Before jumping down the castle wall, Raon gestured toward the table where Gwangpungdan was sitting.
“I’ll go outside for a moment and then come back.”
“The festival starts now?”
“Where are you going?”
“Meet some crocodiles.”
I honestly said I was going to see the crocodiles.
“Huh?”
“crocodile?”
“What kind of crazy talk is that!”
Buren, Runan, and Marta opened their eyes wide, and the other Frenzy Swordsmen also asked what they were talking about, but they did not answer and went down the castle wall.
When I stood in front of the crocodile, stepping on the swamp as if it were land, the crocodile turned and motioned for me to follow him.
‘It’s a gesture… .’
Crocodiles are surprisingly very smart animals. Although it is said to be the most intelligent among reptiles, it would not be capable of giving directions and gesturing for humans to follow, so of course that was Merlin.
“Whoa.”
Raon sighed and followed Merlin’s waving tail into a place filled with vines.
Cry.
The crocodile went into a place where it could avoid people’s gaze, then stopped and turned around.
-Huh!
Lars’ whole body trembled as he looked at the crocodile, even forgetting his desire to eat.
-I can’t even imagine what kind of crazy thing that madwoman must have done this time… .
‘I know.’
What are you trying to say?
Merlin had previously said that Eden’s executives did not know each other’s work well because they were each performing different duties.
She, too, may not have known that the Demon Ghost would attack the Aryan family, so it was a bit of an ambiguous situation in which she could not be trusted or not.
“Raon.”
Merlin lifted his gaze and rolled his reptilian eyes.
“How are your injuries?”
“injury?”
“Are you okay with the injuries you got from that damn skull bastard?”
I don’t know if it was from the beginning, but Merlin knew that the Demon Ghost had attacked. She held out her paw, asking me to tell her if it still hurt.
“It’s okay now.”
Raon waved his hand and said that everything was okay as he recovered.
“But this time you… .”
When she was about to ask Merlin about this demon attack, she lowered her head first.
Even though it had the appearance of a crocodile, its head was clearly lowered.
“I’m really sorry.”
She took a deep breath, saying she had nothing to say about this incident.
“What are you sorry for?”
Raon bent his knees and made eye contact with Merlin.
“You couldn’t tell us in advance that the ghosts were attacking. “I found out too late.”
Merlin shed tears, saying that he could not provide information or be by his side at the most important moment.
‘It’s crocodile tears… .’
They say don’t trust crocodile tears.
Coincidentally, Merlin’s current appearance was a crocodile, so the phrase “crocodile tears,” which refers to a hypocrite, came to mind.
However, because I received a lot of help from her, I couldn’t doubt her unconditionally.
“Did you know that the ghosts of the dead would attack?”
“no.”
Merlin shook his head shakily.
“Originally, the mission of the Skull Gourd was to dye the gems recovered from the Swamp of Death with fraud and then return. “It was arbitrariness of his to attack the Aryan family and kill you.”
She scratched the swamp with her front paw, saying that it was not Tacheon’s instructions, but only the Demon Ghost Demon’s judgment.
Raon silently looked at Merlin’s expression, but since he looked like a crocodile, he had no idea what his expression was.
“You don’t believe it.”
She licked her lips. The piece of meat stuck in my upper teeth was a little creepy.
“It’s not that I don’t believe it at all. “If you really wanted to kill me, you would have used a different method.”
Neither Merlin nor the Demon Ghost are fools. If the two of them had tried to attack this side together, there would have been a much better way, so what she said wouldn’t be a lie.
However, since I couldn’t trust her as a member of Eden, I was thinking of keeping a little distance from her.
-Well thought out! If you stick around with a crazy woman like that, your mind will be ruined… .
Just as Lars was about to tell him to hurry back and eat something, Merlin lifted his right front paw.
“I was afraid that would be the case, so I prepared a little this time.”
Merlin tapped the swamp with his raised paw.
With a sticky snapping sound, the moonlit swamp turned transparent and something began to shine through.
“hmm?”
Raon looked down at the swamp and narrowed his eyes. In a dark room, someone was holding their head and struggling like an upside-down bug.
“what’s this?”
“The end of the person who touched you.”
Merlin’s mouth twitched. Not because it looked like a crocodile, but because it was a smile that gave goosebumps in itself.
“No way, that…” .”
“that’s right. “You’re a cheap skeleton.”
She nodded, saying that it was a ghost.
“her… .”
Raon looked closely at the struggling person. Torn robes and a skull mask with a hole in the center of the forehead. As Merlin said, it was the dead spirit that had fought for her life a few days ago.
“Why is this guy doing this?”
“I locked it in an artifact called a golden fish tank.”
She spoke lightly, as if she had caught a mouse in a mousetrap.
“You locked me up?”
“okay.”
Merlin nodded, his eyes turning bright red.
“I hurt you. “That’s trash too.”
She muttered that it was too late to go to help and that she had locked away the ghost so that it could never come out into the world again.
“If you do something like this, won’t Tacheon catch you?”
“If you don’t kill them, they won’t get caught. “My body is still somewhere else.”
Merlin shook his head. She smiled coldly, saying that she had thought about the other executives’ movements before committing it.
“however… .”
Raon pointed to the ghostly ghost reflected in the swamp. The guy was shaking all over as if he was in severe pain.
“Why is he doing that?”
I’m just trapped in a fish tank, but I don’t know why I’m in so much pain.
“Because I am putting a curse on you.”
“… curse?”
“huh. It inflicts mental pain by repeatedly reciting curses imbued with intent. “It’s closer to witchcraft than magic.”
Merlin looked down at the Ghost Demon with glaring eyes.
“It won’t be able to get out of the fish tank, but even if it does, it will run away the moment it sees you.”
As she hits the swamp with her front paw one more time, the image changes. The ceiling was visible through the viewpoint looking up at the fish tank from below.
‘That… .’
Above the fish tank is a huge Merlin with red-hot eyes. Her red lips were constantly licking.
-Ah… .
Lars looked at Merlin’s eyes floating above the fish tank and fell back as if he had fainted.
-Wow, that is a really crazy bitch! It went round and round and round again!
The guy hid with an ice flower bracelet, saying he was worse than the stalker in the demon world.
‘Umm… .”
Raon swallowed dry saliva and nodded. I didn’t feel much when Ras said he was crazy before, but when I saw the scene where he cursed, my heart tightened.
-Do you know what’s scarier?
Lars gently lifted his head above the ice flower bracelet.
-That video now. It is connected to the lifespan of that madwoman.
‘ah… .’
right. In order for Merlin to use magic in that state, he would have to lose his lifespan. Really, there was nothing that didn’t give me goosebumps.
“You can stop.”
“huh? Don’t you want to see more? He’s the one who bullied you! “Wouldn’t it be enough to look at it all day?”
“Your lifespan is being shortened.”
“Are you worried about me? “I would give up a thousand years for you!”
Merlin smiled as if he was thrilled and tried to enlarge the screen further. She is truly a difficult woman to handle.
“Because it’s okay. turn off.”
Raon sighed and touched the swamp where the Ghost Ghost was reflected. There was a wave and his figure disappeared.
“It really doesn’t matter at this level.”
Merlin quenched his appetite as if he felt sorry for himself and canceled the magic that projected the image.
“Anyway, you’re saying there’s no way the ghost spirit will appear again?”
“huh. Even if I come out, I’ll be a wreck and won’t be able to do anything.”
“I guess so… .”
Raon nodded. No one could stand it if the giant Merlin cursed endlessly above his head. Just thinking about it made his hair stand on end.
‘Anyway, I’m glad.’
The power of the demon spirit that I experienced this time was terrifying.
Even without that jewel orb, it is clear that he is strong, so if he cannot use his strength, it will also affect Eden.
‘I need to become stronger too.’
Without the support of the four forces, including Milland, and without Rimmer’s surprise attack, there would have been greater damage and many people could have died.
Don’t be satisfied with being a little high, but move higher.
I lowered my gaze, thinking that I would have to go through hell training with the Gwangpungdan after returning to my family.
Merlin was quietly looking up.
“Are you really okay?”
“what?”
“What will you do if Tacheon catches you?”
“wow. Is this my second worry today? “Now my love is seeping in.”
“Stop talking nonsense.”
“There’s no chance of getting caught, but even if you do, it’s okay if you come out.”
Merlin whispered that he had no regrets about Eden anymore and that he was here for you.
“ha… .”
Raon’s shoulders trembled. There wasn’t a single word or action that didn’t give me goosebumps.
“Now the time is running out.”
Merlin grinned and waved.
“I’ll go now. See you later.”
She smiled as if it was all over.
“Thank you for your thoughts.
“ah… .”
Merlin’s eyes widened, as if he had never thought he would say such a thing. The corners of her mouth quirked up.
“As expected, my choice was right.”
“Don’t say anything strange. “That crocodile’s wish is to be fed, right?”
Raon smiled slightly, looking at the crocodile’s teeth.
‘It’s simple.’
If you go over the castle wall, there are rows of delicious meat lined up. All you have to do is bring a few of them with you.
“no.”
Merlin shook his head calmly.
“uh… ?”
“I want you to scratch my back.”
“D, etc? Scratch your back?”
“huh. All it takes is 30 minutes of scratching. See you later.”
She told me to give him a refreshing scratch all over my back and then waved my hand.
Crumble.
As Merlin’s presence disappeared, I felt the wild instinct coming to life in the crocodile’s elongated eyes.
Cry!
The crocodile thrust his back as if to quickly keep his promise.
“ha… .”
Raon placed his hand on the crocodile’s smooth back and sighed.
“You really do everything.”
-Are you gone?
* * *
Muston narrowed his eyes as he looked at the back of his teacher, Rektar.
‘Why are you doing that today?’
The teacher who said he wanted to see Raon Sieghardt’s swordsmanship, as soon as he actually saw Raon, his expression hardened.
Instead of asking about swordsmanship, he left without saying anything and just looked out the window all day.
A lot of time had passed since I had him as my teacher, but this was the first time I had seen him like that.
‘What on earth are you doing…? no way?’
The teacher was amazed when he saw the sword marks left by Raon, and was completely speechless when he saw him in person.
There is only one reason why a sword spirit who is crazy about swords would react like that.
‘Is it talent?’
It was clear that the teacher was reacting that way because he was amazed at Raon Sieghardt’s talent.
‘Damn… .’
He was annoyed that his teacher, who did not show his expressions or emotions even to himself, had changed because of a young martial artist who had just left his contract.
‘I didn’t like it from the beginning.’
As a disciple of the Sword Demon, he should have received both the nicknames Small Sword Demon and White Sword Demon.
When I thought of Raon, who had everything even though he was younger, my fists tightened.
In particular, my sense of inferiority grew as my relationship with my teacher was far from an ordinary priestly relationship.
Muston let out a sigh that weighed on his chest and approached Rektar.
“Master.”
“What’s going on?”
Rektar let out a subdued voice without even looking away.
“Master. Are you okay?”
“Don’t worry, go out and enjoy the festival.”
He waved his hand as if swatting away a fly. The teacher’s eyes reflected in the window took on a color I had never seen before.
‘Is he that great?’
A disturbing thought arose that the teacher had no choice but to accept him as a disciple and was now regretting it.
“Is Raon Sieghardt that great?”
“what?”
Rektar turned to Muston for the first time. A fierce light bloomed in his eyes.
“When I saw the guy and the sword marks he left behind, Master’s eyes took on a light he had never shown me before.”
“… … .”
Rektar raised his chin and looked down at Muston.
“What do you want to say?”
“I want to spar with the White Sword Dragon.”
“Sparring?”
“yes. “I will defeat Raon Sieghardt and prove that I am the one best suited to be your disciple!”
Muston held his sword tightly, as if he was confident.
“It’s sparring… .”
Rektar closed his cold eyes, unable to understand his thoughts.
“Are you confident?”
“of course!”
Muston nodded as if it was obvious.
“good night.”
Rektar nodded and got up from the sofa for the first time.
“Do whatever you want.”
“I won’t disappoint!”
Muston nodded and walked out the door.
“Whoa… .”
Rektar followed behind and let out a low sigh.
“It must have been a mistake.”
* * *
Raon scratched the crocodile’s back for about 30 minutes and then climbed up the castle.
As the festival began in earnest, laughter and cheers filled with excitement erupted here and there.
-I’m tired from dealing with a madwoman. Let’s eat quickly first!
‘Wash up first.’
Every time the crocodile scratches its back, it bounces and its entire body is covered in mud. First, I had to wash my hands and face first.
“Ugh.”
Raon sighed and went down to the castle.
“Did you play with mud? “Why are your clothes like that?”
Buren laughed as he looked at his clothes covered in mud.
“Did you really come to play with the crocodile?”
Runaan widened her eyes, asking if it was fun. She looked like she wanted to go too.
“You are the vice-captain. “Playing with mud at that age is worth it.”
Martha shook her head as if she was pathetic.
“no it’s not.”
I was afraid that I would look even more crazy if I told him that I had scratched the crocodile’s back, so I waved my hand and headed to a nearby well.
As I was about to scoop up water and wipe my hands and face, a young man in flowing white clothes approached me.
‘The author… .’
He is a young man who called the Sword Demon his teacher. From the first time I saw him, I remembered him for his ferocious force.
The Sword Demon, who was tall and attracted attention, was also following behind him.
‘Are you coming out to enjoy the festival?’
The reaction was a bit strange this morning, but since I received help, it’s only right to say hello first. As he was trying to approach the Sword Demon, his disciple blocked his path.
“hmm?”
I looked up to ask what he meant, but he bowed his head first.
“I’ll see you later. “My name is Muston, Rektar’s disciple.”
“My name is Raon Sieghart of the Gwangpungdan.”
Despite Muston’s fierce eyes, he was polite and greeted me face to face.
“Excuse me, I have a favor to ask, could you please do it?”
“Can you please do me a favor?”
Muston glanced at the sword spirit approaching from behind and tapped his sword sheath.
“I want to feel the power of the White Sword Dragon, which has made its name known throughout the continent. “Can you spar with me?”
He bowed his head again, asking.
‘A disciple of the Sword Demon… .’
Without a doubt, he is a strong man.
The energy wave that feels like a disciple of the Sword Demon is magnificent. I could feel the appearance of a master who had incorporated countless radish skills into his swordsmanship.
‘It won’t be bad.’
If you spar with him, you will gain a lot regardless of whether you win or lose.
‘but… .’
He looked up at the Sword Demon standing behind Muston and quenched his appetite.
‘You can achieve more if you fight with a master, not a disciple.’
He was a strong man recognized by Lars, so even if he was defeated with one sword, he would definitely learn more than sparring with Muston.
This opportunity was a blessing to me as I needed to become stronger faster than I am now.
“All right.”
Raon nodded to Muston and then looked at the Sword Demon.
“Can I also ask you a favor instead?”
“ask?”
The Sword Demon opened his lips for the first time.
“If I still have strength left after dealing with your disciple, I would like to have the opportunity to share a sword with Rektar.”
Sharing swords meant wanting to learn a lesson rather than sparring.
“What are you saying now?”
Muston showed his teeth as if his pride had been hurt and showed a ferocious spirit.
“It’s an opportunity… .”
The Sword Demon’s gaze sank harshly. that
“Are you confident?”
He smiled slightly as he touched the blade of Raon’s Jecheon Sword. A haze bloomed over his eyes.
“I will show you with the results.”
