Lady Alice?"
Raon took a deep breath.
'Could something have happened to her?'
The continent's situation is still not good. Though not as bad as before, small and large wars are still occurring, so anxiety crept up that Alice might have encountered an unfavorable situation.
'Derus is capable of anything.'
While all of the Five Demons except the Holy Sword Alliance were dangerous, Derus Robert's silence was particularly concerning. Even Raon couldn't predict his actions anymore, sending chills down his spine.
"Should I go look for Lady Alice now...?"
Raon swallowed dryly as he looked up at Glenn.
"There's no need to worry so much."
Glenn shook his head with a calm gaze.
"It's not unusual for her to be out of contact for days."
He lowered his hand, indicating this was a familiar situation.
"You should be more suspicious if she responds immediately. She doesn't even reply unless it's about you."
Glenn clicked his tongue, asking if Raon hadn't experienced Alice's personality firsthand.
"But Lady Alice must understand the gravity of the situation..."
"I only sent her information about the Soul Crystal. The other matters were too heavy to put in writing."
He shook his finger, saying he only wrote about returning and the Soul Crystal to Alice.
"I see..."
"And it's not like we didn't get any response at all."
Glenn slightly lowered his eyebrows and bit his lip.
"Alice and those... pirates."
He seemed embarrassed that the leader of those pirates was his own daughter, his voice slightly trembling.
"Alice left only a few people on the ship and moved to Zeben Port, so we didn't get a proper reply."
Glenn shook his head, explaining that only new recruits were left on the pirate ship Azure Wind, so they couldn't get the desired response.
"Moreover, that kid has grown since meeting you."
Glenn looked at Raon with gentle eyes, unlike when recalling Alice.
"She won't be defeated by some riffraff, so don't worry."
He told Raon to relax, saying if something had happened to Alice, the continent would already be in an uproar.
"That's true."
Raon nodded gently.
'If Alice had been captured or killed, rumors would have already spread.'
Although Alice is the Pirate King among the Five Divine Orders, she's still officially affiliated with Zieghart. If she were killed or captured, it would pressure not only Zieghart but the entire Five Kings, so rumors would have already circulated through various channels.
"Now is the time to think about Sia rather than that troublemaker."
Glenn let out a long sigh. It was the first time Raon had heard someone call their daughter a troublemaker, but it didn't sound strange at all.
"That kid probably doesn't even know or remember anyway."
"...Yes."
There was nothing to refute. Alice was the type of person who would see a Soul Crystal right in front of her and just say, 'How peculiar?
'It wasn't at the Holy Sword Alliance either, where on earth could it be?'
There were two reasons why he went to the Holy Sword Alliance. The first was obviously for training, and the second was to find the Soul Crystal. He had sparred with all the swordsmen of the Holy Sword Alliance and asked about the Soul Crystal, but the only answer he got was that they didn't know.
"We've contacted the Five Kings, the Black Market, vassal families, and neutral forces friendly to us, but no one has seen it. Even those who know of its existence are rare, except for Chamber and the Mage Tower Master."
Glenn frowned deeply, looking frustrated even as he spoke.
"Federick says we still have time, but I'm getting impatient just waiting around."
He rarely revealed his inner thoughts as he clutched his forehead. He looked quite overwhelmed.
"I haven't done much for you, but for that child, I'm just a useless grandfather. Not being able to do anything..."
Glenn bit his lip deeply. He seemed worn out by the helplessness of not being able to wake Sia.
-....
Wrath quietly closed his mouth. Raon thought he would berate Glenn for being weak and pathetic, but surprisingly, the demon furrowed his brow with a seemingly empathetic look.
"What do you mean you haven't done anything? Grandfather, you showed me Zieghart's sword and instilled in me a sense of conviction. Those two values are the biggest pillars that make me who I am today."
Raon shook his head firmly.
"Please don't worry too much about my sister. I'm sure she'll wake up."
He placed his right hand on his left chest where his heart was and raised his gaze.
"I'll search the entire continent if I have to, and I'll definitely find it."
He clenched his fist, determined to find it not only with the connections he had built so far but also by mobilizing the power of the Demon King if necessary.
"Ah..."
Glenn's eyes widened in surprise at Raon's declaration, then he slowly nodded.
"Alright. I'll believe in you."
He smiled softly, seemingly recognizing the growth of his grandson whom he had thought was still young.
"Then I'll be going now."
Raon bowed deeply and left the audience chamber.
"Ho ho ho."
Roenn approached the dais, letting out an amused laugh.
"The young master has really grown up."
He looked at where Raon had been standing with eyes full of pleasure.
"Indeed. I didn't expect him to comfort me."
Glenn nodded, sinking deep into his throne.
"I can no longer see him as a child."
After Raon left for the Holy Sword Alliance, Glenn had been unconsciously shaking his leg, not just because he missed Raon, but more due to the anxiety that there was no way to save Sia anywhere, and her time was running out.
Just now, he had almost started shaking his leg again without realizing it, but seeing Raon's reliable gaze calmed his agitated heart.
It felt as if everything would be resolved well, just as Raon had said.
"As expected, that child's talent isn't his martial prowess, but that unwavering mental strength."
Raon never despairs no matter how difficult the situation, always finding a way and moving forward. It seemed that having endured many hardships since childhood, the method of not giving up and overcoming was ingrained in his body and soul.
"Still, we can't leave everything to Raon. Let's contact everyone again."
Glenn nodded, saying he should do what he could.
"Yes!"
Roenn bowed deeply, seemingly pleased to see Glenn regaining his spirit.
"I'll contact Alice myself. I need to make sure that troublemaker gets the message clearly."
Glenn picked up a pen, saying he needed to put a leash on the troublemaker.
* * *
After leaving the Lord's Manor, Raon headed to Federick's mansion.
'Sorry, but please wait a little longer for dinner.'
Raon clasped his hands together, addressing Wrath who was clutching his stomach.
-T-This King is not a glutton!
Wrath shook his head, seeming to understand Raon's feelings and not rushing him.
-I can wait as long as needed, don't worry!
He snorted, saying not to underestimate the Demon King.
'...Thanks.'
Raon lightly patted Wrath's head as he entered Federick's mansion.
"You come every day, both during training and after it's over."
Federick nodded, as if welcoming him.
"Do you like me that much?"
"Yes. If I don't see the Saint for even a day, it feels like thorns grow in my mouth."
"Ho ho, you've become quite glib now."
He laughed amusedly and jerked his chin, telling him to come in.
"Go on. Your mother and father are here too."
Federick told him not to be too noisy before entering the treatment room.
"Thank you."
Raon bowed to Federick's back before entering Sia's hospital room. Sia was still lying on the bed, breathing faintly, while Sylvia and Edgar were looking at her with their hands clasped as if in prayer.
"Raon?"
Sylvia turned around, sensing his presence, and stood up.
"I heard you were in training, are you back?"
She took his hand, asking if he had eaten.
"Yes, I'm eating well."
Raon nodded with a faint smile.
-Eating well my foot!
Wrath puffed up like a well-baked loaf of bread.
-You haven't eaten anything but water today!
He gritted his teeth, saying he couldn't stand lies about food.
"Your face is half its usual size."
Sylvia cupped her cheek and let out a short sigh. It was heartbreaking to see her worrying about him now after having been concerned about Sia.
"I really did eat. Have you two eaten?"
"Of course we ate well. We had a feast earlier today. It's nice not having to eat strange food when you're not around. I don't understand that pineapple pizza? I kept eating it because you liked it, but I always wondered why we were eating it. Should I say the taste is crude?"
Edgar shook his head, saying he didn't understand. He was always talkative, but he seemed to be talking faster than usual, perhaps trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere.
-You tasteless fool! The sweet and salty flavor of pineapple pizza is unmatched anywhere!
Wrath, simple-minded as ever, fell for Edgar's words and shouted angrily.
"You have no taste, Dad."
Raon responded to Edgar's words, borrowing Wrath's indignation.
"How's my sister?"
"She's fine."
Sylvia nodded, stroking Sia's hair.
"It's really no different from sleeping. That's what makes it even sadder."
She bit her lip hard, seeming to lament that Sia had lost both her teens and twenties.
"Then we'll just have to make her even happier when she wakes up."
Raon looked at the sniffling Sylvia and Edgar, who had forgotten his chatter, then took Sia's hand. He nodded, transmitting the warmth of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation to her.
'I'll definitely make you wake up.'
Sia had been kidnapped as a child and lived her entire life as Eden's pawn, and now she was in a state where it was uncertain when she would wake up. It was an even more gloomy situation than his past life where he couldn't do anything of his own will, so he wanted to save her no matter what.
"I'll be going now."
Raon squeezed Sia's hand tightly and left the mansion.
-Where are you going?'
'To the annex building. I need to eat quickly and train.'
The stronger he becomes, the more he can do. He wanted to reach transcendence as soon as possible and open a way to save Sia.
-Hmm, just for today...
Wrath smacked his lips, perched on Raon's shoulder.
-I'll allow Nadine bread just for today.
'Huh?'
Raon widened his eyes, looking at Wrath.
'Really?'
-Hurry up and eat before I change my mind!
Wrath shook his head, saying he'd endure just for today.
'Wrath....'
Raon smiled gently at Wrath, who had wrinkled his nose bridge. He felt his heart warm at the demon's consideration.
'Alright. When my sister wakes up, I'll throw you a festival.'
-Of course! And it better be a big one! This King has a big appetite!
'How big are we talking?'
-Well, for starters, there should be at least ten tubs of bead ice cream! And three pineapple pizzas!
'...Is that supposed to be big?'
-Um...? Then eleven tubs and f-four pizzas?
'Your appetite is quite small...'
Raon returned to the Fifth Training Ground, chatting with Wrath.
* * *
"I've realized it!"
Krein spread his arms wide, looking up at the sky.
"What have you realized?"
Dorian turned to look at Krein, tilting his head.
"Crisis detection!"
Krein immediately spat out the answer, as if he had been waiting for the question.
"I might not be able to read the opponent's psychology like your Mind's Eye, but when it comes to evasion ability, I'm the best!"
"You've already achieved that?"
Dorian let out a sigh, as if he couldn't understand.
"Remember when the Division Leader suddenly threw the Sword Control at me during concentration enhancement training? There was real killing intent in that, you know? Yeah, I fought with sheer stubbornness, thinking he was trying to kill me, and after that, it feels like my soul has shed its shell."
Krein grinned, saying that the sense he gained when his life was in danger had definitely awakened.
"Let's see..."
Dorian licked his lips and then drew his sword, stabbing at Krein's chest. It was a sword strike that would be difficult to block even if one was prepared.
"Ugh!"
Krein's eyes widened in surprise, but he bent his waist backward like a branch riding the wind, avoiding Dorian's sword strike.
"W-Were you trying to kill me?!"
He gritted his teeth and grabbed Dorian's collar.
"Oh, it's real."
Dorian applauded, even with his collar grabbed.
"I really didn't think you'd dodge it."
"Then you were really trying to kill me! Are you following Raon Zieghart's example?!"
Krein gritted his teeth, pressing his forehead against Dorian's.
"That's not something you should say about a person! I'm human!"
Dorian frowned, demanding an apology.
"Ah, sorry. I went too far."
Krein apologized, putting his hands together.
"But you know what I've been thinking?"
He lowered his voice, dusting off his hands.
"We have a different advantage compared to the Division Leader right now."
"A different advantage?"
Dorian tilted his head, as if asking what he meant.
"Our Division Leader is already at the peak of Grandmaster, right? It might take him years or even decades to go higher from there."
Krein shook his head, looking at Raon who was sitting on the dais with his eyes closed.
"In the meantime, we can keep going up. Of course, it's absolutely impossible to catch up to the Division Leader, but there's a taste to growing, you know."
He shook his head, saying they should take comfort in the feeling of growing faster than Raon.
"Hmm, is that so?"
"I'm telling you it is! Just look at this concentration training. The Division Leader stayed the same, but we all got stronger! You felt it too, right? My crisis detection ability!"
As Krein was laughing, telling Dorian to take pride in himself, something happened. The Heavenly Drive, which had been placed next to Raon, unsheathed itself and floated into the air. A pale golden flame burst forth and rose from the blade, the sight resembling an ascending fire dragon.
"Is that really true?"
Dorian rolled his eyes, asking if they were really growing faster than Raon.
"It was just a dream..."
Krein hung his head, unable to continue speaking for a while.
* * *
Raon caught the returning Heavenly Drive that had sliced through the sky, a satisfied smile on his face.
'Amazing.'
When he combined the Ring of Fire with the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation, the power of his swordsmanship clearly increased. He never thought such a technique was hidden within.
'And moreover...'
The achievement of Sword Control has also improved. The Ring of Fire seemed to have influenced not only the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation but also Sword Control, enhancing his swordsmanship. Although his aura hadn't greatly increased and his martial arts realm hadn't risen, he was certain that he had become significantly stronger.
'The most surprising thing is...'
This isn't even the end of it. It had been less than three days since he obtained the serendipitous encounter from the underground archives. The enhancing effect of the Ring of Fire was still ambiguous, but if this was its power now, he was curious about the results when he fully mastered it.
-You really have ridiculous luck!
Wrath frowned, looking at the remaining embers on the Heavenly Drive.
-Of course, there's also a tiny bit of effort to obtain that luck...
The demon licked his lips, as if he felt a bit sorry to call it purely luck.
'I'm grateful you'd even say that much.'
Wrath chuckled as he sheathed the Heavenly Drive.
'Wrath, can I ask you something?'
-Speak.
'If I were to fight a low-level Transcendent Warrior now, what would happen?'
-There are no detailed rankings like low or mid-level in the realm of transcendence.
Wrath shook his head, saying the transcendent realm was different from other places.
-But if I had to say, you could probably match someone who has just entered transcendence.
The demon spoke his honest opinion, not joking or making light of the situation.
-You would definitely die, but the Transcendent Warrior facing you would also likely die.
Wrath nodded, saying Raon had reached a level where mutual destruction was possible.
'That's similar to what I thought.'
Raon clenched his fist.
'I feel like I could fight a Transcendent Warrior now.'
There are many Masters on the continent, and while Grandmasters are few, they exist, but Transcendent Warriors are mostly leaders or former leaders of super-large factions. His heart raced at the thought that he had reached a stage where he could fight such monsters.
'Now, with this ability...'
-What will you do?
Wrath swallowed dryly, as if curious about Raon's next move.
'I'll beat them up.'
Raon grinned as he looked at the Light Wind division swordsmen who were training.
"Huh?"
"W-Why is it suddenly so cold?"
"Yeah, winter is still quite far away..."
The swordsmen shivered as if they had read his mind.
-This guy is really crazy...
Wrath let out a sigh and shook his head.
-That's not what you're supposed to say in this situation!
'There's no meaning in getting stronger alone.'
As Raon grinned, preparing a new hell training, a snow-white hawk descended before him.
'That mark is...'
Raon frowned as he saw the folded paper tied to the hawk's leg.
"White Whale?"