Chapter 1147
"A deity?"
Saintess Olga tilted her head slightly while fixed on Bartius.
"I don't offer devotion to any god."
She gave a scornful sniff, wondering what sort of pathetic, frozen-to-death divinity he was referencing.
"Uh..."
"What?"
"P-pardon... what did you just claim...?"
The Dragons blinked in confusion, appearing even more stunned than they had been when Raon was systematically thrashing them.
"I said I serve no master in the heavens."
Olga gave a firm shake of her head, her icy expression completely at odds with her reputation as a Saintess.
"Ridiculous!"
Balasiur, the Red Dragon, stared at her with wide, incredulous eyes.
"How can an individual wield such colossal divine energy and yet claim to be faithless? Does that even follow logic?"
He shook his head vigorously, as if demanding she stop the deception.
"This is a first for me. Truly intriguing."
Sirtiren, the Blue Dragon who rarely lost his smile, let his mouth hang open in a perfect circle.
"She isn't being dishonest."
Raon let out a tired exhale as he glanced toward Olga.
"That woman has endured a dark history; she likely stopped offering prayers a long time ago."
Due to the tragedies that unfolded in the Suphren Holy Kingdom in the past, Olga had learned to fight her own battles, expecting no salvation from the divine.
"Initially, I was a follower of the Lord God. The deity of Suphren is the primary Sovereign Deity of this entire land. However..."
Olga clicked her tongue, casting a sharp glare toward the radiant heavens.
"I have no use for them. My faith lies only in myself and the companions I have hand-picked."
She declared her independence from the gods, stealing a brief, meaningful look at Raon.
"That is most peculiar."
Bartius knitted his brows, clearly struggling to reconcile Olga's statement with reality.
"What is so strange about it?"
Olga held out her palm, prompting him to elaborate.
"The essence of a Priest's holy power shifts depending on the specific deity they follow. Yet, the energy I detect radiating from you..."
Bartius leaned in, scrutinizing Olga with a concerned expression.
"It is a power I have never encountered. It bears no resemblance to the holy power of the Lord God."
He gestured toward her with a nod of his chin.
"As a Saintess who once walked the path of the Lord God, you would recognize the discrepancy better than anyone, wouldn't you?"
"...A Dragon certainly has a keen eye."
Olga let out a sharp smirk as she met Bartius’s gaze.
"You are correct. The divine force within me no longer originates from the Lord God. To be honest, I am unaware of its true source."
She nodded, conceding that Bartius’s assessment was entirely accurate.
"You possess this power without knowing which entity bestowed it upon you?"
Bartius let out a breathy, hollow laugh of sheer disbelief.
"Divine energy is far more treacherous than it looks. It has the potential to wipe your very soul from existence."
He lowered his brows in a warning gesture, suggesting she tread with extreme caution.
"I couldn't care less."
Olga brushed her palms together with a look of utter indifference.
"Had it not been for the interference of a certain meddlesome idiot, I would have been a corpse long ago."
She implied she was perfectly willing to throw her life away if it meant settling the debt of that annoying intervention.
"Olga."
Raon's brow furrowed as he spoke her name.
"Stop saying your death is inconsequential. You need to investigate the origin of that power properly. The consequences could be far worse than simple mortality."
Raon would have sooner put his faith in a demon king than a god. While the mechanics of holy power were foreign to him, he knew that such massive strength was never given freely. Whoever had granted Olga this power undoubtedly had a hidden agenda.
"Why do you even care?"
Olga gave a dismissive wave of her hand.
"Because I happen to be the meddlesome idiot who kept you alive."
Raon gave a casual shrug.
"Furthermore, your King remains a fool, and Suphren still requires your presence. You also have a debt to pay me."
"Hmm..."
Olga pursed her lips for a second before turning her gaze away.
"Very well."
Though she looked annoyed, her pouting lips suggested she would yield to his reasoning.
"If you run into any trouble..."
"That's quite enough."
As Raon began to speak further, Evelyn stepped in from the side and took hold of his arm.
[Precisely. Not another word!]
Lust’s voice rang out with a chill, clearly in alignment with Evelyn’s protective instincts.
"Ah, right..."
Raon gave a reluctant nod, looking slightly miffed.
"Hehe."
Bartius let a small, knowing smile touch the corners of his mouth as he watched Raon.
"What's so funny?"
Raon tilted his head, eyeing Bartius with suspicion.
"This interaction is exactly why we decided to side with you."
Bartius surveyed the group gathered around Raon and offered a warm smile.
"The most formidable humans on the continent gravitate toward you. This ability to rally people without using threats or authority—it is the most impressive talent I have witnessed in my centuries of life."
He nodded, confirming that Raon's magnetic nature was a deciding factor in their alliance.
"The people around me, huh..."
Raon scanned the faces Bartius was looking at. Olga, Evelyn, Dorian, and even the concealed Lust. This group alone possessed the power to topple empires, and he had even more allies waiting elsewhere.
'When I think about it, it's almost ironic.'
He couldn't suppress a dry laugh, remembering his past life where he had died utterly alone. Now, he possessed the charisma to bring the world to his side. He realized how fundamentally his life had changed and how much he had truly gained.
—Hmph!
Wrath let out a snort, glaring at Bartius.
—I am no mere human! I am a Great Demon King! Get your eyes checked!
He shook his head violently, offended at being lumped in with humanity.
'That is true.'
Raon allowed a small smile to form and gave a mental nod.
'You are indeed a true demon king.'
It touched Raon's heart that Wrath only complained about being called "human," which effectively meant he accepted being one of Raon’s people.
"I have delivered my message, so I shall depart. We cannot risk the elder dragons discovering this meeting."
Bartius rose and smoothed out his attire. Behind him, a shimmering column of light began to glow with the runes of teleportation magic.
"The next time we cross paths, I will use my authority to shut down your speed entirely!"
Valasiur, the Red Dragon, let sparks of fire dance in his pupils.
"I highly doubt that. He is quite formidable himself."
Sirtiren, the Blue Dragon, gave Valasiur a sympathetic pat on the shoulder, hinting that he should learn to accept defeat.
"Only those who have perished stop evolving. I will show you a superior version of myself when the war begins."
Bursiarabi, the White Dragon, lifted his chin, telling them to anticipate his growth.
"I shall refine a magic so potent that merely being near me will leave you dazed. Prepare for our next encounter."
Dariauran, the Black Dragon, gave a sly grin, promising to be the one striking from the shadows next time.
"Understood. I look forward to our next meeting."
Raon smiled and gave a parting wave to the five Dragons.
"One last thing—you must uncover the truth about that deity."
Bartius gestured toward Olga.
"Gods are neither all-powerful nor inherently kind; they are notoriously fickle."
With those final words of caution, he dissolved into light along with the rest of the Dragons and vanished.
"I told you I've got it covered!"
Olga stomped the ground, annoyed by the repetitive advice.
—Ah, no!
Wrath reached out toward the empty space where the Dragons had been.
—My snacks!
He wailed about wanting just one bite, but his "prey" was already long gone.
[What? Are you craving roasted dragon? Want me to snag one for you?]
Lust licked his lips as if he could taste Wrath’s hunger. Watching the two of them, they really were a perfectly matched set of demons.
'Wrath.'
Raon signaled to Wrath while keeping a worried eye on Olga.
'Do you pick up anything strange from Olga?'
—Hmm...
Wrath squinted at Olga, crossing his arms as he assessed her.
—I don't detect anything overtly foul. She doesn't appear to be under a hex or suffering from possession.
He shook his head, indicating that no deity had directly laid hands on her yet.
—Nevertheless, that shiny lizard had a point. It’s best to be wary. Gods are not the perfect beings your kind imagines; they are often prideful fools ruled by their whims.
'Hmm...'
Raon sighed deeply as he watched Olga testing the flow of her holy power.
'I hope this doesn't lead to trouble.'
"It has been remarkably quiet lately."
Sheryl wore a bright expression as she strolled through the peaceful halls of the Lord's Manor.
"It's a relief that the Lord isn't having those explosive fits of temper anymore."
She rolled her wrist, noting how unusual it was for Glenn to remain so composed while Raon was away on a mission.
"It simply proves the depth of his confidence in Lord Raon."
Roenn gave a polite smile as he walked beside Sheryl.
"There are very few souls in this world capable of truly threatening Lord Raon at this point."
He nodded, suggesting Glenn no longer had any reason to be a nervous wreck.
"That's a blessing. Now the manor staff can actually focus on their duties instead of..."
Just as Sheryl was smoothing her hair while observing the busy swordsmen, a thunderous boom erupted from the audience hall, sending a violent shockwave through the entire building.
"Wait... what?"
Sheryl's eyes went wide as the walls around her began to vibrate.
"Is... is it starting already?"
She turned to Roenn, seeking an explanation for the sudden chaos.
"Hehehe..."
Roenn let out a dry, forced chuckle and looked away.
"It appears the Lord's patience lasted exactly seven days."
He gave a small shrug, implying that a week of peace was still a record.
"This isn't good! We’ve been swamped lately, and now everyone is going to be stuck standing in place for three hours!"
Sheryl let out a groan, pointing at the line of swordsmen to her right.
"Uuuggghh!"
"I-it's been so long since the last quake, I've lost my balance... I'm getting motion sickness..."
"The timing isn't the issue, it's the fact that the tremors are getting more intense!"
The swordsmen struggled to keep their feet amidst the violent shaking, some of them literally hugging the walls for stability.
"Hehehe. If you can just hold on a bit longer..."
"Absolutely not!"
Sheryl shook her head with conviction.
"Today, I'm giving him a piece of my mind! Tell him to stop shaking his leg! I am sick of repairing that floor!"
Just as she was gearing up to storm the audience hall and confront Glenn.
"Quite the earthquake we're having today, isn't it?"
A calm, familiar voice drifted from behind Sheryl and Roenn.
"Huh?"
"Oh!"
The two of them spun around, their eyes nearly popping out of their heads.
"Raon!"
"Lord Raon?"
There stood Raon, looking exactly as he had when he first set out for the Suphren Holy Kingdom.
"I have returned."
Raon gave a warm smile and a respectful bow to Sheryl and Roenn.
"Uh..."
Sheryl swallowed hard as she looked him over.
'I didn't sense a single breath from him.'
Raon hadn't even been trying to hide, yet she hadn't realized he was standing right behind them. It was clear his prowess had reached a new level during his time in Suphren.
"Hehehe."
Roenn nodded, his face full of pride.
"You've come back even more formidable. I suspect I can't even catch a glimpse of your shadow anymore."
He offered a congratulatory clap.
"I just had a bit of good fortune."
Raon gave a sheepish smile and waved off the praise.
"If fortune finds you at every turn, that's not luck—it's mastery!"
Sheryl gave Raon a playful smack on the back, telling him to drop the humility.
"And go deal with your grandfather! He surely knows you're back, but he's making an even bigger scene than usual."
She sighed deeply, noting that the vibrations in the floor had actually worsened the moment Raon appeared.
"I'll take care of it."
After finishing his greetings, Raon headed toward the heart of the manor.
"Wow..."
Sheryl let out a breathless laugh as she watched him walk away.
"He was just a little boy when I was looking after him. When did he become this person? I truly can't hold a candle to him now."
She bit her lip, feeling a mix of maternal pride and the sting of being surpassed.
"To be fair, when Lord Raon was a child, he wasn't even permitted to enter this wing of the manor."
Roenn laughed softly, lowering his gaze.
"To push past the suppression of the direct bloodline using nothing but his own grit, and now to stand as the man most likely to inherit the house..."
He shook his head in wonder, finding the transformation hard to grasp even though he had been there for every step of it.
"It sounds like you've already cast your vote for Raon as the successor, Roenn."
Sheryl gave him a sly smile and a nudge with her elbow.
"Anyone who has truly seen Lord Raon would reach the same conclusion. Is that not the case for the Heavenly Blade Division Leader as well?"
Roenn gave a casual shrug.
"Can't argue with that."
Sheryl watched Raon disappear into the audience hall with a soft, affectionate smile.
"I just hope he continues to succeed and finds true happiness."
She clasped her hands together, wishing for his well-being more than her own.
"You should offer a prayer too."
Sheryl narrowed her eyes playfully, thinking of a certain lazy Elf who was likely eavesdropping from the shadows.
"Pray for your student's happiness."
Glenn abruptly stopped the violent shaking of his leg the moment he felt Raon approaching the audience hall doors.
'He is back much sooner than I anticipated.'
He had expected the mission to assist in the Suphren holy war to take at least a month, yet Raon had completed his business in record time.
'I was shaking my leg without even realizing it.'
He had made a conscious effort to stay still while Raon was away, but the second he sensed his grandson's aura, his leg had begun to bounce instinctively. He decided he needed to work on his mental discipline.
"Ahem!"
Glenn cleared his throat and adjusted his robes to look more dignified.
'I may not be able to stop my leg, but I will not act shocked by whatever Raon has done this time.'
Lately, he had been far too reactive and flustered by Raon’s exploits. He was determined to maintain the stoic composure of a Head of House, rather than appearing like a doting grandfather.
"The Light Wind Palace Master requests entry. May I come in?"
Raon’s voice resonated from the other side of the heavy doors.
"You may enter."
Glenn gave a curt nod. With a heavy groan of metal, Raon pushed open the iron doors and stepped into the hall.
'My grandson is as handsome as ever... No, stay focused.'
He’s grown stronger. Again. Glenn could feel the palpable increase in Raon's power. He wondered what on earth could have happened in a mere week to trigger such growth.
'Regardless, I will stay calm.'
He forced his racing heart to slow down, vowing not to show even a hint of surprise.
"I greet the Head of House!"
Raon walked to the center of the hall, dropped to one knee, and bowed low.
"Rise."
Glenn gestured for him to stand.
"So, was the conflict in Suphren resolved to your satisfaction?"
"Yes. A demon king had carved out a foothold there, so I assisted in her removal."
Raon spoke matter-of-factly, as if it were a routine chore.
"...A demon king."
Glenn swallowed hard, the words "demon king" echoing in his mind.
'I almost lost my composure there.'
Luckily, he was already aware that Raon had a history with such beings; otherwise, he might have shouted in shock.
"Very well. That is good to hear."
Glenn maintained a forced, neutral expression and nodded.
"As for the specifics..."
"Furthermore..."
Raon looked up, his expression becoming more serious.
"I have secured the cooperation of several mature dragons who are on the verge of becoming Ancient Dragons. They have committed to helping me locate the Dragon Lord by any means necessary."
He spoke with a grave intensity about the alliance he had forged with the Dragon race.
"D-Dragons?"
Glenn’s self-control finally snapped. His jaw dropped.
"Is that the truth!"
The prospect of gaining the help of Dragons—creatures the house had only ever viewed as mortal enemies—was so world-altering that he shot up from his throne instinctively.
"Roenn! Sheryl!"
His voice boomed through the hall as he summoned his advisors.
"Call the executives together! Do it immediately!"
Glenn began to clap his hands with unbridled excitement, completely forgetting his vow to remain stoic.
'That's my grandson!'
The whole world needs to hear about this! Every single one of them!
