Don't talk nonsense! A leech like you will surely live longer than this king!
'I'm not sure if that's a compliment or an insult, but thanks anyway.'
As Raon smiled and patted Wrath's head, Runaan's footsteps came to a halt.
"We're here."
At Runaan's words, Raon lifted his head to see the Sullion family mansion. It was his first visit since the incident with Syria, but there didn't seem to be any major changes.
"Young lady. You've returned quickly."
A middle-aged swordsman guarding the main gate of the Sullion family bowed his head to Runaan.
"Yes." "Runaan."
Raon looked at Runaan as they walked along the main road leading to the Sullion family estate.
"Why do you want to spar in front of your mother and father?"
Though he had agreed because it wasn't a difficult request, Raon couldn't understand why she wanted to spar at her own home, the Sullion estate.
"There's something I want to show Mom and Dad."
Runaan lowered her left hand and grasped the hilt of Snow Flower hanging at her waist.
"What do you want to show them?"
"That I've changed."
She said that was all, revealing a serious look in her eyes. Runaan emanated a sharp yet noble aura, as if she were about to engage in a life-or-death battle.
"Hmm..."
Raon narrowed his eyes as he observed Runaan's solemn demeanor.
'Is this because of what happened with Syria?'
Since Runaan was usually not talkative, it seemed he'd have to finish the sparring match to understand her intentions.
-What are you doing!
As Raon suppressed his curiosity and followed Runaan, Wrath suddenly jumped up.
-You're not sparring yet, so eat the bead ice cream first!
Wrath shouted to take out the bead ice cream quickly, saying he couldn't wait.
'Wouldn't that disturb Runaan if I eat it now?'
Raon pointed at Runaan, who was already raising her concentration as if the sparring had begun.
-Huh?
'Can I really eat it? Wouldn't it disturb the ice cream girl? Are you sure it's okay?'
Raon tapped Wrath on the shoulder with his own, curling his lips.
-Nnngh...
Wrath let out a pained groan as he looked at Runaan.
-W-Well, I guess it can't be helped. Eat it right after the sparring is over!
The little guy turned his head, saying he'd give in for the sake of the ice cream girl.
'I see.'
Raon smirked as he looked at Wrath's reddened face.
'You're so soft-hearted, after all.'
Usually, Wrath would have made a fuss, saying what did others matter and to eat the ice cream quickly, but with Runaan involved, he immediately shut his mouth. Raon still couldn't believe this cotton candy, who even suppressed his own desires, was a demon king.
'Someday, I'd like to visit the Devildom you talked about.'
Raon smiled as he stroked Wrath's shrunken fluff.
-R-Really?
Wrath raised his head with wide, round eyes.
'Yes. I'm curious about what kind of place the Devildom you rule is like.'
Raon wanted to see the subordinates Wrath cherished, and he was curious about the world the little guy ruled.
-That's an excellent idea! Those Devildom bastards need to be bitten by a mad dog like you to come to their senses!
Wrath revealed a mischievous smile, as if already excited by the prospect.
-If you do as I say, you'll be able to go to the Devildom. Of course, it'll take a lot of effort and preparation, but for someone like you, it's certainly possible.
'Not now.'
Raon shook his head as he pushed away the panting Wrath, who was like an excited puppy.
'I'll go if I survive after everything is over.'
The dark clouds over the continent remained, and he hadn't even finished his revenge against Derus. He couldn't give an answer now because he didn't know if he'd be alive even after resolving all his grudges and hatred.
As Runaan nodded her head, the middle-aged swordsman smiled and opened the main gate.
"Master Raon has come as well."
The middle-aged swordsman politely bowed to Raon as well.
"I apologize for the sudden visit."
"Not at all. Master Raon is always welcome."
He greeted Raon warmly with a smile, as if to say he was welcome anytime.
"Thank you."
Raon returned the greeting to the middle-aged swordsman and entered the Sullion estate.
"This way."
Runaan walked not towards the central mansion, but towards the garden on the left. As Raon followed her, tilting his head curiously, he saw her father and mother, Rokan and Clara. The two were sitting at a table in the garden, engaged in conversation.
"Runaan! You're so late! I was dying to see you... Huh?"
Rokan, who was running towards Runaan, stopped abruptly upon seeing Raon.
"R-Raon Zieghart? How are you here...?"
He trembled his chin, seemingly greatly flustered.
"That's rude to our benefactor."
Clara smacked Rokan's back and approached Raon.
"It's been a while. Welcome."
She gave a polite greeting, lightly grasping the hem of her skirt.
"It's been a long time since I've seen you both."
Raon placed his hand on his chest and bowed to Rokan and Clara.
"Ahem, it's good to see you. I-I raised my voice because I was surprised. Please understand."
Rokan scratched the back of his head apologetically. Seeing him on guard because Raon came with Runaan, it seemed he was still overprotective of his daughter.
"We met at the ice cream shop."
Runaan nodded, saying she had brought Raon from there.
"Ah, to have a snack together? Good job."
Clara clapped her hands lightly, saying it was a good idea.
"No."
Runaan shook her head firmly while grasping the hilt of Snow Flower.
"I came to show you a sparring match."
She pressed her lips tightly, saying she had called Raon for a sparring match, not for a snack.
"What? A sparring match?"
"W-Why so suddenly?"
Both Rokan and Clara widened their eyes, as if they hadn't expected to see a sparring match at all.
"Just watch for now."
Runaan calmly exhaled and stood in front of Raon.
"You don't have to go all out, but don't hold back like you do in the training ground."
"...Understood."
Runaan's usually blank eyes flashed with seriousness. Seeing her sincerity, Raon adjusted his aura to the level of an early Grandmaster.
-Control your strength well. Your early Grandmaster level is beyond the low-level of others.
'I know.'
Raon nodded and held the Heavenly Drive at mid-level. Runaan also seemed to steel herself as she drew Snow Flower without hesitation. The two touched swords as they would in the training ground, then stepped back two paces each. A sharp ringing sound filled the air.
Runaan stomped the ground forcefully and thrust Snow Flower forward. A blade of frost bloomed on the silver sword, surging towards Raon's chest.
With a loud clang, Raon deflected Runaan's sword strike using the Fangs of Insanity, narrowing his eyes.
'Has she grown this much in the meantime?'
Runaan's sword was sharp, as if she had shed all her past weaknesses. It seemed she had grown significantly, making the battlefield experiences her own. Without backing down from her failed first attack, Runaan launched a second offensive.
The fragments of frost she raised fell like snow, manifesting as Astral Energy.
Raon executed the Blizzard Sword Art, imbued with the essence of the severing sword. The icy wind blades tore apart all the falling frost fragments. As soon as the frost storm subsided, Raon stepped into the Supreme Harmony Steps. A sharp sound rang out.
He rushed to Runaan's left side and thrust the Heavenly Drive towards her waist.
"Hmm."
Runaan raised the wind of the Gale Wind Style, diving into her own space instead. It was a mysterious move that combined both evasion and attack.
"Good movement, but... still lacking!"
Raon stepped back and swung the Crimson Slash in the direction of Runaan's charge. Runaan, as if determined to fight to the end, blocked the Crimson Slash with her sword blade burning with blue frost. Due to the significant difference in the aura imbued in their swords, Runaan was violently thrown back and rolled on the ground.
"Ugh..."
Despite feeling pain as if her arm was being torn off, Runaan stood up again and charged. Raon, with a cold gaze, pushed the flames of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation into Runaan's opening. The bright red flames engulfed Runaan's frost and struck her chest.
A powerful shockwave exploded, and Runaan rolled on the ground once more.
Her hair was disheveled and blood trickled from her forehead.
"Ru-Runaan...?"
"What in the world..."
Clara and Rokan trembled, seemingly unable to imagine that such a fierce sparring match would take place.
"Not yet."
Runaan stood up without hesitation, as if immune to pain. Despite her injuries, her sword strikes became increasingly sharp. It felt like witnessing a blade pushed to its limits. Raon, honoring Runaan's request, shattered her sword strike without reducing his aura.
With a loud crash, Runaan was slammed into the garden's lawn, turning the green turf black.
"Runaan!"
"Stop this!"
Clara and Rokan rushed to stop Runaan.
"...No."
Runaan refused their hands and stood up alone, facing Raon.
"I can still go on."
She gripped Snow Flower tightly, as if saying
-Isn't this too much!
Wrath furrowed his brow, as if telling Raon to take it easy.
'Look at her eyes.'
Raon raised the Heavenly Drive, pointing at Runaan's eyes. Her usually blank eyes were now burning with determination.
"Hyaaah!"
Runaan charged forward with a clear battle cry. Despite her limbs likely not moving well, her movements were as swift as a flying tiger. With a loud clang, Raon forcefully pushed back Runaan's sword, having no intention of going easy on her even if she was exhausted.
But for the first time, Runaan didn't roll on the ground. She was pushed back with only one knee touching the ground.
'Hmm?'
As Raon frowned, sensing something strange, Runaan dived to the left with her upper body deeply bent.
'Coming like that is too slow.'
Even if it was a sudden movement, it wasn't beyond his perception. To end it this time, he swung the Heavenly Drive diagonally downward. At that moment, Runaan's eyes flashed. As if she had been aiming for this moment from the start, she turned Snow Flower's blade sideways. A sharp metallic sound rang out.
Runaan deflected the Heavenly Drive with her frost-covered blade, turning her defensive posture into a counterattack.
In an instant, Snow Flower's blade was at his throat. It was an unorthodox sword technique that Raon couldn't believe Runaan had used.
"Ha!"
Raon let out an exclamation of admiration as he twisted his wrist. He forcefully raised the tilted Heavenly Drive to strike Runaan's sword aiming for his throat. With a loud clang, Snow Flower was deflected into the air, and Runaan collapsed on the spot as if all her strength had left her. Red blood flowed from her mouth.
"Runaan!"
Unable to hold back, Rokan rushed out and grabbed Runaan.
"Stop this!"
Clara also embraced Runaan, telling them to stop.
"I saw Raon save his family..."
Runaan stood up on her own strength. She bit her lip as she looked at Rokan and Clara.
"But my brother couldn't come back like that."
"Runaan..."
Rokan's eyes widened, as if he didn't expect Runaan to say such things.
"That's why I have to end it. I can only achieve that by staying in the Light Wind division."
Runaan bowed her head, asking them not to tell her to quit the Light Wind division.
"Hmm..."
"Runaan."
Rokan and Clara bit their lips, seemingly feeling the growth of Runaan, whom they had only seen as a child.
'Now I understand.'
Raon silently nodded as he watched Runaan's family hold each other's hands.
'They had suggested Runaan leave the Light Wind division.'
It seemed Rokan had suggested Runaan leave the Light Wind division and become a swordsman of Sullion, sensing the increasingly dangerous situation on the continent.
'Runaan rejected that proposal with this sparring match.'
It was clear that Runaan had requested this sparring match today to show her determination to survive in the Light Wind division and stop Syria.
'Yes. She's definitely changed.'
The girl who loved bead ice cream and was clumsy with expressing emotions was no longer here. The swordsman standing before him was a true martial artist with the will to become stronger for her family. Raon took out the ice cream box he had bought earlier and placed it on the table.
He quietly left the Sullion family mansion so as not to disturb Runaan, Rokan, and Clara's time together.
-You've finally developed some tact.
Wrath nodded approvingly.
'Thanks to you.'
-Heh! I don't need any flattery!
Despite saying he didn't need flattery, the little guy grinned broadly.
-To think the ice cream girl has grown so much, I'm deeply moved!
Wrath nodded, saying it was enjoyable to see a child's growth.
-Since I'm in a good mood, let's eat ice cream too!
The little guy waved his round hands, urging Raon to take out the mint chocolate ice cream.
'Mint chocolate? We just gave that away a moment ago.'
-Huh...? D-Didn't you buy two?
'There wasn't time to buy more.'
Raon shrugged, saying there was only one.
-Go back and get it right now!
Wrath shook his head, insisting that Raon must go.
'How can I go there? They're probably having a tearful conversation by now.'
-Can't you see the tears flowing from this king's eyes!
The little guy screamed, clutching his head.
-You tactless brat!
* * *
Pressured by Wrath, Raon bought mint chocolate ice cream again and returned to the annex. As he was about to eat one in the garden before going in, Merlin came out of the annex and approached the garden.
-Sniff...
Wrath, who had been dancing at the thought of eating ice cream, immediately hid behind Raon's back upon seeing Merlin.
-D-Don't talk to her, just let her go!
The little guy tugged at Raon's collar, telling him to ignore Merlin.
'How can I do that?'
Raon shook his head and approached Merlin.
"Where are you going?"
"Grandfather called for me."
Merlin smiled broadly, saying it seemed she had already been acknowledged.
"W-What acknowledgment?"
"I mean, between us."
She intertwined her fingers as if to say, "Don't you know?".
"Uh..."
Hearing that nonsense, Raon's head was filled with the thought that he should have ignored her as Wrath suggested.
"Mother and Father are there too, they say. Let's go together, Raon."
Merlin grabbed his wrist, leading him along. Looking at the direction, it was towards Federick's mansion.
'Hmm? Why here...?'
Currently, the only patient left in Federick's mansion was Sia. Realizing that Merlin had been called to where Sia was, an ominous feeling ran down Raon's spine.
"We're here!"
Merlin confidently opened the door and waved her hand as she entered.
"Come this way."
Glenn nodded with a heavy gaze.
"..."
Sensing the gloomy atmosphere, Raon silently entered the hospital room where Glenn and others were. Sia was lying on the bed, with others surrounding her.
"What's going on?"
Raon swallowed dryly and looked at Glenn.
"We found it strange that Sia wasn't waking up, so we checked in various ways..."
Federick stroked Sia's head and let out a deep sigh.
"It seems she's in a state where she can't wake up."
"What do you mean..."
"The gap between her grown body and young soul has become too wide. Her soul and body aren't connecting."
He bit his lip, saying this was the first time he'd encountered such a situation.
"Especially compared to her developed upper dantian, the energy within it is extremely low. At this rate, she might not be able to wake up."
Federick massaged his temples, saying he never thought he'd feel so helpless.
"That's..."
Raon bit his lip and looked back. Sylvia and Edgar were already trembling, seemingly having heard the news earlier.
"Is there a way to treat her?"
"I don't know. We need to start looking into it now."
Federick shook his head, saying he didn't know either.
"Then it seems it's my turn to step up."
Merlin stood in front of Sia, hands on her hips.
"I'll take a look."
She smiled softly as if to say not to worry, and placed her hand on Sia's forehead. A serene yet sacred blue light enveloped both Merlin and Sia simultaneously. It seemed as if a world just for the two of them had opened in this hospital room.
After a silence that felt like an hour had passed in just a minute, Merlin's eyelids slowly opened.
"That's right."
Merlin turned around, furrowing her brow.
"The Green King helped the young lady's soul grow, but because she didn't wake up on her own, the connection is unstable."
She shook her head, saying Sia couldn't wake up on her own in this state.
-It's the situation this king suspected.
Wrath let out a low breath.
-Just as this king would go berserk due to the gap between soul and body if I entered your body, that child has developed a problem where she can't wake up.
The little guy clicked his tongue, saying it wasn't something easily resolved.
"Is there a way to wake Sia?"
Glenn looked at Merlin with desperate eyes.
"It's difficult."
Merlin lowered her eyes, clasping her hands in front of her.
"Ugh..."
Edgar bit his lip until it bled as he looked down at Sia. He seemed to be blaming himself again.
"Sia!"
Sylvia knelt down and held Sia's hand. She reddened her eyes, seemingly despairing at the news that the daughter she had just barely met might not wake up.
"Damn it..."
Rector clenched his fist with the hand that couldn't even touch Sia. He gripped so tightly that blood dripped from his palm.
"..."
Raon gritted his teeth. Just when the family had finally come together, another problem arose, making his chest feel so tight he could vomit.
"Merlin. Is there really no way?"
He approached Merlin, who seemed deep in thought, biting her lip.
"There is."
"If you could just tell us any method... Huh?"
Raon gaped at Merlin.
"What..."
"What do you..."
Rector and Sylvia also jumped up, seemingly startled.
"I said it was difficult. I didn't say it was impossible to wake her."
Merlin looked at Sia with sympathetic eyes, her lips quivering.
"...There is definitely a way."