Chapter 693

[The new trait Death Conquering Flame has been created.]

Raon swallowed nervously, eyes on the final message, the one about him gaining a trait.

‘I can tell what it does just from looking at it.’

The Death Conquering Flame was definitely a trait that allowed him to withstand Derus’s energy of death.

‘Why did I suddenly get this...? Ah! Is it because I absorbed the energy of death remaining in the Beast King’s body?’

The energy of death scattered inside Ogram’s mana circuits was absorbed into the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and the Ring of Fire—regardless of his intentions. The energy from back then must’ve created the Death-Conquering Flame.

[Death Conquering Flame

The damage from the energy of death is reduced while the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation is burning.]

Raon clenched his fist after checking the trait’s description.

Just as he thought, the Death Conquering Flame allowed him to resist Derus’s energy.

‘This is an unexpected gain.’

Derus's energy of death was a hard counter to everything alive. Gaining a trait that allowed him to overcome it was a huge benefit. Since ruining Derus Robert was still his goal, he felt like he had prepared a solid foundation to achieve it.

‘Let’s check the other messages, too.’

Raon checked the other messages while suppressing his laughter.

[You’ve achieved a great feat.]

[All stats have increased by 20.]

[The trait Evil Eye of Wrath has increased in rank.]

[The trait Backstab has increased in rank.]

[A new title Savior has been created.]

‘As expected, the rewards are related to what I accomplished.’

The improved traits and new titles implied that the system’s rewards were based on his achievements. He could guess that the system was always watching him and decided the rewards accordingly.

‘If what Wrath said is true, it must have intelligence.’

Wrath had been saying that he wanted to beat the system up and destroy it. When Raon thought about it, he had the feeling that the system wasn’t just a device.

‘I’d like to see it one day.’

He wanted to meet the system one day and repay the favor. After all, the system and its messages had helped him so much.

‘I’m also curious about how Wrath is going to react.’

How was Wrath going to rampage if he saw Raon getting along with the system more than himself? It was something to look forward to.

‘Hey.’ Raon briefly licked his lips and weakly tapped on the ice flower bracelet. ‘How long are you going to sleep?’

Wrath was annoying when he was around, but now that he was gone, it felt as boring as Nadine bread without the rubber taste.

Raon tapped on the bracelet one more time before lowering his gaze. He saw that Glenn and Ogram were still arguing.

“What are you so displeased about?” Ogram furrowed his brow, saying that he couldn’t understand the issue. “It’s not like I’m trying to take advantage of him. I just want to make him my foster grandson and be nice to him!”

“He doesn’t need a weakling like you, who got trounced by some White Blood Religion leech!” Glenn shook his hand, telling him to look for someone else if he wanted a foster grandson.

“I want to be Raon’s grandfather, not yours! It’s not even your problem!”

“Even if I told you the reason, you wouldn’t be able to cover up your defeat.”

“Ugh, but it was a two-to-one...” Ogram bit his lip, murmuring that he couldn’t do much about it because he was taken by surprise.

“Since the name of the Six Kings was at stake, you aren’t allowed to lose even in a twenty-to-one, let alone a two-to-one.” Glenn raised his chin and nodded it at him in a triumphant manner. “Focus on recovery if you’re done talking. There’s going to be a Conference of the Six Kings soon. You shouldn’t participate in this state.”

“Is it going to be a remote conference?”

“There’s no other choice. If the Six Kings gathered in one location right now, our main bases might be attacked in the meantime.” Glenn nodded, saying that it was the natural thing to do.

“Haa, I caused so many problems,” Ogram sighed bitterly, touching the wound on his chest, which had been pierced by a blade. “I’m so embarrassed that I can’t even face everyone.”

“Did you seriously ramble about making Raon your grandson despite being aware of that fact?”

“Th-that’s different! I just wanted to do lots of things for him...” He tried to give excuses, but Bellerton, the Beast Union’s vice leader, opened the door and entered.

“Leader, I brought it.” Bellerton handed over the thin book and wooden box he was holding.

“Good job.” Ogram stared at the book and the wooden box for a moment before he gestured at Raon with his hand. “Raon, come over here.”

“Yes.” Raon nodded and walked up to Ogram’s bed.

“Take it.” Ogram held out the book and the wooden box he’d just received.

“What? Why are you giving those to me...?”

“I can’t just thank you with words when you saved the leader of the Beast Union.” He casually shook the book and the wooden box with a hearty laugh. “This book is about an extremely advanced fist art called the White Lotus Divine Fist, and the wooden box contains the best elixir of the Beast Union, the Life Lotus Pill. I would like you to take them without reserve.”

Ogram threw the book and the wooden box without any hesitation.

Raon gasped and caught the book and wooden box flying in the air. He could sense an intense heat from inside the wooden box. It had to contain a high-grade elixir, just like Ogram had explained.

“I’ll take the book, but wouldn’t it be better for you to take this elixir and accelerate your recovery?” He held out the wooden box to Ogram as he spoke.

“Kuhuhuhu!” Ogram laughed quietly while sweeping his disheveled hair back. “See? This is why I want Raon to be my foster grandson.” He bobbed his finger towards Glenn. “Raon must be the only person who can say that with the Life Lotus Pill in front of him.”

Ogram lightly pushed back the wooden box that Raon was holding out with a commanding gaze and continued, “I’ve already taken the Life Lotus Pill three times so far. You should be aware, but the elixir becomes a lot less efficient whenever you take the same one. It’s practically meaningless to me at this point.”

“Hmm...”

As he said, taking the same elixir multiple times drastically reduced its efficiency. If Ogram really had taken it three times so far, the Life Lotus Pill must’ve been even worse than a low-grade elixir as far as he was concerned.

“Take it. My arm is starting to hurt.”

“Thank you.”

Raon lowered his head and carefully accepted the book of White Lotus Divine Art and the Life Lotus Pill’s box.

“Ahem!” Glenn cleared his throat with trembling lips, satisfied by the fact that Raon was being complimented.

“What do you think? I should deserve to be Raon’s foster grandfather with all those gifts...”

“Bullshit.” Glenn furiously lowered his eyebrows, as if his satisfaction had been a lie. “Do you want to fight me to the death?”

“You’re bitching at me even though I’m just trying to be nice to him.” Ogram shrugged his shoulders at his ridiculous reaction.

“Haha...” Raon just awkwardly laughed, stuck between the two absolute rulers of the Six Kings.

“Wait, he should step up and take care of him by himself if he is going to act like that,” Rimmer whispered to Sheryl, laughing bitterly. “He’s just a jealous old man... Hieek!”

He gasped upon meeting Glenn’s sharply narrowed eyes.

“He must be feeling awkward.” Sheryl shook his head while letting out a small sigh.

“But how long is this going to continue? I can’t stand this frustration anymore.” Rimmer pounded his chest, expressing his irritation. However, he didn’t forget to carefully check Glenn’s mood this time.

“His heart is slowly opening up. After all, he followed him all the way here.” Sheryl watched the awkward grandfather and grandson, her eyes glowing faintly.

“So, when is the Conference of the Six Kings going to be?” Ogram looked at Glenn, supporting himself with his hands behind his back.

“Judging from Chamber’s personality, it wouldn’t be strange to get their message today. It’s going to start tomorrow or the day after at the latest.” Glenn lowered his finger, saying that the conference was going to be held in a few days.

“My lord.” Raon lowered his gaze slightly as he spoke to Glenn. “Can I participate in the Conference of the Six Kings?”

Derus Robert should’ve gotten the information about Ogram’s rescue, but he couldn’t have found out the fact that Ogram managed to wake up. Raon wanted to see his astonished face.

“You don’t even need to ask. You will have to participate.” Ogram raised his hand, saying that he would obviously need to participate. “After all, you’re the one who saved me.”

“That animal is right. You’ll need to participate no matter what.” Glenn nodded in agreement, saying that Raon wasn’t allowed to refuse.

“And...” Raon lowered his head while looking at them. “How about keeping Lord Ogram’s injury a secret during the Conference of the Six Kings?”

“Wait... Are you thinking one of the executives participating in the Conference of the Six Kings might be that swordsman’s spy?” Glenn narrowed his eyes, noticing Raon’s intention.

“Yes.” Raon nodded.

‘It’s not a spy though, since he is in the Six Kings himself.’

Raon couldn’t tell him about Derus yet since there was no proof.

“It’d be better to hide it for now, like he suggested.” Ogram calmly nodded. “He had a good understanding of my personality. It’s highly likely that a spy managed to enter the upper echelon of the Six Kings.”

“Alright, we’ll follow your suggestion.” Glenn calmly nodded.

“Thank you!” Raon lowered his head at both Glenn and Ogram.

“You can take your leave now, and the same goes for everyone else.” Glenn shook his head, saying that he had something to talk to Ogram about in private.

“Yes.” Raon curled his lips into a faint smile as he left Ogram’s palace.

‘I’m looking forward to it.’

He was filled with anticipation about Derus Robert’s reaction when he saw Ogram joining the conference.

* * *

“You’ve really changed a lot. No, should I be saying that you returned to your past self instead?” Ogram chuckled, lowering his trembling hand. “You were such a cold-hearted bastard before Raon was born. He must’ve had a huge influence on you, considering how much you’ve changed.”

He nodded while looking at the door where Raon had left and added, “Well, I guess it’s understandable that you’d make that face. After all, the warmth he possesses inside of him is even more important than his strength. I’m slightly jealous of you.”

“Ahem!” Glenn let out a loud cough to clear his throat and lowered his eyes. “Are you jealous?”

“What?”

“I asked you if you are jealous that Raon is my grandson.”

“...I just told you that I’m jealous.”

“Hmph!” Glenn raised his chin proudly at his expected response. “His talent in martial arts is the greatest in history, he is highly respected, virtuous, and deeply filial.”

“ I know—”

“Moreover, he has a mysterious ability that even I haven’t managed to figure out. He’ll be able to surpass someone like you before he even reaches thirty.”

“Hey, I already told you that I’m jealous.”

“And look at his appearance. He is extremely handsome. He is the best in the continent, not just in his talent for martial arts but also in appear—”

“Argh, please stop already! It’s so irritating that I can’t stand listening anymo—hmm.”

Ogram shook his hand but slumped his shoulders as if the strength had suddenly left his body.

“Ogram.” Glenn furrowed his brow while looking at Ogram’s convulsing arm. “...How bad is it?”

“Half, or even less.” Ogram bit his lip while looking at his enervated hand. “The fact that the White Blood Religion’s leader sucked my blood is part of the issue, but the energy of death was a huge contributor. It destroyed my lifeforce and mental world just by existing in my body.”

He shook his head, saying that it was such a dangerous power.

“What a fool.” Glenn’s voice was lamenting his loss rather than laughing at him. A look of regret was showing in his eyes.

“Yes, I was foolish.” Ogram sighed while looking up at the ceiling. “I’m sorry. I can temporarily hide it, but we won’t be able to restore the broken balance.”

He shook his head, saying that he wouldn’t be able to hide it for long.

“You are being too arrogant.” Glenn clicked his tongue while looking down at Ogram. “Your strength wasn’t that important in the Six Kings to begin with.” He simply turned around and headed towards the exit. “Just take care of your body.”

“Goodbye.”

Glenn left Ogram’s palace after hearing his farewell.

“Grandson, huh…?” Ogram chuckled while thinking about Glenn’s expression, which had become a lot brighter than before. “I never thought that I would be jealous of his family.”

* * *

Raon left Ogram’s palace and checked the book about the White Lotus Divine Fist.

‘What’s going on? It’s too easy to understand.’

He thought that it would be complicated since it was an extremely advanced martial art, but he could grasp it much more easily than he had expected.

“It seems easy, right?” Garona came up next to him with a cheerful smile on his face.

“How could you tell?” Raon asked.

“It’s because the White Lotus Divine Fist is based on the Tidebreaker Strike. You should be able to learn it without much difficulty, brother.” He smiled, saying that they should compete later on to see whose fist was stronger.

“Well, you should still win when it comes to punches.”

“But that common sense doesn’t apply to you, brother.” Garona shook his head with a smile. “I’m really thankful to you, brother.”

He watched Raon reading the book of White Lotus Divine Fist for a while, then he bowed deeply. Garona lowered his head low enough to reach the ground while expressing his sincere gratitude.

“My life is yours starting from today. If you want it, you can use my life however you wan—”

“You said that to me before.” Raon shook his head while looking into Garona’s passionate eyes. “There’s no need for thanks between brothers. A simple word of gratitude is enough.”

He patted Garona’s shoulder as he spoke.

“Br-brother! This is the first time my brother called me his brother! Brother!”

“Maybe I shouldn’t have said it...”

Garona said the word brother four times total in a single line. Raon started to feel dizzy.

“Brother!”

“Get away from me!” Raon frowned while pushing Garona back as he tried to cling to him.

Rimmer sniffled while watching Raon and Garona. “He grew up so nicely. Raon would’ve never called anyone his brother back when he was a trainee.”

He said that he was so proud of Raon with teary eyes.

“You’re making it sound like you were the one who raised him,” Sheryl pointed out.

“I did raise him though.”

“That’s not true. Raon grew up by himself.”

“Ugh...”

“Well, still.” Sheryl smiled gently while watching Raon suffer under Garona’s affection. “It’s nice to see him smiling like that. After all, he was really cold at first, just like you said.”

“Huhuhu, that’s not true.” Roenn calmly shook his head. “The young master just had a hard time grasping the distance with other people. He is similar to a certain person that we know.”

He smiled while looking around toward Glenn, who was coming out of Ogram’s palace.

“Get ready. It’s time for us to leave.”

“A-are you already leaving?” Garona gasped. “It’s a shame, though.”

“No, they should leave now.” Bellerton shook his head, holding a crystal ball in his hand. “The Conference of the Six Kings is going to start tomorrow at noon.”

* * *

The next day at noon.

Raon went to the lord’s manor wearing a black formal outfit. Sheryl, Roenn, Denier, and Balder had already arrived in the audience chamber and were waiting for the conference to start.

Raon bowed at Glenn and went to stand next to Sheryl.

“It’s starting soon.”

Chad, the leader of Shadow Agents, gestured with his chin, and the magicians in black robes created five blue screens at the center of the audience chamber.

Whir!

After around a minute, Chamber appeared in the first blue screen, waving her hand while wearing a witch hat that was even bigger than herself.

“You can see me, right?” She shook her finger and put a lollipop in her mouth.

Zzzt!

As soon as Chamber finished her greetings, the second blue screen sparked, showing King Lecross, from Owen. "It’s been a long time since we last met. It’s unfortunate that our reunion had to be under these circumstances."

He lowered his head in a disciplined manner befitting a knight.

Whap.

The third person who showed up was Derus Robert. He simply greeted everyone without saying anything, his face pale.

Raon bit his lip weakly while watching Derus’s acting.

‘I’ll be watching to see how your mask is going to break.’

He straightened his back, suppressing the urge to start laughing at him.

Whir!

The fourth window sparked black.

However, her face didn't show up, unlike the others. The sound of something boiling was the only thing that could be heard.

“It’s been a while, everyone...”

A depressing voice came from the black screen. Raon could guess that the voice belonged to the Magic Tower’s master.

“Hey, stop shutting yourself in your room and come out here already!”

“I’ll do it later...”

Chamber furrowed her brow, asking the Magic Tower’s Master to show up already, but the screen remained black.

Zzzt!

The last blue screen started to shake, as if there were an earthquake.

“The Beast Union’s screen is always like that.” Chamber clicked her tongue in displeasure.

“Since the Beast King was defeated, is their vice leader going to be joining?” King Lecross asked with a short sigh.

“I guess so. He was the one who received our call after all.” Chamber nodded while responding to King Lecross.

Zzzt!

As soon as they finished talking, the Beast Union’s screen sparked and Ogram showed up, a hearty smile on his face.

“Thank you for gathering because of me, everyone.” Ogram waved his hand toward the five Transcenders.

“Wh-what?! Why are you showing up now?!”

“Were you safe all along?”

“B-Beast King?”

Chamber, King Lecross, and the Magic Tower’s master gasped in astonishment.

“What even happened?! Did you manage to escape from the White Blood Religion?”

“I knew it! I believed in you all along!”

“Oh...”

Chamber and King Lecross looked surprised and happy at the same time. The Magic Tower’s screen was shaking intensely, implying that she was about to show up.

“Ah...”

However, Derus was reacting differently. His darkened eyes were trembling in shock, as if he’d witnessed something unbelievable.

Raon twisted his lips into a smile while watching Derus’s mask start to falter.

‘Yes, that’s the face I wanted to see.’

He had a feeling that the Conference of the Six Kings was going to be entertaining.

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