Glenn's hand trembled as it rested on the armrest of the throne. "Derus Robert…" Derus Robert—one of the strongest among the Six Kings and Five Demons—was a man whose power rivaled even the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance. He could very well be the swordsman wearing the blue dragon helmet. Yet, there was a solid alibi: Chamber, the Mage Tower Master, and Lecross had all confirmed Derus remained at his family residence. The Mage Tower Master had kept watch through visual magic communication without interruption. Unless he used some form of doppelganger, it seemed impossible that he could be the masked swordsman. Still… it was suspicious. Occasionally, when Glenn met Derus's gaze, a chill ran down his spine. Derus's eyes shone with kindness, yet there was a subtle sharpness, like a blade pressed to the throat. Glenn privately thought Derus's true nature might lean toward evil. Yet… there was no evidence. Derus was perfect in every way—power, personality, background. Even with Raon's recent feats improving Zieghart's reputation, they still could not match House Robert's influence. Provoking them recklessly could spark a war far beyond the scale of the South-North Union conflict.
"R-Raon…" Sheryl's eyes widened. "Derus Robert? Do you understand what it means to speak his name?" Her lips trembled. "Young Master Raon… are you serious?" Roenn echoed, unable to close his gaping mouth. "Do you have evidence?" Unlike Sheryl and Roenn, Glenn's calm voice cut through the tension. "I do." Raon nodded, meeting Glenn's steady gaze. "Do you remember when the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance and the Leader of the White Blood Religion attacked the Five Divine Orders?"
"How could I forget? You went missing."
"I was attacked twice while escaping. The first was by a disciple of the Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance…"
"I know. You said it was an assassin, right?"
"Yes—but not an ordinary one. It was a suicide attacker, a product of necromancy called the Water Demon Guest. I captured its master and learned where the monsters were made. I couldn't investigate at the time, so I returned after killing the mad dragon Kaivar."
Raon recounted destroying the Water Demon Guest factory with the Black Market's help. "I waited on the outskirts, thinking the factory's owner might appear. And unexpectedly… Derus Robert showed up."
Glenn's legs trembled. "Yes. He was furious the factory was destroyed and mercilessly killed his subordinates. Then… he removed his blood-soaked gloves."
Raon swallowed hard. "There was a scar on the back of his hand—identical to the one on the swordsman wearing the blue dragon helmet. Unmistakable."
"W-Wait a minute!" Sheryl stepped forward. "You said the Black Market's subordinates were there. Why didn't they report this?"
"They didn't know it was Derus Robert. He wore a mask and concealed his aura."
"And you knew?"
"My ability to read mana and nature is more developed than my martial prowess. I recognized him immediately from the Six Kings Conference. I stayed silent to protect Denzel and the Black Market."
Half of Raon's story was a lie—he had altered events to maintain cover. But the critical detail remained: the scar. The swordsman's regenerative powers could not erase it. Exposing it would reveal his identity. Raon knelt, pleading for their trust.
"Raon." Glenn spoke his name, not as Light Wind Division Leader.
"Yes, Head of House."
Raon raised his gaze, gripping his trembling wrist. This is where it begins.
Glenn's response surprised him. "It must have been hard for you…"
"Pardon?" Raon blinked, confused.
"I'm sorry for not telling you sooner."
"No. It's alright. I'll call you again this evening to inform the others. For now, you may go." Glenn waved him away.
As Raon left, Sheryl and Roenn exchanged looks of awe.
"He endured all this alone… remarkable," Roenn muttered.
Glenn buried his face in his hands. He must not have trusted me. And I… didn't reach out sooner. He steeled himself. "But I'll handle this decisively."
"Connect a visual magic communication with Chamber," Glenn commanded. Roenn complied. Blue windows appeared, showing the leaders of the Six Kings. Derus Robert's face was absent. Raon explained everything again, from the Water Demon Guest factory to the scar. The leaders listened intently.
"Indeed, it must be Derus Robert," Chamber said.
"Yes. I'm certain," Raon confirmed. This is where it begins.
The Six Kings asked sharp questions, but Raon answered each carefully. Chamber, Ogram, King Lecross, and the Mage Tower Master all expressed trust—not blind faith, but respect for Raon's past achievements and Glenn's resolve.
"There is a way," Raon finally said. "Derus cannot erase the wound I inflicted. Using the energy of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation, we can reveal the scar."
Chamber nodded eagerly. "One of the scars was from you! Now I understand!" Plans formed swiftly. The Six Kings Conference would be held at the Beast Union in a week, providing an excuse to draw out Derus. Raon clenched his fist, the Blade of Death burning in his heart. Derus Robert. This is the beginning of my revenge.
As Raon left the Lord's Manor, he felt a mix of relief and unease. Glenn's trust had been granted, but the man's calm and steely composure unnerved him. He headed to the great training ground to clear his thoughts. Inside, the sound of sword swings greeted him. Martha, drenched in sweat, was pushing herself beyond exhaustion.
"I feel like I'll die if I stay still," she said, gripping her blade. "I can hear my mother crying for help."
Raon frowned. Her pain was greater than his own. While his suffering ended with revenge against Derus, Martha's burdens were ongoing—capturing the Leader of the White Blood Religion and rescuing her mother.
"Ready for a sparring match?" Raon asked, drawing the Heavenly Drive, flames of Ten Thousand Cultivation coursing over the Blade of Death.
"I've been waiting for you," Martha replied, charging forward. Clashes of steel and fire echoed across the training ground. Hours later, Raon returned to the Lord's Manor. Glenn and the Six Kings' leaders were convening via visual communication. Raon outlined his plan to expose Derus Robert using Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation. The leaders listened, impressed and resolute. The conference ended with the decision to hold the Six Kings Conference in a week at the Beast Union. Raon's grip on the Blade of Death tightened. Derus Robert. This is the beginning of my revenge.