"Uh..."
Raon let out a faint groan as he watched the corners of Glenn's mouth twitch like a freshly caught fish.
'Why is he acting like that?'
He had seen Glenn's mouth tremble before, but never as violently as today. It was concerning enough to make him worry the man's lips might fall off.
-Looks like the old geezer is having a field day.
Wrath snorted, remarking that Glenn seemed to have regained his vitality.
"Mmm!"
Glenn, seemingly realizing he was twitching, hastily raised his hand to cover his mouth.
"Well. I've heard a general report about defeating the dragon, but there were no details. Could you explain it yourself?"
He nodded, indicating that Raon should explain not just to him, but to the other executives present as well.
"Hey, nephew! Is it true you took down three dragons?"
Balder waved his hand vigorously, urging Raon to speak.
"And I heard two of them were ancient dragons. I'm sure the Guardian must have helped."
Denier narrowed his eyes to slits, implying it would have been impossible alone.
"..."
Karoon didn't speak, but he stared at Raon with eyes sharper than usual. It might have been his imagination, but it felt like he was glaring.
"Three dragons..."
"Even with the Guardian's help, it's still an incredible achievement."
"I'm curious about how you caught them. We'll be dealing with those beasts a lot in the future."
Not just the three Palace Masters, but the Division Leaders and other executives fixed their gazes on Raon, filled with curiosity and expectation.
"Then I'll give an oral report. When we arrived in Sepia, we spotted a Gold Dragon leaving the Great Forest. After that..."
Raon gave Glenn and Zieghart's executives a detailed account of the war in Sepia.
"...And that's how we were able to defeat Matirus in the end."
He recited only the facts of what had happened there, without exaggeration like in Siyana's books.
"So the rumors were actually understated! As expected of my nephew!"
Balder flashed a broad smile and gave a thumbs up.
"The rumors were understated..."
Even Denier couldn't hide his surprise and let out a sigh.
"..."
Karoon glanced at Raon with an even sharper gaze than before. Though it wasn't filled with hatred like before, it was strangely cold.
"Ha, you've truly become a monster."
"We should have spent our entire fortune to bring him to our side during the selection..."
"He must have reached a stable Transcendence. We can't even hope to catch up to him now."
The executives, seemingly shocked by Raon's achievements, forgot Glenn was on the podium and chattered loudly like a marketplace.
"Kuhp!"
Glenn, however, seemed extremely satisfied with the situation. Not just the corners of his mouth, but even the hand covering it started to tremble.
"H-Head of House?"
Raon blinked as he watched Glenn's arms and legs shaking.
"Ahem! E-Excellent!"
Glenn forcibly lowered the corners of his mouth with his finger, struggling to control them.
"Taking down three dragons, including two ancient ones, and saving Sepia is an achievement beyond words."
He nodded emphatically, seemingly pleased to be able to openly praise Raon after a long time.
"The Light Wind division did well too. Without you, Sepia would have fallen even with Raon there."
Glenn didn't forget to praise the Light Wind division's efforts in fighting in the Great Forest.
"There are still a few more things I need to report."
Raon raised his hand again after Glenn finished speaking.
"More? There's even more?"
Balder licked his lips, eager to hear more.
"Alright. Go ahead."
Glenn leaned forward, his eyes filled with expectation.
"After defeating Matirus, Sepia's Guardian told us his lair was nearby. So..."
Raon went on to explain how they raided Matirus's lair after the war with the dragons, gave the Dragon Heart to Sterin, and finally, how they solidified their alliance with Sepia.
"Y-You raided a dragon's lair?"
Balder burst into laughter loud enough to shake the audience chamber, clutching his forehead.
"Of course you did! That's my nephew! Always handling things decisively!
He even applauded, pleased with Raon's handling of the situation.
"Quiet, Balder."
Karoon covered Balder's mouth, muttering about being in front of the Head of House. Strangely, his sharp gaze had softened a bit.
"A good choice."
Glenn clasped his hands in front of him, looking at Raon.
"No, it's just that the lair was nearby..."
"That was good too, but I'm talking about giving the Dragon Heart to the Guardian."
He nodded with an approving look, as if truly proud.
"You can run faster alone, but you can go further together. Helping the Guardian and accepting Sepia as an ally is a greater achievement than slaying ten dragons." (E/N: *inserting in quote dictionary*)
Glenn said that only the Light Wind division could have done this, smiling faintly.
"Hmm."
Karoon stroked his chin impassively, seemingly agreeing with Glenn's words. At this moment, this man's thoughts were harder to read than Denier's.
"I didn't... We didn't think that deeply about it. We just thought it was the right thing to do."
Raon shook his head at Glenn. Honestly, he felt uncomfortable receiving praise, as his desire to take care of Sterin, Rimmer's grandfather, outweighed his intention to make Sepia an ally.
"Is that so."
Glenn smiled gently, saying that whatever the reason, a good deed was still a good deed.
"And raiding the dragon's lair is also commendable. There hasn't been anyone like you in a thousand years."
"Ah, that wasn't me, Dorian resolved that."
Raon pointed to Dorian standing behind him.
"He found all the spaces where Matirus had hidden his gold bars and treasures."
"Huh? N-No! It was just by chance!"
Unlike when he had become obsessed with finding treasures, Dorian waved his hands, sweating profusely.
"I see. You did well too."
Glenn nodded at Dorian, saying he had done a good job.
"Hueeeek..."
Dorian collapsed on the spot, seemingly overwhelmed by the Head of House's praise.
"We brought the dragon's corpses, divided by parts. There's enough that if we have enough craftsmen, we could provide dragon bone swords and scale uniforms to all Zieghart swordsmen."
He mentioned that they had also contacted the dwarves in Sepia.
"T-Then I'll get to use a sword made from dragon bone too?"
"Well, with three dragons, there should be enough to supply all the swordsmen and more!"
"I'm more excited about the dwarves making them!"
The executives looked at Raon and the Light Wind division with eyes full of appreciation and gratitude.
"That's great! The dragon you slayed was in such tiny pieces there was nothing usable!"
Balder grinned, elbowing Karoon.
"If you don't want to die, shut your mouth..."
Karoon gritted his teeth, reminding Balder they were in front of the Head of House.
"Hmm!"
Denier looked at Raon and Martha with a seemingly kind smile. If this was an act, he would be an even greater monster than Raon.
"There's one thing I should mention."
Glenn raised a finger towards the executives.
"The Light Wind division's trip to Sepia wasn't an official mission. It was an unofficial mission to deliver the Light Wind vice division leader's belongings. In other words, the spoils from there are yours, not Zieghart's. And yet..."
He looked not just at Raon, but at the entire Light Wind division, lowering his eyebrows.
"You're saying you'll use the gold bars and dragon bones to provide weapons and equipment to Zieghart?"
"Of course."
Raon nodded without a moment's hesitation.
"Why?"
That question came not from Glenn, but from Denier, who revealed eyes as dark as a lake reflecting the night. It was unusual for him, who typically didn't step forward.
"Because I... no, we..."
Raon looked from the Light Wind division to Denier and then to Glenn, touching the burning sword emblem on his chest.
"Because we are Zieghart's swordsmen."
He bowed his head, saying what other reason was needed.
"Ah..."
Glenn let out a faint groan and dropped the hand covering his mouth. The corners of his mouth started to tremble violently, curling up almost to his earlobes.
"The question was poor, but the answer is satisfactory."
Karoon nodded with approval, all traces of his sharp gaze gone.
"That's right! People can exert greater power when they have a sense of belonging!"
Balder clapped loudly, clearly pleased.
"Zieghart's swordsmen. Is that so..."
On the other hand, Denier, who had asked the question, stroked his chin with an inscrutable look.
"Even if it was an unofficial mission, we can't leave the Light Wind division unrewarded for such an achievement."
Glenn snapped his fingers, as if there was no need to ask the other executives' opinions.
"Yes. I've prepared in advance."
Roenn chuckled and climbed onto the podium, carrying a wide board lined with golden tablets.
"I will award golden tablets to all members of the Light Wind division, and personally teach martial arts to the Division Leader, Raon Zieghart."
For the first time, Glenn officially mentioned teaching martial arts to Raon.
"F-Father, you?"
Balder's eyes widened as he couldn't imagine Glenn would personally teach him.
"The Head of House himself...?"
"It's a great opportunity. The best opportunity!"
"I think he's more than deserving."
"I agree. This event could change not just Zieghart and Sepia's history, but the continent's."
The executives rolled their eyes, looking back and forth between Glenn and Raon in amazement.
"Does anyone have any objections?"
Glenn looked down at those below the podium with eyes that seemed ready to kill anyone who disagreed.
"N-No! I'm fine with it!"
Balder raised his burly arm, shouting his approval.
"I also think it's an appropriate reward."
Karoon calmly clasped his hands in front of him. He seemed to think this level of reward was not out of place.
"..."
Denier didn't even open his mouth, as if he had no interest in such matters.
"Ahem! Light Wind Division Leader, come to the Head of House's training ground today!"
"Um, Father. The nephew must be tired today..."
"Today!"
At Glenn's shout, Balder tucked in his neck like a turtle. Now that the grandfather had openly declared he would teach martial arts to his grandson, no one could stop him.
* * *
In the audience chamber after everyone had left.
"Kuhp! Kuhuhup!"
A rain of laughter poured down from the Zieghart Head of House's throne.
"Are you that pleased?"
Sheryl let out a sigh, seemingly dumbfounded.
"He has every right to be. All his grandchildren are devoted, and young master Raon is especially exceptional among them."
Roenn chuckled, saying the harvest of grandchildren was bountiful.
"I know that, but I hate seeing him laugh like that!"
Sheryl frowned, calling it a creepy laugh.
"Ahem, I've gotten used to holding back my laughter."
Glenn cleared his throat and smoothed out his crumpled mouth.
"I might not understand the laughter, but I can certainly understand the joy."
Sheryl smiled faintly, looking at the carpet where Raon had stood.
"I didn't expect Raon to grow this much either."
She shook her head, saying she knew she'd be surpassed, but not this quickly.
"I too didn't expect that child to cross the barrier in his twenties. But that's not why I'm happy."
Glenn slowly shook his head.
"I'm impressed that he hasn't changed despite reaching Transcendence, walking his own path while taking care of others."
He smiled gently, saying he was proud of Raon for taking care of Sterin and Sepia.
"That's true. His character as a person surpasses his martial talent."
Sheryl raised her eyes slightly, saying she acknowledged that.
"I still can't forget how young master Raon took care of Lady Sylvia during the selection."
Roenn chuckled, saying that the young Raon who protected Sylvia was still present.
"At times like this..."
As everyone recalled Raon with gentle smiles, Sheryl clicked her tongue briefly.
"That lazy bum would have told him to go and speak honestly, right?"
Sheryl didn't lose her smile even as she mentioned Rimmer's name, seeming to have sorted out her feelings to some extent.
"And then..."
Roenn nodded, smiling back.
"The Head of House's wrath would have struck."
"After that..."
Glenn wagged his finger, continuing Roenn's words.
"He would have caused a ruckus demanding paid leave."
The three of them smiled with a hint of longing, remembering Rimmer who wasn't there.
* * *
"Hey! Nephew!"
As Raon left the Lord's Manor, Balder, who had been leaning against the wall, waved his hand.
"You were amazing! Your decisiveness must come from me!"
He thumped Raon's shoulder heavily, as if the praise in the audience chamber hadn't been enough.
"Ahaha..."
As Raon laughed awkwardly and shook his head, Karoon walked out from behind Balder.
"Central Martial Palace Master?"
Raon's mouth fell open involuntarily, not expecting Karoon to be waiting along with Balder.
"Come this way for a moment."
Karoon headed towards the back of the Lord's Manor, gesturing for Raon to follow.
"What's up with that guy all of a sudden?"
Balder tilted his head, seemingly unaware that Karoon had been frowning since the audience chamber. As expected, he was unrivaled in his lack of perception.
"Let's go see."
Raon clicked his tongue briefly and followed Karoon.
"Did you bring Matirus's head too?"
Karoon turned around near the entrance of North Grave Mountain. His eyes flashed menacingly, as if ready for war.
"Yes. We brought the head whole, without separating the teeth and horns."
"Can you show it to me?"
He lowered his voice as if it was a very important matter.
"I don't have it with me. Is it alright if I call a subordinate?"
"Of course."
Karoon nodded, saying it was fine.
"Dorian!"
Raon nodded and gestured to Dorian, who was watching from afar.
"What's going on? Did Matirus do something to my brother?"
Balder furrowed his brow, finally sensing the seriousness of the situation.
"..."
Karoon didn't answer, just waiting for Dorian to approach.
"U-Um, what is it?"
"Take out Matirus's head."
"Matirus's head? Uh... Ah!"
Dorian stared blankly at Karoon before suddenly nodding in surprise.
"O-Okay."
He rolled his trembling eyes and pulled Matirus's head out of his belly pouch. The sight of a dragon's head as large as a house coming out of that small pouch was truly mystical.
"Hmm..."
Karoon examined Matirus's head with an even fiercer gaze than before. He wasn't just looking at the exterior, but meticulously measuring the length from the tip of the nose to the horns with his palm.
"Central Martial Palace Master. What's the matter?"
Raon swallowed dryly as he looked at Karoon. Judging by his serious posture, it seemed to be a very important matter.
"Hmph!"
After finishing his measurements, Karoon showed his first deep smile of the day.
"The one I caught was two palms longer."
He jerked his chin up, as if declaring his victory.
"..."
Raon revealed coldly narrowed eyes as he looked at Karoon, who was wearing a deep smile as if he had won.
'What's with this guy...'
-What else? Just another weirdo...
Wrath shook his head, saying that everyone around Raon was broken in some way.