After receiving permission from the somewhat flustered Rector, Raon returned to the fifth training ground.
Rimmer was nowhere to be seen, likely having gone straight to the gambling den instead of returning to the training ground. Martha, Burren, and Runaan were helping the swordsmen with their training.
"What are you doing? Haven't you eaten dinner? You need to swing with all your might over there!"
Martha exclaimed in frustration, pounding her chest before demonstrating herself.
"Put strength in your pinky finger and extend the sword fully. That tiny difference could determine life or death between you and your enemy."
Burren guided the swordsmen's postures, helping them execute more precise swordsmanship.
"Your right side is open..."
Runaan helped fill in the small and large gaps while sparring with the swordsmen. Burren, Martha, and Runaan took different approaches according to their personalities, but they all did their best to teach the swordsmen. All three of them seemed capable of becoming instructors in their own right.
-Ice cream girl, beef girl, and the one with the shitty eyes.
Wrath smirked as he scanned Burren, Martha, and Runaan teaching the swordsmen.
-Those children have really grown a lot.
'Indeed. They've grown noticeably.'
Raon nodded, following Wrath's gaze.
'If they get a good opportunity at the Holy Sword Alliance, it wouldn't be unreasonable for them to reach the pinnacle of Master level.'
Excluding himself, there were few people who could match Burren, Martha, and Runaan's talents. Those children could reach the peak of Master level in the not-too-distant future.
-That's not what I meant.
Wrath shook his head calmly.
-To this king's eyes, even you look like a youngster, so how could the martial prowess of the ice cream girl, beef girl, and the one with the eyes be satisfactory!
'Then what do you mean?'
-Mental growth.
He looked at Burren, Martha, and Runaan with a gentle smile.
-When this king first saw those children, they all lacked peace of mind. They were thinking only of their own wounds, rejecting others, and sinking into the darkness of their hearts. But now...
Wrath pointed at the three squad leaders, whose eyes were now filled with vigor.
-Those kids are now sincerely teaching their subordinates even when they could be focusing on their own growth. It means they've achieved enough mental growth to accept others. This is a change I like.
He smiled, saying it seemed the three had come to understand the importance of relationships.
'You're right...'
Raon nodded, leaning against the wall of the training ground.
'They've changed a lot more.'
Runaan had been afraid of her brother Syria and blood, Martha had been blinded by the goal of saving her mother and was willing to trample on others, and Burren had been harshly whipping himself to avoid being abandoned by his father. In their childhood, they were trapped in the darkness of their hearts and didn't look around them.
But now, after many experiences, those three considered the Light Wind division as family and were using their valuable time to teach the swordsmen. It was evident that Burren, Martha, and Runaan had all come to understand the importance of relationships.
-What are you smiling about!
Wrath suddenly thrust his face forward.
-You've changed even more than those kids!
He frowned as if wondering why Raon didn't understand.
-The you this king first saw and the you now are completely different people!
'That's right.'
Raon nodded, looking up at the darkening sky.
'Of course I know.'
He had realized the importance of relationships even more than Burren, Martha, and Runaan. He couldn't help but notice the vast difference between his past life as an assassin and his current life as a swordsman of Zieghart.
"What are you smiling about by yourself!"
Martha approached, lowering her sword.
"If you've come, you should help quickly! Why are you slacking off!"
She frowned, telling him to change his clothes first.
"The meeting should have ended a while ago..."
Burren looked him up and down, clicking his tongue.
"Don't tell me you were gambling with the Vice Leader?"
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"Latecomer."
Runaan also came forward, furrowing her brows deeply.
"You've been late every day lately."
She pouted, seemingly dissatisfied with his tardiness.
"The Vice Leader is always late or doesn't show up at all, so why are you only picking on me?"
Raon shook his head, facing the squad leaders' sharp gazes.
"What's the point of scolding a beast! Would it understand?"
Martha twisted her lips, telling him to say something worth saying.
"Right. That person wouldn't listen anyway."
Burren sighed in agreement.
"Useless Rimmer..."
Runaan also let out a deflated voice, dropping her shoulders.
"Uh, well..."
Raon's lips quivered as he looked at the three. He wanted to take Rimmer's side since he had received help today, but he had nothing to say.
"Forget about that foolish old man, and from now on, you watch over the swordsmen."
Martha waved her hand dismissively.
"We need to warm up too."
Burren also asked for his help as he drew his sword.
"Still lacking..."
Runaan also nodded, saying she hadn't been able to properly swing her sword.
"You're all clearly frustrated."
Raon laughed as he watched the three squad leaders burning with determination.
"Of course we are. We're squad leaders. We have to do our own training and look after the kids too!"
Martha wrinkled her nose, saying it was only natural.
"So I have something to tell you."
Raon beckoned Burren, Martha, and Runaan closer with a flick of his finger.
"We're going to the Holy Sword Alliance tomorrow. Pack your bags."
He nodded, telling them to go back to their quarters now and prepare.
"The Holy Sword Alliance? So suddenly?"
"You're joking, right? This is too abrupt!"
Martha and Burren's eyes widened in surprise.
"Does it take a day to prepare? Two days? I've told you now, so that's plenty of time."
Raon lifted his chin proudly, demonstrating what it means to be unreasonable.
"This is the chance you've been wanting for training and sparring to your heart's content. Don't you want to go? If you don't like it, stay here and play with the Vice Leader who's always whining for money. Of course, if you haven't grown when I return, you'll be doing focus enhancement training."
He shrugged, not offering a suggestion but issuing a threat.
-You, you heartless bastard...
Wrath let out an exasperated sigh.
"You really!"
"No, we still need some time to prepare mentally..."
Martha and Burren bit their lips resentfully.
"I'll go..."
Runaan raised her hand high. She blinked her blank eyes as if she would go unconditionally.
"That's right."
Raon nodded broadly, saying she did well.
"Now, your answers too."
"I-I'll go..."
"Fine, I'm going! You jerk!"
Burren and Martha also reluctantly agreed to go to the Holy Sword Alliance.
"All done. See, it's resolved peacefully."
Raon nodded, grinning brightly.
-What do you mean peacefully! That was clearly a threat!
Wrath shook his head, telling him not to talk nonsense.
-Where did all that warmth go that you were talking about just moments ago!
'There was never any such thing to begin with.'
Raon waved his hand, pushing Wrath away.
"Division Leader! Can I go too?"
Dorian, who had been listening from behind, raised his hand.
"I really want to go because there might be items to replenish at the Holy Sword Alliance..."
Dorian's eyes sparkled, seeming more interested in the items he could obtain there than in training.
"Why are you asking such an obvious question?"
Raon tilted his head, looking at Dorian.
"We can't go on a trip without our wallet, can we?"
He blinked his eyes as if it were only natural, without a trace of malice.
"Ah, yes! I'll get ready!"
Dorian grinned, seeming pleased to hear about being the wallet.
-This, this needs to be preserved in writing...
Wrath let out a sigh, looking at the back of Raon's head.
-The title should be 'Raon Zieghart's Role in the Corruption of the Human World'...
He shuddered as if frightened.
"You should all understand by now, so come to the front of Federick's mansion by tomorrow morning."
Raon left the training ground after leaving these final words.
"That guy..."
Martha furrowed her brow, watching Raon's retreating figure.
"Is he getting more eccentric?"
"Lately, I see the Vice Leader's image behind Raon. No, it's even worse..."
Burren nodded in agreement.
"His face is handsome, but his heart is ugly..."
Even Runaan shook her head.
* * *
As soon as Thespian Emperor Ariel returned to the White Whale headquarters, she summoned all her subordinates to her office.
"Gather all the information about the Five Kings and Five Demons again. Check it twice, thrice, so that not even the tiniest piece of information escapes."
She flashed a sharp gaze, saying that not even a speck of information should be missed.
"Huh? But, but that would take too much time..."
"That's right. With the war currently ongoing, if we gather information again, the cost would be astronomical..."
The heads of the intelligence organization broke out in cold sweat as they looked at the Thespian Emperor.
"It doesn't matter. Just do it no matter what."
Ariel shook her head firmly.
"If we make the wrong choice, not only the White Whale but the entire Five Divine Orders could collapse."
She bit her lip, saying it was like walking on thin ice.
"Focus especially on Zieghart."
Ariel glanced sideways as she mentioned Raon Zieghart's name.
"There's a very high possibility that guy is hiding secrets."
Even the high-ranking officials of Zieghart couldn't hide their surprise at Raon's statement, but he maintained his composure until the end. Since he's not the type to bluff, he must be hiding an important secret.
"Understood."
"And..."
Ariel raised her slightly trembling hand.
"Has any information about the Soul Crystal come in?"
"None at all. As you know, my lord, the item discovered in the past is now..."
The head of the intelligence organization bowed his head as he looked at Ariel.
"That's enough. It's an item we can't use now anyway."
Ariel shook her head, touching her leg.
"Then there's absolutely nothing. In fact, it's nonsensical for such an item to be discovered."
The intelligence head lowered his eyes, saying he hadn't heard anything at all.
"Then put out a search for the Soul Crystal too."
"The, the Soul Crystal?"
"Yes. It's become absolutely necessary."
The Thespian Emperor nodded heavily.
'Damn Raon Zieghart.'
Raon Zieghart had played so many mind games that she still couldn't regain her composure. She wasn't sure if it was psychological warfare, sincerity, or just a joke. The only thing certain was that she needed to bring information about the Soul Crystal to gather even a little bit of information.
'He said he'd give the reward I want.'
Raon said he would give an appropriate reward if she brought the Soul Crystal. That reward was surely information that would make Zieghart confident of winning the war.
"It will be difficult, but divert manpower to that as well."
"Yes."
"Understood."
When Ariel waved her hand as if dismissing them, the executives bowed deeply and left the office.
"Haaa..."
Left alone, Ariel buried herself deeply in her chair, clutching her head.
'My head hurts.'
When she closed her eyes, the mocking smiles of Raon Zieghart and Rimmer appeared. It felt like the internal injuries she had suppressed were about to flare up again. With a thud, Ariel pulled out the book engraved with the sun and moon that she had been wearing on her thigh and placed it on the desk.
"Raon Zieghart."
She bit her lip as she looked at the demonic figure engraved at the very end.
"Who on earth are you?"
* * *
Raon stroked Sia's head, who was breathing softly, and turned his back.
"Then I'll be going."
He also bowed his head to Glenn, Sylvia, and Edgar, who were watching from behind.
"See and learn many things. Don't be too late."
Glenn nodded, saying he expected to see changes.
"I want to go too, but the situation is like this, so I can't help it. At least you go and tell me how the Holy Sword Alliance has changed. If it follows my father, the inside would have changed more than the outside. Actually, I'm curious about where the Holy Sword Alliance moved to, and the children I used to look after..."
"Stop it already!"
Sylvia covered Edgar's mouth, who was rambling on endlessly.
"Raon. Be careful. Don't act too arrogantly when you get there."
She smiled, telling him to be polite to people as it was practically his family home.
"Aren't I the most polite person there is?"
Raon blinked his eyes as he looked at Sylvia.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Suddenly, silence fell over the hospital room. Glenn, Sylvia, and Edgar all just stared at Raon without saying a word.
-You crazy bastard...
Even Wrath shook his head, saying he had lost his mind.
"That's right. Where could we find someone as polite as our son!"
Sylvia nodded awkwardly, forcing a laugh.
"Ah, Father, you should greet Sia too."
She called out to Rector, who was standing at the very back, trying to change the subject.
"Hmm..."
Rector came forward slowly. He fidgeted with his hands several times before sighing. He still seemed to feel guilty for not being able to take care of his family.
"I'll wake her up no matter what."
Rector lowered his hand without being able to stroke his granddaughter's head this time as well.
"In-law. Thank you for understanding. I'll make sure to bring everyone back safely."
He bowed his head to Glenn, trying to erase the awkward atmosphere.
"I'll trust you."
Glenn accepted the greeting with a faint smile.
"Then let's go."
"Yes."
Raon bowed his head to the three people again and left the hospital room. As he was about to leave Federick's mansion, Merlin was standing in front of the entrance. Although she was wearing a nun's habit, she still had on the old woman's mask, which gave a frightening impression.
-It's, it's not that scary anymore!
Wrath snorted, putting on airs as if it was no big deal.
"I'm leaving."
Raon smiled faintly as he looked at Merlin.
"I'll be away for a while too."
Merlin shook her chin, saying she would also be away from Zieghart for a while.
"Where are you going?"
"I have to look for the whereabouts of the Soul Crystal too. I have my own methods. And there's other information I need to gather."
She smiled, saying she would definitely find the Soul Crystal.
"...Thank you."
Raon bowed his head to Merlin. He was simply grateful that she was paying so much attention to something that had nothing to do with her.
"We're family."
Merlin shook her head, telling him not to worry about it.
"I'm getting used to your jokes now."
"Jokes? What jokes?"
Merlin's neck twisted in an eerie direction, and her voice froze as if flowing from an icy hell.
"Uh..."
-Eeeeek!
Wrath, who had been putting on airs, finally couldn't overcome his fear and fled into the ice flower bracelet this time as well.
"A-ahem."
As Rector cleared his throat awkwardly, Merlin's cold energy rapidly dissipated.
"Grandfather. I'm entrusting Raon to you."
Merlin gently held Rector's hand before stepping back.
"We'll see each other again soon. Don't overdo it."
She left those words and disappeared in a red and blue light. It really seemed like she had left just like that.
"She's hard to figure out."
"Indeed..."
Raon sighed and left the entrance. He nodded to Burren, Runaan, Martha, and Dorian who were waiting outside.
"Let's go now."
Raon nodded as he stepped in front of the four.
"To the Holy Sword Alliance."
Just as he was about to lead everyone and depart, a blue light rose before his eyes, and Merlin popped out again.
"What the? You said we'd see each other soon, but this is too soon!"
Raon's jaw dropped as he saw Merlin reappear.
"No need to waste time. I'm going to send you directly to the Holy Sword Alliance."
As Merlin wiggled her finger, a red and blue light rose up, enveloping her and those behind her.
"Everyone, please relax your bodies."
She smiled brightly, saying it was safe.
"W-wait! How do you know about the Holy Sword Alliance..."
"What are you saying? Of course I know! I'm the one who called Grandfather, remember?"
Merlin clasped her hands together, saying she had finished all her investigations long ago.
-S-scary...
Wrath seemed to be genuinely terrified of Merlin, as even the ice flower bracelet he was in trembled.
"Grandfather..."
"Let's trust her."
Rector nodded, saying it was true that contact had come from the Holy Sword Alliance.
"Then see you later."
Along with Merlin's deep smile, the view before them was dyed in white light. Whoosh! After the intense light disappeared and they opened their eyelids, they saw a place completely different from what they had imagined.
"What is this place..."
Is this supposed to be the Holy Sword Alliance?