The Staff's Rest, established in the center of Balkar's capital. The century-old, elegant teahouse was bustling with magicians dressed in various robes and ceremonial attire. Instead of gracefully enjoying the aroma of tea as they normally would, the magicians were raising their voices in celebration of the war's victory, as if they were in a tavern in the back alley.
"I can't believe the Black Tower actually fell."
A middle-aged magician in a red robe chuckled in disbelief.
"I can't believe it either. Those leeches vanished all at once..."
The blonde knight sitting across from him nodded.
"If I had known, I should have gone with them no matter what."
He licked his lips, seemingly regretting not participating in the war.
"To be honest, I thought this expedition would fail..."
The middle-aged magician shook his head as he ran his finger along the rim of his teacup.
"You thought it would fail?"
The blonde knight blinked, as if asking if he was serious.
"Yes. Because I've actually seen the Black Tower Master."
The middle-aged magician's fingers trembled, causing tea to spill out of the cup.
"The danger of the Black Tower Master isn't just because of his strength. He never reveals his true self. He always hides his power and creates an escape route."
He continued, furrowing his brow.
"Lady Chamber said she was confident in winning, but I thought even just driving out the Black Tower would make this expedition successful."
The middle-aged magician lowered his eyebrows deeply, saying that not only he but other magicians had thought the same.
"Indeed, the Black Tower Master has often retreated without any loss to himself while only causing us harm."
The blonde knight nodded, as if understanding what he meant.
"If that's the case, he would have created escape routes from the Black Tower as well. There would have been more escape routes than a rabbit warren."
The middle-aged magician chewed his lips, recalling the Black Tower Master's cunning nature.
"That's why I can believe the Black Tower has fallen, but I still can't believe the Black Tower Master is dead."
"Hmm, then is it a lie?"
The blonde knight narrowed his eyes, lightly tapping the table.
"It could be a well-intentioned lie to turn the tide against the Five Demons..."
"That's absolutely not the case."
The middle-aged magician shook his head firmly.
"If it's discovered that the Black Tower Master is alive, we'd lose the trust of the neutral factions entirely. Besides, Lady Chamber is not someone who would lie about the death of the Black Tower Master."
He drank his tea, saying that while he couldn't believe it, the Black Tower Master's death was certain.
"Then is it really because of Raon Zieghart?"
The blonde knight leaned forward and lowered his voice.
"Lady Chamber herself admitted it. She said Raon Zieghart beheaded the Black Tower Master. We thought he just finished things up, but did he actually play a big role?"
He licked his lips, saying that seemed closer to the truth.
"Well, in my opinion..."
"That's not it!"
Before the middle-aged magician could answer, young magicians at a table behind them stood up abruptly, nearly breaking their chairs.
"It's just Lady Chamber being considerate!"
"Even among Transcendents, there's a huge difference in power. How could Raon Zieghart interfere in a battle between two absolute beings!"
"The war needs a hero, so they're just promoting Raon Zieghart."
"It was Lady Chamber who killed the Black Tower Master!"
The young magicians spoke their beliefs without hesitation, seemingly trusting Chamber completely.
"Hmm..."
"That does seem more logical."
"Even if Raon Zieghart's martial prowess has increased, it wouldn't be enough to reach the Black Tower Master."
The blonde knight and others in the tavern nodded, seemingly having similar thoughts.
"Well, everyone has different opinions."
The middle-aged magician smiled faintly as he observed the young magicians.
'They're young.'
No, perhaps 'immature' would be a better word. They couldn't believe that Chamber, whom they respected more than anyone, had fallen and entrusted the final moment to Raon. No, it was clear they didn't want to believe it.
Those young magicians don't know Chamber as a person, just as they are young. She's not someone who would tell such lies, even if it meant her death. So, he had to tell them.
"Lady Chamber, as the continent's greatest magician, has pride that reaches the heavens. She often makes playful jokes, but in such important events, she would never bend the truth even if it killed her."
The middle-aged magician looked around with unwavering eyes.
"The one who beheaded the Black Tower Master was definitely Raon Zieghart. If what Lady Chamber said is true, she couldn't have defeated the Black Tower Master alone."
He lowered his chin calmly, as if he could tell just from the rumors he had heard.
"How do you know that, senior?"
"You didn't even see it yourself."
"He probably just interfered with Lady Chamber and the Black Tower Master's fight and only stepped in at the end!"
"Without Lady Chamber, Raon Zieghart's head would have flown off with a single touch from the Black Tower Master!"
The young magicians shook their heads vigorously, as if asking how he could know without seeing it.
"They're not listening..."
"That's enough."
As the middle-aged magician sighed in resignation, a woman in a purple robe stood up from an inner table.
"Who are you... oh?"
The young magicians, who thought their words had been accepted, widened their eyes as they saw the woman in the purple robe.
"P-Princess?"
"Princess Jayna..."
With Jayna's appearance, the noisy interior of the teahouse became as quiet as a library.
"If you're so curious, I'll tell you."
The man in a red robe sitting opposite Jayna wiggled his finger.
"I'm the one who went there."
As he removed the hood covering his face, the sharp features of the middle-aged Morel Kazan were revealed.
"N-No way..."
"Lord Morel Kazan?"
The magicians in the teahouse took sharp breaths as they looked back and forth between Jayna and Morel Kazan.
"Uh, um..."
"Why are Lord Morel and Princess Jayna here..."
The magicians shuddered, unable to string their words together properly.
"I returned early to report in place of Lady Chamber. I was just going to have some tea before heading to the palace, but this is truly unbearable."
The young magicians swallowed hard and stepped back at Morel Kazan's cold gaze.
"You asked if I saw it myself? Yes. I personally witnessed Raon Zieghart beheading the Black Tower Master. You say the Black Tower Master couldn't have been caught without Lady Chamber? That's correct. But Lady Chamber couldn't have killed the Black Tower Master without Raon either."
He frowned, saying that Raon was one of the main protagonists of this war.
"I climbed the Black Tower with him. I saw with my own eyes as he killed countless demons and demonized humans, including the Black King and Demonic Thunder, and finally beheaded the Black Tower Master." (E/N: Demonic Thunder was the title of the guy who raised the black tower master)
Jayna nodded, recalling her memory of climbing the Black Tower following Raon.
"I understand your desire to view Lady Chamber more highly. It might feel like Raon has stolen her achievements and fame. But there's no need to think that way. He's different from us."
She felt strangely refreshed as she defended Raon, whom she had disliked so much. It seemed that gratitude and affection had now accumulated more than hatred.
"That's right. Raon Zieghart is of a different caliber. He's a leader of the Five Kings and Five Demons that currently rule the continent. No, he's a martial artist who will surely rise to an even higher position than them."
Morel Kazan waved his hand, saying that Raon deserved to be elevated.
"A different caliber..."
"Higher than the leader of the Five Kings and Five Demons..."
The young magicians swallowed hard, seemingly shocked by Morel and Jayna's words.
"What proves this is the new epithet Raon Zieghart has earned. An epithet that only one person can have, without any other modifiers."
Morel Kazan curled his lips as he looked at everyone in the teahouse.
"Sword Emperor."
He shuddered as if just saying it gave him goosebumps.
"Sword Emperor Raon Zieghart. A name that fits perfectly for a swordsman who has dethroned kings and embarked on the path of an emperor himself."
* * *
"Sword Emperor Raon Zieghart."
Chamber grinned as she attached the epithet 'Sword Emperor' to his name.
"Sword Emperor...?"
Raon's eyes widened as he heard Chamber's words.
"I-I'm the Sword Emperor?"
Having just woken up, he hadn't even thought about his epithet changing, let alone imagined it would be Sword Emperor.
"Originally, they were going to call you Sword King because of your age, but your previous epithet was Kingkiller, right? A 'Sword King Kingkiller' didn't feel right, so they changed it to Sword Emperor."
Chamber smiled brightly, saying it didn't seem bad.
"Come to think of it, the rank doesn't match. How many kings have you taken down? There's the Axe King you defeated in a life-or-death battle, the Holy King who was devoured by demons in Suphren, and now you've even killed the Black King here."
"Hmm..."
"Even the Black Tower Master, who controlled the Black King, fell by your hand, so going straight to Sword Emperor is fitting."
She nodded, saying whoever came up with the name did a good job.
"Well, it's a bit burdensome..."
Raon lowered his eyes. He didn't mind the other parts, but having the 'emperor' part attached to 'sword' felt too overwhelming.
"There are some strange people who sometimes come up with their own epithets, but most epithets are given by the public. Based on a person's achievements."
Chamber clicked her tongue and bit her lollipop with her lips.
"Among those, there are epithets of the highest rank. Like Sword King, Battle King, or Conqueror King, Sword Emperor is a name that only those who stand at the very top can receive."
She raised her finger, saying it was a recognition from everyone.
"In your grandfather's case, he was called the Destructive King of the North or Northern Conqueror because of his achievements in the north, but in the end, he's known by only one name now."
Chamber stared intently at Raon as she spoke.
"Sword God. A being standing at the highest point of this continent. No one can reach him except for the Heavenly Demon."
She laughed, saying it was a name that gave her goosebumps just by uttering it.
"Then am I also because of my grandfather's reputation..."
"No, it has nothing to do with that old man. You received that name because of your own achievements and future potential."
Chamber placed her small hand on her left chest.
"You earned this name by beheading the Black Tower Master, so make sure you don't lose it."
She nodded, saying she hoped he would continue to show achievements worthy of the name Sword Emperor.
"Hmm..."
Raon rubbed the back of his head and averted his gaze.
"Sword Emperor Raon Zieghart? It suits you well."
Burren nodded, saying that as the master of the Light Wind Palace, he should at least have that title.
"Come to think of it, my epithet has changed too. Perhaps because I became a Grandmaster, I'm now called the Celestial Rain Star."
He nodded, pleased with his new epithet.
"Handsome Sword Emperor Raon."
Runaan also gave a thumbs up, seeming to like it.
"Runaan's new epithet is the Full Moon Fairy. They say it means a fairy of the moon who saves people."
Burren grinned as he explained Runaan's new epithet. It seemed like an epithet earned for always moving in a direction that saved others.
"Then what about you?"
Raon looked at Martha. She had also reached Grandmaster, so her epithet should have changed.
"Ugh..."
Martha didn't answer immediately, instead gritting her teeth with her shoulders raised.
"Hm?"
"Miss Raks..."
"Huh? Miss Raks? What kind of title..."
"It's still Miss Rakshasa! Damn it! Why am I the only one still called Miss Rakshasa! I've reached Grandmaster, they should change it!"
She bit the iron plate where the bandages were placed, saying she couldn't understand it.
"Well, they say Miss Rakshasa is still the most unique epithet to express your fighting style..."
Burren lowered his eyes slightly, saying that's why her epithet remained the same.
"Miss Rakshasa for life."
Runaan smiled faintly, seemingly pleased that Martha's title hadn't changed.
"Shut up! You bitch! It's your fault I'm not Blade of Rakshasa, but just Miss Rakshasa!"
Martha screamed and lunged at Runaan, who stuck out her tongue and ran away.
"Sigh..."
Raon shook his head as he watched Runaan and Martha dash out of the hospital room.
"I'm sorry. They're still young..."
"No, that's the right age for that."
Chamber smiled faintly, as if she had been the same.
"And..."
She lowered her hand and grabbed Rensia's shoulder.
"This child you saved. Can I take her with me?"
Chamber tilted her head slightly, as if asking if it would be alright.
"What do you mean by taking her with you?"
"Rensia seems to have quite a talent for magic. It might be because she became the core of the barrier I created, but it seems she had considerable talent even before that."
She licked her lips, saying she sensed talent comparable to her own.
"Really?"
"Yes. It's a bit late, but unlike martial artists, magicians don't necessarily have to start from a young age."
Chamber nodded, saying Rensia would likely become an outstanding magician.
"But why are you telling me this?"
Raon tilted his head as he looked at Chamber and Rensia.
"Because you saved this child, and she needs to get your permission first."
Chamber stroked Rensia's head, saying she had a good personality unlike someone else. They looked like friends touching each other due to their similar heights.
"Ah, I see."
Raon smiled faintly as he looked at Chamber.
'She's indeed different.'
Someone of Chamber's position could just take Rensia without anyone being able to refuse. But she considered his and Rensia's opinions first. As he always felt, she was someone who didn't care about things like status.
"Rensia. What do you think?"
Raon made eye contact with Rensia and nodded slightly.
"Well, I..."
Rensia lowered her eyes slightly and licked her lips.
"I want my siblings to be happy."
Even in a situation where her own choice was at stake, she thought of her siblings first.
"You don't have to worry about that. Your role was significant this time, so I intend to repay you more than that. In terms of money, it would be enough for you and your siblings to live comfortably for the rest of your lives."
"Ah..."
"So now, choose what you want to do."
Raon told her to make a choice thinking only about herself for the first time.
"I..."
Rensia slowly turned her eyes to look at Chamber.
"I want to learn magic!"
She bit her lip, saying she wanted to follow Chamber and become stronger by learning magic.
"Then it's decided."
Raon removed his hand from Rensia's shoulder.
"Please take good care of her."
"Of course. I'll take better care of her than my own wounds."
Chamber smiled brightly, as if telling him not to worry.
"You don't have to go that far."
Raon chuckled and shook his head.
"Thank you. Thank you so much, Lord Raon."
Rensia smiled and cried. It wasn't the fake smile she showed while working as a guide, but tears and a smile flowing from her heart. Perhaps he had fought to the end because he wanted to see this child's smile, this laughter, after learning about her circumstances.
"You understand pain, so you can become a better magician than anyone else."
Raon smiled as he stroked Rensia's head. Even after seeing the Black Tower collapse and the Black Tower Master die, he didn't feel like he had won, but seeing the child's smile made him finally realize the war was over. All the strength left his body.
-It's not over yet!
Wrath stood up, grinding his teeth.
-This king hasn't eaten yet!
'It's all over. Let me sleep a bit more...'
-I'm telling you it's not!
* * *
Three days later. A small festival was held in Montiro to celebrate the victory in the war against the Black Tower. Thanks to the supplies gathered from all over the continent, the festival was much larger and more splendid than those usually held in Montiro.
"This is pretty good."
Raon nodded in satisfaction as he put a chicken skewer with fresh leeks and chicken meat into his mouth.
-Hmm, it's not bad, but this king prefers soy sauce over salt.
Wrath wiggled his round hand, saying he preferred thicker sauces.
'Then should we eat more salt chicken skewers?'
-No, I'm craving something else now. First...
Just as he was about to choose the next food he wanted to eat, whoosh! Something pale swept past the street stall, and all the food there disappeared, leaving only a single gold coin.
-T-That bastard!
Wrath's jaw trembled.
-That glutton is eating everything!
He shouted for Raon to quickly go and save the food.
'Alright, alright.'
Raon chuckled as he got up.
'So what do you want to eat?'
-The beef tripe grilling nicely on that brazier...
Just as Wrath was talking about the beef tripe, there was a whoosh sound, and all the grilled tripe disappeared.
'Looks like she took it all.'
-T-Then the wood-fired pizza over there...
As soon as he mentioned the wood-fired pizza, two well-baked pizzas vanished in an instant. Again, only a single gold coin remained on the counter.
"Oh! The Gold God has come!"
"Here too! Please come here too!"
"Our meat is the most delicious!"
Even though it was a festival and prices were high, paying with a gold coin for each item was quite extravagant, so the merchants were delighted even though all their food disappeared at once.
'Hehe...'
Raon laughed awkwardly and waved his hand.
'Looks like Gluttony was very hungry.'
-Ugh, then let's go straight to dessert before it's all taken! To the bead ice cream!
Wrath seemed to want revenge on Gluttony, as he gave up on the food and urged Raon to go straight for dessert.
'Right. There should be ice cream left.'
Raon nodded and headed towards the bead ice cream store. But it seemed they were too late, as only the store owner was left, cleaning the floor.
"Are you closing already?"
He approached the owner who was about to close the door and asked.
"Ah, before the festival started, a small girl came and said she wanted to buy all the ice cream. I agreed, thinking she'd give up halfway, but she really ate it all and left."
The store owner wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, saying he couldn't believe it even though he saw it with his own eyes.
-T-That bastard...
Wrath shook his head, clutching it.
-That glutton! She ate all the ice cream first and then came to the other places!
He shook his head, saying it was definitely Gluttony's doing.
-W-We've been had! It's because we're too used to the human world's flow of having dessert after a meal!
Wrath ground his teeth in frustration.
-Now! Summon me right now! I won't be satisfied until I kill that glutton!
He shook his fist up and down, saying he couldn't stand it anymore. Raon was also surprised, as he had planned to buy everything Wrath wanted to eat today, but he didn't expect this to happen.
'Just be patient for now."
As Raon was about to move to buy some other food, Karoon approached him.
"It seems you've fully recovered."
Karoon also appeared to have fully recovered, wearing his usual well-pressed uniform as he lowered his eyes.
"Yes, thanks to you."
Raon smiled faintly and nodded. In this war, Karoon had taken charge of the lower battles, allowing him to focus on the fight with the Black Tower Master without worrying. Although it was their first time fighting together, it felt as comfortable as if they had been working together for a long time.
"I've come to understand what kind of martial artist you are in this war."
Karoon nodded as he looked into Raon's eyes, which were the same color as his own.
"You were the one who best lived up to the Zieghart name in the war against the Black Tower. Well done."
He turned away after saying these words, which seemed to acknowledge Raon for the first time.
Karoon disappeared into the festival crowd without any lingering attachment, as if he had only wanted to say those words.
"..."
Raon smiled wryly as he watched Karoon's back, which seemed unburdened.
'Some people do change.'
Some say people never change, but from what he could see, there were those who changed and those who didn't.
'I should change more too.'
-What do you mean change! You've been an annoying brat since I first saw you!
Wrath shook his head, saying Raon had never changed.
'Not that, I mean martial prowess. I need to get stronger from now on.'
He wanted to face someone at the level of the Five Kings and Five Demons with his own strength next time. It was still far off, but it would surely be possible someday.
-Hmph. You're still a long way off!
'I know. But if you look at this, I might get a bit closer.'
-What are you looking at! Even if you look a thousand times... Huh?
Raon ignored Wrath's rambling and called up the message window.
-W-Wait... Ugh!
As a large number of message windows popped up simultaneously, Wrath, who had been in front of him, was thrown back as if hit by a carriage.
'Hm?'
Raon widened his eyes as he looked at the end of the messages, not even paying attention to Wrath flying away.
'This appears here too?'