Raon gulped dryly as he looked at the brightly glowing map.
The villages he had saved by dispatching the Light Wind division before entering the tomb were now connected by lines, forming a single path linking Zieghart and the Sword Saint's Tomb.
'It's all connected like that?'
He had only wanted to save the people before him, even if they weren't part of Zieghart's territory. He never imagined it would lead to this result.
"Judging by your expressions, it seems you didn't know either."
Glenn nodded calmly.
"Of course, that doesn't change the outcome. All the villages that pledged allegiance to Zieghart mentioned the Light Wind division's name."
His voice carried a rare tone of approval. His expression seemed softer than usual.
"The Head of House is correct."
Sheryl stepped forward.
"All the village chiefs and mayors expressed their gratitude to you."
She smiled, saying her heart was warmed.
"Territorial expansion. It's a remarkable achievement for both family and kingdom. To have accomplished this without even minor damages and through peaceful means, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a great feat."
Glenn's voice was calm, but the corners of his mouth trembled violently as if someone else had lifted them.
"I highly value this great achievement. I bestow Golden Tablets and Elixirs to all members of the Light Wind division."
As he snapped his fingers, Roenn came out from the inner room carrying a tray with Golden and Silver Tablets.
"Th-Thank you!"
"It's an honor!"
The Light Wind division members clutched their chests, knelt down, and bowed their heads.
The swordsmen seemed more impressed by the fact that their actions had greatly benefited Zieghart than by receiving the Golden Tablets.
"I also bestow Silver Tablets to all members of the Void Sword division who fought hard to protect the Light Wind division in the Sword Saint's Tomb."
After announcing that he would also reward the Void Sword division, Glenn rose from his throne and came down from the platform. It seemed he wanted to move personally due to the large number of people.
"Th-Thank you!"
Burren, who received the Golden Tablet and Elixir first, pressed his lips tightly as if trying to hold back tears.
"Thank you!"
Martha had an expression as if she deserved it, but her face turned red like a carrot, seemingly overwhelmed by receiving the golden tablet directly from Glenn.
"Thank you."
However, Runaan's eyes and expression remained unchanged. She received the Golden Tablet and Elixir with her usual blank stare.
After bestowing Golden Tablets to all members of the Light Wind division and Silver Tablets to all members of the Void Sword division, Glenn returned to the front.
"Void Sword Division Leader."
"Yes, Head of House."
"Even if there were mistakes, holding out until the end and saving your subordinates and the Light Wind division is a remarkable feat."
With those words, he handed a Golden Tablet and Elixir to the Void Sword Division Leader.
"This Elixir is good for internal injuries. Take it as soon as you return."
"Thank you..."
The Void Sword Division Leader received the Golden Tablet and Elixir with slightly trembling hands.
"Lastly, Light Wind Division Leader."
"Yes."
Raon stepped forward.
"For defeating the Glacial Wraith, the Sixth Apostle, and the Demon Sword Master; for revealing the identity of the Sword Saint and his tomb; for bringing back his legacy; and finally, for reclaiming Zieghart's territory."
Glenn calmly recited Raon's recent accomplishments. His voice was low, but the corners of his mouth and eyes slowly rose towards the sky.
"These are achievements not easily seen. At this rate, it wouldn't be impossible to incorporate the annex building into the main building and elevate you and Sylvia to the direct lineage, considering your past merits as well."
Everyone in the audience chamber widened their eyes at his quiet declaration.
"H-Head of House!"
"That's..."
"Close your mouths."
Glenn shot a fierce glare at the direct lineage members who were opening their mouths, then shook his head.
"However, you and I have made a promise about that."
"That's right."
Raon nodded. He had declared that he would defeat the Axe King and earn his position in the direct lineage himself.
"Since things have turned out this way, I'll grant you a wish this time."
"D-Did you just say a wish?"
"That's right. I can't do everything, but I'll try within my capabilities."
Glenn lowered his gaze, saying he would do his best to grant whatever he could.
"..."
Raon quietly looked around the audience chamber. He briefly closed and opened his eyes as he saw the direct lineage members with wide-eyed surprise, and Rimmer, Sheryl, and Alice who seemed to be urging him to request punishment for the Council of Elders.
"I want appropriate defensive rights for the annex building."
"Defensive rights?"
Glenn raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised.
"Both the special inspection by the True Martial Palace and this recent inspection by the Council of Elders were meaningless attacks. Only the annex building suffered greatly, and only the maids had to endure hardship."
"What nonsense! I spent tens of times more money back then! Being extorted by you, I had to eat only grass for a while..."
As he said this, Balder jumped forward.
"Do you want to die? Can't you shut up?"
"Keum..."
When Alice narrowed her eyes, Balder retreated back, his shoulders trembling.
"While inspections themselves are one thing, conducting consecutive inspections just to harass us, and using the annex's maids during their own inspections are all unreasonable. Therefore..."
Raon twisted his lips as he looked at where the direct lineage executives were.
"I want autonomy for the annex building."
"A-Autonomy?"
The direct lineage executives were the first to react.
"That's absurd!"
"Giving autonomy to the annex building! Absolutely not!"
"Head of House!"
They shook their heads vigorously, saying it was absolutely impossible.
"..."
Glenn said nothing and turned his gaze.
"Do you want me to go back on my own words?"
"Ah..."
"That's not..."
The direct lineage members who met his gaze stepped back with trembling lips.
"Indeed, if there were autonomy, it could resolve the issues that have occurred until now. However, autonomy is not a matter that can be decided easily. It could also mean giving up Zieghart's protection."
Glenn nodded without changing his expression.
"For now, I'll indefinitely suspend inspections, investigations, and approaches to the annex building. We'll discuss autonomy again after I've thought about it for a while."
"...Thank you."
Raon bowed his head after letting out a short breath.
'This is enough.'
He hadn't been aiming for autonomy from the beginning. As Glenn said, if the annex building lost Zieghart's protection, that would be a problem in itself.
Because the big wish for autonomy was rejected, the direct lineage members didn't complain even though defensive rights were granted. It was exactly the result I wanted.
"Since I couldn't fulfill what you wanted, if you have any other wish, speak up."
Glenn's gaze turned a bit colder.
'It looks like he's telling me to take revenge on the Vice Head of the Elder's Council.'
His gaze seemed to be saying to use the wish to attack the Vice Head who had harassed the annex building.
But that's something the annex and I need to do ourselves. If we ask Glenn or Alice to do it, we'll end up suffering the same fate for the rest of our lives.
Besides, there was no need to use a wish for something I could do myself.
"Then, I'd like to receive a few martial arts manuals."
"Martial arts manuals?"
Glenn frowned as if this request was also unexpected.
"Which martial arts manuals are you referring to?"
"I'd like to discuss that separately. I also have something to report to you, Head of House."
"Very well."
Glenn waved his hand towards the executives standing on either side.
"We'll end here for today. Everyone may leave."
The executives, Light Wind division, and Void Sword division bowed to Glenn and left the room. The direct lineage members looked a bit disgruntled but had no choice but to leave.
Only Sheryl, Roenn, Alice, and Rimmer remained in the Lord's Manor.
"Raon!"
Alice approached from the side and shouted.
"You should have said you wanted to chop off the heads of the Vice Head and his lackeys!"
"Would that have been granted?"
Raon shook his head with a faint smile.
"Even if it wasn't granted, wouldn't at least one head have rolled?"
Alice caressed her sword hilt as if considering taking action herself.
"Let's hear what Raon has to say first."
Sheryl smiled faintly and shook her head at Alice.
"Hehehe."
Roenn also chuckled, saying Raon must have his reasons.
"First, please take a look at this."
Raon first took out a piece of scabbard imbued with Derus Robert's Dark Current and handed it to Glenn.
"This is..."
Glenn frowned as he received the scabbard piece.
"Is this Death Aura?"
"That's correct."
Raon nodded, looking at the scabbard piece whose black color had faded considerably.
"After I came out of the tomb and was driving away the martial artists..."
He told Glenn, Sheryl, and Roenn about being attacked by Derus Robert.
"Such..."
"Huh..."
Sheryl and Roenn widened their eyes in surprise.
"It was dangerous. If it wasn't for the old Sword Demon, I wouldn't have been able to stop him alone."
Alice gritted her teeth, still seeming upset.
"From what I saw, he seemed to be on par with the leaders of the Six Kings."
"Such a person targeted Raon..."
Glenn's red eyes flashed with a chilling light. It was as if crimson lightning struck.
"I believe he's the leader of those who turned the Sword Saint's Tomb into hell. He probably tried to kill me for ruining their plans."
"That must be it."
He kept his eyes fixed on the Death Aura imbued in the scabbard piece, as if determined never to forget it.
"I understand. I'll order the Shadow Agents' Leader to investigate this."
"Thank you."
Raon bowed his head to Glenn.
'This will do.'
Showing the Dark Current that Derus had hidden to three of the Six Kings was more than I had hoped for.
If Derus can't hold back and reveals his power, we'll be able to shatter both his reputation and standing.
"So, what martial arts manuals do you want?"
Glenn nodded, putting the scabbard piece in his pocket.
"The martial arts manuals I want are the Center Mountain Sword, the Heavenly Nature Sword, and..."
Raon first mentioned the martial arts manuals needed to deconstruct and analyze the Sword Saint's manual, then after a brief pause, he named the last book.
"The Ten Forms Sword Style."
"The Ten Forms Sword Style. That's..."
"Isn't that the Vice Head's swordsmanship?"
A cold light swirled in Sheryl and Alice's eyes as they heard the name of the last martial arts manual.
"You're planning to challenge him to a duel, aren't you?"
Rimmer unfolded his arms and stepped forward.
"Yes. I have to fight."
"That old man is not only strong, but also cunning. Even though he knows he's stronger than you, he'll never agree to fight. Because he has nothing to gain even if he wins."
He shook his head, saying it would be frustrating.
"Then I'll have to make it so he has no choice but to fight."
"How?"
Not just Rimmer, but everyone present swallowed dryly.
"Vice Leader."
Raon raised a finger as he looked at Rimmer.
"You're acquainted with Vice Tower Master Berbin, right?"
Berbin was the Vice Tower Master of Zieghart's internal magic tower, and Raon had often seen him with Rimmer at taverns.
The magician who summoned orcs during the practical training in his trainee days was also under Berbin's command.
"Berbin? He's a drinking buddy, yes."
Rimmer blinked at the sudden mention of Berbin's name.
"I'd like to borrow him tomorrow, if possible."
Raon pulled out some gold coins as he curled up the corners of his mouth.
***
"Dragon Slayer, huh..."
Vice Head Killian of the Council of Elders recalled Raon's image with a deep sneer.
"I wondered how high his level was, but he's still just a kid."
"A kid, you say?"
Krishon, who had returned from the Lord's Manor, tilted his head.
"He may look capable, but he's naive. Just the right level to be easily used."
"Hmm..."
"Seems you don't understand."
"Yes. After hearing about his achievements today, I couldn't help but be impressed..."
"That's certainly impressive. But that's not what I'm talking about."
Killian tapped on the desk made of solid black wood as he curled his lips.
"When the Head of House offered to grant a wish, he didn't mention us, did he?"
"Yes. I was surprised too. If he had sought revenge against us, it would have been chilling..."
"That's what makes him a kid."
He leaned back deeply in his chair, turning his gaze towards the darkening window outside.
"Because he's thinking of targeting me with his power alone."
"Targeting you... you don't mean..."
"Yes. A duel."
Killian pressed his left and right index fingers together.
"He's planning to challenge me to a duel."
"Ah!"
Krishon's eyes widened in realization.
"He means to resolve it directly without borrowing the Head of House's power. That way, besides the defensive rights given to the annex, an untouchable wall would be created. However..."
Killian lightly separated his two fingers.
"A duel means nothing if the opponent doesn't accept. He'll regret missing the opportunity given to him today for the rest of his life."
He chuckled as he imagined Raon's distorted eyes.
"But now we have no way to touch the annex, do we?"
Krishon furrowed his brow as he stroked his still-smooth chin.
"We just need to create a method. There are more ways to harass them than just inspections or investigations."
Killian wagged his finger as he lightly recited ways to provoke the annex.
"As expected, you're amazing!"
Krishon looked at Killian with admiration, letting out an empty breath.
"Order the children to rest for about a week."
Killian's clouded eyes glinted with malice.
"Because after that, we'll need to visit the annex again."
***
The next morning.
As the swordsmen finished their breakfast and began their daily routines, a white curtain unfurled in the sky above the main building.
"What's that?"
"Looks like magic?"
"You're right. The magic tower is active. Was there an event scheduled for today?"
"It's spreading out like some kind of paper."
All the swordsmen and servants stopped in their tracks and looked up at the sky.
Woooong!
Black letters unfolded like a dance across the white curtain. It looked just like someone writing on paper.
[Children are taught from a young age never to approach animals with their young. Animals with offspring to protect are extremely sensitive, and their teeth and claws are twice as sharp as usual.]
It wasn't just letters being written. A clear female voice resonated throughout the main building.
Though it was just reading text, strangely enough, it stuck in the ear vividly, as if reciting poetry or singing a song.
[However, there is an old man who doesn't know this law of nature that even children understand. What could be the reason? If he doesn't know what he should have learned by his age, it's clear that his parents failed to educate him.]
[Having grown up with parents who gave up on character education, and never having formed a good family himself, he doesn't understand how precious others' families are.]
[The ignorant express their inferiority complex towards others, while adults recognize their own shortcomings and train their minds. The base seek out those lesser than themselves to mock, while the noble share knowledge and heart with those who lack.]
[It's lamentable that the one called the Vice Head of Zieghart Council of Elders has become ignorant and base due to lack of parental education.]
[As a Division Leader of Zieghart, I cannot leave the Vice Head of the Council of Elders as an ignorant, lowly, and stubborn old man who wasn't educated by his parents.]
[Therefore, I intend to personally impart teachings about the world to the Vice Head in place of his parents. If the Vice Head does not wish to remain base, ignorant, and uneducated by his parents any longer, he should come to the Grand Training Hall at noon three weeks from now. - Light Wind Division Leader Raon Zieghart.]
Finally, the name Light Wind Division Leader Raon Zieghart was written, and the clear female voice came to an end.
"Ah..."
"Uh..."
Countless people had gathered in front of the main building, but not a single one could open their mouth.
"As expected, Yua's voice is amazing."
Raon applauded from the roof of a mansion far from the main building.
-That's right. The pineapple girl's voice is like a nightingale... wait, no! That was insulting his parents!
Wrath raised his hand, his chin trembling.
'That's right.'
Raon nodded calmly.
-Hey, you! Even Demonized Humans don't insult parents!
'That old man was the one who brought up parents first.'
-No, putting everything else aside, this is the most novel and elegant parental insult this king has ever seen...
He blinked his eyes as if dumbfounded.
"That's how it'll hit home."
Raon curled up the corners of his mouth as he watched the Council of Elders' building shake as if hit by an earthquake.
"The duel challenge is done."