The Duel's Aftermath
Raiden lay unconscious with his teeth pulled out, and even after the flames that had danced in the air subsided, the training ground was quiet.
"Waaah!"
"Raon! Raon!"
"Master!"
"You won! Raon Master won!"
The people who broke the silence for the first time were Sylvia and the maids of the annex. They had suffered the most, and they were about to rush out from the spectator seats with tears in their eyes.
"Raon!"
"Raon!"
"Kya!"
They shouted with mixed screams, not caring about the direct and collateral lines staring at them.
The sound was refreshing and free, breaking the oppression they had received until now.
"Raon!"
"Uwaaaaa!"
The cheers that followed burst out from all over the training ground. The voices of the trainees who had trained with Raon for over three years.
"Raon-nim!"
"Raon!"
"Yah!"
All, direct lines, collateral, sacred families, and recommended trainees from outside, became one heart and shouted his name.
"Humm! I have to do at least this much. It's not like I'm the top student."
Burren leaned against the back of the chair and nodded.
"I thought from the beginning that this guy would win."
"Yeah, you shouted quite a bit for someone who was supposed to be like that."
Burren's steward smiled and tilted his head.
"Didn't you say at the beginning, 'Raon. If you lose here, I won't leave you alone. You have to lose to me!'"
"That, that is..."
"Last time, you said 'Fight, break it! Make that bastard's nose flat!' and when Raiden fell, you shouted 'Uwaaaaa!' and even let out a cheer."
"Enough!"
Burren crumpled his red face.
'I don't remember saying that...'
I was too excited, so I don't remember saying those words.
But I don't think the words were wrong. If I beat myself and became the top of the 5th training ground, it was right to defeat such a direct-line like bastard.
"I'm not the only one. All the trainees are shouting Raon's name..."
"Hmph. You can't even control your own emotions and are shouting, you're still a baby."
Marta, sitting below, glanced up and snorted.
"Pathetic. From now on, suck it up. Don't pretend to know people from afar."
"Kk, Marta Zieghart..."
"Marta-nim."
Burren's steward pointed to the railing in front of Marta. The round railing was crushed by a fist.
"You didn't punch that, did you? You seemed quite excited too."
"Ah, no? What nonsense?"
Marta shook her head vigorously, showing obvious surprise and spitting out curses.
"Excited to see such low-level swordsmen? Hah, not even a brat."
She flicked her head in disbelief.
"Marta. Now pretending not to know is useless. I heard you cursing too."
"I wasn't pretending. If you hate it, fight!"
"Raon."
Burren and Marta, who were growling as if to fight, turned their heads at the thin voice from below.
"Raon."
Runaan Sullion was wrapping her hands around her mouth and calling Raon's name continuously.
"Raon."
Even though they gathered hands, it was too small to be heard, but Runaan kept shouting Raon's name.
"Hah..."
"Um..."
Seeing Runaan honestly cheering despite the exhaustion, both men lowered their hands at the same time.
"Tsk, it was a swordsman I didn't need to look at. Pathetic."
Marta scratched her head embarrassedly and stood up.
"Hey, you with the dead eyes!"
She put her foot on the chair of the swordsmen sitting in front.
"Didn't I say earlier? It would be an interesting result."
"Ah..."
"That, that is..."
The swordsmen couldn't speak, fidgeting and shrinking their shoulders.
"If your skill is low, at least read the atmosphere. To survive with such rotten eyes like you, you have to train hard."
She mocked the swordsmen and left the training ground as is.
"Such a temper."
Burren shook his head and stood up. That woman was gentle only to Raon, but in front of others, she became even more ferocious than before.
"Hah..."
He turned his head and looked at Raon standing in the center of the training ground.
Seeing the guy standing tall with his back straight, looking around the entire training ground, the image from when he blocked the front of the Blood Demon King alone came to mind.
'I won't forget that. It's a debt I have to repay for the rest of my life. But I will never give up.'
Burren clenched his fist and fixed his gaze on Raon's back.
"I will definitely catch up."
***
"Um!"
Glenn stood up from the back of the chair. His pupils were larger than usual, and his eyebrows were long and hanging down.
It was a huge reaction for Glenn, who usually didn't show emotions or expressions.
"Ga, Ga-jus-nim."
Roen trembled and looked at Glenn.
"Wasn't the Taehwa Footwork you mixed with Garam Footwork at the beginning the Taehwa Footwork?"
"...Yes."
"Huh!"
Roen's usually smiling face broke. He let out a sound of disbelief looking at Raon.
"Um..."
Glenn narrowed his eyes. What surprised him the most today was not Raon overwhelmingly defeating Raiden.
It was because Raon used the Taehwa Footwork he had told him about only two weeks ago.
Taehwa Footwork was a footwork he created after breaking away from Ma and reaching the transcendence stage. Ordinary martial artists find it hard to master high-level martial arts even in their lifetime.
'But...'
Raon had mastered it. In just two weeks.
It was surprising enough to make Glenn, who doesn't show emotions, amazed and bewildered.
'I thought it would take at least half a year.'
Glenn laughed dryly looking at Raon standing proudly. He had expected Raon to use Taehwa Footwork after at least half a year.
'Two weeks.'
It was the first time his judgment was wrong after reaching the realm of transcendence. It was unbelievable, but somehow he felt like laughing.
'Plus swordsmanship too...'
Raon even pulled out the true meaning of Yeonseong Geombeop at the end. A 15-year-old who hadn't even obtained qualifications pulling out the true meaning of swordsmanship, it was surprising that he couldn't help but be surprised.
"Truly amazing. Taehwa Footwork, Yeonseong Geombeop, and even the last flame..."
Roen couldn't continue properly, stunned.
"Humm, it's not that much. Taehwa Footwork is only 1 star. It was only just entered at the beginning. Yeonseong Geombeop is still lacking. If Raiden had used other sword techniques, he wouldn't have been pushed so easily."
Glenn hid his surprised expression and shook his head with his usual eyes.
"Hey, no. Your expression, Ga-jus-nim... hah."
Roen gave a sly smile and covered his mouth.
"No, really."
Glenn stroked his cheek and turned his head. Since he was with Rimer lately, Roen's personality seemed to have become sly too.
[Raon Zieghart's victory in the duel!]
"Uwaaaaa!"
"Raon!"
"Raon!"
Still immature voices. Children.
"Those kids..."
The trainees training with Raon shouted the same cheers from different positions, direct lines, collateral, sacred families, and external recommended trainees.
"This is the first time I've seen such a sight in a long time. No, isn't it the first time everyone is cheering for collateral?"
"Um..."
Glenn nodded slowly.
'Indeed...'
There were times collateral contributed, won in sparring, but it was the first time receiving cheers from all direct lines, collateral, sacred families, and recommended trainees.
Today was a day where many strange sights would be seen in many ways.
"I hope others can become one like this too."
"..."
Glenn didn't answer. It was impossible for him, who had ruled here when Ma's head was dyed, to do such a thing.
The era divided by military power and blood was too long, and he was too old to change it.
But there was light there.
If it was Raon, the guy who was born as direct line and knew the injustice of collateral, perhaps he would change this family one day.
"Ga-jus-nim. The duel is over!"
The announcer knelt in front of the stage and bowed his head. The eyes of the entire training ground were on Glenn.
"Um!"
Glenn stood up. It was time to praise the winner of the duel. Of course, after dealing with the cheat who interfered with this noble battle.
Goooo!
His cold gaze was directed at Balder sitting below in the west.
***
Raon walked towards the stage with the announcer who was holding the unconscious Raiden.
'Harsh.'
Glenn's expression was even more blank than usual. A ruthless aura lingered around him as if this situation didn't please him.
'Because I won. Or...'
Glenn knew that he didn't like Raon much. But he was a person who was confident in karma.
Even if he didn't like Raon's victory, he wasn't that low to have such openly cold aura.
Kugugug!
When Glenn stood up and stood in front of the stage, the air in the training ground became extremely dry. It was as if the library, no sound of breathing was heard loudly.
"The winner of today's duel is Raon Zieghart."
"Wow!"
A bigger cheer than before erupted from the trainees at Glenn's declaration. Of course, most direct and collateral lines looking at the training ground kept their mouths shut.
"Raon Zieghart will reveal the conditions he set for this duel."
The conditions each swordsman set in the duel are revealed after the duel ends. People kept their mouths shut again out of curiosity about the conditions.
"Raon Zieghart, Raiden who caused trouble in the annex will kneel and apologize to Sylvia and the annex maids, and the Jinmu Hall will not interfere with the annex in any way."
"Eh..."
"Um..."
People stared at Raon without taking their mouths off for a while.
"Is that the condition?"
"Apology?"
"Hah, even to the maids..."
Normally, the conditions in a duel are all the opponent has.
Since it's a battle for pride, it's common to break the opponent's property or best weapon, or even arms or dantian.
But Raon wanted only an apology. Not even an apology to Raon himself, but to his mother and the insignificant maids.
People were shocked to see such conditions for the first time and stared blankly at Raon.
"Apology in a duel? Idiot."
"Indeed. Son of Sylvia."
Direct lines and powerful collateral lines mocked him.
"..."
Sacred families said nothing.
"Raon Zieghart..."
The powerless collateral lines pushed to the center and external swordsmen who were weak from the beginning engraved Raon's name deeply in their minds.
"Since the duel is over, the conditions must be fulfilled right away."
"Kuhk!"
When Glenn snapped his fingers, Raiden, who had been lying flat, vomited blood and opened his eyes.
"Where. Where am I. Uh... Why am I here..."
Raiden's speech with missing teeth was leaking like a holey jug.
"Bring out Sylvia Zieghart and the annex maids."
At Glenn's command, Sylvia, Helen, and the annex maids stood up straight with their spines, looking at each other in confusion.
"Go down to the training ground."
"Ah, yes!"
Sylvia bowed her head. She led the maids down to the training ground below.
"Ah..."
"What is this happening."
"Madam. I'm scared to walk."
The maids who were not used to being looked at were nervously looking at the stage and walking towards it.
Raon turned around and looked at Sylvia, Helen, and the maids one by one. He said with his eyes that it's okay, don't look at the atmosphere, just come.
"Um..."
"Everyone stay calm. We didn't do anything wrong."
"Yes, madam."
The maids' steps became natural as if the gaze had reached them. They stood next to Raon and bowed to Glenn.
"Have you called?"
Glenn nodded and looked down at Raiden who still hadn't regained his senses.
"Raiden Zieghart."
"Eh? Ah, yes!"
"The duel is over with your defeat."
"Ah, aa..."
Raiden finally realized his defeat and trembled.
"Raiden Zieghart. Kneel and apologize to Sylvia and the maids as per the conditions at the start of the duel."
"H, grandfather!"
Raiden shook his head wildly and knelt. Not to Sylvia, but to Glenn.
"I'm a direct line who has obtained the qualification of swordsman. How can I kneel to maids who are not collateral!"
"The promise was not made by me but by you. Since you lost in the duel, keep your promise."
"Grandfather. I, I am..."
"This is a public place. Call me Ga-jus-nim."
"G, Ga-jus-nim! Please forgive me! Next time I can win..."
"The one who needs forgiveness is not me. It's you. As a direct line of Zieghart, keep your word. Raiden Zieghart."
Glenn's expression furrowed. The rough air became more desolate. Goosebumps rose on his arms like before a storm.
"Uuu..."
Raiden was crushed by the momentum and trembled all over. He looked at his father Balder, but he turned his head as if he couldn't do anything.
'Damn! Damn!'
He cursed inside. Because of Raon. Everything was ruined because of that bastard.
'I'll kill him. Definitely! Even if I have to sacrifice everything...'
The moment he stood up and saw Raon, the hair on his body stood up. His heart raced, and he couldn't look into those eyes.
"Kkuuk..."
Pain occurred all over his body from being hit by Raon. His lungs were crumpled so he couldn't breathe, and he couldn't look into those eyes because he was scared.
'Is this fear? Am I afraid of that guy?'
That's all.
"Hik!"
Unable to accept it, he raised his head, but the moment he met Raon's eyes, his stomach churned as if to vomit.
It was natural since Raiden had been hit countless times, his all martial arts broken, and his strength pushed back.
"Go. Kneel."
"Uh..."
Raiden, unable to respond to the close and eerie gaze closer than Glenn's, walked to Sylvia's front and stopped.
'I'll kill all of them somehow.'
Raiden bit his lips with the will to kill them even though he couldn't look into Raon's eyes.
"S, sorry. I'll apologize."
He bowed his head so that it didn't show, clenching his teeth.
"..."
"Ah..."
Sylvia didn't say anything, and the maids didn't know what to do and bowed their heads.
"You don't need to bow your head."
Raon wrapped the maids with the aura of Cultivation of Ten Thousand Flames. The pale faces of the maids who were scared regained color.
"Ah..."
"Raon."
"Ra, Raon-nim."
"Today is the day I receive the apology."
Raon calmed Sylvia and the maids and approached Raiden.
"Do it again. Raiden Zieghart."
"Wh, what?"
"The condition was clearly to kneel and apologize. Kneel and bow your head."
"You really don't see anything, huh. After this is over..."
"Do it again."
"Kk!"
Raon's low voice made Raiden's body tremble. It was the fear of Raon engraved in his body.
"Uh..."
Raiden looked around but there was no one to help him. Glenn's cold eyes seemed to urge to finish quickly.
"Ah..."
Raiden bit his lips with the few teeth he had left and knelt.
"S, sorry."
"Reveal what you did wrong. You would have told everything."
Yes. He had revealed what was wrong each time he was hit with fists and swords. Because it hurt too much, he remembered everything one by one.
"I, I sent false letters, trampled the flowers I raised, spat on my hands, kicked the maids' cheeks, kicked with my feet, hit them. I started a fight unilaterally in the annex. S, sorry... kkuuk."
Raiden was crushed by fear while his body hadn't recovered, and his pride was hurt, and he lost consciousness again.
"It's okay."
Raon smiled looking at the maids whose faces turned pale with worry.
"I will make sure no one can touch the annex, so no need to worry."
"Huuuk..."
"Hik!"
The maids finally burst into tears.
"Raon..."
Sylvia bit her lips tightly and held Raon's hand.
"Ga-jus-nim. My conditions are not over yet. Please confirm it directly."
"Of course. However, before that..."
Glenn's eerie eyes were shot at Balder.
"I have to deal with the one who interfered with the noble duel first."