"Ah..."
Raon's jaw dropped as he watched Karoon smile triumphantly.
'That guy...'
Is this really Karoon Zieghart? Karoon used to be consumed by inferiority, ignoring and insulting both Raon and Sylvia, but he had realized his mistakes, reflected, and through his efforts, overcame his inferiority complex and achieved transcendence.
Raon had come to admire him inwardly for his deep affection for the Zieghart family and his unwavering pride as a martial artist, but he never expected to be so quickly disillusioned.
"Is that how you speak to your nephew who just caught a dragon?"
Balder furrowed his brow deeply. His expression was one of disbelief.
"Moreover, Raon caught three dragons. That's different from you who nearly died catching just one."
"You don't understand. It doesn't matter how many small ones you catch. What's important is how big they are."
Karoon spoke only of the dragon's size, as if boasting about who caught the biggest fish among anglers.
"Hmm, when you put it that way, it does seem..."
Balder suddenly mumbled that size was important, as if he had been swayed by Karoon's words.
"No, this isn't right! If your nephew caught a dragon, just praise him!"
He swung his elbow, telling Karoon to come to his senses.
"Hmph."
Karoon easily dodged Balder's attack and placed his hand on Matirus's horn.
"What was this ancient dragon's unique ability?"
"It was gravity that could be used without mana. It could freely control gravity from subtle intensities to levels strong enough to crush me."
Raon let out a short sigh, saying it wasn't an easy fight.
"It would have been dangerous if the Central Martial Palace Master hadn't told me that ancient dragons have special abilities."
It wasn't a lie. If Karoon hadn't mentioned the special abilities of ancient dragons before Raon left for Sepia, he would have been caught off guard not only by Matirus but also by the Black Dragon's sensory changes.
"No, even if I hadn't told you, you would have figured it out on your own."
Karoon shook his head firmly, telling Raon not to attribute his own achievements to others.
-Why is that big-eyed one acting like that?
'Big-eyed one?'
-He's the shitty-eyed dad. Isn't "big-eyed one" fitting?
Wrath wrinkled his nose, calling Karoon the "big-eyed one."
-It seems he's become a fool as a rebound from the inferiority complex that once filled those fierce eyes.
He shook his head, saying he couldn't understand it.
'I don't really understand either.'
Raon nodded. He too couldn't understand Karoon's words and actions, so he had nothing to say.
"I'm proud to have the Zieghart name after mine. I could die for it."
Karoon removed his hand from Matirus's head and looked at Raon.
"Today, I seemed to see that in you too. It means that some pride in being a Zieghart has taken root in your soul as well."
He patted his own shoulder and turned his back.
"I hope you keep that feeling, no matter what happens in the future. Welcome back."
Karoon left with a final word of appreciation for Raon's hard work, then headed back towards the Lord's Manor.
"Ah, Father. What did you say to Raon?"
Burren approached Karoon with a tense look in his eyes.
"Nothing much. More importantly..."
Karoon scrutinized Burren up and down with narrowed eyes.
"What did you learn from this mission?"
"Um, that I'm still lacking in many ways..."
"I can see that too. I'll take care of you instead of the Head of House."
"Pardon?"
He grabbed the back of Burren's neck, who was blinking in confusion, and dragged him towards the Central Martial Palace.
"Why is that guy acting like that?"
Balder shook his head, unable to understand Karoon's behavior.
"..."
Raon clicked his tongue briefly as he watched Karoon's retreating back.
'Was that his way of trying to praise me?'
Given Karoon's personality, he couldn't approach Raon in a friendly manner, so it seemed he tried to encourage him in this roundabout way.
"Watching that guy makes me hungry from all the thinking."
Balder rubbed his pot-lid-sized hand over his belly as he turned his gaze to Raon.
"I've heard dragon meat is delicious. Is there any left?"
He wiggled his fingers as if asking for any leftover meat.
"Of course. Dorian."
"Ah, yes!"
At Raon's nod, Dorian pulled out some dragon meat from his pouch.
"Ahem! Thank you."
Balder quickly accepted three pieces of dragon meat, saying he'd enjoy them.
"Ah, and..."
He lowered his voice slightly as he placed the meat on his shoulder.
"About what you asked for..."
"What are you two talking about in a place like this?"
A gentle voice was heard just as Balder was about to speak again.
"Hmm..."
Behind Balder's mountain-like frame, Denier and Martha could be seen approaching.
"Judging by your expressions, it seems like a serious conversation. Did I interrupt?"
Denier waved his hand slightly as he looked at the stiffened Balder.
"Serious? Nonsense! I was just asking how to grill this meat."
Balder snorted, telling them not to talk nonsense.
"Oh? It's dragon meat. It's hard to grill, but the taste surpasses even the finest beef!"
Martha raised her thumb, saying the taste was surprisingly good.
"Dorian. You have some meat left, right?"
"Plenty!"
Dorian nodded and pulled out three types of dragon meat from his pouch.
"Thanks. Enjoy it."
Denier nodded towards Dorian and Raon.
"Why did you come here?"
Balder raised one eyebrow, asking why they had come.
"You've been following me around lately, so I was waiting to see why you didn't come today."
Denier shrugged, suggesting they go back together.
"Hmm, if that's the case, wait a moment. I have more to get from my nephew."
Balder waved his hand, telling them to go ahead.
"Alright then."
Denier nodded lightly and looked at Raon.
"You've worked hard. Get some good rest."
He turned his back, showing his usual kind smile.
"I'll enjoy it!"
Martha waved goodbye while linking arms with her father, Denier, as they left. There was a slight hint of unease in her demeanor.
"Well, to continue what I was saying earlier, there wasn't anything particularly strange."
Balder furrowed his brow as he watched Denier walk away.
"If anything, he uses his time so efficiently it's annoying. Even his meal and walk times are all scheduled."
"Doesn't he visit Aunt?"
"He visits almost every day, but contrary to your worries, he shows no signs of using any strange magic on your aunt."
He shook his head, saying it was literally just a sick visit.
"I see. Thank you for your efforts."
Raon bowed his head to Balder.
"It's nothing! If you need any favors in the future, just ask anytime!"
Balder left, saying he could always fulfill his nephew's requests.
"Dorian."
Raon called out to Dorian while watching Denier's back as he walked away with Balder.
"Can you tell me what you sensed from the people who were just here?"
Dorian, with his Mind's Eye, might have seen things that Raon couldn't.
"Hmm..."
Dorian tilted his head with his hand on his chin.
"The Central Martial Palace Master felt like a straight blade. But unlike before, the blade seemed to have softened, like a flexible sword. The True Martial Palace Master was just... hunger?"
He chuckled as he spoke about Karoon and Balder.
"Lastly, from the Wise Martial Palace Master..."
Dorian briefly licked his lips and shook his head.
"I couldn't sense anything."
He turned his gaze away, saying he had no idea at all.
"I see..."
Raon let out a short sigh as he watched Denier disappear.
'It seems he noticed Balder's intentions too. As expected, it's not easy.'
Well, if he had been caught by something like this, the Head of House would have noticed long ago. Denier Zieghart was a man difficult to judge easily. Even now, Raon couldn't understand what his intentions were.
'Still, I need to keep checking on him.'
He couldn't afford to be blindsided again, so it was right to prepare in any way possible.
"Dorian. Can you give me some meat too?"
Raon stretched out his hand, asking Dorian for some meat.
"Yes!"
Dorian smiled as he pulled out three types of dragon meat, as if he had been waiting for this. He seemed happiest when taking things out or putting them in.
"Thanks."
-Ooh! Are you giving it to this king?
Wrath arrogantly lifted his chin, as if asking if Raon was finally offering him a sacrifice.
'Dream on.'
Raon pushed away the clingy Wrath and headed towards the annex building with Yua and Julius. After a light conversation with the children, they soon saw the annex building with warm smoke rising from it.
"Ma'am! Sisters!"
Yua rushed in, flinging the door open to announce their return from the mission. Boom! As soon as a sound like the stairs collapsing echoed, Sia burst out and hugged Raon.
"Raon! You're late!"
Sia shook her head vigorously, asking why he came back so late.
"But I was protecting the house in your place!"
She rubbed her head against him as if asking for praise.
"Raon!"
"We heard about your achievements from my father-in-law. You caught three dragons, didn't you?"
Sylvia and Edgar also waved and smiled, welcoming him back.
"You worked hard, sis."
Raon patted Sia's head and bowed his head.
"I'm back."
As expected, this annex building was the only place on the entire continent where he could feel at ease.
"This is a gift."
He bowed his head while waving the dragon meat he received from Dorian.
-Thank you! This king will enjoy...
'Not you!'
* * *
"Ahh!"
After finishing dinner with his family, Raon threw himself onto the bed. After bathing and filling his stomach, he just wanted to sleep lazily like this.
-Ahem! It's a bit disappointing that I couldn't eat the grilled dragon, but the dishes from the annex are still delicious.
Wrath smacked his lips, indicating it was a satisfying dinner.
-Home-cooked meals are truly the best!
'Home-cooked meals, huh...'
Does Wrath now consider the annex as home too? The word 'home' doesn't come easily. He had used the term 'home-cooked meal' before, but this was the first time it came out so easily and comfortably.
-By the way, what are you going to do with that?
Wrath came down, wagging his tail.
'That?'
-I mean the dragon heart.
He pointed to the subspace pouch placed on top of the drawer.
-The heart of an ancient dragon holds power beyond your imagination. The special abilities of dragons also come from there.
Wrath shook his head, saying it would be best to handle it carefully.
'I've decided who to give one to. And the remaining one...'
Raon shook his head briefly while looking at Wrath.
'I'm going to keep it for now. I might need it later.'
-Who are you giving it to?
'That's...'
Just as he was about to answer, he sensed a presence by the window. Turning his gaze, he saw Glenn tapping on the window with his finger.
"Grandfather?"
Raon blinked and opened the window.
"How did you..."
He hadn't expected Glenn to come here, as they had agreed to meet at the Head of House's training ground tonight.
"I came out for a walk. Since we're here, let's walk to the training ground together."
Glenn jerked his chin as if telling Raon to come out, then turned his back.
"Understood."
Raon quietly left the annex after gathering the Heavenly Drive, the Blade of Requiem, and Rimmer's sword. He approached Glenn, who was walking ahead, and greeted him again.
"Come to think of it, you went to return that guy's sword but ended up bringing it back."
Glenn smiled faintly as he looked at Rimmer's sword at his waist.
"The Guardian told me to take it back as proof of the alliance between Zieghart and Sepia."
Raon shook his head, saying that Sterin never once accepted the sword.
"Ah, and..."
He let out a short sigh as he pulled out the Blade of Requiem tucked behind his waist.
"Master hasn't left yet."
"Hasn't left? What do you mean?"
"Actually..."
Raon explained that Rimmer's soul was still embedded in the Blade of Requiem.
"Hahahahaha!"
Glenn burst into laughter, which was rare for him.
"That's just like him. Sheryl will be pleased."
He shook his head, calling Rimmer a tiresome elf.
"What was the relationship between the Heavenly Blade Division Leader and Master?"
Raon casually asked about his curiosity regarding Rimmer.
"Hmm, that's... No, it's not for me to say."
Glenn shook his head, saying he couldn't interfere in his subordinates' private lives.
"Ask her yourself. Though she'll probably run away."
He smiled faintly, as if imagining how it would turn out.
"It's hard for me to ask..."
Raon rubbed the back of his head.
"...I feel the same, but you've changed a lot too."
Glenn stroked his chin, saying it seemed Raon had developed a sense for relationships.
"I still have a long way to go. I'm still told I'm oblivious every day."
Surprisingly, talking with Glenn didn't feel awkward. While they weren't having deep conversations, Raon felt a bit closer to him. As they walked, engaging in small talk, they soon reached the training ground behind the Lord's Manor.
"Have you mastered the Azure Sky Sword?"
Glenn asked, looking up at the darkening sky.
"I haven't completely mastered it, but there are no forms I can't perform now."
Having achieved transcendence and improved in all aspects of swordsmanship, there were no more obstacles in the Azure Sky Sword techniques. With enough practice time, it seemed he could master them all.
"Then we can move on to the next step now."
"The next?"
"Lightning always strikes somewhere in the sky. The martial art I'll be passing on this time is..."
Red lightning flashed in Glenn's eyes.
"It's a lightning-related martial arts that I created recently."