Raon bit his lip thinly as he looked at the man wearing the Blue Serpent Helmet.
'His voice is the same as the Golden Mask Swordsman and the Red Demon Swordsman.'
It wasn't just the voice that was identical. The aura he had as a person was similar too.
However, the attribute he possessed was different. Unlike the Golden Mask Swordsman and the Red Demon Swordsman, the guy in front of him now was using a water-attribute Aura.
'Is he really the same person? But...'
He's much stronger than them.
The Blue Serpent Helmet was a supreme master who had reached the realm of Grandmaster. He wasn't on a level that could be compared to the Golden Mask Swordsman or the Red Demon Swordsman.
If the Golden Mask Swordsman really was the same person as this Blue Serpent Helmet, it would mean he had grown to the same level as me, which doesn't make sense.
No, in fact, it's ridiculous to even consider them being the same person. The Golden Mask Swordsman and the Red Demon Swordsman died right in front of me.
'What on earth is going on?'
I couldn't understand how someone with the same voice, build, and temperament as the dead could appear consecutively.
"Me?"
The warrior in the Blue Serpent Helmet pointed to himself and laughed.
"Blue Serpent Swordsman."
"I didn't ask for your name."
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at the Blue Serpent Swordsman who had voluntarily revealed his name.
"What's your relationship with the Golden Mask Swordsman and the Red Demon Swordsman?"
"What do you think?"
The Blue Serpent Swordsman chuckled. Now that he looked closer, his personality seemed lighter than the Golden Mask Swordsman's.
"Do you think I'm the same person as the Golden Mask Swordsman?"
"Absolutely not."
Raon shook his head firmly, sticking to the judgment he had made earlier.
"Right. You have no choice but to think that way. You must have seen the Golden Mask Swordsman and the Red Demon Swordsman die. That's the correct answer. However..."
The Blue Serpent Swordsman wagged his index finger from side to side.
"It's also incorrect."
"What nonsense is that?"
Raon gripped the Heavenly Drive and Requiem Sword tighter, turning his chin sideways.
"That's..."
Just as the Blue Serpent Swordsman was about to speak again, the sound of footsteps from the Light Wind division came from behind.
"Where's the King!"
"What kind of King is this, for even the common monsters to be so strong!"
"Is it already over... Huh?"
The Light Wind division, who had finished their battle with the royal guards and come up, widened their eyes as they saw the Blue Serpent Swordsman floating in the air while searching for the King.
"E-Eden?"
"It's Eden!"
"Prepare for battle!"
The Light Wind division immediately lowered their stance and deployed the Light Wind Formation upon seeing the Blue Serpent Swordsman.
Piiiiing!
The Blue Serpent Swordsman, seemingly thinking Raon's concentration had been shaken by the Light Wind division, kicked off the air and reached out towards the head of the Twin-Headed Ogre.
It was an explosive power that was hard to believe came from a human body.
Chiiiiing!
At that moment, the blade of the Heavenly Drive in Raon's grip swept across the rising moon along its back edge. The Blue Serpent Swordsman's hand was caught in the center of that elegant sword strike.
Jeoooooong!
Instead of the Twin-Headed Ogre's head, the Blue Serpent Swordsman was hit by Raon's sword strike and pushed back. Along with an intense shockwave, blood burst from his hand.
"...You reacted to that?"
The Blue Serpent Swordsman let out a hollow laugh as if in disbelief. His surprise seemed greater than the blood flowing from his hand.
"Isn't that the guy who attacked Sepia?"
Rimmer also frowned as he looked at the Blue Serpent Swordsman, seemingly having the same thought. (E/N: But Rimmer never met that guy? At most he saw the corpse...And even then...)
"The voice and temperament are similar, but didn't that guy die?"
He swallowed dryly, saying he had confirmed the corpse himself.
"I'm not sure either. So..."
Raon licked his lips and raised the Heavenly Drive and Requiem Sword.
"I'm going to find out now."
"Ha!"
As he was about to charge at the Blue Serpent Swordsman using Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier, the enemy retreated, sneering in the air where there was no place to step.
"I have no intention of fighting you."
The Blue Serpent Swordsman shook his head with both hands raised.
"I just need to take the corpse of that lovely Ogre. No, just the head will do. If you'd concede..."
"Shut your mouth."
Raon stomped the ground roughly. He advanced, carving thick footprints in the rock, and dove into the Blue Serpent Swordsman's space.
The Blue Serpent Swordsman sneered as he retreated backwards in the air.
Raon predicted that movement and stepped in the footwork of the Demon Sword Master. He struck through the air and drew down the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation - Crimson Slash.
Chwaaaaaak!
The line of flames drawn by the Heavenly Drive wrapped around the wind and fell. The Blue Serpent Swordsman's Aura barrier melted away, and his chest split open.
Pukaaaak!
The Blue Serpent Swordsman reacted instantly and leaned back, but his chest was still split wide open, spewing bright red blood.
"Kheuk..."
He fled to a further distance with wide eyes, seemingly not expecting to be hit from this range.
Tsk.
Raon clicked his tongue and retreated to the peak where the Light Wind division was. Moving by continuously stepping on air was still an impossible realm for him.
"D-Demon Sword Master's footwork?"
The Blue Serpent Swordsman let out a hollow laugh as he looked at the bleeding wound on his chest.
"I didn't know you'd stolen that obscure martial art. However..."
He twisted his lips upward as he pointed at his own body.
"You can't steal this, can you?"
"Because that's not martial arts. And..."
Raon shook his head as he read the flow of Mana supporting the Blue Serpent Swordsman's feet and back.
"Just because I don't have that doesn't mean I can't kill you."
"Let me tell you one thing."
The Blue Serpent Swordsman giggled as he placed his hand on his chest. The wound that had been gushing blood started to heal slowly.
"Killing me isn't necessarily going to be beneficial for you."
His voice sounded serious for the first time.
'...'
Raon frowned as he looked at the smiling Blue Serpent Swordsman.
'I can't carelessly ignore those words.'
If another Martial Artist had said something like that, he would have thought they were just boasting, but this guy was different.
Following the Golden Mask Swordsman and the Red Demon Swordsman, he appeared in a new form, and each time he appeared, he had grown to a level similar to mine.
Based on experience so far, there was a possibility that the next serpent helmet would be even stronger than me when it appeared after killing this one.
"It should be a bluff, but why doesn't it feel like one?"
Rimmer frowned as if annoyed.
"Looks like you understand."
The Blue Serpent Swordsman nodded with a faint smile.
"Well, since it seems you have no intention of giving up that corpse either, I guess we'll have to call it a day here."
He waved his hand lightly and retreated further away. However, his voice still sounded as if he was speaking right in front of them.
"Take care until we meet again."
The Blue Serpent Swordsman smiled lightly and waved his hand.
"Because I want to kill you."
With those final words, he disappeared, turning into a water droplet.
"I don't know what that guy's deal is."
Rimmer shrugged, saying it was like watching a gambler whose hand couldn't be read at all.
'Wrath.'
Raon called out to Wrath, who was sitting on his shoulder.
'What do you think about that guy?'
-Huaam...
Wrath yawned and shook his head.
-The last words seemed genuine. He might really come back stronger.
'Is that possible?'
-As I've said many times, this King doesn't know much about magic or spells. Moreover, their power is alien, so it's even harder to understand.
He frowned, seeming annoyed.
'The demon king isn't being helpful.'
-Hmm, ah, there probably need to be many conditions. Like not dying on purpose, or trying to survive until the very end.
Wrath groaned as he provided what information he could.
'So he's not the same person as the ones we saw before?'
-That's a bit strange. The soul is similar yet different. Something like that would usually only occur with siblings born from the same womb...
Raon looked at where the Blue Serpent Swordsman had disappeared as he listened to those words.
'Siblings, huh...'
* * *
Raon put aside the questions about the Blue Serpent Swordsman and stood in front of the Light Wind division.
'Now they're starting to look decent.'
Unlike when they were using it in the training ground, the wind of the Gale Wind Style was now perfectly embedded in the Swordsmen's bodies.
Now it seemed they could proudly call it a Super Sense martial art without feeling embarrassed.
"How does it feel?"
Raon jerked his chin as he looked over the Light Wind division Swordsmen one by one.
"It feels like we've finally understood what the real Gale Wind Style is."
"Yes. We've realized anew how to control the power and use it properly."
"Indeed, there's no teacher like real combat."
The Light Wind division smiled, saying they had felt and learned many things.
"The duration and durability of the Light Wind Formation have also increased. Thanks to the Gale Wind Style, we're wasting less Aura."
Burren nodded with satisfaction.
"What I like most is that the stuffiness is gone... Thanks to the wind of the Gale Wind Style, the speed and power are on a whole different level..."
Martha grinned widely, saying her swordsmanship had become much more powerful and smooth.
"Support has become easier. Thanks to the wind, protection is faster."
Runaan also nodded, saying that spreading frost to protect the swordsmen had become much faster.
"I feel like I've seen a new level of the Blue Lantern Sword Art as well."
Mark Goetun bowed his head, saying he had found a way to advance further.
As all the Swordsmen said they had become stronger thanks to the Gale Wind Style, a sense of pride came over Raon as the founder of the martial art.
It was a greater joy than being praised for achieving great feats.
"I'm glad everyone has improved."
Raon expressed his rising satisfaction with a smile. However, there was a hint of mischief in that smile.
"B-but why do you have that expression?"
Dorian's lips trembled as if frightened.
"Right. Why do you look like you're angry...."
"Krein."
As always, Raon called Krein's name first.
"Show me the inside of your right arm."
"Huh?"
At those words, Krein's shoulders trembled.
"Th-that..."
Krein's chin trembled as he raised his arm. There was a very small wound in his armpit area, with a bit of blood seeping out.
"An injury, huh?"
"It's just a very small injury..."
"If it had been just a bit bigger, your arm would have fallen off?"
"Uh..."
He bowed his head deeply, seemingly at a loss for words.
"Dorian."
"Yes!"
Dorian raised his head abruptly, as if confident.
"Even if you change your clothes, the smell of blood doesn't disappear."
"Heuk..."
Dorian's shoulders shrank like meat roasted over fire.
"You hurt your waist, right?"
"Well... uh, yes..."
He muttered, wondering when Raon had seen it, as he touched his injured waist.
"Next..."
Raon called out one by one to any Light Wind division Swordsman who had even the slightest injury, his smile growing deeper.
"W-what's going on."
"Does our Division Leader have a dog's nose? How did he smell the blood!"
"That's not it, he must have seen! But when did he see it!"
"We've been tricked. That monster got us again!"
The Light Wind division's lips trembled as they looked at Raon, who had read the entire situation despite saying he hadn't seen them fighting because he was talking.
"Phew..."
"Fortunately, it's not us."
"No injuries."
Burren, Martha, and Runaan looked at each other, relieved that they had no injuries, even minor ones.
"Lastly..."
Raon pointed at the night sky filled with stars.
"I clearly told you to finish before the sun set, but in the end, you reached the peak after the sun had gone down."
It was a very small difference, but the Light Wind division had climbed the mountain after the sun had set.
"Therefore, focus enhancement training for all Light Wind division members."
As soon as the words "focus enhancement training" came out, the Light Wind division's faces turned pale.
"Aaaargh!"
Rimmer screamed while messing up his own hair.
"I handed over the Division Leader position too early! Argh!"
He wailed, saying he regretted it too much.
"I'm fine with it!"
Mark Goetun raised his sword with a smile, as if he had found a new goal. The other Swordsmen shook their heads, calling him a pervert.
Raon smiled faintly as he watched the wailing Light Wind division.
'After the final focus enhancement training, I can prepare for the life-and-death match.'
With about four months left until the duel with the Axe King, it seemed sufficient to spend about two weeks with the Light Wind division and then conduct individual training for the remaining time.
"We're going back right away. Get ready."
After telling the Light Wind division to prepare to return, Raon stood in front of the Twin-Headed Ogre's corpse.
He had to burn all the bones and flesh so that the Eden guys couldn't find it again.
"Lord Raon."
As Raon was using the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation to the extreme to burn even the Twin-Headed Ogre's vengeful spirit, Hoppen approached from the side.
"Now you can go back and report that everything ended well."
Raon smiled slightly as he placed the flames he was holding onto the Twin-Headed Ogre's corpse.
"Thank you. But..."
Hoppen licked his lips and took a step closer.
"Would you perhaps consider visiting our kingdom?"
"You mean the Suphren Kingdom?"
"Yes. You're my Benefactor, and we received great help this time too, so I really want to repay you."
"Hmm..."
Raon licked his lips as he looked at Hoppen. Though he had some free time since the work finished quickly, he didn't have a particular reason to go.
Especially since it was a Holy Kingdom, from the perspective of someone who didn't believe in gods, it seemed like it would be boring.
-Don't you have things to do! Where are you going! Holy Power and such are all nonsense!
Wrath licked his lips, saying they should go back and eat home-cooked meals. Being a demon king, he seemed to instinctively feel aversion towards the Holy Kingdom.
"I..."
As Raon was about to say he wouldn't go, Hoppen continued speaking.
"There are also treasures that were originally meant to be given to you, Lord Raon, but were left in an ambiguous state due to the Barene incident."
"Treasures?"
"Yes. They're items that His Majesty personally bestowed."
Hoppen bowed his head, saying they were Elixirs and Martial Arts Manuals directly given by the King of the Holy Kingdom.
'This changes things.'
If he could obtain Elixirs and swordsmanship, there was enough reason to make time to go.
-Don't tell me you're thinking of going?
'Well, that's...'
-To think that someone serving this Monarch of Wrath would set foot in a place like a Holy Kingdom! Those pretending to be pure are the dirtiest ones! They might try to trick you!
Wrath frowned, telling Raon not to even turn his head towards the Holy Kingdom.
"Come to think of it, you liked bead ice cream, didn't you, Lord Raon?"
Hoppen clapped his hands as if remembering the incident in Barene.
"A large bead ice cream store has opened in our kingdom. My Younger Brother says there are many special flavors you can only eat there, so you definitely won't regret it."
-S-special flavors?
"Special flavors?"
Wrath and Runaan both perked up at the same time, their eyes sparkling.
-What are you doing!
Wrath frowned as he patted Raon's shoulder.
-Shout that you'll go right away!
'You were saying not to go. That the pure ones are dirtier...'
-If you disrespect the Holy Kingdom, this King won't sit idly by!
'...'
Raon let out a sigh as he looked at Wrath biting his lips.
'Is this really a demon king?'
* * *
Raon headed to the Suphren Holy Kingdom, driven by the endless urging of Wrath and Runaan and to receive the rewards Hoppen had prepared.
Thanks to Hoppen knowing a shortcut that cut through the mountain range, they were able to arrive at the Holy Kingdom faster than expected.
"That is our Suphren Holy Kingdom."
Hoppen smiled as he pointed to the pure white castle walls that seemed to be built from clouds.
"Wow..."
"H-holy power is flowing around the castle."
"It's not called a Holy Kingdom for nothing. It wouldn't be strange if a god descended right now."
"It's not just impressive, it feels mesmerizing."
The Light Wind division let out sighs of awe as they surveyed the panorama of the Holy Kingdom.
Raon nodded as he listened to the Swordsmen's comments.
'Certainly...'
The Holy Kingdom was surrounded by a brilliant light as if wrapped in sunlight, and the buildings were tall yet possessed an antique form.
It was more splendid than the trading city of Cameloon, Owen, or the Balkar Kingdom, but rather than that human-like sense of grandeur, it first gave off a divine feeling.
It felt as if, as someone had said, a god was truly watching over this kingdom.
-As expected of a Holy Kingdom! It looks delicious!
Wrath licked his lips as if the Holy Kingdom itself was a vanilla ice cream.
-Let's go quickly! To the largest store... Hm?
He narrowed his eyes as he was speaking about ice cream.
'Why?'
-...It's nothing.
Wrath waved his hand dismissively as if it was nothing.
'How bland.'
Raon smirked and followed Hoppen towards the Holy Kingdom.
The Holy Knights standing in front of the noble-looking gate that seemed to be made of pure white wood bowed their heads to Hoppen.
"Leader, you've returned. But these people are..."
The Holy Knights guarding the gate tilted their heads as they looked at the Light Wind division.
"They are the heroes of the Zieghart Light Wind division. They saved us during this mission."
Hoppen politely introduced them, revealing that they had saved them despite being told it wasn't necessary.
"Ah! Then this person is..."
The Holy Knights' chins trembled as they looked at Raon.
"It's an honor to meet the Dragon Slayer!"
Holy Knights were still knights after all. The two bowed their heads deeply with respect.
"Pleased to meet you."
Raon smiled faintly and nodded.
"Ah, we'll open it right away!"
The two Holy Knights stepped aside and opened the gate. Not just the small door for people to pass through, but the main gate itself.
Kugugugugugu!
As the main gate of the castle opened, all the people passing by turned to look.
"Oh? The captain has returned!"
"You finished incredibly quickly!"
"Are you uninjured?"
Residents, each carrying a white book in their arms, approached Hoppen and the Holy Knights to greet them.
Usually, residents would be intimidated by knights, so this was an unusual sight.
"You seem to be on friendly terms with the residents."
"It's our doctrine. We don't discriminate based on status or gender."
"Ah, that's a good te-"
Raon was nodding and smiling when he suddenly turned his head to the right. For just a moment, and very faintly, he felt a dark energy brush against his shoulder.
'What's that.'
Why is there demonic energy in the Holy Kingdom?