Raon turned his cold eyes to check the rewards for defeating the Demonblade.
[You have achieved a great feat.]
[You have brought an end to an era.]
[All abilities increase by 50 points.]
[The rank of the trait
[The rank of the trait
[The rank of the trait
All abilities increased by 50 points, and three traits had their ranks improved. Among them,
Though unlikely, if he were to face the Demonblade again, it seemed he could win more easily.
-Look at this! The rewards are excessive for defeating someone I could kill with a single finger!
Wrath gritted his teeth, complaining that the rewards were too much compared to the Demonblade's level.
'He's only weak to you. In this world, he's one of the... well, maybe not quite fingertip level?'
Thinking about it, there were eleven leaders of the Five Kings and Five Demons alone, so there didn't seem to be room for the Demonblade among the fingertips. Even among the Five Divine Orders, there was no one weaker than the current Demonblade, and with other retired figures such as the Blade Queen, Warlord or the former leader of the Holy Sword Alliance, it seemed they'd barely be able to fit the Demonblade in if they counted all their toes too.
'S-still, he's in the top 20 of the entire continent. That's worth acknowledging, right?'
-Top 20? Who counts strong people up to 20! At most, it's 10!
Wrath snorted, insisting that he'd acknowledge 10 at most, but no more than that.
'He might be a bug and weakling to you, but not to me. Don't you remember saying he could be dangerous at first?'
Raon waved his hand lightly, reminding him that he had said the Demonblade could be dangerous.
-Th-that's....
Wrath seemed to have no words for that part, unable to continue his sentence.
-Urgh! Damn it!
He furrowed his brow, seemingly having to admit that he had defeated the Demonblade with his current strength.
-When we return. No! Even on the way back, you shall offer me all the dishes I desire!
Wrath shouted, saying he would acknowledge it if Raon brought him the food he wanted even during their return.
'That's not a problem."
Raon nodded, saying that wouldn't be difficult.
-Know that you're lucky. If it were any other demon king and not the magnanimous me, they would never have acknowledged it.
'I don't think so.'
As Raon was about to shrug, thinking it wouldn't be too difficult to roast and boil other demon kings except Greed, the Blade of Requiem began to vibrate strongly, transmitting pure mana to him.
[The Blade of Requiem offers you the purified Death Energy.]
[All abilities increase by 25 points.]
[A new trait
The Blade of Requiem, having absorbed all the Death Energy from the Demonblade and what remained in his own body, was now transmitting the purified energy to him.
-Urgh....
Wrath's blue eyes trembled, seemingly unable to detect this.
'25 points? It absorbed quite a lot.'
The Blade of Requiem keeps half of the absorbed energy for itself and transmits the other half to him.
Seeing that even half of it increased his abilities by 25 points, it seemed to have absorbed a considerable amount of Death Energy.
'But what's Death Energy Detection?'
He checked the ability of the newly acquired trait
'Not bad.'
The Demonblade had said it was because of his Death Energy that he found the passage to the Black Tower in Montiro. With this trait, he might be able to discover the passage leading to the Black Tower as well.
'Of course, I probably can't do it as easily as he did.'
Traits become more powerful as their rank increases. It would be unreasonable to search like the Demonblade with the newly created
-Argh!
Wrath screamed, throwing his head back.
-Just when I acknowledge you, something new pops up! I can't take it anymore! Come out right now! Today, we'll settle this whether I die or you die!
He swung his fist in the air as if he wanted to fight the system to the death.
'Hmm....'
Raon stepped back, shaking his shoulders. When Wrath got into that state, it was better to leave him alone as he wouldn't listen to reason for a while.
"Raon."
As Raon sighed and began to maintain the Heavenly Drive and the Blade of Requiem, Trevin approached him.
"Congratulations. You've changed the era."
Trevin patted his shoulder, congratulating him.
"As I said earlier, saying I changed the era is too grand. It's not to that extent."
"No, it is."
Burren shook his head, standing behind Trevin.
"The Five Kings, Five Demons and the Five Divine Orders were an unbreakable wall. You're the first to put a crack in that wall."
He nodded as if to say Raon should acknowledge it.
"Even before I entered Zieghart, I knew the names of the Five Kings and Five Demons and the Five Divine Orders. Ah, they weren't called the Five Divine Orders back then, but I knew the individual names."
Martha chuckled and wiggled her finger.
"You've erased a name that everyone from newborns to dying old men knew. That's not an exaggeration to say you've changed the era."
She stomped her foot heavily, saying it was the greatest achievement so far.
"Yeah. Handsome."
Runaan gave a thumbs up, shouting "handsome" regardless of the situation.
"Hey! Division Leader! Stop being so modest! Your heart is pounding too!"
Krein laughed, saying he could see right through him.
"No, it's not."
Raon struck the back of Krein's head, shaking his head firmly.
"Ugh..."
Unable to withstand the force in Raon's hand, Krein's face hit the ground.
"I knew he'd get hit."
Dorian clicked his tongue, muttering that Krein deserved it. However, true to his role as the quartermaster, he immediately took out medicine and ice to hand over.
"I'm being sincere. The current Demonblade is weaker than the other Five Divine Orders."
Raon shook his head calmly, looking at Trevin and the Light Wind division.
"Because his spirit and energy are broken."
For martial artists who reach the realm of transcendence, the balance of spirit, energy, and body is crucial. It's meaningless if only the body is strong, or only the spirit is strong, or if there's only a lot of aura. Only when these three are in proper harmony can one fully exert their martial prowess.
The Demonblade had gained enormous Death Energy that surpassed the level of the Five Divine Orders, but his spirit had collapsed, preventing him from properly handling that power. When Raon had told him he had become weaker than before, it wasn't a provocation, but the truth.
"As expected of Raon Zieghart."
Trevin said it was an answer befitting him and took a step forward.
"I have something to say to you."
"Please speak."
"If the Light Wind division is promoted to a palace, I and the Warring Steel Division would like to serve under it."
He drew his sword and held it upside down.
"To be honest, at first we accepted the Central Martial Palace Master's proposal with the intention of helping you. But today's events have changed my mind."
Trevin held the inverted sword in front of his chest, his eyes blazing with fervor.
"Now, I want to support you and the Light Wind division of my own will. Give us the opportunity to walk alongside you."
He performed the Zieghart sword salute, asking Raon to accept them.
"We also want to be with the Light Wind division!"
The Warring Steel Division swordsmen standing behind Trevin also showed their resolve by performing the sword salute.
"...Are you sure about this?"
Raon slightly narrowed his eyes, looking at Trevin and the Warring Steel Division swordsmen.
"I am a person with many shortcomings. You might regret it later."
As Wrath had said, he still lacked in human aspects. Since Trevin and the Warring Steel Division were showing their sincerity, he wanted to advise them sincerely as well.
"Family members fill in each other's shortcomings. I don't know what you lack, but if there's anything I can do, I'll help you in any way I can."
Trevin smiled faintly, telling him not to worry.
"How can you not accept after he says that?"
"Right. The Warring Steel Division has always been the only martial force that matched our wavelength."
"Yeah. It's all good...."
Martha, Burren, and Runaan also nodded as squad leaders, indicating they would accept the Warring Steel Division's transfer.
"Alright then. To be honest, that's part of why we came all this way to rescue you."
Raon nodded, saying he would accept the Warring Steel Division.
"Thank you. And thank you for rescuing us. This will probably be the last time I speak to you informally."
Trevin smiled awkwardly, saying he'd probably have to use formal speech when they return to the house.
"You can speak to me as before when we meet privately."
Raon nodded with a smile. Given their respective positions, they would need to use formal speech in official settings, but it didn't matter in other situations.
"I feel good. More people to suffer with us."
Burren grinned, looking at the smiling Trevin and the Warring Steel Division.
"Welcome to hell."
Martha waved her hand, saying they should die together.
"Yeah. No quitting now...."
Runaan also tilted his chin with a cold gaze.
"Hehehe."
"Hihihi...."
"I wonder how many will survive?"
Dorian and the other Light Wind division swordsmen also let out eerie laughs, as if looking forward to what was to come.
"W-why are they acting like that?"
Trevin's eyes trembled, seemingly bewildered.
"Don't worry about it. It's just a welcome greeting. Hehe."
Even Mark Goetun shook his head with a sinister smile.
"Village chief."
Raon approached the village chief of Boardri village, leaving the others behind.
"This area will probably be uninhabitable for a while."
He shook his head, pointing to the prairie and river ruined by the Demonblade's energy.
"I suppose so...."
The village chief bit his lip deeply, as if he understood well.
"So, how about coming to Zieghart?"
"Z-Zieghart? But we have no money. Most of our livestock died, and we lost our food supplies...."
He lowered his gaze, saying they couldn't protect their livestock and food supplies because of the monsters and Death Energy.
"Zieghart's territory has expanded quite a bit recently. There are still uninhabited pastures, so we'll help you set up residences there. We'll give you a grace period for taxes, so don't worry."
"R-really? Why would you...?"
The village chief stammered, seemingly uneasy about the too-good conditions.
"Because the strength of a faction ultimately comes from its people."
Raon nodded calmly, looking at the village chief and the people of Boardri village behind him.
'An organization without people will only wither and die.'
These people hadn't committed crimes and fled; they had only stayed here to escape the oppression of the world and the flames of war. If Zieghart protected them with its strength, they would in turn help Zieghart with their own strengths.
As the war with the Five Demons would continue, it was right to steadily increase the number of people and build up Zieghart's strength.
"N-not only did you save our lives, but you're also providing us a way to live... Thank you. Thank you so much."
The village chief put down his staff and knelt. He bowed his head, sobbing with sincere gratitude.
"Thank you! Our benefactor...."
The other villagers also shouted their thanks and bowed deeply, just like the village chief.
"It seems we become benefactors wherever we go?"
"Yeah. We just became the benefactors of the dwarves before this."
Krein and Dorian exchanged small smiles, seemingly feeling fulfilled with their mission.
"My heart feels all warm and fuzzy...."
Runaan also nodded, as if pleased to be helping others.
"Well, we should prepare to return now."
"We have many people to take care of, so we should move quickly."
Burren and Martha went back to the Light Wind division swordsmen to give instructions for the return preparations.
'Hmm.'
Raon licked his lips, watching the swordsmen prepare for their return.
'We gained a lot this time.'
He had slain the Demonblade, received various rewards for it, and even found a clue to the location of the Black Tower. It was a greater harvest than usual.
'Grandfather will be pleased too.'
As he was turning his head, thinking about how Glenn would react...
-Argh! Come out!
Wrath screamed and began to spray frost into the air.
'Still....'
Raon's gaze sank colder than the frost stuck to his hand.
'You were still fighting?'
* * *
Raon returned to Zieghart with the Light Wind division, the Warring Steel Division, and the people of Boardri village. Because there were so many people, using the Dimensional Gate cost a considerable amount, but thanks to the dragon's lair spoils, it didn't even make a dent in his wealth.
"How do you always come back with more people every time you return?"
External Commander Illiune let out an exasperated sigh.
"Today seems to be the most so far."
"These are people we're going to accept into Zieghart."
Raon bowed his head, saying he intended to take in the people of Boardri village into Zieghart.
"Nomads, huh.... Well, I'm sure you know what you're doing."
Illiune nodded, seemingly trusting Raon completely, and opened Zieghart's main gate.
"Come to think of it, I won't have many chances to speak to you informally anymore. If you become a Palace Master, you'll outrank even me."
"You can still treat me as you do now. In fact, you said something similar when I became a Division Leader, but then went back to speaking informally."
"D-did I? Well, should I just keep doing what I've been doing then?"
Illiune nodded briskly, as if he had been waiting for those words.
"Please do. Hmm?"
Raon nodded but then lowered his eyebrows, looking at the ground. There was a strong tremor in the earth, as if an earthquake was occurring.
"Ahem, did I keep you too long? Hurry inside."
As soon as the vibrations started rising from the ground, Illiune quickly waved his hand, telling Raon to go in.
"Yes. Then."
Raon nodded and passed through the main gate towards the main building. Strangely, as he approached the main building, the tremors shaking the earth began to subside. It was almost as if it was welcoming him.
"There are too many people, so it would be best if only the village chief enters the audience chamber."
Unable to bring all the Boardri villagers, Raon took only the village chief, whose face was turning dark with tension, into the Lord's Manor.
"You don't need to be so nervous. The Head of House is a kind person, unlike the rumors spread across the continent."
Raon told Chaepran not to be afraid of Glenn, then opened the door to the audience chamber.
"I greet the Head of House."
"We greet the Head of House!"
As Raon stood in the center of the audience chamber and gave his return greeting, the Light Wind division and the Warring Steel Division knelt behind him. The swordsmen's postures were all in perfect unison, as if they had already become one force.
"Rise."
Glenn stroked his chin, letting out a weighty voice.
"Thank you."
Raon bowed once more before standing up.
"This time, your report contained nothing but that you would return soon. Did something happen?"
Glenn raised one eyebrow, seemingly curious about the unusual report.
"There were things difficult to convey in writing."
Raon bowed his head, apologizing for making a personal judgment.
"It's fine. I can hear it now."
Glenn leaned forward from his throne, removing his back from it, as if ready to listen to anything.
"Then I shall report. When the Light Wind division arrived at Boardri village, the prairie and village were already completely covered in purple Death Energy. We first rescued the Warring Steel Division and...."
Raon began his explanation, starting from rescuing the Warring Steel Division, while looking up at the dais. Glenn's lips were trembling, his red eyes sparkling with rising anticipation.
"Hmm...."
Chaepran, the village chief of Boardri village, slowly raised his gaze as he listened to Raon's words. On the dais covered with a red carpet, he saw a man sitting on a golden throne.
Glenn Zieghart, a giant who stood at the pinnacle of the world, unlike himself in his lowly position, though they were of similar age. Raon had said he was kind, but all the rumors Chaepran had heard about Glenn were of a cold-blooded man, so his heart was crumbling with tension.
'He said he was kind, but his eyes are so scary... Huh?'
As he swallowed dry saliva and looked at Glenn, strangely, his trembling lips and eyes seemed familiar.
'That's just like....'
The expression I make when looking at my grandson? Every time Raon spoke of his and the Light Wind division's exploits, Glenn's lips quivered and his earlobes reddened. That appearance was identical to his own expression when his grandson showed talent in farming and animal husbandry.
'I see.'
Are all people the same after all? Chaepran nodded with a faint smile. As he realized what kind of person Glenn was, his chest, which had felt like it was about to burst, slowly began to calm down. (E/N: This man is a genius. He needs to be kept close. Instantly found out what most of Zieghart still are clueless about despite 897 chapters happening.)
"...When I cut through that Death Energy and split the rock, what appeared was Demonblade Dreg, the leader of the Dark Black Lotus."
Raon paused briefly as he mentioned encountering the Demonblade.
"The Demonblade?"
Glenn's hand crumpled the golden armrest of the throne as if it were paper.
"Yes. He had become a monster of Death Energy that surpassed the level of the Five Divine Orders through the Black Tower's magic and attacked us."
"The Demonblade enhanced by Death Energy...."
"Th-then what happened next? What happened?"
For the first time, Void Sword Division Leader Serena and Vanguard Sword Squad Leader Latein, who usually only listened, opened their mouths. The two sent heated gazes, as if urging him to continue. (E/N: TODO - find out who Latein is and check consistency)
"Someone must have helped. No matter how much my nephew has reached transcendence, defeating the Demonblade is unreasonable."
Balder licked his lips, as if curious about who had helped.
"The Demonblade...."
Raon swept his gaze across the silent audience chamber before looking straight ahead and slowly parting his lips.
"I slew him."
As soon as those words ended, a thunderous sound of something crumbling erupted from the dais. Looking up, he saw Glenn's face twisted with a smile of astonishment, and behind him, the golden throne with its legs torn off was flying through the air.