Chapter 773

‘Goooooo!’

Raon swallowed dryly as the chaotic energy of the Soul-Demon Stone, which had seemed on the verge of exploding, settled down.

‘Did he suppress the demonic energy with pure willpower?’

It appeared that Rektor, having reached transcendence, used his sheer will to subdue the energy within the stone.

– “The energy in that Soul-Demon Stone is potent enough to overwhelm most transcendent beings…”

Wrath clicked his tongue while looking at Rektor.

– “It seems that old man has grown significantly.”

Wrath let out a faint laugh, remarking how even elders continue to evolve.

‘Grown?’

Now that Wrath mentioned it, Rektor’s presence felt sharper, almost reminiscent of Glenn’s imposing aura.

“What… What is this…?”

The Dual-Headed Ogre widened his eyes in disbelief.

“Sword Demon! Why are you here? And how did you stop the explosion?!”

His mocking grin vanished as he shrieked at Rektor.

“……”

Rektor remained silent, staring at the ogre with icy eyes.

“No! This can’t be! You all must die here!”

The ogre’s face contorted in fury as he raised his mangled arm, attempting to remotely detonate the Soul-Demon Stone with his aura.

‘Boom!’

Raon forced his depleted aura to surge and stepped forward with Supreme Harmony Steps. Closing the distance in an instant, he plunged Heavenly Drive, held in reverse grip, into the ogre.

‘Pshk!’

The blade, shrouded in eerie energy, pierced through the ogre’s aura and sank into his neck.

“Gah!”

The ogre had intended to detonate the Soul-Demon Stone even if it meant his own death. However, the energy emanating from Heavenly Drive paralyzed him completely, rendering him unable to move a finger.

“Ra… Raon Zieghart. You… meddled until the very end…”

The ogre glared at him with bloodshot eyes, grinding his teeth.

“You’ve finally stopped smiling in the face of death,” Raon said, tilting his head toward the ogre’s twisted expression.

“If you kill me, the Soul-Demon Stone will explode immediately! Don’t pull out the sword…”

“Your lies are unconvincing.”

Raon looked down at the ogre and snorted.

“If your death triggered the explosion, you would have killed yourself earlier.”

The ogre’s desire to see everyone here perish was obvious. His attempt to detonate the stone remotely, rather than by taking his own life, confirmed that Rektor had already neutralized the self-destruction mechanism.

“W-wait! No! Listen to me! I…”

“Now it’s your turn to be mocked by death.”

Raon shook his head firmly and dragged Heavenly Drive across the ogre’s neck.

‘Slash!’

The blade’s lengthened aura cleaved through the ogre’s neck without resistance.

His head tumbled to the ground, rolling lifelessly.

“Damn it all…”

The once-arrogant monster, who had mocked human lives and fate, died in despair.

‘Huff…’

Raon exhaled deeply as he stared at the ogre’s corpse, its eyes frozen in death.

Seeing the creature, who had toyed with others’ lives, die screaming filled him with a strange sense of relief.

‘I want to collapse, but…’

There’s still work to do.

Straining, he lifted his head and turned toward Rektor and Edgar. Both were silently watching him.

‘He called him Father, didn’t he?’

Moments earlier, Edgar had referred to Rektor as “Father,” which meant that Rektor was Raon’s grandfather.

– “So that old man is your real grandfather…”

Wrath examined Rektor and clicked his tongue.

– “I knew your bloodline wasn’t ordinary.”

Wrath furrowed his brow, recalling the first time they’d met.

‘You knew Rektor was here all along, didn’t you?’

– “Of course.”

Wrath scoffed, as if the question were unnecessary.

‘Then why didn’t you tell me?’

– “That old man has been watching over you more times than I can count. He never intervenes, so I thought he’d stay out of this, too.”

Wrath shook his head, claiming he’d assumed Rektor’s hobby was voyeurism.

“How… How are you here, Father…?”

Edgar swallowed hard, disbelief written on his face.

“I was tracking Eden’s movements when I received a message from her.”

Rektor raised a finger and pointed at Merlin.

“It seemed absurd, but I came just in case. Thankfully, I wasn’t too late.”

He nodded at Merlin in gratitude.

“Greetings, Grandfather.” (T/N: Way to go girl! Let’s go Ra-Lin ship!)

Merlin delicately lifted her tattered skirt like an umbrella and curtsied. She seemed entirely unaffected by the gravity of the situation.

“G-Grandfather…?”

Rektor’s gaze wavered as he glanced at Raon and Sylvia, confusion etched into his face.

“I also called others, but it’ll take a bit for them to arrive,” Merlin said with a cheerful smile, assuring everyone not to worry.

“…Good job.”

Rektor, evidently uninterested in continuing the conversation with Merlin, gave a curt nod.

“Yes!”

Merlin beamed, mumbling to herself about receiving praise from her ‘grandfather’.

“Father, I…”

Edgar couldn’t meet Rektor’s gaze and looked away.

“Be quiet.”

Rektor began tending to Edgar’s still-bleeding chest wound, shaking his head.

“I’m sorry…”

Edgar hung his head, unable to lift it in shame.

“I left, shouting that I didn’t want to live like you. And now, I’ve become nothing but a failure who couldn’t even protect his family…”

His shoulders trembled, the pain in his heart greater than his physical wounds.

“I truly—”

“No, it’s not your fault!”

Sylvia rushed forward and grabbed Edgar’s trembling hand.

“Eden wasn’t after him—they came for me! This is all my fault!”

She shook her head, tears streaming down her face, as she claimed responsibility for Eden’s assault.

“Hmm…”

Rektor watched Sylvia’s tear-filled eyes, his own gaze turning aside.

Understanding her pain better than anyone, he said nothing.

“Oh! I apologize. Let me formally introduce myself.”

Still holding Edgar’s hand, Sylvia knelt before Rektor.

“My name is Sylvia Zieghart, Father.”

She bowed deeply, addressing Rektor as “Father.”

“So, you already knew.”

Rektor helped Sylvia to her feet, shaking his head slightly.

“It was impossible not to know. You and Edgar look like you were stamped from the same mold.”

Sylvia gave a faint smile, remarking on how similar Edgar and Rektor looked.

‘Indeed…’

Raon alternated his gaze between Edgar and Rektor, nodding in agreement. Aside from their hair color, the two shared remarkably similar features and an aura that was unmistakable.

“Raon.”

Sylvia turned her head toward him and called his name.

“You should greet your grandfather.”

She waved him over.

“Ah, yes.”

Raon nodded and stood. Though his body felt like it would collapse at any moment, he knew he had to greet Rektor properly, as Sylvia had said.

“Uh, um…”

However, as he stood before Rektor, his mind went blank. The word “grandfather” stuck in his throat.

“Introductions can wait. Let’s deal with this first.”

Rektor, perhaps also feeling awkward, exhaled softly and carefully lifted the Soul-Demon Stone connected to Edgar’s heart.

“Can you endure it?”

“Of course.”

Though Edgar’s pain was excruciating, he clenched Sylvia’s hand tightly and did not utter a single groan.

“Yes. A father shouldn’t show weakness before his child.”

Rektor gave a faint smile and examined the still-pulsing stone. After a moment, his brows furrowed in frustration.

“If I sever the veins connected to it now, the demonic energy could explode, or your life might be in danger. We’ll need a skilled healer.”

Rektor sighed, saying only an exceptional priest or physician could handle this.

“There’s a Ragged Saint currently at Zieghart,” Raon said, pointing in the direction of Zieghart. “Federick possesses both divine power and incredible medical skill. He can definitely help.”

“Yes, let’s go to Zieghart!”

Sylvia nodded quickly, her voice tinged with hope.

“If it’s Federick, he’ll surely help!”

“Going to Zieghart will be difficult,” Edgar said, lowering his gaze to avoid meeting Sylvia’s eyes.

“What? Why?”

“I was an officer of Eden, and Father is now the Holy Sword Allance Leader. How could we possibly step foot in Zieghart?”

Edgar bit his lip, saying he didn’t want to cause Sylvia or Raon any trouble.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Rektor shook his head firmly.

“The title of Holy Sword Allance Leader isn’t more important than your life.”

“F-Father?”

“I became the Holy Sword Allance Leader for one reason only—to protect Raon and Sylvia from the Five Demons.”

His steady gaze revealed his unwavering resolve.

“Father…”

“Father…”

Edgar and Sylvia’s lips trembled as they felt the depth of Rektor’s sincerity.

“You failed as a father, so I must take on that role.”

Rektor let out a faint laugh, saying he was merely paying the price for his mistakes as a parent.

“Ah…”

Raon clenched his fist tightly, looking at Rektor’s calm eyes.

Recalling Rektor’s actions and Wrath’s testimony about how he had always watched over him, the lingering doubts in Raon’s mind finally dissolved.

Every strange thing Rektor had done seemed to have been for his sake. The gratitude and sorrow welling up in his chest felt like a vine of thorns wrapping around his heart.

“I’m sorry.”

Edgar bowed deeply, his voice filled with regret.

“I have nothing to say to you, Father.”

“I said no more apologies.”

Rektor waved his hand dismissively.

“Before they are your wife and children, they are my daughter-in-law and grandchildren.”

He scoffed lightly, saying it was only natural for him to act.

“……”

Raon smiled faintly as he observed the slight warmth returning to Rektor’s face.

‘It’s like he’s himself again.’

Rektor now reminded Raon of the time he had come to Zieghart to train with Glenn, exuding the same gentle yet firm demeanor.

“Well, at least we know you’re not an enemy.”

Rimmer finally lowered his sword, his tension visibly easing.

“That old geezer Glenn’s going to feel the pressure now, huh?”

Rimmer chuckled, as though finding the situation amusing.

“It seems Zieghart will send reinforcements, but for now, we should leave this place.”

Rektor turned toward Edgar, placing a hand on his shoulder and guiding him.

“I… I’m sorry.”

Edgar sighed as he accepted Rektor’s support.

“Every word you say to me begins with an apology.”

Rektor shook his head, signaling for him to stop.

“Such words shouldn’t be said in front of your children.”

He glanced at Raon, gesturing for Edgar to be silent.

“Y-Yes.”

Edgar nodded, stealing a glance at Raon and Sylvia.

“I’ll carry Sia.”

Sylvia gently picked up Sia, not wanting to entrust her to anyone else after reuniting with her daughter after more than 20 years.

“This feels… nice.”

With tears still clinging to her eyes, Sylvia smiled warmly at Rektor and Edgar.

“Nice? You’re truly unique…”

Rektor began to respond but abruptly raised his head, his expression turning sharp.

– “They’re here!”

Wrath shouted in alarm.

“What…?”

As Raon raised his gaze, the air rippled like a curtain, revealing a long stretch of darkness.

‘Koo-goo-goo-goo!’

Out of the waves of shadow, a divine light surged forth.

Standing amidst the fusion of light and darkness was the leader of Eden—The Fallen One. (T/N: Damn! I thought it was over!)

“…So, it’s come to this.”

The Fallen One calmly surveyed the situation, nodding as if everything was as expected.

“The Fallen One…”

Rektor stepped forward, shielding the others.

“I see you had other plans after all.”

The Fallen One smiled faintly, as though he had anticipated this.

“I will never forgive you!”

Rektor’s face twisted with rage, his expression resembling that of a vengeful specter. His wrath toward The Fallen One, who had scarred his son and granddaughter beyond repair, burned like an inferno.

“Feel free to try—after my experiment is complete.”

With a snap of his fingers, The Fallen One caused the Soul-Demon Stone, tightly held in Rektor’s grasp, to shudder violently.

‘Boom!’

The subdued energy surged upward in an instant, and deep cracks began to spread across the surface of the stone.

“Get back!”

Rektor ripped the Soul-Demon Stone from Edgar’s chest and pushed everyone else away with a powerful wave of energy.

“Rektor!”

The moment Raon shouted his name, the Soul-Demon Stone shattered, releasing an immense explosion of demonic energy that threatened to engulf the world.

‘Kuwaaaaaaang!’

Raon was hurled through the air like a kicked pebble, rolling across the ground countless times.

His vision turned blindingly white, and a piercing ringing filled his ears. His limbs refused to respond, and every sensation faded into numbness.

“Guh!”

It was only after intense pain tore through his abdomen that he coughed up blood and regained a fragment of consciousness.

As his senses slowly returned, he saw the blackened plains, still shrouded in swirling smoke.

‘Mother, Father, Grandfather…’

Turning his head, he found no one else nearby. His heart pounded as though it would burst.

“Urgh…”

Raon dragged himself forward, crawling on his knees toward the smoke. Even though his arms and legs were nearly paralyzed, he couldn’t just stay still.

‘Whoosh!’

When he finally reached the edge of the blackened haze, a gust of wind swept through, scattering the dust and smoke tainted with demonic energy.

“Ah…”

Rimmer and Merlin lay collapsed, coughing blood, as if they had tried to shield others. Nearby, Edgar and Sylvia were draped over Sia, their bodies limp.

Raon’s trembling gaze shifted forward.

Before a massive chasm, where the earth seemed to have split open into a bottomless pit, Rektor stood alone.

It was clear he had expended every ounce of his energy to suppress the Soul-Demon Stone’s explosion. His presence now felt hollow, as if nothing remained within him.

“No…”

Whether it was due to his distorted senses or the grim reality before him, it felt as though all life around him had vanished.

‘Kugugugu.’

As Raon stared at the bloodied figures lying motionless, a tempest of fury erupted within his mind, rising like wildfire from the depths of his soul.

The unbearable rage coursed through his entire body, reaching the very tips of his fingers.

– “Stop it! Do you want to kill everyone?!”

Wrath flailed his arms, trying to block Raon.

– “How many times do I have to tell you? If I descend into your body directly, it will lead to a rampage! Not yet…”

Though Wrath was shouting, Raon could no longer hear him clearly. His mind was clouded by the rising tide of anger.

“If you hadn’t wasted your energy protecting useless things, this wouldn’t have happened,” The Fallen One said, tilting his head as he looked at Rektor, now kneeling and lowering his head in defeat.

“Still, the result is satisfying.”

He smiled, as though pleased with the effectiveness of his experiment.

‘Snap!’

In that instant, something within Raon’s mind snapped.

He no longer resisted, surrendering himself entirely to the rage. His mind, once sharpened through discipline, was consumed by a frost-like silver haze.

– “Damn it all!”

Wrath cursed as he was drawn deeper into Raon’s mind.

As an incorporeal entity, Wrath had always lived without fully controlling Raon’s body, but now even he couldn’t prevent the rampage.

The Fallen One would surely escape, leaving everyone else to die.

– “You idiot! Just hold on for a bit longer!”

Wrath screamed, struggling to contain the chaos, when suddenly—

‘Goooooo!’

The broken chain of Raon’s heart began spinning wildly, igniting into fiery wings of brilliant light.

—

“Is he broken?”

The Fallen One extended his hand toward Raon, who had frozen in place.

“His will is weaker than I expected.”

A blade of darkness surged toward Raon’s heart and throat, aiming to end him.

‘Kuwaaaaaang!’

Before the blade could reach him, a burst of azure brilliance erupted from the fractured earth, engulfing Raon.

The blade of darkness was torn apart like paper, disintegrating instantly.

Black horns emerged from Raon’s forehead, and a massive, silvery moon rose behind him, flickering with a radiant glow.

Beneath the noble moonlight, a world of frost grew, suppressing The Fallen One’s light and darkness alike.

The sky froze white, while the ground twisted into blackened voids.

Standing amidst the azure light, Raon exuded an aura of overwhelming majesty, as if the entire world lay beneath his feet.

Causality itself twisted. A being that defied the laws of the world had descended into human form.

“This… This is…”

The Fallen One’s gaze wavered, filled with both curiosity and fear. To protect himself, he summoned a wall of blinding light and darkness.

With crimson eyes ablaze with the energy of a Demon King, Raon raised Heavenly Drive.

‘Slash!’

The wall of light and darkness split apart, and a torrent of scarlet blood erupted from The Fallen One’s abdomen.

‘Krrrrrk!’

(T/N: Where’s Gramps Tsun-Tsun #1 !!!!???)