Chapter 536

Raon swallowed nervously while looking at the trembling ground, which looked like it was about to explode, and Glenn’s eyes, which were glowing in anger.

‘It was my mistake. I shouldn’t have called her aunt here.’

He was just a collateral, not a direct line. It was normal for Glenn to be so furious because he’d called Aries his aunt even though she held the highest rank among the direct lines.

‘Her prank is still bearing its result.’

After Aries was called ‘auntie’ for the first time, she kept visiting Raon every hour to force him to call him auntie until he was tired of it.

Because he kept repeatedly saying auntie so many times in that short time, he got so used to saying that.

You idiot.

Wrath giggled while watching Glenn’s reddened face.

That’s why we should’ve gone to eat instead of coming here.

‘There’s no way I can do that.’

Raon sighed while pushing away Wrath as he flew around while making fun of him.

“Aunt?”

“Did you have an aunt?”

Runaan and Martha tilted their heads, surprised by the mention of his aunt.

“The vice squad leader’s aunt would be…”

“She’s from our house!”

“But who would be that aunt… Ah! Could it be?!”

“Lady Aries?”

The Light Wind division gasped upon remembering Glenn’s first daughter, Aries.

“Ah…”

Burren’s eyes widened as he looked at Raon, surprised by the mention of Aries.

“Aunt. Aunt, you said…”

Glenn bit his dry lip tightly, even more irritated by the Light Wind division mentioning the aunt.

“Please excuse me. I made a mistake.”

Raon knelt in front of Glenn and lowered his head.

‘What I did was something that the head of house hates the most.’

Toeing the line was extremely important for Glenn.

Even though he got slightly closer to him from eating and training together, Raon was still not a direct line. That’s why he couldn’t call Aries his aunt.

“…You are well aware.”

Glenn nodded while looking at him coldly.

“You should be careful in the future.”

He sighed deeply, as if he were forgiving him just once.

“Yes.”

Raon lowered his head once again before he stood up.

“Haah…”

“Phew…”

He looked behind him upon hearing the sighs and saw Rimmer and Roenn shaking their heads while covering their foreheads.

“Raon Zieghart.”

Before he had time to think about why they were acting that way, Glenn called him once again, so he looked above the platform.

“Report what you’ve been doing from the start of the mission.”

“Understood.”

Raon nodded and took a step forward.

“After the Holy Sword Alliance master and the White Blood Religion’s leader suddenly started their assault, I, along with the Light Wind division, destroyed the city’s rampart in order to save the civilians…”

He told him everything that had happened so far, except for the parts where he summoned Wrath and destroyed Derus’s factory with the Black Market.

Hey, man!

Wrath glared at him while hitting his shoulder.

Why are you skipping the King of Essence’s deeds? Tell him that he pulled the head of that weakling off and even treated those men!

‘Please be quiet!’

Raon rapidly slapped away Wrath because he was interfering once again without reading the mood.

“Y-you’ve slain a dragon?!”

“Kaibar, that’s the mad dragon who supposedly destroyed more than five cities!”

“What the…?”

“How did you even slay a dragon in that short time?!”

The Light Wind division’s astonishment was revealed in their eyes because they’d never imagined that Raon would hunt down a dragon.

“Hah, seriously…”

“Raon, damn handsome!”

Martha shook her head upon hearing his ridiculous story, and Runaan happily clenched her small fist.

“Uah…”

Burren’s reaction was especially violent. His chin trembled as he pointed his finger at Raon.

“Raon Zieghart.”

Glenn nodded calmly without being surprised at all, probably because Aries had told him about it before.

“You should’ve been aware that Chamber’s ring had two different abilities.”

“Yes, I knew.”

“The first one consists of sending someone else to a location you know about, and the second summons someone you know to your location. Why didn’t you summon me there?”

Despite his expectations, Glenn didn’t ask about the dragon but the incident before then.

“I thought that the Light Wind division was going to die if I summoned you, my lord, even though I would be saved.”

Raon said exactly what he’d thought back then.

“The team leaders, Mark Goetten, and Dorian were in such serious conditions that even your arrival wouldn’t have saved them.”

“You were bounced away when the barrier was destroyed, but you were lucky. You would’ve died if anything went slightly differently.”

“I didn’t consider my life important back then. I was just fixated on saving them.”

The Light Wind division hung their heads while biting their lips or clutching their chests as they listened to Raon.

“I see.”

Glenn slowly nodded and looked at Dorian.

“Dorian Sephia.”

“Ah, yes!”

Dorian straightened his neck even though his shoulders were trembling.

“Weren’t you afraid of Orgos?”

“I-I was afraid of him. My tongue wouldn’t even move as it should.”

“Then why did you lie to him and claim that you were Raon?”

“I was afraid of dying, but having Sir Raon die was even more fr-frightening.”

Dorian rubbed his belly pocket with two hands and continued, “I thought I’d rather die myself and forced myself to speak.”

“Everyone seems to agree with you.”

Glenn nodded, taking that response as the entire Light Wind division’s response rather than just Dorian’s.

“What do you think the condition to become true companions is?”

No one responded to his question.

“It’s whether you can prioritize your companion’s life over yours. This doesn’t happen from simply spending a long time together. You need trust between people for it to happen. It’s such a difficult feat, yet you’ve achieved it at your young age.”

Glenn’s voice had a hint of laughter in it. It was the softest voice that Raon had ever heard from him.

“You brought glory to Zieghart’s name during the Five Divine Orders’ festival, rescued the civilians from the attack of Five Demons, and fought for your companions with your lives on the line. Everyone in the Light Wind division shall be bestowed with a golden tablet and a high-grade elixir!”

Glenn was looking at the Light Wind division with warmth instead of the usual lifelessness in his eyes.

“E-everyone in the Light Wind division?”

“Are we really also getting a golden tablet?”

“I-is that even possible?”

“Isn’t this the first time that the entire division was rewarded with a golden tablet?”

The Light Wind division’s jaws dropped, surprised by the abundant reward of a golden tablet each.

“Ah…”

Raon also gasped because it was far more than he’d expected.

‘But is this really going to be fine?’

He could clearly see that the palace masters were going to shout that it couldn’t happen, but Glenn shook his hand towards Roenn with nonchalant eyes, implying that he’d already made up his mind.

The man called the Destructive King of the North must’ve been a lot moodier than he’d expected.

“It’s ready.”

Roenn went on the platform, holding a large plate in his hands.

“Raon Zieghart, step forward.”

Raon looked behind him. He met the eyes of Martha, Runaan, Burren, and everyone in the Light Wind division before he walked up to Glenn’s throne.

“You should be well aware that you were lucky even if I don’t tell you.”

“Yes.”

“You can’t always be lucky on the battlefield. You should think carefully about what you should do next time if the same thing happens next time.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

Glenn nodded at him as an expression of his trust and gave him the golden tablet and elixir that Roenn had delivered to him.

“Let’s talk about slaying the mad dragon later.”

He shook his hand, gesturing for him to go back down.

“Thank you.”

Argh!

Raon bowed politely to Glenn, and Wrath started to rampage again.

Why is the King of Essence not getting anything?! The King of Essence was the one who killed them all and healed them all!

‘I’ll give you food! You got it!’

Just like silencing a puppy by telling them about food, Raon tried to convince Wrath as he went down the platform.

“Burren Zieghart, step forward.”

“Ah, yes!”

Burren was blankly staring at Raon and hurriedly went onto the platform. His gaze and reaction were strange for some reason.

Huhu.

Wrath giggled while watching Burren.

‘Why are you laughing now?’

Something interesting is going to happen soon.

He rolled his lips into a smile while watching Burren’s back. His smile was filled with cunning and anticipation at the same time.

‘Haa.’

Raon shook his head and looked up at the platform.

“Th-thank you!”

Burren bit his lip tightly, deeply moved by getting a golden tablet for the first time, and bowed to Glenn.

“I’ll show you my improvement in the future.”

On the other hand, Martha was brimming with confidence as she took the golden tablet and elixir, as if she was getting what she deserved.

“Is there any sweet elixir?”

“…I don’t have anything like that.”

Runaan wasn’t too interested in the golden tablet, instead asking for a cold and sweet elixir.

After that, everyone in the Light Wind division—including Dorian, Krein, and Mark Goetten—received a golden tablet and an elixir.

It was fine for the golden tablet, but the fact that he was handing out an elixir suitable for each member of the Light Wind division implied that he’d prepared in advance.

“Th-thank you!”

“Thank you!”

Yua and Yulius were the last ones to receive the golden tablet. They gave him a big nod before going down the platform.

“You’ve done an excellent job living up to the name of Zieghart’s swordsman. Leave now and get some rest.”

Glenn nodded at the Light Wind division before he supported his chin on his fist. His eyes were lifeless. The ceremony seemed to be over.

Wham!

Roenn had moved to the back before they knew it and opened the large door for them.

The Light Wind division quietly leaned forward before leaving the audience chamber one after the other.

“W-wait?!”

Rimmer pointed at himself with his finger and blinked.

“You didn’t give me anything though?”

He shouted that he didn’t get any rewards, but no one cared about him.

“Wait, you said that you were giving them to everyone in the Light Wind division! I’m also part of the Light Wind division! Wait, I’m the division leader!”

“……”

The Light Wind division covered their ears as they left the audience chamber, and Glenn ignored him.

“Erm, my lord.”

Raon was about to leave after everyone else but turned around to look at Glenn.

“Yes, Raon! You tell him!”

Rimmer shook his fist, asking him to say something for him.

“I heard from Lady Aries that you fended off the Holy Sword Alliance master and the White Blood Religion’s leader on your own. Are you okay?”

“Uhh…”

Glenn didn’t respond, and the fist supporting his chin started to tremble. He covered his mouth with his trembling hand.

‘Why does he look so displeased…?’

You idiot!

Wrath smacked Raon’s head.

That geezer’s realm has transcended the species. Of course he would feel unpleasant because he is being looked down upon! Why don’t you realize the obvious thing?!

‘Ah…’

Raon was about to apologize once again when Glenn nodded his head.

“I’m fine.”

He shook his hand, gesturing for him to leave.

“Yes.”

Raon bowed before he left the audience chamber.

“Hey!”

Rimmer shouted into nothingness while watching the closing door.

“Why are you ignoring me?! Am I invisible to you?!”

* * *

The audience chamber was quiet after the Light Wind division left.

However, Glenn, Rimmer, and Roenn—who stayed behind—were all frowning.

“Hmmph…”

Glenn rolled his lips into a deep smile while hiding the lower part of his face with his large hand.

‘I don’t even remember the last time someone worried about me.’

Probably because of his name as the Destructive King of the North and position as Zieghart’s head of house, no one had ever worried about his condition for a long time.

Someone did that after such a long time, and it was Raon. He felt like all of the worries, anger, and fatigue he’d accumulated so far were all being washed away.

‘But ‘aunt’ is still…’

Rimmer had taken away the first drink with Raon, but he wanted to be the second person to be called family after Sylvia since he would never do that to others.

However, just like a newcomer outshining an old guard, Aries came out of nowhere and took away the title of being the second person to be called family.

Glenn was still angry about it, and his hands and feet were shaking.

“Call Aries right now. Tell her that I’m going to her if she doesn’t come this time.”

“Before that!” Rimmer sighed and walked up to Glenn.

“Why did you tell him not to call her aunt earlier?”

“That’s of course not allowed!”

Glenn shook his head, saying that he would never accept that.

“I’m not being called grandfather, so how could I bear Aries being called aunt? I won’t allow that to happen!”

He furrowed his brow, saying that he wouldn’t be able to bear it no matter what happened.

“Haa…”

“Phew…”

Rimmer and Roenn sighed at the same time.

“If that was the issue, you should’ve told him to call you grandfather instead of forbidding him from calling her aunt! Argh! This is so frustrating!”

Rimmer pounded his chest while looking up at Glenn.

“I thought about it, but…”

“But?”

“I-it’s a bit embarrassing to tell him to call me grandfather myself.”

Glenn averted his gaze to the right in embarrassment.

“M-my lord…”

“Why would you even be shy about it when he’s your grandson and you are his grandfather?!”

Roenn and Rimmer shook their heads, unable to comprehend his thought process.

“Haa…”

Rimmer caught his breath and asked Glenn, “You were called grandfather by Burren before, right?”

“Yes. He has called me grandpa ever since he was a child.”

“It’s the same. There’s nothing embarrassing about it since it’s only natural to do so. Just tell him already! Tell him that he can call you grandfather now!”

“Ahem…”

Glenn briefly cleared his throat and touched the throne’s armrest.

“I’d prefer to be called that naturally…”

“Everyone’s going to die from old age while waiting for that to happen! No, I’m going to die from frustration instead! Arrgh!”

Rimmer lay down on the floor and started to scream.

“Huhuhu!”

Roenn laughed like always and closed his eyes. He looked like he had just given up.

“Hmm.”

Glenn bitterly licked his lips while watching Rimmer writhe on the ground and Roenn continue laughing.

“I’ll try…”

* * *

Raon smiled with pride and joy while examining the Light Wind division from behind.

‘All of them got stronger.’

Burren, Martha, and Runaan had become Masters, Dorian and the vice team leaders had reached the Master’s wall, and all the team members had reached the highest level of Expert.

It wasn’t because they experienced death. They achieved that growth because they’d been training to the best of their abilities after they’d recovered from their injuries.

‘And…’

He looked at Mark Goetten’s back where he was walking right in front of him. He managed to break through the thick wall of despair and confidently reached the intermediate Master’s realm.

Watching his confident steps reminded him of their first encounter and brought a smile to his face.

“Raon…”

While Raon was rejoicing in the Light Wind division’s growth, Burren came next to him.

“Let’s enjoy our reunion after we leave the lord’s manor.”

“Yes, I know about that, but…”

Burren rubbed his temple with an uncomfortable expression on his face.

“Did something happen to you? You are being strange today.”

His brow was furrowed in a serious expression. He looked like he had even forgotten the joy of being rewarded with a golden tablet.

“Wh-what the hell is that?”

Burren pointed at the back of Raon’s hand, where nothing existed.

“What are you talking about?”

Raon tilted his head while looking at the back of his hand.

“The blue thing floating above your hand. What is that…?”

Raon realized he wasn’t talking about the back of his hand. Burren was pointing precisely at the location where Wrath was floating.

The blue eye that Wrath had given him was shining brilliantly.

“…No way, can you see this?”

Raon’s lips trembled while he looked at Burren’s odd eyes.

“I knew it!”

Burren clenched his fist while looking at Wrath.

“He was dancing and rampaging in the audience chamber, but no one realized it! I thought I was insane!”

“Ah…”

Raon finally understood why Burren was looking strange all along.

It was only natural for him to make that face after cotton candy suddenly appeared and started to rampage.

“What the hell is that? A monster?”

Uhuhu! You insignificant shitty eyes, the King of Essence…

“Ah, it’s just cotton candy.”

Raon swallowed Wrath, who was about to introduce himself.

You crazy bastard!

“It’s…”

Burren’s eyes were shivering.

“…protruding from your cheek right now.”

Kyahahaha!

Wrath giggled while covering his plump belly.

You asked earlier why he was smiling, didn’t you? It was because of this!

He pointed at Burren’s blue eye and raised his chin.

The King of Essence incorporated the pure energy of wrath inside the shitty eye of Shitty Eyes. Since he was bestowed with his blessing, it’s only natural that he can see him!

‘So it wasn’t a coincidence after all.’

There’s no such thing as coincidence when the King of Essence is involved! Everything is thoroughly calculated!

Wrath bobbed his finger at Burren, telling him to feel the greatness of the monarch of Wrath.

The King of Essence is the monarch of Wrath, the king of Devildom! The King of Essence saved your lives and treated you! Tell everyone about his existence right now!

He opened his plump arms while pretending to be dignified.

“……”

However, Burren stared blankly at Wrath without saying anything.

“He is pretty good at dancing.”

He applauded instead while smiling like he found Wrath cute.

Wh-what?! Why aren’t you reacting to the King of Essence’s words?! Tell everyone about his existence right now and offer him food!

Wrath widened his mouth as much as possible and shouted, but Burren kept blinking while watching him like a mysterious creature.

H-how is this happening…?

‘Hey.’

Raon furrowed his brow, looking at him like he was something pathetic.

‘What you made him was an eye, right?’

Can’t you tell just by looking at it?!

‘What does an eye do?’

It looks, of course!

‘That’s why Burren can see you, but he can’t hear you. Because you did nothing to his ears.’

Huh? Erm… Ah! Arrgh!

Wrath started to scream while looking at Burren’s ears.

The ears haven't changed!

‘Nice calculations there, great monarch of Wrath…’

***

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

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Writing Ant, 글개미]

[Translator – Kyangi]

[Proofreader – Harley]