Raon trampled over the crushed door and entered the Central Martial Palace. His footsteps echoed in the night as he walked over the shattered pieces of the door.
âGet in position, everyone!â
âGet into the Severing Steads formation!â
âProtect the manor!â
âStop them at all costs! We are the warriors of the Central Martial Palace!â
âWoaaah!â
They seemed to be trained for invasion, since they quickly moved into their respective positions and drew their swords, following their team leadersâ orders. Their polished pressure burst out at the same time as their extremely sharp aura blades.
âPretty decent.â
Raon smiled while feeling the Severing Steadsâ energy wave piercing into his skin. He figured they would be good training material for the Light Wind swordsmen.
âRaon Zieghart!â
âStop right there!â
âThe lowly Light Wind squad dares to intrude here!â
The Severing Steads swordsmen in their sword formation were giving him killing glares, but Raonâs steps didnât stop. He pierced through their pressure and advanced.
âAttack him!â
It was when the Severing Steads swordsmen were trying to attack him at the same timeâŠ
Rumble!
The Light Wind squad poured out from behind Raon, crimson fighting spirit burning in their eyes.
âGrr!â
âGrrr!â
âKieee!â
The Light Wind squad charged at the Severing Steads with growls that justified Raonâs order to âbiteâ. They looked like they were moving as they pleased at first glance, but they were actually following the Light Wind formationâs flow.
Cring!
They rotated counterclockwise to complete the Great Light Wind formation in no time and clashed against the Severing Steads head-on.
Slam!
The explosion created by powerful waves caused lights of different colors to soar into the sky.
âHmmâŠâ
Raon nodded while watching the Light Wind squad fight against the Severing Steads. Watching them fight equally against opponents slightly stronger than them made him feel like it was worth training them.
âTemporary squad leader! Go already!â
âSeize that punk, Burren!â
âI have so much training I want to make him go through!â
âLetâs make him spend a sleepless night on that mountain first. That was the worst one!â
While pushing the Severing Steads back, the Light Wind members shouted at Raon to drag Burren out so that they could force him to train instead of saving him. It almost sounded like Raon had never explained the situation to them.
âYou mustâve enjoyed it so much.â
Raon could only smile at witnessing the Light Wind squadâs companionshipâthey wanted their friend to share the same great experience they had. Raon figured that he should make the next training session 1.5 times more difficult and longer.
The Light Wind members would have fainted if they heard what Raon was murmuring, but he simply stared beyond the battlefield.
A blue-haired swordsman wasnât trying to join the fight, instead running in the opposite direction.
âIs he the messenger?â
He wasnât running away. He mustâve been the messenger who was going to tell Gelmia about the situation, since he was the one leading the Central Martial Palace in Karoonâs absence.
âWhich means Gelmia must be in a place where itâs difficult to notice whatâs going on.â
Judging from Judielâs information and Tiasâ testimony, Burren mustâve been locked up deep inside the Mansion of Wisdom, so that it would be difficult to find him through aura or sound.
If his presence couldnât be felt from the outside, anyone inside couldnât feel the presence from outside, either. Raon could conclude that Gelmia most likely was unaware of the incident.
âI wonât let him go so easily.â
After all, it was better to have the perfect proof.
Raon controlled Glacier. He copied the way Rimmer used his wind and flicked his finger to shoot the frozen energy at the running blue-haired swordsman.
Tsssh!
The blue energy flashed like a ray of light and stuck on the blue-haired swordsmanâs shoe and freezing his ankle.
âGasp!â
The swordsman used his aura to try removing Glacierâs ice, but obviously, it didnât disappear so easily.
Raon was about to walk towards him with a faint smile on his faceâŠ
âStop!â
A middle-aged swordsman with a scar under his eye was charging towards him from the Severing Steadsâ side.
âThis manâŠâ
He remembered reading about the swordsman with a scar under his eye from Judielâs book. He was Herron, the first team leader of the Severing Steads.
âYou arenât allowed to enter!â
Herron gritted his teeth and swung down his sword. Even though the sharp aura blade was charging towards him, he kept walking without hesitation.
Clang!
As the deadly blade was about to reach Raonâs forehead, a black shadow emerged from behind him and crushed Herronâs aura blade.
âGrr!â
Martha was there. She was so excited that gray steam was coming out of her mouth as she slashed towards Herronâs waist.
âYou little lass!â
âRoar!â
Upon being called a little lass, Martha turned even more furious. Her blade, pointing to the sky, unleashed a strike powerful enough to make Herron panic.
âKuh!â
Herron groaned and had to step back upon facing her sturdy and ferocious strike.
âHaap!â
Martha followed up and slashed at his shoulder. She seemed to have no intention of missing the opportunity sheâd received.
âUghâŠâ
Herron barely managed to block her sword, but his wrist was trembling from the pain. His expression suggested that heâd also received an internal injury.
âNice.â
Martha had excellent instincts. With Raonâs teachings on how to efficiently use the aura perception added to her instincts, she was able to pressure Herron, who was stronger than her.
âMartha, I weave it to you.â
Raon waved his hand and walked past Martha.
âI told you to stop talking like that! You bastard!â
Even though sheâd only been growling like a beast, she ground her teeth and turned around. Raon was relieved that she hadnât completely turned into a beast.
âTsk!â
A swordswoman with sharp eyes that was commanding the formation on the left clicked her tongue and ran towards him.
Swoosh!
She closed the distance in an instant and thrust her rapier. The single blade multiplied into five towards the vitals all around Raonâs body.
âIs it the third team leaderâs turn now?â
Judging from her sharp aura blade and slim body, she mustâve been the Severing Steadsâ third team leader, Kuran.
âHer aura blade isnât half bad.â
Once again, Raonâs steps didnât falter. He walked in between the aura blades without even drawing his sword.
Whoosh!
As Kuranâs aura blade was about to pierce his body, a wall of frost emerged right in front of him.
Crack!
Runaan deleted all of Kuranâs aura blades with her silver wall, then fixed the grip on Snow Flower as she walked forward.
âIâll handle this. Bring Burren.â
Runaan kicked the ground with her blank eyes showing her anger mysteriously.
âArgh! Go away!â
Kuran performed the extremely fast and sharp stabs consecutively, as if she were using a spear, but Runaan swung her sword to smoothly block all of her attacks as if sheâd read through all of the trajectories.
Clang!
The dissonance kept resounding one after the other as the aura blade and frost clashed between Runaan and Kuran.
âIt was worth teaching her.â
Since Raon had nurtured Martha and Runaanâs strong points and erased their weaknesses, he could immediately see the results despite the short time theyâd spent training. Although their opponents were stronger than them in terms of prowess alone, they were still overwhelming them in terms of fighting spirit.
Raon simply waved his hand towards the Light Wind members, then went to the blue-haired swordsman that had his leg frozen.
âStop him, even if you have to grab his leg!â
âHe wonât be able to kill us anyway!â
Since Herron and Kuran couldnât move because of Martha and Runaan, they called on the Central Martial Palaceâs guards, who were swallowing nervously.
âThe team leaders are right!â
âHe wonât be able to kill us!â
âL-Letâs go!â
âStop him at all costs!â
âStick to him, everyone!â
What the team leaders said gave them courage and they ran towards Raon with so much determination.
âThatâs not wrong.â
Raon chuckled as he nodded. Since finding Burren was the compulsory executionâs purpose instead of destroying the Central Martial Palace, Raon couldnât exactly kill them.
âHowever, thatâŠâ
Only applied if they were capable of coming close to him.
An intense heat was rising from his steps, crushing the land. The resonance between the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and the Ring of Fire supporting it created a fearsome amount of pressure, covering the battlefield.
âHuhâŠâ
âKuh!â
âH-How am I even supposed to stop this monsterâŠ?â
Because of his energy wave, which was raging like a volcano, the swordsmen couldnât even think about coming close to him. They were drenched in cold sweat in their places.
Raon simply smiled at the swordsmen who couldnât move anymore and continued his way towards the Mansion of Wisdom.
âI still canât feel them.â
Even though he was near the building, he still couldnât feel Burren or Gelmiaâs energy.
âSo, it must be a secret room, after all.â
Since secret rooms with the purpose of completely erasing a personâs presence were usually created deep underground by using multiple devices, it took quite a long time to create one.
Raon figured that the site would serve as evidence without even needing Burrenâs testimony.
âThat worksâŠâ
As Raon was about to enter the Mansion of Wisdom, a black shadow appeared from the sky. Raon kicked the ground to slide to the side.
Thud!
A middle-aged red-haired man with a stern face made his appearance by collapsing the ground.
âHow dare you intrude upon this place?â
His murderous intent could be felt from his angry voice.
âYou must be Sir Goman.â
He was Goman Trock, one of Karoonâs guards. He mustâve stayed behind instead of following him onto the battlefield.
âIâll give you one last chance! Leave immediately!â
His fearsome pressure was telling him he would never allow him to pass.
Clang!
Goman snapped his finger and the coldness binding the blue-haired swordsmanâs ankle behind Raon shattered easily.
âGo!â
âTh-Thank you!â
The blue-haired swordsman couldnât even afford to bow at him as he entered the Mansion of Wisdom.
âHis might is at a slightly higher level than mine.â
Goman seemed to be at the intermediate level of Master at least. Raon figured that he would be able to win against him, but taking too much time could give time for Gelmia to hide Burren.
âIâm sorry, but you arenât my opponent.â
âWhat? You arrogantâŠâ
âI leave him to you.â
Raon bowed while looking behind him instead of Goman.
Rumble!
The Central Martial Palaceâs wall was violently torn apart, and the Gambling Monster made his appearance. His large body made Goman look small in comparison.
âG-Gambling Monster!â
âGambling Monster? What insolence. Do you even have the right to call me by that name?â
âNo, I meanâŠâ
Goman swallowed nervously, oppressed by the Gambling Monsterâs pressure.
âSince you are acting so arrogantly, you mustâve gotten better.â
The Gambling Monster grinned and slashed down with his sword.
âKuh!â
Goman quickly drew his sword to counterattack, but he was gradually pushed back by the Gambling Monsterâs strength.
âWow, you are so famous. Iâm jealous.â
The Gambling Monster briskly turned his head and scowled intensely.
âDonât worry, Iâm leaving.â
Raon smiled faintly and entered the Mansion of Wisdom.
âI needed to give some time for my guide to go.â
* * *
[Translator â Kyangi]
[Proofreader â Harley]
* * *
âKuhâŠâ
Burren lowered his chin while panting in exhaustion.
âWow!â
Olan exclaimed while looking down on Burren.
âYour willpower is stronger than I thought. I shouldâve expected nothing less from Zieghartâs bloodline.â
He clapped his hands in admiration.
âShut up!â
Burren raised his head and ground his teeth.
âIâll never surrender to someone like you!â
âSurrenderâŠâ
Olan chuckled and swirled his finger.
âDo you remember what I told you at the start, by any chance?â
âWhat?â
âI told you that my brainwashing method was slightly different from the others, that it isnât a powerful brainwashing that is applied all at once.â
âWhy are you talking about that nowâŠ?â
âMy brainwashing has already been applied to Sir Burren. It naturally seeped into your brain just like the straw that broke the camel's back.â
âWh-What?!â
Burren swallowed nervously. He couldnât understand how he wouldâve been brainwashed when he hadnât answered Olanâs question so far.
âThe questions are meaningless. My voice, choice of words, and gestures. All of that was the preparation needed to engrave exhaustion and pain into Sir Burrenâs brain.â
âAhâŠâ
Burren realized that Olan had never allowed him to close his eyes and ears. He kept asking questions and blabbering about various things even though heâd never answered him.
âI just need one hour of finishing touches to complete the base of the brainwashing. It will look like nothing has changed on the outside, but thereâs going to be a storm inside your brain, Sir Burren.â
Olanâs voice was full of conviction. He smiled gently before quietly stepping back.
âIâd like to complete the process right now, but thereâs someone who would like to see you before that.â
The secret roomâs door opened as he spoke and Gelmia Zieghart entered.
âGelmia!â
âArenât you even going to call me brother? How sad.â
Gelmia smiled and walked up to him.
Olan bowed to him, then set a chair in front of Gelmia.
âGood job.â
Gelmia waved his hand at Olan and sat in front of Burren.
âI donât want to do this to my real brother, either. So how is it? Did you change your mind?â
âAbout what?â
âIâm asking whether you are ready to help me get rid of Raon Zieghart.â
âBullshit.â
Burren slanted his head and snorted.
âMy answer wonât change. Iâd rather die than betray my companion!â
âI knew it.â
Gelmia chuckled and leaned his back in the chair.
âWere you aware? Everyone in this house has been doing the nasty things that you are thinking about right now.â
âWh-What do you meanâŠ?â
âThe heads of this house have been stabbing their companions in the back, beheading their brothers, and selling out their subordinates in order to reach a higher position.â
He stretched his arms to the side and smiled coldly.
âDo you think that only happens here? The Six King and the Five Demons, and all of the large forces that come close to them, have developed like that. Theyâve always trampled on those ahead of them or those who are a hindrance to them.â
âIâm perfectly aware of that! But we belong to the same house! This methodâŠâ
âThis is how everyone has been doing it. Me, our father that you respect so much, and even the head of house. All of us stabbed our family or relatives in the back to reach a higher position.â
A frightening glow appeared in Gelmiaâs eyes.
âZieghart⊠This huge land is a castle build on all that bloodshed.â
âUghâŠâ
Burren was unable to respond, his lips trembling.
âYou donât have a moniker yet, right?â
Gelmia smiled while placing his hands on his knees with fingers clasped together. He looked like he was trying to change the heavy atmosphere.
âWhy are you asking thatâŠ?â
âI heard Raon Zieghart has had a moniker since he was fifteen. He was called Habun Castleâs guardian angel or Young Sword Demon, and he even received the cool moniker Frostfire Sword of Valor recently. But how are you doing in comparison?â
He sneered and looked down on Burren.
âYou are just the Light Wind squadâs team leader, lacking any sort of moniker. A random swordsman who follows Raon Zieghart. Thatâs how the world sees you.â
ââŠâŠâ
âRaon Zieghart will be in front of you for the rest of your life. Wherever you go, people will be calling Raonâs name instead of you, Burren.â
âIâŠâ
Burren bit his lip tightly. His eyes were trembling violently.
âAre you confident that you still wonât be jealous of him when that happens? Can you really rejoice in your companionâs success without jealousy?â
Gelmiaâs voice slowed down and resounded in his heart. It felt like it was pounding his heart with a fist.
âHaaâŠâ
Burren sighed deeply and closed his eyes before opening them again. His eyes had regained his composure in that short interval.
âWhatâŠ?â
Gelmia swallowed nervously upon facing Burrenâs eyes, which looked completely immobile.
âI was jealous of him when I was twelve years old. I thought he was an irritating bastard who had nothing but talent.â
He thought he was a bastard who had an easy life with his talent, but that wasnât the case at all.
âHe is talented for sure, but he makes a lot more effort than that.â
Burren realized that upon seeing the worn out shoes in Raonâs locker. His efforts far surpassed his talent.
His tenacity to keep swinging his sword without sleeping or eating if there was something he needed to achieve was worse than anyone elseâs.
âHow can I be jealous of someone like him?â
Despite the fact that he worked harder than anyone else, he also tried his best to make his companions stronger. Being jealous of him when he taught him how to get stronger on top of saving his life would be exposing his ugly side for the entire world to see.
Burren grinned while looking into Gelmiaâs trembling eyes.
âBe honest. You arenât doing this because you are worried about me, but because you are afraid of him. You mustâve figured out that Raon will soon catch up to you. No, wait. Heâs probably already caught up to you.â
âYouâŠâ
âYou are the one whoâs jealous here. Did you believe that you would look less ugly if you used me as an excuse? How pathetic.â
âShut up!â
Gelmia frowned for the first time as he shouted.
âOlan!â
He kicked his chair to stand up and called Olan.
âStart it right now!â
âUnderstood.â
Olanâs faint smile implied that he knew that was going to happen.
âHaaâŠâ
Gelmia exhaled deeply to try to calm his anger, leaning his back against the wall.
âWhat a shame, since Sir Burren is also extremely talented. You should be able to catch up to me in a few yearsâŠâ
âWhat kind of nonsense are you spouting? I can already defeat someone like you in my current state.â
Burren snorted and lowered his eyebrows.
A quick look at bit.ly/3iBfjkV will leave you more fulfilled.
âI like your confidence.â
âConfidence? Itâs true. Iâve watched Raon defeat someone stronger than him countless times as I stayed behind him.â
âI see.â
Olan gently brushed it off, but his voice became sharper. He sounded irritated for the first time.
âIf everything goes wellâŠâ
Burren figured that he might be able to provoke them and gain an opportunity to escape.
âTry fighting me if you canât believe me.â
As he was trying to provoke Olan, slamming sounds could be heard from outside multiple times.
âDid this room have multiple layers?â
Considering the sounds, the secret room mustâve had more than one layer. They mustâve been really crazy to make something like that.
The sound of opening doors could be heard multiple times before someone violently opened the metallic door in the secret room.
âS-Squad leader!â
The blue-haired swordsman bowed to him with trembling eyes after opening the door.
âWhatâs the matter? Leave it for later if itâs not an emergencâŠâ
âTh-The Light Wind squad is attacking us!â
âWhat?â
âHuh?â
Gelmia and Olanâs jaws dropped as they looked at the swordsman.
âThe Light Wind squad?â
âWhy would the Light Wind squad attack us?â
The response came from the ceiling instead of the blue-haired swordsman.
Slam!
With the thunderous noise of a collapsing mountain, the ceiling caved in at once.
Whoosh!
Fearsome red eyes were shining from the rising black dust.
âWho are you?â
Gelmia spread his pressure while holding his sword, but the red-eyed man simply looked at Burren instead of responding to him.
âAre you a princess or something? Why are you getting locked up underground all the time?â
âYouâŠâ
Burrenâs chin trembled as he recognized his voice.
âRaon!â
The moment he called his name, dust soared toward the sky and Raonâs appearance was revealed. With fluttering blond hair and glowing red eyes, the way his chin was slightly raised made him look arrogant, but it also perfectly matched him.
âLetâs go back.â
Raon smiled coldly while holding Heavenly Driveâs hilt.
âTo the rabid dogsâI mean, the Light Wind squad, who are eagerly awaiting your return.â