Vice Head Killian of the Council of Elders narrowed his eyes as he watched Sylvia descending the stairs.
'She seems like a completely different person.'
Since returning to the family, Sylvia had always been timid.
She hunched her shoulders and back like a mouse, always keeping her eyes downcast. She couldn't even make eye contact with people, and if she did, she would quickly run away.
But the Sylvia now was different.
With her shoulders straight as an iron tower, she exuded the noble aura unique to the Zieghart family.
Her golden hair, tied back tightly as if melted sunlight, and her martial attire reminded one of a fine sword. The sharpness was almost palpable.
The biggest change was in her eyes. Her red eyes, which had always trembled with anxiety, were now as deep and still as the ocean floor, without the slightest quiver.
Crunch.
Killian ground his molars.
'Is this really Sylvia?'
Even before Sylvia left the family, she never had this kind of aura and presence. It was as if her very soul had changed.
'I heard she had stabilized an artificial energy center, but...'
Could that really cause such a change?
Although it hadn't been long since Sylvia obtained the artificial energy center, her martial prowess had already reached the pinnacle of Master level. No matter how he thought about it, it didn't make sense.
"S-Sylvia?"
Krishon also stuttered, seemingly sensing Sylvia's change, and the martial artists of the Council of Elders even took a step back, intimidated by her aura.
"It's been a while, Vice Head."
Ignoring Krishon, Sylvia stood before Killian and bowed her head.
"What brings the Council of Elders here?"
"Ahem."
Killian cleared his throat, revealing his discomfort.
'Disgustingly confident.'
It felt so ugly to see her acting arrogantly just because she gained an energy center, after abandoning and running away from the family.
"Tsk."
Without answering Sylvia, Killian clicked his tongue at Krishon.
"Insolent!"
Receiving that signal, Krishon stood in front of Sylvia.
"How dare a branch family member speak so carelessly!"
"I didn't know a branch family member couldn't even speak to an elder. That's news to me."
Sylvia still ignored Krishon, directing a cold smile at the Vice Head.
"You don't know your place."
Krishon glared at Sylvia, his lips twisting into a sneer.
"Do you think your sins have disappeared just because you gained an energy center?"
"I have no sins."
Sylvia shook her head with a calm gaze.
"When I left the family, I returned everything I received from them. When I came back, I only received the Head of House's mercy. I have no remaining sins."
She straightened her back proudly. The aura of someone without shame pushed back Krishon's malice.
"Shut up! The stain you left on Zieghart can't be erased!"
Krishon ground his teeth and turned his head.
"If the stain I left tarnishes the Zieghart name, then Zieghart must be very small indeed. However, I don't see Zieghart as that insignificant."
Unlike before, Sylvia didn't hesitate to use the Zieghart name.
"Besides, I don't want to hear such words from those who have lost the spirit of the old Zieghart and bully the weak."
"How dare you!"
Krishon, seemingly infuriated by the change in Sylvia, who once couldn't even make eye contact, lashed out first.
Whoosh!
In that moment, Sylvia clenched her right fist. Her fist shot out like lightning, striking Krishon's jaw.
Crack!
Krishon, who had tried to slap Sylvia's cheek but instead got his jaw hit, collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.
"Ugh..."
He didn't lose consciousness, but his brain was rattled, causing him to only move his legs without being able to stand properly.
"Huh!"
"S-Sir Krishon!"
"What is this!"
The martial artists of the Council of Elders approached Krishon in shock.
"It was self-defense. He struck at me first."
Sylvia shook her head, brushing off her shoulder where Krishon's hand had touched.
"You've changed a lot. You weren't like this even before you left the family."
Vice Head Killian looked at Sylvia with eyes filled with quiet anger.
"I had to change to become a mother who wouldn't be ashamed in front of her son."
Sylvia shook her head with a faint smile.
"Ugh!"
Krishon, true to his Master rank, quickly regained his senses and stood before Killian again.
"V-Vice Head, you don't need to step in! I'll handle this."
He glared at Sylvia, biting his lip until it bled.
"So, what brings you here?"
Sylvia nodded calmly.
"We received information that illegal activities within the family were witnessed in the annex. We need to check it ourselves!"
Krishon headed towards the stairs of the annex, emanating a fierce aura.
Zing!
From the shadows of the annex stairs, Jubel sprang out to block the way.
"You cannot proceed."
"How dare a lowly person like you interfere with the Council of Elders' business!"
Krishon, having lost his composure after being humiliated by Sylvia, swung his sword at Jubel. Though there was no killing intent, it seemed as if he might cut off an arm.
Sylvia lifted her left heel. She slid as if folding the ground, standing in front of Jubel. With her left palm, she struck the flat of Krishon's sword as it fell towards Jubel's shoulder.
Clang!
As Krishon's body staggered, she stepped forward and struck his jaw again with her scabbard.
Crack!
Hit even harder in the same spot, Krishon flew into the air before crumpling down. White teeth flew from his mouth like kernels of corn.
"Ugh..."
This time, Krishon's eyes rolled back as if he had lost consciousness.
"Do you realize what you're doing?"
The Vice Head looked at the trembling Krishon before revealing a chilling gaze.
"I am merely protecting my people as the owner of the annex building. Also, I have no intention of letting unauthorized people in."
"Authorization?"
"I know the Council of Elders has the authority to inspect within the family. However, a permit is required for that. Without a permit, you're no different from robbers or thieves to me."
Sylvia shook her head confidently. The Council of Elders had a degree of investigation authority, but a permit was needed to exercise this right.
"You know that permit will be issued as soon as I say the word, right?"
"Then go get it."
She nodded as if to say "do as you please."
"Hmph."
At the Vice Head's gesture, one martial artist quickly ran towards the main building.
Not long after, he returned with a certificate authorizing inspection of the annex in his hand.
"Satisfied now?"
"Yes."
Sylvia stepped aside with a calm gaze.
"You'll regret what happened today."
The Vice Head narrowed his eyes and entered the annex first.
"That's something no one can know."
Sylvia shook her head as she followed behind.
***
Raon took a big bite of the mint chocolate ice cream in his hand. A taste both bitter and slightly refreshing filled his mouth simultaneously.
-Ehehehehe!
As soon as Wrath ate the mint chocolate, he burst into childlike laughter as if fully recovered.
-As expected of mint chocolate! Kehek! This is the true taste of mint chocolate! Kek! I missed this! Keeek!
However, judging by his continuous coughing, it was clear he wasn't in good condition.
'I'll have to feed him well for a while.'
It wasn't an exaggeration to say he survived thanks to Wrath, so Raon decided to let him eat whatever he wanted.
"Bratty princess."
Runaan, who was also eating mint chocolate, quietly raised a finger pointing to the right.
"Hm?"
Raon turned his gaze in the direction Runaan pointed. He saw a female magician walking while reading a thick magic book, wearing large glasses. She was so focused that she didn't take her eyes off the book.
'Is that Jayna?'
Princess Jayna always wrapped herself in splendor and was accompanied by many subordinates.
But now, her face was bare of makeup, she wore no accessories, and her subordinates were nowhere to be seen.
If one didn't know better, they might have thought she was just an ordinary magician.
Perhaps that was the reason. It seemed she had achieved a level of accomplishment far beyond what he had seen before.
"Wow..."
Dorian also let out a gasp as he looked at Jayna.
"To think that's the bratty princess..."
He too had seen Jayna since the black market, so he expressed his surprise openly.
"She's completely different from when we first saw her. Should I bring her over? She'd be thrilled if we told her about that ring."
"No, it's fine."
Raon calmly shook his head. He didn't want to disturb someone who was concentrating.
'People really do change.'
In his past life, he thought people never changed.
But living this life, he seemed to realize multiple times that wasn't true.
'However, Derus Robert. You'll never change in your lifetime.'
Knowing that he would never change, Raon could plan his revenge without the slightest hesitation.
Thinking about revenge against Derus, he was reminded of the family in the annex, in stark contrast.
"Sigh..."
Raon finished the remaining ice cream and shook his head.
'I want to rest a bit in the annex.'
-I want to eat more in the annex.
"..."
He really was a demon king when it came to ruining the mood.
***
"Head of House."
Shadow Agents' Leader Chad knelt before Glenn and bowed his head.
"News about Lord Raon has arrived."
"News?"
Glenn, who had been looking out the window as if disinterested in everything, slowly turned and moved to sit on the throne.
"Speak."
Though his voice was low as if he didn't care much, his eyes flickered like constellations, urging Chad to speak quickly.
"It's said that the martial artist who obtained the Sword Saint's Legacy from his tomb is none other than Lord Raon!"
Chad raised his voice to announce this surprising news.
"I-Is that true?"
Glenn stood up abruptly, not even three seconds after sitting down. His lips began to curl upwards slowly, like snow accumulating on a roof.
"Yes!"
Chad nodded, confirming it was certain.
"Hehehe."
"He really obtained the Sword Saint's Legacy? That's amazing."
Roenn and Sheryl smiled with wide eyes, looking amazed.
"Ahem!"
Glenn slightly jutted out his chin and danced with his shoulders, as if enjoying the reactions of the two.
"It would be troublesome if you're this happy already."
Chad swallowed dryly and raised his gaze boldly.
"Lord Raon has discovered that the Sword Saint was an ancestor of our Zieghart family, and that the land where his tomb is located also belonged to Zieghart!"
"What?"
Glenn's eyes widened in surprise, as if he hadn't expected this.
"The Sword Saint was an ancestor of Zieghart?"
"Yes! It's a clear fact. Not just the Light Wind division or Void Sword division, but even the neutral factions from the tomb all gave the same testimony."
Chad nodded quickly.
"I couldn't have imagined that."
Sheryl let out a hollow laugh, as if dumbfounded.
"Hehehe, Lord Raon has really made a great achievement."
Roenn clapped his hands, his usual smile deepening.
"It's not just a simple achievement. This is history-changing!"
Chad also waved his hands, seeming excited.
"Ahem!"
Glenn cleared his throat while stroking his increasingly reddening cheeks.
"H-He's doing quite well."
The more intense the reactions of Roenn, Sheryl, and Chad became, the higher the corners of his mouth rose.
"If that land is ours, we should send people to manage it. It's a bit far, so we need to firmly establish our presence there in advance."
Sheryl stroked his chin, suggesting they should start managing it from now on.
"Of course, that's right, but there's no need to rush."
Chad shook his head with a faint smile.
"Why is that?"
"Actually, after Lord Raon left the tomb..."
He told them about how Raon had cracked hundreds of skulls and established the Sanctuary of Blades.
"So it's already become like a sacred place?"
"That's right. Alone, he smashed hundreds of skulls... no, heads, but the fact that he didn't take a single life caused even greater fear and respect, turning it into a sanctuary called the Sanctuary of Blades."
Chad let out a sigh, as if he himself found it unbelievable.
"Roenn!"
Glenn called out Roenn's name, turning his gaze.
"I'm writing it down now. 'From now on, this land is Zieghart territory. I'll give you 10 seconds. Either lay down your weapons or get out. Choose one of the two.'"
Roenn began writing in Raon's Gospel the words Raon had shouted in front of the Sword Saint's tomb.
"That kid really made a big splash."
Sheryl didn't hide her pleased smile at Raon's exploits.
"Why are you all just praising him?"
Glenn turned his head as if wondering when he had ordered the writing of Raon's Gospel.
"It's only natural to do so if he knew it was Zieghart land!"
However, despite saying it was only natural, his earlobes were bright red, and the corners of his mouth were raised so high they almost touched his cheekbones, making it obvious he was smiling even from behind.
"So when are the children coming back?"
Glenn couldn't hide his excitement, using the term "children" instead of Light Wind division. His voice trembled.
"They went to Balkar, but they'll be back soon."
"...I see."
Glenn sighed, seemingly disappointed they weren't returning immediately. As he unconsciously shook his leg, the entire Lord's Manor began to tremble.
"Head of House! Don't worry, they'll be back soon."
"Yes. It's natural they'd be a bit late if they're bringing gifts."
Sheryl and Roenn smiled faintly as they watched dust falling from the ceiling.
"Who said I was worried! I was just curious!"
Contrary to his words, the Lord's Manor began to shake even more violently.
"And there's one more thing I need to tell you."
Chad lowered his gaze, all traces of a smile vanishing from his face.
"As you probably know, Head of House, the Council of Elders is currently occupying the annex and conducting an inspection. I hear they're bullying quite blatantly."
He frowned, seemingly displeased with the Council of Elders' actions.
"I suppose they mean to control Lord Raon by using Lady Sylvia."
Roenn frowned, which was rare for him.
"Hmm, should I go and handle it?"
Sheryl rolled his shoulders lightly. He seemed ready to take care of it immediately if given the word.
"The Council of Elders' right of inspection has been in place since the founding. It's a measure for the separation of powers, so even the power of the Lord's Manor can't easily stop it."
Glenn calmly shook his head.
"But we could still do it if we wanted to, couldn't we?"
Sheryl frowned.
"Yes, we could stop it. But they would just be waiting for that, to pick an even worse fight in another way."
Glenn shook his head as if reading the Council of Elders' thoughts.
"So in the end, it means the annex has to fight with its own power."
Roenn calmly stroked his chin.
"But the annex has no authority. It will be hard for them to endure."
Chad swallowed dryly, seeming worried.
"You're right. However, since the Light Wind Division Leader has made such a great achievement this time..."
Glenn looked down at Chad with a cold glint in his eyes.
"It might not be bad to grant one of his wishes."
Chad understood the meaning of those words and immediately stood up.
"I'll inform them quickly!"
***
Ten days had passed since the Council of Elders' inspection began.
"There seems to be something hidden in this floor, let's open it up."
"The window frame is twisted! Smash it!"
"I see a gap in the ceiling! Tear it out!"
The martial artists of the Council of Elders destroyed the perfectly fine floor, walls, and ceiling, then immediately started looking for the next thing to criticize.
"Why aren't these filthy things cleaned up!"
"Not even properly cleaned, we'll have to mark the hygiene condition as the worst possible."
"Did they think to prepare and eat food in a place like this? It's not even a beggar's den."
They didn't even clean up the debris they had created, instead mocking and harassing the maids who were cleaning up after them.
"We're sorry."
"We'll clean it up right away."
"Please wait a moment."
The maids of the annex endured the Council's martial artists' tyranny to avoid causing trouble for Raon and Sylvia, cleaning up the chaotic house and personally repairing the broken ceilings and floors.
After moving non-stop for ten days, their hands and feet were covered in blue bruises.
Sylvia also helped organize the annex and clean alongside the maids.
Despite suffering the worst harassment from Krishon and the Council's martial artists, she endured everything with the same composure as at the beginning.
"My lady."
Helen approached Sylvia, who was clearing away the debris from a collapsed wall, and bowed her head.
"Please rest a bit. You've been working non-stop since dawn."
"I'm fine. You should rest first, Helen."
Sylvia smiled and patted Helen's shoulder.
"I'm okay, but the children are struggling."
Helen sighed as she put down a rag blackened with dirt. She bit her lip, saying that some maids might collapse soon.
"I'm sure. But for now, there's nothing we can do."
Sylvia shook her head.
"Using force is exactly what they want."
The Vice Head was harassing the annex through legal means.
If they were to use force here, it would cause great harm to Raon, just as they wanted.
"You understand well."
A low voice came from the right. Turning to look, they saw the Gambling Monster sitting on a broken window frame.
"The Council of Elders is full of such snake-like old men. One reason I left the Council was because I didn't want to see the likes of those old men."
The Gambling Monster frowned, saying there were more despicable old men than good ones.
"Your sighs were so loud they even ruined the taste of my drink."
Saying this, he tossed a small piece of paper he was holding and disappeared.
"Ah..."
Sylvia unfolded the paper she received from the Gambling Monster and clenched her fist. She nodded as if making a decision and went outside the annex.
"Dig more over there! Don't stop!"
Krishon, with a bandage on his chin, was ordering the maids to dig up the garden.
Most of the maids were exhausted, their hands shaking, while only Judiel and her younger brother Jubel kept working tirelessly so the other maids could rest.
"Ah, that side is done. Now dig on the opposite side."
Krishon sneered mockingly at the maids and ordered them to dig in a different place.
As a result, the once-blooming garden had become as desolate as a war zone.
The Vice Head was enjoying refreshments at an elegant table placed in the center of the ruined garden.
"Vice Head."
Sylvia approached him with a calm gaze and bowed her head.
"What is it?"
The Vice Head tilted his head as he elegantly set down his teacup.
"How about stopping now?"
"Stop?"
He raised his gaze with a sneer.
"Even after ten days, you haven't lost that arrogance. How impertinent."
"..."
Sylvia said nothing. She looked at the Vice Head with calm eyes.
"It's not you who decides when this ends, but me. Don't forget who has the authority here."
The Vice Head twisted his lips as he watched the maids digging with bloodied hands.
"If you don't want to see them suffer, you know what to do, don't you? Your current behavior isn't the right path."
"Bowing to a filthy human for a bit of comfort isn't a good choice either."
"Until the end..."
He twisted his lips.
"Don't tell me you're counting on the permit's expiration date? Your delusion is too great. Extending the permit is all too easy."
The Vice Head raised his voice, asking if she wanted to take this to the end.
"It's you who's greatly mistaken, Vice Head."
"What?"
"I sincerely gave you this advice out of concern for you. Let me say this one last time. For your own sake, you'd better leave now. If you do, we won't question what's happened until now."
Sylvia showed a confident gaze as if she had the upper hand.
"You seem to have lost your mind. Fine, let's see this through to the end!"
The Vice Head ordered Krishon to get a new permit.
"Do as you please."
Sylvia turned her back on the Vice Head and approached the maids digging in the ground.
"My lady, we're fine."
"Y-Yes, don't worry about us."
"We can endure as long as necessary!"
Judiel and the maids shook their heads, telling her not to worry.
"I'm truly sorry."
Sylvia smiled faintly and dropped the Gambling Monster's letter she had been holding tightly into the dug-up ground.
[Raon Zieghart's return confirmed by this evening. He will be given the authority to stop the Council of Elders' tyranny. -Sparrow]
Judiel and the maids' eyes widened at the Shadow Agents' information that came through the Gambling Monster's hand.
"Just endure a little longer."
Sylvia smiled faintly as she buried the paper in the ground.
"You'll see their skulls... no, their heads cracking soon."