Chapter 573

 

Karoon stomped his feet roughly on the ground. The vibrations, filled with his irritation and anger, shook the main building’s garden.

“Damn it!”

He stomped repeatedly yet his frustration seemed unrelieved as he ground his teeth.

“Just bear with it.”

Balder sighed as he approached Karoon.

“I’m disgusted too, but there’s nothing we can do about it. He became a Grandmaster at 21 and took down the Dragon Swordmaster; of course, they’re going to look after him.”

He frowned, wondering why Karoon was acting this way.

“Disgusted?”

Karoon glared at Balder, his lips twisted in disdain.

“You spineless thing. Wipe that smirk off your face before you talk crap like that.”

“Uh, um…”

Balder hurriedly straightened his smile.

“Are you still not thinking straight after being humiliated by that kid?”

“It’s not that…”

“Of course, it’s good that the family’s reputation is rising, and it’s being revered. But!”

Karoon bit his lip hard before continuing.

“The focus is on Raon from the collateral branch. A monkey-like brat whose lineage is not even clear!”

“Um…”

“And now he’s beyond our reach.”

“Beyond our reach?”

“He’s no longer someone you or I can manipulate at will; he’s become a competitor for the head of the family. Haven’t you figured that out yet?”

He reminded them of the situation where Glenn and Aris had favored Raon, tapping his temple with his finger.

“So…”

Balder finally sensed the crisis and his lips quivered.

“If we act now…”

“It’s too late.”

Denier emerged from behind the bushes in the garden, casually waving his hand.

“What?”

“Have you heard the rumors that father has been personally teaching Raon swordsmanship? It’s true. And he’s been doing it for quite a while.”

Denier leaned against the garden’s pillar with a slight smile.

“I’ve warned you before. Father already sees Raon as one of the successors.”

“No, he’s too young!”

Balder shook his head, disbelieving.

“Not even Sylvia, but Raon! Does it make sense to have to compete with a nephew for the head of the family?”

“Younger might be more appealing. He’s the youngest Grandmaster on the continent and has built quite a reputation. If Raon becomes the head, it’ll significantly boost our family’s popularity and recognition. I don’t see that as a bad thing.”

Denier shrugged nonchalantly.

“From the discussion about the life-or-death challenge with the lord today, it seems likely he will be made a direct line member and declared a successor candidate on January 1st next year. What do you think, brother?”

“…”

Karoon didn’t respond to Denier’s question and just glared at him.

“I’m not Raon, why are you looking at me like that?”

Denier chuckled and turned his back.

“What I mean is, don’t stir up trouble with Raon and wake a hornet’s nest. If sister throws a tantrum, no one can stop her. Let’s just live quietly.”

He waved his hand lightly and left the garden.

‘Denier…’

Karoon narrowed his eyes as he watched Denier disappear into the darkness of the garden.

‘What are you thinking?’

Raon watched Glenn’s somber expression and trembled.

‘It must have been hard…’

A phrase anyone could say, but no one had said to him. Glenn’s brief comment melted the black lump that had been choking his heart until just moments ago.

‘I wanted to hear those words.’

Only now did he understand why he hadn’t felt happy when he received the medal and reward from Glenn at the Zieghart Hall.

Right now, he wasn’t seeking material compensation but rather spiritual peace.

‘I’ve gotten weak.’

No, not weaker; perhaps this is just being human.

His past life as an assassin was nothing more than a puppet’s life, killing on command, kidnapping when told.

Having lived his entire life as a leashed hound, he never had the opportunity to feel betrayed.

When he was killed by Derus after breaking the brainwashing with the Ring of Fire and preparing to escape, he hadn’t trusted Derus, so betrayal wasn’t an issue. He was just furious.

But this life was different. He had met many people, shared genuine affection, and opened his heart to them all.

The same went for Rektor. Because he had regarded him like a grandfather, learning swordsmanship and life lessons, the betrayal hit deeper and sharper than he could have anticipated.

“You have good fortune with people.”

Glenn turned his gaze calmly. Looking out over the lake, he continued in a calm voice,

“The children who tormented you in your youth have sincerely repented and become your loyal subordinates. Your mentor has become a superior who would risk his life for you. They won’t change their hearts about you, no matter what you become. Not to mention the people in the annex.”

“…”

Raon nodded slightly. True to his words, Burren and Martha, along with the others from the Light Wind Squad, had sought forgiveness for their childish misdeeds, and Rimmer had lazily yet effectively trained each swordsman.

Sylvia and Helen, along with the other family members in the annex, were indeed lifelong companions, so saying he had good fortune with people wasn’t wrong.

“The reason you’re struggling now is that you’ve given your heart and been betrayed by someone you thought was a good connection. Everything is hard the first time. If it’s betrayal, it’s even more painful.”

Glenn nodded as if he understood his feelings.

“Um…”

Raon felt Glenn’s distant back seem a bit closer as he chewed his lips.

‘Unexpected.’

He hadn’t expected Glenn, known for his harshness, to offer consolation with words.

“Those who approach you with kindness aren’t always good. It’s rare to find someone like Balder, whose outside matches his inside.”

Glenn mentioned Balder, and his voice seemed to carry a thin laugh.

“Follow me.”

He flicked his finger and walked towards Beomangsan, beyond the lake.

It looked like an ordinary walk, but he moved as if transcending space, making it impossible to catch up even with a lightfoot technique.

Glenn stopped at a wide clearing at the entrance of Beomangsan.

Snap.

He broke off a small branch from the bushes and gestured to Raon.

“Draw your sword.”

“Pardon?”

“When your mind is cluttered, it’s good to move without thinking.”

Glenn held the branch like a sword.

“Show me what you meant when you became a Grandmaster.”

“Um…”

Raon gripped the hilt of his heavenly sword tightly and observed the branch Glenn had raised. A few leaves rustled in the night wind.

‘Is he going to spar with me?’

He had received many teachings from Glenn but had never crossed swords with him. It was a rare opportunity among rare opportunities.

“If you told me to empty my mind, may I go all out?”

“If not, there would be no point.”

“Then…”

Raon’s hands trembled as he drew his heavenly sword and soul-calling sword.

“Here I go.”

He held the swords in reverse grip and thrust them into the ground, opening the world of his mind.

The heat and cold that arose from his lower energy center surged up to his middle and reached the upper energy center in an instant.

His vision turned stark white, and the more solid and sharp perception of the sword than ever before extended into the world.

Behind him, an alien gold sun and a silver moon rose.

The golden light of the sun seeped into the divine sword in his right hand, and the silver light of the moon burgeoned from the demonic sword in his left.

With his ascent to Grandmaster, new changes had also taken place in the divine and demonic swords.

“It looks plausible.”

Glenn nodded with a calm expression.

“Come at me.”

Spurred by his words, Raon charged towards Glenn.

The grass underfoot was torn up by his speed as he unleashed the flames of the divine sword and the frost of the demonic sword.

The intricacies of dual swordsmanship twisted and turned, creating powerful waves as the two swords swept down.

Shhhh!

Glenn faced the incoming flames and frost with a thin branch that seemed like it could snap at any moment.

Kuwaah!

A tremendous explosion occurred sequentially, and the surrounding bushes and trees screamed, but the branch in Glenn’s hand did not waver. It was an unbelievable sight.

“Your power is commendable. Keep going.”

“Yes!”

Raon rolled his left foot and dove to Glenn’s left.

‘Ordinary attacks won’t work.’

It was impossible to breach Glenn’s defense head-on. He had to target where Glenn couldn’t defend.

Chiing!

He executed the Supreme Harmony Steps. Flowing like water, he moved to Glenn’s right rear and simultaneously extended the Hot Sun and Cold Chain.

The crimson heat line and blue blade targeted Glenn’s blind spots, advancing with a time delay.

“The moment you stop thinking, the fight ends too.”

Glenn smiled lightly and raised the branch vertically. He effortlessly deflected the advancing Hot Sun and blocked the following Cold Chain’s dual blades.

‘I don’t even know what he did.’

It seemed as if time flowed differently for him.

Raon bit his lip and used the Harmony of Flame and Water Steps. Folding space, he advanced to Glenn’s face and thrust the divine and demonic swords.

The flames and frost bloomed like a kaleidoscope, wrapping around Glenn.

Heavenly Flames Art. Thirty-Six Cuts of the Hot Sun.

With a single strike, he aimed thirty-six directions using the two swords. A total of seventy-two directions targeted Glenn’s vital points with monstrous swordsmanship.

“Your hands have gotten freer. Both speed and power have developed.”

Glenn briefly praised the swordsmanship he had once harshly criticized and shook the branch.

A soft yet firm wind spread out, instantly breaking the flow of the Thirty-Six Cuts of the Hot Sun.

Kugugugu!

Raon felt as if not just his body but also his soul was being pushed by the wind. He gritted his teeth and tensed his legs. The divine and demonic swords responded to his will, emitting even denser flames and frost.

Jeeeeeung!

He entered Glenn’s frontal space once again and raised the divine and demonic swords toward the branch.

The two blades that sprang from the ground struck both ends of the branch.

Yet, despite pouring all his strength into it, the branch Glenn held did not waver.

“Shall we get a bit rougher?”

Glenn twisted his wrist delicately. Red lightning surged from the branch, crushing the flames of the divine sword and the frost of the demonic sword.

Pajijijik!

However, the flames and frost, despite being overwhelmingly suppressed by the fierce lightning, did not lose their own light.

“That’s it.”

Glenn looked down at the divine and demonic swords and nodded slowly. His eyes seemed to twinkle faintly.

“Your choice is unyielding. An unbreakable sword.”

He recognized from just a few exchanges what kind of will I had when I rose to Grandmaster.

“Then come at me more fiercely, keep your flames alive.”

“Of course!”

Raon shouted as he charged. The trajectory of the divine sword was followed by the demonic sword, creating a red and blue halo.

Kuwaah!

Two brilliant halos stretched towards Glenn. The ground was severely carved by the powerful force, but Glenn let out a faint smile.

“You’ve somewhat organized your swordsmanship.”

Glenn casually lowered the branch like a child playing. A thin wave of red from the end of the swaying branch blocked the two halos.

Kwaah!

The halos raised by the divine and demonic swords did not even reach Glenn, melting away in front of the rustling leaves.

‘As expected.’

He had anticipated this situation and exhaled before raising the two swords again. He stepped closer to Glenn and used the Heat Dragon Technique with the divine sword and raised the Fire Spirit with the demonic sword.

Kuwaah!

The blue Fire Spirit blocked Glenn’s back just as the Heat Dragon Technique was unleashed.

Glenn saw the flame tinged with gold and smiled faintly, extending the branch.

Kuwaah!

The roar of the fire dragon was futilely extinguished by the trajectory drawn by the leaves.

Chiing!

Raon used the rising heat of the Heat Dragon Technique to move to Glenn’s right.

He got close and pushed the final blade of the Divine-Demonic Harmony Technique.

Raon Zieghart Style Sword Technique.

Sixth Form Divine-Demonic Harmony Technique Linked Skill Blue-Red Invincible Sword.

Flame and frost that split the sky and earth enveloped Glenn.

“A good sword.”

For the first time, Glenn let out a faint exclamation and raised the branch.

The red lightning that surged from the center of the branch clashed head-on with the flow of the Blue-Red Invincible Sword.

Jeeeeeeung!

The terrifying lightning, flames, and frost clashed, shaking the earth, but the ground where Glenn stood did not tremble at all.

Only one leaf from the branch fluttered and fell to the ground.

“Ha…”

Raon chuckled and slumped down.

‘Just one leaf.’

That all his effort had resulted in just one leaf falling from the branch was laughably ironic.

-It’s not just one leaf.

‘What do you mean?’

-You’ve accomplished something in your own way.

‘Huh?’

Wrath, surprisingly not mocking, muttered something vague in meaning.

“Hmm…”

Glenn watched the fallen leaf closely before heading towards the bushes. He brought the broken branch back to its original place and rubbed his fingers, and the branch naturally reattached as if it had never been broken.

“That, that is…”

I hadn’t thought that the broken branch would reattach, so I was dumbfounded.

“If there’s a sword that can kill, there’s also a sword that can heal. I haven’t realized it for long, so it’s not that surprising.”

Glenn lightly tapped the restored branch and looked at Raon.

“So, do you feel better?”

“Pardon? Oh, yes…”

Raon nodded blankly.

‘I completely forgot.’

While sparring with Glenn, he had forgotten about Rektor, and his heart, previously heavy, now felt refreshingly normal.

“You think too much. Sometimes you need to clear your head.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Since you’ve organized your thoughts, that’s what I’m saying.”

He clicked his tongue briefly and looked up at the night sky.

“That Rektor guy doesn’t seem like someone who would betray us.”

Glenn looked slightly regretful as he shook his head.

“Um…”

Raon raised his hand briefly to Glenn.

“I have something I’d like to say.”

“What is it?”

“Actually…”

Raon explained the things Rektor had done and the circumstances.

“I see.”

Glenn didn’t dismiss it as nonsense and nodded calmly.

“I’ll keep that in mind. But the fact that he’s our enemy hasn’t changed.”

“I know.”

“Then that’s settled.”

He nodded and turned his back.

“I’ll be going now.”

“Thank you for today.”

Raon sincerely bowed to Glenn.

“It’s just a reward for what you achieved in this mission.”

Glenn let out a somewhat cold voice and left towards the main building.

“Haah…”

Once Glenn disappeared, Raon lay down on the ground, exhaling a refreshing breath. Though it was harder than lying in his room, his heart felt at ease.

“That’s nice.”

Glenn didn’t return directly to the Zieghart Hall. Instead, he leaned against a tree midway up Beomangsan, watching Raon.

“It must be hard.”

Raon likely didn’t fully understand why he was suffering and in pain.

Despite his outward coldness, having grown up sharing a lot of affection with people, Raon felt the betrayal by Rektor deeply.

‘Not all people are good. And not everyone is evil either.’

He had created this situation hoping Raon wouldn’t distance himself from others because of his sense of betrayal, and it seemed to have gone reasonably well.

‘You will overcome this.’

Glenn narrowed his eyes at the single leaf that had fallen at Raon’s feet.

‘And also…’

He had created an incredible sword technique.

Seeing Raon’s sword technique firsthand exceeded expectations.

Its power, durability, and sustainability were all exceptionally high, and its biggest advantage was that it was still incomplete.

‘No, rather than incomplete, it should be seen as growing.’

Raon’s sword technique truly reflected his spirit. As his upper energy center grew, so did his sword technique. Raon’s sword technique held boundless potential.

In fact, Raon’s sword technique had grown even during the duel.

Predicting Raon’s power, I maintained the original form of the branch with appropriate energy, but the fact that a single leaf had fallen was proof of its growth.

‘And…’

Glenn closed his eyes.

‘That golden flame.’

The flame reflected in Raon’s sword contained a faint golden hue amidst the red. The golden flame, which had appeared only once in the long history of the Ziegharts during the time of the first head of the family, had seeped into Raon’s soul.

“The path suitable for you is not one of destruction.”

Glenn slowly lifted his eyelids.

“I will take on the evil and desires of the world. Raon, you…”

He captured Raon in his tender red gaze and smiled.

“Walk the straight path.”