"Help me...."
Raon furrowed his brow as he reread the only sentence written in the letter.
'Is he serious?'
Although he hadn't formed a deep connection with Borgos, he knew the man wasn't frivolous enough to play such pranks. To send such a letter to someone he wasn't close with, it seemed he must be in a dire situation.
"Hmm...."
Chad, the Shadow Agents' Leader, glanced at the letter and gasped.
"Judging by the fact that only 'help me' is written, it doesn't seem to be a joke."
He nodded gravely, apparently having reached the same conclusion.
"Do you have any information about the Gray Hammer Guild?"
"The Gray Hammer is the artisan guild led by Borgos, who sent that letter. But obviously you know that already..."
Chad lowered his gaze apologetically.
"I'm sorry. Currently, the Shadow Agents are focused on gathering information about the Five Kings and Five Demons war happening across the continent, so we don't have any information about the Gray Hammer Guild...."
He bowed his head, apologizing for not being able to help.
"There's no need to apologize."
Raon shook his head calmly.
'It's natural that they wouldn't know.'
Currently, the Shadow Agents don't have enough hours in the day to monitor Zieghart's territory alone.
It was only natural that they wouldn't have information about the unrelated Gray Hammer Guild.
'It might actually be fortunate that there's no information.'
It could be better news that there was no information, as it reduced the possibility of this matter being related to the Five Demons.
'Should I ask the black market then?'
Raon frowned as he looked again at Borgos's rough handwriting.
'No, I don't think there's time for that.'
Sending such a letter without any other explanation meant the situation was extremely urgent. It seemed best to visit places where he could gather information while heading to the Gray Hammer Guild.
"You're planning to go, aren't you?"
Chad's eyes lit up slightly, as if he had guessed Raon's thoughts.
"Yes. I owe him a favor, and I need the dwarves' help."
Raon nodded.
'Zieghart's artisans aren't enough to process dragon bones and scales.'
Artisans capable of crafting weapons and armor from dragon bones, teeth, and scales were rare. He wanted to help not only Borgos but also the dwarves of the Gray Hammer Guild, as they could be of great assistance.
"Then I'll gather information and send it to you."
Chad said he would prepare right away and bowed his head.
"Thank you."
Raon bowed his head in return to Chad.
"Oh, no! There's no need for that! Between us!"
Chad waved his hands and rushed towards the Shadow Agents' quarters.
"Between us, huh...."
Raon watched Chad with calm eyes before turning his gaze towards the annex building.
'But....'
How should he explain that he's leaving again after returning less than a day ago? Sylvia and Edgar would understand, but he was worried about how Sia, with her still childish mind, would react.
"Sigh...."
Raon let out a long sigh as he walked towards the annex building with heavy steps.
-This king's brilliant mind predicts....
Wrath licked his lips as if excited.
-You might get hit?
'I want to say that's nonsense, but....'
Raon swallowed dryly as he saw Sia waving her hand in front of the annex building.
'It might be true?'
* * *
"I still don't know Raon well enough."
Glenn shook his head as he looked back and forth between Sheryl and Roenn.
"I thought he was just Zieghart's greatest talent, but he's more than that. The continent's best. No, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the best of all time."
He revealed his flushed cheeks, saying he had been astonished more than once while teaching Raon today.
"When I teach him one thing, he understands ten and comprehends five. Though he's my grandson, it felt like I was looking at a monster."
Glenn gripped the armrest of the throne, saying that Raon's martial arts talent was growing even more.
"He's in a different league. That expression suits him best. I'm more excited about what he'll prove in the future than what he's shown so far."
Glenn leaned back on the throne, openly displaying his enchanted expression with his grandson.
"Hehehe."
Roenn applauded Glenn.
"I too find Young Master Raon's progress astonishing. While ordinary martial artists focus on maximizing their strengths, Raon not only enhances his strengths but also overcomes his weaknesses."
He nodded, saying it was remarkable talent and effort.
"That's right! Even the most brilliant geniuses have weaknesses, but Raon is erasing his shortcomings!"
Glenn couldn't help but clench his fist. For the first time in a while, the throne's armrest crumpled like paper.
"Isn't that right?"
He gestured to Sheryl, who was blinking her eyes as if seeking agreement.
"That's right! There's no one like Raon anywhere!"
Sheryl nodded quickly with her eyes wide open.
"Ahem!"
Glenn let out a merry laugh, his forehead turning red as if pleased to hear praise for his grandson.
"Lord Roenn...."
Sheryl approached Roenn's side, taking advantage of Glenn's laughter.
"How can you respond like that? He's been saying the same thing for the fifth time now."
Glenn had called her and Roenn since early dawn and had been repeating the same words five times, as if playing a recorded magic. While it was surprising at first, it became tedious after hearing it repeatedly, and she was amazed at how Roenn could respond so nonchalantly.
"The Heavenly Blade Division Leader might not know since you often go on missions, but...."
Roenn shook his head with a gentle smile.
"Repeating about five times is quite common."
He smiled faintly, saying it was not uncommon for Raon's praises to be repeated ten times.
"Oh...."
Sheryl clasped her hands in front and bowed her head.
"You must have it tough."
"Hehehe."
Roenn just laughed, unable to deny it.
"Sheryl!"
Glenn called Sheryl's name, lowering his eyebrows.
"Are you listening to me?"
"Of course!"
Sheryl nodded quickly.
"Then which Celestial Thunder Arts form surprised me?"
"The second one!"
She answered without hesitation, having heard Glenn's words for the fifth time.
"Wrong. It was the fourth."
Glenn shook his head firmly.
"What? But...."
"I was shocked by the second form, but greatly surprised by the fourth."
"No, what's the difference...."
"You don't understand the difference?"
He lowered his eyebrows as if incredulous.
"I don't get it...."
As Sheryl was rolling her eyes, a knock that seemed to rescue her was heard.
"Head of House. May I come in?"
As soon as Raon's soft voice was heard, Glenn's furrowed expression smoothed out like a lie.
"Ahem!"
Glenn cleared his throat and nodded.
"Come in."
He couldn't hide the trembling in his voice, as if his mood had suddenly improved.
"I'm sorry to disturb you when you must be tired. Oh?"
Raon opened the door himself and entered, then widened his eyes in surprise.
"Heavenly Blade Division Leader?"
He had expected Roenn to be there, of course, but he hadn't expected Sheryl to be present as well.
"Welcome. Really."
Sheryl waved her hand with a face that seemed more welcoming than ever.
"Yes. What brings you here?"
Glenn nodded, his mouth corners twitching like a freshly caught fish.
"I came because I have an urgent matter to discuss. Just now...."
Raon let out a brief sigh and explained about receiving Borgos's letter.
"Borgos of the Gray Hammer Guild...."
Glenn raised his hand to stroke his chin.
"Though of a different race, he's not one to speak nonsense."
"I think the same. Although our meeting was brief, he seemed like a man of substance."
While other dwarves were surprised by the Drake, Borgos had recognized his skills through his wounds. For such a serious person to send a letter asking for help, he must surely be in a great crisis.
"Then...."
"Yes. I want to go."
Raon bowed his head, saying he must go.
"Are you thinking of taking the Light Wind division with you?"
"No. I plan to give the swordsmen a rest. There's also a possibility it could be a trap."
It would be unreasonable to take the entire Light Wind division, considering the possibility of it being a trap set by the Five Demons. He intended to take only those who could survive without his help.
"I'm planning to take three squad leaders and the walle-...the supply manager."
Raon clasped his hands in front, saying he would only take four people with him.
"That's a good idea. I should keep that in mind too."
Glenn said he would consider it, slowly chewing his jaw.
"Then...."
Sheryl raised her hand towards Glenn.
"Should I go along?"
She shrugged her shoulders as if asking what he thought.
"That would be fine."
Glenn nodded as if it was a good idea.
"Would that be alright?"
Raon widened his eyes.
"I'd be glad, but you must be tired...."
Sheryl was currently the busiest person in Zieghart. He didn't want to take away her time when she had just returned and was resting.
"It's fine."
Sheryl approached and shook her head.
"I think staying here would be more tiring."
She elbowed her waist as if insisting he should take her along.
"Then let's include the Heavenly Blade Division Leader as well. But...."
Glenn narrowed his eyes as he looked at Raon's head.
"Why is your hair in that state?"
He frowned at Raon's hair, which looked as if it had been gnawed by mice or as if birds had built a nest in it.
"Ah...."
Raon laughed awkwardly as he smoothed down his hair that was sticking up.
"My sister...."
While his mother and father had encouraged him to go, Sia couldn't accept it and picked a fight. Being so strong, he couldn't properly defend himself and had his hair pulled.
"Hmm...."
When Raon explained what had happened in the annex building, Glenn's eyes sank deeply.
"He-Head of House. It's nothing serious. We didn't fight, it's just...."
Although he tried to explain that Sia had just acted out of disappointment, Glenn's stern expression didn't soften.
'Why is he acting like this?'
As he was tilting his head in confusion, Sheryl approached and whispered.
"He seems jealous."
"Pardon?"
Raon opened his eyes wide.
"Jealous, you say?"
Of having his hair pulled? Or of pulling hair? Unable to understand either, he couldn't help but laugh awkwardly.
-Ugh....
Wrath shook his head as he looked at Glenn.
-He's lost it! Completely lost it!
* * *
Next to the Fifth Training Ground stood the Light Wind division's dormitory.
It was quiet as most of the swordsmen had returned to their family homes, but there was one particularly noisy room.
"I've filled up a lot, but I've used a lot too."
Dorian frowned as he examined his pouch.
'I need to fill it all up.'
Although they had obtained a large quantity of dragon bones, scales, and teeth in Sepia this time, they had consumed a considerable amount of supplies to fend off enemies. It seemed he would have to be busy for a few days to replenish them.
"First, stone walls, internal injury medicine, external injury medicine, holy water...."
As Dorian was listing the necessary items, someone knocked on his door.
"Who is it?"
When he opened the door, there was no one there, just a note on the floor.
"What's this?"
When he unfolded and read the note, it was a letter from Raon saying he had somewhere to go and to prepare.
"Sigh, calling suddenly again."
Dorian sighed as he placed the note on the desk.
"No time, no date.'
As if imitating Rimmer, Raon had left just a note saying to prepare and disappeared.
"I need to fill up faster?"
Since he didn't know when Raon would come, it seemed he needed to move quickly to replenish the lacking items. Just as Dorian was about to get up after noting down the necessary items, he heard another knock.
"What is it this time... Huh?"
When he opened the door, this time Raon was there. And he was already prepared for departure.
"Di-Division Leader?"
Dorian opened his eyes wide, seemingly flustered by Raon's sudden visit.
"Are you ready?"
Raon jerked his chin as if saying let's go.
"Uh...? What?"
Dorian's eyes bulged.
"It hasn't even been 30 minutes since you said we're leaving!"
"That's plenty of time, isn't it?"
"No, that's not it, I need to gather supplies!"
He clutched his head, saying there were many items lacking.
"If you call so suddenly like this...."
"I told you in advance."
"It's been 30 minutes! 30 minutes! Even the Vice Leader gave at least half a day's notice!"
Dorian shouted that it was too much.
"30 minutes is enough."
Raon shook his head, saying 10 minutes should be enough for a swordsman to prepare.
"That's for you, Division Leader! I'm the quartermaster! When supplies are low, my arms and legs start tingling, and my chest tightens!"
Dorian shook his head, crying out for just some time to prepare supplies.
"Ah, that's fine then. We can gather them when we get there."
"What? How can we gather them when we get there...?"
Unable to understand, he could only tilt his head in confusion.
"Well, our destination is...."
Raon smiled as he looked at Dorian's innocent eyes.
"Your home."
* * *
A gloomy darkness-stained shore. While brilliant sunlight was beating down on the continent, only the chilly moonlight filled this beach.
"..."
Behind the mask of the young man gazing at the coast with his hands behind his back, only the white moonlight was reflected. As he was enjoying the quiet darkness, a man wearing a green snake helmet appeared.
"You seem to have been busy."
The man wearing the green snake helmet, the Green Serpent, narrowed his gaze sharply.
"As you know, I have many matters to handle. But...."
The Fallen, wearing the young man's mask, tilted his head slightly.
"I heard you failed again."
The Fallen clicked his tongue briefly as if regretful. His voice was soft enough to enchant people, but his tone was too decisive.
"Well, I thought I could catch Raon Zieghart this time...."
The Green Serpent's lament shook the dim night breeze.
"He appeared much stronger than we thought. He's a guy who defies the laws of this world."
He let out a hollow laugh, saying he still couldn't believe it.
"I heard rumors he had reached transcendence, but are you saying even you and the ancient dragons were no match for him?"
The Fallen slowly turned his gaze to look at the Green Serpent.
"He faced both an ancient dragon and me simultaneously without being overwhelmed. If Matirus had used his full power, we might have caught him, but he stupidly let his guard down and got killed instead."
The Green Serpent sneered at the already dead ancient dragon.
"He's the type that gets stronger with experience, so he's probably even more dangerous now."
"I suppose so. He's a completely different person from when he was captured by our branch."
The Fallen nodded in agreement.
"Actually, I had a chance to cast a soul-binding spell on Raon, but Merlin interfered again."
The Green Serpent's snake eyes narrowed.
"That's unfortunate."
The Fallen brushed back the hair that had fallen over his forehead. He seemed to regret not only failing to catch Raon but also that the Green Serpent hadn't died.
"Do you take human lives so lightly?"
The Green Serpent's eyes curved sharply.
"Aren't you completed through death?"
The Fallen looked down at the Green Serpent with sympathetic eyes.
"Seeing your good mood, I take it your mission went well?"
The Green Serpent rolled his eyes as he looked at the Fallen.
"You're as perceptive as a snake."
The Fallen nodded calmly.
"The best result I had envisioned has come to pass."
"That's fortunate. Actually, I didn't just suffer losses either."
The Green Serpent nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied that he had gained something through this incident.
"I can guess what happened."
The Fallen let out a faint smile as if it had read the Green Serpent's thoughts with just a glance.
"But Merlin. Merlin again. She's causing no small amount of damage."
He stroked his sharp chin and let out a sticky smile.
"We can't just leave her be, can we?"