TRAIGS - Chapter 760

Raon followed Glenn to a clearing at the foot of Bukmang Mountain.

‘I can’t believe I’m back here in less than an hour….’

He chuckled to himself, knowing that just a bit further up was the spot where the bear had swum in honey earlier.

‘But….’

Looking at Glenn, who was calmly observing the night sky, Raon narrowed his eyes.

‘Why did the patriarch come here?’

After his spar with Karoon, Glenn had handed half of the gold coins earned from the mission to the Light Wind Division. With the duel concluded and no further rewards to be given, it was unclear why Glenn had called him.

– He’s been feeding everyone today….

Wrath eyed Glenn suspiciously.

– Could he be planning to give you that terrible Nadine Bread?

He shook his head vehemently, insisting that under no circumstances should Raon accept it.

‘Wow, you’re a genius.’

– Ahem! I’ve always been known as the Demon Realm’s greatest strategist….

‘Impressive.’

– Wait, I wasn’t finished yet—

‘Amazing.’

While Raon ignored Wrath’s nonsense, Glenn turned to face him.

“Raon.”

Glenn’s gaze was different than usual. His crimson eyes glimmered with a warmth akin to a hearth.

“Yes, Patriarch.”

Raon met Glenn’s eyes briefly before bowing his head.

“I….”

“Pardon?”

“Never mind.”

Glenn clicked his tongue softly and shook his head.

“Karoon has changed significantly.”

He clasped his hands behind his back and raised his chin slightly.

“The Karoon I once knew would never have admitted his shortcomings, let alone publicly confess his mistakes in front of so many people.”

Glenn exhaled lightly, as if still astonished by the change.

– Even I acknowledge it!

Wrath raised his tiny hands.

– Who would have thought that one-eyed commander would change so much? Humans truly are full of surprises.

He smacked his lips as if savoring the revelation.

“Karoon’s transformation is all thanks to you. I’m grateful.”

Glenn’s soft smile conveyed genuine appreciation for the change.

“It’s not because of me.”

Raon shook his head, believing Karoon’s transformation was his own accomplishment.

“Did you gain any insight from your duel with Karoon?”

Glenn unclasped his hands and asked calmly.

“No, I did not.”

Raon sighed briefly. While he had felt Karoon’s emotions and strength, he hadn’t grasped any clear path to transcendence.

“Did you feel anything from observing him?”

“Karoon seemed to have converted his regrets, guilt, admiration for you, and love for Zieghart into raw power.”

Raon described the emotions and intentions he had sensed in Karoon’s sword.

“You observed well. It was worth granting the duel.”

Glenn raised an eyebrow slightly, as if impressed.

“Transcendence is not merely a realm of sharing power. It’s like a journal—recording who you are, where you’ve been, and where you’re going.”

He spoke with a calm tone, explaining the concept of transcendence.

“A journal….”

Raon repeated the word softly.

“Karoon achieved such formidable strength upon reaching transcendence because he filled his journal with many things.”

Glenn’s hand gestured heavily, as if mimicking the weight of Karoon’s swordsmanship.

“If Karoon had reached transcendence without genuine remorse, the sword you faced today wouldn’t have existed.”

“I see….”

“What do you wish to include in your journal when you reach transcendence?”

Glenn lowered his chin, inviting Raon to answer freely.

“There are too many things I want to bring along, so I haven’t decided yet.”

Raon sighed deeply, still uncertain about what path to choose.

“Then why not take everything?”

Glenn shrugged slightly, as if the question was trivial.

“Pardon?”

“I’ve told you before—your vessel is unparalleled, even compared to mine or Rektor’s. Why are you worrying unnecessarily?”

He smiled faintly, his hand brushing the hilt of the Heavenly Drive.

“Your journal is vast. You can write down everything you desire.”

Glenn encouraged him to embrace all his emotions and intentions, his smile unwavering.

“Everything….”

Raon gazed down at his hands, biting his lip.

‘Can I really do that?’

Most warriors shed their shells and choose a single path, but taking everything felt excessive.

‘Anger, countless swords, vengeance, family, comrades, friends, my past life….’

Fragments of emotions and intentions swirled in his mind. Even with his vast capacity, he wasn’t sure he could carry them all.

“If you’re still uncertain….”

Glenn slowly lowered his hand.

“Why not revisit the essence of a swordsman?”

He gestured toward the Heavenly Drive hanging at Raon’s waist.

“The essence….”

Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at the slightly cracked hilt of the Heavenly Drive.

“‘He’ has returned, so take some time to go.”

“I understand.”

Raon bowed deeply, appreciating Glenn’s sincere advice.

“That’s enough. I’ve received more from you than I’ve given.”

Glenn waved off the gratitude.

“Patriarch.”

Raon released his grip on the Heavenly Drive and stepped closer to Glenn.

“I also have something to tell you.”

“Speak.”

Raon shared the information he had received from Merlin.

“We knew the Five Demons were gathering strength. We’ve been monitoring their activities, so things will get busy soon.”

Glenn nodded, mentioning that the Light Wind Division would also need to mobilize.

“But the Sword Demon becoming the leader of the Holy Sword Alliance—that’s news to me.”

His brows furrowed deeply.

“Did you hear this from your… friend?”

Glenn seemed to be referring to Wrath.

“No, it’s another friend this time.”

“You seem to have many friends. That’s a good thing.”

He chuckled lightly, implying it wasn’t a bad development.

“Hm….”

Although he had referred to Merlin as a friend, their relationship was still undefined, leaving Raon unsure of what to say.

“We’ll need to confirm it, but thank you for the valuable information.”

Glenn waved his hand, signaling that Raon could leave.

“Yes, then.”

Raon bowed to Glenn and returned to the annex.

“…….”

Glenn remained alone, gazing at the night sky that rippled like a dark curtain.

‘Rektor….’

Rektor had confronted him when Raon went missing, demanding to know what Glenn had done.

That encounter revealed a man who was neither a puppet of the Holy Sword Alliance’s orders nor a madman blinded by his obsession with the sword.

Instead, Rektor had felt like someone deeply connected to Raon, almost like family.

Recalling the despair in Rektor’s eyes, Glenn bit his lip lightly.

“Could it be…?”

—

Sylvia headed to the expanded training grounds of the annex right after finishing breakfast.

Inhaling the warm morning air, she unsheathed her sword.

‘Wooong!’

A vibrant light pulsed along the blade—an energy from the Radiant Flow that Raon had shared with her.

Sylvia trained with various sword techniques, guiding the brilliant light.

Only when the sun had risen to its zenith did Sylvia lower her sword.

But it wasn’t to rest.

Recalling Raon’s description of the Tugui and Swordmaster of a White Demon Swordmaster, she infused her blade with a chaotic yet elegant movement.

‘Chiiiiing!’

The blade, imbued with a blue light, emitted a dense radiance that shot outward like rays of sunlight.

‘Kugugugu!’

As its name suggested, the Radiant Flow swept away imaginary foes like a flood of light.

‘Chiiiiing.’

Only after expending nearly all her strength and aura, with her hands trembling, did Sylvia finally let her sword rest. She collapsed to the ground, completely spent.

“Madam.”

Helen approached, handing Sylvia water and chocolate while sighing deeply.

“Aren’t you overdoing it?”

“This effort is necessary.”

Sylvia shook her head and gulped down the water in one go.

“I don’t ever want to lose my family again.”

Raon had become an exemplary son, mending his relationship with her step-by-step. He had earned the respect of swordsmen everywhere.

Her dreams had all come true, yet the nightmares that came every other night hadn’t faded.

The Twin Ghost’s deranged laughter, Edgar and Sia collapsing before her, and her own helpless self being dragged into darkness—these nightmares of twenty years continued to haunt her.

‘I can’t let that happen again.’

She had to protect Raon and the children of the annex.

Having experienced the pain of losing loved ones, Sylvia vowed to risk her life to protect them if it ever happened again.

Sylvia lifted her gaze slowly, making a vow to her very soul.

“Thank you, Helen.”

She popped the chocolate into her mouth and stood up.

‘I cannot stop here.’

After breaking through the Grandmaster wall so easily, her growth had stagnated. Now was the time to push herself to the limit and grow stronger.

Gripping her sword tightly, Sylvia reignited its radiant, yet gentle, glow.

—

Despite being on leave, Raon wasn’t training. Instead, he was headed south in Zieghart territory.

– Where are you going?

Wrath yawned and tilted his head.

‘I have someplace I haven’t visited in a while.’

– A while? Surely, you’re not….

Wrath widened his eyes and leaned in closer.

– …going to buy me that beaded ice cream again? A new flavor this time—

‘No.’

– Tch….

Wrath clicked his tongue, his disappointment evident.

– But stopping by wouldn’t hurt….

‘I’m not going.’

– Hmph, fine. So, where is this? This place looks familiar… hmm?

Wrath’s eyes widened as he spotted the small village where thick smoke billowed from every chimney.

– Isn’t this where your sword was forged?

‘That’s right. Looks like you remember.’

Raon nodded as he entered the village.

‘This is Mirthan—the village of blacksmiths who hammer steel day and night.’

The “him” Glenn had mentioned yesterday was the master craftsman, Balkan. Raon had decided to visit him to have the Heavenly Drive inspected.

– This place is dreadfully boring.

Wrath mumbled disinterestedly before retreating into the Ice Flower Bracelet.

‘All you care about is ice cream.’

Raon smirked and gave the bracelet a light tap before entering Mirthan.

The roar of the furnaces, the hammering of steel, and the shouts of the craftsmen made Raon feel invigorated as he strolled through the village.

As he approached Balkan’s workshop, he spotted a familiar back.

“Dorian?”

“Huh? Leader!”

It really was Dorian. He beamed and walked over, abandoning his dealings with a blacksmith.

“What brings you here?”

“I should ask you the same thing. Why are you here?”

“I’m restocking essential items!”

Dorian laughed, explaining that he was replenishing weapons and materials used during the war. His eyes were bloodshot, likely from a lack of sleep.

“You’ve been doing this nonstop?”

“Yes! I even scored some excellent fish and meat at the dawn market!”

He pulled out fresh fish and meat from his bag, grinning proudly.

“You could’ve taken your time….”

“There’s no time to waste when restocking essential items!”

Dorian stomped his foot, practically roaring his declaration.

“Uh…?”

“Like a swan gliding gracefully, proper logistics require constant effort behind the scenes!”

He furrowed his brow and lifted his chin confidently.

“Understand?”

“Y-Yeah….”

Raon took a step back, a bit overwhelmed.

“Well, I still have more supplies to gather, so I’ll see you later!”

Dorian promptly resumed his dealings with the blacksmith and left Mirthan shortly afterward.

“Hah….”

Raon let out a small laugh as he watched Dorian disappear.

Though exhausted to an extreme, Dorian seemed oddly content.

– I told you, your wallet is a lunatic….

Wrath muttered, shaking his head at the eccentric people surrounding Raon.

‘Maybe so….’

Raon sighed and ascended to the top of Mirthan Village.

‘Clang!’

From a rounded workshop came the distinct sound of hammering, accompanied by an intense heat that set it apart from the others.

‘Still the same as ever.’

Raon smiled faintly and knocked on the workshop door.

“No customers today!”

Balkan’s gruff voice rumbled from within.

‘Boom!

Raon wasted no time and opened the door to the workshop before Balkan could finish speaking.

“Have you retired again, by any chance?”

“Hmm…?”

Balkan slowly turned around, revealing his even larger and more robust muscles. His mouth hung open in surprise.

“Raon!”

Balkan jumped up and pulled Raon into a tight hug.

“It’s been a while.”

“Indeed, it has been too long!”

He laughed heartily, asking why Raon had taken so long to visit.

“I’ve heard enough about your exploits to make my ears fall off. It’s almost tiresome!”

Balkan clapped Raon on the shoulder, his pride evident.

“It’s all thanks to your sword, Master.”

Raon smiled, resting his hand on the hilt of the Heavenly Drive.

“You might not be the best swordsman yet, but you’ve certainly mastered flattery!”

Balkan snorted and shook his head.

“You didn’t come just to see my face. Show me the sword.”

He gestured for Raon to hand over the Heavenly Drive so he could inspect it.

“Understood.”

Raon bowed slightly and carefully drew the Heavenly Drive.

“Hmm….”

Balkan squinted as he examined the blade.

“You’ve maintained it decently, but the edge is worn. You must have been in some seriously intense battles.”

He sighed, as though looking back on Raon’s struggles through the condition of the sword.

“My apologies.”

“Apologies? Don’t be ridiculous. A blade that’s worn shows it’s done its job. Its owner has no reason to apologize.”

Balkan shook his head firmly, saying that Raon only needed to uphold the honor of Zieghart’s swordsmen.

“I was going to call for you soon anyway. You’ve come at just the right time.”

He set the Heavenly Drive down and walked to a corner of the workshop.

“Excuse me?”

Raon blinked, watching Balkan rummage through the space.

“I recently received some excellent materials.”

Balkan pulled out an aged box and revealed golden ingots along with red and blue metal spheres, his lips curling into a satisfied grin.

“I’ll make your sword sharper and stronger than ever!”