A Duel in Three Years

"You couldn't even properly gauge your opponent's strength..."

Wrath furrowed his brow as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Looks like the number of knives stuck in that skull of yours just went up to two."

He clicked his tongue, declaring that Raon had picked a fight with someone he couldn't possibly beat.

Raon ignored Wrath's mockery and tightened his grip on the Heavenly Sky Sword. As if he didn't already know. He was well aware he couldn't defeat Roman. What he was doing now was a gamble — a coin toss to see whether everyone would walk away alive.

He exhaled the stale breath that had pooled deep in his lungs and studied Roman. For the first time, the man's eyes turned toward him.

He's looking at my sword.

Roman wasn't looking at the one who had challenged him. He was looking at the frost of Glacia that clung to the Heavenly Sky Sword — trying to understand Clear Rain, the technique that had just dropped every South-North Alliance martial artist on the deck.

Just as I expected.

A man who, in a situation like this, examined aura first was exactly the martial-arts-obsessed lunatic the rumors described. Their odds of walking away alive had just climbed by more than thirty percent.

"You laced the sword's ring with aura and knocked them all out?"

Roman narrowed his eyes at the river pirates foaming at the mouth, unconscious on the deck.

"You manipulated aura in the split second the friction and the blade's ring spread, and rattled their nervous systems. If you'd wanted to, you could have killed them outright."

He had grasped Clear Rain's method of operation in a single glance, and he nodded as if genuinely intrigued.

"I've seen plenty of people attack with musical instruments, but this is the first time I've seen someone use a sword's ring to strike the nervous system. Creative, and devastatingly effective. But the method is just as difficult. Even if I wanted to copy it, I don't think I could."

Roman ran a finger along his crimson axe blade and let out a short laugh.

"It feels like my eyes have been opened. I saw something worthwhile, so I'll consider those insolent words from earlier a slip of the tongue. Step aside."

He smiled in satisfaction and turned his gaze away.

"It wasn't a slip. I'll be your opponent."

Raon shook his head, his voice firm.

THUD!

Roman drove the axe he was holding into the deck. The mere weight of his gaze sent an unbelievable pressure crashing down.

"You really intend to face me?"

"I do."

Raon resonated the Ring of Fire. He drew up the caliber of his soul — the one Wrath had helped him grow — and shoved Roman's aura wave back.

"Not bad. Far better than I'd heard. However..."

Roman nodded slowly, then unleashed his presence. A weight of an entirely different order crushed down on Raon's entire body.

"Learn your place first."

Whether because Raon had interrupted his fight with Rimer, a raw crimson fury bloomed in Roman's eyes.

"A whelp like you couldn't even block a single strike from me."

Roman raised his axe. Rings of sword aura bloomed before the crimson blade, whipping up a tremendous current of force.

"Last warning. Step aside before I split that skull of yours."

Even under a warning laden with killing force, Raon neither retreated nor lowered his sword.

"Raon."

Rimer, who had been watching to see how this would play out, stepped in front of him.

"He's right. He's not someone you can face yet."

"You're correct. I can't win against him — right now."

Raon nodded, a faint smile touching his lips.

"'Right now'? So you think you can beat me in the future? What an utterly clueless brat."

Roman snorted and lowered his axe. The gathering Ganghwan scattered like smoke. He looked as if he were dismissing Raon entirely.

"You look like a man who wants to fight strong martial arts."

Raon met Roman's mocking gaze and tilted his chin.

"Of course. The stronger, the better. If it's strong enough to take my head, I'll welcome it even more."

The words sounded sincere — Roman laughed, open and unrestrained. Hearing that, Raon was certain the rumor was true: the reason Roman stayed with the South-North Alliance was to spar with its lord.

If things go the way I planned, I can end this fight here.

"Then I'll show you. I'll come back stronger than you, carrying martial arts that can take your head."

With those words, Raon's presence surged up like a blaze. A fighting spirit that would not yield even to Roman or Rimer coiled through his entire body.

"You've lost your mind. What good is showing up when I'm already dead..."

"Three years."

Raon raised his left hand and spread his fingers.

"Within three years, I'll come to take your head with martial arts that will leave you stunned."

At the words three years, silence settled over the deck.

"Puhahahaha!"

Rimer burst out laughing, shattering the grave atmosphere.

"That's right. For Raon, three years is more than enough."

He nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"The Light Wind Squad really is nothing but lunatics, just like the name."

Roman's face twisted. With an expression of weary irritation, he unleashed a colossal presence.

"You reached Master at a young age, so you think a Grandmaster is a joke?"

The black aura blazing over his axe rippled as if it were about to explode.

"Reaching Grandmaster has nothing to do with the age you became a Master. If you never find enlightenment, you could spend a lifetime and still never touch that realm. To talk about a realm you haven't even..."

"Are you scared?"

Raon smiled, cold and thin.

"You said you wanted to die to strong martial arts. Are you afraid of what I'll become in three years?"

"You insane little..."

"Three years is more than enough time for me to take your head with martial arts that will satisfy even you."

"Fine! Let's say that's possible. But why should I let any of you leave?"

Roman bared his teeth in a grin. It was a savage smile, the kind a beast wears when it looks at prey.

"If I kill everyone here except you, wouldn't the thirst for revenge make you even stronger?"

He raised his axe in a threat and forged Ganghwan from condensed aura.

"Humans unleash their greatest power when they're driven by vengeance. If what you said is true, I just have to kill everyone here and leave you alive."

Roman lifted his chin as if he had seen straight through Raon's entire plan.

"You're mistaken."

Raon curled the corner of his mouth as he watched the Ganghwan shimmering before the axe.

"If we fight here, you die too."

"What kind of insane..."

"You felt it yourself. You and the squad leader are evenly matched. While he holds you off, the Light Wind Squad and I take down Lector and join him. You won't survive."

"You think that's possible?"

"A lot of people will die. The squad leader might die. Every member of the squad might die. But all of you die too. And your head? I won't take it with the martial arts you love so much. I'll take it with the simplest, ugliest cut of a blade."

He said it so plainly, as if it had already happened, that Roman's and Lector's expressions hardened.

"Lector. What do you make of what he said?"

Roman asked without even looking at him.

"Hmm. I think he has a point."

Lector nodded slowly.

"What?"

"You may not know this, but the reason Raon Zieghart's name has spread across the entire continent is that he's always grown by taking down people stronger than himself. He even beat a Master-level apostle when he was still an Expert."

He continued with a faint smile.

"I'm clearly at a higher realm than Raon, but looking at how unharmed he is after taking down Tiller, and considering that sword-ring technique he just showed us — he's definitely holding something back. If the Light Wind Squad joins in, there's a pretty good chance I'd lose."

Lector stated the possibility of his own defeat as if he were discussing the weather.

"Tsk."

Roman clicked his tongue. He seemed to share much the same thought.

"What a goddamn twisted way to beg for your life..."

"You're mistaken again. I'm not begging or asking you for anything. I'm making a proposal."

Raon clenched his fist. A request was a hand offered from one's knees. A proposal was a hand extended as an equal. He would never stand in a lower position.

"Choose. Die here, torn apart by a combined assault — or die ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in three years to martial arts that surpass your own."

"Kh! Khahahahaha!"

Roman clutched his forehead and roared with laughter. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠He laughed like a madman for a long time before slowly lowering his head.

"What's the name of the martial art that produced that sword-ring?"

"Clear Rain."

"Blue rain, is it. Yes. It really did sound like rainfall. Clear, and quiet."

He closed his eyes briefly, as if trying to hear that sound again, then opened them.

"I could feel your temperament in that technique. Did you create it yourself?"

Raon didn't answer.

"The reason your bluster doesn't sound like a lie is because of that Clear Rain. It revealed a mystery I've never seen from anyone. Of course it stirred my interest."

Roman nodded and drew his axe back.

"Fine. I'll accept your 'proposal.'"

It had gone according to plan, but Raon didn't let his guard down. Roman wasn't finished.

"But if that was an ugly lie you spat out just to get through this, take it back right now. The moment I return, I'll spread word across the entire continent that you and I have a life-and-death duel in three years."

"I don't tell lies the way you do."

Raon shook his head.

"I like reading the sound of my opponent's heart."

Roman chuckled and thumped his own left chest.

"Yours is strangely calm. The idea that you actually think you can surpass me in three years is ridiculous — and yet I find myself looking forward to it."

He looked at Rimer, who was smiling beside them.

"Zieghart's Mad Blade. This time you owe your life to your subordinate."

"Your ears clogged? The one whose life got saved here is you."

Rimer snickered.

"What do you think? Do you really believe that brat can surpass me in three years?"

"Is that even a question?"

He waved a hand as if it were obvious.

"That kid is my disciple and my subordinate. In three years, he'll be looking down on the likes of you from way up there."

"First time I've seen a student actually surpass the master in real time."

Roman snorted a laugh and slung his axe over his shoulder.

"Raon Zieghart. I'll be looking forward to three years from now. Come back with Clear Rain completed."

He grinned, kicked off the deck, and leapt up onto the Dark Cloud. A moment later, river pirates slid down on ropes and carried off the unconscious martial artists.

"Glad that ended well."

Lector, who had been watching, approached with a smile.

"Why did you help us?"

Raon looked at Lector with wary eyes. If Lector had insisted on fighting to the end, this wouldn't have wrapped up so easily.

"Because it seemed like it'd be fun."

"Fun?"

"Yeah. I got curious how far you'd climb in three years."

He smiled, saying he wanted to see that future.

"Hmm..."

Raon narrowed his eyes.

I can't read him.

Unlike Roman, who was consumed by martial arts, Lector's true thoughts were hard to grasp. What he was thinking, what he intended — none of it was clear.

"Ah, but don't get the wrong idea. This incident isn't being dropped."

"What do you mean?"

"We weren't looking for the White Spear. We ran into you by chance on our way to a dungeon."

"A dungeon?"

"Word is a famous mage's dungeon was discovered in the Norris Region, so we were on our way there and stopped by."

Lector muttered a string of names, as if he couldn't quite remember the mage's.

"Ah! Loengrin!"

"Loengrin..."

He'd heard the name. A figure from the same era as Merlin, the Witch of Betrayal — a mage whose talents extended beyond magic to astrology and alchemy, enough to leave his name in history.

"Right. We happened to see you while heading to that mage's dungeon. Of course, if everything you said gets around, the South-North Alliance won't have any reason to touch you. But there's one person who's different."

"One person?"

"There's an old monster who's an elder of the Alliance, and Tiller's grandfather. Truth is, Tiller becoming the Alliance Lord's disciple was that man's doing."

The amusement drained from Lector's face.

"That man might make a move, so watch yourself."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"It wouldn't be any fun if you died before the three years were up."

The light smile returned to his face.

"Lector! If you're not coming, we're leaving you behind!"

"Ah, I hear you!"

At Roman's voice from above, Lector hurriedly kicked off the ground and leapt onto the Dark Cloud.

"We're heading back to the Alliance!"

"Huh? We're not going to the dungeon?"

"I'm in the mood now."

From the Dark Cloud's deck, Roman looked down at them.

"I've got new prey. I need to get ready to chew."

He sent them a chilling smile and turned away.

Wooooong!

The Dark Cloud let out the same magnificent ship's cry it had the first time they'd seen it, and departed.

"Hoo..."

Only after the Dark Cloud had vanished did Rimer release the Sword Realm Manifestation and let out a long breath. He staggered for a moment, then caught his balance.

"Are you all right?"

"Of course I am."

He waved a hand as if it were nothing.

"Are you sure you're really all right?"

"Don't you know who I am? I'm me. Zieghart's Mad Blade! The great Rimer! Even if I'd fought that axe-murderer for real, I would've won."

"Well, if you say so."

Hearing Rimer sound like his usual self was a relief. Raon smiled and sheathed the Heavenly Sky Sword.

"Well done."

Just as Raon was about to check on the Light Wind Squad, Rimer came over and placed a hand on his head.

"Squad leader?"

"If we'd kept fighting, everyone would have died, just like you said. I had blood rushing to my head — my judgment was late. You saved all of us."

He smiled and pointed behind him. The Light Wind Squad and the villagers stood staring in their direction, still dazed.

"I only did what a vice-leader is supposed to do."

Gratitude and joy seemed to shine in every pair of eyes. Feeling oddly embarrassed, Raon lowered his head.

"But are you really confident?"

"Confident?"

"Confident you can beat Roman in three years."

"Of course."

Raon nodded calmly. With a sucker of a Demon King who gave everything away without holding back, he might reach Grandmaster even sooner than three years.

"Hm? Why is this king's ear itching?"

Wrath dug at his ear, looking puzzled.

Just your imagination.

Raon stood at the upper reaches of the Gazelle River and looked down.

The Chungru Tribe chief raised the Water God Stone and chanted a spell that sounded like mountain birdsong. A strange pattern etched itself into the stone, and the white energy dwelling inside began to spin.

"Krrk."

He jerked his chin and waded into the Gazelle River. The other Chungru followed, reciting the same chant.

Ssssshhh!

The instant the Water God Stone touched the river, blue light bloomed from the pattern on its surface. The chief kept chanting as he submerged the stone completely.

Wooooong!

The flickering light from the Water God Stone spread along the current. The glow that had begun in that small sphere had already washed through the entire river.

Hwaaaaa!

When the Chungru chief and his people spoke the final word — Solido — the Water God Stone's light grew so intense they could barely keep their eyes open.

As Raon squinted against the piercing light, the sound of flowing water reached him with sudden, crystalline clarity — as if his ears had just been opened.

"Ah!"

He opened his eyes slowly, and there was the river. It was impossible to believe this was the same murky water from moments ago. The river was so clear he could have counted every grain of sand on the bed.

Just as I saw it in my previous life.

Looking at water so clear it stood in stark contrast to the muddy darkness from before, something welled up hard in his chest.

"Th-this is the Gazelle River?"

"I've never seen a river this clear."

"They said it was the clearest on the continent — they weren't lying!"

The Light Wind Squad swordsmen stared at the restored Gazelle River with their mouths hanging open. They'd heard it was clear, but none of them had imagined it would be like this.

"Wooooaaaah!"

"Haha! Now THIS is the Gazelle River! That's more like it!"

"It's back! It's really back!"

"Haa... finally..."

The villagers gazed at the transparent Gazelle River, smiles on their lips and tears welling in their eyes.

"W-we connected the Water God Stone to the river. It'll stay clear now, just like before."

Garam came back from the chanting and scratched his cheek.

"Garam."

Raon wasn't looking at the cleared river. He was looking at Garam and the Chungru.

"Are you sure this is all right? A lot about your people has come out."

They hadn't told Roman or the river pirates, but the secrets of the Water God Stone and the Chungru Tribe had reached quite a few people. Choosing to keep living here was unexpected.

"Yeah. I was worried too, but the chief said it was fine. The reason is..."

Garam hesitated, then pointed a finger at Raon.

"It's because of you, Raon."

"Me?"

"Yeah. He explained that you're the one protecting this place. He said you're a people we can trust, so it's okay. And I-I..."

"You...?"

"I said you were my friend, and he said we should trust you even more..."

The boy hung his head, his face flushed red with embarrassment.

"I see."

Raon smiled faintly and looked at the Chungru chief. The chief pressed his hands together as if in prayer and bowed his head. He seemed to be copying a human greeting he'd seen. Raon returned the bow.

"Then you're going to have a lot of work ahead of you."

"Huh? Me?"

"You're the only one who can speak both the Chungru language and the human tongue. That means you can be the bridge between people and the Chungru."

"Ah..."

Garam's eyes went round.

"What you did before can't be undone, no matter what. There will be people in your tribe who resent you."

"Y-yeah..."

Garam's shoulders trembled, as if he knew that was true.

"But you can't spend the rest of your life crouched down with your head full of guilt. Be the bridge, so the Chungru can coexist with humans and live even a little better."

"The bridge..."

"Starting today, the Gazelle River and every village along it will belong to Zieghart. No one will touch them. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠So don't worry — find a path where everyone can live happily."

"Yeah!"

For the first time since they'd met, Garam answered with real strength and nodded.

"Karrk!"

"Ah!"

At the Chungru chief's call, Garam glanced back.

"We have to settle in. It'll take a while."

"Come to the village when you're done."

"Okay."

Garam smiled faintly and slipped into the water with the other Chungru. Even though the river was clear enough to see through, they all vanished in an instant. That, too, seemed to be some kind of spell.

Raon stared for a long time at the place where the Chungru had disappeared, then turned his back.

"Let's head back as well."

Wearing a smile not unlike the one Garam had shown, he walked toward the Light Wind Squad.

"Squad leader."

On the way to their lodgings, Raon fell in beside Rimer.

"Are you really all right?"

"I told you I'm fine. You saw me knock aside every one of those light little axe swings."

Rimer waved him off, telling him not to worry. Raon had already checked his condition with his senses. Nothing seemed seriously wrong. And yet, even though Rimer's expression was the same as always, something about it felt strangely ominous.

"At least take this."

Raon pulled an internal-injury medicine he'd received from a saint out of Dorian's Belly Pouch.

"What's this?"

"Internal-injury medicine."

"Is it bitter?"

"It's medicine, so of course it is."

"Then I'm not eat—"

"Quiet and take it!"

He forced the pill into Rimer's mouth as the man shook his head, and made him swallow it.

"Don't wander around for no reason. Go inside and cultivate."

"Ugh, that's filthy bitter. You got any candy?"

"Oh, come on!"

"Aigoo, you little devil..."

Rimer grimaced and waved a hand.

"Light Wind Squad, you all did well. Rest today, and tomorrow we'll..."

"I'll handle the wrap-up. Just go inside and rest."

"All right, all right."

He snorted a laugh and went into the lodgings first.

"Ahem. You all worked hard today. Even a small injury will spread if you leave it, so anyone hurt is to treat their wounds properly and then rest."

"Yes, sir!"

It was an order from their vice-leader, so everyone answered at full volume. No one had died, and the mission was complete — smiles bloomed on every face.

"That's all. Rest."

After giving the order, Raon glanced for a moment at the room Rimer had entered, then turned away.

He was about to go to his room to treat his own internal injuries when a muttering reached him from Wrath.

"Damn it all. It will be here soon. It will come. There is no chance it will not come..."

What's coming?

Raon tilted his head at Wrath, whose face was twisted. The creature looked half terrified and half furious.

"You do not know?"

What are you talking about? Who's coming?

Lector's warning from earlier flashed through his mind, and tension surged.

"That mindless fool who does nothing but follow what is written will soon..."

The instant those words ended, messages burst up in front of his eyes.

Message after message surged up in a line, blotting out his vision.

Raon's mouth fell open. Now he understood — Wrath had been dreading the arrival of these messages.

"I-I knew it would be thus!"

Wrath ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠shrieked at the messages.

"This King knew that rigid fool would raise everything without a shred of sense!"

"Huh..."

Wrath had gone beyond handing out stat points. Now he was even giving advance warning of when they'd arrive.

I really did give him the perfect nickname.

No one in the world could beat the title of Wrath, the Demon King Who Gives Without Holding Back.

With this guy around, reaching Grandmaster in three years should be easy.

"This King cannot live like this! This King cannot go on living like this!"

Raon smiled as he watched Wrath thrash and howl.

I'll be counting on you from here on, too.