"Light Wind Palace?"
Glenn asked Karoon. He narrowed his eyes as if it was a proposal he hadn't even considered.
"The name doesn't have to be 'Light Wind.' Given how they fight, 'Mad Dogs' might be more fitting."
Karoon calmly shook his head.
"I simply wish for the Light Wind division to be properly promoted."
He straightened his back as he said this was his proposal.
"You..."
Glenn's eyes narrowed to needle-like slits as he looked at Karoon.
"What are you thinking?"
"I always think only of Zieghart."
Karoon raised his calm face.
"Rimmer is dead, and even if Alice returns, it will take a long time."
He clicked his tongue briefly as if displeased.
"I don't particularly care about emotional matters, but I understand that those two were the ones who lightened the mood. That's why the atmosphere in Zieghart is so heavy right now."
Karoon pressed his right foot firmly on the marble floor.
"The only thing that could lift the gloom that has settled over all of Zieghart is to celebrate Raon's achievement of transcendence and elevate him to Palace Master."
He raised his chin, saying that the emergence and recognition of a Transcendent Warrior, especially a young one, could invigorate the entire family.
"Soon, rumors of Rimmer's death and Alice's loss of power will spread. When talks of Zieghart's collapse begin to circulate, if we officially announce that Raon has achieved transcendence and the Light Wind division has been promoted to a palace, we can once again demonstrate Zieghart's might." (E/N: it might be a late realization, but maybe 'palace' never was a great translation for this whole thing...but then again, it is a concept that seems to translate very poorly, so squad division palace seems good enough for english)
Karoon bowed his head, saying that for this reason, Raon and the Light Wind division should be promoted.
"...Is that all?"
"That's all. And..."
He raised his hand to his chest as if performing a sword salute without a sword.
"I believe Raon Zieghart is not lacking in becoming a Palace Master, not only in terms of martial prowess but also in achievements."
Karoon showed a resolute look in his eyes, saying he would never have recommended it otherwise.
"Huh, you've changed too."
Glenn let out a surprised chuckle.
"I no longer see you trying to overpower your young nephew."
"No. I haven't changed. Raon wasn't my nephew back then, so even if we went back to that time, I'd be the same."
Karoon shook his head, insisting that he hadn't changed.
"That's why I say you've changed."
Glenn curled his lips into a gentle smile.
"The old you wouldn't have even admitted to oppressing Raon. Instead, you would have resented Raon for making you hear such words and thought about revenge."
He looked at Karoon with warmth in his eyes.
"But now, I don't see any of those negative emotions in your eyes. Just..."
Glenn nodded as he rose from his throne.
"You're just upright. Like in those days when you followed me, swinging your wooden sword."
He smiled softly, saying it had been a long time since he'd seen such clear eyes.
"...I don't know."
Karoon lowered his eyebrows with a sour expression.
"It took me a very long time to overcome my heart demon. But you and Raon overcame it so quickly, it's unbelievable. You're both far better than me."
Glenn nodded approvingly at Karoon.
"Hmm..."
Karoon's lips trembled slightly, seemingly surprised by Glenn's words.
"It seems you've changed a lot too... Head of House."
"Yes. It seems so."
The father and son, who had always been cold, looked at each other with slightly more transparent eyes.
"I've said all I needed to say, so I'll be going now."
Karoon bowed his head to Glenn, saying he would take his leave.
"I'll think positively about your proposal. And come visit me soon. I'd like to spar with you after all this time."
Glenn lowered his chin, suggesting they should clash swords lightly.
"...Then I'll see you in two days."
Karoon acknowledged and left the Lord's Manor with slightly trembling steps.
"Changed, huh..."
Glenn smiled faintly as he looked at the Lord's Manor where Karoon had left.
'I wonder how long it's been since I've had a conversation like this with Karoon.'
Both my change and that guy's change...
'It must be thanks to Raon.'
Raon was the turning point for Zieghart's change. As Raon grew, Zieghart also grew through various events, big and small. And the person who raised Raon was none other than his own friend, Rimmer.
'Thank you, Rimmer.'
Glenn looked up at the calm night sky and closed his eyes.
'Your disciple is changing this Zieghart.'
* * *
As Karoon was about to leave the Lord's Manor, he met eyes with Denier coming down the stairs from the upper floor.
"Are you on your way back from seeing Father?"
"Yes."
Karoon stopped and nodded.
"I heard you were there when Sia woke up. That's unusual."
Denier smiled faintly, saying it was surprising.
"I needed to know what kind of child she is."
Karoon said he just wanted to see the face of the child who would become a member of Zieghart.
"So, what kind of child was she?"
"I can't judge yet. Literally, she has an adult body, but the mind of a 5-year-old child."
He waved his hand, saying he would reserve judgment.
"Hmm, I should visit the annex building soon."
Denier smiled, saying he also wanted to see his new niece.
"Surprisingly, you didn't come."
Karoon narrowed his eyes sharply like a blade.
"What's surprising about that?"
"Balder, well, he does as he pleases. I'd understand if he decided not to come after planning to, but you always show your face at these events. What were you doing?"
He looked with sunken eyes at Denier's hand, which was turned towards his back.
"I was doing some research."
Denier brought forward the books he had been hiding behind his back, saying he was looking for ways to quickly restore Alice's power. They were books with titles related to magic.
"And why have you been in the Lord's Manor until now, Brother? I thought everyone else had left."
"I made a proposal to the Head of House."
"A proposal?"
"I asked for Raon and the Light Wind division to be promoted to palace status."
Karoon told him about what had happened with Glenn just now, as if he thought there was no need to hide it.
"You recommended Raon for Palace Master?"
Denier let out a disbelieving laugh.
"That's right."
"Why?"
"Because Raon Zieghart is qualified."
"If Raon becomes a Palace Master, wouldn't that be a major obstacle to your goal of becoming the Head of House?"
He tilted his chin as if asking what Karoon was thinking.
"If Raon becomes the Head of House after a fair competition, it would only mean I was weaker than him. I'd have no reason to complain."
"Hmm..."
"A faction without competition rots and crumbles. It's better for me not to become Head of House than for Zieghart to collapse. And..."
Karoon shook his head, his eyes as straight as a spear.
"I have no intention of losing to that child."
"Hah..."
Denier laughed dryly as he looked at Karoon.
"You've changed so much, I can't get used to it."
"I haven't changed..."
Karoon was about to say he hadn't changed, but remembering his conversation with Glenn earlier, he shook his head.
"There's no one who never changes."
He nodded, acknowledging that he had changed.
"So I want to ask you too."
Karoon turned on his heel to face Denier directly.
"What exactly are you looking at, Denier?"
"..."
Denier didn't answer, but came down the stairs with a thin smile.
"I'm the same as you, Brother. I always look at Zieghart and only follow Zieghart."
He left the Lord's Manor after saying those words.
"..."
Karoon watched Denier's back as he left, then clenched his fist by his side.
* * *
"Hmm..."
Frederick looked over at the unconscious Merlin, then paused.
"How is it?"
Raon approached Federick and asked about Merlin's condition.
"There's no problem with her physical condition. It seems she's exhausted from having all his mana drained."
Federick shook his head, saying her physical condition wasn't bad.
"To have her mana drained to this extent, she must have felt pain worse than dying, yet it's surprising she was smiling until the end. And..."
He furrowed his brows as if something was bothering him.
"What's the matter?"
"No, I'm not sure right now..."
Federick lowered his eyebrows, saying something was off but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"She's such a strange fellow."
He shook his head, saying Merlin's body seemed human, yet not quite human.
"Hmm..."
Raon bit his lip as he watched Merlin breathing faintly.
'Even the Saint would find it difficult to understand.'
There's no one who conceals themselves like this. Merlin doesn't hesitate to sacrifice herself as if her senses were broken. What's also strange is that unlike with her own body, she deeply empathizes with others' affairs. She was peculiar in many ways.
"Unfortunately, all we can do for her now is give her some nutrients."
Federick clicked his tongue apologetically.
"No, it's fine."
Raon said it was enough and bowed his head.
"Thank you for coming even though you must be tired from taking care of Sia and Aunt."
"Of course I had to come when asked! And even if you hadn't asked, I would have come to check on them."
Federick said it was no problem as he gathered his medical equipment and stood up.
"Then I'll see you later. I need to get some rest too."
He opened the door with a tired face and went outside.
"Hmm..."
Federick stopped as he was about to open the front door. He tilted his head towards Sylvia's room, where laughter and crying could be heard.
"Your whole family is there, shouldn't you go too?"
Federick blinked, asking why Raon wasn't with everyone else.
"As Merlin said, Sia's mind is currently stuck at 5 years old. She'd be startled if she saw me, so I think it's best if she's just with Mother and Father for now."
Raon shook his head while looking upstairs. He desperately wanted to take care of Sia, but from her perspective, it would be shocking for a suddenly appearing "uncle" to be her younger brother.
"Uncle? Where is there an uncle like you!"
Federick shook his head vigorously, saying only someone like Balder should be called an uncle.
"Well, I suppose that's the right thing to do for now."
He opened the front door, leaving with words of encouragement.
"I'm planning to rest for a while, but call me right away if anything happens."
"Yes."
"Then."
Federick said he needed to get a good sleep after a long time and left the annex building.
"Thank you."
Raon thanked him until Federick disappeared, then closed the door. From upstairs, he could still hear the voices of Sylvia, Edgar, and Sia. Hearing their laughter-filled voices, he found himself smiling without realizing it.
'I can't remember the last time I heard laughter like this.'
Laughter had disappeared from the annex building since Sia fell into her coma. After Rimmer's death, it was as if a curtain of darkness had fallen, but now, hearing genuine laughter after so long lifted his spirits.
-Of course, a house where people live should have laughter!
Wrath nodded vigorously, saying he felt his own gloominess fading away too.
'You're a demon, though...'
-As I always say, I'm closer to being human than you are!
He tapped his head, telling Raon to come to his senses.
'Not right now, I think?'
Raon smiled faintly as he went back into the guest room to check on Merlin. He thought about removing Merlin's mask but decided against it and lowered his hand.
'Do you sense anything strange about Merlin?'
-Hmm...
Wrath looked at Merlin and clicked his tongue.
-She just seems to be sleeping. Why do you ask?
He shook his head, asking if Raon had sensed something strange.
'When Merlin finished the magic to wake Sia earlier, her existence seemed to blur as if it might disappear. Just like...'
He was about to say "just like when I last saw Rimmer," but swallowed the words back down.
'And Merlin said it wouldn't be easy to wake Sia even with a Soul Crystal, but she woke up too easily. It's strange.'
-At that time, I was too focused on your sister to properly observe the madwoman. But right now, I don't sense anything significant.
Wrath shook his head, saying he wasn't sure.
'Then that's a relief.'
Raon sighed as he covered Merlin with a blanket.
'It's frustrating.'
-At times like this, sleeping might help relieve...
'At times like this, I need to swing my sword.'
Raon clicked his tongue as he left the annex building and headed for the fifth training ground.
-Hey! Let's get some sleep now! It's about time you stopped this dawn madness!
* * *
Raon returned to the annex building only when morning came after spending the night practicing swordsmanship. Perhaps thanks to Sia waking up, he was able to focus completely on his training for the first time in a long while.
-Ugh, damn you...
Wrath, unable to sleep due to the sound of sword swinging, groaned and trembled.
-Even if no one else curses you, I'll curse you myself...
'Shall we throw a party now?'
Raon wiggled his finger at Wrath, who was spewing curses one after another.
-P-party? Really?
Wrath's eyes widened in disbelief.
'Yes. Because I promised.'
Raon nodded. With Rimmer gone and Sia awake, he thought it wouldn't be bad to throw a small party to satisfy Wrath.
-Isn't that troublemaker still left?
'Aunt is...'
He let out a short sigh.
'It might take a while.'
Alice hadn't taken a single step out of Federick's mansion, repeatedly fainting whenever she woke up. It would take a lot of time for her to stand up again.
-Hmm...
'Don't worry. I'm sure she'll be able to get up.'
He shook his head, saying he believed in Alice.
-O-of course I'm happy! Then, how many boxes of Bead Ice Cream...
As he listened to the sound of Wrath salivating, Raon opened the front door of the annex building and went inside.
"Huh?"
Sia was standing proudly in front of the entrance with her arms crossed.
"You're late!"
She shouted in a clear, childlike voice that he was late.
"Huh? Sia, why are you here?"
Raon blinked as he saw Sylvia, Edgar, and Helen standing behind Sia.
"No, that's not right!"
Sia shook her head vigorously.
"Big sister! Big sister Sia!"
She pouted her lips, insisting that he should call her "big sister."
"Eh...?"
Raon's jaw dropped. Sylvia and Edgar clasped their hands together and shook them, as if begging him to go along with it.
-Didn't you say it yourself! That she's still 5 years old!
Wrath snickered, urging Raon to call her "big sister" right away.
"Umm..."
Raon swallowed dryly as he entered the annex building.
"B-big sister?"
"Big sister Sia!"
"Big sister Sia..."
"Well done!"
Sia raised her hand and patted her own head.
"Uh..."
Raon's lips trembled, his eyes as blank as Runaan's.
-Kuheheheheheh!
Wrath burst into laughter, holding his stomach and mocking Raon. But Raon only thought, 'You don't get a party...'