Raon raised the Heavenly Drive, which he had lowered towards the Sword Fanatics of the Holy Sword Alliance and the demonized humans of the Black Tower standing behind Luciton and Belusian.
Swoosh!
With a sound like crashing waves, the bodies of the Sword Fanatics and demonized humans twisted.
Splat!
Bright red blood spurted from the chests of the demonized humans and Sword Fanatics as they were split along with space itself. Like Luciton and Belusian, they laid down in the desert without even realizing their own deaths. The gray sand became soaked with blood.
"Hmm."
Lisurn let out a sigh as he looked at the corpses of Luciton and Belusian, whose heads had rolled off simultaneously.
"Those monsters weren't supposed to die so easily..."
With two sword strikes that seemed to cut through the wind, Raon shattered the wall of the Holy Sword Alliance and Black Tower that had been blocking hundreds of people. Overwhelming martial prowess. He seemed even stronger than when they had last seen him.
"They were careless, so it was easy to take them down."
Raon waved his hand at the confused Lisurn. Luciton and Belusian had underestimated him and didn't use their full power from the start, so their heads flew off with a single strike. It was the kind of carelessness one should never have in a life-or-death battle.
'Now's not the time to worry about those fools.'
He utilized the Perception of the Snow Flower and drew up his aura. He shaped his aura perception like a spider web and spread it throughout the forest and desert.
'Since they said they were in battle, it should be easy to find them.'
Serena and the Demon Sword Master weren't visible anywhere in the forest or desert, but since they were in battle, it shouldn't be too difficult to sense the flow of their aura.
At the edge of his aura perception spreading out in all directions like a divine dragon, he felt a strong wave of aura. It was the clash of willpower produced by Grandmasters.
'It's that way.'
After determining the direction, Raon turned around.
"The last place I saw them was over there."
Lisurn pointed to a spot a little away from where the aura wave had just been felt. It was the wrong direction.
"It seems they've moved while fighting. They're this way now. Everyone, follow me."
After informing Lisurn of the correct direction, he gestured to the Light Wind division. He stepped forward first, using the Supreme Harmony Steps.
"Yes!"
The Light Wind division, seeming to treat Raon's words as absolute truth, followed him across the desert without a single doubt.
"Ah, what a bother."
Even Rimmer, the Light Sword who supposedly didn't listen to the head of house, didn't object to Raon's words.
The entire Light Wind division seemed to completely trust Raon.
"Can't I just rest?"
Lisurn sighed as he watched Raon's back, which had already grown distant.
With his aura perception that exceeded human limits, there wasn't even a need to pass on information about finding the enemy. He had seen many martial artists, but this was the first time he'd encountered such a monster.
'Even if I'm not much help...'
I should follow till the end.
Apart from Denning Rose's request, thanks to Raon, he had been able to experience new emotions with the Siran Tribe.
Even if just to feel that sensation again, he wanted to chase after the Light Wind division.
"Let's go together!"
Lisurn dusted off his hands and ran across the desert, chasing after the Light Wind division.
"Hmm..."
"L-Let's go too!"
"Right! The Sword Saint's Tomb is right in front of us! We can't lose it here!"
"Exactly. Once we get into the tomb, who knows who'll get the prize."
"Let's stick close!"
The martial artists who had been blocked by the Holy Sword Alliance and Black Tower also ran across the desert in the direction Raon had moved. The desire shining in their eyes hadn't diminished one bit.
"Phew..."
Unlike the martial artists running like wild bulls, there were also those who turned their backs as if giving up on the Sword Saint's Legacy.
"I can't do this anymore."
"I want to go back home too..."
"How are we supposed to beat monsters like that?"
"I should just go home and continue the family business..."
A small number of martial artists, seemingly discouraged by Raon's martial prowess, hung their heads and turned back the way they came.
However, the masters and eccentric experts who had been hiding in the forest and desert to observe the situation slowly followed Raon without a single one retreating.
* * *
After running for a while towards where the clash of aura had been felt, a desolate forest and desert appeared.
Half of the forest was reduced to ashes as if burned by flames, while the other half was frozen solid with black cold energy.
On the other hand, dozens of holes were dug in the desert. It looked as if it had been hit by magical bombardment, with not a single spot left intact.
'Did the Glacial Wraith and Lightning Decay Barfil fight in the forest, while Serena and the Demon Sword Master fought in the desert?'
Looking at the situation, it seemed that a 2-on-2 battle had taken place like that.
'No...'
There's one more.
Besides the auras of the Void Sword division swordsmen and the Demon Sword Squad's Sword Fanatics, there were traces of another high-level master.
Though he didn't know exactly who, it seemed there was one more person.
'If that's the case, then probably...'
As Raon was predicting another enemy, the sand dune in front of him exploded, and Serena and a tall man with long black hair soared into the air.
"..."
Serena's hair, which had been tied back, was now scattered in small pieces, and her uniform was spattered with sand and blood. It seemed she had suffered a setback.
In contrast, the tall swordsman facing her was smiling without even the slightest injury.
'Is that the Demon Sword Master?'
His arms and legs were abnormally long. Beyond just a body type suitable for swordsmanship and footwork, he looked almost like a mantis, but the aura he emanated was so immense that it wasn't laughable at all.
Thud!
The Demon Sword Master charged at Serena, treading on the air as if it were solid ground. The blade of the sharp sword in his hand quivered slightly, forming dozens of light webs.
"..."
Serena calmly raised her gaze at the net of blades covering the air. Gripping her sword with both hands, she struck down as if cleaving heaven and earth.
Kuwaaaaah!
An enormous shockwave erupted, dissolving both Serena's sword strike and the Demon Sword Master's net of blades.
Chiiiing!
As if he had predicted this situation, the Demon Sword Master rushed in from Serena's left, thrusting his sword towards her heart.
"..."
Serena, seemingly not having missed the Demon Sword Master's movement, stepped forward with her right foot on the desert. She advanced, blocking the Demon Sword Master's sword.
Jeooooong!
Thanks to her quick judgment, the Demon Sword Master's sword strike was deflected before reaching its target. If she had been even a little slower, her heart would have been pierced.
'The compatibility is not good.'
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the compatibility between the Demon Sword Master, who pursued extreme speed, and Serena, who emphasized weight, was the worst.
'On top of that...'
Raon turned his gaze to the left. From the crushed forest, a massive presence was rapidly approaching at a terrifying speed.
Kugugugugugu!
A woman with a youthful appearance, wrapped in black cold energy that had frozen half the forest, sprang out and raised a spear of cold energy towards Serena's neck.
It seemed the Glacial Wraith had defeated Lightning Decay and was now trying to assist the Demon Sword Master.
"You're late!"
The Demon Sword Master regained control of his sword that had been pushed back, with a sinister smile. As if not wanting to miss the opportunity, he once again thrust his sharp sword towards Serena's heart.
"Hmm..."
Serena's eyes, which had remained calm even when injured, twisted for the first time.
She looked only at the Demon Sword Master, not the Glacial Wraith, as if ready to give up on one side. It seemed she was trying to somehow endure the attack on her back with an aura shield.
Thud!
At that moment, Raon released his suppressed aura and used the Supreme Harmony Steps. Unlike the Demon Sword Master who stepped on air, he advanced as if leaping through space itself, positioning himself behind Serena.
"Raon?"
Receiving Serena's surprised gaze from the corner of his eye, Raon struck down on the charging Glacial Wraith's hand with the blade of his Heavenly Drive.
Kuwaaaaaaang!
The flames of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and the Glacial Wraith's cold energy clashed like snarling beasts before exploding in an instant.
"Kuuugh!"
The Glacial Wraith staggered back with a furrowed brow from the explosion of the intense shockwave. Her hand, which looked as if carved from clear ice, trembled violently.
"You are..."
As the Glacial Wraith rolled her eyes in confusion, the Demon Sword Master landed beside her.
"That's Raon Zieghart."
The Demon Sword Master furrowed his brow as if immediately recognizing Raon's identity.
"How did you get here? Luciton should have been there."
"Come to think of it..."
The Glacial Wraith also turned her gaze as if looking for Belusian.
"Do you need an answer?"
Raon looked down at the Glacial Wraith and the Demon Sword Master, tilting his chin.
"..."
The eyes of the two grew even fiercer.
"We didn't even feel them fighting?"
"Because we didn't fight."
"What?"
"They both died with a single strike. They weren't worth fighting."
Raon said coolly with calm eyes.
"This bastard..."
"Arrogant brat."
The Demon Sword Master and the Glacial Wraith bit their lips.
"I have no intention of chatting with you. Hand over the map."
Raon wiggled his finger at the Demon Sword Master.
"Ha! Kuhahahaha!"
The Demon Sword Master burst into laughter while clutching his head.
"I must have rested too much."
He twisted his lips and stomped on the ground.
"For a wet-behind-the-ears brat to talk so big!"
"Why don't you try dying to this big-talking brat then?"
As Raon snorted and was about to summon his Fire Spirit, it happened.
Wooooong!
A white mist surged up to the right of the Demon Sword Master and the Glacial Wraith, revealing a strange figure with its upper body tinged gray.
'This energy is...'
Bloody energy?
The bloody energy of the White Blood Religion could be felt from within the strange figure, and it was as intense as that of an apostle.
"That's him."
Serena bit her lip as she approached from the side.
"When Lightning Decay and I were fighting, he suddenly intervened. The Sixth Apostle."
She shook the sword in her grip, saying she had been ambushed.
'So it was the White Blood Religion after all.'
When he had sensed traces of a third master here, he had thought it might be an apostle of the White Blood Religion, and it turned out to be true.
'The Sixth Apostle...'
Though it was his first time seeing this apostle, he was not someone to be ignored. The bloody energy emanating from him was chillingly smooth.
Among the Five Demons, those three often moved together. It seemed they had agreed to share the Sword Saint's Tomb this time as well.
"You've come at a good time. First, let's deal with them..."
"A problem has arisen."
The Sixth Apostle glanced this way and shook his head.
"The Ghostly Treasure Seeker found the tomb first. He entered first, and now all the humans in the area are heading there."
"What?"
The Demon Sword Master widened his eyes as if he hadn't anticipated this situation.
"What nonsense is this!"
"Wasn't the Ghostly Treasure Seeker killed by Baegsau?"
The Glacial Wraith also opened her mouth as if to ask what he meant.
"It seems he was pretending to be dead while searching alone. He had memorized the map."
"Damn it all! Where is it?"
"Not far from here."
The Sixth Apostle raised his finger. White bloody energy spread from his fingertip, enveloping the Glacial Wraith and the Demon Sword Master.
"Where do you think you're going!"
"Hmph!"
Raon used the Supreme Harmony Steps. As he approached the Sixth Apostle to strike with his Crimson Slash, the Demon Sword Master and the Glacial Wraith simultaneously stretched out their hands.
Jeooooong!
The energy of the two monsters exploded in an instant, causing a shower of sword strikes and cold energy to rain down on the air. Their target wasn't me, but the Light Wind division and Void Sword division behind me.
Even with Serena and Rimmer there, it seemed difficult to block all of that.
"Damn it!"
Raon stepped back and summoned his Fire Spirit.
Hwuuuuung!
Hundreds of petals bloomed from his sword, forming a wall of fire that blocked the front of the Light Wind division and Void Sword division.
Chiiiing!
Rimmer and Serena also took charge of the left and right sides respectively, deflecting the falling sword strikes and cold energy.
However, in that moment, the Sixth Apostle, the Demon Sword Master, and the Glacial Wraith had already disappeared.
"Lord Raon!"
Lisurn approached with an urgent expression.
"What they said is true. The Ghostly Treasure Seeker found the tomb first and entered it!"
He bowed his head, saying he had just received a message from an agent.
"The location is..."
"Over there, I presume."
Raon pointed in the direction of the damaged forest. He could sense the presence of those who had just disappeared not far ahead. It really wasn't far.
"Let's go."
"Kuhup."
As he gestured towards the back, Serena stopped in her tracks and coughed up blood. It seemed the internal injuries she had been suppressing had flared up.
"Void Sword Division Leader!"
"I'm fine."
Serena wiped the blood from her mouth as if nothing had happened and swallowed an internal injury medicine.
"I was just caught off guard by the Sixth Apostle and got a little hurt. Don't worry."
She waved her hand and walked towards the forest first. Despite what must be severe pain, she didn't show it at all. Her endurance was similar to mine.
"Thanks for coming."
Serena bowed her head with a faint smile.
"Let's save the proper thanks for later and get going. We can't be late, but..."
"...Are you really alright?"
"Alright."
"...Understood."
It would be impolite to keep worrying when she said she was fine. Nodding, I entered deeper into the forest.
The corpses of Balkar's magicians who had fallen to the Glacial Wraith and demonized humans were scattered here and there. Many also seemed to have been victims of the Sixth Apostle and blood demons.
Having been attacked by two of the Five Demons, it seemed even Balkar's magicians couldn't withstand it.
Biting my lip as I went deeper into the forest, I could sense the presence of many people.
It was an enormous number, as if every human in the vicinity had gathered. Even the reclusive experts and former masters who had been hiding were showing themselves for the first time.
Some martial artists had drawn their swords as if wary of each other, but most were just rushing deeper into the forest.
Following the footsteps of the people deeper into the forest, a small zelkova tree appeared at the foot of a low hill, with a rectangular hole in the ground beneath it.
It wasn't natural; the edges were incredibly smooth, as if it had been artificially made.
The Demon Sword Master and the Glacial Wraith seemed to have already entered, as no one could be seen, and blood was splattered around.
Seeing that the one with the map had entered without doubt, it seemed certain that this was indeed the Sword Saint's Tomb.
Even now, reclusive experts, former masters, and ordinary martial artists alike were all throwing themselves into the tomb.
Raon frowned as he looked at the hole in the ground.
'I can't read the energy.'
It was just a hole, but the energy inside couldn't be felt.
"..."
Serena seemed to feel it too; her expression wasn't good.
"Void Sword division, we're going in."
However, her decision was quick. To find the mission of the Sword Saint's Tomb, she seemed determined to proceed regardless of whether it was a trap or not.
"Are you really going?"
"This is the mission I chose myself. It's right to complete it even if I die."
Serena smiled calmly, indicating she couldn't back down.
"Make your own decision. If you come in, try to be as careful as possible."
She lightly waved her hand and entered the tomb first.
The Void Sword division also jumped in without any hesitation, seemingly trusting their leader.
"What are we going to do?"
Rimmer approached from the side. Even at this moment, many people were entering the Sword Saint's Tomb.
"Isn't it a bit strange?"
"Strange?"
Rimmer came closer as if asking what I meant.
"It's strange that the tomb was discovered just as we were about to clash with the Demon Sword Squad, Black Tower, and White Blood Religion. And that everyone found out about it."
Raon furrowed his brow as he looked at the Sword Saint's Tomb. Seeing Serena's concerned expression earlier, she must have felt something was off too.
"Besides, the Ghostly Treasure Seeker is a thief and informant. He's not the type to openly reveal a tomb like this, even if it meant his death."
"Wasn't it a do-or-die situation? If he waited, the Holy Sword Alliance would have taken it."
Rimmer shook his head.
"Even so, the situation itself is indeed strange."
Burren narrowed his eyes as he looked at Raon.
"So you're saying there's a high chance it's a trap."
Rimmer sighed.
"That's right. However..."
Raon nodded to Rimmer and examined the hole again.
"This entrance is definitely old. Not just a few decades, but likely hundreds of years old."
The entrance looked so ancient that it was difficult to determine its exact age.
"I think similarly. It could be a trap, but it's not something made in a day or two."
Lisurn nodded in agreement.
"So what are we going to do?"
Rimmer tilted his head slightly, as if asking for a decision as the division leader.
Raon looked back at the Light Wind division. All the swordsmen gazed at him with confident eyes. Their expressions said they were ready for anything.
"We have to go."
Even if we can't obtain the Sword Saint's Legacy, we can't let it fall into the hands of the Five Demons.
Besides, the injured Serena is in there, so we can't just leave her. It's right to provide at least minimal support.
"Alright."
Rimmer nodded calmly. It seemed he would trust Raon's judgment as the division leader, right or wrong.
"Dorian."
Raon gestured to Dorian.
"Distribute those to everyone."
"Those. Ah! Yes!"
Dorian nodded and distributed badges engraved with a green wind pattern to all members of the Light Wind division.
"What's this?"
Burren shook his head as he received the badge.
"It's the Light Wind division's emblem."
"So that's why it's a green wind."
He glanced at Rimmer and smirked.
"Well, it's tacky, but not too bad."
Martha nodded.
"It's light."
Runaan immediately attached the badge to her sleeve, as if she liked it.
"It's lame. They should've just given me the money used to make these."
"..."
However, the elf who was the motif for this badge's design frowned as if displeased. There really wasn't a single aspect he liked about it.
"We're going in."
After confirming that all members of the Light Wind division had attached their badges to various parts of their uniforms, Raon jumped into the Sword Saint's Tomb.
His feet didn't touch the ground, and the aura he had spread around him was suddenly cut off. It meant this was a completely separate space, isolated from the outside.
The sensation was strange. It felt like floating in the air while falling into an endless abyss.
After falling for what seemed like an eternity, his senses dulled, and he finally felt his feet touch the ground.
He slowly lifted his eyelids.
Raon's jaw dropped as he saw an unbelievable sight.
"What the... This is..."