A red lightning crackled and bloomed from Glenn's shoulders. The noble willpower-infused aura spread throughout the audience chamber.
"The, the Head of House's lightning?"
"Why so suddenly..."
"It's lightning alright, but different from usual."
"Rather than pain, it feels like it's filling us with vitality."
The executives widened their eyes as they felt Glenn's lightning, which had always been intense, now supporting them.
"The head of Zieghart is not one who stands above the family."
Glenn roughly shook his hand while looking over the executives who were staring at him.
"Standing at the very bottom to support the family, that is the position where the head of Zieghart must stand."
He gave a heavy nod, saying that only those who can bear the weight of the family can become the head of house.
"However, one cannot stand in that position alone. Only someone who can gather supporters who would jump into fire with a smile even if ordered to die, vassals who only follow them, can become the head of house."
Glenn said that was the most important factor as he withdrew the lightning that had spread through the audience chamber.
-The old geezer really understands it well!
Wrath drew a broad smile while acknowledging Glenn's words.
-He hasn't completely wasted his years! Though it took him long enough.
He nodded, noting that Glenn seemed to have belatedly realized these values.
"Those words are right..."
"Yes. A head of house should have many followers."
"But I never expected the Head of House to say such things..."
The executives shifted their gazes slightly, noting that Glenn's beliefs about being head of house were different from what they had expected.
"I didn't understand that before."
Glenn let out a heavy sigh, as if understanding the executives' meaning.
"I ruled above the family, thinking only of personal martial prowess and territorial conquest. Not just enemies, but much blood was shed within the family, and I ignored it all. It's no exaggeration to say I destroyed with my own hands the reputation and trust our ancestors had built."
He calmly revealed every detail of his past that could have been shameful.
"I might have carried that stupidity to my grave, but thanks to some people, I was able to belatedly realize the path I should take."
Glenn's gaze turned to Raon, and a subtle smile bloomed on his lips.
"After that, I realized I had been standing at the top of the family, and desperately tried to move down. It took much patience and effort, but fortunately, I now believe I stand below the family."
Glenn drew a thin smile, saying that though the difference was slight, the family now stood above him.
"I think so too."
Karoon nodded with a serious look, agreeing with Glenn's words.
'Those words are right.'
Raon drew a faint smile while looking at Glenn's calm eyes.
'He really has changed a lot.'
When first met, Glenn had exuded such a cold atmosphere that one might think ice ran through his veins. But gradually, he harmonized with those around him, accepting Sylvia as his daughter and himself as his grandson.
Of course, while he had accomplished many achievements, none of it would have happened if Glenn hadn't first been willing to change.
"I'll say it again. Find supporters who will follow only you and who are worth your support. The more numerous they are, and the higher their reputation, the better."
Glenn explained once more the test of gathering supporters.
"Question..."
"I have a question!"
As Karoon was about to raise his hand, Balder stepped forward first.
"You told us to gather supporters, but how do you plan to determine the results?"
Balder looked back while keeping his hand raised.
"There's a big difference between having the support of a big shot or the support of a random merchant!"
Unlike his usual simplicity, he pointed out the most important aspect. No, perhaps it was because of his simple thinking that he grasped the test's elements more quickly.
"Good question, Balder."
Glenn nodded, rarely praising Balder.
"What, what? Are you sick or something?"
Alice approached with surprise and tapped Balder's head.
"What's with that! I'm also a direct descendant of Zieghart and a Palace Master!"
Balder pushed away Alice's hand and blew his nose loudly.
"Originally, it would be right to count each person as an individual supporter. But since that would be too difficult to measure in many ways..."
Glenn nodded while looking at the five successor candidates before him.
"The people whose support you must gain are the leaders of organizations. It doesn't matter whether they're from inside or outside Zieghart."
He nodded, saying they must only receive the support of leaders.
"But even among leaders, their positions and power are all different!"
"I'm not finished speaking."
Glenn frowned, telling him to be quiet.
"Eep!"
Balder realized he had gotten too excited from Glenn's praise and closed his mouth again.
"The number of people led by the leaders who support you."
Glenn raised his index finger and drew a circle.
"That number will become the supporters who will make you head of house."
He nodded, saying he would calculate based on the number of people under the leaders who support them.
"Ah..."
Raon blinked his eyes.
'Then it's better to get support from forces with large numbers.'
Glenn had told them to get support from leaders who lead forces, and said he would judge the results by the number of people those leaders command. In other words, they could only pass the second test by getting support from leaders who commanded as many people as possible.
'Then this works out even better?'
Many people were gathered at Habun Castle to protect the North. Since getting the support of the Habun Castle Lord would be equivalent to getting their support, he had practically already secured hundreds of supporters.
"From now on, the second successor candidate test will begin."
Glenn clapped his hands, announcing that today's conference would end here.
"Whose support should we get?"
"The Five Kings? Wouldn't getting their support be the best?"
"Right. They have the most people. Especially the kingdoms."
"No. The Beast Union probably has the most people. They say you can't even count all their tribes!"
The executives naturally brought up the Five Kings first.
"For your reference, the Four Kings excluding Zieghart will not be part of this test. Going to them would be a waste of time."
Glenn sat on the throne after saying this would be his last advice. He closed his eyes, indicating he truly wouldn't tell them anything more.
'That's unfortunate...'
Raon briefly clicked his tongue.
'If the Four Kings were included, at least two would have supported me.'
While he wasn't sure about King Lecross of Owen and Mage Tower Master Larian, Archmage Chamber of Eternal Flame and Beast King Ogram would certainly have supported him. It was somewhat disappointing that he couldn't receive their support.
'But it makes sense.'
Since the Five Kings were equals, it wouldn't look good for any of them to express support for one side. Moreover, given the current state and atmosphere of the Four Kings excluding Zieghart, it was right for them not to be involved in this matter.
'Hey.'
Raon elbowed Wrath, who was absently scratching his chin.
'You have lots of subordinates, right?'
-You ask the obvious!
Wrath lifted his chin as if finally finding something to boast about.
-Under me stood rows of highly loyal demons! Your family's swordsmen can't even compare!
He nodded, saying both their numbers and quality were far superior.
'Then...'
Raon licked his lips and moved closer to Wrath.
'Can't you support me? With just your backing, I could win.'
-Have you truly gone mad!
Wrath widened his eyes in disbelief.
-Why would I support a thief like you! I'd rather die than follow you!
He yelled at him not to say such nonsense.
-I wondered why you suddenly asked about subordinates, but you're truly an unimaginably crazy fellow!
Wrath ground his teeth, wondering how his mind could work in such a way.
-If my subordinates knew about my current state...
'I'll buy you bead ice cream.'
Raon raised his finger.
-If, if you think I would fall for such a thing...
'As much as you want, any flavor you want.'
Wrath's words cut off at this additional offer.
-Ho, how many days?
'Huh?'
-How many days will you hold this ice cream party?
'...'
Handling a demon king was truly easy. So easy it could bring tears to his eyes.
***
Karoon remained in the reception room on the first floor of the Lord's Manor with Balder and Alice.
"This worked out well, didn't it?"
Balder clicked his tongue lengthily.
"I thought for sure Raon and brother would advance, but if I do well, I might be in the final two!"
He laughed heartily with anticipation.
"Seems like you're confident?"
Alice asked while taking a swig of whiskey.
"Of course!"
Balder smirked as if there was no need to even ask.
"I've built up lots of connections since childhood! Just a few words and they'll all support me!"
He tilted his head as if to say 'don't you know?'
"Hey."
Alice frowned as she put down the bottle.
"Why do you keep talking down to me? You wanna die?"
She glared at him, daring him to speak informally again.
"Th-they will support me...?"
Balder lowered his eyes while raising his voice at the end.
"Anyway, this is my chance! Father must think it's too early for Raon to become head of house!"
He bit his lip, determined to seize this golden opportunity.
"Balder. You're making a very big mistake."
Karoon shook his head with his arms crossed.
"What mistake?"
Balder blinked, seemingly completely unaware.
"As you say, you've built decent connections with many people since childhood. It's overwhelming, to the point that Raon or Serena can't compare. However, that's..."
Karoon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Balder and Alice.
"The same goes for me and sister. The three of us share most of our connections."
He shook his head, saying their connections inevitably overlapped since they were built from their equal positions as Glenn's children.
"Meanwhile, Raon has been going outside since childhood and building relationships with many people on his own. His connections are purely his own. Even without the Four Kings' support, his numbers will be threatening."
Karoon nodded as if he had already calculated everything about Raon.
"Though not as much as Raon, I've built up quite a few connections too. There might not be any room for you two."
Alice smiled broadly, saying she had met many faction leaders while traveling the seas.
"All, all those people follow you, sister?"
Balder opened his eyes wide in surprise.
"I'm pretty, aren't I? They tend to come to me naturally."
Alice smiled while supporting her chin with all ten fingers.
"Isn't it because of your nasty temper?"
"Are you really crazy!"
Unable to hold back, she struck the back of Balder's head.
"If you truly dream of becoming head of house, you wouldn't have time to be doing this."
Karoon downed his tea in one gulp and stood up from the sofa.
"It's not Raon who's in crisis, it's us."
He left the room after saying those words.
"L-let's go together! We need to coordinate so we don't overlap!"
Balder followed Karoon while rubbing the bump on his head caused by Alice.
"Sigh..."
Alice yawned widely while stretching.
"I'm not particularly interested in becoming head of house, what should I... Ah!"
She snapped her fingers with exclamation.
"That'll work!"
***
"Void Sword Division Leader."
Raon called out to Serena, who had left the Lord's Manor first.
"Light Wind Palace Master."
Serena bowed her head politely towards him.
"Congratulations on becoming a successor candidate."
Raon smiled and gave a slight bow.
"You kept your word from before. I'm moved by how you've achieved your goal until the end."
He smiled, remembering the moment when Serena had declared she would become head of house during their trainee days.
"So you remembered."
Serena scratched her cheek while looking at Raon.
"It's embarrassing, but thank you."
Her lips trembled slightly, as if she hadn't expected such sincere congratulations.
"If you had come under me, I might have achieved this faster. What a shame."
Serena playfully beat her chest, saying she regretted not being able to recruit him during their trainee days.
"That might be true, but I think the current Division Leader is more impressive."
It wasn't a lie. Even with the help of the Void Sword division's swordsmen, reaching this position through her own ability was far more remarkable.
"But this is as far as I go."
Serena let out a deep sigh.
"I'm not confident about passing the second test."
She shook her head, saying she had only built up achievements and had no connections to bring.
"However..."
Raon shook his head as he looked into Serena's eyes that claimed she couldn't pass.
"You're not thinking of giving up."
Unlike her words, her eyes were shining with determination to achieve it somehow.
"Of course not. If I were going to give up, I wouldn't have made it this far."
Serena nodded while lightly brushing off her body.
"From now on, I'll search across the entire continent if I have to. For my own supporters."
She left after wishing him good luck with the test. Whether her final words were sincere or not, her steps were both quick and heavy.
"What will you do, Palace Master?"
Burren approached from the side and asked.
"I need to find my supporters too."
Raon lowered his eyebrows while stroking his chin.
"Getting help from me or having goodwill is different from giving support."
Though he had built relationships with many people while completing numerous missions, he wasn't confident in receiving support from all of them. He planned to receive supporter marks only from those who could truly follow him.
"Even if you choose that way, isn't it still quite a lot?"
Martha furrowed her brows deeply.
"First of all, our Wise Martial Palace will support you. Not by my decision, but because the swordsmen of the Wise Martial Palace are very grateful to you for taking care of father until the end."
She smiled, saying the Wise Martial Palace's choice was already made.
"There's also the Holy Kingdom. The current king and saintess will jump at just hearing your name, Palace Master."
Burren grinned while mentioning the Suphren Holy Kingdom.
"My house too..."
Runaan mentioned her own family, the Sloon house, while yawning long.
-Come to think of it, the Holy Sword Alliance would support you too...
Wrath scratched his head while mentioning the Holy Sword Alliance that technically still was one of the Demons.
"There really are quite a lot..."
Raon curled his lips pleasantly while thinking of the forces that hadn't been named yet.
"Where should I go first?"