"I understand."
Raon nodded to Karoon and gestured to Burren who was standing beside him.
"Let's dismiss for today."
"...Yes."
Burren looked at him and Karoon in turn before slowly turning away.
"We're leaving."
He led the Light Wind Palace Swordsmen out of the training ground in Raon's place.
"Let's go over there."
Raon pointed to an empty space on the outskirts of the training ground. Since people were crowding out after the event had ended, it seemed better to have their conversation inside the training ground.
"..."
Karoon simply nodded without saying anything and followed him to the edge of the training ground.
"So what did you..."
Just as Raon was about to break the ice while sitting across from Karoon.
"Um, excuse me."
Dorian suddenly appeared and put his hand into his pouch.
"There's nothing in here!"
He pulled out a table from his pouch, then teacups and an elegant teapot filled with hot water. With a hissing sound! Dorian brewed an aromatic black tea with an antique fragrance for Raon and Karoon before stepping back.
"H-have a nice conversation!"
He grinned happily, seemingly pleased about being selected today, then ran toward the training ground door.
"You certainly attract unique individuals around you."
Karoon nodded lightly as he sipped the tea Dorian had served.
"Well, I suppose so."
Raon smiled faintly as he recalled not just Dorian, but several other faces that fit the description of 'unique.'
"So what brings you here?"
He took a sip of the black tea Dorian had brewed, then looked at Karoon.
"..."
Karoon set down his teacup with frustratingly slow deliberation before speaking.
"Why did you choose me?"
"Pardon?"
Raon slightly narrowed his eyes as he looked at Karoon.
"I asked why you gave me the opportunity to receive guidance from the Head of House."
Karoon raised his calm gaze to meet Raon's eyes.
"You and I are rivals fighting for Zieghart's throne. My sister suddenly intervened, but she will never ascend to the position of head of house. She merely wants to make the game bigger."
He frowned as he observed Alice watching them with a smile.
"I asked why you chose me when there's nothing beneficial for you in having me receive the Head of House's guidance."
Karoon gripped his teacup with a tense hand, insisting on a proper answer.
"That's a strange question."
Raon took a sip of tea and let out a thin laugh.
"My question is strange?"
"Yes. It's true that you and I are rivals competing for the position of head of house. But before that..."
He lowered his chin slightly as he looked into Karoon's solemn, weighty eyes.
"We are swordsmen of Zieghart. What should be prioritized is not the individual, but the family. If the Central Martial Palace Master becomes stronger, dozens—no, hundreds of family members can be saved. I thought that was more important than me becoming the head of house."
Raon explained that rather than who becomes the head of house now, they needed to build up their martial prowess as much as possible to prepare for future wars.
"Then why did you choose Sylvia and Sia?"
Karoon asked about the reasons for selecting Sylvia and Sia, with his eyes half-open.
"Aren't those personal reasons as well?"
"As I mentioned, my mother and sister's talents are extraordinary even among the many geniuses in Zieghart. If Zieghart were to be attacked while we're fighting wars externally, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the future of our family would depend on those two."
Raon shook his head, saying that he absolutely did not choose Sylvia and Sia because of personal feelings.
"If I had included personal feelings, I would have chosen my father first. Unfortunately, my father doesn't have the same level of talent as my mother and sister."
Edgar, who had been sneakily passing by, heard these words and suddenly hung his head low, letting out a hoarse groan.
"Mmm..."
Karoon's hand trembled holding the teacup, as if shocked by Raon's words. He remained frozen in that position for a while before letting out a low sigh.
"I see. So you too..."
Karoon gazed intently into Raon's eyes before slowly nodding as if finally understanding.
"Pardon?"
Raon tilted his head as he looked at Karoon.
"Not the individual, but the family. I never thought I would come to think the same way as you."
Karoon smiled slightly and raised his teacup with a steady hand.
"I didn't think that way from the beginning. As my position changed, my thoughts changed as well."
Raon explained that his thoughts had changed as he progressed from being a regular member to deputy division leader, division leader, main division leader, and finally palace master.
"That part is a bit different for me."
Karoon nodded in agreement with Raon's words.
"What do you mean by different?"
"..."
Karoon kept his lips firmly closed as he briefly gazed at Raon with warmth in his eyes. He silently emptied his teacup completely before standing up.
"Now that I have my answer, I'll take my leave."
"What? Where do you think you're going after saying only what you wanted to say..."
Raon called out to Karoon with a hollow laugh, but instead of responding, Karoon left the training ground with the Central Martial Palace swordsmen who had been waiting for him.
-Still the same unpleasant big-eyed jerk.
Wrath clicked his tongue.
-Though his eyes seem to have warmed up a bit...
'You're right.'
Raon smirked as he looked at the teacup Karoon had emptied completely.
'His gaze. No, the person himself has changed.'
Though he pretended not to know, Raon understood what Karoon had wanted to say.
'I've thought this before too...'
Raon smiled gently as he cleaned up the table and tea set that Dorian had laid out and left.
'It might not be so bad if Karoon becomes the head of house.'
***
"Looks good, doesn't it?"
Sheryl smiled softly as she watched Karoon and Raon after they finished their conversation.
"I never thought those two would develop such a relationship."
Roenn nodded, remarking how truly fascinating life could be.
"Indeed."
Sheryl smacked her lips as she recalled the old days.
"They used to be nearly mortal enemies, and they're still rivals competing for the position of head of house, but now they're more like a real uncle and nephew."
She let out a hollow laugh, saying she could feel the genuine affection between Raon and Karoon.
"They've both changed. Under the name of Zieghart."
Roenn laughed heartily, saying it was a very positive development.
"It's a good thing. There won't be any more internal conflicts now."
Sheryl waved her hand with a bright smile.
"Don't you think so? Head of house..."
Just as she turned around to speak to Glenn.
"Kuhup!"
Glenn was covering his mouth with his hand, letting out a moist groan.
"Those guys..."
His face had turned red as he watched the backs of Karoon and Raon with trembling eyes.
"Ha..."
"Hehe..."
Sheryl and Roenn gaped in surprise at Glenn, who seemed on the verge of tears.
"A-are you that happy?"
Sheryl sighed as she covered Glenn's face so others couldn't see it.
"Karoon was full of stubbornness and envy since childhood, and he rose to the position of palace master by fueling those emotions. I thought he could never change, but to think he would become so different..."
Glenn shook his head, saying that even he never thought Karoon would change like that.
"It is a miracle."
Sheryl nodded with a heavy feeling.
"No, it's not a miracle."
Glenn shook his head as he watched Raon's retreating back.
"Raon changed everything. Not just Karoon, but me and this entire family."
He smiled, saying that thanks to Raon, the once distorted Zieghart had returned to its original form—no, it had begun to shine more brilliantly than even during its golden age.
"That's right."
Roenn gently nodded as he looked at Glenn, whose eyes were still red.
"To think that I would come to rely on someone."
Glenn raised his gaze while rubbing his reddened nose.
"Knowing Raon is behind me, I don't think I'll lose no matter who the enemy is or how many there are."
He curled up his lips, saying he was looking forward to the training that would begin tomorrow.
***
"Come here!"
As soon as Raon returned to the annex building, he was led by Sylvia and seated at an empty dining table.
"Raon!"
Sylvia leaned forward with a furrowed brow.
"What were you thinking! Why did you suddenly call for me and Sia!"
She frowned, saying her heart almost jumped out of her chest because it was so sudden.
"Haaa..."
Edgar was still hanging his head low and sighing, perhaps because of what he had heard at the training ground.
"I'm sorry. Everything about the selection had to be kept secret, so I had no choice."
Raon pressed his hands together toward Sylvia.
-You deserve to be scolded. No, you definitely deserve a scolding!
Just as Wrath was giggling and tapping Raon's head...The maids brought steaming hot food and placed it on the table.
-Huup!
Wrath gaped at the dishes.
-N-now! You have to eat now to taste it properly!
He shouted to eat quickly, pointing at the steaming pizza and grilled meat.
'You idiot! How can I eat in this atmosphere!'
Raon swallowed dryly, pointing at Sylvia who was glaring at him like a wild beast.
-Just eat! If you eat, she won't say anything!
Wrath jerked his chin as if to say, isn't it true that even dogs aren't bothered when they're eating?
"Raon! Even if it was a secret, you should have given me a hint!"
Sylvia sighed as if to say, what was she going to do now that she had neglected her swordsmanship lately?
"And my talent is ordinary! During the South-North Union incident, I only stepped up because I thought you were dead!"
She shook her head as if afraid others would be disappointed by her talent.
"It's fine. Mother's talent is unmatched even within Zieghart." (E/N: My talent is unmatched, your talent is unmatched, their talent is unmatched, everyone's talent is unmatched! Talent for everyone!)
Raon shook his head, saying he could guarantee it.
"Even so..."
"I like it though?"
Sia tilted her head as she looked at Sylvia.
"We get to be with Raon and grandfather. Don't you like that, Mom?"
She grabbed Sylvia's sleeve as if asking why she was angry.
"Oh, Mom likes that too."
Sylvia waved her hand, saying that wasn't what she meant.
"I just mean I should know in advance so I can prepare. Then I wouldn't be embarrassed."
She sighed, saying her cultivation had been lacking lately.
"It's okay! I'll teach you!"
Sia stroked Sylvia's head as if she were a child, saying she would personally teach her about swordsmanship.
"Hmm, no matter what, I'm not at the level where I need to learn from our Sia, am I?"
"But it's true? Mom's not good."
"N-not good? I'm a swordswoman too, you know?"
"You're a swordswoman but you don't cultivate."
"Uugh..."
Sylvia and Sia, true to their Zieghart heritage, were asserting their pride regarding swordsmanship regardless of their mother-daughter relationship.
"Hey son..."
Edgar took a deep breath and grabbed Raon's shoulder.
"Do I really lack talent that much? When I was in the Holy Sword Alliance, I was somewhat—no, I was called a genius there. My aura wasn't exceptionally outstanding, but nobody could match me in sword techniques. I'm rather out of shape now, but to hear that I have no talent is really..." (E/N: Actually it's weird. More than antyhing else, his whole character is being ridiculously talented with the sword...But now he is untalented?)
He rambled on without taking a breath about how talented he had been, truly seeming hurt by the comment.
-Eat quickly! Hurry!
Amid all this, Wrath grabbed his own hair and shook it, pleading for Raon to please eat the food.
"Then shall we have a match after this training is over?"
"Yes! The loser has to grant the winner's wish!"
"I lived my life being called a genius as regularly as eating meals, so hearing that I have no talent hurts my heart. Especially coming from my son..."
-The food is getting cold! Everything will die if this continues!
Raon closed his eyes tightly as he listened to his family's ear-splitting voices.
'Can't we just start training right now?'
Please...
***
The next day at dawn. All of the swordsmen Raon had called gathered without exception at the training ground of the Lord's Manor and lined up. They all had bloodshot eyes, as if they couldn't sleep due to the excitement of receiving guidance from Glenn Zieghart, the Continent's Greatest Sword.
"..."
Unlike his usual self, Glenn didn't arrive late but was the first to come to the training ground, standing with his hands behind his back as he examined the swordsmen. Each time his gaze passed over them, the swordsmen trembled as if they were standing naked.
"I roughly understand now."
Glenn calmly closed and opened his eyes, as if he had fully grasped the martial prowess level and shortcomings of all the swordsmen in the training ground just by looking at them.
"First, come forward in the order your names were called by the Light Wind Palace Master and let's have a sparring match."
He jerked his chin, saying the first training would begin with sparring.
"Until death."