Chapter 1243
"Me, acting as the Head of House...?"
Raon struggled to raise his gaze, swallowing hard against a dry throat.
"Why the look of shock?"
Glenn gave a small, amused huff at Raon’s bewildered expression.
"You were well aware that by ascending from this place, you would be the one stepping into the role of the house leader instead of Karoon."
He dismissed the surprise with a casual wave of his hand.
"I was aware, but still..."
Raon forced his weary body upright, wiping away the smears of blood staining his features.
"Actually facing the moment makes it feel rather surreal."
In truth, his mind had been entirely occupied with supporting Glenn’s seclusion and training rather than the prospect of becoming a temporary regent. The suddenness of the appointment left him feeling unmoored.
Just as Glenn had set aside the mantle of Zieghart’s Lord to return to the identity of the swordsman Glenn Zieghart, Raon had also spent the last two months stripped of his titles as Light Wind Palace Master and Sword Emperor. Having lived solely as a martial artist for that time, he felt a wave of apprehension about whether he could effectively manage the grand responsibilities of the family.
-Get out of here! Even if you fail miserably, just leave!
Wrath hovered near his ear, letting out a high-pitched, desperate wail.
-The King of Essence is sick to death of eating nothing but nadine bread in this hole! Leave now, even if it kills you!
The two-month confinement in the subterranean training grounds had clearly broken the demon; he had completely abandoned his regal tone in favor of raw, frantic screaming.
Don't worry, I’m leaving whether you tell me to or not.
Raon mentally urged the blue spirit to be patient for just a moment longer and gently pushed him aside.
"You look troubled."
Glenn nodded slowly, reading the hesitation in Raon's eyes with ease.
"It is, without question, a heavy burden to carry."
A faint, nostalgic smile touched his lips, as if he were seeing the throne he had occupied for decades.
"The path the Head of House chooses can either lead the clan to unparalleled glory or drag it into the depths of ruin."
Glenn noted that he had seen both ends of that spectrum before turning his focus back to Raon.
"You’ve seen the depths of ruin too?"
Raon let out a dry, incredulous chuckle. He had always viewed Glenn as a paragon who had executed his duties flawlessly from day one. To hear that he had once led the family toward a gutter was startling.
"Indeed. Shortly after I inherited the position, a single lapse in judgment on my part resulted in the total massacre of the Haerin unit. I had attempted a perfect mobilization of our entire military force, but the plan collapsed spectacularly."
Glenn exhaled a heavy sigh, the weight of old regrets still apparent in his voice.
"The loss of the Haerin unit caused Zieghart’s reputation and honor to plummet overnight. Coming so soon after my succession, it felt like an insurmountable despair."
His mouth twitched slightly, the memories of that era clearly still vivid.
"In response, I personally took command of the troops and utterly eradicated every soul responsible for the Haerin unit's fall. Of course, blood doesn't instantly restore lost trust. But the way people looked at us shifted, if only by a fraction. I spent years repeating those efforts, slowly hauling the name of Zieghart back toward the heavens."
Glenn ran a hand through his hair, admitting the journey had been grueling.
"From that point on, I never allowed myself to be complacent. I only moved our forces when the situation was crystal clear. Danger still found us, but because I was surrounded by exceptional subordinates, we navigated through the storms."
He looked pointedly at Raon as he emphasized the importance of those allies.
"The Head of House does not stand in isolation. You already have brilliant people gathered at your side. No matter what comes, you will find a way through it with them."
Glenn’s smile was encouraging, a silent command for Raon to trust in his people.
"That is true."
Raon nodded, dusting the grime and dried blood from his attire.
"I have been fortunate enough to have many incredible individuals rally around someone like me."
He thought of Burren, Martha, Runaan, and his comrades from the Fifth Training Ground. He thought of the warriors of the Light Wind Palace who had grown to trust his leadership, and the various allies he had forged bonds with on the front lines.
It felt like an undeserved blessing that such talent and loyalty had converged on him.
-Someone like you...
Wrath narrowed his eyes until they were mere slits.
-Still with the self-deprecation. I suppose that mindset is why you’ve achieved such monstrous strength at your age.
The spirit clicked his tongue, seemingly resigned to Raon’s habitual modesty.
I’m not putting myself down.
Raon shook his head inwardly.
I genuinely believe it.
He wasn't speaking of his blade or his willpower, but he felt he still lacked the natural gravity and charisma required to lead. He attributed the loyalty of his peers more to the prestige of being a Zieghart swordsman than to his own character.
-Ugh, you really are something else...
However...
Raon cut off Wrath’s grumbling and stood up straight.
I don't think I'll be a failure as the Head of House.
The initial flicker of fear had vanished. After hearing Glenn’s perspective and remembering who stood behind him, the seat of power no longer seemed so daunting. With his companions by his side, he felt a surge of confidence that they could weather any crisis.
"I understand."
Raon walked toward Glenn, his legs heavy with fatigue but his steps firm.
"I will give my soul to leading Zieghart."
He offered a deep bow, signaling his readiness to begin.
"I believe in you. But before you go..."
Glenn reached out, resting a hand on Raon’s shoulder while opening his spatial storage. From within the void, he produced a substantial bottle of spirits.
"Let’s share a drink, just a grandfather and his grandson, before you depart."
Glenn suggested a brief moment of respite after their grueling two-month stint, seating himself right there on the floor of the training ground.
"I would like that very much."
Raon smiled warmly and sat back down across from him.
"I have plenty I wish to discuss as well."
-This is a nightmare! Who drinks with only nadine bread as a snack!
Wrath wedged himself between the two, glaring at the bottle.
-You two are absolute lunatics!
Martha stood by the shores of the lake situated behind the annex, tossing a small pebble between her palms. She stared at the glassy surface for a moment before hurling the stone with a sharp snap of her wrist.
Pababababak!
The flat stone skipped across the water like a master’s light-footwork technique before thudding into the far bank.
"Sigh..."
Martha breathed out heavily, watching her reflection fracture in the ripples.
"Why hasn't she shown herself yet!"
Her patience was clearly fraying; she kept glancing back at the annex, teeth bared in frustration.
"If this keeps up, I'll lose my chance to sleep and have to move out immediately..."
"But I’m already here, aren't I?"
Just as Martha raised a frustrated fist, a silky, teasing female voice drifted right into her ear.
"Kyaah!"
In a rare departure from her usual ferocity, Martha let out a startled, high-pitched yelp and scrambled back toward the water's edge.
Swooosh!
However, Martha’s own shadow seemed to detach from the ground, elongating and thickening until it took the shape of Evelyn.
"You're quite the jumpy one."
Evelyn grinned, clearly enjoying the successful prank.
"If you do that one more time, my heart is going to stop!"
Martha glared at her, her breath coming in ragged white plumes in the cool air.
"I was on high alert! How on earth did you manage to slip into my shadow without me noticing?"
She had kept her senses sharpened specifically to avoid Evelyn’s tricks, yet she had failed to detect a single trace of the woman’s presence within her own shadow.
"It’s a secret."
Evelyn pressed a finger to her lips, arching an eyebrow playfully.
"A secret?"
Martha let out an annoyed puff of air.
"A woman is supposed to have a few mysteries to stay interesting."
Evelyn tilted her head, signaling that the subject was closed.
"You’re not just any... Ugh, whatever. Is the thing I asked for ready?"
Martha’s expression shifted to one of intense focus.
"You speak as if you gave me an official commission."
Evelyn’s eyes narrowed with mock disbelief.
"Wasn't it just a little while ago that you were practically in tears, begging me to help Runaan?"
She scoffed, noting how quickly Martha’s attitude had shifted in a mere month.
"I—I did no such thing! You refused to do it as a favor, so we settled on a transaction!"
Martha’s eyes went wide with indignation.
"I am simply making a legitimate inquiry as a partner in a deal! And I was certainly not crying!"
She scowled, telling Evelyn to keep her stories straight.
"Fair enough."
Evelyn shrugged it off effortlessly.
"Phew."
Martha sighed, feeling drained just by the interaction.
"Is it done or not? If you called me out here empty-handed..."
"Just barely."
Evelyn reached into her flowing sleeve with a knowing smirk.
"It was a tight deadline, but I managed to pull it off."
She withdrew a shimmering golden bracelet, intricately crafted to resemble two serpents biting each other's tails.
"Here."
Evelyn extended the serpent band toward Martha, urging her to take it.
"Hmm..."
Martha swallowed hard, her eyes fixed on the artifact.
"Thank you."
She gave a curt nod of acknowledgment and took the bracelet from Evelyn’s hand.
"Don't thank me. Like you said, it's just business."
Evelyn waved off the gratitude.
"Fine. Business it is."
Martha’s fingers traced the cool metal of the bracelet.
"That girl must be truly special to you, isn't she?"
Evelyn’s lips curled into a broad, knowing smile.
"Coming to someone you clearly despise just to ask for help... I have to admit, I was surprised."
She twirled a lock of hair, reminiscing about the moment Martha had approached her.
"Special? Don't be ridiculous! It's just..."
Martha gritted her teeth, refusing to meet Evelyn’s gaze.
"I just can't stand looking at her while she’s sleeping like a complete idiot!"
With that sharp dismissal, she turned on her heel and stomped away.
"She really is a terrible liar."
Evelyn chuckled softly, finding a rare bit of charm in Martha’s stubbornness.
"That problem was so deeply rooted, I feared we wouldn't have a solution before Raon returned..."
She stretched her limbs, watching the morning mist begin to settle.
"Perhaps those two can actually fix this now?"
Evelyn licked her lips, her expression a mix of curiosity and expectation.
"Well, they’ll either figure it out or they won't. As long as Raon comes back in one piece, that’s all I truly care about."
She let out a long yawn and retreated back into the annex.
As the door clicked shut, glowing geometric patterns flared briefly across the wood.
Whoaaaaah!
The complex defensive arrays protecting the building hummed with power, their light shimmering through the dawn like a map of the stars.
"This is far enough."
Burren halted his pace and turned to face his unit.
"Light Wind Palace, prepare to make camp."
Having concluded the day’s trek, he signaled for the warriors to begin their rest.
"Yes, sir!"
"Understood!"
The swordsmen moved with practiced efficiency, erecting tents and sparking fires for the evening meal.
"Vice Palace Master."
Nobo, who was leading the Shadow Agents assigned to the mission, approached Burren with a respectful bow.
"At our current pace, we could reach Birdnew Village by dawn. Wouldn't it be more efficient to push through and find proper rest there?"
He seemed to favor the comfort of a village over another night in the wilderness.
"Under normal circumstances, you'd be right."
Burren remained composed, acknowledging the logic while maintaining his stance.
"However, if the Ghosts of Eden are lying in wait there for an ambush, our exhausted swordsmen wouldn't be at their peak. They know the terrain better than we do; it would be a reckless disadvantage. Since the immediate crisis has passed, it is wiser to move only when we are at full strength."
He took the time to explain his reasoning thoroughly, even though he could have simply pulled rank.
"Ah, I see your point. My apologies."
Nobo tapped his palms together, conceding to Burren’s tactical foresight.
"No need for that. I know the Shadow Agents are anxious to gather evidence before Eden can scrub their trail."
Burren offered a small, understanding smile to Nobo and his team.
"We appreciate your understanding."
Nobo bowed deeply, clearly impressed by the Vice Palace Master's temperament.
"As a gesture of goodwill, we’ll handle the cooking tonight."
He offered to have the Shadow Agents prepare dinner for the entire Light Wind group before stepping back.
"That isn't necessary..."
Burren started to wave off the offer, but his attention was caught by Runaan walking past Nobo.
"Hmm..."
Runaan was trudging toward a secluded tree, her complexion looking even more sallow and drained than the day before. It looked like she intended to skip dinner and collapse into sleep immediately.
Maybe Martha is right, and she shouldn't sleep at all.
Seeing the girl—who could usually sleep through a hurricane—looking like a walking ghost was unsettling. Martha’s suggestion to keep her awake seemed increasingly like the only option.
If only she’d actually listen.
People often thought he or Martha were the stubborn ones, but Runaan possessed a singular brand of obstinacy. She wouldn't yield to her parents or even the Lord himself unless the order came straight from Raon.
I need to get stronger... strong enough to physically stop her from sleeping if I have to.
Just as Burren was lost in thought.
"Hey!"
Martha marched up behind Runaan and clamped a hand on her shoulder.
"Hmm...?"
Runaan turned her glazed, tired eyes toward her, looking utterly spent.
"Tonight, you aren't sleeping."
Martha flashed a sharp, predatory grin.
"You're staying up to play with me."
