Chapter 823

“You saw the Soul Stone?”

Aris snorted as she looked at Rabawin.

“No way you saw it. You’ve only got one working eye.”

“This thing’s fake!”

Rabawin pulled off the fake eyepatch and scowled.

“You’re the one who made me wear it!”

“Still, it’s true you can’t see out of that side.”

Aris tilted her chin, implying he couldn’t see properly with the eyepatch on.

“Well…”

Rabawin lifted the eyepatch and licked his lips.

“There’s a tiny pinhole poked into it…”

He averted his gaze, clearly embarrassed to admit he’d made a hole in the eyepatch.

“No one ever sticks to their character around here.”

Aris sighed, tapping the letter paper lightly.

“Anyway, you really saw it, right? If the old man sent the same letter twice, it must be something serious.”

She lowered her brow, seeking confirmation.

“I know. It was a letter directly from the head, so of course it’s important. But yes, I definitely saw it.”

Rabawin nodded, his gaze steady.

“All that ‘when the sun and moon touch’ stuff… I don’t really get it. Anyway, where did you see the Soul Stone?”

“It was shortly after we went out to sea. Remember when you went on about catching a whale with a fishing rod?”

He motioned with his hand to jog her memory.

“Of course I remember. Didn’t catch a whale, ended up hooking the White Blood Cult.”

Aris laughed, saying she remembered it all.

“Yeah. You’re the one who picked the fight, and we’re the ones who had to brawl.”

Rabawin frowned, reminding her how she bailed and left the crew to deal with it.

“That was a rough day…”

“There were just too many of them.”

The bald middle-aged man and the eyepatch woman shook their heads, clearly recalling that day.

“I don’t remember that. Didn’t I beat them all?”

Despite remembering nothing, Aris puffed out her chest confidently.

“Sigh, whatever.”

Rabawin let out a long breath and looked up.

“That’s when I saw the Soul Stone.”

He narrowed his eyes and pointed at the sun in the sky.

“The sun and moon were overlapping like shadows of each other. Strange lights shimmered around them. When they brushed past each other like star-crossed lovers, the rock I was standing on flashed with a rainbow glow.”

Rabawin clasped his hands, saying it was an unforgettable memory.

“You idiot! If you saw that, you should’ve picked it up right away!”

Aris thumped her chest in frustration.

“I told you, I was fighting because of you!”

Rabawin waved his hand sharply as if slashing with a sword.

“I only saw it because I got smacked away by a cultist and ended up alone!”

He clenched his jaw, still bitter about the past.

“Do you remember the location?”

Ignoring his anger completely, Aris asked about the Soul Stone’s location.

“Y-Yeah. It was on a rocky island a bit off Seville Island. But…”

Rabawin glanced to the side.

“There were tons of rocks on that island, and it’s been so long…”

“We just need to take our time and search.”

Aris tilted her head as if wondering what the problem was.

“You’re not the one searching though…”

Rabawin turned his head and bit his lip.

“What was that?”

“N-Nothing!”

He straightened his shoulders and shouted that he was just talking to himself.

“We should send a reply first, right?”

“Of course.”

Rabawin nodded.

“Then why are you just standing there?”

“Me?”

“Who else?!”

Aris tossed the crumpled letter from her pocket at him.

“Ugh…”

Rabawin caught the letter and, chewing his lip, headed for the captain’s quarters.

“Kids these days never do anything unless you spell it ou—huh?”

Just then, a letter bearing the Zieghart emblem dropped onto Aris’s head.

“What the? He sent another one already? What’s going on?”

Even Aris sensed something unusual as she read the letter with serious eyes.

“He’s sending Raon to join the Soul Stone search?”

Her serious expression vanished instantly, replaced by a delighted smile.

“Well then, I’d better go greet my dear nephew.”

* * *

Raon placed his hand on the sheath of the Heavenly Drive.

Srrrng—

The Heavenly Drive drew itself and floated into the air.

‘It’s finally smoother.’

Before, his mastery of [Sword Control] was too weak, and drawing the sword would produce a harsh scraping sound. But now, it responded with the finesse of a hand-drawn blade.

‘All of this is thanks to…’

Raon looked down at his chest and clenched his fist.

‘The Ring of Fire.’

Thanks to the Ring of Fire’s enhancements, the power of his Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and his swordsmanship improved, and his mastery of [Sword Control] surged as well.

It felt as though a seal that had shackled him had been broken. Confidence surged through him—he felt he could accomplish anything.

‘So this is why it’s such an important time.’

It was as if Glenn had seen through him completely when he advised Raon to make efficient use of this period.

As Glenn had said, his martial state was advancing at a shocking pace.

At this rate, even without a major event or epiphany, he might reach Transcendence within a few years.

‘Let’s push even further.’

Raon used the floating Heavenly Drive to perform [Fangs of Insanity].

Freed from the constraint of the human hand, the swordsmanship of pure sensation carved through the sky in absolute liberty.

‘Was the creator of Fangs of Insanity capable of using Sword Control?’

When he executed Fangs of Insanity using [Sword Control], the awkward parts flowed as smoothly as silk.

It seemed the original creator of Fangs of Insanity had designed it with Sword Control in mind.

“Ha…”

Martha exhaled as she watched the Heavenly Drive float in the air.

“When did he get so natural with it?”

She shook her head in disbelief.

“He’s definitely changed.”

Burren nodded solemnly.

“The [Sword Control] he used before was all brute force, but now, it’s starting to carry true artistry.”

Burren wiped cold sweat from his forehead, stunned by Raon’s terrifying talent.

“At this rate, maybe he really could create a martial arts manual for [Sword Control] that we can all use.”

Martha licked her lips, as if excited by the prospect.

“It’s definitely possible. That guy always delivers.”

Burren looked at Raon, who was focused on [Sword Control], and smiled calmly.

“A sword that flies through the sky…”

Runaan gazed at the sharp-edged Heavenly Drive with dreamy eyes.

“I told you, that’s not happening.”

Martha shook her head at Runaan.

“Napping while riding a sword? Not even the head of house could do that!”

She snorted, telling her to wake up from the dream.

“I can.”

Runaan narrowed her eyes, insisting she could move even in her dreams.

“You can’t.”

“I can.”

As Martha and Runaan butted foreheads and argued, the doors of the training hall opened and Roenn entered.

“Sir Roenn?”

When Raon turned his head, the Heavenly Drive gently descended and slid back into its sheath.

“Ho ho ho.”

Roenn looked at the sword that had moved on its own and smiled kindly.

“A clean [Sword Control]. It seems I wouldn’t stand a chance anymore.”

He nodded with sincere admiration.

“I still have a long way to go.”

Raon smiled and shook his head.

-You sure do!

Wrath is speaking as he spread both arms.

-You’re still a fledgling! You’ve got a long road ahead!

He scrunched his nose, telling him not to get cocky.

‘I know.’

Raon chuckled softly and stepped off the platform to face Roenn.

“What brings you all the way here?”

“The head of house has summoned you.”

Roenn bowed slightly, stating that it was an important matter.

“An important matter…”

Right now, the only important thing could be the Soul Stone that could save Sia. It seemed they had finally made contact with Aris.

“Then I’ll just…”

“Go on, don’t worry about us.”

Just as Raon was about to instruct the Light Wind Division to conduct independent training, Rimmer—who had been lying below the platform—waved his hand.

“I’ll handle it.”

Rimmer said to leave it to him, then yawned long like a sloth.

“Hmm.”

Normally, Raon wouldn’t trust Rimmer and would leave things to the team leaders, but after seeing firsthand what kind of heart Rimmer carried, he nodded.

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

“Yeah, go on.”

Raon bowed to Rimmer, then left the training hall with Roenn.

“Ahem.”

After Raon exited, Rimmer slowly climbed the platform.

“Alright, eyes up here.”

At his gesture, the Light Wind Division stopped their training and gathered in front of the platform.

“Today we…”

“Today’s scheduled training is sword drills.”

Burren, expecting Rimmer not to know what was on the schedule, stepped in and announced it.

“Sure, sword drills are good—but today, I’ve got something to say.”

Rimmer shrugged as he looked over the Light Wind Division.

“Knew it. Just trying to slack off again.”

Martha frowned, seeing right through him.

“Is it nap time?”

Runaan’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“Unfortunately, it’s not nap time.”

Rimmer smiled gently and shook his head.

“Today, I want to talk about the Light Wind Division.”

He rubbed the back of his neck as he made eye contact with the swordsmen one by one.

“All of us, myself included, may not show it on the surface, but we carry gratitude toward Raon in our hearts.”

Rimmer’s eyes gleamed quietly, like a dawn sky.

“That’s why we all know, don’t we? That there’s something he can’t tell us.”

He smiled faintly, as if to say they were all aware.

“Mmm…”

“Well, that’s true.”

The Light Wind Division nodded slightly, as if to say they had suspected but couldn’t ask.

“He never said it, but Raon’s always been focused on a single goal. That’s why he trains night and day.”

Rimmer glanced down at the platform where Raon had just been training and licked his lips.

“Even while dealing with that burden, he created martial arts for you, helped your training, and even saved your lives. I owe him plenty, too.”

He recalled the artificial energy center Raon had given him and nodded.

“Raon is struggling. It’s time we repaid that debt.”

Rimmer straightened his back, hand on the sheath at his side.

“We get that—but how?”

Martha bit her lip as she looked at Rimmer.

“It’s simple.”

Rimmer raised his hand lightly.

“Become stronger, and climb higher.”

His gaze shimmered with a chill sharper than any sword.

“Climb higher?”

“You all know it—The Light Wind Division is strong. Team leaders and even team members could easily become captains or vice-leaders in other units.”

Rimmer nodded, stating that aside from the Heavenly Sword Division, they were the strongest martial unit.

“We can’t stay in the Light Wind Division forever. Whether by choice or not, we’ll eventually split. So until then, grow as much as you can and become leaders of other divisions and units.”

“Uh, but that…”

Krein trembled his lips, clearly thinking something unpleasant.

“It’s not a rebellion or a coup.”

Rimmer shook his head lightly.

“Raon’s keeping things secret to protect us—and the house. If he goes alone, we need to be strong enough to support him.”

He thumped his chest with a clenched fist and told them all to become division leaders.

“Think you can do that?”

“……”

The Light Wind Division didn’t respond aloud, but they all nodded, their eyes burning.

“U-Um…”

Dorian stepped to the front with trembling hands.

“Do we… have to split?”

“Maybe not. But if the war escalates and manpower runs short, it’ll happen eventually.”

Rimmer shook his head, saying the current Light Wind Division had grown too strong.

“I get what you mean. And you’re right…”

Martha let out a long sigh.

“It’s just… hearing something like that from the vice-division leader’s mouth is strange. Did you catch some incurable illness or something?”

She looked at Rimmer with concern in her black pearl-like eyes.

“Yeah… something’s off.”

Runaan also bit her lip, clearly sensing that Rimmer was acting differently.

“I’m an elf, remember? Even if I get some deadly disease, I’ll still outlive you.”

Rimmer shook his head and told them not to worry.

“Thanks for the concern, Martha, Runaan. You two really are something else.”

“Who’s worried about you!”

Martha snorted, denying it outright.

“Even though I said all that, you don’t need to risk your lives just because you’re thankful to Raon. Always put yourselves first.”

Rimmer waved his hand, saying they should prioritize themselves in the end.

With a faint smile, he mouthed words too soft for anyone else to hear.

“Because one person is enough for that.”

* * *

“I received a reply from Aris.”

As soon as Raon entered, Glenn pulled out a crumpled letter that looked like it had been stuffed in some drawer.

It was hard to believe that was the letter that had just arrived.

“She said she was stuck in some unknown dungeon this whole time.”

“That’s a relief.”

Raon let out a faint sigh. He had been worried something had happened to Aris, but hearing she was just “stuck” was oddly reassuring.

“And…”

Glenn unfolded Aris’s letter and exhaled deeply.

“She says she saw the Soul Stone.”

“What?”

Raon lifted his chin and widened his eyes.

“The Soul Stone?”

He had been trying to figure out where to begin searching, so hearing that someone had actually seen it was completely unexpected.

His heart pounded so loudly, it felt like he could hear it.

“It was a long time ago, but apparently Rabawin saw it.”

Glenn shook his head, noting there was no guarantee they’d find it even if they went.

“Still…”

“Yes. We have to go.”

Raon nodded firmly.

‘I have to do something.’

Silvia, Edgar, and Glenn were looking more worn every day.

For their sakes—and more than anything, for Sia—he had to find the Soul Stone.

‘If it’s Rabawin, I can trust it.’

If Aris had said it, he might have been skeptical, but hearing it from Rabawin made it feel credible.

“Then I’ll assign the mission to the Light Wind Division.”

Glenn raised his hand with a solemn gaze.

“The Light Wind Division will join Azure Wind and retrieve the Soul Stone.”

Though he spoke as the head of house, his eyes carried the affection of a grandfather.

“I accept the mission.”

Raon placed a hand over his chest and bowed his head.

“When do you plan to depart?”

“I need time to prepare, so I’ll leave at dawn tomorrow.”

“Very well. Take care.”

Glenn handed over Aris’s letter, his voice trembling ever so slightly.

“Yes.”

Raon bowed deeply, then left the audience chamber.

“Aris and Raon, huh…”

Roenn smiled gently and nodded.

“Doesn’t seem like anyone could match them.”

He smiled faintly, expecting good news.

“Back then, both Raon and Aris were weaker than they are now when they brought down the Wild Dragon.”

Glenn said he was hopeful, though the concern in his eyes lingered.

* * *

Raon returned to the 5th Training Ground to brief them on the mission.

When he climbed onto the platform and looked over everyone, something felt different from just a while ago.

‘What is this?’

The swordsmen were always diligent in their training—but now, he could feel a desperate intensity, as if their lives were on the line.

It reminded him of Rimmer’s expression in the family head’s training hall.

“Hm…”

Raon swallowed dryly and clapped his hands.

“We’ve received a new mission.”

The Light Wind Division paused their training and gathered at the front of the platform.

He hadn’t been imagining it. Their eyes gleamed sharper than blades.

“This is a mission, but… to me, it’s also personal.”

Raon nodded as he addressed them.

“As you all know, my sister Sia Zieghart still hasn’t woken up. They say they’ve found a Soul Stone that might be able to awaken her. Our mission is to find it and return.”

He called it a mission, but it still felt like a personal matter, which made him a bit embarrassed.

“So—”

“Yes!”

Just as he was about to say more, the entire Light Wind Division responded in unison, like a war cry. Their gazes flashed even more fiercely than when they trained.

“D-Departure is at dawn tomorrow. We’ll be heading out to sea by ship, so be thoroughly prepared.”

“Understood!”

Not one of them gave a half-hearted answer or showed worry—they nodded with firm resolve and left the training hall.

“What did you say to them during training?”

Raon narrowed his eyes at Rimmer.

“Nothing much. Just a little pep talk.”

Rimmer shrugged casually, like it was no big deal.

“Well, guess I’ll go get ready too.”

He gave Raon’s arm a light pat and wandered off with his usual lazy gait.

“What just happened…?”

Raon blinked in a daze.

-This is why…

Wrath is speaking as he clicked his tongue.

-This Monarch always says you have no sense whatsoever!

* * *

The next morning at dawn.

Raon left the annex early and headed to Sia’s room.

As always, Silvia and Edgar were seated at her bedside, staying by their unconscious daughter’s side.

“Raon. Be careful, alright? And don’t forget—your safety comes first.”

Silvia held Raon’s hand, letting out a worried sigh.

“You’re important, yes—but you’re also a division leader now. You have to look after your subordinates first. Think of them as your own life. Not that I’m in any place to say that, really. I mean, even though there were reasons, I abandoned my subordinates back in the Holy Sword Alliance…”

“Enough!”

Silvia silenced Edgar before he could ramble to the end.

“Raon. Come back safely. And take care of the others too.”

“Yes. I will.”

Raon bowed to Silvia and Edgar, then approached Sia’s bed.

‘Just hold on a little longer.’

He held her hand gently, silently vowing to save her.

Boom!

Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed, and the door to the Federick estate burst open.

‘What the—!’

Raon’s eyes widened as he stepped outside, only to find Aris standing there, one hand on her hip and chin raised, her red hair flowing behind her.

“A-Aunt…?”

Raon’s jaw dropped at the sight of Aris’s beaming smile.

“What are you doing here…?”

“You said you were coming, so I came to meet you.”

Aris smiled brightly, saying she just couldn’t wait to see him.

“M-Meet me…?”

He hadn’t realized that “coming to meet someone” could mean barging into the house.

-Come to think of it…

Wrath is speaking, narrowing his eyes at Aris.

-You don’t seem to have a single normal woman in your life, do you?