"Hmm!"
Glenn's lips trembled slightly as he observed Raon, who displayed confidence with a calm expression.
"Dragons are cunning and treacherous, but with your current martial prowess, I believe you can handle whatever they might do."
He nodded heavily, acknowledging the undeniable strength and confidence.
"I think so too."
Sheryl curled her lips into a smile.
"The little boy from the Light Wind division I once took out to train is now gone. It's both pleasing and somewhat regretful to see you've become a Palace Master who's experienced so much and gained a sense of responsibility."
She closed her eyes then opened them with an affectionate expression, as if overlapping the Raon from his Light Wind division days with the Raon of the present.
"It's because I went through those times that I am who I am today."
Raon looked at Sheryl with a subtle smile.
"I'm always grateful."
He bowed his head to express gratitude to Sheryl for taking care of him during his childhood.
"Haah, I still don't understand."
Sheryl let out a hollow laugh with her hand on her waist.
"How did someone like you come from under such a fool?"
She shook her head, saying that it was too stark a contrast with Raon's master, Rimmer.
"You know it too, Heavenly Blade Division Leader."
Raon smirked as he looked at Sheryl's slightly furrowed eyes.
"That my master wasn't just a lazy bum, a gambler, a liar, and a fool who lived without any thought."
He tilted his chin slightly, saying that his master was someone who possessed far more strengths than those weaknesses.
"I-I didn't say anything like that!"
Sheryl blinked her eyes, asking if that wasn't too harsh.
"That guy did a lot of strange things, but he always had his reasons!"
She raised her voice as if defending Rimmer.
"Is that so?"
Raon twisted his lips upward as he looked at Sheryl's furrowed brow.
"I see the Heavenly Blade Division Leader is defending my master."
He muttered that it was amusing and let out a mischievous laugh.
"Huh? Urgh!"
Sheryl finally realized what Raon was aiming for, gasped, and stepped back.
"Hmm..."
Glenn also narrowed his eyes as if finding Sheryl's angry reaction amusing.
"That's not it!"
Sheryl heaved a heavy sigh and relaxed her contorted expression.
"I don't like that master of yours. So I'll never act according to what he wants!"
She snorted, saying she wouldn't grant Rimmer's requests either.
"I see."
Raon brought his hands together as he watched Sheryl who had sharply turned her head away.
'As I thought...'
Sheryl did love him. Rimmer wanted Sheryl to meet someone else and live happily, but conversely, Sheryl had engraved Rimmer in her heart and planned to live alone for the rest of her life.
'So this is what love is.'
Through Rimmer and Sheryl, he seemed to see one aspect of affection between a man and a woman. Just a little, but he started to understand what love was.
'Father and mother were similar, though in a different way.'
Sylvia and Edgar also couldn't share an ordinary love. They had reunited after experiencing numerous hardships in a world that had separated them. The profound love and reunion of those two was now starting to touch his heart.
Perhaps it was because he had come to know new emotions. It felt as though the sword forged within his soul was becoming sharper and more solid.
-No...
Wrath hardened his eyes as if dumbfounded.
-Feel love yourself! Don't steal emotions from others' love!
He shouted, asking why Raon was learning emotions this way.
-You truly are a human beyond comprehension! No, I'm not even sure if you're really human anymore!
Wrath gritted his teeth, saying that just looking at Raon irritated him.
'I am human. I might be a bit unusual, but...'
Raon smiled faintly at the angry Wrath. He nodded calmly, promising himself that someday he would reveal all the truth.
"Hmm."
Glenn examined Raon, his eyebrows trembling slightly.
"I think I can entrust anything to you now."
He nodded slowly, as if he too, like Wrath, had sensed Raon's change through emotions.
"The fact that such a light atmosphere is created even as we prepare to face the highest-ranking ancient dragons probably proves your martial prowess and confidence."
Glenn extended his hand as if telling him to do as he pleased.
"Thank you."
Raon maintained a proper posture as he bowed to Glenn.
"I will never disappoint you."
He raised his head, saying he would take care of not only the heads of each dragon clan but the Dragon Lord as well.
"Who will you take with you this time?"
Glenn narrowed his eyes as if curious about who would be accompanying him.
"I think it's best to leave Runaan behind as this is an important moment for her, and I plan to take Burren and Martha so they can gain experience. Dorian is essential to bring along, and as for Evelyn, even without me saying..."
"Hmm, I see."
Raon didn't say anything more, but Glenn nodded as if he understood.
"If you need my strength at any point, don't hesitate to tell me."
Glenn lowered his finger as if telling him not to think about shouldering everything alone just because he had grown stronger. He seemed to not want his grandson to experience the same things he had.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Raon smiled, saying he wouldn't have the arrogance to think he could solve everything alone.
"Well then."
After saying he would be careful and return safely, he opened the audience chamber door.
"Hmm?"
As soon as he opened the door, he saw Karoon and Roenn waiting behind the audience chamber door.
"Lord Raon. Have a safe journey."
Roenn bowed his head with a hearty laugh, as if he had heard everything.
"Yes. I'll see you later."
It was when Raon returned the greeting and was about to go outside.
"Work Burren hard."
Karoon left those words about making Burren suffer, then entered the audience chamber. Despite his harsh words, there was a hint of warmth when he spoke Burren's name.
"Yes. I'll work him to the bone."
Raon nodded to Karoon and left the Lord's Manor.
'Now, not just the annex building, but this entire Zieghart...'
He glanced back at the audience chamber Karoon had entered and drew a faint smile.
'It feels like family.'
It felt as though his heart was being warmed, now that Zieghart had become a true home where he could return with a smile anytime.
'Somehow...'
Raon clenched his fist as he came out of the Lord's Manor and looked around at the view of Zieghart.
'I will protect it.'
***
The next morning. Woooong! After Raon finished all preparations and went out to the garden in front of the annex building, Bartius's face appeared with a blue light window, just like yesterday.
"Are you ready?"
Bartius jerked his chin as if asking if they could depart right away.
"Awuu, we-we're really going."
Dorian trembled his shoulders as if scared.
"I just finished my cultivation and wanted to rest a bit..."
Even as he muttered about wanting to rest, he checked the supplies in his pouch. It seemed he had filled it with many items in just one day, and the aura of Gluttony appeared to have strengthened somewhat.
"Dragons. And clan leader-level dragons at that..."
Burren inhaled and exhaled quietly.
"Just watching the battle will be a great help."
He clenched his fist, saying he would try to learn everything.
"Just watching? No way! We have to fight too!"
Martha snorted as if asking what nonsense he was talking about.
"We need to put what we've learned into practice!"
She placed her hand on her sword, saying she really wanted to fight against the dragons.
"Must be nice to be an idiot?"
Evelyn smirked as she brushed Martha's shoulder.
"With your current skills, you can't fight an ancient dragon."
She jerked her chin, telling Martha to come to her senses.
"Hmph! Do you think only ancient dragons surround the clan leaders? There will obviously be weaker ones too."
Martha slapped away Evelyn's hand, telling her to snap out of it.
"Fight later."
Raon sighed as he stood between Martha and Evelyn.
"Bartius. Let's depart now."
He stepped forward, asking Bartius to guide them.
"We'll go directly to the leader of the Red clan."
Bartius nodded, saying he had already connected the path. Woooooong! As he spread his hands, a golden dimensional gate that flickered opened in front of Raon.
"Enter through that gate."
Bartius revealed a calm gaze, telling them to trust him and enter the dimensional gate.
"Um, Palace Master."
Dorian swallowed dryly as if worried.
"Sh-Should I go first?"
Despite being scared, he stood in front of the dimensional gate out of concern for Raon.
"I'm not the kind of fool who puts his subordinates at the front."
Raon chuckled and pulled Dorian back.
"And if I've decided to trust, I'll trust until a knife stabs me in the back."
He met the eyes of Bartius, who was watching through the blue window, and entered the golden dimensional gate. Woooooong! After feeling his body float slightly, he set foot on the ground again and saw the peak of a massive volcano where lava boiled and flames exploded violently.
"Woaaaah..."
Dorian inhaled sharply at the heat of the volcano and stepped back.
"A volcano from the start..."
Burren pressed his lips tightly as if tense.
"At times like this, I miss that idiot."
Martha smacked her lips as if curious about Runaan's reaction in such a hot place and missing the ice she could create.
"So it was here after all."
Evelyn nodded calmly as if she had expected this location.
"Hmm."
As Raon was examining the entire volcano, the golden dimensional gate closed, and Bartius appeared behind it.
"I like your fearlessness."
Bartius curled his lips as he looked at Raon.
"Of course, that's why I chose you."
He nodded, saying it was worth choosing Raon.
"This is..."
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked around the volcano.
"This is Sky Fire Volcano, where Igni Serpang, the leader of the Red clan, lives."
Instead of Bartius, a rough voice that sounded like burning fire came from behind. Valasiur, the adult dragon of the Red clan, approached with furrowed eyes.
"From here, I will guide you."
Valasiur dusted off his hands as if telling them to follow him and pointed to a black shadow right in front of the lava. Though it was hard to see because of the heat, smoke, and flames, there was a hole large enough for an ancient dragon to enter.
This place, where heat and flames served as a natural protective barrier, seemed to be the lair of Igni Serpang, the leader of the Red clan.
"Let's go."
Raon followed Valasiur into the massive cave. The heat inside was just as intense as the volcano, but there was no one who couldn't withstand this level of heat now.
"Give me some time to talk."
Valasiur muttered quietly as he walked forward. Unlike his previous straightforward demeanor, he showed cautious behavior, suggesting he hadn't completely made up his mind.
"Time to talk?"
Raon slightly narrowed his eyes.
"If Igni Serpang were to alert the outside, things would become troublesome."
Giving time to talk wasn't a problem, but if information got out, the plan itself could collapse, so he couldn't decide carelessly.
"That's not a problem."
Bartius calmly raised his hand.
"Because Dariauran, Sirtiren, and Bursiarabi have created a barrier." (E/N: The Black, Blue and White dragon...I think)
He nodded, saying the three dragons were blocking Igni Serpang's escape and communications.
"Hmm."
Raon looked back at Evelyn behind him.
"Unless he prepared in advance, it probably won't be breached easily."
Evelyn nodded, saying that statement could be trusted.
"Then let's do that."
Raon nodded calmly.
"Thank you."
Valasiur thanked him for understanding and entered deeper into the lair with slightly quicker steps. There were many Guardians protecting this lair, but perhaps due to Valasiur's presence, no one moved.
"Whew."
Valasiur caught his breath in front of a cavern so enormous that tens of thousands of people could enter at once.
"This is it. Now..."
He was about to enter the cavern after making up his mind, when...This massive cave, no, the entire Sky Fire Volcano shook as the head of a fire dragon so enormous it could touch the clouds emerged from the darkness. Everyone held their breath at the immense size that felt alien just to look at.
[Valasiur. And Bartius.]
Igni Serpang, the leader of the Red clan, thrust forth a body larger than a mountain, emanating heat that could melt bones and flesh.
[What business do you have here. Bringing insects with you.]
Igni Serpang looked down at Valasiur and Bartius, emanating a slightly angry aura.
"Uuugh..."
"Is this the leader of the Red clan?"
"What an insanely intimidating presence!"
Dorian couldn't breathe properly, Burren gripped his sword and strained his legs to withstand it, and Martha bit her lip until it bled as she glared back at Igni Serpang.
"..."
Raon didn't step forward as promised earlier. With his hands behind his back, he completely suppressed his presence as he stared intently at Igni Serpang.
[Leader. Our clan is currently heading down the wrong path.]
Valasiur stepped closer to Igni Serpang, raising both hands.
[Dragons are a race that exists to maintain the balance of this world. That's why we're called mediators or neutrals, and why we're born with strong power.]
He raised his head and used dragon speech with his human body.
[But today's dragons are not like that. The Dragon Lord and clan leaders, who should maintain neutrality more than anyone, are taking the lead in joining hands with beings from other dimensions and trying to erase humans, who are members of this world. Trying to bring about the tyranny of the Demonic Dragon with our own hands is an absolutely unacceptable choice!]
Valasiur abandoned the tyrannical appearance of the Red clan and tried to persuade Igni Serpang with a more rational attitude than anyone else.
[Valasiur...]
Igni Serpang turned his gaze to Valasiur, deeply furrowing his brow that was wider than a hill.
[To think that you, who has been chosen as the next leader, would say such things! Why don't you understand our intentions! Humans have completely rotted now. Only by wiping everything clean and growing anew can we establish balance in this world!]
He fiercely roared as if he hadn't even listened to Valasiur's words.
"Even if that were the case, we should handle it ourselves. Joining hands with beings from other dimensions means losing the value of dragons' existence."
Bartius snorted as he supported Valasiur's words.
[Valasiur, Bartius. Is it because you were both chosen as future leaders and coddled? You have lost your minds.]
Igni Serpang revealed deep anger as he walked out of the cavern. His entire body was exposed, creating pressure so intense it made breathing difficult.
"Uuuugh..."
"Huuuurp!"
"Aaaagh..."
As Igni Serpang emitted a sincere wave of aura, Burren, Martha, and Dorian couldn't breathe properly and fell to their knees.
"Damn..."
"Ha! So this is how it ends up."
Valasiur and Bartius also trembled their shoulders and stepped back, seemingly tense from Igni Serpang's sincerity.
[Today I will show you the difference in power! And the difference in will to protect this continent!]
Igni Serpang opened up blazing red mana, saying he would educate Valasiur and Bartius as an elder. The Sky Fire Volcano exploded from the release of such enormous mana, and a tremor that felt like the continent was being twisted was felt.
"As expected, it won't work."
Raon sighed briefly as he walked forward. He appeared composed, as if Igni Serpang's anger couldn't reach him.
"I can tell just from listening to the conversation. You have already crossed a river of no return."
[Human? How dare a mere human...]
It was the moment when Igni Serpang snorted and was about to spew his fiery breath. ... A blue light flashed without any sound.
[Uh...]
Igni Serpang, who had been preparing to breathe fire, froze like a statue, and his entire body trembled.
[I-Impossible...]
Igni Serpang couldn't even finish saying it was impossible as his throat split and his massive head fell to the cavern floor. Though it was just the head, its tremendous weight caused the lair's floor to collapse, revealing boiling lava beneath.
Igni Serpang's head, which had been cut so cleanly as if sliced by a sword, began to melt as it sank into lava of a color remarkably similar to his scales.
"You don't even need to reflect on your actions."
Raon lightly shook off the Heavenly Drive, which had been drawn without anyone noticing.
"Die as the trash you are."