Raon spent a day in the lodging Denzel prepared for him before heading to the stone tower in front of Haro Mountain.
'My mother and father wouldn't be buried here.'
This stone tower was built to comfort the victims of the landslide. My mother and father from my past life were killed by Derus's subordinates while trying to escape with me.
The signs of being buried in a landslide would be different, so they likely wouldn't be under this tower.
But since I couldn't find them anywhere else, I came back here again.
"Hoo…"
Raon let out a sigh to relieve his frustration and knelt down.
'Our enemy has become stronger. Fame, power, money, and even people—there's nothing I can win against yet.'
Thinking of his parents, who probably couldn't even close their eyes from worry about their young son, he conveyed his thoughts.
'But I have no intention of giving up.'
Raon clenched his fist resting on his knee.
'Ten years, twenty years, no, even if it takes a lifetime, I will reveal Derus Robert's atrocities.'
This wasn't just a message to his parents. It was a vow to himself. A pledge that no matter what hardships he faced, he would never give up.
'Please don't leave. Just wait a little longer. I will bring that demon's head here.'
Raon clasped his hands together. After comforting not just his parents but everyone buried here who couldn't reveal their true deaths because of Derus, he stood up.
-…
Raon turned his gaze to the right. Wrath had his eyes lowered in silence, which was rare for him.
'What are you doing?'
-Can't you see? I'm comforting the dead.
Wrath frowned as if asking why Raon would ask something so obvious.
-Not many can achieve the death they desire, but these people were especially unfortunate. It's as if they were struck by lightning on a clear day.
With eyes filled with bitterness, he looked down at the stone tower.
-They're already dead, so the distinction between species is meaningless. Even I have added a small comfort.
Raon gave a faint smile as he looked at the now quiet Wrath.
'A demon king offering a prayer…'
He said it was comfort, but from the side, it looked like a prayer. Like peeling an onion, the more layers you removed, the more different sides you saw of him.
-Why are you smiling so creepily!
Wrath flailed his hands, dissatisfied with Raon's smile.
'Do you want to eat anything?'
-Of, of course! Grilled salmon, grilled scallops, whole roast pig, roast dragon!
'It's all grilled…'
-I want something I can really chew on! I'm sick of jerky and Nadine bread!
He smacked his lips, saying he missed the juicy meat.
-But you're not going to eat it anyway, so why ask! You just want to tease me….
'I will eat it.'
-R, really? Then right away….
'When we get back home.'
Raon waved his hand with a smile. He didn't have time to linger if he wanted to return with the Light Wind division.
-You wretched brat!
'You should have listened until the end.'
Amid a small quarrel with the indignant Wrath, they returned to the village, where Denzel was waiting.
"You're leaving now?"
"It's all done, so I have to go back."
"Thank you for all your hard work."
Denzel placed his right hand on his chest and bowed his head cautiously.
"It was one of the most rewarding tasks I've ever undertaken. It was an honor to work with you, White Sword Dragon."
His eyes showed no sign of wavering, as if he was expressing his genuine feelings.
"The feeling is mutual."
Raon smiled faintly and bowed his head in return.
"Now, we can release information about you."
"Information?"
"Raon Zieghart, the Dragon Slayer. The name that was only known in Aikar will spread across the continent."
Denzel's face slightly reddened as if he was excited about the prospect.
"See you next time, Dragon Slayer."
He disappeared quietly after addressing Raon as Dragon Slayer instead of White Sword Dragon upon his departure.
The agents of the Black Market nearby also bowed their heads and vanished.
-Dragon Slayer my foot! You didn't even catch dragons like I did, what kind of Dragon Slayer is that! That title is too grand for you!
As expected, Wrath, who couldn't read the mood, interrupted.
'You might be right.'
Raon chuckled as he was about to leave Capoly Village, when the village chief approached him from the opposite side.
"Are you here to look around the village?"
The chief, unable to recognize Raon's new disguise, tilted his head. He seemed to have aged with more wrinkles, likely from the stress he'd been under.
"Yes. I just stopped by on my way through."
Raon nodded, looking at the chief's tired face.
"This isn't the real appearance of our village."
"What happened?"
"Those devilish people were hiding in our village and conducting necromancy experiments. The heroes took care of those monsters, so we should be able to return to normal soon."
The chief, who had initially called the Black Market agents thugs, was now praising them as heroes.
"If you come again next time, you will see the true face of our village. Please come back!"
"Yes."
Raon smiled as he saw the wrinkles around the chief's eyes.
"I will definitely come back."
Rumble!
The tremors that started from Glenn's throne shook the entire audience chamber and the Lord's Manor.
Instead of dust falling from the ceiling, fine cracks began to appear on the walls and floor.
"Head of House."
Roenn approached Glenn's throne and bowed his head.
"The swordsmen are frightened by the recent earthquakes. Cracks are appearing in the walls and floors, so please restrain yourself a bit."
He sighed, looking at Glenn's trembling leg that was affecting the entire Zieghart house.
"Ahem!"
Glenn cleared his throat and stopped his trembling left leg.
"I know. But…."
He ran his hand through his disheveled hair and bit his lip.
"There hasn't been any news! Nothing since the report that they caught Kaivar!"
Glenn twisted his lips and started trembling his leg again.
"At this rate, it might be faster if I go looking myself…."
"They must be resting after capturing the dragon. They will return soon."
As he stood to leave, Roenn shook his head urgently.
"They should have contacted us. Sylvia comes to see me every day, and I'm running out of excuses to turn her away."
Glenn sighed, as if dreading facing Sylvia.
"How frustrating."
He shook his head and pulled a booklet from his bosom. As he slowly started reading the book, Glenn's expression gradually calmed down.
"Hoo…"
Roenn sighed in relief as he saw the book Glenn was holding. Since he was reading Raon's report, that fit would subside for a while.
'He really has changed a lot.'
No one would have imagined that the Destructive King of the North, known as the continent's strongest, would calm his mind by recalling his grandson's words.
Honestly, nowadays he seemed more like the continent's greatest doting grandfather than the greatest warrior.
"Hmm…"
Roenn caught a sound from outside the Lord's Manor and bowed to Glenn.
"It seems the Light Wind division has returned."
"Hmm."
Glenn nodded slowly and put the report back into his bosom.
"Seeing those children should ease my mind a bit. Bring them in."
"Yes."
Roenn smiled and left the audience chamber.
The Light Wind division stood in front of the Zieghart Lord's Manor, straightening their posture.
"I'm nervous since it's been a while."
Burren swallowed his dry saliva and adjusted his sleeve.
"There's nothing to be afraid of if you haven't done anything wrong."
Martha frowned, putting her hands on her hips as if wondering what he was scared of.
"I'm not scared, just tense."
"Nervous? Look at her."
She pointed to Runaan, who was blankly staring into space.
"Sometimes it's necessary to have no thoughts like that."
"Hmm…"
Runaan was truly staring blankly at the sky as if she had no thoughts.
"She's a bit too much though. Don't just stand there, at least brush off the dust."
Burren approached Runaan and brushed the dust and snow off her shoulders.
"I want to eat ice cream."
Runaan let out a deep sigh.
"I knew you'd say that."
"With everyone here and Raon."
"Hmm…"
Martha pursed her lips, biting them slightly as if she was thinking of Raon too.
"Division Leader, where is that guy?"
Burren approached Rimmer, frowning.
"Huh? I don't know."
Rimmer shrugged.
"What?"
"You said you knew!"
"You said he was doing well!"
Burren, Martha, and Runaan simultaneously grabbed Rimmer by the collar.
"I said that so you wouldn't worry. No news is good news, he's probably doing fine."
Rimmer scratched the back of his head and laughed. He spoke lightly about Raon's wellbeing, as if they had just parted ways recently.
"You jerk!"
"Die!"
"This is our Division Leader?"
Even the other Light Wind swordsmen grabbed Rimmer's hair and clothes, shaking him.
"Wait a second! Don't do this…."
As Rimmer quickly waved his hands in fear, Roenn walked out from the Lord's Manor.
"It's been a while, everyone."
Roenn smiled warmly and bowed to the Light Wind division.
"The Head of House is waiting. Please come in."
"Hoo…"
Taking advantage of the moment when everyone's attention turned to Roenn, Rimmer moved to his side.
"Hurry up! We shouldn't keep the Head of House waiting!"
"It's not over yet."
"Let's see after the audience."
Burren and Martha raised their fists, grinding their teeth.
"You're dead."
Runaan also pouted her lips at Rimmer.
Rimmer, without bothering to fix his disheveled clothes and hair, clung to Roenn's side.
"There are some cracks in the walls and buildings. Did an earthquake happen?"
"Hahaha."
Roenn didn't answer, simply chuckling as he led Rimmer and the Light Wind division to the audience chamber, opening the door for them.
Boom!
As the majestic iron door opened, the grand scenery of the audience chamber was revealed. Golden sunlight streamed in above the towering pillars, creating an aura of magnificence and mystery.
But most captivating of all was Glenn sitting at the center. His eyes, redder than the sun, exuded a powerful presence that seemed to weigh down the entire world.
"That old man is showing off again."
Rimmer sighed softly and gestured to the Light Wind division behind him.
"Let's go."
"Hmm…"
"Hoo…"
Unlike him, the Light Wind division felt the weight in their arms and legs as they walked into the audience chamber, as if they were carrying heavy stones.
"We greet the Head of House!"
"We greet the Head of House!"
Following Rimmer's lead, the Light Wind division knelt and bowed their heads.
"Rise."
At Glenn's gesture, Rimmer and the Light Wind division raised their heads and straightened their backs. Glenn looked at Burren, who was standing right behind Rimmer.
"Burren."
"Yes, sir!"
Burren's voice jumped up, as if he hadn't expected to be called.
"How is your left eye?"
"At first, the improved vision caused headaches, but now I've adapted."
"It's an eye with unknown origins, even if it doesn't show symptoms. If you rely on it too much, it could put you in danger. Always consider various situations and make the best judgment."
"I will keep that in mind!"
Burren etched Glenn's advice into his heart and lifted his chin proudly.
"Runaan."
Glenn's gaze shifted to Runaan, who stood to Burren's right.
"Are the wounds on your abdomen and thighs causing any pain?"
"They're fine now."
Runaan nodded calmly, as she always did with everyone.
"There's no need to sacrifice yourself to protect others. Think deeply about what more you can do."
"Yes."
Though her answer was brief, her eyes became clearer, as if she was reflecting on Glenn's advice.
"Martha."
Glenn called Martha, lowering his eyes.
"You still seem to be worried about not being able to help your comrades."
"Hmm…"
Martha bit her lip, glancing at Burren and Runaan.
"My comrades almost died protecting me, so I think it's something I have to carry for the rest of my life."
"That is an insult to your comrades."
"Ah…"
"All you need to do is act as usual, and think of your comrades first in dangerous moments, just as they did. There's no debt among comrades."
"…I understand."
She vowed to protect everyone with her life, nodding her head.
"Dorian."
"Yes!"
Dorian trembled all over and nodded as he was called fourth.
"According to Rimmer's report, you are the biggest coward in the Light Wind division."
"That's true."
Dorian admitted he was a coward, lowering his eyes.
"There is no coward who thinks of others before himself. If you risked your life for your comrades, you are not a coward."
Glenn nodded seriously, looking at Dorian.
"You've grown, Dorian Sephia."
"Ah…"
Dorian couldn't respond. He just lowered his head and trembled.
Glenn continued to praise and advise each member of the Light Wind division.
"Mark Goetun."
"Yes."
Finally, Mark Goetun stepped forward and bowed his head.
"The world is inherently unfair. The wall of martial arts is as thick as a mountain for some and as thin as paper for others. If you focus on others, you will lose what is precious within you. From now on, observe yourself and move forward."
"I will keep that in mind."
Mark Goetun placed his hand on his chest and nodded.
"Um…"
Rimmer pointed at himself with a smirk.
"Is there anything you'd like to say to me?"
"You…"
Glenn frowned deeply just as there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
The door opened and Roenn poked his head in from outside.
"There is someone here to see the Head of House. How should I proceed?"
"I'm in the middle of speaking with the Light Wind division. Tell them to come back later."
"Understood. In that case, would you care for some tea…?"
Roenn smiled brightly as he was about to close the door.
"Hmm?"
Glenn frowned at Roenn's reaction.
'Tea?'
Roenn seemed kind, but it was rare for him to have tea with others.
"Wait. Who is it?"
"Um…"
Roenn poked his head back in and lowered his eyebrows.
"The Vice Division Leader of Light Wind has returned."
"B-bring him in immediately!"
"Raon?"
"Is Raon here?"
Glenn stammered for the first time and waved his hand quickly. Rimmer and the Light Wind division were also surprised and turned around.
"How disappointing."
Roenn smiled and opened the door to the audience chamber.
Rumble!
Next to the smiling Roenn stood a man in a black robe.
As he removed the robe, his golden hair, more brilliant than the sunlight, fluttered, and his straight nose like a blade was revealed.
His soft red smile contrasted with his tattered uniform, creating a magnetic attraction that couldn't be ignored.
Step.
Raon met the eyes of the Light Wind division one by one as he walked with a serious stride. He knelt before Glenn, standing behind Rimmer.
"I greet the Head of House…"
"Enough!"
Glenn waved his hand as if it was unnecessary.
"What have you been doing and where have you been all this time!"
His face turned red as if he was angry.
"After the barrier broke, I fell into a corner of the Owen Kingdom. My aunt rescued me, and while I was unconscious, I ended up at sea…"
"What?"
Glenn's lips turned blue as if they were frozen.
"W-what did you just say!"
"Um? I said I ended up at sea after I was unconscious."
Raon blinked at Glenn.
"Before that!"
"The barrier broke and I fell into a corner of the Owen Kingdom…"
"After that!"
"My aunt saved me…"
"Aunt…"
Glenn's hand, gripping the throne, trembled. The entire audience chamber, no, the entire Lord's Manor began to shake.
"Aunt?"