C544

"Patriarch-nim!"

"Patriarch...!"

All the Knights of Hairan kneeled at once.

A powerful enemy they couldn't handle lurked in front of them, yet they all bowed their heads to Ron, giving their backs.

In a situation that should never occur in a deployment of such desperation, the knights couldn't help expressing their faith and respect for his appearance.

Not even Kelliark Zipple would be able to recklessly attack Sword Emperor Castle if Ron were present.

The knights barely suppressed their fiery emotions.

Step, step, step...

As Ron stepped forward, the knights stood up and returned to their positions.

Even without deliberately emitting energy, both allies and enemies could hear his steps like the beating of their own hearts.

Jin, who was at his side, gave a respectful nod, and Ron placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I owe you again, Paul Gray Mick."

Seeing Ron calling him by a pseudonym, Jin smiled.

For some reason, he felt like he had become very good friends with an unstoppable giant named Ron Hairan.

"I think you'll pay me back when you want to, Ron-nim."

Don't die and make sure to live to pay me back...

Ron read the underlying meaning in Jin's words and chuckled.

"Leader of the Sword Saints of Hairan, Ruyan."

Then, he looked for Ruyan.

"Yes, Patriarch-nim!"

"Answer me. As the Acting Commander-in-Chief of Sword Emperor Castle, did you have the intention of accepting Kelliark's conditions?"

"Absolutely not."

Ruyan answered without hesitation.

He really had no intention of accepting Kelliark's conditions.

That would be betraying the Vemal Alliance that fought for Hairan and humiliating Hairan.

The reason Sword Emperor Castle trembled at Kelliark's words was solely because Zipple knew how to bring back their young patriarch.

Ron nodded in satisfaction and replied:

"Good job. You've held up well."

Ruyan seemed to choke on the sincere evaluation Ron gave him.

It was because he thought he hadn't done anything.

He hadn't done anything against Kelliark Zipple until you arrived, my lord, and even in the first battle, I let the young Patriarch be so shattered.

If it weren't for Jin-nim...

Hairan would have been condemned immediately, and I was just filling the position....

Not only Ruyan but all the Knights of Hairan had the same thought.

If they had been more competent, Sword Emperor Castle wouldn't have become a mockery.

"Knights of Hairan, it's my fault too. So stop blaming yourselves and obey the orders of this late Sword Emperor."

"...Please order anything, Patriarch-nim."

"Leader of the Dragon Knights, Kalmain Aita."

"Yes, Patriarch-nim!"

Kalmain responded, holding his sword with his left arm. Intuitively, he knew what order Ron would give.

"Immediately take the Dragon Knights, excluding the Sword Saints, along with all the knights gathered for Hairan, and leave Sword Emperor Castle."

Kalmain didn't object to the orders.

It was clear that he and the knights below the Sword Saints wouldn't be of any help in the upcoming battle.

But even if the Knights of Hairan weren't needed for the current fight.

They are the people who must be necessary for the "reconstruction."

When Ron was unconscious, the reason they didn't leave the castle even if it was the death of the dog was that there was no future.

But now, they could think about the future.

It was necessary to prepare for the future.

They needed people to welcome back the Patriarch and the Young Patriarch when they returned.

"I, Kalmain Aita, Leader of the Dragon Knights, will obey your order."

Suppressing the strong desire to fight and die together, Kalmain respectfully saluted Ron.

"Ron Hairan..."

By then, Kelliark had narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth.

"I didn't expect you to wake up. I thought you had already gone to hell."

"I've come back to see how my brothers and sons are doing."

Belot, Kelliark's Phoenix, showed fierce hostility from the moment Ron appeared.

Ron looked from side to side between Kelliark and Belot and stroked his beard.

"You might as well go there soon too. Unfortunately, your summoned Phoenix, whose neck and wings I cut off, won't be able to go with you due to its immorality."

Suddenly, Belot's two wings swelled.

He seemed to be trying to tie Sword Emperor Castle with fire according to Kelliark's will.

In an instant, the two wings, which became as large as battleships, enveloped Sword Emperor Castle.

Even as they enveloped it, they spewed fire incessantly, and the swelling wings seemed to melt the entire castle at any moment.

"Do you think I would allow your knights to escape?"

Ron slowly drew his Rashid Sword from his waist.

Swish...

The sound of the Rashid Sword leaving its sheath was especially chilling in the dense fire that filled his vision.

The shining Rashid Sword cut through the air, creating a silent ripple.

Then, formless winds sprouted from the sword in all directions.

Countless streams of invisible sword winds slowly began pushing back Belot's fire.

Belot roared, unfurling its wings...

But Ron never lost his composure, even as the clash of powers intensified.

At that moment, Kelliark was left with an ominous doubt.

'No way... Ron has crossed the wall...!'

Genesis Knight.

The realm of transcendence and a power reserved only for Cyron.

For a moment, Kelliark glimpsed the realm that Cyron had attained from Ron.

Even though the hand holding Rashid was so pale that it was unimaginable the owner was the Sword Emperor due to a long battle against illness and unconsciousness.

Ron's body was too thin to be covered even with clothes.

Now, the achievement of the Sword Emperor displayed a light and majesty stronger than ever.

To the point that even Kelliark Zipple, the current patriarch of the world's most powerful clan, mistakenly thought he was standing in Cyron's domain!

'No, Ron hasn't... reached there yet.'

Perhaps if Kelliark hadn't experienced Cyron firsthand, he would have been convinced that Ron had finally entered the realm of the Genesis Knight. (Note: In other translations, it can also be called: Divine Star Knight)

If Cyron hadn't existed in the world, Kelliark would have now fallen into fear and helplessness.

The Genesis Knight was a realm only Cyron had reached, and Ron's current power had not yet reached that domain.

Still, a chill ran through his body as if thunder were roaring, and he felt a shiver as if a sword had already been thrust into his back.

Not only Kelliark, but everyone was in the same state of shock.

The Dragons and Magicians of the fleet, the allies, Runcandel observing the situation from afar, and Talaris guarding Dante's seal.

In particular, the Phoenix Belot, directly competing with Ron, couldn't accept the fact that the enemy who had cut off its wings had become so strong.

[Whaaak-!!]

In the end, Belot's wings, enveloping the castle, opened wide and tore apart.

Belot released a mournful roar, and the fire from the torn wings fell to the ground like hailstones.

The strongest Phoenix summoned by the absolute magicians suffered the humiliation of having its wings torn off once again by the same person.

Moreover, Ron hadn't brandished his sword even once.

Zipple's main force couldn't believe the fact that this was the result of Ron drawing his sword and revealing his energy, even after witnessing it with their own eyes.

Belot shuddered and unfolded its smaller wings, frantically revealing resentment...

And Kelliark felt a single invisible sword wind brushing against his neck.

"...You've gotten stronger, Ron Hairan."

"I haven't been idle."

"Is it the power of the White Stone?"

"It's the power of Hairan, who is breaking it."

Jin paid attention to Ron's meaningful words.

-This is a seal that comes from rejecting Chaos. Your friend, Ron's grandson, is fighting against Chaos inside him right now. So there's no reason for me to fulfill my mission yet.

Dante's inner war against Chaos began after he took possession of Ron's White Stone following the voice of the White Stone.

Of course, it was Ron Hairan who had been fighting against the Chaos of the White Stone until then.

Ron achieved a new domain through that long, fierce, and terrible struggle.

It's the power of Hairan that is "breaking" it.

The meaning behind those words was no different.

'The Chaos of the White Stone couldn't defeat Ron-nim and tempted Dante. Or perhaps, it lost to Ron-nim and transferred to Dante.'

Perhaps, there was an expectation that Dante might win the fight against the White Stone like Ron. The expectation that a friend would be able to get rid of it and return.

"If in the end, I lose the fight against you, my Knights who withdrew will die. So why don't you try to defeat me somehow and let my knights go? I think it will look better when historians record this battle later."

Kelliark showed no particular reaction to Ron's provocation.

"Recording history... You're talking about something interesting. Anyway, it will be recorded according to the will of the victor. If that's how you want to fight, I won't interfere."

"Today is the first time we can truly communicate since we met."

Kelliark shook Hroti, erasing the fire seal in the air.

"Knights!"

Ron turned around and looked at the Knights of Hairan still in front of him and shouted.

A strong voice shook the sky.

Then, the knights collectively saluted and bit their lips to hold back tears.

"I, Ron Hairan, the Lord of Sword Emperor Castle...".

Ron also slowly saluted the knights.

It wasn't just to respond to the subordinates as the Lord of Sword Emperor Castle, but a genuine expression of gratitude and respect for those who had not betrayed Hairan.

"I express my sincere gratitude and respect to all who leave Hairan for the sake of Hairan."

Bearing more pain than having their bones cut and their skin torn off, all the Knights of Hairan could contain their tears.

They could bear it now because if they cried, they felt that this might really be the end.

When Kalmain lowered his sword, the Knights followed suit, and Ron continued to maintain the salute.

"...Hairan! Everyone follow the Dragon Knights... let's retreat."

Only after all the Knights withdrew under Kalmain's command, and their backs crossed the collapsed cliff beyond the back gate and disappeared into an invisible place...

Ron released the salute and looked out at the battlefield, now filled with enemies.