Chapter 617

Raon finished his preparations to return to the house and left the lodging area.

“Are you ready?”

Judiel and Juvel were sitting under a tree near the lodgings and waiting for him, implying that they’d finished their preparations a long time ago.

“Yes. I didn’t really bring anything, after all.”

Judiel smiled faintly while showing him a small package in her hand. Her lively expression made it look like the dam blocking her emotions had broken down when she had met with her brother.

“Same goes for me. I only brought my weapon and the night stealth outfit, so I can leave just like this.”

Juvel smiled awkwardly while pointing at his waist, where a dagger was hidden.

“Even your smiles are similar. Is that because you’re siblings? Let’s go.”

Raon shook his hand towards them and headed to the exit of the village. He could see the Suran tribe members standing in a line before he could even see the gate.

“Chief.”

Raon went to the Suran chief standing at the center of the tribesmen and lowered his head.

“Thank you for everything so far. I had a good rest thanks to you.”

“Are you sure you rested? I only saw you getting beaten up every day,” the chief chuckled while examining him up and down.

“That counts as a rest for me.”

“Your spirit doesn’t lose to anyone. I can still see you in my dreams. I’ll never be able to forget the red eyes that I saw that night.”

His shoulders trembled as he said that he could still feel Raon’s spirit from when he stopped the conflict.

“I’m sorry. It was an emergency back then…”

“No, I’m thankful to you.” The chief grabbed Raon’s hand and shook his head. “I was too agitated back then. Many of us would’ve died if you hadn’t been there.”

He slowly closed his eyes while delivering his sincere gratitude.

“Contact me whenever things get tough. The rest of us will drop everything and come running to you.”

The Suran chief spread his arms and pointed at all the tribesmen.

“What do you…?”

“Our Suran tribe never forgets gratitude and resentment. Since it’s thanks to you that everyone is alive, the entire tribe owes you their lives. We will help you even if we have to risk our lives.”

“That’s right! Ask us whenever you need us!”

“I’ll even stop eating to come for help!”

“I’m even going to stop pooping!”

“Just ask us whenever!”

The Suran tribesmen lifted their clenched fists, showing their determination to help.

“You don’t need to go that far. I only came here to look for Judiel…”

“Regardless of the reason, it’s true that you saved us. Don’t feel pressured by it. Lives should be repaid with lives.”

“Hmm…”

Raon shook his head. Telling him they would risk their lives while saying that he shouldn’t feel pressured made him feel even more pressured.

“That’s true!”

A voice coming from the cafeteria on the right side echoed throughout the land. Ogram kicked the door open and emerged while chewing on a piece of meat the size of a club.

“Beast King?”

Th-that one!

Wrath widened his eyes while pointing at Ogram’s meat.

The King of Essence also wants to have that meat!

He hung onto Raon’s shoulder, telling him that he wanted to voraciously devour the meat like him.

‘Be quiet please.’

Raon slapped Wrath away and looked at Ogram.

“What do you mean by that…?”

“A favor should indeed be repaid by a favor!”

Ogram walked up to him after taking a bite from the hunk of meat the size of an adult man’s forearm.

“There’s no reason to refuse or feel pressured by it. It’s just a natural return.”

He patted his shoulder with a refreshing smile on his face.

“That’s right.”

Garona came up next to Ogram and nodded his head. He was still smiling even though his entire face was bruised.

“Our Beast Union is clear when it comes to grudges and gratitude, more than any other faction. Since you saved the Suran tribe, it’s only natural for them to risk their lives for you, brother.”

Raon took a step back and observed the Suran chief and tribesmen.

Ogram and Garona were right. Their expressions didn’t look like they were lying. It looked like everyone sincerely wanted to help him, whether in big ways or small.

“Of course, the same goes for me! I can sacrifice all my bones and flesh for your sake, brother!”

Garona pounded his chest and shouted, telling him to call on him whenever he needed something.

“Please don’t do that.”

Raon quickly shook his hands and examined the people standing in front of him.

‘Did I form another good bond with people?’

It wasn’t his intention, but coincidences happened one after the other to link him with them with a good bond.

As Garona said, it would be rude to them if he kept refusing, so he made up his mind and stepped forward.

“Thank you. I’m grateful for the Suran tribe’s favor.”

Raon lowered his head while looking at the Suran tribe overall.

“Of course! Consider us your brothers!”

The Suran chief bowed back with a bright smile on his face.

Raon shifted his gaze to Juvel after he thanked the Suran tribe. He noticed the meaning behind his gaze and stepped forward.

“I’m sorry!” Juvel bowed deeply, bending his waist at a 90-degree angle. “I deceived all of you. I have no excuse for that. I’m really sorry!”

“It’s fine.”

The Suran chief calmly shook his head. The other tribesmen didn’t show any malice either, watching him peacefully.

“What?” Juvel’s eyes widened at the unexpected answer.

“Anyone would’ve done the same if they had a life like yours. Thank you for mustering your courage.” The Suran chief walked up to Juvel. “Come back to visit us next time as Juvel instead of Philip.”

He gently grabbed Juvel’s shoulder as he spoke.

“......”

Juvel bowed once again. His shoulders trembled faintly and rain fell onto the warm land.

“Brother!”

Garona came up next to Raon and wrapped his arm around his shoulders.

“I heard you managed to achieve Tidebreaker. Tell me the secret!”

He raised his hand and pleaded for it. Such a thing as jealousy didn’t exist at all in his expression. He really was just asking for advice. He was so pure that just looking at him felt calming.

“Believe in yourself.”

Raon gave him the best piece of advice that he could give. Since Tidebreaker required him to realize it by himself, he could end up being unable to learn it for the rest of his life if he advised him more than that.

“Myself?” Garona tilted his head, showing his confusion. “Brother! Make it easier! I need an easier explana—”

“You idiot!” Ogram smacked Garona’s head as he tried to ask again.

“Gueeh!”

Garona collapsed to the ground with a resounding crash, like a massive piece of steel slamming down.

“That’s good enough as advice. There’s no easy way in this!”

Ogram furrowed his brow and carried the unconscious Garona on his shoulder.

“You’ve done well.”

“I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

“If I had to give you a last piece of advice, you sometimes need to pick a more difficult path in order to reach even deeper and further. Don’t end up like this kid. And…”

He took out a yellow piece of paper from his inner pocket.

“This is a letter for your head of house. Make sure to show it to him.”

“Understood.”

He accepted Ogram’s letter and put it inside his inner pocket.

“You should leave now.”

He shook his hand wildly, telling him to leave already.

Raon bowed at Ogram and turned around. He shook his hand while watching Judiel and Juvel, who were smiling and crying, respectively.

“Let’s return to Zieghart.”

* * *

Rimmer unsheathed his sword with his prosthetic hand, standing in the middle of the fifth training ground. The sensation was completely different from before, yet his mind burned with more passion than ever.

He tried to simply swing his sword like when he used a basic technique. The dappling sunlight reflected on the descending blade with a beautiful radiance. The gusting wind followed the blade and left a deep scar on the ground.

‘Not bad.’

Rimmer licked his lips and incorporated a bit more aura into the prosthetic arm’s mana circuits. The energy of the wind rampaged from his energy center and unleashed a powerful wind from his hand.

‘This is pretty good. I just need to get used to this sensation, and it should be no different from my previous arm.’

The prosthetic arm crafted by Encia could move as naturally as the arm he had before, and it even amplified the power of his wind. The world tree’s branch inside the arm must’ve been amplifying the energy of the wind.

‘I never knew that it could feel so good when I’m just using my own arm.’

He never expected that swinging his sword with his arm could bring such a smile to his face. There was a saying that humans needed to experience loss to feel happiness, and it was true.

‘I could become even stronger rather than maintaining my previous realm.’

Initially, he had resolved himself to not get in the Light Wind division’s way, but ever since getting his prosthetic arm, the path to martial mastery had slowly begun to open up for him. He could sense that, with continued training, he might even surpass the strength he had in his prime.

‘Life is such a mystery. It never gave this to me when I desired it so much.’

He was ignored when he wanted it, but he could see the light now that he had given up on it. The god of martial arts was so difficult to please.

Cring!

Rimmer narrowed his eyes and unleashed an explosive burst of wind energy, concentrated in his hand.

Whir!

A green gale emanated from the silver blade, sweeping down from the sky and creating a vivid breeze. It was a gentle wind, cooling the brows of the Light Wind division, which were drenched in sweat.

Rimmer lowered his sword and touched the prosthetic arm’s shoulder. It was connected so seamlessly that he didn’t feel any strain at all. It felt like he could keep it on for his entire life.

‘I’m greatly indebted to them. To both of them.’

He felt nothing but gratitude towards Encia, who’d made the prosthetic arm, and Raon, who didn’t give up on acquiring the materials for the arm.

Rimmer returned his sword to its scabbard while contemplating what he should do for them.

Haa.

He was stabilizing his aura while catching his breath when the door opened and Dorian made his entrance.

“Sir Raon is returning!”

Dorian smiled brightly, waving his hand at everyone in the Light Wind division.

“Hmm…”

Rimmer licked his lips while looking at the sky, which suddenly seemed darker.

‘I have a feeling he is going to cause a huge mess today for some reason.’

* * *

Central Martial Palace

Master’s Office

A violent knocking sound could be heard from outside the office, which exuded a luxurious and dignified atmosphere.

“Enter.”

Karoon, the Central Martial Palace master, put down his teacup and nodded his head.

The door carefully opened, unlike the knocking sound, and his butler entered the room before bowing to him.

“Raon Zieghart is returning.”

“He is rather late.”

“There are rumors that the Beast King taught him his martial arts.”

“He gobbles up everything they give him like a raccoon.”

Karoon tapped on the desk with his elongated finger.

“I believe you will have to go to the lord’s manor now because of that.”

“Did the head of house summon us?”

“Yes.”

“Summoning everyone whenever he returns is pretty much a family tradition now.”

He furrowed his brow in displeasure.

“By the way…” The butler secretly rolled his eyes. “Is it really okay to leave him like that? If Raon Zieghart told him that Judiel was originally from the Central Martial Palace…”

"We've already severed all connections and erased all the evidence. It would be pointless even if he tried to make such a claim."

Karoon calmly shook his head, implying that he’d already double-checked everything.

“And this is my guess, but I don’t think he is going to talk about it.”

“What?”

“Raon Zieghart cherishes his people. He is definitely going to keep quiet about it, as it might end up harming them otherwise.”

“That’s…”

“Yes. He’s proposing a trade with me. He’ll overlook this incident in exchange for me not harming Judiel and her brother. I’m sure he knows what to do since he’s a smart man,” he declared with serious eyes, as if he already guessed Raon’s thoughts.

Karoon finished the small amount of tea left in his cup and stood up, saying, “Let’s go. I shouldn’t act any differently to show them that there’s no issues.”

“I will attend to you.”

The butler opened the door of the office.

Karoon put on a fancy uniform embedded with Zieghart’s emblem and left his office. His eyes sparkled in a frightening manner, just like an owl targeting its prey in the darkness.

‘Raon Zieghart. That’s why you are no match against me.’

* * *

Raon turned his eyes to the left while entering the lord’s manor. He was looking at Karoon, who was standing in front of the closest pillar to the platform.

‘He is so composed.’

He was looking forward calmly, implying that he’d decided Raon wouldn’t be able to say anything about it.

‘Your thoughts are too obvious, and you would typically be correct. After all, that's the textbook approach if I want to protect Judiel and Juvel. But I’m not an ordinary person.’

He stood at the center of the lord’s manor, resolving himself to smash his irritating face into pieces.

“Greetings, my lord.”

He stood at the center of the lord’s manor and went to his knee while lowering his head.

“Greetings, my lord!”

Judiel and Juvel, who had been following him from behind, lowered their heads. Fortunately, they greeted him without trembling thanks to the prior lessons he had given them.

“Rise.”

Raon raised his head upon hearing Glenn’s call. He lowered his gaze with a hardened expression that looked like he’d become a mannequin.

“Raon Zieghart.”

“Yes.”

“Why did you go all the way to the Suran tribe when you said you’d be training nearby?”

Glenn nodded, supporting his chin on his fist.

‘I can understand now what he means.’

The posture and expression he was making implied that he was asking him to tell everyone what happened during his journey.

“I’ll explain from the beginning.”

Raon lowered his head and pointed at Judiel behind him.

“I have a personal maid.”

“My name is Judiel.”

Judiel stepped up and leaned forward.

“She was separated from her younger brother during her childhood. When I learned about that fact, I promised her that I would find him no matter what. I requested that the Black Market look for information and have been waiting for it, and…”

Raon briefly explained what had happened so far.

“…That’s how we managed to return with both of them.”

The lord’s manor remained quiet for a moment after he finished his explanation.

“Hmm, you made a promise and kept it,” Glenn stated calmly, though the corners of his lips trembled as if an earthquake were shaking him.

He was probably lost in some strange memory from the past.

“It’s very easy to do, but extremely difficult at the same time.”

“That’s true!”

Aries energetically raised her hand.

"People abandon their promises like trash these days. No one would go so far to keep a promise like he did!"

She gave a big nod of approval, showing that she was proud of him.

“I personally think that it’s meaningless, but it’s pretty cool indeed.”

“Yes, it was a demeanor befitting a warrior.”

“My blood is boiling after hearing that he stopped the assassins and the Suran tribe on his own.”

The other division leaders and squad leaders also praised him by smiling or giving him a thumbs up.

“It was an action befitting a Zieghart’s swordsman! Of course, I wouldn’t have made that promise to begin with!”

Balder nodded, saying that he wouldn’t have done it even though it was a good thing.

“......”

“Good job, well done.”

Karoon didn’t say anything, and Denier only showed a small smile.

“Ahem! It was indeed a personal matter, but it has to be called an achievement since you made one of the Six Kings indebted to you.”

Glenn cleared his throat and covered his mouth. Although he was speaking faster, interestingly enough, it didn’t affect his pronunciation. Raon guessed that he was opening his mouth wide.

“That’s why Raon Zieghart will be bestowed…”

“My lord.” Raon lowered his head, his hand placed on his chest. “I have something else to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“I mentioned that my maid was separated from her brother during her childhood.”

“Yes, you did.”

“It happened because of someone’s plot. Sniff!”

He covered his mouth just like Glenn had done as he spoke.

“He is a piece of trash who forced the two affectionate siblings to be separated…”

Raon bit his lip, his face contorting with both anger and sorrow. He slammed his fist into the ground, tears welling up in his eyes.

“Sob…”

“Uuu…”

Judiel and Juvel also fell on their knees and started to sob with their heads lowered.

“Who did such a thing?!”

Balder lifted his fist as if he were going to find him right away.

“I don’t know about the rest, but I’ll make sure to take care of him at least!”

“You’d better stay back because I’m going to kill him,” Aries stated as she violently ground her teeth.

“Shut your mouths, all of you.”

Glenn furrowed his brow as he leaned forward. It felt like lightning was striking from his red eyes.

“Tell me. Who even did such a thing?”

“Hmm…”

Raon shifted his gaze towards Karoon while biting his lip as if he were frustrated. Everyone followed his gaze and turned their eyes towards Karoon.

Raon twisted his lips while watching Karoon’s eyes, which were rapidly growing distorted.

It’s the advent of the demon king of cheekiness…

Wrath shook his head while watching Raon going out of his way to narrow his shoulders, which were as wide as the ocean.

Just stop wielding a sword and become an actor instead!

***

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]