Chapter 568

"Is that Aries Zieghart?"

Rector clicked his tongue in regret while looking at Aries standing in his way.

"No, it's not just you."

He flicked his eyes to the right while facing Aries.

"Huh?"

Aries narrowed her eyes while pushing Rector's hand away with her sword.

"The Holy Sword Alliance's dogs are only good at using a sword and have no quality for gathering information. How did you even figure out my name?"

"Of course I'd recognize the Pirate King from the Five Divine Orders."

"I'm not the Pirate King!"

She clenched her back teeth and stabbed her sword towards the left side of Rector's chest.

Cring!

Rector swung his right hand in a semi-circle. The side of his hand struck down as beautifully as the setting moon and redirected Aries's strike. The mysterious flow had removed the aura itself.

Whaaam!

With the trajectory being altered, Aries's attack smashed the ground and created a crack of a terrifying size.

Whoosh!

Black smoke surged from the ground and created a thin wall between Aries and Rector.

"How did you get here, Lady Aries…?"

Raon swallowed nervously while watching Aries fix the grip of her sword.

"..."

Aries didn't respond. She was spreading her frightening pressure around herself while glaring at the smoke, showing her animosity towards Rector.

'I shouldn't have spoken to her during a fight.'

You really can't read the mood!

Raon acknowledged his mistake and was about to step back when Wrath shook his finger.

'What?'

It's not because you talked to her during a fight. It's because you used the wrong title!

'Title…'

Something came up in Raon's mind, but he doubted it was the reason why. However, he still tried to call her by that title just in case.

"Auntie."

"Yes! My nephew!"

Aries immediately turned her head and smiled energetically. She looked like a whole different person from when she was showing her bloodlust towards Rector.

"H-how did you get here?"

Raon unconsciously stuttered because it'd been a while since the last time he'd experienced that excessive reaction from Aries.

"I reluctantly returned to the house because they kept calling me over and over, but you weren't there anymore. I was waiting for you so I could see you before I went back, and I heard that the Light Wind division sent a request for reinforcements. That's why I immediately came running."

"Ah…"

Raon fell speechless for a moment while meeting Aries's confident gaze.

'She acted so quickly.'

Raon could guess that Aries had ignored Glenn's order and came running on her own accord.

Just like her first impression, she seemed to be living as she pleased as a free spirit, regardless of Zieghart.

"Aunt… Yes, you must be his aunt."

Rector nodded calmly after observing Raon and Aries one after the other. The look in his eyes had become even darker.

"What, are you jealous?"

Aries curled her lips into a smile and tilted her head.

"I guess you would be. You would also brag about him everywhere if your nephew became a Grandmaster at twenty-one years old."

"Nonsense."

"Why were you trying to take him if it isn't the case?"

"..."

Rector didn't respond and revealed a frightening gaze. His eyes were as dry as the desert, reminding Raon of the situation a moment ago.

'By the way… couldn't he have just caught me a moment ago?'

Since Raon was extremely close to Rector when he tried to take him by surprise with the Blade of Requiem, Rector should've been able to catch him just by clenching his fingers.

Even though Aries used the space sword, Rector should've been faster. Raon almost felt like Rector had let him go on purpose.

You guessed right.

Wrath nodded while looking at Rector.

That geezer didn't catch you on purpose.

'I knew it…'

Raon weakly bit his lip while looking at Rector. He was certain of it because Wrath had agreed.

He wasn't too sure why, but Rector must've let him go on purpose.

'And the look in his eyes is a bit strange too.'

Raon could tell because he was taught by Rector one-on-one. The man who personally demonstrated swordsmanship and explained for him still remained in eyes that seemed to be coated by a dry storm.

Moreover, Raon suspected that he was related to his father. He could guess that there must've been some interference for such a drastic change to occur.

'Brainwashing? Or did someone get his weakness?'

He'd never heard that it was possible to brainwash a Transcender, but it seemed more plausible because of how strange the situation was.

"Sir Rector, what even happened to you? If you were brainwashed or someone discovered your weakness…"

"Brainwashed?"

Rector's cold gaze was directed at him.

"Do you really believe that a Transcender can be brainwashed?"

His slightly curling lips curved into a smile.

"I'm in the Holy Sword Alliance of my free will."

Rector confidently declared and unsheathed his sword. It was painful to watch the sword that used to teach him be directed at him instead.

'Is this another form of our bond…?'

If it were in his previous life when he lived as an assassin, he would've thrust his sword at Rector without feeling anything. However, since he'd learned about bonding with people, he couldn't simply show his animosity towards him.

Knowing the relationship between people wasn't always advantageous.

"Rector."

Aries nodded while licking her dry lips.

"Yes, you are the Sword Demon. The great Sword Demon was from the Holy Sword Alliance. All of the reputation you've gained so far will be utterly tarnished."

"The reputation discussed by the others holds no importance."

Rector proudly raised his gaze, showing that he wasn't ashamed of himself. His sword incorporated his will and radiated in a dignified manner.

"What truly matters is the meaning I hold."

"Even a wretched person can utter good words."

Aries chuckled, returned her sword to its scabbard, and lowered her posture. She seemed to be planning to use a sword draw to cut through the space and gain the upper hand in an instant.

"Anyway, we'd better finish this quickly, both for you and me."

"What?"

"His grandfather is going to arrive soon. You know who he is, don't you?"

She smiled while pointing at Raon.

"Ah…"

Raon's eyes widened. She seemed to be trying to deceive him just like she did against the dragon lord, but it wasn't going to work against Rector.

"Indeed, that might be the case."

However, Rector briefly nodded, showing that he believed her despite Raon's expectations, and raised his sword. The sword was approaching as slowly as a crawling turtle, but it looked extremely huge at the same time.

Rumble!

It felt like the entire land—and even the world—was being stabbed by the sword. Raon's back was drenched in cold sweat as he watched the almost flawless versatile sword executed by their enemy.

'Is this the true versatile sword?'

The rings of fire rotated by themselves and analyzed the principles of Rector's versatile sword.

Heavy sword, soft sword, slow sword, illusion sword, severing sword, and destructive sword. All of those principles created a beautiful harmony like the instruments of an orchestra, and a power exceeding the realm of swordsmanship was unleashed from it.

Wham!

Aries drew her sword while crushing the land with her left foot. The sword cut through the space along with a dazzling light and smacked into Rector's attack.

Claaang!

The thunderous sound of impact sounded like it was a clash between pillars instead of swords, and the wave of aura overturned the land.

"Kuh…"

Raon's lips trembled as he witnessed that terrifying scene.

'I can't step back. I need to stay here.'

He had to maintain his distance from Aries in order to take Rector by surprise.

However, he was more fixated at observing the sequence of Rector's artistic attacks rather than the surprise attack.

Raon thought to himself that he must've become a real swordsman, to be still focused on improving his swordsmanship even when his life was in danger.

Cring!

Aries took a step back from Rector and thrust the sword that she had pulled back.

The space in front of Rector's chest opened up and the sword strike surged from it like lightning.

However, Rector turned his shoulder and easily dodged it as if he already knew where her attack was going to land. He was reading the flow of the battle.

'As expected…'

Raon furrowed his brow while looking at Rector's composed expression.

'He has the upper hand.'

Even though they had both reached transcendence, Rector was superior to Aries.

"Are you sure you can take your time like that? His grandfather is going to arrive if you waste more time."

Aries bobbed her finger in provocation. She seemed to be trying to make Rector impatient enough to create an opening.

"Hmm…"

Rector's complexion remained completely unaffected as he scattered the light from his sword.

The glowing light extended from his rotating wrist and pierced into Aries's distance in an instant. It was another slash through the space, distinct from the space sword from Aries.

"Tsk."

Aries clicked her tongue, clenched her sword with two hands, and swung it upwards diagonally. The formless aura twisted, pushing forward a wall capable of blocking the space.

Aries's sword barrier clashed against Rector's strike in the midst of the fissured space.

Claaang!

A tremendous shockwave erupted from inside the fissure, and the thin lines of the crack thickened before they tore apart.

Thud!

The intense wave of will spread around, collapsing the land and creating a tornado falling from the sky, which seemed to have been crushed.

Cring!

Rector and Aries kept attacking each other from inside the tornado, which was the result of the clash between their wills.

They seemed equally matched at first, but Aries was actually being pushed back little by little.

However, she didn't withdraw even when she was injured, thrusting her sword even more fiercely. She fought Rector head-on, as if she were really trying to buy time for Glenn's arrival.

Whaaam!

Heaven and earth trembled from the showdown between Transcenders. The land was dug out over and over, with no room left for fissures, creating a bottomless pit as a faint red light radiated from the split sky.

Aries and Rector kept crossing their swords nonstop in the midst of the destroyed space and fissures. They were giving the impression that they had infinite auras, and their breathing was endless.

However, Rector's sword rapidly bent and changed the trajectory. The blade extended like lightning, engulfed by a move combining attack and defense.

Claaang!

Aries's sword was blocked, unable to advance any further. All directions where she could advance were blocked by Rector's will. It was literally a prison of will.

Raon's fingertips were shaking as he witnessed how Rector's sword changed from a frail wind to a fiery lightning.

'This is strange…'

Even though he'd become a Grandmaster, it should've been impossible for him to see so much from a battle between Transcenders.

In fact, the space sword executed by Aries was beyond his understanding, and he couldn't grasp that much from it.

However, Rector's sword was straight and honest, just like when he was sparring against him to teach him. Raon was reminded of his previous teachings, and he could feel through his skin how to achieve the versatile sword.

"Your talent is excellent. However…"

Rector lowered his sword and shook his head.

"You are still inexperienced."

"I'm still in my prime, unlike you!"

Aries curled her red lips into a smile and twisted open the prison of will. She thrust her blade until the end while bleeding from not only her limbs but also her lips, managing to free herself from Rector's powerful shackle.

"Let's put an end to it since I've seen enough of your skills."

Rector calmly nodded and raised his sword. He pointed the tip of his blade at Aries, and it looked like he was the only one who existed in the world for a moment. The absolute presence emanating from him made him look like he had become a sword itself.

"You didn't get old just by idling around."

Aries bit her lip tightly, realizing that she was at a disadvantage. She clenched her sword with both hands tightly and unleashed a space slash, cutting down the aura itself.

Whaaam!

The majestic blade that even managed to cut through the mad dragon Kaibar was tearing through Rector's space.

Rector retained his composure as if he had anticipated she would do at least that much and extended his sword, imbued with the principles of the versatile sword. The sublime light was about to fill the entire space, and Raon made his move.

Raon drew Heavenly Drive from its scabbard, channeling the martial principle of the profoundly advanced realm.

Raon Zieghart Style Swordplay

Fourth Form

Blue Rain.

The blade surging by gnawing off the scabbard unleashed a distant sword resonance. The blue sound became a blade and pierced into Rector's ears.

However, he wasn't the only one who seized the opportunity for a surprise attack.

Whaaam!

Crimson beams stretched out one after the other from behind the collapsed wall of the lord's manor.

An old woman's mask was revealed above the fluttering robe, glowing radiantly.

It was Merlin. He wasn't sure when she had started to prepare her spells, but her magic rushed to Rector's right side like a ray of light.

Baaaang!

A tremendous storm of light surged from Rector's spot upon taking Aries, Raon, and Merlin's attacks from three directions. The spells and sword strikes erupted one after the other and countless rays soared to the sky.

"Are we made for each other?"

Merlin rolled her lips into a faint smile.

"Our timing was perfectly synchronized."

She raised her chin with an unusually seductive voice.

"Merlin?"

Aries furrowed her brow while looking at Merlin.

"Why did that madwoman do this?"

She shook her head, unable to understand the situation.

"She must be targeting me as well."

Raon shook his head while sticking next to Aries.

"Let's put an end to this situation for now."

"Yes, we should."

Aries shook her hand, calling the wind to drive the sandstorm away.

Whoosh!

Rector hadn't moved an inch from the spot he had been standing. His clothes were slightly scorched and torn, but the damage he took didn't seem to be noticeable.

However, a faint wound was created on his right shoulder, which Merlin had attacked.

"The timing of your surprise attack and the sharpness of your blade… You've improved a lot compared to before."

Rector looked his way. His frightening gaze felt like he was about to stab his neck at any moment, but it also gave him the impression that he was proud of him. Raon started to think that he was going insane.

"And Merlin, was that surprise attack the Fallen's intention?"

"No, I just came out because you made me angry by trying to take Raon Zieghart away."

"One Transcender and two Grandmasters…"

He nodded while wiping away the blood flowing from his shoulder.

"It might take some time, but it won't be too bad."

"Master of the Bloody Sword."

Just as Rector was about to make another move, the middle-aged man who seemed to be in charge of the Holy Sword Alliance's sword demons approached him and quietly whispered to him.

"We need to withdraw."

"What?"

"The alliance master said it already. We can't clash against him right now."

The middle-aged man shook his head while mentioning the alliance master's name.

"Tsk."

Rector clicked his tongue in displeasure and sheathed his sword.

"You won't get another chance like this."

"Hah, keep talking."

Aries furrowed her brow and shook her head.

"You're just running away because his grandfather is coming. Why are you even blabbering so much?"

She snickered, immediately noticing who the middle-aged man was referring to.

"..."

Rector didn't respond to her and looked at Raon instead. He met his eyes for an extremely brief period of time before he disappeared.

"..."

Raon felt nauseous as he thought about Rector's cold and emotionless eyes.

'It's clear. He wanted to say something to me.'

Rector might be in the Holy Sword Alliance because he really wanted to be there, but he still wanted to say something to him.

Raon had a feeling that he'd come with the intention of teaching him and warning him to begin with. Moreover, it would be his last lesson.

'What could it be?'

* * *

Rector stopped following the sword demons from the Holy Sword Alliance.

"Master of the Bloody Sword?"

"Go ahead and report. I'm going to treat my injuries before I go."

He shook his head while pointing at his ear, where blood suddenly started to flow.

"Hmm, understood."

The middle-aged man nodded and went ahead with his subordinates to leave the forest.

"He really…"

"Master."

Mustan came walking from the deeper part of the forest while Rector was smiling.

"Are you alright?"

Mustan bit his lip. His eyes were clear, unlike before.

"…has an unbelievable talent."

Rector wiped away the blood flowing from his ear and murmured that Raon was impressive. A genuine smile appeared on his face for the first time.

"It's not that. I was asking if your mind is alright, master."

Mustan lowered his gaze with a gloomy expression as if he were fully aware of his circumstances.

"..."

Rector didn't respond. He slowly raised his gaze and looked up at the clear sky.

"It doesn't matter whether I'm alright or not. I'm just doing what I have to do."

He sighed briefly.

"But it would be better to tell Sir Raon about it."

"No."

Rector firmly shook his head.

"His radiance will fade if I'm involved with him. I'm tired of feeling regret. I'll be satisfied with protecting him from the shadows."

He smiled, showing that he'd already made up his mind.

"You said that you can also do anything for Raon, right?"

"Yes."

"Then follow me."

Rector held Mustan's shoulder and stood up.

"Since the path opened up from today's incident, the end should be coming soon."