Flying

In the farthest reaches of the Sacred Dragon Kingdom, where the entire region lay blanketed in thick snow, a cluster of buildings—some small, others towering—rose in solemn silence. An immense wall encircled the structures, and beyond this massive barrier stretched a wide, tranquil sea, marking the last edge of the Sacred Dragon Kingdom's domain.

This was the territory of the Ice Feather Sect, one of the Seven Great Factions of the Sacred Dragon Kingdom.

Like the other factions, the Ice Feather Sect had established its domain here to stand watch over the ever-present threat of the Vicious Beasts that dwelled in the ocean. They were among those who prevented these monsters from invading and wreaking havoc upon the kingdom. Thanks to their existence, the number of attacks on neighboring towns and cities had been greatly reduced, preserving a sense of order and safety for the citizens.

Even so, the Ice Feather Sect alone could not repel every incursion. That was why countless noble clans and sect allies bore the same responsibility.

Because of this duty, the ordinary people of the Sacred Dragon Kingdom held the members of these factions and clans in deep respect—viewing them as heroes. In the eyes of the common folk, if not for these Adventurers risking their lives, only death would await them all.

--

"Artos," came a frigid voice, as cold as the frozen walls themselves. "It has been more than three months since you began your war against the Azure Wood Family. And yet, to this day, I have not heard a single report worth celebrating. Tell me—what exactly are you doing out there, that you cannot even crush a mere Ordinary Clan like the Azure Wood Family? Remember this well—the Finance Minister and the Crown Prince are waiting for good news."

The woman who spoke wore an exquisite suit of blue dress that matched the chill in her demeanor. Her allure was undeniable, her form elegant yet dangerous. The dress hugged her body so closely it only further drew attention to the graceful lines of her figure. Her legs, smooth and pale as ivory, lent her an almost unreal charisma.

But none dared be distracted by her beauty when faced with the icy, pale blue eyes that now bored mercilessly into the elderly man kneeling before her.

Though he wore thick winter garments, the old man trembled from head to toe—not because of the cold, but because of the deadly pressure radiating from the woman in dress.

He bowed lower still, beads of sweat gathering on his forehead. Fear constricted his throat; he dared not show the slightest hint of insolence, lest her wrath turn murderous.

"S-Sect Mistress Sheeha," he stammered at last. "It is not my clan alone that bears the blame for this situation. Perhaps once the Azure Wood Family was merely an Ordinary Clan, but…but…"

"But what?" Sheeha demanded, her gaze sharp enough to slice through steel.

Truthfully, even she was puzzled why the Nine Ice Family had failed to bring this trivial war to a conclusion. Three months had passed since they declared the war—and still, no message of victory. She was running out of patience.

"They may be an Ordinary Clan," Artos said, struggling to keep his voice steady, "but their territory has become a nest of Profound Rank fighters… Elders from the Golden Lion Family, and even famous Rogue Adventurers from across the kingdom. They have taken residence there, and we cannot move against the Azure Wood Family without being repelled."

It was true. Every time the Nine Ice Family or the Black Tiger Family sent their forces to assault Azure Wood lands, Profound Rank and Scarlet Gold Rank Adventurers would appear without warning to drive them back. Most were from the Golden Lion Family, but others were Rogue Adventurers hired for exorbitant sums.

A flicker of shock passed across Sheeha's face. Her expression grew dark and serious as she leaned forward.

"The Golden Lion Family? That new Noble Clan? Weren't they nothing but Aristocrats until they allied themselves with the Azure Wood Family just last year? How in the world have they gathered more than one Profound Rank in such a short time? And where did they find the wealth to hire Rogue Adventurers? Everyone knows how steep their fees are. Hmph… It seems the Azure Wood Family is throwing everything they have into surviving this war."

Scorn tinged her voice as her brows knitted together. She regarded Artos as though he were a fool.

It didn't surprise her that the Golden Lion Family would help their ally. What baffled her was that they dared to do so even with the Ice Feather Sect openly involved. And those rogue adventurers… What in the world had the Azure Wood Family promised them in payment? By all accounts, that clan had nothing.

Unless Finn had left them some hidden fortune.

Sheeha's thoughts darkened. She had seen glimpses of Finn's secrets firsthand during the Seven Great Faction Games, and she'd heard from her student Hyon that Finn possessed an Excellent Armament. Perhaps that alone explained the wealth sustaining the Azure Wood Family now.

"He was an Alchemist," she whispered inwardly. "It's not impossible he'd been hoarding treasure in secret…"

"Sect Mistress Sheeha," Artos continued, voice growing even smaller, "more than just the Rogue Adventurers and Golden Lion Family, there is another…a mysterious group of six cloaked figures who appear whenever we attack. They wear black robes and white masks. The worthless Black Tiger Family cannot stand against them—each is a Profound Rank, and one of them has reached the 4th Level Profound Rank! We cannot identify them. They only use common techniques usually seen among wandering mercenaries."

Sheeha rose from her seat with a crash. Her palm struck the arm of her chair, shattering part of it into icy splinters. A monstrous aura exploded from her body, chilling the air to the bone.

Artos fell to his knees, legs suddenly too weak to support him.

"Tell me," Sheeha demanded in a voice that seethed like a winter storm, "who is the strongest among them? The Azure Wood Family grows more mysterious by the day. What is happening around them?!"

Though she did not yet feel personally endangered by that clan, she could no longer suppress the unease twisting in her chest.

First came the rise of the most talented young Adventurer born to that tiny, obscure family. Then the Golden Lion Family's sudden ascension to noble status. And now…a squad of Profound Rank elites defending them.

It was all too strange. Too suspicious.

'Could the Cloud Soaring Sect be supporting them in secret?' she wondered. But she rejected the thought immediately. 'Impossible.'

"S-Sect Mistress," Artos stammered, "the strongest among them is a 6th Level Profound Rank—and it's none other than Creed Doria, Finn Doria's father!"

Sheeha's eyes widened in shock. She froze for a breath before her expression twisted, her voice dropping to a deadly whisper.

"Why…was I only informed of this now?!"

Her hand flicked out with a burst of force. Artos's body flew across the chamber, striking the wall with a heavy impact that cracked the ice.

Blood trailed from the corner of his mouth, but he forced himself upright. Even battered and trembling, he bowed low, never daring to show resentment.

"They were only an Ordinary Clan," Sheeha hissed. "How could they hide a Profound Rank Adventurer? Weren't they no stronger than Scarlet Gold Rank just last year?!"

Artos swallowed, sweat dripping from his chin. "We do not know, Sect Mistress. But…he wields an Excellent Armament. And the other Elders of the Azure Wood Family possess similar weapons."

"Excellent Armaments? Where did they acquire such treasure? Could they have colluded with the Crimson Blood Kingdom…? No—such armaments would never be lent to a mere clan."

Sheeha's expression gradually softened. She met Artos's eyes, and he straightened, awaiting her next command.

"No matter how many Profound Ranks they've gathered, they can't resist the combined strength of your clan," she said coldly. "Their strongest is only a 6th Level Profound Rank. But you…you have reached the 9th Level. Let your First Elder handle this next assault—he is a 8th Level Profound Rank, isn't he?"

She turned her back on Artos, her voice cold as death.

"All that you have, Artos Frois, you owe to me. I took Tiffanya as payment—so I will hear no more excuses. Wipe out the Azure Wood Family at once. If the Golden Lion Family insists on intervening…destroy them as well. If they do not know their place, they deserve extinction. In the end, the Crown Prince himself will shield us from the consequences. As for this mysterious group in black—know who they are. I can feel it…they are no ordinary mercenaries."

"As you command, Sect Mistress Sheeha," Artos said hoarsely.

Without another word, he fled the chamber, fearful she might unleash her wrath again.

Once she was alone, Sheeha sat back on her frozen throne and sank into thought.

"Crown Prince…how cunning you are. You want all the Azure Wood Family's treasures for yourself. And you…Finn Doria. Even in death, you remain a plague. Don't worry—I will send your entire clan to join you in hell."

Her voice fell silent. She rose, took a single step—and vanished from the chamber altogether.

--

"Is flying a sword always this difficult?" Finn muttered to himself.

Deep in a dense forest, he stood clutching a silver blade, his brow furrowed in concentration.

[Silver Flying Sword]

Armament Grade: Excellent

Quality: Top-tier

Damage: 15,240

It had been a full day since he'd arrived here. He was at a loss for how to locate Xuan. He'd tried extending his senses to their utmost, but nowhere did he detect the presence of a Scarlet Gold Rank.

According to Sierra, Xuan was in a small village somewhere nearby. But why had Sierra's power brought him here instead of directly to the target? And how was he supposed to find this village in such an endless forest?

He'd briefly considered rousing the young Golden Lion sleeping inside his Medicine Garden Ring, only to find the little beast had advanced to a Third Grade Vicious Beast. Not wanting to disturb its slumber, Finn sighed and thought of other options.

Just when despair threatened to settle over him, an image of Marcus riding a flying sword flashed in his mind. Eager to try it himself, he drew a sword from his interspatial ring.

He'd thought it would be simple. Yet each time he stepped onto the blade, he lost his balance and crashed to the ground.

The process repeated for an entire day. Now, as dusk crept in, his expression was dark with frustration.

He couldn't help but admire Marcus's effortless grace—how the old man had flown to the Adventurers' Guild to fetch him and Ashe, soaring across the skies on a flying sword while they rode a Wind Eagle.

Finn clenched his fists.

"If I can't even do something every other Adventurer can…I have no right to call myself one," he declared through gritted teeth.

He set the Silver Flying Sword on the grass and stepped onto it again. Drawing in a slow breath, he gathered his soulforce to activate the blade's power. His entire focus locked onto controlling its movement.

Gradually, the sword began to lift. Inch by inch, it rose—until he was level with the treetops.

A thrill burst in his chest. He wanted to shout in triumph—but he forced himself to stay calm.

He was sweating profusely as he slowly urged the sword forward.

"At last… I'm flying!" he cried, unable to keep the joy from his voice. He burst out laughing.

But in his excitement, his concentration slipped. The blade wobbled, balance gave way—and he plunged down.

His backside slammed into the hard earth, pain jolting through his spine. The sword nearly impaled the most sensitive thing between his legs.

Finn's whole body shivered. Cold sweat broke out across his skin.

"Th-that was close…" he whispered, voice trembling.