Chapter 1187
"I have recently finished organizing my personal insights into a new martial manual."
Glenn maintained a stiff, solemn gaze as he pitched his voice a bit lower.
"My intention is to grant this volume to the Master of the Light Wind Palace, whose recent achievements are truly without precedent."
He gave a firm nod, confirming that a book detailing his own martial path would be Raon’s prize.
"Pardon?"
Raon’s eyes grew wide at his grandfather’s announcement.
'That is much lighter than I anticipated.'
He had been internally bracing himself for Glenn to potentially hand over every legendary treasure within the Zieghart vaults, so this felt remarkably modest by comparison.
'It isn't a bad choice.'
To be honest, physical tools or medicinal spirits wouldn't do much to shift his current level of power. This wasn't to say he undervalued Glenn’s wisdom, but a single manual felt like a gift that carried little burden.
-Wait, what?
Wrath tilted his head, looking utterly perplexed.
-What is wrong with that old monster? Just a moment ago, his eyes were burning with a madness that suggested he might hand over the entire clan on a silver platter!
The demon blinked, finding the sudden restraint suspicious.
"Hmm..."
"Is that not a bit meager?"
"Indeed. He took down the Dragon Lord, yet the prize feels smaller than the feat."
"Nonsense! That is a record of the Head of House’s own realizations. Such a thing is priceless and unattainable anywhere else!"
"Even so, considering he turned the very tide of the war, it still feels somewhat lacking."
"But what else is there to give? What do you offer a warrior who has already ascended beyond the reach of most transcendents?"
The assembled high-ranking officials also murmured amongst themselves, feeling that Glenn’s reward didn't quite match the magnitude of Raon's victory.
"Ahem! Kh-hem!"
Glenn cleared his throat with a sharp glint in his eyes, looking as if he had been waiting for exactly those protests.
"As many of you have noted, this does seem insufficient given the Light Wind Palace Master's service. Furthermore..."
In a rare move, he moistened his lips, appearing to take the executives' feedback into deep consideration.
"Upon further reflection, the manual I intend for him was never meant for public consumption; it was a private journal for my own introspection. It might be too dense to grasp through reading alone."
Glenn shook his head, suggesting that even a genius like Raon would struggle to decipher the complexities of his personal martial arts.
"Therefore, I believe it is only proper that I go to him personally to provide instruction. I shall do so until the Light Wind Palace Master has entirely mastered the contents of the book."
His lips twitched with suppressed delight, betraying the fact that he had likely intended to personally tutor Raon from the very start.
"The Head of House will provide one-on-one lessons?"
“And he’s going to the annex building directly instead of using the main training grounds?”
"Well, that changes things. That is a worthy reward!"
"Given that he slew the Dragon Lord, it is only natural for the Head of House to take such an active role!"
"The strength of the annex will surely reach new heights, won't it?"
The officials began to smile, finally satisfied that the compensation was appropriate.
"Father’s private tutoring... how jealous I am! When will my own manual be finished?"
Balder spoke as if he approved, though he couldn't help but ask about his own progress while twirling his thick fingers.
"That level of guidance is certainly warranted..."
Karoon also seemed to find the arrangement acceptable, crossing his arms and closing his eyes in thought.
'Teaching from Grandfather himself...'
Raon licked his lips as he noticed the subtle tremors of excitement in Glenn’s shoulders.
'It will be an incredibly beneficial reward.'
Glenn remained a pinnacle of martial power, standing leagues above him. Having the path already walked by such a master explained to him would provide a foundation of immense height and stability.
'Still...'
It felt like a reward Glenn was going to enjoy far more than Raon. As the leader of Zieghart, Glenn usually forced himself to avoid showing blatant favoritism. This time, however, he had found a perfect excuse to haunt the annex building and spend time with Raon and Sia.
-Just as I thought, he is nothing but a doting old fool!
Wrath snorted, having predicted this behavior.
-He looks like he plans to stick to you like glue! He's never going to leave!
The demon clicked his tongue, mourning the loss of their peace and quiet.
-But why the theatrics? Why didn't he just say so from the beginning?
Wrath grumbled, failing to see the point of the long-winded setup.
'It was for my sake.'
Raon allowed a small smile to form as he felt Glenn’s warm, affectionate gaze.
'He wanted to savor the moment of the other executives recognizing my worth first.'
Glenn had orchestrated the scene so that he wasn't the one pushing for the reward; he wanted the clan's leadership to demand it. Feeling the sincerity behind the gesture, Raon’s heart felt light.
"Additionally, I grant you the right to enter the Zieghart treasury ten times."
Glenn added more to the pile, as if he still felt he wasn't doing enough.
"Ten visits to the treasury?"
"Truly, giving him the whole room wouldn't be out of the question."
"Compared to the Head's personal lessons, the treasury is almost a footnote."
The swordsmen nodded in agreement, seeing this as a fitting bonus.
"Hmph! Furthermore, I shall expand the borders of the Light Wind Palace. I authorize an expansion equal to your current land. We will begin construction immediately, and you shall have top priority for all intelligence from the Shadow Agents..."
Glenn kept listing rewards, counting them off on his fingers with an intensity that bordered on the manic.
"That’s enough!"
-Stop!
Raon and Wrath shouted at the same time, looking at Glenn, whose mouth was open so wide he looked ready to drool with excitement.
"Please, that is plenty!"
-Enough already, you crazy old man!
A soft knock echoed. Kubara stood before the door of the dark study, dressed in formal ceremonial attire.
"Enter."
A tranquil voice drifted from behind the polished, dark wood.
"..."
Kubara took a breath to steady herself before pushing open the heavy door.
"What is the matter?"
Derus Robert sat there, a strikingly handsome man with flowing silver hair, focused on a book without a title. He didn't even look up as he spoke.
"I believe I told you not to interrupt me for trifles."
He made no effort to hide his annoyance, as if his reading was the only thing of consequence in the world.
"I ask for your forgiveness."
Kubara lowered her head, ignoring the cold sweat prickling her skin.
"However, I felt this report could not wait."
She looked up, meeting his gaze to show the gravity of the news.
"You aren't one for idle talk."
Derus licked his lips and finally turned his eyes toward her.
"Continue."
He shut the nameless book, giving her his full attention.
"Contact with Trosowr, the Black Dragon leader who serves as our link, has been severed."
Kubara explained that the Black Dragon clan had gone silent.
"There is more, I assume?"
Derus narrowed his eyes into thin slits, sensing the deeper implications.
"Yes. I personally investigated Trosowr’s sanctuary. On the surface, things appeared normal, but..."
Kubara’s voice grew cold.
"I found the remnants of a violent struggle. It appears Trosowr was assassinated."
She held up a glowing orb of divine energy to confirm her findings.
"I attempted to reach the other leaders as a precaution, but the heads of the Red and Blue clans are also missing."
Kubara frowned, disturbed by the fact that three powerful leaders had fallen in such a brief window of time.
"In my professional opinion..."
"You are suggesting the Dragon Lord is also dead."
Derus Robert tapped a finger against his book.
"I am well aware that Igni Serpang, Azgoros, and Trosowr were the ones shielding the Lord in that hidden dimension. If all three are gone, the Dragon Lord has undoubtedly fallen as well."
His intellect was sharp enough to piece together the entire tragedy from those few fragments of information.
"...That is correct."
Kubara nodded, confirming his deduction.
"Who is responsible?"
Derus’s brow furrowed slightly, unable to immediately pinpoint the culprit.
"While I cannot confirm the exact details of the Dragon Lord's end, the individual whose signature was found at the Black Dragon’s lair is..."
Kubara presented a glass sphere and bowed low.
"Raon Zieghart."
She spoke the name softly, noting that his specific aura was unmistakable at the scene.
"Raon Zieghart."
A faint, thin smile touched Derus’s lips.
“That boy again.”
He remained calm, even as the name was spoken.
"The Dragon Lord and the Ancient Dragons were vital components for checking the Transcendents in the coming conflict. This is an unfortunate loss."
His expression remained unreadable despite the massive setback.
"How did the information leak?"
Derus wondered how Raon could have possibly tracked down the hidden clan leaders and located the Dragon Lord.
"I will investigate the source immediately."
Kubara bowed, ready to begin spying on Zieghart.
"No, there is a more pressing matter."
Derus stopped her before she could leave.
"With the Dragons gone, the scales of the war have shifted. Do not waste time chasing Raon's trail. Instead, increase the collection of sacrifices."
He tightened his grip, emphasizing that the harvest of power was now his priority.
"It no longer matters if we are spotted. Drain the humans. Extract every drop of divine energy possible."
Derus shook his head, indicating he would deal with Raon when the time was right.
"Understood."
Kubara gave a final bow and exited the study.
"Raon Zieghart."
The moment the door closed, Derus slammed his fist onto his desk. A sudden, violent killing intent surged in his eyes.
"Should I simply end him now? If it's just him, I could erase him from existence this very second."
Derus bit his lip, staring at the spot where his desk had been pulverized into nothingness.
"No. He has a role to play. He must stay alive for that."
A cruel, dark smile appeared as he looked at the blood seeping through his black leather gloves.
"The time is almost here..."
-What?
Wrath’s eyes were wide with shock.
-What did you just say?
He looked as though he couldn't process the words.
"Derus Robert is more than capable of realizing the clan leaders and the Dragon Lord are gone."
Raon began undressing, hanging his clothes up as he spoke to the demon.
-That’s impossible...
Wrath frowned. It hadn't even been a full week since the battle.
-That is far too fast!
He didn't believe that even Derus could be that efficient at gathering news.
"No, he would know. That is exactly the kind of monster he is."
Raon smiled, as if he had an intimate understanding of his enemy’s capabilities.
-Then our plan for a surprise attack is ruined...
"Not necessarily."
Raon dismissed the notion with a wave of his hand.
"Even in his rage, Derus will be scrambling to find new ways to replace the strength he just lost. He’ll be distracted by his new plans, which actually makes him a better target."
Raon tightened his fist, already looking for the opening.
-Ha...
Wrath let out a weary, disbelieving laugh.
-You and that man are both equally insane.
He shook his head, finding the logic of both humans incomprehensible.
"Of course, I’ll need Evelyn, the Shadow Agents, and the Black Market to play their parts perfectly."
Evelyn might be able to pinpoint Derus’s exact location using the black book left by the Dragon Lord. He wasn't about to let this chance to finally strike at the man’s heart slip away.
"I also..."
"Leave it to me!"
Before Raon could finish his thought, the eyes of a decorative doll in the corner flashed a bright purple, and Evelyn’s voice rang out through the room.
"Gah!"
-Aaaah!
Both Raon and Wrath jumped in fright at the sudden intrusion.
"Just have faith in me!"
The spirit inhabiting the doll left those final words before the light died out, and the object went still once more.
-Ugh...
Wrath poked at the doll, his lips trembling.
-That woman is an irredeemable creep!
He gulped, horrified that they were being watched through a lifeless object.
'She’s moved from animals to furniture now...'
Raon rubbed his chest, trying to slow his racing heart.
'From now on, I’m only speaking to you mentally.'
Since he had no way of knowing when or where Evelyn was lurking, internal dialogue was the only safe option.
'My heart is still thumping. I need something good to take the edge off.'
He exhaled, trying to find his center again after the shock.
-Something good to taste? I want in on that!
Wrath perked up, imagining some sort of snack.
'You’ll enjoy this too.'
Raon gave a wide grin and opened his palm.
[You have defeated the King of Dragons!]
[You have toyed with <Envy>!]
[You have completed a legendary feat!]
[All attributes have increased by 100 points.]
[New characteristic...]
He pulled up the system rewards from the Dragon Lord’s fall that he hadn't yet scrutinized.
-Gah!
Wrath let out a yelp as the windows flooded his vision.
-You said we were going to taste something good! Why are you showing me this!
'I didn't say it was food. But this is definitely "good."'
Raon stared at the list of gains with a hungry intensity.
'This is a very sweet victory.'
-Stop it! Between you and that crazy woman, my heart can't take much more!
Wrath wailed, desperate for a moment of peace.
'You don't even have a heart anymore.'
Raon looked at the translucent spirit with a playful tilt of his head.
-You heartless brat, you are more wicked than any demon!
