Chapter 941
[You have obtained a new title: <Sword Emperor>.]
Raon let out a faint laugh as he looked at the message pressing down on Wrath’s head.
‘Alias and title are both Sword Emperor? Is this fate?’
– “Fate, my ass!”
Wrath screamed as he struggled to push his head through the floating messages.
– “It’s clearly that uncreative system bastard copying me because it ran out of ideas!”
‘That’s impossible.’
Raon calmly shook his head.
‘This title must have been created before the alias Sword Emperor was even used.’
– “What do you mea—”
Wrath’s eyes widened as he seemed to realize it.
‘Right. These messages appeared right after Greed disappeared—before news of the Black Tower Lord’s death spread.’
Although these reward messages had appeared immediately after the war, Raon hadn’t checked or accepted them at the time, thinking Rensia was dead.
Seeing that the title Sword Emperor was created before the alias was even used, he couldn’t help but think it was destiny.
– “Forget the title for a moment….”
Wrath gritted his teeth as he looked at the flood of messages filling the air.
– “There are too damn many of them! What is this, a marketplace!?”
He shook his head furiously, unable to accept it.
‘What can you do if you can’t accept it? It’s a gift from your master.’
– “That master is me, you thief!”
Wrath flailed his round arms, claiming that the powers inside those messages all belonged to him.
‘Now that you mention it, you’re kind of right.’
Raon chuckled softly and nodded.
‘But it’s already come to me. All I can do is accept it.’
– “Ghhh…”
Raon pressed down on Wrath’s flushed head and examined the messages again.
[You have achieved a feat that will go down in history.]
[You have defeated the Lord of the Black Tower.]
[You have earned the recognition of the Monarch of Greed.]
[All attributes increase by 100 points.]
Raon’s fingers trembled slightly as he read the first line.
‘A feat that will go down in history.’
He had described his past accomplishments in many ways before, but never had he seen the words “will go down in history.” The pride of it made his fingertips quiver.
‘Well, I suppose it deserves that.’
Even though he fought alongside Chamber, he had killed the Black Tower Lord—the absolute ruler of the continent—in his own domain. Then, immediately after, he repelled the Monarch of Greed, Greed, and even gained his Authority.
Even the phrase “a feat that will go down in history” felt insufficient.
– “A hundred points!? Even for a historic feat, a hundred points at once makes no sense!”
Wrath’s jaw trembled.
– “The higher your stats, the less efficient your growth becomes! A hundred points is way too much!”
He shook his head, saying that with such a huge jump, even he would have to relearn how to control his body.
‘Hmm….’
Raon tapped the message with his finger and accepted the power within.
‘You’re right about that.’
The moment he accepted the 100-point reward, he felt as if every muscle and bone in his body was breaking apart and being reborn.
But it wasn’t pain—it was pure exhilaration. His body was evolving to a higher level once again.
– “Damn it…”
Wrath bit his lip as he watched Raon’s trembling body.
– “You’re boiling my very spine to make soup!”
He flailed his arms, claiming he barely had any bones left.
‘Since I already used your spine, maybe I’ll ask for beef bone soup when we get home.’
Raon tapped Wrath’s head with his still-shaking hand.
– “R-really?”
Wrath’s eyes darted, clearly tempted by the mention of beef soup. Even in a moment like this, his gluttony took over—he truly was a creature who lived for food.
‘If you want.’
Raon smiled faintly and checked the next message.
[A new trait <Authority Manipulation> has been created.]
Even from the name, he could roughly guess what kind of ability it was.
‘Unlike <Authority Amplification>, this one must let me use the Monarchs’ Authorities as if they were my own.’
So far, Raon could not freely wield the Monarchs’ Authorities except Wrath’s <Wrath>.
But in this war, thanks to Zircon, the Demon of Stability, he had managed to fully draw out other Monarchs’ powers and defeat the Black Tower Lord.
Since Zircon had vanished leaving behind only a faint trace, Raon had thought he wouldn’t be able to handle their Authorities again.
But with <Authority Manipulation>, he might finally be able to make them truly his.
‘This will be a great help.’
Judging from his previous traits, he wouldn’t be able to use the same overwhelming Authority as during the fight against the Black Tower Lord right away.
But if he kept using this trait and raised its level, someday he would be able to fully harness the Monarchs’ powers.
– “Damn it, these pushover bastards….”
Wrath puffed out his cheeks angrily.
– “It’s bad enough that I’m the one getting drained—why are they giving even more away to you!?”
Realizing he was the only real sucker here, he thumped his own chest.
‘Looks like I’ll have to treat you to something nice once we’re back in Zieghart.’
Since there would be nothing left to eat in Montiro thanks to Gluttony, Raon decided to buy Wrath the foods he wanted once they returned home.
[The rank of trait <Bleeding Curse> has increased.]
[The rank of trait <Indomitable Will> has increased.]
[The rank of trait <Spiral Force> has increased.]
[The rank of trait <Deathly Energy Resistance> has increased.]
[The rank of trait <Divine Power Blooming in Darkness> has increased.]
[The rank of trait <Snowflower’s Lance> has increased.]
[The rank of trait <Snowflower’s Absorption> has increased.]
[The rank of trait <Askarai’s Fighting Spirit> has increased.]
[The rank of trait <Soul-Severing Blade> has increased.]
[The rank of trait <Heavenly Killing Blade> has increased.]
[The rank of trait <Deathly Energy Detection> has increased.]
Next came the messages about the traits that had evolved from their participation in the war.
With eleven traits rising at once, the screen was flooded with notifications.
– “Khhh…”
Wrath’s lips trembled, speechless in disbelief.
‘Now for the last one.’
Raon checked the ability of the title <Sword Emperor> that he saw at the beginning.
<Sword Emperor>
A title given to a swordsman who overthrows an unworthy king and ascends to the throne himself.
Increases learning rate of all martial arts, and greatly boosts mastery and insight into swordsmanship and sword techniques currently being trained.
“Hah!”
A dry laugh escaped him unintentionally.
The title Sword Emperor wasn’t just symbolic—it granted effects worthy of the name “Emperor of the Sword.” It allowed him to learn sword techniques faster and enhanced the power of every sword art he knew.
– “GAAAAH!”
Wrath screamed, ruffling his hair.
– “How much more do you need to take before you’re satisfied!? Do you know how much of my energy it took to make that!?”
He demanded a receipt, throwing a fit—but his round body just made him look like he was dancing adorably.
‘This title…’
Raon clenched his fist, ignoring Wrath.
‘It’s telling me not to stop here—to go even higher.’
The only reason he had been able to defeat the Black Tower Lord was because his enemy was a mage, not a martial artist.
If it had been the White Blood Cult Leader, Derus, or the previous Holy Sword Alliance Leader, he would never have won.
The title Sword Emperor was a reminder—a whip urging him to climb even higher.
Not a symbol of completion, but a stairway to the next summit.
‘…….’
Raon slowly closed his eyes and recalled the battles against the Black Tower Lord and Greed.
They had been brutal and perilous, yet within that struggle he had discovered step by step how to move forward.
– “Tch.”
Wrath clicked his tongue and turned away.
– “You show off your rewards, and now you’re meditating? You’re gonna make me explode.”
To be shown all these rewards only to be ignored afterward—Wrath’s fury was boiling over.
‘This ghostly guy…’
He pretended to act unimpressed, but Wrath couldn’t deny it—Raon had defeated a transcendent being who stood far above him, and even while on the brink of collapse, he had repelled Greed.
His boldness, recklessness, and unbreakable willpower were truly awe-inspiring.
– “You said you wanted to become stronger, right?”
Wrath looked down at Raon, lowering his brows.
– “You will. You’ll grow far stronger—so much that even I cannot see your limits. But…”
He clenched his jaw as he continued.
– “Now’s not the time to sleep! I’m starving to death here!”
Wrath shouted that they should grab something to eat before Gluttony devoured it all, but Raon didn’t open his eyes—he sank deeper into his Mental World.
—
Boom!
Raon dropped a pile of gold coins in front of Gluttony.
“Money…?”
Gluttony blinked at the pile. “Is this all money?”
“Since you’ve been spending so much here, I figured you’d run out.”
Gluttony had claimed she came because she ran out of money, but that was a lie.
Still, given how she had been throwing around gold during the festival, she was probably actually broke now.
“Yeah…”
With a flick of her hand, a mouth appeared in midair and swallowed the entire pile of coins. It was the subspace of the Monarch of Gluttony.
“How was human food?”
“All delicious…”
Gluttony nodded, satisfied.
– “With how much she stuffed herself, of course it was!”
Wrath ground his teeth, still bitter about having all the festival food stolen from him.
“Then I’m off to get some ice cream…”
Gluttony dusted herself off and stood up, planning to head elsewhere for dessert.
“Thank you.”
Raon smiled softly and waved.
“Next time you come find me, I’ll treat you to a meal more delicious than anything in the world.”
“Mm…”
Gluttony’s red eyes widened in surprise.
“Okay. I’ll come find you. Don’t change your scent.”
She sniffed her skin—apparently telling him not to wash—and then left toward another town.
‘Was she surprised by my thanks… or by the promise of better food?’
– “With that glutton, it’s obviously the food.”
Wrath snorted.
– “But what’s the most delicious meal in the world anyway?”
‘A home-cooked meal.’
– “Ah…”
Wrath rolled his eyes and slowly nodded.
– “Y-yeah, can’t argue with that.”
He licked his lips in reluctant agreement.
– “But what if that glutton likes your home-cooked food so much she refuses to leave the annex?”
‘Wouldn’t that be a good thing?’
Gluttony was the gentlest of all the Monarchs he had met.
If she stayed near the annex, she would likely protect the people there who fed her. That would only be to their benefit.
“Lust.”
Raon gestured toward a faint pink glow shimmering in the air.
Whoosh!
The light thickened, and Lust’s seductive face appeared within.
“Thank you—for blocking Greed and for protecting me.”
“You knew?”
Lust blushed slightly, delighted that he had noticed.
“Of course.”
Raon nodded calmly, pretending to be Wrath.
– “Ghh…”
The real Wrath trembled just from having to face Lust.
“Are you coming with us?”
“Mm! Of course!”
Lust eagerly mimicked his tone.
– “Just send her back to the Devildom! Or anywhere far, far away!”
Wrath flailed his arms, begging Raon to throw her somewhere else.
“Then follow closely.”
Raon ignored him and motioned to Lust.
“Okay!”
Lust said she’d see them soon and disappeared back into the pink current.
– “You damned brat!”
Wrath shouted, demanding how a human could be so heartless, but Raon didn’t seem worried.
After sending off the two Monarchs, Raon left the inn. Others were already preparing to depart and saying their farewells.
“Sir Raon!”
Supere’s Holy King, Hoppen, approached and grasped his hand.
“Please take good care of Lady Olga.”
He bowed, as if entrusting her to him completely.
“Don’t worry. And a king shouldn’t bow so easily.”
Raon flusteredly helped him up.
“You’re a king too, aren’t you? The Emperor of the Sword. It’s only natural I bow before you.”
Hoppen shook his head, saying that even the title of Holy King paled before the Sword Emperor.
“Your Majesty! Stop saying nonsense and move already!”
Saint Olga frowned and pushed Hoppen aside.
Seeing her standing alone, Raon realized she had decided to travel to Zieghart with them.
“Good decision.”
Raon smiled faintly and patted her shoulder.
“Mm…”
“Sir Raon!”
As Olga awkwardly turned away, Rensia ran up.
“P-please stay healthy! I’ll definitely visit!”
She bit her lip, promising to go to Zieghart someday.
“No need to say that.”
Chamber placed a hand on Rensia’s shoulder and shook her head.
“We might see each other soon.”
“Soon?”
Raon blinked.
“With the Black Tower gone, a meeting will likely be held to decide the next course.”
Chamber explained that since the balance between the Five Kings and the Five Demons had shifted, the Council of the Five Kings would probably convene.
“Indeed.”
Raon nodded. After being suppressed by the Demons for so long, it was time for the Kings to stretch their wings again.
“Then, until we meet again.”
Chamber waved lightly and returned to the mages of Balkan with Lencia.
“Done saying your farewells?”
Hearing Glenn’s voice, Raon turned to see all the Zieghart swordsmen already standing in formation.
“Yes.”
After exchanging silent nods with his companions, Raon nodded.
“Then let’s return.”
Glenn turned coldly, as if that earlier embrace had never happened.
“Understood.”
Raon followed the chill of his grandfather’s presence, like a mountain of ice.
‘A shame.’
He had hoped others would see Glenn’s softer side too, but it seemed that moment had passed—he was once again the aloof and unyielding Northern King.
But that assumption was completely wrong.
Upon returning to Zieghart, Glenn gave no orders for rest. Instead, he led everyone straight to the Head of House’s training grounds.
As if he had prepared in advance, all swordsmen and residents of Zieghart were already seated and waiting.
Whoooom.
From the throne atop the dais, Glenn gestured toward Raon and Karoon, standing at the center of the arena.
“I didn’t hear the full story myself, so tell us what you accomplished in Montiro.”
“Ah…”
Raon drew a deep breath, looking at the excited smiles of Glenn and the roaring crowd.
‘I thought he’d gone back to being the cold old man… but no…’
He wanted me to brag about it—publicly!
Just how much had he changed!?