Chapter 816v2
Raon nodded calmly, his gaze unwavering.
‘Just as I thought.’
With the countless monsters covering the continent, the strange white-eyed being that didn’t exist in this era, and the events that unfolded in the Tomb of the Sword Saint, he had already suspected that the ancestor in his dreams was the first head of Zieghart.
“You must have already known, judging by that look in your eyes.”
Glenn smiled faintly as if he had read Raon’s thoughts.
“T-the first head of Zieghart…?”
Burren swallowed dryly and sat up straight.
“Then… could that book also…?”
His lips trembled as he seemed to realize that the ancestor who had written the [Sword Control] manual was none other than the first head of Zieghart.
“It seems so.”
Raon nodded as he pulled the book from his robes.
“The first head wrote that martial book?”
“Whoa…”
Martha and Dorian widened their eyes in shock.
“The first head’s martial book…?”
Glenn furrowed his brows in confusion and turned his gaze to the book in Raon’s hands.
“There’s something I didn’t get the chance to tell you when I spoke about Darkhan.”
Raon stepped up to the platform and offered the book to Glenn.
“Darkhan gave me this [Sword Control] manual as a way to repay his debt. But the technique detailed in it…”
He paused for a moment before speaking slowly.
“It is exactly the same as the [Sword Control] used by the golden-haired, red-eyed swordsman in my dreams.”
“So that’s why you asked that question.”
Glenn now understood, nodding slowly.
“Since we’re on the topic, the martial art you took—[Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation].”
He lifted his gaze, sensing the flames stirring in Raon’s core.
“That technique, which denied all other successors for a thousand years, also belonged to the first head.”
Glenn placed a firm hand on Raon’s shoulder and smiled.
“I have only read about him in texts, but seeing how [Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation] chose you and even your dreams are guiding you… it seems our ancestor favors his descendants rather selectively.”
He chuckled—not with regret, but with genuine joy.
“What kind of dream was it?”
Runaan, seemingly more curious about the dream than anything else, blinked her large, dull eyes.
“Hmm…”
Raon glanced at Glenn, Sheryl, and Roenn before lowering the hands he had clasped in front of him.
‘It should be fine to say it here.’
Since everyone present was trustworthy, there was no issue in sharing what he had seen.
“In the land that is now the Holy Sword Alliance…”
Raon recounted his dream in full detail—the first head of Zieghart, his comrades, and everything that had transpired. He omitted neither exaggeration nor reduction.
“If we consider that the previous leader of the Holy Sword Alliance found this book in their territory, then there must be a deeper connection between Zieghart and the Holy Sword Alliance that we are unaware of.”
“Hmm…”
Glenn raised his eyebrows, intrigued.
“If that is true, then it cannot simply be dismissed as a mere dream.”
Sheryl’s sharp eyes gleamed as she nodded.
“Indeed. The fact that you were able to recreate the [Sword Control] from your dream proves that it wasn’t just a dream. It could be a form of memory magic… or even an ancient curse.”
Roenn chuckled, considering various possibilities.
“So I have one more question for you, Lord Glenn.”
Raon lowered the book and looked directly at Glenn.
“What kind of person was the first head of Zieghart?”
If anyone could provide insight into the first head’s history, it would be Glenn.
“The first head lived a thousand years ago.”
Glenn slowly lowered his gaze.
“Whether it is truth or legend, it is said that he lived in an era when the Dragon of Destruction descended upon the world and monsters ruled over humanity. It was not a time for humans. As such, very few records remain.”
He shook his head slightly, stating that he himself knew little about that era.
“I see…”
Raon bit his lip slightly.
‘Even Derus could hardly get his hands on records from that time.’
There were almost no books or documents detailing history from a thousand years ago.
The only consistent mentions were the Dragon of Destruction and the endless war between humans and monsters. Everything else varied drastically between records, making them unreliable.
“However, Zieghart does possess a few records.”
Glenn raised a hand from the armrest of his throne and extended his index finger.
“The first head, along with his comrades, slain the Dragon of Destruction and built Zieghart atop its corpse. However, other records claim that the battle took place in the south, while others state that all of humanity united to slay it. How one interprets the details depends on the perspective of the historian.”
His voice lowered as his gaze turned thoughtful.
“But there is one commonality across all records.”
He let out a slow breath.
“After founding the clan, the first head of Zieghart disappeared completely.”
“He vanished?”
“Yes. After establishing Zieghart and securing its foundation, he suddenly left without a trace.”
Glenn shook his head, saying the first head never returned to Zieghart.
“Hmm…”
Raon narrowed his eyes, repeating the word to himself.
‘This aligns with the story in the Tomb of the Sword Saint.’
The tale Glenn just told bore a striking resemblance to what the Sword Saint had said in the tomb.
‘The mysteries keep piling up.’
Why did the first head of Zieghart disappear? Did he truly fight the Dragon of Destruction? And who was the strange white-eyed figure?
“If you truly wish to find out, visit the underground archives of the Shadow Agents Hall.”
Glenn tilted his chin slightly.
“The underground archives of the Shadow Agents Hall?”
“As you know, the Shadow Agents Hall is Zieghart’s intelligence organization. Its history is as old as the clan itself. Even I haven’t read everything stored there, but if you search thoroughly, you may find something useful.”
He offered to write a permission slip so Raon could conduct his own investigation.
“I understand. Thank you.”
Raon stepped back and bowed deeply.
“Alright. You must be tired. Go rest for today.”
Glenn waved his hand, dismissing him with an approving nod.
Raon bowed his head once more before leaving the audience chamber with Burren, Martha, Dorian, and Runaan.
“…This is truly astonishing.”
Roenn exhaled softly, his gaze lingering on the carpet where Raon had stood.
“Was that day truly just a coincidence?”
He recalled the day Raon obtained [Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation] and shook his head.
“Come to think of it, the first head’s martial book was reduced to ashes, wasn’t it?”
Sheryl glanced at Roenn while gently rubbing her fingertips.
“Yes. The book burned away in golden flames, and Raon said that its contents were etched into his mind.”
Roenn nodded, saying it was an event he would never forget.
“Raon… Just what is that child…?”
Sheryl let out a breath, unable to comprehend the situation.
“If coincidences continue to happen, they are no longer coincidences.”
Glenn shook his head briefly and turned his gaze to the window.
“It seems that Raon may have been chosen by the first head.”
He sighed softly as he looked out over the distant mountains.
…
For a moment, the three of them fell silent, watching the sun descend beyond the western horizon.
“…Investigate the first head.”
Glenn turned back, his usually calm eyes now glimmering with a deep intensity.
“Even if he is our ancestor, if he poses a threat to Raon, we cannot ignore it.”
—
As soon as Raon stepped out of the manor, he turned to his companions.
“There will likely be an upcoming mission. Take the next two days to rest.”
He nodded at Burren, Martha, Runaan, and Dorian, granting them time off.
“I’m heading straight to the training grounds. Those lazy fools have been slacking, and I can’t let it slide!”
Martha scowled, declaring that she would whip the Light Wind Division back into shape in the Fifth Training Ground.
“My subordinates are the same. They’ve lost their edge.”
Burren clicked his tongue, stating that it was time to show them what real training looked like.
“Hmm… Hmm… Hmm… I’ll go too.”
Runaan, after pondering for a moment, smacked her lips several times before clenching her fist, deciding she couldn’t let her division slack off either.
“Me too! I’ll personally deal with Krein!”
Dorian grinned, vowing to show Krein the power of his [Mind’s Eye].
“Sounds good. See you all tomorrow at the training grounds.”
Raon waved his hand and set off toward the annex.
‘For now, I should focus on what’s in front of me.’
There was no need to rush regarding matters from a thousand years ago.
He was curious about the first head—what kind of person he was and what his true goal had been—but worrying wouldn’t make answers appear.
For now, it was best to go about his daily tasks and investigate gradually.
— That is the right approach. Just like cooking, if you suddenly turn up the heat, everything will burn!
Wrath nodded approvingly.
— On that note, how about dinner and a trip to the ice cream shop?
He nudged Raon’s waist with his plump elbow, sneaking glances at his expression.
‘Sure.’
— Hah, I knew you’d—wait, what?
Wrath’s eyes widened.
— R-really? What’s gotten into you?
‘I owe you. You helped hold off the Holy Sword Alliance Leader and even got me Lust’s Authority. Ice cream is a small price to pay.’
— T-then… can I get a parfait too?
‘Fine.’
— Ch-choco chip cookies and pineapple cookies?
‘Yeah.’
— Mint chocolate tea?
‘That’s enough!’
Unable to take any more, Raon kicked Wrath away.
— Keeeeh!
Wrath rolled across the ground like a ball, and Raon narrowed his eyes.
‘Hmm?’
He felt the same eerie sensation as before—someone watching him. But when he looked around, there was no one.
‘Merlin?’
No, it wasn’t her.
If it had been Merlin, she would have approached him directly instead of lingering in the shadows.
‘Am I just imagining it?’
Raon shook his head and continued toward the annex.
—
“Still as wonderful as ever.”
Perched on a nearby rooftop, Merlin—now in the form of an owl—licked her lips as she watched Raon walk toward the annex.
“Just looking at his face makes me happy.”
Her wings trembled with excitement, and she hummed a cheerful tune.
“Shut up…”
Lust, however, wasn’t focused on Raon. She was staring at the Zieghart manor with a grim expression.
“What… is that? Is he really human?”
Inside the tallest building, she sensed a presence that had surpassed humanity.
She had encountered many demons and humans in her search for Wrath, but never had she felt anything quite like this.
‘If I step inside, he will notice me immediately.’
The presence inside that building wasn’t just strong—it radiated an unwavering resolve to protect this entire domain.
Not only was it an overwhelming force, but it also carried a fierce conviction that made the hairs on her neck stand.
“Huhu.”
Merlin, still in her owl form, giggled as she glanced at Lust.
“If you take even one step closer, that old man will slice your head off.”
She tilted her head playfully.
“No, that’s not it.”
Lust exhaled and shook her head.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve encountered someone like that.”
“What do you mean?”
Merlin twitched her ears.
“When I first arrived here, I faced a being that had transcended humanity. A monster among men. Though he blended in among humans, his power was unlike anything I had ever seen.” (T/N: Hmmm, who could that be? Is it on the present timeline or the past?)
Lust furrowed her brows.
“I didn’t expect there to be two of them in one place.”
“Well, I don’t care about the other one. But this game of stalking ends here.”
Merlin playfully flapped her wings.
“This is over?”
Lust turned her chin.
“The moment you take a single step forward, that old man will behead you. You lost this stalking match.”
Merlin giggled as she mimicked the motion of slicing her own neck.
“Well then, I’m off!”
She spread her wings wide and chirped gleefully.
“Wait.”
Lust furrowed her brows.
“Not yet.”
Biting her lip, she placed a hand over her right eye.
A deep red glow began to radiate from her iris, and an intoxicating scent filled the air.
Fwoooosh!
Lust sent a stream of pink energy, dispersing a transparent mist into Zieghart’s territory. This was not aura or mana, but an ability unique to a Demon King—the use of her very soul to probe the surroundings.
“A soul?”
Merlin’s eyes widened as she observed Lust’s energy dissolving into the air.
“You’re diffusing your soul into the atmosphere? That’s irreversible.”
Unlike her own abilities, which allowed her to commune with animals, the act of consuming one’s own soul in this manner was permanent. It was no different from throwing away a piece of her very existence.
“Do not compare me to a mere human like yourself.”
Lust lifted her chin in disdain, a sneer playing on her lips.
“I have plenty to spare.”
She shook her head, as if to say that sacrificing a piece of her soul was nothing when it came to her beloved.
“Hmph.”
Merlin ground her teeth and flapped her owl wings. She subtly redirected Lust’s mist, blowing it away from Zieghart’s domain and scattering it elsewhere.
She was effectively wasting her own energy in the process.
“What do you think you’re doing!?”
“Flapping my wings.”
Merlin snorted, her tone casual.
“Stop that! I haven’t finished spreading it yet!”
“Then beat me, you foolish woman.”
“Oh, you’re asking for it!”
—
While the Demon King and the sorceress fought over their souls, Raon finished his dinner and returned to his room.
— Kyahahaha!
Wrath flailed his hands, his cheeks tinged red with satisfaction.
— Home-cooked meals are the best! The taste! The flavors! And my favorite dishes, all made with such care!
He lay back, rubbing his belly with a lazy grin.
‘You’re in a good mood.’
Raon chuckled as he sat on his bed.
— Of course!
Wrath nodded rapidly.
— A delicious meal has filled my belly, and soon, you’ll be taking me to get ice cream! How could I not be in a good mood?
His eyes sparkled with excitement, practically drooling in anticipation.
“Ah…”
Raon let out a small sigh as he watched Wrath licking his lips.
“Well… I’ve eaten too much, and my stomach feels full. Maybe we should go tomorrow instead…”
— WOOF!
Wrath barked like a puppy, refusing to accept any delay.
Despite the cute sound, his swirling blue eyes carried the intensity of a general marching into battle.
— Do not ruin my good mood!
‘Alright, alright.’
Raon sighed in surrender and got to his feet.
— You should’ve just agreed from the start!
Wrath snorted, claiming that words alone never worked on Raon.
— This king is in an excellent mood after eating delicious food and seeing Mother. Do not dampen my spirits!
As he waved his hand impatiently for Raon to hurry up, a sudden message appeared.
[You have received the genuine recognition of a Transcendent.]
[You have accomplished an impossible feat.]
[All stats have….]
[A new trait….]
[A new trait….]
A string of rewards poured in, the accumulation of his achievements from overcoming Darkhan.
“I was wondering when that would show up.”
Raon smirked as he read through the notifications.
“You feeling alright?”
As he turned to check on Wrath, he noticed the demon struggling to suppress his emotions. Wrath’s jaw trembled violently.
— W-what do you take this king for! I am the Monarch of Wrath! Of course, I anticipated this!
Wrath shook his head, pretending he was unfazed. However, the notifications weren’t finished yet.
[You have outwitted the Demon King of Lust.]
[You have accomplished an impossible feat.]
[All stats have….]
The next set of messages pertained to his dealings with Lust.
“Wrath?”
— Kugh, I… I am fine! J-just… let’s get to the ice cream shop before I lose my last breath….
Wrath forced himself to smile, weakly lowering his hand as if nothing was wrong. But then, another message popped up.
[The trait <Lust> has been unlocked.]
The instant Wrath saw it, his forced grin shattered into pieces.
— Y-you’re… challenging me to a fight right now, aren’t you!?
Unable to contain himself any longer, Wrath threw a punch at the system messages.
“Wrath, are you okay?”
— DOES IT LOOK LIKE I’M OKAY, YOU PSYCHOPATHIC SWORDSMAN!?
