"A sparring match?"
Karoon frowned deeply as he looked at Raon.
"Why are you requesting a sparring match with me?"
He asked the reason first, not intending to refuse outright.
"I want to see how effective my martial prowess is against a Transcendent Warrior."
Raon straightened his back, meeting Karoon's unwavering gaze, still as calm as a vast lake.
"I wasn't able to fully demonstrate my abilities during the mission."
He hadn't been able to go all out against Marang because of the surprise attack to prevent escape, and the Greedy Demon and White Demon Swordsman hadn't been at their peak—he had cut them down without difficulty. He had broadened his inner realm and gained experience through their swordsmanship, but it felt incomplete. He hadn't truly unleashed his power.
To fill that void, he had already been considering requesting a sparring match with Karoon before returning to Zieghart.
Karoon should be more than enough.
His intuition, honed through countless battles, told him he couldn't win. But that was precisely why he wanted to measure himself against Karoon.
I'll face more Transcendent Warriors in the future.
While the top-tier Five Demons rarely moved, there was a high chance of encountering lower-ranked Transcendents. If he could gauge his abilities now, it would help in future battles.
"..."
Karoon pressed his lips tightly, considering, while Glenn let out a heavy sigh of displeasure.
"Nephew!"
Balder stomped loudly, waving his arms.
"I can fight you all day long. Come at me right now if you want!"
He grinned as if ready to spar right there in the audience chamber.
"…I'll ask you another time."
Raon gave him a faint smile.
Balder wouldn't be bad either, but Karoon comes first.
Though Balder was strong enough to require full effort, Raon didn't think he would lose. What he wanted now was defeat—a clash with Karoon, who could show him the height of transcendence.
"My nephew sure has picky tastes."
Balder clicked his tongue before turning to Karoon.
"Just do it for him. It's not that difficult, is it?"
"Father…"
Burren also bowed to Karoon, pleading silently.
"Raon Zieghart."
Karoon finally spoke, voice calm.
"I believe I owe you a debt."
"A debt?"
Raon narrowed his eyes. He had thought Karoon might bear resentment, so the word startled him.
"When my misdeeds were exposed and I was punished, I lay in the infirmary for a long time. At first, I cursed you, resented my father, and blamed my subordinates. I screamed that I had done nothing wrong. But as time passed, I realized—I was the cause of it all."
Karoon tapped his chest lightly.
"What I had lost was trivial. The true treasure remained here."
"If you mean treasure…"
"It's Zieghart."
Karoon raised his gaze to Glenn and his throne.
"Once I shed the ugly shell I had built, I saw the Zieghart I dreamed of as a child. Only then did I realize how despicable and ugly a path I had walked. If I had become Head of House in that state, I would have regretted it forever."
His eyes returned to Raon.
"It was thanks to you stopping me. Thank you."
"…"
Raon swallowed, unsettled. Has he changed this much?
Karoon had achieved transcendence not only in martial power but also in spirit. His limits no longer seemed ordinary.
The direct lineage members gasped.
"Is that really you, brother?"
"Not a doppelganger?"
Burren's eyes blazed with pride and emotion.
"I'll repay that debt now."
Karoon bowed toward Glenn.
"I will accept the Light Wind Division Leader's request for a sparring match."
Glenn's eyes flickered between son and grandson before he finally nodded.
"Permission granted."
"Thank you."
Karoon bowed again and turned.
"Shall we go right away?"
"Of course."
Raon followed him out. The executives and the Light Wind Division hurried after, eager to witness.
"Will it be alright?" Rimmer frowned, concerned at Karoon's change.
"There's no need to worry," Glenn murmured, recalling the pure look in Karoon's eyes.
The Sparring Match
Raon exhaled as he faced Karoon in the great training ground.
I didn't think this would actually happen.
"Nephew, don't be nervous!" Balder shouted.
"He's not going to kill you!"
Burren also nodded firmly, telling Raon to trust his father.
—From what this king sees, those eyes look like he is trying to kill you.
Wrath chuckled darkly.
'…I can't read him at all.'
Raon sighed. Karoon's intentions were hidden.
"Begin," Glenn declared, arms crossed.
"Raon Zieghart," Karoon said, drawing his sword.
"What you seek isn't just a spar. You want a clue to transcendence, don't you?"
"That's correct."
"Then one exchange will be enough."
"One exchange?"
Raon's eyes widened.
"The difference in our swordsmanship isn't that great," Karoon admitted. "But right now, if I fight you, I will never lose."
"I know."
Raon nodded without hesitation.
"I'll show you why."
Karoon raised his sword in a simple downward stance. Yet the aura around him grew vast, as if ready to split the world.
Executives staggered back.
"It's hard to breathe…"
"My body won't move…"
The Light Wind Division trembled but forced themselves to watch.
"Raon Zieghart. Show me everything you've got."
"Understood."
Raon drew Heavenly Drive and opened his mental world. Sword Domain: Heaven's Rift. His myriad techniques bloomed like flowers and fused into a golden flame.
Karoon lowered his sword.
"Sword Domain: Emperor."
His blade carried tyrannical majesty, the dignity of a ruler who had seized the throne itself.
This… is transcendence.
Raon's jaw trembled. The difference was overwhelming, yet he struck with all he had.
Their blades met.
A thunderous explosion erupted, collapsing the training ground. Tornadoes of aura surged until Glenn waved them away with a flick of his hand.
When the dust cleared, Raon knelt with his sword planted in the ground, blood trickling from his forehead. Karoon's sword hovered before him, steady and unshaken.
"Did you see it?"
"I saw it."
"Then that's enough."
Karoon sheathed his blade and turned away.
Raon rose on unsteady legs.
"Palace Master… Why go this far for me? Didn't you once see me as a rival for the head position?"
Karoon paused.
"Didn't I say I owed you a debt? And besides…" He looked back. "We are Zieghart."
With that, he left.
Raon stared, stunned. Even Wrath was speechless.
—This king has never seen such change in one so old. Truly fascinating.
Raon could only agree.
Burren ran after his father, eyes burning with renewed respect. The executives were also left in awe.
"I didn't expect Karoon to change like that." Rimmer laughed. "Though you lost training time with your grandson."
Glenn snorted, but a gentle smile curved his lips.
"It feels like a prodigal son has returned home."
The Talking Bear
Back at the annex, Raon reflected on Karoon's sword.
Strong, yet noble. His elegance became power once he shed his arrogance.
Perhaps transcendence was not only strength but also realization.
—Enough about transcendence! Food!
Wrath demanded.
Raon smiled faintly. He had time.
But as he neared the annex garden, he froze.
"Wait… Wasn't that a rock?"
What he thought was a boulder rose, stretching into the massive frame of a bear.
"A fire bear…?"
—Bear! Delicious bear!
Wrath wagged his tail in excitement.
The bear, catching sight of light from the annex, ran across the lake. Raon moved to intercept, but the beast suddenly lunged straight at him.
"Huh—"
"Raon!"
As its jaws opened, human words poured out.
Both Raon and Wrath froze, then bolted in the opposite direction.