Chapter 1231
"At this moment..."
Raon blinked, his gaze traveling up and down Glenn’s form.
"Were you referring to secluded meditation?"
He had anticipated that Glenn would recount the details of his encounter with the Heavenly Demon. Instead, the very first topic raised was a plea for assistance with a period of closed-door refinement.
"Indeed."
Glenn gave a heavy, solemn nod.
"It appears necessary for me to enter into solitary cultivation."
His eyes had taken on the sharpness of a honed blade, making him seem like a completely transformed individual in just a few heartbeats.
"What transpired to cause this?"
Raon pressed his lips together. Although Derus Robert had been eliminated and his organization dismantled, the Archangels and the Heavenly Demon of Eden remained as looming threats.
Monsters still prowled the world that required Glenn’s presence to suppress. Raon struggled to comprehend why Glenn would choose to sequester himself during such a volatile era, where catastrophe could strike without warning.
"The Heavenly Demon..."
Glenn uttered the title, then fell silent. He lowered his gaze and then looked up slowly, as if mentally replaying the scene that had just unfolded.
"He was perceiving only me."
"I don't quite follow..."
Raon tilted his head, unable to grasp the immediate significance of the statement.
"Precisely as I said. I was not focused solely on the Heavenly Demon, but his entire existence was fixed on me alone."
Glenn’s mouth formed a hard line, his pride clearly stung by the memory of that encounter.
"As the Patriarch of Zieghart, I dedicated myself to preparing for the coming conflicts. I assembled the clan's brightest prospects to oversee their growth and took a direct hand in strategic maneuvers, personally joining the efforts to crush Derus Robert and the phantoms of Eden."
He exhaled a weary breath, his fingers tracing the hilt of Heavenly Tremor.
"We reaped significant rewards from those choices. The prodigies of Zieghart shattered their limits one after another, and through this struggle, we successfully wiped out Derus Robert's faction. However..."
Glenn paused, a deep furrow appearing between his brows.
"I simply remained stagnant."
His hands trembled slightly as he gripped the weapon more tightly.
"I stood by, filled with a sense of satisfaction, watching all of you tear down walls and surge forward. I convinced myself that this was the proper path, believing my own chapter had reached its conclusion."
A faint, wistful smile touched Glenn’s face as he thought of the younger generation advancing.
"I was prepared to conclude my journey as the Martial Artist Glenn Zieghart with one final clash against the Heavenly Demon. Even though he occupied the same summit as I did, I was certain of my victory. In fact, at that time, I undoubtedly would have won. But..."
His lips quivered as his internal intensity surged.
"The Heavenly Demon I encountered today was a different entity entirely."
Glenn squeezed his hand into a fist until the skin broke and blood began to seep, as if his self-esteem had been leveled for the first time.
"While I was focused on cultivating the strength of Zieghart, the Heavenly Demon cast Eden aside. He disregarded everything else to focus solely on our ultimate confrontation, forging his spirit and physique for that singular purpose. He has been honing himself for the lethal duel that I only began to seriously consider just now."
"He neglected Eden..."
Raon let out a stunned breath at the sheer absurdity of the revelation.
'That lunatic is truly unhinged.'
It was common knowledge that the Heavenly Demon sought a reckoning with Glenn, but the idea that he would abandon his own subordinates and the entire infrastructure of Eden just to focus on a duel was staggering. He was no different from Darkan, the Dark Night Sword God, who had turned his back on the Holy Sword Alliance.
'It seems the truly deranged are drawn to my grandfather.'
Because Glenn stood as the apex swordsman of the era, it appeared that those consumed by martial obsession were inevitably pulled into his orbit.
-You aren't exactly normal yourself.
Wrath let out a mocking snort.
-Have you forgotten the madness you’ve dealt with?
The small being wagged his chin, prompting Raon to reflect.
'Point taken.'
Raon grimaced, recalling the many foes who had displayed a disturbing fixation on him. Ironically, the most obsessed individual was currently Evelyn, who was now part of their household.
-That old man seems to regret not centering his life on his own progress, but I disagree.
Wrath gave a sharp click of his tongue.
-If he were a solitary wanderer, that would be one thing, but if he leads a legion, their prosperity must come first!
As a Ruler of the Devildom who valued his subjects, Wrath viewed Glenn’s leadership as the correct path.
-Those who desert their people to chase personal might lack the essence of a true king!
'I am of the same mind.'
As Wrath pointed out, Glenn had moved beyond his past as a solitary tyrant. He had reached a higher state of existence by learning the value of his kin and his house. Had he remained the cold loner of his youth, he would likely never have achieved the absolute martial heights he occupied today.
"Had we fought this day, I am certain I would have fallen."
Glenn let out a resonant, heavy sigh.
"The disparity between one who chases a single goal and one who carries a multitude of burdens is inevitable."
He ground his teeth, forced to acknowledge the Heavenly Demon's terrifying singular focus despite the wound to his pride.
"Grandfather."
Raon fixed his eyes on the older man.
"I hope you harbor no remorse for the years gone by. Even if the Heavenly Demon discarded everything for a single duel, the moments you shared with us possess a value far greater than his isolation."
It was through Glenn's mentorship that Raon and the elite warriors of Zieghart had reached such heights. It was that very collective strength that ensured their total victory over Derus Robert.
"Just as you placed your faith in us, I will support you in return. Whether it involves your seclusion, your training, or the battle itself, simply give the word."
He spoke with conviction, knowing that every martial artist within the walls of Zieghart had flourished under the shadow of Glenn’s protection.
"......"
Glenn stared at him, looking momentarily stunned. It was clear he hadn't anticipated such a heartfelt response.
"Kuk, kahahahahaha!"
A rare, booming laugh erupted from him as he held his forehead.
"Did you honestly think I would regret the energy I invested in all of you?"
Glenn shook his head with absolute certainty.
"I felt a sense of shame regarding my own limitations. While guiding your paths, I should have still found the capacity to sharpen my own blade and maintain my edge against the Heavenly Demon."
He lowered his hand, clarifying that his frustration wasn't directed at the family, but at what he perceived as his own complacency.
"I have zero regrets about the bonds we've formed or the affection I have for this house."
Glenn struck his chest with his fist.
"About the secluded training, then..."
Raon watched the gesture, waiting for the plan.
"I have no intention of resigning my title or stepping away permanently. I merely wish to meet my greatest rival as the Martial Artist Glenn Zieghart, at the absolute peak of my power."
Glenn nodded, indicating his desire to face the Heavenly Demon without any lingering doubts.
"I can do this now because there are those I can rely on to uphold the legacy of Zieghart."
A gentle smile crossed his face as he looked toward the side.
"Patriarch. You sent for me?"
Karoon Zieghart, Master of the Central Martial Palace, approached with a measured gait. Having answered Glenn's summons, he arrived at the annex and immediately bowed in respect.
"Ah..."
Raon let out a soft sound of realization as he watched the interaction.
'Is he handing the reins to Karoon for the duration?'
Glenn had spoken of someone capable of holding the house together, and that person was evidently Karoon Zieghart.
'In the past, he would have been a poor choice, but now...'
It was a solid decision. Karoon might actually excel as a leader. Having genuinely atoned for his former bitterness and ascended to the rank of Transcendence, he no longer sought hollow glory. Instead, he worked diligently for the family's welfare, making him the ideal candidate for a temporary transition.
"I intend to begin a period of closed-door meditation tomorrow. I want you to manage the affairs of Zieghart while I am away."
Glenn gestured casually, as if he were asking someone to watch over a small shop rather than one of the world's great powers.
"Pardon...?"
Karoon stood frozen, blinking in confusion much like Runaan when she was fighting off lethargy.
"I don't quite comprehend. I ask for further clarification."
Despite his shock, Karoon maintained his composure and requested more information.
"I am preparing for the final clash with the Heavenly Demon. In my absence, the family requires a steady hand. It is a temporary arrangement, but I am asking you to step into the role."
Glenn provided a more thorough explanation with a slight nod.
"I see..."
Karoon’s lips twitched as he struggled to process the gravity of the request.
"Report to the Lord’s Manor at sunrise tomorrow. We will handle the formal transition then."
Glenn dismissed the matter as if it were a simple task.
"...I understand."
Displaying the mental fortitude of a Transcendent, Karoon quickly regained his footing and bowed. Seeing him prioritize the weight of the responsibility over the fact that he was finally achieving his lifelong ambition of leading the house suggested he would handle the role with great care.
"Raon. Since you have offered your assistance, you are also expected at the Lord’s Manor at dawn."
Glenn turned his attention to Raon, his expression thoughtful.
"Yes, I will be there."
Raon gave a respectful bow. While he was there to aid Glenn's breakthrough, the experience of witnessing such high-level cultivation would undoubtedly benefit his own progress as well.
"One more thing."
Glenn held up a finger, addressing both Raon and Karoon.
"Karoon, during your tenure as acting Patriarch, if Raon concludes his part of the training and emerges before I do, you are to transfer the authority to him."
He moved his finger between the two of them with a faint smirk.
"Fairness in opportunity is essential."
Glenn shrugged, noting that he would formalize this the following day.
"An opportunity..."
Raon felt a surge of tension at those words.
'I assumed Karoon was the sole choice.'
It seemed Glenn wasn't just focusing on his duel; he was using this period as a test to determine who was truly fit to lead Zieghart into the future.
'Grandfather remains as calculating as ever.'
Raon had worried that Glenn was being driven solely by the Heavenly Demon's pressure, but the Patriarch had planned for every contingency. Even now, the family's stability was his primary concern.
"I accept those terms."
Karoon nodded, as if he had anticipated Glenn would implement such a condition.
"However, I believe the conditions are not entirely equitable."
He frowned, looking dissatisfied with the arrangement.
"Explain yourself."
Glenn tilted his head.
"Patriarch, you previously stated that the succession would be heavily influenced by those who contributed most to the downfall of Derus Robert and the suppression of Eden."
He glanced at Raon as he mentioned the succession.
"By any objective measure, the Master of the Light Wind Palace is the one who achieved the most in this conflict. I believe he deserves a more significant window of opportunity."
Karoon spoke with a calm sincerity, suggesting that Raon’s immense contributions earned him a longer period as the acting head of the house.
"There is no cause for concern on that front."
Glenn allowed a thin smile to play on his lips.
"I will ensure the Light Wind Palace Master concludes his training first. Since I will remain in seclusion longer, he will have ample time to experience the responsibilities of the office."
He smiled, assuring them that Raon would have his fair share of the burden.
"And in return, you will have to assist me when that time comes."
"Then we are in agreement."
Karoon folded his hands, satisfied with the clarification.
"Very well."
Glenn gave Karoon’s shoulder a fatherly pat.
"It is settled. See you both at the Lord’s Manor tomorrow."
He left Raon with those parting words and began the walk back to the main complex, with Karoon following close behind.
"......"
Karoon offered Raon a brief, silent greeting before trailing after the Patriarch.
-Unbelievable!
Wrath watched Karoon’s retreating figure with wide eyes.
-That man’s entire life was defined by his hunger for that seat! And yet he just offered to step aside? He’s truly lost his mind!
The spirit shook his head in disbelief, as if witnessing a total reversal of the natural order.
-The change in him is staggering! It’s like watching a demon turn into a saint!
Wrath hovered in front of Raon’s face, demanding an explanation for such a shift.
'The analogy is a bit extreme, but...'
Raon nudged Wrath aside, a faint smile touching his face.
'You’re not wrong. He has changed significantly. And because of that...'
He watched Karoon’s steady, upright posture as he walked away.
"The role of Patriarch isn't going to be an easy path for either of us, is it?"
