'Opposition…'
Raon narrowed his eyes like threads as he looked at Karoon.
'What's the reason?'
He also thought that the Light Wind division still lacked in many ways to be promoted to a palace. He hadn't even hoped for the position of Palace Master, so he wouldn't have minded if the promotion was postponed, but he was curious about why Karoon had opposed it.
'Especially since he was the one who proposed it, apparently?'
Recently, Karoon had been helping him in various ways rather than keeping him in check. The fact that he proposed the promotion to Palace Master and then opposed it made Raon think there must be a reason.
"Central Martial Palace Master."
Glenn frowned deeply as he looked down at Karoon.
"You proposed the agenda yourself and then opposed it. What is your reason?"
He too seemed unable to understand, his low voice filled with deep anger.
"That's right! You said it yourself. To promote the Light Wind division to a palace!"
Balder shook his fist while standing in front of Karoon.
"You're not senile, so why are you kicking away your own proposal!"
He shouted at Karoon to come to his senses while shaking his shoulders.
"Karoon proposed the promotion of the Light Wind division?"
"Well, that's quite something..."
"But why is he opposing after proposing it?"
The executives also tilted their heads as if they couldn't understand Karoon's actions.
"Central Martial Palace."
Glenn called out to Karoon while crushing the armrest of the throne with his hand.
"State your reason for opposition."
He revealed eyes so dry it was chilling, as if he wouldn't tolerate any jokes.
"The Shadow Agents' Leader is correct."
Karoon pushed Balder away and took a step forward.
"Since ascending to Transcendence, the Light Wind Division Leader has achieved countless feats, and the Light Wind division has excellently supported him. Recently, the Light Wind division is probably the martial force that has spread Zieghart's reputation the widest and highest."
He calmly acknowledged the achievements of Raon and the Light Wind division, despite having voiced his opposition.
"It's not just the results. The Division Leader is at Transcendence, the Squad Leaders are at the pinnacle of Master level, and most members are Masters, so we have to acknowledge their martial prowess."
"Then why are you opposing!"
Balder struck the pillar behind him, demanding to know the reason for opposition.
"Numbers."
Karoon slowly closed and opened his eyes.
"The current Light Wind division has just over thirty members. That's a small number even for a division, let alone a palace. No matter how many of the swordsmen are Masters, accidents are bound to happen due to the lack of personnel."
He shook his head, saying that while he had to acknowledge their martial prowess and achievements, the number of members was too small.
"Hmm..."
Raon nodded calmly.
'That's an irrefutable point.'
The Light Wind division needs more people to become a palace. Since the first selection ceremony, only Yua, Julius, and Mark Goetun have joined the Light Wind division. If promoted to a palace, they might have to take on multiple missions simultaneously, so reinforcing the numbers was essential.
"A Zieghart palace must be able to handle five or more missions simultaneously. Even if the current Light Wind division's Squad Leaders are at the pinnacle of Master level, it's difficult to assign them to all missions due to the small number of subordinates."
Karoon recited the plain facts without a hint of emotion.
"Well, that's true..."
The Shadow Agents' Leader nodded as he lowered the documents.
"Although it's decreased recently, war-related missions will soon pour in again."
He slightly crumpled the document in his hand, acknowledging that the Light Wind division's numbers were indeed small.
"Numbers..."
Glenn also let out a low groan, as if unable to refute Karoon's words.
"Therefore."
Karoon took another step forward and raised his hand.
"I believe at least 30 more swordsmen should be added for the Light Wind division to be promoted to the Light Wind Palace. If they're skilled swordsmen, even fewer might suffice."
He stated his opinion in a calm tone and lowered his hand.
"Well, that's true, but..."
Balder frowned as he looked at Karoon.
"The selection ceremony ended last year. It'll take years before it's held again. For now, we should promote them and then..."
"That won't do."
Karoon shook his head firmly.
"We're not talking about just any martial force. This is a Zieghart palace. We can't treat a palace, which could be called the face of the family, carelessly."
He revealed a chilling gaze as if telling them to come to their senses.
"He's not wrong."
Glenn slowly nodded as if agreeing with Karoon's words.
"However..."
Karoon turned to look at Raon and slightly tilted his chin.
"It would be a shame to bury the achievements of slaying two ancient dragons, forming an alliance with Sepia, and saving the Gray Hammer Guild, providing an opportunity for all Zieghart swordsmen to obtain swords made of dragon bone."
He clasped his hands in front of him as he looked up at Glenn.
"Therefore, please allow another division to join the Light Wind Palace."
Karoon bowed his head, asking not to receive trained swordsmen for the promotion, but to incorporate an already existing martial force into the Light Wind division.
"Hmm..."
Glenn exhaled a thin breath, as if he had just realized Karoon's intention, hiding his anger.
"Not bad."
He rubbed his chin as if accepting Karoon's opinion.
"However, since this came up today, we should give both sides time to think."
"There is one division that has expressed a desire to join the Light Wind Palace."
Karoon raised his hand, saying there was already a place that had been discussed.
"What?"
"What did you say?"
Raon and Glenn opened their eyes wide in surprise.
"The Warring Steel Division, currently out on a mission, has expressed their wish to join under the Light Wind Palace."
Karoon lowered his hand, saying that it had already been discussed with the Warring Steel Leader.
"When on earth..."
"I spoke with them before the Warring Steel Division left for their mission."
Karoon nodded calmly, as if he had calculated this entire situation from the beginning.
'The Warring Steel Division...'
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Karoon.
'Then it's definitely not a trap.'
He had been planning to refuse if Karoon suggested providing personnel as if he was helping. But Trevin, the Warring Steel Leader, was a trustworthy comrade. He had treated Raon like family even when the entire family looked down on him, and even came to support House Arianne. (E/N: That's not quite what happened to be fair)
If it were someone else, Raon might have thought Karoon was hiding some scheme, but not with Trevin and the Warring Steel Division.
"The Warring Steel Division..."
Glenn nodded and turned his gaze to Raon.
"That seems fine. The Warring Steel Division and Light Wind division have fought together on several occasions."
"Yes. I've helped them many times, and they've helped me as well."
Raon nodded, agreeing.
"Then it seems both sides are positive about this."
Glenn drew a faint, thin smile as if pleased.
"Um, we want to join too!"
"How do we apply?"
"Please give us a chance as well!"
Perhaps because the Warring Steel Division had expressed their desire to join first, the executives who had been quiet until now raised their hands, saying they wanted to be incorporated into the Light Wind Palace too. There were some among them who were stronger than the Warring Steel Division, but Raon wasn't particularly drawn to them. Trust is more important than martial prowess when accepting new comrades.
"Hey, you should have said this from the beginning! Why did you create such an ominous atmosphere!"
Balder frowned as he poked Karoon's side.
"Look at these chubby cheeks? You came fully prepared to take care of your nephew, didn't you?"
"Shut your mouth."
Karoon frowned and tapped Balder's side.
"Oof!"
Balder collapsed, clutching his abdomen, even though it didn't seem like he was hit that hard.
"Well then, we'll continue the process of promoting the Light Wind division to a palace after the Warring Steel Division returns."
Chad, the Shadow Agents' Leader, exhaled a sigh of relief as if things had worked out well and picked up the second document.
"The second agenda is to accommodate the increasing number of injured..."
Raon looked at Karoon while listening to Chad's words. Karoon was looking straight ahead with his arms crossed, as if he had said all he needed to say.
'How should I put it...'
It seems like the person has become more admirable. At first, Raon's impression of Karoon was that of a petty person. He thought Karoon was not just narrow-minded but a shrunken human being. Now, however, Karoon himself seemed enormously grand, beyond just martial prowess.
'People...'
Raon smiled faintly as he watched Karoon walking a path opposite to that of Derus.
'They can change too, I guess.'
* * *
"Central Martial Palace Master."
Raon approached Karoon after the grand conference ended.
"..."
Karoon, who was about to leave the audience chamber, turned a cold gaze.
"What is it?"
Karoon slightly lowered his eyebrows as if asking why Raon had come.
"Thank you for helping us promote to a palace."
Raon bowed his head, expressing gratitude for the preparation Karoon had made, which he himself couldn't have done.
"There's no need to thank me."
Karoon calmly shook his head.
"The Light Wind division's promotion to a palace is a natural progression. I merely prevented a Zieghart palace from operating with too few members, which would make us look incompetent."
He turned his back, saying it wasn't for the Light Wind division's sake.
"Still, you're the only one who thought that far ahead."
Raon bowed his head again, expressing sincere gratitude.
"If you're grateful for that..."
Karoon turned his head again, stared at Raon for a moment, and then slowly parted his lips.
"Continue to strive even after you become a palace."
With those final words, he left the audience chamber.
"Huh, did that guy eat something wrong? Did he come back changed from outside?"
Balder let out a sigh while holding his waist where Karoon had hit him.
"You think so too, right?"
"Yes. It's quite surprising."
Raon nodded with a smile.
"Ow, he just flicked me with his finger, but why does it hurt so much? Give me a hand, will you?"
Balder leaned over, asking Raon to support his shoulder.
"Alright."
Raon greeted Glenn, who was sitting on the throne, before supporting Balder and leaving the audience chamber.
"Listen well. Once you become a Palace Master, you'll have more to do than you think. First, you'll need to construct a new building, and the kids don't listen well at all..."
Glenn watched Raon and Balder, and Karoon walking ahead of them, his wrinkled eyes trembling.
"Karoon taking Raon's side, and Raon supporting Balder..."
Sheryl approached the platform, smiling faintly.
"I thought we'd never see such a sight, but it's hard to predict how things will turn out in this world."
She shook her head in wonder.
"I feel the same way."
Roenn nodded, chuckling.
"I never imagined Young Master Raon would become close with those two."
"To be honest, I thought the Head of House had completely failed in raising his children."
Sheryl slightly raised her eyes.
"But thanks to having a good grandson, even the child-rearing has become successful."
She laughed, seemingly pleased with the changes in Karoon and Balder.
"You're right. The grandchildren were excellent from the start."
Roenn smiled gently, mentioning the names of Raon, Burren, and Martha.
"Hmm..."
However, Glenn didn't relax his serious expression even after hearing the praise for his sons and grandchildren.
"Head of House?"
Sheryl approached Glenn, finding it strange.
"Is something wrong?"
"Raon..."
Glenn bit his lip slightly before continuing.
"He doesn't like Karoon more than me, does he? I don't think I've seen him smile like that..."
He trembled the hand gripping the throne, as if worried.
"Ah..."
"Well..."
Sheryl and Roenn lowered their heads, at a loss for words.
* * *
"Try it, sister."
Raon nodded after stepping back from Sia.
"Okay!"
Sia nodded confidently and swung down the wooden sword she had raised above her head. A sword wind emanating from the blade of the wooden sword split the ground and the lake in front of it.
"Well done."
Raon smiled and gave a thumbs up.
"Your power control was perfect."
Unlike before, Sia had accurately controlled her power to prevent the sword wind from spreading beyond the lake. It was befitting of a body that had reached Grandmaster, to perfect power control after just a week of training.
"Did I do well?"
Sia raised her head, her eyes sparkling. She wanted more praise.
"Yes. It was perfect."
"Hehe."
She scratched the back of her head and laughed, seeming pleased.
"Shall we try a horizontal slash next?"
"Yes!"
Sia nodded vigorously, seeming to have gained confidence, and performed horizontal slashes, diagonal slashes, and thrusts. Sword force that wouldn't lose to her former self as a Grandmaster spread out, distorting the waves of the lake.
"How was that?"
"It's amazing..."
Raon slowly nodded.
'Really.'
He had only intended to teach power control to avoid harming others, but she was already expressing the true meaning of the sword. It seemed as if her body was reviving the memory of the sword, even though all memories of living as the Green King had disappeared.
-With a little more teaching, I think she might be able to regain her original skills.
Wrath nodded, saying her talent itself was remarkable.
'I think so too.'
As Wrath said, if he taught her properly, it seemed she could return to the position of pinnacle Grandmaster without taking too much time.
'Wait, then...'
Would the weakest in the annex become the father? He glanced at Sylvia and Edgar watching from the side. Sylvia's skills were improving thanks to continuous training, but Edgar was still busy healing his wounds. If Sia's skills improved rapidly, Edgar might become the weakest person in the annex.
'That would be interesting too.'
-Ah, the dignity of a father...
Wrath let out a regretful voice.
'I should keep teaching her while we're still in the family.'
He thought it would be good to teach Sia proper swordsmanship so she could protect herself and the annex as the war continued, as even the interior of Zieghart couldn't be considered safe.
-What are you planning to teach?
Wrath narrowed his eyes curiously.
'There's something perfect for sister right now.'
Raon smiled as he approached Sia.
"Sister. The name of the swordsmanship you'll learn next is the Fangs of Insanity."
The Fangs of Insanity was a sword of sensation. It was the perfect swordsmanship for Sia, who had even more outstanding talent than himself.
"Fangs of Insanity...? What does that mean?"
Sia tilted her head curiously about the Fangs of Insanity.
"Well, it means a sword technique that bites like a puppy's teeth."
Unable to say "bites like a mad beast," he expressed it as a puppy.
"Puppy!"
Sia nodded eagerly, seeming to like it.
"Then, let's start with the basic application method..."
Raon taught Sia the mantra and the most basic application method of the Fangs of Insanity. She must be intelligent too, as she memorized the application method in one go and started expressing the Fangs of Insanity on her own.
-She's much better than you.
'That's right.'
Raon nodded. As Wrath said, Sia's talent was surpassing his own. He taught Sia until the sun set, and when he was about to end the swordsmanship lesson, three pigeons flew in, cutting through the darkening evening sky. The pigeons seemed to have flown in such a hurry that they were panting.
"Wow, how cute!"
Sia put down her sword and hugged the panting pigeons.
'Hmm...'
Meanwhile, Raon pulled out the letters attached to the pigeons' legs and unfolded them. There were three letters, but the content in each was exactly the same.
'An unbreakable sword has been completed, a sword that will turn even grudges into your strength has been forged, a demon has descended.'
They were letters sent by Vulcan, Kuberad, and Borgos, each saying that their swords were completed. The phrases in the letters were all flesh-chilling content.
"This..."
Raon looked up at the rippling sky and smacked his lips.
"I guess I can look forward to it?"