"Huu..."
Raon exhaled deeply, lowering Heavenly Drive as he wiped away the beads of sweat that were pouring down his face like a summer rainstorm.
'This is no joke.'
Engaging in a conversation of blades with Glenn was far more taxing on his physical and mental fortitude than any life-or-death struggle he had faced in the field. Even without the use of lethal aura or the immediate threat of execution, the sheer pressure of clashing Soul Swords surpassed the intensity of any previous combat.
'But it’s rewarding. More than that...'
I can actually feel the progress.
With every collision of their Soul Swords, Raon could sense his own blade becoming more resilient and tempered. It was as if his very spirit were a piece of raw iron being shaped into a legendary weapon by the rhythmic strikes of a master smith; the more they fought, the more his internal sword solidified.
It was evident that Glenn was fully aware of this phenomenon and was intentionally acting as the anvil to help Raon’s Soul Sword reach its peak.
"I am grateful."
Sensing the intention behind Glenn's actions, Raon offered a respectful bow.
"Because of your guidance, my Soul Sword has managed to ascend to a new level."
Back when he faced Archangel Sariel, he had refined his control and fluidity, yet the raw fundamental power of the sword hadn't truly spiked. Today, however, through this relentless exchange with Glenn, that power had finally surged forward. Knowing this was the result of Glenn’s deliberate effort, Raon felt a sincere need to voice his appreciation.
"The pleasure was mine as well. Furthermore..."
Glenn dismissed the thanks with a casual wave of his hand, his expression serene.
"You performed brilliantly during your tenure as the Temporary head of house. It is only fitting that you receive a reward commensurate with such service."
He offered a soft smile, implying that this training session was his way of honoring the accomplishments Raon had achieved while holding the family's reigns.
"Though, to be perfectly honest, your rate of growth has outpaced my expectations so much that I'm struggling to find ways to reward you anymore."
Glenn gave a small click of his tongue, noting that typical prizes would likely feel insufficient for someone of Raon's caliber.
"I still have a long path ahead of me," Raon replied, awkwardly scratching the back of his head.
"No, you’ve reached that height," Glenn chuckled, his eyes fixed on his grandson.
"Even with an open invitation to enter the family Treasury whenever you please, you haven't set foot in there once!"
He shook his head in mock disappointment, telling Raon he should at least drop by so they could see each other more often. With the signs of aging now more prominent on his face, Glenn didn't look like the terrifying patriarch of Zieghart at that moment, but rather like a doting grandfather waiting for a visit from his kin in a quiet village.
"Ahaha..."
Raon looked down, feeling a bit sheepish.
'Now that he mentions it, the family Treasury completely slipped my mind.'
He had accumulated several passes to the Zieghart Treasury as rewards for his various missions under Glenn’s orders. However, since he hadn't felt a pressing need for new equipment or artifacts, the idea of visiting had never really occurred to him.
-Wait! I’ve got a brilliant plan! Those passes...
Wrath interjected, raising a finger as a "genius" idea struck him.
-Trade them for all-you-can-eat tickets! They hold feasts at the Lord's Manor every so often, don't they? Go there instead!
The demon licked his lips greedily, imagining a scenario where they could raid a buffet until they couldn't move.
'...'
Raon shot Wrath a look of cold, sharp irritation.
-Why are you looking at me like that?! Food is the only thing that truly lasts!
Wrath gulped, clearly unsettled by Raon’s icy stare.
"I understand if you feel you don't need the physical riches stored in the Treasury, but..."
Glenn maintained a thin smile as he observed Raon.
"It would benefit you to go there frequently. That vault isn't just a place where we stack gold and steel."
He traced a circle in the air with his finger, hinting at a deeper significance.
"There are treasures there that go beyond the material."
Glenn’s smile widened, suggesting that the Zieghart Treasury still held secrets that hadn't been uncovered. In that instant, he once again radiated the aura of the legendary head of house who had built a legacy of greatness.
"I understand. I'll make sure to visit."
Raon returned the smile, promising Glenn that he would make the Lord's Manor a frequent stop.
"I'll hold you to that," Glenn nodded, looking genuinely pleased.
"If you don't show up, I'll just have to walk over to the annex building myself!"
He gave a short snort, threatening to invade Raon’s personal space if ignored. It seemed the changes in Glenn’s personality were even more profound than the physical ones.
"Of course."
Raon mirrored Glenn’s soft laugh and bowed deeply.
"You've done well, Raon."
The warmth vanished from Glenn’s face, replaced by a regal, towering dignity as he tilted his chin upward.
"Raon Zieghart. Temporary head of house."
Stepping back into his role as the absolute authority of the clan, he officially recognized the merit of everything Raon had accomplished.
"Mm..."
Raon pressed his lips together, feeling the weight of the solemn majesty Glenn projected—a presence even more imposing than before.
"Thank you. Holding the position of the family head provided me with invaluable perspective."
He lowered his head, allowing Glenn’s massive, wave-like aura to wash over his body without flinching.
"Is that so?"
Glenn’s eyes crinkled with satisfaction at Raon's response.
"What is your next move?"
He seemed genuinely curious about Raon's future plans.
"I have a vow to fulfill."
Raon placed a flat palm against his chest.
"I finally feel I have the strength to do it properly."
"I see. A vow."
Glenn gave a knowing nod, as if he understood exactly what Raon was referring to.
"Go on, then."
He dismissed him with a light flick of his wrist.
"..."
Raon gave a final respectful glance toward Glenn before exiting the audience chamber.
'I'm certain of it now.'
His hands were still buzzing from the residual power of Glenn’s aura as he tightened his fists and let a small smirk play on his lips.
'The head of house is invincible.'
Having just traded blows with him, Raon was convinced. Glenn’s martial prowess had transcended the limitations of this realm. Even if the Heavenly Demon were to emerge from seclusion with some god-like power, Raon was certain Glenn would stand his ground and win.
Kuuuung!
Caught up in the lingering heat of the fighting spirit he’d witnessed, Raon pushed off with a heavy step, using high-speed footwork to race back toward the annex.
-I hate to admit it...
Wrath chimed in, sounding uncharacteristically somber.
-But I agree. Even that wretched Heavenly Demon won't find it easy to crack that old monster.
The demon king nodded, his thoughts aligning with Raon’s for once.
-However... no, never mind.
Wrath started to say something more about Glenn but bit his tongue, as if speaking the thought aloud would bring bad luck.
'How uncharacteristic of you.'
Raon let out a light laugh and reached up to pat the air where Wrath’s head would be.
'My mind is finally at rest.'
The burden of being the acting head of house had been a heavy one, but he was finally unencumbered. Knowing that Glenn had finished his meditation in a state that far exceeded his hopes had cleared away the last of his anxieties.
'Being the boss was okay, but I think I prefer passing the baton.'
Shouldering the entire Zieghart family had been an honor, but an exhausting one. If Karoon truly proved his growth in both skill and character, Raon felt he could happily hand over the leadership for good.
-I'm with you on that!
Wrath agreed enthusiastically, though clearly for different reasons.
-You shouldn't be wasting away in this boring human realm!
'But I am a human...?'
-Doesn't matter! Come to the Devildom! I'll groom you to be a real King!
The demon began to drool, his eyes gleaming with ambition.
-Wait... why am I salivating?
Wrath blinked in confusion as he realized he was leaking fluid.
'I think I know why.'
Raon chuckled, pointing toward the annex building where a thin trail of smoke was curling up from the chimney. The aroma of a home-cooked meal was drifting through the air, triggering Wrath’s instincts.
-Ah! That's the scent of pineapple pizza and butter-seared shrimp! And... is that lamb?
Wrath accurately identified the entire evening menu just by catching the scent on the wind.
-Hurry! We have to get there now!
The demon king gestured wildly toward the house, his dignity as a ruler completely forgotten in the face of dinner.
'King of the Devildom, huh...'
Raon smiled to himself as he looked at the warm glow of the annex and the food-obsessed demon by his side.
'Might be a fun trip.'
Once his business here was finished, he thought a brief excursion to Wrath’s home turf might not be such a bad idea.
-Forget the Devildom! Forget being King! Just run to the kitchen!
'...'
Raon was seated in the garden of the annex, his pen moving steadily across a page. He was lost in concentration, his eyes never leaving the notebook even as Sia and Yua bustled about nearby.
"Raon!"
Sia, unable to contain her curiosity any longer, marched over and plopped down in the chair across from him.
"What has kept you so busy all day?"
She narrowed her eyes, demanding to know what was so engrossing.
"There's a commitment I need to honor."
Raon offered her a quick smile before returning to his work. The paper he was using was high quality and pristine, as if he were crafting a formal volume from scratch.
"A commitment? Like what?"
Yua leaned in, her interest piqued by Raon’s secretive project.
"I can't recall the exact moment I made the promise, but it was a long time ago. It's finally time I made good on it."
Raon admitted, scratching his head as he realized how much time had passed.
"You? Late on a promise, Palace Master?"
Yua blinked in surprise; in all the time she'd known him, Raon was usually a man of his word to a fault.
"Exactly. Raon never misses a deadline!"
As Yua and Sia waited for an answer, a sharp, feminine voice cut through the air.
-Gah! No!
Wrath let out a horrified shriek and turned away.
-Not her again! Why is she here?!
Recognizing the voice instantly, the demon clutched his head in despair.
"You even kept your promise to rescue me!"
It was Evelyn. She had likely been observing from the shadows before tearing through a dimensional rift to appear, throwing her arms around Raon’s shoulders.
"I... I'm only human. I make mistakes too," Raon muttered, gently but firmly prying Evelyn off him while looking slightly flustered.
"And this particular promise is unique. I only recently gained the confidence to finish it."
He explained that this task required a specific level of mastery he hadn't possessed before.
"Hmm."
Sia made a thoughtful sound as she peeked at what he was writing.
"I can't make head or tail of this. You keep drawing the same person over and over, and these notes are strange..."
She rubbed her cheek, looking puzzled.
"Wait, is that a Martial Arts Manual?"
Yua’s eyes went wide as she caught a glimpse of the diagrams.
"A manual?"
Sia blinked. Having learned her skills directly from mentors, she had never actually seen a physical manual being written before.
"It is! Look, that figure is holding a blade!"
She clapped her hands, finally understanding the purpose of the illustrations.
"Haaa..."
Evelyn let out a long, shaky breath as she stared at Raon.
"Our Raon is even a talented artist..."
She bit her lip, though her gaze wasn't on the drawings at all; she was focused entirely on the ripple of muscles in Raon’s back as his hand moved across the page.
-Eeeek!
Wrath wailed in terror at Evelyn’s intense reaction.
"Mm..."
Ignoring the chills running down his arm from Evelyn’s proximity, Raon continued to fill the pages.
"So, who is the lucky recipient of this masterpiece? Is it for me?"
Sia asked with a hopeful, playful grin.
"If you want one, I’ll write a different one just for you, sister. But the owner of this specific book was decided a long time ago."
Raon shook his head firmly, though he looked a bit apologetic.
"And who might that be?"
Evelyn began tracing her nails, her expression darkening as if she were ready to eliminate any female competition.
"He's arriving now."
Raon gestured with his chin, his eyes still glued to his work. In the distance, a man with a frame as sturdy as a mountain was approaching, his heavy footsteps echoing through the garden.
"Hey! Nephew!"
It was Balder Zieghart. The leader of the True Martial Palace and a practitioner of the Flexible Sword—a style that sat in odd contrast to his massive build—waved enthusiastically as he approached.
"I've been hearing great things about your work!"
He let out a boisterous laugh, clearly happy to see Raon after their time apart.
"So, what's the word on my technique?"
Balder held up his hand in his customary greeting, asking if Raon had finally figured out his new sword style.
"It’s finished."
Instead of his usual request for more time, Raon announced the completion of the art and shut the notebook.
"Right, right, I can wait as long as... wait, what?"
Balder, who was prepared for another "not yet," froze mid-sentence, his eyes bulging.
"Wait, you actually finished it?"
"I did. This style..."
Raon held up the book, the ink still fresh on the cover, with an air of absolute certainty.
"This will be the path that leads you to become a Transcendent."
