Alice stood right in front of the platform and raised her hand.
"Since everyone must be busy. Let me quickly explain...."
"Alice."
Glenn's cold gaze bore down on Alice.
"We're not the only ones here right now. Keep your mouth shut."
"Hmm..."
Alice looked at the elves standing behind Raon and stepped back to the side of the platform.
"Welcome to the envoys from Sepia."
Glenn nodded his head as he looked at the elves standing behind Raon. Unexpectedly, he showed courtesy to the guests before discussing recent events.
"Thank you for your welcome."
Siyana, the representative of the delegation, stepped forward and stood next to Raon. She removed the hood she was wearing and bowed her waist.
"Siyana of the Yuha Branch Tribe greets the King of the North."
"Uh..."
"Ah..."
"Hmm..."
All the executives except Glenn lost their words for a moment upon seeing Siyana's face.
Many couldn't take their eyes off her, as if entranced.
"I, I've heard that High Elves are beautiful, but..."
"Yeah. I didn't expect it to be to this extent."
"I'd believe it if someone said she was a goddess."
"Get a grip. We're in front of the Head of House."
While some were dazed, most quickly regained their composure and averted their gaze.
"Hmm."
Glenn narrowed his eyes, seemingly more concerned with Siyana's words than her appearance.
"If it's the Yuha Branch Tribe..."
"That's correct."
Siyana turned to Rimmer with a faint smile.
"The Light Wind Division Leader is my older brother."
"Hmph!"
Rimmer hummed a tune with his chin raised, as if proud of his sister.
"I thought as much."
Glenn nodded calmly, as if he had expected this to some extent.
However, among the executives, a very faint murmur could be heard saying they didn't look alike. One side was said to be too ugly.
"You must be tired, but I'd appreciate it if you could wait a little."
Glenn shook his head briefly as he looked at Siyana.
"Those here don't know what happened in Sepia, so we should first hear about those circumstances."
"Of course."
Siyana stepped back, indicating she was willing to wait as long as necessary.
"Raon Zieghart."
At Glenn's call, Raon stepped forward.
"Yes."
"Report on everything that happened in Sepia. Don't leave anything out."
"Understood. The reason we went to Sepia was to return the Division Leader's sword. We entered without major issues and were able to meet the current Guardian, Sterin, without difficulty. However, during the elves' ceremony..."
Raon exhaled after explaining everything that had happened in Sepia.
"Eden! Those crazy bastards went that far!"
"Y-you cut down the one wearing the Fire Spirit King's helmet?"
"Is it even possible to win against someone who keeps getting stronger?"
"I can't believe you obtained the World Tree's fruit. I heard even High Elves couldn't get it."
"It's hard to believe any of this."
The executives couldn't hide their surprise and let out gasps.
The direct lineage executives tried to find fault somehow, but perhaps due to Karoon's absence, their voices weren't very loud.
"I'm not sure about the rest, but eating the World Tree's fruit seems real..."
"His aura has become even more solid. Such growth in this short period is hard to achieve without an elixir of that caliber."
"Then, is it also true that he won against a monster that kept getting stronger?"
The executives' lips trembled at the intimidating aura naturally emanating from Raon.
"Ahem!"
Glenn only cleared his throat softly, not restraining the executives' chatter. The corners of his mouth quivered slightly like leaves fluttering in the wind.
"I have one question, was the World Tree's fruit tasty?"
Alice raised her hand high.
"Well..."
"Alice."
Glenn frowned as he looked at Alice.
"Ah, why scold only me!"
Alice pouted and returned to her original position.
"What happened after that?"
Glenn wiggled his finger as if to say, now tell us why you were late.
"On our way back to Zieghart, we encountered a strange confrontation."
"A strange confrontation?"
"Yes. The elves were wearing hoods, and someone recognized them and suggested selling them. It seemed odd, so..."
Raon went on to tell the story of rescuing the elves from the Maritime Market following the events in Sepia.
"...That's how the three-way battle ended, and we returned in hiding in case enemies might pursue us."
"Huh!"
Balder let out a gasp as if in disbelief.
"You killed Siran? The Head of the Elder's Council of the South-North Union?"
"I was lucky."
Raon nodded calmly. He truly meant it when he said he was lucky.
'If Siran had come fully prepared, I might have been the one submerged in water.'
"Y-you're crazy..."
"How long has it been since he became a Grandmaster, and already..."
"Siran must have aged, so his skills might not be what they used to be. Still, it's unbelievable even considering that."
The executives couldn't close their mouths, seemingly amazed.
"I'm more impressed that he found the Maritime Market with just a small hint from a tavern. His intuition is extraordinary."
"And what about the three-way battle with the Axe King? Each of his achievements is monumental."
The direct lineage members kept quiet, while the executives who were favorable to Raon kept expressing their amazement.
"Ahem!"
Glenn raised his left hand to hide the corners of his mouth that had started to tremble as if in spasm. Instead of his mouth, his hand seemed to be quivering.
"Is that all?"
"Yes, it is."
"H-Head of House."
As Raon answered affirmatively, Siyana, who had been standing back, came forward with trembling fingertips.
"What is it?"
Glenn nodded his chin as if to say "go on".
"For the feat of protecting the World Tree, no, Sepia, and for rescuing our kin from the Maritime Market, we of Sepia regard Raon as a benefactor of our race."
Siyana bowed her head while meeting Glenn's eyes, which were beginning to show a glimmer of heat.
"We also extend our gratitude to Zieghart, to which Raon belongs."
"Is that the Guardian's will?"
"Not just the Guardian's, but the will of our entire clan."
She lowered her eyes, saying it was the will of all elves.
"Ahem! I understand."
Glenn's cheeks turned red. Despite seeming hot, he absolutely refused to lower the hand covering his mouth.
"A-and..."
Siyana stepped forward with her hands clasped in front of her chest, as if she had made a decision.
"There's something Raon didn't fully convey."
"Hmm?"
Raon narrowed his eyes as he listened to Siyana's words.
'What is she talking about?'
He didn't understand what she meant by something he hadn't said, as he hadn't particularly hidden anything.
"What is it?"
"Raon has become the older brother of the Fire Spirit King!"
With that exclamation, the Lord's Manor fell into silence.
"Huh...?"
"N-not just the Fire Spirit King's contractor, but his older brother?"
"What did I just hear? The older brother of the Fire Spirit King?"
"Even so, to say he's the older brother..."
Not just the executives, but even Glenn and Roenn, who had previously heard the report of Raon being the Fire Spirit King's contractor, widened their eyes.
"Thanks to Raon, I had the fortune of contracting with the Water Spirit King. The Water Spirit King told me. That Raon had become the older brother of the Fire Spirit King."
The executives who had been skeptical fell silent, as Siyana's voice and expression were so serious.
"Ugh!"
Raon let out a groan as he raised his head.
'Why are you telling them that!'
He looked at Siyana reproachfully, but she twisted her body with an expression that said, "I did well, didn't I?" He hit his chest in frustration.
"Light Wind vice division leader."
"Yes..."
At Glenn's call, Raon swallowed a sigh and stepped forward.
"Is what she said true?"
"...It did happen."
It wasn't a lie, so he nodded briefly.
"No way, are we supposed to believe that...?"
"Are you not going to believe it then? A High Elf from Sepia said it."
"And she's also the Water Spirit King's contractor."
"I know that, but it's just too unbelievable..."
Even the executives started arguing, finding this particular matter hard to believe.
"That's not all."
Siyana's lips moved again, seemingly enjoying the executives' reactions as they discussed Raon's name.
"It's about what happened at the Maritime Market. When the martial artists of the South-North Union threatened us, saying neither Zieghart nor Sepia owned the Peren River, Raon said something."
She clenched her fists, indicating it was something she absolutely had to convey.
"Wherever I am is Zieghart!"
At those words, everyone in the audience chamber gaped.
"Kheuk..."
Glenn jerked back against the throne's backrest and tilted his head back. His Adam's apple trembled as if it might pop out.
'W-what? Why is he acting like that?'
As Raon blinked at Glenn's bizarre behavior, the executives on either side began to speak in turn.
"Wherever I am is Zieghart? Isn't that a bit arrogant?"
"Indeed. It's not like he's the Head of House..."
"Right. It was something that shouldn't have been said..."
"Something that shouldn't have been said?"
Alice raised her foot and stomped heavily on the audience chamber floor.
Kwaaang!
She frowned as she stepped over the crumbled debris.
"That's the right thing to say!"
Alice continued, pointing at Raon.
"It's not arrogance, but the mindset everyone should have when setting out as a swordsman of Zieghart!"
She clenched her fist, asserting that Raon's confidence was only natural.
"Sister's words are correct."
Balder, who had been quiet perhaps due to Karoon's absence, nodded.
"If you're going out as a Zieghart swordsman, you should have the confidence that the entire continent is our land. Well done!"
Balder looked at Raon and gave him a thumbs up.
Raon let out a wry laugh as he looked at Balder.
'Anyway...'
He might curse at me again later, but for now, he seemed to be genuinely praising me. He was an intriguing person, so simple-minded.
"I think the same."
Denier smiled gently as he looked at Raon.
"It's not arrogance, but a good demonstration of what happens when someone messes with our Zieghart. I think he deserves praise."
He even applauded following Balder.
"..."
Alice frowned at Denier, seemingly displeased with him.
"Ahem!"
At the sound of a small cough, everyone looked up at the platform.
Glenn's cheeks and forehead were red as if heated by fire. His skin seemed to be getting more flushed, as if he wasn't feeling well.
"There's more. When the Head of the Elder's Council of the South-North Union came...."
"Lady Siyana."
Raon shook his head as he grabbed Siyana's sleeve.
"That's enough..."
"Wait."
Just as Raon was about to suggest stopping because Glenn didn't look well, the man himself raised his hand.
"We need to know what you did so we can deal with the aftermath."
He nodded at Siyana, indicating she should continue.
"Please continue."
"Ah, yes!"
Siyana, seemingly emboldened by Glenn's permission, took out a notebook and began to recite what she had written down.
"When Raon met the Head of the Elder's Council, he said he'd send him to his grandson's side..."
Raon squeezed his eyes shut as he watched Siyana, who had raised her voice as if reciting poetry.
'When did she become so confident...'
Please, spare me...
* * *
Siyana finally stepped back after recounting all of Raon's anecdotes. It was surprising to see how much she had changed, considering how timid and shy she used to be.
Glenn, who had been tilting his head back for a while, lowered his gaze again.
His eyes looked the same as usual, but he was still covering his mouth with his hand, which was trembling as if there was an earthquake.
Glenn nodded gently as he looked at Siyana.
"Thank you for telling us the exact facts."
"N-not at all."
Siyana shook her head with reddened cheeks, as if she had just come to her senses.
"B-because we received a lot of help from Raon, we of Sepia wish to maintain a good relationship with Zieghart as well."
She pulled out Guardian Sterin's letter from her bosom.
Woooong!
With a slight nod from Glenn, the letter in Siyana's hand floated up and was sucked into his hand.
"Hmm..."
Glenn nodded after reading the entire letter.
"An alliance, huh..."
"We're not proposing an immediate alliance. It's an invitation to start a dialogue between us."
"I see. I'll consider it positively for now."
He folded the letter neatly and put it in his pocket.
"Thank you."
Siyana bowed her head and stepped back.
"Then..."
Glenn's gaze turned to Raon. His eyes had somehow settled into a slightly more relaxed state than usual.
"Light Wind vice division leader."
"Yes. Head of House."
"You've done well."
"...Not at all."
Raon shook his head with a faint smile. Hearing words of appreciation from the person he respected most made him feel as if all his accumulated fatigue had vanished in an instant.
"As I've told you before, excessive modesty is not good."
Glenn shook his head.
"It's right to receive proper recognition for great achievements."
Perhaps due to his feats of saving Sepia and rescuing the kidnapped elves, even among the direct lineage, no one objected.
"Light Wind vice division leader, come up to the platform."
"Yes."
Raon took a deep breath before climbing onto the platform and standing before Glenn.
"In recognition of protecting the World Tree, and rescuing the elves. I bestow upon the Light Wind vice division leader a golden tablet, a highest-grade artifact, and an elixir."
Glenn handed over the golden tablet, a pair of luxurious leather gloves, and a wooden box containing the elixir from the tray Roenn was holding.
"Thank you."
Raon received the rewards from Glenn and bowed deeply.
"Next, Dorian Sephia."
"Y-yes!"
Dorian bit his tongue in surprise as if he hadn't expected his name to be called, and climbed onto the platform.
"I heard you also contributed to protecting Sepia."
"I-I really didn't do much."
"I'll give you a silver tablet, a martial arts manual, and an elixir."
"Th-thank you! Ugh!"
Dorian's voice cracked as he expressed his gratitude, causing him to blush.
After that, Yua was called forward.
"Despite your inexperience, you fought without fear, which is enough to recognize your merit. I'll give you a noted sword and an elixir."
"Thank you!"
Unlike Dorian, Yua thanked him in a clear, ringing voice.
Glenn watched Yua descend from the platform before turning his gaze to Siyana.
"You must be tired from your journey here, so let's discuss the relationship between Zieghart and Sepia starting two days from now."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Siyana bowed her head with a certain dignity.
"Everyone may leave now."
Glenn waved his hand, indicating that today's conference was over. The doors of the audience chamber opened, and the executives began to file out.
"No, wait!"
Rimmer came forward, blinking his eyes.
"Me! I did everything too, so why don't I get anything!"
He shouted, demanding a reward for himself too, but perhaps because of all the shocking events today, no one paid him any attention.
"Listen to me! I contributed too!"
* * *
As soon as the executives left, Glenn lowered his hand from his mouth. The corners of his mouth were lifted so high it looked like he was having a spasm from laughing.
"Did everyone hear that?"
"Of course."
Roenn pulled out a notebook from his pocket. He too began to read with a broad smile on his face.
"Wherever I am is Zieghart!"
"Kheuk!"
Glenn couldn't hold back and burst into joyous laughter.
"I was surprised too when I heard those words."
Rimmer chuckled as he recalled the events at the auction house.
"Even though the situation was at its worst, as soon as I heard Raon's words, I felt strength throughout my body."
He clenched his fist, saying those words themselves were inspiring.
"It seems he's grown not just in martial prowess, but mentally as well."
Roenn smiled softly, as if proud of Raon.
"That's right. It seems Zieghart is becoming a big part of him now."
Rimmer nodded with a faint smile.
"I'm more surprised that he stood up to the Axe King."
Alice smiled slightly as she pushed herself off the pillar.
"To say he'd behead him if the axe wasn't heavy, is it possible for someone his age to have such spirit?"
She let out a chuckle, genuinely impressed by Raon.
"Father."
Alice licked her lips and looked up at Glenn.
"Now that he seems qualified not just in martial prowess, but mentally as well, what do you think?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know exactly what I'm asking."
She winked and smiled.
"Successor."
Alice looked at Glenn while stroking her chin.
"Don't you think we should consider Raon as a successor candidate?"
Glenn calmly closed and opened his eyes as he looked at Alice. His lips moved slightly.