Chapter 836

“Raon. How did you….”

Aris looked at Raon with trembling eyes, as if she couldn’t comprehend the situation.

– “He… he burned the sorcery itself…?”

Wrath also looked appalled, his round mouth hanging wide open.

“I analyzed the sorcery.”

Raon sheathed the [Soul Requiem Sword] and let out a thin smile.

“Analyzed? You analyzed the sorcery?”

“Yes. The sorceries we encountered in this dungeon were diverse, but the principles behind them were the same.”

He squeezed another drop of blood from his finger, strengthening the flames that burned the sorcery as he looked at Aris.

“Blood and steel. They used the concept of both being weapons that bring death to amplify the sorcery’s power.”

Certainly, blood and steel could have positive connotations too, but the sorcerers of the Iron Pillar Federation amplified their sorceries solely through negative energy.

It was no different from a curse imbued with malice.

“Knowing the principle and analyzing a sorcery are two different things.”

Aris shook her head, saying that even if one understood that part, analyzing sorceries was impossible.

“Yes. Which is why…”

Raon calmly shook his head.

“I dismantled and analyzed every sorcery in the dungeons we cleared.”

Thanks to thoroughly examining the sorceries they had seen, he had become familiar with the flow of the Iron Pillar Federation’s sorceries.

While he couldn’t cast sorceries himself, dismantling them was entirely within his capability.

“Hah….”

Aris blinked vacantly, as if she still couldn’t believe what she had just heard.

“So you were staring at the ground to understand the sorcery’s flow.”

Rimmer chuckled like he finally got it.

“I figured he’d do something amazing, but not to this extent.”

He clicked his tongue and tapped his own shoulder.

“It’s not that impressive. Thanks to you breaking through the traps quickly, I had enough time to examine the sorceries.”

Raon nodded, saying it was thanks to Aris.

“…No, it is impressive. Even with time, I wouldn’t be able to analyze sorceries like that.”

Aris exhaled roughly as she looked at Raon.

‘This kid is the real deal.’

She already knew Raon had an innate talent for swordsmanship. She was the one who had awakened that genius, so there was no way she wouldn’t know.

But analyzing and erasing unfamiliar sorceries—that was a completely different skill set from martial talent.

She was so stunned by Raon’s monstrous ability that she couldn’t form words.

“Auntie, you’re really surprised, huh? That’s just how he is.”

Martha shrugged, saying it was nothing out of the ordinary.

“You’ll get used to it soon.”

Burren also nodded with a calm expression.

“No matter how I think about it, this makes no sense! He didn’t know about these sorceries in advance, and he analyzed them the moment he saw them? Even Father couldn’t do that!”

Aris shook her head furiously, still unable to believe it.

“Auntie.”

Runaan approached Aris and wiped her bloodied hand.

“Handsome Raon can.”

She bowed slightly and told her to just accept it.

“You said you knew your nephew well, but you really don’t.”

Rimmer wiggled his finger at Aris in a teasing manner.

“That kid keeps every promise he makes.”

“Promise?”

“He said he’d finish faster than breaking through with [Sword Field Creation].”

As he said that, he pointed at the ground where all the sorceries had been burned away.

The densely concentrated sorcery energy had completely vanished, and it looked like the floor would collapse with a single punch.

“Ah….”

“Let’s save the talk for later and get ready to move.”

Raon pulled back his clenched fist behind his shoulder.

“Before they escape, we need to catch them.”

He gathered [Aura] into his clenched fist and struck downward.

Kuwaaaaang!

Despite using far less energy than Aris’s [Spatial Severance], the floor collapsed, and a black hole leading downward opened.

It was possible because he had burned away all the sorceries that had been blocking the path.

“H-Here! The sorcerers went down this hole!”

Paras waved his fists, pointing at the black, rippling passage.

“It’s gotten a little smaller, but it definitely connects to the lower floor!”

He stomped his foot, saying they had to enter before it closed.

“Right. Then…”

“I’ll take the lead from here.”

Just as Aris was about to step into the dark path, Raon blocked her way.

“R-Raon?”

“You said you trusted me.”

Raon gave her a small smile and descended into the dark path first.

“Leave it to me.”

Rimmer stood beside Aris and chuckled.

“That brat has a lot to thank you for. He probably wants to return the favor.”

He dusted off his hands as if to say she could leave it to her talented nephew.

“Auntie, we’ll take care of everything. Take your time coming down!”

“We’ll clean everything up nicely.”

“Yeah. Rest.”

Martha, Burren, Runaan, and the Light Wind swordsmen all followed Raon, telling her to trust them.

“Hah….”

Aris let out a hollow laugh as she looked at the bandaged hand Runaan had wrapped.

‘Was I really that worked up? So much that even the kids noticed?’

“You were like a wild boar.”

Rimmer nodded as he looked at Aris.

“Even had tears in your eyes. First time I’ve ever seen you cry out like that.”

He smiled as he wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes.

“‘Lady,’ huh….”

Aris exhaled deeply as she looked at Rimmer.

“It’s been a while since I heard that from you. Actually, I haven’t heard that title at all recently.”

She lowered her gaze, saying she missed it.

“Now that I think about it, raising a child takes a lot of energy. Father must’ve had a lot on his mind too.”

Aris clicked her tongue, saying she finally understood.

“That’s all that matters.”

Rimmer nudged her arm with his elbow.

“I’m going to find Father with that damn kid of ours. We should have a meal together after all this time.”

Aris straightened her back and said she’d go visit Glenn with Sif.

“Before that, I need to see just how much my nephews have grown.”

With a composed look back in her eyes, she descended the black passage.

“I guess I can’t call him a little prince anymore.”

Rimmer recalled Raon’s dependable back and wore a satisfied smile as he was the last to head down the dark path.

* * *

Thanks to Aris wrecking the ground, they didn’t have to go too far down before reaching a floor made of steel.

‘Sir Paras was right.’

Raon marveled as he stepped onto the iron path—

“They’re here!”

“Fire!”

With a throat-tearing shout, brown flames and blue lightning surged toward them.

The sound and impact were so intense it was clear the Iron Pillar Federation’s sorcerers had been lying in wait.

Chiririring!

Raon stepped forward with his left foot and drew the Heavenly Drive. He firmly raised his sword, forming a shield that could never be broken.

Raon Zieghart Swordsmanship.

Form Five: [White Shadow Slash].

With a sword that rippled white like waves, he erased every incoming sorcery.

Whoooosh!

As the mist-like sorcery faded, warriors clad in metal armor and sorcerers appeared. All remnants of the Iron Pillar Federation, it seemed.

‘What a strange space, just like they said.’

The ceiling, walls, and floor were all made of steel, and a dense stench of sorcery filled the air.

The mess of broken furniture and scattered documents made it clear—they were preparing to flee.

However, unlike Paras’ testimony, there were no traces of people being held captive nearby.

They had either been killed… or moved elsewhere.

“Stop them at all costs!”

At the shout of a middle-aged man who seemed to be a high-ranking sorcerer, the warriors of the Iron Pillar Federation simultaneously stomped the ground.

They were clearly trying to block the path with their bodies to buy time.

“A fight right as we arrive?”

“Perfect timing.”

“We’ll handle this…”

Just as Raon was about to swing the [Heavenly Drive], Martha, Burren, and Runaan leapt forward and drew their swords.

With each unsheathing, sharp sword strikes burst out. Each held [Aura] of wind, earth, and frost, respectively, and cleanly tore through the charging warriors.

“Guaargh!”

“Aaagh!”

The warriors collapsed, clutching their gushing necks.

“U-Ugh…”

“D-Dammit!”

The sorcerers backed away with terrified expressions, the complete opposite of the stoic warriors who had died without flinching.

“Let’s go!”

At Martha’s command, the swordsmen of the Light Wind Division who had followed began pressing forward, pushing the enemy into a corner.

‘They’re all exhausted.’

The sorcerers must’ve used up all their strength managing the dungeon’s traps and blocking paths—they were collapsing like straw dummies.

“Hold them! Don’t let them through!”

The high-ranking sorcerer, realizing the battle was already lost, threw his subordinates to the front and began running away himself.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Raon blocked the path of the fleeing sorcerer and shook his chin.

“H-Heuk….”

The high-ranking sorcerer sat down in fear, lips trembling.

‘As expected, they’re different.’

Raon narrowed his eyes at the pale-faced sorcerer. Unlike warriors, sorcerers’ mental strength was as soft as pudding.

“Are you the one in charge?”

“Ugh….”

“If you don’t want to talk, that’s fine. We’ve got plenty of mouths to ask.”

He pressed the [Heavenly Drive] to the sorcerer’s throat, implying that silence would mean death.

“N-No!”

The high-ranking sorcerer quickly shook his head, saying he wasn’t the one in charge.

“Where did you take the prisoners?”

“T-Through there…”

He pointed to a large steel door further down the hallway.

‘Thank goodness. At least they’re still alive.’

When groups like this are on the run, they usually kill hostages—but it looked like that hadn’t happened yet.

“Among those hostages, is there someone named—”

Just as Raon was about to ask about Sif—

Kugugugugu!

The steel door at the far end opened, and sorcerers and warriors poured out.

“They made it here?!”

“Stop them, even if you die! They must not pass!”

“Activate the [Spirit Armor Fusion]!”

At the command, warriors in silver armor stepped forward while the sorcerers stood behind them chanting strange incantations.

Kugugugu!

Strangely, it wasn’t the sorcerers but the warriors whose energy exploded, exuding pressure close to that of a Master.

“Light Wind Division.”

Raon cut down the high-ranking sorcerer and gave a nod.

“Clear them out.”

“Yes!”

The Light Wind swordsmen responded firmly and charged at the warriors. They swept away the negative energy the sorcerers had produced with the wind of the [Light Wind Style], unleashing blue [Aura].

Kugugugugu!

Not to be outdone, the Iron Pillar Federation’s warriors surged forward with even greater sorcery-enhanced strength.

Kuwaaaaang!

The outcome was decided in the first clash.

“Guuh….”

“Gurk!”

Though they came in overwhelming numbers, enhanced by sorceries in both body and [Aura], the warriors couldn’t overcome the cohesion of the Light Wind Division. They were crushed, coughing up blood.

“This all you got? Come on! You’re too weak!”

Martha laughed, telling them to bring everything they had as she struck down warrior after warrior.

“They probably used up their strength blocking the paths.”

Burren calmly sliced the throats of the sorcerers, saying now was the perfect chance.

“You’re not getting away.”

Runaan froze the ankles of the fleeing sorcerers and shook his head.

“Hah….”

Aris let out a dry laugh as she watched the Light Wind Division overwhelmingly crush the Iron Pillar Federation.

“I told you. You just have to believe.”

Rimmer shrugged his shoulders as if to say ‘See?’

“Uhm….”

Paras glanced around and took a shaky breath.

“I-I’m sure I heard people breathing nearby, but now I don’t sense a single one.”

He shook his head, saying it seemed all the hostages were gone.

“He’s inside.”

Raon pointed toward the inner door from which the warriors and sorcerers had emerged.

“Auntie! Go!”

“We’ll handle things here.”

Martha and Burren gestured for her to go ahead, telling her to trust them.

“So they say.”

Raon gave a faint smile, took Aris by the hand, and walked the iron path to open the innermost door.

Creeeeaaak!

A shrill screech, like a child screaming, rang out as a dark mist rose and revealed a hollow chamber.

The ceiling was so high that it would be difficult to reach even at full speed, and every wall was painted bright red.

‘Don’t tell me this is…’

-Indeed.

Wrath surveyed the entire chamber and slowly nodded.

-It’s all human blood. That vile and repulsive sorcery energy seems to have come entirely from here.

He bit his lip, saying this space seemed to be both an execution site and laboratory for the sorcerers.

“You filthy bastards!”

Aris clenched her teeth as if she too felt the malice permeating the chamber.

Tap.

Just as Raon, Aris, and Rimmer started to step forward, a human figure emerged from the darkness.

“So you’ve come at last.”

An old man in a purple robe let out a sigh as he looked toward them.

“You the boss?”

Aris flicked her fingers as if she were ready to leap and strike him down.

“‘Boss’? Such crude language, despite your considerable power.”

The old man calmly shook his head.

“Just answer the question!”

“Yes. I am the head of this branch.”

He acknowledged his position and revealed cold eyes.

“Good. Your face tells me everything—I knew you’d be scum.”

Aris raised her sword above her head, saying she’d kill him right there.

“You’re rather impatient.”

The old man snapped his fingers, and the black mist vanished, revealing people in tattered clothes alongside sorcerers.

“If you so much as move a finger, all of them will die.”

He gestured with his chin, telling them to go ahead if they wanted the hostages dead.

“Hah! You think we came all this way just to rescue some hostages?”

Aris didn’t even glance at them. Despite the possibility that Sif might be among them, she showed no reaction. That kind of composure made her truly terrifying.

“Didn’t think so.”

The old man calmly nodded.

“You were looking for the red-haired, red-eyed man, weren’t you?”

He brought up the red-haired, red-eyed man, as if he knew everything that had happened on the first floor.

“You…”

“The one you’re looking for is here. But if you make a wrong move, all you’ll find is his severed head.”

“He’s not among them.”

Raon looked over the hostages and shook his head.

“Because we don’t know what you’ll do, he’s been hidden elsewhere.”

“And if that’s a lie?”

“Sif… was stronger than expected. He gave us a hard time subduing him. Had he not been alone, it would’ve been more difficult.”

He said Sif’s name like it was nothing.

“Of course, his body and mind were well-trained, which made him extremely useful for our sorcery experiments.”

The old man twisted his lips in a sneer, clearly trying to provoke Aris.

“You son of a—!”

“Don’t move.”

The old man shook his head at Aris.

“I know you use [Spatial Severance]. Drop your sword, now.”

He licked his lips, saying he’d order Sif’s death with just a finger.

“You as well. Drop your sword.”

He gestured toward Raon.

“Understood.”

Raon pretended to throw away the [Heavenly Drive], but in truth, he drew the [Soul Requiem Sword] with his left hand and hurled it at the old man.

Thunk!

But a sorcery-formed wall erupted beside the old man’s face and deflected the [Soul Requiem Sword]. It lost momentum and embedded itself in the chamber wall.

“I knew it. That look in your eyes screamed trouble.”

The old man sneered at Raon.

“This is your last warning. If you attack me again, not only Sif but all the humans here will die.”

As if to prove the point, the sorcerers grabbed the hostages’ necks and began channeling sorcery energy.

“Raon…”

“Yes.”

Raon met Aris’s eyes, and they both lowered their swords at the same time.

Clang.

The two swords clanged together as they hit the floor, and at that moment, Raon activated [Sword Control].

Wuuuung!

The [Soul Requiem Sword], still embedded in the chamber wall, twisted down with an eerie spiral and unleashed [Whirlwind of Precision].

Kraaaaaack!

The blade, bent at a strange angle, tore through the sorcery barrier and stopped just short of piercing the old man’s crown.

“Wh-What…?”

The old man looked upward, his chin trembling.

“Guh!”

“B-Branch Leader!”

“Don’t move. Even a twitch and your branch leader dies.”

Raon shook his head at the startled sorcerers. He retrieved the [Heavenly Drive] and stood before the pale old man.

“Now who’s the one caught?”

“S-Sword Control? At your age… how…?”

The old man lowered his head, unable to believe it.

“Where is Sif?”

Raon pressed the [Soul Requiem Sword] deeper into the old man’s crown and tilted his head.

“If you kill me, Sif won’t survive either…”

The old man forced a grin, trying to threaten him.

But that was just bravado. Unlike the brainwashed warriors, sorcerers didn’t have the same willpower.

“Oh, really?”

Raon chuckled and brought the [Heavenly Drive] down vertically.

Shraaaak!

With a horrifying slicing sound, the old man’s arm was severed and slammed to the ground.

“Gyaaaaaaagh!”

The old man screamed, clutching his severed shoulder.

“There won’t be a next time.”

Raon stared coldly at the old man.

“Where is Sif?”

“T-There!”

The old man raised his remaining arm and pointed at the wall to the right. At his gesture, the darkness parted and a new door opened.

“Auntie.”

“R-Right!”

Aris bit her lip until it bled and opened the door.

“Branch Leader! We’ve secured—guh!”

The sorcerers inside froze like statues, shocked to see their branch leader taken hostage.

“Freeze. Move, and your branch leader dies.”

Raon warned them, shaking his head. That’s when Aris sprinted toward the center and called out the name she so desperately hoped to hear.

“Sif!”