"Hm?"
Glenn frowned as if he had heard something illogical.
"Division Leader!"
Raon rushed forward and grabbed Rimmer's shoulders.
"What are you saying? Why are you suddenly giving up the Division Leader position?"
Just when they could return to the annex building with peace of mind after resolving Karoon's issue, the sudden mention of handing over the Division Leader position made his head spin.
"It's time."
Rimmer turned around and grinned.
"If you're willing to stand against the Central Martial Palace for your maid and her brother, you can protect the Light Wind division no matter who comes. I believe in you."
He nodded heavily as if he meant it.
"Still, it's too sudden."
Raon bit his lip as he looked at Rimmer. He didn't mind taking the Division Leader position. After all, he had been handling the duties of the Division Leader while only being called the Vice Leader.
What surprised me wasn't receiving the Division Leader position, but that Rimmer was trying to leave the Light Wind division.
"You've even got your prosthetic arm, so why are you talking about retiring? Did some problem arise?"
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Rimmer's right arm.
"No."
Rimmer shook his head while spinning his prosthetic arm like a windmill.
"It's in great shape. Even better than my original hand."
"Then why..."
"I'm not retiring."
He smiled as he grabbed Raon's shoulders.
"I'm just stepping back, and you're stepping up as Division Leader. It's just a change of positions."
Rimmer shook his head, saying he had no intention of leaving the Light Wind division yet.
"Why would I give up a cushy job that pays me for doing nothing!"
He rubbed his fingers, saying he still had a lot of debts to repay.
"Ah..."
Raon nodded as he looked into Rimmer's calm eyes.
'So that's what it was.'
He thought Rimmer was going to leave the Light Wind division entirely, but fortunately, it seemed he only intended to pass on the Division Leader position.
"You'll do well."
Rimmer patted his shoulder with his left hand, which had blood flowing through it, not the prosthetic.
"Hmm..."
"You're going to make Raon Zieghart the Division Leader?"
"Well, his skills are more than enough."
"Honestly, he'll probably do better than Rimmer?"
The executives were the first to react to Rimmer's words. They nodded, saying it looked fine.
"But..."
Alice tilted her head as if something was strange.
"Wasn't Raon the Light Wind Division Leader from the beginning?"
"That's right. I thought Raon was the Light Wind Division Leader too."
"I thought he'd already handed it over."
"Doesn't Raon submit the mission reports too?"
Not just her, but other executives also opened their eyes wide as if they felt something was off.
"What are you talking about! I'm still the Light Wind Division Leader!"
Rimmer waved his hand as if telling them not to talk nonsense.
"Hmm..."
Sheryl came forward, stroking her chin.
"Who manages the training ground?"
"Raon."
"Who handles the Light Wind division's personnel assignments?"
"Raon."
"Who submits the interim reports during missions?"
"Raon..."
"Who handles the reports and accounting after returning?"
As she spoke, Sheryl's voice grew deeper, as if she was getting angrier.
"R-Raon."
Rimmer stuttered at the end, seemingly sensing the changing atmosphere.
"Are you even human?"
"I'm an elf though?"
"Shut up!"
Sheryl kicked Rimmer, who was kneeling, with gusto.
"..."
Glenn stepped aside slightly so Sheryl could beat Rimmer more easily.
"Th-those are tasks for the subordinates! I'm definitely doing my job as Division Leader!"
Rimmer shook his head, saying those were all tasks for the Vice Leader.
"Then let me ask you."
Alice stood to Rimmer's right, frowning.
"Who makes the plans when carrying out missions?"
"Raon, of course!"
"Who makes the decisions during missions?"
"Raon..."
"Who takes on the enemy leader during battles?"
"Th-that's also Raon..."
"Hey! You parasite!"
She finally couldn't hold back and punched Rimmer's head.
Bwaaack!
With a sound like the earth collapsing, Rimmer's neck retracted into his trapezius muscles like a turtle's.
"Aaaagh!"
Rimmer screamed as if begging her to stop, but Alice didn't.
"You don't do anything! That's why everyone thought Raon was the Division Leader!"
"You'd be better off dead!"
Sheryl rushed over again and stomped on Rimmer.
"..."
Glenn stepped back again so they could stomp on Rimmer more effectively.
"Th-that's why I'm passing it on!"
Rimmer waved his hands to escape Sheryl and Alice's kicks.
"Head of House, please say something!"
"Hmm..."
Glenn frowned and shook his head.
"I also thought Raon was the Light Wind Division Leader."
Given how he said that in such a serious situation, it seemed he truly meant it.
"Ah, this is driving me crazy!"
Rimmer shook his head as if he couldn't believe it.
"Head of House, you shouldn't say that! I've done so much..."
"Shut up."
Glenn twisted his lips and extended his lightning.
Kwararrrrung!
Rimmer was struck by the lightning, blackened and rolling on the ground.
"Just a salary thief."
Glenn kicked the charred Rimmer aside and approached Raon.
"Raon Zieghart."
"Yes, Head of House."
"What do you think?"
He lowered his eyebrows as if asking if Raon could really fulfill the role of Division Leader.
"Currently, the Light Wind division is receiving attention not just from Zieghart, but from the entire continent. The squad leaders are Masters, and the squad members are top-tier Experts. There are even a few who will soon reach Master level."
Glenn calmly waved his hand.
"Getting attention isn't always a good thing. The Light Wind division has made many enemies because of it. There won't always be someone to save you. Can you be a wall that protects your subordinates even when your own life is in danger?"
Glenn wasn't just asking about the role of Division Leader, but looking further ahead. It felt like he had been keeping a close eye on the Light Wind division.
"As you said, the Light Wind division has many enemies. But if we hide in fear of them, we cannot be called Zieghart's swordsmen. I will build a Light Wind division that makes our enemies avoid us out of fear without even needing to fight."
Raon said this while thumping his left chest with his right fist.
"And you don't need to worry about me protecting my subordinates."
He smiled as he looked at Rimmer, who was staggering to his feet.
"If nothing else, I've learned that much for certain."
"Is that so."
Glenn nodded as he looked at Raon and Rimmer in turn. His complexion seemed to have regained a bit of energy.
"You'll be able to do well."
He surprisingly started with praise, patting Raon's shoulder. It was unexpected, but given the situation, it made sense.
"As of this moment, I appoint Raon Zieghart as the Light Wind Division Leader."
The executives who heard Glenn's declaration gave a solemn round of applause.
"Congratulations."
"Congratulations."
Sheryl and Alice approached, wearing faint smiles.
"It's quite late compared to your abilities."
"Please take care of us from now on."
"Let's meet at the next Division Leader conference."
"You'll learn the terror of your seniors there."
The executives also sent their congratulations with smiles. The direct lineage members just furrowed their brows without saying anything.
"Head of House."
Raon stepped forward towards Glenn.
"I'm sorry, but I have one request."
"A request?"
"Yes. May I request protection for Judiel and Jubel?"
"Y-Young Master!"
"We're fine!"
Judiel and Jubel waved their hands with wide eyes, seemingly not expecting Raon to directly request protection from Glenn.
"No."
Glenn shook his head as he looked at the two.
"It's something that should be done naturally, so there's no need to feel burdened."
He shook his head, telling them not to worry.
"Let's end it here for today."
Glenn turned his back with a face soaked in fatigue.
"All of you, follow me."
He called for Alice, Balder, and Denier in turn as he returned to the Lord's Manor.
"Raon."
As soon as Glenn disappeared, Rimmer sprang up and stuck to Raon's side. The smell of charred flesh wafted from him.
"Now that you've become Division Leader, there are some things I need to tell you."
"Please go ahead."
"First, about accounting..."
"I've been doing that already."
"Oh, then the reports..."
"I've been doing those too."
"Then, occasionally being a conversation partner for the Head of House..."
"You should keep doing that."
Listening to him, there wasn't a single thing that was helpful.
"I have something to say as well."
"What is it?"
"Now that you're under me, can you handle my training?"
"Ugh..."
Rimmer's eyes widened as if he hadn't thought of that.
"Training is... Hm? Wait a minute."
He shook his head quickly.
"Didn't I already do that? You always called me for training."
"...That's right."
Raon nodded. Come to think of it, it seemed he had been living as the Division Leader for quite some time.
"Haah..."
"Hmm..."
As Raon sighed in exasperation, Rimmer grinned and gave a thumbs up.
"Being a salary thief is sweet!"
"You idiot!"
Unable to hold back, Raon kicked Rimmer. He was truly a person who invited punishment.
-What's this about a salary thief being sweet! Let's go eat some right now!
Wrath, who had been yawning as if bored, suddenly jumped up.
Raon squeezed his eyes shut as he looked at Rimmer and Wrath.
'Ah, I'm tired...'
* * *
Raon returned to the annex building with Jubel and Judiel. Perhaps because news of their arrival had already spread, Sylvia and the maids were waiting in front of the annex's garden.
"Judiel!"
Sylvia rushed out without hesitation and embraced Judiel.
"My lady..."
Judiel bit her lip as she was held in Sylvia's arms. Though she seemed to be forcibly suppressing her emotions, a faint moisture welled up in her eyes.
"I was worried. You should have at least said something before leaving."
Sylvia patted Judiel's back with the hand that was holding her.
"I'm glad you came back safely. Welcome back."
"...I'm sorry."
Judiel kept her head bowed and repeatedly apologized. Sylvia's shoulder gradually became wet.
"Judiel!"
"Sister!"
"Are you alright?"
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
Helen, Yua, and the other maids all rushed over to surround Judiel and Sylvia.
They breathed sighs of relief that Judiel was safe, rather than inquiring about the circumstances.
"Judiel. Where did you go!"
"A-Are you okay?"
Ensia and Siyana also approached to check on Judiel's condition.
"Hmm..."
Jubel tightly gripped his wrist with a trembling hand as he watched the maids surrounding Judiel. He seemed moved that so many people were worried about his sister.
"Raon."
Sylvia raised her gaze while stroking Judiel's back.
"What happened? You said you'd explain when you returned, right?"
"I didn't say that..."
-Say you did! You clueless fool!
Wrath smacked the back of Raon's head.
-I can't tell if this is a demon or a human...
He frowned, wondering why Raon was so clueless.
'Ugh...'
Raon nodded while rubbing the back of his head where Wrath had hit him.
"Then we'll excuse ourselves."
As Helen was about to leave with the other maids, Sylvia shook her head.
"No, let's all go in together. We shouldn't keep secrets from family."
She had everyone sit on the garden floor, not leaving anyone out.
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Sylvia.
'She seems a bit different.'
No, that might be mother's original personality.
Sylvia had become more confident and resolute since recovering her energy center.
It was the image of a Zieghart warrior that she herself had taught me.
'But what's changed even more is her martial prowess.'
She had already recovered to mid-level Master. No, she was almost at high-level Master.
Even with Grandmaster-level mana in her artificial energy center, it was an incredibly rapid growth. The saying that she had the highest talent among Glenn's children felt real.
"Now, tell us."
Sylvia nodded after looking at everyone in turn.
"The beginning goes back quite a while. When Judiel first came..."
Raon told everyone in the garden about everything that had happened.
"I'm sorry."
As soon as the story ended, Judiel knelt down and pressed her forehead to the ground.
"I deceived my lady and everyone. I truly have no words..."
"Enough."
Sylvia stopped Judiel's words and embraced her again.
"It must have been hard."
At her soft voice, Judiel's shoulders trembled.
The maids also embraced Judiel and Sylvia without saying a word.
"So you're Jubel."
Sylvia looked at Jubel while still holding Judiel.
"I-It's nice to meet you. I'm..."
Jubel's lips trembled as if he was flustered.
"Welcome to the annex."
Sylvia smiled at Jubel, her smile as bright as sunlight shimmering on flower petals.
Despite hearing that Jubel had lived as an assassin, she didn't fear him or get angry, but simply embraced him.
The other maids also smiled welcomingly at Judiel's brother.
I thought Sylvia and the maids would accept the deeply wounded Jubel and Judiel, but they treated them even better than expected. I was simply grateful.
"Let's go back."
Sylvia took Jubel and Judiel's hands and headed towards the annex.
"I've prepared some special dishes in the annex for you!"
She smiled brightly, telling them to wait just a little.
-Food! Special dishes! Delicious things!
Wrath, who had been crossing his arms as if angry, flew to the annex faster than anyone else at the mention of food.
'This place really is the most comfortable.'
Raon smiled wryly as he watched the backs of Sylvia and the maids, and Wrath's swishing tail.
-Hurry up! If you don't eat, this king can't eat either!
'I'm coming, I'm coming.'
* * *
The Ragged Saint Federick examined Karoon's entire body with a grave look.
'It wouldn't have been strange if he had died.'
Glenn had left indelible internal wounds as if he truly intended to kill Karoon. If treatment had been delayed even a little, he would have been crippled or dead.
'Well, it's understandable.'
Karoon had done something no human should do. Federick could sense Glenn's anguish and pain in driving his son to the brink of death.
Federick furrowed his brows as he tapped Karoon's vital points with his fingers.
Black blood oozed in droplets from Karoon's reddened pores, as if he had been burned all over.
He continued without stopping, even as cold sweat dripped from his forehead. His hands, which had been stimulating the mana circuits as if he'd lost track of time, only stopped when the faint moonlight hit the windowsill.
"Phew..."
After lowering his hands, Federick put medicine in Karoon's mouth.
"Urgh..."
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Karoon slowly opened his eyes. His lips trembled as he groaned, apparently in severe pain.
"You're finally awake."
Federick sighed as he touched Karoon's forehead.
"Saint?"
"Did you see the path to the underworld?"
"Hmm..."
Karoon winced as if remembering being struck by Glenn.
"Why on earth did you do it?"
"..."
He closed his eyes again without saying anything.
"Well, never mind. I'm not here to judge your wrongs right now."
Federick shook his head after examining Karoon's condition again.
"Even though you're a Grandmaster, your internal injuries are too severe. It'll take more than a few months for a full recovery."
"I know."
Karoon nodded calmly, seeming to be aware of his own condition.
"You've passed the critical point, but your insides are no different from a rag. Don't even think about aura training for a while."
"Yes..."
"I'll come back at dawn then."
Federick looked at Karoon for a moment before getting up.
"Thank... you."
"Rest."
He waved his hand and left the sick room.
"Hah."
Only then did Karoon open his eyes.
'My aura is still alive.'
As Federick said, his energy center and mana circuits were torn like rags, but the damage wasn't irreparable.
It would take a long time, but recovery seemed possible.
'To think Father would move personally...'
He had thought there might be severe punishment, but he didn't expect Glenn to take action himself. It seemed he needed to reassess his predictions about Glenn.
"Haah..."
"Do you regret it?"
As Karoon sighed, a sultry voice rang out from beneath the sickbed.
Woooong.
A gentle light flickered within the black shadow, and a man wearing a pristine white robe emerged.
"You..."
Karoon frowned, unsurprised as if he had seen the man before.
"If you had joined hands with us earlier, this wouldn't have happened."
The robed man shook his head and sneered.
"How did you get in here?"
"We are everywhere and nowhere."
The robed man shook his head as if reluctant to answer.
"How about it? Will you take our hand now?"
He raised his ice-white hand.
"If you do, we'll erase Raon Zieghart and make you the head of House Zieghart."
"Kuk!"
Karoon sneered as he looked at the robed man.
"You worms who couldn't even use the information I gave you?"
"It was because your information was wrong, wasn't it?"
The robed man shook his head.
"Anyway, you've made your decision now, right?"
He extended his transparent hand towards Karoon.
"Now there's only one way left for you..."
"Stop talking nonsense and get lost."
Karoon glared at the robed man with bloodshot eyes.
"Didn't you want to become the head of the house?"
"I do want to. No, I will become it. But it only has meaning if I achieve it with my own power."
He ground his teeth like a beast.
"It'll be difficult in your current state. No, it's impossible."
"I am Karoon Zieghart. Even if I can't become the head and end up destroying Zieghart with my own hands, I have no intention of joining hands with outside trash."
Karoon clenched his fist with his weakened body, as if to say he wouldn't compromise on this.
"Ha."
The robed man shook his head.
"The pride of you Zieghart people really is sky-high."
He brought his extended hands together and formed a knife hand.
"A wingless mayfly that doesn't know its place. An insect that can't grasp its position..."
The robed man brought his sharpened hand down towards Karoon.
"Should be crushed to death!"
At that moment, a red lightning bolt flashed and grabbed the robed man's wrist.
Kwaddeuddeuk!
Glenn Zieghart. The man who should have been in the Lord's Manor crushed the robed man's wrist, bones and all.
"You shouldn't leave the window open."
Glenn's red eyes bore down on the moonlight seeping through the window.
"Bugs have gotten in."