————Edelberg.
This was a towering mountain peak located in Estonia, one of the three Baltic states.
The peak rose to an elevation of over 9,000 meters, making it the highest mountain in this world, piercing straight into the heavens.
Its ridges were perilously steep and razor-sharp, like a sword thrusting toward the sky, hence its other name — "Sword Peak."
Such a peak was, without doubt, one of the most famous landmarks of this world.
However, in this world, no one treated it as a tourist attraction.
Though its name was indeed renowned across the globe, its fame lay mainly in the fact that it was the private domain of a single individual.
Fifteen years ago, when the Union and the League dispatched three hundred thousand troops without Estonia's consent — despite Estonia at that time not being aligned with either faction — and nearly provoked a third world war, it was a young swordswoman who annihilated the entire combined force of three hundred thousand, ravaging the battlefield like a Valkyrie.
In the end, this swordswoman was jointly branded a criminal by both the Union and the League, becoming the most infamous Blazer in the world.
Yet, despite repeated manhunts by the two great powers, she remained untouched, and her name spread far and wide.
From then on, her reputation echoed across the world, to the point that even the Union and the League were forced to abandon their pursuit.
Eventually, under the world's gaze, Estonia, which had since joined the League, publicly declared it was relinquishing sovereignty over the lands surrounding Edelberg, ceding them to this swordswoman.
Thus, from that moment, many began calling her by a certain name.
That was — the Strongest Swordswoman in the World.
Her swordsmanship rivaled an entire nation.
She alone could stand against the world.
Her name was Edelweiss, known as — Twin-Wings.
The homeland and dwelling place of the Strongest Swordswoman was none other than Edelberg.
At the center stood the world's highest peak, and the lands surrounding it were fenced off with iron barricades and barbed wire, a clear declaration to all who came that this was private territory — the domain of the Strongest Swordswoman.
This was also a true lawless zone, for no nation governed it, and no government dared interfere. Even murder and arson here would not fall under any law.
And yet, in this place, there stood a small village.
In other words, people still lived here.
Naturally, those who came here were no law-abiding citizens.
At a glance, most of the passersby were burly men, each one vicious-looking, all of them wielding weapons brimming with mana.
These were the manifested souls of Blazers, crystallizations of mana — their Devices.
In other words, every single one of them was a Blazer.
Their purpose in gathering here was simple: they had come for the name of Twin-Wings.
For with the once world-defying Tenkai missing, Twin-Wings stood as the embodiment of the strongest. Countless challengers wished to claim her head and make their names echo throughout the world.
The very existence of this village owed itself to this fact, as lawless individuals saw an opportunity for profit.
Though Twin-Wings held dominion over Edelberg and its surrounding lands, she was not one to remain in one place. Sightings of her had been reported all over the world; she only returned here on occasion.
Since no one knew when she might return, all they could do was wait here, live here, and spend money here.
Recognizing this, many risked their lives to build a village, opening inns, taverns, and restaurants. With no taxes to pay and the opportunity to run black market dealings, profits could be high.
Of course, to earn money safely here required both backing and strength.
Recently, however, the area had grown especially lively.
First, the political climate had grown unstable, with the three great powers seemingly on the verge of sparking another great war.
This drew opportunists and schemers to fix their eyes on Twin-Wings — some seeking fame in the coming chaos, some hoping to recruit her, and others seeking her aid.
On top of that, recent reports suggested that Twin-Wings had returned to Edelberg, choosing not to risk provoking the already-tense three powers into a full-scale conflict. This revelation stirred many into motion.
Thus, the area had grown turbulent and bloodthirsty, even more than usual.
And in such a place, a boy appeared.
He was astonishingly young, perhaps only seventeen or eighteen.
For someone so young to boldly stride into this lawless zone naturally drew many malicious gazes.
Yet the boy ignored them, as if oblivious, walking straight toward Edelberg.
Seeing this, someone could not restrain himself.
"Hey, brat up ahead! Stop right there!"
At that shout, a group of men surrounded the boy.
At their head stood a burly man.
"Kid, you've got some nerve barging in here like that, ignoring us. Do you have a death wish?"
The thug's vicious roar drew sneers from his underlings.
The boy, far from showing fear, instead smiled with interest.
"What? You mean I need your permission to enter?"
The boy's tone was mocking.
"Of course!" the brute declared arrogantly. "Don't you know who I am? I'm Gael of the 'Raging Waves!' Leader of the mercenary Blazer group 'Roster of Fiends!' Before long, I'll kill Twin-Wings and become the Strongest Swordsman in the World! Then this place will be my turf!"
When the brute shouted this, the boy's expression turned odd.
"You? Kill Twin-Wings and become the Strongest Swordsman in the World?"
He gave Gael a once-over — then chuckled rudely.
"Forget it. Your mana's only at D-rank, your Blazer rank probably no higher than C. And you think you'll defeat Twin-Wings and become the strongest? Please, don't make me laugh."
At those words, not only did the brute and his underlings erupt in fury, but the surrounding onlookers gasped, their faces full of pity and schadenfreude.
"What an ignorant brat."
"Daring to insult Gael like that… he may be stupid, but he's strong. The kid's a dead man."
"He won't just die — he'll be lucky if his limbs aren't crushed and his skull isn't split open."
The lawless crowd jeered gleefully.
As expected, the brute and his lackeys roared and charged at the boy.
The next second—
"BOOM!!!"
At the foot of Edelberg, a deafening blast shook the ground.
A massive crater now marred the earth, littered with corpses.
The once-jeering onlookers were thrown to the ground, staring in horror at the sight.
As for the boy — he was already gone. Like a flash of light, he soared up the Sword Peak, piercing through the clouds. Between the jagged cliffs of Edelberg, on a small slope, he found a modest stone hut.
In front of the hut stood a graceful figure, isolated yet transcendent.
"I didn't think you would come looking for me."
Her serene, bell-like voice rang out, brimming with joy and longing.
Looking upon her, the boy — Rozen — could not help but smile.
"It's been a long time, Edel."
After so many years, Rozen finally saw again the first lover with whom he had affirmed a bond.