"Did you say there was a guest?" Raon blinked as he looked up at Glenn.
"That's right." Glenn nodded, resting his chin on his fist. "It seems they entered the Room of Self after hearing news of our return to Zieghart."
He muttered that the timing overlapped as he turned his gaze to Chad.
"Hmm..." Raon narrowed his eyes, examining the documents in Chad's hand. 'Who went in?'
From what he had heard from Alice, the Room of Self wasn't a space anyone could use. Entry was only permitted to those with sufficient achievements, and so many had distinguished themselves in this war that he couldn't guess who might have gone in.
'It probably wasn't someone from the direct lineage.'
Since there was only one chance to enter the Room of Self, direct lineage swordsmen usually entered just before becoming a Master or Grandmaster to surpass their current level. Most of the direct lineage members he knew had already entered, leaving him even more uncertain.
"Can you tell me who went in?" Raon lowered his posture as he looked back at Glenn.
"It's the Central Martial Palace Master." Glenn mentioned Karoon's name immediately, as if it were obvious.
"The Central Martial Palace...?" Raon swallowed dryly, lowering his gaze. 'He hadn't gone in until now?'
A wry smile escaped Raon's lips. He hadn't even considered Karoon as a candidate, assuming he would have already entered.
"Karoon has always been stubborn and prideful in strange ways since he was young. He wouldn't listen even when others tried to stop him."
A clear light seeped into Glenn's eyes as he recalled Karoon's past.
"That stubbornness worked terribly in his pursuit of power, but it seems to have been fully effective in his martial arts."
He looked down at Raon with a faint smile. "Since he said he found a definite clue, that fellow will probably have reached transcendence when he comes out of the room."
"Transcendence..." Irritation welled up in Raon's chest at the thought that Karoon—who had the worst personality—would certainly reach transcendence.
"Karoon certainly committed unforgivable acts. However..." Glenn's voice turned cold, as if punishing a criminal.
"He's been in seclusion for a year and risked his life to save the family. That's why I'm considering reinstating him. What do you think?"
Raon bowed his head slowly. "I will follow the Head of House's decision." 'I suppose this can be considered repaying the debt.'
Sylvia had said that thanks to Karoon's arrival, the maids and children were able to survive. Raon decided not to find fault with his reinstatement.
"The Room of Self is a privilege originally given to him regardless of that. Don't think badly of it."
"I understand." Raon bowed his head calmly.
"Then, may I enter after the Central Martial Palace comes out in a month?"
"That won't work either." Glenn slowly shook his head.
While one person can stay in the Room of Self for a month, once used, the room needs a period of rest. If Karoon reaches transcendence as expected, it will need more than half a year of rest—possibly until next year, depending on the user's level.
"I see how this works." Wrath settled on Raon's shoulder and wiggled his hand.
'It seems like a room that forcibly puts you into a state of enlightenment. Of course such a room needs rest! If you keep using it nonstop, it'll all break down!'
"You're just worried about food!" Raon frowned. This demon king wasn't worried about the Room of Self but only about being limited to Nadine bread if he went in.
'He's really not a helpful person at all.'
He couldn't understand why Karoon chose to enter now and waste time. A sigh escaped him.
"Apart from the rest period..." Glenn leaned forward, lowering the hand that had been supporting his chin.
"I don't recommend you entering the Room of Self right now."
Raon blinked. "Didn't you tell me to enter before?"
"Because the you then and the you now are different." Glenn drew a small wall with his finger.
"As you know, the best time to enter the Room of Self is when you've hit a wall." He built a slightly larger wall.
"You certainly have a wall in front of you, but it's not the wall of transcendence. It's the wall of reaching the limit of a Grandmaster."
Glenn slowly lowered his hand. "If you enter now, you'll reach the peak of Grandmaster. But if you enter after reaching that peak, you'll certainly be able to touch transcendence."
He smiled gently. "Of course, you'll need to grasp the clue to reaching transcendence before that."
"What is this clue you're referring to?" Raon clasped his hands.
"It's the clue to what kind of Transcendent Warrior you want to become." Glenn's eyes flashed with an intense light, like lightning.
"To reach transcendence, you need to choose the concept that best suits you from the many materials you've accumulated up to the peak of Grandmaster."
Raon bit his lip deeply. 'I hadn't even thought about anything like a clue.' He had assumed that entering the Room of Self alone would allow him to reach transcendence.
"Don't be impatient," Glenn advised, leaning back. "As I said in the conference hall, the leader of the Five Demons cannot move. There's plenty of time left to grow stronger. And..."
He raised his chin confidently. "I am here."
'I am here.' The words struck Raon's mind like lightning.
"I'll shield you from the rain until you and the other children grow, so don't worry." Glenn placed his hand on the hilt of the Heavenly Tremor sword, promising that Zieghart would not fall.
"Become stronger. Not just alone, but together with your comrades."
"I understand." Raon's impatience subsided. He resolved to grow stronger at his own pace, even if it took longer.
"However..." Glenn lightly smacked his lips while stroking his chin.
"Since your achievements so far are not insignificant, I'll oversee your training for a while."
He tapped the Heavenly Tremor sword. "I will personally teach you swordsmanship."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"...Thank you." Raon immediately bowed his head. Every time he received Glenn's teachings, his achievements rose to an unbelievable degree, rivaling even the Room of Self.
"I—I could also teach you if you asked...?" Wrath wiggled his round hand, as if suggesting Raon should entrust himself to him.
'What?'
"I'm saying I can look after you just as well as that old man." Raon ignored him.
"It's just a reward." Glenn waved his hand dismissively. "Come to the Head of House's training ground starting from midnight tomorrow."
"Understood." Raon bowed and stood.
As Raon retreated to the annex, Glenn's eyes wavered, seemingly regretful. Roenn fidgeted below the platform.
"If you haven't eaten yet..." Raon swallowed dryly. "Would you like to have dinner together at the annex?" He bowed, mentioning that Sylvia and the maids had prepared a lot of food.
"-Why are you inviting that old geezer!" Wrath shook his head.
"-He likes Nadine bread! Tell him to eat Nadine bread alone!"
"-Grr! There's enough to feed you and still have leftovers. Don't worry."
After soothing Wrath, Raon looked at Glenn. Glenn's eyes widened in surprise.
"Ahem, if I've been invited, I have no choice!" Despite his words, he sprang up from his throne.
"Of course you should go. You've been invited." Roenn laughed heartily.
"Um, Head of House?" Chad blinked, dropping the documents.
"I'll hear the report after I return." Glenn told Chad, then left the audience chamber with Raon.
'As expected, the future lies with him!' Chad curled the corners of his mouth, rejoicing alone as he watched the grandfather and grandson leave together.
Meanwhile, Raon returned to the annex. The aromas from the kitchen indicated the meal was ready.
"-Wow! There's stew, pizza, and even grilled lamb chops! All my favorites!" Wrath grinned, recognizing all the dishes from their scents.
Raon glanced at Glenn behind the dancing Wrath. Glenn's shoulders were slightly tense.
"Let's go to the dining room." Raon guided Glenn, seeing Sylvia, the maids, and also the Ragged Saint, Federick, sitting there.
"Ah, Father?" Sylvia stood abruptly, startled by Glenn's sudden appearance.
"G-Greetings to the Head of House!" The maids knelt, flustered.
"That's enough." Glenn waved his hand. "I brought him along since you said it was before dinner."
Raon explained as he guided Glenn to the head seat.
"Ah! Then welcome!" Sylvia smiled and pulled out a chair.
"Well, well, the lazy ass actually came." Federick smirked.
"Why are you here?" Glenn frowned.
"The Saint came looking for Raon, so I invited him to dinner." Sylvia smiled.
Ahem! The two men, each invited by Raon and Sylvia respectively, cleared their throats and frowned at each other.
"We've prepared a lot. Please enjoy the meal, everyone." Sylvia clapped, and the maids approached with steaming dishes.
"-Ooooh!" Wrath flared his nostrils, ecstatic.
"-The smell is amazing!"
The little guy seemed to forget all about Glenn, licking his lips repeatedly.
"This is liquor obtained from the south." Raon poured into Glenn's glass first.
"Hmph!" Glenn curled his mouth, pointing his glass at Federick, gloating.
"Childish fellow..." Federick let out a wry laugh as Raon poured him a second drink.
Raon poured drinks for everyone before returning to his seat.
"Today is a welcome back party for Raon and the children. Please enjoy yourselves."
The meal began. Wrath immediately started shouting for pasta and grilled chili shrimp, and Raon guided him patiently.
"Mmm! The cream is smooth yet savory, naturally stimulating the appetite!" Wrath critiqued.
Glenn and Federick also enjoyed the meal, faint smiles appearing.
"Ahem." As the dishes were almost finished, Federick put down his utensils.
"Before coming here, I went to see those you captured."
"How was it?" Raon asked.
"It was the same brainwashing as the children you rescued. All of it was Derus's doing." Federick trembled with anger.
"Can you remove the brainwashing and the Rage Worm?" Glenn asked sharply.
"The brainwashing is difficult. The children were only affected briefly, but those guys have been brainwashed their entire lives. However..."
Federick nodded toward Raon. "There's no choice but to use pain strong enough to push out the brainwashing. Raon demonstrated that."
"And the Rage Worm?"
"It can be removed. Accompanied by intense pain, but no need to go easy."
"Are the children alright now?" Sylvia bit her lip worriedly.
"As I said, thanks to you all, they've returned to their original selves. No need to worry."
Raon exhaled a long sigh of relief. 'Thank goodness.'
"Raon. Has your intention to support what the children want to do changed?" Federick leaned forward.
"No. It remains the same."
"Then it'll be tough from now on. Most say they want to become swordsmen like you."
"What do you mean..."
"Those children have seen the Raon Zieghart biography and grown up hearing about your exploits. You're practically their idol."
The maids smiled softly, affirming the children's sincerity.
"Double the support," Federick urged. Glenn nodded immediately, agreeing.
'I hope they become a little happier…' Raon thought, watching Glenn and Sylvia grow closer.
"-What are you doing! This king is still hungry!" Wrath yelled, jumping in front of Raon.
At the peak of the Rudan Mountains, the highest in the continent, where even dragons avoided, The Fallen, masked as a handsome youth, descended onto White Flower Peak.
He advanced elegantly through the snowfield where nothing was visible.
At the edge of the peak, the Severing Sword, wearing a Death Knight's helmet, walked out from the black snowstorm. His eyes were colder than the mountains themselves.
"You've sunk even deeper."
The Fallen smiled faintly. The Severing Sword said nothing, biting his lip tightly.
"I've come to see him. Please step aside."
The Severing Sword hesitated before slowly stepping aside.
The Fallen bowed and entered the black storm. Whoosh! Surprisingly, no wind blew inside. On the ground, instead of snow, flowers and greenery spread out, resembling the legendary Peach Blossom Spring.
"It's been a while since I've seen you." The Fallen brushed off his sleeves and cast a sharp gaze toward the man sitting in the center of the garden.
"Heavenly Demon."
I