Chapter 961
Behind the annex, by the lake.
Even though Raon wasn’t there, sharp sword winds echoed through the clearing in front of the lake.
Fwoooosh!
Slicing the lake’s surface with a sharp strike was Sia. She slashed her sword in a way that resembled how Raon used to stand in this very spot.
“Hmph!”
As she unleashed consecutive [Light Wind Sword] strikes, Sia kicked the ground slightly in frustration.
“Is something wrong?”
Judiel placed Sia’s snack on the table beside the lake and smiled faintly.
“It’s not working…”
Sia drove her wooden sword into the ground and hung her head.
“What part isn’t working?”
Judiel approached her, saying she’d help if she could.
“My sword’s too stiff.”
Sia pouted, clearly dissatisfied with her own swordplay.
“Raon’s strikes fall beautifully, like sunlight or moonlight…”
She sighed, saying she couldn’t execute [Light Wind Sword] the way Raon had taught her.
“To me, you both look cool.”
Judiel smiled faintly at the blood and sweat staining the hilt of Sia’s wooden sword.
‘She’s worked hard.’
That sword was Sia’s treasure, a gift Raon had gotten for her. For it to already look so worn, she must have been swinging it night and day.
“No! Mine just drops like a rock!”
Sia puffed her cheeks and swung again.
Fwoooooosh!
Her strike landed heavily, carrying a chilling aura, cutting not only the water but also splitting the bushes behind it.
“Ah…”
Judiel exhaled softly, stunned by Sia’s strike.
‘She’s already this good?’
She couldn’t say whether the sword strike looked beautiful, but its power and sharpness were far beyond what she expected.
Even if her body remembered the days Sia lived as the Green King, she never imagined she would grow this fast.
“It’s still not right…”
Sia shook her head again, saying it wasn’t like Raon’s sword.
“Maybe I’m just not meant for it.”
Despite delivering a terrifying sword strike that would have shocked anyone else, she slumped her shoulders.
“That’s not true.”
Judiel smiled gently and massaged Sia’s shoulders.
“You know, Young Master Raon didn’t start off with sword strikes like that.”
She had infiltrated the annex to observe Raon from the beginning, so she’d seen his journey more than anyone. His swordsmanship wasn’t just talent—it came from relentless effort.
“Whether it rained or snowed, Young Master Raon practiced here every day without fail. And he enjoyed it.”
Judiel nodded, recalling Raon’s slow and steady growth.
“If you continue training every day, you’ll be able to wield an even more beautiful sword. That’s what Young Master Raon said.”
She repeated what Raon had once said about Sia’s talent, smiling softly.
“Raon? He really said that?”
Sia’s crimson eyes sparkled as if she wanted to hear those words directly.
“Of course! He said that as long as you work hard, you can catch up.”
Judiel took her hand, saying this was the time for effort.
“Hmm…”
“That’s not it!”
Just as Sia lowered her gaze, someone waved and popped out from behind a tree.
“Sir Edgar?”
The sudden arrival was Edgar. Since they hadn’t sensed his approach, he must’ve been watching Sia all along.
“Dad?”
Sia blinked calmly, seemingly already aware of his presence.
“You’re still too young to understand, but that’s not how you talk to kids, Miss Judiel.”
Edgar rubbed his chin and muttered regretfully.
“Ah…”
Judiel opened her mouth, not quite grasping what he meant.
“Watch closely and use this when you become a mom someday.”
Edgar lightly tapped her arm and walked up to Sia.
“Sia. You’re frustrated that you can’t swing your sword like Raon, aren’t you? But that’s okay.”
He gently placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled.
“You won’t take long to surpass that and draw even greater swordsmanship.”
“Really? But Judiel said it’ll take a long time.”
Sia looked back and forth between Edgar and Judiel, as if to confirm who was right.
“Come on! Whose daughter are you? Just a little more time and you’ll be drawing swords prettier than Raon ever could!”
Edgar waved his hand reassuringly.
“You can’t tell kids to just work hard. They have no patience. You have to fill them with confidence first. Spark their interest. That’s the most important thing. Once they’re interested, that’s when you guide them toward effort. That’s the proper way to raise a child.”
He whispered his parenting philosophy to Judiel, making sure Sia wouldn’t hear.
“She already seems plenty interested…”
Judiel muttered that Raon had already sparked all of Sia’s interest.
“No, it’s different when a parent does it. Now she’ll be in a good mood…”
“Dad. So I don’t have to practice swordsmanship anymore?”
Sia tilted her head with her wooden sword lowered.
“Uh…”
Edgar’s eyes widened at her unexpected question.
“W-Well…”
“So it’ll just come to me naturally in a bit?”
Sia put her hands together and looked up at him with hopeful eyes.
“Y-Yeah! Our Sia will do great even without—ugh!”
Just as Edgar tried to lie with trembling eyes, a tray flew from the annex and smacked the back of his head.
Claaang!
“Who was that—huh!”
Edgar rubbed his head and froze like a mouse in front of a cat.
“H-Honey…”
He trembled as he saw Sylvia standing with a fighting stance.
“Great parenting there.”
Sylvia frowned deeply at Edgar.
“I-I just wanted to inspire her so she wouldn’t get discouraged…”
Edgar waved his hands quickly, saying it was a misunderstanding.
“Sia is our daughter and Raon’s sister. She’s not so fragile! What’s this about sparking interest!”
Sylvia kicked Edgar’s rear and walked over to Sia.
“Sia.”
Sylvia smiled and looked into her eyes.
“Judiel was right. If you want to wield swordsmanship like Raon, you’ll need to work really hard.”
Even when she wore the Green King’s helmet, Sia’s swordsmanship couldn’t compare to Raon’s.
No matter how much of that memory remained in her body, it would take time to wield true swordsmanship.
“Will I need to sleep a lot?”
“You’ll need to sleep a lot. But…”
Sylvia smiled and held Sia’s small, calloused hand.
“When that day comes, it’ll feel amazing. Just like when we reunited.”
She smiled, asking if Sia wasn’t looking forward to it. Sylvia treated Sia not just as a child but as someone who had lost her memories—a fellow adult.
“You don’t get it. Kids need…”
As Edgar clutched his swollen rear and stood, Sia raised her sword high above her head.
Fwoooosh!
Sia used the [Light Wind Sword] incantation and brought her sword down. Her strike burst forth like a porcupine’s quills, sending waves across the lake like a sudden downpour.
“You’re right. Raon said so too.”
Sia turned back and smiled.
“It’ll take time, but if I train steadily, I’ll grow stronger.”
She nodded confidently, recalling what Raon had said when he first handed her a sword.
“Raon’s swinging his sword right now too.”
Sia imagined Raon training in the Chamber of Self and swung again.
“I told you.”
Standing beside Edgar, Sylvia smiled faintly.
“Kids grow up fast.”
She nodded, proud of how much Sia had grown.
“Hrrgh…”
Edgar looked at Sia’s back as she trained, his eyes tearing up.
“Feels good, doesn’t it? I feel a little—”
“That’s not it.”
He shook his head.
“She’s growing up too fast! I still want to play with her!”
Edgar clenched his fists and protested.
“Sia! Let’s stop for today and go play with your da—”
“Idiot!”
Sylvia punched him in the gut before he could finish.
“Oof!”
Edgar fell, clutching his stomach and trembling.
“Raon’s grown, but I still have two kids…”
Sylvia muttered that she’d soon have just one as she slung Edgar over her shoulder and returned to the annex.
“Good grief…”
Judiel watched Sia shouting and Edgar drooling as he was dragged away, then turned her gaze.
She saw her younger brother Jubel tending flowers in the garden and smiled just like him.
“Happiness.”
—
“Head of House.”
Roenn entered the audience chamber and bowed to Glenn, who was gazing out the window.
“The Light Wind Palace’s leaders have arrived.”
He gestured toward the door, saying Burren, Martha, and Runaan had requested an audience.
“Let them in.”
Glenn granted the audience and sat on the throne.
“Come in.”
Roenn opened the chamber doors himself and led Burren, Martha, and Runaan in.
“Greetings, Head of House!”
“Greetings, Head of House.”
At Burren’s salute, Martha and Runaan knelt and bowed their heads in unison.
“Stand.”
Glenn waved a hand, saying there was no need for such formality.
“Thank you!”
Burren bowed again like Raon and stepped closer.
“Yes, sir!”
“Thanks.”
Martha and Runaan gave brief bows and stood behind him.
“…”
Glenn looked over the three standing before the platform with a soft smile.
‘All three are Grandmasters…’
He still vividly remembered their evaluation ceremonies. It was hard to believe those once-young children had become Grandmasters.
‘They’ve changed so much.’
Burren, who used to express his desire to be acknowledged by Karoon as inferiority, had become the spiritual anchor of the Light Wind Palace. Martha, who once vented her grief over her mother’s death through violence, had grown into a seasoned warrior capable of using even her fury as strategy.
‘But…’
Glenn clicked his tongue lightly as he looked into Runaan’s dazed eyes, as if she hadn’t slept.
‘I still can’t read that child.’
He could usually read thoughts through the eyes, but Runaan was an exception. Just looking into her blank stare made even him feel sluggish.
‘Of course, standing against Syria was impressive.’
Escaping Syria Sullion’s mental constraints and reaching her current position was remarkable. Despite her gentle face, her will was stronger than anyone’s.
‘If not for Raon…’
Any one of those three would’ve been called a once-in-a-generation genius.
Not because they were his grandchildren.
If Raon hadn’t grown in such an extraordinary way, the three of them would’ve gone down in the continent’s history.
Even the Twelve Stars or the Ten Supreme would not have reached Grandmaster at their age.
‘And yet, they show not a hint of jealousy…’
Glenn looked at the three, filled with a warm smile.
‘It’s beyond maturity. It’s admirable.’
Despite being overshadowed by Raon, the three harbored no envy. Rather, they seemed desperate to praise him more. It felt like watching real family—true siblings—which warmed his heart.
“So. What brings you here?”
He let his fondness show in his tone.
“We wanted to ask when the Light Wind Palace Lord will come out of the Chamber of Self.”
Burren stepped forward, lifting his gaze. He furrowed his brows, clearly concerned about Raon not returning.
“He usually finishes everything quickly. That’s why I’m a little—just a little worried.”
Martha bit her lip, saying this wasn’t like Raon.
“Yeah. He’s been sleeping too long.”
Runaan shook her head, seemingly thinking the chamber was for napping.
“Also, the Light Wind Palace hasn’t had time to adjust since our promotion. It’s still disorganized.”
Burren bowed again, saying that with Raon absent, nothing was running properly.
“That’s understandable.”
Glenn nodded, seeing the concern in Burren’s expression. Without their leader, the newly promoted division couldn’t function properly.
“I completely understand why you came. But I can’t give you an answer about when the Light Wind Palace Lord will return.”
“Huh? What do you mean…”
Martha’s eyes widened.
“The Chamber of Self is a mystery that shows a different place depending on who enters. I have no idea where Raon is or what he’s doing in there.”
Glenn shook his head, saying only Raon could open the door and come out.
“T-Then… is there a problem with him…?”
Martha swallowed dryly as Raon’s face came to mind.
“That’s unlikely. It’s relatively safe in there. And this kind of delay isn’t unprecedented.”
Glenn rested his hand on the throne’s armrest and told them to wait.
‘Raon… when are you coming out…’
Though he told the others to wait, Glenn seemed even more anxious as he gripped the throne’s armrest hard enough to crush it.
“I-I see…”
Burren turned his eyes slightly at the crumbled remains of the armrest.
“Then we’ll take our leave—”
“Come to think of it.”
As he turned to leave, Glenn raised his hand.
“I suppose I could grant you three access to the Chamber of Self as well.”
He nodded, saying they’d earned the right after their contributions during the Black Tower mission.
“R-Really?”
Burren’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“You’ve really mellowed lately!”
Martha laughed heartily, saying Glenn had changed a lot.
“I like it too. The sleeping place.”
Runaan muttered, either understanding or completely misunderstanding.
“Of course, not now.”
Glenn clarified that they couldn’t enter yet.
“Of course. Just being granted access is an honor!”
“Call us anytime!”
“Will there be beds?” (T/N: Never change Runaan. lol)
The three of them beamed with joy, clenching their fists.
“Good. I’ll call you when the time is right.”
As Glenn smiled at them—
Knock knock.
A sharp knock echoed from the door.
“Enter.”
At Glenn’s nod, Karoon entered the audience chamber.
“…Greetings, Head of House.”
Karoon bowed, seemingly not expecting others to be present.
“If you’re here for the same reason, come in.”
Glenn beckoned him with a flick of his finger.
“Hmm…”
Karoon looked briefly at Burren, then stepped forward.
“You’re here because Raon hasn’t come out either, right?”
Glenn smiled knowingly.
“Not exactly. I just found it odd that it’s taking so long, and maybe something’s wrong with the Chamber itself…”
Though he made excuses, Karoon kept glancing toward the right door, clearly worried.
“I see.”
Glenn chuckled at Karoon’s shifting eyes.
‘He really has changed.’
A man who once abandoned even his own son was now concerned about his nephew. Glenn couldn’t help but smile.
‘That child’s influence is truly…’
As Glenn looked toward the door to the Chamber of Self, he murmured.
“Speak of the devil.”
He smiled faintly and nodded.
“Looks like Raon’s out.”
A sound came from within the chamber. Since only Raon was inside, it meant he had finished the trial and was emerging.
“He’s finally crawling out!”
Despite her words, Martha smiled brightly as she looked toward the door.
“How much stronger has he gotten?”
Burren trembled with anticipation.
“Maybe he’s transcended transcendence?”
Runaan tilted her head.
“I doubt it.”
Karoon shook his head.
“What do you mean?”
Martha narrowed her eyes.
“The Chamber of Self exists to break through walls. For swordsmen without barriers, there isn’t much benefit.”
Karoon explained that Raon likely hadn’t changed much.
“Is that true?”
Martha turned sharply to Glenn.
“…Yes.”
Glenn lowered his eyes.
“Unless one enters while facing a wall, the chamber won’t yield much. Raon recently broke through his last wall, so he likely didn’t gain much.”
He said some swordsmen came out empty-handed.
“So if Raon gains even a little, you should still celebrate…”
As Karoon advised them—
Creak.
The door opened and Raon stepped out.
“Am I a bit late?”
He lowered his head apologetically, his face calm as always.
But on his shoulders, heat and cold radiated simultaneously, casting light like the sun and moon.
“Palace Lord! You’re out!”
“You’re too slow!”
“Handsome Raon!”
Burren, Martha, and Runaan smiled and waved, not sensing any major changes.
But Glenn and Karoon were different.
“He didn’t even hit a wall. How…”
“This has never happened before.”
Karoon swallowed dryly, and Glenn trembled as he witnessed the unthinkable.
“Haah…”
“You’ve done something insane again.”
The two transcendentals exhaled in disbelief.