightly nodded, satisfied with that answer.
âYou should already be aware, but this mission isnât going to be smooth. Make them work hard for it.â
âOf course.â
Sheryl nodded, her hand on her chest.
âSince I need to make my preparations as well, Iâll take my leave.â
âWait.â
As she was about to turn back, Glenn raised his hand.
âWhat happened? You donât look well.â
âHmmâŠâ
Sheryl let out a small sigh and looked at Glenn.
âRaon⊠That boy isnât normal.â
âWhat do you mean?â
Glenn raised his voice for once and suddenly stood up from his chair.
âWhen I went to visit himâŠâ
Sheryl told him about Raon deciding to give up on practicing astral blade, instead returning to basic training.
âMy common sense canât understand that.â
Astral energy was the dream and objective of all warriors, and the ones that were about to become Masters were bound to chase after that brilliant light all day long.
âItâs often referred to as being bewitched by astral energy.â
They normally trained to achieve astral energy every day without listening to other peopleâs advice, and only realized that it wasnât the correct path much later.
Even she had wasted almost a whole year on that stupidity, but Raon gave up on forming astral energy after a few tries, returning to basic training.
âI had goosebumps.â
Raonâs eyes were as calm as the lake in the middle of the night. She had unconsciously grabbed her wrist because she had goosebumps from his decision to return to the basics and forget about astral energy.
A warrior who was about to become a Master should be extremely desperate to achieve astral energy. It was her first time witnessing someone giving up on it so easily.
âI can only describe him as a monster.â
Just as Glenn had said, she had a feeling that Raon would surpass the Grandmaster wall before he reached forty.
âAhem, w-was that what you meant?â
Glenn awkwardly cleared his throat and leaned back against the throne.
âI keep telling you that heâs special.â
âThereâs a limit to how special he can be. Thatâs too excessive. Iâm more amazed by his mind, rather than his talent in martial arts.â
Sheryl sighed deeply. Raonâs first impression was average, but she got more surprised the more she saw him. It was her first time seeing a boy like him, despite having seen countless swordsmen in the past.
âItâs regrettable, but Raon should be a Master by the time we return, even if I donât do anything. He will achieve it with his own power.â
âYou donât need to do anything. Just show him the martial arts youâve accumulated in various ways. If the Light Wind children donât realize it, thatâs their problem.â
Glenn emphasized that she was to help the Light Wind, rather than Raon.
âUnderstood.â
Sheryl nodded and stepped back.
âIâm leaving, then.â
She left the lordâs manor right after.
âHmmâŠâ
A strange sound could be heard inside the lordâs manor, where Glenn was the only one left. It was as if he was trying to hold back his laughter.
* * *
Reaper Scans
[Translator â Kyangi]
[Proofreader â Harley]
Join our discord for updates on releases! https://dsc.gg/reapercomics
* * *
Raon went to the fifth training ground, where every Light Wind member was gathered. Since their individual training time was over, they were already gathered in the training ground.
âAre you okay now?â
Runaan came running at him before anyone else. Her expression was blank, but her voice was filled with worry.
âIâm completely healed.â
Raon gave her a small smile, and Runaan nodded with an unnoticeable smile.
âAlso, thank you for the ice cream.â
It was great!
Runaan paid him a visit with bead ice cream while he was bedridden, and Wrath enjoyed it more than him because they were all mint chocolate flavored.
âYouâve returned rather quickly.â
Dorian came up to him while eating snacks. It looked like he ate a lot while resting, since his cheeks had become plump.
âYouâve gained weight. It looks like you are taking it easy.â
âE-Easy? Not at all!â
He freaked out and shook his head.
âH-He said he took it easy.â
âNo way, is he about to start it again?â
âThat canât be it. The spars are already over!â
âThereâs no way! It canât be!â
âHmmâŠâ
The Light Wind members stepped away from him while trying to read his intentions, as they couldnât forget their hellish three months.
âHave you already recovered? Are you an iron man or something?â
âWhat a stupidly healthy body.â
Burren and Marthaâs manner of speech was brusque, as if they were not welcoming himâbut they had a small smile on their faces.
Slam!
As he was about to call those three over to tell them about the mission, the training groundâs door burst open, and Rimmer entered wearing a golden coat.
All kinds of jewels were dazzling on his fingers, wrist, and neck.
âHuhâŠâ
Raon exclaimed. Heâd never seen anyone who looked more like an upstart than him.
âS-Squad leader, why are youâŠâ
Burrenâs jaw dropped.
âI had nowhere to spend my money because I had too much. Thatâs why I started by buying some jewels.â
He violently shook his hands and fingers to show them off.
How annoying. Trample upon him and burn them all up!
Wrath also growled in displeasure at him. Rimmer was truly a peculiar person. While he was pitiful when he didnât have any money, he looked irritating now that he had become rich.
âAre you training again? Just take it easy. We are just trying to make a living here.â
Rimmer grinned, looking at the swordsmen one after the other. His voice was softer than usual, probably because his mind had become more laid back. Though, that wasnât something a squad leader should be saying.
âOh, Raon! My lucky charm is here! Have you completely recovered?â
âYes.â
âNice, nice. Iâve been praying for your fast recovery.â
âBut it looks like youâve been so busy that you wouldn't have any time for prayers.â
He pointed at Rimmerâs clothes and jewels with a cold smile.
âIâve been busy, and I prayed each time I spent money. I prayed for Raonâs long life, since he allowed me to earn all the money!â
âLong lifeâŠâ
Raon fell speechless. He apparently went as far as praying for his long life instead of his fast recovery.
âI have something to tell you.â
âIâm listening. Iâll grant you any wish!â
Rimmer immediately nodded. It looked like he would do anything for himâexcept for giving away his money.
âA moment agoâŠâ
Raon told him about the Heavenly Blade leader visiting him and asked him whether he could go on a mission with the team leaders and two additional members.
âThe Heavenly Blade Division leader? Of course! You should go!â
Rimmer clapped his hands.
âShe knows all of the different characteristics of swordsmanship. Iâm sure you will learn a lot from her if you follow her.â
He said it was a great opportunity for him, and he definitely should go.
âTo begin with, I mentioned we will be reinforcing others a lot when I first made the squad. You should go.â
âA-A mission with the Heavenly Blade leader? This is a great opportunity!â
Burren shouted with joy once Rimmer gave his permission.
âThe Heavenly Blade Division leader?â
âHmph. I heard sheâs the strongest swordswoman in the house, but letâs see if she really deserves that title.â
Runaan looked like she didnât really care as she tilted her head. On the other hand, Martha couldnât hide her trembling fingers, despite snorting on the outside.
âYou have four people, including you. Who are the two other people you are going to bring?â
Rimmer asked, pointing at the remaining Light Wind members.
âFor now, Iâll take my pouch.â
âPouch?â
âAh, I mean Dorian. I think he needs to lose some weight.â
Raon smiled faintly while looking at Dorian.
âHiee!â
The pouchâor rather, Dorianâfreaked out and dropped his snack. His plump cheeks were trembling.
âThen, what about the last person?â
âHmmâŠâ
Raon looked around at the rest of the Light Wind members. Most of them were rolling their eyes, pretending they couldnât hear them. It seemed they didnât really want to go.
âKrein, come forward.â
He bobbed his hand at the long-haired swordsman, who was hiding at the very back.
âM-Me? Why meâŠ?â
Kreinâs eyes widened so much they looked like they would explode.
âI saw during the spar that you had many complaints about me.â
Raon tapped his scabbard with a smile.
âLetâs have a heart-to-heart talk during the mission.â
âAhâŠâ
Krein fell back, remembering that he had called Raon a demon and a crazy bastard at the arena.
âIâm so deadâŠâ
He closed his eyes while drooling from his mouth, as if he had already been beaten up.
âSince it should take some time, please take care of the squad members in the meantime.â
Raon told the other five members going on the mission the schedule, then bowed at Rimmer.
âShouldnât I be saying that to you, since Iâm the squad leader?â
âDo you even have the intention of doing the job of a squad leader?â
âNope.â
He proudly shook his head.
âThatâs why I said that. You should stop gambling, too, since youâve earned a lot now.â
âI wonât. Donât worry.â
Rimmer shook his two hands, gesturing that he took his hands away from gambling.
âTry learning a lot from Sheryl. Itâs not just her swordsmanship, but also her postures, footsteps, breathing techniques that are all worth learning, so steal everything from her.â
It had been a long time since the last time his voice was so serious.
âOkay.â
âIâll tell you the magic word that you can use if thereâs ever a problem.â
âA magic word?â
âYes.â
Rimmer continued with a grin.
âTell SherylâŠâ
* * *
Two Days Later
Daybreak
Raon was holding Heavenly Drive with two hands in the annex buildingâs open area.
It was the middle posture, which was the most basic posture. Holding the hilt in front of his energy center, he pointed his blade forward and spread his pressure without any movement.
Whir!
Raonâs energy wave flew as slowly as a cloud floating in the sky, engulfing the open area at an extremely slow pace.
When approximately ten minutes had passed, Raonâs pressure had filled the entire open area, and the entire space vibrated with his breath. The space was in Raonâs hand.
âHaaâŠâ
Raon scattered his pressure, which was dominating the open area, in an instant. He caught his breath.
You are so damn slow. I almost died from boredom.
Wrath clicked his tongue at his pathetic performance.
âThatâs because this is a heavy technique.â
Are you trying to swallow the space with the heaviness?
âYes. During the last fight against GaronâŠâ
Who is Garon?
âYou know, the man who fought against me recently.â
Ah, that insect?
Considering Wrath couldnât even remember him despite it being a recent incident, Garon mustâve been mere riffraff to Wrath, even though he was still a Master.
âAnyway, he used a quick sword that could block the space, and I figured heaviness would be better than speed to dominate the space.â
Garonâs sword was certainly powerful and fast, but it had many flaws when it came to dominating the space.
Raon felt like it would be better to make sure to engulf the entire space by sacrificing speed instead of forcibly increasing the speed.
Thatâs true, but I wonder when you will ever reach your enemy at your snailâs pace.
âI should reach it one day, as long as I keep working hard.â
He understood the space sword to a certain extent, thanks to witnessing Garonâs sword. Constant practice in the future should allow him to harmonize the heaviness and space dominance.
Raon opened the status window for the last time before leaving.
Status Window
Name: Raon Zieghart.
Title: âThe Enlightened Oneâ.
State: Curse of Frost (Two Strands)
Trait: Wrath, Sloth, Ring of Fire (Six-Stars), Water Resistance (Five-Stars), Perception of the Snow Flower (Four-Stars), Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation (Four-Stars), Glacier (Four-Stars), Fire Resistance (Four-Stars), Bleeding Curse (One-Star), Backstab (Three-Stars), Iron Will (Three-Stars), Adaptation to Ghastly Energy (Three-Stars), Focus (Four-Stars).
__
Strength: 181
Agility: 175
Stamina: 176
Energy: 178
Perception: 199
Wrath: 25
Looking at the stats and the trait ranks, which had grown a lot since the last time he had looked at them, was enough to make him smile.
âIâll be there soon.â
He clenched his fist, resolving to change the title into something related to Master and achieve harmony between heavy sword and space sword by the time he returned to the house.
âIâm curious.â
He was already filled with anticipation about how his swordsmanship would change once he became a Master with those inhuman stats.
âI should get going.â
As Raon was about to leave the open area after picking up the backpack he had left on the side, Judiel approached him.
âI didnât manage to investigate much because I didnât have much time.â
She spoke as she handed over a thin booklet.
âWhat is thisâŠ?â
It was information about the youngest daughter of the Yonaan family and the Retran province, where the Ragged Saint was located.
âAh!â
Raon opened the booklet. The name of the youngest daughter of the Yonaan family was written in the most recognizable size.
âEncia Yonaan, a genius artifact crafter?â
It was written under her name that she was an excellent crafter even among the members of House Yonaan.
âSheâs supposedly unmatched when it comes to accessory-type artifact crafting, despite being only in her mid-twenties. Considering the fact the Central Martial Palace isnât aware of her case, her illness seems to be top secret.â
âExactlyâ, Raon thought. Since the mission came to Sheryl directly from Glenn, he could guess there would be an extremely small number of people who knew about her illness.
âSince her name is rather famous in the central area, many people will target her once she leaves House Yonaan.â
âI agree.â
Despite what Sheryl said, escorting someone as talented as her couldnât possibly be a comfortable journey.
âThatâs even better.â
Something like a comfortable journey was nothing but a waste of time. He was ready to even walk down to hell if it meant he could advance faster and reach a higher place.
After all, it was obvious that he would get stronger from hardships and difficulties.