"Huh? Mother's?"
Martha's fingertips trembled. The sword she was holding fell and stuck into the ground.
"Yes. Your mother. No, the Leader of the White Blood Religion's whereabouts have been discovered."
He slightly lowered his eyebrows, as if unsure what to call her.
"...Where?"
Martha clutched her aching chest and bit her lip.
"In the south. I heard she's wreaked havoc on the Carl Kingdom, which is close to the Beast Union."
Denier stroked his forehead and let out a long sigh.
"They say three knight orders were annihilated, and even the king was killed."
"Ugh..."
Martha clenched her trembling hand into a fist.
"That demon-like woman..."
The body controlled by the Leader of the White Blood Religion is her mother's.
To think that hundreds were massacred by the body of her mother, who had never resorted to violence despite living a harsh life - it made her heart boil with rage that felt like it could burst.
"Why did she attack the Carl Kingdom?"
"It's not clear yet, but it seems she was after the kingdom's relics. Considering the king is dead, she must have succeeded."
Denier shook his head, saying it was not a good situation.
"Then where is the Leader of the White Blood Religion now?"
"The Beast Union Leader personally tracked her as soon as he heard about the attack on the Carl Kingdom, but she had already vanished."
"I suppose so..."
Even for the Beast Union Leader, tracking and capturing the Leader of the White Blood Religion from such a distance was nearly impossible.
"Are you alright?"
Denier grasped Martha's shoulder as she hung her head.
"You asked me to find out about the Leader of the White Blood Religion's actions, so I investigated, but I'm not sure if this was the right decision."
"No. This is something I really need. Thank you, Father."
Martha clutched her swaying necklace and bit her lip hard.
'Yes. I must know.'
She needed to know what the Leader of the White Blood Religion had done with her mother's body, who she had killed, so that one day she could seek forgiveness.
Because I haven't given up on saving my mother yet.
"Still, there is one piece of good news."
Denier raised a finger as he looked at Martha.
"Good news?"
"Yes. You said the Leader of the White Blood Religion was still wearing your mother's necklace, right?"
"That's right. That's how I was able to recognize her."
The Leader of the White Blood Religion looked similar to her mother, but with a much more delicate and youthful appearance. Without the necklace, it would have been difficult to recognize her.
"The great shaman Balram's answer has returned. He says the reason the Leader of the White Blood Religion is wearing that necklace is because she couldn't completely erase your mother's soul."
Denier nodded as he looked at the necklace Martha was holding.
"If fortune favors us, we might be able to drive out the Leader of the White Blood Religion's soul."
"Is... is that true?"
"Yes. However, the possibility is extremely low."
"That's enough. That's all I need."
Martha nodded as she picked up the sword that had fallen to the ground.
'To think we might be able to save Mom....'
While her goal of killing the Leader of the White Blood Religion was firm, she had no idea how to save her mother.
Hearing that there might be a way to solve her greatest hardship made her heart start pounding fiercely.
"What do we need to do to save Mom?"
"They said that a talisman infused with Heaven's Rift magic and someone related by blood are crucial. I've already requested the item."
Denier took a breath as he looked at Martha's wavering eyes.
"Balram is as reliable in his work as he is obsessed with money. You can trust him."
"Father. Thank you."
Martha lowered her head, unable to meet Denier's eyes.
"I'll repay you someday, for sure."
Balram was the most money-hungry shaman on the continent. Given the astronomical sum that must have been involved, a simple thank you wasn't enough.
"It's what a father should do."
Denier shook his head and hugged Martha, whose shoulders were trembling.
"...Thank you so much."
Martha closed her eyes, feeling Denier's warmth.
'Meeting you was the greatest fortune of my life.'
If it weren't for Denier, she would have died on the streets, let alone come to Zieghart. Thanks to him, she gained the Zieghart name and met Raon and the Light Wind division. It was a debt she would have to repay for a lifetime.
"By the way, Martha?"
"Yes?"
"If I'm not mistaken, I think you used wind..."
Denier tilted his head in confusion.
"That's right."
Martha looked up at Denier and nodded.
"Raon created a new martial art. It's called the Gale Wind Style..."
She told Denier about the Gale Wind Style that Raon created and how the entire Light Wind division had fallen into a state of enlightenment.
"Gale Wind Style..."
Denier murmured the name of the Gale Wind Style while examining the sword marks Martha had left.
"Could you show me, perhaps?"
"Of course. But I don't have much Aura left, so I can't do it for long."
Martha stepped back from Denier and activated the Gale Wind Style.
She wrapped Titan's Aura with the wind of the Gale Wind Style and performed the Martial God Sword she learned from Denier.
Kuuuuung!
The heavy sword strike, imbued with sharpness and speed, created a power of a whole new dimension.
"How is it?"
Martha performed a series of Martial God Sword forms in succession and then raised her chin.
"Could it be a martial art that uses Super Sense?"
Denier widened his eyes in surprise.
"That's right. It moves according to my thoughts, but the wind itself has a will and dwells in the sword."
"My, my..."
Denier swallowed dryly, seemingly genuinely surprised.
"Are you saying Raon really created this martial art?"
"He created it in just a week. We were all surprised. Even that gambler skipped the gambling den to train."
Martha smiled, saying it was a martial art that even made Rimmer train.
"Hmm..."
She nodded slightly, looking at the wind that had disappeared from her hand.
"The wind has gone out. I should go inside and practice some more."
"Alright. Go ahead."
As Denier nodded, Martha bowed and turned her back.
At that moment, Denier's eyes sank into an empty color. The interest, love, surprise, and bewilderment he had shown his daughter melted away like a watercolor painting in the rain.
* * *
After finishing an uncomfortable meal with Glenn, Raon headed to Sylvia's hospital room.
"Raon!"
Sylvia rose from the bed, wearing martial arts attire instead of a patient gown.
"Mom. Why are you wearing martial arts clothes..."
"Today is the day Madam is being discharged."
Helen smiled as she folded the patient gown Sylvia had been wearing.
"My only son didn't even know his mother was being discharged, visiting only once a week..."
Sylvia sniffled, saying it was sad.
"I-I told you it would take some time because I was teaching martial arts to the others..."
Raon rubbed the back of his neck as he looked at Sylvia's eyes.
-Tsk tsk!
Wrath clicked his tongue and shook his head.
-This is why they say raising an angel is useless!
He clung to Sylvia, wagging his tail.
-Mother needn't worry! This king will serve you to the end!
Wrath held Sylvia's shoulders, saying the real child was here.
"I'm just kidding."
Sylvia smiled brightly and waved her hand.
"I know better than anyone how busy you are. So, did you teach the Gale Wind Style well?"
"Yes. Luckily..."
Raon told her about how the entire Light Wind division had fallen into a state of enlightenment.
"Th-they all fell into a state of enlightenment? Is that even possible?"
Sylvia widened her eyes, saying she had never heard of such a thing.
"I didn't expect it either."
Raon waved his hand and sat next to Sylvia.
"Hearing that the kids fell into enlightenment makes my body feel stiff."
Sylvia rotated her shoulders, saying she wanted to be discharged immediately and start training.
"Yes. You should train and teach the Radiant Light Flow."
"Hmm..."
At those words, Helen twirled her hair around her finger.
"Young Master. Can we really learn it too?"
"Yes. Even if you're starting martial arts late, I made it easy to learn. It won't be too difficult."
Raon smiled, saying they just needed to trust Sylvia.
"Whew, I never thought I'd be learning martial arts at this age. I'm excited but nervous."
Seeing Helen's trembling hands reminded him of the incident with Glenn.
"Ah, there was one more unusual thing that happened today."
"An unusual thing? Is there anything more unusual than the entire Light Wind division falling into enlightenment?"
"Yes. The Head of House..."
He told them about what happened with Glenn before coming to the hospital room.
"Huh..."
Helen reacted first, letting out a rough breath.
"A-a meal with the Head of House! Madam! Doesn't this mean the Head of House wants to get closer?"
"Hmm, well..."
Contrary to expectations, Sylvia drew a faint smile without looking surprised.
"Raon."
"Yes?"
"If something similar happens again, please treat the Head of House warmly."
"W-warmly?"
"Yes. Warmly."
She grabbed his shoulders, saying she was asking a favor.
"That's impossible..."
Just as he was about to say it was difficult, the door to the hospital room burst open.
The people who entered were Ensia and Siyana, who had left for House Yonaan to write Raon Zieghart's biography.
"Mother!"
"A-are you alright?"
The two rushed to Sylvia and Helen, examining their bodies all over.
"I'm fine. I've fully recovered."
Sylvia smiled brightly and raised her arms.
"We're sorry! We were in seclusion, so we got the news too late!"
"S-sorry."
Ensia made a tearful face, saying she didn't even know her friend from the Shadow Agents had sent information. Siyana also apologized and bowed her head.
"No, it's fine. It's actually good that you were away."
Sylvia smiled, saying she was glad at least they didn't have to suffer.
"Mother!"
"S-Sylvia."
Ensia rushed to Sylvia, while Siyana sniffled, hiding her face behind her long hair.
Raon smiled faintly as he watched the scene.
'Yeah. It's good they weren't here.'
Ensia is the heir to House Yonaan, and Siyana is a High Elf from Sepia and a Spirit King's Contractor.
If Killian had messed with those two, it would have been really troublesome.
'But still...'
Am I invisible?
Usually, they would have looked for me first and shouted "handsome", but they were so sorry they didn't even pay attention to me. It was clearly what I wanted, but it felt a bit bitter.
-You pathetic guy.
Wrath shook his head as if he had noticed that thought.
"So, did you finish the book?"
"Yes! It will be published across the entire continent soon!"
"Can you show me?"
"Of course!"
Ensia took out a book with a very luxurious cover and handed it to Sylvia.
In the center was written "Raon Zieghart Biography Volume 2", and the cover was a deep green. Just seeing the book sent chills down his spine.
"May I take a look as well?"
Raon swallowed dryly and approached Ensia and Siyana.
"Huh? Handsome Raon! How long have you been here?"
"Gasp!"
Ensia approached with a bright smile, while Siyana hid behind her.
"You're looking handsome today too! That slightly scratched forehead is so nice!"
She laughed, cupping her reddened cheeks.
"I heard everything! The Sanctuary of Blades!"
Ensia licked her lips.
"I'm going to write about the Sanctuary of Blades in the next volume! It's perfect for the biography! It's a real legend!"
"Yeah. Yeah."
Siyana nodded as if it were obvious.
"Uh, um..."
"Ah, you asked for the book, right? Of course, I should give it to you."
Ensia took out another "Raon Zieghart Biography Volume 2" from her subspace pouch and handed it to him. This one was also a crisp new book.
"...Thank you."
Raon opened the book with his name on it with trembling hands.
[When Raon Zieghart shouted, the Blue Dragon Kaivar trembled in fear, shaking its reversed scales, and hid deep in the sea.] (E/N: mostly true though misleading)
[As Raon Zieghart drew his divine sword imbued with the breath of the sun, the sea split in half, revealing the body of the Blue Dragon Kaivar hidden on the seafloor.] (E/N: not true)
[Sensing defeat, the Blue Dragon Kaivar knelt down, begging for forgiveness and offering all the treasures it had gathered.] (E/N: pure fiction)
[Raon Zieghart did not fall for the dragon's temptation. He raised his demonic sword wrapped in moonlight and beheaded the Azure Dragon in one stroke. At that moment, as if blessed by the gods, the treasures hidden by Kaivar poured down like rain.] (E/N: What?)
Raon squeezed his eyes shut after reading the dragon section.
'Trembling its reversed scales and hiding, the sea splitting in half, a dragon kneeling, and treasures raining down?'
Not a single thing was normal. (E/N: But hey, it's improving. Last time, you somehow created the moon by throwing a pebble!)
'Siyana went with her, so why did it get even worse!' (E/N: "...")
* * *
A region where mountains and rivers meet, where sunlight gently fades.
Axe King Roman drove the handle of his axe into a gravel bed full of stones of various sizes.
He picked up a coin-shaped pebble and ran it along the red axe blade. The pebble split into four pieces before even sharpening the blade twice.
Roman picked up a new pebble and sharpened the axe blade again. This time, it took five strokes before the pebble turned to dust.
He focused so intently on sharpening the axe blade with pebbles that his breathing was inaudible, as if it were a crucial task.
Even as the sun that had been hanging high in the sky sank down, and the sparks flying from the pebbles striking the blade lit up the darkness, Roman's hand did not stop.
Roman only stopped after turning over a thousand pebbles to sand. He nodded with satisfied eyes and then gestured with his chin.
"You can come out now."
"How long have you known?"
From within the mountain's shadow, an old man with grayish-white hair stepped out.
Deep wrinkles were etched on the old man's face, but his body revealed solid muscles as if filled with rock.
But what truly revealed him was his intense aura, like lightning. A massive wave of unified energy and spirit covered the space like a cloud.
"What brings you here, Vice Alliance Leader?"
Roman calmly turned his gaze without answering the old man's question.
"I came to see if the preparations are going well."
The old man called the Vice Alliance Leader shook his head briefly.
"I'm not sure if the preparations are going well or not. But it's been a long time since I've looked forward to a life-or-death battle this much."
Roman calmly rotated his wrist, saying he was simply enjoying it.
"I heard that young brat obtained the Sword Saint's martial art?"
"I've heard that too."
He nodded calmly.
"However, it has nothing to do with me."
"How can it not matter when you're having a life-or-death battle with that young brat?"
"What's important is not him, but myself."
Roman nodded with serene eyes and picked up another pebble.
"So you're confident you'll win?"
"Of course."
He spoke of his own victory without any hesitation, befitting a martial artist with the title of King.
"Confidence is good. Yes. You'll need to win with that confidence."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You're the third spear of the South-North Union. Wouldn't it be utterly humiliating to lose to a Zieghart youngster who's barely come of age?"
The Vice Alliance Leader's lips twisted upwards.
"If that happens, I won't be able to sit still either."
"Vice Alliance Leader. You don't mean..."
"I'm different from that foolish Head of the Elder's Council. I don't move based on grudges. I only act for the Union."
He nodded, saying he would look forward to it.
"This is a life-or-death battle between me and Raon Zieghart. Even if I lose, you must not interfere!"
Roman threw a fierce glare at the Vice Alliance Leader as if warning him.
"You just need to win, don't you?"
The Vice Alliance Leader lightly waved his hand as if telling him to focus only on the battle, then turned his back.
"Let's go."
At those words, a young man with red hair stepped out from behind a tree on the right.
Unlike the Vice Alliance Leader, the young man's aura was calmly subdued. It was as hazy as a misty rain, as if he didn't exist here.
But looking again, one would feel an eerie, intense radiance surrounding him. It was a light that emanated both warmth and coldness simultaneously.
"Beorn..."
The young man called Beorn bowed his head with eyes calm like dying embers, then followed behind the Vice Alliance Leader.
Roman furrowed his brow as he watched Beorn's back.
'I still don't like that guy, just like the Vice Alliance Leader.'
It wasn't because Beorn had broken Lector. He couldn't tell at all what that guy was thinking.
'Similar, yet different.'
Both Raon and Beorn possessed overwhelming talent and red eyes deeper than blood.
But the look in their eyes was completely different.
When you see Raon's eyes filled with passion, you naturally feel expectation and fondness towards him, but Beorn is the opposite. Looking into his calm eyes made one feel chills and discomfort.
"Hoo."
He exhaled briefly to clear his mind.
He picked up another pebble and sharpened the axe blade. As if his concentration had run out, the pebble crumbled to dust after just two strokes, like the first one.
Roman clicked his tongue and grasped a new pebble. The sound of the axe blade being sharpened continued until sunrise, along with the gentle flow of the river.
* * *
Raon sat in front of a luxurious round table that seemed to have shadows draped over it, licking his lips.
'There are no good missions today.'
He tried to choose a mission at the Division Leader conference that would give the Light Wind division some real-world experience, but nothing particularly appealed to him.
'Reconnaissance, investigation, search...'
Although a few major incidents had occurred recently, most were in the south and center, so there wasn't much for Zieghart to worry about.
'Isn't there anything else?'
He looked at Chad, hoping for a mission that would involve combat, even if it was just bandit subjugation.
"Then I'll tell you about the next mission."
Chad glanced briefly in his direction as he spread out some documents.
"It's reported that various monsters are gathering around Devarn Mountain. Given that there's even an Ettin, it seems a quite powerful king has been born."
"A king..."
Most monsters move in tribal units. Even if they're the same species, if they're from different tribes, they engage in fierce territorial battles.
But there are times when monsters move as one, regardless of tribe or species. When a king is born who can unite all species.
'This is it.'
If there was even an Ettin, one of the strongest among large monsters, it seemed a powerful king had indeed been born, as Chad said.
"Those who wish to take on the monster subjugation mission at Devarn Mountain, please raise your hands."
As it was the most significant mission so far, all the executives who hadn't been assigned a mission raised their hands.
Raon also raised his hand without hesitation.
"The Light Wind Division Leader has to fight a life-or-death battle soon. Do you have time for a mission?"
"That's right. Wouldn't it be better to focus on personal training?"
The direct lineage executives subtly directed their gazes at him, as if telling him to lower his hand.
Since they couldn't overwhelm him with martial prowess like before, they were just trying to get under his skin verbally. Alice's absence seemed to be playing a part too.
"I'll handle my own affairs, so mind your own business."
Raon gave the direct lineage executives a cold look.
"Hmm..."
"Uh, well..."
The direct lineage executives couldn't meet Raon's eyes and lowered their gazes.
However, unwilling to give up on keeping him in check, they immediately approached Balder, the True Martial Palace Master.
"How about you take on this mission yourself, Palace Master?"
"Yes. If you step up, that guy will have no choice but to lower his hand."
"This is probably the best mission among those presented today."
The direct lineage executives bowed their heads to Balder instead of Karoon, as if asking him to use his influence.
"Hmm..."
Balder licked his lips and raised his hand. As the Palace Master raised his hand, the others sighed and lowered theirs.
"As expected of Lord Balder!"
"Everyone will be moved by the Palace Master's grace!"
The direct lineage executives snickered, mocking Raon.
Raon furrowed his brow. Since mission assignments were determined by rank and power, there was no way around it once Balder made his move.
Just as he was about to click his tongue and lower his hand, Balder pointed at him with the hand he had raised.
"If everyone else is out, let's give this mission to the Light Wind Division Leader."
Balder grinned and winked with one eye.
"Huh...?"
Raon gaped at Balder's wink.
'What's that lump up to now?' (E/N: didn't he say the last time that he would give the best mission to Raon? Sure, that he remembered is a bit surprising, but that's about it)