Raon's eyes trembled.
'Sword Control?'
Is it really Sword Control? The worn book Darkan handed over contained information about Sword Control. Not just simple explanations or principles, but detailed instructions and methods for mastering Sword Control.
'That guy....'
Raon glanced at Darkan below the book and let out a sigh.
'Is he in his right mind?'
Although Raon had saved his life, the same could be said for Darkan. If Darkan hadn't stepped forward to block Lust, Raon could have been captured and dragged to the Devildom before even making a plan. No, beyond all that, Darkan kept his promise to Raon despite being able to kill everyone here.
It wouldn't be strange if he asked for a lot of compensation, but instead he handed over such a rare martial arts manual. It didn't make sense.
"What are you thinking?"
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Darkan.
"Why are you giving this to me?"
The question burst out before he could stop himself, the situation seeming so absurd.
"Raon?"
"What? What's wrong?"
Runaan and Martha lowered their stances, ready to jump in at any moment.
"Did a sword really pop out of that book?"
Lawrence also raised his guard, looking concerned.
"This book..."
Raon furrowed his brow as he pointed at the martial arts manual.
"Contains instructions on how to use Sword Control."
"Huh?"
Zalek turned to look at Darkan with wide eyes.
"S-Sword Control?"
Burren also took a sharp breath, seemingly shocked.
"..."
Rector gazed at Darkan with calm eyes, as if he had expected this to some extent.
"I don't need it anymore."
Darkan waved his hand up and down dismissively.
"You don't need it?"
"That's right. I've memorized the contents of that book so I can recite it without missing a single letter even in my dreams."
He smiled faintly, saying it was no longer necessary for him.
"Even so... hm?"
Raon looked at the martial arts manual again and frowned.
'Wait. This swordsmanship isn't Darkan's Sword Control.'
At first he was surprised that it was a Sword Control manual, but upon closer inspection, the usage method was slightly different from Darkan's Sword Control.
'This is more like...'
The more he read the mantras and usage methods, the more it reminded him not of Darkan's Sword Control, but of someone else's.
'Ancestor Zieghart's Sword Control!'
The sword of Ancestor Zieghart he had seen in his dream just earlier. The image of his Sword Control drawing constellations in the sky to form barriers flashed in his mind.
"Darkan."
Raon called out to Darkan after quickly scanning through the book.
"Where did you get this book?"
"So there was a connection after all."
Darkan tilted his chin slightly as he looked at Raon.
"I had a feeling when I saw your Sword Control."
He smiled faintly as he looked at the hilt of the Blade of Requiem.
"That my Sword Control and the Sword Control in that manual were mixed."
A sword made of black aura appeared and disappeared from Darkan's fingertips.
"Of course, the mantras and usage methods are quite crude, but how should I put it? The flow is the same? The picture it draws is the same?"
He smiled, saying he felt the Sword Control in this manual from Raon's sword.
"Now it's my turn to ask. Where did you see that Sword Control?"
Darkan fixed Raon with eyes full of curiosity. Despite his serious injuries, he couldn't hide his interest in swordsmanship.
"...In a dream."
Raon lowered his eyes as he gave an answer that was both true and not true. There was much he didn't understand himself, so this was all he could say for now.
"A dream..."
Darkan nodded gently as he looked into Raon's eyes.
"It's not the look of someone lying, but that answer must be true. That book is over a thousand years old, after all."
He laughed, saying it would have turned to dust long ago if not for preservation magic.
"A thousand years..."
Raon pressed his lips together as he held the martial arts manual with both hands.
'My guess when I first came here was right.'
When he saw Ancestor Zieghart's back in the cave, he thought there might be a connection with the Holy Sword Alliance. Seeing this manual and the flowers he planted, it seemed that was indeed the case.
"Where did you get this book?"
Raon closed the manual and looked at Darkan.
"Here."
Darkan nodded lightly.
"This place has been passed down in the Holy Sword Alliance from the beginning, maintained but not searched. However..."
He grinned and licked his lips.
"I had a feeling something was here, so after I became the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance, I searched everything. And I was able to find that book.
Darkan nodded as he pointed to the martial arts manual.
"Thanks to it, I was able to learn Sword Control and realize that this world is much vaster than I knew."
He smiled deeply, saying it was a great serendipitous encounter.
"But your Sword Control is different from the one in this book."
Raon lightly tapped the martial arts manual. Darkan's Sword Control and the ancestor's Sword Control looked similar, but the color was different. They each had their strengths and weaknesses, but overall, the ancestor's Sword Control seemed superior.
"It is different. The Sword Control in that manual is probably more complete than mine."
Darkan nodded calmly as he spoke of the shortcomings in his own swordsmanship.
"But it's not fun to just recreate exactly what the previous generation made."
He smiled, saying he wanted to draw his own sword even if it became weaker.
"Hah..."
Raon's eyes widened as he watched Darkan genuinely enjoying himself.
'He really isn't normal.'
Usually, people want to learn a completed sword technique, but Darkan wanted to complete his own sword even if his capabilities were lacking. His way of thinking was fundamentally different from ordinary people.
"But it's a bit... no, very strange that the Sword Control from that book appeared in the dream of you, a direct descendant of Zieghart."
Darkan stroked his chin as he examined Raon.
"There might be an even greater connection between Zieghart and the Holy Sword Alliance than we know."
He curled his lips up, saying it was an interesting matter.
"Zieghart and the Holy Sword Alliance?"
Burren let out a scornful laugh as if it were absurd.
"Nonsense!"
He glared fiercely, adamantly denying it due to his strong pride in Zieghart.
"Ah, I'm just saying it could be possible."
Darkan calmly lowered his hand.
"Anyway, I've left the Holy Sword Alliance, so it doesn't matter to me."
He shook his head, saying it was just curiosity.
"Really..."
Raon let out a low sigh as he lifted the book containing the Sword Control.
"Are you really giving me this book?"
"You don't want to make me out to be someone who takes back what they've given, do you?"
Darkan tapped his forehead, telling Raon to come to his senses.
"Hmm..."
A groan escaped without him realizing. To be honest, Darkan was such an unpredictable person that even after receiving the martial arts manual, Raon felt burdened rather than happy.
"If you don't understand, there's no need to understand."
Darkan smirked as he saw Raon's stiff expression.
"You just need to show me a new realm of swordsmanship that didn't exist in this world, as per our promise."
"I know that."
"If your appearance hadn't changed since I went to find Glenn, I would have killed you first."
He turned his back without even a hint of killing intent in his words about killing.
"As promised, I'll leave as soon as my condition recovers."
Darkan climbed up the mountain, saying he would stay far away so there was no need to worry.
"There's no need to feel burdened."
Rector shook his head as he grasped Raon's shoulder.
"He's always been that kind of person. He's probably already forgotten he gave you the book."
He laughed, saying there was no need to judge Darkan by normal standards.
"It seems so."
Raon had thought Darkan had changed a bit, but when you think about it, that man was just a sword maniac who wanted to see, learn, and master superior swordsmanship from the beginning.
-This king shares the same thoughts.
Wrath narrowed his eyes as he watched Darkan's back.
-That guy is a madman rare even in the Devildom. Just a crazy bastard who only thinks about swords.
He nodded, saying he had to acknowledge Darkan's conviction.
"But how do we clean up this place?"
The Demon Sword Lord shook his head as he looked around the devastated Holy Sword Alliance.
"This won't be fixed in a day or two."
The String Sword Lord also sighed, saying it would be tiring for a while.
"If we all work together, we'll restore it quickly."
Zalek pushed some building debris to the side of the road, saying they should start moving first. He smiled gently, as if relieved that no one had died.
"This is what happens when you live together."
Lawrence clicked his tongue lightly.
"If you lived far away like me, this wouldn't happen."
He laughed, saying he was the ultimate winner living in a cave.
"Um, that cave..."
Raon pointed his finger towards the cave where Lawrence stayed.
"It seems to have a new owner?"
Darkan, who had climbed the mountain, entered Lawrence's cave without hesitation. Judging by his confident stride, it seemed he had intended to stay there from the beginning.
"Urgh!"
Lawrence grabbed his head after watching that scene.
"W-Why is that crazy bastard in my cave!"
He trembled his jaw as if he couldn't have imagined this situation. His expression became worse than those whose homes had just been destroyed.
"Why do you think? Because everything here is ruined."
"As expected of the former Alliance leader. So wise."
The String Sword Lord and Demon Sword Lord giggled as they looked at the devastated Holy Sword Alliance.
"Well..."
Raon approached Lawrence, who was screaming, and patted his shoulder.
"You should have lived together."
"Shut up!"
* * *
After helping with the restoration of the Holy Sword Alliance for three days, Raon prepared to leave for Zieghart and left the mansion. Rector and the swordsmen he had been sparring with until now were lined up at the exit of the somewhat restored Holy Sword Alliance.
"Why are you so late! We've all been waiting for you!"
Martha narrowed the bridge of her nose, saying she was tired of waiting.
"You weren't in your room earlier, where did you go?"
Runaan tilted her head curiously.
"To the mountain."
Raon pointed to the mountain behind them. He wanted to see Darkan one last time, but he was nowhere to be seen, perhaps having already left this place.
"I went to look too, but he wasn't there."
Rector also shook his head, saying he hadn't seen Darkan.
"I see."
It was disappointing that Darkan had disappeared right away, as Raon had a few more things he wanted to ask him. As expected of the former Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance, he seemed to keep his promises as sharply as a sword.
"Then we'll be heading back now."
Raon stood before Rector and the Holy Sword Alliance swordsmen with his hands clasped.
"Thank you for accommodating us, even though it must have been troublesome."
He bowed in a sword salute to the swordsmen with sincere gratitude.
"We enjoyed it too!"
"Yeah. It's the first time I've encountered a swordsman who gives a different feeling every time we face off!"
The Demon Sword Lord and String Sword Lord laughed, saying they had more fun.
"Now the best leech I've ever seen in my life is finally leaving."
Lawrence let out a long breath, saying he could finally feel at ease.
"Why do you look sad when the leech is leaving?"
Zalek tilted his head as he lifted Lawrence's long hair.
"Your eyes are even welling up with tears."
"W-Who's crying!"
Lawrence shook his head, grinding his teeth.
"I didn't say you were crying, but are you really?"
"I'm not! My body just feels bad from sleeping outside for 3 days!"
He lunged at Zalek as if trying to hide his embarrassment.
"Don't worry. I'll come visit again."
Raon smiled lightly as he watched Lawrence and Zalek's bickering.
"Don't you dare come! I'll chase you away!"
Lawrence waved his hand telling Raon not to come as he wiped the moisture from the corners of his eyes. Though he was saying not to come, he looked like a dog wagging its tail telling its owner to come back soon when they go out.
"You've done well."
Rector grasped the shoulders of Raon, Burren, Martha, Runaan, and Dorian in turn, revealing a smile tinged with pride.
"If you maintain the passion and effort you've shown here, you'll be able to achieve your goals."
He nodded his head broadly, saying he would believe in all of them.
"Yes."
"Thank you!"
Raon and his group bowed with their hands on their chests towards Rector.
"Martha."
Lawrence forcibly suppressed his sniffling and revealed eyes faintly glowing golden.
"I'll keep the oath I made before as long as I live. Be sure to call me when that day comes."
"Of course. Just keep building up your strength."
Martha raised her fist, saying she wouldn't leave such good labor power alone. She also seemed to have improved a bit thanks to coming here, though she had looked depressed before.
"Dorian. Remember that just because you can see through the Mind's Eye doesn't mean you can do everything. And contact me if anything happens."
Zalek also gave some final advice to Dorian as he handed him a sword he had personally maintained.
"Y-Yes, Master..."
Dorian bowed his head deeply, sniffling. Though it was a short period, he seemed to have grown quite attached, as snowflake-like tears fell from his eyes.
"Then we'll be going now."
Raon turned to Rector after everyone had finished saying their goodbyes.
"Don't push yourself too hard."
Rector hugged Raon, telling him to be careful.
"Yes. You too, Grandfather."
Raon hugged Rector back, smiling softly.
"Me too..."
Runaan, who had been blankly staring into space, suddenly approached and hugged both Raon and Rector at once.
"Hah..."
"You really..."
Raon and Rector smiled as they looked at Runaan, who had her eyes tightly shut, when a fierce explosive sound rang out from behind. A sword wrapped in black flames was flying from the direction of the mountain.
Raon hurriedly drew the Heavenly Drive and deflected the sword aiming for the back of his head. The sword enveloped in black light didn't fly far away but burst into an intense sword aura right in front of him.
It was Darkan's sword. He had sent a final greeting to Raon from wherever he was. It was a greeting befitting the former Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance.
"Don't worry. I'll keep my promise."
Raon nodded lightly as he looked at the sword floating in the air. The sword briefly vibrated its blade as if satisfied, then returned to the mountain.
"Damn it! He still hasn't left?"
Lawrence gritted his teeth, realizing he might have to sleep outside again.
"Then I'll really be going now."
Raon gave a final farewell to Rector and everyone else and walked towards the exit of the Holy Sword Alliance. Before entering the dim cave, he looked back one last time. Comparing the Holy Sword Alliance of a thousand years ago to now, he clenched his fist. He didn't know what picture his ancestor was drawing or what he wanted from Raon.
One thing was certain - he would only walk the path he chose for himself.
-This king desires the path of mint chocolate!
Wrath suddenly interjected, declaring he would walk the path of mint chocolate.
-Bring out mountains of mint chocolate as soon as we get home!
'Please, just stop!'
Raon pushed away Wrath who was demanding mint chocolate and looked back at the mountain peak.
'However...'
It seemed he would return to this place someday. Whether for good or bad reasons, he felt he would end up coming back here eventually.
"..."
Raon examined the scenery of the Holy Sword Alliance one last time before entering the exit.
* * *
Derus Robert, wearing a pitch-black robe, sat on the throne with his legs crossed. He stared at the sun shining over the sea like a statue. As time passed and the sun sank, a man with red hair that seemed to have captured the sunset itself rose above the violently bubbling and exploding seawater.
The man with a face so delicate he could be mistaken for a woman tilted his head up, flashing cold eyes.
"The vessel has become even more solid."
Derus raised his hand that had been supporting his chin and applauded, as if satisfied with the man's appearance.
"As expected, that appearance suits you well. Beorn."
He called the feminine-looking man by the name Beorn.
"No, now I should call you by your previous name..."
"That's enough."
Beorn shook his head with dry eyes.
"Only two people can call me by that name."
"Is that so."
Derus shrugged as if he didn't care either way.
"Are you mentally prepared now?"
"Of course."
Beorn nodded as he looked at the violently churning sea.
"I will seize that power with my own hands."