Chapter 1021
Chapter 1021
-Is this whole thing fixed? How on earth does this keep occurring?
Wrath shrieked in absolute fury, demanding an explanation for why notification banners persisted in appearing every time he opened his mouth.
-That wretched mechanism has to be spying on every single breath I take!
He flailed his tiny limbs erratically toward the empty atmosphere, ordering the unseen force to reveal itself.
‘Shall we take a look?’
Ignoring Wrath’s chaotic fit entirely, Raon turned his attention to the translucent messages floating directly before his vision.
[You have extended the benevolence of a Sword God toward those journeying along the identical path.]
[Your proficiency in the Ten Thousand Swords has advanced.]
[Every core statistic increases by 30 points.]
[The tier of the trait has ascended.]
[The tier of the trait has ascended.]
[The tier of the trait has ascended.]
[The tier of the trait <Soul (Spirit) Sword> has ascended.]
[The boundary of your spiritual domain has expanded immensely.]
[A brand-new trait, , has manifested.]
‘The acquisitions are magnificent, but the phrasing feels somewhat awkward.’
Attributing the title of Sword God carried far too heavy a weight for someone who had merely stepped across the threshold of Transcendence.
-That is precisely my point!
Wrath slammed a fist against Raon’s arm as though his partner had finally voiced something sensible.
-The system displays disgusting favoritism toward you! When its true sovereign stands right here before it!
He ground his teeth bitterly, insisting that the invisible overseer was so infatuated with Raon’s handsome face that it had lost all traces of rational thought.
-The moment we set foot back in Devildom, I will shatter its skull to pieces!
‘Right, of course you will.’
Raon maintained his focus on the notification records, completely brushing off Wrath’s animalistic snarling.
[Your proficiency in the Ten Thousand Swords has advanced.]
[Every core statistic increases by 30 points.]
‘Just as I suspected, my grasp over the Ten Thousand Swords has deepened.’
True to what he anticipated when his inner world broadened, his foundational command of every sword technique he had ever studied had taken a leap forward. Because he had thoroughly processed and applied them during his intense clash against Briana, this breakthrough felt vastly more substantial than mere conceptual enlightenment.
‘And an across-the-board bonus of thirty points.’
Even though he had engaged two Transcendents, Raon felt as though these stat increments had practically fallen into his lap. The Thespian Emperor had merely unleashed an unchecked torrent of aura and sorcery in the middle of a psychic breakdown, whereas the exchanges with Briana had yielded tremendous mutual benefits for both combatants.
-You exerted almost zero effort, yet it hands you thirty full points? This is not some discount bazaar, why is it handing out bounties so recklessly!
Wrath screamed toward the void, pleading for the system to recover its sanity.
‘Next on the list…’
Raon felt fresh surges of raw vigor and vitality coursing through his veins as he reviewed the subsequent notifications.
[The tier of the trait has ascended.]
[The tier of the trait has ascended.]
[The tier of the tier has ascended.]
[The tier of the trait <Soul (Spirit) Sword> has ascended.]
‘Four distinct traits received improvements.’
The elevation of was likely triggered by the intense optical focus required to dissect and counter Briana’s swordplay. had plainly evolved from withstanding the overwhelming deluge of the Thespian Emperor’s combined mana and aura. Meanwhile, both and <Soul (Spirit) Sword> seemed to have progressed in tandem with his elevated comprehension of the Ten Thousand Swords.
-I am losing my mind over this! You merely sat down at a lavishly prepared feast, so by what right do you receive four separate advancements!
Trembling with rage, Wrath waved his dough-like fists furiously in the air, swearing that this blatant bias was growing impossible to endure.
‘His tantrums are getting remarkably worse today.’
Raon casually nudged aside the miniature demon, who was thrashing about frantically like an agitated tadpole, and inspected the concluding message.
[The boundary of your spiritual domain has expanded immensely.]
[A brand-new trait, , has manifested.]
‘Spirit Transformation?’
Because the title provided very little context on its own, he promptly brought up the trait’s details. : An inner soul that has expanded to such an extraordinary extent that it overflows its mortal vessel, projecting a profoundly beneficial aura upon those in its vicinity.
‘Does this indicate that my own soul exerts a positive influence on those nearby?’
Reviewing the summary of Spirit Transformation, it appeared to signify that his spirit, which had matured far beyond what was standard for his current station, naturally bestowed elevating phenomena upon surrounding individuals.
-Tch…
Unlike his hysterical protests over the earlier rewards, Wrath merely gave a muted click of his tongue.
‘Why the sudden lack of fury?’
Raon nudged Wrath’s tail gently with a finger, inquiring if the monarch had finally gained some emotional restraint.
-Because the King foresaw this exact outcome.
Wrath pursed his lips smugly, acting as though this development had been completely expected.
‘You anticipated this?’
-Naturally.
He gave an assertive nod.
-Did you not find it utterly bizarre that both females you crossed blades with today slipped directly into states of enlightenment?
Wrath gestured toward Briana, who remained deeply immersed in her meditative stupor.
‘Hmm…’
Raon let out a quiet murmur, tracking the direction of Wrath’s arm toward Briana.
-It is true that the heavenly flow woman had been dwelling in an intense psychological impasse for ages, and the deranged woman possesses a unique soul constitution, meaning both possessed the raw potential to reach an epiphany. Even so…
Wrath narrowed his gaze with profound suspicion.
-Entering an immediate state of spiritual ascension directly after locking weapons with you remains impossible under normal circumstances.
Wrath shook his head side to side, emphasizing that regardless of external conditions, it defied all natural logic for two separate individuals to achieve breakthrough epiphanies simply by trading blows with another warrior.
‘Which means…’
Raon swallowed quietly, reflecting on the recently acquired trait, .
-Precisely.
Wrath let his arm fall, confirming the deduction.
-The King harbored doubts when it occurred with the heavenly flow woman, but this second instance removes all hesitation.
He aimed his chin straight at Raon.
-You have unconsciously grasped the method of channeling that colossal soul of yours while deploying the Soul Sword.
‘Channeling my spirit…?’
-Your soul holds such absurdly magnificent quality that neither the King nor even that ancient relic Nadine could deny its brilliance. Presently, it reaches past your physical shell to touch those around you. That insufferable Ring of Fire undoubtedly contributes to the phenomenon as well.
Wrath furrowed his small brows, pointing out that this existing effect had merely crystallized into a formal trait.
‘I understand.’
Raon acknowledged the explanation, turning his contemplation back to the Spirit Transformation entry.
‘This is… an immense, unprecedented asset, isn’t it?’
Harnessing his spiritual presence to foster the cultivation and advancement of others—an ability of this nature would undeniably serve the progress of the Light Wind Palace far more effectively than any conventional martial trait.
‘This certainly holds exciting prospects.’
A faint, knowing smile traced Raon’s lips as his eyes wandered toward the warriors of the Light Wind Palace.
“Palace Master!”
“Incredible victory!”
“We never doubted your triumph for a second!”
Noticing his warm expression, the members of the Light Wind Palace waved enthusiastically, erupting into celebratory cheers.
“Blegh!”
In stark contrast, Dorian—who seemed cursed with the instinct to divine Raon’s underlying thoughts—clutched his own mouth as though overcome with nausea, shuddering violently from his head down to his boots.
“We are utterly finished…”
“Phew!”
Right as Raon was pondering methods to accelerate the training of his division, Briana—who had remained enveloped in profound realization—parted her eyelids while releasing a long, measured breath.
‘She returned to awareness quicker than anticipated.’
Because her breakthrough had been stimulated by an external spiritual catalyst rather than purely self-generated contemplation, she had not lingered exceedingly long within her mental landscape.
“M-Master!”
“Are you unharmed?”
The guardians from the Unyielding Blade positioned around her swarmed forward in concern.
“I have never experienced better health in my entire life.”
Briana casually brushed off their fretful gestures, assuring them that her physique and consciousness were both entirely restored, before stepping toward Raon.
“Offering my gratitude to you seems like the proper starting point.”
She offered a courteous bow, conveying genuine appreciation for the enlightenment she had grasped. Unaware of the Spirit Transformation trait, she appeared to believe the epiphany was an unintended byproduct of their duel.
“It was merely an accidental circumstance.”
Raon gestured dismissively, meeting Briana’s newly tranquil gaze.
“Why have you suddenly adopted such formal courtesy?”
Briana cocked her head to the side, puzzled by the shift in his demeanor.
“Our contest has concluded, after all.”
Raon offered a modest shrug, clarifying that any need to maintain an arrogant facade had vanished once his objective was fulfilled.
“I noticed this from the very moment we met, but you truly are a bizarre young man.”
Briana chuckled softly under her breath while studying him.
“Setting formalities aside, please answer me now. Who exactly are you?”
Raon reminded her that with the match finished, she was obligated to clarify her true identity.
“I happen to be the elder sister of the individual you refer to as the Queen of Swords.”
Briana tapped her index finger lightly against her chest.
“We are twin sisters who share a single fleshly vessel.”
She smiled faintly, confirming that two entirely separate souls inhabited the identical physical form.
“Are you referring to a fragmented psyche?”
“One might interpret it that way, but that is not the reality. We possess distinct, independent souls.”
Briana shook her head with a calm smile.
“Ah, now it makes sense.”
It confirmed his earlier intuition—this was not a shifting persona, but a literal interchange between two sovereign spirits.
“From the day we drew breath, Brigitte and I were subjected to spontaneous, involuntary transitions of bodily control against our desires. The world branded us as abominations, and even our mother and father abandoned us.”
Briana offered a wistful chuckle, recounting how, following their abandonment, they fortuitously encountered their teacher and gained entry into the Unyielding Blade.
“Do not interrupt me, Brigitte. A vow was made, and it is only proper that I disclose the full truth.”
She waved an airy hand, signaling for Brigitte to remain silent inside her mind.
“What do you mean by involuntary transitions?”
“Our souls would trade places at completely erratic moments, unlike our current ability to switch whenever we choose. The agony it inflicted upon our minds and bodies was so intense that we genuinely feared we would lose our sanity.”
Briana let out a weary sigh, explaining that the violent, forced transfers produced such agonizing shockwaves that they would frequently collapse into unconsciousness.
“It was during that desperate era that our teacher arranged a meeting with Ariel. It was solely through the mystical enchantments she bestowed upon us that we managed to survive in this manner.”
She casually smoothed back a few stray strands of hair, attributing their continued existence to the sorcery of the Thespian Emperor. Raon finally comprehended the deep-seated motive behind the Queen of Swords’ unwavering allegiance to the Thespian Emperor.
“To be fair, the Ariel of those days likely rescued us because she foresaw our future utility through the heavenly flow. Even with that calculated motive, her intervention did save our lives.”
Briana maintained a serene smile, having long understood the complex layers of the Thespian Emperor’s calculating nature.
“There is one detail I find curious. You are clearly the superior combatant, so why was Brigitte permitted to command the physical form?”
Raon brought up the question that had lingered in his thoughts.
“I made the personal choice to remain dormant within.”
Briana settled her palm over her heart, as though gently clasping Brigitte’s hand.
“Is it not the natural obligation of an older sibling to shelter her younger sister?”
She beamed softly, asserting that the decision had not been difficult to make.
“…Understood.”
Raon exhaled a soft sigh as he regarded Briana, who displayed not an ounce of remorse regarding her chosen path.
‘She possesses an extraordinarily noble character.’
Despite having experienced the sensation of physical autonomy, she willingly surrendered the mortal coil for her sister’s sake without resentment—a choice that laid bare the sheer depth of Briana’s magnanimity.
‘Her path of progression will undoubtedly reach terrifying heights.’
He found himself anticipating the peerless heights of martial supremacy she might attain if she ever managed to transcend the physiological and energy constraints imposed by Brigitte’s physical vessel.
“What are you complaining about? Even if my arrival preceded yours by a single minute, I remain the elder sister! Furthermore, it makes no difference whether I vocalize my words or project them within our mind!”
Briana knit her brows together, clearly engaged in a heated inner debate with Brigitte.
“Was Brigitte’s habitual silence caused by…”
Raon squinted slightly as he observed her animated expressions.
“Indeed. She appears uncommunicative to the outside world because she is constantly chattering with me on the inside.”
She burst into laughter, revealing that Brigitte was surprisingly talkative by nature.
“Might I pose an inquiry to you as well?”
Briana raised a single finger toward him.
“Feel free.”
“You possess the capability to manifest a mental landscape whenever you desire, do you not?”
She offered a knowing smile, indicating she had caught onto his secret.
“Perhaps not entirely on a whim, but I can align the timing relatively well.”
Raon offered a modest denial, noting that crossing into the mental world was not an insurmountable feat.
“I was certain of it! I perceived a remarkably familiar cadence flowing from you throughout our clash!”
Briana’s grin broadened, reaffirming that she had recognized an identical atmospheric wavelength during their exchange.
“A familiar cadence?”
“I hold the ability to disconnect from physical sensation and retreat entirely into the mental realm. Up until now, I have conducted all my solitary cultivation within that isolated dimension.”
She nodded steadily, clarifying that her intricate sword forms and evasive steps had been forged during endless hours of lonely contemplation within that space.
“…I see.”
Raon swallowed dryly as the full picture came into focus.
‘That explains how she could wield arts and evasions so impossibly refined.’
While Brigitte had managed affairs within the mortal world, Briana had been tirelessly refining her sword paths and footwork within a mental dimension where temporal flow moved at a crawl, crafting forms dangerous enough to threaten his life. Every mystery surrounding her capabilities was finally resolved.
“Trading strikes with you was a truly magnificent experience.”
Briana offered her clenched fist forward, hinting that another exchange in the future would be welcome.
“I would gladly accept.”
A subtle smile touched Raon’s lips as he raised his arm, meeting her fist with his own.
“I fully support walking alongside Zieghart.”
Briana voiced her consent to align with the Five Kings, after which her eyelids fluttered shut. When they drew open once more, the spirit dwelling within the irises belonged to the physical host, Brigitte.
“Ah…”
The Queen of Swords, Brigitte, pressed her lips together nervously under his gaze. She seemed thoroughly flustered now that all their long-guarded secrets had been laid bare.
“To begin with, I must convey my appreciation. The enlightenment did not bless Briana alone; it reached me as well.”
She inclined her head, signaling that she too had partaken in the spiritual awakening Briana experienced.
“Furthermore…”
Releasing a brief breath, Brigitte gave an affirmative nod.
“I share my sister’s conclusion.”
She extended her hand forward in a fist, confirming her personal decision to stand with the Five Kings just as Briana had decided.
“I offer my sincere apologies for the numerous indiscretions I committed earlier.”
Raon lowered his head slightly, expressing formal regret for his prior bluntness.
“I look forward to our alliance.”
Promising to ensure they would never regret this commitment, he reached out toward the hand that was physically identical yet spiritually distinct. Their knuckles connected with a muffled, solid impact.
Accompanied by Brigitte, Raon made his way back toward the training grounds of the Thespian Emperor.
“You have returned.”
The Thespian Emperor, who had evidently awakened from her trance during their absence, offered an elegant greeting with a palm placed gracefully across her chest.
“You appear to be in high spirits.”
Raon returned a mild, composed smile as he examined the Thespian Emperor’s eyes, which were rising to meet his gaze.
‘Her true self has returned.’
Her pupils radiated a brilliant, calculating wisdom that had been entirely absent throughout the earlier madness. Her whole aura seemed far more vibrant and refined than the impression she had projected during their initial encounter in Zieghart. It was apparent that she had not merely broken free from her psychological labyrinth, but her spiritual vessel had evolved tremendously as well.
“Naturally, I am pleased. I have finally broken free from the stifling enclosure that held me captive.”
The Thespian Emperor brought her fingers together, offering genuine thanks for his role in liberating her from that cramped, dark confinement.
“Brigitte. An aura of transformation surrounds you as well.”
Her expression softened warmly as she looked past Raon toward the Queen of Swords.
“Indeed. I have incurred a tremendous obligation toward this young man. Briana and I both.”
The Queen of Swords clicked her tongue softly, admitting that the debt they owed would be exceptionally difficult to repay.
“Consequently, we have resolved to cast our lot with the Five Kings.”
She gave a decisive nod, signifying that their allegiance was settled beyond debate.
“Very well. In that case, we ought to balance the ledger before proceeding.”
“Balance the ledger…”
Raon let out a soft, amused breath as the Thespian Emperor glided toward him.
‘The speed at which her demeanor shifts is truly remarkable.’
It was almost comical how effortlessly she had agreed to blindly follow the Five Kings when vulnerable, only to immediately prioritize contractual terms the second her sharp intellect returned. Even so, this pragmatic attitude matched the sovereign he was familiar with, and he had never anticipated securing the Five Divine Orders without substantial negotiations anyway.
“Of course, I never presumed to enlist the Five Divine Orders without offering proper compensation. First of all—”
“That is not the nature of my statement.”
The Thespian Emperor closed the distance by another stride just as he began laying out his proposed terms.
“You brought illuminating dawn to a soul that was steadily being swallowed by shadows. For that reason, both the White Whale and I will remain aligned with Zieghart until the conflict against the Five Demons reaches its ultimate conclusion.”
The Thespian Emperor made the declaration with absolute conviction, her demeanor radiating the firmness of an unshakeable decree.
“Matters concerning compensation, concessions, or contractual guarantees can wait until the fighting ceases, to be settled during the grand evaluation of merits.”
Her lips curved into a subtle smile, confirming that all financial remuneration and diplomatic pledges would be deferred until after the war.
“Are you truly content with such an arrangement?”
Raon furrowed his brows slightly, evaluating the sincerity behind her expression.
“Zieghart could very well cast aside the Five Divine Orders once the campaign concludes.”
“It is commonly observed that the hands that bestow blossoms are ever steeped in their fragrance. Drawing from the revelation I attained through your intervention, I have come to perceive the true nature of your spirit.”
The Thespian Emperor inclined her head, confirming she had brushed against the essence of his soul when swept up in the wave of enlightenment.
“I harbor complete faith that even should I fall on the field of battle, you will see to it that fitting tribute is delivered to the White Whale. Moving forward, the Five Divine Orders pledges its allegiance directly to Zieghart.”
She bowed her head respectfully, pointedly emphasizing the name Zieghart instead of the broader alliance of the Five Kings, offering an undeniable display of personal devotion to him.
“I look forward to our shared path, Sword Emperor Raon Zieghart.”
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