The red blade embodying the culmination of Glenn's martial arts destroyed the Holy Sword Alliance master's dark sword. The ashen flame of his manipulated sword disappeared completely, and the shattered blade sank under the cold lake.
The shapeless sword that was supporting the manipulated sword couldnât withstand the sharpness of the red sword either. The colorless energy used to be as clear as sunlight but had subsided like a heat haze.
Glenn's sword didnât come to a halt even after destroying the ultimate harmony between the manipulated sword and the shapeless sword, which was too unreal to exist.
The furious radiance emerging from it was about to put an end to the battle.
âIs that the sword youâve been accumulating?â
The Holy Sword Alliance smiled in delight while spreading his arms, a large amount of blood was gushing from him.
âIâm honored to die from a swordsmanship like that! Come at me, Glenn Zieghart!â
He didnât run away. He widened his eyes and took a step towards Glenn as if he were asking to be killed. Even his sword wasnât more important than the sword for him. He was indeed crazy for the sword, and it was the perfect way to describe him.
Glenn didnât really care about the Holy Sword Alliance masterâs intentions. His mind remained as serene as at the start of the battle as he extended the Lightning Spirit Sword.
Rumble!
The red radiant lightning exploded from the tip of his sword. Just as everything was about to be erased, a huge mana turbulence occurred from the hill on the left and the sky above him.
It was from the White Blood Religion's leader and the dragon lord, who had been hiding.
The White Blood Religion's leader fired a barrage of bloody weapons to take Glennâs life while the dragon lord activated the Dragon Words. He seemed to be trying to reduce the impact of his sword attack.
âHmmâŠâ
Glenn kept thrusting his sword while ignoring them and suddenly narrowed his eyes.
âWas there one more?â
A tremendous amount of demonic energy was approaching from behind the Holy Sword Alliance master.
Glenn had expected the White Blood Religion's leader and the dragon lord to take action, but he hadnât predicted the existence coming from behind the Holy Sword Alliance master.
Considering the size of the demonic energy, it mustâve been the Black Towerâs master who had attacked Cameloon.
âItâs pointless to interfere. Iâll just slay you all.â
He bit his lip tightly and unleashed the pinnacle of swordsmanship that he hadnât even named yet.
Whaaam!
Even though the Dragon Words were decreasing the output, a tremendous explosion occurred.
Water completely evaporated from the lake, and the land shook violently.
The endless gray smoke became a pillar connecting heaven and earth, and an earthquake turned the land upside down.
Glenn lowered the Lightning Spirit Sword amid that hellish scenery. The fissure in the space, which was radiating a strange color, couldnât close because the sword strike was far too powerful.
He looked at the other side of the fissure. No one was there. The Holy Sword Alliance master, the Black Towerâs master who was trying to protect him, and the White Blood Religion's leader who was trying to take him by surprise were all gone.
ââŠâŠâ
Glenn caught his breath in his mind and lowered his gaze. The white crater created on the land was soaked with a frightening amount of blood. It was the Holy Sword Alliance masterâs blood.
âI cut him for sure.â
Even though the Dragon Words had decreased the output, he was certain that heâd managed to cut the Holy Sword Alliance masterâs chest.
A robe of demonic energy had surrounded the Holy Sword Alliance master before the explosion, but it was impossible to completely absorb the impact even for the Black Towerâs master.
âThose two mustâve managed to escape.â
The White Blood Religion's leader and the Black Towerâs master mustâve escaped through sorcery, as they were behind the Holy Sword Alliance master.
Tsk.
Glenn briefly clicked his tongue and subdued the Lightning Spirit Sword. The red lightning subsided, and Heavenly Tremor returned to its original appearance. His sword felt heavy for the first time.
âIâve used an excessive amount of power.â
He probably could have defeated the Holy Sword Alliance master by focusing on Heavenly Blade even if he hadnât gained enlightenment from earlier.
However, he didnât want to throw away the epitome of martial arts that heâd gained thanks to Raon. He put the enlightenment together while thinking he would teach him about it one day.
âI should finish the rest even though Iâm tired.â
Glenn raised his head and furrowed his brow. The huge dragon floating below the moonlight was looking at him with trembling eyes.
âCome down.â
[HmmâŠ]
The dragon lord quietly groaned, changed into his human shape, and landed on the ground.
âDid you decide to take the Five Demonsâs side?â
The dragon lordâs shoulders trembled upon facing Glennâs cold gaze.
âN-not at all!â
The dragon lord hurriedly shook his head.
âThe human factions have no importance to us!â
He raised his staff and pointed at the dimensional rift that was still showing its distortion.
âDestructive King of the North. Your sword from a moment ago was far too dangerous. That rift couldâve expanded endlessly if I didnât reduce the output.â
ââŠâŠâ
Glenn looked at the rift quietly. Just like the dragon lord had said, the fissure in the space still wasnât closing. It was gradually increasing in size along with strange sparks.
[Close.]
The fissure in the space was finally reattached and returned to normal after the dragon lord spoke using Dragon Words. The violent sparks also started to decrease slowly.
"Your power is dangerous. Even I am starting to feel fear."
His gaze revealed a fear that hadnât existed before.
âYour time mustâve decreased even further because of that, butâŠâ
âLord.â
Glenn called out to him with a dry voice and the dragon lord shut his mouth.
âLike I said before, I am one who minds my own business. You donât need to pay attention to me, since Iâll take my own karma and sins to my grave. AndâŠâ
He raised Heavenly Tremor in front of the dragon lordâs trembling pupils.
âThis is your last warning. Iâll take it as a declaration of war if you disturb me once again.â
âH-how could youâŠ?â
The dragon lord gasped at his ridiculous statement.
âDo you intend to wage a war against the dragons?â
âDo you think I canât?â
âHmmâŠâ
The dragon lord was unable to respond. Glennâs eyes were glowing in a frightening light, implying that he was serious about it.
âIt might be better to kill him nowâŠâ
Since Glenn clearly looked tired, he thought he might be able to kill him. His finger twitched before he knew it.
âIt might be possible with the two ofââ
When he was contemplating whether he should take action or not, Glenn sneered at him.
âDo you want to try it now? I donât mind.â
Crimson lightning burst from his sword, showing his willingness to fight.
The dragon lord swallowed nervously. Even though Glenn was tired, he broke out into cold sweat upon remembering the sword technique heâd witnessed a moment ago, since even the strongest weapon of the dragonsâthe dragon breathâwasn't a match to it.
âI have no intention of doing so. But Iâd like you to understand that we are simply doing our job.â
âIt wouldâve been better if you didnât have that double standard that only benefits your race.â
âHmmâŠâ
He quietly groaned because he was unable to refute the matter, then turned into a golden light to disappear.
âHaaâŠâ
Glenn exhaled the breath that heâd been holding back, and the Archmage of Eternal Flame, Chamber, appeared alongside a blue light.
âThe Black Towerâs master came this way, didnât he?â
Chamber wasnât in a good condition at all. Her robe was torn in various places with blood flowing from it, and her huge mana pool was at the rock bottom. Even her characteristic wide-brimmed hat was nowhere to be seen.
âHe did a number on you.â
âHe managed to get his hand on Fraya's robe.â
âFrayaâs robe?â
âYes. The Black Market was hiding it, but he acquired it.â
She twisted her lips, saying that it was bad news that it was taken.
âFrayaâs robeâŠâ
Glenn closed his eyes while stroking his chin.
âIs it that thing from earlier?â
The robe of demonic energy that the Black Towerâs master had used to surround the Holy Sword Alliance master when he was on the verge of death mustâve been Frayaâs robe.
âIâm sorry, I shouldâve stopped himâŠâ
Chamber furrowed her brow, saying that she couldnât stop him when he tried to run away as soon as he saw the Silent Sword Sovereign.
âItâs fine.â
Glenn lightly tapped on Chamberâs shoulder, as she seemed stressed out. Sheâd done a good job holding out for so long, especially because the Black Towerâs master was the worst matchup for her in the first placeâand that was discounting the fact that he even had a new artifact.
He didnât want to blame her, as the Light Wind division had survived thanks to her.
âHuh?â
Chamber was surprised by his reaction, and her eyes widened as she clutched her shoulder. Glenn thought about asking her to teleport him but gave up on the idea since both her stamina and mana seemed insufficient.
âIâll be taking my leave.â
Raon and the Light Wind divisionâs survival took the highest priority. He used the Supreme Harmony Steps by burning the aura that had regenerated in the meantime in the mana circuits of his legs.
He ran at full speed, and the Owen Kingdom could be seen soon after. Just as he was about to try to jump over the ramparts, he noticed that Roenn was standing in front of the gate.
âRoenn?â
âIâve been waiting for your arrival.â
Roenn bowed without asking any questions. It showed his strong faith in his victory.
âWhatâs the matter? Did you manage to find Raon and the Light Wind division?â
âFirst of all, the Light Wind division has recovered enough to move around. They wonât have any aftereffects either.â
âBut howâŠ?â
âActuallyâŠâ
Roenn quickly reported about what had happened so far.
âSo Raon hasnât been found yet.â
âAbout thatâŠâ
Roennâs head trembled, unable to continue for the first time.
âDid something happen?â
âThere was a message from the house regarding him.â
âFrom the house?â
âYes.â
He walked up to Glenn with trembling eyes.
âSomeone said that she would take Sir Raon with her, and she isâŠâ
A thick vein bulged from Glennâs forehead after he heard the whole story.
* * *
* * *
âHmmâŠâ
Raon raised his eyebrows while feeling like a cold wind was tightening his heart.
He could see an endless white ceiling. It wasnât reality. It was his mental world that heâd observed countless times in the past in order to achieve the Sword Field.
Swords used to bud like flowers, and fire and ice used to be harmonic and discordant at the same time, but the space had changed drastically.
âI expected this to happen, but itâs a lot worse.â
âSo much of it has been torn apart.â
A dark hole was created at the center of his mental world where the heat and coldness were raging.
The extreme cold rising from the bottomless hole was intense enough to freeze his bones.
However, the hole wasnât getting any bigger, and he could guess it was thanks to the navy blue energy stopping it in the surrounding area.
âWhat is this energy?â
Raon furrowed his brow while looking at the energy that was encircling the hole, and a familiar scream could be heard.
âDonât do it!â
He turned his head and saw Wrath standing at a table in the annex building. He wasnât taking the shape of cotton candy. He was clutching his head in his real form.
âWhat are you doâah.â
He noticed that grilled skewers, pizzas, breads, and ice creams were laid out on the table, and he managed to understand why Wrath was behaving that way.
He mustâve been missing the food that he couldnât eat so much that he tried to eat them in the mental world. Of course, it was a meaningless struggle.
âDamn it! Thereâs no taste at all!â
Wrath gobbled down the food with teary eyes.
âThatâs Wrath indeed.â
Raon laughed bitterly. He could still clearly remember him overwhelming the transcenders in that form. Yet, watching him complain about the food made him realize that he was Wrath whom heâd known all along.
âWrath.â
Raon shook his head and sat on the opposite side from Wrath.
âThis is so frustrating!â
Wrath violently ground his teeth while slamming his hand on the table.
âThe King of Essence canât forget about it! Those foods that he couldnât eat back then are still rolling around in his memory!â
He declared the words and started eating the food once again. He spat them back out though, because they were completely tasteless.
âThatâs why I tried to tell you to eat them faster.â
âBut it was such a rare opportunity! He had to eat as much as he could while he had the chance!â
âYes, and thatâs why you couldnât get any at all.â
âUghâŠâ
Wrath was unable to refute his words and slammed his head on the table while whimpering.
âRather than that, Wrath. The hole over there means that my mental world was cut off, right?â
Raon tapped on Wrathâs head and pointed at the dark hole at the center.
âWhy are you asking the obvious question? Your mental world, and the soul level that youâve been accumulating, has melted down.â
âI expected as much, but itâs far bigger than I thoughtâŠâ
Raon bit his lip while looking at the hole. He was prepared for the worst, but the crack was far bigger than anticipated. Wrath had told him he was going to suffer lots of losses, and he had a painful realization.
âIt couldâve been worse. The expansion was stopped midway.â
âIt was stopped, you say?â
âIndeed. Whoever that was, someone injected their will and aura into your upper energy center to temporarily stop its expansion.â
Wrath pointed at the navy blue energy surrounding the hole.
âHmmâŠâ
Raon bit his lip while observing the energy. They mustâve been at the high end of Grandmaster or a transcender if they could inject their will and aura into his upper energy center. However, he didnât recognize whose energy it was.
âI wonât be able to find out before I wake up.â
He sighed and looked at the hole once again.
âThis feels slightly bitter.â
Having his mental world cut off felt like a boar had ruined a farm that heâd worked so hard on.
Of course, it might be inconsequential to his stats and physical body.
However, it implied the decrease in his soul level that had been improved through his achievements, which made it even more painful.
âDo you regret it?â
Wrath asked while throwing away the pizza crust.
âNot at all.â
Raon calmly shook his head.
âIâd never regret that decision.â
Considering Orgosâs persistence, he wouldâve followed the Light Wind division until the bitter end if heâd survived.
It was necessary to finish him off right there, even if he would have had to borrow the power of other demon kings if it werenât for Wrath.
âI just need to gain new achievements.â
âYou are making it sound easy.â
âIt really wonât take that long.â
Raon smiled faintly at Wrath.
âBecause Iâve learned a lot, thanks to you.â
Heâd learned a new way to use his frost while watching Wrathâs battle from up close. Since he had also observed the martial arts of the transcenders, there were lots of gains, even more than his losses.
He mightâve gotten weaker for the moment, but he expected to climb even higher in the future.
âHmm, the King of Essence is disappearing now. It must be because you woke up.â
Wrath furrowed his brow while pointing at his body, which was becoming blurry.
âAh! You better not forget. Itâs for three weeks! Three whole weeks! Remember it!â
He shook his hand while telling him to make sure to remember and disappeared like bubbles.
Raon chuckled and looked around his mental world, where Wrath didnât exist anymore.
There were still lots of swords, but the divine and demonic swords were nowhere to be found. They might have temporarily disappeared because of the hole.
âI should try filling that hole since I donât know when Iâll be able to return.â
The mental world was the same as his life itself. He closed his eyes to repair the messy world through meditation and the Ring of Fire.
* * *
As Raon was reorganizing his mental world and filling the hole little by little, he heard someoneâs voice.
âdy!
âWho is that?â
âeks!
Raon focused on the voice, and the sound became gradually louder.
Just wake up already!
He followed the voice, and his vision brightened.
âHuhâŠ?â
Raon blinked blankly. His mental world was gone, and he could see a wooden ceiling that looked damp and worn out.
Wrathâs head was floating in front of it.
You finally woke up! How pathetic of you!
Wrath hit his head, calling him a sleepyhead like Sloth.
âWhat are you talking about? It hasnât been that long since our encounter.â
What are YOU talking about? Youâve been sleeping for over two weeks now!
âTwo weeks?â
Raon gasped while examining his condition. He could guess that he couldnât feel the passage of time because he was too focused on his mental world.
It couldâve been called a natural outcome because heâd spent a huge amount of energy and even received a large amount of wrath.
Are you planning to break your promise agaâ
âI know, you donât have to tell me.â
Raon was well aware of why Wrath was so angry. It mustâve been because of the promise that heâd made about eating whatever he wanted for three weeks.
âItâs because of the promise for three weeks, right? Iâll extend the duration.â
Itâs pointless to extend it now!
âWhat do you mean?â
His frown deepened even though Raon was expecting him to be happy about it.
Thereâs no one around.
âHuh?â
We are currently on the ocean!
Wrath screamed and clutched his head.
âWhy am I on the ocean?â
He couldnât believe that he was on the ocean, as heâd fainted in the Owen Kingdom.
How is the King of Essence supposed to know?!
âHmmâŠâ
Raon looked around him. He seemed to be in a small room, and the floor was sloshing a little. He could guess that he really was inside a ship. However, he couldnât find Heavenly Drive or the Blade of Requiem in the area.
âWho took my swords? No, rather than that, why am I even on the oceanâŠ?â
He licked his dry lips and left the room. He could see multiple doors to small rooms.
He climbed the stairs located at the center, and he could see the blue sky and the ocean that was as blue as the sky.
Land was nowhere to be seen in any direction. He was literally on the boundless ocean.
âWe really are on the oceanâŠâ
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âDid you finally wake up?â
The gruff voice of a woman could be heard from behind. Raon looked around, and a woman with hair the color of sunset reflected on the ocean and impressive brown skin appeared.
âWho areârather than that, why am I here?â
âWhat else?â
She grinned and pointed her finger at him.
âYouâve been kidnapped.â
âKidnapped?â
Raon stepped backward and examined the woman. She had a beautiful appearance with distinctive facial features, but that wasnât the important part. He couldnât figure out her prowess at a glance. That implied that she was an extremely powerful warrior who had even surpassed the Grandmasterâs realm.
âWho are you?â
âGuess who I am.â
The woman smiled faintly and circled her finger.
âIf I demand your ransom to ZieghartâŠâ
âStop with your prank, Aries Zieghart.â
She murmured that the ransom would give her enough money to live idly for the rest of her life, only for a familiar voice to come from the right.
An old man with fragile white hair and muscles of steel was furrowing his brow.
âSir Kuberad?â
He was the Continentâs Blacksmith, Kuberad, who had forged the Blade of Requiem after the third prince had introduced him. He gave a small nod to greet him.
âWait a moment!â
Raon hurriedly turned his head and looked at the woman with hair the color of a sunset.
âAries Zieghart? Are you that Aries?â
Glennâs first daughter was in front of him even though he hadnât seen her once since he was born in Zieghart.