Chapter 726

With a fierce shout, Raon extended his hands again, infusing the Blade of Death with the Ring of Fire and the emotions of Wrath. However, this time the Blade of Death could not withstand its role as a vessel and shattered like a cracked crystal.

"Oh no..."

Raon frowned as he watched the fragments of Wrath scatter from his grip.

— It’s natural for it to break!

Wrath nodded emphatically, seeming pleased.

— If you had continued to succeed in merging powers on your first try, you'd be a demon god!

He made a satisfied sound, suggesting that Raon would have to put in more effort.

'You're right.'

Raon nodded calmly. Harmonizing three powers wasn't an easy task; it would have been strange to achieve consistent success without practice.

— At least you quickly admit your flaws.

Wrath snorted and lifted his head with pride.

'But there's one thing you're forgetting.'

— What have I forgotten now? As if a crow offered friendship...!

'I mean that you are forgetting, not me. Don't you know that I can't eat if I don't succeed in this?'

— Ugh...

He was left speechless, seemingly having not considered that possibility.

'I won't leave until I succeed definitively.'

— Y-you, evil bastard...

Wrath's face turned even paler at the threat.

'Should we try again?'

Raon pushed Wrath away, who was sweating, and gripped the Blade of Death once more.

— Not yet!

When Raon was about to invoke Wrath and the Ring of Fire, Wrath, who had been at a distance, jumped in front of him.

— You made the aura acting as a vessel too thin! Make it a little thicker!

'Really?'

— Have I ever deceived you? Just try it!

'Hmm, fine.'

Following Wrath's advice, Raon drew more aura from the Blade of Death before infusing it with the Ring of Fire and Wrath's energy. As suggested, this time the vessel did not shatter. Although the balance between the Blade of Death and <Wrath> was quite uneven, it seemed that with proper control, there would be no problem.

— I'm not helping you because I like you, but because there's pineapple pizza on the menu tonight.

Wrath snorted and abruptly turned his head.

— Now that we've finished, let's eat!

'Not yet.'

Raon shook his head, pushing away Wrath, who was clinging to him.

'I need to practice until I don't fail.'

Derus is faster and more cautious than anyone I know. There will only be one opportunity to use this sword against him. If we miss this chance at the Six Kings Conference, we may never reveal his true identity. So, I must practice until I succeed one hundred times out of one hundred attempts.

— Damn it!

'Just hold on a little longer.'

Raon perfected the Blade of Death in the deserted training field until sunset.

As the rank of the Blade of Death rose to 3 stars, the success rate improved to the point where he only failed once in ten attempts.

There should be enough time until the Six Kings Conference, so it seemed possible to perfect it by then.

— Then there was no need to make such a fuss today!

Wrath shouted loudly.

'If I hadn't done it today, I wouldn’t have received your advice.'

Raon moved his hand slightly. It was all thanks to Wrath's advice that he was able to skillfully handle the Blade of Death in just one day. Without that cotton candy, it would have taken much longer.

— Y-you will never die in peace! This king will chew your flesh and bones...

'It's not dinner time yet, is it?'

— Then what are you waiting for?! Run now!

Wrath stopped cursing, licked his lips, and waved his hands like wings.

'Alright. I'll go as fast as I can.'

Raon stepped onto the Supreme Harmony Steps, promising to eat well since Wrath had been so helpful today.

'Hm?'

As he ran toward the annex building at full speed, he saw a man hiding at the end of the darkened garden.

"Who's there?"

Raon approached silently and pointed toward the back of the man's neck.

"Huuk!"

The man, clearly not expecting anyone to approach from behind, collapsed in shock.

"I-I'm not an enemy! I'm..."

"Sterick?"

Raon frowned as he recognized the trembling face of the man. It was Sterick from the direct line, who had blocked the maids in front of the banquet hall yesterday.

"What are you doing here?"

Raon looked down at Sterick, emanating a chilling aura.

"Don't tell me you've come to complain about yesterday's events."

— A delicious aroma is wafting through the air! This miserable wretch is wasting time!

Wrath sniffed the air before shouting loudly.

— Just cut his throat and let’s eat!

He patted his belly, saying he would take responsibility.

'Should I do it?'

Raon nodded slightly. He placed his hand on the Heavenly Drive, ready to cut Sterick's mouth off if he said any more nonsense.

"No, absolutely not!"

Sterick vigorously shook his head as he knelt.

"I'm not here to complain, but to apologize for yesterday!"

He expressed his sincere apologies and extended a box he was carrying.

"What is this...?"

"I heard you like beef, so I brought some."

Sterick said it was top-quality beef as he opened the lid of the box. Inside, premium beef with abundant marbling revealed its brilliant appearance.

— That’s a good guy!

Wrath instantly changed his attitude and laughed.

"Did you poison it?"

Raon twisted his lips as he looked at Sterick's trembling eyes.

"N-no way. It's top-quality beef that I just bought!"

Sterick shook his head, asking why he would do such a thing.

"Well, aside from the gift, it seems you're apologizing to the wrong person."

Raon withdrew his hand from the sword hilt and turned his gaze toward the annex building.

"Of course!"

Sterick nodded quickly, seeming to understand what Raon meant.

"If you give me the chance, I'll also apologize to the maids."

"Wait here."

Raon glanced briefly at the back of Sterick's head before entering the annex building.

"Young Master!"

"Did you just arrive?"

"The preparations for dinner are almost ready, so please wash up quickly and come!"

Yua, Judiel, and Helen smiled, saying he had arrived just in time.

"Everyone, go out to the garden."

"Everyone?"

"Yes. It’s important. Everyone."

Raon called not only the three of them but everyone in the annex building and led them to where Sterick was.

"You're..."

Helen recognized Sterick and let out a low groan.

"Y-you! I'm really sorry for yesterday!"

Without hesitation, Sterick bowed his head to the maids.

"Eh...?"

"N-no, it's fine!"

"You didn’t need to apologize for that...!"

The maids waved their hands, saying it was okay, but Sterick did not straighten up.

"......"

Raon narrowed his eyes as he observed Sterick's trembling shoulders.

'Is this the power of the Zieghart direct line?'

Sterick was not apologizing to the maids because he truly felt sorry. He feared the status of the direct line that Glenn had personally granted and recognized. Even his master Karoon could not refute it, so it was natural for Sterick to be so terrified.

'Now I can feel what we have gained.'

Yesterday, he was only happy with the satisfaction of elevating Sylvia to the direct line, but seeing Sterick's reaction today, he could understand what kind of power he now possessed.

"I'm really sorry..."

"Please, stand up."

As Sterick tried to continue apologizing, Sylvia stepped forward among the maids.

"L-Lady Sylvia. Thank you..."

"There’s no need to thank me. I have no intention of accepting your apology."

Sylvia shook her head firmly and returned the box of beef that Sterick had offered her.

"Come back when you can put sincerity into your apology."

"Ah..."

Sterick's face turned pale, as if his last hope had been shattered.

"Don't worry. I have no intention of harming you as you would. However, if you ever touch our children again..."

Her eyes glinted ominously, living up to her title as the Red-Eyed Demon Blade.

"I will make you beg for death in their stead."

With that final remark, Sylvia turned away. Her golden hair, which had always conveyed comfort, now seemed to exude a cold chill.

— Ooh! It's a bit of a shame for the good meat, but our mom is so cool!

Wrath applauded, “Wooohoo!” and clung to Sylvia. Raon smiled weakly as he watched the people enter the annex building.

'Yes. To protect this life now...'

I must act. The fight against Derus is not just for my revenge. It is also a war to protect Zieghart. Raon reaffirmed his resolve and entered the annex building.

* * *

In a small training field in a corner of Zieghart. The wind and thunder that Rimmer drew with his sword illuminated the dim training ground. He was so focused that heat radiated from him as if summer had arrived just for him.

"Hm?"

Sheryl, who had just opened the door to the training field, frowned as she saw Rimmer.

"Have you been training since dawn until now?"

She exhaled forcefully after examining the sweat stains on Rimmer's clothes.

"Ah..."

Rimmer let out a heavy sigh and looked up. He laughed upon seeing the night sky with the rising moon.

"Has it really gotten so late?"

"Is the King of Laziness not even aware of the time?"

Sheryl frowned as she observed Rimmer laughing awkwardly.

"I concentrate sometimes, you know?"

Rimmer shrugged, elongating his words playfully.

"...Hey."

Sheryl called Rimmer with a hardened expression.

"What?"

"You should be gambling as usual! This training doesn't suit you at all!"

She wrinkled her nose, seemingly displeased with this serious version of Rimmer.

"All the gambling places are closed."

Rimmer waved his hand up and down.

"And even I need to move my body sometimes..."

"It's for Raon, isn’t it?"

Sheryl lowered her gaze, indicating that she knew everything.

"The Evil Goat Demon appeared in the river, and then Beorn jumped out of its shadow, right? In that situation, neither I nor Lord Roenn could have protected Raon."

She shook her head, saying it was an unavoidable situation.

"You were exhausted too. There's no need to blame yourself..."

"Unavoidable?"

Rimmer let out a long sigh and pressed his hand against his forehead.

"For someone on guard, there's no such thing as 'unavoidable.' You know that better than anyone."

Sheryl might have been trying to offer comfort in an uncharacteristic way, but this incident was his own fault. If Flumen hadn't saved Raon, he would have spent the rest of his life blaming himself, wilting like a tree that had lost its roots.

'This is my problem.'

The excuse of being physically and mentally exhausted from continuous battles, or being caught off guard, doesn't hold. Even if it meant dying on the spot, he should have protected Raon. Having declared that he would make Raon the new king and head of Zieghart, this mistake could not be overlooked.

"Playing, teaching the children, saving money to send there, are all important things to do, but..."

Rimmer wiped the sweat that had accumulated on his palm briskly.

"Protecting Raon comes first."

Even if it cost him his life. He raised his sword, swearing never to experience the same failure again.

"Hah! Do what you want!"

Sheryl leaned against a tree, wrinkling her nose.

"You're an idiot..."

She stayed with Rimmer until dawn when he finished his training.

* * *

"Did Raon request an audience?"

Glenn sat up abruptly on the throne in the audience hall, as if he could break it.

"Yes. He said he must see the Head of House."

Roenn nodded with a faint smile.

"Eh? At this hour...?"

Sheryl moved her finger while looking at the sky, which had not yet passed from morning.

"Isn't he coming to pay his respects to grandpa?"

"I think the same. Now that Young Master Raon has become part of the direct line, he probably wants to formally call you grandpa."

Roenn laughed while standing next to Sheryl.

"Head of House. This time, you can't ascend to the heavens just because you hear the word 'grandpa.'"

Sheryl pleaded, joining her hands.

"I will try."

Glenn licked his lips, feeling his heart begin to race.

"Then, I will call him."

Roenn opened the iron door with a gentle smile. Raon, who had been waiting outside, took a short breath before entering the audience hall. With calm but heavy steps, Raon stopped before the platform.

"I am here to see the Head of House."

"Hmm..."

Glenn narrowed his eyes as he looked at Raon kneeling. Although he wasn't called grandpa but Head of House, it wasn't disappointing. Raon's eyes were resolute, like a monk facing death.

'Uf.'

Glenn nodded calmly, suppressing his heart that was beating rapidly.

"Alright. What is the matter?"

"I have come because I have something important to tell you."

"Speak."

"......"

Raon did not respond immediately but instead looked around the audience hall. After confirming that only Sheryl and Roenn were present, he intertwined his hands.

"I have discovered the identity of the swordsman wearing the dragon helmet who ambushed you, Head of House."

"What...?"

Glenn leaned forward, his eyes widening.

'Does he say he knows the identity of that bastard?'

The swordsman with the blue dragon helmet had appeared suddenly, as if he had sprouted from the ground. While there were some suspicious individuals, there was no evidence, and their personalities were too different for Glenn to be sure. He couldn't believe that Raon had discovered the man's identity.

"And— the Young Master Raon!"

"Is it true? Have you really figured out who he is?"

Roenn and Sheryl called out to Raon, swallowing hard.

"Yes. I am sure."

As always, his grandson nodded without the slightest hesitation.

"Tell me the name of this person."

Glenn tightened his jaw as he read the resolution emanating from Raon's entire being.

"It is the master of the Robert house, the Heavenly Sword Saint Derus Robert."

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Writing Ant, 글개미]

[Translator – MurimTang]

[Proofreader – Mayank]