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"Light Wind Palace?"
Glenn questioned Karoon, narrowing his eyes as if it was a proposal he hadn't even considered.
"The name doesn't have to be 'Light Wind'. Considering how they fight, 'Mad Dogs' might be more appropriate."
Karoon shook his head calmly.
"I simply wish for the Light Wind division to be properly promoted."
He straightened his back as he stated that this was his proposal.
"You..."
Glenn's eyes narrowed to needle-like slits as he looked at Karoon.
"What are you thinking?"
"I always think only of Zieghart."
Karoon lifted his calm face.
"Rimmer is dead, and even if Alice returns, it will take a long time."
He clicked his tongue briefly as if he were displeased.
"I'm not overly interested in emotional matters, but I understand that it was those two who lightened the mood. That's why the atmosphere in Zieghart is so heavy right now."
Karoon pressed his right foot firmly on the marble floor.
"The only thing that could dispel the sadness that has settled over all of Zieghart is to celebrate Raon's achievement of transcendence and elevate him to Palace Master."
He lifted his chin and said that the emergence and recognition of a Transcendent Warrior, especially a young one, could invigorate the entire family.
"Rumors about Rimmer's death and Alice's loss of power will soon spread. When rumors of Zieghart's collapse start to circulate, if we officially announce that Raon has achieved transcendence and that the Light Wind division has been promoted to the palace, we can once again demonstrate the power of Zieghart."
Karoon bowed his head and said that for this reason, Raon and the Light Wind division should be promoted.
"...Is that all?"
"That's all. And..."
He brought his hand to his chest as if he were performing a sword salute, but without a sword.
"I believe that Raon Zieghart has everything it takes to become a Palace Master, not only in terms of martial prowess but also in achievements."
Karoon showed a determined look in his eyes and said he would never have recommended him otherwise.
"Well, you've changed too."
Glenn let out a surprised laugh.
"I don't see you trying to dominate your young nephew anymore."
—No, I haven't changed. Raon wasn't my nephew back then, so even if we went back to that time, I would be the same.
Karoon shook his head, insisting that he hadn't changed.
"That's why I say you've changed."
Glenn curled his lips into a gentle smile.
"The old you wouldn't even have admitted to oppressing Raon. Instead, you would have resented him for making you listen to those words and thought about revenge."
He looked at Karoon with warmth in his eyes.
"But now I don't see any of those negative emotions in your eyes. Only..."
Glenn nodded as he rose from his throne.
"You stand tall, like in those days when you followed me wielding your wooden sword."
He smiled gently and said it had been a long time since he had seen such clear eyes.
"...I don't know."
Karoon lowered his eyebrows with a bitter expression.
"It took me a long time to overcome my heart demon. But you and Raon overcame it so quickly that it's incredible. You're both much better than me."
Glenn nodded approvingly towards Karoon.
"Mmm..."
Karoon's lips trembled slightly, seemingly surprised by Glenn's words.
"It seems you've changed a lot too... Head of House."
"Yes, it seems so."
The father and son, who had always been cold, looked at each other with slightly more transparent eyes.
"I've said everything I needed to say, so I'm leaving now."
Karoon bowed his head to Glenn and told him he would take his leave.
"I'll think positively about your proposal and come visit soon. I'd like to train with you after all this time."
Glenn lowered his chin, suggesting that they should clash swords gently.
"...Then I'll see you in two days."
Karoon acknowledged and left the Lord's Mansion with slightly trembling steps.
"You've changed, huh..."
Glenn smiled slightly as he looked at the Lord's Mansion that Karoon had left behind.
"I wonder how long it's been since I had a conversation like this with Karoon."
Both my change and that guy's change...
-It must be thanks to Raon.
Raon was the turning point for Zieghart's change. As Raon grew, Zieghart also grew through various events, big and small. And the person who raised Raon was none other than his own friend, Rimmer.
—Thank you, Rimmer.
Glenn looked up at the quiet night sky and closed his eyes.
'Your disciple is changing this Zieghart.'
* * *
As Karoon was about to leave the Lord's Mansion, he met Denier's gaze as he descended the stairs from the upper floor.
"Going back after seeing Dad?"
"Yes."
Karoon stopped and nodded.
"I heard you were there when Sia woke up. That's unusual."
Denier smiled slightly and said it was surprising.
"I needed to know what kind of girl she is."
Karoon said he just wanted to see the face of the child who would become a member of Zieghart.
"So, what kind of girl was she?"
"I can't judge yet. Literally, she has an adult body, but the mind of a five-year-old."
He gestured with his hand and said he would reserve his judgment.
"Hmm, I should visit the annex building soon."
Denier smiled and said he also wanted to see his new niece.
"Surprisingly, you didn't come."
Karoon narrowed his eyes sharply like a sword.
"What's so surprising about that?"
—Balder, well, he does what he wants. I would understand if he decided not to come after having planned it, but you always show your face at these events. What were you doing?
He looked with sunken eyes at Denier's hand, which was turned towards his back.
"I was doing some research."
Denier pulled out the books he had been hiding behind his back, saying that he was looking for ways to quickly restore Alice's power. They were books with titles related to magic.
—¿And why have you been in the Lord's Mansion until now, brother? I thought everyone else had left.
"I made a proposal to the Head of House."
"A proposal?"
"I asked that Raon and the Light Wind division be promoted to palace status."
Karoon told him what had happened with Glenn a moment ago, as if he thought there was no need to hide it.
"You recommended Raon as Palace Master?"
Denier let out an incredulous laugh.
"That's right."
"Why?"
"Because Raon Zieghart is qualified."
"If Raon becomes Palace Master, wouldn't that be a big obstacle to his goal of becoming the Head of House?"
He tilted his chin as if he were asking what Karoon was thinking.
"If Raon becomes the Head of House after a fair competition, it would only mean that I'm weaker than him. I would have no reason to complain."
"Mmm..."
"A faction without competition rots and crumbles. It's better for me not to become Head of House than for Zieghart to collapse. And..."
Karoon shook his head, his eyes as straight as a spear.
"I have no intention of losing to that boy."
"Jaja..."
Denier laughed dryly as he looked at Karoon.
You've changed so much that I can't get used to it.
"I haven't changed..."
Karoon was about to say he hadn't changed, but remembering his previous conversation with Glenn, he shook his head.
"There is no one who never changes."
He nodded, acknowledging that he had changed.
-Then I also want to ask you.
Karoon turned on his heels to face Denier directly.
—¿What exactly are you looking at, Denier?
"..."
Denier didn't answer, but descended the stairs with a slight smile.
"I'm just like you, brother. I always look at Zieghart and only follow Zieghart."
He left the Lord's Mansion after saying those words.
"..."
Karoon watched Denier's back as he left, then clenched his fist at his side.
* * *
"Mmm..."
Frederick looked at the unconscious Merlin and then paused.
"How is she?"
Raon approached Federick and asked about Merlin's condition.
"There's no problem with her physical condition. It seems she's exhausted from having all her mana drained."
Federick shook his head and said her physical condition wasn't bad.
"For her mana to be drained to this point, she must have felt a pain worse than death, but it's surprising that she was smiling until the end. And..."
He frowned as if something was bothering him.
"What's wrong?"
"No, I'm not sure right now..."
Federick lowered his eyebrows, saying that something wasn't right, but he couldn't pinpoint what.
"She's a very strange type."
He shook his head and said that Merlin's body seemed human, although not quite human.
"Mmm..."
Raon bit his lip as he watched Merlin breathe weakly.
«Even the Saint would find it difficult to understand her.»
There's no one who hides themselves in this way. Merlin doesn't hesitate to sacrifice herself as if her senses are broken. What's also strange is that, unlike her own body, she deeply empathizes with the affairs of others. She was peculiar in many ways.
"Unfortunately, the only thing we can do for her now is give her some nutrients."
Federick clicked his tongue in apology.
"No, it's fine."
Raon said it was enough and bowed his head.
"Thank you for coming even though you must be tired of taking care of Sia and Aunt."
"Of course I had to come when you asked! And even if you hadn't asked, I would have come to see how they were."
Federick said there was no problem as he gathered his medical equipment and stood up.
-Then see you later. I need to rest a little too.
He opened the door with a tired face and went out.
"Mmm..."
Federico stopped as he was about to open the front door. He tilted his head towards Sylvia's room, where laughter and crying could be heard.
-Your whole family is there, shouldn't you go too?
Federick blinked and asked why Raon wasn't with everyone else.
"As Merlin said, Sia's mind is stuck at 5 years old. She would be scared if she saw me, so I think it's better for her to be alone with Mom and Dad for now."
Raon shook his head as he looked up. He desperately wanted to take care of Sia, but from her perspective, it would be shocking for an "uncle" to suddenly appear and be her younger brother.
"Uncle? Where is there an uncle like you?"
Federick shook his head vigorously and said that only someone like Balder should be called uncle.
"Well, I guess that's right for now."
He opened the front door and went out with words of encouragement.
"I'm planning to rest for a while, but call me immediately if anything happens."
"Yes."
"Then."
Federick said he needed to get some good sleep after being up for so long and left the annex building.
"Thank you."
Raon thanked him until Federick disappeared and then closed the door. From upstairs, he could still hear the voices of Sylvia, Edgar, and Sia. Hearing their laughter-filled voices, he found himself smiling unconsciously.
«I don't remember the last time I heard laughter like that.»
Laughter had disappeared from the annex building since Sia went into a coma. After Rimmer's death, it was as if a curtain of darkness had fallen, but now, hearing genuine laughter after so long lifted his spirits.
-¡Of course, in a house where people live, there should be laughter!
Wrath nodded vigorously, saying he felt his own sadness fading too.
-You're a demon, though...
-As I always say, ¡I'm closer to being human than you are!
He patted himself on the head, telling Raon to come to his senses.
—Not right now, are you?
Raon smiled slightly as he returned to the guest room to check on Merlin. He thought about taking off Merlin's mask, but decided not to and lowered his hand.
'Do you feel anything strange about Merlin?'
-Mmm...
Wrath looked at Merlin and clicked his tongue.
-It seems she's just sleeping. Why do you ask?
He shook his head and asked if Raon had felt anything strange.
'When Merlin finished the magic to wake Sia up, her existence seemed to blur as if she were going to disappear. Just like...'
He was about to say "just like the last time I saw Rimmer," but he swallowed the words.
"And Merlin said it wouldn't be easy to wake Sia up even with a Soul Crystal, but she woke up too easily. It's strange."
-At the time, I was too focused on your sister to properly observe the crazy woman. But right now, I don't perceive anything significant.
Wrath shook his head and said he wasn't sure.
-Then it's a relief.
Raon sighed as he covered Merlin with a blanket.
"It's frustrating."
-In times like these, sleep can help to alleviate...
"In times like these, I need to wield my sword."
Raon clicked his tongue as he left the annex building and headed to the fifth training ground.
-¡Hey! ¡Let's get some sleep! It's time you stopped doing crazy things at dawn!
* * *
Raon returned to the annex building only when morning came after spending the night practicing swordsmanship. Perhaps thanks to Sia waking up, he was able to fully concentrate on his training for the first time in a long time.
-Ugh, damn you...
Wrath, unable to sleep due to the sound of the sword swinging, groaned and trembled.
-Even if no one else curses you, I myself will curse you...
'Let's have a party now?'
Raon moved his finger towards Wrath, who was throwing curses one after another.
-¿Party? Seriously?
Wrath's eyes widened in disbelief.
-Yes, because I promised.
Raon nodded. With Rimmer gone and Sia awake, he thought it wouldn't hurt to have a small party to satisfy Wrath.
-¿Isn't that troublemaker still around?
'Aunt is...'
He let out a short sigh.
'It might take a while.'
Alice hadn't taken a single step outside Federick's mansion, repeatedly fainting every time she woke up. It would take a long time for her to get back on her feet.
-Mmm...
-Don't worry, I'm sure she'll be able to get up.
He shook his head and said he believed in Alice.
-¡C-of course I'm happy! So, how many boxes of bead ice cream...?
As he listened to the sound of Wrath salivating, Raon opened the front door of the annex building and entered.
"¿Eh?"
Sia was standing proudly in front of the entrance with her arms crossed.
"¡You're late!"
She shouted in a clear, childish voice that he was late.
"¿Eh? Sia, why are you here?"
Raon blinked when he saw Sylvia, Edgar, and Helen behind Sia.
-¡No, that's not right!
Sia shook her head vigorously.
"¡Older Sister! ¡Older Sister Sia!"
She pouted, insisting that he should call her "older sister."
"Eh...?"
Raon gaped. Sylvia and Edgar clasped their hands together and squeezed them, as if asking him to listen to them.
-¡You didn't say it yourself! ¡She's still 5 years old!
Wrath laughed discreetly, urging Raon to call her "older sister" immediately.
"Mmm..."
Raon swallowed with difficulty as he entered the annex building.
"¿H-older sister?"
"¡Older Sister Sia!"
"Older Sister Sia..."
"¡Well done!"
Sia raised her hand and patted herself on the head.
"Oh..."
Raon's lips trembled and his eyes were as empty as Runaan's.
-¡Kuhehheheheh!
Wrath burst into laughter, clutching his stomach and mocking Raon. But Raon only thought: "You won't have a party..."
-
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