Raon left the lodging after finishing all preparations to return to the family.
"Are you all prepared?"
Judiel and Jubel seemed to have finished their preparations long ago, as they were sitting under a tree near the lodging, waiting.
"Yes. I didn't bring much with me."
Judiel showed a small cloth bundle in her hand and smiled faintly. Her expression was lively. It seemed like the dam of her emotions had burst since meeting her younger brother.
"I only brought weapons and a night suit, so I'm ready to go as is."
Jubel pointed to his waist where he had hidden a dagger, giving an awkward smile.
"You two really do look alike when you smile. Let's go."
Raon gestured to the two and headed towards the village exit. Before the gate was even visible, he saw the Siran tribe members lined up.
"Chief."
Raon approached the Siran Tribe Chief standing at the center of the tribespeople and bowed his head.
"Thank you for everything. Thanks to you, I was able to rest well."
"Are you sure you rested? All I saw was you getting beaten every day."
The chief looked Raon up and down and snickered.
"For me, that is resting."
"Your spirit is truly unmatched. I still see you in my dreams. Those red eyes I saw that night, I'll never forget them for the rest of my life."
He shuddered, saying he could still feel the aura Raon had shown when stopping the fight.
"I'm sorry. At that time, I was in a hurry..."
"No, thank you."
The chief shook his head, grasping Raon's hand.
"I was also greatly excited at the time. If it weren't for you, many of our children would have died."
He closed his eyes slowly, expressing sincere gratitude.
"If you ever face any difficulties in the future, contact us anytime. If you call, I and these fellows will drop everything and rush to your side."
The Siran Tribe Chief spread both arms, indicating the entire tribe.
"That's not..."
"We of Siran never forget debts of gratitude. Thanks to you, everyone survived, so the entire tribe owes you their lives. We'll stake our lives to help you."
"That's right! Just say the word anytime!"
"We'll come running even if we're in the middle of eating!"
"I'll come even if I'm in the middle of taking a dump!"
"Please just let us know whenever, we're ready anytime!"
The Sran tribespeople also raised their clenched fists, as if determined to help.
"You don't have to do that. I just came here following Judiel..."
"Regardless of the reason, you saved us, didn't you? Don't feel burdened. A life for a life."
"Um..."
Raon shook his head. Telling him not to feel burdened while talking about lives made him feel so pressured his hands trembled.
"That's right!"
A voice that seemed to shake the ground echoed from behind the village restaurant on the right.
Ogram came out, kicking the door open while chewing on a piece of meat as big as a club.
"Alliance Leader?"
-That, that!
Ras pointed at Ogram's meat with wide eyes.
-This king also wants to eat that meat!
The fellow clung to Raon's shoulder, saying he wanted to tear into meat ravenously like that too.
'Just stay still for a moment.'
Raon pushed Ras away and looked at Ogram.
"What you said is right..."
"If you've received a favor, it's only right to repay it!"
Ogram approached, tearing off a piece of meat as thick as an adult man's forearm.
"There's no need to refuse or feel burdened. You're just receiving what's natural."
He laughed heartily and patted Raon's shoulder.
"That's right."
Garona nodded, sticking close to Ogram's side. Despite his face being covered in bruises, he didn't lose his smile.
"Our Beast Union is clearer about debts of gratitude than any other force. Since you saved the Siran tribe, brother, it's only natural for them to stake their lives for you."
Raon took a step back and observed the Siran Tribe Chief and the tribespeople.
As Ogram and Garona said, there was no sign of falsehood in their expressions.
Whether big or small, it seemed everyone sincerely wanted to help him.
"Of course, the same goes for me! For my brother, I can offer all my bones and flesh!"
Garona beat his chest, shouting that Raon should call him anytime.
"Please hold back on that."
Raon quickly waved both hands and looked at the people standing before him.
'Have I formed another connection?'
Though unintended, it seemed that through coincidences, he had formed good connections with these people as well.
As Garona said, refusing any further would be disrespectful to them, so Raon made up his mind and stepped forward.
"Thank you. I gratefully accept the Siran tribe's kindness."
Raon bowed his head, looking at the entire Siran tribe.
"Of course! Consider us as your brothers."
The Siran Tribe Chief bowed in return, showing a genuine smile.
After exchanging greetings with the Siran tribe, Raon turned his gaze to Jubel. Understanding the meaning in his eyes, the fellow stepped forward.
"I'm sorry!"
Jubel bowed at a right angle towards the Sran tribe.
"I deceived all of you. I have no words to offer. I'm truly sorry!"
"It's alright."
The Siran Tribe Chief calmly shook his head. The other tribespeople also looked at Jubel with calm gazes, showing no malice in their eyes.
"Pardon?"
Jubel widened his eyes, seemingly not expecting such a reaction.
"Anyone who lived like you would have ended up the same way. Thank you for having the courage."
The Siran Tribe Chief approached Jubel.
"Next time, come to us as Jubel, not Philip."
He said this while grasping Jubel's shoulder.
"..."
Jubel bowed his head again. His shoulders trembled slightly as tears fell, moistening the warm ground.
"Brother!"
Garona approached Raon's side and put an arm around his shoulder.
"I heard you achieved the Fierce Wave Arts, tell me the secret technique!"
He raised his hand, pleading. There was no sign of jealousy. He was genuinely seeking advice. He was a person whose purity was so evident that just looking at him made one's heart feel at ease.
"Believe in yourself."
Raon gave the best advice he could at the moment. Since the Fierce Wave Arts required self-realization, giving any more hints might prevent Garona from ever achieving it.
"Myself?"
Garona tilted his head, seemingly not understanding.
"Brother! Explain it more easily! More comfortably..."
"You fool!"
Ogram struck Garona's head as he was about to ask another question.
"Guaack..."
With a sound like metal crumpling, Garona collapsed.
"That advice is enough. There's no such thing as an easy path!"
Ogram furrowed his brow and slung the fallen Garona over his shoulder.
"You've worked hard."
"It was nothing."
"Let me give you one last piece of advice. Sometimes you need to choose the difficult path to go further and deeper. Don't end up like this fool. And..."
He pulled out a yellowed piece of paper from his chest.
"This is a letter for your family head. Make sure to show it to him."
"Understood."
Raon took Ogram's letter and put it in his inner pocket.
"Now go."
He waved his hand as if telling them to leave quickly.
Raon bowed to Ogram before turning around. He dusted off his hands as he looked at Judiel and Jubel, each showing smiles and tears.
"Let's return. To Zieghart."
* * *
Rimmer stood at the center of the fifth training ground, drawing his sword with his prosthetic arm. It was a completely different sensation from before. But his spirit was burning hotter than ever.
He swung the sword lightly as if performing basic swordsmanship. The sunlight shimmered on the blade, creating an elegant trail of light as it fell.
The wind that followed the blade carved deep sword marks on the ground.
'Not bad.'
Rimmer licked his lips and channeled a denser aura into the mana circuit of his prosthetic arm. The wind energy nestled in his energy center surged, blasting powerful winds through his grasp.
'This is good.'
Once I get used to the feeling, it won't be much different from my original arm.
The prosthetic arm made by Ensia moved as naturally as his original arm, and its ability to use wind energy was even stronger.
It seemed that the World Tree branch embedded inside the arm amplified the wind energy.
'To think that using my own arm could feel this good.'
I never knew that wielding my sword with my own hand could bring such a smile to my face.
They say humans must experience loss to gain happiness, and it really was true.
'I might not just maintain my strength, but even become stronger.'
At first, I just vowed not to be a hindrance to the Light Wind division, but since getting the prosthetic arm, the path of martial arts that had been blocked was slowly opening up. If I continue training like this, I might even surpass my prime.
'Life is truly strange. It didn't give me what I wanted when I desperately wished for it.'
It ignored me when I sought it, and now that I've given up, I finally see the light. The god of martial arts was too fickle.
Chiiing!
Rimmer narrowed his eyes and unleashed the wind energy concentrated in his grasp as if exploding it.
Whoooosh!
The green gale that bloomed over the silver blade brushed the sky and descended, stirring up a vivid wind. It was a gentle breeze that cooled the sweat-covered foreheads of the Light Wind division members.
Rimmer lowered his sword and caressed the shoulder of his prosthetic arm. The connection was so smooth that it felt completely natural. It felt like he could keep it for life.
'I owe a great debt.'
To both of them.
He was grateful to Ensia who made the prosthetic arm, and to Raon who brought the materials for it all the way here.
Rimmer sheathed his sword while pondering what he could do for the two of them.
Whew.
As he was steadying his breath and stabilizing his aura, the training ground door opened and Dorian entered.
"Lord Raon is returning!"
Dorian waved to everyone in the Light Wind division with a bright smile.
"Hmm..."
Rimmer looked at the suddenly darkening sky and clicked his tongue.
'That guy. For some reason, I feel like he's going to cause trouble today.'
* * *
Central Martial Palace Master office.
Thump thump.
A rough knocking sound was heard from outside the Heavy Armor Division Chief's office, which had an atmosphere both grand and solemn.
"Come in."
Karoon, the Central Martial Palace master, nodded as he put down his teacup.
Unlike the knocking, the door opened carefully, and his butler entered and bowed.
"I've been informed that Raon Zieghart is returning."
"He's quite late."
"There are rumors that he learned martial arts from the Beast King."
"He's not a raccoon, but it seems he devours everything given to him."
Karoon tapped the desk with his long fingers.
"So it seems you should go to the Lord's Manor now."
"Is it a summons from the Head of House?"
"Yes."
"Calling me every time he returns has become a family event."
He frowned, clearly displeased.
"By the way..."
The butler subtly rolled his eyes.
"Is it alright to just leave things as they are? If Raon Zieghart mentions that Judiel belonged to the Central Martial Palace..."
"We've cut all connections and erased all evidence, haven't we? It's meaningless even if he speaks up alone."
Karoon calmly shook his head as if he had checked all possible scenarios.
"And in my opinion, he won't say anything."
"Pardon?"
"Raon Zieghart values his people more than anyone. He'll surely back down quietly because those two might be harmed."
"That's..."
"Yes. He's making a deal with me. He'll bury this matter if I don't touch Judiel and her brother. He's smart, so he'll know what to do."
He lowered his gaze as if he had predicted all of Raon's thoughts.
Karoon emptied what little was left in his teacup and stood up.
"Then let's go. To show that there's no problem, we shouldn't act differently."
"I'll escort you."
The butler opened the office door.
Karoon put on an elaborate uniform embroidered with the Zieghart crest and left the office. His eyes glinted coldly like an owl hunting in the darkness.
"Raon Zieghart."
That's why you can't beat me.
* * *
As Raon entered the Lord's Manor, he turned his eyes to the left. He saw Karoon standing in front of the pillar closest to the platform.
'He looks calm.'
He was looking straight ahead with a composed gaze, as if he had judged that I couldn't say anything.
'Your thoughts are so obvious. And usually, you'd be right.'
Because that would be the standard way to protect Judiel and Jubel.
'But I'm not an ordinary human.'
Vowing to crush that irritating expression, he stood in the center of the audience chamber.
"I greet the Head of House."
He knelt in the center of the audience chamber and bowed his head.
"We greet the Head of House!"
Judiel and Jubel, who followed behind, bowed their heads together. Fortunately, they showed proper respect without trembling, having been instructed beforehand.
"Rise."
At Glenn's call, Raon raised his head. Glenn looked down with a stiff expression, as if he were a mannequin.
"Raon Zieghart."
"Yes."
"You said you were training nearby, so why did you go all the way to where the Siran tribe is?"
Glenn rested his chin on his fist and tilted his head slightly.
'Now I understand what he means.'
That expression and posture meant he wanted Raon to tell those present what he had experienced.
"I'll explain from the beginning."
Raon bowed his head and pointed to Judiel behind him.
"I have a personal maid."
"My name is Judiel."
Judiel stepped forward and bowed.
"She has a younger sibling whom she was separated from when she was young. Upon learning this, I promised to find her sibling somehow. I requested information from the black market and was waiting when..."
Raon briefly explained the events that had transpired.
"...and that's how I was able to return with both of them."
After explaining everything, a momentary silence hung over the Lord's Manor.
"Hmm, making a promise and keeping it."
Glenn murmured calmly. The corners of his mouth trembled as if recalling some strange memory.
"It's an incredibly easy thing, but also an incredibly difficult thing."
"That's right!"
Alice raised her hand high.
"In an age where promises are tossed aside like worn-out shoes, there won't be another person who follows through and keeps a promise to a maid like that."
She nodded emphatically, as if impressed.
"Personally, I think it's meaningless, but it is admirable."
"Indeed. It was behavior befitting a martial artist."
"Hearing that he alone stopped both assassins and the Siran tribe, it makes my blood boil."
Other division leaders and unit commanders also smiled or raised their fingers in approval.
"It was behavior worthy of a Zieghart swordsman! Of course, I wouldn't have made the promise in the first place!"
Balder nodded, saying it was well done, but that he wouldn't have done it himself.
"..."
"Good job. Well done."
Karoon said nothing, while Denier showed only a small smile.
"Ahem! While it was clearly a personal matter, you've done a favor for one of the Six Kings, so it can't be said to be without merit."
Glenn cleared his throat while covering his mouth with his hand. At the same time, his speech quickened, but strangely, his pronunciation remained clear. It seemed like he was speaking with his mouth wide open.
"And therefore..."
"Head of House."
Raon bowed his head with his hand on his chest.
"There's still something I need to say."
"What is it?"
"I mentioned that my maid was separated from her younger sibling when she was young."
"Yes."
"There's someone responsible for that incident. sob!" (E/N: I dunno how to translate this one properly, but I'm dying laughing)
As he said this, he covered his mouth similarly to Glenn.
"The trash who forced loving siblings to be separated..."
Raon bit his lip, expressing both anger and sorrow. With tears in his eyes, he slammed his fist on the floor.
"Sniff…"
"Ugh..."
Judiel and Jubel also knelt down, bowing their heads and starting to sob.
"Who is it!"
Balder raised his fist as if ready to chase after the culprit immediately.
"I don't know about anything else, but I'll take care of that bastard!"
"You stay put, I'll kill him myself."
Alice gritted her teeth.
"All of you, shut your mouths."
Glenn leaned forward, furrowing his brow. His red eyes seemed to flash like lightning.
"Speak. Who did such a thing?"
"Um..."
Biting his lip as if in frustration, he turned his gaze to Karoon. Following his gaze, everyone in the audience chamber turned their eyes to Karoon.
Raon twisted the corners of his mouth as he watched Karoon's eyes suddenly contort.
-The Demon King of Pettiness has descended...
Wrath shook his head as he saw Raon squeezing his broad shoulders.
-Just give up the sword and go into acting instead!