"Huh...?"
Raon's jaw dropped as he stared at the Blade Queen and Warlord kneeling before him.
'They're saying I'm the Sword Saint's successor?'
While it was true that he had received the earth aura from the Sword Saint, he had never once thought of himself as his successor. He had only tried to use it after seeing a new way to utilize the earth aura during the Blade Queen and Warlord's battle, but he never expected this situation to unfold.
'This is ridiculous...'
Though he had suspected that the Blade Queen and Warlord might be connected to the Sword Saint and had stayed here to confirm it, he never imagined they would react like this so quickly.
"W-what? What's going on now!"
Wrath's lips trembled.
"Why do they seem less like suckers and more like slaves now!"
He pounded his chest hard as if sensing something ominous.
"Please calm down, everyone."
Raon lowered his outstretched palm slightly.
"Oh successor!"
"It is an honor to meet the Sword Saint's successor."
The Blade Queen and Warlord raised their trembling hands to grasp their own wrists. The madness flowing in their eyes suggested they had no intention of listening.
"W-wait a moment!"
Raon firmly pushed away their hands.
"While it's true that I'm learning the Sword Saint's martial arts, I'm not his successor or heir!"
He leaned back as he explained that he only knew the Sword Saint's martial arts.
"The martial arts you're learning! That firm, heavy aura is proof that you're the successor!"
The Blade Queen nodded emphatically as if that aura was enough proof.
"It's an aura that no one else could possibly use or even understand!"
She gripped her hands tighter, convinced of her assertion.
"The earth aura is rare."
The Warlord's cold eyes began to burn with intensity.
"Compared to the brilliant and powerful fire, free-flowing and gentle water, or swift and sharp wind, earth is less popular, with almost no transcendent aura cultivation methods. We cannot be mistaken about this."
He stroked his chin, certain that what Raon was learning was undoubtedly the Sword Saint's symbolic aura.
"But I don't even know the name of this aura cultivation method..."
Raon waved both hands and gave a hollow laugh.
'Because he disappeared before telling me the name.'
The Sword Saint had vanished right after passing on only the earth aura, the Devil-Fighting Sword Art, and the true meaning of the Devil-Cutting Blade Art, so Raon still didn't even know the name of the aura cultivation method.
"That aura is called the Diamond Earth Technique. While we can only learn half of it each and use it to support other auras, you as the successor should be able to wield its power directly."
He nodded, explaining that the Diamond Earth Technique could both support other auras and be used independently.
"Huh..."
Raon smacked his lips as he felt the Diamond Earth Technique's energy stirring in his middle dantian.
'Was this martial art really that amazing?'
No, he knew it was an amazing martial art, but he hadn't known about this way of using it. He felt somewhat regretful that he hadn't spent more time on it, having focused on the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier instead.
"Don't worry!"
The Blade Queen smiled knowingly, as if she could read Raon's thoughts.
"We'll help you master the Diamond Earth Technique quickly."
She clasped her hands together, confident they could raise his proficiency quickly.
"That's right. Though we each only know half, we've both lived our entire lives with the Diamond Earth Technique."
The Warlord nodded cheerfully, telling him not to worry. Raon hadn't expected such a warm expression from this cold man.
"Are you both also successors of the Sword Saint?"
Raon asked, looking at the Blade Queen and Warlord in turn.
"Not yet."
The Warlord shook his head.
"We can only be recognized as true successors of the Sword Saint by defeating our opponent and obtaining the other half of the Diamond Earth Technique and weapon."
He let out a short breath, explaining that he couldn't become the Sword Saint's successor yet because he hadn't defeated the Blade Queen.
"He's right."
The Blade Queen tilted her chin toward her husband, the Warlord.
"As I mentioned earlier, our duel has been continuing for a thousand years."
She dusted off her hands, explaining that no conclusion had been reached because the martial arts and successors had been evenly matched.
"However, that long era ends now. Since someone who has mastered the complete Diamond Earth Technique has appeared, we will follow you."
The Warlord knelt again, declaring his acceptance of Raon.
"Honestly, if some weird guy had been the successor, we would have cut his head off right away..."
The Blade Queen's eyes flashed dangerously before settling.
"But as the Sword Emperor of Zieghart, we have no choice but to acknowledge you."
She nodded, indicating that accepting Raon was only natural.
"...I see."
Raon let out a short sigh as he looked at the expectant eyes of the Blade Queen and Warlord.
'Come to think of it...'
The Sword Saint had mentioned having disciples who were taught swordsmanship and sword techniques separately. He had said that since there were successors who inherited his sword and way, Raon should find them and make them his people. He had thought they would have naturally disappeared or been forgotten after such a long time, but he hadn't expected them to continue for a thousand years.
'And as the Blade Queen and Warlord, no less.'
Without a massive organization like Zieghart, martial arts and treasures would inevitably be lost over time. However, it seemed those two schools had passed down almost perfect martial arts to their successors.
"Our mission is to find the Sword Saint's true successor. Originally, the two of us were supposed to fight to the death to achieve this, but since you've appeared on your own, Lord Raon, following you is only natural."
The Warlord bowed his head, pledging to serve as a successor of the way school.
"Honestly, after becoming husband and wife, neither of us could fight at full strength, so this worked out better."
The Blade Queen sighed, saying she had been torn between her love for the Warlord and her sect's mission.
"I too will follow Lord Raon."
She smiled brightly with a relieved expression.
"However, to become the Sword Saint's true successor, Lord Raon must master not only the Diamond Earth Technique, but also the Devil-Fighting Sword Art and Devil-Cutting Blade Art that we practice."
The Warlord nodded, saying that one must master these three martial arts at intermediate level or higher to become the Sword Saint's true successor.
"Actually, although the Devil-Fighting Sword Art and Devil-Cutting Blade Art have been somewhat lost, we should be able to restore them quickly by combining our knowledge."
The Blade Queen clenched her fist, asking them to leave that part to her and the Warlord.
"About the Devil-Fighting Sword Art and Devil-Cutting Blade Art you mentioned..."
Raon raised his hand as he swallowed dryly.
"I actually know them all. The complete, undiminished versions..."
The Sword Saint had passed on not only the Diamond Earth Technique but also the original versions of the Devil-Fighting Sword Art and Devil-Cutting Blade Art, so they were all still fresh in his mind.
"Ah!"
"As expected!"
The Blade Queen and Warlord's eyes flashed with intense blue light again.
"The true successor of the Sword Saint!"
The two knelt and bowed their heads again, as if returning to fifteen minutes ago.
"Ahh..."
Wrath ground his teeth as he watched the excited eyes of the Blade Queen and Warlord.
"Why are there so many suckers in this world! And why do they all flock to this guy! Come to me instead!"
He grabbed his head and shook it, lamenting the unfairness of the world.
'Sorry, but...'
Raon slightly turned his head as he listened to Wrath's wailing.
'There's no bigger sucker in the world than you.'
"Wait, wait a moment."
Dorian raised his hand.
"Raon-nim, you said you know those martial arts. How did you learn them?"
He tilted his head, feeling like he had missed an important detail.
"Oh, that..."
Raon chuckled awkwardly.
"It's a long story."
"A long story?"
Evelyn tilted her head.
"Well, you see..."
Raon explained how he met the Sword Saint inside the World Tree's forest and received the teachings directly.
"What..."
Evelyn covered her mouth with both hands, eyes trembling.
"You mean you met the Sword Saint himself?"
"Yes."
Raon nodded lightly.
"That's... that's absurd..."
Evelyn staggered, nearly falling over.
"Wait, so you mean the Sword Saint who disappeared a thousand years ago... you actually met him?"
"Yes, I did."
Raon shrugged.
"No way..."
Dorian grabbed his hair and squatted down.
"Raon-nim really is the main character of the world..."
"Haah..."
Even Sloth sighed, his lazy eyes opening slightly.
"I knew you were something else, but to think you even met the Sword Saint..."
"Anyway,"
The Blade Queen clapped her hands.
"Enough of the small talk. Successor, let me show you what the Diamond Earth Technique can do."
She spread her arms wide. A heavy yet stable aura spread out like a fortress wall, seeping into the ground beneath her feet.
Rumble—
The ground shook slightly as a dome of solid earth energy formed around her, impenetrable and firm.
"This is defense."
She smiled faintly.
"And this..."
Her sword trembled, absorbing the same aura. When she swung lightly, the ground split in a perfectly straight line, like cutting butter with a hot knife.
"Is offense."
The earth aura infused into her sword was sharp, heavy, and unstoppable.
"I see."
Raon's eyes glimmered.
'So this is how it's used.'
He summoned the Diamond Earth Technique within himself, recalling the structure of the aura the Blade Queen just demonstrated.
Rumble—
The ground beneath his feet resonated as a fortress-like wall of aura rose up, almost identical to hers.
Then, with a single light swing of Heavenly Drive—
Craack—
The earth split open with terrifying sharpness, following the exact same trajectory as the Blade Queen's demonstration.
"Wow!"
"Insane..."
The Blade Queen and Warlord's jaws trembled, apparently never imagining he could replicate it immediately.
"Not a year and a half..."
Raon raised his index finger toward the stunned Blade Queen and Warlord.
"Let's make it one month."