Chapter 694

“How am I here? Did you really think that something like the White Blood Religion could defeat me?” Ogram pounded his chest with his large hand, saying that they stood no chance against him.

“Stop bluffing, you beastly old man!” Chamber was smiling in relief despite her cold words.

“How is your condition? I can’t tell anymore what is true and what is false after seeing you like this.” King Lecross tilted his head, bewildered by the situation.

“I’m also curious...” The Magic Tower master asked, her screen shaking once more.

“......”

Raon was just staring at Derus Robert’s pale face, not paying any attention to the other Six Kings.

‘He’s panicking.’

While Chamber and King Lecross were surprised and glad at Ogram’s return, Derus Robert’s emotions were astonishment and panic. There was no mistaking it, not when Raon had lived as a dog on a leash for his entire past life. Derus Robert was seriously shocked, which was a rare thing to happen.

‘I need to engrave this into people’s minds, even a little. They need to see that he is acting strangely.’

The heads of the Six Kings were so focused on Ogram that they didn’t notice Derus’s distorted face. Raon figured it would be a good idea to shift their attention.

“I’ve never seen such a serious expression from the Sky Sword Saint. You must be so glad about the Beast King’s return that you’re shocked.” Raon smiled faintly while looking at the blue screen that was showing Derus.

His interference wasn’t seen as anything strange because the leaders and the executives of the Six Kings were all speaking with joy. Moreover, he wasn’t ruining the happy atmosphere because he was hiding the truth behind a joke.

“Hmm...”

Glenn’s red eyes shifted toward the third screen. He quickly skimmed over Derus’s expression, thinking that Raon wouldn’t have said that for no reason.

“That’s true. I’ve never seen that expression from him before.”

“It’s definitely surprising enough.”

Chamber and King Lecross also narrowed their eyes while checking out Derus's distorted face.

“Light Wind Division leader!” Denier furrowed his brow at his rude behavior, which was strange from him.

“No, he is right.” Derus casually shook his hand, and the usual gentleness in his eyes naturally returned. “My expression must’ve been ruined because I was so glad of Sir Ogram’s return.”

He apologetically put his hands together in front of him.

“Hey, are you that happy about my return?” Ogram showed a hearty smile at Derus while stroking his angular chin.

Despite the kindness of his words, his gaze was that of a fiery glare.

“Actually, my youngest son came to see me as soon as he heard the news about Sir Ogram and told me that there was no way it could’ve happened. I told him that I didn’t think that it could be true either, and I’m glad that I can deliver this good news to my son.”

Derus used his youngest son, Lephon Robert’s, name with a generous smile on his face.

“He must be the one from the Conference of the Six Kings.”

“Yes. He feels a huge sense of belonging to the Six Kings. He is a huge fan of Sir Raon as well.” He nodded, his expression suggesting that the mere thought of Lephon made him happy.

‘Hah...’ Raon gasped while watching Derus’s conversation with Ogram. ‘Did he really use his son as an excuse just now? He really is insane.’

Once Derus Robert realized that his plan had gone wrong, his panic only lasted for an instant and he immediately used his son to lower the attention directed at him. Even though he was an enemy, Raon couldn’t help but admire his wits, which allowed him to come up with that idea in such an agitated state.

“It could’ve been really rude on my part. I’m glad that the Light Wind Division leader was watching me.” Derus Robert lowered his head slightly, expressing his gratitude.

“It was nothing. It just caught my eyes because you suddenly looked gloomy despite being someone who usually smiles a lot.” Raon shook his hand, brushing it off as nothing special but emphasizing the fact that Derus was acting unusually.

“I’m honored to hear that the Light Wind Division leader, who is going to be the next generation’s best warrior, thinks of me like that.”

“There must be no swordsman in the world who doesn’t look up to the Sky Sword Saint. After all, you are always respectful and you always have a smile on your face.”

By saying always, Raon was implying that this was an exception. It was a battle of words. Raon curled his lips without losing to Derus in the slightest.

“The Light Wind Division leader—”

Just as Derus was about to continue, the fourth blue screen sparked, filling the dark screen with yellow color.

“Hello, everyone...”

A blonde woman raised her hand weakly inside the screen, which seemed to be under the evening glow. She was an extreme beauty who could captivate anyone, but the dark circles under her eyes and the small mole on her nose gave her a haggard impression.

Raon assumed that the woman he was seeing was the last king among the Six Kings, the master of the Magic Tower, Larian.

“Larian, you’re looking good today.” Chamber smiled cheerfully while looking at Larian’s face.

“You’re looking bright indeed.” King Lecross nodded in agreement.

“I think I’m feeling better after seeing that the Beast King is safe...” Larian smiled awkwardly and fiddled with her hair, which flowed past her shoulders.

Raon gasped while watching their conversation.

‘Did they just say that she looks well after seeing that appearance?’

He was bewildered by how they described her appearance. After all, she looked like she could die at any moment.

“That’s enough about me...” Larian raised her hand with difficulty and pointed at Ogram. “Let’s hear the Beast King’s story. I’m sure everyone is curious...”

“That’s true.” Chamber nodded and shifted her gaze towards Ogram. “Tell us what happened. Don’t say anything stupid like you managed to overcome all difficulties by yourself.” She shook her finger, urging him to tell the tale.

“I’m also curious. Would you do us the favor?” Derus Robert lowered his head, putting his hands together in front of him.

Raon was having a hard time suppressing his nausea because the perpetrator behind the incident was acting so politely in front of them.

“I have one thing that I need to make clear to all of you.” Ogram nodded while letting out a small sigh. “That old kid is right. I didn’t manage to survive on my own. I was helped by someone.”

“Who are you calling an old kid?!” Chamber raised her small fist, threatening to kill him if he spoke any further.

“Help? Was it an insider in the White Blood Religion?” King Lecross ignored Chamber, solely focusing on Ogram.

“No, my life was saved by the swordsmen of the Northern wind.” Ogram raised his finger and pointed at Glenn and Raon.

“Northern wind...?”

“Zieghart?”

“Wait, what...?”

* * *

The leaders and the executives of the Six Kings widened their eyes at the completely unexpected declaration.

“Let me explain from the start. I went to the Chiran tribe after hearing that the White Blood Religion was attacking them. When I arrived, the White Blood Religion’s leader was slaughtering people, just like the report said. I was infuriated at the sight and managed to drive her to the verge of death. However, someone took me by surprise when I was about to finish her off. He was a swordsman with a black sword, using the energy of death...”

Ogram explained his circumstances to everyone in the Six Kings even though it was a shameful event.

Raon was solely focused on observing Derus while listening to Ogram. Derus wasn’t showing his real expression anymore, wearing his mask because of his earlier mistake. He was such a meticulous person.

“...That’s how I managed to return to the Beast Union,” Ogram explained the entire story and casually shook his hand. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Glenn, Zieghart’s executives, and Raon.”

He furrowed his brow, saying that he would still be confined in the White Blood Religion or dead in the worst case.

“Raon, how did you even find that geezer’s trace?” Chamber asked while gasping in surprise.

“It was thanks to Tidebreaker.” Raon raised his finger and unleashed Tidebreaker’s energy. “I managed to find the trace thanks to the energy that Sir Ogram’s Tidebreaker left behind.”

He simply told her the truth because the information about Tidebreaker wasn’t a secret.

“Even if you’ve learned Tidebreaker, shouldn’t your realm still be too low?” King Lecross scrunched his nose, unable to understand how he managed to do it.

“Yes, I’m still inexperienced and only managed to reach six stars. I just got lucky.”

“S-six stars?” His eyes widened, clearly doubting his ears. “Have you already reached six stars when it hasn’t even been a year since you started to learn it?”

“That can’t be...”

King Lecross and Chamber stared at Raon with trembling lips.

“Right? He surprised me too.” Ogram giggled, saying that it was difficult to believe.

“He is really something. His scene has to be the continent, not just Zieghart.”

“I agree. Even if he learned magic instead, he would’ve become the youngest archmage.”

“R-really?” Larian inhaled deeply while looking around at Raon.

“Yes. If I had been the first one to find Raon, I would’ve brought him to my side even if I had to fight Glenn to the death.” Chamber clicked her tongue, saying that it was a shame.

“He would’ve been amazing as a knight as well. There aren’t many warriors nowadays with such a noble spirit of chivalry.” King Lecross nodded his head, showing that he was also proud of Raon.

“Ahem!”

Glenn’s lips trembled intensely whenever the leaders of the Six Kings complemented Raon, and he ended up doing nothing but clearing his throat, half his face covered by his hand. He looked both sick and extremely happy at the same time.

“He can’t even stand straight because the Transcenders are complimenting his grandson,” Sheryl laughed bitterly at his behavior.

“Huhuhu, it’s understandable since such important figures are complimenting him.” Roenn smiled brightly as well whenever he heard Raon being praised.

“Sir Ogram, how is your body? It shouldn’t be in a good condition because it was subjected to both the energy of death and bloodsucking...”

Derus Robert asked the question that he was the most curious about while pretending to be worried about Ogram. He was trying to get information about how the separation between the body and soul was restored.

“The energy of death and bloody energy were all gone when I woke up. I don’t really know what happened, though, because I was unconscious.” Ogram shrugged his shoulders, then looked at Glenn and Raon.

“I’m the one who did that.” Glenn shook his hand heavily. The noble dignity engulfed him as if his trembling lips were just an illusion.

“......”

Raon was surprised, but he simply watched Glenn without saying anything.

‘Is he doing this for my sake?’

He could guess that Glenn was trying to hide Raon’s actions because he was thinking that the spy of the swordsman using the energy of death was participating in the conference. Raon remained silent because he could understand his thoughts.

“I see. You are as amazing as always.” Derus Robert smiled gently while stroking the back of his hand. “The presence of the Lightning God among the Six Kings must be a blessing for all of us.” He gave a big nod of approval, saying that he was really glad about it.

“By the way, that energy of death...” Chamber raised her finger. “Is that the same as the one you brought before...?”

“Yes, it is.” Raon nodded firmly while looking at Chamber. “He is the same person as the one who attacked me at the entrance of the Sword and Saber Sovereign’s grave.” He looked at the leaders of the Six Kings while gripping Heavenly Drive’s hilt.

“It looks like the swordsman using the energy of death is targeting the Six Kings,” Raon warned them with certainty. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that the whole reason why he participated in the conference was to warn them about that.

“Yes, he is an extremely dangerous guy. You should never be careless.” Ogram clenched his back teeth, saying that he couldn’t guarantee his victory even in a one-on-one battle.

“This information is priceless.” King Lecross let out a small sigh. “Thank you. The Light Wind Division leader really achieved a great feat.” He saluted at Raon, lifting his sword toward him.

“Both the grandfather and the grandson are competent. I seriously hate it.” Chamber smiled gently at Raon once again despite her words.

“Ahem!”

“That’s true! He is pretty good indeed!”

Glenn and Ogram nodded in satisfaction but furrowed their brows upon seeing each other.

“Hey, beastly old man. How is your condition? Are you able to fight?” Chamber asked.

“You’re asking an obvious question. I can destroy you right now if you want to try it,” Ogram snorted, telling her to stop asking the obvious.

“It must be true because your answer is as barbaric as always.” Chamber nodded while chuckling.

“Of course it’s true. And I have another thing to tell you. He was well aware of my personality. You should all be careful about him.” Ogram twisted his lips, secretly implying that a spy might be around.

“I’ll keep it in mind.” Derus nodded with a serious attitude, expressing his gratitude.

“The topic was interrupted, but about Raon’s talent, it’s overwhelming even compared to myself. No one among us managed to reach his realm at his age.” As soon as Ogram finished warning them about the swordsman with the energy of death, he started to compliment Raon once again.

“That’s true.”

“I believe the Light Wind Division leader’s true talent is his personality rather than his martial arts. It’s not an exaggeration to say that he is the role model of all knights with his chivalric spirit.”

“Ooh...”

Chamber and Lecross nodded in agreement, and Larian glanced at Raon with sparkling eyes.

“Ahem! Unprecedented in history? He isn’t that great!”

“No one said anything about him being unprecedented in history, though.”

Glenn only listened to what he wanted to hear while clearing his throat. The heavy atmosphere at the start of the Conference of the Six Kings was replaced by chatter, turning it into a conference about how to better praise Raon.

Raon lowered his eyes and calmly nodded.

‘It’s done now.’

Ogram showed up in his healthy state, all of the Six Kings were warned about the swordsman with the energy of death and his spy, and he managed to create a situation where Derus was bound to attack him.

It brought a smile to Raon’s face because he managed to achieve everything he’d been planning.

“...I see.” Derus was smiling to go along with the atmosphere, but his lips were curled inwards slightly.

Raon clenched his fist, watching Derus bite his lip slightly.

‘I can read his mind so clearly. He is so infuriated that he is about to explode.’

The gesture where he curled his lips inwards was something Derus only did when he was seriously angry. Despite his composed appearance, his mind was boiling in anger, like a volcano nearing its eruption.

‘It’s too early to be so angry.’

Raon curled his lips into a smile, watching Derus’s distorted expression.

‘Because we are only getting started now. It won’t take long until your mask is ripped away.’

Footnotes:

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