Chapter 572

 

“Ugh!”

Karoon could only glare at Aris, unable to open his mouth again. His biting lips seemed to indicate that he was forcibly suppressing his frustration.

“Sister…”

Denier quickly shook his head, pleading for her to hold back as he clasped his hands together.

“Shh!”

Balder clenched his mouth shut, fearing that sparks might fly his way, and focused straight ahead.

“From now on, the moment any of your mouths open, you’ll be facing a life-or-death challenge with me. Got it?”

Aris pointed at Karoon, Denier, and Balder in turn, twisting her jaw sharply.

“Um…”

Even the leading generals, who were known for their strength, remained silent, not wanting to challenge a transcendent being.

After silencing her siblings, Aris returned to Raon’s side.

“If I want to call my nephew my nephew, anyone who has a problem with that, come forward. I’ll take you on.”

Naturally, no one raised their hand.

“None? Then from now on, anyone who tries to stop me from calling him nephew…”

“Miss Aris.”

Raon interrupted her, pointing to the platform where Glenn was naturally raising his hand.

“Aris Zieghart.”

Glenn looked down at her with eyes filled with emptiness.

“You still act like a thunderstorm even as you age.”

“Huh, I knew this would happen.”

Aris exhaled softly and lifted her gaze.

“I know the reason why we distinguish between direct and collateral lines. It’s necessary. But circumstances have changed.”

She defiantly arched her back, unwilling to be outdone by Glenn.

“Raon should belong to the direct line, and he has proven he has the qualifications to stand there.”

Aris took a step closer to Glenn, raising her voice.

“He became a Grandmaster at 21, took the head of a Holy Sword Alliance disciple, and even defeated the Dragon Swordmaster. If these achievements aren’t enough to elevate an outsider to the direct line, then why are you being so strict with Raon alone?”

“Miss Aris!”

As Raon tried to stop her, Aris stepped forward even more.

“What will you do if Raon leaves for somewhere else? The Six Kings and Five Demons would welcome him with open arms, so do you plan to regret it later?”

Aris turned back to Raon, her eyes filled with sorrow.

“Of course, I know he won’t leave the Ziegharts, but shouldn’t we treat him according to his accomplishments?”

She exhaled sharply as if she had said everything she wanted to say.

“You make some good points.”

Glenn nodded at Aris calmly.

“However, you have overshadowed the Light Wind Division’s commander here, and those present haven’t yet heard what he has accomplished.”

“Um…”

Even Aris seemed embarrassed that she had gotten ahead of herself and stepped back.

“Raon Zieghart.”

“Yes.”

“Tell us what the Light Wind Division has done.”

“Understood.”

Raon nodded and stepped forward.

“Since our arrival at the Sinigan branch, we suspected the Rakion family. If you look closely at the bodies found in the ruined branch, you can tell it wasn’t the White Religion’s doing…”

Raon narrated everything from their arrival at the Sinigan branch to the moment they faced the Dragon Swordmaster, to everyone in the hall.

“Did he just entered a trance in the midst of a battle?”

“Insane. Did he reach that stage because he’s insane?”

“What sort of young man has such gall…”

“We’re lucky he’s on our side. He’s too much to handle.”

“Disciple of the Holy Sword Alliance and even the Dragon Swordmaster. He’s made a name for himself again.”

The officers were awed by each of Raon and the Light Wind Division’s accomplishments, letting out exclamations.

“Heh! Only I can handle this crazy kid.”

Rimmer smiled smugly, enjoying the officers’ astonished looks.

“Well done.”

Glenn stroked his chin, nodding as he listened.

“Rakion’s wrongdoings were exposed and halted, the disciple of the Holy Sword Alliance and the Dragon Swordmaster were defeated, and he has risen to Grandmaster at such a young age. None of his feats are tarnished.”

He affirmed this as he looked intently at Raon, his hand covering his mouth trembling slightly.

“Lord.”

Raon stepped forward, bowing.

“The reason we were able to expose Rakion’s sins is because of this child.”

Raon motioned to Sileen, who was standing beside him.

“If Sileen hadn’t bravely come forward twice, Rakion would have hidden their true intentions and struck us in the end.”

Raon patted Sileen on the back, offering a gentle smile.

“Ah…”

Color returned to Sileen’s pale face, tinted with a blush.

“That would be it.”

Glenn nodded briefly at Sileen, his voice softening slightly.

“Here, here!”

Sileen knelt and bowed his head.

“I have a request!”

He bit his lip, his head touching the floor.

“No need for such formality. Stand up.”

Glenn waved his hand lightly, and Sileen’s head naturally lifted.

“What is your request?”

“Please allow me to manage the Rakion family!”

Sileen recited the words he had told Raon on his sickbed.

“I will prevent such events from happening again and be a strength to the Ziegharts. Please allow me this!”

Glenn did not respond but looked at Raon.

“How many survive in the Rakion family?”

“About two-fifths of the original members remain. Their military might isn’t outstanding, but their loyalty to the family is high.”

Raon emphasized that the remaining members were useful to support Sileen.

“Managing a family is not a child’s task.”

Glenn looked at Sileen again, his eyes slightly narrowed.

“Ah…”

“However.”

As Sileen’s expression hardened, Glenn continued.

“If you have established your will even while being tortured by your family, you can no longer be considered a child.”

He met Sileen’s shaky gaze and nodded.

“We will observe for a while.”

“Thank you! Thank you!”

Sileen bowed deeply to the floor, making a loud thump.

“Enough, stand up.”

Raon, like a snail, straightened Sileen’s bent body and pulled him up.

“Then is it all settled?”

Aris waved her hand happily, pleased that things had worked out.

“The Rakion family has been settled, and Raon has now become my nephew…”

“That’s not the case.”

Glenn shook his head at Aris.

“What?”

Aris widened her eyes incredulously.

“Enough already! What’s so special about being direct or collateral?”

“Even if he has achieved enough to be direct, the current commander of the Light Wind Division holds a collateral position. We cannot allow him to use the direct title until then.”

Glenn’s gaze darkened.

“But!”

“Aris Zieghart. Even if you currently hold no official position, your name is inscribed at the highest place in the Zieghart family. If you, who should set an example, break the rules, what will others think?”

“Um…”

Aris seemed frustrated but thought he wasn’t wrong and just scowled.

“If you want to hear the word ‘aunt,’ wait until Raon has risen to the direct line.”

“So you’ll promote him to the direct line immediately?”

“That’s not it either.”

“Ah, why!”

She stamped her foot, raising her voice.

“He will rise to the direct line on January 1st next year.”

“January 1st?”

Aris tilted her head, puzzled.

“That’s correct.”

Raon stood next to Aris, nodding.

“The lord has promised that if I win the life-or-death challenge against the Axe King Roman next year, he will immediately elevate my mother to the direct line.”

“Axe King…”

Aris furrowed her brows at Raon.

“The Axe King is not an easy opponent! You could die!”

“I am aware.”

Raon smiled calmly. Having faced Roman in person and exchanged swords, he knew full well how strong he was.

“I don’t want to break the decisions I’ve made as the situation has changed. I want to elevate the family name by defeating the lord and elevate my mother to the direct line by my own power.”

Raon declared his vow to everyone present.

“Ugh…”

Karoon scowled, apparently displeased with the promise itself, while Denier looked at Raon expressionlessly, as if turned into a doll.

“Oho!”

Balder, impressed by his assertiveness, opened his eyes wide.

“Argh!”

Aris screamed and hugged Raon tightly.

“How could you! You’re too kind! How did such a child spring from our family?”

She commented that he was truly Sylvia’s son as she rubbed her cheek against Raon’s.

“Ahem!”

Glenn coughed loudly, indicating that Aris should step back.

“He’s too impressive!”

Aris ignored Glenn’s chilling presence and hugged Raon even tighter.

“Behave yourself!”

“Ah, why are you like this!”

Glenn used his power to separate Raon and Aris.

Rimmer and Roenn exchanged glances, seeing Glenn’s distorted expression.

‘Is the lord jealous because he’s hearing the word ‘aunt’ and seeing the hugs?’

‘Hehe.’

Raon approached Glenn again when the situation had somewhat settled.

“I still have something to say.”

“Unsaid words?”

“Yes. While I was dueling and later when I was making repairs, another figure from the Holy Sword Alliance attacked.”

“Who was it?”

“Phew…”

He sighed briefly, closed his eyes, and recalled the dry eyes of Rektor, then parted his lips.

“Blood Sword Rektor. The person we called the Sword Demon.”

As the name of Sword Demon Rektor was mentioned, the previously bustling hall fell silent again.

“He was from the Holy Sword Alliance?”

Even Glenn, apparently not anticipating Rektor’s background, widened his eyes for the first time.

“That’s right.”

Raon, still somewhat in disbelief, bit his lip and nodded.

“He declared himself the Blood Sword of the Holy Sword Alliance and attacked me.”

“…”

Glenn closed his eyes and leaned back in his throne, a sudden weariness appearing on his face.

“The Sword Demon, a transcendent, is part of the Holy Sword Alliance?”

“Insane…”

“Why did he join the Holy Sword Alliance?”

“It’s not that he joined; he said he’s always been from the Holy Sword Alliance.”

“I can’t understand. Then why did he go around doing good deeds?”

The officers too turned pale as they heard that the Sword Demon was part of the Holy Sword Alliance.

“What did he say to you?”

After a while, Glenn opened his eyes and asked.

“He said that since the Dragon Swordmaster and Cloud have died, taking me with him would satisfy the Holy Sword Alliance leader.”

“Was he trying to kidnap you?”

“Yes. Miss Aris arrived just in time to stop him, but he tried to take me away.”

“Hmm…”

Glenn looked at Aris briefly then narrowed his eyes.

“Sword Demon Rektor is our enemy then.”

“That’s…”

Glenn uttered something vague. He didn’t immediately respond, recalling Rektor’s eyes and the sword techniques he had shown.

‘He was trying to tell me something. But…’

Being part of the Holy Sword Alliance doesn’t change that.

‘It’s not the place to say there might be another motive.’

The thoughts Rektor had stirred in him were not for public discussion.

“That’s right. He’s our enemy.”

Raon nodded gravely at Glenn.

“And one more thing. It seems the Black Tower, Holy Sword Alliance, and White Religion have formed an alliance.”

“An alliance?”

“Yes. Considering what the Dragon Swordmaster and Rektor said…”

Raon shared his predictions with Glenn and the officers, based on the statements made by the Dragon Swordmaster.

“See! Why keep such an informant in the collateral line!”

Aris, still frustrated that he hadn’t been elevated to the direct line, praised his intelligence.

“Well done. You’ve brought back much.”

Glenn nodded, signaling to Roenn, who carried a wide board onto the platform.

“Raon Zieghart. Come forward.”

“Yes.”

Raon nodded and ascended the platform.

“For stopping the misdeeds of the Rakion family, and for killing the disciple of the Holy Sword Alliance and the Dragon Swordmaster, I award you this medal and prize.”

Glenn took a gold medal and a red box from the board Roenn held.

“Thank you.”

Raon received the medal and box, bowing his head. However, he felt less than pleased.

‘This isn’t what I really wanted.’

He descended the platform without showing the bitterness that welled up in his heart.

After the Light Wind Division and the officers had left, the hall quieted down.

“Sigh.”

Rimmer leaned against a pillar and sighed briefly.

“It was a good opportunity, just accept it!”

“What do you mean?”

Lost in thought, Glenn slowly turned his gaze.

“What else? Obviously Raon. It would have been good if you had elevated him to the direct line when Aris stepped in.”

Rimmer pounded his chest with his left hand, expressing his frustration.

“Karoon, Balder also shut their mouths because of Aris, when else would such an opportunity come?”

“Didn’t I tell you? The boy and I have already made a prior promise.”

Glenn shook his head firmly.

“Moreover, elevating him to the direct line immediately with Aris’s help is not a good decision. The boy must stand on the direct line by his own strength so that Sylvia and those in the annexe can live comfortably.”

His gaze deepened as he looked at Rimmer.

“If Raon is elevated to the direct line now, his achievements will be overshadowed, and people will complain that he was promoted due to Aris’s influence.”

Glenn seemed to have already envisioned all future scenarios with certainty in his judgment.

“Hehehe.”

Roenn chuckled thinly, nodding his head.

“I agree. If Raon had been elevated to the direct line today, being close to Miss Aris would have been more highlighted than his achievement of becoming a Grandmaster.”

“Besides…”

Glenn gritted his teeth and set a fierce gaze.

“The first word he should call after being elevated to the direct line isn’t ‘aunt,’ but ‘grandfather!’ I absolutely cannot bear to see ‘aunt’ come first!”

He was uncompromising on this matter, glaring at the space where Aris had stood.

“Ha…”

Rimmer closed his eyes and shook his head.

“Really, show that attitude in front of everyone. Then it would have been over!”

He sighed regretfully.

“Hehehe.”

This time, Roenn laughed softly, seeming to sympathize with Rimmer’s words.

“What will you do?”

Glenn furrowed his brows as he looked at Rimmer.

“Well…”

Rimmer licked his lips and scratched his head.

“I’m not sure yet. What to do…”

He seemed unable to make a decision even now.

“But there’s something more important.”

“What’s that?”

“How much is my pension and severance pay? I need to know that to make a decision…”

As Rimmer was about to joke, Glenn raised his finger.

Crack!

A fierce lightning bolt surged above Rimmer’s head.

“No, I was just kidding! It was a joke!”

“Sigh…”

Glenn, unable to strike the patient Rimmer, only scowled and erased the lightning.

“I’m planning to visit my hometown for a while.”

“Hometown?”

“Yes. I have to return this sword now.”

Rimmer tapped the sword at his waist.

“I see.”

Glenn nodded calmly, ready to accept whatever decision Rimmer made.

“Good. Go and get some fresh air.”

He said this and rose from the throne, descending the platform.

“Where are you going?”

At Rimmer’s question, Glenn shook his head calmly.

“Where I need to be.”

“That’s what happened.”

Raon returned to the annexe and told Sylvia everything that had occurred.

“That’s it.”

Sylvia looked at Raon, exhaling softly.

“What do you think?”

“Rektor had the chance to capture you but let you go, right?”

“It seems so.”

“Then he must have something to tell you.”

Her expression remained calm as she nodded.

“I mentioned before. It seemed he had a connection with your father.”

“That’s right.”

“He also knew about your relationship with your father, so he might have come all the way here. Perhaps it was a warning?”

“Warning…”

Certainly, thanks to Rektor, he had learned that the Holy Sword Alliance, Black Tower, and White Religion were forming an alliance, and all three were targeting him.

“But this is just me thinking positively. You never know what might actually happen, so be careful.”

“That’s right.”

Raon took Sylvia’s hand, nodding.

“You’ve worked hard. Go and rest now.”

Sylvia, though showing tiredness in her expression, smiled and waved her hand.

“You rest too.”

Raon bowed to Sylvia and left her room. He returned to his own room and slumped to the floor.

“Sigh…”

I’m tired.

Because of Rektor’s matter, he still hadn’t settled his mind.

If it had been a clear betrayal, he might have been able to clear his thoughts, but since he didn’t understand Rektor’s intentions, he couldn’t decide how to feel.

“Hmm…”

Wrath frowned as he observed Raon deep in thought.

“This even confuses a king as full of humanity as I am.”

He clicked his tongue, commenting on the complexity of humans.

“That’s right.”

Raon didn’t go to bed but lay on the floor, exhaling deeply.

“Human relationships are really complicated.”

As he muttered a complaint, a large shadow loomed at the window.

Lifting his gaze, he saw Glenn gesturing for him to come out with a stern expression.

“Gasp…”

Raon quickly got up and headed outside.

‘Is he giving me a reward he didn’t give in the hall?’

Glenn often came at night to give additional rewards, claiming the ones given during the day were insufficient. It seemed he had the same intention this time.

However, what he needed now was not material rewards but peace of mind, so he followed Glenn without much expectation.

With a slightly weary step, he approached the lake in the annexe when Glenn turned around. He looked at Raon and nodded gently.

“It must have been hard.”