Chapter 749
Raon narrowed his eyes as he observed the swordsmen filling the area in front of the main building. It wasn't just the Central Martial Palace; the entire House Zieghart seemed to have gathered here.
"Did everyone come to see the Central Martial Palace Master?"
"That's right," Dorian replied, swallowing the bread he had been chewing and nodding quickly. "If the Central Martial Palace Master achieves Transcendence, House Zieghart will be the only one among the Five Kings with three Transcendent Warriors. Everyone—from the inner city to the outer city, even the vassal families—is buzzing about Lord Karoon."
He clenched his fist tightly, his excitement palpable.
"Hmm!" Burren pursed his lips and shrugged, seemingly satisfied with the anticipation surrounding Karoon.
-Bra-bread! Wrath swallowed his saliva as he eyed the crumbs Dorian had dropped, seemingly indifferent to Karoon.
-'Why are you making such a fuss over a piece of bread…'
-'It's all because of you!' The creature lunged at him, yelling loudly.
-'You've been gobbling up Nadine bread every day, and now my mouth is all sore! Everything I eat tastes like rubber!' Wrath tied a white band around his head, demanding human rights.
-'Rise up! This king demands the right to eat… It's a basic human right!'
Raon pushed Wrath aside, muttering as he walked toward the Lord's Manor. "At this rate, there won't be any space left to watch."
"Division Leader! Over here, please!" Krein, who had arrived early to secure a good spot, waved his hand.
Raon chuckled, joining Krein's side. "The Central Martial Palace Master has been in the audience chamber for over thirty minutes. He should be coming out soon."
Wiping his lips, Krein nodded. "If we wait a little longer, we'll see for ourselves."
"W-What do you think happened?" Dorian asked nervously, clasping his hands.
"Who knows." Raon's gaze shifted to the tense Burren, fingers fiddling absentmindedly.
A measured footstep echoed from inside the Lord's Manor, commanding all attention. Karoon Zieghart appeared, dressed in a neatly pressed uniform.
"Ah..." Raon's breath caught as he saw Karoon's red eyes. Karoon had stepped into a completely new realm.
-He's ascended. Wrath nodded solemnly.
-His aura is stabilized. He's mastered his Willpower and image.
Though reluctant, Wrath acknowledged Karoon's achievement. Raon exhaled heavily.
"It's not just a change. He seems like a completely different person." In Karoon's calm, settled eyes, a blade as precise as a clock's pendulum gleamed. Even without the intense aura of before, he sent chills down one's spine.
I couldn't beat him now.
Had Raon dueled Karoon at his previous Grandmaster peak, the result would have been fifty-fifty. Now, it would be certain defeat.
"F-Father." Burren's lips trembled, sensing the shift in Karoon's aura.
"It seems you've improved, if only a little." Karoon immediately noted Burren's growth.
"N-No, not at all," Burren muttered, fidgeting. "It must be thanks to you."
Karoon's gaze moved past Burren to Raon. "Thank you."
"Pardon…?" Raon swallowed dryly, every hair on end.
"Even with talent, it's difficult to grow this fast," Karoon said, eyes acknowledging Raon's teaching. "It's the path the Third Squad Leader discovered on his own."
Raon shook his head, giving credit to Burren.
"Is that so?" Karoon's interest in Burren seemed genuine now, his gaze attentive.
"Um, Father… about Transcendence…" Burren stepped closer, asking the question on everyone's mind.
"I've reached it." Karoon nodded without hesitation.
"Woah!"
"P-Palace Master! Congratulations!"
"We knew you could do it!"
"Finally, the third Transcendent Warrior of Zieghart!"
The swordsmen of the Central Martial Palace and the direct lineage members cheered loudly. Even swordsmen from other factions, aware of the looming threat of the Five Demons, offered genuine applause.
"Thank you." Karoon accepted their congratulations calmly, neither arrogant nor haughty.
"Raon Zieghart." Karoon approached him.
"Yes, sir." Raon exhaled deeply, looking into Karoon's calm, composed eyes.
"I may be ahead now, but someday you'll catch up to me." Karoon's gaze softened slightly.
"...There's still a long way to go." Before entering the Room of Self, catching up might have been possible. Now, he'd have to cross an entire ocean to reach Karoon's level.
"No, you will surely reach this realm soon," Karoon said confidently. Raon couldn't understand why Karoon was praising him.
"However, I cannot yield the throne." Karoon's calm gaze wavered slightly. "Even if you reach my level—or surpass it—the throne of Zieghart is mine."
"That's…" Raon's eyes widened. Karoon had just declared his intention to become head of House Zieghart.
"Yes. It's a declaration." Karoon nodded confidently.
Raon calmly closed his eyes. Then you've come to the wrong person. I have no desire for the throne of Zieghart.
-That's right! Wrath perched on his shoulder, flapping his hands.
-"This guy's only interested in swordsmanship! An obsession, a love story!"
"No. You and I will cross swords before the golden throne." Karoon smiled, certain of the future. "I'll be waiting."
He turned and headed to the Central Martial Palace. The swordsmen glanced at Raon before following him.
"My goal of earning Father's recognition hasn't changed," Burren muttered, fists clenched.
"I know." Raon observed his disciplined swordsmanship. "I won't give up. I'll harmonize your techniques."
Burren nodded, returning to the Fifth Training Ground instead of the Palace, determined to refine his swordsmanship out of respect for Karoon.
Father and son… Raon licked his lips, watching them depart in opposite directions. Having never experienced a father, he felt he might never truly understand it.
Before midnight, Raon arrived at the head of house's training ground. Glenn had arrived early, looking up at the night sky.
"Greetings, Head of House," Raon bowed.
"I heard you met with Karoon." Glenn turned, a faint smile acknowledging their conversation.
"Yes. He has ascended to Transcendence." Raon nodded, recalling Karoon's calm yet sharp aura.
"What did you think?"
"It felt like a night forest, quiet but unpredictable in what might emerge."
"You've seen it correctly," Glenn said. "I expected him to reach Transcendence, but he's surpassed even my expectations. That child's talent has finally blossomed."
Raon's resolve strengthened. "Yes. It's a distant and high mountain, but not one I can't climb."
Glenn nodded. "But I heard Karoon spoke of the position of head of house. You really have no interest?"
"Yes." Raon lowered his gaze. "My goal was to elevate my mother to the direct lineage. The throne isn't my concern."
"I see. That's enough." Glenn agreed, then walked forward. "Now, about the Room of Self… unfortunately, it won't be available for a while. Karoon has taken too much from it. It would be best to consider using it next year."
"I understand." Raon bowed, accepting it calmly.
"Then let's begin today's training. The swordsmanship I'll teach you is the Mystic Soul Sword." Glenn drew the Heavenly Tremor sword solemnly.
"It's a Transcendent swordsmanship leaked from the Holy Sword Alliance. Even for you, it will be quite challenging."
He pointed his sword skyward. Raon exhaled, pushing thoughts of Karoon and the throne aside. Calmly, he raised his Heavenly Drive sword. His red eyes burned quietly like embers.
"I'm ready."
Meanwhile, in a vast, chaotic forest, a tall woman advanced. Her face was hidden by a black orc helmet, but her fair, supple skin suggested youth. As she walked, the underbrush parted, as if the forest itself welcomed her.
Even more astonishing were the creatures following her: goblins, kobolds, orcs, trolls, and larger monsters like ogres. Creatures that should fight to the death marched together, as if possessed.
A man in a green snake helmet whistled. "As expected, an awakened king is different."
"The effect is far better than mask magic. Did you expect this?"
"No. I thought she might be useful as a Red or Green Demon. I didn't know she could control monsters as well." The Twin-Headed Demon shrugged.
The man chuckled. "Lucky indeed. Including that one." He pointed at the Severing Sword watching from behind. "Ah, that one I brought intentionally."
The Twin-Headed Demon smirked. "Despite a weak aura, its swordsmanship is insane. I want to fight again."
"You guys are still perverts," the man snorted.
"We'll need to adjust the timing. If they gather too quickly, trouble might come," he said before disappearing.
The Severing Sword trembled at the fingertips, following the woman. The Twin-Headed Demon watched, amused.
"Is it instinct? Or…"
Late at night, close to midnight, Raon watched dozens of sword lights illuminating the Fifth Training Ground.
They've all improved a lot.
-Completely different from three months ago. Wrath nodded. The Light Wind Division had changed dramatically.
Even those who hadn't joined from the start, except Yua and Julius, had surpassed the wall of Master. Burren, Martha, Runaan, and Mark Goetun reached top-tier Master.
Am I the only one whose level hasn't changed?
Yet Raon didn't rush. Even if his rank remained the same, his mastery of the Ten Thousand Swords and various techniques from Glenn had improved tremendously.
Especially the Mystic Soul Sword—a Transcendent technique of the Holy Sword Alliance—it fit him surprisingly well. Its solemn grandeur seemed to connect his past and present lives.
Raon headed to the head of house's training ground, carrying the swordsmen's fervor in his heart.
As he practiced the Mystic Soul Sword, steadying his breath, Glenn entered.
"Greetings, Head of House." Raon bowed.
"I saw the Fifth Training Ground on my way here. Everyone has improved. Their level is quite impressive. We still have a long way to go."
"Now…" Glenn raised his hand. "I think you're ready for a new mission."