You canât even properly analyze your opponentâs abilitiesâŠ
Wrath frowned at his ridiculous behavior.
A second blade mustâve stabbed your brain.
He clicked his tongue, saying that Raon picked a fight against an opponent that was impossible to win against.
Raon ignored Wrathâs mockery and tightened his grip on Heavenly Drive.
Of course I know that.
He was obviously aware of the fact that he couldnât possibly win against Roman. His action was a gamble. He was throwing a coin, which might allow everyone to survive.
Raon exhaled the murky breath filling his lungs, examining Roman. His eyes turned towards him for the first time.
âHeâs looking at my sword.â
He was looking at Glacierâs coldness on Heavenly Drive instead of Raon himself, who picked a fight with him. He mustâve been trying to analyze the Blue Rain that defeated all of the warriors from the South North Union a moment ago.
âI knew he would do that.â
Considering that his aura was the first thing he was looking at despite the situation, Roman mustâve been as crazy about martial arts as the rumors said he was. His chance of survival became higher than 30%.
âDid you make them faint by incorporating aura to the sword resonance?â
Roman narrowed his eyes while looking at the unconscious pirates, foam coming from their mouths.
âYou affected their nervous system by controlling your aura during the split second when the sound of friction and sword resonance spread out. You couldâve killed them already if you wanted.â
He analyzed Blue Rainâs function at a glance, then nodded in excitement.
âIâve seen many people attacking with musical instruments before, but Iâve never seen anyone influence the nervous system with sword resonance. Itâs creative and effective. However, the method is also extremely complicated. It must be difficult to imitate.â
Roman chuckled while caressing the blade of his axe.
âI feel enlightened. Since you showed me something nice, Iâll brush off what you just said as a mistake. Step back.â
He smiled in satisfaction and looked away.
âIt wasnât a mistake. Iâll be your opponent.â
Raon firmly shook his head.
Thud!
Roman slammed the ground with the axe he was holding. Roman was simply straining his eyes, but an incredible amount of pressure weighed down on Raon.
âAre you really trying to face me?â
âYes.â
Raon resonated the Ring of Fire. He pulled out his soul level that Wrath had allowed to grow to push back Romanâs pressure.
âNot bad. You are a lot better than the rumors. HoweverâŠâ
Roman slowly nodded before spreading his pressure. The weight crushing Raonâs body was on a different level from before.
âYou should know your place.â
Probably because he was interrupting his battle against Rimmer, crimson rage was emerging from his eyes.
âSomeone like you canât even take one hit from me.â
Roman raised his axe. An astral sphere appeared in front of the red blade of the axe, creating a powerful airflow.
âThis is my last warning. Step back before I split your head in two.â
Even though it was a powerful warning, Raon neither withdrew nor lowered his sword.
âRaon.â
Rimmer, whoâd been watching how the situation would unfold, blocked Raonâs way.
âHeâs right. Heâs not an opponent you can handle yet.â
âThatâs true. I canât win against him âright nowâ.â
Raon nodded and smiled faintly.
âRight now? Do you believe that you can win against me in the future? Brat, you really donât know your place.â
Roman snorted and lowered his axe. The astral sphere that was gathering towards him dissipated like smoke. It was an expression of his complete disrespect for Raon.
âIt looked like you wanted to fight a powerful martial art.â
Raon faced Romanâs scornful gaze and turned his chin.
âOf course. The more powerful the better. Itâs even better if they can cut my head off.â
Romanâs cool smile implied that he was serious about that. Raon could confirm the rumors about the reason he was in the South-North Union being because of the spar against the Unionâs leader.
He could finish the fight if everything went as he planned.
âIâll show you then. Iâll become stronger than you and visit you with a martial art that can take your life away.â
Raonâs pressure emerged like a raging flame as he said that. The powerful pressure wriggling all around his body didnât lose to even Roman and Rimmer.
âYou must be crazy. Thereâs no point in you visiting me when Iâm at deathâs door.â
âThree years.â
Raon raised his left hand and stretched his fingers.
âIâll visit you in three years to kill you with a martial art that you will be shocked to see.â
The deck completely fell silent when he said three years.
âPuhahahaha!â
Rimmer burst out into laughter despite the serious atmosphere.
âThatâs right. Since itâs Raon we are talking about, three years are more than enough.â
He nodded, saying that it was plenty of time for him.
âThe Light Wind squad must be full of lunatics.â
Roman scowled. A tremendous amount of pressure came out from him as his scowl expressed his disgust.
âAre you looking down on Grandmaster because you became a Master at a young age?â
The wavering black aura raging on the axe looked like it would explode at any moment.
âThe age of becoming a Master is unrelated to reaching the Grandmaster level. If you never get the enlightenment you need, you wonât be able to reach that level for the rest of your life. Itâs pointless to talk about a level that you wonât ever be able to reacâŠâ
âAre you afraid?â
Raon smiled coldly.
âYou said that you wanted to die from a powerful martial art, yet you are afraid of what I will become in three years?â
âYou mustâve gone insaneâŠ.â
âThree years is more than enough time to come up with a martial art that you will be satisfied with and cut off your head.â
âFine! Letâs admit that it can possibly happen. Why should I let all of you go?â
Roman showed his teeth and smiled. The ferocious smile made him look like a beast.
âWouldnât you become even stronger in order to take revenge if I killed everyone here except for you?â
He raised his axe in a threatening manner, creating an astral sphere with condensed aura.
âHumans tend to become stronger when they crave revenge. If what you say is true, then Iâd be better off killing everything except you.â
Roman raised his chin as if he had figured out all of Raonâs plans.
âYou are gravely mistaken about one part.â
Raon rolled up the corners of his lips while watching the astral sphere waver in front of the axe.
âYou are also going to die if we fight here.â
âWhat madness are you spoutinâŠâ
âYou mustâve realized that our squad leader can fight you equally. While our squad leader fends you off, Iâll defeat Raptor alongside the Light Wind members and join forces with him. You wonât be able to survive that.â
âDo you truly believe thatâs possible?â
âMany of us will die. The squad leader might die, and all of our members might end up dying. However, everyone on your side is also going to die, and Iâll make sure to cut off your head with the simplest sword swing I know instead of your beloved martial art.â
Because Raon sounded like he was merely stating the truth, Roman and Raptorâs expressions turned stiff.
âRaptor. What do you think about what he said?â
Roman asked the question without even looking at Raptor.
âHmm, thatâs quite plausible.â
Raptor slowly nodded.
âWhat?â
âYou must not be aware of it, big brother, but the reason why Raon Zieghartâs name is spread throughout the continent is because heâs always slaying someone more powerful than him as he grows. Heâs even defeated a Master-level apostle in the past, despite being an Expert himself.â
He continued with a faint smile on his face.
âItâs true that Iâm currently at a higher level than Raon, but considering how unscathed he is after defeating Tyler and the sword resonance technique he showed us before, he must be hiding another decisive move. If the Light Wind squad joined forces with him, itâs completely possible for me to lose.â
Raptor nonchalantly declared that he might lose to them.
âTsk.â
Roman briefly clicked his tongue. He seemed to agree with Raptor.
âWhat a shitty way to beg for your lifâŠâ
âYou must be mistaken. Iâm not begging for my life, nor making a request. Iâm simply making a suggestion.â
Raon clenched his fist. Request meant reaching out his hand while kneeling down, while a suggestion meant reaching out his hand in an equal standing. He couldnât allow himself to depreciate himself to a lower standing.
âIâm giving you a choice. You can die miserably here from a combined attack, or die in three years by a martial art that surpasses you.â
âKuk! Kuhahahaha!â
Roman grasped his forehead and started to laugh like a madman. His crazy laughter continued for a while before he lowered his head.
âWhatâs the name of your martial art that you used to create the sword resonance?â
âBlue Rain.â
âBlue Rain. Yes. I certainly heard the sound of rain. It was elegant and silent at the same time.â
He closed his eyes for a moment to remember that sound before opening them again.
âI could feel your personality from that martial art. Did you create it by yourself?â
Raon didnât respond.
âThe reason I canât simply scoff and claim that your bluff is a lie is because of that martial art, Blue Rain. Iâve never seen such a mysterious technique from anyone else, so itâs only natural for me to be interested in it.â
Roman nodded, pulling his axe back.
âFine. Iâll accept your âsuggestionâ.â
It went according to his plan, but Raon didnât relax. That was because Roman hadnât finished talking.
âHowever, if it was a nasty lie in order to escape the situation, youâd better take it back right now. Because Iâll spread the rumor about your promise for a life and death battle in three years to the entire continent as soon as I return.â
âUnlike you, I donât lie.â
Raon shook his head.
âI swear under Zieghartâs nameâno, under the name of Frostfire Sword of Valor, Raon Zieghart. Iâll duel you in three years, at the intersection between Zieghartâs domain and the Rable River.â
âI like analyzing the sound of my opponentâs heartbeat.â
Roman chuckled, pounding on the left side of his chest.
âYour heartbeat is strangely calm. The fact that you believe from the bottom of your heart that you can win against me in three years is funny, yet it fills me with anticipation at the same time.â
He turned his gaze towards Rimmer, who was smiling next to Raon.
âZieghartâs Sword of Light. Your life was spared thanks to your subordinate.â
âDo you still need to unclog your ears? Raon just said that you were the one whose life was spared.â
Rimmer giggled.
âWhatâs your opinion? Do you really believe that he can surpass me in three years?â
âNo need to say more.â
He shook his hand, implying that it was too obvious.
âHeâs my student and my subordinate at the same time. Itâs only natural that he will be looking down on you from far above you in three years.â
âThis is my first time witnessing the case of a student surpassing his teacher.â
Roman chuckled, supporting his axe on his shoulder.
âRaon Zieghart, Iâll be looking forward to three years from now. You will complete the Blue Rain by then.â
He grinned, kicking the deck to jump onto the Misfortune. The pirates climbed down the ropes soon after to take the unconscious warriors with them.
âItâs a relief that everything ended nicely.â
Raptor walked up to Raon and smiled after watching the pirates do their work.
âWhy did you help us?â
Raon cautiously stared at Raptor. The matter wouldnât have ended so easily if heâd said that he wanted to fight to the end.
âI figured it would be more interesting.â
âInteresting?â
âYes. Iâve gotten curious about what kind of height you will reach in three years.â
He smiled while saying that he wanted to witness that future.
âHmmâŠâ
Raon narrowed his eyes.
âI donât understand him.â
Unlike Roman, who was crazy for martial arts, Raptorâs mind was difficult to understand. He couldnât tell at all what he was thinking, nor what his intentions were.
âAh, but you shouldnât misunderstand. We arenât overlooking this matter.â
âWhat do you mean?â
âWe werenât looking for the White Spear. We only happened to meet you on our way to a dungeon.â
âA dungeon?â
âWe were going to a dungeon after hearing the rumors of a famous magicianâs dungeon being discovered in the Norris region. We just dropped by here on the way there.â
Raptor murmured a few different names. He was apparently confused about the name.
âAh! Itâs Lohengreen!â
âLohengreenâŠâ
Raon had heard of that name before. That was the name of a person who lived in the same period as Merlin, the Witch of Betrayal. He was a magician whose name was passed down in history because of his excellent talent in astrology and alchemy in addition to magic.
âYes. We happened to see you guys on our way to that magicianâs dungeon. Of course, if they learn about everything you told me, no one in the South-North Union will try to attack youâthough, there is one person who is an exception.â
âOne person?â
âThereâs an old monster who is Tylerâs grandfather and a senator of the Union. Actually, the reason Tyler became the leaderâs disciple in the first place was because of his influence.â
Raptorâs smiling face stiffened.
âSince he might make his move, you should be careful.â
âWhy are you telling me this?â
âBecause it wonât be fun if you die within three years.â
The carefree smile returned to his face.
âRaptor! We are going to leave you behind if you donât come!â
âAh, I got it!â
Because of Romanâs voice calling him from behind, Raptor hurriedly kicked the ground and boarded the Misfortune.
âLetâs return to the Union!â
âHuh? Arenât we going to the dungeon?â
âI got hyped up.â
Roman was looking down in Raonâs direction from the Misfortuneâs deck.
âSince I have a new prey, I shall prepare to bite.â
He turned around after showing a frightening smile.
Vrrr!
The Misfortune left with a majestic sound, just like when it first arrived.
âHaaâŠâ
Rimmer finally removed the Sword Field Creation after the Misfortune disappeared from his vision and sighed. He faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his balance.
âAre you okay?â
âOf course I am.â
He shook his hand, telling him it wasnât a big deal.
âAre you sure you are okay?â
âDo you not know me? Itâs me. The Sword of Light of Zieghart! Sir Rimmer! I wouldâve won against that axe murderer even if a fight broke out!â
âWell, I suppose.â
Raon felt relieved because Rimmerâs voice was the same as usual. He smiled at him and returned Heavenly Drive to its scabbard.
âGood job.â
When Raon was about to take care of the Light Wind squad, Rimmer came up to him and placed his hand on his head.
âSquad leader?â
âEveryone wouldâve died just like you said if we fought them back then. My response was slow because blood rushed to my head. Youâve saved everyone.â
He pointed behind him with a smile on his face. The Light Wind squad and the villagers were staring at them.
âIâve done what I must as the vice squad leader.â
Gratitude and joy seemed to be reflected in everyoneâs eyes. Raon felt embarrassed for some reason and lowered his head.
âBut are you really confident about it?â
âConfident?â
âConfident that you will be able to defeat Roman in three years.â
âOf course I am.â
Raon nonchalantly nodded. Since he had the giving doormat demon king with him, three years was a long enough time as he probably would reach the Grandmaster level even faster than that.
Hmm? Why are my ears tickling?
Wrath started picking his ears while wondering what happened.
âYou are imagining things.â
* * *
[Translator â Kyangi]
[Proofreader â Harley]
* * *
Raon was looking down while standing upstream on the Gazel River.
The Blue Lugh tribeâs chief lifted the Water God Stone and chanted a spell that sounded like a chirping bird. A strange pattern was engraved on the Water God Stone, and the white energy inside started to rotate.
âKrr.â
He nodded towards the others and entered the Gazel River, the other Blue Lughs following him while chanting the same spell as him.
Pssh!
The pattern engraved on the Water God Stoneâs surface started to radiate blue light the moment it touched the river water. The tribe chief kept chanting the spell and completely submerged the Water God Stone.
Whir!
The flickering light of the Water God Stone spread out, following the flow of the river. Even though the light came from such a small sphere, it spread throughout the entire river in no time.
Whap!
The Blue Lugh tribeâs chief and the Blue Lughs said the word âsolidoâ at the end, and the light radiating from the Water God Stone intensified so much that it was difficult to open the eyes.
When Raon frowned because of the dazzling light, he could hear the clear sound of the flowing river, as if he were suddenly enlightened.
âAh!â
Raon slowly opened his eyes. He could see the river. The river was so clear that it was difficult to believe he was in the same place as the muddy river he was before. Even the grains of sand covering the ground were clean to the point where he could count them.
âItâs exactly what I saw in my previous life.â
Watching the clean river contrasting the dark muddy river from before, some kind of emotion burst from his heart.
âI-Is this really the Gazel River?â
âIâve never seen such a clean river before.â
âIt was really the cleanest river in the continent!â
The Light Wind swordsmen widened their mouths as they watched the Gazel river. They looked like they had never imagined the river could be so clean, even though they heard that it was supposed to be clean.
âWoaaah!â
âHaha! This is what the Gazel River should look like! Of course!â
âItâs back! Itâs back!â
âHaa, finallyâŠâ
The villagersâ eyes welled up with tears with smiles around their mouths as they watched the transparent Gazel River.
âW-We connected the Water God Stone to the river. It will always stay clean from now on, just like before.â
Flumen returned after chanting the spell, scratching his cheek.
âBy the way, Flumen.â
Raon was looking at Flumen and the Blue Lughs instead of the clean river.
âIs that really fine? People learned a lot of things about your race.â
Even though Roman and the pirates were still unaware of it, many people got to learn about the Water God Stone and the secret of the Blue Lugh tribe. Their decision to keep living in that place was rather unexpected.
âYeah. I was also worried about it, but the chief said that we should stay here. Itâs becauseâŠâ
Flumen hesitated for a moment before pointing at Raon with his finger.
âOf Raon.â
âMe?â
âYeah. I told him that you are the chief that protects this place, and he said that we should stay here because itâs a trustworthy tribe. I also mentioned that you were my⊠myâŠâ
âMy?â
âMy friend, and he said that we should trust you even more.â
His face turned red in embarrassment as he dropped his head.
âI see.â
Raon smiled faintly and looked at the Blue Lugh chief. He put his hands together and lowered his head. He was apparently trying to copy peopleâs etiquette that he had observed. Raon bowed at him in return.
It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from bit.ly/3iBfjkV.
âWhich means you are going to have lots of work in the future.â
âHuh? Me?â
âYou are the only one who can speak both the Blue Lugh and human languages. You can be the passage that connects the humans and the Blue Lughs.â
âAhâŠâ
Flumenâs eyes turned round.
âWhat youâve done before canât be undone, no matter what you do. Some of your tribe members might even resent you for that.â
âYeahâŠâ
Flumenâs shoulders trembled. Raon was apparently right about that.
âBut even if thatâs the case, you canât just let the guilty conscience take over your head and live like a sinner for the rest of your life. You should connect the passage so that the Blue Lughs can coexist with humans to lead a better life.â
âPassageâŠâ
âThe Gazel River and the river villages will be affiliated to Zieghart from today on. Since no one is going to attack you, you shouldnât worry about it. Instead, find a way to make everyone happy.â
âYeah!â
Flumen answered vigorously for the first time since Raon had met him as he nodded.
âKrrgh!â
âAh!â
The Blue Lugh chief shouted and Flumen glanced at the back.
âHeâs telling me to come because we need to settle down.â
âCome to the village once itâs over.â
âYeah.â
Flumen smiled faintly and dove into the water with the other Blue Lughs. Even though the transparent river water allowed Raon to see below the surface, they quickly disappeared from his vision. It was apparently another bit of sorcery.
Raon stared at the area the Blue Lughs disappeared from for a while before turning around.
âWe should return as well.â
His smile looked similar to Flumen's as he walked up to the Light Wind squad.
* * *
âSquad leader.â
Raon came up next to Rimmer on their way to the lodgings.
âAre you really okay?â
âI already said Iâm okay. You saw how I deflected all of his light axe strikes.â
Rimmer shook his hand, telling him to stop worrying about it. Raon examined his condition through aura perception, and he couldnât find any major problem. However, he had a bad feeling about it somehow, even though Rimmerâs expression was the same as usual.
âYou should take this, at least.â
Raon took the medicine for internal injuries that the Saint gave him before from Dorianâs belly pocket.
âWhat is this?â
âItâs a medicine for internal injuries.â
âIs it bitter?â
âIt should be, since itâs medicine.â
âThen Iâm not eatinâŠâ
âShut up and take it!â
Raon forced the medicine into Rimmerâs mouth as he shook his head, making him swallow it.
âYou shouldnât pointlessly wander around. Go home to start cultivating instead.â
âKuh, itâs so damn bitter. Do you have any candy?â
âPlease!â
âHaa, you are really a demonâŠâ
Rimmer frowned and waved his hand.
âGood job, everyone. Letâs rest for today and continue tomorroâŠâ
âIâll wrap it up, so please just go inside and rest.â
âAlright, alright.â
Rimmer chuckled and entered the lodging first.
âHmm, everyone did a great job today. Since even a small injury can worsen if you ignore it, anyone whoâs injured should make sure to treat their wounds before resting.â
âYes!â
Since it was an order from the vice squad leader, everyone responded loud and clear. All of them had smiles on their faces because theyâd completed the mission without losing anyone.
âYou should rest now.â
He gave the order and turned around after looking at Rimmerâs room for a moment. As he was about to enter his room to treat his internal injuries, Wrathâs mumbling could be heard.
Damn it. Itâs coming soon. It must be coming. Thereâs no way itâs notâŠ
âWhat are you talking about?â
Raon tilted his head while looking at Wrathâs wrinkled face. He looked terrified and enraged at the same time.
Do you really not know?
âWhat are you talking about? Who is coming now?â
Raon became nervous because it reminded him of what Raptor had told him before.
That idiot that functions automatically without a brain is coming soonâŠ
As soon as he said that, messages popped up in front of his eyes.
[Youâve achieved victory against a warriorâŠ]
[The proficiency of Ring of Fire hasâŠ]
[Youâve created a new swordsâŠ]
Multiple messages appeared one after the other, covering his vision.
Raonâs jaw dropped. Wrath was apparently afraid of those messages.
I-I knew it!
Wrath screamed while looking at the messages.
I knew it would give you everything. Itâs so inflexible!
âHuhâŠâ
On top of giving all those stats, Wrath was even working as an alarm for when the messages were coming.
âI really made a suitable nickname for him.â
No one in the world would be able to beat the name âgiving Wrathâ.
âI should easily become a Grandmaster within three years since he is with me.â
The King of Essence canât live like this! This is too much!
Raon smiled as he watched Wrath scream while flailing his limbs around.
âIâm looking forward to your continued cooperation.â