N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
Chapter 649
Raon looked at the brightly shining map and swallowed dryly.
The villages that had been rescued with the Light Wind division before entering the tomb were connected by lines, forming a single path connecting the Saber Sword Sovereign’s tomb and house Zieghart.
‘Is it really connected like that?’
He had only wanted to save the people in front of him, regardless of whether it was in Zieghart's territory. He had never imagined such an outcome.
"Judging by your expression, it seems you didn't know either."
Glenn nodded calmly.
"Of course, that doesn't change the result. All the villages that joined Zieghart mentioned the Light Wind division’s name."
There was a rare sense of pride in his voice. His expression also seemed softer than usual.
"The lord is right."
Sheryl stepped forward.
"Both the village chiefs and the mayors expressed their gratitude to you all."
She smiled, saying it warmed her heart.
"Expanding the territory—it's a tremendous achievement regardless of family or kingdom. Achieving that with no significant damage and in a peaceful manner can be called a feat."
Glenn's voice was calm, but his lips trembled as if someone else had lifted them.
"I highly regard this feat. I bestow golden tablets and elixirs to all members of the Light Wind division."
When he snapped his fingers, Roenn came out of the inner room carrying a tray with golden and silver tablets.
"Th-thank you!"
"It's an honor!"
The Light Wind division knelt with their hands on their chests and bowed their heads.
The swordsmen seemed more moved by the fact that their actions had greatly helped Zieghart rather than by receiving the golden tablets.
"I also bestow silver tablets to all members of the Void Sword division who fought hard to protect the Light Wind division at the Saber Sword Sovereign’s tomb."
After declaring he would also reward the Void Sword division, Glenn stood up from his throne and descended to the platform below. It seemed he intended to move personally due to the number of people.
"Th-thank you!"
The first to receive the golden tablet and elixir, Burren, pressed his lips tightly as if trying to hold back tears.
"Thank you!"
Martha, who looked as if she expected the reward, still blushed deeply, perhaps due to the emotion of receiving the golden tablet directly from Glenn.
"Thank you."
Only Runaan remained unchanged in both gaze and expression. She accepted the golden tablet and elixir with her usual blank stare.
After giving golden tablets to all members of the Light Wind division and silver tablets to the Void Sword division, Glenn returned to the front.
"Leader of the Void Sword division."
"Yes, my lord."
"Even though there were mistakes, it's remarkable that you persevered to the end and saved your subordinates and the Light Wind division."
With those words, he handed a golden tablet and elixir to the leader of the Void Sword division.
"The elixir is good for internal injuries. Take it as soon as you return."
"Thank you…."
Serena accepted the golden tablet and elixir with slightly trembling hands.
"Lastly, the leader of the Light Wind division."
"Yes."
Raon stepped forward.
"For defeating the Snow Demon Queen, the Sixth Apostle, and the Ghost Demon Swordmaster, for uncovering the secret of the Saber Sword Sovereign’s tomb, for bringing back his legacy, and finally for reclaiming Zieghart's land…."
Glenn calmly listed Raon's accomplishments. Though his voice was low, his mouth and eyes gradually lifted toward the sky.
"None of these are achievements to be taken lightly. With this, combined with your past contributions, it wouldn't be impossible to incorporate the annex building into the main building and promote Sylvia and you to direct line."
At his low declaration, everyone in the audience chamber opened their eyes wide.
"He-head of house!"
"But that…."
"Be quiet."
Glenn glared at the direct line members who opened their mouths, then shook his head.
"However, you and I have made a promise."
"Yes, we did."
Raon nodded. He had declared that he would defeat the Axe King Roman and earn the direct line himself.
"Given the situation, I will grant you a wish this time."
"A wish?"
"Yes. I can't grant you everything, but I'll try my best within my capabilities."
Glenn lowered his gaze, saying he would do his best to grant what he could.
"……."
Raon quietly looked around the audience chamber. He briefly closed his eyes, seeing the direct lines and senators with wide eyes, and Rimmer, Sheryl, and Aris, who seemed to be asking him to request the destruction of the senate.
"I want the annex building to have the right to defend itself."
"Right to defense?"
Glenn raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised.
"During the special inspection of the master of True Martial Palace and the recent inspection by the senate, both were meaningless attacks. The annex building suffered greatly, and the maids had a hard time."
"What nonsense! I spent dozens of times more money back then! I was ripped off by you and had to eat grass for a while..."
Balder jumped forward as he said that.
"Want to die? Shut your mouth?"
"Mm…."
As Aris narrowed her eyes, Balder trembled and stepped back.
"I don't mind the inspections themselves, but conducting them consecutively just to harass us and using the annex building's maids during their inspections is unreasonable. Therefore…."
Raon twisted his lips as he looked at the direct line executives.
"I request autonomy for the annex building."
"Autonomy?"
The direct line executives were the first to react.
"That's nonsense!"
"That's absurd!"
"Giving autonomy to the annex building! Absolutely not!"
"My lord!"
They shook their heads vehemently, insisting it was impossible.
"……."
Glenn said nothing, just shifting his gaze.
"Do you want me to break my own promise?"
"Ah…."
"That's not what we meant…."
The direct line members trembled and stepped back, meeting his gaze.
"Surely with autonomy, the things that have happened so far could be resolved. However, autonomy is not an easy issue to decide. It could also mean giving up Zieghart's protection."
Glenn nodded without changing his expression.
"For now, I will suspend all inspections, investigations, and access to the annex building indefinitely. As for autonomy, we will discuss it again after some consideration."
"Thank you, my lord."
Raon exhaled shortly and bowed his head.
'This is enough.'
From the beginning, he hadn't aimed for autonomy. As Glenn had said, if the annex building couldn't receive Zieghart's protection, that would be a problem in itself.
Since the big wish for autonomy was rejected, the direct line members didn't complain about the suspension of inspection activities and the restricted access to the annex building. This outcome was exactly what Raon had wanted, making the result appear more natural.
"Since I couldn't fulfill your initial wish, if you have another, please tell me."
Glenn's gaze turned slightly colder.
'He looks like he's suggesting I take revenge on the vice head.'
His gaze seemed to be telling him to use his wish to strike back at the vice head who had harassed the annex building.
But that was something Raon and the residents of the annex building had to handle themselves. Asking Glenn or Aris would mean facing similar situations forever.
Besides, there was no need to use a wish for something he could do himself.
"In that case, I would like a few martial arts books."
"Martial arts books?"
Glenn frowned slightly, as if this request was also unexpected.
"Which martial arts books do you mean?"
"I would like to discuss that separately. There is something I need to report to you, as well."
"Very well."
Glenn waved his hand at the executives standing on either side.
"That will be all for today. Everyone may leave."
The executives, Light Wind division, and Void Sword division bowed to Glenn and left the audience chamber. The direct line members showed reluctant expressions but had no choice but to follow suit.
Only Sheryl, Roenn, Aris, and Rimmer remained in the audience chamber room.
"Raon!"
Aris approached and shouted.
"You should have said you wanted to decapitate the vice head and his lackeys right then and there!"
"Do you think that would have been granted?"
Raon smiled faintly and shook his head.
"Even if it wasn't granted, wouldn't something have been done?"
Aris seemed to be considering taking action herself as she toyed with her sword.
"For now, let's hear what Raon has to say."
Sheryl smiled faintly and shook her head at Aris.
"Huhuhu."
Roenn laughed, saying that Raon surely had a plan.
"My lord, please take a look at this first."
Raon pulled out a fragment of a scabbard imbued with the Dark Flow of Derus Robert and handed it to Glenn.
"This is…."
Glenn accepted the fragment and frowned.
"The energy of death."
"Correct."
Raon nodded as he looked at the fragment, which had lost much of its blackness.
"After I came out of the tomb and drove out the warriors..."
He explained to Glenn, Sheryl, and Roenn about the attack by Derus Roberts.
"Such…."
"Huh…."
Sheryl and Roenn widened their eyes in shock.
"It was dangerous. If it weren't for the Sword Demon, I wouldn't have been able to handle it alone."
Aris ground her teeth, still feeling indignant.
"In my opinion, they’re on par with the head of the Six Kings."
"A guy like that targeted Raon…."
Glenn's red eyes glinted ominously, as if lightning flashed within them.
"They seem to be the leader of those who turned the Saber Sword Sovereign’s tomb into a hell. They probably tried to kill me for ruining their plans."
"That makes sense."
Glenn stared at the death energy in the scabbard fragment as if he would never forget the death energy contained in it.
"I understand. I will have the Shadow Agents investigate this."
"Thank you."
Raon bowed to Glenn.
'This is enough.'
He had shown the Dark Flow hidden by Derus to three of the Six Kings. This was an unexpected gain.
If Derus couldn't hold back and revealed his power, he would be able to break all of his fame and reputation.
"So, which martial arts books do you want?"
Glenn tucked the scabbard fragment into his pocket and nodded.
"The martial arts books I want are the Central Mountain Sword, Heavenly Star Sword, and…."
Raon first mentioned the books necessary for dismantling and analyzing the Saber Sword Sovereign’s martial arts, then paused before stating the last one.
"The Ten Forms Sword."
"The Ten Forms Sword. That is…."
"That's the vice head's sword technique."
Cold light flickered in Sheryl and Aris' eyes when they heard the last martial arts book.
"You intend to challenge him to a sword duel?"
Rimmer unfolded his arms and stepped forward.
"Yes, I will fight him."
"That old man is not only strong but also cunning. Even though he knows he's stronger than you, he won't fight you because there's nothing to gain."
Rimmer shook his head, saying it would be frustrating.
"I will make it so he has no choice but to fight."
"How?"
Not only Rimmer, but everyone present swallowed hard.
"Vice division leader."
Raon looked at Rimmer and raised a finger.
"You are close with the vice master of Magic Tower, correct?"
Verbin was the vice master of Zieghart’s magic tower and was often seen drinking with Rimmer.
During Raon's training days, it was Verbin's subordinate who had summoned the orc for the practical training session.
"Verbin? He's a drinking buddy."
Rimmer blinked at the sudden mention of Verbin's name.
"I'd like to borrow him tomorrow."
Raon grinned as he took out a gold coin.
***
"The Dragon Slayer, huh…."
Killuan, the vice head of the senators, recalled Raon's image and sneered.
"I wondered how skilled he was, but he's still just a kid."
"A kid?"
Krisen, who had just returned from the lord’s manor, tilted his head.
"He looks strong, but he's naive. Just right to be exploited."
"Hmm…."
"You don't seem to understand."
"Yes. Hearing about his achievements today, I couldn't help but be impressed…."
"That's certainly impressive. But that's not what I mean."
Killuan tapped the blackwood desk made from an entire log and smiled.
"When the head of house said he'd grant a wish, he didn't mention us, did he?"
"Yes. I was surprised too. If he intended to take revenge on us, it would have been terrifying…."
"That's what I mean by naive."
He leaned back deeply into his chair and looked out the darkening window.
"He probably intends to target me with his own power."
"Target you, as in…."
"Yes, a sword duel."
Killuan pressed his left and right index fingers together.
"He's planning to challenge me to a sword duel."
"Ah!"
Krisen's eyes widened in realization.
"He intends to resolve it without borrowing the head of house's power. That would create a wall that we can't touch, besides the right to defend the annex building. However..."
Killuan lightly separated his fingers.
"A sword duel is meaningless if the opponent doesn't accept it. He'll regret missing today's opportunity for the rest of his life."
He chuckled, recalling Raon's distorted eyes.
"But now we have no way to touch the annex building, do we?"
Krisen frowned.
"We can always create a way. There are many ways to harass them besides inspections and investigations."
Killuan listed methods to provoke the annex building with a wave of his finger.
"Impressive as always!"
Krisen looked at Killuan with admiration.
"Order the boys to rest for about a week."
Killuan's murky eyes glinted with malice.
"After that, we'll visit the annex building again."
***
Advance chapters: Tinyurl.com/Albnlfff
For Indonesian: Tinyurl.com/Aldbnlff
The next morning.
When the swordsmen finished breakfast and began their daily routines, a white curtain spread across the sky above the main building.
"What is that?"
"It looks like magic."
"Yes, the magic tower is at work. Is there an event today?"
"It's unfolding like a piece of paper."
Swordsmen and attendants alike stopped in their tracks and looked up at the sky.
Woo-oo-oo-oo-oo!
Black letters danced across the white curtain, as if writing on paper.
[Children are taught from a young age not to approach beasts with cubs. Beasts protecting their offspring are extremely sensitive, and their teeth and claws are twice as sharp as usual.]
It wasn't just the letters. A clear girl's voice echoed throughout the main building.
Even though it was just reading, it sounded like reciting poetry or singing a song, vividly echoing in their ears.
[Yet there is an old man who does not know this natural law that even children understand. Why? Because his parents did not teach him what he should have known by his age.]
[He grew up without proper education from his parents, and having never formed a good family himself, he does not understand the value of others' families.]
[The ignorant project their inferiority onto others, while the wise recognize their shortcomings and train their hearts. The base ridicule those lesser than themselves, while the noble share knowledge and heart with those who are less fortunate.]
[It is lamentable that the vice heads of the senators of house Zieghart is an ignorant, base man who was not properly educated by his parents.]
[As the leader of the Light Wind division and a swordsman of Zieghart, I cannot allow the vice head of the senators to remain an ignorant, base old man who was not taught by his parents.]
[Therefore, I shall personally give the vice head the education his parents failed to provide. If the vice head does not wish to remain an ignorant, base, uneducated man, he should come to the great training ground at noon three weeks from now. - Light Wind division Leader, Raon Zieghart.]
The message ended with Raon's name and the woman's clear voice fading away.
"Ah…."
"Uh…."
A crowd had gathered in front of the main building, but no one could speak.
"As expected, Yua's voice is amazing."
From a distant rooftop, Raon clapped.
Indeed. Pineapple girl's voice is like a nightingale… no wait! That was an insult to parents!
Wrath trembled and raised his hand.
'Yes, it was.'
Raon nodded calmly.
Hey, you! Even demons don't insult parents!
'The old man started it by insulting my parent.'
Well, leaving everything else aside, this is the most creative and elegant insult to parents I've ever seen...
Wrath blinked in disbelief.
"It's effective."
Raon smirked as he watched the senate building shake like an earthquake.
"The sword duel has been proposed."
