Chapter 520

Raon slowly blinked while looking at Aries.

"Me?"

He was going to take the war against the mad dragon seriously, but he'd thought that his role would be to get rid of the monsters and the Seafog tribe.

He was planning to just help with the killing blow, but his mind went blank because she told him to kill the dragon with her.

"Who else would it be?"

"There's the Pirate King."

Raon pointed at Rabawin, who was standing still in front of Aries.

"He's the captain. He needs to lead the troops when we fight against the monsters protecting Kaibar's nest."

She shook her head, saying that Rabawin's job had always been to get rid of the monsters and the Seafog tribe.

"Lady Aries is right."

Rabawin nodded with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Drawing Kaibar outside his nest is my role. It might be an even more important task than fighting the dragon."

"But your astral sphere should be able to easily pierce through the dragon's scales…"

"I specialize in defense. That's why your sword technique should be more powerful if we only consider the output."

He smiled peacefully and put his hand on his chest. There was no sword emblem there because he wasn't wearing his uniform, but he seemed to salute him in Zieghart's way.

"Moreover, if Kaibar really has information about us like Lady Aries has judged, you are the only one who can take it off guard, Sir Raon. Please cut off the mad dragon's head."

"Please."

In addition to Rabawin, even the other crew members lowered their heads and asked him to assume the role. Their eyes looked like they were blazing, probably because their companions had died.

"Raon."

Kuberad stepped forward and bit his lip tightly.

"This tragedy shouldn't be allowed to happen again. I'd also like to ask this of you."

His white eyebrows shivered as he looked at Aikar, where the black smoke was still rising.

Whir!

A clear sword resonance occurred from the Blade of Requiem. It must've felt Kuberad's sincerity.

"It looks like your sword also wants to try it. What's your call?"

Aries casually pointed at him with her chin, asking him to decide.

"I'll do it."

Raon nodded without contemplating that much.

'Nothing has changed.'

It was necessary to kill the dragon and the monsters protecting him anyway. He would just need to focus on the dragon instead.

"I like your decisive…"

Aries raised her hand and was about to pat Raon's shoulder but suddenly stopped.

"What is that seagull on your shoulder? Is it your pet?"

"…I'm not too sure either."

Raon closed his eyes tightly after looking at the seagull that Merlin had once possessed.

"You are so peculiar."

Aries exclaimed and clapped loudly towards the crew.

"Get ready for departure. The warships from Yukal Village are going to arrive soon, so make sure to help them."

"Understood."

Rabawin responded loudly and looked at the crew.

"We will start with the restoration!"

He was well aware of what had the highest priority and ordered them to treat the survivors while restoring the indispensable buildings.

"I'll take care of the repairs."

Kuberad declared that he would be in charge of the city's restoration and went ahead into the city with his hammer in his hand. The others followed him into the city.

"You should come with me."

Aries gestured with her finger and walked towards the harbor.DiiScôver 𝒏𝒆w stori𝒆s on no/𝒗/e()/lbin(.)c/o/m

"Where are you going?"

Raon followed her and tilted his head.

"We need to discuss how to slay that mad dragon."

She continued walking without hesitation—as if she was telling him to just follow.

"Hmm…"

Raon was feeling bitter by the time the vast ocean came into sight, having observed the expanse of bloody rubble from the destroyed walls.

Aries landed on the water, implying that the ocean was her destination.

'Why did she come to the ocean when we were supposed to have a discussion? Are we having that kind of conversation?'

Raon stepped on the ocean while reading Aries's thoughts.

"This seems to be a good location."

Aries went far enough from the harbor—to the point where it could barely be seen—before she turned around.

"The discussion doesn't need to be a conversation with voices."

She drew the sword hanging around her waist. The blade was an impressive red color.

"We are going to move out as soon as they are done with the preparations. Since we don't have enough time to talk about martial arts…"

Aries bobbed her index finger, telling him to attack her.

"Let's have a conversation with our bodies."

"Haa…"

Raon let out a small sigh while looking at Aries.

'I knew it.'

He'd expected her to suggest a spar the moment she started to go into the ocean.

'Well, that's the correct thing to do.'

Trying to understand each other's martial arts with conversation wasn't an easy task. Crossing blades was the fastest and most efficient way to coordinate their moves in preparation for the battle against the mad dragon.

"Kree!"

Raon unsheathed Heavenly Drive and the seagull on his shoulder flew up on its own.

Raon chuckled and made the Ring of Fire resonate. The Ring of Fire increased his soul level, allowing him to feel the quietly raging energy inside Aries's energy center. Her tremendous aura and will were almost frightening.

'As expected of a transcender…'

She was the first transcender from Zieghart he'd seen since Glenn.

Since he might not be even able to touch the hem of her clothes even if he went all out, he activated Glacier to the maximum output.

He raised Heavenly Drive while feeling the coldness dashing sharply through his mana circuits.

"Here I come."

"Whenever you want."

Aries casually lowered her sword. Despite the elegance of her posture, which looked like it came straight out of a picture, there were countless openings.

Crackle!

Raon stomped the ground with the explosive power of Glacier. The coldness spreading from the mana circuits under his feet froze the ocean and Aries's legs.

"Oh?"

Aries looked at her legs curiously, and Raon used the Supreme Harmony Steps. Since there was no way he could win in a frontal clash, he dashed from the right and executed the Fangs of Insanity's techniques one after the other.

Cring!

The trajectory of his blade fiercely split into three and rushed towards her neck, heart, and shoulder at the same time.

"You are used to fighting."

Aries smiled and swung her sword. Even though the simple swing looked like she was just playing around, a translucent shield of aura surged up to block Heavenly Drive's path.

Claaang!

The three techniques of the Fangs of Insanity were blocked at the same time. She'd used the distant sword, which consisted of unleashing one's aura from afar.

'I knew it, her swordsmanship is focused on space.'

Like Wrath had told him before, Aries's specialty was utilizing the element of space in her sword technique. He couldn't be surprised with what had happened earlier.

Clank!

Raon didn't withdraw. He nimbly stepped on the frozen ocean and closed the distance towards Aries. Since distance was meaningless for her, it was necessary to get close to her instead of wasting time by stepping back.

"That was a nice decision."

Aries nodded and raised her sword.

Whir!

The space in front of him wavered like a heat haze, and a ferocious attack rushed towards him. She wasn't using anything like aura or astral energy. Her will was incorporated into the attack.

Raon bit his lip and slashed upwards with Heavenly Drive, which he'd lowered in preparation. Flames burst from the blade and created a sturdy shield. He'd used the Firewall from the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.

Claaang!

The violent wave resulting from the clash between the Firewall and the sword made it look like the ocean was about to collapse.

Raon stepped onto the wave and thrust Heavenly Drive. A burning branch emerged from the fire on his silver blade.

The elegant flower petals bloomed from the branch and rode the ocean's wind to fly into the sky. The Flame Spirit raining down on Aries's body had become less precise than before, but more powerful instead.

"How pretty."

Aries smiled faintly and pulled her sword towards her chest.

Whir!

The atmosphere vibrated intensely and twisted the flow of mana. The pieces of flame rushing toward Aries were unable to reach her and struggled in the air until they faded away.

"Hmm…"

Raon furrowed his brow while watching the flame pieces subside into the ocean.

'I didn't think it wouldn't even reach her.'

Aries had used the space sword to completely prevent the Flame Spirit from reaching her. Raon had never thought that such a method of defense could even exist.

However, he wasn't feeling any despair at all. Instead, her mysterious martial art allowed him to come up with a defensive technique.

"It's my turn now, right?"

Aries thrust her sword with a smile on her face. The space in front of her became distorted, and the blade surrounded by a furious wave of energy rushed toward him.

'I'll push it back.'

Aries had pushed the Flame Spirit back by manipulating the space. Raon didn't know how to use the space sword, but he could achieve a similar result.

Whir!

He controlled Glacier and unleashed the Snow Flower Repulsion. He pushed the sword strike coming from the front so it wouldn't be able to reach him and used the attraction to make the strikes from left and right reach him even faster.

Raon used the Supreme Harmony's Third Step to step backward and cancel the repulsion and attraction at the same time.

Whaaam!

The attack being pushed back from the front and the attacks pulled from the left and right clashed against each other to create a tremendous explosion. The water burst out and soared to reach the sky.

You bastard…

Wrath's chin trembled as he watched the endlessly rising tidal wave.

D-did you just use the King of Essence's ability to copy that female thief's skill?

'I did.'

Raon nodded. The attack coming from the front was faster, while the ones from left and right were slightly slower. That was why he'd used repulsion and attraction to make them clash against each other.

It was the situation he'd figured in his mind, and making it come into reality made him proud.

"Huh, did you just copy my technique?"

Aries's voice, heard from behind the wave, had a higher tone than before. She was clearly also surprised.

'This is my chance.'

Raon didn't respond and kicked off from the ocean, which was soaring like a fountain. His Heavenly Drive slightly scratched the surface before it connected into a diagonal rising slash.

Raon Zieghart Style Swordplay

Sword's Silvery Dream.

Heavenly Drive's blade created a dreamy line over the majestic ocean.

Cring!

The skill had erased the difference between the real and fake blades for a surprise attack, but once again, it failed to reach Aries.

She controlled her aura and created an impenetrable space where the blades couldn't enter at all.

"How unfortunate."

"I'm not done yet."

Raon moved his left hand, which he'd pulled back in advance, into a lightning-fast thrust. A frightening amount of coldness burst from the Blade of Requiem held lightly in his hand.

Cring!

The red blade fiercely pierced toward Aries's shoulder, a blade of coldness following right behind it.

Whir!

However, the two blades of the Front Pond couldn't reach her either, as they became unable to advance once they were right in front of her. The blades vibrated to the point of breaking, but they couldn't cut through her space.

'I expected as much.'

Raon wasn't surprised since he'd believed that Aries was fully capable of fending them off. He mechanically proceeded to the next move.

Whir!

Raon collected Heavenly Drive and the Blade of Requiem, which were being pushed out, and put them together at the center. A crimson blade surged from Heavenly Drive and silvery coldness burst from the Blade of Requiem.

The heat and coldness condensed on the tips of the two blades, becoming a sphere of light emanating a tremendous wave of power.

It was the Flame Dragon Art and the Heavenly Heavy Cannon. He activated his two most powerful techniques through the principles of twin blades.

It gave him a head-splitting pain, but Raon endured the pain with the Ring of Fire and finished the execution.

Whaaam!

A tremendous explosion of power occurred, and violent wind stormed towards Aikar behind Raon as the entire ocean roiled.

"Huff…"

Raon exhaled the impure energy and gained distance. The tidal wave that was rampaging like crazy finally subsided, and Aries could be seen.

'Hah… There's not a single scratch on her…'

Aeris's slightly bronze skin didn't have a single scratch, and her clothes were also perfectly fine.

However, a small rift was created in her space, which used to boast its perfect defensive ability.

'That's it…?'

Raon bit his lip, and Aries's lips curved into a smile. In that instant, her sword strike pierced through the space and soared.

"Kuh…"

Raon unleashed the White Shadow Slash with Heavenly Tremor to erase Aries's attack with much difficulty, suppressing his groan.

"Haa…"

He breathed roughly and was thinking about how to break through her wall when he suddenly heard a clapping sound.

"Amazing."

Aries was applauding at him, her sword returned to its scabbard before he knew it.

"Are you making fun of me?"

"No, I'm serious. The variety of your sword skills, the twin blade technique that allows you to combine heat and coldness, and your refined battle senses. You aren't lacking in any aspect at all."

She smiled gladly and waved her hand.

"Your battle senses are the best part. That was the second best among the warriors I've seen so far."

Raon was about to ask her who the first was since he was called second, but she continued to speak.

"What do you think is my sword technique?"

"It seemed to be using the space. I couldn't figure out how to break through it at all."

"Yes, it's the epitome of the space sword."

Aries swept the orange hair touching her forehead back.

"Most people are just surprised when they see it because the space sword is difficult to learn. I've never seen anyone who tried to copy it before."

Her gaze revealed her interest, implying that she was surprised from the bottom of her heart.

"You might be able to do it."

"What?"

"Do you want to try learning my sword technique?"

"Is it really possible for me to learn?"

"I'm only going to be teaching you the basics. It's up to you whether you will learn or not."

"In that case…"

"Ah, I should show you my final sword before then."

She clenched her hilt once again, and her lips twitched.

"Sword Field Creation."

* * *

Raon and Aries went to the only restaurant that was still in fine shape after having a conversation with their swords.

The restaurant was completely empty. The other sailors must've already finished eating and moved on to prepare for departure.

"Yukan, is there anything left?"

Aries raised her hand and greeted the manager. She seemed to know him.

"I'm sorry. All the ingredients are ruined, and we can only prepare some fish soup…"

The manager lowered his head apologetically.

"That's good enough. Get us two spicy fish soups."

Aries shook her hand, saying that fish soup could be considered as a banquet since she'd been eating nothing but beef jerky.

Fish soup?

Wrath briskly raised his head.

We've been eating nothing but beef jerky and Nadine bread so far. That's good enough! Bring it out already!

He waved his hand at the manager, who couldn't even be seen anymore.

"Lady Aries."

Raon sat on the opposite side of Aries and narrowed his eyes.

"The Sword Field you demonstrated at the end, was that just for a single attack?"

Aries's Sword Field was extremely powerful, to the point where it could separate the ocean, but it had disappeared after a single swing. Raon had seen various Sword Fields before, but it was his first time seeing one that ended with a single strike.

"It is."

Aries cheerfully nodded.

"I copied my father a little."

"The head of house?"

"Father's Sword Field, Seamless Perfection, makes his sword more powerful with each swing."

She let her eyes drift, focusing on a spot in thin air. She seemed to be thinking about Glenn's sword.

"I've seen it too."

Raon nodded. Just as Aries had said, Glenn's Sword Field amplified the power of his attack drastically with each swing.

No, rather than power, it felt like it was ascending to a whole different level.

"I couldn't be bothered to swing three times. That's why I created a Sword Field that only has a single strike. It's cooler to finish the battle in a single strike, isn't it?"

Aries smiled, saying that she liked her Sword Field.

"I see."

Raon lowered his gaze and looked at the worn table.

'The Sword Field indeed incorporates the life of the swordsman.'

Aries's Sword Field was as dynamic as her personality. The Sword Field was indeed a mirror reflecting the user's life.

"By the way, can't you just kill Kaibar in a single strike with that Sword Field? It doesn't look like you need my help…"

"Probably not."

Aries slowly shook her head.

"Because that fucking mad dragon has gotten so old that it's about to become an ancient dragon."

"What…?"

Raon's lips parted. He couldn't even believe that a being that was about to become an ancient dragon was massacring people—it wasn't even a vigorous youth anymore.

"You can't believe that it's doing all that shit at its age, right? But it's true."

Aries twisted her lips, saying that some dragons couldn't act their age, just like humans.

"So you understand now why we need you, right?"

"Yes…"

Dragons were apex creatures that became stronger the older they got. If it was old enough to almost become an ancient dragon, even Aries wouldn't be able to guarantee her victory.

"By the way…"

Aries casually tapped on the table and leaned towards him.

"Do you have a lover?"

"What?"

Raon blinked like a fool. He couldn't understand the situation because she suddenly started talking about a lover when they were discussing the ancient dragon.

"I mean, you are twenty-one years old now. With your face and your might, you definitely have a lover, right? Just tell me. I won't tell anyone."

Aries was saying something that the most loose-lipped of people would say.

"I-I don't have one. This isn't the time for romance…"

"There's nothing like the right time for romance. You would've already gotten married if we were in the old days."

"I believe Lady Aries didn't get married either…"

"Back in my day, we were so busy because of the ongoing war!"

"I've been busy because I've gone to various battlefields."

"I still had a romantic relationship even during a war. Love usually blossoms during conflict, after all. Who do you have in the Light Wind division?"

She licked her lips, showing her determination to hear about it.

"Hmm, Lady Aries. Is there any possibility that the dragons will interfere if we slay Kaibar?"

Raon changed the subject to escape from her line of inquiry. Of course, his question was meaningful enough for her to respond.

"The dragons are more like separate individuals than a race."

Aries was deceived by the question and slowly shook her hand.

"The dragons won't make a move even if Kaibar dies. The lord might warn us though, but we just need to call our backers."

"Backers?"

"I'm talking about my father, who is your grandfather."

"I don't think he is going to come, he'll tell us to deal with it on our own…"

"He'll definitely come if you are the one who calls him."

Aries patted his shoulder, telling him to stop worrying about it.

"Hmm, I'm worried about his condition though…"

Raon briefly bit his lip. He had been concerned for a while because Glenn had been facing the Holy Sword Alliance master and the White Blood Religion's leader when he'd left.

"I told you many times already, he's fine."

Aries shook her head, telling him that he was healthy enough for morning exercises.

"So…"

She leaned forward once again.

"Who is your girlfriend?"

"..."

Raon smiled faintly while looking at her serious expression.

'This really feels like I'm meeting a relative.'

He'd heard that relatives usually asked about lovers and jobs if they met up after a long time apart, and he felt like he was experiencing it.

While Rimmer felt like an immature older brother and Sheryl was a caring older sister, Aries was the first person he'd met who felt like a relative.

"I really don't have anyone."

Raon shook his head, and the manager brought out the fish soup.

"The food is ready."

As soon as the dish was placed on the table, Wrath started to drool from his mouth.

The King of Essence is finally eating…

"Kree!"

While he was drowning in happiness, the seagull—which had been quiet so far—suddenly jumped onto the soup. It started to gobble down the warm fish soup and filled its stomach.

Apparently, its request was to be fed some fish soup.

Th-the King of Essence's meal!

Wrath's chin trembled violently.

You damned bird! Pluck all its feathers and boil it up! He is going to eat it instead!

He started rampaging while spreading his wrath, and the seagull kept gulping down the fish soup nonstop.

"I'll acknowledge whoever you go out with, so tell me if you have anyone you are slightly attracted to, at least. Oh, if you tell me your ideal type, I can introduce you to someone…"

Aries didn't care about the seagull devouring the fish soup at all. Instead, kept asking about his lover.

"Haa…"

Raon sighed and shook his head.

'This is so hectic…'

* * *

Two days later.

The Pirate King's warship, Azure Wind, spread its sails from Aikar's shore.

The cute skull Jolly Roger fluttered into the wind and spread its dignified resonance.

"The situation has changed, but our objective is the same."

Aries had been watching the distant horizon across the ocean from the deck before she turned around to face the crew. The sailors were reflected in her red eyes, their mouths closed tight.

"It won't be an easy battle. It will be the biggest war since I founded our group. Many of us are going to die, and many will be injured. Even so…"

The sailors listened to Aries's quiet voice with unwavering eyes.

"I am still going. Even if I have to step on the blood of my companions, I will advance and slay the mad dragon. However, it's not something that I can achieve on my own. You need to open the path for me to accomplish that feat."

She nodded while tapping on the scabbard hanging around her waist.

"I'll be counting on you."

"Yes!"

Upon hearing her simple yet determined declaration, Raon and the sailors shouted loudly enough to shake the ocean with their hands clasped behind their backs.

"Let's go."

Aries smiled in satisfaction and turned around.

Whir!

The Azure Wind advanced along with the sound of the horn. The warships got into formation behind it like a hawk spreading its wings and broke through the silence of the ocean.

There were only twelve warships. It seemed far too insufficient a number to slay the mad dragon, but the warriors' eyes weren't showing any sign of fear as they advanced through the waterway.