"Well, I'll be going now."
Raon waved to Sylvia and Edgar, then glanced over his shoulder.
"Hey, sis? I really need to go now..."
He sighed heavily, looking at Sia's head clinging to his shoulder.
"You can't go!"
Sia shook her head vigorously, determined not to let him leave.
"I kept the house safe like I promised, so why are you leaving again?"
She pouted, expressing her dislike of him leaving the annex.
"Forget about going, I think my bones are about to break..."
Sia was hugging him with all her might, and he felt like his collarbone and ribs were about to shatter where her arms touched. However, remembering his promise, he could only endure without pushing her away.
"It won't take more than a few nights this time."
Raon clasped his hands together, promising to return as quickly as possible.
"I'll definitely bring back a gift for you, sis."
His voice rustled like autumn leaves, warm in color. He was truly treating her like a child.
"A gift...?"
Sia lifted her head abruptly at the mention of a gift. Her eyes sparkled like rubies.
"What kind of gift?"
"That's a secret."
Not having thought of anything beforehand, he deflected the question.
"Hmm..."
Sia, seemingly enticed by the word 'gift,' began to loosen her tight grip on his shoulders.
"Sia, Raon isn't leaving because he wants to."
Sylvia, seeing an opportunity, gently patted Sia's back.
"Of course! Raon is going on missions for our sake. That's why he's even lying about gifts... Ack!"
Edgar, muttering that the gift Raon mentioned for Sia was a lie, was kicked by Sylvia. He was kicked so hard that his body flew and crashed into the annex's fence.
"Hmm..."
Fortunately, Sia didn't seem to have heard Edgar's words. She rolled her eyes from side to side and climbed down from Raon's back.
"I'll be back soon. Please keep the house safe this time too."
Raon gently patted Sia's head and gave her an affectionate smile.
"Okay. I got it. But..."
"Yes, I'll definitely bring you a gift."
As he said the word 'gift,' he glared at Edgar, who was still embedded in the wall.
"Alright! I'll take care of the house!"
Sia nodded, placing her hands on her hips, seemingly energized by the promise of a gift. Though her expression was still childlike, her aura was like that of a fierce general roaring on the battlefield.
'It might not be a bad idea to teach sis swordsmanship after I return.'
Given her strong aura, it seemed like a good idea to properly teach her how to control and use her power.
"I'm really leaving now."
Raon waved to Sylvia and Sia, who was in her arms, and left the garden.
-As expected of your sister, she's stubborn. This is going to be troublesome.
Wrath clicked his tongue, saying he could clearly see the future.
'It's not particularly troublesome.'
Raon calmly shook his head.
'If anything, it gives me a sense of stability.'
In his past life, he might have found it annoying as Wrath suggested, but having lived this life and learned about family and relationships, Sia's fussing was rather endearing.
-Are you becoming human...?
'I was human to begin with, you know?'
-Hmph! You were originally the very essence of an angel.
Wrath snorted, saying that Raon had no human identity to begin with.
'Let's not resort to name-calling.'
Raon laughed, flicking Wrath's nose. It seemed he had changed a lot, now even feeling that being called an angel was an insult.
"To think there's someone who can make the Light Wind Division Leader Raon Zieghart squirm like that, I'll have to be careful from now on."
Burren, who had been waiting outside the garden, smiled warmly, finding the sibling relationship cute.
"So that innocent smile hides the power of a Grandmaster? That's chilling."
Martha licked her lips, expressing her desire to have a match with Sia.
"I'm a bit jealous..."
Runaan muttered enviously, staring intently at her own back.
"Let's go quickly! There's a lot to pack on the way home. Apart from supplies, we need to gather all the essentials..."
Dorian eagerly listed the necessary items, seemingly excited about going to the Sephia Company. It was as if he wanted to pack everything in the world.
"I knew the kids were unique, but this is chaos."
Sheryl shook her head, looking over the squad leaders and Dorian, each focused on their own concerns.
"Well, they were taught by the most unique swordsman of all."
Raon smiled as if it were only natural and stepped forward.
"True enough."
Sheryl followed behind him with a faint smile.
* * *
As Raon was enjoying a brief rest in front of the campfire after dinner, Sheryl approached him.
"Looks like you've gotten used to camping out."
Sheryl shrugged as she sat down by the campfire.
"You seemed a bit clueless when I first took you out."
"I did well. They were the slow ones."
Raon shook his head, pointing at Dorian and the three squad leaders who were tidying up the area.
'Camping was practically my life.'
Having lived as an assassin for many years, he was quite experienced in camping. If he had appeared awkward, it would have been entirely due to the Light Wind division members.
"Now that I think about it, that's true. You started off by fighting our vice division leader, didn't you?"
"It wasn't a fight, just an arm-wrestling match."
"Right. I thought you weren't normal from that moment."
Sheryl chuckled, recalling past events.
"How is he doing?"
"He's just building more muscle than before. Seems he doesn't want to lose in arm-wrestling again."
She clicked her tongue, saying he seemed more obsessed with muscles than martial arts.
"I can kind of understand that."
Raon smiled faintly and looked back at the campfire.
"Um..."
Sheryl slowly parted her lips after a brief silence.
"I heard that damn bastard's soul is in the Blade of Requiem. Is that true?"
"Yes, it's true."
Raon nodded, meeting Sheryl's trembling eyes.
"Lady Siyana tried to release Master's soul, but it had taken root in the Blade of Requiem and wouldn't come out."
"...Can I see that sword for a moment?"
Sheryl lowered her head and swallowed hard, as if making a difficult request.
"Of course."
Raon nodded and handed the Blade of Requiem to Sheryl. Although it was a cursed sword that shouldn't normally be entrusted to others, he felt Sheryl would be fine.
"Thank you."
Sheryl received the Blade of Requiem with trembling hands.
"You damn fool!"
She glared at the red blade of the Blade of Requiem, unleashing her pent-up emotions.
"How could you just leave like that..."
Sheryl pressed her forehead against the Blade of Requiem, holding it with both hands. Perhaps due to the flickering shadows of the campfire, she appeared to be embracing Rimmer. After holding the Blade of Requiem for a long while, she lifted her head, her expression somewhat relieved, as if she had vented some of her frustration.
"Thank you. I feel a bit better now."
Sheryl bowed her head sincerely in gratitude and returned the Blade of Requiem.
"Um..."
Raon lowered his voice as he grasped the still-warm Blade of Requiem.
"What kind of relationship did Master and the Heavenly Blade Division Leader have?"
"Huh...?"
Sheryl's face reddened as if she hadn't expected the question. Her usual iron mask seemed to have cracked.
"Well, um..."
She couldn't answer immediately, shrugging her shoulders and rolling her trembling eyes.
"Raon, we're all set! You said we need to arrive before dawn, so let's hurry!"
Just as he was waiting for Sheryl's answer, Martha waved her hand, urging them to depart quickly.
"Alright, just a moment..."
Raon nodded and turned back to hear Sheryl's answer, but she had already moved away from him and was standing next to Burren at the front.
"Let's go! It could be dangerous if we're late!"
Sheryl, with a reddened face, was twisting her ankle as if urging them to come quickly.
"Hmm..."
Raon clicked his tongue. It seemed he would have to learn about Sheryl and Rimmer's relationship later.
'But what's going on here? Did Sheryl like Master more than he liked her?'
As he tilted his head in confusion, Martha slapped him on the back.
"Sometimes, there are things you shouldn't ask about."
"Idiot..."
Runaan also stuck out her tongue slightly as she passed by, as if agreeing.
'What does that mean?'
-This is why you're not human!
Wrath clicked his tongue as if exasperated.
'No, I mean, give me an answer...'
-You angelic fool.
'I don't mind being insulted, just give me an answer.'
-You stupid, angel-like fool!
'You don't know either, do you?'
-...
* * *
Rokan, a major city in the southwestern part of the continent. Though the thick blanket of night covered the entire city, the office of the Sephia Company's president alone maintained its bright light.
"Hmm..."
Adis Sephia, the owner of this solitary light and the head of the Sephia Company, moved busily around his office, writing down numerous phrases. This late hour, dividing light and darkness, seemed to speak of a crucial moment for the Merchant Association Head that would shake the continent.
"President."
The old butler Ligwin bowed his head carefully.
"It's getting late, so perhaps you should retire for the night."
He clasped his hands in front, suggesting that the president shouldn't overexert himself.
"Normally, you'd be right. But this time, there's an important matter at hand."
Adis shook his head vigorously, as if to say he appreciated the advice but couldn't accept it.
"Dorian, that boy is coming back, so I can't make sloppy preparations!"
He couldn't hide the smile on his face, seemingly excited about seeing his son after a long time. On this late night, the few lights decorating the city were not a testament to the Merchant Association Head's conviction, but rather a father's paternal love.
"Are you that pleased?"
Ligwin shook his head, saying it had been a while since he'd seen such a smile.
"Ahem! What do you mean I was smiling?"
Adis's lips quivered, reminiscent of someone from the north.
"You're smiling quite well right now."
Ligwin shrugged as if asking if he should bring a mirror.
"That's not it! I'm just a bit excited because I've heard rumors that my son has been active here and there!"
Adis waved his hands as if to deny it, but he still couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from rising.
"But I wonder when he'll arrive..."
He lowered his eyebrows, seemingly impatient.
"The letter arrived today, so even if they use a Dimensional Gate, it will probably be tomorrow or the day after."
Ligwin shook his head, suggesting that there was no need to rush the preparations.
"Well, I suppose you're right."
Adis was about to sit down, agreeing that it might be good to take things a bit easier, when suddenly...
"Hmm?"
Ligwin frowned, putting his hand to his ear.
"What's the matter?"
Adis narrowed his eyes, looking at Ligwin.
"Well..."
Ligwin exhaled sharply and looked out the window.
"Young Master and the Light Wind Division Leader have arrived..."
"What? Now?"
"Yes, they've already passed through the main gate."
"Huh..."
Adis widened his eyes in disbelief.
"I didn't expect them to arrive this quickly."
"Let's prepare to welcome them first."
Ligwin quickly tidied up the messy office that Adis had created. With each movement of his hands, dust disappeared, revealing the original neat appearance of the office.
"Ahem!"
Adis smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes and sat down at his desk, picking up a pen. As he pretended to work, there was a knock at the door.
"President, Young Master and the guests have arrived."
A butler's voice was heard from outside.
"Enter."
Adis nodded, lowering his voice as much as possible.
'Dorian?'
However, as soon as he saw his son, he couldn't help but gape. His son, who had always been chubby, had lost weight all over, looking more dedicated than any swordsman he knew. Of course, compared to Raon who entered right behind him, he paled a bit, but he was still impressive enough to overwhelm ordinary people.
"Father!"
Dorian, excited by their long-awaited reunion, rushed towards him.
"Hmm..."
Adis lowered his eyebrows. Normally, he would have pushed his son away to raise him to be strong, but seeing how much he had changed, a weak heart that wanted to embrace him arose.
'Well, he's worked hard.'
Seeing that his son must have put in a lot of effort to become like this, he decided to open his heart just this once.
"Dorian!"
Just as Adis spread his arms to embrace his son, Dorian suddenly stopped in his tracks and pulled out a small note from his pocket.
"We need a lot of things! First, fire-resistant stone walls, external wound medicine, internal injury medicine, holy water, camping tents and beds..."
While Adis awkwardly held his arms open, Dorian rattled off a list of items he needed.
"..."
The fire of expectation in Adis's eyes cooled rapidly.
* * *
"And we also need hammers and saw blades... Ack!"
"That's enough."
Raon pulled back Dorian, who was endlessly requesting supplies, and bowed to Adis Sephia, who was standing there dumbfounded.
"Merchant Association Head, it's been a while."
"Ah, yes..."
Adis, seemingly having regained his senses, lightly tapped his temple and bowed his head.
"It has been a while. The Light Wind Division Leader and the Heavenly Blade Division Leader are here too, I see."
He greeted not only Raon but also Sheryl with courtesy.
"I apologize for visiting at such a late hour."
Sheryl bowed deeply, looking apologetic.
"It's fine. I was working on some paperwork anyway."
Adis waved a document with no writing on it. He seemed too flustered to realize it was blank.
"However, seeing that you've arrived so quickly, it seems the matter is more urgent than I thought."
"Yes. Do you have any information about the Gray Hammer Guild?"
Raon stepped forward and asked. Given that Rokan wasn't far from where the Gray Hammer Guild was located, there was a high chance that Adis might have some news.
"To be honest, I haven't met Borgos this year. At the end of last year when I sent a gift, he said he had important business and not to contact him for a while."
Adis shook his head, resting his arms on the desk.
"As the Light Wind Division Leader knows, it's quite common for craftsmen to suddenly shut themselves in their workshops. I thought it was no different from usual, but since you asked, it seems something has happened."
"Yes. I didn't write it down because it might cause misunderstandings, but..."
Raon took out the letter Borgos had sent and showed it to him.
"Hmm, that is indeed his handwriting. However..."
Adis furrowed his brow as he looked at the letter Raon had produced.
"He's not the type to send such content..."
He frowned, saying that Borgos would rather die than ask for help from someone he wasn't close to.
"He must have been in a very urgent situation."
"Then should we go right now..."
"Wait a moment. I sent my son to check on the Gray Hammer Guild directly, so he should be back soon."
Adis gestured for them to sit on the sofa, saying it was about time for his return.
"I understand."
Raon nodded heavily and sat on the sofa that Ligwin guided him to.
"Th-Then I'll go get supplies! I'll be back soon!"
Dorian looked back and forth between Adis and Raon, fidgeting like a puppy that needed to relieve itself.
"Sigh, do as you please."
Adis glared at Dorian sharply before waving his hand dismissively.
"Yes, sir!"
Dorian raised his hand in a salute and left the office without even glancing at his father.
"...How is that child doing?"
As soon as Dorian left, Adis asked about him.
"He's scattered and timid, not quite suited for life as a swordsman."
Raon calmly described Dorian's usual behavior.
"I see..."
"But now he has built up enough conviction and skill to overcome that fear. No matter what anyone says, he's an excellent Zieghart swordsman."
"Hmm, I see."
Adis's lips curled up slightly, seemingly pleased with Raon's sincere praise.
"He's a friend I can fully trust to watch my back."
"To that extent?"
"Yes, I mean it."
"Ha ha!"
As he expressed both laughter and surprise, sounds of things breaking could be heard from various parts of the Merchant Association building.
"That boy! How much..."
Just as Adis was furrowing his brow and about to stand up, the office door opened and Dialun Sephia, Dorian's older brother, entered along with a dwarf with a brown beard twisted into a coil.
"F-Father! Something terrible has happened."
Dialun took heavy steps forward, exhaling roughly.
"Calm down first."
"I can't calm down!"
He shook his head and pointed at the dwarf next to him.
"Most of the dwarves from the Gray Hammer Guild, including Master Borgos, have been captured by monsters!"
Dialun's lips trembled as he said the dwarves had been attacked at their own stronghold.
"Hmm?"
Adis shook his head, looking at the dwarf.
"Is, is that true?"
"Yes..."
The dwarf nodded, his chin trembling.
"What exactly happened?"
Adis slammed his hand on the desk, urging the dwarf to explain quickly.
"Monsters came up from beneath the Burning Land where we had set up our workshop. We tried to stop them, but their power was too overwhelming..."
The dwarf's chin trembled as he spoke of the desperate power they faced.
"Then you should have asked for help!"
Martha frowned.
"Dwarves rarely seek help from others. They try to solve everything with their own strength."
Adis shook his head, saying dwarves only ask others for help when their entire race is in danger.
"What kind of monster was it? A giant worm or some other large monster?"
"No. They could speak like us, but they were huge, had red wings, and wielded flaming swords or whips."
The dwarf clutched his head, saying their weapons were ineffective against these creatures.
"Flaming swords or whips?"
Raon narrowed his eyes as he listened to the dwarf's words.
'Were there monsters like that?'
He racked his brain but couldn't recall any such monsters.
-Hmm...
As he was about to ask again, Wrath scratched the bridge of his nose and shook his head.
'What is it?'
-Those sound like beings this king knows...