Chapter 943
‘Unlocking Greed’s Authority?’
Raon narrowed his eyes as he read the message about Greed’s activation.
‘My body’s already adapted to the Authority?’
Normally, the Authorities of the Monarchs took a long time to harmonize with the body unless something extraordinary occurred.
But the <Greed> that Greed had passed on seemed to have already adjusted to him, despite the short time since he obtained it.
– “And why do you think that is!?”
Wrath scowled at the message, his brows furrowing.
– “Because you’re just as greedy a pig as that damned miser!”
He snorted loudly as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
‘Me?’
Raon let out a short laugh as he looked at Wrath.
‘I’m generous, though? If people knew what I was like inside, they’d probably call me a saint.’
– “Bullshit season’s back in full swing!”
Wrath’s blue eyes flared.
– “You stripped every ounce of my flesh and bone! You’re no saint—you’re a demon in disguise!”
He roared in protest, refusing to accept such blasphemy.
‘Anyway, this isn’t because I’m greedy…’
Raon shook his head as he looked at the message again.
‘It’s because of my experience—and the new trait I gained.’
He had used several Monarchs’ Authorities during his battle with the Black Tower Lord, and now that he had <Authority Manipulation>, his body must have adapted to their power.
‘So, what will this one do?’
Just as he raised his finger to open the next message, someone grabbed his shoulder.
“Palace Lord? Sir Raon? Young master?”
It was Dorian. His eyes were half-rolled back as he called out to him under three different titles.
“Aren’t we going in? I-I can’t wait any longer…”
He trembled like a dog desperate to go outside. As expected from a man obsessed with supplies, just being allowed into Zieghart’s Vault was enough to drive him insane.
“He’s right! Before the True Martial Palace takes everything, we should hurry!”
Martha stomped her foot impatiently.
“I agree. Even I’m getting restless now…”
Burren swallowed hard, clearly excited as well.
“The Rakshasa really has no patience…”
Runaan waved lazily.
“Don’t call me Rakshasa, you icy freak!”
Martha clenched her teeth and lunged toward her.
“I’m a fairy, not a freak. The Full Moon Fairy.”
Runaan placed her hands on her hips, demanding to be called by her new, prettier nickname.
“Damn it…”
Martha froze mid-step, grinding her teeth audibly. The fact that Runaan got to be a “fairy” while she remained “Rakshasa” was clearly eating her alive.
“Uh, can we move along now? He might actually die.”
Krein wiped cold sweat from his forehead, pointing to Dorian, who was now foaming at the mouth.
“Vault! Vault! Vault!”
Dorian was hopping up and down, chanting “vault” like a madman.
“Hah…”
Raon chuckled at the sight of the deranged Dorian.
With everyone from the Light Wind Palace brimming with excitement, there was no point in delaying any longer.
“Let’s go.”
He gestured for the swordsmen to follow and stepped into the golden portal.
Whoooosh!
A warm energy washed over him like stepping into a summer sea.
When his feet touched solid ground, he opened his eyes—and a space larger than even the great training grounds stretched out before him.
Whoooooom.
To his right, elixirs filled glass cases, glowing with vibrant life force. To his left, weapons crafted by master artisans rested on polished wooden displays.
Behind them, artifacts of all kinds shimmered with light, waiting for their rightful owners.
And at the far end of the Vault stood a towering circular bookshelf that nearly reached the heavens—the same one that had once bestowed him the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation manual.
“Ha!”
A gasp escaped him as he took in the thousand years of Zieghart’s legacy.
‘It’s the same… no, it’s even greater than before.’
Even though this wasn’t his first time entering, the sheer scale left him speechless.
“It’s incredible…”
Burren let out a breath of awe, his eyes wide.
“This is insane. We can actually take something from here?”
Martha licked her lips, already overwhelmed with choices.
“I want that one.”
Runaan, unlike the others, had already decided and walked forward without hesitation.
“Every time I see this place, it takes my breath away.”
Trevin, who’d apparently been here before, shook his head slowly.
“Uwaaaah!”
“I’m speechless…”
“There’s too much—I don’t even know what to choose!”
“Let’s just look around first!”
The Light Wind swordsmen scattered like children in a toy store.
“Kyaaaaaah!”
The moment Dorian entered, he grabbed his cheeks and screamed.
“I could die happy right now! My life’s complete!”
He dropped to his knees, shouting for death to come take him.
“This is too much joy…”
“Shut up!”
Krein couldn’t take it anymore and shoved his glove into Dorian’s mouth.
If he hadn’t, everyone’s eardrums might have burst.
“……”
Raon quickly turned his head, worried Karoon might scold them for being noisy.
But Karoon merely looked around calmly, not choosing anything—just admiring the treasures like works of art.
“Quiet.”
Raon flicked Dorian’s forehead and, after stepping forward, pressed the lingering message before him.
<Greed>
Whenever you receive something you desire from others, all attributes and Authorities increase. The greater the value of what is received, the higher the increase.
‘Not bad.’
Getting stronger every time he received something he wanted—it was a perfect fit for him.
‘And it couldn’t have happened at a better time.’
It was lucky <Greed> unlocked right before choosing treasures from Zieghart’s Vault.
Everything here held immense value—he could gain a lot of power.
‘It’s almost like it’s watching me.’
– “It -is- watching you!”
Wrath headbutted Raon’s cheek furiously.
– “That cursed system has its eyes glued to you while plotting ways to torment me!”
He punched the air in frustration.
‘Then I should be grateful.’
Raon gave a polite nod toward the air and walked to the elixir cases.
“What should I take to catch up with those monsters…”
Burren pressed his face to the glass, inhaling deeply as he examined the elixirs.
“Hmm…”
Raon stood beside him, scanning the shelves filled with natural energy.
“Thinking of taking elixirs?”
Glenn approached and tilted his chin slightly.
“At your level, they won’t do much.”
He raised an eyebrow, suggesting he pick something else.
“They’re not for me. They’re for Olga’s treatment. I’ll need at least two top-grade elixirs to reconstruct her body.”
“…I see.”
Glenn nodded slowly, understanding now.
“Then take them. No need for trade.”
He opened the glass case himself.
“R-really?”
Raon’s eyes widened.
“You said it yourself—if the Saint hadn’t brought the Holy Kingdom to our side, we wouldn’t have won. Compared to that, two elixirs are nothing.”
Glenn reached in and handed him two vials.
“The Baekrodan, refined from a hundred spirit herbs, and the Spirit Beast Pill, brewed from the cores of magical creatures.”
He smiled faintly.
“With these, you should be able to restore her body.”
“Thank you.”
Raon bowed deeply and accepted them.
[The trait <Greed> activates.]
[All attributes increase by 3 points.]
[The value of <Greed> increases.]
As the messages appeared, Raon felt the dormant Authority of Greed stir within his soul, growing stronger.
– “W-what!? That was just a gift! How is Greed activating!?”
Wrath’s jaw dropped.
‘Doesn’t matter. The condition is simply receiving something I want from someone else.’
Even though the elixirs were for Olga, they were still something -he- wanted—so naturally, Greed activated.
– “Damn it!”
Wrath clutched his head in despair.
‘Next…’
Raon grabbed one more elixir for emergencies and headed toward the artifacts.
“Heheh~”
Martha hummed as she tried on rings and bracelets—surprisingly graceful for someone called the Rakshasa.
Raon quietly turned away, knowing she’d explode if she realized he’d seen her.
‘Better look elsewhere… huh?’
As he turned toward the weapons, a ring and a necklace in the corner caught his eye.
Whoooom.
The topaz-studded ring radiated a heavy, earthen aura, while the emerald necklace emanated a cool, sharp breeze.
‘A set?’
Their energies were different, but their resonance was the same—they were clearly crafted as a pair.
‘Not bad.’
Now that he had learned to wield both wind and earth as weapons, these artifacts could enhance their strength.
Raon pocketed them and walked toward the weapon racks.
“Hmm…”
Runaan blinked, holding a white hairpin that could also serve as a dagger.
‘That’s not an ordinary item.’
The small ornament radiated intense cold and malice—like a weapon that had absorbed countless grudges.
‘She’ll be fine.’
Runaan was a Grandmaster now. He trusted her judgment and moved on.
‘Black gauntlets?’
He stopped when he saw a pair of gloves.
‘Said to be untearable?’
Made 500 years ago by a master craftsman, the gloves were forged from dragon fangs and scales—completely indestructible.
‘Perfect.’
He didn’t need weapons.
Between the Heavenly Drive, Soul Requiem Sword, and White Lotus Ring, his arsenal was already overflowing.
A durable pair of gloves to protect his hands while wielding them—that was ideal.
‘Now, for the last—manuals.’
He moved toward the bookshelf, where the crowd was thickest.
“Kyahahaha!”
Dorian was spinning around the shelves like a lunatic, picking nothing and touching everything.
Wooooong!
Ignoring him, the swordsmen placed their hands on the center shelf to draw out the manuals most suited for them.
“Hahhhh!”
Mark Gorton trembled with joy as he received a manual, his eyes filled with disbelief and wonder.
‘Looks like he found something good.’
Raon smiled faintly and placed his hand on the center.
Wooooong!
The massive circular bookshelf rotated clockwise, glowing brilliantly before a single book slowly descended from the top—fluttering like a baby bird.
Whoosh.
Raon reached out and caught it.
‘Silent Sword?’
The title read “Silent Sword.” Even from the first page, he could tell it was a supreme-level swordsmanship technique.
‘That means it’s what I need most right now.’
The shelf didn’t just hand out strong manuals—it gave each swordsman the one they needed most.
If it had chosen this for him, then the Silent Sword must hold exactly what he required.
‘It’s an excellent find, but…’
Raon clicked his tongue softly.
‘I still want more.’
He had already taken five treasures—three elixirs, two artifacts, and the gloves—but his greed wasn’t satisfied.
“All done?”
Glenn approached, looking down at the items in his hands.
“Yes. A bit regretful, but that’s all.”
Raon smiled and nodded.
“You’re still feeling greedy after five?”
Glenn chuckled.
“That’s not it.”
Raon shook his head calmly.
“I was just disappointed I couldn’t find your swordsmanship.”
He bowed slightly, recalling the warmth from when Glenn had embraced him in Montiro.
“…Hmph!”
Glenn inhaled sharply, his fingers trembling.
“R-really? That manual you have is from the Fifth Head of House!”
“I know Silent Sword is amazing, but for me, your techniques mean the most.”
Raon explained earnestly, saying he still practiced Supreme Harmony Steps, Azure Sky Sword, and Heavenly Thunder Art.
He even tilted his gaze upward slightly, giving himself a pitiful look.
[Khm! I’ll… visit you myself then.]
Glenn sent a quick aura message so no one else could hear—and hurried away, his earlobes and cheeks flushed red.
‘Got him.’
Raon licked his lips, watching his grandfather’s trembling shoulders.
‘I didn’t expect it to work that well.’
The Glenn he’d seen in Montiro had clearly softened toward him.
He’d gambled on that affection—and it paid off.
‘Learning my grandfather’s swordsmanship will trigger Greed too.’
The stronger the reward, the greater the gain. Receiving direct instruction from Glenn would surely yield a massive boost.
– “Grrr…”
Wrath gritted his teeth.
– “Greed’s got nothing on you! You’re the real embodiment of Greed, you pig!”
‘Then you’re Gluttony.’
Raon waved him off—and just then, messages appeared.
[The trait <Greed> activates.]
[All attributes increase by 10 points.]
[The value of <Greed> increases.]
It seemed everything he’d obtained after the elixirs was tallied together. His stats rose by ten points, and the Authority of Greed grew even stronger.
– “See!? I told you! Even Greed wasn’t this bad, you shameless monster!”
—
After securing his treasures, Raon left the Vault.
As he headed toward the annex, he saw Saint Olga leaning against a wall, waiting.
“What are you doing here?”
He had sent someone to escort her to the annex, so her waiting here made no sense.
“I was waiting for you.”
“Huh?”
“There are a lot of strangers around…”
Olga glanced aside, her tone quieter than usual.
For someone who usually cursed and smoked in front of strangers, seeing her embarrassed like this was surprising.
“Then let’s go together.”
Raon gestured for her to follow.
“Mm…”
Olga bit her lip and followed behind, still uneasy.
“What did you pick?”
Her voice held mild curiosity.
“A manual, some artifacts, gloves, and elixirs.”
“A manual?”
She frowned.
“Even after all that strength, you still need one?”
“Of course.”
Raon nodded calmly.
“The path of the sword never ends. Even the Head of House still refines his swordsmanship.”
If Glenn continued to walk that path, Raon had no right to stop. Whether Silent Sword or something else, he had to keep moving forward.
“No end, huh…”
Olga lowered her gaze, her tone tinged with emptiness. She still didn’t seem to believe she’d live long enough to walk her own path again.
“……”
Raon stayed silent, giving her time.
As they crossed the annex garden, the aroma of countless dishes drifted from the dining hall.
– “Kyaaa!”
Wrath shrieked with delight.
– “Beef bone soup, pineapple pizza, lamb ribs, lobster stew, roast pig—everything’s here!”
He listed every dish just from the smell alone.
For the so-called Monarch of Gluttony, it was funny how he called -Raon- greedy.
“Come in.”
As Raon opened the door, Sylvia and Sia ran out as if waiting for him.
“Raon, you’ve done so well…”
Sylvia hugged him tightly, grateful he’d returned safely.
“You did great!”
Sia followed suit, wrapping her arms around him too.
“Thank you. I also brought a guest.”
Raon patted their backs and gestured to Olga, standing a few steps away.
“The Saint, right? We’ve heard so much about you!”
Sylvia bowed in welcome.
“Wow, you’re so cool!”
Sia’s eyes sparkled at Olga’s tattoos.
“…I’m Olga.”
For once, Olga greeted politely, likely because these were his family.
“You’re exhausted, dear.”
Sylvia clapped her hands, summoning maids from the hallway.
“Please escort her.”
“Ah? W-wait…”
Before Olga could protest, the maids swept her away toward the baths.
“Scrub thoroughly if you don’t want to embarrass yourself tomorrow.”
Raon grinned as she reached toward him for help.
“W-what’s that supposed to mean?”
Her eyes widened.
“I’m starting your treatment tomorrow.”
He lifted the elixirs from Zieghart’s Vault.
“So wash properly. You probably reek.”
“Y-you…”
Olga’s face turned crimson as she finally realized what he meant.
“Raon!”
Sylvia smacked him across the back.
“How can you say that to a lady!”
“I was just giving practical advice—”
“Who gives advice like that!? Say it properly!”
She glared daggers at him.
“P-please wash up well for tomorrow’s treatment.”
Raon bowed his head, avoiding Olga’s gaze.
“Hah!”
Olga exhaled sharply.
“You can’t even talk back to your mother. I thought you’d be bossing your parents around.”
She shook her head, amused.
‘How does she even see me…’
– “She’s right!”
Wrath nodded eagerly.
‘Shut it!’
Raon shoved him aside and met Olga’s eyes, his tone serious.
“Anyway, be prepared. The treatment will be painful.”
“Don’t worry.”
Olga took a step forward, shaking her head.
“I’m not afraid of pain anymore.”