Chapter 564
The battle between the Light Wind Division and the Holy Swordsmen ceased as abruptly as if cold water had been splashed on it.
“Cl, Cloud-sama!”
“It can’t be…”
“Cloud-sama is dead?”
The swordsmen of the Holy Sword Alliance shivered unbelievably at the news that their master’s disciple, Cloud, had been defeated by the wounded Raon.
“Ha! That crazy guy really did it!”
Martha chuckled incredulously.
“Using Sword Manifestation to take down another Grand Master?”
No other word but madness came to mind. Raon Zieghart was an enigma, whether viewed from near or far.
“I didn’t expect that side to finish first.”
Burren raised his fist as he turned to Raon.
“He’s really done a great thing.”
Raon had been the most dangerous presence on the battlefield. He used most of his aura in the Sword Manifestation and was injured, yet he cleanly defeated Cloud, silencing any doubts.
“Vice-Captain!”
“We believed in you!”
“Leave the remaining swordsmen to us!”
Dorian and the Light Wind Division swordsmen waved their hands with excited smiles toward Raon.
However, Runaan’s purple eyes were not on Raon but directed toward the Holy Swordsmen.
“Sssshhh!”
Frost filled with seolhwa energy split a swordsman’s chest and pierced his heart.
“Cough…”
The swordsman fell, his wound frozen solid as he drew his last breath.
“It’s not time to rest yet.”
Runaan nodded briefly to the Light Wind Division before moving on to the next opponent. His actions showed not indifference but complete trust in Raon.
“Runaan does have a point, huh?”
“That’s why it’s frustrating!”
Burren and Martha also felt the tide of battle turning toward the Light Wind Division and spared no aura as they cut down their foes.
“Hoo.”
Rimmer slicked back his sweat-drenched hair and smiled.
“It seems our divine duel has won on our side.”
He alternated glances between Cloud’s headless corpse and the confidently standing Raon, chuckling.
“Hmm…”
The Dragon Swordmaster frowned, apparently not anticipating Cloud’s defeat.
“The master’s disciple has perished, that’s going to sting. Imagine the scolding back home—no, wait.”
Rimmer spat out the accumulated magic in his lungs and mimed slashing his throat.
“It doesn’t matter since you’ll die here anyway.”
“Right, it doesn’t matter.”
The Dragon Swordmaster regained his composure in a single breath and shook his head.
“Since Raon Zieghart has left the battlefield anyway.”
He narrowed his eyes at Raon vomiting black blood.
“I’ll kill you here and take Raon Zieghart; the master won’t say a word.”
“You’re taking Raon?”
Rimmer frowned, puzzled by his words.
“The master desires his talent. He believes it will help him ascend further.”
The Dragon Swordmaster coldly hinted at using Raon as an experiment.
“Such nonsense.”
Rimmer conjured a chilling wind along his blade.
“He still hasn’t given up on targeting Raon.”
The Swordmaster had been after Raon even in the City of Five Spirits, Barene. It seemed not to be mere curiosity.
“We need to end this quickly.”
The demonic aura emitted by the Demonic Sword Criathus was straining Rimmer’s insides to prevent it from reaching the Light Wind Division and Raon.
“With Raon having reached a conclusion, it’s right to finish this swiftly.”
“Sword Manifestation.”
Rimmer raised his sword toward the stormy skies.
“The song of wind and lightning.”
A ferocious voice, like a growling beast, spread from the heavens to the ends of the earth.
“Rumble!”
The world convulsed, unleashing non-stop storms and lightning. Within this sword boundary, Rimmer’s blue eyes sparkled.
It seemed he had returned to the glory days known as the Sword of Light, as a majestic aura surged forth.
“Yes. Without that, it wouldn’t be fun to kill you.”
The Dragon Swordmaster calmly nodded and aimed the Demonic Sword Criathus at Rimmer.
“Crackle!”
The blade trembled as red eyes burst forth from the demonic sword, covering the surroundings with a formidable magic. The oscillating magical waves twisted the space vertically.
“Let’s start the second round.”
Raon wiped the black blood from his lips, suppressing the desire to faint from the pain caused by his internal injuries and the magic.
“Master has opened the Sword Manifestation.”
Rimmer, putting aside his concerns for this side, was fully engaging the Dragon Swordmaster in a showdown.
Both were evenly matched, but it seemed the Dragon Swordmaster, utilizing the power of the Demonic Sword, had the upper hand.
“It can’t be helped. He’s protecting the Light Wind Division and me.”
The Demonic Sword Criathus was not only targeting its wielder’s opponent but also indiscriminately scattering magic across the battlefield, poisoning the space itself.
“Even consumed by rage, he manages to protect us.”
Ras commented, almost admiringly for the first time, acknowledging Rimmer’s strategic play.
“Indeed.”
Raon bit his lip and nodded.
“Damn…”
He wanted to help Rimmer, but the turbulent mana would turn him to dust if he approached. Staying still was the best help he could offer right now.
“Then, as for this side…”
Raon glanced at the Light Wind Division battling the Holy Swordsmen behind Rimmer and the Dragon Swordmaster. Though outnumbered, the Light Wind Division’s combat prowess seemed slightly superior.
It wasn’t far-fetched to call the battle even, but thanks to Runaan and Mark Gorton tipping the scales, victory seemed likely.
“However, if Master loses, it’s all over.”
Even if the Light Wind Division overcame the swordsmen, if Rimmer lost to the Dragon Swordmaster, the whole situation would collapse.
“The end of this fight will either be a mutual destruction or Master’s death.”
His choices were limited.
The first option was to leave this battle to Rimmer and retreat with the Light Wind Division. This would allow Rimmer to fight without concern for their safety, potentially improving his chances. However, with other Holy Swordsmen possibly nearby and Raon’s condition being a non-factor, the risk of being caught in a dangerous situation was high.
The second, and final, option was to transcend his limits right here.
The insights gained while fighting Cloud could help him break through the Grandmaster barrier. The opportunity might fade over time, making this moment crucial.
Yet, given his near-fatal condition and the presence of enemies, this was not an easy decision.
“It’s the only way.”
Raon ended his brief contemplation and gathered the faint aura he had mustered. He sent an aura message to Burren, Martha, Runaan, and Mark Gorton.
“Don’t look here. Go in.”
With that, the commanders twitched briefly before continuing their assaults.
“I’m going to break through the wall now.”
This caused a noticeable tremor among the commanders.
“You madman! What are you talking about all of a sudden!”
Martha screamed back through the aura message.
“Ha!”
Burren exhaled in disbelief.
“At least hide somewhere else!”
“If I move, the Dragon Swordmaster or others might follow. Pretending to be a cripple and sorting out my enlightenment is the best course.”
The Dragon Swordmaster was no fool. If Raon made any obvious moves, he would be chased down, so playing crippled was the safest bet.
“Understood.”
Runaan responded firmly, then pressed on in the fight.
“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you with my life.”
Mark Gorton nodded with determined assurance.
Raon then pulled out an interdimensional pouch. From it, he retrieved two elixirs Glen had given him and a leaf of sea spirit flower. He wrapped the hot red elixir and the cold blue elixir in the sea spirit leaf and popped them into his mouth.
“Whoosh!”
As soon as the elixirs touched his tongue, they dissolved into liquid and flowed down his throat.
A fiery heat and a freezing chill struck him simultaneously. Despite the agony due to his critical condition, the sea spirit leaf’s effect soon eased the pain.
“Phew…”
He needed to proceed slowly.
If his attempt to break through became known, the Dragon Swordmaster and the swordsmen would rush him like madmen. He had to appear as if he were merely practicing while he sorted out his enlightenment.
Raon closed his eyes, standing. Using the ring of fire, he spread the elixir’s energy throughout his body, filling his mana circuits.
“Rumble!”
As the elixir’s power coursed through his mana circuits, it gathered in his core, erupting like a volcano.
The intense, pure energy pushed the intrusive magic out, cornering it.
The heated energy from his core slowly climbed through his mana circuits to his upper core.
The heat and cold that reached his upper core spread like fireworks, clarifying the hazy enlightenment he had grasped while capturing Cloud.
The realm of deep meditation opened.
The sensory barrier he had set to feel external reactions settled down, leaving a world focused solely on introspection.
“This is better.”
Now that he had begun, external reactions were inevitably delayed. It was better to immerse himself deeply and cross the barrier quickly.
“Much has changed.”
The world of deep meditation had expanded, but the countless swords stuck in the ground, forming a graveyard of swords, remained unchanged.
Only when I saw the celestial sword and demonic sword floating did someone’s hand grab a sword stuck in the ground.
“That’s me…”
A younger version of myself, wearing training clothes, began to practice basic swordsmanship in the world of meditation.
Then, a slightly older version practiced more refined sword techniques.
Raon wielding a broadsword, Raon extending the sword art of the Demonic Fist, and Raon himself performing the custom Zieghart style.
As many Raons appeared as there were swords, each performing their techniques.
“No, that’s not all.”
It wasn’t just the sword techniques I had used; those of many others I had fought were also being replayed in the world of meditation.
Recalling a conversation with swordsmen and Glen:
“What is a sword? A sword is just a sword. Don’t overcomplicate it.”
“The chief is right. The more complex you think it is, the harder it becomes. There’s no need to think of many swords as anything special.”
“But to ascend further, one must master swordsmanship and imbue it with suitable significance. It means you must envelop it with purpose.”
“Don’t frown. It’s not that hard. The answer is always within you.”
Both had given similar answers, even though they had mastered different arts.
The answer.
I watched another version of myself wielding the techniques to grasp the answer I hadn’t found back then.
Each technique was powerful, effective, and elaborate. Each seemed incapable of being bested.
However, as I continued to observe, something odd stood out. Except for the basic techniques, all the sword moves were functioning independently.
Like chains breaking and failing to serve their purpose, the techniques didn’t seem to connect or flow into one another.
“Could it be because I’ve learned too many techniques? No, that’s not it.”
The number of techniques wasn’t the issue. The problem was increasing the count without a clear purpose.
When the swords were sheathed, I hadn’t noticed, but once drawn and employed, the issues became apparent.
I had gained much enlightenment and had sufficient aura, but I hadn’t ascended to Grandmaster because this world was unorganized.
“And…”
I still hadn’t managed to imbue my sword techniques with proper purpose.
Without considering what I wanted to achieve or desiring anything specific, I had just reacted in the moment.
In essence, I hadn’t changed much from the young Raon who had just been swinging basic sword techniques.
“Phew.”
Raon slowly lifted his gaze.
The fog had cleared, revealing seven red rings. Maybe it was due to the emotional turmoil, but even the rings of fire seemed twisted.
“My origin.”
To sort out this enlightenment, I had to return to my origin, the ring of fire, and complete the eighth ring.
“Then I’ll erase the magic first…”
No, there was no need to.
As my mind cleared, a new idea occurred.
“I don’t have demonic powers, but I do possess abilities greater than those, the powers of a Demon King.”
Raon looked up at the seven spinning rings and clenched his teeth.
“Let’s do this.”
“Kwagwagwang!”
The storm of Rimmer’s Sword of Lightning and the Dragon Swordmaster’s Sword of Magic collided, sending meteor-like streaks of light crashing incessantly.
Amid the trembling mana waves, Rimmer cleaved through space.
His blade rotated counterclockwise, unleashing countless storms of lightning. His form seemed to reclaim the glory of the Sword of Light, elegant yet explosive.
“Wooooong!”
The Dragon Swordmaster positioned the Demonic Sword Criathus diagonally. Concentrated to the extreme, the magic twisted the sky and extended ruthlessly.
Brilliant light and dark light intertwined, causing an immense shock. The earth twisted, and it seemed like the entire Rakion estate might collapse.
Rimmer whirled in the air and rushed towards the Dragon Swordmaster’s left side, his blade imbued with wind aiming for the neck.
However, the Dragon Swordmaster had anticipated Rimmer’s move and slanted the Demonic Sword Criathus to create a shield of magic.
“Crrrrrrack!”
The intense wave from the Sword of Lightning ate away at the Sword of Magic but could not break through. The power itself was still in the Dragon Swordmaster’s favor.
“Wooooong!”
As the Dragon Swordmaster thrust forward the Demonic Sword Criathus, nine streams of magic burst from the swirling sword tip. The whip-like magic mercilessly struck down around him.
“Kwagwagwang!”
The magic-battered earth turned black as if poisoned. A single hit from this deadly assault was enough to stop one’s breath.
Rimmer wrapped his entire body in wind and retreated to the right. To avoid wasting energy, he gave up on counterattacking and focused on evasion.
However, the Dragon Swordmaster, unwilling to give Rimmer a chance to choose, flew in faster than before and struck down with Criathus.
“Kugh!”
Rimmer grimaced as the cage-like blades of magic enveloped him.
“So troublesome!”
He bit his lip and moved towards the narrowing blades of magic.
“Sssshhh!”
The Sword of Lightning split two of the magic blades, but the remaining seven, twisting like a tornado, dove straight for his heart.
Rimmer rushed towards the darkness-manipulating Dragon Swordmaster, thrusting his blade concentrated with wind and lightning.
“Rumble!”
From Rimmer’s Sword of Light, red and blue glares surged, but the darkness of the Demonic Sword Criathus seemed unbreakable.
“Blood Silence.”
The Dragon Swordmaster tilted the Demonic Sword Criathus to the left. The blade, previously at longsword length, surged endlessly, erecting a giant sword that seemed capable of splitting the heavens. The blade, shimmering with a bloody light, fell as if to cleave the world.
Rimmer felt the space of the Sword Manifestation shrinking and raised his Sword of Light. The blade’s light spread forward, creating a vast storm of light.
“Kuwaaaaa!”
A massive pit appeared in the earth, and both Rimmer and the Dragon Swordmaster were pushed back.
“Ptui.”
Rimmer spat out the black blood that had pooled in his mouth and frowned.
“This is getting tough…”
The Demonic Sword Criathus seemed to have no limits, scattering ever more intense magic. It made his stomach turn, and his fingertips trembled.
The Dragon Swordmaster had not exhausted much of his own aura thanks to relying on the demonic sword, making the situation increasingly unfavorable.
“Should I send the kids?”
As Rimmer contemplated a mutual destruction to save the Light Wind Division, the Dragon Swordmaster sneered.
“You seem to have a lot on your mind.”
He raised the Demonic Sword Criathus, plowing the earth as he lifted his chin.
“Planning to let your subordinates escape? It makes sense since you can’t defeat me during the Sword Manifestation, the Light Wind Division’s battle isn’t over, and you can’t expect help from Raon Zieghart. But that concern is also meaningless.”
He gestured to the left and right.
“We’ve already surrounded this place. Your only choices are to die here together or watch others die outside.”
The Dragon Swordmaster smiled confidently in the encirclement.
“I told you. You aren’t someone who can save others. Now, you can’t even save yourself.”
“You son of a…”
Rimmer’s eyes filled with a chilling current. The space melted into seething red rage.
“This is your end… What?”
Mid-sentence, the Dragon Swordmaster clamped his mouth shut. His eyes trembled narrowly.
“What…”
Following his gaze, Rimmer turned around.
Raon, who seemed about to collapse, was slowly rising into the air.
“Could it be that guy…”
Was he trying to break through the barrier here?
The phenomenon Raon was showing seemed like one typically seen just before breaking through a barrier.
“What kind of courage does he have!”
To attempt breaking through a barrier in the middle of a battlefield was something not even the continent’s greatest madman would dare.
“Crazy…”
The Dragon Swordmaster also sensed it and gritted his teeth.
“Seize him! Bring him down now!”
Conversely, Rimmer gestured to the Light Wind Division.
“Block them! Do whatever it takes to protect him!”
