C1014
After ordering the swordsmen of the Light Wind Palace to wait at the training ground, Raon headed towards the Lord's Mansion.
“I seek an audience with the Head of House.”
Roenn, who was cleaning the doors and walls of the audience chamber, bowed his head. True to his role as Glenn's butler, he seemed to be personally taking care of the cleaning of the Lord's Mansion.
"Has your health improved?"
"I'm not fully recovered, but I'm almost there."
Raon bowed in turn, thanking him for his concern.
"Is the Head of House inside?"
"Yes. He's working, but he's likely to grant you an audience. Please wait a moment."
Roenn entered the audience chamber with a slight smile.
"The Head of House has granted you an audience. Please, enter."
He returned after about a minute and gestured to Raon.
"Thank you."
After thanking Roenn, Raon entered through the door that he was holding open. He walked over the immaculate red carpet and knelt before the raised platform.
"I am here to see the Head of House..."
"Rise."
As Raon was about to lower his head, Glenn's gentle voice came from the platform.
"Didn't I tell you before? There's no need for formalities when it's just us two."
As Raon looked up at those words, he saw Glenn smiling gently.
"I see. It seems your condition has improved."
Glenn lowered his eyebrows, seeming to have evaluated Raon's condition at a glance.
"I heard it would take you at least a month to recover, but here you are training after only a week. You really are..."
He let out a wry laugh, expressing his disbelief.
"I guess I take after my grandpa in being quite robust."
Raon said he recovered quickly naturally as he rotated his wrist.
Glenn grabbed his head and exclaimed, as if he was shocked to the core by Raon's words.
"Oh, it seems you were also training with the Light Wind Palace kids today. Why have you come here?"
He nodded slightly as he gripped the broken armrest of the throne with a trembling hand.
"A week ago, I sent a letter to the Thespian Emperor of White Whale, expressing my desire to meet with the Five Divine Orders."
Raon pulled out the reply he had received from the Thespian Emperor.
"You sent a letter to the Thespian Emperor asking for a meeting?"
Glenn narrowed his eyes as he looked at Raon.
"No, since he mentioned that he wanted to meet with the Five Divine Orders, I assume he also intends to see the Queen of the Swords."
"That's correct."
Raon nodded calmly.
"What's the reason?"
Glenn narrowed his eyes, asking why Raon had contacted the Thespian Emperor at such a time.
"If we leave the Five Divine Orders alone, they could be recruited by the Five Demons."
Raon clenched the fist holding the letter.
"Currently, the Five Demons must be in a state of emergency due to the death of the Black Tower Master and The Fallen. They will hide even deeper than before, trying to reorganize internally. However..."
He narrowed his eyes as he looked at the map of the continent hanging on the wall of the Lord's Mansion.
"Once they're somewhat prepared, they will move to gather forces again. And knowing Derus Robert, that preparation time won't be very long."
"It's likely."
Glenn tapped the armrest of the throne with his finger, as if telling Raon to continue.
"Then we need to meet with the Five Divine Orders before the Five Demons make their move. Although they're now the Two Divine Orders."
Raon took a deep breath.
"The Leader of the Shadow Agents and I had similar thoughts. But it's unclear how to persuade the Thespian Emperor and the Queen of the Swords."
Glenn briefly licked his lips as he looked at Raon.
"There's no need to persuade them."
Raon shook his head firmly.
"What do you mean?"
"Even though Demonblade and Demon Slaying Spear chose the Five Demons, the Thespian Emperor and the Queen of the Swords didn't move, only observing the situation to inflate their own value."
He continued, twisting his lips fiercely.
"But now the situation has changed significantly. The Black Tower has fallen, and The Fallen is dead. If they're still looking for opportunities and calculating benefits in this situation, there's no need to bring them to our side..."
Raon grabbed the Heavenly Drive, exuding a chilling murderous intent.
"I'll cut them down right there."
"Cut them down? Why?"
Glenn tilted his head as if asking for the reason. However, his eyes remained calm, as if he had already read Raon's thoughts.
"Calculating benefits when one's own safety and that of their subordinates is at stake isn't the attitude of a martial artist, but that of a merchant. Those swindlers could betray us at any time for greater profits, so whether they join the Five Demons or stay behind us, they're a problem. I think it's right to cut them down before problems arise."
Raon bowed his head to Glenn, asking for permission.
"Hmm..."
Glenn didn't answer right away, slowly stroking his chin.
"Not fearing blood, acting without hesitation, and always maintaining composure. That's the attitude a head of house should have. Now I understand what that guy was referring to."
He looked out the window with a somewhat nostalgic gaze.
Roenn chuckled as if he understood Glenn's cryptic words.
"What do you want..."
Raon opened his eyes in surprise, not understanding Glenn's words.
"There was someone who insisted that I unconditionally pass the position of head of house to you. It's been a while since I thought about him."
Glenn briefly licked his lips and shook his head.
"Ah..."
Raon slightly bit his lip as he realized who Glenn was referring to.
"So, are you sure?"
Glenn lowered his gaze calmly, as if asking if Raon was sure he could defeat the Thespian Emperor and the Queen of the Swords.
"I know that the Thespian Emperor is the strongest among the Five Divine Orders. However..."
Raon straightened his back and rubbed his chin.
"I don't think I'll lose."
He placed his hand on the Heavenly Drive, revealing his confidence in victory.
"Then what about the Queen of the Swords?"
Glenn smiled as if he had expected this, mentioning the Queen of the Swords' name.
"The Queen of the Swords seems to follow the Thespian Emperor's opinion, but if she can't be persuaded either, I'll cut her down too."
He tightened his grip on the Heavenly Drive, resolving to be ruthless to protect his precious people and land.
"That's not what I meant. I'm asking if you can defeat the Queen of the Swords."
Glenn shook his head as if telling Raon to speak properly.
"The Queen of the Swords...?"
Raon exhaled softly as he looked into Glenn's calm eyes.
'Isn't the Queen of the Swords weaker than the Thespian Emperor?'
He couldn't understand why Glenn was mentioning the Queen of the Swords, who was less powerful than the Thespian Emperor.
'Could he be thinking that they'll fight together?'
Glenn seemed to be worried about a joint attack by the Thespian Emperor and the Queen of the Swords. As Raon was about to answer that concern, Glenn spoke first.
"It seems you still don't know."
Glenn nodded slowly, as if he had expected this.
"Then go and experience it for yourself. You'll gain something regardless of the outcome."
He waved his hand, indicating that he would accept Raon's mission proposal.
"Be careful on your journey."
"...Understood."
Raon expressed his gratitude and left the audience chamber with a puzzled expression.
"Aren't you going to tell him?"
Roenn looked at Glenn with a smile.
"That child, his incompetent master, once said something like this."
Glenn looked up at the blue sky, wondering how far it extended.
"Raon grows stronger with every difficulty. This time too, he will return transformed in some way."
He smiled gently, as if he believed that Raon would return with answers.
***
After leaving the Lord's Mansion, Raon returned to the fifth training ground where the swordsmen were waiting.
"In two days, we'll go to White Whale."
Raon stood at the edge of the platform and mentioned the new mission.
"The mission is to persuade the Thespian Emperor and the Queen of the Swords to form an alliance with the Five Kings. However..."
He shook his head, emitting a chilling aura.
"If those two don't accept our proposal, we'll eliminate White Whale and the Unyielding Blade on the spot."
Raon clenched his fist, saying that was the true purpose.
"R-Really?"
Burren's jaw trembled, as if he didn't expect to hear about erasing White Whale and the Unyielding Blade.
"I'm serious. There's no need to accept those who could become enemies or stab us in the back."
Raon nodded, saying it was natural.
"In the worst-case scenario, we could end up in an all-out war with White Whale and the Unyielding Blade, so prepare yourselves thoroughly."
"When are we leaving?"
Martha licked her lips in anticipation of the possible all-out war.
"In two days."
Raon wagged his finger, telling them to fully recover their physical strength, mental fortitude, and aura within these two days.
"Understood!"
The swordsmen of the Light Wind Palace sharpened their fighting spirit, as if they were already entering battle mode.
"Prepare yourselves well... First, check your weapons..."
Runaan turned his back and gave his subordinates points to keep in mind. His eyes were still blank, but his advice filtered into their ears with surprising clarity.
"Then say your goodbyes, and let's meet back here at dawn in two days."
At Raon's dismissal order, the swordsmen of the Light Wind Palace left the training ground in an orderly manner.
"You're very busy, aren't you?"
The Betting Monster frowned, asking if Raon truly enjoyed being so busy.
"Well, at least I won't have to worry about the kids for a while."
He licked his lips, saying he should pour himself a drink after so long.
"Thank you for always helping."
Raon bowed his head to the Betting Monster as he was about to leave the training ground.
"If you know, then buy me a drink."
The Betting Monster left the training ground with a staggering gait, indirectly telling Raon to return safely. Raon chuckled as he watched him leave, then whistled towards the sky. A thin cry was heard from above, and a small swallow landed on his fingertip.
"I trust you."
He took a small letter out of his pocket and tied it to the swallow's leg. The young swallow soared high into the sky before flying into the distance.
- Who did you send it to this time?
Wrath wrinkled his nose, saying the swallow seemed to have no time to rest.
'I sent it to my grandpa.'
Raon shook his head with a smile.
'He must be worried, so I should at least let him know I'm safe. I'm also curious if anything else is going on.'
He smiled slightly, saying it was a letter sent to Rector.
-Come to think of it, it's been quite a while since we saw that old man.
Wrath licked his lips, wondering what that other affectionate old man would be doing.
'Indeed. I'm curious too.'
Raon smiled softly as he looked at the sky where the swallow had disappeared.
'If this mission goes well, it might be a good idea to go visit him after so long.'
***
"I see."
Rector set down the carefully folded letter with a refreshing smile.
"Is it a letter from Zieghart?"
Mustan, who was training with his sword behind him, asked as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"How did you know?"
Rector blinked as he folded the letter.
"Only Raon or Sia can make you smile like that, Master."
Mustan smiled, saying the sender of the letter was evident from Rector's expression.
"Ahem!"
Rector cleared his throat, trying to suppress his involuntary smile.
"It's pleasant to see, so you can leave it as it is."
Mustan waved his hand, saying it was a smile that brightened his mood just by seeing it.
"So, what's in the letter that made you smile like that, Master? Please, tell me too."
He rolled his eyes slightly, expressing his curiosity.
"Read it yourself."
Rector tossed the letter to Mustan, as if telling him to check it himself.
"Ah!"
Although surprised, Mustan reached out and unfolded the letter he received from Rector.
"It's from Raon. Ha. Gasp! Hmm..."
As he read the letter, his eyes opened dramatically and then narrowed repeatedly.
"I heard rumors about the death of Demon Slaying Spear and The Fallen, but I never imagined that Raon was behind it!"
Mustan's hand trembled as he held the letter, seemingly shocked.
"And the Heavenly Demon too, it's really crazy..."
He could barely breathe as he recited the shocking facts of the brief letter.
"It's kind of funny that after writing such incredible stories, he ends up worrying about his health, Master."
Mustan laughed as he read the last sentence of the letter, which said: 'Grandpa, I'll visit you soon, so please stay healthy.'
"That's because he's a caring child."
Rector carefully stored the letter Mustan returned to him in his chest, sporting the smile of a loving grandfather.
"When I first saw Raon, there wasn't much difference between us, but now the gap has widened so much..."
Mustan sighed, saying that while he respected Raon, his growth was beyond comprehension.
"For someone like Raon, it's better not to think about catching up to him, but to let him go his own way."
Rector shook his head, recalling Raon's talent for imitating others' martial arts.
"You also possess a talent that could be called genius, so forge ahead as you've been doing."
He waved his hand, telling Mustan to focus only on his own mindset and martial arts.
"I know that too. Don't worry!"
Mustan smiled genuinely, saying he no longer felt jealousy or envy.
"Then I should write a reply as well."
Rector wrote a letter to Raon at that very moment.
"M-Master! Me too! Please, mention me too!"
Mustan waved his hand, asking Rector to simply send his regards.
"I've already written it."
Rector wagged his finger as if to say not to worry, then tied the letter he had written to the swallow's ankle. Just as the black swallow tilted its head once and flew towards the sunset-lit sky, a white hawk swooped down like lightning from the west and grabbed the swallow's neck. The swallow let out a sharp cry.
The swallow screamed and struggled, but the white hawk didn't loosen its grip, as if it was determined to kill it.
"What is this..."
Rector frowned. It was surprising that the swallow sent by Raon, which was a special spiritual beast, was caught helpless in the hawk's claws. Tsk. As Rector clicked his tongue and extended his hand, the white hawk was drawn towards his grasp. With a twist of his wrist, Rector broke the neck of the white hawk who was trying to kill the swallow.
The swallow chirped weakly. Only then did it free itself from the hawk's claws, breathing out a thin breath.
"Can you still fly?"
The swallow chirped softly. When Rector showed a look of concern, the swallow let out a small cry as if to say it was okay, and then flew back into the sky.
"M-Master."
Mustan gulped as he pointed at the dead white hawk.
"There's a l-letter here."
He trembled as he looked at the black letter tied to the white hawk's leg.
"How... No one should know this place..."
Mustan bit his lips, unable to comprehend the situation.
"In the end..."
Rector exhaled forcefully as he saw the crest of House Robert engraved at the end of the letter.
"What was destined to happen has happened."
-
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