Chapter 1153
"I understand."
Raon gave a small nod toward Karoon before shifting his focus to Burren, who was waiting nearby.
"We are finished for the day. Everyone is dismissed."
"...Understood."
Burren glanced between Raon and Karoon with a lingering look before eventually turning away.
"Move out!"
Taking Raon's place, he guided the Light Wind Palace Swordsmen away from the training area.
"Let’s speak over there."
Raon indicated a quiet patch of ground on the far side of the facility. With the crowd dispersing after the main event, staying within the training grounds felt like the best option for a private talk.
"..."
Karoon offered a silent nod and trailed behind him toward the perimeter.
"So, what was it you wanted—"
Raon started to initiate the conversation as they sat across from one another.
"Oh, pardon the intrusion."
Dorian materialized out of nowhere, reaching deep into his dimensional pocket.
"There's absolutely nothing in here!"
With his usual catchphrase, he produced a sturdy table, followed by delicate cups and a refined teapot steaming with heat. With a practiced hiss of water, Dorian prepared a fragrant black tea that smelled of aged herbs for the two men before retreating.
"E-enjoy your talk!"
He beamed with pride, clearly still riding the high of being picked earlier that day, and hurried toward the exit.
"You certainly have a knack for gathering eccentric people," Karoon remarked, taking a cautious sip of the tea Dorian had provided.
"I suppose that's true."
A faint grin touched Raon’s lips as he thought of Dorian and the several other 'unique' personalities that filled his life.
"To what do I owe the visit?"
Raon took a drink of the brew and fixed his gaze on Karoon.
"..."
Karoon set his cup down with agonizing slowness, as if weighing every second, before finally speaking.
"Why did you pick me?"
"I'm sorry?"
Raon’s eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the man.
"I am asking why you handed me the chance to be trained by the Head of House."
Karoon looked up, his steady eyes meeting Raon's.
"You and I are competitors for the leadership of Zieghart. My sister may have jumped into the fray, but she has no intention of actually leading. She just enjoys making the stakes higher."
He scowled momentarily, spotting Alice in the distance watching them with a playful smirk.
"I want to know why you chose me. There is no strategic benefit for you in helping me grow stronger under the Head of House's tutelage."
Karoon’s hand tightened around his teacup, demanding a sincere explanation.
"That is a peculiar thing to ask."
Raon took another sip and let out a soft, airy laugh.
"Peculiar?"
"Yes. While it's true we are rivals for the throne of Zieghart, there is something more fundamental than that."
Raon lowered his head slightly, locking eyes with Karoon’s heavy, serious gaze.
"We are, first and foremost, swordsmen of Zieghart. The prosperity of the family must come before the ambition of the individual. If the Central Martial Palace Master increases his strength, then hundreds of our kin stand a better chance of survival. To me, that outweighs the question of who becomes the next leader."
Raon clarified that rather than worrying about the succession now, the priority was honing their collective edge for the conflicts looming on the horizon.
"Then explain Sylvia and Sia."
Karoon’s eyes hooded slightly as he pressed further.
"Were those not choices made out of personal bias?"
"As I said before, my mother and sister possess talents that are rare even by the standards of Zieghart’s elite. If the family were besieged while our main forces were away, the survival of our bloodline might very well rest on their shoulders."
Raon shook his head, insisting that sentimentality had played no part in his decision.
"If I were letting my feelings lead, my father would have been the first name on that list. But frankly, he doesn't possess the raw potential that my mother and sister do."
Nearby, Edgar—who had been trying to inconspicuously eavesdrop while walking past—heard the remark. His head slumped forward, and a pained, guttural groan escaped his throat.
"Mmm..."
Karoon’s hand shook, the teacup trembling as if Raon’s logic had struck a nerve. He sat in a stunned silence for a long moment before letting out a tired breath.
"I see. So you've reached that point as well..."
Karoon stared deeply into Raon's eyes, eventually nodding as if a puzzle piece had finally clicked into place.
"Reached what?"
Raon tilted his head, confused by the shift in tone.
"The family over the self. I didn't expect to find myself sharing a philosophy with you."
A ghost of a smile appeared on Karoon's face as he lifted his tea with a newfound steadiness.
"I didn't always feel this way. My perspective shifted as my responsibilities grew."
Raon noted how his outlook had evolved as he climbed the ranks from a basic soldier to a deputy, then a leader, and finally a Palace Master.
"Our experiences differ slightly in that regard."
Karoon nodded, seemingly agreeing with the sentiment if not the specifics.
"How so?"
"..."
Karoon kept his mouth shut, offering only a brief, uncharacteristically warm look toward Raon. He drained the rest of his tea in one go and rose to his feet.
"I have the answer I sought. I'll be going now."
"Wait, what? You can't just drop that and walk away—"
Raon let out a bewildered laugh and tried to stop him, but Karoon ignored the call. He marched out of the training grounds, flanked by the Central Martial Palace swordsmen who had been waiting for their leader.
-Still an arrogant, wide-eyed brat.
Wrath clicked his tongue in annoyance.
-Though... his expression seemed a bit less cold than usual.
'You're right.'
Raon smiled to himself, looking at the empty cup Karoon had left behind.
'His eyes. No, his entire presence has shifted.'
Raon understood the unspoken sentiment behind Karoon’s departure.
'I've had this thought before, but...'
Raon smiled softly as he began to tidy the table and tea set Dorian had left behind.
'Having Karoon as the Head of House might actually be a good thing.'
"It's a pleasant sight, isn't it?"
Sheryl spoke with a gentle smile, having watched the exchange between Karoon and Raon from a distance.
"I never imagined those two could ever share a moment like that."
Roenn nodded, marveling at the unpredictable turns of fate.
"I agree."
Sheryl sighed, her mind drifting back to years prior.
"They were practically at each other's throats once. Even now, they are competing for the top spot, yet they look like a genuine uncle and nephew."
She laughed softly, noting the unmistakable bond of family that now passed between them.
"They have both matured. All for the sake of Zieghart."
Roenn gave a warm, hearty chuckle, pleased by the direction the family was heading.
"It’s a relief. We won't have to worry about internal strife anymore."
Sheryl waved a hand, her expression bright.
"Don't you agree, My Lord?"
She turned to speak to Glenn.
"Kuhup!"
Glenn was hunched over, his hand clamped firmly over his mouth as a muffled, emotional sound escaped him.
"Those boys..."
His face was flushed red, and his eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he watched Raon and Karoon walk away.
"Ah..."
"Hehe..."
Sheryl and Roenn stared in shock at the legendary warrior, who looked like he was about to burst into tears.
"Are you really that moved?"
Sheryl sighed and stepped in front of Glenn, trying to shield his face from any wandering eyes.
"Karoon has been driven by stubborn pride and jealousy since he was a boy. He used those dark emotions to climb to his current rank. I truly thought he was incapable of change, but to see him like this..."
Glenn shook his head, admitting that even he had given up hope on Karoon's character.
"It truly is a miracle," Sheryl added solemnly.
"No, it isn't a miracle."
Glenn watched Raon’s departing figure with a look of profound respect.
"Raon is the one who shifted the tides. Not just for Karoon, but for me and the entire clan."
He smiled, observing that because of Raon, the fractured Zieghart had not only healed but was starting to glow with a brilliance that surpassed its legendary past.
"That is the truth."
Roenn nodded in quiet agreement, looking at Glenn's still-misty eyes.
"To think I would find someone to lean on."
Glenn looked up, rubbing his reddened nose.
"Knowing Raon is standing with me, I feel as though I cannot lose, regardless of the odds or the enemies we face."
He smiled in anticipation, looking forward to the rigorous training that was set to begin the following morning.
"Get over here!"
The moment Raon stepped back into the annex, Sylvia grabbed him and shoved him into a chair at the dining table.
"Raon!"
Sylvia leaned in, her brow furrowed with mock—or perhaps real—exasperation.
"What was that back there? Why did you drag Sia and me into this without a word!"
She complained that the shock of the sudden announcement had nearly stopped her heart.
"Haaa..."
Edgar was still slumped in a corner, letting out dejected sighs, clearly reeling from the 'average talent' comment he'd overheard.
"I'm sorry. The selection process was strictly confidential, so I couldn't say anything beforehand."
Raon pressed his palms together in a gesture of apology.
-You deserve this! You absolutely deserve a lecture!
Wrath was busy cackling and poking at Raon’s head... but then the maids arrived, covering the table with steaming, delicious platters of food.
-Huup!
Wrath’s jaw dropped at the sight of the feast.
-Now! Eat! You have to eat it while it's hot to get the full flavor!
He began screaming for Raon to dig into the pizza and grilled meats immediately.
'Are you kidding? Look at the mood! I can't just start eating now!'
Raon gulped nervously, glancing at Sylvia, who was currently watching him with the intensity of a predator.
-Just start chewing! Once you're eating, she'll back off!
Wrath gestured wildly, invoking the logic that even beasts don't attack while their prey is eating.
"Raon! Even if it was a secret, you could have given your own mother a tiny clue!"
Sylvia sighed, worrying about how much her skills had rusted during her recent downtime.
"And my talent is nothing special! I only stepped up during that business with the South-North Union because I thought you were gone!"
She shook her head, terrified that people would realize she didn't live up to the hype.
"It’s fine, Mother. Your innate ability is virtually unrivaled in all of Zieghart."
Raon insisted, his voice full of conviction.
"But still..."
"I'm actually excited about it."
Sia looked over at Sylvia, tilting her head curiously.
"We get to spend time with Raon and Grandfather. Isn't that a good thing, Mom?"
She tugged on Sylvia’s sleeve, wondering why she was so upset.
"Well, yes, I like that part too."
Sylvia waved her hands dismissively.
"I just wanted a head start so I could prepare. I don't want to look foolish out there."
She lamented her lack of recent practice.
"Don't worry! I’ll show you the ropes!"
Sia patted her mother's head as if Sylvia were the child, promising to give her some pointers on swordplay.
"Now wait a minute. I’m not so far gone that I need lessons from my own daughter, am I?"
"But it's the truth. You're not very good, Mom."
"N-not good? I am a trained swordswoman!"
"You're a swordswoman who never trains."
"Uugh..."
True to the Zieghart blood in their veins, the mother and daughter began bickering over their martial pride, setting aside their usual family dynamics.
"Hey, son..."
Edgar took a shaky breath and placed a hand on Raon’s shoulder.
"Am I really that untalented? Back when I was with the Holy Sword Alliance, they called me a prodigy. My internal energy wasn't the best, but my technique was second to none. I know I’m a bit out of practice, but to hear I have no talent at all..."
He went on a long, breathless rant about his former glory days, clearly wounded to his core by his son’s assessment.
-Eat! For the love of everything, EAT!
In the middle of the chaos, Wrath was literally tearing at his hair, begging Raon to consume the cooling food.
"How about we have a duel once the training is finished?"
"Fine! The loser has to do whatever the winner wants!"
"I spent my youth being hailed as a genius, and now my own son says I'm talentless... it's a knife to the heart..."
-The food is dying! It's all going to waste!
Raon shut his eyes tight against the cacophony of his family's voices.
'Can we please just start the training now?'
Anything would be quieter than this.
The following morning at the crack of dawn, every swordsman Raon had named arrived at the Lord's Manor training ground. They stood in perfect rows, their eyes bloodshot from a lack of sleep, fueled by the adrenaline of being taught by Glenn Zieghart—the man known as the greatest blade on the continent.
"..."
Breaking from his usual habit of a late entrance, Glenn was already there, standing with his hands clasped behind his back. He scanned the assembled group, his gaze so sharp that many felt as though he was looking straight through their clothes and skin.
"I have a sense of where you all stand."
Glenn closed his eyes briefly and reopened them, having assessed the strengths and flaws of every person present in a single glance.
"We will begin with sparring. Step forward in the order the Light Wind Palace Master designated."
He gestured with his chin, his voice dropping into a cold, serious register.
"We go until death."
