The leaders of the Six Kings concluded their interim meeting, pledging to reveal Derus Robert's true identity at the Six Kings Conference to be held in a week.
"Well, it should go smoothly, right?" The Mage Tower Master's eyes darted nervously, betraying her concern.
"If it doesn't, we'll make it work! Don't you understand the spirit of a magician?" Chamber shot her a sharp glare, furrowing her brow.
"Ah, my head's spinning from shouting suddenly." Chamber, claiming to be low on sugar, pulled out a fresh lollipop and popped it into her mouth.
"With the conference at the Union, I have a lot to do." Ogram, though feeling burdened, rolled his shoulders, ready to exert his influence.
"I will also do my best to cooperate." King Lecross nodded, leaning back in his throne.
"Do I, too, have to go…?" The Mage Tower Master raised her gaze slowly, looking like a cautious turtle.
"If you don't show up this time, I'll burn down your laboratory. No, your entire Mage Tower." Chamber's lips twisted upward, her seriousness unmistakable.
"Eek…" The Mage Tower Master mumbled assent, shoulders trembling.
"Then we'll see each other at the conference." Glenn waved his hand, signaling the meeting's end.
"Right!" The Mage Tower Master waved faster than anyone else and cut off her magical projection. She's such a shut-in. If she doesn't show up this time, I really will go destroy that magic tower, Glenn thought.
Chamber snorted and disappeared from the screen. Ogram and King Lecross ended their projections after brief farewells. Raon bowed to the departing Six Kings before turning to Glenn.
Glenn remained standing, calm as ever. "Head of House."
Raon knelt before him. "I'm truly grateful that you trust me. But… how could you stake your life? Why would you do such a thing?"
For the first time, Raon raised his voice at Glenn. Having fabricated lies to catch Derus, learning that Glenn had staked his life made his heart sink.
"It's the same as you," Glenn replied serenely.
Every time I hear him, that old geezer speaks in riddles… Raon thought.
Wrath frowned beside him. Let's just end this and go eat!
"Sorry, but it's Nadine bread today." Raon shook his head, exasperated.
"N-Nadine bread? Are you crazy? There's so much delicious food in the world! Why would you eat Nadine bread?"
The Head of House staked his life. We're short on time. Now that Glenn had placed his trust in him, Raon had no time for luxuries like eating or sleeping.
"Raon," Glenn said, raising his hand as Raon prepared to leave. "It's late; have dinner before you go." He descended from the platform, silently inviting Raon to join him.
"Ah…" Raon hesitated, wanting to return to training immediately, but he could not refuse Glenn. "I'll prepare it right away."
Roenn darted out to help, unwilling to accept refusal. Wrath, of course, was delighted. Grandfather is the best!
The dinner between grandfather and grandson was quiet, save for the occasional clinking of cutlery. Raon cut into the main course with an inaudible sigh, feeling the heaviness of the atmosphere.
"It's melting in my mouth!" Wrath exclaimed, eyes sparkling with delight. Raon swallowed quickly, finishing the meal.
"Y-You tasteless fool!" Wrath muttered.
"Yes, I'm uncultured," Raon admitted, waiting for dessert. Glenn set down his utensils and spoke softly.
"Raon. Worries without answers are poison that eats away at a martial artist's heart. From now on, if anything bothers you, don't hesitate to tell me."
Raon swallowed dryly. Could it be that he staked his life because he felt sorry I couldn't speak Derus's name and suffered alone?
Glenn continued, "The time of you, me, and Sylvia flowed far apart despite being close. It might be difficult to piece together the time that has passed, but I'd like us to walk in step from now on, even if just a little."
A flush rose to Glenn's face from embarrassment. Raon noticed and trembled at his fingertips. He is speaking sincerely.
"…I'll keep that in mind," Raon said. He made a mental note to arrange a meeting with Sylvia after this matter was settled.
"Then you may go now. Rest well," Glenn added, flicking his hand. Raon bowed once more and left the dining room.
"Hah, you dense fool," Wrath muttered. On a day like this, you should have called him grandfather!
Time that has passed doesn't come back, Raon reminded himself.
Meanwhile, Derus Robert remained in his office even after the magical communication ended, watching the fading sunlight before vanishing in a swirl of gray smoke. He reappeared at Lushain Mountain, slipping into a hidden passage behind familiar rocks. Descending stairs darker than a moonless night, assassins bowed as he passed. He ignored them and walked to the center of a cavern where red bricks formed from dried blood.
A man wearing the blue dragon helmet sat on a rock, bare-chested.
"I greet you, Lord Derus," the man said.
Derus approached carefully and knelt. "Bardiel. Your presence here means…"
"The Six Kings Conference has been decided, I presume?" Bardiel's tone was calm, almost casual.
"Yes. The meeting will be held at the Beast Union in a week."
Bardiel relayed all he had heard from Chamber.
"Any contact from him?" Derus received his shirt from Kubara with a nod.
"Not yet."
Derus smiled softly, as if expecting it. "There was never a problem with my body to begin with. What Glenn Zieghart cut was not my flesh, but my soul. I've recovered… and gained something." His frosty eyes glimmered.
"You'll attend the conference in person, I assume?" Bardiel asked, lowering his gaze.
"Yes. Even in this appearance, they would notice if I were absent. Your power is too weak for them not to."
Bardiel clasped his hands, warning of a possible trap.
"I know. The one-week timeframe and location are suspicious. But it's obvious what those old men are aiming for." Derus chuckled and removed his black gloves, revealing a cross-shaped scar that had replaced the single line. "They'll use every means to reveal this scar."
He took the ancient artifact from Bardiel, placing it on his hand. With a hiss, the white smoke erased the scar, leaving the skin pristine. Even Glenn Zieghart won't notice this.
"I'd rather they suspect me," he murmured, anticipating the trap for his advantage.
Kubara and Bardiel bowed and vanished. Derus turned to Beorn.
"There must be someone you want to see. Will you come along?"
"I have no such thoughts." Beorn shook his head, melting into the darkness.
Derus chuckled and tossed the blue dragon helmet into the cavern's depths. The Six Kings Conference… the remaining week will be boring.
Raon awoke to birdsong, the colorless Blade of Death burning in his grasp.
"You finally completed it…" Wrath frowned, skeptical.
"It doesn't matter if it doesn't work on everyone," Raon said calmly. It only needs to work on one guy.
He sank the Blade of Death into his chest, enduring the burden of body and soul. Clenching his fist until it bled, he looked at the rising sun. Today, I'll tear off your mask in front of everyone, Derus Robert. Today, your true face will be revealed.