Chapter 1016
Chapter 1016
“Could you direct us straight to the Thespian Emperor and the Queen of Swords?”
Raon made it clear that taking in the local sights was not their priority, his gaze fixed on Mekein with an unyielding chill.
“Ah…”
Mekein swallowed nervously. It was not just Raon’s presence weighing on him, but also the freezing pressure radiating from the Light Wind Palace swordsmen stepping through the planar gate behind him.
“I see… Very well. We shall set off the moment every member of the Light Wind Palace has crossed over.”
He inclined his head, assuring them that he would escort them directly to the Thespian Emperor once their forces had fully assembled.
“Much appreciated.”
Raon gave a subtle nod of respect, observing how Mekein managed to mask his initial panic and regain a steady composure.
‘It seems my earlier assessment was correct; the Thespian Emperor certainly possesses an eye for capable retainers.’
Even without any trace of enmity, Mekein proved himself far from ordinary by remaining collected amidst such an oppressive, frigid aura.
“All personnel are accounted for.”
Burren stepped forward to report to Raon after meticulously tallying the numbers of the Light Wind Palace swordsmen.
“Now that everyone has gathered, let us proceed without delay.”
Raon signaled to Mekein, who stood waiting near the exit.
“Then allow me to lead the way.”
Steeling his resolve against the frosty pressure trailing behind the Light Wind Palace swordsmen, Mekein unlatched the magic tower’s heavy portal. Dazzling sunlight swept inward, illuminating a landscape of elegant dwellings and refined structures. Though the day had not yet reached its peak, ordinary citizens were already moving briskly through the avenues, absorbed in their daily routines.
“Follow me, if you please.”
Aware of the thick tension in the air, Mekein began striding toward the Thespian Emperor’s residence without lingering to offer unnecessary commentary regarding Barene.
“Move out.”
Raon signaled for the Light Wind division to fall in and matched his pace behind Mekein.
‘Even a passing glance shows how drastically things have changed.’
A vast portion of Barene had been reduced to rubble during the prior onslaught launched by the Five Demons. The roads were freshly laid with pristine stone, a clear sign that the vast majority of the architecture had undergone extensive reconstruction.
“As you are likely aware, Light Wind Palace Master…”
Noticing Raon’s attentive scrutiny, Mekein spoke up in a subdued tone.
“Following the assault led by the Dark Night Sword God and the rest of the Five Demons, not only did Barene’s perimeter ramparts fall, but nearly the entire settlement was laid waste.”
A weary breath escaped him as he recalled just how hopeless that ordeal had been.
“In the wake of that ruin, dread swept through the populace, and many prepared to abandon their homes. Yet when the Thespian Emperor emptied the treasury and personally took command of the rebuilding efforts, not a single soul chose to leave these lands behind.”
A faint, warm smile graced Mekein’s face as he explained that the ordeal had ultimately forged an unbreakable bond between the sovereign and her subjects.
“It certainly presents a far more vibrant picture than when I last walked these streets.”
Raon agreed with a measured nod. Just as Mekein noted, having endured such profound devastation, the city now hummed with an undeniable vigor and warmth.
“Truly. The previous city was grand, to be sure, yet it lacked the pulse of actual living souls. Now it actually feels alive.”
Martha clicked her tongue softly, finding herself in agreement with the observation.
“Mhm. Even the breeze carries a gentle warmth…”
Runaan blinked her listless eyes slowly, murmuring that the surroundings put her at ease.
“The core of the place feels entirely renewed, far more than its outer appearance suggests. There is a palpable sense of unity here.”
Burren offered a gentle grin while scanning the bustling commerce throughout the thoroughfares.
“I am truly pleased to hear you say so.”
Mekein’s stride grew noticeably lighter as they ascended the gentle slope, clearly heartened by their favorable impressions of Barene’s revival.
“In truth, the grand seat where the Thespian Emperor resides had to be rebuilt from scratch as well. You can see it just ahead.”
He gestured toward a manor positioned near the heart of the settlement, explaining that the old castle had completely collapsed, necessitating the construction of a new dwelling.
“That seems rather modest for her stature.”
Martha tilted her head, inspecting the Thespian Emperor’s dwelling, which barely surpassed the scale of an auxiliary annex.
“Indeed. The estate we visited on our previous trip seemed larger even than our Lord’s Manor.”
Burren rubbed his jaw, sharing the exact same impression.
“Throughout the reconstruction, the needs and homes of the common folk were prioritized above all else. With our capital and labor stretched thin, this was the utmost that could be managed.”
Mekein offered a self-deprecating grin, explaining that the Thespian Emperor had willingly settled for a far smaller residence so that her people could be restored first.
“She never struck me as the kind of person who possessed such selflessness… gah!”
Krein abruptly clamped his mouth shut after catching a sharp, piercing stare from Mekein.
“It is only natural that an outsider might perceive her that way.”
Mekein let out an easy chuckle, brushing off the remark without taking offense.
“Krein…”
“Hold your tongue. Remember where you stand; this is not the Zieghart estate.”
Burren and Martha both turned their piercing glares toward Krein.
“F-Forgive me.”
Flustered and ashamed, Krein bowed low before Mekein.
“Think nothing of it. Different people will always harbor different viewpoints.”
Mekein waved his hand dismissively, indicating that no harm had been done.
‘To be entirely candid…’
Raon narrowed his gaze, observing the modest structure that served as the Thespian Emperor’s official quarters.
‘What Krein said is hardly wide of the mark.’
From Raon’s own firsthand impressions, the Thespian Emperor was nothing if not a calculating pragmatist. Downsizing her personal abode under the guise of prioritizing commoners felt far more like a maneuver designed to sway public perception and cultivate a flawless reputation than genuine altruism.
-Even if her motives stem from vanity and rumors, does it not still result in something beneficial for the weak?
Wrath spun his azure pupils, apparently perplexed by the distinction.
‘You are not wrong. It remains a positive outcome regardless.’
Just as the Monarch of Wrath had pointed out, the commoners profited either way, prompting Raon to accept the thought with a faint smirk.
“Please grant me a brief moment; I shall return shortly.”
Mekein requested that they hold their positions outside before stepping through the entrance of the Thespian Emperor’s manor.
‘Is she resting on the upper floor?’
A colossal soul presence, vast enough to easily envelop the entire breadth of the city, seeped outward from within the residence. Perhaps because his own martial realm had advanced, the immense weight of the Thespian Emperor’s internal power felt formidable enough to shake the very foundations of his spirit.
‘To command such overwhelming dominance without even drawing upon her aura.’
She was undeniably worthy of standing as an absolute figure among the Five Divine Orders. Turning back toward the Light Wind Palace swordsmen, Raon spoke with a measured tone.
“The chamber cannot accommodate our entire force. The Warring Steel Leader will remain outside to oversee the troops.”
He entrusted command of the unit to Trevin, the veteran most versed in handling soldiers during tense assignments.
“Leave it to me.”
Trevin flashed a confident grin and slammed a clenched fist against his chest, signaling his reliability.
“Light Wind division, keep my instructions in mind and uphold the absolute discipline expected of Zieghart’s elite.”
The moment the command left his lips, the relaxed demeanor that had settled over the swordsmen vanished, replaced by an icy, razor-sharp focus far sterner than before.
“Understood!”
The Light Wind Palace warriors snapped their fists against their chests in unison just like Trevin, silently pledging not to falter.
“We bear the duty of guarding the Palace Master, so remain on your absolute best behavior.”
Burren shot a scolding glare toward Martha and Runaan, urging them to maintain their decorum.
“Watch yourself first.”
Martha gave an insolent flick of her chin toward Runaan.
“Are your words directed at me, Miss Rakshasa…?”
Runaan tilted her head slowly, indicating the blame was misplaced.
“I am talking to you, obviously!”
“The one known as Miss Rakshasa is you, not me…”
The two women ground their teeth, poking forcefully at each other’s cheeks in defiance.
“Enough, both of you!”
Burren stepped between them with an exasperated growl, forcing Martha and Runaan apart.
“Hmph!”
Snorting derisively, Martha closed her eyes. Rather than wasting further energy on indignation, she immediately settled into circulating her internal energy where she stood.
‘Her desire to лично bring down the Leader of the White Blood Religion truly consumes her every waking moment.’
As Raon watched Martha dedicate even spare seconds to cultivation with a gentle smile, Mekein emerged from the building, a visible furrow between his brows.
“Has an issue arisen?”
Raon tilted his head, watching Mekein approach without company.
“Our formal gathering was slated for midday, and the Queen of Swords has yet to make her entrance. The Thespian Emperor is presently occupied with administrative duties, yet she conveyed that she is prepared to grant an audience immediately if you so desire.”
Mekein lowered his posture respectfully, awaiting their choice on how to proceed.
“Perhaps meeting the Thespian Emperor ahead of time would be wise…”
“No. We shall receive them both at the same time.”
Raon rejected the alternative, opting to hold the audience alongside both rulers in the formal assembly hall.
‘Whether this delay is a deliberate maneuver or a coincidence, granting them time to consult in private serves no purpose.’
The Thespian Emperor would instantly discern the prevailing currents the moment their eyes met. Facing both sovereigns simultaneously was the cleanest way to force a swift resolution.
“I must offer my apologies for the inconvenience.”
“There is no reason to seek forgiveness, Mekein. We simply arrived far earlier than anticipated.”
“In that case, please allow me to escort you to the parlor while we wait.”
Mekein ushered them toward a smaller detached building situated to the right of the main estate. Designed specifically for welcoming distinguished guests, its interior was far more opulent than the emperor’s personal residence.
“I will prepare some refreshments at once.”
Promising a prompt return, he stepped back outside.
‘There remains plenty of time before the midday bell.’
Their assembly and transit across the planar passage had concluded much swifter than projected, leaving them with an unexpected stretch of leisure.
‘Shall I examine that text in the meantime?’
Reaching into his dimensional storage, he withdrew a weathered, ancient tome. It was the very volume Glenn had personally delivered to the annex. Between his rigorous energy circulation and tending to his lingering injuries, he had found no leisure to peruse it, but now offered an ideal opportunity.
‘Let us see what kind of esoteric sword manual this might be… Wait.’
This was no martial scripture at all.
[The cultivation of the soul mirrors the rearing of an unripened sapling. Tend to it with an untainted heart, and deep, resolute roots will take hold beneath the soil, impervious to the fiercest storms. Yet nurture it with sickness and malice, and its footing will remain frail and shallow, destined to snap under the mildest rain or gale.]
Scanning the opening passages, he found no martial forms or kinetic methods; instead, it outlined philosophy and mental disciplines concerning the balance of the spirit.
[The spirit behaves like still water resting within a bowl. Unprovoked, it maintains absolute serenity; yet should an external shock strike, it churns violently as though desperate to spill over the rim. To step onto higher plateaus, one must retain unbroken command over the stillness of their inner self.]
Raon turned past verses that read almost like solemn scripture, finally reaching the concluding page.
[A single year shortly gathers into ten; ten years compound into a century, and centuries flow onward into a millennium. Yet a span of ten thousand years can never be attained through such mortal accretion. It is a boundary of time and existence beyond the comprehension of ordinary flesh and blood, achievable only through the profound manifestation of the inner soul.]
His eyes narrowed to sharp slits as he studied the final inscription.
‘This message…’
Something about it stood entirely apart. Unlike the broad musings on spiritual balance earlier in the book, these concluding lines seemed to conceal an entirely different layer of reality.
‘What is this sensation…?’
It sat on the edge of comprehension, yet remained frustratingly elusive.
‘I must study this further.’
Raon lost himself entirely within the prose of that final page, entirely unaware when Mekein slipped back into the chamber to place freshly brewed tea upon the table.
A crisp knock echoed against the wood. Just as Raon was etching the mysterious lines into his memory after reading them again and again, the door creaked open.
“The Queen of Swords has arrived. Shall we proceed to the chamber?”
Mekein offered a deep bow, announcing that the summit was ready to commence.
“Very well. Lead on.”
Securing the volume back into his dimensional storage, Raon rose to his feet.
“The council pavilion sits directly behind the main estate. Follow me, please.”
Under Mekein’s careful navigation, the party moved toward the rear grounds of the manor. A subtle breeze stirred as Burren, Martha, Runaan, and Mark Goetun glided forward like wordless phantoms, matching his steps without making a sound.
“Before you stands the grand council hall of the Five Divine Orders.”
Mekein signaled toward an edifice that carried the solemn grandeur of a sacred cathedral from an ancient era.
“This hall was erected with the utmost scale and majesty, as befitting the renown of the luminaries belonging to the Five Divine Orders.”
Mekein nodded slowly, noting that this single structure was built without any compromise on splendor.
“A prudent decision.”
Raon inclined his head, sweeping his vision across the impressive construction.
‘It projects not just elegance, but immense fortitude.’
The grandeur went beyond outward ornamentation; the architecture gave off an aura of unshakeable permanence, as if declaring it would never succumb to ruin again.
“Phew.”
Steadying his breathing, Mekein pushed open the monumental double doors of the assembly hall. The massive leaves parted with a heavy rumble, unveiling the chamber within.
Directly in the center rested an unblemished, pure white round table, occupied on either side by two women of extraordinary beauty, each bearing an entirely different countenance.
The Thespian Emperor, seated centrally, radiated a pure, ethereal grace that seemed capable of purging every stain of corruption from the realm. Meanwhile, the Queen of Swords seated to the right possessed an icy, lethal sharpness, resembling an unsheathed blade given flesh.
“You have arrived.”
The Thespian Emperor rose smoothly from her seat, offering a dignified, courteous bow.
“Long has it been.”
The Queen of Swords merely gave an indifferent nod, not bothering to shift her posture.
“It is good to see you both in good health.”
Raon planted his feet before the round table, effortlessly brushing aside the immense, transcendent pressure naturally radiating from the two figures before him.
“Oh?”
“…”
A distinct glint of realization crossed the eyes of both women as they gauged his response.
“Seeing it with my own eyes proves even more astounding than the tales.”
A faint breath escaped the Thespian Emperor as she peered into Raon’s crimson irises.
“Though numerous reports reached my ears, to think you have truly crossed that impossible threshold…”
She shook her head gently, acknowledging that such an achievement defied reason even when witnessed in the flesh.
“It nearly tempts me to doubt the clarity of my own vision.”
The Queen of Swords knit her refined brows.
“Now it makes sense how those repulsive abominations met their end.”
Her fingertips tapped rhythmically against the round table as she reasoned that such strength explained the downfalls of the Demonblade and the Demon Slaying Spear.
“Now that I think on it, I have yet to extend my proper felicitations. Allow me to congratulate you on attaining transcendence.”
The Thespian Emperor bent her waist in a deep, formal bow, expressing regret for the delayed commendation.
“My gratitude.”
Raon returned the gesture with a shallow bow, meeting her untroubled, lucid gaze.
‘Formidable.’
Standing directly in her presence, the sheer scale of the Thespian Emperor’s spiritual realm felt far more staggering than he had calculated. She was a combatant cast from an entirely different mold than the likes of the Demonblade or the Demon Slaying Spear. While his odds of prevailing remained substantial, securing a clean victory would be anything but guaranteed.
‘And then there is the Queen of Swords…’
He shifted his attention toward the woman seated to the right.
‘She stands beneath the Thespian Emperor in raw prowess.’
From what his senses verified, her martial foundation was undoubtedly lower than that of the Thespian Emperor. While exceeding the Demonblade, her abilities appeared roughly on par with the Demon Slaying Spear. Should they cross swords, he could triumph every single time without fail.
‘Then why did the Head of House specifically warn me to be wary of her?’
Glenn had accepted without hesitation the claim that the Thespian Emperor could be brought down, yet he had maintained an uncharacteristic wariness regarding the Queen of Swords.
‘He is not a man given to idle jesting.’
Unlike Rimmer, Glenn would never joke about a matter carrying such grave geopolitical weight. The Queen of Swords undeniably harbored an unknown trump card hidden from common knowledge.
‘I must remain vigilant.’
He resolved not to let down his guard under any circumstances. Setting his laced fingers onto the edge of the round table, Raon suppressed the slight tension within his chest.
“A certain piece of news reached my ears not long ago…”
The Queen of Swords narrowed her gaze, pinning her eyes onto him.
“Can it truly be that you extinguished The Fallen?”
She let out a faint, disbelieving breath, clearly struggling to digest the rumor.
“Exaggerations tend to run rampant among hearsay.”
Raon let out an airy laugh, waving his hand lightly.
“I expected as much.”
The Queen of Swords clicked her tongue dismissively.
“Remarkable though you may be, bringing about the end of The Fallen exceeds the bounds of possibility.”
She gave a satisfied nod, convinced that the demise of The Fallen had merely been fabricated gossip.
“…”
The Thespian Emperor said nothing, merely watching him with crystal-clear, discerning eyes.
“And yet, that report speaks the absolute truth.”
Raon raised his hand with steady deliberation.
“The Fallen has indeed perished. Though to be clear, it was not an undertaking I achieved entirely unassisted.”
He affirmed the death of the entity, deliberately leaving the precise intricacies unsaid.
“What?”
The Queen of Swords’ gaze shook violently, like waters churned by an abrupt tempest.
“H-how could that be possible?”
She pushed herself up from the chair, striking the tabletop with a sharp clatter in sheer bewilderment.
“During the catastrophe involving the Black Tower Master, the Archmage of Eternal Flame intervened, but no such aid was present this time around!”
She glared at him with trembling pupils, demanding a clarification of how such a feat had transpired.
“…”
The Thespian Emperor took a measured sip from her porcelain cup, completely unruffled by the revelation. It was evident she had already discerned the reality of the situation beforehand.
“Recounting the details is no great burden, but before we delve into that matter, I must pose a question to the two of you.”
Raon shook his head in quiet refusal.
“What question?”
The Queen of Swords narrowed her eyes warily.
“Speak your mind.”
Setting her vessel back onto the saucer, the Thespian Emperor signaled her readiness to listen.
“I believe that Zieghart has extended more than ample forbearance toward the Five Divine Orders. Therefore, the time has come to hear your definitive allegiance.”
Raon’s crimson pupils bore into them with absolute, merciless intent.
“Will you walk the same path alongside the Five Kings, or will your lives conclude within this very chamber…?”
Tilting his chin upward with unyielding defiance, he looked down upon the two rulers with piercing clarity.
“Declare your path here and now.”
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