Alice slumped her shoulders and raised her eyes to the platform.
"Can't you let me go now? When else will I have a chance to visit Sepia?"
She clasped her hands, saying she wanted to embark on a new journey.
"I told you. You can't take a single step out of here before finishing the work you've been putting off."
Glenn shook his head firmly, as if to say it was out of the question.
"I'm not doing this because I want to have fun."
Alice frowned, pointing her thumb at the door Raon and Rimmer had left through.
"What if someone kidnaps the genius Raon! It'll be too late to find him then!"
She pounded her chest bravely, saying she would be his bodyguard.
"I don't want to make an enemy of Sepia because of you."
Glenn waved his hand, saying he didn't want to make more enemies as it was troublesome.
"Why would we become enemies? I'm just going as a tourist! I'll stay still like a doll and come back!"
"As if you'd stay still in that closed-off place."
He snorted, saying he'd rather believe Rimmer's words.
"Besides, Rimmer isn't going to Sepia as an envoy of Zieghart, but just visiting his hometown. The fact that they're going outside won't be revealed, so there's no need to worry."
"There could be spies hiding again!"
Alice stomped her foot hard enough to shake the audience chamber and scowled.
"Even if Syria Sullion went mad alone, the entire Lakion family rebelled. There might be such people within the family too!"
She exhaled fiercely, seeming to genuinely worry about Raon.
"You know why there are so many rats squeaking in Zieghart? It's because of Father. If you had crushed them with force, you should have pressed down to the end, but you gave them a chance to raise their heads."
Alice gave Glenn a reproachful look.
"You should have controlled not just the five demons, but the inside too!"
"You're saying all the right things."
Glenn nodded calmly despite Alice's sharp words.
"The scars that were etched during the time when I only walked the path of tyranny have now burst open, so you're right that it's my fault."
"Father?"
Alice widened her eyes, seemingly surprised by Glenn's calm reaction.
"But the search for spies has already begun. The internal audit is finished, and we've been searching the vassal families since last month, so results should come soon."
Glenn continued speaking while looking at Alice with sunken eyes.
"There's no need to worry about Raon. From now on, I'll take all the malice directed at Zieghart."
"Hmm..."
Alice just pursed her lips without saying anything.
"Why are you so surprised when you said the right thing?"
Glenn rested his chin on his fist with a deflated laugh.
'Yes. It's the right thing to say.'
During the time when he was possessed by the demon, he established all rules and regulations with just force.
He beheaded those who rebelled and pushed through anything that was refused. Having lived as a demon ruled by power, it was natural for the evil deeds of that time to return as a blade.
However, that malice should be directed solely at him. He didn't want to cause any more harm to Raon and the other children.
"Something..."
Alice looked at Glenn, relaxing her hardened expression.
"You've changed."
"Changed?"
"Yes. It feels like you've gone back to before Sylvia was born."
She smiled faintly, saying it reminded her of a past so old she could barely remember now.
"You're mistaken."
Glenn waved his hand, saying it wasn't like that.
"No, it's true."
Alice lifted her head sharply.
"The old you would have just shouted at me to get out rather than acknowledging what I said earlier."
"..."
Glenn didn't respond to those words and leaned back on the throne.
'I suppose so.'
When he was immersed in darkness, he didn't listen to anyone's advice and just moved forward looking only ahead. It was a time when he gained a lot but also lost a lot.
Creeeeak.
As father and daughter were making eye contact, the door of the audience chamber opened and Roenn entered.
"I've delivered it."
Roenn bowed to Glenn and stood beside Alice.
"Did you give it to Raon?"
Glenn asked about the most important part first.
"Yes. I delivered it to Lord Raon."
Roenn smiled as if it was a matter of course.
"Ahem! Good work."
Glenn curled up his lips in satisfaction and nodded slightly.
"Hmm, I know who changed Father."
Alice looked up at Glenn with a faint smile.
"Father. I don't think it's ever too late. Let's just do it and regret later!"
She clenched her fist, expressing words that perfectly captured her personality.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You know exactly!"
Alice narrowed her eyes as if reading Glenn's thoughts.
"Short on deliberation, quick to action. You know, right?"
"..."
"I'll be going then."
"Alice."
As she was about to wave her hand and leave the audience chamber, Glenn furrowed his brow.
"If you run away to follow Raon, your pirate game is over."
"Ugh!"
Alice turned her head awkwardly and smiled awkwardly.
"You've gotten sharper too..."
* * *
"It's clean."
Rimmer whistled as he entered the restaurant.
"You're right. The food smells good too."
Dorian sniffed and smiled.
"They must be using good butter. It seems like they mixed something with milk..."
Yua blinked rapidly, seemingly interested in the restaurant's food.
"Let's sit down first."
Raon sighed as he seated the three people who were each saying their own thing.
If he let them keep talking, there would be no end to it since they all had such strong personalities.
"Sigh, sleeping outdoors is really not the way to go."
Rimmer clicked his tongue as he massaged his right shoulder with his left hand.
"Let's get a room in this village today."
"You're making such a fuss over just two days."
Raon shook his head as he sat opposite Rimmer.
"With Dorian's tent and sleeping bag, it's no worse than a luxury inn."
"Right?"
Dorian smiled broadly with round eyes at the praise.
"Yeah. Thanks to you, I slept comfortably yesterday too."
Dorian not only provided a completed tent from his belly pouch without needing to set it up, but also set up a stove for cooking.
To be honest, it was more comfortable and better than most high-end inns.
"It's essential, isn't it?"
Dorian waved his hand as if it was nothing. Tents and fire were truly travel essentials, but it was still amazing how a completed tent and stove could pop out.
"Then let's think about lodging later and order first. What should we get? We have plenty of money. Should we order everything?"
Rimmer licked his lips as he opened the menu brought by the waiter. He was already treating the money received from Glenn as his own.
"I'll have this meat pie and pizza."
Yua ordered rather unremarkable dishes, saying you can tell a cook's skill from common menu items.
"I have enough in my pouch..."
Dorian, still in a good mood from the earlier praise, took out outdoor-use forks and knives from his pouch and arranged them on the table.
"..."
The waiter started looking at him like he was crazy.
"Sigh..."
Raon massaged his temples as he watched the three people each saying their own thing again.
'It's tiring...'
As he sighed thinking it was chaotic, a blue cotton candy popped up from the ice flower bracelet.
-Why are you just sitting there! Hurry up and order food!
'I don't particularly want anything.'
-I don't care about your mouth! This king wants to eat! Order everything on the menu!
Wrath stretched out his round hand, saying to order all the food.
'We can't eat it all.'
-You know! This king is only satisfied after eating what he wants!
'Be quiet before I make you eat Nadine bread in the restaurant.'
-Gasp!
As soon as the name 'Nadine bread' came out, he shut his mouth.
-Grrrr, I'll kill you. I'll definitely kill you!
A cursing sound flowed from Ras's tightly closed lips. It was clearly directed at the creator of Nadine bread said to be in Sepia.
"Division Leader."
Raon called out to Rimmer, who had finished ordering first.
"Is the creator of Nadine bread really an elf?"
"Hard to believe, right?"
Rimmer nodded as he passed the menu to Dorian.
"It's surprising enough that elven food spread to the human realm, but it's most amazing that it's Nadine bread."
"Actually, there's a reason."
"A reason?"
"The guy who made Nadine bread made it to survive, you know."
He laughed, saying it was quite an interesting fellow.
"What do you mean..."
As Raon was about to ask Rimmer again, he heard his name being mentioned from the voices of people at the next table.
"Did you hear the rumor that Raon Zieghart reached Grandmaster?"
"Huh? I heard he was called the Dragon Slayer for catching the Light Dragon Kaivar, but what's this about suddenly becoming a Grandmaster?"
Raon slightly turned his head to see two middle-aged men in mercenary attire emptying their beer mugs while conversing.
"Tsk tsk, you're slow on the news. That's old news!"
The bald mercenary clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"You know the Lakion family, right?"
"They're a vassal family of Zieghart known for their excellent use of longswords, aren't they?"
The goateed mercenary blinked as he put down his beer mug.
"Right. That proud family was preparing to betray Zieghart by joining hands with the Holy Sword Alliance, but..."
The bald mercenary somehow knew everything that had happened in the Lakion family.
However, the name of the Sword Demon hadn't spread yet, as his name wasn't mentioned.
"It's amazing enough to fall into a trance on the battlefield, but did he really break through the wall and become a Grandmaster? Honestly, it's hard to believe..."
The goateed mercenary exhaled empty air as he shook his mug.
"Whether you believe it or not, it's true that Raon Zieghart has become a Grandmaster. The rumors are widespread!"
"How old is Raon Zieghart now?"
"He should be 21."
"Even becoming a Master at 21 would be the youngest ever, but a Grandmaster at 21? It doesn't feel like we're the same species..."
"He's the greatest talent in the history of the continent. Plus, he's got a strong sense of justice. I heard books about his deeds so far are coming out, I'm not even jealous anymore."
"I heard he's incredibly handsome, too. What was it? 'Super handsome'?"
"The world is so unfair. Let's just drink!"
The mercenaries raised their beer mugs again, saying they should just drink.
"Hmm..."
Raon smacked his lips as he turned his gaze away from the mercenaries.
'It feels strange.'
It was new to hear strangers talking about my rumors as a topic of conversation, even in an area that wasn't Zieghart's territory.
Even when others told me I'd become famous, I didn't feel much, but hearing those mercenaries' conversation made the talk of fame feel real.
"Interesting, isn't it?"
Rimmer grinned as he downed the beer that came out first.
"Getting stronger means becoming famous too. Now your name has spread beyond Zieghart to the whole continent. It means people will pay attention to whatever you do. That's fame."
He wiggled his finger, saying it would be with me for the rest of my life. True to his words, my name was now popping up at other tables as well.
"You're building a better reputation than anyone else in Zieghart. It's a good thing. Take pride in it."
Rimmer smiled, saying to enjoy this moment.
"I'm jealous..."
Dorian puffed out his cheeks as he scratched his belly pouch.
"Some people get recognized even when they don't want to, while others can't get recognized no matter how much they want to!"
He sighed, saying he needed to reach Master quickly.
"You can do it!"
Yua gave encouragement with her usual bright smile and energetic voice.
-Urgh...
Wrath frowned as he moved around the table.
-These damn humans! They should be praising this king, not some youngster!
The creature shouted angrily, seemingly upset that his name wasn't being called.
-This won't do! I'll properly descend once more and show all these humans the terror of this king...
"Your food is here."
-Let's eat!
Wrath smiled broadly and wagged his tail as soon as the waiter brought the food, after scowling and furrowing his brow.
'So much for terror...'
* * *
Raon raised his eyes in front of the green world. Everything before his eyes glistened with green.
From the trees that seemed to gesture towards the sky to the bushes and grass filling the spaces between those trees. He could understand why this place was called the Great Forest.
"Wooow."
Yua let out an exclamation as she surveyed the Great Forest.
"Is this Sepia?"
"This forest is the Great Forest, and Sepia is inside."
Rimmer smiled faintly as he patted Yua's head.
Raon released his aura perception towards the inside of the forest upon hearing Rimmer's words. However, the mana concentration inside was so thick that it wasn't easy to control his aura.
'Not just the aura, but I don't feel anything in particular.'
He thought there might be formations or barriers hidden inside the Great Forest, but it didn't seem much different from an ordinary forest.
"Are there no barriers or anything?"
"There are."
Rimmer shook his head.
"Hmm, I don't feel anything though..."
"It's a natural maze."
"A natural maze?"
"Yes. Elves can communicate a little with nature, you know."
He smiled, saying this forest itself was the elves' rampart and eyes.
"Can you do it too, Division Leader?"
Dorian tilted his head as he looked at Rimmer.
"Of course!"
"Then why haven't I seen you do anything like that before?"
"Huh? Um. I forgot about it."
Rimmer laughed sheepishly, saying he had forgotten he was an elf until now.
"Really..."
Raon sighed as he watched Rimmer scratch the back of his head.
-Do you really trust that pointy-ear and go in?
Wrath frowned as if worried about himself.
'I'm starting to get confused too...'
However, there was no choice now that we've come this far. We had to follow that absent-minded elf.
"Anyway, let's go in."
Rimmer grinned and stretched out his hand, and the bushes parted naturally to open a path.
"Wooow! Division Leader really was an elf!"
Yua jumped up and down excitedly.
"I thought you were just a person with long ears!"
"I'm telling you I'm an elf. Have you ever seen someone this handsome?"
"Raon."
"Urgh..."
Rimmer couldn't refute Yua's bold answer and entered the forest.
Whoosh!
Following his gesture, the dense forest that would have been difficult even for a child to enter parted and opened up a space for people to pass through. For the first time, Rimmer looked like an elf.
Raon narrowed his eyes as he watched the rustling bushes and trees.
'It's not due to mana.'
This forest seemed to be opening a path not by recognizing Rimmer's mana, but by sensing the existence of Rimmer the elf.
After walking for a long time while observing this new and mysterious sight, a small presence was felt from the front.
It felt like a small animal passing by or the sound of bushes brushing in the wind, but the scent of mana was thicker than that. It was the presence of elves like Rimmer.
"They've finally come out."
Rimmer also seemed to sense the elves' presence as he stopped walking and looked at the thick thorny vines that wouldn't open.
"Do not approach any further."
A woman's voice devoid of emotion came from inside the thorny vines.
"Outsiders cannot enter now. Please turn back."
She conveyed her intention to attack if we approached, in a voice wrapped in the winds of the northern sea.
-Why are all these pointy-ears so rude!
Wrath gnashed his teeth as he glared inside the vines.
-How dare they block this king's path, behead them immediately!
'As if that would work.'
-Then you do that fire thing you're good at!
The creature shouted to burn down this whole forest, as if he had developed an elf phobia because of Rimmer.
"Don't you know me?"
Rimmer waved his hand lightly as he approached the thorny vines.
"I am..."
As he tried to walk forward more, an arrow flew from inside the thorny vines and stuck into the ground.
Fweeeeee!
The arrow that stuck in the ground vibrated violently, showing how much force was behind it.
"Ugh..."
Rimmer swallowed dryly as he looked at the arrow stuck in the ground.
"You, you really don't know me."
He laughed awkwardly as he wiped the sweat that had flowed down his forehead.
"Do not approach. You seem to be a kindred born outside, but if you weren't kindred, that arrow would be in your neck now."
An even more frozen voice flowed from behind the thorny vines.
"Well, it's been a long time, so the guardians must have all changed. I'm not an outsider. I was born in Sepia."
Rimmer shook his head and took one step forward.
"Don't lie. A kindred born in Sepia wouldn't not know how important this time is..."
"If you don't know me, you'll know this sword, right?"
He interrupted the female elf's words and tapped the sword at his waist.
"..."
There was a moment of silence from the bushes. And then.
Fweeeeeng!
An arrow with an even faster and more ferocious aura than before grazed Rimmer's earlobe and passed by.
"It's the thief of the sacred artifact! Everyone attack!"
Along with the female elf's chilling voice, dozens of arrows shot out from the thorny vines simultaneously.
"Aaaaaargh!"
Rimmer screamed as he stepped back.
"I knew this would happen."
Raon gritted his teeth as he blocked Rimmer's front.
"What the hell have you been doing all this time!"