Chapter 1089
Chapter 1089
“What in the world…?”
Raon stood dumbfounded, his mouth agape as he gazed down at the Blade Queen and the Warlord prostrating themselves on the ground.
‘Did they just proclaim me to be the heir of the Sword Saint?’
It was true that he had inherited the essence of the earth aura from that legendary figure, yet never in his wildest dreams had he viewed himself as the man’s chosen legatee. He had simply sought to apply that earthly power in a fresh manner after witnessing the duel between the Blade Queen and the Warlord. He certainly had not anticipated this kind of dramatic development.
‘This makes no sense at all…’
He had harbored doubts about a possible tie linking the couple to the ancient master, remaining behind purely to verify that hunch, but their instant capitulation exceeded anything he could have anticipated.
—W-wait! What kind of nonsense is unfolding now?
Wrath’s mouth quivered in shock.
—Why have these two gone from looking like simpletons to acting like devoted thralls?
He struck his chest repeatedly, clearly agitated by an ominous premonition.
“Both of you, please stand and regain your composure.”
Raon extended his hand slightly, gesturing downward to calm them.
“O honored inheritor!”
“To stand in the presence of our master’s chosen one is the highest privilege.”
Clasping their own wrists with shivering hands, both the Blade Queen and the Warlord stared up at him with fervent, manic gazes that made it obvious they were beyond listening to reason.
“H-hold on a second!”
Raon reached out, physically swatting their hands aside.
“I admit that I cultivate techniques derived from the Sword Saint, but I have never been named his true heir or successor!”
He took a step back, attempting to clarify that he merely happened to possess those martial methods.
“The martial arts coursing through you! That dense, unyielding energy serves as absolute proof of your lineage!”
The Blade Queen nodded vigorously, insisting that the presence of that energy settled the matter entirely.
“That unique aura is something no ordinary practitioner could ever emulate or even begin to comprehend!”
Her fingers tightened around her wrists, entirely convinced of her conclusion.
“The earth attribute is exceedingly scarce.”
The chill in the Warlord’s eyes flared into an ardent heat.
“Unlike the brilliant fury of fire, the fluid gentleness of water, or the piercing rapidity of wind, earth is often ignored by the world, resulting in virtually no transcendent methods for its cultivation. There is simply no room for us to be mistaken.”
He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully, convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that Raon’s power carried the defining mark of the Sword Saint.
“The truth is, I don’t even know what this cultivation method is called…”
Raon raised both palms defensively, letting out an empty chuckle.
‘The old man vanished before he could even give it a proper title.’
Indeed, the elder had departed the moment he imparted the earth aura, the Devil-Fighting Sword Art, and the quintessential concept of the Devil-Cutting Blade Art, leaving Raon entirely ignorant of the art’s true name.
“It bears the name of the Diamond Earth Technique. My wife and I have each inherited merely half of its total teachings, using it only to bolster our alternative energies, yet as the legitimate heir, you must be capable of unleashing its raw might directly.”
The Warlord nodded in affirmation, explaining that the Diamond Earth Technique could either augment other elements or function as an independent, devastating force.
“Is that so…”
Raon clicked his tongue thoughtfully as he felt the heavy energy of the Diamond Earth Technique shifting quietly within his middle dantian.
‘Was this skill truly such an incredible art?’
He had always known it was exceptional, but he had remained blind to this specific application. A hint of regret crept into his mind for having neglected it in favor of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier.
“You need not worry in the slightest!”
The Blade Queen offered a knowing grin, seeming to perceive the exact nature of his internal contemplation.
“We shall personally ensure you master the Diamond Earth Technique in no time.”
She pressed her palms together enthusiastically, bursting with confidence regarding their ability to advance his skill.
“Indeed. Even though each of us holds merely half the scripture, the Diamond Earth Technique has been the core of our existence for our entire lives.”
The Warlord offered an encouraging nod, his expression shockingly gentle for a warrior normally known for his icy demeanor.
“Does that mean both of you are also successors to the Sword Saint?”
Raon inquired, shifting his gaze back and forth between the two martial artists.
“Not in the true sense.”
The Warlord gave a small shake of his head.
“We could only attain the title of legitimate successor by vanquishing the other party, thereby uniting both halves of the Diamond Earth Technique alongside the corresponding weapon.”
Releasing a brief sigh, he explained that the inability to defeat his wife had kept him from ever claiming the title of the Sword Saint’s true inheritor.
“He speaks the truth.”
The Blade Queen gestured with her chin toward her partner.
“Just as we stated before, this feud between our lineages has raged unbroken for a millennium.”
She brushed off her garments, detailing how the stalemate had dragged on across generations because the heirs and their inherited techniques had always been evenly matched.
“Yet this prolonged struggle reaches its conclusion this very day. Now that a warrior possessing the unified Diamond Earth Technique has finally stepped forward, our path is to serve you.”
The Warlord lowered himself once more onto his knees, formally offering his fealty to Raon.
“To be frank, had some unworthy fool dared to claim the mantle of successor, we would have severed his head without hesitation…”
The Blade Queen’s eyes flashed with a momentary glimmer of lethality before softening once again.
“However, when the successor is the Sword Emperor of Zieghart himself, we have no reason to hesitate in acknowledging you.”
She nodded along, making it clear that following Raon felt completely natural.
“…I understand.”
Raon let out a measured breath as he absorbed the unwavering, expectant gazes directed at him.
‘Now that I think about it…’
The Sword Saint had indeed mentioned bestowing his martial disciplines onto two distinct lineages, separating the sword from the blade. He had advised Raon to seek out those disciples to bring them under his banner. Raon had assumed that those traditions would have eroded into dust over the passage of an entire millennium, never anticipating that their legacy would endure intact for a thousand years.
‘And that their current bearers would be none other than the Blade Queen and the Warlord.’
Without a colossal foundation like the Zieghart clan, martial traditions and heirlooms were prone to vanishing into history. Yet these two distinct branches had somehow managed to pass down their sacred teachings with near-flawless fidelity.
“Our fundamental duty has always been to uncover the true heir of the Sword Saint. Originally, we were bound to slaughter each other to resolve that purpose, but since you have presented yourself, Lord Raon, pledging our allegiance is the only proper choice.”
The Warlord bowed deeply, formally dedicating himself to the young lord as a disciple of the grand lineage.
“In truth, once we united as husband and wife, neither of us possessed the heart to fight each other to the death, making this resolution far more favorable.”
The Blade Queen exhaled softly, confessing the agonizing conflict she had endured between her devotion to her husband and the ancient commandment of her sect.
“I, as well, shall pledge my devotion to Lord Raon.”
A broad, unburdened smile spread across her face.
“Nevertheless, to be revered as the genuine inheritor of the Sword Saint, Lord Raon must not only conquer the Diamond Earth Technique, but also elevate both the Devil-Fighting Sword Art and the Devil-Cutting Blade Art to mastery.”
The Warlord nodded firmly, pointing out that one had to attain at least the intermediate thresholds of all three martial arts to fully embody the Sword Saint’s will.
“Though portions of the Devil-Fighting Sword Art and the Devil-Cutting Blade Art have suffered losses over the passage of time, we ought to be able to reconstruct the missing forms by pooling our insights.”
The Blade Queen clenched her hands with resolve, offering to take full responsibility for recovering the lost techniques.
“Regarding those two martial arts you just brought up…”
Raon raised a single hand, swallowing nervously before continuing.
“I already possess them in their entirety. The authentic, uncorrupted versions…”
The Sword Saint had bestowed upon him not merely the foundation of the Diamond Earth Technique, but the primordial forms of the Devil-Fighting Sword Art and the Devil-Cutting Blade Art as well, every movement still etched vividly into his memory.
“Ah!”
“Just as we thought!”
The irises of both the Blade Queen and the Warlord flared with an intense azure radiance once more.
“The undeniable successor of the Sword Saint!”
Without a second thought, the pair pressed their knees and foreheads against the earth again, mirroring the absolute reverie from earlier.
—Aaaaargh…
Wrath gritted his fangs in utter frustration as he witnessed the awe dripping from the kneeling couple.
—Why must this realm be so crowded with gullible fools! And why do they constantly swarm toward this arrogant brat instead of me? You should be bowing before the King of Essence!
Clutching his head in agony, he thrashed in protest against the sheer injustice of fate.
‘I hate to break it to you…’
Raon cast a sideward glance at the fuming spirit while hearing his lamentations.
‘In terms of being gullible, you have everyone else in this world completely beat.’
“Whew…”
Dorian gingerly pulled the heavy blanket upward, carefully draping it over the face of the resting Sloth.
“Did things wrap up smoothly over there?”
Gulping down his tension, he cast a glance behind him.
“It appears so.”
Evelyn offered a nod, keeping her gaze fixed on the figures kneeling subserviently before Raon.
“Wait, what…?”
Dorian’s jaw began to tremble.
“Who are those two bowing to the Palace Master? Are they outlaws?”
“That is the Blade Queen and the Warlord.”
“Right, the Blade Queen and the Warlord. I suspected they were some brigands who fled to the… Wait, what?!”
He had been bobbing his head absently before shooting straight into the air in shock. Plop. Remembering the dormant calamity beside him, he landed with utmost care on the pads of his toes, desperate to avoid making a sound.
“T-the Blade Queen and the Warlord? Why would those monsters be here?”
Dorian’s mouth fell open, his face a portrait of sheer disbelief.
“I cannot say for certain, but they seem to address Raon as the true heir of the Sword Saint, practically begging to enter his service.”
A gentle, knowing smirk danced upon Evelyn’s lips, revealing she had tracked every word of their exchange.
“The S-Sword Saint? Does that imply those two legends are his disciples?”
Dorian nodded slowly, piecing the clues together since he had accompanied Raon into the hidden training grounds of Zieghart.
“Precisely. It seems the martial legacy he unearthed from those grounds has bore fruit.”
Evelyn smiled faintly, validating his deduction.
“Hold on a moment…”
Dorian blinked repeatedly, his eyes darting toward Evelyn with sudden suspicion.
“That matter is known only to the inner circle of our Light Wind Palace, so how could you possibly…?”
“Because it pertains to Raon.”
Evelyn replied smoothly, her gaze entirely devoid of guilt as if knowing everything regarding Raon was the most natural thing in the realm.
“Ah… I… I see.”
Dorian’s eyes trembled with unease as he offered a strained nod.
‘Terrifying…’
A chilling wave passed through his stomach, making him feel as though his very guts were shrinking. To have a slumbering Demon King stationed behind him and an all-seeing watcher beaming right in front of him made the surrounding atmosphere thoroughly unbearable.
‘Please, Palace Master, hurry back. Or simply drag me over to your side!’
Sniffling miserably, he turned his focus toward the dimensional rift Evelyn had manifested.
“Oh!”
Dorian struck his hands together softly as he continued watching Raon’s situation through the rift.
“If he actually brings both the Warlord and the Blade Queen under his command, just how many Golden Tablets would that feat be worth?”
Even if their loyalty was pledged directly to Raon rather than the clan as a whole, returning to the domain of Zieghart alongside two undisputed Transcendents represented a contribution of unimaginable proportions. He could only wonder how generously Glenn Zieghart would reward him with Golden Tablets.
“The Palace Master has never been obsessed with accumulating Golden Tablets, but this windfall is truly extraordinary.”
Dorian chuckled softly, marveling at the fortune of it all.
“This is not a matter of mere fortune, but the natural outcome of resolute will.”
Evelyn countered with a firm shake of her head.
“Pardon? What are you trying to say…?”
“It was Raon’s sheer determination and his unwavering drive to protect Zieghart that forged this very opportunity.”
Her eyes flickered with intense warmth as she defended the young swordsman’s achievements, dismissing the idea of simple luck.
“Say…”
Dorian observed Evelyn’s silhouette for several beats before asking quietly.
“Why are you so completely dedicated to Lord Raon, Lady Evelyn?”
“Because he is Raon.”
Evelyn offered the answer without a single fraction of a second’s hesitation, viewing the statement as entirely sufficient on its own.
“Ah…”
Dorian let out a breathless murmur, a soft, understanding grin forming on his face.
“What makes you smile like that?”
“I simply understand that sentiment all too well.”
Dorian nodded in quiet serenity, his earlier anxiety melting away.
“I follow him for that very reason—simply because he is Lord Raon.”
“Indeed.”
Evelyn fluttered her eyelashes, sharing that mutual understanding. Standing side-by-side, the two of them gazed through the dimensional window, unified by an identical warmth in their expressions.
“The Diamond Earth Technique, alongside the Devil-Fighting Sword Art and the Devil-Cutting Blade Art…”
The Blade Queen scrutinized Raon, giving a brief nod of appraisal.
“Your foundation in them remains at the embryonic stage, but that poses no issue whatsoever. The greatest instructors under the heavens stand right before you!”
She gave a confident thump to her own chest with her thumb, asserting that she would handle his development personally.
“You should be capable of advancing the Diamond Earth Technique through your own efforts.”
The Warlord commented, clearly perceiving the solid foundation of earth energy resting comfortably in Raon’s middle dantian.
“However, the Devil-Cutting Blade Art and the Devil-Fighting Sword Art diverge significantly from standard combat disciplines. Even with your innate gifts, reaching their pinnacle will be a strenuous endeavor. Nevertheless, we will expend every ounce of our strength to smooth the path for you.”
He lowered his head respectfully, promising to mitigate the difficulties of the training.
“Wait…”
Raon’s brows furrowed slightly as he observed the two master combatants.
“Are the two of you the sole surviving practitioners of your respective lineages?”
“That is correct. Both lines have always followed a strict single-disciple succession.”
The Blade Queen gave an easy nod.
“Had it been otherwise, uniting with him would have been entirely out of the question. I would have faced expulsion and provoked an unmitigated disaster.”
She giggled softly, noting that being the solitary inheritor allowed her the freedom to marry the Warlord.
“My circumstances were identical. A solitary lineage.”
The Warlord confirmed her words, affirming that he stood as the lone practitioner of his sect.
“Ah! He may not be a formal vassal, but that enormous beast over there shares our destiny as well.”
The Blade Queen casually gestured toward the Gold Dragon idling nearby in an apparent daze.
[W-wait, me? I hold no ties whatsoever to this Sword Saint of yours…]
The Gold Dragon’s massive eyes bulged with sheer bewilderment.
“Your fate is bound to ours.”
“Are you truly proposing to abandon your sacred draconic pledge?”
Both the Warlord and the Blade Queen glared coldly at the great beast.
[Good grief…]
The Gold Dragon lowered its colossal head deep into the frigid depths of the North Sea in defeat. A steady stream of bubbles drifted up toward the icy surface. It was a bizarre sight to witness a creature of such catastrophic magnitude behaving in such an endearing manner.
—What an absolute pushover! I ought to roast that scaly lizard and feast upon it!
Wrath bared his teeth in disgust.
“Two Transcendent warriors and a living Ancient Dragon—surely that is an entourage worthy of your stature?”
The Blade Queen grinned playfully, confident that such an escort would command absolute reverence anywhere in the world.
“Indeed. It is far more formidable than anything I could reasonably ask for.”
Raon gave an affirmative nod, releasing a slow breath.
“Yet, a gift of this magnitude carries a commensurate price. Mastering the sacred martial arts of the Sword Saint will not be a simple feat. Even with the two of us guiding your every step, it will require a minimum of two years before we can truly offer you our complete submission.”
The Warlord’s expression grew stern as he estimated the extensive duration needed to bring Raon’s execution up to the standard of their absolute fealty.
“Two whole years…?”
Raon’s eyes narrowed into sharp slits.
‘In exchange for securing the Blade Queen, the Warlord, and an Ancient Dragon, two years is practically negligible. However…’
He simply did not have the luxury of idle time.
With Derus capable of striking at any given moment, locking himself away in this northern expanse for two full years was an impossibility.
“Could you grant me a visual display first?”
Raon reached down, resting his palm lightly against the hilt of the Heavenly Drive as he addressed the couple.
“Allow me to witness the blade forms you hold so dear.”
The Blade Queen stepped forward with a confident smirk.
“The art I have perfected is none other than the Devil-Cutting Blade Art. It is a sword style engineered to incinerate abominations through the medium of ferocious heat.”
She thrust her blade forward into the freezing air, invoking the intent to purge demons. A surging wave of searing flame ignited the northern atmosphere, dying the surroundings in deep crimson. Fwhoosh! The execution of the Blade Queen’s Devil-Cutting Blade Art carried such visceral ferocity and cutting precision that it felt more akin to a devastating saber strike than conventional swordplay.
It balanced both thrusting points and sweeping cleaves, displaying a transcendent level of swordsmanship that harmonized terrifying force, blinding speed, brilliance, and profound martial intent.
“What do you think?”
The Blade Queen withdrew her weapon, having executed every single form retained within her repertoire.
“It was a magnificent spectacle.”
Raon offered genuine applause, providing his candid impression of her display.
“You can attain this level as well, Lord Raon. Should you dedicate yourself entirely, perhaps we can condense the timeline to a year and a half instead of two?”
She waved her hand dismissively, offering to trim a half-year from their initial estimate.
“Even a year and a half is far too lengthy for my needs.”
Raon clicked his tongue softly and stepped into the open space between the Blade Queen and the Warlord. Shing! Drawing the Heavenly Drive from its scabbard, he lowered his stance, immediately unleashing the exact sequence of the Devil-Cutting Blade Art the Blade Queen had just revealed. Fwhoosh!
While lacking the sheer destructive weight, seasoned velocity, and radiant spectacle of the Blade Queen’s rendition, the trajectory of his blade adhered flawlessly to the foundational intent and spiritual core of the style, seamlessly incorporating the precise movements that had purportedly been lost to the ages.
Slash! As the initial embers and concluding flames of the Devil-Cutting Blade Art met in midair, a vivid, uninterrupted scar of crimson light sliced through the northern heavens.
“Incredible…!”
“This is absurd…”
Both the Blade Queen and the Warlord stood petrified, their jaws quivering in utter astonishment, never having fathomed that anyone could replicate the sequence upon a single viewing.
“Not a year and a half.”
Raon raised a solitary finger, pointing it calmly at the bewildered masters.
“We shall finish it within one month.”
Comments for chapter "Chapter 1089"
MANGA DISCUSSION
Madara Info
Madara stands as a beacon for those desiring to craft a captivating online comic and manga reading platform on WordPress
For custom work request, please send email to wpstylish(at)gmail(dot)com