Chapter 1168
"You have pinpointed the Lord’s whereabouts?"
Raon stepped forward, repeating the claim made by the Gold Dragon Bartius.
"Is this the absolute truth?"
While Bartius had pledged to track the Dragon Lord down, Raon hadn't anticipated such a rapid result. He had assumed the search would be far more grueling.
-Oho!
Wrath exhaled a heavy, expectant breath.
-Does this mean I finally get to sink my teeth into the Dragon Lord's flesh? Even if he's an old one, he should possess a unique vintage.
He ran his tongue over his lips as if the prolonged anticipation had finally reached its peak.
-Releasing those creatures to hunt him down was clearly the right move!
'Quite so.'
Raon gave a small, inward laugh while observing Wrath.
'I’m glad I opted against execution.'
The eyes of those dragons had lacked the vacancy he’d seen in other ancient ones, so he had entertained a sliver of hope when listening to them. Now, they had returned with a prize that far exceeded his requirements.
"No. It isn't that I have physically found him yet."
Bartius abruptly crushed Raon’s optimism, tilting his head with a look that questioned Raon’s comprehension.
"Hmm? What are you getting at..."
"I never claimed to have located the Lord himself. I stated that I have discovered the route to reach him."
He tapped the side of his head, signaling for Raon to process the distinction.
"I see..."
Raon’s gaze sharpened.
"You did phrase it that way."
Reflecting on the exchange, Bartius was technically accurate. He hadn't confirmed the Lord's position, only the gateway leading to him.
"Explain this 'route' to the Lord."
Raon fixed a piercing stare on Bartius, his eyes narrowing into thin lines.
"That... hmph!"
Bartius scowled as he squinted at the shimmering blue pane that showed his reflection.
"This region isn't exactly crawling with sorcerers, yet the interference patterns are incredibly stubborn."
The defensive enchantments woven into Zieghart were proving a nuisance; his projected image began to flicker and warp, making dialogue difficult.
"To rectify this..."
"Perhaps we should reconsider the claim that dragons are the unrivaled sovereigns of the arcane."
Just as Raon prepared to manipulate the mana currents, Evelyn’s voice drifted in from the rear.
"Wouldn't you agree, Raon?"
Stepping out from Raon's shadow, Evelyn offered a radiant, cheerful grin.
"E-Evelyn?"
Raon blinked in surprise at her sudden appearance.
"I thought you were resting?"
"If you aren't sleeping, then neither am I."
She beamed, explaining that she had stirred the moment he did.
-Eeeeeeek!
Wrath let out a sharp cry, clutching his temples in agony.
-The things she says... every syllable gives me the shivers!
He thrashed his head back and forth, swearing he would never grow accustomed to her intensity.
"Ah..."
While not quite as affected as Wrath, Raon felt a sudden chill crawl down his spine and momentarily squeezed his eyes shut.
"Evelyn, I require your assistance."
In spite of the awkwardness, her skills were necessary. Reopening his eyes, he requested that she neutralize the magical interference.
"Of course! Leave it to me!"
With a casual wave of her hand, the flickering image of Bartius stabilized, returning to a clear and solid state.
"I wasn't aware that mortals possessed such refined defensive barriers," Bartius remarked, stroking his chin with genuine curiosity regarding the interference magic Evelyn had established.
"You can examine the wards later."
Raon moved closer to the projection.
"Tell me how we find the Lord."
He made a sharp motion with his hand, demanding the details.
"First, there is a crucial fact: The Lord is not currently present on this continent."
Bartius curled his red lips into a sneer, clearly mocking the Dragon Lord’s actions.
"He isn't on the continent?"
Raon’s eyes widened at the revelation.
"Correct. Had he remained in this realm, there is no way our kind would have failed to track him down."
Bartius gave a firm nod, confident in the exhaustive search conducted by the other dragons.
"Then where has he gone?"
"A different dimension. A fresh one, specifically forged for this purpose."
"He constructed an entirely new realm?"
Raon let out a dry, disbelieving chuckle at the sheer scale of the situation.
"Indeed. For a dragon of his status, manifesting a new dimension is well within his capabilities."
Bartius spoke with total certainty regarding the Dragon Lord's power.
-Ha! The Lord is hiding in another world?
Wrath snorted, sounding utterly disgusted.
-The coward who styles himself a 'mediator' has deserted the world and fled! He isn't a majestic lizard; he's a common sewer rat!
He spat insults at the Lord’s character, labeling the retreat as pathetic.
"However, this isn't a mere disappearance. The Lord is orchestrating something within that space."
Bartius knit his brows, suggesting the Dragon Lord hadn't built a world simply for sanctuary.
"What is he preparing?"
Raon’s eyes turned cold as he asked the question.
"The Lord is no simpleton. If he is secluded in a private dimension, he is undoubtedly forging something designed to jeopardize humanity."
Bartius shook his head, warning Raon not to take the Dragon Lord lightly.
"I have never made the mistake of underestimating him."
Raon’s hand shifted toward the hilt of Heavenly Drive.
"That sanctimonious dragon never faces a threat head-on; he is always the first to retreat."
A creature as hollow as the Dragon Lord wouldn't provoke the Five Kings without insurance. Beyond his alliance with Derus Robert, he was surely crafting a separate trump card.
'As Bartius suspects, it likely spells disaster for the human race.'
The Dragon Lord and the ancient dragons viewed humans as nothing more than bothersome gnats. If he was toiling away in a hidden realm, the result would likely be a sorcery of terrifying proportions.
"How do we breach the sanctuary where he is lurking?"
Raon tilted his chin toward Bartius.
"I assume you have the solution?"
"I wouldn't have bothered showing my face if I didn't," Bartius replied with a light snort.
"I developed a theory using details I extracted through false praise toward the ancient dragons. Actually, it is no longer a theory, but a verified fact."
He nodded, confirming that the strategy had been vetted by his peers.
"The Dragon Lord is not the one currently sustaining his dimension."
"What?"
Raon’s eyebrows dipped in confusion.
"Didn't you just say he opened it?"
"Even for a master of the arts like the Lord, one cannot finalize a complex ritual while simultaneously tethering a dimension. At this moment, that realm is being anchored by the three ancient dragons who hold the Lord’s highest confidence."
Bartius held up three fingers, explaining that these sentinels were maintaining the gateway to the Lord’s hiding spot.
"I detected the resonance of the same dimensional anchor on three specific ancient dragons. This confirms the Lord is deep in the process of crafting his special magic."
He tightened his fist, noting that the ancient dragons were guarding the door while the Lord worked on his unknown project inside.
"It will certainly be a spell that reshapes this world. They seem to have discarded their roles as mediators entirely."
Bartius ground his teeth so violently that the muscles in his jaw bulged. He found the betrayal of their principles utterly loathsome.
"So, to unlock the path to the Lord, we must first secure those three ancient dragons?"
Raon rested his fingers on Heavenly Drive.
"The goal isn't necessarily to kill them, but to persuade them to hand over the dimensional key. Though..."
Bartius’s expression turned chillingly pragmatic.
"If I can access the mana of those ancient dragons, I can likely force the lock myself."
He pressed his lips together, implying that their survival was not a requirement.
"Understood. Then there is no obstacle."
Raon nodded, his grip on Heavenly Drive turning resolute.
"Shall we depart at once?"
Bartius licked his lips, appearing eager to begin the hunt.
"I want to leave immediately, but first..."
Raon glanced toward the central manor, easing the tension in his hand.
"I have to file a report."
"The weather is quite pleasant."
Glenn bit down on his lip as he stared out the window at the soft, golden sunlight.
"Why the grimace if the weather is so nice?"
Sheryl asked, tilting her head as she watched him.
"Perhaps my internal weather is still quite gloomy."
Glenn let out a heavy sigh, appearing deeply preoccupied.
"Ah! This is about yesterday, isn't it? Raon and Sia were entirely focused on Rector! I can read you like a book, My Lord!"
Sheryl nodded knowingly, having completely unmasked Glenn’s irritation.
"Hmm..."
Glenn remained silent, but the slight twitch of his mouth betrayed his frustration.
"Goodness, they really do say the older you get, the more petty you become..."
Sheryl exhaled, amused that the man feared as the Destructive King of the North could be so sensitive.
"Whether I am known as the Destructive King or the Sword God, I am still just a man who treasures his family above all else."
Glenn shook his head, admitting that he had only recently come to terms with that truth.
"Even so, shouldn't you try to maintain a bit more dignity right now?"
Sheryl glanced at him, her expression softening slightly.
"I suppose. But whenever I see Raon, my composure simply evaporates."
Glenn rested his hand against his brow and sighed.
"I find myself wishing he was here even now. It’s absurd. I never imagined I would turn into this."
He gave a dry laugh, mocking his own transformation into a doting grandfather.
"Honestly, I’m just sitting here hoping Raon walks through that door... hm?"
Glenn’s crimson eyes suddenly flashed. He moved with lightning speed to adjust his attire and seated himself firmly upon the throne. He didn't slouch; he sat with squared shoulders and a rigid spine, his face hardening into a mask of regal authority.
"L-Lord Glenn?"
Sheryl blinked, stunned by the sudden shift.
"Why the sudden act..."
Before she could finish her thought, a firm knock echoed through the chamber.
"It is the Master of the Light Wind Palace. May I come in?"
Raon’s voice resonated from the other side of the door.
"Ahem!"
Glenn cleared his throat with a sound that was far too deliberate and nodded.
"Enter."
The heavy doors swung open, and Raon stepped into the room.
"Greetings to the Head of House."
Raon walked to the center of the hall and bowed deeply toward Glenn.
"Proceed."
Glenn stroked his chin, his eyes calm and detached, as if he hadn't spent the last hour pining for this exact moment.
"What is the purpose of your visit?"
"Yes. I came to show my respects and to deliver a report."
Raon offered a warm, bright smile.
"Showing respects..."
Glenn’s lips twitched with suppressed emotion. It wasn't the report that moved him, but the simple act of Raon coming to see him.
"I see. My rest was adequate."
He tapped the armrest with his fingers, maintaining that his health was perfectly fine.
"You took up the blade for the first time in a while; how do you feel?"
Glenn inquired about Raon’s well-being in return.
"I am doing well. Better than well, actually, as I’ve just come across some excellent news."
Raon used the 'news' as a hook to transition to the main subject.
"I am pleased you are healthy. However, do not become complacent. Even those who have reached Transcendence are made of flesh and bone; the body requires maintenance. Ensure you are eating and sleeping properly."
Glenn completely ignored Raon’s lead, focusing entirely on his grandson's physical health.
"Y-yes, of course. Please ensure you are also taking care of yourself, My Lord. I actually find I have no appetite because of the weight of the information I’ve received."
Raon was a bit flustered but tried once more to steer the conversation toward the report.
"In that case, perhaps a meal together? You’ve been eating traveler's rations for too long. I shall order the manor's chef to prepare something extraordinary..."
Glenn remained oblivious to the 'information,' his mind entirely preoccupied with the joy of Raon visiting him in the morning. He looked as though he was struggling to hide a grin, clearly feeling triumphant over Rector’s interactions from the day before.
"Ah, well..."
Raon blinked, looking at Glenn with a confused expression.
"Good grief..."
Sheryl grabbed her head in frustration and stepped toward Glenn.
"Raon has a report to give! Stop babbling and listen to him!"
She raised her voice, trying to snap him out of his doting trance.
"Ah, hmph..."
Realizing he had lost his cool, Glenn subtly shifted his gaze.
"I see. It appears the morning air has made me a bit spirited."
He took a slow, calming breath, though his eyes still betrayed his excitement.
"Very well. Present your report."
Glenn leaned back, finally signaling for Raon to speak.
"A short while ago, during my training, the Gold Dragon Bartius appeared before me."
Raon proceeded to detail the entire conversation he had shared with Bartius that morning.
"The Dragon Lord is sequestered in a pocket dimension preparing a scheme?"
Sheryl let out a sharp, incredulous laugh.
"Those lizards. No, even 'lizards' is too flattering for them!"
She scowled, disgusted by the cowardice of a supposed mediator.
"If the Lord has entrusted the dimensional anchors to ancient dragons, they are almost certainly the leaders of the various clans."
Glenn’s gaze lowered, his expression returning to its usual cold intensity as if his earlier excitement had never happened.
"The clan leaders possess a level of might that dwarfs ordinary dragons. Are you prepared to face them?"
He narrowed his eyes, testing Raon's resolve for such a dangerous mission.
"With my current strength..."
Raon tightened his hand on the hilt of Heavenly Drive, the veins on his arm becoming visible.
"I am confident I can strike down the clan leaders—and the Dragon Lord himself."
It wasn't a boast, but a calm statement of fact. He nodded with steady eyes, looking as though he were preparing to clear out a group of mountain bandits rather than engage the most powerful beings in existence.
"I ask that you leave this task to me."
