C886
“Huh?”
Raon blinked at Vulcan and Kuberad, who were licking their lips.
“Are you saying you’ll examine my swords first?”
“Indeed. With such valuable materials gathered, it would be a waste to leave them unused.”
Vulcan nodded while looking at the dragon bones and teeth filling the workshop.
“I’ll forge you an unbreakable sword using teeth, bones, claws, and scales.”
He clenched his fist and said he would take this opportunity to temper Heavenly Drive even further.
“I created Heavenly Drive when you were just leaving the ranks of apprentices. It’s time for an upgrade, don’t you think?”
Vulcan said this was the perfect opportunity, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
“I agree.”
Kuberad nodded while standing beside Vulcan.
“As I’ve said before, the Blade of Requiem wasn’t originally designed for combat. Since you’re using it as a weapon, I’d like to refine it a bit.”
He flexed his thick wrist, saying he wanted to forge it to use the Blade of Requiem’s energy more efficiently.
“If you two are offering, I have no reason to refuse.”
Raon clasped his hands in front, expressing his gratitude. If any other continental master had said such a thing, he would have flat-out refused. No matter how skilled, it’s hard for someone else to reforge a sword made by another. But Vulcan had made Heavenly Drive, and Kuberad had made the Blade of Requiem. They were the original craftsmen.
Those two could surely modify Heavenly Drive and the Blade of Requiem to perfectly suit his current self.
“Can I participate?”
Borgos lifted his short legs to pass between Raon, Vulcan, and Kuberad.
“Master Borgos?”
Raon looked at Borgos with wide eyes.
“Where do you think you’re sticking your nose, dwarf? You haven’t even crafted any of their weapons.”
Vulcan gestured with his hand dismissively, telling him to rest.
“I have crafted a weapon. I forged a dagger for my benefactor.”
Borgos lifted his chin, seemingly referring to the Dagger of a Thousand Slaughters hidden inside the Black Dragon’s Mantle.
“So, are you going to modify that dagger?”
“There’s something else too.”
Borgos pointed to Rimmer’s sword hanging from his right hip.
“No way…”
“Do you think those tree-hugging elves could have crafted the Wooden Ring Sword? Of course, it’s the work of our ancestors.”
He curled his lips, stating that his ancestors had crafted Rimmer’s sword.
“Wooden Ring…”
Raon grabbed Rimmer’s sword, slightly biting his lip.
“So, that was its name.”
Until now, he had called it Rimmer’s sword or the Blade of the Blade, but apparently, its original name was the Wooden Ring. It was typical of Rimmer to leave without even telling him the sword’s name.
- You didn’t even know its name?
Borgos tilted his head, finding it strange.
“Well, it wasn’t originally my sword.”
—Ah, right. Rimmer took it with him when he left...
He sighed deeply, now understanding.
—I appreciate your offer, Master Borgos, but this sword isn’t mine. It could be problematic.
Raon shook his head and said they would need Sterin’s permission.
“No, it’ll be fine. I was the one maintaining the Wooden Ring Sword when I was in Sepia.”
Borgos snorted and said he would have modified it long ago if he had enough materials.
“I even told Sterin that I would modify it. If you don’t believe me, I’ll send him a letter right now.”
He thumped his chest with his fist, asking Raon to trust him.
“You can trust him.”
Vulcan smiled at Borgos.
“Dwarves don’t lie when it comes to blacksmithing.”
He wiggled his finger, indicating Raon should try it.
“That’s right. If he’s been maintaining that sword, he should be able to handle it without much difficulty.”
Kuberad nodded slowly, suggesting that Raon should trust Borgos.
“Mmm.”
After briefly licking his lips, Raon untied the three swords from his waist.
- Then I’ll leave them in your care.
Saying he was counting on them, he handed Heavenly Drive to Vulcan, the Blade of Requiem to Kuberad, and finally, the Wooden Ring Sword to Borgos.
“Wait a bit. I’ll forge it into a sword that can more firmly protect your targets.”
Vulcan patted his shoulder, telling Raon to look forward to it.
“I plan to adjust the Blade of Requiem so the vengeful spirits inside can move more freely. Now you should be able to control its power.”
Kuberad’s eyes gleamed calmly as he said the Blade of Requiem would change quite a bit.
“I’ll create a devilish weapon for you. One that can pierce anyone.”
Borgos pressed his lips tightly together, as if he wanted to imbue the sword with the emotions of his defeat against the Balrog. Although the three continental masters seemed to be equal in skill, their forging methods were vastly different.
“Since we’ve come to this, why don’t we make a bet?”
Borgos raised a finger.
“On who can create the most outstanding piece.”
He shrugged, as if asking if it wouldn’t be fun.
“Refining a sword isn’t about competing with others, but about fighting against oneself…”
“Aren’t you sure?”
Borgos rolled his eyes, as if mocking Kuberad.
“Who do you think you’re talking to? I’m Kuberad!”
Kuberad erased his calm expression and shouted. It seemed he had also been hiding a fiery side beneath his composure.
“Not bad.”
Vulcan nodded approvingly.
“With gold forging, interesting results could be obtained too.”
He took out six gold forges and distributed two to each of them.
“The deadline is exactly one week. How does that sound?”
“Of course.”
“That’s more than enough.”
The three continental masters gathered their necessary materials and dispersed to different workshops to begin their work immediately.
“…Are they really continental champions?”
Burren let out a sigh, seemingly bewildered by the three masters’ childish behavior.
“It seemed like they were having fun…”
Runaan nodded and said it was like watching children play together.
—That’s all well and good, but when are they going to craft our swords?
Martha wrinkled her nose, as if wondering what would happen if the three focused on Raon’s swords.
“There’s no need to worry.”
Palenthun shook his head.
“Now that they’re competing, they’ll keep trying to create better pieces.”
He smiled and said that if they waited patiently, a flood of masterpiece weapons and equipment would follow.
“They’ll be back soon, so we should start sorting the materials first.”
“You’re right. Let’s get moving quickly.”
Palenthun and the head of Mirtan village called the artisans and told them they should start by dividing the materials. Perhaps because the leaders seemed friendly with each other, the artisans of Mirtan village and the dwarves of the Gray Hammer Guild began working together to sort the materials as if they had known each other for years.
“Boss…”
Runaan approached the head of Mirtan village, who was moving dragon bones and scales.
—Ah, Lady Runaan. It’s been a while.
The head bowed to Runaan and said his greeting was late.
“Thank you for the sword. I’ve been using it well.”
Runaan took out Snow Flower and showed it to him, bowing her head.
“I’m glad. Soon, you’ll be able to use an even better sword.”
The head smiled and said that one of those three masters would surely forge a superior sword for her.
“No.”
Runaan shook her head.
“Pardon?”
“I want you to do it.”
She said she didn’t want to discard Snow Flower and asked him to modify it like Raon’s swords.
“R-really?”
The head of Mirtan village stammered, seemingly dumbfounded.
“Those masters will forge you a legendary sword without you even asking. Do you want to entrust it to me?”
“Yes.”
Runaan nodded without a moment’s hesitation.
“…Please reconsider. I trust my skills, but I’m not on their level.”
The head gestured with his hand and said this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“This sword suits me perfectly. It even contains the same materials as Raon’s.”
Runaan shook her head and said Snow Flower was also a match for Raon’s Heavenly Drive.
“A match, huh…”
The head nodded with a slight smile.
“Since the materials have been divided, I guess we could see it that way. Okay.”
He bit his lip while looking at the dragon bone in his hand.
“I’ll do my best not to fall behind those three.”
The head of Mirtan village nodded emphatically as he received Snow Flower from Runaan’s hand. The redness in his eyes revealed his determination to chase after the continental masters.
“Okay. I too…”
As soon as he saw Runaan’s decision, Dorian approached the artisans of the Gray Hammer Guild.
“Hey!”
“What is it?”
Palenthun looked up while holding a bone larger than his own body.
“I have a request for that person.”
Dorian approached Borgos’s disciple, who was moving dragon scales.
“Me?”
Borgos’s disciple blinked and looked at Dorian.
“Please, remake my sword this time!”
Dorian bowed deeply to Borgos’s disciple.
“Ah…”
Borgos’s disciple gaped, seemingly surprised by Dorian’s request.
“No, I really lack the skill…”
He shook his head and said he was far inferior even to the head of Mirtan village.
“That’s not true.”
Dorian smiled slightly while caressing his sword.
“I’ve seen and held many swords, but none suit me as well as this one.”
He bowed again and asked him to make him a sword that would also serve him this time.
“Since you put it that way, I’ll do my best.”
Borgos’s disciple said he was the one who should be grateful while taking Dorian’s sword.
“Should I modify this sword too?”
Martha licked her lips while taking out her own sword.
- But I don’t want to change it since it was a gift from my father.
She nodded, saying she wanted to continue using the gift Denier had personally given her.
"..."
Raon narrowed his eyes as he watched Martha embrace her sword with precious delicacy.
'Now that I think about it, Denier wasn’t here today.'
Denier was on a mission and couldn’t be seen, but instead of feeling relieved, a disquiet arose within him. It seemed he would continue to feel this ominous emotion until he knew for sure whether Denier was an ally or an enemy.
- Hey, you!
Wrath forcefully hit Raon’s shoulder.
- We’re not going to keep waiting here, are we?
«Of course, we have to return.»
Raon erased his disquiet and smiled slightly.
«If we don’t leave soon, my sister will hit me.»
* * *
Raon returned to Zieghart after asking them to contact him when the swords were ready.
- Damn it!
Wrath gritted his teeth as he looked at the darkened annex building.
- After visiting that hot village, it’s already past dinner time! We’ve missed two real meals!
He sobbed and said they had missed both lunch and dinner.
- It’s already time to sleep, so there won’t even be leftovers…
Wrath furiously rubbed his head, saying he wanted to avoid resorting to Nadine’s bread.
- You don’t have to eat that, you know?
As Raon smiled and opened the door to the annex building, the aroma of various mouthwatering dishes wafted from it.
“We heard you were coming and were preparing. You arrived just in time.”
Helen waved her hand with a bright smile while moving the food to the kitchen.
“Did Raon come?”
“Son, your timing is impeccable!”
Sylvia and Edgar came out of the dining room, waving their hands.
- Raón!
Sia, who appeared between the two, hugged him.
“Why are you so late?!”
She pouted, saying her stomach had been constantly rumbling.
“I’m sorry.”
Raon patted Sia’s back, trying to calm her down.
- Let’s go quickly! Mom and the sisters have prepared all the food!
Guided by Sia’s hand to the dining room, Raon saw the table laden with steaming dishes.
- What, what, is it night? Why are you having dinner now...?
Wrath opened his eyes wide, seemingly confused about why dinner was prepared at such a late hour.
“I asked Yua for a favor. I asked her to prepare dinner a little later today.”
Raon gestured to Yua, who was standing behind the table.
«Of course, I didn’t expect it to be so luxurious.»
- Eh…
Wrath’s eyes trembled, as if he hadn’t expected such preparations.
- Y-you actually made such arrangements.
“I also bought pearl ice cream. Eat it after the meal.”
Helen gestured with her hand and said she had selected various flavors.
- B-pearl ice cream too?
- I promised, didn’t I?
- Ugh!
Wrath wiped his tears with the back of his hand and nodded.
- You’ve finally come to your senses!
He nodded vigorously, as if he were deeply moved.
- Very well! Now, I’ll accept you as a demon!
Wrath extended his arms as if welcoming him.
‘I don’t need that at all…’
Raon let out a long sigh. It seemed Wrath was still prone to misunderstandings.
* * *
Three days later, Raon left the annex building wearing a formal reddish-black suit.
“Where are you going?”
Sia, who was brandishing her sword in front of Edgar and Sylvia, tilted her head.
“I have a meeting.”
“A meeting?”
“Yes. It’s where important people gather.”
He greeted Sia, who approached with what seemed like small steps but were actually large strides.
“Is it the grand conference?”
“I wonder what’s going on for such a sudden meeting to be called…”
Edgar and Sylvia frowned, looking worried.
“I don’t know what it’s about either, but it seems important to me.”
Two days ago, he had received a notice to attend a meeting at noon today. Since all the executives of Zieghart were gathered, it seemed to be an important agenda.
- Tsk!
Wrath clicked his tongue while perching on Raon’s shoulder.
- We should be exploring delicious restaurants at this hour! Sadly, we’ll have to eat at the old man’s place today.
Despite his words of disappointment, he licked his lips for a good while, as if he were looking forward to it. From gourmet dishes to street food, there was no food he didn’t like. It’s baffling why he became the Monarch of Wrath instead of Gluttony.
“Can I go too?”
Sia tilted her head, as if she wanted to go too.
“It’ll be boring. You just have to stay put.”
“Ugh, then I don’t want to…”
“Let’s play when I get back.”
Raon stroked Sia’s head and promised to play with her later.
“Don’t worry about things here, focus on your work.”
“That’s right. We’ll take care of Sia.”
Sylvia gestured with her hand and smiled, and Edgar chuckled while scratching his head. Just seeing them warmed his heart. They now felt like a perfectly happy and wrinkle-free family.
“Then I’m off.”
Raon left the annex building with a kind smile and headed towards the main building. On the way to the Lord’s Mansion, he encountered many swordsmen, all of whom bowed their heads with tense expressions.
- Mmm…
Wrath nodded briefly while watching the swordsmen bow deeply.
- You used to receive only curses, but you’ve grown a lot. You’ve finally developed the spirit appropriate for this king’s vessel.
He nodded, saying he was pleased.
‘Haven’t you given up yet?’
Raon tilted his head while looking at Wrath, who had a serious expression.
- This king doesn’t know how to give up! Someday, sometime, I’ll devour your flesh!
Wrath shook his head and said he couldn’t leave the skill points and traits he had invested in his body.
“For someone who says that, you haven’t been looking for fights or pouncing on me lately.”
- Silence! This king is waiting for the opportune moment! Like a cheetah. Yes, like a cheetah that catches you even when chased from behind…
- I see. If you say so.
Raon mocked Wrath as he entered the Lord’s Mansion. The iron gates of the audience chamber, which were intimidating just to look at, were wide open, and inside, the executives were lined up in their positions.
“Hey! Nephew!”
Balder, who was leaning against a column, raised his voice as if shouting.
"..."
Karoon had his eyes closed and his arms crossed, as if he wasn’t interested.
“Come here!”
Balder wiggled his finger, indicating Raon should come to his side.
“I’m sorry, but that’s not my place yet.”
Raon shook his head and said he couldn’t go to the Palace Master’s position.
“Hmm… Don’t you think that’s the case anymore?”
Balder wet his lips and said there would be no problem coming a little earlier.
“It’s still a long way off.”
After politely declining the invitation, he stayed in his usual place and waited for Glenn to appear. When all the executives, except those who were on missions, entered the audience chamber, the inner room opened, and Glenn, Roenn, and Sheryl appeared.
“We greet the Head of House!”
Following Karoon’s greeting, all the executives in the audience chamber knelt and bowed their heads.
"..."
Unlike usual, Glenn ascended the platform with heavy steps without asking them to rise. He didn't sit on the throne but stood at the edge of the platform and moved his chin.
"Rise."
"Yes!"
Only after hearing the silent order to rise did the executives in the audience chamber raise their heads and straighten their backs. Their faces showed a tension unlike usual.
Glenn deployed an aura that seemed to weigh on their shoulders as he looked at the Zieghart executives. It seemed they had returned to the time 20 years ago when he only exuded coldness.
"The agenda of this grand conference is..."
Glenn's dry gaze turned to Raon, who was standing on his right.
"The promotion of the Light Wind Division."
He lowered his chin and said that was the most important agenda of this grand conference.
"Pardon...?"
Raon looked at Glenn with wide eyes. He had thought it was an important matter, but he hadn't considered at all that it would be about himself.
"I will speak from now on."
Chad, the leader of the Shadow Agents, who was standing below Glenn, bowed his head.
"Since achieving Transcendence, the leader of the Light Wind Division has thwarted Derus Robert's plans, rescued Alice Zieghart, and prevented the attack of the ancient dragons in Sepia..."
Chad recited one by one the achievements that Raon and the Light Wind Division had accomplished.
"...Therefore, the Shadow Agents recognize that the Light Wind Division has accumulated enough achievements to be promoted to the Light Wind Palace."
He nodded calmly and said it was an achievement anyone would have to recognize.
"If anyone has any objections, please raise your hand."
Chad gestured with his chin and told those who opposed to raise their hands.
"Mmm."
"It seems a bit early, but..."
"There's no reason to object."
"If you look at the achievements, perhaps it was already time."
None of the executives raised their hands. Most had expressions suggesting this was what was expected.
"Since there are no objections, we will proceed as..."
"I object."
At the cold voice, everyone looked towards the far right. Karoon raised his hand and stood next to the pillar closest to the platform.
- Karoon...?
Glenn lowered his eyebrows deeply, as if he were dumbfounded.
"Have you finally gone mad? You're the one who called this meeting!"
Balder frowned deeply while spinning his finger on Karoon's forehead.
"Did you suddenly develop dementia?"
-
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