N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
Chapter 614
Raon narrowed his eyebrows as he looked at the suddenly appearing giant figure.
‘Why is he here?’
There is only one man who possesses the ferocity of a wild beast and an aura of being the sole ruler of the world.
It was definitely the Beast Union leader, the Beast King Ogram, whom he had met at the Conference of the Six Kings.
However, the Union where Ogram resided was supposed to be far away from the Sran tribe, and Raon couldn't understand why he had appeared here.
'Did you know that this person was coming here?'
Of course.
Wrath frowned as if to say, don't ask obvious questions.
'Then why didn't you tell me?'
Why should the King of Essence tell you?
'Are you still upset?'
Upset? What are you talking about!
He turned his head abruptly as he said that. It seemed like he was still pissed off because Raon had scammed him earlier.
"Raon and Karoon, right?"
Ogram curled his lips as he looked back and forth between Raon and Karoon.
"It's been a while, both of you. But..."
He furrowed his brow as he turned his gaze to the bodies of the assassins who had their necks severed and the forest filled with ashes.
"What is all this?"
He seemed not to have grasped the situation yet.
"Haven't you heard anything?"
Raon blinked at Ogram. It seemed like Ogram had not stopped by the Sran tribe and had come straight here.
"It seems like the situation is over there, but it's still ongoing here, so I came."
Ogram crossed his arms and shook his head confidently. His forearms were so massive that veins bulged out as if they were about to burst.
"Raon. Tell me. What happened here?"
"Will you believe me if I told you? The Sran tribe leader is also here."
"Do you not understand the significance and meaning of that black dragon coat?"
He pointed to the black dragon coat Raon was wearing.
"Giving you the Black dragon coat means I trust you. I'm not someone who gives my things to others lightly."
Ogram lifted his chin, looking at the scales on the black dragon coat.
"The black dragon coat has also accepted you as its master, so I can trust you even more. Hurry up and tell me."
He nodded his head impatiently, urging Raon to speak up.
Raon looked at Ogram, who stood tall and proud, and chuckled inwardly.
'His personality is not just refreshing, but also cold.'
They had only met once, but he was saying that he trusted Raon because he had given him the Black Dragon coat? It was a personality that Raon couldn't understand with his common sense. He felt like Ogram was a cool guy, but someone he couldn't follow.
"..."
Karoon stood there silently, saying nothing. The fierce gaze in his eyes had also subsided.
It seemed that he would not move as long as Ogram was in front of him.
‘I don't trust him, and there's no evidence yet.’
Juvel doesn't know if Karoon is behind the Illusion Slaying squad and Judiel received orders from her superior in the Central Martial Palace, not directly from Karoon.
Without concrete proof that Karoon orchestrated everything, bringing up his name isn't a good idea.
If he missteps, he could face backlash. So, for now, he needs to calmly gather evidence and wait for the right moment to strike. Of course, that didn't mean he would let things slide today.
"Then I'll tell you what I know," Raon said, taking a small breath and stepping forward.
"My maid has a younger brother who she was separated from as a child. I promised her I would find her brother, and..."
He explained everything that had happened to Ogram up to this point, only mentioning things that could be proven without lies.
"..."
Even after Judiel was revealed to be a spy who was turned by Raon, Karoon didn't react at all. He knew there was no evidence.
"...So, I took care of the assassins who were here too."
"Khahahahahaha!"
As soon as Raon finishes speaking, Ogram bursts into unrestrained laughter, clutching his head with his right hand. Even without aura, his voice is so loud it felt like his eardrums will burst.
"So you came all the way here to prevent a fight after promising to find your maid's brother? Indeed, my eyes did not deceive me. The soul of Beast Union flows within you!"
Ogram patted Raon’s shoulder one after another with his hand as big as a pot lid. His face crumpled involuntarily from the impact, as if he had been hit with a hammer.
"The soul of Beast Union?"
"Loyalty, I mean! A warrior must have loyalty! I can see the foundation for that in you!"
Ogram pounds his chest with his fist. An ordinary person would have already died from that one punch.
"Thank you. It's no exaggeration to say that the Sran tribe is alive today because of you."
"No, it's not."
"Don't be humble! If you hadn't come, they would all be dead!"
Ogram grabs Raon's shoulder, rejecting his modesty.
"Karoon."
"Yes, Union leader."
"Why are you here?"
"I was returning after completing my family's mission when I saw a fire breaking out here and came to check."
Karoon repeated what he has already said and bows his head.
"Is that so? It seems like the swordsmen of Zieghart are all overflowing with loyalty!"
Ogram nods as if pleased.
Raon quietly lifted the corners of his mouth as he watched Karoon. That calm expression wouldn't last long.
"Let's go. I want to hear stories from those guys over there too."
Ogram headed towards the village where the Sran tribe is gathered, holding Raon by the shoulder. The white tiger seems to understand his words and slowly followed behind.
"Karoon. You come too."
"I'll take my leave here. I haven't done anything special."
"Nonsense."
Karoon tried to back away, shaking his head.
"Even if you didn't do anything, I'm grateful that you came all the way here."
Ogram gestured to Karoon, refusing to take no for an answer.
"..."
Karoon frowned in silence, unable to find a retort to Ogram's words, and reluctantly trailed behind with slow, heavy steps.
“Brother!”
As soon as Ogram arrived at the village, the leader of Sran tribe rushed out.
“How did you end up here....”
“I just came to have a quiet drink with you, but it seems like there's trouble in the forest.”
Ogram replies, his tone gentle, hinting at his close friendship with the Sran tribe leader.
"Ah!"
The Sran tribe laeder’s eyes widened his eyes as he saw Raon, who was held next to Ogram like a doll.
"Benefactor! You've come back!"
He knelt down towards Raon, bending his waist until his upper body touched the ground. This is the traditional gesture of gratitude among the Beast Union tribes, a sign of utmost respect from a defeated party to a victor.
"Please don't," Raon urged, shaking his head. It feels awkward to have someone much older kneeling before him.
"Don't be burdened. Putting out the fire that spread throughout the forest and dealing with the assassins, you deserve more than this bow."
Ogram simply nods, encouraging the leader to continue his gesture of respect.
"But that's not all," the tribe leader insisted firmly.
"What?"
Ogram furrowed his brow as if to ask what he meant.
"Not only did he prevent the fight, but the benefactor also averted potential problems within the village."
The tribe leader pointed to Risrin, who stood awkwardly nearby.
"He sent him to prevent the fire from breaking out within the village as well. We didn't even consider that possibility."
He explained how Raon's foresight saved the lives of the elderly and children who were able to escape the burning village.
"Oh..."
Ogram turned to Raon with a chuckle, his expression suggesting he didn't expect such thoroughness from the young man.
"How did you know there were hidden seeds of fire within the village?"
"I thought that assassins capable of such acts would be capable of anything," Raon replied, attributing his knowledge to his ability to predict, rather than the Fire Spirit King's power, as Karoon is present.
"Hahaha!"
"Ugh..."
Ogram approaches Raon and patted his back. While Ogram intended it as a gesture of encouragement, Raon felt like his bones are cracking under the impact.
"You're really something!"
"Thank you, Benefactor!”
Not only the tribe leader but all the Sran tribe members fall to their knees in a gesture of deep respect.
Ogram, with a refreshing smile, notices Judiel and Juvel standing awkwardly.
"Is she your maid?" he asked.
"Yes," Raon confirmed, meeting Judiel's gaze and nodding.
“You've been through a lot,” Ogram said, maintaining his smile and patting Judiel's back. Thankfully, he seemed aware of his strength and patted her lightly.
"Huh? Oh, yes..."
Judiel nodded, trying to match the atmosphere without understanding the meaning.
"So, who sent this maidservant as a spy to you?" he asked.
"Uh..."
Judiel's eyes widen in surprise, not expecting this topic to come up here.
"..."
Raon turned around without saying a word. After glancing at Karoon, who remained expressionless, he opened his lips.
“She was sent by the Central Martial Palace.”
“Central Martial Palace?”
Ogram stroked his chin, then turned his gaze towards Karoon.
"Isn't the Central Martial Palace under your control?"
“...Yes.”
Karoon nodded as if he didn't know anything.
“Alright, I see. I see.”
The moment Ogram's mouth broke into a sly grin, his hand flashes with colorless light, and a lightning-fast punch shot out.
Shwing!
As if anticipating this, Karoon drew his sword and blocked Ogram's punch.
Bam!
However, Ogram's strength is overwhelming, and Karoon is pushed back more than ten steps, his sword bending as if it might break.
"It was your doing."
Ogram's eyes flashed with a menacing glint, as if he was ready to kill Karoon.
“No.”
Karoon replied with a calm and stoic look in his eyes.
“I don't know anything about it.”
“Nonsense.”
Ogram furrowed his brow, then moved forward himself and swung a punch at Karoon. His fist swelled like a balloon, exerting tremendous pressure that seemed to nail him to the ground.
Kwaaaaaah!
A massive shockwave explodes, and Karoon is roughly pushed back, falling to one knee.
"It's true. I don't know anything about it."
Karoon looked up, biting his lip as blood trickled down. He still appeared composed.
“I don't think it was him either.”
Raon raised his head with a calm gaze.
"The master of Central Martial Palace, out of concern for me, killed the captured leader of the assassins. A man as considerate as him wouldn't commit such a cruel act."
Raon smiled wryly as he looked at Karoon.
“Grrr....”
For the first time, Karoon's calm expression changed. He glared at Raon with a gaze filled with resentment. It's the same look he often gave Raon in the audience chamber, so Raon paid no mind to it.
“You damn bastard!”
Ogram understood the implications behind Raon's words and strengthened his fist.
With a single punch, Ogram unleashed a devastating blow that could shatter the heavens. The sheer force behind it could even kill a Grandmaster if struck head-on.
Wooooooooooong!
Karoon gritted his teeth and raised his sword. The blade, imbued with his will, formed a thick barrier of astral sphere in front of him.
Clang!
Ogram's fist, disregarding Karoon's barrier, and slammed into his abdomen with the same force as before.
An explosion of dust erupted, accompanied by a deafening roar resembling the tearing of leather on a drum.
Fwoosh!
With a wave of Ogram's hand, the dust storm dissipated in an instant, revealing Karoon's figure.
"Cough..."
Karoon, clutching his injured abdomen, was spitting out black blood. He seemed to have suffered serious internal injuries.
Raon narrowed his eyes, observing not Karoon, but the direction Ogram's fist had taken.
'An attack that ignores defense?'
Just moments ago, Ogram's punch had pierced through Karoon's barrier.
It seemed like a secret technique that disregarded the opponent's defense and poured all of one's own strength into the attack.
Raon had never imagined such an ability existed. Indeed, the martial arts of the continent were vast and varied.
"I'd like to kill you right here, but I guess I can't," Ogram muttered, scowling and shaking his fist as if something filthy was on it.
"But if I discover evidence, I'll personally come for you to end your life."
Gritting his teeth, he glared at Karoon. He seemed ignorant and impulsive, but it was clear that everything was planned and calculated.
He had the demeanor of a true leader of Beast Union, a massive confederation.
"Get lost."
“Really, it wasn't me.”
“Shut up and get lost.”
"Ugh..."
Karoon glared at Raon as if he were going to kill him, then turned his back under Ogram's gaze.
"Young master."
Judiel approached Raon and gently shook his shoulder.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. This is insurance."
"Insurance?"
"Yeah. Everyone saw that I had a problem with the master of Central Martial Palace, so if there's any trouble when we return, Karoon will be the first one suspected. Unless he's a complete idiot, he won't touch us. He might even offer us protection.”
Raon chuckled. Karoon, more than anyone else, wanted Raon dead right now, but he also couldn't kill him. It was a situation that couldn't help but bring a smile to his face.
"Ah..."
Judiel nodded, seemingly understanding now.
"Huh..."
Risrin also appeared to understand, releasing a sigh. It was almost as if he was terrified.
Sneaky bastard.
Wrath furrowed his brow deeply, clearly displeased.
I'm starting to get sick of your slyness.
'Is that so.'
Raon chuckled and nodded as Ogram approached.
"Come here."
Ogram grabbed him by the shoulder again. It felt like a lump of rock was pressing down on his shoulder.
"Since things have turned out like this, let's have a celebration!"
He flashed a cool smile as if he never got angry.
"What? A celebration? But there's still work to be done. We need to get testimonies from the captured assassins, and there's cleanup to be done..."
"Leave that to the underlings! We just need to enjoy!"
Ogram dragged Raon into the darkened village of the Sran tribe. He was so strong that he couldn't resist even with his current strength.
"Contact the Union and tell them to bring all the liquor in my warehouse! And all the food too!"
Raon furrowed his brow at his command.
'This won't be easy to get out of....'
Food!
Wrath nodded, smacking his lips.
Tell them to bring the most delicious food!
‘You said earlier that you were sick of me.’
Raon sighed and hit Wrath on the head.
‘I’m even more sick of you….’
* * *
The master of Shadow Agents, Chad, knocked on the audience chamber door lightly. His face was glowing with a cheerful light, as if something pleasant had happened.
Knock, knock, knock.
The heavy door opened, and Roenn bowed his head with his usual smile.
"Master of Shadow Agents. Please come in."
He gestured inside as if inviting him in.
"Thank you."
Chad greeted Roenn and walked on the carpet of the audience chamber, heading towards the center.
"I greet the head of house."
Glenn, not liking formal greetings, only nodded his head and then looked up.
"What's the matter?"
Glenn nodded his head with a cold look. He didn't shake his legs like before, but his expression wasn't good because Raon wasn't in the family.
"Today, the Light Wind..."
"Has Raon returned?"
He abruptly straightened up from the throne he was leaning on. He seemed ready to dash out at any moment.
"No, that's not it."
"Hmm."
Glenn leaned back again on the throne with a disappointed gaze.
"Instead, a report from the Light Wind di..."
"Raon, right!"
He straightened up again and leaned forward. He seemed like he might collapse if he bent over a little more.
"What is it! Don't be stuffy and speak quickly!"
"A report has arrived from Sir Raon."
"A report?"
Glenn frowned as if to ask what he meant.
"The guy who went to train sent a report?"
"It seems Sir Raon has done it again,"
Chad said, taking a white sheet of paper from his pocket.
Whoosh!
With a snap of Glenn's fingers, the report Chad was holding was sucked into Glenn’s hand.
"Oh!"
Glenn's expression changed as he unfolded the letter and checked its contents.
"Huh..."
Chad's jaw dropped in amazement as he watched Glenn's mouth stretch into a wide grin, reaching all the way up to his ears.
‘To think that a person’s expression can change like that…’
