C792
After receiving permission from a somewhat bewildered Rector, Raon returned to the fifth training ground.
Rimmer was nowhere to be seen, having probably gone straight to the casino instead of returning to the training ground. Martha, Burren, and Runaan were assisting the swordsmen with their training.
"What are you doing? Haven't you had dinner yet? You need to put in your best effort there!"
Martha exclaimed in frustration, hitting her chest before demonstrating herself.
"Put strength in your pinky finger and extend the sword completely. That small difference could determine life or death between you and your enemy."
Burren was guiding the swordsmen's stances, helping them execute more precise swordsmanship.
"Your right side is open..."
Runaan was helping to fill in the small and large gaps while sparring with the swordsmen. Burren, Martha, and Runaan took different approaches depending on their personalities, but all did their best to teach the swordsmen. The three seemed capable of becoming instructors in their own right.
-Ice cream girl, meat girl, and the one with the shitty eyes.
Wrath smirked as he scanned Burren, Martha, and Runaan teaching the swordsmen.
-Those kids have really grown a lot.
'Indeed. They've grown remarkably.'
Raon nodded, following Wrath's gaze.
'If they get a good opportunity at the Holy Sword Alliance, it wouldn't be unreasonable for them to reach the peak of the Master level.'
Excluding himself, there were few who could match Burren, Martha, and Runaan's talents. Those kids could reach the peak of the Master level in the not-too-distant future.
-That's not what I meant.
Wrath calmly shook his head.
-In this king's eyes, even you seem like a youngster, so how could the martial prowess of the ice cream girl, the meat girl, and the one with those eyes be satisfactory!
'Then what do you mean?'
-Mental growth.
He looked at Burren, Martha, and Runaan with a soft smile.
-When this king first saw those kids, they all lacked peace of mind. They only thought about their own wounds, rejecting others and sinking into the darkness of their hearts. But now...
Wrath pointed to the three squad leaders, whose eyes were now full of vigor.
-Those kids are now sincerely teaching their subordinates even when they could be focusing on their own growth. This means they've achieved enough mental growth to accept others. This is a change I like.
He smiled, saying it seemed the three had come to understand the importance of relationships.
-You're right...
Raon nodded, leaning against the training ground wall.
-They have changed much more.
Runaan had been afraid of her brother Syria and of blood, Martha had been blinded by the goal of saving her mother and was willing to trample others, and Burren had severely lashed himself to avoid being abandoned by his father. In their childhood, they were trapped in the darkness of their hearts and didn't look around them.
But now, after many experiences, those three considered the Light Wind division as family and were using their valuable time to teach the swordsmen. It was evident that Burren, Martha, and Runaan had come to understand the importance of relationships.
-What are you laughing about?
Wrath suddenly thrust his face forward.
-You've changed even more than those kids!
He frowned, as if wondering why Raon didn't understand.
-The you this king first saw and the you of now are completely different people!
-You're right.
Raon nodded, looking towards the darkening sky.
-I certainly know that.
He had realized the importance of relationships even more than Burren, Martha, and Runaan. He couldn't help but notice the vast difference between his past life as an assassin and his current life as a Zieghart swordsman.
"What are you laughing about by yourself?"
Martha approached, lowering her sword.
"If you've come, you should help quickly! Why are you lagging behind?"
She frowned, telling him to change his clothes first.
"The meeting should have ended a while ago..."
Burren looked him up and down, clicking his tongue.
"Don't tell me you were gambling with the Vice Leader."
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"Slowpoke."
Runaan also stepped forward, frowning deeply.
"You've been late every day lately."
She pouted, seemingly dissatisfied with his lateness.
"The Vice Leader is always late or doesn't show up at all, so why are you only picking on me?"
Raon shook his head, facing the sharp gazes of the squad leaders.
"What's the point of scolding a beast? Would it understand?!"
Martha twisted her lips, telling him to say something worthwhile.
"Sure. That person wouldn't listen anyway."
Burren sighed in agreement.
"Useless Rimmer..."
Runaan also let out a deflated voice, letting her shoulders droop.
"Eh, well..."
Raon's lips trembled as he looked at the three. He wanted to take Rimmer's side since he had received help today, but he had nothing to say.
"Forget that old fool, and from now on, you guys watch over the swordsmen."
Martha dismissively waved her hand.
"We need to warm up too."
Burren also asked for his help as he drew his sword.
"Still lacking..."
Runaan also nodded, saying she hadn't been able to handle her sword properly.
"Everyone's clearly frustrated."
Raon laughed as he watched the three squad leaders burning with determination.
"Of course we are. We're squad leaders. We have to do our own training and look after the kids too!"
Martha wrinkled her nose, saying it was only natural.
"So I have something to tell you."
Raon gestured for Burren, Martha, and Runaan to come closer with a flick of his finger.
"We're going to the Holy Sword Alliance tomorrow. Pack your bags."
He nodded, telling them to return to their rooms now and prepare.
"The Holy Sword Alliance? So suddenly?"
"Are you kidding, right? This is too abrupt!"
Martha and Burren's eyes widened in surprise.
"Does it take a day to prepare? Two days? I've told you now, so that's enough time."
Raon proudly lifted his chin, demonstrating what it means to be unreasonable.
"This is the opportunity you've been yearning for to train and fight to your heart's content. Don't you want to go? If you don't like it, stay here and play with the Vice Leader who's always complaining about money. Of course, if you haven't grown when I return, you'll be doing focused training."
He shrugged, not offering a suggestion but making a threat.
-You, you, heartless bastard!
Wrath let out an exasperated sigh.
"Really!"
"No, we still need some time to mentally prepare..."
Martha and Burren resentfully bit their lips.
"I'll go..."
Runaan raised her hand high. She blinked with her vacant eyes as if she would unconditionally go.
"That's right."
Raon nodded broadly, saying she had done well.
"Now, your answers too."
"I-I'll go..."
"Alright, I'm going! You idiot!"
Burren and Martha also finally agreed to go to the Holy Sword Alliance.
"All set. Come on, it was resolved peacefully."
Raon nodded, smiling broadly.
-What do you mean peacefully? That was clearly a threat!
Wrath shook his head, telling him not to talk nonsense.
-Where did all that warmth you were talking about just moments ago go?
'There was never any such thing from the beginning.'
Raon waved his hand, shooing away Wrath.
"Division Leader! Can I go too?"
Dorian, who had been listening from behind, raised his hand.
"I really want to go because there might be items to restock at the Holy Sword Alliance..."
Dorian's eyes gleamed, seeming more interested in the items he could obtain there than in training.
"Why are you asking something so obvious?"
Raon tilted his head, looking at Dorian.
"We can't go on a trip without our wallet, right?"
He blinked as if it were something natural, without a hint of ill intent.
"Ah, yes. I'll prepare!"
Dorian smiled, seeming pleased to hear he would be the wallet.
-This, this needs to be preserved in writing...
Wrath let out a sigh, looking at the back of Raon's head.
-The title should be 'Raon Zieghart's Role in the Corruption of the Human World'...
He shuddered as if he were scared.
"You should all understand this by now, so come to the front of Federick's mansion tomorrow morning."
Raon left the training ground after leaving these last words.
"That kid..."
Martha frowned, watching Raon's retreating figure.
"Is he becoming more eccentric?"
"Lately, I see the Vice Leader's image behind Raon. No, it's even worse..."
Burren nodded in agreement.
"His face is attractive, but his heart is ugly..."
Even Runaan shook her head.
* * *
As soon as the Thespian Emperor Ariel returned to the White Whale headquarters, she summoned all her subordinates to her office.
"Gather all the information about the Five Kings and the Five Demons again. Verify it two, three times, so that not even the smallest piece of information escapes."
She showed a sharp gaze, saying that not a grain of information should be overlooked.
"Eh? But, but that would take too much time..."
"Exactly. With the war ongoing, if we gather information again, the cost would be astronomical..."
The heads of the intelligence organization broke out in a cold sweat as they looked at the Thespian Emperor.
"It doesn't matter. Just do it no matter what."
Ariel firmly shook her head.
"If we make the wrong decision, not only the White Whale, but the entire House of the Five Divine Orders could collapse."
She bit her lip, saying it was like walking on thin ice.
"Focus especially on Zieghart."
Ariel cast a sidelong glance as she mentioned Raon Zieghart's name.
"There's a high possibility that that kid is hiding secrets."
Even the high-ranking officials of Zieghart couldn't hide their surprise at Raon's statement, but he maintained his composure until the end. Since he's not the type to bluff, he must be hiding an important secret.
"Understood."
"And..."
Ariel raised her slightly trembling hand.
"Has any information about the Soul Crystal arrived?"
"None at all. As you know, my lady, the object discovered in the past is now..."
The head of the intelligence organization bowed his head as he looked at Ariel.
"That's enough. It's an object we can't use now anyway."
Ariel shook her head, touching her leg.
"So there's absolutely nothing. In fact, it's absurd that such an object would be discovered."
The intelligence chief lowered his gaze, saying he hadn't heard anything at all.
"Then also launch a search for the Soul Crystal."
"The, the Soul Crystal?"
"Yes. It has become absolutely necessary."
The Thespian Emperor nodded heavily.
'Damn Raon Zieghart.'
Raon Zieghart had played so many mind games that she still couldn't regain her composure. She wasn't sure if it was psychological warfare, sincerity, or just a joke. The only certain thing was that she needed to bring information about the Soul Crystal to gather at least a little information.
'He said he would give the reward I want.'
Raon said he would give a suitable reward if she brought the Soul Crystal. That reward was surely information that would make Zieghart feel confident in winning the war.
"It will be difficult, but divert manpower to that as well."
"Yes."
"Understood."
When Ariel waved her hand as if dismissing them, the executives bowed deeply and left the office.
"Haaa..."
Left alone, Ariel sank deeply into her chair, clutching her head.
'My head hurts.'
When she closed her eyes, Raon Zieghart and Rimmer's mocking smiles appeared. She felt the internal injuries she had suppressed were about to resurface. With a thud, Ariel took out the book engraved with the sun and moon that she had been holding on her thigh and placed it on the desk.
"Raon Zieghart."
She bit her lip as she looked at the demonic figure engraved at the end.
"Who the hell are you?"
* * *
Raon stroked Sia's head, who was breathing softly, and turned around.
"Then I'm leaving."
He also bowed his head to Glenn, Sylvia, and Edgar, who were watching from behind.
"See and learn many things. Don't arrive too late."
Glenn nodded, saying he looked forward to seeing changes.
"I also want to go, but the situation is like this, so I can't help it. At least you go and tell me how the Holy Sword Alliance has changed. If it follows my father, the inside would have changed more than the outside. In fact, I'm curious about where the Holy Sword Alliance moved to and about the children he used to take care of..."
"Enough already!"
Sylvia covered Edgar's mouth, who was talking endlessly.
"Raon. Be careful. Don't act too arrogantly when you get there."
She smiled, telling him to be polite to the people, as it was practically his family home.
"Am I not the most polite person in existence?"
Raon blinked as he looked at Sylvia.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Suddenly, silence fell over the hospital room. Glenn, Sylvia, and Edgar simply stared at Raon without saying a word.
-You're crazy...
Even Wrath shook his head, saying he had lost his mind.
"You're right. Where could we find someone as polite as our son?"
Sylvia awkwardly nodded, forcing a laugh.
"Ah, Father, you should also greet Sia."
She called out to Rector, who was standing in the back, trying to change the subject.
"Hmm..."
Rector slowly stepped forward. He moved his hands several times before sighing. He still seemed to feel guilty for not being able to take care of his family.
"I will wake Sia up no matter what."
Rector lowered his hand, unable to pat his granddaughter's head this time as well.
"Son-in-law. Thank you for understanding. I'll make sure to bring everyone back safely."
He bowed to Glenn, trying to erase the awkward atmosphere.
"I'll trust you."
Glenn accepted the greeting with a slight smile.
"Then, let's go."
"Yes."
Raon bowed his head to the three people again and left the hospital room. When he was about to leave Federick's mansion, Merlin was standing in front of the entrance. Although she was wearing a nun's habit, she still had the old woman's mask on, giving a terrifying impression.
-She's not that scary anymore!
Wrath snorted, putting on airs as if it were nothing.
"I'm leaving."
Raon smiled faintly as he looked at Merlin.
"I'll also be absent for a while."
Merlin nodded, saying she would also be away from Zieghart for a while.
"Where are you going?"
"I need to search for the whereabouts of the Soul Crystal as well. I have my own methods. And there's other information I need to gather."
She smiled, saying she would definitely find the Soul Crystal.
"...Thank you."
Raon bowed his head to Merlin. He was simply grateful that she paid so much attention to something that had nothing to do with her.
"We are family."
Merlin shook her head, telling him not to worry.
"I'm getting used to your jokes now."
"Jokes? What jokes?"
Merlin's neck twisted in a disturbing direction, and her voice froze as if flowing from a frozen hell.
"Eh..."
-Eeeeek!
Wrath, who had been putting on airs, finally couldn't overcome his fear and fled to the ice flower bracelet this time as well.
"Eh, ehm."
As Rector cleared his throat awkwardly, Merlin's cold energy quickly dissipated.
"Grandfather. I entrust Raon to you."
Merlin gently took Rector's hand before stepping back.
"We'll see each other again soon. Don't overwork yourself."
She left those words and disappeared in a red and blue light. It really seemed she had gone like that.
"She's hard to understand."
"Indeed..."
Raon sighed and left the entrance. He nodded to Burren, Runaan, Martha, and Dorian, who were waiting outside.
"Let's go now."
Raon nodded as he stood in front of the four.
"To the Holy Sword Alliance."
Just as he was about to lead everyone and depart, a blue light rose before his eyes, and Merlin appeared again.
"What? You said we'd see each other soon, but this is too soon!"
Raon's jaw dropped at the sight of Merlin reappearing.
"There's no need to waste time. I'll send you directly to the Holy Sword Alliance."
As Merlin moved her finger, a red and blue light soared, enveloping her and those behind her.
"Everyone, please relax your bodies."
She smiled brightly, saying it was safe.
"W-wait! How do you know about the Holy Sword Alliance..."
"What are you saying? Of course I know! I'm the one who called Grandfather, remember?"
Merlin clasped her hands together, saying she had finished all her investigations long ago.
-F-frightening...
Wrath seemed genuinely terrified of Merlin, as even the ice flower bracelet he was in trembled.
"Grandfather..."
"Let's trust her."
Rector nodded, saying it was true that the contact had come from the Holy Sword Alliance.
"Then, see you later."
Along with Merlin's deep smile, the sight before them was dyed in white light. Whoosh! After the intense light disappeared and they opened their eyelids, they saw a place completely different from what they had imagined.
"What is this place...?"
Is this supposed to be the Holy Sword Alliance?
-
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