N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
Chapter 710
“……”
Returning to house Zieghart, Glenn clenched his fist as he looked at the completely shattered walls.
His heart ached once more at the sight of the broken wall, but there was something more urgent that needed to be taken care of first.
Exhaling a cold breath, Glenn crossed over the broken wall.
“Th-the head of house!”
“We greet the head of house!”
Inside the wall, Chad, the master of the Shadow Agents, and Illiune, the foreign minister, bowed their heads to Glenn.
“Enough with the greetings. Start with the situation report.”
Gesturing for Illiune and Chad to follow him, Glenn walked down the main road leading to the main building.
"Thanks to our preparations, the outer wall damage is not significant. There were no civilian casualties."
Illiune nodded, mentioning that the damage was minimal compared to the number of enemies that attacked.
“What about the inner walls?”
Glenn turned his gaze to Chad.
“Most of it was successfully defended, but the senators guarding the main building suffered significant losses. Most of the casualties are concentrated there.”
Chad sighed and apologized.
“The senators?”
Glenn frowned as he looked at the distant main building.
The senators was the strongest among Zieghart’s military organizations, even stronger than the Heavenly Blade division.
It didn’t make sense that the senators, who possessed more military power than the Heavenly Blade division, had suffered the most.
“Denier should have been in the main building too, right?”
“Yes, the Wise Martial Palace and half of the senators were there.”
Chad nodded, explaining that half of the senators remained in the main building while the other half was outside.
“Apostle-level white blood fanatics in black robes and masked executives from Eden attacked simultaneously. It was hard to fend them off.”
“Black robes….”
Speaking of black robes, the white blood fanatics that chased him to the end when he attacked the White Blood Religion’s headquarters came to mind.
Although not an apostle, they possessed power comparable to one. It seemed that those guys had launched the attack.
“The White Blood Religion, Eden, and assassins rushed in as if they had seen their arch-enemy. If the Light Wind division leader hadn’t advised us to prepare, the damage would have been much greater.”
Illiune smiled, saying that many lives were saved thanks to Raon.
“But where is he…?”
Chad, looking puzzled, glanced behind Glenn. The situation at the Rable River had escalated so quickly that he was not yet aware of what had happened.
“…I will convene a grand meeting. Gather all remaining executives.”
Glenn gave the order to convene a meeting without answering Chad and Illiune’s questions.
“Yes, understood….”
Chad trembled as he sensed the heavy atmosphere emanating from Glenn and stood still.
Glenn did not stop until he reached the main building. As he was about to enter the lord’s manor, Aris waved from the right.
“Father!”
Aris, holding Sylvia’s wrist, ran to Glenn.
“Where is Raon?”
She smiled confidently, as if not considering the possibility of Raon’s defeat.
“My lord, Raon won, right?”
Sylvia also showed unwavering faith in Raon, her eyes steady.
“……”
Glenn bit his lip as he looked at Sylvia, who was clasping her hands tightly.
Meeting Sylvia’s tender gaze, filled with thoughts of her son, he felt a searing pain in his heart.
“You too….”
Suppressing the trembling at his fingertips, he spoke.
“Come to the audience chamber.”
“What? Why suddenly….”
“What audience chamber! Where is Raon!”
“……”
Without answering, Glenn entered the lord’s manor.
Ignoring the puzzled and worried gazes from behind, he walked towards the audience chamber and noticed Karoon standing like a statue.
“Karoon?”
“I apologize.”
Karoon knelt, placing his hand on his chest.
“I disobeyed the head of house’s orders. I will accept any punishment.”
Without making any excuses, he bowed his head.
“That guy stopped the two apostles who attacked the annex building.”
Aris, who followed behind, waved her hand at Karoon.
Glenn nodded, as he already knew this through the video shown by the swordsman in the blue dragon helmet.
“Karoon. You come in too.”
Gesturing to Karoon, who was kneeling, Glenn personally opened the door to the audience chamber.
Originally, he had intended to praise Karoon, but now was not the time.
‘Raon….’
Thinking of his missing grandson, whom he hadn’t properly embraced, Glenn took heavy steps.
* * *
Late at night, all the house Zieghart executives gathered in the audience chamber.
The only ones absent were Raon and the swordsmen of Heavenly Blade division, Light Wind Division, and Warring Steel Division, who remained at the Rable River to search for him.
“Even the pig is here. Now, tell us what’s going on!”
Aris, frowning, pointed at Balder, who had been summoned immediately upon returning from external reconnaissance.
“What is this about, calling everyone without explaining!”
She did not relax her hardened expression, sensing the heavy atmosphere emanating from Glenn.
“Hmm….”
Sylvia also trembled her hands as if she couldn't erase her ominous thoughts.
“Raon lost? That’s nonsense!”
Balder shook his head, finding it unbelievable.
“…Raon won.”
Glenn slowly opened his eyes and moved his lips.
“I knew it!”
Aris clapped her hands, her grim expression brightening.
"I'm finally going to be called 'Aunty'! So, where is Raon now? Is the Ragged Saint treating his injuries?"
She nodded, assuming Raon couldn’t return to Zieghart due to his injuries.
“……”
Instead of looking at Aris, Glenn looked at Sylvia. Seeing his youngest daughter still trembling with unease, he clenched his teeth.
“I will explain.”
Roenn, who had not spoken since returning to the family, stepped forward.
“As the lord said, young master Raon won the duel to death against the Axe King Roman. The Axe king himself acknowledged his defeat. But after that….”
Roenn explained to the house Zieghart executives what happened after the duel.
“Ah….”
“Missing?”
“Wait, if he was stabbed and hit directly by the astral sphere….”
“Damn it!”
They knew the Five Demons would move, but none had imagined Raon’s disappearance, so all the executives widened their eyes.
“Ah….”
Sylvia, pale as a sheet, collapsed. Her legs trembled as if all strength had left her body.
Kwaaang!
Unable to hold back, Aris punched a pillar behind her. The thick pillar crumbled into white dust.
“Those cowardly bastards!”
She unleashed a fierce energy as if ready to storm the South-North Union immediately.
“How insignificant must Zieghart have seemed…”
Karoon bit his lip until it bled. Rather than delighting in Raon’s death, he showed intense anger at the disrespect shown towards Zieghart.
“Let's go right away!”
Balder stomped his foot and stepped forward.
“I can't sleep until we wipe out all those thieves!”
He said he couldn't stand it any longer and exuded a dry murderous aura.
“South-North Union…”
“Those bastards dare!”
“Like the thieves they are, they only do filthy things.”
The executives, including the leader of the Void Sword division, Serena, ground their teeth audibly.
The energy of anger emanating from the swordsmen enveloped the entire audience chamber, suppressing the cold dawn air.
“Father, what are you doing!”
Aris' eyes glistened with a murky light.
“We have to go kill those bastards! Isn’t that why you held this meeting?”
She placed her hand on the hilt of her sword, insisting they move immediately.
“No!”
Denier stepped forward and shook his head.
“The damage Zieghart suffered from this incident is also significant. The situation is not good, so we should reorganize first and….”
"How long will that take!"
Aris glared at Denier, lowering her eyebrows.
“We're not the only ones who suffered damage from this! South-North Union, Eden, White Blood Religion are all in disarray! If we don't strike now, when will we?”
She emphasized that now was the greatest opportunity and stepped forward.
“Besides, it's partly your fault that we suffered so much! Why did so many senators die!”
“That is… I'm sorry.”
Denier stopped speaking and exhaled deeply.
"The white-blood fanatics in black robes were all above master level. While I was focused on the swordsmen of the Wise Martial Palace, I was late in helping the senators."
He bowed his head, saying he was ashamed.
“But we must think deeply about this matter. If we move recklessly, the damage will only increase.”
Despite Aris' murderous aura, Denier did not back down and stressed his opinion.
“What he says is true….”
“If the Five Demons intervene again, the problem will get bigger.”
“Ha, it's complicated.”
Some executives agreed with Denier, stroking their chins.
“It's indeed a matter to consider deeply.”
Glenn met Denier's gaze and placed his hand on the armrest of the throne.
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Father!”
Denier sighed in relief, and Aris glared as if she was about to grab Glenn by the collar.
But Glenn's words were not finished yet.
"If this were before the duel to death, I would have said that."
“He, head of house?”
"This time, even I can't hold back."
As Glenn stood up, the golden throne crumbled into dust.
Goooooooo!
No one dared to open their mouths at the solemn anger rising from beneath his feet
“I cannot let that child go like this.”
“Ah….”
Only then did Sylvia raise her head at those words.
The tears that had been pooling in her eyes soaked the red carpet.
“Shadow Agents’ master, declare war on the South-North Union.”
Glenn gestured to Chad, as if he had already made his decision.
“Tell them house Zieghart will destroy the South-North Union.”
He clenched his fists so tightly that the tendons stood out, ordering them to prevent other forces from interfering.
“Understood.”
Chad thumped his chest as if to say trust him, and left the audience chamber.
“May I go too?”
Karoon raised his hand.
“I don't mind if you extend my punishment. I want to clean up the trash with my own hands.”
He clenched his fists, saying he didn't care if he could never leave Zieghart for the rest of his life after purging the trash.
“Me too….”
Sylvia staggered to her feet.
“Please take me with you.”
Tears no longer fell from her eyes. What filled her red eyes was not sadness, but the intense flames of resentment.
Glenn couldn’t meet Sylvia’s eyes and turned his gaze away. He had no right to stop his youngest daughter, who showed both despair and anger.
“…So be it.”
* * *
The next day.
“U-union leader!”
A middle-aged man wearing black glasses ran into the red chamber, which was dimly lit.
He stumbled as he hurriedly ran, but he crawled on his knees to stand before the platform.
“Uni..Union leader! There’s a big problem….”
“White Commerce Unit leader. We have a guest. Control yourself.”
The South-North Union leader Dranos, who was sitting on the red platform holding a cigarette pipe, lightly waved his hand.
“Huff!”
The White Commerce Unit leader’s gaze followed Dranos’ hand.
He gulped when he saw the Fallen, who was wearing a mask of a handsome young man.
“I-I’m sorry. It’s an urgent matter….”
“What is it?”
Dranos tilted his head, signaling him to speak.
“Zieghart has declared war. They said they will attack tomorrow!"
The White Commerce Unit leader trembled, saying they needed to prepare for war immediately.
"The news is late."
Dranos chuckled and exhaled smoke.
“This friend already told me.”
He pointed to the Fallen with a grin.
"The war declaration came much sooner than expected. As the blue dragon helmet said, he seems to have cherished Raon Sieghart very much."
Dranos put the pipe in his mouth, recalling Glenn's furious eyes.
“How much support will you provide this time? It would be great if guys like the Twin-Headed Demon or the Soul Severing Sword could join.”
“Those two are with the Heavenly Demon. There’s no guarantee they’ll listen to me. But aside from that….”
The Fallen narrowed his eyes at Dranos.
“I don’t think I can help this time.”
“What… Do you mean?”
Dranos furrowed his brows and leaned forward.
“Zieghart rejected the help of many factions who were angry at Raon Zieghart's death and declared war solely in their own name.”
The Fallen raised his hand.
“For us to intervene without Zieghart receiving support from other factions would undermine the prestige of the Five Demons.”
“But even so….”
“The bigger problem is the other Six Kings.”
A map of the continent, glowing blue, appeared above his fingers.
“They say that if the Five Demons move, the Owen Kingdom and Balkar will join the war. Chamber and Lecross have declared in the name of the six Kings.”
The Fallen pointed to a forested area, twisting his lips.
“Since Raon Zieghart had ties with the elves, Seipia might move too.”
“Ugh….”
“The Holy Sword Alliance and the Black Tower have decided to stay out of this, so in terms of both power and justification, we are at a great disadvantage.”
He erased the map of the continent, suggesting that it would be better for the South-North Union and Zieghart to fight the war alone.
“But it’s not a hopeless situation. Glenn Zieghart is injured, so he won't be able to show the same near-invincible strength as before."
“Even if Glenn has sustained internal injuries and the South-North Union has a natural fortress, it’s impossible to stop Zieghart!”
Dranos threw away his pipe, stating that the South-North Union alone couldn't stop Zieghart.
“That’s right. It will be difficult to win. However….”
The Fallen rolled his transparent eyes.
"Don't we have one person who can move without revealing himself?"
"I can't even get in touch with that guy..."
“Don’t worry. I’ve read the heaven's flow and saw that the biggest star will fall soon.”
He looked at the stars shining above the ceiling and smiled softly.
“Under the name of Dranos, the giant star known as Glenn Zieghart will sink.”
“Under my name….”
As Dranos heard the Fallen’s low voice, a color of desire appeared in his eyes.
* * *
Upstream of the Rable River.
Dozens of warships advanced along the river, setting up batteries at the front.
At the forefront, on the bow of the South-North Union’s first warship, the Azure Wolf, the South-North Union leader Dranos made his appearance.
On the opposite riverbank, ten warships and a pirate ship emerged. Standing on the pirate ship's deck, Glenn Zieghart placed his hand on Heavenly Tremor.
“Do we really have to do this?”
Dranos shook his head, seemingly regretful.
“Isn't there a way to resolve this with words?”
“You crossed the line.”
Glenn drew Heavenly Tremor and exhaled a hot breath.
“I will erase the existence of the South-North Union itself.”
"You picked the wrong fight. You've been tricked, very badly."
Dranos furrowed his brows and extended his hand. The ancient weapon, the Sea Dragon Spear, formed from gathered river water, was grasped in his hand.
Whooooooo!
Glenn swung Heavenly Tremor. A serene line descended, splitting the sky and river.
It was a grandiose sword strike, intending to tear all the South-North Union's warships apart with a single strike.
Chiiiiiiiing!
Dranos grasped the end of the spear shaft and swung the Sea Dragon Spear upward. The energy infused in the spear's strike summoned a massive tidal wave, as if drawing ink with a brush.
Boooooom!
Glenn's sword strike and Dranos' spear strike collided, upending the river and land, sending them into the air.
Storms of energy raged from all directions, as if nature itself were enraged.
“Kill the hypocrites of Zieghart!”
“Fire cannons and arrows to prevent them from approaching!”
“The South-North Union owns this river and mountain!”
The warriors of the South-North Union fired cannons, arrows, and harpoons at Zieghart’s swordsmen.
“Kill those rootless thieves and bandits!”
“Never retreat!”
“Avenge the Light Wind division leader!”
The swordsmen of house Zieghart charged forward, ignoring the flying cannons and arrows. Their intention was to engage in close combat rather than the naval battle that favored their enemies.
As the swordsmen leaped from the deck and river toward the South-North Union's warships, a golden flash skimmed across the water.
Whooosh!
A blonde female swordsman, moving faster than the wind, ascended the farthest left warship.
Slaaash!
The sea-colored energy blazing from her sword spread like waves, simultaneously slicing the necks of dozens of pirates on the deck.
"Get out of the way! I'll take care of it!"
Lucan, the captain of the warship, gripped his axe and charged at the female swordsman. Red astral energy surged like lava from his axe.
Thoom!
The female swordsman didn’t retreat and plunged into the flames of astral energy, thrusting her sword. The astral energy in her sword strike condensed into an astral sphere, causing a massive explosion.
Boooom!
The entire deck of the warship collapsed, and the pirates aboard fell, spitting blood.
Rumble!
The warship itself split in half and began to sink.
“Where are you….”
The blonde female swordsman, Sylvia Zieghart, exhaled a cold breath and turned her gaze.
“Beorn!”
Her eyes, searching for her enemy, flashed with a blood-red light.
