Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at the head of the Troll Shaman that rolled to his feet.
'This is no ordinary shaman.'
While ordinary Trolls have green skin, this shaman had brown skin.
For monsters, a different color symbolizes power. It meant that the shaman possessed special abilities as unique as its skin.
'Come to think of it, it did react before dying.'
If the Troll Shaman had been a bit stronger or more agile, it could have dodged or blocked the Astral Energy. At that level, it was clearly part of the royal guard closest to the King.
"Hmm..."
Raon licked his lips as he watched the monsters blocking the Light Wind division.
'Not just the Troll Shaman, but these monsters are fundamentally quite strong.'
Just as knights serving a great king show mystical abilities, and those following a tyrant display powerful strength, monsters following a strong king exhibit Fighting Spirit beyond their usual capabilities.
Seeing the monsters charge like Mad Dogs without retreating, even in the face of the Light Wind division's overwhelming force, it seemed certain that a powerful king had been born.
"Mad Dog Division."
Raon licked his lips again as he shook his wrist.
"I'm sure I told you to maintain your Footwork speed and climb to the mountain peak, but you're quite late, aren't you?"
As he said this, he drew an incomparably eerie smile.
"N-No, it's not like that!"
"We're just getting started!"
"We'll break through right away!"
The Light Wind division shook their heads frantically as soon as they heard Raon's chilling voice.
"You damn bastards!"
"Get out of the waaaaay!"
"If you don't die, we're gonna kick the bucket!"
"Push through! Kill or be killed!"
The monsters were undoubtedly strong. They stood their ground, blocking swords with their bodies to protect their king.
But the madness displayed by the Light Wind division was beyond that. The Swordsmen, with bright yellow killing intent in their eyes, completely shattered the wall of monsters.
"That's more like it."
-Go easy on the kids!
Wrath shook his head as if appalled.
-Even in Devildom, we don't raise them like that these days!
'Even Devildom?'
-If that happened in the land I rule, the parents would curse me!
'I-Is that so?'
Every time I hear about it, the land of Devildom that Wrath rules seems more humane than the human world. No, I'm not even sure what 'humane' means anymore.
"Um, excuse me..."
As Raon was pondering about philosophy, a young Holy Knight standing to his right approached and bowed his head. He was the one with the strongest Aura among the Holy Knights present.
"Thank you for saving us."
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at the crest engraved on the armor of the Holy Knight who stepped forward.
'Suphren Holy Kingdom.'
It was the crest he had seen when sparring with various neutral forces in Barene, the city of the Thespian Emperor.
Not just the crest, but the face of the young Holy Knight who approached was also familiar.
"We've met before, haven't we?"
"Y-You remember me?"
The young Holy Knight's eyes widened as if wondering how Raon knew.
"I remember you. Sir Hoppen, was it...?"
"Y-Yes, that's right!"
Hoppen nodded, his chin trembling.
'To think he would remember me...'
At that time, he was not even at the level of a passing knight in Raon's eyes.
It was both surprising and an honor that Raon still remembered him.
"Yes. Among those present, your fundamentals were outstanding."
Raon nodded as he looked at Hoppen.
'He even managed to defeat four members of the Light Wind division.'
In the group sparring, Hoppen had taken down Krein and three more Swordsmen before finally retreating.
His skill, mental strength, and excellent chivalry had left a lasting impression.
"It's an honor to be recognized by the Light Wind Division Leader."
Hoppen bowed his head respectfully.
"You've become a Master. Congratulations."
"It's all thanks to you, Lord Raon."
"Huh? Why me...?"
Raon tilted his head, not understanding what Hoppen meant.
"I'm not sure if you remember, but when the Leader of the White Blood Religion and the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance attacked Barene, our commander died..."
"Hmm..."
Raon bit his lip. Hearing those words, he recalled the scene where Byten, the commander of Suphren's Holy Knights, was killed by the Leader of the White Blood Religion.
"As I was the deputy commander, I gained enlightenment while desperately trying to save the knights. Of course, it would have been meaningless if we couldn't escape from that hell..."
Hoppen raised his gaze, his fist clenched tightly. His eyes were filled with burning intensity.
"Thanks to you breaking down the castle walls, we were able to escape from there."
He bowed his head, expressing gratitude for saving them from the brink of death.
"Th-Thank you!"
The knights behind Hoppen also bowed, recounting the events of that time. Looking at them now, their faces were familiar too. It seemed they were the survivors from that incident.
"I apologize for the late expression of gratitude. We sent a letter to Zieghart, but at that time, you were..."
"Yes. I was rumored to be dead. It's alright."
Raon nodded with a faint smile. It was understandable that news hadn't reached them, considering he had been attacked by the Flame Demon General, Wrath had descended, and he had even been kidnapped by Alice.
"But what brings you here?"
"We came here for subjugation after hearing that a monster king had appeared on Devarn Mountain. This mountain partly overlaps with our territory. Of course, it's embarrassing that we ended up in this state..."
Hoppen rubbed the back of his right hand as if embarrassed.
"Hmm..."
It's not strange to say that Devarn Mountain overlaps with the Suphren Holy Kingdom, given how vast it is.
However, it was almost at the edge, and quite far from this problematic area. To come all this way to subjugate monsters, the "Holy" in their kingdom's name wasn't just for show.
"This was our matter to resolve, but you've gone to great lengths. We appreciate the goodwill of the Holy Kingdom."
"N-No, not at all. I'm just carrying out the mission given from above."
Hoppen laughed awkwardly, saying he had only received orders from above to deal with the monsters as quickly as possible.
"That's what's impressive."
Raon nodded with a faint smile. He had a good impression of them when he first saw them because of Byten, and they truly lived up to their name.
"We should have resolved this cleanly, but we ended up in this state. I'm ashamed."
Hoppen bowed his head deeply, as if embarrassed to receive praise when they had fled.
"In contrast, the Light Wind division is amazing. It seems they've risen to a level we can't hope to catch up to now."
As soon as his words of admiration ended, the Light Wind division looked back. The monsters that had been blocking their way were nowhere to be seen.
"W-We finished."
"We took care of... all of them!"
"There were. Really. So many..."
Burren, Martha, and Runaan shook their heads while exhaling heavily.
"Division Leader! We've completely cleared them out!"
"At this level, our Gale Wind Style is pretty good, right?"
"W-We didn't even take much time!"
The Light Wind division also smiled with expectant eyes.
"Hmm..."
Raon scratched his head as he looked at the Light Wind division.
"I didn't see it because I was talking." (E/N: A demon...No, a demon king...No, an angelic bastard?)
"Ah..."
"Uh..."
At those words, the faces of the Light Wind division turned pale.
"I'll watch properly next time. Hurry up and climb."
Raon waved his hand dismissively, telling them to prepare for the next battle immediately.
"Would you knights like to come along as well?"
In contrast, he raised his hand gently with a warm smile towards Hoppen and the knights.
"You've received a mission, so you should see it through."
"Thank you for your consideration!"
"Thank you! Lord Raon!"
The Holy Knights nodded with their hands clasped as if receiving a divine blessing.
"Th-This..."
"The Holy Knights need to see that demon's true face..."
"He's polite to others. To others!"
"Not demon, but demon king. No human could be like that..."
"Come to think of it, didn't he just call us Mad Dogs earlier?"
"Again? I'm so used to it I didn't even notice!"
The Light Wind division headed towards the mountain peak with slumped shoulders, stepping over the corpses of monsters.
"He used to be so nice before, why on earth did he become like that?"
Rimmer shook his head, unable to understand.
-You! It's because of you, Pointy Ears!
Wrath shouted at Rimmer.
-Growing up watching you, how could he turn out to be a proper human!
* * *
"Left side's clear! Third squad, fill in!"
"Right side's too fast! Match speed with the center!"
"Don't focus on the sword, surround the formation with the Gale Wind Style's wind."
The Light Wind division, moving under the directions of Martha, Burren, and Runaan while wrapped in the Gale Wind Style, was practically invincible.
The monsters sacrificing their lives for their king were split like dry firewood.
"Grrrr..."
Kyaaaa...
The madness filling the monsters' eyes began to fade, and they started to retreat.
"A-Amazing."
Hoppen swallowed dryly as he watched the Light Wind division tearing through the monsters.
"I knew the Light Wind division had many outstanding talents, but to this extent..."
"They're still far from adequate."
Raon shook his head with a faint smile. The shoulders of the Light Wind division trembled upon hearing those words.
"D-Did you hear that? He said we're inadequate..."
"Doesn't that mean we need more training?"
"Th-That must be it. That guy doesn't talk nonsense, after all."
"Damn it! Increase the speed!"
"Let's smash everything and move up!"
Kyaaaa!
The Light Wind division charged towards the still overflowing monsters with a scream-like roar.
Kuwaaaang!
Blue wind seeped into the spear-shaped charge formation, instantly bursting through the wall of monsters.
"Keep going like this!"
With Martha's roar at the forefront, the wind spear formed by the Light Wind division shot towards the summit.
"Hmm..."
Raon licked his lips as he watched.
'That's not what I meant...'
It wasn't that he was dissatisfied with their current prowess, he had just meant it as a humble remark.
There was nothing particularly misleading about what he said, so their reaction was baffling.
-Baffling, my foot!
Wrath waved his hand, telling Raon not to talk nonsense.
-How much must you have tormented them for them to end up like this!
He sniffled, saying he felt sorry for the Light Wind division.
'Well, as long as we move quickly, it's fine.'
If it meant they could exert greater power, it was all good, so he shrugged his shoulders.
Kuuuung!
As Raon and Hoppen climbed the hill where the summit came into view, following the path opened by the Light Wind division, they heard the sound of the division's charge being blocked.
Turning their gaze, they saw large monsters like Ettin, Ogre, and Troll blocking the path, with three Troll Shamans supporting them from behind.
Raon licked his lips as he observed the Fighting Spirit of these monsters, which was different from those below.
'It's the royal guard.'
The Ogre was over 7 meters tall, and the Troll and Troll Shamans had brown skin like the one they saw earlier.
Both possessed strength that wouldn't be strange to call mutations, and the Ettin alone had the Martial Prowess to take down multiple Ogres, making its mere presence threatening.
Kuuuung!
The Ettin charged forward wielding clubs thicker than logs in both hands, while the Ogre leaped into the air and threw a punch.
The Troll Shamans cast blessings on the two monsters and rained curses and rocks on the Light Wind division. They were all top-tier monsters capable of manipulating Fighting Spirit.
"Now, these are opponents worth cutting down."
"Light Wind Formation!"
"Unleash the Gale Wind Style."
Burren, Martha, and Runaan stepped forward, and the spear-like sword formation transformed back into its original circular formation.
"No need to waste time! Break them in one go!"
At Martha's shout, the Light Wind division advanced, utilizing the Gale Wind Style to its extreme.
Kuuuung!
The blue wind emanating from the Swordsmen's blades circulated within the Gale Wind Formation, heightening their sharp sword energy.
The will of the Swordsmen, honed through years of coordination, extended as a single Sword Aura.
Chwaaaaak!
The Ettin's clubs and the Ogre's fists were split in an instant, and the staff of the Troll Shaman behind them shattered.
Bueeeeurk!
Before they could even exhale, the Light Wind division launched a second slash. As energy that seemed to become the wind itself surged, the massive bodies of the Ettin and Ogre were split in half.
"Grrrr..."
"Aaaagh..."
The monsters fell with trembling eyes, as if unable to believe their own deaths.
The Ettin, Ogre, and Troll Shamans were undoubtedly strong. The fact that a Holy Knight Order of the Suphren Holy Kingdom couldn't even reach the middle of the mountain and had to flee spoke volumes about their power.
However, the Light Wind division had five Masters, and the rest were at the highest level of Expert.
With the best formation techniques and the mystical Gale Wind Style, this outcome was only natural.
"Uuugh..."
"Wow..."
"This is the true power of the Light Wind division..."
Hoppen and the holy knights were speechless, witnessing the true power of the Light Wind Formation.
Raon smiled faintly as he watched the Light Wind division drive back the remaining royal guards and monsters.
'Now they're getting somewhere.'
At first, their aura and wind were disjointed or scattered, but through the long battle, it felt like they had become accustomed to enveloping their bodies with wind.
Indeed, there seemed to be no better education than actual combat. He even felt grateful to Balder for giving them this mission.
'Now it's my turn, I guess.'
Raon smiled faintly as he followed the path opened by the Light Wind division to the mountain's peak.
"That seems to be the king."
What looked like a peak soaring into the sky rose up.
Tough gray skin, arms and chest muscles that looked like they were hewn from massive boulders, and two heads with different expressions. It was an unexpected appearance for a king.
"A Twin-Headed Ogre, huh..."
And not just an ordinary Twin-Headed Ogre. A Gray Ogre. It was a special Ogre said to possess the strongest power and toughest skin.
It seemed that the birth of a Twin-Headed Ogre among the already strong Gray Ogre race was why so many monsters had gathered.
Kyaaaaaaa!
The Twin-Headed Ogre let out a massive roar while looking up at the sky. It seemed like a declaration of war not against Raon alone, but against the world itself.
Gooooo!
Around it, crimson Fighting Spirit surged like waves. It was an immense Aura that seemed like it wouldn't lose even to the Ghosts of Eden.
Raon licked his lips as he watched the chillingly surging Fighting Spirit.
'If we had come just a little later, it might have been dangerous...'
Even though it hadn't been born that long ago, it had this level of fighting spirit and killing intent. If it had been discovered any later, the nearby villages and cities would have been devastated.
Grrrk.
The Twin-Headed Ogre came down towards Raon, its fists clenched, larger than boulders. Instead of charging immediately, it quietly assumed a combat stance. It seemed to be showing the dignity of a king.
"So it is a king after all."
Raon smiled faintly as he drew his sword.
"Grrrr."
The Twin-Headed Ogre slowly extended its fist. It wasn't an attack, but a greeting. It instinctively had the soul of a warrior. Its posture was more admirable than most knights or swordsmen.
Raon raised his sword in front of him, performing a sword salute.
Kyaaaa!
As soon as the warrior's greeting ended, the Twin-Headed Ogre stepped forward and extended its fist. Crimson fighting spirit poured down like a waterfall. It instinctively understood martial arts. It was a terrifying talent.
'Giving it my all would be the proper etiquette.'
One-on-one. A courtesy unthinkable for a monster. It could be called a duel between martial artists - between warriors - without any exaggeration.
Raon unleashed the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Gale Wind Style to their extremes. His right hand holding the Heavenly Drive sword extended, becoming a blue radiance. A flame blade surpassing speed sliced through the crimson Fighting Spirit.
Jjeeeeerk!
Even after being struck down by the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation, the Twin-Headed Ogre didn't lower its fist. However, its fist ultimately stopped without touching Raon's body.
Grrrk.
The Twin-Headed Ogre let out a regretful cry and collapsed.
"I can't think of it as just a monster."
As Raon was lowering his eyes, looking at the sinking heads of the Twin-Headed Ogre.
Hwuuung!
Something that had sprung up from the void on the right rushed in at tremendous speed.
Chiiing!
As if he had expected it, Raon moved his left hand. He drew the Requiem Sword and set its blade against the demonic energy.
Jjeeeeeeng!
The strange figure reaching for the Twin-Headed Ogre's head was deflected by the blade of the Requiem Sword and spun in mid-air.
"Ah, you've gotten stronger?"
The strange figure laughed while standing upside down in the air. It was wearing a blue serpent helmet with three horns protruding from it.
"You..."
Raon frowned at the voice that was just as he expected - as impossible as it sounded.
"What in the world are you?"