"I greet you, Head of House."
Raon knelt on the red carpet of the audience chamber.
"Rise."
Glenn waved his hand, indicating that excessive formality wasn't necessary.
-Does that old geezer like greetings or not?
Wrath wrinkled his nose, thinking that if Glenn disliked greetings, he shouldn't have asked for them in the first place.
"...Yes."
Raon straightened his awkwardly bent waist and approached the platform where Glenn was seated.
"I heard you summoned me."
"Indeed."
Glenn twitched the fingers resting on the armrest of his throne. The golden chair that had fallen and broken was now repaired and in perfect condition.
"Has Roenn found something?"
Raon asked the question he was curious about, hopeful since Roenn was known as the Killing King.
"No. He's been thoroughly searching Montiro, but hasn't found anything special yet."
Glenn shook his head, saying that nothing had been discovered so far.
"I see..."
Raon bit his lip slightly.
'Well, it would be stranger if he did find something.'
The Demonblade had said he could find the Black Tower because the demonized humans' demonic energy resembled his own death energy. It was natural that Roenn, an assassin trained in relatively orthodox martial arts, would have difficulty finding it.
"Fortunately, it seems we're still in contact with him."
Raon had felt uneasy about sending Roenn alone, but it didn't seem like there had been any problems.
"Yes. We received a message from him this morning."
Glenn nodded, saying he had received word that Roenn would continue the search. He seemed to trust Roenn completely.
"He's been searching every corner of Montiro, changing his appearance and identity, but he says it's difficult to find even a single demonized human, let alone a passage to the Black Tower."
He furrowed his brows, saying it seemed to be a more challenging task than expected.
"I suppose so."
Raon let out a short sigh.
'If it were easy to find, they would have discovered it long ago.'
Montiro is a well-known tourist destination. If the Black Tower's base had been hidden carelessly, it would have been exposed long ago, given that even the continent's strongest have visited the place.
"So, I'm thinking of increasing the number of investigators."
Glenn nodded briefly at Raon.
"You're planning to assign this investigation mission to the Light Wind Palace, aren't you?"
"Yes. I thought the Light Wind division and the Warring Steel Division would be suitable for this mission since they've most recently fought against those wielding death energy. And..." (E/N: Still unsure how to handle this. Novel is not clear at all on the structure of a Palace...)
He lowered his gently rippling eyes.
"Because you all are strong."
"Because we're strong...?"
"This mission will start as an investigation but end in war. The moment you find the path leading to the Black Tower, a battle will break out."
Glenn nodded gravely, saying that the Light Wind Palace should move to win that fight.
"Hmm..."
Raon bit his lip and nodded.
'That's certainly true.'
A dirty faction like the Black Tower wouldn't let them just investigate and leave. The moment they discover the Black Tower's location and open the entrance, a fierce battle will erupt with those bastards.
"It's not just because you're familiar with death energy, but because I trust the Light Wind Palace's martial prowess and unity that I'm assigning this mission to you."
Glenn explained his reasons for entrusting the search mission to the Light Wind Palace as he lowered his wrinkled hand to the armrest of the throne.
"Can you do it?"
"The investigation mission might be more challenging than the battle, but we'll do our best."
Raon let out a small sigh, thinking of Martha, Runaan, and Dorian, who were likely to cause trouble during the search.
"However..."
He raised his head again, slightly narrowing his eyes.
"What should we do if the Black Tower Master appears the moment we discover the tower's location?"
If the Black Tower Master emerged to block their path, even Raon wouldn't be able to buy time. They needed a plan, or they might not even be able to escape and could be completely wiped out.
"You don't need to worry about that."
Glenn nodded, saying they were prepared to deal with the Black Tower Master.
"Surely you don't mean you'll go yourself...?"
Raon let out a gasp as he looked at Glenn's calm eyes. Given how he spoke, it seemed like he might be planning to go himself.
"No, there's someone who wants to go in my place. It's..."
As Glenn slightly lowered his eyebrows and shook his head, the air in front of the platform split open, and a yellow lollipop popped out.
"It's me!"
With a clear voice that didn't match the heavy atmosphere, a girl wearing a wide-brimmed hat jumped out. It was Chamber, the Archmage of Eternal Flame.
"Raon. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Chamber nodded slightly with the yellow lollipop in her mouth.
"I heard you've been causing trouble since we last met..."
She narrowed her eyes as she examined him.
"I see why. I can't treat you like a child anymore, can I?"
Chamber whistled briefly, saying that his very nature had changed.
"It's been a while. Chamber... you haven't changed at all."
Her childlike appearance and talkative nature hadn't changed a bit since he last saw her.
"A charming woman is always consistent."
Chamber brushed back her hair with the back of her hand, saying it was only natural.
"But I heard you've caused even more trouble than dealing with the Demonblade?"
She came out of the split space entirely and approached him.
"...You mean about the Black Tower?"
Raon tilted his head as he looked at Chamber, who was emitting a sweet candy scent.
"Yes. If the Black Tower is really hidden in Montiro, it would be an achievement on a completely different level from killing the Demonblade."
Chamber rubbed her chin, saying it would be a truly great accomplishment.
"You don't need to praise me so much."
Raon waved his hands. He didn't think it was that significant since the information was obtained by chance.
"No, I mean it. Creating an opportunity to catch the Five Demons, who hide like rats and accumulate power, is a big deal. If the Black Tower is really there, I'll do everything in my power to help."
Chamber beat her chest, saying he could ask for anything.
"Ahem..."
Glenn couldn't hide the corners of his mouth slightly rising, seemingly pleased that Chamber was openly praising Raon.
"Ah! I'll even marry you if you ask!"
Chamber nodded, saying that although it might be a bit disadvantageous for her, she'd be willing to do it for Raon.
"I may look like this now, but when I grow a little..."
"Chamber..."
Glenn wrinkled his nose, all traces of amusement gone from his face.
"Please act your age..."
He let out a choppy sigh, as if telling her to come to her senses.
"This is acting my age!"
Chamber stuck out her small tongue at Glenn.
"Well, we can talk about the reward later..."
As she wiggled her finger, the audience chamber split in two and twisted. It looked like a mirror world, or as if this world itself had been split in half.
"I'll take on the role of protecting you. Don't worry, I'll kill that bastard before he can target you."
Chamber wiggled her finger, saying that while she couldn't help with the search mission, she would be at the forefront of the battle.
"From what I've heard..."
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Chamber.
"I heard that your compatibility with the Black Tower Master isn't good. Will you be alright?"
"I've developed a way to reverse that. That's why I'm here. I've overcome it now."
Chamber raised her small fist, seeming confident.
"..."
Raon looked at Glenn. He nodded slightly, as if to say it was okay to trust her.
"And there's no one else who can go but me. The muscle-head is still trembling, the young king has to protect both Owen and Balkar, the shut-in NEET can't even come out, and your grandpa..."
Chamber stopped speaking as she was about to mention Glenn.
"Anyway, I'm the only one who can open the path when you find the passage leading to the Black Tower. It's right for me to go."
She said there was no choice and told him to trust her.
"Of course, I trust you."
Raon nodded as he looked at Chamber's confident expression. To be honest, he trusted her more because of Glenn than because of her own confidence.
"Then when do we depart?"
"You'll need time to prepare, so let's make it three days from now."
Glenn held up three fingers, seeming to have planned this in advance.
"Understood. We'll prepare accordingly."
Raon nodded, thinking about what he needed to tell the Light Wind Palace swordsmen.
"And it won't just be the Light Wind Palace, other martial forces will join as well."
"Other martial forces..."
"Considering the forces the Black Tower has amassed, you alone won't be enough. At least two martial forces need to join to minimize casualties during the battle."
Glenn explained that he would add more personnel, saying that even with the magicians Chamber would bring, they might be outnumbered by the Black Tower's forces.
"...I understand."
"Then you may go."
He waved his hand, saying Raon probably had a lot to prepare.
"See you before we arrive in Montiro!"
Chamber waved her hand, saying they'd meet later.
"Yes. Then..."
Raon bowed to Glenn and Chamber before leaving the audience chamber.
"..."
As soon as Raon left, Glenn's expression hardened.
"Are you sure you'll be alright? I still think it would be better if I went."
He narrowed his eyes, seeming worried about Chamber.
"I told you, I'll be fine. I was just caught off guard because I didn't expect that bastard to have absorbed all the power of that artifact. I can win if I face him again."
Chamber shook her head, saying she could handle it this time.
"And even if I'm pushed back, I can at least ensure you and our people can escape, so don't worry."
"It's not that I don't trust you. I'm just worried because the Black Tower Master has always used dirty tricks."
"I'm the one who's faced him the most. It's right for me to go, no matter what happens."
She waved her finger, which was covered in candy powder.
"Besides, you don't have much time or leisure left, old man..."
Chamber slightly lifted her hat and furrowed her brow.
"It wouldn't be difficult for you to defeat the Black Tower Master with your power, but he's persistent. You'd end up having to use your Soul Sword, which would greatly reduce the time you can stay in this world, ultimately laying the groundwork for the Five Kings to crumble."
She smiled faintly, telling him to save his strength for the final war.
"Hmm..."
Glenn closed his eyes, seeming to have no response to that.
"You're already doing more than your share just by holding that throne. This time, trust me and your grandson."
Chamber waved her hand, telling him to trust and wait.
"By the way..."
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Who else are you sending? More than two martial forces?"
"Just one."
Glenn shook his head calmly and smiled faintly.
"Someone who will get along well with Raon."
* * *
Traits:
Strength: 1451.
Agility: 1483.
Vitality: 1442.
Energy: 1458.
Perception: 1496.
Wrath: 250.
Sloth: 150.
Envy: 150.
Gluttony: 100.
Lust: 50.
Raon let out a small gasp as he looked at the status window that appeared before his eyes.
'It's hard to read now.'
As the number of traits and ability scores increased, it became difficult to view the status window all at once. His neck hurt from having to lift his head to see it all.
-Hup!
Wrath let out a groan as if his breath had stopped. Raon continued to look at the status window without turning his gaze to him.
'Lust has been added to the traits.'
The
He couldn't feel much effect yet, but once that number exceeds 100, it would start to exert its ability in earnest.
'But...'
Why isn't Backstab changing?
Focus had become Forever Unrippled Mind when it reached 12 stars, but Backstab remained the same even though it had reached 13 stars.
It seemed that more experience was needed for the name to change.
'Well, that's a skill I've had since my past life.'
In his past life, he had killed people with assassination techniques rather than brute force. Since that ability had been exceptional from the start, it seemed to require more achievements to change.
'Askara's Fighting Spirit is doing well for a trait I acquired late.'
Since it was a transformation of the fighting spirit he originally possessed into Askara's Fighting Spirit, it had already reached 4 stars despite being acquired late.
Having felt the importance of fighting spirit in the battle with the Demonblade, he thought it would be of great help in the future.
'Death Energy Detection is at 2 stars...'
This is a bit disappointing.
It would play the most crucial role in this Black Tower search, but it was regrettable that it was only at 2 stars.
He thought he should keep using it on the way to raise its achievement even a little.
'How much have my ability scores increased?'
According to the reward message, thanks to the demon kings' authorities, his scores had increased by more than 500 since the last time he checked his status window. It was unbelievable even as he saw it with his own eyes.
''This is why even Transcendents can't keep up with physical strength.'
The reason he hadn't been physically outmatched by the Demonblade, who had consumed a living sacrifice, was due to those absurd numbers. Although the importance of aura and martial arts increases in the world of masters, physical abilities are equally important.
Although the efficiency of ability scores has decreased, unlike others, he can continue to grow steadily, so it will be of great help in the future.
-Arghhhh!
Wrath finally couldn't hold it in and let out a scream.
-Why are there so many! I can barely see it properly!
'You can't see it anyway.'
Raon tilted his head. Wrath could see the content of the messages, but he couldn't see the status window itself, so why was he making such a fuss?
-I can't see the content, but I can see the size of the status window! It's big enough to cover the sky, how could I not know!
Wrath gritted his teeth as if asking why Raon was mocking him by calling up the status window.
'I'm not mocking you. I'm checking my traits before this mission because I don't know what might happen.'
With so many traits, it's hard to use them properly without checking thoroughly. He was just making sure what he could do in advance.
-Grrrr!
Wrath gritted his teeth at the status window he couldn't see properly, as if Raon's words weren't reaching him.
-All of this King's blood and sweat is here!
He cried out in indignation, scratching the air with his round hands.
'He's blocked his ears again...'
Shaking his head, Raon left the Division Leader's office. The Light Wind division and the Warring Steel Division had finished preparing for the mission and were lined up in front of the platform.
'Now they look more similar.'
Raon climbed onto the platform, satisfied with the yellow madness nestled in the eyes of the Warring Steel Division.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes!"
The swordsmen of the Light Wind division and the Warring Steel Division nodded in unison, as if they had perfectly prepared for departure.
"This mission is crucial - we need to find traces of the hidden Black Tower. The mission could fail if someone's identity is revealed, so there can't be even the slightest mistake."
Raon lowered his chin, saying that from the moment they enter Montiro, they should not be Zieghart's swordsmen, but tourists, travelers, or mercenaries.
"Don't worry! I'd rather take my own life if I'm discovered!"
Martha beat her chest, seeming confident.
"No."
Raon shook his head heavily.
"The Black Tower is a large yet organic force. If your identity is discovered, it means everyone in the Black Tower already knows, so value your own life."
As he had learned from Derus, he had no intention of completing the mission through someone's sacrifice. Having changed from the assassin Raon to the swordsman Raon Zieghart, he wouldn't watch his comrades die.
"Hmm!"
"Palace Master..."
"...Understood."
The swordsmen bit their lips slightly, surprised by his unexpected words.
"Since the situation is urgent, we'll determine the Light Wind Palace's structure after we return. For now, we'll move under the names of the Light Wind division and the Warring Steel Division as before."
"Yes!"
The swordsmen below the platform nodded, seeming more comfortable with that arrangement.
"Lastly, I hope everyone returns to this place without a single person missing."
Raon conveyed his order and wish to the swordsmen before descending from the platform. He walked between the Light Wind division and the Warring Steel Division and opened the door to the training ground. The swordsmen of the Light Wind division and the Warring Steel Division followed him, dressed in jet-black and blood-red uniforms respectively.
Responding to Raon's tyrannical aura, the Light Wind Palace swordsmen emitted a solemn yet sharp energy, like a single sword, as they walked down the main road.
'Not bad. There's still room for growth in the future... Hm?'
Raon narrowed his eyes as he headed towards Zieghart's main gate, feeling the energy of the Light Wind Palace swordsmen who seemed to have already become one.
'Is that them?'
The martial force that Glenn said he would send along was already waiting. As he approached the main gate, examining who they might be, he saw a familiar face.
"You're late."
Karoon Zieghart. His noble red eyes looked down at Raon.
"Light Wind Palace Master."