N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
Chapter 622
Karoon's eyes widened as he saw Glenn, who had suddenly appeared.
'Why is father here...'
This hospital is located far away from the lord’s manor.
it would be impossible for him to sense presence in such a distant place, so he doesn't understand how Glenn appeared here.
"Aaaarrgh!"
The man in the robe belatedly felt the bones and flesh of his wrist crushed and let out a scream as if his throat were being torn apart.
"You, Glenn Zieghart! Why are you here!"
"You have no right to ask questions."
Glenn shoved his fist into the mouth of the man in the robe.
Bbeuuueeurgh!
The teeth of the man in the robe protruded like corn kernels. It was a precaution to prevent him from using the poison hidden in his mouth.
"Uuuugh...."
The man in the robe collapsed with eerie groans. Due to the blow Glenn had delivered, he seemed unable to even twitch a finger.
“Where did you come from?”
Glenn forced the man in the robe to kneel on the ground and twisted his chin. It was a short but revealing question.
"Kkkhuk...."
The man in the robe didn't answer, only groaning.
"If you don't want to speak, you don't have to."
Glenn nodded, indicating it was up to him. Suddenly, a crimson lightning bolt flashed, causing the man to convulse as if experiencing a seizure.
“Aaaaah!”
A crimson lightning bloomed from the man's pure white robe. Glenn's lightning energy struck his entire body, causing blood to flow from his pores.
"Haaaarghh..."
The man gasped, his face turning blue with agonizing pain.
Karoon swallowed dry saliva as he watched.
'He's controlling his entire body.'
Glenn was now using his psychic power to constrict the entire body of the man in the robe. It seemed that he couldn't even breathe or move his fingers at will.
"You're quite the stubborn bug," Glenn remarked calmly, nodding as he met the man's gaze.
"If you want to resist, go ahead. Your body is no longer yours."
"Khe..he..he."
As the man tried to resist Glenn's psychic power, he emitted both groans and laughter simultaneously.
"What if it's not mine to begin with?"
"Hmm."
Sensing something amiss, Glenn quickly intensified the pressure of his psychic power over the man in the robe.
"Kuhurggh!"
However, the man in the robe seemed to ignore the increased suppression and spat out a chilling amount of blood from the corners of his mouth.
"Your… time is…. running out. Glenn… Ziegha..."
The man in the robe muttered incomprehensible words before his breath ceased.
Glenn remained composed even in the unexpected situation. With a sunken gaze, he reached out and sliced open the man in the robe’s chest.
‘There's something.’
The energy centers and mana circuits of the man in the robe were completely blocked, and the poison hidden in his teeth was removed. However, judging by the fact that his breath had stopped, it was clear that something was concealed within his heart.
Whoosh!
He grabbed the object that was moving slightly inside the heart of the man in the robe who was submerged in blood.
It was a worm-like creature. It was so small that it couldn't be seen by the naked eye, but as large as a tooth, it was grotesque.
‘Is it a Rage Worm?’
Glenn furrowed his brow as he watched the creature limp as if exhausted.
Although its appearance differed slightly from what he knew, there was no doubt that the creature hiding in the heart was a Rage Worm. It seemed that this disgusting creature had caused the man's demise.
'A group that uses Rage Worms...'
Among the Five Demons, the only places that could use Rage Worms are the Black Tower and Eden, but there is no guarantee that they are the ones.
It could be a new group, or it could be the White Blood Religion, judging by the color of the robe.
Glenn lifted the hood of the man in the robe. As expected, it was an unfamiliar face. He then turned his gaze to Karoon, who had fallen silent.
"Ah, father..."
Karoon tried to rise, but he lacked the strength to move his entire body.
"How did you get here?"
"Who is this guy?"
Glenn didn't answer the question and instead asked a new one.
"I don't know."
Karoon shook his head, glancing at the corpse of the man in the robe.
"He approached me once, offering to join forces, but I ignored him."
"What did he say when he approached you?"
"...He said he would make me the head of house."
"The head of house? How?"
"He said he would eliminate each of the successor candidates one by one for me."
Glenn furrowed his brow, understanding the implications of just that.
"So, he was the one to whom you sold the information about Raon?"
"Ugh..."
Karoon clicked his tongue briefly. The fact that he was asking about Raon meant that Glenn had heard everything he had said to him.
"Yes."
"But it seems you didn't provide accurate information. What was the reason?"
"I thought I needed to know who they were first, so I gave them false information. But they didn't reveal their identity. They were quite skilled."
"Why didn't you join forces with them?"
Glenn stared down at Karoon with cold eyes, his distrust evident.
"I am..."
Karoon closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them. His face was distorted in pain even as he spoke, but he forced his lips to move.
"I am the son of the Destructive King of the North. I cannot betray Zieghart, even if it means doing something inhuman. I have no intention of allowing outsiders to set foot on this land, even if I have to destroy Zieghart with my own hands."
He expressed his true feelings as if making a vow.
"...."
Glenn said nothing. He just watched Karoon with his cold eyes.
"You..."
As he was about to slowly open his mouth, Federick burst in, roughly opening the door.
"What, what's going on? Why is there a dead person here?"
Federick exclaimed incredulously.
"We need to move him to another room. Move Karoon to a location near the main building."
Glenn pointed to Karoon's bed.
"Hey! Tell me what's going on before you leave! Who is this guy?"
"Let's have a drink later."
With that, he left the room.
Glenn approached Sheryl and Roenn, who were waiting outside the room, and held out the corpse of the Rage Worm he had been holding in his hand.
"This is..."
Roenn narrowed his eyes as he looked at the Rage Worm that had fallen into his hand.
"It's a special kind of Rage Worm. Don't just think about Five Demons, but investigate all the forces that are rumored to be using Rage Worms."
"Yes."
"Understood."
Sheryl and Roenn, displaying a more serious demeanor than when discussing Raon, disappeared towards the main building.
‘You say my time is running out?’
Glenn turned his gaze towards the annex building and stroked Heavenly Tremor.
‘Before my time runs out, you will die first.’
And I will make you regret touching Zieghart.
* * *
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Raon stood on the lake behind the annex building and drew Heavenly Drive. As he was about to raise the sword, Wrath popped out.
Kreeeeuuu!
Wrath patting his chubby belly, exclaimed in delight.
As expected, home-cooked meals are the best! No matter how many times the King of Essence eats them, he never gets tired of it!
He smacked his lips, saying it was a satisfying meal.
If the King of Essence had a bead ice cream here, it would feel like paradise. Didn't someone promise to treat him to something delicious for a while...
Wrath complained about the lack of treats while indulging in thoughts of paradise.
‘That was last time.’
It wasn't! Keep your promise!
‘Ugh, let's go tomorrow.’
He waved his hands quickly, afraid that if he ignored him, he would nag all day.
Kree! You've become more broad-minded since you became the division leader! The King of Essence wonders how much bigger my stomach will get when you become the Demon King.
‘There's no chance of that happening.’
You never know.
Wrath reminded him about the ice cream again and went inside the bracelet.
Raon shook his head and raised Heavenly Drive above his head.
He gently flicked his wrist and swung the sword down. The clear sword wind cut through the moon reflected on the lake.
Chiiiiiing!
A mysterious phenomenon occurred as if the moon was splitting apart, but Raon shook his head with a frown.
‘This isn't it.’
Today, Glenn, whom he had seen, effortlessly destroyed Karoon's swordsmanship with a simple sword strike.
Raon swung his sword, mimicking the emotions and convictions he had witnessed in Glenn's swordsmanship. However, despite his efforts, he couldn't replicate the same level of mastery.
‘As expected, watching and doing are two different things,’ Raon muttered, his tongue clicking against his teeth. He raised his sword, which had been pointing at the ground.
The swordsmanship, which made the sword soar into the sky like a dragon, reminiscent of the first form of the Sky Palace Sword that Glenn had demonstrated.
Shiiing!
A red streak soared through the sky, as if about to split it apart, before fading away. The red tail streaked through the air like a comet. ‘This isn't it either,’ Raon sighed.
Unlike his own swordsmanship, Glenn's sword was as vast as the sky itself. The difference between a spear and a toothpick was so great that Raon couldn't help but chuckle.
‘Perhaps trying to emulate it directly is futile.’
No matter how much his mental world had grown, and despite having the Ring of Fire, it was impossible for him to immediately grasp Glenn's transcendent swordsmanship and enlightenment.
‘But that's no reason to give up,’ he reassured himself.
His true weapon wasn't the talent to mimic others, but the tenacity to keep repeating until he succeeded. With a renewed determination to keep practicing until he mastered it, he once again wielded the Sky Palace Sword.
Clang!
The balance was off compared to his first attempt, causing him to furrowed his brows. A deep voice came from behind him.
"Your posture is off."
"Huh?"
Raon swallowed dryly and turned around. Glenn was standing in front of the lake, somehow having arrived without him noticing.
"My lord?"
He hadn't even sensed Glenn's presence. His heart pounded despite not having done anything wrong.
"I-I greet the head...."
"It's fine," Glenn interrupted, waving his hand and walking towards the lake. He stepped onto the water, yet there was not even a ripple on the surface, as if he were walking on solid ground.
"What brings you here, my lord?"
"Ogram, that idiot, told me you paid off my debt for me."
Glenn scowled as if his pride was hurt.
Raon blinked, noticing the slight change in Glenn's sunken eyes.
'Hmm?'
It seemed like Glenn's mood had lightened a bit.
Although Glenn's expression was serious, it seemed much lighter than when he punished Karoon earlier.
"What you did was no small feat. It wouldn't have been surprising if a war had broken out between Zieghart and the Beast Union. You prevented that war."
Glenn approached with an unreadable expression and nodded.
"You've worked hard."
"No, I didn't," Raon replied.
He had only wanted to save Judiel and Juvel. He hadn't done it with such grand intentions in mind, so he shook his head.
"Even if you show humility, what you've done won't change."
Glenn pulled out a book and a golden tablet.
"This is a summary of my interpretations of your swordsmanship and the Sky Palace Sword. I've written down my thoughts, but don't feel obligated to follow them blindly. Use them as a guide, not a rulebook."
He held out the book as he spoke. The fresh scent of new paper wafted in the air.
"Ah...."
Raon carefully took the book and opened it. Written in elegant yet powerful handwriting was an interpretation of the martial arts he was learning, all of which were detailed and meticulous. He felt as though Glenn had been watching him closely.
"There is not much time left between life and death, so it would be better to look back at yourself rather than learning new swordsmanship or martial arts."
"T-Thank you."
"Ahem, I didn't write it alone, so such thanks are unnecessary."
Glenn shook his head, acknowledging the efforts of both the master of Shadow Agents and Sheryl.
"And...."
He slowly turned his back. Standing with the moon reflecting on the lake, he closed his eyes.
"Congratulations on becoming the division leader."
With those words, Glenn left the lake.
Raon bowed his head towards Glenn's back as he silently left. Strangely enough, the book he was holding in his hand felt warm.
* * *
The dawn at the fifth training ground was busier than usual.
"Did you hear that?"
Burren approached Martha and smacked his lips.
"Raon became the division leader?"
"I knew it, of course."
"How could I not? The entire family is buzzing about it."
Martha shook her head, saying it would be deaf if she didn't know.
"It'll be more comfortable now. That lazy slacker division leader is gone."
She laughed, saying that now it seems like the Light Wind division would finally return to its proper order.
"To be honest, anyone would be better than that division leader."
Burren looked at the platform where Rimmer usually napped and chuckled.
"But still, isn't it strange though? The guy who trained with us here became the division leader...."
Martha smiled faintly as if reminiscing about old times.
"Yeah, that little guy..."
Burren also stroked his chin, reminiscing about old times.
"But...."
He followed Martha's gaze and frowned.
"What should we call Raon now?"
"What do you mean, what should we call him?"
"Until now, we've called him by his first name and even talked to him informally. He didn't seem to mind either. But now that he's become the division leader...."
"What are you asking?"
Martha waved her hand as if to say what he was talking about.
"Of course, we should call him division leader and speak respectfully."
"What?"
Burren looked at Martha with wide eyes. It was strange that the person who seemed to be the most against it was the first to say such a thing.
"The leader leads the division from the front. If the command structure collapses, everyone's lives are at risk. It might be different when we're alone, but we must treat the division leader with respect in front of the members."
Martha spoke calmly, as if she had already made up her mind.
"Division leader Raon?"
Runaan approached quietly and nodded her head.
"Yes. We will call Raon that from now on."
Martha nodded in agreement.
"Old hag leader?"
Runaan pointed at Martha again, raising her lips just a little.
"This damn sleepyhead!"
Martha gritted her teeth and lunged at Runaan.
"Old hag. Please don't be angry."
"Shut up!"
"Ugh."
Runaan stepped back quickly, freezing the floor.
Burren narrowed his eyes as he watched Martha start to run wild.
'That’s unexpected.'
Martha had always used informal language with Raon, even after he became the vice leader, so Burren didn't expect her to change her attitude. But she was the first to say that we should show respect to Raon. It felt like the wild kid had grown up, and he couldn't help but smile.
Kwooong!
While Burren was watching the small war between Martha and Runaan with a smile, the door to the training ground opened and Rimmer and Raon entered together.
"Get in formation!"
He immediately gathered the Light Wind division swordsman and ran to the front of the platform.
Raon stood on the vice division leader's seat behind the platform, and Rimmer came forward.
"I'm sure everyone has heard."
Rimmer looked at the eyes of the Light Wind swordsmen and chuckled.
"As of yesterday, the division leader of Light Wind division has changed."
Rimmer nodded after calmly looking at all the swordsmen, from the captains to the rest of the members, with a calm gaze.
"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you in advance, but I thought the time was right. You've all worked hard following this incompetent division leader."
"Yes, we've worked hard."
Krein bowed his head repeatedly as he looked at Rimmer.
"I'm so proud of myself for not being tainted by that laziness."
Martha looked at Rimmer with a frown.
"There were also more days when he marked his attendance at the gambling den than here at his workplace."
Burren sighed as if he remembered going around the gambling den to find Rimmer.
"I'm sleepy."
Runaan waved her hand as if to hurry them up.
"Hey, guys! Read the room! This is the moment you gracefully bid me farewell!"
Rimmer's complexion turned pale as he envisioned a beautiful farewell.
"How can we have a beautiful farewell when the division leader has done nothing but bad things?"
"And you’re not leaving. You’re just stepping down to the vice leader's position."
"That's the real jackpot. A salary thief who doesn't do anything and just gets paid."
"What an enviable life."
"Enough."
Raon stepped forward, silencing Light Wind swordsmen, who had started to grumble.
"Even though he was a lazy bum, a gambler, a drunkard, and a beggar, he was our division leader after all. Let's be respectful."
"...You're on my side, right? Right?"
Rimmer clutched his chest as if in pain, his lips trembling.
"Even though he didn't do any work, didn't train, and didn't do maintenance but......."
Raon cuts him off.
"That's enough! Stop right there! It hurts! I’m in pain."
Rimmer shakes his head, his expression even more pained than when Glenn struck him with lightning.
"Division leader."
Raon bows to Rimmer with a faint smile on his lips.
"Thank you for your hard work."
"You've worked hard all this time."
"We appreciate your hard work!"
At his shout, the Light Wind swordsmen drew their swords and saluted Rimmer.
The air of playfulness dissipates. The greetings are now filled with respect and solemnity, permeating the fifth training ground.
Rimmer looked at the swordsmen with a trembling gaze. They were once his disciples, but now they are his subordinates.
"You've all worked hard too."
With a smile, he stepped back.
"Then the old division leader will step back and welcome the new division leader."
Following Rimmer's gesture, Raon steps to the front of the platform.
"This is Raon Zieghart, the new leader of Light Wind division."
Raon saluted to the swordsmen of Light Wind, their eyes sparkling.
"I'll be counting on you from now on."
"We'll do our best!"
Including the captains, the swordsmen of Light Wind raise their swords towards Raon and roar. Their voices are louder than when they saluted Rimmer.
"...You rascals."
Rimmer turned his head abruptly, as if annoyed.
"My goal as the new division leader is to promote the Light Wind division to the Light Wind Palace. There will be many hardships ahead, and I hope you'll all stand by me as we face these challenges together."
"Yes!"
"Of course!"
With the goal of promotion in mind, everyone smiled warmly and nodded.
"Then, to celebrate the new..."
"Are we going to have a party?"
Krein raises his hand as if he had been waiting.
"I will conduct special training."
At Raon's words, silence falls over the training ground.
"...Training?"
"In this situation? In this atmosphere?"
"Our division leader. He really can't read the mood."
Runaan, Burren, and Martha sighed in disbelief.
"This training will be a one-week intensive training focused on enhancing concentration, held in the North Grave Mountain in the form of duels. First, we will divide into two teams, pursuers and survivors..."
Raon explains the outline of the training he has prepared to everyone. As his words continued, the faces of the Light Wind swordsmen grew paler.
"T, this is too much to ask for a week of intensive training with duels to the death!"
Krein trembles his eyes as if he is terrified.
"I, I'm just going to die."
Dorian takes out a hammer from his belly pocket.
"That's right...."
Burren's jaw trembled.
"I almost forgot, he was a demon incarnate!"
"And not just an ordinary demon, but the Demon King."
"The return of the Demon King...."
The Light Wind swordsmen's chins trembled as memories of being trained by the old Raon came to mind.
"Di-division leader. Please stop Raon!"
Dorian clasped his hands together as he looked at Rimmer.
"Ahaha."
Rimmer quickly shook his head.
"The leader is him now. I'm busy, so I'll just..."
As he tried to run away, Raon blocked his path.
"Where are you going?"
"Huh? I have an appointment, so I have to leave..."
"This training is for all of the Light Wind division swordsmen. So, the vice division leader should also participate."
Raon grabbed Rimmer's wrist with a sinister smile.
"Ah...."
Rimmer let out a sigh as he looked at Raon's hand, clenched like handcuffs.
"T-That's not how it works! I'm the vice leader..."
"Right here."
Raon smirked and nodded.
"From now on, the vice division leader will also participate in all training sessions."
"Just a moment, ugh, this is not what I wanted! Let go! Let go of me! I'm not doing this vice division leader thing!"
He had only wanted to collect a salary with the job of vice division leader and enjoy a comfortable life, but he never imagined that he would be dragged into training like this.
"It's too late."
"This devilish bastard!"
