The golden throne embedded in the platform was uprooted and floated into the air, but only the Light Wind Division and the Warring Steel Division witnessed it. Despite the thunderous crash as the throne fell to the floor, the officials in the audience chamber couldn't tear their eyes away from Raon.
"You, you caught the Demonblade? Alone?"
Serena, the Void Sword Division Leader, shook her slightly lowered chin in disbelief.
"Even if you've reached Transcendence, how could you possibly..."
Latein, the Leader of the Vanguard Sword Squad, blinked in astonishment, unable to finish his sentence.
"Everyone, shut up! My nephew will explain everything!"
Balder stepped forward, gesturing broadly. However, even he was swallowing hard, finding it difficult to believe.
"Ahem..."
Glenn cleared his throat and flicked his finger, causing the fallen throne to return to its original position. Of course, due to the impact of the fall, it was already crumpled and had lost its original shape.
"Raon. No, Light Wind Division Leader. Can you tell us how you defeated the Demonblade?"
He nodded, covering half his face with his hand, perhaps to hide his flustered expression.
"As I mentioned, the Demonblade had regained his Death Energy through the Black Tower's magic. However, he had obtained more Death Energy than he could handle, causing his spirit to break. Believing I had a chance, I engaged him in battle instead of fleeing."
Raon nodded and explained his battle with the Demonblade.
"...That's how I exploited the gaps in his swordsmanship and managed to strike him down in the end."
As he finished speaking about defeating the Demonblade, a heavy, quiet silence enveloped the audience chamber.
"If the Demonblade had been in his normal state, I wouldn't have won. I suppose I was lucky."
Raon shook his head, saying that he hadn't really defeated a proper member of the Five Divine Orders, just as he had told Trevin.
"Nonsense!"
Balder stomped his foot, shaking the audience chamber with a powerful vibration.
"Nephew! A win is a win! Whether the Demonblade's spirit was broken or his arm was cut off, he was still the leader of the Dark Black Lotus! He's not an opponent you can defeat with mere luck!"
He approached and grasped Raon's shoulder with his large hand.
"Have confidence. As of today, you've become a Swordsman who has defeated one of the Five Divine Orders!"
Balder nodded, saying that no matter what, that result wouldn't change.
"The True Martial Palace Master is right."
Glenn nodded as he sat on the damaged throne.
"Even if he was damaged, the one you defeated was the Demonblade of the Five Divine Orders. Take pride in that."
He pointed at the still-astonished officials with a trembling finger.
"If you're unsatisfied with fighting a damaged Demonblade, why don't you try facing a proper member of the Five Divine Orders?"
"Pardon? What do you mean...?"
Raon looked up at Glenn, tilting his chin slightly.
"There are rumors that not only the Demonblade, but other members of the Five Divine Orders have also been in contact with the Five Demons. It seems the Five Divine Orders themselves are splitting apart."
Glenn frowned, saying it wasn't a good situation.
"That's why you've done something incredibly important. If the Demonblade had adapted to that Death Energy and sided with the Five Demons, there would have been many casualties."
He stroked his chin, saying it was a remarkable achievement in many ways.
"Which members of the Five Divine Orders have been in contact with the Five Demons?"
Though he had his suspicions, Raon asked just in case.
"The Thespian Emperor and the Demon Slaying Spear."
Glenn clicked his tongue, saying that it seemed the Five Demons' envoys had visited both of them.
"I see."
The Queen of Swords was renowned for despising evil. If the Five Demons had approached her, she would have immediately beheaded them, so they probably didn't even try to speak with her.
"After contacting the Five Demons, the Demon Slaying Spear disappeared, and the Thespian Emperor hasn't made any moves."
Glenn bit his lip, saying that the Demon Slaying Spear seemed to have definitely sided with the Five Demons.
"So that's how it turned out."
Raon let out a short sigh.
'I had a feeling when the Thespian Emperor didn't respond.'
The Thespian Emperor had shown signs of siding with the Five Demons after receiving his warning, providing information about the Soul Crystal, but ultimately did not make a choice. It seemed that in the conferences, opinions were continuously divided.
"Of course, it's not confirmed yet, so let's discuss this later."
Glenn shook his head, saying it wasn't the right time to bring up this issue.
"Warring Steel Leader."
He called for Trevin as he placed his hand on the armrest of the crumpled throne.
"Yes, Head of House."
Trevin stepped forward and bowed.
"According to the Central Martial Palace Master, you said you wanted to join under the Light Wind Division when they are promoted to a palace. Is that true?"
"Yes, it is."
He nodded without a moment's hesitation.
"At first, the Central Martial Palace Master suggested it, but now we've decided to join the Light Wind Palace of our own volition."
Trevin looked at Glenn, saying this decision was entirely their own.
"Very well, then."
Glenn stood up from the throne, revealing a solemn gaze.
"In recognition of not only this mission but also the achievements the Light Wind Division has accumulated so far, I will hold a promotion ceremony in a week to elevate the Light Wind Division to a palace."
Standing at the edge of the platform, he declared that he would promote Raon to Palace Master and the Light Wind Division to the Light Wind Palace.
"If any official objects, raise your hand."
Glenn looked down at those below the platform, but perhaps because Karoon and Denier were absent, no one raised their hand this time.
"To be honest, it wouldn't have been strange if they had been promoted long ago."
"Yes, it's rather overdue."
"A Palace Master at that age, it's still a shame. We should have chosen him for the selection ceremony somehow..."
Balder, Serena, and Latein nodded as if it were a natural result. Other officials also applauded, showing no objections. The situation had completely changed from when they used to receive glares for accumulating achievements.
"Light Wind Division Leader and Warring Steel Leader, prepare accordingly."
"Yes."
"Understood!"
Raon and Trevin bowed simultaneously.
"Then let's conclude for today."
Glenn waved his hand, telling everyone to withdraw.
"Head of House."
Raon stepped forward again and called out to Glenn.
"This is the village chief of Boardri village. They've lost their village and grasslands and have nowhere to go, but they're experts in dairy farming. I was wondering if we could entrust them with the pastures we recently acquired."
He bowed his head, saying he was making a request.
"I am Chaepran, the village chief of Boardri village."
Chaepran bowed his head with a calm gaze, unlike when he first saw Glenn.
"As the Light Wind Division Leader said, we're confident in dairy farming. If given the opportunity, we'd like to live for Zieghart."
He knelt down, asking to be accepted into Zieghart. At first, he was scared of the giant named Glenn, but once he realized he was a grandfather who cherished his grandson, he felt a bit more at ease.
"Very well, let it be so."
Glenn stared intently at Chaepran's eyes before stroking his chin.
"Don't worry about taxes or surrounding circumstances. Focus on stabilizing your village."
He lowered his hand, saying that Zieghart would take care of the rest.
"Th-thank you!"
Chaepran shouted that he would repay this kindness for the rest of his life, pressing his forehead to the floor.
"..."
Glenn closed his eyes as if it were nothing, then opened them and sat on the damaged throne.
"To think he broke through the wall of the Five Divine Orders..."
"I can only say it's insane."
"I don't think the kids will believe this even if we tell them."
"They won't. Even I, who heard it directly from the Light Wind Division Leader, still can't believe it."
The officials left the Lord's Manor, chattering about how amazing it was that Raon had defeated the Demonblade.
"..."
After all the officials and Swordsmen had left the audience chamber, Raon closed the door himself and approached Glenn.
"Do you have something to say?"
Glenn tilted his chin with an expectant look in his eyes.
-Food!
Wrath jumped up, shouting for food.
-Tell him to hold a feast right now! Tell him to make an ice cream waterfall!
He licked his lips, listing the dishes he wanted.
'Later.'
Raon shook his head, pushing Wrath away.
'There's something more important right now.'
He let out a short sigh and looked up at Glenn.
"There's one more thing I need to report."
"Hmm, go ahead."
He nodded as if ready to listen to anything.
"There's something the Demonblade told me before I killed him."
"Something he told you before you killed him?"
"Yes. He tried to make a deal with me, and it was about..."
He explained the part about how the Demonblade knew the location of the Black Tower.
"Montiro..."
Glenn furrowed his brow as he muttered the name Montiro.
"Because it was a confidential matter, I couldn't speak about it in front of the other officials."
"Yes, you thought well."
He nodded, as if now understanding why Raon hadn't reported it earlier.
"Montiro is on the outskirts of the south, but it's a big city and a tourist destination. It's hard to believe the Black Tower is there."
"I thought so too, but the Demonblade made a soul oath. Even if the Black Tower isn't in Montiro, there should at least be some clues to reach it there."
Raon clenched his fist, saying he wanted to at least gather information.
"Yes, we should do that."
"However, it's dangerous and requires caution..."
"Don't worry."
Glenn pointed his finger at Roenn, who was standing below the platform.
"Ho ho ho, it's been a while since I've seen the sea."
Roenn placed his hand on his chest as if to say he could be trusted.
"There's no room for objection with this choice."
Raon shook his head with a wry laugh.
'Roenn will be better than me at this.'
Roenn was an assassin known as the Killing King. He was someone with assassination skills even superior to Raon's past life, making him the most suitable person for such a covert investigation.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"Wait."
As Raon was about to bow and leave the audience chamber, Glenn raised his hand.
"I have something to ask as well."
Glenn looked at Raon with calm, settled eyes.
"Why did you bring the people of Boardri village? They wouldn't have starved to death even if you didn't care about them, right?"
He tilted his chin as if asking why Raon had brought people who could have settled elsewhere, even if they couldn't live in their original place.
"Because I wanted Zieghart to become stronger."
Raon placed his hand on the hilt of the Heavenly Drive.
"In the end, it's not just Martial Artists, but people themselves who become the strength of a faction. For Zieghart to become stronger and stand higher, we'll need more people in the future. The people of Boardri village are excellent in dairy farming, so even if it's a loss now, I thought they would be of great help to us in the future."
He bowed his head, explaining the part where he had made the decision himself.
"I see..."
Glenn slightly curled his lips, with a pleased look in his red eyes.
"I asked you once before, but do you have any thoughts about becoming the head of Zieghart?"
"Head of house..."
Raon briefly licked his lips as he smoothed back the hair that had fallen over his forehead.
"To be honest, I didn't think much about it before, but now I'm a little interested."
"Why?"
"Because I want those I care about and those I've brought here to live happier lives."
"I see. So that's how you've grown..."
Glenn closed his eyes and let out a short sigh, as if filled with many thoughts.
"You've done well. The reward for this mission will be given separately, so wait for it."
"Yes, then."
Raon bowed to Glenn and Roenn before leaving the audience chamber.
"A king. One with the qualities of both a hegemon and a wise ruler."
Glenn smiled as he slowly lifted his eyelids.
"Talent that will exert great power in both turbulent times and peaceful periods."
He nodded as if looking forward to Raon's future even more.
"I think so too."
Roenn nodded, chuckling.
"I don't know when he grew up so much."
He smiled softly, recalling Raon's childhood.
"For Raon's sake, I should conduct a proper investigation."
Roenn rotated his shoulders, saying it had been a while since he'd stretched his body.
"Be careful. If the Black Tower's headquarters is really in Montiro itself, even you could be in danger."
Glenn narrowed his eyes, telling him to be cautious.
"Of course. I'll prioritize my safety above all else."
Roenn was about to leave the audience chamber, nodding his head.
"Wait a moment."
Glenn raised his hand to Roenn.
"Well, Montiro is in the south, isn't it?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Since you'll be in disguise anyway, on your way there..."
He swallowed dryly and lowered his voice.
"Could you spread the rumor that Raon defeated the Demonblade?"
"Ha... Ha ha ha ha ha!"
Roenn burst into laughter, not one of bewilderment but of genuine amusement, and nodded.
"Of course. I'll spread it very vividly."
He left the audience chamber, waving his hand as if to say not to worry.
"..."
Glenn slowly rose and looked out the window. He trembled slightly at his fingertips as he watched the green leaves fluttering in the wind.
"Rimmer. It seems you had a better eye than me."
He smiled faintly, recalling Rimmer who always came to the audience chamber and shouted at Raon to take over the position of head of house.
* * *
"Phew..."
Trevin exhaled a long breath as he lowered his sword.
"The Light Wind Division's training is indeed different. I understand how they achieved such rapid growth."
He wiped the sweat from his forehead, saying it was training that could exhaust even a Grandmaster like himself.
"It really is."
"It's much more intense than our training..."
"To think they've been doing this training every day."
The Warring Steel Division Swordsmen who had trained with the Light Wind Division from dawn to dusk also gave them a thumbs up, saying how amazing the Light Wind Division was.
"It's already mealtime. We can finally rest a bit."
As Trevin was about to sheathe his sword, looking at the darkening sky, Raon came down from the platform.
"Follow me. I'll guide you to a place where we can have dinner."
Raon gestured to everyone and left the Fifth Training Ground. However, instead of the dining hall, he led them to North Grave Mountain.
"This is North Grave Mountain. Why are we..."
Trevin tilted his head as if wondering what Raon was thinking.
"When the Light Wind Division finishes their return rest, we conduct field training on North Grave Mountain. Since the Warring Steel Division will now be joining us, I'd like you to train with us."
Raon smiled with kind eyes as he suggested joint field training.
"What's the training method?"
"You just need to survive on that mountain until dawn tomorrow."
"Survive? Is that all?"
"Yes, that's all."
Saying that was all, he distributed a Nadine bread to each of the Warring Steel Division and Light Wind Division Swordsmen.
"That seems simple enough."
"Yeah, we even have food. We can just eat and rest."
"Sounds fun. Let's chat."
The Warring Steel Division Swordsmen nodded, saying it sounded like a good training exercise.
"Ugh..."
"A-again, again..."
"Here it comes. It's coming..."
On the other hand, the Light Wind Division Swordsmen started turning pale, as if they had stuck their heads into a tiger's mouth.
"Then, let's begin."
As soon as Raon clapped his hands, the Light Wind Division started frantically climbing the mountain.
"They seem used to mountain climbing. Good. Let's go too."
Trevin gave instructions to the Warring Steel Division and started climbing the mountain, following the Light Wind Division.
"The Light Wind Division's training is indeed different from others in many ways. I can see why they're strong in actual combat."
As he was climbing towards the mountain peak, discussing with some Warring Steel Division Swordsmen, it happened. Aaaargh! Uwaaaaah! Screams that sounded like people dying erupted from around the middle of the mountain.
"Wh-what's that!"
Trevin turned around in shock.
"Screams...?"
"Th-this is almost like an ambush, isn't it?"
"It sounds like the screams of someone about to die."
The Warring Steel Division Swordsmen also trembled their lips, seemingly flustered.
"Hehehe, it's coming..."
At that moment, Dorian, who had been hiding behind a rock, shook his head with an eerie laugh.
"Coming? What's coming?"
Trevin approached Dorian and grabbed his shoulder.
"What else would be coming? The filthy demons..."
Dorian raised his slightly distorted eyes.
"Welcome. To hell."
The moment he uttered the word "hell," red eyes pierced through the space between Trevin and the Warring Steel Division. Whoosh!