The next day at daybreak, Raon was checking on the Light Wind members as they prepared for departure. Since theyâd managed to complete the mission without a single fatality, everyoneâs mouths were curved into slight smiles.
Though, Runaan and Rimmer were exceptions, since they were too sleepy and their headsâwhich were leaning against a wallâwere bobbing slightly.
âSquad leader.â
Raon went to Rimmer and extended his hand.
âD-Do you want money from me? Youâve really become a bullyâŚâ
Rimmer shuddered. His eyes were blank because heâd just woken up.
âWhat are you talking about? Show me your wrist.â
âWhy do you want to see my wrist?â
âIâd like to examine your condition.â
âIâm fine though.â
âI canât trust you anymore when you say that you are okay.â
âHaa, seriouslyâŚâ
He murmured that it was so annoying, but still gave him his wrist.
âIâll finish it quickly.â
Raon used the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation to examine Rimmerâs mana circuits.
âThey became better for sure.â
The mana circuits were reattached.
Although his energy center was still broken, the fissured and constrained mana circuits had gotten a lot better. Obviously, it was still going to take a long time until he could completely recover to his previous condition, but they shouldnât disturb his daily life at least.
âYou really got better.â
Raon nodded, releasing Rimmerâs wrist.
âI told you I was fine.â
âOur squad leader lies all the time like nothing, even though he always gets demolished when gambling. You should check more thoroughly.â
Martha wrinkled her nose while watching Rimmerâs grin.
âY-You shouldnât be talking about me like that. Iâm your squad leader, after alâŚâ
âThatâs true, since the squad leader has lied so many times before.â
Burren came next to Martha and nodded.
âThere was a day back when we were trainees when every single thing he said during the day was a lie.â
âItâd be more difficult to find him telling the truth.â
The other Light Wind members also sighed while looking at Rimmer.
âIâm so sad right nowâŚâ
Rimmer lowered his eyebrows while looking at the Light Wind members.
ââŚâŚâ
Runaan was sleeping as soundly as a baby, regardless of all the banter around her.
âI have a question before we leave.â
Raon turned around to meet everyoneâs eyes once they got ready to leave.
âYou were serious when you said you wanted to get stronger one week ago, right?â
âSure!â
âOf course!â
âIâll focus my life on training from now on!â
âI can do anything as long as I can get stronger!â
Since theyâd completed the mission and Rimmer had also recovered, everyone from the Light Wind squad nodded while telling him that they were serious about it.
âWhat a relief.â
Raon smiled, then looked at Burren.
âBurren.â
âHmm?â
âWas it difficult to use footwork until the branch without a single rest in between?â
âIt was difficult. I realized how difficult it was to go all-out with aura for an extended period of time. It wasnât just difficult, but it was actually painful.â
âBut you mustâve been able to feel your growth after that.â
âTh-The amount of aura did increase slightlyâŚâ
Burrenâs eyes were trembling. An unknown insecurity mustâve struck him.
âYou heard him, right? Burren just proved that the simple action of running while using your aura to the maximum improves aura capacity, endurance, and physical ability. We wonât have many opportunities to train during a mission like this.â
âUhâŚâ
âWh-Which meansâŚâ
The Light Wind membersâ chins were trembling as they watched Raon.
âYou guessed it right. We will run to Zieghart at full speed, starting from here.â
Raon gave them a big nod.
âArgh!â
âHey, you crazy bastard!â
âAck!â
Burren freaked out, while Martha swore at himâwhich she hadnât done for a whileâand Runaan screamed as she woke up from her sleep.
âI-Itâs impossible! We felt like we were dying from running out of breath, and we were only going to the branch last time!â
ââŚIâm scaredâŚâ
âEveryoneâs going to die if we do that! Everyoneâs going to die!â
The third team members who ran with Burren last time were shaking their heads like spinning tops.
âI-Itâs true that we are going to train, butâŚâ
âYes, but weâll do that once we return, after resting a littleâŚâ
âWhat are you talking about?â
Raon narrowed his eyes while looking at the swordsmen.
âYou just said that you would focus your life on training. You said that youâd do anything in order to get stronger.â
âAhâŚâ
âTh-ThatâsâŚâ
The Light Wind membersâ chins were trembling as they met Raonâs nonchalant gaze.
âUhh⌠Iâm screwedâŚâ
âThat fiendish bastard!â
âHe mustâve asked that question in order to create this situation. Iâm sure that was his intention all along!â
Since they had already fallen into Raonâs trap, they realized there was no escape from it. All they could do was bite their lips.
âWarm yourselves up first, because we need to run at full speedâŚâ
âW-Wait! Lady Runaan!â
As Raon was about to instruct them to warm themselves up before starting to run, Krein pointed at Runaan, whoâd just woken up.
âLady Runaan didnât agree to following any kind of training!â
Krein violently shook his hands, drool coming from his mouth, since he wanted to live no matter what.
âHmm.â
He was pretty sharp.
Krein was right about that. Runaan couldnât answer him because sheâd been sleeping until a moment ago.
âLady Runaan!â
âPlease save us!â
âRunaan! You wonât even be able to sleep anymore!â
Everyone in the Light Wind squad ran up to Runaan and knelt in front of her. They were screaming that they wanted to return normally at least, even if they had to go through hellish training afterwards.
âSleepâŚâ
Runaan nodded. It looked like the fact that she wouldnât be able to sleep anymore had convinced her.
âRaon, IâŚâ
âRunaan.â
Raon interrupted her before she could refuse.
âYou are coming with us, right? Letâs go to the ice cream shop together once we are done.â
âMhm!â
Raon bobbed his hand while smiling gently, and Runaan immediately nodded with blank eyes.
âAhâŚâ
âI-Itâs all over.â
âWe are deadâŚâ
Light disappeared from the Light Wind membersâ eyes.
âEveryone has agreed now. Time to keep your promise. Get ready now.â
Raon gestured with his chin to urge them to prepare themselves, a frightening smile on his face.
âSquad leader!â
âPlease stop him!â
âWe are finally returning after perfectly completing the mission, so how could this be happening?!â
The Light Wind members gathered around Rimmer, since he was their last hope.
âR-Raon, since Iâm a patient and theyâve just completed the mission, letâs take it easyâŚâ
âIâve already prepared a horse for you, squad leader.â
Raon bobbed his hand, and Belga and Morin brought him a black horse. They were pretty much Raonâs subordinates at that point. The horse was an excellent breed, with sparkling eyes on his face. Its coat was shining slightly.
âSince it has a good pedigree, it should be able to keep running until the next villagâŚâ
âHeave ho!â
Rimmer mounted the horse before Raon could even finish his sentence.
âYou guys are way too weak, and no amount of training would be enough! Iâll take the lead, so you shall follow right after!â
Rimmer was relieved by the fact that he didnât have to run at least, and ran his horse to the front.
âArgh!â
âSeriously, that guy!â
âHaaâŚâ
Burren, Martha, and Runaan reluctantly started to run, and the other Light Wind swordsmen followed them.
âLetâs go!â
âArrrrgh!â
âDamn it!â
Although it was an excellent horse, capable of running at high speed, Rimmer was making it sprintâwhich forced the other swordsmen to run as fast as they could.
Uhh!
Wrath frowned while looking at Rimmerâs back.
That Shitty Ears is truly detestable! Heâs so cheeky!
âDonât worry.â
Raon shook his hand with a faint smile on his face.
âHeâs going to suffer the most after we return.â
* * *
[Translator â Kyangi]
[Proofreader â Harley]
* * *
Search tinyurl.com/2p9emv8w for the original.
It was a strange space, with pillars the color of blood rising on top of the snow white marble.
The tenth apostle wasnât moving in the slightest as he stared at the platform on top of transparent stairs.
Shoo!
The tenth apostle slowly closed his eyes before opening them again, and a silhouette with a feminine body could be seen from behind the red curtain covering the platform.
âGreeting the master.â
The tenth apostle went down on his knees. She was the only existence that an apostle would bow to, the White Bloodâs cult leader.
Although the atmosphere around her was as gentle as the spring wind, her appearance was extremely impactful. Even the tenth apostleâs powerful pressure paled in front of her mysterious atmosphere.
âYou mustâve investigated the fourth apostleâs death.â
The sweet voice flowing from the platform felt like it could melt the soul.
âYes.â
The tenth apostle answered without raising his head.
âThe fourth apostle has been killed by Raon Zieghart.â
âRaon? I thought it would be Morell, but Raon Zieghart?â
She asked again in surprise, even though sheâd remained unfazed upon learning about the apostleâs death, who was also her disciple,
âIndeed.â
âRaon must be that boy who defeated Rudkin, right?â
Rudkin was the seventh apostleâs name. The cult leader was the only person in the White Blood Religion who was allowed to call an apostle by their name.
âI heard he became a Master, so how is he already strong enough to kill Terun?â
âI also couldnât believe it at first, but it is true.â
The tenth apostle softly sighed, while raising his head.
âItâs been a really long time since the last time I saw my masterâs surprise.â
The White Blood Religionâs leader had realized the fourth apostleâs death the moment he died, but she wasnât surprised even then.
She simply accepted his death, thinking that he mustâve been defeated by a powerful person from Balkar or one of the other Six Kings or Five Demons, as he was at Lohengreenâs dungeon.
Despite how indifferent she was, she was shocked by the fact that Raon was the one who had killed the fourth apostle.
âNo, itâs only natural.â
It wasnât a powerful person who had already reached their peak that killed the fourth apostle, but Raon Zieghart, who had only just started to spread his wings. The tenth apostle himself still had difficulties believing that a brat who had been a Master for less than a year had defeated the fourth apostle.
âSince all kinds of things happen in the world, itâs not impossible for Raon Zieghart to defeat the fourth apostle, even though he hasnât been a Master for a long time.â
The White Blood Religionâs leader regained her composure. Her voice sounded like always as she raised her chin.
âYou must know how that happened.â
âYes. It wasnât a frontal clash, but a surprise attack.â
âSurprise attack?â
âI heard Raon stabbed the fourth apostle from the back, while he was fighting against Morell. The fourth apostle feigned death in order to look for an opportunity, but Raon noticed and used it against himâŚâ
The tenth apostle repeated exactly what the survivors from Lohengreenâs dungeon had told him.
âHe is even capable of mental warfare, despite being so young. What a smart boy.â
The White Blood Religionâs leader smiled passionately. She seemed to be even more interested in him.
âAnd the dagger he used mustâve been the dagger with ghastly energy that lacerated Rudkinâs chest, right?â
âIndeed.â
âThe most talented genius in the continent even has a weapon that can counter us. Thatâs interesting.â
The White Blood Religionâs leader grabbed her knees with her hands, smiling in excitement.
âHow is Rudkin doing?â
âHeâs completely recovered now thanks to the holy blood you bestowed upon him, and he even managed to surpass the wall.â
âThere should be more, right?â
âYes. He became even stronger by taking in the flesh and blood of powerful people.â
The tenth apostle told her about what the seventh apostle had been doing. It almost sounded like heâd been watching him all along.
âHe will be perfect for the test.â
The White Blood Religionâs leader bobbed her long finger.
âSend Rudkin to determine how strong Raon Zieghart is, and his personality. You know what you have to do after that, right?â
âBut he is the grandson of Glenn Zieghart.â
âI know.â
âShould I still bring him?â
âAre you telling me that I should be afraid of that old fart?â
âHmmâŚâ
The tenth apostle furrowed his brows slightly without responding.
âA great talent should be put to a greater use.â
The White Blood Religionâs leader leaned her back on her chair and curved her lips into a long smile.
âIâm planning to turn him into my apostle.â
* * *
Raon and the Light Wind squad arrived at Zieghartâs front gate. The return trip was a lot shorter than when they went to the Gazel River.
âI-Iâm dyingâŚâ
âThat lunatic. H-He really made us run all the way hereâŚâ
âHieeeâŚâ
Burren, Martha, and Runaan tried to catch their breath while leaning forward. Their uniforms and hair were all drenched in sweat.
âHuff! Huff!â
âI-Iâm going to puke.â
âI want to dieâŚâ
Since even the team leaders were exhausted, the other swordsmen were rolling on the ground, unable to stand up. Fluids were flowing from their eyes, noses, and mouths, and their faces had turned pale.
âI-Iâm going home! I canât stand living like this!â
Dorian screamed that he was going home after taking out the luxurious sledge that he hadnât used for a long time.
âHaa, what a bunch of weaklings. How are you planning to get stronger when you canât even stand this much training?â
Rimmer clicked his tongue at the Light Wind members, since he had an easy journey by changing horses multiple times on the way.
âKuh!â
âDamn itâŚâ
The Light Wind members furiously ground their teeth as they watched Rimmer elegantly riding his horse towards the main gate.
âSeriously, that guy!â
âI hate him. I hate him so much. I canât hate him any more than thisâŚâ
âI shouldnât have comforted him when he was sickâŚâ
Raon was running alongside him at least, even though he was the one who made them go through all that. Since Rimmer had been riding a horse all along, they could only grind their teeth.
âWeâve reached the main gate of the house. Line up, everyone.â
Raon made sure that the Light Wind squad was in a presentable state, then went to the castle gate and raised his head.
âThe Light Wind squad has returned after completing our mission.â
As soon as he finished saying that, the castle gateâtoo large to be seen at a glanceâsplit into half with a majestic sound.
âLight Wind squad.â
The foreign minister Illiune came out from inside and smiled nicely.
âWelcome back.â
âYou look like you are doing great. It must feel nice to stay home.â
Rimmer dismounted his horse and snickered.
âItâs not as nice as you, who happens to have some good subordinates.â
Illiune licked his lips while looking at Raon and the Light Wind squad.
âHow did they even grow like that under your teaching?â
âLife is all about luck. Are you jealous?â
âIâm pretty jealous indeed.â
Illiune chuckled and nodded his head.
âThe head of house is waiting for you.â
He told them to go to the lordâs manor immediately, since the other division leaders were also gathered with him.
âI see. I thought that would be the case.â
Rimmer nodded and turned around.
âTidy up your clothes. We are going to the lordâs manor.â
âYes!â
Raon and the Light Wind squad quickly fixed their hair and clothes before following Rimmer towards the Lordâs manor.
âRaon Zieghart.â
Raon was following behind everyone else, and the foreign minister Illiune bobbed his hand towards him.
âYou are the first one whoâs slain disciples of both the South-North Union and the White Blood Religionâs leaders in a single mission.â
He patted his shoulder and smiled in satisfaction.
âThank you for proving that Zieghartâs name is still alive.â
âMy pleasure.â
Raon bowed at Illiune before following the Light Wind squad.
âEveryoneâs the same.â
Although Illiune looked coldhearted and disinterested on the outside, he was still a warrior from Zieghart. He was rejoicing from the bottom of his heart over the fact that Raon had humiliated the South-North Union and the White Blood Religion at the same time.
âSo, todayâŚâ
âHey, look at thatâŚâ
âGasp!â
The swordsmen bantering around the road stopped talking as they passed and turned their heads towards them. Their gazes brushed past the Light Wind members one by one, eventually fixating on Raon and stopping there.
âHis pressure is completely different from before.â
âI heard he slew Tyler from the South-North Union.â
âHe didnât simply kill him. He even revealed Tylerâs evil deeds. He used to be a hero, but he instantly turned into a fiend.â
âI heard he saved everyone by making a bet with the Axe King Roman. How could he suggest a fight in three years? Heâs so daring even though heâs just a kid who isnât even twenty years oldâŚâ
âIs he not having any sort of stagnation period? How come heâs getting stronger and stronger?â
The swordsmen swallowed nervously upon feeling Raonâs energy wave, which flowed as naturally as water.
âThereâs even more. He slew the fourth apostle when he went to Lohengreenâs dungeon, and thatâs an amazing achievement.â
âHow could a young swordsman thatâs barely nineteen years old even slay an apostle? Has this ever happened before?â
âThatâs a rude remark. Since heâs almost reached the peak, his age doesnât matter.â
âI heard it was a surprise attack, not a proper fight. Iâm sure he wouldnât have managed to return if heâd fought normally.â
âI guess thatâs true. I heard it was a surprise attack on the fourth apostle, who was fighting against Morell.â
âHmm, itâs not too good for a Zieghartâs swordsman to resort to a surprise attack.â
âAre you telling me that you can kill an apostle with a surprise attack? Itâs not even a spar. Surprise attack or whatever, it doesnât matter because they are an enemy.â
âHeâs right. The bloody demons from the White Blood Religion shouldnât be considered human.â
Some swordsmen were trying to depreciate Raonâs achievement somehow, but the other swordsmen made them shut their mouths.
Raon could feel their emotions through their gazes. While feeling their favor, disfavor, and animosity at the same time, he smiled faintly.
âShe said I can crush the people who spread jealousy if I have the power.â
Raon remembered what Sheryl had told him before. Sheâd advised him that he could crush the other peopleâs malice if he had an absolute amount of power.
âI canât crush everyone yet, butâŚâ
Raon turned around. He spread his pressure while looking at the swordsmen who called him unsightly because of his surprise attack.
âGasp!â
âKuh!â
âAhâŚâ
Upon receiving the icy cold and sharp energy wave, the swordsmen fell on their asses while their limbs trembled.
âYou should go home and rest if you arenât feeling well.â
Raon looked down on their eyes, trembling in fear, and smiled.
Hmph!
Wrath emerged on the ice flower bracelet and nodded.
Itâs been a while, but I like what you did just now. The ones who blabber and deride behind peopleâs back need to have their limbs frozen.
âIs that so?â
Using wrath is the most efficient way. If you had used wrath just now, all of them wouldâve pissed their pants.
âWrath?â
Indeed. The King of Essence's wrath is the most effective against people like them.
âHow do I use it?â
Alright! The King of Essence is going to give you some lessonsâŚ
Raon went to the lordâs manor, while gulping down the Giving Wrathâs advice once again.
* * *
Inside the audience chamber of the Lordâs manor, the important officers of Zieghart were standing in lines on the sides.
Raon and the Light Wind squad followed Rimmer, walking down the carpet placed at the center of the audience chamber, then went down on one knee.
âGreeting my lord!â
The Light Wind squadâs voice resounded throughout the audience chamber. Their volume seemed to match the accomplishment theyâd achieved.
âThe Light Wind squad has returned after completing the mission.â
Rimmer was the last one to kneel and lowered his head.
âStand up.â
They raised themselves up while listening to Glennâs completely emotionless voice.
âRaon Zieghart.â
âYes.â
Raon took one step forward. He lowered his head while standing on the same line as Rimmer.
âI heard you were the center of the incidents at both the Gazel River and Lohengreenâs dungeon. You will explain by yourself.â
âUnderstood.â
Heâd put his thoughts together on the way back. Raon slowly caught his breath and opened his mouth.
âWhen we first arrived at the Gazel River, we encountered Tyler, who was boarded on the White Spear. We⌠Huh?â
Raon naturally looked up to Glenn as he talked, but he interrupted himself and swallowed nervously.