Chapter 727

Glenn's hand trembled as it rested on the armrest of the throne.

‘Derus Robert…’

Derus Robert was one of the strongest among the Six Kings and the Five Demons. With power rivaling that of the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance, he could very well be the swordsman wearing the blue dragon helmet. However, he had a solid alibi.

‘Chamber, the Master of the Magic Tower, and Lecross confirmed that Derus was at his family’s residence.’

According to the Master of the Magic Tower, Derus had not left the magical visual communication even for a moment. Unless he used some kind of doppelgänger, it would be impossible for him to be the swordsman in the helmet.

‘Still, it’s suspicious.’

Occasionally, when Glenn made eye contact with Derus Robert, he felt an unsettling chill. Even though Derus’s eyes shone with kindness, Glenn always sensed a sharpness—as if a blade were pressed against his throat. Since the eyes are windows to the soul, Glenn privately believed Derus’s true nature was not good, but evil.

‘However…’

Even if it seemed strange, there was no evidence. Derus was perfect in every aspect—power, personality, and background. Though Raon had drastically improved Zieghart’s reputation, they still couldn’t match the public standing of House Robert. Provoking them carelessly could lead to a full-scale war far more dangerous than the one with the South-North Union.

“R-Raon…”

Sheryl’s eyes widened in shock at Raon’s words.

“Derus Robert? Do you understand what it means to mention that name?”

Her lips trembled, unable to believe what she was hearing.

“Young Master Raon. Are you serious?”

Roenn also stood agape, struggling to accept the situation.

“Do you have evidence?”

Unlike Sheryl and Roenn, Glenn raised his chin, his expression calm.

“Yes.”

Raon nodded, meeting Glenn’s firm gaze.

“Do you remember the incident when the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance and the Leader of the White Blood Religion attacked the Five Divine Orders?”

“How could I forget? You disappeared.”

Although Raon brought up a seemingly unrelated story, Glenn answered calmly, unhurried.

“I was attacked twice while escaping from there. The first was by a disciple of the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance—”

“I know. You said he was an assassin, right?”

“Yes. But not just any assassin. He exploded in a suicide attack. He was a product of necromancy called the Water Demon Guest.”

“Necromancy…?”

Glenn’s eyes reddened in surprise at this unfamiliar information.

“I captured the master who controlled the Water Demon Guests and learned about the factory where they were made. I couldn’t go at the time, so I visited it again after killing the crazed dragon Kaivar.”

Raon explained how he destroyed the Water Demon Guest factory with the help of the Black Market.

“I was waiting at the outskirts of the village, hoping the true owner would appear. And someone unexpected showed up.”

“Don’t tell me it was…”

Glenn asked, trembling slightly.

“Yes. It was Derus Robert. He looked furious that the factory had been destroyed and ruthlessly killed his subordinates. Then, when he took off his blood-soaked gloves…”

Raon swallowed hard before raising his voice.

“There was a scar on the back of his hand. The same scar as the one on the swordsman wearing the blue dragon helmet.”

He clenched his fist, asserting it was unmistakable.

“Wait a minute!”

Sheryl couldn’t contain herself and stepped forward.

“You said the subordinates of the Black Market Master were there. Then why didn’t they report this…?”

“Denzel and his agents didn’t recognize Derus. He wore a mask and didn’t use his aura.”

“Then how did you know?”

“My ability to read mana and the nature of others is more developed than my martial skills. I recognized him instantly, since I met Derus directly at the Six Kings Conference.”

Raon lifted his head, steadying his breath.

“I kept quiet at the time because I feared revealing Derus’s identity could endanger Denzel and the Black Market.”

After explaining everything, he looked at Glenn, Sheryl, and Roenn. All three appeared at a loss, exchanging glances with trembling eyes.

— That’s all lies, isn’t it?!

Wrath shouted, shaking his head furiously.

‘You’re right. It is a lie. But not entirely.’

Half of what Raon told Glenn was a lie. It was true that Derus visited the factory, but he never revealed his identity or removed his gloves. It was a lie that would quickly be exposed if Derus confronted him—but that didn’t matter. Because Raon could reveal his identity another way.

“The swordsman in the dragon helmet had regenerative abilities stronger than a troll’s, yet he couldn’t erase the scar on his hand. Everyone present saw it. So, if we can expose that scar, we can reveal his identity.”

Raon knelt down, asking for their trust.

“Raon.”

Glenn called his name—not as the Leader of the Light Wind Division.

“Yes, Head of House.”

Raon slowly lifted his gaze, gripping his trembling wrist.

‘This is where it truly begins.’

From now on, Glenn, Sheryl, and Roenn would ask sharp questions. He had to answer every doubt. But Glenn’s response was completely unexpected.

“It must have been hard for you…”

Glenn bit his lip, deep wrinkles forming between his brows.

“Excuse me?”

Raon blinked blankly. The response was so far from what he anticipated that his mind went blank.

“I’m sorry. For not telling you earlier…”

“No, it’s fine.”

Raon tried to apologize, but Glenn interrupted him firmly.

“I will call you again in the afternoon. I must inform the others. For now, you may go.”

Glenn gestured with his hand.

“Ah, yes…”

Raon glanced at Sheryl and Roenn before leaving the audience hall with lowered shoulders. The iron door closed behind him with a sound colder than ever.

Clang…

“Haa…”

Sheryl let out a long sigh, holding her forehead.

“It’s shocking that Derus is the one in the dragon helmet, but I’m even more amazed by Raon.”

She bit her lip, gazing at the spot where Raon had stood.

“I can’t imagine how he kept such a terrifying secret until now.”

“I feel the same.”

Roenn nodded, his expression hard.

“My hands are trembling, and yet he endured this alone. Remarkable.”

He lowered his gaze, murmuring that Raon’s mental strength surpassed his own.

“…”

Glenn’s shoulders trembled as he ground the throne’s armrest to dust.

‘I can’t even imagine how hard it must’ve been for that young man…’

Derus commanded the greatest strength on the continent. It was natural Raon couldn’t speak freely. Thinking of his grandson suffering alone made Glenn’s heart ache.

‘I didn’t need to inherit this from Sylvia…’

Why does he have to be so considerate? It would’ve been better if he had spoken up immediately, but Raon was too kind and thoughtful. The fact he stayed silent until he found proof showed he didn’t want to harm anyone.

‘However…’

Glenn buried his face in his hands.

‘It must be that he didn’t trust me.’

It was natural. Glenn had always pushed him away, showing only a stern face. His heart tightened with regret.

‘I’m truly sorry.’

He bowed his head toward the absent Raon.

‘But I will handle this matter decisively.’

Glenn steeled his resolve and turned to Roenn.

“Connect me to a magical visual communication with Chamber.”

“Understood.”

Roenn raised his head and projected a blue window in the audience hall’s center.

[What is it at this hour?]

Chamber lifted her witch’s hat, licking a lollipop.

[There are some children here.]

She gestured for the other magicians to greet Glenn.

“…”

Glenn leaned back in his throne, eyes heavy with concern and nostalgia.

'Listen carefully. We must prepare for what comes next.'

Raon’s words had ignited a fire in him. Glenn would rise to meet it.

[What is it? Are you going to confess your love or something?]

Chamber teased but dismissed the magicians.

[They’re gone. Now spill it. What’s happening?]

She extended her hand.

“What I’m about to say is the absolute truth.”

Glenn bit his lip until it bled.

‘I will bring down not just Derus, but the entire Robert House.’

‘Raon. I’ll also stake my life.’

* * *

As Raon exited the mansion, he tilted his head.

‘What was that?’

There were several holes in what he told Glenn—intentional ones. He had answers prepared, yet Glenn didn’t question a single thing.

‘There’s no way he wouldn’t notice…’

Glenn had nerves of steel. He shouldn’t be shaken even if told Derus was the dragon-helmeted swordsman. So why had he let it slide?

— Why’s that old man acting like that?

Wrath frowned.

‘I don’t know either.’

Raon sighed.

‘Things went well, but now I’m even more worried.’

It seemed there was a large gap between the Glenn he knew and the real Glenn Zieghart.

To calm his mind, he headed to the training ground.

As he opened the door, he heard the whoosh of a sword being swung.

Martha?

Martha was there, her entire body soaked in sweat.

“Training on your day off?”

Raon raised a hand in greeting.

“I feel like I’ll die if I stay still.”

Martha lowered her sword and exhaled heavily.

“Die?”

“Yes. I keep hearing my mother’s voice calling for help. I can’t rest.”

She clenched her trembling hand around the sword.

“…”

Raon frowned.

‘She must be suffering more than me…’

His pain would end with revenge. Martha still had to rescue her captured mother.

— Those in Heaven are filthy, disgusting bastards!

Wrath snorted.

‘At least the good part is…’

Martha was now channeling her fury productively. Her martial growth was accelerating.

“Martha.”

Raon shook his coat.

“How about a spar? It’s been a while.”

“I’ve been waiting for you to ask.”

Martha narrowed her eyes.

“Don’t complain if it hurts.”

Raon drew Heavenly Drive and ignited the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.

“I’ve endured pain my whole life!”

Martha charged, teeth clenched.

Clang!

* * *

After finishing his sparring match with Martha, Raon returned to the Lord's Mansion, guided by Roenn. Upon entering the audience hall, he saw four blue windows projected, showing the faces of the leaders of the Six Kings. Naturally, Derus Robert's face was not among them.

[The protagonist is running late.]

Chamber waved her hand as if some time had passed.

[Raon... you must have gone through so much.]

Ogram let out a deep sigh, frowning.

[You are a man whose valor cannot be contained even by the word 'knight'!]

King Lecross nodded emphatically, as if impressed.

[Ugh, if it were me, I would have already spilled everything and felt relieved.]

The Master of the Magic Tower trembled, with only her eyes visible under her robe.

"…"

Glenn rose from his throne, his eyes closed. From the situation, it seemed that Glenn had explained everything to them, but curiously, the atmosphere wasn't chaotic.

[Raon.]

When Chamber snapped her fingers, her face and body seemed to emerge from the blue window.

[We heard from that old man, but could you tell us again what you've been through?]

"Of course."

Raon nodded and explained to all the Six Kings what he had told Glenn.

[So, in the end, the snake wearing the blue dragon helmet is Derus Robert, right?]

Chamber asked, twisting her lips.

"Yes. I'm sure."

‘This is where it begins.’

The leaders of the Six Kings are different from Glenn. Sharp questions would now come in succession, and he needed to think carefully to cut off any seeds of doubt.

[To be honest, I was also a little suspicious of that bastard.]

Chamber nodded calmly.

[There's no way someone like the Master of the Black Tower would appear with their faces hidden, so I thought it must be a former head of the Six Kings and Five Demons or someone like Derus who obviously had to cover their face.]

She counted on her fingers as she listed the suspicious individuals.

[I deliberately didn't call him to the battlefield and paired him with that recluse, but I couldn't find anything strange.]

Chamber clicked her tongue, saying she had been keeping her suspicions to herself.

[I believe your words.]

Ogram nodded impassively, as if he had no doubts at all.

[It's worrisome.]

King Lecross let out a short sigh.

[Aside from the few odd points in the Light Wind Division Leader's testimony, I find it hard to believe that Derus, that friend, committed such terrible acts.]

He rubbed his forehead as if it was hard to process.

"If you could tell me about the odd points…."

[There's no need for that! If we accept that promise, we have no choice but to believe.]

King Lecross nodded, saying he would believe despite his doubts.

[Ugh, I don't want to fight….]

The Master of the Magic Tower didn't lift her head, as if she disliked the entire situation.

"Eh…?"

Raon blinked, looking at the leaders of the Six Kings.

‘What's going on?’

What is happening here? This is none other than Derus Robert, one of the Six Kings. He is being branded as a villain no different from a continental criminal, and yet no one expresses doubt. It was disconcerting.

"Um…"

Raon raised his hand with a dazed look.

"Why aren't you asking questions? Surely you must have doubts."

[We won't.]

Chamber shook her head.

"But why…?"

[I don't want to die.]

She shrugged and stepped back.

[I withdrew because I saw the Head of House's determination.]

King Lecross also shook his head, saying he had no intention of asking questions.

"What do you mean?"

Raon blinked, looking alternately at Chamber and King Lecross.

[Your Head of House said he would bet his life on your statement.]

Ogram pointed at Glenn, twisting his lips.

[It's the first time that cold man has bet his life on something, so we have no choice but to believe.]

He nodded as if it were an obvious decision.

"Ah…"

Raon turned to look at Glenn, his lips trembling.

"H-Head of House…?"

"I saw your eyes. There was no trace of deception in them."

Glenn said that was enough, slightly biting his lip.

"Just because of my eyes…?"

It was so different from the Glenn he had known that Raon felt his breath catch in his throat. Even though he had become part of the direct line, it was hard to believe that Glenn would show such trust.

[Of course, we're not believing just because that old man bet his life.]

Chamber approached again, moving her finger.

[I trust you.]

She smiled brightly, lifting her chin.

[I know all about the achievements you've accumulated so far and the feats you've shown in this war. How could I not believe you?]

[I feel the same.]

Ogram nodded in agreement.

[You are my benefactor. Whatever path you choose, I will follow you.]

He raised his fist, saying he would repay his debt of life even if it meant going to hell.

[I feel the same. I've trusted you since you helped my third son.]

King Lecross smiled, saying he hadn't yet repaid the debt for saving Greer's life.

[Derus worries me….]

The Master of the Magic Tower trembled her lips and looked up.

[He was clearly there, but he seemed like a different person.]

[What? Then you should have said something!]

Chamber frowned, asking why she hadn't mentioned it.

[It was just my feeling, not a theory or a result, so….]

The Master of the Magic Tower shrunk her head, saying that feelings were emotions that magicians should stay away from.

[Oh, for heaven's sake!]

Chamber shook her head, patting her chest.

[Anyway, let's move on. Derus isn't a fool. He'll find a way to erase the scar on the back of his hand before he comes. And he'll do it in a way that neither I nor the other old men can detect.]

She slightly lifted her witch's hat, saying they needed to find a way to expose the scar.

"There is a way."

Raon stepped forward in front of the blue windows.

[Really?]

"Yes. He also couldn't erase the wound I inflicted on him. If we use the energy of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation, we should be able to reveal the scar on the back of his hand."

He nodded, switching the Ring of Fire and Wrath to Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation in his explanation. He had to keep the real plan hidden until the end, as there might be Derus' spies among them.

[Ah, that's right!]

Chamber nodded quickly.

[One of the scars on his hand was yours!]

She laughed, saying she finally understood.

[Great! Then let's make a plan. A plan to unmask that worm!]

[We should hold the Six Kings Conference as soon as possible.]

Ogram bit his lip, saying he wanted to see Derus' face as soon as possible.

[If it's too soon, he might suspect. We'll need about a week.]

King Lecross suggested holding it the following week, tapping his fingers.

"The Beast Union would be a good place. We have the excuse that Ogram is injured, and it's close to the Robert House, so we can find him quickly even if he tries to escape."

Glenn nodded, making eye contact with the leaders of the Six Kings. The meeting proceeded quickly, and it was decided to hold the Six Kings Conference at the Beast Union in a week. Raon clenched his fist as he watched the leaders of the Six Kings formulate detailed plans. He reaffirmed his resolve once more, raising the Blade of Death in his heart.

‘Derus Robert.’

This is the beginning of my revenge.

***

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]