Sterin left Sepia and entered the Great Forest. Unlike other elves who moved through the forest, he walked naturally between the dense trees and undergrowth as if he had become one with the forest.
"Ah..."
Raon let out a small gasp as he followed behind Sterin.
'So it's possible to follow the flow of nature like that.'
True to his elven nature, Sterin was breathing with nature as if he had assimilated with this world. It was different from other Transcendent Warriors who forcibly drew in the energy of nature.
'Once again, I gain knowledge like this.'
While others might not be able to, Raon felt he could imitate it with his Ring of Fire, so he absorbed Sterin's breathing and movements with his entire body.
'However...'
Where is he going? Raon furrowed his brow as he watched Sterin's back, his steps never faltering. He had thought they wouldn't go too far, but Sterin kept advancing as if he intended to cross the entire Great Forest.
-Hmm, I thought he'd just toss us a Martial Arts Manual, but it seems we're in for some trouble.
Wrath frowned, grumbling about missing dinner for this.
'I thought so too.'
Raon had also thought Sterin would give him a Martial Arts Manual or teach him martial arts, but given how far they had traveled, that didn't seem to be the case.
-But about that old Pointy Ears Old Man...
'Pointy Ears Old Man?'
-He's the grandfather of the Pointy Ears. Isn't Pointy Ears Old Man fitting?
Wrath puckered his lips as if to say "don't talk back."
'Anyway, so what?'
-He's grown much weaker. It really seems like his time to leave is approaching.
He nodded, asking if Raon could feel it too.
'...I know.'
Raon gently bit his right lip.
'I can see it too.'
Even without sensing it through aura like Wrath, Raon could see that Sterin's body had aged. It seemed that the time left for him wasn't very long.
'Damn...'
There really was no answer when it came to lifespan. He had come to inform them of Rimmer's death, but now it seemed he would learn of another person's end, making his heart ache.
'Will Lady Siyana be able to endure?'
As Raon worried about how Siyana would cope with losing both her brother and grandfather, Sterin's steps came to a halt. He turned around in front of a hill path where sharp rocks jutted out.
"Guardian. Why are we here..."
Raon tilted his head in confusion. He looked around, but seeing nothing of note, he felt perplexed.
"Come this way."
Sterin pointed his finger towards the back of the sloping hill. It seemed he wanted Raon to look where he was indicating.
"Ah, yes."
Raon nodded and approached where Sterin was standing. In the dark shadows behind the hill, he could see something round protruding.
"Fruit?"
Three red fruits, about the size of small plums, were swaying in the evening breeze.
"This is..."
"It's called the Sagon fruit."
Sterin smiled softly as he looked down at the Sagon fruit.
"While it's not an elixir that stores large amounts of mana or increases elemental power, it has a great effect in stabilizing one's mind and strengthening the soul."
He carefully plucked the fruit and placed it in his palm.
"I also know about the Sagon fruit. But how is this precious thing here..."
Raon swallowed dryly as he looked at Sterin's hand. The Sagon fruit was a special elixir that enhanced mental strength rather than physical abilities, making it even rarer than Transcendence elixirs. He never imagined it would be in such a secluded shade.
"Both humans and elves tend to look up too much. Sometimes, good things happen when you look down."
Sterin offered advice that seemed to be about life in general, not just about the fruit.
"Of course, you seem to be doing well on your own."
He smiled softly, as if aware that Raon had been observing his movements from behind.
"Ah, I'm sorry."
"It's a compliment. A compliment."
Sterin shook his head, saying there was no need to apologize.
"At your age, having reached Transcendence, you could be a bit arrogant or lazy, but it's amazing that you're constantly looking up. Just remember to look down sometimes too. There are things to be gained there as well."
He offered sincere advice while holding out the Sagon fruit.
"Are you really giving this to me?"
"Give it to your aunt and sister. It might not make much difference for a martial artist, but it will be a great help to those who are mentally exhausted."
Sterin placed the Sagon fruit in Raon's hand, telling him to deliver it well.
"But why three..."
"One is payment for your errand. Eat it yourself."
He waved his hand lightly, saying it also tasted good.
-T-Tastes good, you say? Let's eat it right away! This king is hungry!
Wrath licked his lips eagerly, exclaiming his curiosity about the taste.
"...Thank you."
Raon pushed Wrath away with his elbow and bowed his head to Sterin. He couldn't refuse the elixir meant for Sia and Alice.
"I thought the Guardian would pass on martial arts or offer to spar, but I didn't expect such a grand gift. I'll make sure to give it to both of them."
He expressed his gratitude once more with sincerity.
"Ah, you've grown a bit greedy while I haven't seen you."
Sterin clicked his tongue disapprovingly.
"Pardon? What do you..."
Raon blinked at Sterin, not understanding why he was suddenly being called greedy.
"I gave you three Sagon fruits, and you're asking to learn martial arts on top of that? You're completely shameless."
"Ah, no! Absolutely not!"
He hastily raised his hands in denial.
"I was just trying to express my gratitude..."
"It's a joke. You're too serious with adults. Try to emulate your master's playfulness a bit."
Sterin chuckled, suggesting that Raon should show a lighter side like Rimmer.
"Ah, that's a bit..."
Raon shook his head firmly.
"Hahahahaha!"
Sterin burst into laughter, his lips curling up.
"Right. That's understandable."
He rubbed his chin, indicating that he understood completely.
"I know there's a lot to learn from my master, but I don't want to imitate his playfulness and frivolity."
-Well, you don't need to learn that. Your crazy tendencies are already beyond those Pointy Ears.
Wrath wiggled his finger, suggesting there was no need to tone down the madness.
'That's not true!'
-Isn't it though?
'No matter what, I'm not crazier than Master...'
As Raon shook his head, Sterin took out a bow and an arrow that he had slung over his back.
"Alright. Shall we see how much you've grown?"
Sterin nocked an arrow to his bow as if he really intended to spar with Raon.
"Ah, no. I really didn't mean to imply..."
"As you probably sense, I don't have much time left."
He shook his head, his right hand holding the arrow trembling slightly.
"I can still manipulate nature's energy at will, but my body can no longer withstand that power. If not now, I might not have the chance to teach you."
Sterin jerked his chin, as if telling Raon to quickly grasp his sword.
-You understand, right? When he comes at you like that, it would be disrespectful to back out.
Wrath lowered his gaze, as if urging Raon to draw his sword.
'Right.'
Raon nodded, biting his lip.
"Then I'll gratefully learn from you."
Raon drew his Heavenly Drive and pointed it towards Sterin.
"To have you as my last sparring partner, it's an honor."
Sterin smiled with his wrinkled lips, expressing his joy at facing a future ruler.
"Then, I'm coming."
Sensing that Sterin intended to teach through sparring, Raon moved first. With a thunderous sound, he gripped the Heavenly Drive tightly and advanced, unleashing a Crimson Slash towards Sterin's waist. The snow-white blade ignited fierce flames as if to erase the existence of the aged elf.
"Fast and strong."
Sterin let out a small exclamation of admiration as he angled his bow diagonally. The bow, shimmering with blue light, extinguished the flames of the Crimson Slash and gently pushed down the Heavenly Drive. With a resounding thud, Raon's upward slash with the Heavenly Drive hit the ground without even touching its intended target, Sterin.
'His defense is perfect.'
To deflect his sword strike with just the bow - it was clear why he was the Guardian of Sepia.
'Then, let's do this properly.'
Raon narrowed his eyes and moved to Sterin's left side. From the elf's blind spot, he thrust a flame that seemed to slide along the blade. It was the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation Revolving Sky technique. With a roar, the rotating flames bore down, but Sterin vanished like a phantom, only to reappear five steps away on the left. It felt less like footwork and more like a doppelganger technique.
"This time, try to block my arrow."
Sterin drew his bowstring with a gentle smile. An arrow flickering with blue light instantly rushed towards Raon's eyes. With a whoosh, Raon stepped back to the right using the Supreme Harmony Steps, but Sterin's arrow followed him as if it had eyes, emitting a fierce aura. With a piercing sound, it closed in.
Raon used Frost Snap to deflect Sterin's arrow aimed at his left chest.
With a high-pitched ring, the blue arrow, despite being hit by Frost Snap, neither broke nor deflected. Instead, it rose again and continued its pursuit.
'Harmony Bow!'
It was the absolute realm of archery where one could freely control arrows, similar to Sword Control.
'In that case, I'll...'
Raon released the Heavenly Drive. It was the essence of Sword Control, operated by opening the upper dantian. The Heavenly Drive rose on its own to block Sterin's Harmony Bow arrow that was aiming for his neck. With a thunderous clash, the Sword Control at the realm of transcendence collided with the Harmony Bow, releasing a powerful shockwave and causing dark blue cracks to appear in the air.
"So that's the Sword Control that avenged him."
Sterin nodded approvingly.
"Despite mixing techniques from various martial artists, it feels harmonious. It's a very well-honed sword."
He nodded, saying it was excellent.
"My master's teachings were also a great help."
Raon used the wind of Garunua, which he had learned from Rimmer, to push back Sterin's Harmony Bow.
"You've incorporated my grandson's martial arts? Then as a grandfather, I can't lose."
Sterin smiled faintly and flicked his finger. His arrow spun like a whirlwind as it shot towards the Heavenly Drive. With a thunderous crash, the Sword Control and Harmony Bow collided again, sending a thunderous roar through the night sky.
'As expected, it seems he can't use his full power right now.'
Sterin's Harmony Bow didn't seem to contain much energy, likely due to his poor physical condition. Thinking he had overwhelmingly pushed it back, Raon raised his gaze.
'Huh...?'
But Sterin's arrow was not only perfectly blocking the Heavenly Drive imbued with the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation's fire, it was even pushing it back.
"Interesting, isn't it?"
Sterin smiled thinly as he looked at Raon's wide-eyed expression.
"The energy you've infused is more overwhelming, yet it's not being pushed back."
"Y-Yes, it is."
Raon opened his trembling lips.
"It's nature."
Sterin raised his hand. It seemed as if the entire world was reflected on his wrinkled palm.
"Transcendence is the state where one can connect with everything in this world. If your own strength is lacking, you can borrow the energy of nature. Beings like Dragons can do this from the start."
He wagged his finger, saying that in a battle between Transcendent Warriors, what matters is how far one's existence can reach.
"At first, it won't work well. Forcibly pulling or borrowing nature's energy isn't easy. But for someone like you, it shouldn't take too long... Huh?"
Sterin stopped mid-advice and gaped. The winds of the Great Forest were gathering around Raon's Heavenly Drive.
"So it's like this. It's a bit difficult, but I think I get the gist of it."
Raon nodded, saying he understood intuitively.
"Y-You've got it already?"
Sterin's jaw trembled in disbelief.
"Actually, before coming here, I saw our Head of House and Central Martial Palace Master sparring. They both used not only their own aura but also nature's energy. Seeing the Guardian's movements today, I think I understand a little."
Raon bowed his head, saying he realized it after watching Sterin move in harmony with nature.
"Hahahahaha!"
Sterin burst into laughter, brushing back his white hair.
"It's still just as he said."
"He?"
"Your master, my grandson."
He looked down at Rimmer's sword with clear eyes.
"He was right when he said Raon always exceeds expectations."
Sterin nodded, saying it was still true.
"However, you're still quite inexperienced. Can you do a bit more?"
"Of course."
Raon raised his Heavenly Drive, saying he could do as much as needed.
"Then let's try again."
"Yes!"
Raon enjoyed the all-night training with Sterin, feeling a sense of nostalgia.
* * *
As soon as he finished sparring with Raon, which had lasted until dawn, Sterin returned home and collapsed on the floor.
"It's not easy."
After just a few hours of sparring and teaching, his entire body ached as if with muscle pain. It meant he had overexerted himself. In his prime, no, even just a few years ago, he could fight all day without issue. To feel this tired now, he truly felt his time was coming.
'Still, it was enjoyable.'
Perhaps it was because he had taught the young Transcendent Warrior his grandson had raised. A sense of pride washed over him, surpassing the fatigue and pain. As he was about to contentedly go to sleep, a white letter fell before his eyes.
"This is..."
Sterin raised a trembling hand to open the letter. After reading it, he sighed, but his eyes grew even more resolute. He burned the letter, then left his house, heading towards the northern edge of the Great Forest.
As he climbed the yellow hill surrounded by a cool chill, a woman wearing a golden coat turned around.
Diamond-shaped pupils, like those of a snake. It was a Dragon in human form.
"You're late."
The Dragon tilted his chin arrogantly.
"The sun hasn't risen yet, so I'm on time."
Sterin clicked his tongue briefly.
"Besides, the day we agreed to meet wasn't today, but four days from now, wasn't it?"
"After thinking it over, I saw no reason to give you more time."
The Dragon lowered his hand, suggesting it would be better for both of them to reach a conclusion right away.
"Am I wrong? It seems you've already made your decision."
"That's right."
Sterin nodded calmly.
"So, what's your answer?"
"I refuse. Sepia will neither side with the Dragons nor distance itself from the Five Kings."
He rejected all of the Dragon's proposals, leaving no room for negotiation.
"But the current Sepia doesn't have the ability to protect itself, does it?"
The Dragon bared his white teeth in a threatening manner.
"Do you think the Five Kings will risk their lives for you?"
"That's irrelevant. What meaning is there in living shamefully after betraying one's faith? Those who betray trust will fall into corruption and eventually perish."
Sterin shook his head, saying he didn't want to live like the Dark Elves.
"Threaten or retaliate as you wish. As long as I'm alive, I'll stop it all."
He straightened his back, showing no sign of regret.
"Retaliation, you say..."
The Dragon shook his head slightly.
"Fortunately for us, we've already started."
"What do you..."
As Sterin swallowed dryly and turned around, bright red flames erupted from the entire Great Forest surrounding Sepia. The roaring sound of fire filled the air.