C873
"Ah..."
Raon's jaw dropped as he watched Karoon smile triumphantly.
'That guy...'
Is this really Karoon Zieghart? Karoon used to be consumed by inferiority, ignoring and insulting both Raon and Sylvia, but he realized his mistakes, reflected, and through his efforts, overcame his inferiority complex and achieved Transcendence.
Raon had come to admire him inwardly for his deep affection for the Zieghart family and his unwavering pride as a martial artist, but he never expected to be disillusioned so quickly.
"Is that how you talk to your nephew who just caught a dragon?"
Balder frowned deeply. His expression was one of disbelief.
"Besides, Raon caught three dragons. That's different from you, who almost died catching just one."
"You don't understand. It doesn't matter how many small fish you catch. What matters is how big they are."
Karoon only spoke about the size of the dragon, as if bragging about who caught the biggest fish among fishermen.
"Hmm, when you put it that way, it seems..."
Suddenly, Balder muttered that size did matter, as if Karoon's words had influenced him.
"No, that's not right! If your nephew caught a dragon, praise him!"
He nudged his elbow, indicating to Karoon to regain his common sense.
"Hmm."
Karoon easily dodged Balder's attack and placed his hand on Matirus' horn.
"What was this ancient dragon's unique ability?"
"It was gravity that could be used without mana. He could freely control gravity from subtle intensities to levels strong enough to crush me."
Raon let out a short sigh, saying that it wasn't an easy fight.
"It would have been dangerous if the Central Martial Palace Master hadn't told me that ancient dragons have special abilities."
It wasn't a lie. If Karoon hadn't mentioned the special abilities of ancient dragons before Raon left for Sepia, Matirus would have taken him by surprise, but also the Black Dragon's sensory changes would have taken him by surprise.
"No, even if I hadn't told you, you would have figured it out yourself."
Karoon shook his head firmly, telling Raon not to attribute his own achievements to others.
"Why is that big-eyed one acting like that?"
'Big-eyed one?'
"He's the dad of the shitty-eyed one. Isn't it appropriate to say 'the big-eyed one'?"
Wrath wrinkled his nose and called Karoon "the big-eyed one."
"It seems he's become as dumb as a rebound from the inferiority complex that once filled those fierce eyes."
He shook his head and said he couldn't understand him.
"I don't really understand him either."
Raon nodded. He couldn't understand Karoon's words and actions either, so he had nothing to say.
"I'm proud to bear the Zieghart name after my own. I would die for it."
Karoon withdrew his hand from Matirus' head and looked at Raon.
"Today, I felt that in you too. It means that a certain pride in being a Zieghart has also taken root in your soul."
He patted himself on the shoulder and turned away.
"I hope you keep that feeling, no matter what happens in the future. Welcome back."
Karoon left with a final word of appreciation for Raon's hard work and then headed back to the Lord's Mansion.
"Ah, father. What did you say to Raon?"
Burren approached Karoon with a tense look in his eyes.
"Nothing important. The most important thing..."
Karoon examined Burren from top to bottom with narrowed eyes.
"What did you learn from this mission?"
"Um, that I still lack a lot..."
"I can see that too. I'll take care of you instead of the House Leader."
"Excuse me?"
He grabbed Burren's nape, who blinked in confusion, and dragged him towards the Central Martial Palace.
"Why is that guy acting like that?"
Balder shook his head, unable to comprehend Karoon's behavior.
"..."
Raon clicked his tongue briefly as he watched Karoon's back disappear.
'Was that his way of trying to praise me?'
Given Karoon's personality, he couldn't approach Raon in a friendly manner, so it seemed he tried to encourage him in this indirect way.
"Seeing that guy makes me hungry from thinking so much."
Balder rubbed his belly with his hand, the size of a pot lid, as he turned his gaze back to Raon.
"I heard dragon meat is delicious. Is there any left?"
He wiggled his fingers as if asking for some leftover meat.
"Of course, Dorian."
"Ah, yes!"
At Raon's nod, Dorian took out some dragon meat from his bag.
"Ahem! Thank you."
Balder quickly accepted three pieces of dragon meat, saying he would enjoy them.
"Ah, and..."
He lowered his voice slightly as he placed the meat on his shoulder.
"About what you asked..."
"What are you two talking about in a place like this?"
A soft voice was heard just as Balder was about to speak again.
"Mm..."
Behind Balder's mountainous figure, Denier and Martha could be seen approaching.
"Judging by your expressions, it seems like a serious conversation. Did I interrupt?"
Denier waved his hand slightly as he looked at the stiff Balder.
"Seriously? Nonsense! I was just asking how to roast this meat."
Balder snorted, telling them not to say nonsense.
"Ah, yes? It's dragon meat. It's hard to roast, but the taste surpasses even the best beef."
Martha gave a thumbs up, saying that the taste was surprisingly good.
"Dorian, you have some meat left, right?"
"Infinite!"
Dorian nodded and took out three types of dragon meat from his bag.
"Thank you. Enjoy it."
Denier nodded towards Dorian and Raon.
"Why did you come here?"
Balder raised an eyebrow and asked why they had come.
"You've been following me lately, so I was waiting to see why you didn't come today."
Denier shrugged and suggested they get back together.
"Hmm, if that's the case, wait a moment. I have more to get out of my nephew."
Balder gestured with his hand, indicating for them to go ahead.
"Alright then."
Denier nodded slightly and looked at Raon.
"You worked hard. Rest well."
He turned his back, showing his usual kind smile.
"I'll enjoy it!"
Martha waved goodbye as she linked arms with her father, Denier, as they left. There was a slight hint of unease in her attitude.
"Well, continuing with what I was saying before, there was nothing particularly strange."
Balder frowned as he watched Denier walk away.
"If anything, he uses his time so efficiently that it's annoying. Even his meal and walking times are scheduled."
"Doesn't he visit the aunt?"
"He visits almost every day, but contrary to your concerns, he shows no signs of using any strange magic on your aunt."
He shook his head and said that it had literally been just a sick visit.
"I see. Thank you for your effort."
Raon bowed his head towards Balder.
"It's nothing! If you need any favors in the future, ask anytime!"
Balder left, saying that he could always fulfill his nephew's requests.
"Dorio."
Raon called out to Dorian as he watched Denier's back as he walked away with Balder.
"Can you tell me what you felt from the people who were here just now?"
Dorian, with his Mental Eye, might have seen things that Raon couldn't.
"Mm..."
Dorian tilted his head with his hand on his chin.
"The Central Martial Palace Master felt like a straight sword. But unlike before, the blade seemed to have softened, like a flexible sword. The True Martial Palace Master was simply... hungry?"
He chuckled as he spoke of Karoon and Balder.
"Lastly, of the Wise Martial Palace Master..."
Dorian licked his lips briefly and shook his head.
"I couldn't feel anything."
He looked away and said he had no idea.
"I see..."
Raon let out a short sigh as he watched Denier disappear.
"It seems he also realized Balder's intentions. As expected, he's not easy."
Well, if he had been discovered by something like that, the House Leader would have noticed a long time ago. Denier Zieghart was a man difficult to judge easily. Even now, Raon couldn't understand what his intentions were.
'Still, I need to keep an eye on him.'
He couldn't afford to be caught off guard again, so it was right to prepare in any way possible.
"Dorian, can you give me some meat too?"
Raon held out his hand and asked Dorian for some meat.
"Yes!"
Dorian smiled as he took out three types of dragon meat, as if he had been waiting for this. He seemed happiest when taking things out or putting them in.
"Thank you."
"Ooh! Are you going to give it to this king?"
Wrath raised his chin arrogantly, as if asking if Raon was finally offering him a sacrifice.
'Keep dreaming.'
Raon pushed Wrath aside and headed towards the annex building with Yua and Julius. After a brief conversation with the children, they soon saw the annex building from which warm smoke was rising.
"Lady! Sisters!"
Yua ran in, slammed the door open, and announced that they had returned from the mission. Boom! As soon as a sound like a collapsing staircase was heard, Sia rushed out and hugged Raon.
"Raon! You're late!"
Sia shook her head vigorously, asking why he returned so late.
"But I was protecting the house in your place!"
She rubbed her head against his as if asking for praise.
"Raon!"
"My father-in-law told us about your achievements. You caught three dragons, didn't you?"
Sylvia and Edgar also greeted him and smiled, welcoming him back.
"You worked hard, sister."
Raon stroked Sia's head and bowed his head.
"I'm back."
As expected, this annex building was the only place on the entire continent where he could feel at ease.
"This is a gift."
He bowed his head as he waved the dragon meat he received from Dorian.
"Thank you! This king will enjoy it..."
'You won't!'
* * *
"Ah!"
After finishing dinner with his family, Raon threw himself onto the bed. After bathing and filling his stomach, he just wanted to sleep lazily like that.
"Ahem! It's a little disappointing not to have been able to eat grilled dragon, but the annex dishes are still delicious."
Wrath clicked his lips, indicating that it had been a satisfying dinner.
"Home-cooked meals are really the best!"
'Home-cooked meals, huh...?'
Does Wrath now also consider the annex his home? The word "home" doesn't come easily to him. He had used the term "home-cooked meal" before, but this was the first time it came out so easily and comfortably.
"By the way, what are you going to do with that?"
Wrath lowered himself, wagging his tail.
'That?'
"I mean the dragon heart."
He pointed to the subspace bag placed on top of the drawer.
"The heart of an ancient dragon contains power beyond your imagination. Dragons' special abilities also come from there."
Wrath shook his head and said it would be better to handle it carefully.
'I've already decided who I'm going to give one to. And the one that's left...'
Raon shook his head briefly as he looked at Wrath.
"I'll keep it for now. I might need it later."
"Who are you going to give it to?"
'That is...'
Just as he was about to answer, he felt a presence by the window. Turning his gaze, he saw Glenn tapping on the window with his finger.
"Grandpa?"
Raon blinked and opened the window.
"How did you...?"
He didn't expect Glenn to come here, as they had agreed to meet at the House Leader's training ground that night.
"I went for a walk for a while. Since we're here, let's walk to the training ground together."
Glenn nodded as if telling Raon to come out, then turned his back.
"Understood."
Raon quietly left the annex after gathering the Celestial Impulse, the Requiem Sword, and Rimmer's sword. He approached Glenn, who was walking ahead, and greeted him again.
"Now that I think about it, you went to return the sword to that guy but ended up bringing it back."
Glenn smiled slightly as he looked at Rimmer's sword on his waist.
"The Guardian told me to carry it as proof of the alliance between Zieghart and Sepia."
Raon shook his head and said that Sterin never accepted the sword.
"Ah, and..."
He let out a short sigh as he took out the Requiem Sword hidden behind his waist.
"The master hasn't left yet."
"He hasn't left? What do you mean?"
"Actually..."
Raon explained that Rimmer's soul was still embedded in the Requiem Sword.
"Jajajajaja!"
Glenn burst into laughter, something rare for him.
"That's very typical of him. Sheryl will be delighted."
He shook his head and called Rimmer a troublesome elf.
"What was the relationship between the Celestial Sword Division Leader and the Master?"
Raon casually asked about his curiosity regarding Rimmer.
"Hmm, that is... No, it's not my place to say."
Glenn shook his head and said he couldn't interfere in the private lives of his subordinates.
"Ask him yourself. Though he'll probably run away."
He smiled slightly, as if imagining how it would turn out.
"It's hard for me to ask..."
Raon rubbed the back of his head.
"...I feel the same, but you've changed a lot too."
Glenn stroked his chin and said it seemed Raon had developed a sense for relationships.
"I still have a long way to go. I'm still told I'm clueless every day."
Surprisingly, talking to Glenn didn't feel awkward. While they didn't have deep conversations, Raon felt a little closer to him. As they walked, chatting a bit, they soon reached the training ground behind the Lord's Mansion.
"Have you mastered the Blue Sky Sword?"
Glenn asked, looking at the darkening sky.
"I haven't fully mastered it yet, but there are no forms I can't perform now."
Having reached Transcendence and improved in all aspects of swordsmanship, there were no longer any obstacles in the Blue Sky Sword techniques. With enough practice time, it seemed he could master them all.
"Then we can move on to the next step now."
"The next?"
"Lightning always strikes somewhere in the sky. The martial art I'm going to teach this time is..."
A red flash of lightning sparked in Glenn's eyes.
"It's a lightning-related martial art I recently created."
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