Chapter 739

Glenn's smile deepened as he watched Raon's eyes waver in apparent confusion.

"This is my answer."

He had agonized over many options—whether he should call Raon and ask him directly, or investigate secretly using the Black Market and Shadow Agents. Beyond all that, he had even questioned whether he had the right to hear Raon's circumstances.

After setting House Robert ablaze, countless thoughts had been swirling in his mind, preventing him from looking at Raon properly.

"Thanks to that simple fellow, I found my answer."

When he couldn't make a judgment about Raon, Ogram's words had awakened his confused mind. Hearing Ogram’s declaration that he would trust Raon until the end because the boy had saved his life, Glenn’s clouded thoughts suddenly cleared.

"However, I'm different from that fool."

Trusting the grandson he had adopted with his own hands didn’t mean he would simply believe in him like Ogram did. It meant he would trust him because he was a child he had cared for since birth.

Sylvia might think he only arrived at the annex building after 100 days, but he had been taking care of Raon from the moment he was called Sunshine.

He had been present at every moment: the first cry, the first steps, the first smile, the first training, the first duel, the first mission, and becoming an official swordsman. He knew Raon better than anyone.

"Raon's true talent isn't martial arts."

Raon had a strong and righteous heart, but he became the weakest when it came to the weak. Strong against the strong, weak against the weak.

"Thanks to him, Zieghart's reputation has risen beyond its peak."

Due to Raon’s actions, Zieghart’s once fearsome reputation had been tempered with a sense of justice. Now, rumors spread that they were the most benevolent family on the continent.

"If I can't trust that child, I can't trust anyone."

This wasn’t running away or backing down. It was simply an act of basic trust in Raon—the grandson he had cared for all his life. Raon held his breath momentarily as he saw Glenn smile comfortably, unlike when he sat on the throne.

"I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Head of House smile like that before..."

He had seen Glenn smile a few times, but they were mostly heavy or dry. He had never seen such a relaxed smile.

"Does this mean he really intends to trust me...?"

As he had said before, it seemed he would trust him not as the Head of House Zieghart, but as a grandfather. Raon slightly bit his lip.

"What is this feeling...?"

His chest felt warm and tingling inside. A pleasant drowsiness, like being wrapped in a sun-dried blanket that still retained the warmth, ran through him completely.

"Everyone has secrets they can't tell, or things they hesitate to say."

Glenn smiled slightly as he watched Raon swallow.

"I'm no exception."

His past of pursuing only war and strength, his guilt toward Raon and Sylvia, his misplaced affection for the family—his mind was filled with things he couldn’t honestly reveal.

"Raon. When you feel comfortable talking. And when you can reveal everything."

Glenn grabbed Raon’s shoulder and showed him a smile free of awkwardness.

"Come find me. I'll tell you my secrets too."

"Ah..."

However, he felt a slight frustration. Not towards Glenn, but towards himself.

"Even if the Head of House trusts me, I can't explain everything."

He couldn’t honestly mention that he had died after being raised by Derus and reincarnated, or that he harbored the Monarch of Wrath. Rather, receiving Glenn’s trust made it even harder to open his mouth. He was afraid of losing his relationship with Sylvia, becoming estranged from the people in the annex building, and losing his comrades in the Light Wind division.

Thinking that his life as Raon Zieghart might crumble, he couldn’t speak. But seeing Glenn’s trusting smile and remaining silent hurt his heart even more.

–Just a little.

Wrath lowered his eyes calmly.

–Tell him just a little about this king.

The guy nodded, seeming to think that would be alright for now. He seemed to have the same thought.

"Alright."

Raon nodded to Wrath and looked up.

"You’re right, Head of House."

He moistened his lips as he approached Glenn.

"I can’t tell you when or how this unfortunate relationship began, but I can’t live under the same sky as Derus Robert."

"I see."

Glenn nodded calmly, not pressing further.

"It’s true that I have another energy besides the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation."

Raon exhaled softly as he looked at Wrath floating in the air.

"You might feel it’s sinister and malicious, but it’s not. It’s the power of my friend, who is simple but loyal, gluttonous but cares for people more than anyone."

He smiled sincerely as he said the word friend.

"The word 'friend' fits better."

Thanks to Wrath, he had seen a wider world, had saved many people, and had achieved half of his dream. The Monarch of Wrath who came to him in his childhood was undoubtedly an enemy, but the glutton who was here now was his closest friend.

–W-why would this king be friends with someone like you!

Wrath shook his head with a flushed face.

–Hmph! T-this king doesn't make friends!

The guy turned his head abruptly, saying he would accept subordinates, not friends. Judging by his trembling shoulders, he seemed more embarrassed than angry.

"According to my friend, Angels use divine power as naturally as humans breathe. Uriel’s ability to ignore magic and aura while enveloped in golden light is called Ethereal Transformation..."

Raon told Glenn all the information about Angels he had heard from Wrath.

"Thank you. This will be of great help in future battles."

Glenn nodded to Raon with his back to the sea.

"I’ve felt a mysterious energy from you for some time. As you said, it was sinister but cold, but also righteous and warm at the same time. I would like to meet your friend someday, even if it’s in the future."

He smiled slightly, saying he would wait to be introduced to Wrath as well.

"Yes. I will definitely introduce you to him."

Raon bowed, promising to do so.

"Good. Then."

Glenn left the shore as if he had finished saying everything he wanted.

"Let’s go back."

He patted Raon on the shoulder and walked toward the lodging first. He seemed genuinely calm, as if he had no lingering regrets.

"Thank you for trusting me."

Raon bowed his head toward Glenn’s back.

"Grandpa."

He called Glenn Grandpa in a slightly trembling voice.

"Urgh!"

Glenn let out a loud groan as if he had been stabbed in the back and stopped walking.

"G-Grandpa?"

Raon hurriedly ran toward Glenn, calling him Grandpa once more.

"S-stop right there! If you keep going like this, I’ll die!"

Glenn waved his hand abruptly as if telling him to stop. He covered his trembling lips with his hand and turned his back abruptly.

"Eh...?"

Raon blinked as he watched Glenn’s trembling legs.

"What’s going on?"

Was it too early to call him Grandpa? He couldn’t understand Glenn’s reaction. He had no idea what had gone wrong.

"I’m leaving now! The conference will resume soon."

Glenn said to stop and disappeared from that place.

"Why is he acting like that?"

–Raon Zieghart...

As Raon tilted his head in confusion, Wrath moved his tail with his back turned.

–T-this king will wait too. No matter what happened to you...

"You were the one asking me to tell you."

Raon let out a hollow laugh as he looked at Wrath.

"You said you couldn’t stand it anymore and wanted me to tell you everything, but now..."

–That’s not true!

Wrath shouted as he turned his head.

–This king has the most patience in the Devildom. I can be more patient than old Nadine!

He raised his chubby fist, saying he would kill Raon if he spoke first.

–Enough! Let’s eat!

"Alright, alright."

Raon chuckled and walked toward the dining room.

–This king is in a good mood today, so I’ll tell you some great information about Uriel. O-of course, it’s not because of your comment about your friend!

Wrath approached from the side, rolling his round eyes.

"What is it?"

Raon wagged his finger at Wrath.

–I’ll tell you after we eat. First, shrimp pizza.

Wrath snorted, saying that food comes first.

"You’re really annoying."

Raon shook his head and entered the restaurant that Wrath had specified.

Splash!
Rimmer, Sheryl, and Roenn emerged from the seawater that Raon and Glenn had been watching.

"To think that the Head of House would call Raon his grandson, and Raon would call him Grandpa!"

Rimmer bit his lip, sobbing.

"Now I can die without regrets! It would be alright if I expired right here!"

He rubbed his red eyes as if he really meant it.

"It took long enough."

Sheryl sighed deeply as she shook the dust off her hands.

"To think it took over 20 years to do something that others do as soon as they’re born. Ugh..."

She massaged her shoulders with her fists, saying she was tired, but her complexion was brighter than ever.

"I haven’t been this happy in a while either."

Roenn nodded, chuckling.

"Although I think the Head of House is even happier."

He clasped his hands, looking toward where Glenn had disappeared.

"Still, it’s a bit disappointing."

He showed a solemn smile, demonstrating even greater faith than Glenn.

"Now that dream doesn’t seem like just a dream anymore."

Roenn nodded, chuckling.

"I trust Raon too, but I’m a little curious..."

Sheryl twisted her lips, saying it was different from trust.

"We might get to hear it someday."

Roenn shook off the seawater as he stepped out of the sea.

"Let’s go now. The conference will resume soon."

"You’re right."

"Ah, I lost track of time watching something good."

Rimmer and Sheryl nodded and walked out to the shore. Rimmer shook off the seaweed stuck to his forehead and shook his head.

"What’s disappointing?"

"If he had just said my grandson instead of the grandson I adopted with my own hands, it would have been even better."

He twisted his finger as he continued talking.

"As we all know, the Head of House has favored Raon from the beginning. It was an opportunity to show that, what a pity."

Rimmer said he should have directed the scene, making a rectangle with his thumbs and index fingers.

"Wasn’t it disappointment at not hearing Raon’s secret?"

Sheryl narrowed her eyes, saying it was unexpected.

"I don’t need to hear secrets or anything."

Rimmer shook his head firmly.

"I trust Raon himself. That boy will become the king of Zieghart."

The three entered the conference room where Glenn would be, shaking the moisture off their clothes. Glenn was sitting alone in the conference room, covering his flushed face.

"Head of House. You’re here early."

Rimmer approached with a smile, pretending to know nothing.

"Did you enjoy watching?"

Glenn narrowed his eyes as if he knew everything.

"So you knew."

Rimmer didn’t flinch and gave a thumbs up.

"It was very enjoyable."

"I liked it too. Although it felt a bit late."

Sheryl clicked her tongue, saying it should have happened sooner.

"Heh heh heh."

Roenn responded with a soft laugh.

"Head of House, you’re quite shy. Fainting every time you hear the word Grandpa is..."

"Rimmer. I smell something suspicious. Go wash up."

Glenn frowned as he looked at Rimmer.

"What? M-me only?"

"Yes. Just you."

"But we all went into the sea, why just me..."

"Because only you smell like fish!"

"Ah, this is unfair! You always pick on me..."

"Shut up and go!"

He kicked Rimmer in the rear end and kicked him out of the conference room.

"Idiot..."

"Heh heh heh."

Sheryl and Roenn remained silent, not saying a word for fear of being caught in the crossfire.

"Ahem."

After kicking Rimmer out, Glenn sat back down, and the leaders of the Five Kings and neutral factions entered the conference room one by one.

"So, let’s continue with the conference. Let’s not drag it out until tomorrow."

Chamber muttered that she needed to sleep early to avoid damaging her skin as she popped a lollipop into her mouth.

"So, for the rest of the agenda..."

As Roseline stood up and was about to bow, Glenn waved his hand.

"Before that, let me speak first. Firstly..."

Glenn leaned forward and shared the information he had heard from Raon.

"Did you hear it in the meantime? You’re impatient."

Chamber let out a hollow laugh and waved her hand.

"So, what about Raon’s power and his history with Derus..."

"I didn’t ask about that."

Glenn shook his head with a calm look.

"Why?"

"Because I trust my grandson."

He smiled without remorse, repeating what he had told Raon as he squared his shoulders.

"But still..."

"If any problems arise because of that child, I will take responsibility with my life."

Glenn said he would bet his own neck, smiling without hesitation.

"Is that enough?"

"Ugh..."

Meanwhile, at the restaurant, Raon let out a tired sigh as he looked at the wide table filled with empty plates.

"Are you satisfied now?"

Thanks to that glutton, he had eaten all the seafood dishes in the restaurant. He was so tired of eating that he could barely move his fingers now.

–Ahem!

Wrath forcefully lowered his smiling mouth and moved his tail.

–The seafood near the coast is certainly fresh. Not bad!

He mumbled that it was alright, unlike when he devoured everything like a hungry ghost.

"Wow..."

"D-did he eat all that by himself?"

"His stomach seems more impressive than his swordsmanship."

"Everything about him is amazing..."

The people who recognized Raon let out gasps at his amazing appetite.

"Now tell me the information about Uriel."

Raon grabbed Wrath’s tail and pulled him toward the table. He wanted to hear even a small piece of information for Glenn’s sake, besides the matter with Derus.

–There’s still ice cream left, isn’t there?

Wrath shook his head, saying the bill wasn’t settled yet.

"This is really annoying."

Raon sighed and opened the box of bead ice cream he had bought in advance. An intense mint aroma rose along with the white, cold air.

–Heuk...

Wrath licked his lips in anticipation, already knowing the flavor. Raon put a piece of mint chocolate in his mouth. The intense flavor and sweetness, as intense as the aroma, enveloped his tongue.

–Kuuuu! This is it!

Wrath clenched his fist tightly.

–This is why I live, enduring your torment for this flavor!

He seemed genuinely happy, even his shoulders were trembling.

"Now will you finally talk?"

Raon gestured to Wrath, who was shaking his chin in ecstasy.

–Hmm, it’s annoying, but I must keep my promise.

Wrath nodded and lowered himself to the table.

–Did you see the horn trumpets hanging on Uriel’s waist?

"They were so unusual that I couldn’t forget them, even if I wanted to."

Three horn trumpets had been hanging on Uriel’s waist, their grotesque shapes unlike anything that belonged to Angels.

–Those trumpets are known as the heralds of doom.

Wrath's blue eyes narrowed terrifyingly.

–They are the trumpets that Archangels blow when they destroy the world.

***

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]