Arm Wrestling
Raon memorized every last page of the booklet Judiel had given him, then headed for House Zieghart's main gate. The departure time hadn't even arrived, yet Sheryl, the Heavenly Sword Squad Leader, five members of the Heavenly Sword Squad, and five from the Light Wind Squad were already waiting.
The Heavenly Sword Squad...
They really were on another level.
The presence of the Heavenly Sword Squad swordsmen was honed as sharp as a masterwork blade. Even the Light Wind Squad, for all their growth, looked like children standing beside them.
"Well now! Look who it is — Vice-leader Raon!"
A middle-aged man standing beside Sheryl waved. His features were mild, but his frame was powerfully built, the kind of body that made his strength obvious at a glance.
"So that's the kid coming with us?"
"That's him."
"A mission alongside the swordsman who rewrote history? Now that's an honor!"
He chuckled as he came over and held out his hand.
"I watched your duel with my heart in my throat. Econ, vice-commander of the Heavenly Sword Squad."
He was in the personnel file Judiel had prepared. One of the Heavenly Sword Squad's two vice-commanders — a destructive swordsman who crushed his opponents with Hard Sword and Heavy Sword.
"Raon of the Light Wind Squad. I look forward to working with you."
Raon took Econ's hand and bowed his head.
"It's a mission, but let's enjoy ourselves. I'll be looking forward to it."
He didn't say what, exactly, he was looking forward to. He clapped Raon lightly on the shoulder and headed back to Sheryl.
"Why are you so late?"
"Everyone's been here forever!"
Burren and Marta scowled at him for not arriving sooner.
"I got here before the appointed time."
Raon pointed at a sky that hadn't even begun to lighten.
"You should've come even earlier! The Heavenly Sword Squad people were waiting!"
"I don't really care, but showing up early is the right call."
Their eyes were faintly bloodshot. They must not have slept properly, too excited about a mission with the Heavenly Sword Squad.
"Haaah..."
Runaan yawned with a blank look. She hadn't stayed up from excitement — she just hated mornings.
"W-we'll make it back alive, right?"
Dorian fidgeted with his Belly Pouch, his chin trembling with worry.
"O-of course we will. The Heavenly Sword Squad is coming with us..."
Crain bit his lip, looking even paler than Dorian.
"Don't worry. I'll get you back alive, one way or another."
Raon met each of the five Light Wind Squad members' eyes and smiled. These were comrades he'd spent a long time with. He vowed to protect them, no matter what.
"Yeah!"
"Uh..."
"I-I don't need it. I can take care of myself."
Runaan nodded firmly. Burren scratched his head, embarrassed. Marta whipped her head away.
"Doesn't that 'one way or another' sound kind of terrifying?"
"Right? Ugh, what's he going to put us through this time..."
Crain and Dorian shot him suspicious looks. Three months of getting beaten still hadn't worn off.
"If you're done with the greetings, gather up."
Sheryl flicked her coat and turned. Her eyes flashed with a sharp gleam.
"We leave immediately. No rest until evening."
"Hrm..."
Econ, vice-commander of the Heavenly Sword Squad, nudged his horse up beside Sheryl's.
"Squad Leader. Can't we just get along? I like the kid, you know."
He glanced back at Raon riding behind them and grinned.
"You like him?"
"Yes. Watching his spar with Garon actually moved me."
Econ clenched a fist as he went on.
"If your blood doesn't boil watching someone charge Sword Blade Aura with nothing but an aura blade, you're no martial artist. I'd take him into our squad and raise him myself if I could."
"Raise him, you say..."
Sheryl shook her head.
That boy isn't a vessel anyone can raise.
She acknowledged Econ's skill, but he couldn't handle Raon. Raon didn't have the talent or the capacity to stand beneath someone else.
He was a boy who shone alone, like a star over the North Sea.
"We could just bring him over ourselves..."
"Quiet. Do it the way I told you."
"Petty harassment isn't my style!"
"Says the man who was our disciplinary officer before he made vice-commander."
Econ might be smiling gently now, but he'd originally served as the Heavenly Sword Squad's disciplinary enforcer. He had a real talent for picking faults and making people's lives miserable.
"If he can't take it and comes looking for a challenge, crush him properly."
"That part's no problem. But what's the kid even done wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Then why..."
Econ tilted his head, puzzled.
"Raon tends to solve his problems with force. He's strong for his age, no question — but the world doesn't care how old you are. He needs to learn there's always a heaven above heaven."
"Ah! So it's not that you dislike him — you're worried about him! So he doesn't go out there and get himself killed like a dog!"
He looked back at Raon again and grinned.
"If that's the case, I can get behind it. I'll harass him properly, if only to see how he responds."
When the sun began to sink, Sheryl reined in at a small clearing.
"That's far enough for today."
She dismounted, said she had something to take care of, and vanished.
"We'll go scout the area. Mind getting camp set up?"
Econ winked and disappeared into the forest with the rest of the Heavenly Sword Squad.
"Understood."
Raon nodded and swung down from his horse. He set his pack aside and turned to the Light Wind Squad.
"Camp prep starts now. Burren and Dorian, put up the tents. Runaan and Crain, gather firewood."
"What about me?"
Marta pointed at herself as she walked over.
"You're cooking with me."
"Cooking? Why me?"
"Because you're the only one here who can make food that a human being would actually eat."
He'd learned that much from their trainee days on the road. Among the well-bred members of the Light Wind Squad, Marta was the only one who could cook worth a damn.
"You know what happens if we leave it to those two."
"Urgh..."
He pointed at Runaan and Burren, and Marta grimaced.
"Haaah. Fine."
She nodded, claimed a spot at the center of camp, and started digging out a fire pit.
"Dorian. Pull out the pots, dishes, and ingredients."
"Yes, sir!"
Dorian had been waiting for exactly that. He produced an assortment of tools, cooking ingredients, and tableware from his Belly Pouch.
Raon carried the tools and dishes over and set them down beside Marta.
Hmph!
Wrath drifted up, watching Marta prep the ingredients, and smacked his lips.
The beef girl can at least cook a little.
You know her well.
This King ruined his palate eating the slop those brats made.
Even Wrath, who judged food by quantity more than anything, had apparently found the Light Wind Squad's group cooking inedible.
Hm?
What?
There is a grave problem!
A grave problem?
At the seriousness in Wrath's voice, Raon narrowed his eyes. He reached for his sword hilt and was about to spread his senses when Wrath continued.
The quality of that beef is dreadful. There is no marbling whatsoever.
...That's the grave problem?
He'd thought it was an ambush, or some kind of incident. It was the marbling on the beef. He wanted to smack Wrath on the back of the head.
Marbling is the very life of beef! How is that not the gravest of problems?!
O self-proclaimed Demon King. This isn't a fine dining restaurant.
Urgh, it cannot be helped. This King shall endure it here. And This King is not "self-proclaimed."
Wrath went on ranting that he would not tolerate this kind of meat next time.
"Hah."
Raon sighed and was about to light the fire when Wrath shoved his head in again.
What now?
Are you simply going to leave those ones be?
He pointed toward the forest the Heavenly Sword Squad had entered moments ago.
For now, yes.
Raon looked in the direction Wrath indicated and tilted his chin slightly.
I'll watch for a bit. And if it doesn't sit right...
The corner of Raon's mouth curved up, thin and sharp.
I'll go at them head-on.
As if they'd planned it, Econ and the Heavenly Sword Squad didn't return to camp until the meal was ready and every tent was standing.
"You're already done?"
Econ whistled at the neatly pitched tents.
"We were going to help, but you were fast."
"Looks like you've got some experience on field missions."
"Ah, but this tent's a little sloppy."
"There are wrinkles here, and this part's folded under."
"You should've dug the fire pit a little deeper."
"This side's a bit short too."
The moment they got back, the Heavenly Sword Squad swordsmen circled the tents and started picking them apart.
"From tomorrow, make sure you fix everything we just pointed out."
"Right. It's all for your own good, you know?"
"You've got to learn this stuff properly now if you want to use it later."
They kept pointing out meaningless details as if they were doing the Light Wind Squad a tremendous favor.
"Understood!"
"Yes, sir!"
Burren and Crain took every word as genuine advice and nodded vigorously.
"Squad Leader. Please eat first."
Econ brought Sheryl the beef stew and bread ahead of everyone else. She chewed each bite with surprising, almost childlike thoroughness.
For such shoddy ingredients, the flavor is not terrible. Hunger truly is the finest condiment.
Wrath seemed reasonably pleased with the beef stew, a small smile on his face.
"The food's not great either."
"A little salty."
"Yeah. The seasoning's a bit heavy."
"Did you dump a whole bag of salt in this?"
The Heavenly Sword Squad swordsmen weren't about to let this pass either. They clicked their tongues over a stew that had turned out perfectly fine.
"Son of a—"
"We'll prepare it properly next time."
Raon clamped a hand over Marta's mouth before she could spit out a curse, and looked at Econ.
"Do that. We're a little sensitive about food."
He smiled pleasantly and went back to eating. Despite all the complaints about the taste, the Heavenly Sword Squad swordsmen scraped their bowls clean.
"That hit the spot."
"The flavor was a bit off, though."
"Go easier on the seasoning tomorrow."
They set their empty bowls in front of the Light Wind Squad and picked the most irritating comments they could find.
"You little—!"
"Stop."
Raon caught Marta's wrist before she could explode.
"There's a clean stream over that way. You can wash the dishes there. We're going to wander a bit farther out, then get some rest."
Econ didn't even pretend to offer help. He pulled a deck of cards from his coat and started a poker game with the other swordsmen — a clear announcement that they wouldn't be lifting a finger for cleanup either.
"Let's go."
Raon watched them for a moment, then led the Light Wind Squad toward where the stream was supposed to be. It was farther than expected, and in a different direction from the one they'd pointed.
"Those bastards are screwing with us. Are you just going to take it?"
Marta dunked a bowl in the stream, her brow furrowed.
"Marta. Watch your mouth. The Heavenly Sword Squad swordsmen are on the level of unit leaders in a regular force."
Burren sat down beside her and shook his head.
"Unit leader this, unit leader that — I don't give a shit! They've been picking at us on purpose and you want me to just sit there?"
"They went on reconnaissance, we handled cooking and setup. It's not exactly unfair."
"Reconnaissance? They didn't even go on reconnaissance. What's there to scout around here?"
"The Heavenly Sword Squad isn't that petty."
Marta already looked disappointed. Burren still seemed to have some faith left in them.
"Wash. Then fight."
Runaan yawned, apparently more interested in sleeping, and waved a hand at the two of them.
"She's right. Dishes first."
Raon stepped between them and started scrubbing grease off a bowl.
"Tsk."
"Tch."
Burren and Marta jerked their heads away and started washing the dishes in their hands.
By the time they finished the dishes and returned with the rest of the Light Wind Squad, Econ and the Heavenly Sword Squad swordsmen were still playing poker. Sheryl had already gone into her tent and was nowhere in sight.
"Good work!"
Econ waved the hand holding his cards and grinned.
"We leave at dawn again tomorrow, so let's turn in."
He tucked the cards into his coat and stood.
"Night watch goes by seniority, you know that, right? You lot take it tonight."
Econ drove the nail in before the Light Wind Squad could even reply, then ducked into his tent.
"Appreciate it."
"We'll sleep easy tonight."
"Night watch by the Light Wind Squad's vice-leader? I can rest easy."
The other Heavenly Sword Squad swordsmen slipped into their tents just as fast, as if afraid someone might call them back.
"Ugh..."
"I, uh, feel like we just became the chore boys."
"Yeah."
Burren, Dorian, and Crain stared at the tents with sour expressions.
"......"
"Not chore boys — servants! You idiots!"
Runaan quietly stacked the dishes. Marta ground her teeth.
"You all sleep. I'll take watch tonight."
Raon sat down in front of the campfire and closed his eyes.
"Vice-leader, by yourself?"
Dorian came up beside him.
"Yeah. I've got some thinking to do. Get some sleep."
He planned to analyze the Heavy Sword while he stood watch.
"No."
"No way!"
Burren and Marta shook their heads at the same time.
"We don't need that kind of consideration. Two people, two hours each."
"I said it's fine."
"Well I'm not fine with it!"
Marta scowled and sat down beside him.
"You lot sleep. I'll wake you in two hours."
She crossed her arms, still frowning.
"Wake us. Definitely."
"Th-then we'll rest first."
"Mm."
Runaan, Burren, Dorian, and Crain made her promise to wake them, then went into the tent.
"Hey."
Marta watched the campfire crackle for a while, then turned her head.
"You know those bastards are picking fights on purpose, right?"
"You'd have to be an idiot not to."
"Are you just going to leave them like that?"
"You were excited about going with the Heavenly Sword Squad at first."
Raon let out a short laugh.
"I didn't know they'd be this cheap!"
Marta flushed and shook her head.
"That so?"
"Stop laughing and answer me! Are you leaving them like that or not? If you won't do it, I will—"
"Three days."
He held up three fingers.
"If they're still like this after three days, I'll handle it."
"Can you even handle it? If they crush you with rank or force, there's nothing you can do."
"Don't worry."
Raon's crimson eyes settled into a cold stillness.
"I've got a surefire way to crush them."
Three days passed.
Needless to say, nothing changed.
The Heavenly Sword Squad was now placing orders even during lunch and rest stops, and Burren, Dorian, and Crain had to run themselves ragged filling them.
The worst of it, of course, was camp.
Pitching tents, preparing meals, tending the horses, washing dishes, cleanup, and night watch — all of it fell to the Light Wind Squad. Honestly speaking, the Heavenly Sword Squad did nothing except carry their packs and travel.
And on top of that.
"A little bland today."
"You're taking the seasoning way too lightly, aren't you?"
"It's a little short every day, that's what makes it more disappointing."
"Tomorrow, put in a little more effort. Just a tiny bit more, yeah?"
Whether it was the cooking, the cleanup, or the tents, the Heavenly Sword Squad swordsmen kept up a steady stream of complaints, needling them with practiced ease.
What made it even more infuriating was that they didn't just leave the food if it tasted bad — they ate every last bite, then complained anyway.
"Well then, shall we get started?"
"Whose deal was it?"
They didn't even bother with the obligatory offer to help with the dishes. They went straight to poker.
"Ghhh, those fucking bastards..."
"They're not even pretending anymore."
Marta was a breath away from exploding, and a vein stood out on Burren's forehead.
"You all go by yourselves today."
Raon left the mess of dishes behind and stood.
"Vice-leader?"
Dorian looked up from gathering bowls, puzzled.
"I've got something to do."
"Something to do?"
"I've put up with this long enough."
Raon looked at Econ shuffling cards, a dangerous light in his eyes.
"V-Vice-leader! You can't!"
"He's right! Th-they're the Heavenly Sword Squad!"
Dorian and Burren grabbed both his arms and shook their heads.
"You think the Heavenly Sword Squad Leader will just sit there if you beat those people up?"
"Exactly. Please stop starting things! You're going to get us killed!"
"Why do you two assume the Heavenly Sword Squad is the one that'll get beaten?"
"Huh?"
At Marta's words, Burren and Dorian flinched. Both of them realized they'd naturally assumed it wouldn't be Raon on the receiving end — it would be the Heavenly Sword Squad.
"W-well, you beat people up wherever you go..."
"And we've never seen you lose..."
Burren and Dorian scratched their heads in unison.
"Nice to know you have so much faith in me."
Raon gave a short laugh and tapped them both on the shoulder.
"What you're imagining isn't going to happen. Just wait."
He waved the others off and walked over to Sheryl, who was sitting up in a tree.
"A little unexpected."
The Heavenly Sword Squad Leader looked down at him with cold eyes.
"What is?"
"I assumed the Heavenly Sword Squad Leader wouldn't let her people sit around playing poker."
"I have no interest in policing my squad's hobbies. As long as they do their jobs, I don't care if they play poker or spin a roulette wheel."
"Then you won't mind whatever I do either."
"That's right."
The Heavenly Sword Squad Leader nodded. As if she'd been waiting for this, her eyes gleamed blue.
"Understood."
Raon bowed his head and turned away. With those words, he'd gotten a clear answer that the Heavenly Sword Squad Leader would not interfere. Now it was time to go at them head-on.
"Hrm."
The Heavenly Sword Squad Leader watched Raon's back and smiled faintly.
Now it begins.
Raon had endured as much as he was going to. He would go to Econ and ask for a duel.
And then he'll lose.
Econ was a swordsman incomparably stronger than Garon. No matter how many miracles Raon could work, he stood at a height Raon could not possibly reach.
He needs to get beaten at least once.
The Heavenly Sword Squad's quiet needling and mockery of the Light Wind Squad had been her direct order.
It was a plan she'd set in motion to show Raon — who solved most of his problems with force — how frightening the world could be, and to create a catalyst for him to rise to Master.
"Vice-commander."
She watched Raon stop in front of Econ and call his name. She was about to climb down to referee the duel when something completely different from what she'd expected reached her ears.
"Eh?"
Sheryl's startled voice spread through the darkness.
Raon looked at Sheryl's groan behind him and at Econ's dropped jaw, and smiled faintly.
I'm not going to play along with what you expected.
Econ was clearly stronger than he was right now. Sheryl had wanted him to challenge Econ and get crushed — but he knew exactly what they were thinking, so there was no reason to pick a fight he'd lose.
"Did you just say arm wrestling?"
"Yes."
"Let me ask again. Not a duel. Arm wrestling. That's what you said."
"Yes. Let's each put a condition on it and go one round of bare-handed arm wrestling."
Raon nodded calmly.
"Hate to break it to you, but I'm a Master. And the swordsmanship I trained is strength-focused."
"I'm aware."
"When you become a Master, your physical ability itself leaps. Even without using aura, an Expert can never win. That's how it works."
Econ clenched a fist as if to show off his power. Thick veins stood out in a row along his forearm.
"Then the vice-commander has the advantage."
"Not just the advantage — I'll win!"
"Then go ahead and do it."
Raon raised a hand, urging him to get on with it.
"Hah. Unbelievable."
Econ looked at Raon's arm — firm, but by no means thick — and let out a hollow laugh.
"You'd have a better chance of beating me with a sword than in arm wrestling."
"I'd still like to bet on this."
"Fine. If you're that eager to drink the loser's cup, no reason to turn you down."
His pride looked faintly stung as he nodded.
"Name your terms."
"If I win, the Heavenly Sword Squad takes over all the chores we've been doing until this mission is over."
"And if you lose?"
"We keep doing the chores, and we'll carry the Heavenly Sword Squad's luggage as well."
"Hrm. Your conditions are a bit lopsided, but fine. I'm going to win anyway."
He accepted the terms lightly, apparently convinced he couldn't possibly lose.
"R-Raon!"
"Vice-leader!"
Burren and Crain came running in a panic.
"Sir Econ's swordsmanship is Heavy Sword and Hard Sword!"
"Th-that's right! He's second to none when it comes to raw power!"
The two of them hissed into either ear, telling him to back out even now.
"I'll give you one last chance, for your comrades' sake. Stand down now."
"Not interested."
Raon shook his head firmly and held out his arm.
"I heard you were confident in your strength, but it seems I need to teach you how vast the world really is."
"Hrm..."
Econ grinned and took his hand. Rock-like muscles swelled along his arm, and a tremendous force surged through his grip.
"What's wrong — regretting it already?"
"No."
Raon smiled with eyes that didn't waver in the slightest.
You'll be the one who regrets this.
At Habun Castle, he'd already gained physical strength rivaling a Master. Even he didn't know exactly how strong he was now.
My Strength is at 180 now, isn't it?
Raon smiled coldly and put power into his grip.