Chapter 647

Raon calmly closed his eyes, while watching the burning campfire.

‘It’s not ideal to use the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s martial arts as it is.’

Since the Sword and Saber Sovereign had lived such a long time ago and his realm was too high, it wasn’t exactly appropriate to teach to the Light Wind Division.

‘Should I really try to modify it?’

Since he’d memorized all of the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s martial arts and even fought against him, Raon figured it would be a good idea to create new martial arts suitable for the Light Wind Division.

“What are you thinking so hard about?”

A cheerful voice could be heard from his right as he was contemplating what to do.

Raon turned his head and saw Rimmer coming out of his tent, sweeping his disheveled hair back.

“Aren’t you going to sleep?”

“I’m not sleepy because I slept during the day on Dorian’s back.”

He looked at the sky, which was getting gradually brighter, and came towards Raon to sit next to him.

“I was thinking about the Sword and Saber Sovereign's martial arts.”

“The Sword and Saber Sovereign’s martial arts?”

“Yes. I want to teach them to the Light Wind Division, but I don’t think I can just use it as it is, so I was thinking maybe I should make one myself…”

“That’s a great idea!” Rimmer nodded, saying that it was a good idea. “You should already be aware, but you don’t become stronger just because you learned an advanced martial art. The important thing is to find the suitable one for each person.”

He swirled his finger into the air and continued, “Since you knew them so well, you should be able to create the perfect martial art for them.”

“I do know them well, but…” Raon let out a small sigh while looking at the tent where the Light Wind Division was sleeping. “I’m not sure if I’m capable enough to dismantle the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s martial arts to make a new one.”

Raon was aware that he’d gotten stronger, but the Sword and Saber Sovereign had reached transcendence. He was concerned by the fact that he had to dismantle his martial arts to create a new one.

“Well, you might end up failing,” Rimmer chuckled while looking up to the sky. “But what’s the problem with failing?”

“What?”

“You can just fix it if it breaks, and just throw it away to make a new one if it’s completely unusable.” He patted Raon’s shoulder with a smile. “You have enough ability and time for it. There’s nothing you can’t achieve, no matter how amazing the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s martial arts are.”

“Hmm…” Raon narrowed his eyes while looking at Rimmer. “I have no money.”

“Why are you talking about money now?” Rimmer screamed in bewilderment.

“Weren’t you asking for money by pretending to advise me?”

“No! And pretending to advise you? That’s so rude!” He ground his teeth, asking if he took him for a scammer.

“Rather than a scammer, a gambling addict, a lazybones, one with no future…”

“Stop it!” Rimmer covered Raon’s mouth, asking him to stop talking. “Anyway, you should be able to make a new martial art for the Light Wind Division without any issues. Just do the same thing as when you were making your own sword techniques.”

He nodded to encourage him.

“Vice division leader.”

“Hmm?”

“Did something happen recently?”

“Why?”

“I can’t get used to you because I’m the only one who is being advised by you. You weren’t saying anything to the others after all.”

“That’s the role of the advisor.” Rimmer shook his head, saying that it was only natural for him to do so. “By the way…”

“Yes?” Raon focused on him because he thought Rimmer was going to give another piece of advice.

“Do you really have no money? I can pay back next month already…”

“I don’t. I have no money for you even if I did.”

Raon briskly turned his head. He was looking forward to what he was going to say, but he was just being his usual self.

Yaawn. Shitty Ears is right.

As Raon let out a sigh, Wrath emerged from the bracelet while yawning widely.

It’s not like it’s going to break just because you use it a little. You can just keep trying it. It will take some time because your talent is insignificant, unlike the King of Essence, but it shouldn’t be completely impossible.

He bobbed his finger, encouraging Raon to try it while bragging about himself at the same time.

‘Yes, I should be able to make the best for them. After all, I’m not a stranger.’

During their ten years of living together, Raon had learned not only the martial arts of the Light Wind Division but also their preferences and personalities. Making martial arts for them wasn’t much different from making his own.

‘I should start by throwing away the frame of ‘saber and sword arts’.’

Raon activated the Ring of Fire. He increased his focus to dismantle the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s martial arts into pieces. He analyzed the advantages and drawbacks to distinguish what to obtain and what to throw away.

White light sparkled in the night sky while he was putting it together in his mind. No, it wasn’t a white light. A crow with a striking mix of black and white feathers swiftly descended from the sky.

“This bird…”

“It’s that geezer, the Gambling Monster’s, bird.”

Rimmer’s eyes widened as he looked at the crow. As he said, the crow was the smart animal that the Gambling Monster used for sending messages.

“I wonder if something happened.”

“There’s a letter attached to the ankle.”

Raon took the note from the crow’s leg and spread it.

[The vice head of the Council of Elders is picking a fight with the annex building unreasonably. Return quickly if you can.]

It was the Gambling Monster’s writing. The letter was really sent by him.

“An unreasonable fight…?”

Rimmer could roughly guess the situation and furrowed his brow.

What do you mean? How could they pick a fight with them?!

Wrath’s face turned red, infuriated by the fact that someone was picking a fight with the annex building.

‘They’re probably bullying them with inspection rights or something.’

The Council of Elders was basically for the retired executives, but they also carried out the job of ensuring that the house didn’t stray away from the right path. Raon could guess that they were abusing their rights to bully the annex building.

‘And the reason for their action… must be me.’

The Council of Elders wasn’t picking a fight with the annex building because they didn’t like Sylvia. It was most certainly because they wanted to pressure him instead of Karoon.

Those shitty geezers! How dare they attack our mom? They should’ve been bullying you instead! The King of Essence will pluck all their beard hair out!

‘I also want to do that.’

Raon agreed with Wrath. They should’ve just come to him if they wanted a fight. Heading to the annex building while he was away was a method that only thugs in the backstreet would use.

‘I don’t think I should take care of them the same way as before.’

Raon could guess that more and more people would go for the annex building the stronger he got and the higher his position became. Dealing with them on his own wasn’t going to solve the issue.

“Raon, you are going, right?” Rimmer looked at him as if he already knew his decision.

“Yes, I’ll need to go right now.”

Raon burnt the letter from his hand while looking at the rising sun.

‘I’ll make you regret it.’

* * *

Raon Zieghart immediately ran towards the annex building as soon as he returned. He ground his teeth before he knew it as soon as he saw the annex building.

‘They completely destroyed the annex building.’

The flowers and trees, once gracefully swaying as if bowing to the wind, had been uprooted and scattered across the area. The flattened land was carved out, forming a gray hill amidst the chaos, making the scene resemble a battlefield.

The building itself was shattered, with sections collapsed in multiple areas. Every window frame had been ripped away, and the walls were riddled with holes, resembling a beggar draped in tattered rags.

The stupidest part was that the warriors from the council were only tossing around orders, and the maids were doing all the work of digging the ground or destroying the annex building.

Even Sylvia and Helen were digging out the garden.

Raon bit his lip and looked at the old man at the center of the garden. He was still sipping on his tea, not even standing up even though he saw Raon’s arrival.

‘Is he the vice head of the elders?’

Raon recalled crossing paths with him occasionally during events hosted by the house. They had never exchanged words, as it was clear from his demeanor that he regarded Raon as nothing more than a pest. The sudden encounter left Raon taken aback.

Is that son of a bitch the vice head?

Wrath lifted his fist.

Let the King of Essence advent right now! He will shove ice pieces in every single wrinkle he has!

He grabbed Raon by his collar and started to shake him, demanding that he hand over his body.

“What a shitshow.” Aries twisted her lips upon seeing the annex building’s state.

“Hah, this is way worse than I expected.” Rimmer laughed bitterly at the ridiculous sight.

“I can’t take it anymore. Let me take care of them.” Aries stepped forward, rolling her sleeve up.

“No.” Raon went to the front and shook his head towards Aries and Rimmer. “The annex building will take care of this matter internally.”

It wasn’t the first time people picked a fight with the annex building like that.

The reason all those pieces of shit kept picking a fight was because the annex building didn’t have power. That was why the annex building needed to solve it by themselves, to build a wall that no one would dare to attack.

“Yes, that’s true.”

Aries understood the meaning behind Raon’s words and took a step back. However, her fist was still clenched in frustration.

“Then I’ll be just watching as well.”

Rimmer nodded his arms crossed, showing his intention to just watch the situation as well.

Whir.

Raon rotated the Ring of Fire. Instead of showing his powerful pressure and anger, he decreased them instead as he walked up to the vice head of the elders.

“…Young Master.”

“Wh-when did you come back?”

Judiel and the maids were digging the ground and widened their eyes in surprise upon seeing Raon.

“Raon.”

“Young Master!”

Sylvia and Helen also put down their shovels and came towards him.

“Did you finish your mission and return? You are back earlier than I expected.” The vice head of the elders shook his hand with a faint smile on his face. “I’ve roughly heard your story. Collecting the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s martial arts is a rather amazing achievement. Good job.”

“......”

Instead of responding to the vice head of elders, Raon looked at Sylvia and the maids. Their faces were tainted with mud, mixtures of soil and sweat, and their hands were covered in bruises. Their shoes and skirts were full of dirt, implying that they’d been digging for a long time.

“Are you the vice head of the elders?” Raon shifted his gaze, suppressing the urge to immediately unsheathe his sword and split his head apart.

“What if I am?” The vice head of elders simply smiled, not being surprised at his insolent question.

“What do you think you are doing?”

“Th-this is the Council of Elders’ operation!”

A middle-aged man who seemed to be the vice head’s subordinate came forward instead.

“We obtained intel about criminal activities inside the annex—”

“I’m talking to your owner. A dog should stay out of this.” Raon furrowed his brow while looking at the vice head, not even taking a glance at Krisen.

“Y-you—!”

“Stay back, Krisen.”

The vice head of the elders chuckled and shook his hand at Krisen.

“As he said, we received a report that there was criminal activity in here. That’s why we’ve been investigating under the council’s rights.”

“What kind of criminal activity?”

“I can’t tell you about that.”

“Who gave you the information?”

“The source of information needs to be protected. I obviously can’t tell you about it.”

He twisted his lips into a smile, as if he were laughing at Raon.

“Judging from how it looks, you didn’t seem to have found anything. So why are you still here? The duration of the inspection must’ve already ended.”

“It’s because of the possibility that we just didn’t find it yet. The Council of Elders has always been able to extend the inspection three times. Everything is proceeding according to the rules.”

The vice head of the elders shook the document in his hand, saying that everything they were doing was legal.

“This is unrelated to this matter, but I’m the vice head of Zieghart’s Council of Elders. I’d like you to pay some respect to me.”

“The only reason why you still have your head attached to your shoulders is because I’m paying enough respect to you.”

“I heard you were a daredevil. That appeared to be an accurate way of describing you.”

The vice head of the elders lifted his teacup without the slightest change in his expression. He wasn’t easily provoked, as expected of an experienced old man who even managed to become the vice head of the elders.

"We’ll halt the inspection for today as a sign of respect for the Light Wind Division, who successfully completed their mission.”

He snapped his fingers, and the warriors from the Council of Elders, who’d been spreading all around the annex building, lined up behind him.

“Don’t hate us too much. Rules need to be kept, after all.”

“You will regret what you’ve done.” As the vice head of the elders turned around, Raon walked up to him and narrowed his eyes.

“I already heard that. I’m honestly disappointed because I thought you would shove your blade into me as soon as you returned.” The vice head of the elders made a mocking smile with his eyes.

“Don’t worry. I’ll satisfy your expectations.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

He casually shook his hand and left the annex building.

Arrrgh! Are you really letting him leave like that?

Wrath gritted his teeth.

Follow him right now and break his head! That’s your specialty!

‘Not yet.’

Raon bit his lip while watching the vice head’s back. Since their activity was legal, it could come to bite him back if he recklessly made his move.

“Raon.” Sylvia came in front of Raon and hung her head. “I’m sorry. I said I would protect the annex building, but there was nothing I could do…”

Her shoulders trembled in frustration as she kept her head lowered.

“…It’s alright.”

Raon held Sylvia’s trembling shoulders and shook his head. The matter would’ve only been aggravated if she hadn’t been able to suppress her anger and used her sword.

It was thanks to everyone, including the maids who’d endured the humiliation, that he could legally break the old fox’s head.

“Young Master.”

Judiel had gone into the annex building in the meantime, bringing out a small booklet, and handed it over to Raon.

“What is this?”

“It’s a document including the combined information from the Black Market and the Gambling Monster.”

Raon opened the booklet while listening to her. There was plenty of information about the vice head of the elders, written with unsteady letters. Raon could guess that Judiel had been wielding a shovel during the day and wrote it with her exhausted hand during the night.

“I hope it will be of help to you.”

“Thank you.” Raon rapidly read the booklet and nodded his head. “I can see how to proceed from now on thanks to you.”

“How to proceed?”

“Yes.” Raon twisted his lips while looking at Sylvia and the maids. “So that thugs like them can never try to harm the annex building ever again.”

* * *

Raon took the necessary measures to let Sylvia and the maids rest before he headed to the main building.

The Light Wind Division and the Void Sword Division were all waiting in front of the lord’s manor.

“Is it resolved?” Burren swallowed nervously and walked up to him.

“Haa… I don’t understand why there are so many people nowadays who can’t act their ages.” Martha furrowed her brow in irritation.

“Are you okay… division leader?” Runaan’s eyes were also unusually full of worry.

“Yes.”

Raon nodded his head, not towards just the three team leaders but everyone in the Light Wind Division, who was biting their lips behind them.

“So, what even happened?”

“Let’s talk about that later and focus on reporting for now.”

Raon casually shook his hand, then stood in front of the Light Wind Division.

Once they entered the lord’s manor, the Light Wind Division erased the confusion from their expressions and followed with frozen expressions. They were different from before. Every single one of them was wrapped in the pressure of a reliable warrior.

Raon headed to the audience chamber with a faint smile on his face. The huge door was already open, and Zieghart’s executives were standing in front of the pillars on both sides inside the chamber. The subordinate of the vice head of the elders that Raon had encountered a moment ago inside the annex building was positioned among the members of the direct lines.

Whir.

Glenn was resting his chin on his hand, sitting on his throne like always, but there was a serious heat in his gaze instead of the usual emptiness.

Tsk.

Aries nodded at Glenn and went on ahead. She settled next to the vice head’s subordinates, and she looked like she was about to cut him down if she didn’t like what he said because of how she was clicking her tongue.

Chad was standing next to her. He looked strangely relieved, as if he had just seen a friend.

Raon closed his eyes before opening them again to calm himself down. He signaled with his eyes for the Light Wind Division to follow him before he entered the audience chamber. Stepping upon the immaculate red carpet, he knelt in front of the platform.

“The Light Wind Division has completed its mission and returned.”

“The Light Wind Division has completed its mission and returned!”

He knelt and lowered his head towards Glenn. He could hear the Light Wind Division repeating his words and kneeling behind him.

“Stand up.”

Raon straightened his back upon hearing Glenn’s quiet voice.

“Light Wind Division leader.”

“Yes.”

“Wasn’t the Light Wind Division’s mission to scout Zieghart’s domain?”

“It was.” Raon calmly nodded since he was expecting that question.

It was overlooked because of how important the incident inside the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s grave was, but the Light Wind Division’s mission was scouting and guarding.

“Why did you head to the grave?”

“The villages around Zieghart were being harmed by the warriors who had gathered to look for the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s grave. It was endless even though we kept resolving those issues, so I decided that it was better to find the grave first in order to eliminate the source of the problem.”

“I see.”

Glenn nodded briefly, as if he was expecting that response. Raon realized that he must’ve asked the question for the other executives rather than for himself.

“Proceed with your report about what happened inside the grave.”

“Understood. We learned that the grave was found in the middle of a battle against the Snow Wraith Duchess, the sixth apostle, and the Master of the Abyssal Sword, so we immediately…”

Raon nodded and reported everything that had happened so far. Of course, he didn’t mention the parts that had to be kept a secret, like his ancestor’s memory.

“…That’s why we went to greet Balkar’s archmage and Owen’s king before we returned.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the heavy sound of breathing was all that remained in the audience chamber.

Apparently, they didn’t know that so many things had happened and only knew the rough outline of the situation.

“Huh…”

“H-he became powerful enough to defeat the Snow Wraith Duchess in a one-on-one battle…”

“That’s not all. He even stopped the Sword and Saber Sovereign! Even though he was weakened from the necromancy, how could he survive after fighting a person who used to be a Transcender…?”

“This is insane. It’s the only thing I can say if everything he said is true.”

The executives kept gasping in surprise.

“Ahem!”

Glenn briefly cleared his throat, covering the area around his mouth with his left hand. His face was as red as a well-ripened apple.

“It’s amazing that he managed to win against them, but isn’t it even more amazing that he found the grave’s control room?”

“Indeed. We should be able to use it as a training ground for our swordsmen after some refinement.”

“I think what happened after he came out from the grave was more insane. How did he even defeat hundreds of people after all those intense battles? Is he a zombie or something…?”

“Blade’s Rest. It’s ridiculous to think that a Zieghart sanctuary was suddenly founded over there.”

The executives pointed out every single detail of Raon’s feat and complimented him with smiles.

“Hmm…”

“Tsk.”

“Why are they making a big deal out of it?”

The direct line executives furrowed their brows in displeasure, but some of them were even sneering because they’d been bullying the annex building.

“Zieghart’s sanctuary? That sounds great!” Balder gave a heavy nod of approval that seemed to come from his heart. “What a shame. I wanted to be the one to make it!”

He swung his large fist into the air, saying that it was regrettable.

“It wouldn’t be able to become a sanctuary if it was you. Only the stench of blood would have remained.” Aries shook her head, telling him to stop wishing for the impossible.

“Aries is right.” Denier smiled faintly while looking at Raon. “It became a sanctuary because people respected that the Light Wind Division leader didn’t kill a single warrior. It’s difficult to do the same.”

“Hmm, that’s true.” Balder nodded while picking his nose. “I would’ve killed them all indeed. Good job.”

He clapped his hands exactly twice to praise Raon.

Raon nodded at Balder before he shifted his gaze back to Glenn.

“Ahem…”

Glenn seemed to be thinking about something, his hand still covering his mouth, but his fingers were trembling like a candle in the wind. His eyes were moving left and right at lightning speed, following whoever was speaking. Raon couldn’t understand what kind of reaction that was supposed to be at that point.

“My lord, I have a suggestion.”

Raon figured he wouldn’t be able to understand Glenn’s mind even if he kept waiting, so he decided to speak to him instead.

“I’m listening.” Glenn nodded, his gaze returning to the usual dry state.

“The Sword and Saber Sovereign is Zieghart’s ancestor and his grave was originally a training ground for Zieghart. Since Blade’s Rest was unexpectedly founded, I believe we should claim our possession of the land as quickly as possible.”

Raon continued, observing Glenn's intensifying gaze, “I’ve already received agreements from Owen and Balkar. The Sword and Saber Sovereign’s grave is slightly away from Zieghart, but there aren’t many other factions in between, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to obtain if we act quickly.”

No powerful faction was located between Zieghart and the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s grave. The Kingdom of Balkar and the Black Tower were located nearby, but since Balkar already acknowledged it, all they needed to do was to convince the villagers nearby and they could gain it without much difficulty.

“Hmm…”

Glenn took his hand off from his mouth while licking his lips. His calm face looked like he wasn’t shaking at all.

“That’s not necessary.”

“What? But it’s too good to leave it—”

The warriors in every stage could use the training ground to achieve growth. It was too good to just abandon it.

“That’s not what I meant.” Glenn calmly shook his head. He gestured with his finger, and Chad came forward. “Lucen Village, Yuphil Village, Tuzan City, and…”

Chad opened the map in the air and pointed at the villages and cities between Zieghart and the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s grave one after the other.

“The residents of the villages that the Light Wind Division helped have contacted us, stating their desire to join Zieghart.”

He nodded, saying that it was an excellent feat.

“You heard him.”

Glenn drew a stroke with his finger in the air, and a line was created on the map, connecting Zieghart to the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s grave.

Lucen Village, Yuphil Village, and Tuzan City. The neutral areas that the Light Wind Division had saved turned a golden color, symbolizing Zieghart.

“You and the Light Wind Division drew a line on the map under the name of Zieghart.”

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