Raon calmly closed his eyes as he watched the crackling campfire.
'Using the Sword Saint's martial arts as-is seems a bit tricky.'
The Sword Saint was such an ancient figure and at such a high level that much of it wasn't suitable to pass on to the Light Wind division.
'Should I really try to modify it?'
Since he had memorized all of the Sword Saint's martial arts and had even fought using them directly, creating martial arts tailored to the Light Wind division seemed like a good idea.
"What are you pondering so deeply?"
As he was contemplating what to do, a cheerful voice came from his right.
Turning his head, he saw Rimmer coming out of the tent, brushing up his disheveled hair.
"Aren't you sleeping?"
"I slept on Dorian's back during the day, so I can't fall asleep now."
He looked at the gradually brightening sky before sitting down next to Raon.
"I was thinking about the Sword Saint's martial arts."
"The Sword Saint's martial arts?"
"Yes. I'd like to pass it on to the Light Wind division, but it can't be used as is, so I was thinking of creating something myself..."
"That's a great idea!"
Rimmer nodded, as if agreeing it was a good idea.
"As you know, learning transcendent martial arts doesn't automatically make you stronger. Finding what suits the person is important."
He twirled his finger in the air.
"You know the kids well. You'll be able to create martial arts that fit them perfectly."
"I do know the Light Wind division well. However..."
Raon let out a short sigh as he looked at the tent where the Light Wind division was sleeping.
"I'm not sure if I can properly disassemble the Sword Saint's martial arts and create something suitable."
Although he knew he had become stronger, the Sword Saint was a martial artist who had reached transcendence.
The idea of dismantling his martial arts to create something new weighed on his mind.
"Well, you might fail."
Rimmer chuckled as he looked at the sky.
"But so what if you fail?"
"Pardon?"
"If it breaks, you fix it. If it's completely unusable, you throw it away and make a new one."
He smiled as he patted Raon's shoulder.
"You have sufficient ability and time. No matter how amazing the Sword Saint's martial arts are, there's nothing you can't do."
"Hmm..."
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Rimmer.
"I don't have any money."
"What money all of a sudden!"
Rimmer screamed as if dumbfounded.
"Are you pretending to give advice just to ask for money?"
"No! And pretending to give advice? That's too harsh!"
He gritted his teeth, asking if Raon was seeing him as a con man.
"Not a con man. A gambler, a slacker, one with no future..."
"Stop!"
Rimmer covered Raon's mouth, telling him to stop.
"Anyway, if you do it like when you created your swordsmanship, you'll be able to create martial arts for the Light Wind division without any problems."
He nodded as if to encourage Raon.
"Vice Leader."
"Yes?"
"Has something happened to you lately?"
"Why?"
"You're quiet when you're with the kids, but you give advice when you're with me. I'm not used to it."
"That's the role of an advisor."
Rimmer shook his head as if it was obvious.
"But..."
"Yes."
Raon listened carefully, thinking he might give another piece of advice.
"Do you really not have any money? Something I can pay back next month..."
"I don't. Even if I did, I don't."
Raon turned his head away sharply. He had expected something else, but it was just as he thought.
-Yawn, that Pointy Ears is right.
As Raon sighed, Wrath yawned and climbed onto the bracelet.
-It's not like it'll break if you use it a bit, you can keep experimenting. Unlike me, your talent is meager so it'll take time, but it's not impossible.
He nodded his finger as if telling Raon to try, while also boasting about himself.
'Right. It'll be best if I create it myself.'
Because it's not someone else.
Having lived with the Light Wind division for nearly 10 years, he knew not only the martial arts they had learned, but also their preferences and personalities.
Creating martial arts for those guys wasn't much different from creating his own martial arts.
'I should probably discard the framework of sword techniques and blade techniques first.'
He utilized the Ring of Fire. While enhancing his concentration, he first thoroughly dissected the Sword Saint's martial arts. He identified what was advantageous and what was disadvantageous, separating what should be kept and what should be discarded.
As he was organizing it in his mind, a white light flickered in the night sky.
No, not a white light. A crow with mixed black and white colors descended rapidly.
"This bird..."
"Gambling Monster. The old man's bird?"
Rimmer opened his eyes wide as he looked at the crow. As he said, this crow was the Spirit Beast used for communication that the Gambling Monster kept.
"What's happened?"
"There's a letter on its ankle."
Raon took out the note attached to the crow's leg and unfolded it.
[The Vice Head of the Elder's Council is picking a fight with the annex building. Come back as soon as you can.]
It was the Gambling Monster's handwriting. It really was a letter sent by him.
"Picking a fight..."
Rimmer frowned as if he had roughly guessed the situation.
-What nonsense is this! Picking a fight!
Wrath's face turned red as if angered by the idea of someone picking a fight with the annex building.
'They're probably using something like inspection rights to harass them.'
The Council of Elders is basically a place for retired executives, but it also plays a role in keeping the family in check.
It seemed they were abusing their authority to check the family by harassing the annex building.
'The reason is...'
It must be because of me.
The Council of Elders didn't target the annex building because they disliked Sylvia, but clearly to pressure me instead of Karoon.
-These old bastards! They should harass you instead, how dare they touch our mother? I'll pluck out all their beards right now!
'I want to do that too.'
Wrath is right. If they wanted to pick a fight, they should have come to me directly. Going after the empty annex building is something only back alley thugs would do.
'I guess I can't handle this like before.'
As I become stronger and my position rises, it seems more people will target the annex building.
Resolving everything alone like before won't solve the problem.
"Raon. You're going, right?"
Rimmer gave him a knowing look.
"Yes. I should go right away."
Raon burned the letter in his hand while looking at the rising sun.
'I'll make them regret this.'
***
After returning to Zieghart, Raon immediately rushed to the annex building. As soon as the annex building came into view, he unconsciously gritted his teeth.
'They've practically demolished the annex building itself.'
The flowers and trees in the garden that used to sway as if greeting were uprooted and strewn about, and the well-trodden ground was all dug up, creating yellow hills. It looked just like a battlefield.
The annex building itself was also broken and collapsed in various places. There wasn't a window frame left intact, and the walls were full of holes, looking like a beggar's tattered clothes.
What was even more ridiculous was that the Council of Elders' martial artists only gave orders, while the maids did the work of digging up the ground or demolishing the annex building.
Even Sylvia and Helen were digging up the garden.
Raon bit his lip as he looked at the old man in the center of the garden. He was sipping tea without getting up, even after seeing Raon arrive.
'Is that the Vice Head of the Elder's Council?'
He was an old man I occasionally encountered at family events. I felt like he regarded me as an insect, so I never spoke to him, but I never expected to meet him like this.
-Is that bastard the Vice Head of the Elder's Council?
Wrath raised his fist.
-Summon me right now! I'll make sure every wrinkle on that old man's face gets a piece of ice!
He grabbed Raon's collar and shook him, demanding to be let out quickly.
"This is insane."
Alice twisted her lips as she looked at the state of the annex building.
"Ha, this is way beyond what I expected."
Rimmer also let out a hollow laugh, as if dumbfounded.
"I can't stand this. I'll take care of everything."
Alice rolled up her sleeves and stepped forward.
"No."
Raon stepped forward, shaking his head at Alice and Rimmer.
"I'll resolve this matter internally within the annex building."
This isn't the first time the annex building has been challenged like this.
Since these pests keep clinging on because we lack power, this time the annex building must resolve it and build a wall that no one can touch.
"Right. That makes sense."
Alice understood the meaning of those words and stepped back. However, she tightly clenched her fist, seemingly frustrated.
"Then I'll stand by as well."
Rimmer also nodded, crossing his arms, indicating he would watch.
Whoosh.
Raon swirled the Ring of Fire. Rather than revealing powerful energy and anger, he approached the Vice Head of the Elder's Council while calming himself.
"...Young Master."
"Oh, when did you arrive?"
Judiel and the maids who were digging the ground opened their eyes wide in surprise.
"Raon."
"Young Master!"
Sylvia and Helen also put down their shovels and approached.
"Have you returned after completing your mission? You came back faster than I thought."
The Vice Head of the Elder's Council waved his hand with a faint smile.
"I've heard the gist of the story. Retrieving the Sword Saint's martial arts, you've done quite an impressive thing. Good job."
"..."
Raon didn't respond to the Vice Head's words, instead looking at Sylvia and the maids.
Their faces were smeared with mud mixed with dirt and sweat, and their hands were bruised. Their shoes and skirts were covered in dirt, showing how long they had been digging.
"You're the Vice Head?"
Raon turned his gaze, suppressing the desire to immediately draw his sword and split the Vice Head's skull.
"And if I am?"
The Vice Head smiled, not flustered despite Raon's informal speech.
"What exactly are you doing here?"
"Whoa, this is an inspection of the Council of Elders!"
Instead of the Vice Head, a middle-aged man who appeared to be his subordinate stepped forward.
"We received reports of criminal activities in the annex building..."
"I'm talking to your master. Dogs should stay out of it."
Raon frowned at the Vice Head without even looking at Krishon.
"W-What!"
"Step back, Krishon."
The Vice Head chuckled and waved his hand at Krishon.
"It's as he says. We received reports of criminal activities occurring here, so we're conducting an investigation using the Council of Elders' authority."
"What illegal activities?"
"I can't disclose that."
"Who provided the information?"
"You should know that informants must be protected. Of course I can't tell you."
He twisted his lips upward as if mocking Raon.
"Judging by this state, it seems you haven't found anything. Why are you still here? The inspection period should be over by now."
"We might not have found it yet. And the Council of Elders' inspection can originally be extended three times. We're proceeding according to the rules."
The Vice Head waved the documents in his hand, claiming they were acting legally.
"While it's unrelated to this matter, I am the Vice Head of the Zieghart Council of Elders. I'd appreciate some respect."
"It's out of respect that your head is still attached to your neck."
"They said you were reckless, and that's exactly right."
The Vice Head picked up his teacup without changing his expression. As expected of someone experienced enough to become the Vice Head of the Council of Elders, he didn't fall for the provocation.
"For today, let's stop here out of consideration for the Light Wind Division Leader who has admirably completed his mission."
As he snapped his fingers, the Council of Elders' martial artists scattered around the annex building lined up behind him.
"Don't hate us too much. Rules exist to be followed, don't they?"
"You. You'll regret this."
Raon approached the Vice Head who was about to turn his back, narrowing his eyes.
"I've already heard that. I thought you'd pull out a sword as soon as you arrived, honestly, I'm disappointed."
The Vice Head showed a mocking eye-smile.
"I'll fulfill that expectation. Don't worry."
"I look forward to it."
He lightly waved his hand and left the annex building.
-Argh! Are you just going to let him go like that?
Wrath gritted his teeth.
-Go after him right now and smash his skull, you're good at that!
'Not now.'
Raon bit his lip as he watched the Vice Head's back. Since those guys were moving legally, acting recklessly here could backfire.
"Raon."
Sylvia approached and lowered her head.
"I'm sorry. I said I'd protect the annex building, but there was nothing I could do..."
She trembled with her head bowed, seemingly frustrated.
"...It's okay."
Raon shook his head as he held Sylvia's shaking shoulders. If she hadn't been able to control herself and had drawn her sword, things would have escalated.
Because everyone, including the maids, had endured, a legal way to crack that old fox's head had opened up.
"Young Master."
In the meantime, Judiel had gone into the annex building and come out with a black booklet, which she handed over.
"This is..."
"It's a compilation of information from the Black Market and Gambling Monster."
He opened the booklet as he heard those words. It was filled with information about the Vice Head, written in shaky handwriting.
It seemed to have been written by weak hands at night, after holding shovels during the day.
"I hope it will be of help."
"Thank you."
Raon quickly read through the booklet and nodded.
"Thanks to this, I can see a way forward."
"A way?"
"Yes."
Raon twisted his lips as he looked at Sylvia and all the maids.
"A way to ensure that thugs like them never touch this annex building again."
***
After arranging for Sylvia and the maids to rest, Raon headed to the main building.
The Light Wind division and the Void Sword division were all waiting in front of the Lord's Manor.
"Has it been resolved?"
Burren approached, swallowing dryly.
"Sigh, I don't know why there are so many people these days who can't act their age."
Martha frowned as if annoyed.
"Are you... alright?"
Even Runaan, unlike usual, had worry in her eyes.
"Yes."
Raon nodded not just to the three, but to all the members of the Light Wind division who were biting their lips behind them.
"What exactly happened?"
"Let's talk about that later. For now, let's focus on the report."
He lightly waved his hand and stood in front of the Light Wind division.
As they entered the Lord's Manor, the Light Wind division erased their confused expressions and followed with stern faces.
It was different from before. Every one of them was wrapped in the aura of a reliable swordsman.
Raon headed towards the audience chamber with a faint smile. The massive doors were already open, and Zieghart's executives were standing in front of the pillars on both sides.
The subordinate of the Vice Head that he had seen at the annex building earlier was occupying a spot on the direct lineage side.
Whoosh.
Glenn was sitting on the throne with his chin resting on his hand as usual, but his eyes seemed to hold a serious heat rather than emptiness.
"Tsk."
Alice nodded slightly to Glenn before moving first. She took a position next to the Vice Head's subordinate, clicking her tongue in a way that suggested she'd cut him down immediately if she didn't like something.
Chad was standing in the spot next to her. He showed an unusually welcoming look, as if seeing a friend.
Raon closed his eyes and then opened them, calming himself. He gave a look to the Light Wind division to follow him and entered the audience chamber.
He walked on the spotless red carpet and knelt before the podium.
"The Light Wind division has returned after completing its mission."
"The Light Wind division has returned after completing its mission!"
He knelt before Glenn and bowed his head. Behind him, the Light Wind division shouted in unison and the sound of their knees hitting the ground could be heard.
"Rise."
He straightened his back as he heard Glenn's low voice.
"Light Wind Division Leader."
"Yes."
"Wasn't the Light Wind division's assigned mission to patrol the Zieghart territory?"
"That's correct."
It was an expected question, so he calmly nodded.
Although what happened at the Sword Saint's tomb was so significant that it took precedence, the Light Wind division's original mission was patrol and vigilance.
"Why did you go to the tomb?"
"The villages near Zieghart were suffering great damage due to the martial artists flocking to find the Sword Saint's tomb. As there seemed to be no end to solving these problems, I thought it would be right to find the tomb first to eliminate the root cause."
"I see."
Glenn nodded briefly as if he had expected this. Looking at it now, it seemed he had asked not for himself, but for the other executives.
"Then report on what happened inside the tomb."
"Understood. We were in battle with the Glacial Wraith, the Sixth Apostle, and the Demon Sword Master when we heard news of the tomb's discovery, so we immediately..."
Raon nodded and reported everything that had happened until now.
Of course, he didn't mention the things that only he should know, like the memories of his ancestor.
"...And so, after paying our respects to the Archmage of Balkar and the King of Owen, we returned."
As he finished speaking, only the sound of heavy breathing could be heard in the audience chamber.
It seemed that although everyone had a general idea, they hadn't realized just how many events had transpired.
"Well..."
"To think he's grown strong enough to defeat the Glacial Wraith one-on-one..."
"It's not just that, he even stopped the Sword Saint! Even if he was weakened after becoming a spirit, to face someone who was once a Transcendent Warrior and survive..."
"If this is true, there's nothing to say but that it's insane."
The executives kept letting out gasps of amazement.
"Ahem!"
Glenn cleared his throat briefly while covering his mouth with his left hand. His face had turned as red as a ripe apple.
"Fighting and winning against them is impressive, but isn't finding the tomb's control room even more surprising?
"That's right. If refined properly, it could be used as a training ground for swordsmen."
"I think what's crazier is what happened when they came out of the tomb. How did he manage to take down hundreds of people after finishing such a grueling fight? Is he some kind of zombie..."
"The Sanctuary of Blades. To think Zieghart's sacred ground was created in such a place, it's unbelievable."
The executives pointed out each of Raon's accomplishments, offering praise and smiles.
"Hmm..."
"Tsk."
"What's all this fuss about."
The direct lineage executives frowned as if displeased, but perhaps due to their recent harassment of the annex building, some even showed sneers.
"Zieghart's sacred ground! It has a nice ring to it!"
Balder nodded his head so vigorously it looked refreshing.
"What a shame. I wanted to create something like that!"
He swung his fist, as large as a pot lid, in disappointment.
"If you had done it, it couldn't have become a sacred ground. It would have reeked of blood."
Alice shook her head, telling him not to say such nonsense.
"Sister is right."
Denier smiled faintly as he looked at Raon.
"It became a sacred ground because the Light Wind Division Leader didn't kill a single martial artist, imbuing it with respect. It's not something that can be casually imitated."
"Hmm, that's true."
Balder nodded while picking his nose.
"If it were me, I would have killed them all. Well done."
He clapped his hands twice for Raon, as if to say he did well.
Raon nodded to Balder and then turned his gaze back to Glenn.
"Ahem..."
Glenn was still covering his mouth as if in thought, but his fingers trembled like a candle in the wind, and his eyes darted back and forth like lightning, following each speaker.
It was hard to understand what kind of reaction this was.
"Head of House. There's something I'd like to say."
Feeling that he couldn't understand what Glenn was thinking no matter how long he waited, Raon spoke up first.
"Go ahead."
Glenn nodded, his eyes returning to their usual dry gaze.
"The Sword Saint was an ancestor of Zieghart, and his tomb was originally used as Zieghart's training ground. Since it unexpectedly became the Sanctuary of Blades, I believe we should establish ownership of that land as quickly as possible."
Raon continued speaking as he watched Glenn's eyes gradually brighten.
"We've received permission from Owen and Balkar. Although the Sword Saint's tomb is a bit distant from Zieghart, there aren't many other forces in between, so if we move quickly, we should be able to obtain it without much difficulty."
There are no particularly strong forces between Zieghart and the Sword Saint's tomb.
The Balkar Kingdom and the Black Tower are located nearby, but since we've received Balkar's approval, we should be able to easily persuade the people in the surrounding villages.
"Hmm..."
Glenn smacked his lips and removed his hand from his mouth. His face was calm, as if it had never trembled.
"There's no need for that."
"Pardon? But it's too valuable to..."
If that place were used as a training ground, martial artists could be developed in stages. It was too valuable to just abandon.
"That's not what I meant."
Glenn calmly shook his head. At his gesture, Chad, who had been standing back, stepped forward.
"Lusen Village, Yupil Village, Tuzan City, and..."
Chad spread out a map in the air, pointing to each village and city between Zieghart and the Sword Saint's tomb.
"The residents of the villages that the Light Wind division helped have sent word that they want to join Zieghart."
He nodded, indicating that they had done an excellent job.
"It's as he says."
As Glenn drew his finger through the air, a single line connecting Zieghart and the Sword Saint's tomb appeared on the map.
Lusen Village, Yupil Village, Tuzan City. The neutral territories that the Light Wind division had saved were now tinged with Zieghart's golden hue.
"You and the Light Wind division have drawn Zieghart's line on the map of the continent."