The Fallen snickered while looking at the map of Owen Castle on the wooden table.
“It failed…”
He even distorted the space coordinates in order to make sure to eliminate them, but Chaos didn’t manage to form. Not a single person had died, let alone Raon. It went without saying that the attempt ended in absolute failure.
“Did you just say it failed?”
The Red Demonic Snake’s eyes widened as he turned around to look at the Fallen. He clenched the table in disbelief.
“Was it Glenn Zieghart—”
“No, it was because of Raon Zieghart. He removed the light and darkness before the chaos was formed.”
The Fallen smoothly raised his hand, and light and darkness crawled up from it.
“The battle against Glenn should’ve been the only time he witnessed it, yet he managed to understand the flow of chaos. He’s truly an extraordinary one.”
“That’s the most terrifying part about him.”
The Red Demonic Snake nodded heavily.
“When he tried to fight me, his skills visibly improved every single day. His power isn’t a threat to us yet, but he’s bound to reach another realm soon enough.”
Raon kept asking for a fight every single day before the branch collapsed, and his might reached a new height every single time. It was as if he was a completely different person.
Even though the Red Demonic Snake had witnessed many warriors before, it was his first time seeing such a crazy growth rate.
“Growth rate…”
The Fallen smiled faintly and turned around. The sun had already set on the horizon and darkness was covering the ocean.
The Soul Severing Sword was still staring at the ocean with the exact same posture as before.
“What are you planning to do now? We should do it as quickly as possible if you want to eliminate him.”
The Red Demonic Snake’s serious eyes were staring at the Fallen. Raon Zieghart was growing at a completely unpredictable rate. Drastic measures were necessary if they wanted to kill him.
“Unfortunately, I can’t exactly afford to do that. I’ve exhausted too much power recently.”
The Fallen slowly shook his head and raised his eyes.
“Let’s see further into the future.”
He closed his eyes while looking at the moon rising above the ocean. He flicked his fingers as if he were enjoying music, and once he opened his eyes once again, two different colors were gleaming within them.
“We need to change the way we deal with Raon.”
“What do you mean…?”
“Let’s use him instead of eliminating him.”
The Fallen’s lips rolled up into a thin smile.
“I have a feeling he will be able to contribute to our cause.”
* * *
Claang!
Borini Kitten’s longsword shattered like glass under Crimson Slash’s ray of heat. The heat falling down after that turned the arena as hot as a furnace.
Whoosh!
Even though his sword was shattered, Borini Kitten’s eyes showed no sign of surrender. He twisted his fingers to hold his half-destroyed longsword and dashed through the arena where heat hazes were rising.
Whir!
The light bursting from the broken blade was the brightest so far. The astral energy gushed out like a ray of light towards Raon’s neck.
Raon’s pressure didn’t fade away either. He bent his knees and lowered his body before slashing upwards with Heavenly Drive like a soaring swallow.
Whaap!
The inextinguishable flame on the blade created a crescent shape to mercilessly shred Borini Kitten’s astral energy—which he formed by mustering every last bit of power he had left—into pieces.
Pssh!
Borini Kitten’s sword crumbled to dust without even leaving the hilt behind, and his shiny silver armor fell apart after being crushed.
Raon swirled Heavenly Drive to remove the heat from the arena in order to avoid further harm.
“Haa.”
Borini Kitten took off his destroyed armor and sighed deeply.
“I lost.”
He admitted his defeat and bowed to him.
“It feels pretty nice to lose after doing my best.”
Just like he said, his clear eyes said he was satisfied after fighting to the best of his ability.
“I’ve learned a lot.”
Raon smiled and bowed back at him.
“No, I’ve learned even more from you.”
Borini Kitten shook his head. His eyes weren’t reflecting the slightest sign of malice.
“Th-the first match of the quarterfinals! The Frostfire Sword of Valor, Raon Zieghart, emerges victorious!”
The master of ceremonies, who was trying to read the atmosphere, entered the stage and announced the results of the match.
“Woaaah!”
“Raon! Raon! Raon!”
“Frostfire Sword of Valor, I always believed in you!”
“You showed a true warrior spirit!”
“I’ll be rooting for you forever! Raon Zieghart!”
The spectators shouted Raon’s name and the entire arena trembled from their cheers. Because they were all raising their voices at the same time, people even started hearing a ringing sound in their ears.
Raon looked at the heads of the Six Kings under the stage.
“Hmm.”
Glenn gave him a small nod. Since he usually didn’t express himself, that small gesture signified that he was satisfied with his performance.
“It was a nice match.”
“You are crazy in a good way. You are a handsome madman!”
“Both of them are proper warriors.”
King Lecross applauded at him, Chamber was giggling, and Ogram seemed to have taken a liking to him, a cool smile on his face.
“That was such a delightful sight.”
Derus was also smiling. The others would see it as an entertained smile, but he was actually being pretentious.
He was definitely trying his best to suppress his boiling anger.
‘Damn Robert…’
Raon remembered the memories of his previous life.
While his hands were smeared in blood and all kinds of filth from the underworld, Derus was being cheered on by everyone from the outside.
While Raon was killing the people who tried to rebel against House Robert in the underworld, Derus saved people and earned himself the name of Sky Sword Saint.
While Raon was attacking the millionaires to steal their money and information in order to raise the house funds, Derus gave food away to the people and was praised as the wise lord.
While Raon and the shadows worked their asses off, Derus grew his power and gained a reputation, only to boil the hunting dogs in a cauldron even though they were the ones who allowed him to achieve everything.
Raon could never forgive him for what he’d done, even after his death and even after his rebirth.
‘I’m the one who allowed you to earn all that power and fame. And I’ll be the one to take them away from you.’’
Raon bit inside his cheek while tightly looking at Derus’s smile.
‘I’m only getting started.’
The real revenge hadn’t even begun yet. He was planning to thoroughly defeat his son Cadis during the next match, and that was going to be the starting point of his revenge.
“Thank you.”
Raon bowed to the heads of the Six Kings, including Derus, while thoroughly concealing his intention.
“Sir Swordsman Raon.”
As he was about to leave the stage, Borini Kitten started talking to him. He even added ‘Sir’ on top of calling him swordsman.
“Yes?”
“Can you wait a moment, please?”
He told him that he couldn’t decide by himself because he was affiliated with the kingdom and went to King Lecross. He talked with him for a moment before returning to the arena.
“Sir Swordsman Raon.”
Borini Kitten walked up to him and went on one knee, lowering his head.
“The knight Borini Kitten solemnly pledges that he will grant three of your requests, whenever and whatever they might be.”
“What?”
Raon’s eyes turned round from the unexpected situation.
“What are you talking about right now…?”
“I’ve gotten three enlightenments from the match against Sir Swordsman Raon. I’ll repay the favor of enlightening this idiotic self by granting your request with my life on the line.”
Borini Kitten raised his head. His bright face almost gave the impression that the sun had risen again.
“What are the three enlightenments?”
“First was the fact that the situation doesn’t matter when it comes to saving people. The second was the path of the true warrior you’ve shown to me. And the third one was that it can be helpful to encourage your enemy.”
He opened his fingers one after the other with a smile on his face.
“Actually, I should be following you for the rest of my life regardless of all that because you saved everyone’s lives, including mine, but please understand I can’t do that because I already have a king that I’ve pledged to serve with my life.”
“Hmm…”
Raon narrowed his eyes. Borini Kitten was bound to get even stronger in the future.
Having the ability to ask him to work three whole times was a priceless advantage.
“His Majesty has already given his approval. Please accept it.”
Borini Kitten lowered his head once again. He must’ve been discussing that pledge with King Lecross earlier.
‘He actually approved of it…’
Raon thought that King Lecross must’ve really taken a liking to him.
What are you waiting for?
Wrath popped out from the ice flower bracelet with a frown on his face.
He’s working for free! You should accept it right now!
He loved free stuff, as expected of brainless cotton candy.
‘Wait a moment.’
Raon shook his head and took a step forward to meet Borini Kitten’s eyes.
“May I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“What if I requested something that goes against the knight’s honor, or even something that anyone with a humane appearance shouldn’t be doing? Why would you make such a pledge when I could make such a request?”
Raon was honestly curious. He just wanted to make Derus angry, and that was why he felt uncomfortable about Borini Kitten’s pledge.
“It’s because you said that just now.”
“What?”
“I might sound arrogant, but most people would immediately accept the pledge if I said I would grant their request. Since they can think about what to request later on, they would be focused on accepting it.”
Borini Kitten smiled gently and raised his head.
“However, you are worried about my honor as a knight instead of accepting the pledge. That’s the exact reason why I thought I could trust you.”
He slammed his chest with his right hand.
“I believe that you won’t make any request that makes me abandon my humanity or honor. Please accept my pledge.”
Raon exhaled faintly before closing his eyes.
Accept it already since he’s saying all that! Back in Devildom, the King of Essence had countless people like him, but you have no one…
‘Please go away.’
Raon pushed Wrath away because he got the feeling that he was starting a long speech.
‘I’m not sure yet.’
He had no intention of impressing Borini Kitten. All he did was provoke him in order to get stronger himself, yet that was the result.
However, his trust was warming his heart. It was the first time that someone he recently met was trusting him so much.
Raon made up his mind and opened his eyes.
“I accept.”
He met Borini Kitten’s eyes.
“I’m also going to offer a pledge. I’ll never request anything that will stain your honor, Sir Borini Kitten.”
“I believe in you, Sir Swordsman Raon.”
Raon stretched his hand. He grabbed Borini Kitten’s hand and made him stand.
“Woaaah!”
“This is a real battle of warriors and real friendship of warriors!”
“So cool!”
“Azure Razor Sword! Azure Razor Sword!”
“Frostfire Sword of Valor!”
The spectators burst into cheers once again and called Raon and Borini Kitten’s names.
Raon raised his hand to respond to their cheers before leaving the stage. He licked his lips after looking at Derus’s fake smile and Borini Kitten’s wholehearted smile one after the other.
‘I think I still don’t understand the people or the world.’
That’s right. You are as good as a demon king at making fun of people, but your humane side is even worse than the King of Essence…
‘You shut up.’
* * *
* * *
Even though the quarterfinals had ended, people kept talking about Raon and Borini Kitten.
It almost felt like Raon and Borini Kitten were the protagonists of the Master Division tournament.
Glenn smiled while watching the spectators go wild. He couldn’t help getting excited because everyone was talking about his beloved grandson, and all of them were complimenting him.
‘I should be patient.’
He was planning to ask Roenn to assassinate the spectators who were talking shit about Raon, but he decided to forgive them because he was happy.
“Let’s retur—”
“Bring me with you!”
When he was planning to visit Raon’s medical room along with Sheryl and Roenn, Rimmer jumped down from the stand.
“What have you been doing so far? And where have you been?”
Sheryl gave a sidelong glance at Rimmer. She looked like she was about to smack him if she didn’t like his answer.
“Huhu, don’t tell me you were gambling again…”
Roenn was smiling gently, but his eyes flashed sharply.
“Oh, no way.”
Rimmer hurriedly shook his head.
“You shouldn’t be aware of it, but I’m the biggest contributor to Raon’s reputation right now.”
He raised his finger with a grin on his face.
“Everyone would’ve been blown up by the Fallen’s chaos if I didn’t push Raon up for him.”
“……”
Glenn stared at Rimmer for a while before turning around to head towards Raon’s medical room.
“Bullshit.”
Sheryl clicked her tongue at Rimmer. She was literally treating him as a pathetic man.
“There’s no other choice. You are going to need a good beating before getting sent flying.”
“I’m telling the truth! Sir Roenn! You trust me, right?!”
“Huhu, I need to follow my lord right now.”
Roenn bowed politely before he followed Glenn.
“There’s no way you would’ve helped! It’s obvious you were just gambling around! I’m sure I’ll find dozens of gambling tickets if I search your pockets. You aren’t squirming your way out toda—”
“Heavenly Blade division leader.”
Glenn turned around when Sheryl was about to smack Rimmer.
“Let’s leave it there and keep moving.”
“What? Yes!”
Sheryl tilted her head before she followed Glenn. She narrowed her eyes because of the unexpected order.
“Haa…”
Rimmer sighed after everyone else left.
“What a relief.”
He grinned while checking the many gambling tickets he was holding all over his body.
“I thought she was going to take all of them away.”
* * *
Raon went to the training ground after getting his waist treated in the medical room. Darkness was filling the empty training ground, but he could train just fine thanks to the bright moonlight.
Shring.
He went to the center of the training ground and unsheathed Heavenly Drive.
No way…
Wrath swallowed nervously and raised his head.
Are you really about to train again?
‘That’s obvious. Why are you even asking?’
Raon immediately nodded.
‘You have to review lessons.’
The Fangs of Insanity and the Blizzard Sword Arts had improved, and he even gained proficiencies for Sharp Sword and Straight Sword through the matches against Matisse and Borini Kitten. He was going to lose that progress if he didn’t check the improvement before going to bed.
The boredom isn’t even the problem at this point. You are almost scary…
Wrath shook his head and sighed.
‘You need to put up with that boredom to become an excellent warrior.’
That’s not the issue here! You dreadful bastard!
He yelled and sat on Raon’s shoulder with a frown on his face. He looked like he was getting tired of talking.
‘I’ll stop once Dorian brings her.’
Her?
Raon swung Heavenly Drive without responding to his question. The Fangs of Insanity’s ferocious and sharp technique cut through the night air.
‘Nice.’
The increase in the Sharp Sword and the Straight Sword’s proficiency allowed the Fangs of Insanity’s sharpness—that of an unleashed beast—to gain precision.
Every single one of his strikes contained a frightening amount of sharpness.
‘And the Blizzard Sword Art has improved even more.’
Although he used to lack first-hand experience with the Blizzard Sword Art because he’d been training on his own, it managed to gain frightening fangs. The sharp blade that could bite off the enemy’s flow to tear it apart left a deep trace on the training ground.
‘It’s not over yet. I can get even better in the future.’
Raon lowered his sword after unleashing the Fangs of Insanity and the Blizzard Sword Art one after the other. He was smiling in satisfaction when a small crow-tit flew down from the tree to land on the side of the blade.
“This one…”
He remembered hearing that a highly proficient swordsman’s sword was so natural that the wild animals approached on their own.
‘Did I manage to reach that realm? I should still be far away from it though.’
He found it strange because he didn’t even know what a natural sword meant, but he felt slightly better.
“Training at this late hour paid off…”
“Good job.”
Raon was smiling faintly when the crow-tit tilted its head and started talking in a human language.
“Ah…”
Raon’s lips parted. He realized who she was from the way she was talking. He quickly created an aura barrier to stop the sound from getting out.
“M-Merlin?”
“You can recognize me right away now.”
Merlin made a small round smile with the crow-tit’s mouth.
“I thought you left.”
“Why would I leave when you were still in danger?”
She turned her head to the other side, saying that it wasn’t even a question.
Huff!
Wrath shuddered upon seeing Merlin.
A-a crazy bitch! She’s the real crazy bitch! She has the blade of obsession piercing through her brain!
He swallowed nervously before hiding inside the ice flower bracelet.
“You’ve shaved away the mana before it turned into chaos. That was the perfect counterplan. It was beautiful.”
“Haa…”
Raon’s head started to hurt. He thought he wouldn’t see her for a while because of the last greeting they'd exchanged, but she was already back. The fact that she looked like a crow-tit was making it even more ridiculous.
He seriously couldn’t understand her.
“You’ve even earned Borini Kitten and King Lecross’s trust. This is probably the best outcome you could’ve had.”
Merlin was grinning. Getting goosebumps and observing the cuteness at the same time was a truly interesting experience.
“The Fallen won’t be able to make any reckless moves anymore. You really did a good job.”
“How long have you been watching?”
“From the beginning to the end. I’m always watching you.”
“Err…”
Goosebumps appeared on his forearm upon hearing her gentle voice.
“I can’t stay here for a long time because I’ve been watching your fight through this one.”
The crow-tits’ wings were shivering with Merlin’s thoughts.
“I’ll be looking forward to you flying up to reach even higher.”
She raised her shivering wing to say goodbye. However, Raon got anxious because he had the feeling that she would appear again soon enough despite what she did.
“Ah, please share some grain with this one. It was the promise we had.”
“Why do you keep pushing your promises on me…?”
Chirp.
Raon tried to argue against her, but the crow-tit looked up at him with black eyes. The soul must’ve already been switched. The crow-tit hopped on the side of his blade towards him and tilted its head. It looked like it was asking him for the grain.
“Haa…”
Raon sighed and hung his head. That was when Dorien opened the training ground’s door and entered.
“Vice squad leader, I’ve called her. She should be here soon.”
“Perfect timing.”
Raon bobbed his hand toward Dorian with an awkward smile on his face.
“Do you have some grain?”
“Grain? Of course!”
Dorian smiled brightly and took out ten cylindric boxes from his belly pocket.
“Which one do you want? Barley, rice, millet, bean, sorghum, wheat, or corn? I have even more, so just tell me which one.”
“I’m getting tired of this…”
Raon sighed briefly. It was probably Merlin’s fault for appearing so often that the fact that Dorian was carrying everything with him felt so exhausting.
“I need to feed this little one, so can you pick something suitable?”
Raon pointed at the crow-tit. He’d previously heard that birds like feeds made from millet and sorghum, but he wasn’t sure what a crow-tit liked so he asked him to give it all of them.
“Oh, you were trying to feed this bird!”
Dorian opened the box to take out all of the grain while watching the crow-tit, which had reached Raon’s hand. He scattered the grain on a table to make a buffet for it.
Chirp!
The crow-tit flapped its wings to savor the delicious grains of its liking on the grain buffet.
“Uhehe, this guy is so cute.”
While Dorian was smiling at the crow-tit that was lying on the table with its belly turned round, the training ground’s door opened silently.
Raon turned around with a cold smile on his face.
“You are here.”
