Chapter 576
Aris looked up at the podium with slumped shoulders.
“Can’t you let me go now? When else will I ever get a chance to go to Sephia?”
She clasped her hands together, expressing her desire to go on a new adventure.
“I told you, you can’t take a single step out of here until you finish the work you’ve been putting off.”
Glenn shook his head firmly, making it clear there was no room for negotiation.
“I’m not saying this because I want to have fun.”
Aris pointed her thumb towards the door Raon and Rimmer had exited through, frowning.
“What if the genius Raon gets kidnapped? By the time we realize it, it’ll be too late to find him!”
She boldly pounded her chest, insisting she would act as his guard.
“I don’t want to make an enemy of Sephia because of you.”
Glenn waved his hand, indicating he didn’t want any more trouble.
“Why would we become enemies? It’s just a trip! I’ll stay as still as a doll.”
“You think you can just sit quietly in such a secluded place?”
He scoffed, saying he’d rather believe Rimmer’s words.
“Besides, Rimmer isn’t going to Sephia as a Zieghart envoy, but simply to visit his hometown. No one will know they’ve gone out, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
“There might still be spies lurking around!”
Aris stamped her foot, making the audience room shake, her expression fierce.
“Even if Sirya Sullion went mad alone, the Rakion family outright rebelled. Who knows if there are traitors within the family?”
She exhaled sharply, as if genuinely worried about Raon.
“You know why there are so many rats whispering about Zieghart, right? It’s because of you, Father. You should have crushed them completely with your power, but you gave them a chance to raise their heads.”
Aris glared at Glenn, criticizing him.
“You should have not only controlled Omen but also managed the internal affairs better!”
“You’re right.”
Glenn nodded calmly, despite Aris’s sharp words.
“The scars from the time when I walked the path of tyranny have finally surfaced. As you said, it is my fault.”
“Father?”
Aris widened her eyes in surprise at Glenn’s calm reaction.
“However, we’ve already started searching for spies. The internal inspection is finished, and we’ve been investigating the vassal families since last month, so results should come soon.”
Glenn continued, looking at Aris with serene eyes.
“There’s no need to worry about Raon. All the malice directed at Zieghart will come to me from now on.”
“Hmm…”
Aris pursed her lips, unable to say anything more.
“Why are you so surprised after making such a valid point?”
Glenn chuckled, resting his chin on his fist.
‘Indeed, it was a valid point.’
In the days when he was consumed by darkness, he established all rules and order through sheer force.
If anyone resisted, he cut them down; if they refused, he crushed them. Living as a demon ruled by power, it was only natural that the evil deeds of those days would return as blades aimed at him.
But the malice should be directed solely at him. He no longer wanted Raon and the others to suffer.
“Something…”
Aris’s stern expression softened as she looked at Glenn.
“You’ve changed.”
“Changed?”
“Yes, you seem like you’ve gone back to the way you were before Sylvia was born.”
She smiled faintly, reminiscing about a past so long ago she could barely remember it.
“That’s a misconception.”
Glenn waved his hand dismissively.
“No, it’s true.”
Aris lifted her head sharply.
“If you were your old self, you would’ve just yelled at me to get out instead of acknowledging what I said.”
“…”
Glenn didn’t respond, leaning back in his throne.
‘She’s right.’
In the past, when he was enveloped in darkness, he never listened to anyone’s advice and only looked forward.
He gained many things but also lost a lot during that time.
Creeeak.
While father and daughter exchanged glances, the audience room door opened, and Roenn entered.
“I have delivered the message.”
Roenn bowed to Glenn and stood beside Aris.
“Did you give it to Raon?”
Glenn asked the most crucial question first.
“Yes, I handed it to Young Master Raon.”
Roenn smiled as if it was obvious.
“Kuhum! Good job.”
Glenn nodded slightly, satisfied.
“Hm, I see who changed you, Father.”
Aris smiled faintly, looking up at Glenn with amusement.
“Father, I believe it’s never too late. Let’s act now and regret it later.”
She clenched her fist, embodying her own words.
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“You know exactly what I mean!”
Aris narrowed her eyes, as if reading Glenn’s mind.
“Think briefly, act quickly. You know?”
“…”
“Then, I’ll be going now.”
“Aris.”
As she waved her hand and was about to leave, Glenn frowned.
“If you run away to follow Raon, your pirate games will be over.”
“Ugh!”
Aris turned her trembling head awkwardly, laughing.
“You’ve become perceptive…”
“This place is neat.”
Rimmer whistled as he entered the restaurant.
“Indeed. The food smells good too.”
Dorian sniffed, smiling.
“It’s because they use good butter. They seem to mix something with the milk…”
Yua blinked rapidly, interested in the restaurant’s food.
“Let’s sit down first.”
Raon sighed, guiding the three who were all talking at once to their seats.
Each of them was so unique that if they started talking, there would be no end.
“Ugh, camping is really not for me.”
Rimmer clicked his tongue, massaging his right shoulder with his left hand.
“Let’s get a room in this village tonight.”
“You’re whining over just two days.”
Raon shook his head as he sat across from Rimmer.
“Dorian’s tent and sleeping bag are as good as a high-end inn.”
“Right?”
Dorian’s eyes widened, and he smiled broadly at the compliment.
“Yeah. Thanks to you, we slept comfortably last night.”
Dorian had pulled out a ready-made tent from his belly pouch and even set up a stove for cooking. Honestly, it was more comfortable than most high-end inns.
“They’re essential items.”
Dorian shrugged, as if it was no big deal. Although tents and fire were essential for travel, it was still amazing that he could pull out ready-made ones from his pouch.
“Let’s think about the lodging later and order first. What should we get? We have plenty of money, so should we order everything?”
Rimmer smacked his lips as he opened the menu brought by the waiter. He already considered the money given by Glenn as his own.
“I’ll have this meat pie and pizza.”
Yua ordered common dishes, saying that the cook’s skills could best be judged by standard items.
“I have enough food in my pouch…”
Feeling good from the earlier compliment, Dorian pulled out the fork and knife he used for outdoor dining and set them on the table.
“…”
The waiter started looking at him like he was crazy.
“Hoo…”
Raon massaged his temples, watching the three who were each doing their own thing.
‘This is exhausting…’
He sighed, feeling mentally drained. As he did, a blue cotton candy figure popped out from his Ice Bracelet.
-Why are you just sitting there? Order something!
‘I don’t really want anything.’
-It’s not about you! I want to eat! Order everything on the menu!
Wrath extended his round hand, demanding they order all the food.
‘We can’t eat it all.’
-You know I need to eat what I want to feel satisfied!
‘Be quiet or I’ll eat Nadine bread here.’
-Gasp!
As soon as the name Nadine bread was mentioned, Wrath clamped his mouth shut.
-I’ll kill him. I’ll definitely kill him!
Wrath muttered curses through his tightly closed lips. It was clear the maker of Nadine bread in Sephia was a familiar figure.
“Vice-Leader.”
Raon called out to Rimmer, who had finished ordering first.
“Is the maker of Nadine bread really an elf?”
“Unbelievable, right?”
Rimmer nodded, passing the menu to Dorian.
“It’s surprising that elven cuisine spread to the human world, but the fact that it’s Nadine bread is the most surprising.”
“There’s a story behind it.”
“A story?”
“The one who made Nadine bread did it to survive.”
Rimmer laughed, saying the creator was quite an interesting character.
“What do you mean by that…”
As Raon was about to ask further, he overheard his name being mentioned at the next table.
“Did you hear the rumor that Raon Zieghart has become a Grand Master?”
“What? I heard he caught the Azure Dragon Kaibar and is called the Dragon Slayer, but becoming a Grand Master?”
Raon turned his head slightly to see two middle-aged mercenaries in mercenary attire, downing their beer.
“Tsk tsk, you’re slow on the news. That’s old news!”
A bald mercenary clicked his tongue, shaking his head.
“You know the Rakion family, right?”
“Zieghart’s vassal family known for their masterful use of long swords?”
The goat-bearded mercenary blinked, putting down his beer.
“Yeah. That esteemed family was preparing to betray Zieghart by joining hands with the Holy Sword Alliance…
The bald mercenary seemed to have gathered all the information about what had happened within the Rakion family.
However, the name of the Sword Demon hadn’t spread yet, as it wasn’t mentioned.
“It’s surprising enough that he reached a trance on the battlefield, but breaking through to Grand Master? I find it hard to believe…”
The goat-bearded mercenary’s hand trembled as he held his mug, exhaling sharply.
“Whether you believe it or not, Raon Zieghart becoming a Grand Master is true. The rumors are widespread!”
“How old is Raon Zieghart now?”
“Twenty-one, I think.”
“Even becoming a Master at twenty-one would make him the youngest in history, but becoming a Grand Master at twenty-one? I can’t believe he’s human…”
“He’s the greatest talent in the continent’s history. And his chivalry is outstanding. There’s even a book being written about his deeds. It’s beyond envy now.”
“I heard he’s incredibly handsome too. What do they call him, a hunk?”
“The world is so unfair. Let’s just drink.”
The mercenaries clinked their mugs and drank again.
“Hmm…”
Raon licked his lips, turning his gaze away from the mercenaries.
‘It feels strange.’
It was new to hear strangers gossiping about him, even outside Zieghart’s territory.
Even though people told him he had become famous, he never felt it. But hearing the mercenaries talk made it real.
“Interesting, right?”
Rimmer grinned, gulping his beer.
“Becoming strong means becoming famous. Your name has spread beyond Zieghart to the entire continent. Whatever you do, people will pay attention. That’s fame.”
He wiggled his fingers, saying it would stay with Raon for life. As he said, Raon’s name was also being mentioned at other tables.
“You’re making a good reputation better than anyone else in Zieghart. Be proud.”
Rimmer urged Raon to enjoy the moment, smiling.
“I’m envious…”
Dorian scratched his belly pouch, his mouth agape.
“Some people want to be known, but nobody notices them!”
He sighed, saying he needed to reach Master quickly.
“You can do it!”
Yua, as always, smiled brightly, cheering him on with an energetic voice.
-Ugh…
Wrath wandered around the table, frowning.
-These damned humans! They should be praising me, not this brat!
He shouted, frustrated that his name wasn’t mentioned.
-This won’t do! I’ll descend properly again and show all the humans my terror…
“Here’s your food.”
-Let’s eat!
Wrath’s frown vanished, and he wagged his tail happily as the waiter brought their food.
‘So much for terror…’
Raon looked up at the blue world before him. Everything in front of him shimmered in green.
From the trees reaching towards the sky to the undergrowth and grass filling the spaces between them, it was clear why this place was called the Great Forest.
“Wow…”
Yua exclaimed as she took in the view of the Great Forest.
“Is this Sephia?”
“This is the Great Forest. Sephia is inside.”
Rimmer gently patted Yua’s head, smiling softly.
Hearing Rimmer’s words, Raon extended his senses into the forest. However, the dense mana made it hard to control his aura.
‘There doesn’t seem to be any barriers or formations.’
He had expected hidden formations or barriers in the Great Forest, but it seemed no different from a regular forest.
“Is there no barrier or anything?”
“There is.”
Rimmer shook his head.
“Hmm, I can’t sense anything…”
“It’s a natural maze.”
“A natural maze?”
“Yes. Elves can communicate with nature a bit.”
He explained that the forest itself was the elves’ wall and eyes.
“Can you do it too, Vice-Leader?”
Dorian tilted his head, looking at Rimmer.
“Of course!”
“Then why haven’t we seen you do it?”
“Uh? Well, I forgot.”
Rimmer laughed, saying he had forgotten he was an elf.
“Seriously…”
Raon sighed, watching Rimmer scratch the back of his head.
-Can you really trust this elf?
Wrath frowned, looking worried.
‘I’m starting to doubt it too…’
However, having come this far, there was no choice. They had to follow this absent-minded elf.
“Let’s go in.”
Rimmer smirked and extended his hand, causing the undergrowth to part and reveal a path.
“Wow! You really are an elf, Vice-Leader!”
Yua jumped up and down in excitement.
“I thought you were just a person with long ears!”
“I am an elf. Have you ever seen someone as handsome as me?”
“Raon.”
“Ugh…”
Rimmer couldn’t argue with Yua’s straightforward answer and entered the forest.
As he gestured, the dense undergrowth and trees that would have been difficult for a child to pass through parted, creating a path wide enough for a person. For the first time, Rimmer truly looked like an elf.
Raon narrowed his eyes, observing the gently swaying undergrowth and trees.
‘It’s not due to mana.’
The forest seemed to recognize Rimmer not because of his mana but because he was an elf.
As he observed this new and mysterious sight, he sensed faint presences ahead. They felt like small animals passing by or the rustling of undergrowth in the wind, but the mana scent was strong. It was the presence of elves, like Rimmer.
“They’re finally here.”
Rimmer sensed the elves and stopped, looking at the thick thorny vines that blocked the way.
“Don’t come any closer.”
A female voice, devoid of emotion, came from behind the vines.
“No outsiders are allowed to enter. Go back.”
Her voice, as cold as the northern wind, indicated she would attack if they approached further.
-Why are all elves so rude!
Wrath gritted his teeth, glaring at the thorny vines.
-How dare they block my path! Chop them down!
‘That’s not possible.’
-Then use your fire magic!
Wrath, developing a dislike for elves because of Rimmer, urged Raon to burn the forest down.
“Don’t you know who I am?”
Rimmer waved his hand lightly, stepping closer to the thorny vines.
“I am…”
As he took another step forward, an arrow shot out from the vines, embedding itself in the ground.
Piiing!
The arrow vibrated violently, indicating the strength behind it.
“Ugh…”
Rimmer gulped, looking at the arrow in the ground.
“You… you really don’t know who I am.”
He wiped the sweat from his forehead, laughing awkwardly.
“Don’t come any closer. You seem to be an elf born outside, but if you weren’t, that arrow would have hit your neck.”
The female voice, colder than before, came from behind the thorny vines.
“Well, I suppose the guardians have changed over time. I’m not an outsider. I was born in Sephia.”
Rimmer shook his head, taking a step forward.
“Don’t lie. An elf born in Sephia would know how crucial this time is.”
“Even if you don’t recognize me, you should recognize this sword.”
Rimmer interrupted the female elf and tapped the sword at his waist.
“…”
There was a moment of silence from the undergrowth. Then,
Piiing!
An arrow, faster and more lethal than before, grazed Rimmer’s earlobe.
“He’s a thief of the sacred relic! Everyone, attack!”
The female elf’s chilling voice was followed by dozens of arrows shooting out from the thorny vines.
“Ahhh!”
Rimmer screamed and jumped back.
“I knew this would happen.”
Raon gritted his teeth, stepping in front of Rimmer.
“What have you been doing with your life!”
