TRAIGS - Chapter 763

Raon let out a calm breath as he looked at the faintly trembling document.

‘It’s finally here.’

When he informed Glenn about the Five Demons growing in power, Glenn had said preparations were underway to confront them and that the Light Wind Division would be busy.

Judging by the seal of the head of the house on the document, this mission appeared to be a challenging one.

“My body’s been itching for this. Perfect timing.”

Martha grinned boldly, resting her sword on her shoulder.

“I have something I’ve been wanting to test as well. This is a good opportunity.”

Burren licked his lips, wiping the blade of his sword with the back of his hand.

“…”

Runaan, unaware of the mission’s arrival, continued her training without pause.

“My storm of chaos is ready to roar.”

“Green Wave Two! I’m counting on you again this time.”

“Anywhere’s fine. I just want to fight already.”

Not just the captains, but the entire Light Wind Division radiated eagerness, their eyes gleaming with anticipation for the mission.

Raon smiled faintly at the division, who looked ready to charge out immediately.

‘Well, it’d be a waste to keep them idle.’

Aside from Yua and Yulius, the Light Wind Division was a group of monsters, all of whom had reached the level of Master. Even after returning from their long missions, it would be a shame to leave their skills unused.

“What’s the mission?”

Raon asked Chad, meeting his gaze.

“The head of the house wishes to explain it personally. Let us proceed to the audience chamber.”

Chad turned and gestured for Raon to follow.

“Understood.”

Raon motioned to the Light Wind Division.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, sir!”

The division, ready and waiting, sheathed their swords and followed Raon.

The massive doors of the audience chamber were already open, likely because Glenn had summoned them beforehand.

Raon led the Light Wind Division to the center of the chamber and knelt.

“I greet the head of the—”

“Rise.”

Before Raon could finish, Glenn’s voice commanded him to stand. A gentle yet powerful energy surged forth, stopping Raon’s waist and thighs mid-motion.

‘Can this be done with intent alone?’

Raon swallowed dryly. Normally, intent needed to be imbued with aura to manifest physical force, yet Glenn had achieved it with intent alone, demonstrating overwhelming power.

Raon felt his understanding of martial concepts expand.

“Have you been briefed on the mission?”

Glenn tapped his finger on the armrest of his throne.

“I came straight here, so I have not yet been informed.”

Raon shook his head calmly.

“This mission wasn’t chosen by me. The request specifically named you and the Light Wind Division.”

“By ‘they,’ you mean…?”

“The Arian family.”

“Ah.”

The Arians were one of Zieghart’s vassal families, tasked with guarding the Swamp of Death.

Raon had heard that, after the Soul-Eating Specter and its amassed death energy disappeared, the swamp had transformed into a forest, eradicating the undead entirely. It was puzzling why they’d request support now.

“The head of the Arian family mentioned the Light Wind Division by name.”

“Do you know the reason?”

Raon bit his lip slightly, looking at Glenn.

Wendy, the head of the Arian family, was the only one who hadn’t abandoned her sword during the family’s darkest times. She had also sent aid in past wars. Raon felt compelled to help, no matter the reason.

“As you’re likely aware, the death energy left behind by the Soul-Eating Specter has vanished, and the Swamp of Death has become a lush forest.”

Glenn stroked his chin, his gaze lowering.

“With such fertile land, many wild animals and monsters have flocked there, forming groups large and small. While some monsters have attempted to encroach on the Arians’ territory, their head has managed to fend them off.”

“That’s expected.”

Raon nodded quietly.

‘Lady Wendy must’ve grown even stronger.’

Even when treacherous ministers controlled the Arian family, Wendy had never ceased training. She was capable enough to handle ordinary monsters with ease.

“A request for aid from the Arians means that something beyond Lady Wendy’s capabilities has occurred.”

“Exactly.”

Chad lifted the document with a heavy sigh.

“They reported witnessing monsters, who would typically fight for territory, standing in organized formations at the edge of the former Swamp of Death. These creatures showed no fear of humans, only emitting violent, murderous intent.”

He frowned, calling it an absurd situation.

“If the monsters aren’t fighting over territory, it can only mean…”

“Yes. A king has emerged.”

Glenn nodded as he answered Raon’s unspoken thought.

“If the forest is that fertile, it wouldn’t be surprising for a king to appear.”

Monsters, even of the same species, often competed for territory. If they gathered without infighting, it could only mean a powerful mutant had risen among them.

‘However…’

It’s also possible there’s no king at all.

The ability to control and amass monsters wasn’t exclusive to kings. There were beings far more malevolent and dangerous than monsters.

“You’re thinking of Eden, aren’t you?”

Glenn’s faint smile suggested he’d had the same thought.

“Yes. We won’t know for sure until we investigate, but Eden is a strong possibility.”

“Eden?”

Martha clenched her fist.

“Right! Those bastards can control monsters too! It has to be them!”

Having faced Eden’s abilities before, she nodded firmly.

“We can’t assume it’s Eden just yet. The number and types of monsters they can control are limited.”

Burren cautioned against jumping to conclusions, suggesting they gather more information first.

“Eden…”

Runaan placed her hand on the hilt of her Snowflower Sword, biting her lip deeply, likely recalling past encounters with Eden and his brother, Syria Sullion.

“Depart at dawn. The assault hasn’t started yet, but we can’t predict when it will. It’s best to move quickly.”

“Understood.”

Raon bowed as he accepted the mission.

“Light Wind Division Leader.”

Glenn called to Raon, tilting his chin.

“The war between the Five Kings and the Five Demons rages across the continent. If this is Eden’s doing, it won’t be an easy fight.”

“Indeed.”

“However, there’s no group better suited for this scale of operation than the Light Wind Division. Ensure the matter is resolved and return safely.”

Glenn nodded firmly, his trust in the Light Wind Division evident.

“Yes!”

Raon and the members of the Light Wind Division struck their left chests with their right hands, answering in unison with a spirited response.

“There’s much to prepare. Off you go.”

Glenn inspected Raon and the Light Wind Division one by one before dismissing them with a wave of his hand.

“Yes!”

Raon and the division bowed before turning to leave.

“We’ll be off now.”

Just before exiting the audience chamber, Raon spoke, not as the division leader, but as a grandson.

“…Go, then.”

Glenn seemed to understand the sentiment, swallowing briefly before nodding.

“See you.”

Raon briefly gazed at Glenn’s faint smile before stepping out of the chamber.

“As the head of the house said, prepare not only for monsters but also for potential battles with the Five Demons’ forces.”

Raon turned to address the gathered Light Wind Division, giving his instructions.

“Yes, sir!”

The division members, brimming with confidence, raised their chins as if ready to take on any opponent.

“We’ll meet at the fifth training ground at dawn. Dismissed.”

At Raon’s command, the division dispersed in all directions.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had a real fight. And we can jump straight into the action this time.”

Martha licked her lips, calling it a chance to grow stronger.

“…”

Runaan radiated a chilling determination, no longer showing fear as she had in the past. Her expression was resolute, as if she were set on completing her task.

“Ah, something feels off. Oh, the vice-captain isn’t here!”

Burren clapped his hands as if just realizing Rimmer’s absence.

“Don’t worry.”

Raon glanced toward the back of the audience chamber, shaking his head.

“I know where he is.”

—

‘Whoooosh!’

A mighty gust of wind roared through the inner training grounds of the head of the house.

Rimmer stood calmly amidst a towering whirlwind that seemed to reach the heavens, his eyes closed in concentration.

‘Piiing!’

An arrow formed of water shot into the storm, spinning at immense speed with no gaps in its rotation.

‘Splat!’

Without opening his eyes, Rimmer cleaved the arrow in half, as if he had anticipated it.

‘Boom!’

The ground beneath him cracked, and a spear of water surged upward. Yet Rimmer evaded it effortlessly, displaying impressive focus.

However, a blade of water, shimmering in the rainbow-hued sunlight, managed to slip through.

It sliced across Rimmer’s chest, drawing a thin line of blood.

“Tch.”

Rimmer clicked his tongue as he looked at the blood oozing from his chest. With a wave of his hand, the winds obscuring his vision dissipated.

“I couldn’t even see that. How’d you manage it?”

“It… it’s just reflection,”

Siyan, wrapped head to toe in a thick blanket, hopped toward Rimmer.

“Reflection?”

“I used sunlight to create a glare and water’s reflective properties…”

Siyan smiled shyly, explaining that she had used techniques taught by the Water Spirit King and the Fire Spirit King.

“You’ve thought of everything. Not bad.”

Rimmer gave her a thumbs-up.

“Now that I’ve experienced it once, I’ll know how to handle it in a similar situation.”

He laughed, satisfied with the lesson learned.

“O-Oppa.”

Siyan hesitated, twisting the blanket around herself as she called out to Rimmer.

“What is it?”

He tilted his head, puzzled by her hesitation.

“You seem happy, but… you’re not acting like your usual carefree self. It’s weird.”

Siyan shuffled her feet, admitting it had been a while since she’d seen him like this.

“I’ve made a decision on something I’ve been contemplating.”

Rimmer smiled brightly, his mind now at ease.

“Something you’ve been contemplating?”

“Yeah. I’ll tell you later.”

He waved his hand, indicating she’d find out eventually.

“Anyway, thanks for helping me train before heading back to Sephia.”

Rimmer nodded at her pink blanket in gratitude. Despite being summoned back to Sephia, Siyan had stayed to assist him with his training.

“I don’t want to go back. I want to stay here, make books with Encia, and keep watching that handsome Raon…”

Siyan pouted, shaking her blanket from side to side.

“You can always come back. Encia isn’t here right now anyway. Plan to visit together next time.”

Rimmer opened his arms, telling her she was welcome anytime.

“Really?”

“Of course.”

Siyan sighed in relief just as the training ground doors opened, and Raon entered.

“Kyaa!”

Startled, Siyan stumbled backward, her blanket slipping off. She quickly grabbed her long hair to cover her face.

“Honestly…”

Rimmer let out a hollow laugh as he looked at Siyan.

She’d raised a ruckus demanding power from the Spirit Kings to avenge Raon’s death, yet she was now flustered and shy.

“What’s going on?”

He turned his gaze from his retreating sister to Raon.

“A mission has been assigned.”

Raon approached Rimmer and gave him a slight nod.

“A mission, huh…”

Rimmer twirled his sword, licking his lips.

“Well, we can’t be the only ones slacking. What’s the mission about?”

“It involves the Arian family…”

Raon recounted the details shared in the audience chamber.

“Best-case scenario, it’s a monster king. Worst-case, it’s Eden.”

Rimmer chuckled, clearly intrigued.

“E-Eden? Isn’t that too dangerous?”

Siyan swallowed nervously.

“We can’t even summon Ifrit right now…”

“We can’t stand idle just because Ifrit isn’t available.”

Raon smiled gently, trying to reassure Siyan.

‘You can’t stop just because one path is blocked.’

Ifrit and Elraim had been barred from descending due to their ongoing efforts to restore the Spirit Realm. But Raon wasn’t afraid.

Relying on external power would only weaken one’s strength and resolve. Overcoming danger through one’s own abilities was the true path of a warrior.

“That’s a leader of the Light Wind Division for you.”

Rimmer grinned, patting Raon on the shoulder.

“T-then…”

Siyan bit her lip, stepping forward.

“Can I join—”

“Join? Not a chance! If you don’t go back this time, the old man will come looking for you!”

Rimmer waved his hand dismissively, urging Siyan to leave before she got scolded.

“Ugh…”

Siyan hung her head low, clearly disappointed.

“Don’t worry. I’ll come back safely and tell you everything that happens.”

Rimmer reassured her, nodding with a confident grin.

“R-really?”

“Of course!”

“Alright!”

Siyan beamed brightly and pulled the blanket over her head again.

– ‘Why does that spirit girl keep covering herself with a blanket?’

Wrath tilted his head, baffled by her behavior.

‘She says she feels better when she’s under a blanket.’

– ‘Spirits are truly strange creatures.’

Wrath frowned, shaking his head as if both Rimmer and Siyan made no sense to him.

“L-Lord Raon, see you later.”

Siyan bowed deeply, still wrapped in her blanket.

“Yes, come visit again.”

“O-okay…”

She nodded several times before leaving the training ground.

“You lied, didn’t you?”

As soon as they were alone, Raon sighed softly.

“As expected, our captain knows me too well.”

Rimmer chuckled, nodding in amusement.

“After I return from the mission, I’ll barely have time to gamble and drink, let alone waste time on that!” (T/N: Why do I feel that this is a death flag?)

He laughed heartily, making it clear he had no intention of keeping his promise to Siyan.

“Ha…”

Raon shook his head. The frequent alternation between Rimmer’s serious side and his delinquent personality was enough to leave anyone dizzy.

“We’re leaving at dawn tomorrow, so don’t be late.”

“Do you even know me? Rimmer, the man who keeps his promises better than anyone!”

Rimmer confidently pointed his thumb at himself.

“…”

Both Raon and Wrath gave him cold, unimpressed stares.

– ‘He’s going to be late.’

‘He’s definitely going to be late.’

—

The fertile forest that had once been called the Swamp of Death swayed in the wind.

Or rather, it wasn’t the forest that was moving. A closer look revealed that what swayed were not trees, but the heads and shoulders of countless monsters.

‘Rumble…’

Goblins, kobolds, orcs, gnolls, wolfbears, trolls, ogres, ettins, and cyclopes. An enormous horde of monsters, too vast to count, scanned the surroundings with bloodshot eyes.

Their sinister aura suggested they wouldn’t let even an ant pass through.

‘Growl.’

The monsters had stood guard in their positions for over two days without eating or sleeping, moving with meticulous care as if protecting something precious.

‘Boom!’

On the third night, under an unusually bright moon, the ground at the center of the monsters’ formation shook violently and erupted in a massive explosion.

The monsters standing atop the now-collapsed ground turned into streams of blood that soaked the earth.

From the depths of the destruction, a woman wearing a black orc helmet emerged.

She raised a sword engraved with the face of a lion, and the entire forest of monsters unleashed a thunderous roar that shook the heavens and earth.

‘ROOOOAAARRRR!’