"You saw a Soul Crystal?"
Alice snorted as she looked at Lawaine.
"What could you possibly see with only one eye?"
"This is fake!"
Lawaine frowned as he removed the fake eye patch.
"You forced me to wear it even though I didn't want to!"
"But you still can't see properly."
Alice tilted her chin, pointing out that it was impossible to see properly with the eye patch on.
"Actually..."
Lawaine licked his lips as he lifted the eye patch.
"I did make a tiny hole in it..."
He lowered his eyes, seemingly embarrassed to admit he had made a hole in the eye patch.
"No one sticks to the concept properly."
Alice sighed and tapped the letter.
"Anyway, you saw it clearly, right? Given that the old man sent the same letter twice, it must be a matter of great importance."
She lowered her eyebrows, asking if he was really sure.
"I know. Since it's a letter sent directly by the Head of House, it must be important. But I definitely saw it."
Lawaine nodded with serious eyes.
"The sun and moon were closest to each other and... I don't know. Anyway, where did you see the Soul Crystal?"
"Remember when we had just set out to sea and you made a fuss about catching a whale with a fishing rod?"
He lowered his hand, asking if she remembered.
"I remember. We didn't catch a whale, but we did catch the White Blood Religion."
Alice smiled, recalling everything.
"Yes. You started the trouble, but we were the ones who had to fight."
Lawaine frowned, asking if she didn't remember going straight into the ship because it was bothersome.
"That was tough..."
"There were too many of them."
The bald middle-aged man and the woman with the eye patch also shook their heads, seemingly remembering that day.
"I don't remember? Didn't I catch them all?"
Alice straightened up confidently, even though she didn't remember.
"Sigh, whatever."
Lawaine let out a long sigh and raised his gaze.
"That's when I saw the Soul Crystal."
He narrowed his eyes as he pointed at the sun in the sky.
"The sun and moon were close together like they had become each other's shadows, and strange light flickered around them. The moment they passed by each other like a separated couple, a rainbow light flashed from the stone I was standing on."
Lawaine clasped his hands together, saying it was an unforgettable memory.
"You idiot! If you saw something like that, you should have picked it up right away!"
Alice pounded her chest, expressing her frustration.
"I was fighting because of you!"
Lawaine swung his hand widely as if swinging a sword.
"I saw that because I was knocked down by an apostle and fell alone!"
He gritted his teeth as if the anger from that time had resurfaced.
"So do you remember the location?"
Alice asked about the location of the Soul Crystal, ignoring Lawaine's anger.
"Uh, I remember. It's a rocky island a little away from Seville Island. But..."
Lawaine slightly rolled his eyes.
"There are a lot of rocks on that rocky island. It's been too long..."
"We can search for it even if it takes time."
Aris tilted her head as if wondering what the problem was.
"She's saying that because she won't be the one looking for it anyway..."
Lawaine bit his lip as he turned his head away.
"What did you say?"
"Ah, nothing!"
He shouted that it was just a mumble to himself, straightening his shoulders.
"We should send a reply first, right?"
"We should."
Lawaine nodded.
"Then why are you just standing there?"
"Huh? Me?"
"Who else would do it!"
Alice threw the crumpled letter from her arms.
"Ugh..."
Lawaine received the letter paper and entered the captain's cabin, chewing his lips.
"Kids these days need to be told everything... Huh?"
Just as Alice was shaking her head, a letter with Zieghart's emblem fell on top of her head.
"What's this? He sent another one in the meantime? What on earth is going on?"
Alice looked at the letter with sunken eyes, sensing that this was no ordinary matter.
"He's sending Raon, so search for the Soul Crystal together?"
She quickly erased her serious expression and drew a cheerful smile.
"Then we should go greet our nephew, shouldn't we?"
* * *
Raon placed his hand on the scabbard of the Heavenly Drive. The sword was drawn by itself and floated in the air.
'It's improved a bit now.'
Previously, due to the weak achievement in Sword Control, there was a sharp friction sound when drawing the sword, but now he could control it as delicately as if drawing it by hand.
'All of this is...'
Raon clenched his fist as he looked down at his chest.
'Thanks to the Ring of Fire.'
Thanks to the synergistic effect of the Ring of Fire, the power of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and his swordsmanship level had increased, and even the achievement of Sword Control had rapidly improved. It felt like a seal that had been restraining him had been lifted. A confidence that he could do anything welled up.
'Is this why he said it was an important time?'
Glenn had advised him to use this time efficiently, as if he had understood everything about him. As he said, his martial arts realm was rapidly rising to the point where time felt precious. At this rate, it seemed he could reach transcendence in a few years without experiencing any major events or realizations.
'Shall I go further?'
Raon unfolded the Fangs of Insanity with the Heavenly Drive floating in the air. The sensory swordsmanship, free from the restraint of human hands, drew extreme freedom as it mercilessly slashed the sky.
'Could the swordsman who created the Fangs of Insanity use Sword Control?'
When he used the Fangs of Insanity with Sword Control, the parts that had been a bit awkward became as smooth as silk. It seemed that the creator of the Fangs of Insanity had created the technique with Sword Control in mind.
"Ha..."
Martha exhaled as she watched the Heavenly Drive floating in the air.
"When did it become so natural?"
She shook her head in disbelief.
"It's definitely different."
Burren stroked his chin heavily.
"The previous Sword Control was full of power alone, but now it's starting to have subtlety in the swordsmanship."
He wiped cold sweat from his forehead, saying Raon's talent was frightening.
"If he's like this, could he really make a martial arts manual for Sword Control that we could use?"
Martha licked her lips as if excited by the prospect.
"There's a possibility. That guy does what he says he'll do."
Burren smiled gently as he watched Raon focusing on Sword Control.
"A flying sword..."
Runaan revealed dreamy eyes as she looked at the Heavenly Drive emitting sharpness.
"I told you, that's not possible."
Martha shook her head as she looked at Runaan.
"Taking a nap while riding a sword? Even the Head of House can't do that!"
She snorted, telling her to wake up from her dream.
"I can."
Runaan narrowed her eyes, saying she could move even in her dreams.
"I'm telling you, you can't."
"I can."
While Martha and Runaan were arguing with their foreheads pressed together, the door of the training ground opened and Roenn entered.
"Lord Roenn?"
As Raon turned his head, the Heavenly Drive descended smoothly and entered its scabbard.
"Ho ho ho."
Roenn drew a benevolent smile as he watched the Heavenly Drive moving on its own.
"That's a clean Sword Control. I don't think I'd be a match for you anymore."
He nodded his head largely, seemingly genuinely impressed.
"I still have a long way to go."
Raon shook his head with a smile.
-Then you still have a long way to go!
Wrath agreed, spreading both hands.
-You're still a greenhorn! You have a long way to go!
He wrinkled his nose, telling him not to be satisfied.
'I know.'
Raon chuckled as he came down from the platform and stood in front of Roenn.
"What brings you all the way here?"
"The Head of House has summoned the Division Leader."
Roenn bowed his head, saying it was an important matter.
"An important matter..."
If it was an important matter now, it could only be about the Soul Crystal to save Sia. It seemed that contact had been made with Alice.
"Then for a moment..."
"Don't worry and go."
As Raon was about to give instructions for autonomous training to the Light Wind division, Rimmer, who was lying down below the platform, waved his hand.
"I'll take care of it."
Rimmer said to leave it to him and then yawned long like a sloth.
"Hmm."
Normally, he would have entrusted it to the squad leaders due to lack of trust in Rimmer, but having seen what kind of heart he had, he nodded.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"Okay, leave it to me."
Raon bowed his head to Rimmer and then followed Roenn out of the training ground.
"Ahem."
After Raon left the training ground, Rimmer climbed up to the platform with slow steps.
"Alright, attention everyone."
At his gesture, the Light Wind division stopped their training and gathered in front of the platform.
"Well, today..."
"Today's regular training is sword penetration."
Burren, thinking Rimmer didn't know what training to do, immediately informed him of the schedule.
"Right. Sword penetration training is good, but I have something to say today."
Rimmer shrugged as he looked at the Light Wind division.
"I knew it. He's trying to slack off again."
Martha frowned, saying she could see right through him.
"Is it nap time?"
Runaan's eyes sparkled as if excited.
"Unfortunately, it's not nap time."
Rimmer shook his head with a gentle smile.
"Today, I want to talk about the Light Wind division."
He massaged the back of his neck as he made eye contact with each of the Light Wind division swordsmen in turn.
"Including me, all of you probably carry gratitude towards Raon in your hearts, even if you don't show it outwardly."
Rimmer's eyes flashed quietly as if containing the dawn.
"So you all probably know. That Raon has circumstances he can't talk about."
He drew a gentle smile, saying they all knew, didn't they?
"Hmm..."
"That's true."
The Light Wind division nodded slightly, as if they had noticed but couldn't ask rashly.
"Though he doesn't say it, Raon has always been looking at one place. The reason he trains day and night is probably because of those circumstances."
Rimmer briefly licked his lips as he looked down at the platform where Raon had been training just moments ago.
"In the meantime, Raon has created martial arts for you, helped with your training, and even saved your lives. I too have received a lot of help from that guy."
He nodded, remembering the artificial energy center he had received from Raon.
"That Raon is struggling now. It's time to repay that debt."
Rimmer straightened his back while holding his scabbard.
"We know that well enough, but how?"
Martha bit her lip as she looked at Rimmer.
"It's simple."
Rimmer raised his hand lightly.
"Become stronger and climb to higher places."
His eyes flickered with a colder light than anyone's sword.
"Higher places?"
"As you all know, the Light Wind division is strong. Not just the squad leaders, but even the squad members would become unit leaders or deputy division leaders if they went to other units or divisions."
Rimmer nodded, saying that the Light Wind division had become the strongest force except for the palace.
"We can't stay in this Light Wind division forever. Whether by our own will or by others', we'll eventually be divided, so until then, grow as much as possible and become the leaders of other divisions and units."
"Um, that, that's..."
Krein's lips trembled as if he had thought of something unpleasant.
"It's not rebellion or revolution."
Rimmer shook his head lightly.
"The reason Raon can't talk about his circumstances is to prevent harm to us or the family. I'm telling you to build a high foundation and martial prowess so that we can help even if he leaves alone."
He pounded his chest with his fist as he told everyone in the Light Wind division to become leaders of martial forces.
"Can you do it?"
"..."
The Light Wind division didn't answer, but they nodded with burning eyes.
"Um, excuse me..."
Dorian approached the front of the platform, extending his trembling hand forward.
"Can't we not separate?"
"We might not separate. But as the war intensifies and manpower becomes scarce, we'll eventually be divided."
Rimmer shook his head, saying the current Light Wind division had become too strong.
"I understand what you're saying. I know it's right."
Martha let out a long sigh.
"It's just strange to hear such words from your mouth. Are you perhaps terminally ill?"
She looked at Rimmer with worry in her eyes like black pearls.
"Yeah. It's strange..."
Runaan also bit her lip, sensing that something was off about Rimmer.
"Am I not an elf? Even if I get a terminal illness, I'll live longer than you."
Rimmer shook his head, telling them not to worry.
"Thanks for worrying. Martha, Runaan. I really have no one but you."
"Who's worried!"
Martha snorted, saying absolutely not.
"I said it, but you don't need to risk your lives for Raon out of gratitude. Always put yourself first."
Rimmer waved his hand dismissively after saying that they should think of themselves in the end. He moved his lips silently so that no one could hear.
"One is enough for that."
* * *
"A reply came from Alice."
As soon as he saw Raon, Glenn pulled out a crumpled letter that seemed to have been stuffed in some corner. It was hard to believe that this was a letter that had just arrived.
"She says she's been stuck in some unknown dungeon until now."
"That's a relief."
Raon let out a thin sigh. He had been worried that something might have happened to Alice, but he felt relieved to hear that she had been stuck somewhere.
"And..."
Glenn took a deep breath as he unfolded Alice's letter.
"She says she saw the Soul Crystal."
"What?"
Raon raised his chin and widened his eyes.
"The Soul Crystal?"
He had been thinking about where to start searching, so he never imagined hearing that the Soul Crystal had been seen. He was so surprised that he could hear his own heartbeat.
"It was a very long time ago, but Lawaine says he saw it."
Glenn shook his head, saying there was no guarantee they could find it even if they went.
"But still..."
"Yes. We have to go."
Raon nodded firmly.
'We have to do something.'
The complexions of Sylvia, Edgar, and Glenn were darkening day by day. For the sake of these three, and above all for Sia, he had to find the Soul Crystal.
'If it's Lawaine, it's trustworthy.'
If Alice had seen it, he might not have believed it, but since Lawaine said it, the credibility was high.
"Then I'll give a mission to the Light Wind division."
Glenn lowered his hand with a serious look.
"The Light Wind division is to join the Azure Wind, find the Soul Crystal, and return."
He was giving the mission as the head of house, but his eyes contained the affection of a grandfather.
"I will obey your command."
Raon bowed his head with his hand on his chest.
"So when do you plan to depart?"
"We need to prepare, so I plan to leave at dawn tomorrow."
"I see. Be careful."
Glenn handed over Alice's letter, his voice trembling very faintly.
"Yes."
Raon bowed deeply to Glenn and left the audience chamber.
"Lady Alice and Lord Raon..."
Roenn nodded with a gentle smile.
"It seems no one should be able to defeat them."
He drew a calm smile, saying it seemed good news would return.
"Both Raon and Alice caught a dragon and returned when they were weaker than they are now."
Glenn said he was looking forward to it, but couldn't erase the worried look in his eyes.
* * *
Raon returned to the fifth training ground to tell everyone about the mission.
As he climbed onto the platform and looked at everyone, strangely, the atmosphere was different from before.
'What's this?'
Even normally, the swordsmen were training hard, but now there was a sense of desperation as if they were risking their lives. It was like seeing Rimmer in the head of house's training ground earlier.
"Hmm..."
Raon swallowed dry saliva and clapped his hands.
"A new mission has come in."
The Light Wind division stopped their training and gathered in front of the platform. He wasn't mistaken. Everyone's eyes were sharpened like blades.
"Well, it's a mission, but it's also a personal matter for me."
Raon nodded as he looked at the Light Wind division.
"As you know, my sister Sia Zieghart is still unable to wake up, and they say they've discovered a Soul Crystal that can wake her. This mission is to find it and return."
He felt a bit embarrassed to call it a mission when it seemed like his personal matter.
"So..."
"Yes!"
As he was about to add some explanation, all the Light Wind division swordsmen burst out with a response that sounded like a battle cry. Their eyes flashed with a deeper color than when they were training.
"We, we'll depart at dawn tomorrow. Since we'll be going out to sea by ship, prepare thoroughly."
"Understood!"
The Light Wind division didn't give dispirited responses or show worry, but nodded with firm eyes and left the training ground.
"What did you say during training?"
Raon lowered his eyebrows as he looked at Rimmer.
"I didn't say much. Just brought up a bit of mental discipline."
Rimmer shrugged, saying it was nothing.
"Then shall I go prepare too?"
He lightly patted Raon's arm and disappeared with swaying steps.
"What just happened?"
Raon blinked blankly.
-This is why...
Wrath clicked his tongue briefly.
-This king says you have no sense!
* * *
The next dawn. Raon left the annex building early and went to Sia's hospital room. As always, Sylvia and Edgar were sitting in front of Sia's bed, staying with their daughter who couldn't wake up.
"Raon. Be careful. Don't forget that you are the most important."
Sylvia sighed as she held Raon's hand, seeming worried.
"You're important too, but now you're a Division Leader, so you need to take care of your subordinates first. It's good to think of your subordinates as your own life. Actually, I shouldn't be the one saying this. Even if there were various reasons, I abandoned my subordinates in the Holy Sword Alliance..."
"Stop it already!"
Sylvia covered Edgar's mouth as he was about to ramble on.
"Raon. Be careful. And take good care of the children."
"Yes. I will."
Raon greeted Sylvia and Edgar and approached Sia's bed.
'Just wait a little longer.'
As he was holding Sia's hand once, promising to save her, there was a sound. The door of the Federick mansion opened as if it was about to break, accompanied by rough footsteps.
'What!'
As Raon widened his eyes and went outside, Alice was standing there with her red hair fluttering, her hands on her hips and her chin raised.
"Aunt?"
Raon gaped as he saw Alice smiling cheerfully.
"How did you get here..."
"I came to greet you since you said you were coming."
Aris grinned, saying she came because she wanted to see him quickly.
"Gr-greeting...?"
He just learned that greeting meant coming into someone's house.
-Come to think of it...
Wrath narrowed his eyes as he looked at Alice.
-There doesn't seem to be any normal woman around you?