Raon exhaled calmly as he looked at the slightly trembling
document.
'So it's finally here.'
When Glenn informed him about the Five Demons building
up their forces, he mentioned that they were preparing to
strike back and that the Light Wind division would be busy.
Seeing the head of house's seal on the document, it seemed
like a rather challenging mission.
"My body's been itching for action, so this is perfect."
Martha grinned broadly as she lowered her sword.
"I've been wanting to test something too, so this is good
timing."
Burren licked his lips expectantly as he wiped the blade of
his sword with the back of his hand.
"..."
Runaan continued her training, seemingly unaware of the
mission orders that had arrived.
"It's time for my storm of chaos to breathe fire."
"Green Wave 2! I'm counting on you this time too."
"I don't care where, I just want to fight soon."
Not just the squad leaders, but the entire Light Wind division
showed eager eyes as if they had been waiting for a
mission. Raon curled his lips as he watched the Light Wind
division members, who looked ready to charge out
immediately.
'I suppose it would be funny to just leave those guys idle.'
The Light Wind division was a group of monsters who had all
reached Master level, except for Yua and Julius. Even after
returning from a long mission, it seemed wasteful to leave
them idle.
"What kind of mission is it?"
Raon nodded as he made eye contact with Chad, theShadow Agents' Leader.
"The head of house said he would explain it personally. Let's
go to the Lord's Manor together."
Chad turned his back first, as if telling them to follow him to
the Lord's Manor.
"Understood."
Raon gestured to the Light Wind division as he followed
Chad.
"Let's go."
"Yes!"
The Light Wind division sheathed their swords as if they had
been waiting for this and followed behind Raon. Perhaps
because Glenn had summoned them first, the massive
doors of the audience chamber were already open. Raon
advanced to the center with the Light Wind division and
knelt down.
"We are here to see the head of house..."
"Rise."
The moment Glenn told them to rise, a gentle force lifted
up, stopping their waists and thighs.
'Is it possible to do this with just Willpower?'
Raon swallowed dryly. Normally, aura had to be infused into
Willpower to create physical force, but Glenn had generated
such powerful strength with Willpower alone. Raon felt his
understanding of martial arts expand even further.
"Have you heard about the mission?"
Glenn twitched a finger resting on the armrest of his throne.
"We came right away, so we haven't heard yet."
Raon shook his head slowly.
"Actually, I didn't decide on this mission. They specifically
requested you and the Light Wind division."
"When you say 'they'..."
"It's House Arianne."
"Ah."
Arianne was one of Zieghart's vassal houses, responsible for
guarding the Swamp of Death. However, after the Specter
and the accumulated death aura disappeared and the
swamp turned into a forest, Raon had heard that the undead
were completely eradicated. He couldn't understand why
they were requesting support now.
"The head of House Arianne specifically mentioned the Light
Wind division by name."
"May I ask the reason?"
Raon bit his lip lightly as he looked at Glenn. Wendy was the
only one who hadn't given up her sword in the broken House
Arianne, and she had sent support during the last war. No
matter what had happened, he wanted to help.
"As you probably know better, when all the deathly aura
accumulated by the Specter and the undead disappeared,
the Swamp of Death turned into a lush forest."
Glenn stroked his chin as he lowered his gaze.
"With the creation of a fertile forest, many wild animals and
monsters gathered, forming large and small factions. There
were monsters trying to cross over to Arianne, but with the
head of House Arianne there, it wasn't a major problem."
"I see."
Raon nodded calmly.
'Lady Wendy must have grown even stronger.'
Wendy hadn't stopped her training even when corrupt
officials were ruling House Arianne. She should be able to
handle most monsters with ease.
"If Arianne is requesting support, it means something has
happened that Lady Wendy can't handle on her own."
"That's correct."
Chad lifted the document and let out a low breath.
"Apparently, monsters that should be fighting for territory
were seen standing in formation like an army at the edge of
the Swamp of Death. They showed no fear of humans, only
displaying fierce killing intent."
He lowered his eyebrows, indicating how absurd the
situation was.
"The fact that the monsters aren't fighting over territory
means..."
"Yes. It means a king has appeared."
Glenn answered, rubbing his chin.
"If the forest is that fertile, it's not strange for a king to
emerge."
Even among the same species, monsters from different
tribes fight for power. The fact that they were gathered
without fighting could only mean that a powerful mutant
had been born.
'However...'
We should also consider the possibility that it's not a king.
It's not just kings who can control and concentrate
monsters. There are beings more evil and vicious than
monsters who can do that.
"Looks like you're thinking of Eden too."
Glenn smiled faintly, seeming to have had the same
thought.
"Yes. We'll have to go and confirm, but I think there's a high
possibility it's Eden."
"Eden?"
Martha clenched her right fist.
"That's right! Those bastards can control monsters too! It
must be them!"
Having experienced Eden's abilities herself, she nodded
vigorously.
"We shouldn't assume it's definitely Eden. There are limits to
the number and types of monsters they can control."
Burren licked his lips, stating that they needed to gather
solid information before making a judgment.
"Eden..."
Runaan placed her hand on the hilt of her Snow Flower
sword. She bit her lip deeply, seeming to recall the Evil Goat
Demon and Syria Sullion.
"You'll depart at dawn tomorrow. Although the attack hasn't
started yet, we don't know when problems might arise, so it's best to move quickly."
"Understood."
Raon bowed, accepting the mission.
"Light Wind Division Leader."
Glenn turned his chin towards Raon.
"Currently, battles between the Five Kings and the Five
Demons are taking place across the entire continent. If this
is Eden's doing, it won't be an easy fight."
"I expect so."
"However, only the Light Wind division can handle an
incident of this scale right now. Make sure to resolve it
thoroughly and return safely."
He nodded firmly, showing his trust in the Light Wind
division.
"Yes!"
Raon and the Light Wind division shouted their response
with vigor, striking their left chests with their right hands.
"You must have a lot to prepare, so you may go."
Glenn looked at Raon and the Light Wind division in turn,
then waved his hand.
"Yes!"
Raon and the Light Wind division bowed their heads and
turned around.
"We'll be back."
Just before leaving the audience chamber, Raon spoke not
as a Division Leader, but as a grandson.
"...Alright. Take care."
Glenn seemed to understand the sentiment, swallowing
briefly before nodding.
"Then."
After briefly gazing at Glenn's faint smile, Raon left the
Lord's Manor.
"As the head of house said, prepare not just for monsters,
but with the mindset of fighting against the Five Demons'
forces."
Raon called the gathered Light Wind division to give them
points to be cautious about.
"Yes!"
The Light Wind division raised their chins, confident they
could fight anyone.
"We'll gather at the Fifth Training Ground at dawn tomorrow.
Dismissed."
As soon as Raon lowered his hand, the Light Wind division
dispersed in all directions.
"It's been a while since we've had real combat. I like that we
can get right to the action."
Martha licked her lips, saying it was an opportunity for
growth.
"..."
Runaan radiated a cool determination, as if steeling her
resolve for battle. Unlike before, she didn't show fear, but
rather a resolute expression that she would finish what
needed to be done.
"Ah, I thought something felt off. The Vice Leader isn't
here!"
Burren clapped his hands as if just realizing that Rimmer
wasn't present.
"Don't worry."
Raon shook his head, looking towards the back of the Lord's
Manor.
"I know where he is."
***
A magnificent wind surged within the head of house's great
training ground. Rimmer stood with his eyes closed in the
center of a towering whirlwind. Suddenly, an arrow made of
water droplets pierced through the seamless storm. A loud
crash resounded!
With his eyes still closed, as if he knew everything, Rimmer
split the arrow moving at terrifying speed.
With a thunderous boom, he shattered the ground beneath
his feet and deflected a rising water spear, demonstrating
terrifying focus. However, he couldn't avoid the water blade
that appeared in the rainbow-like sunlight. Rimmer's chest
was sliced, and a thin line of blood spurted out.
"Tsk."
Rimmer clicked his tongue briefly as he looked at the blood
flowing from his chest. As he waved his hand, the wind that
had been obscuring their vision subsided.
"I couldn't see it at all. How did you do that?"
"It's, it's reflection."
Siyana, her entire body covered with a thick blanket,
bounced over to Rimmer.
"Reflection?"
"I used the glare from the sunlight and the reflection of
water..."
Siyana smiled softly, saying she used a method taught by
the water and fire spirits.
"You've got all sorts of tricks. But it was good."
Rimmer gave Siyana a thumbs up.
"Now that I've experienced it once, I'll be able to handle
similar situations."
He smiled, seeming satisfied with that.
"O-Older Brother."
Siyana called out to Rimmer, twisting the blanket to her
right.
"Is something wrong?"
She fidgeted with her legs peeking out from under the
blanket, looking worried.
"Why?"
Rimmer tilted his head, as if asking what she meant.
"You, you look happy about something, but it's strange that
you're not teasing me."
Siyana shook her blanket, saying it had been a while since
she'd seen him like this.
"I've made a decision about something I was worrying
about."
Rimmer laughed freely, saying he felt a bit more at ease.
"Something you were worrying about?"
"Yeah. I'll tell you later."
He waved his finger, saying she would find out if she waited.
"Anyway, thanks for helping with my training before
returning to Sepia."
Rimmer nodded, looking at the pink blanket. Despite being
called back to Sepia, Siyana had stayed to help with his
training. He couldn't help but feel grateful.
"I don't want to go. I want to stay here, make books with
Ensia, and keep seeing Handsome Raon..."
Siyana shook her blanket from side to side, expressing her
reluctance to return to Sepia.
"You can come again. Ensia's not here now anyway. You two
can coordinate your visits."
Rimmer spread his arms, saying she could come anytime.
"R-Really?"
"That's what I said."
"That's a relief."
As Siyana let out a sigh of relief, the door to the training
ground opened and Raon entered.
"Eek!"
Startled, Siyana stumbled backwards, causing her blanket to
fall off. She immediately lifted her long hair to cover her
face.
"Geez..."
Rimmer chuckled as he looked at Siyana. He couldn't
understand why this child, who had thrown a fit demanding
power from the Spirit Kings to avenge Raon's death, was
now so shy.
"What's the matter?"
He turned his gaze to Raon after watching his sister retreat further away.
"We've received a mission."
Raon approached Rimmer and slightly lowered his head.
"A mission, huh..."
Rimmer licked his lips as he twirled his sword.
"Well, we can't be the only ones having fun. What kind of
mission is it?"
"It's about House Arianne..."
Raon relayed everything he had heard about the mission in
the audience chamber.
"If we're lucky, it's a monster king. If we're unlucky, it's
Eden."
Rimmer smiled as if finding it interesting.
"I-If it's Eden, isn't that too dangerous?"
Siyana swallowed hard.
"We can't even call Ifrit right now..."
"We can't just sit idle because we can't summon Ifrit."
Raon smiled gently to reassure Siyana.
'We shouldn't stop just because one path is blocked.'
Ifrit and Elayim were forbidden from descending by other
Spirit Kings because they participated in the war before
completing the restoration of the spirit realm. But there was
nothing to fear. Relying on powers other than one's own
would only weaken both one's martial prowess and spirit.
Even in dangerous situations, overcoming challenges on
one's own was the attitude of a martial artist aiming for
greater heights.
"That's an answer befitting the Light Wind Division Leader."
Rimmer grinned as he patted Raon's shoulder.
"T-Then..."
Siyana bit her lip as she stepped forward.
"Can I come along..."
"Come along my foot! If you don't go back this time, the old
man will come looking for you!"
Rimmer waved his hand, telling her to leave before she got
scolded.
"Ugh..."
Siyana lowered her head in disappointment.
"Don't worry. We'll come back safely and tell you what
happened."
Rimmer nodded, promising to explain everything that
happened during the mission.
"R-Really?"
"Of course!"
"O-Okay!"
Siyana beamed and covered herself with the blanket again.
-Why does that pointy-eared spirit keep covering herself
with a blanket?
Wrath tilted his head, seemingly unable to understand.
'Apparently, she covers herself with a blanket when she's in
a good mood.'
-These pointy ears are truly strange.
He frowned, saying he couldn't understand either Rimmer or
Siyana.
"R-Raon. See you later."
Siyana bowed while wrapped in her blanket.
"Yes. Come visit again."
"Y-Yes..."
She bowed her head a few more times before leaving the
training ground.
"That was a lie, wasn't it?"
Raon let out a low sigh as soon as he was alone with
Rimmer.
"As expected, our Division Leader knows me too well, huh?"
Rimmer chuckled and nodded.
"When we return from the mission, there'll barely be time
for gambling and drinking, let alone explaining everything!"
He laughed, saying he had no intention of wasting time on
Siyana.
"Hah..."
Raon shook his head. Lately, Rimmer's serious side and his
rascal personality were alternating so frequently that it was
hard to get used to.
"We're leaving at dawn tomorrow, so don't be late."
"Don't you know me? I'm Rimmer, the one who keeps
promises better than anyone!"
Rimmer pointed at himself with his thumb, as if to say not to
worry.
"..."
Raon and Wrath looked at Rimmer with cold, skeptical eyes.
-He's going to be late.
'He's definitely going to be late.'
***
The fertile forest once called the Swamp of Death undulates
in the wind. No, upon closer inspection, it couldn't be called
a forest at all. What was swaying wasn't foliage, but the
heads and shoulders of monsters. A deep rumbling sound
echoed through the air!
Goblins, kobolds, orcs, gnolls, wolfbears, trolls, ogres, ettins,
cyclopes. An enormous army of monsters, too numerous to
count, scanned their surroundings with bloodshot eyes.
Their menacing presence made it clear they wouldn't let
even an ant pass through, let alone a human. With low
growls, the monsters had stood guard in that spot for over
two days without eating or sleeping. Their meticulous
movements suggested they were protecting something
precious. A thunderous roar erupted!
As the third night fell and the moonlight grew unnaturally
strong, the center of the land surrounded by monsters
began to heave, and then a massive explosion occurred.
As the monsters standing above turned to bloody mist
flowing on the ground, a woman wearing a black orc's
helmet emerged from the collapsed earth. When she raised
a sword with a lion's face embedded in it, the monsters
filling the entire forest let out a roar that shook heaven and
earth. The sound reverberated throughout the area!