"Successor...?"
Raon froze, his body half-turned.
"Are you serious?"
The way he casually mentioned something as significant as choosing a successor made Raon wonder if he had heard correctly.
"Why would I lie about choosing a successor?"
Glenn nodded as if it were obviously true.
"Why are you suddenly talking about choosing a successor?"
Raon swallowed dryly as he faced Glenn directly.
"Nothing has even started yet."
Raon was bewildered, unable to understand why Glenn would suddenly bring up succession when he was still going strong. An inexplicable anxiety ran down his spine.
"I'm choosing one precisely because nothing has started yet."
Glenn lowered his hand calmly.
"Once things start happening, there won't be time to select a successor."
He gave a thin smile as if to say there was no need for strange thoughts.
"Everyone knows war is coming soon, so this peaceful time is the best moment to choose a successor."
Glenn looked up at the darkening sky with his hands behind his back, as if reading heaven's flow.
"I agree."
Darkan suddenly raised his hand.
"He might die in the coming war. It's right to decide in advance."
He clicked his tongue as if even Glenn was in danger.
"Stop talking nonsense."
Raon glared at Darkan with furrowed brows.
"There are some things you shouldn't say."
"I don't want him to die either. Because I want to kill him myself. However..."
Darkan smiled faintly as he adjusted his eyepatch.
"From here on out, it's a battle decided by the smallest margins."
He drew a thin line on the ground between himself and Glenn with his blade.
"Glenn might die and Derus might live, or it could be the opposite, or everyone might die."
Darkan exuded a chilling aura as he said that the upcoming battles were unpredictable.
"..."
Raon bit his lip as he looked at the line Darkan had drawn on the floor.
'This is a wall I can't cross.'
Only Glenn, Darkan, Derus, and the Heavenly Demon could cross that line.
"Even so, stop saying such unlucky things."
Raon shook his head, telling Darkan to keep quiet.
"No."
Glenn calmly shook his head.
"What he says is true. No one knows what will happen in the future. However..."
He nodded as if acknowledging this before looking at Raon.
"I intend to live long enough to see you and the other children get married and have grandchildren."
Glenn smiled faintly, saying he absolutely wouldn't die before then.
"I have to see who you marry and what kind of children you have."
He clenched his fingers, promising to be there for all those moments.
"Since it would be tiring to guard this throne alone until then, I plan to pass it on before that time comes."
Glenn shook his head, telling Raon not to worry as he was just selecting a successor in advance.
"I see..."
Raon exhaled deeply while rubbing his chest.
'I thought grandfather had seen something, but I guess not.'
He had been worried since it wouldn't have been strange if Glenn's martial prowess allowed him to see the future, but fortunately that didn't seem to be the case.
"Hmm."
Darkan tilted his head slightly, seemingly interpreting Glenn's words differently.
"Actually, there is one way."
He curled his lips into a smile while looking at Raon.
"If you get strong enough to cross this line, your old man's chances of survival increase."
Darkan gestured toward the line he had drawn on the floor.
"..."
Raon frowned as he looked at the line on the floor.
"I'll cross it soon."
He placed his hand on the Heavenly Drive as he spoke his resolution aloud.
"Hahaha! You're the real deal indeed!"
Darkan nodded vigorously, clearly pleased with Raon's declaration.
"How will you choose the successor?"
Raon ignored the laughing Darkan and looked at Glenn.
"That..."
Glenn started to speak but closed his mouth.
"Come tomorrow. I'll announce it in front of everyone."
He shook his head, indicating Raon should come to the audience chamber tomorrow.
"...Understood."
Raon nodded.
'That's certainly right.'
Just being told about the succession was already a great privilege. If he heard more, it might seem like favoritism toward him.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
After bowing to Glenn, Raon left the head of house's training ground where he had stayed for the past month.
"I'll be leaving soon too."
Darkan waved to Raon as he left.
"What do you think?"
Glenn gestured with his chin toward where Raon had been standing as he asked Darkan.
"I told you already. He's a monster."
Darkan bit his lip thinly.
"Throughout the continent's long history, there's never been talent like his."
He shook his head, saying that although he knew the entire history of swordsmanship and swordsmen, there had never been talent like Raon's.
"If we were to compare, perhaps only that nameless swordsman who created our Holy Sword Alliance's Holy Ground."
Darkan narrowed his eyes as if thinking of someone.
"No, there's one more. The First Patriarch who founded Zieghart."
Glenn shook his head, saying there was one other person with talent similar to Raon's.
"Anyway, if Raon keeps growing at this rate, he'll surpass you and me in just a few years. No matter what Derus or the Heavenly Demon try, they'll be stopped by that kid."
Darkan licked his lips, saying he wanted to see Raon's future swordsmanship.
"However, war will definitely break out before that time comes."
He clenched his fist until the veins stood out, saying that couldn't be prevented.
"Is that why you're strengthening your resolve by selecting a successor? Because you might die?"
Darkan jerked his chin as if he had read all of Glenn's thoughts.
"You're right."
Glenn nodded, honestly acknowledging it.
"No one knows who will die or how."
It was obvious that he might die in battle against the Heavenly Demon and the grown Derus.
"Still, don't die."
Darkan uncrossed his arms and raised his fist.
"Because you either need to die by my sword or kill me."
He thumped his chest and grinned as if wanting to die by Glenn's sword.
"If possible."
Glenn smiled faintly and nodded.
"Ah, can I ask one question?"
Darkan's aura extended like the heavy blade of a dark sword. It seemed like an extremely important question.
"Of course."
Glenn nodded peacefully, seeming to feel some affection for Darkan.
"Can I also apply to be successor?"
Darkan casually raised his hand as if asking if that would be okay.
"Hah..."
Glenn barely resisted the urge to draw the Heavenly Tremor as he spoke the word that Raon often used with Darkan.
"You madman!"
***
While returning to the annex building, Raon looked at the Heavenly Drive at his waist.
'I've definitely gotten stronger, but...'
How much stronger have I become?
Through training with Glenn and Darkan, he had reached a level that would have taken more than a year of solo training to achieve.
However, because he had grown stronger so quickly and his opponents were Glenn and Darkan, he couldn't accurately gauge his own level.
-You're still very weak!
Wrath descended before his eyes, wagging his tail.
-You're such a weakling that you'd collapse with just a few flicks of my finger!
He waved his chubby hand as if to say Raon still had a long way to go.
'That answer isn't helpful.'
Raon smiled wryly and shook his head.
'There are hardly any people who can withstand your finger.'
There were hardly any beings who could withstand the finger of a demon king who claimed he could defeat even Glenn.
'But you said you've gotten much weaker. Is that still possible?'
Raon looked up at Wrath with genuine curiosity.
-Well...
Wrath grabbed Raon by the collar and lifted him up.
-How dare those words come out of your mouth! Who do you think made me like this!
He ground his teeth, telling Raon to have some conscience.
'No, I was just curious.'
Raon removed Wrath's grip with a serious look in his eyes.
'How much weaker have you become?'
Having always heard complaints about getting weaker and being drained, Raon wanted to know just how much Wrath had weakened.
'Can I return some of the power I took from you?'
He looked at Wrath with sincerity.
-Hmph!
Wrath snorted arrogantly.
-You, a mere youngster, dare to worry about me?
He tapped his forehead with his round hand, telling Raon not to talk nonsense.
-Get a grip! Even if I became several times weaker than now, I could still beat someone like you!
Despite getting angry every day, when seriously asked, Wrath refused to give an answer.
'Right. That's what makes you the demon king of wrath.'
Raon smiled and nodded.
'Even if I train my whole life, I probably won't be able to reach your level.'
Seeing that Wrath didn't want to talk about it, Raon vaguely changed the subject while praising him.
-...That's not true.
Wrath firmly shook his head.
'What?'
Raon's eyes widened.
-You will eventually be able to reach my level.
His eyes glowed blue as if he could see it happening.
'Uh...'
Raon's lips trembled. Wrath's serious response caught him off guard.
-No need to be surprised. I don't lie.
Wrath jerked his chin as if to say Raon just needed to keep going as he was.
'Are you sick somewhere?'
-I'm perfectly fine! Except for being hungry!
'Hmm...'
When Wrath acknowledged him, Raon's heart started beating wildly. He felt so good that he thought he could accomplish anything.
-But why did you suddenly ask about my martial prowess? It's not like you're actually going to return the power!
Wrath narrowed his eyes as he looked at Raon.
'When we call the demon kings later, we might need to use your power too, but it won't help if you're too weak to do anything.'
Raon shook his head, saying he didn't want to see Wrath getting beaten up by the archangels alone.
-Eek...
Wrath ground his teeth as he looked at Raon.
-I thought you were worried about me, but you're just thinking about using me again? And using me directly at that? You rotten bastard!
He emanated frost from his entire body as if truly angered.
'Oh!'
Raon pointed at the smoke rising from the annex building's chimney.
'Looking at that smoke, they must be preparing dinner. If we ask nicely, we might be able to choose the menu?'
-Oh? Ooh!
As soon as he heard they might be able to choose the menu, Wrath calmed his anger and flew toward the annex building.
-What are you doing! Come quickly!
He gestured for Raon to hurry over.
'Why do you think I asked about that?'
Raon smiled faintly as he watched the excited Wrath.
'I asked because it's power I'll have to return someday.'
Although he had grown stronger thanks to Wrath, he didn't intend to keep his powers forever. Once his revenge was complete and they parted ways, he planned to return everything.
-Hey! What are you doing!
Wrath turned back and ground his teeth.
-Hurry up and set the dishes!
'Alright, I'm coming, coming.'
Raon smiled and ran toward the annex building.
'You softhearted demon king.'
***
The next day, Raon headed to the Lord's Manor at Glenn's summons. When he entered the audience chamber, it was packed with officials who had also been called by Glenn. Not only were there Zieghart's internal officials, but also external officials and the heads of vassal families.
Seeing that even the external commander who had quarters by the castle walls and the tower master and vice master of the internal magic tower were present, it was clear all of Zieghart's officials had been gathered.
-Disgustingly crowded. To think these are all officials.
Wrath lowered his eyebrows, saying this seemed to be the most people he'd ever seen gathered in the audience chamber.
'Indeed.'
Raon nodded and went to stand by the pillar where the palace masters gathered.
"Nephew!"
Balder waved happily. His stomach wounds must have healed as he was wearing his usual tight-fitting uniform that looked ready to burst.
"You're a bit late."
Karoon calmly stroked his chin. From his eyes and aura, it was clear he had been training intensely over the past month
"It's right on time. What do you mean late?"
Alice gave him a thumbs up, saying he had arrived right on time.
"Greetings, Palace Masters."
After bowing to Alice, Balder, and Karoon, Raon stood in front of the Light Wind Palace.
"You've arrived."
Burren calmly bowed his head.
"Right on time as expected..."
Runaan nodded as if she had expected nothing less.
"Our Palace Master always keeps his promises."
Martha laughed confidently as if it were only natural.
"Palace Master, why haven't you been coming to train lately?"
Trevin licked his lips, saying he wanted harsher training. To want his training, this guy seemed like a masochist who enjoyed pain. The four people stood straight behind him, indicating they knew how their Palace Master would be evaluated through them.
"You can take it easy for now..."
Just as Raon was about to wave to the Light Wind Palace officials behind him, a resonant sound echoed as the inner door of the audience chamber opened, and Glenn, Roenn, and Sheryl walked out.
"We greet the Head of House."
"We greet the Head of House!"
Starting with Karoon's greeting, all the swordsmen in the Lord's Manor bowed their heads and knelt before Glenn.
"Hmm."
Unlike usual, Glenn formally accepted the officials' greetings before ascending the platform and sitting on the throne. An overwhelming presence emanated from his eyes, dominating the surroundings. The pressure of Glenn's aura forced the officials to bow so low their heads nearly touched the ground. Yet not a single breath could be heard.
"Rise."
At Glenn's heavy voice, the officials rose with cold sweat, their eyes filled with reverence for the head of house.
"It's been long."
Glenn raised his gaze while stroking the throne's armrest.
"Since the position to succeed me has been vacant."
The officials' eyes changed at his quiet words. Everyone had realized what Glenn was about to say.
"I will select a successor who will one day sit upon this throne and stand at the pinnacle of Zieghart."
Glenn raised his chin, saying the time had come.
"S-Successor?"
"Hmm!"
"Then could it be..."
The officials' gazes all turned at once. Their trembling eyes fell upon Raon, who stood calmly.
"No need to look around. I haven't chosen the successor yet."
Glenn firmly shook his head, as if reading the officials' thoughts.
"It means anyone can rise to this position."
At that moment, a fierce and powerful aura burst forth from the officials, shaking the audience chamber's atmosphere.
"Please tell us how the successor will be chosen!"
Balder was the first to raise his hand and ask the question.
"Right. That's the most important thing."
Alice nodded while licking her lips.
"..."
Karoon's eyes blazed as if he would devour Glenn.
"The first criterion is..."
After scanning the officials' eyes filled with various emotions and thoughts, Glenn lifted the golden, silver, and bronze tablets beside the throne.
"Merit."