Chapter 554

Glenn returned to the audience chamber with a face as bright as the moonlight brushing past the window. The corners of his lips soared to the ceiling, a testament to his good mood.

"Do you like it that much?"

Rimmer laughed bitterly at how happy he was.

"You could've been called 'grandfather' right there if you mustered your courage earlier."

He licked his lips while forcibly stretching his hair after getting hit by lightning.

"It's fine to start it now."

Sheryl kicked Rimmer's back and walked up to the platform.

"Good job, my lord. If you keep extending your hand like you did today, Sylvia and Raon will become closer to you as well."

She smiled with a gentle tone to her voice, contrasting with the day before.

"Ahem."

Glenn covered his mouth with his hand while pretending to support his chin with it.

"Seriously, just smile without reservation! Why are you even pretending now? You were just bragging about your grandson filling your glass first!"

"Filling my glass first wasn't the only thing…"

"I know, he also refilled it ten more times. Happy?"

Rimmer sighed in exhaustion.

"That did make me happy, but I'm not smiling because of that."

Glenn took his hand off his face like Rimmer asked and deep wells formed near his mouth.

"I was smiling because I'm so proud of Raon."

He raised his gaze and looked at the silver moonlight.

"Even though his diagnosis suggested that he couldn't become a warrior, he grew up to create his mother's energy center and even made the preparations to restore her status as a member of the direct line—all by himself. I can't help smiling because of how praiseworthy he is."

"I agree with that."

Rimmer swept back his burnt hair and nodded.

"No one is as filial as him, and I'm not saying this because he is my disciple."

"He makes me want to help him more every time I see him," Sheryl agreed with a peaceful smile on her face.

"The same goes for me. Whenever I see him, I want to take care of him even more."

Roenn stood next to Sheryl and laughed gently.

"Hrrm!"

As Rimmer, Sheryl, and Roenn complimented Raon's personality, Glenn's mood improved even further and the corners of his lips trembled at the peak of a smile.

"Hah."

Rimmer chuckled while watching him.

'That's an expression of the highest degree of happiness.'

Glenn himself likely wasn't aware of it, but the corners of his lips trembled uncontrollably like the wagging tail of a puppy during his happiest moment.

'Is he imagining living together with Raon and Sylvia?'

Glenn seemed to already be imagining the future where Raon called him 'grandfather'.

However, there was still a big mountain to overcome in order to achieve it.

"So, what are you planning to do from now on?"

"Do?"

Glenn tilted his head, asking what he was talking about.

"For Sylvia to become a member of the direct line and come to the main building, Raon needs to defeat the Axe King. If he can't do that, then everything goes back to point zero. No, Raon is going to die!"

Rimmer furrowed his brow, asking why he was forgetting the most important part.

"I'm sure you know better than me, my lord, but Raon can't win against the Axe King in his current state. In fact, it would still be difficult even if he became a Grandmaster. Are you planning to teach him yourself, by any chance? That would increase his odds at least."

"No."

Glenn calmly shook his hand.

"Even though I cherish Raon, I can't give him even more special privileges."

"Well, I guess you already did as much as you can do for now."

Rimmer nodded in acknowledgment.

"Then what are you planning to do?"

"Since a duel to the death seems to have a great deal of potential danger, getting rid of the South-North Union seems to be a better idea."

Glenn declared that he was going to destroy the South-North Union as if it were an ant colony.

"Whaat…?"

Rimmer's mouth widened to the point where his jaw reached the ground.

'What is he even saying right now?'

He broke out in cold sweat because of the ridiculous statement, and Glenn called out to Roenn.

"Roenn."

"Yes, my lord."

"Did you manage to locate the South-North Union's main base?"

"We managed to find their main base, but the investigation into the South-North Union as a whole isn't finished yet because they have too many water and mountain hideouts."

Roenn lowered his head apologetically.

"That's enough. They are just nobodies who will scatter once the South-North Union's boss is killed."

"Wh-what are you even talking about?!" Rimmer barked, raising his chin sharply.

"There's nothing to gain from killing the Axe King that way!"

"Everything is fine as long as the Axe King is dead, isn't it?"

Glenn's eyes were glowing with madness because he wanted to make Sylvia a member of the direct line as fast and as safely as possible.

"Huhuhu, I'll sharpen my blade in the meantime."

Roenn's eyes had returned to those of an assassin, a frightening bloodlust leaking from them.

"Hey! Say something!"

Rimmer pushed Sheryl, who was standing next to him, with his elbow.

"Why? They're right. The end justifies the means, doesn't it?"

Sheryl nodded, saying that it was the safest method.

"Yes, you're right! You're fucking right!"

Rimmer violently shook his head while looking at them.

"Who the hell is going to acknowledge it if he kills the Axe King that way? It's only going to end up plummeting the dignity of our house! Leave the South-North Union for later and focus on finding a way to win against the Axe King for now!"

He pounded his chest, saying that no one was normal around him.

"What a shame…"

Glenn licked his lips. He must've been serious about attacking the South-North Union for Raon's sake.

"Then we should send him on a mission."

"A mission?"

"Raon is already standing on the Grandmaster's wall. If he gains more experience in a mission, he might even break through the wall."

"I thought you wouldn't send him on missions anymore because the previous mission was too dangerous."

"Keeping him with me doesn't help him at all. A flower in a greenhouse can't withstand a storm, after all. And…"

Glenn nodded lightly. He looked like he'd already made up his mind.

"Worst-case scenario, we just need to destroy the South-North Union."

"Indeed."

"We'll make the preparations."

Frightening smiles appeared on Sheryl and Roenn's faces. They looked like three wolves smiling with a lamb in front of them.

"Ugh…"

Rimmer clutched his forehead, which was getting heated up.

'How come I'm the only sane person here…?'

He gasped at the ridiculous situation, and seriousness returned to Glenn's expression.

'What is he going to say now?'

Rimmer was nervous, worried about what he was going to say, and Glenn's lips twitched.

"House Yonaan's daughter was very excellent."

"What?"

"She is still young, but she has great eyes for people. She is so cherished by the head of House Yonaan for a good reason."

Glenn excessively praised Encia, even more than a warrior at the Grandmaster realm.

"That's true. Crafting an artificial energy center is an extremely difficult…"

"She called me Raon's grandfather. Damn handsome? I'm not too sure what that means, but it must be a compliment."

"Ah…"

Rimmer's eyes widened. He thought Glenn was talking about the artificial energy center but it was a whole different matter.

"It means extremely handsome."

Sheryl explained the meaning behind 'damn handsome' with a smile.

"Encia uses the word damn handsome whenever she praises Raon's appearance. I heard that she wanted to use Raon's face as her signature mark in the future."

"What a remarkable youngster!"

Glenn nodded, admiring her from the bottom of his heart.

"Purchase all the artifacts on the market made by Encia and send a message to the head of House Yonaan. Tell her I'd like to see her."

"Understood."

Roenn smiled softly and nodded his head.

"Huh…"

Rimmer shook his head while watching the scene.

'His love for his grandson is becoming an incurable disease. Do I seriously need to find another job?'

* * *

Sylvia calmly raised her sword. She maintained her posture with her sword above her head for a long time and unleashed her aura.

The moment the navy-colored mana seeped into her white blade, she swung her blade vertically.

Whoosh!

A powerful wind engulfed the training ground and left a thick trace on the ground.

"Wow…"

"Why is the wind so powerful when she doesn't even have the wind attribute?"

"Is that really a downward slash coming from a person who stopped wielding her sword for over twenty years?"

"That's insane. As expected of our vice division leader's mother…"

The Light Wind swordsmen exclaimed while pausing their own training, amazed by Sylvia's downward slash.

"Stop right there."

Raon raised his hand just as Sylvia was about to raise her sword once again while breathing roughly.

"Your swordsmanship is too light."

Raon came up next to Sylvia and shook his head.

"Can you see that the angle of your wrist is ruined, and your ankle is directed inward? It's because you are relaxing your limbs too much that the wind scattered around instead of concentrating."

He calmly criticized Sylvia's swordsmanship, unlike the Light Wind swordsmen.

"I-it's because I'm not used to it yet! No one can be perfect from the beginning!"

"But I already told you about it in the annex building."

"…Did you?"

Sylvia smiled awkwardly and fanned herself with her hand.

"Focus and try it again."

"Hmm…"

She nodded faintly and raised her sword above her head.

She slashed downwards once again, and while it looked similar to the previous attempt, the strike was faster and more powerful because the power was concentrated.

Wham!

The ground was significantly dug out, and the white sand underneath was revealed.

"How was it?"

"It was too powerful this time."

Raon narrowed his eyes while looking at the destroyed ground.

"You dug out the ground because you couldn't withstand your own power. Your body is going to be ruined if you keep swinging your sword like this."

"Ugh…"

"Relax your shoulders and grip. You aren't doing the laundry right now."

He used his scabbard to point out Sylvia's issues and stepped back.

"Okay…"

Sylvia nodded and raised her sword. She must've weakened her grip and eased the tension in her shoulders, as the tip of the blade descended like a living creature.

"Oh…"

"It's clearly different."

"Is talent hereditary after all…?"

The Light Wind swordsmen applauded upon seeing Sylvia's fast improvement.

"H-how was it?" Sylvia asked Raon, seeming to have regained her confidence.

"That wasn't good either."

Raon shook his head regretfully.

"You relaxed too much and the tip of the blade was shaking. We are practicing basic swings right now, not the variable or illusion sword."

"Y-yes, we are."

"That's why you need to make sure to put enough force on the blade and the tip. Why would you weaken it completely like that? Are you using a whip?"

"Hmm…"

Sylvia hung her head powerlessly.

"Try it again."

Raon raised his hand, saying that she had a long way to go.

"Okay."

Sylvia raised the sword above her head while heeding Raon's advice. She pulled her elbow inward to adjust her physical strength and swung her blade downward.

Whap!

The tip of the blade fell softly, without shaking. That implied that she'd used an appropriate amount of power.

"Ah!"

Sylvia thought it was pretty good and immediately looked back at Raon.

"Not really."

However, Raon's face was still not satisfied.

"The tip of the blade wasn't shaking, but it descended too quickly because you were too fixated on that. We are training right now, not fighting. Please focus more."

He asked her to do it again, saying that it wasn't good enough once again.

"W-wasn't that pretty good though?"

"I know, right? She only started to wield the sword again recently…"

"How long is he planning to continue with the basic techniques…?"

The Light Wind swordsmen commented while watching out for Raon's mood.

"How long are you planning on spectating?"

Raon turned around and glared sideways at the Light Wind division.

"Do you want to practice basic techniques for a month?"

"No! Not at all!"

"We're leaving!"

"I-I have lots of training planned for today…"

The Light Wind swordsmen scattered all around the training ground with trembling heads.

"Wow, he doesn't even go easy on his mother…" Burren exclaimed as he watched Raon resuming his instruction for Sylvia.

"That's the right thing to do." Martha shook her head while looking at Sylvia's back. "He's teaching her properly because she is precious to him."

She sighed briefly, bitterness dwelling in her eyes.

"Raon, damn handsome today."

Runaan nodded in agreement because she also had a painful memory related to her family.

"Do you want to do it as well?"

Raon furrowed his brow while looking at the three team leaders from afar.

"N-not really…"

"That demonic bastard, his hearing is too good…"

"I'm leaving."

Burren, Martha, and Runaan went to the indoor training ground while stretching themselves.

"Uhh…"

Sylvia groaned with trembling hands because everyone who could help her was gone.

"Raon."

Rimmer shook his head and put his hand on Raon's shoulder.

"Don't go too hard on her, do it in modera—"

"Do you want to join the practice, division leader?"

"Ah…"

His jaw dropped and he fell speechless.

"If you stay here any longer, I'll take it as you want to join the training."

"W-wait a moment, I'm the division leader…"

"So you're joining basic training, is that it?"

"No! Not at all! Keep up the good work!"

Rimmer hurriedly shook his head and escaped from Raon's vision.

"Wait, you're the division leader!"

Krein shouted in astonishment while looking at Rimmer, who ran away.

Rimmer awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

"I'm also scared of him…"

* * *

Two weeks had passed since Sylvia started to wield a sword. Her skills improved drastically every day, but Raon kept shaking his head in dissatisfaction.

"Do it again. The aura was disheveled this time."

Raon shook his head while pointing at her faintly trembling aura.

"Yes."

Sylvia nodded and raised her sword. She repeated the basic techniques dozens of times, which consisted of the vertical slash, horizontal slash, diagonal slash, and stab.

Raon narrowed his eyes while looking at the faint radiance reflected in the air.

'Talent really doesn't disappear. She is improving day by day.'

The reason he was pushing Sylvia into a corner was simple. It was because her talent was outstanding.

Whenever he criticized one thing, she improved even further than that. It was the reason Raon was continuously helping with her training.

He could understand why masters usually wanted an excellent disciple.

Even then, continuously criticizing her for two whole weeks is too harsh!

Wrath's lips trembled in terror.

Look at her! The area underneath Mom's eyes has become as dark as charcoal!

He frowned while pointing at the dark area under Sylvia's eyes.

'I'm sure my mother understands.'

Even though Sylvia didn't say anything, she properly accepted the training, and that was why they could train together. Raon was sure that she was happy about how fast her skills were improving.

You should do it in moderation! How long are you planning to make her practice basic techniques?! Other people aren't perverts, unlike you!

Wrath pointed his finger at Raon, calling him a crazy bastard.

Look, no one is coming near you anymore!

'I told you it's fine.'

Raon shook his hand at Wrath and walked up to Sylvia.

"You have to be precise when you are thinking about the target as you are stabbing. You have to always keep the principle of the precise sword with you."

"Okay…"

Sylvia responded weakly like a deflated balloon and nodded her head.

"And the angle is important during a diagonal slash. You need to be certain about where you are cutting…"

As Raon continued to criticize, Sylvia's face gradually darkened.

"H-he is so cruel…"

"I didn't know that he was this bad either. He is a monster…"

"R-Raon, damn ugly. No, scary."

Even Burren, Martha, and Runaan, who were rooting for Raon at first, shook their heads in fear and left.

'They will learn soon enough.'

Once Sylvia's real skills returned, all those gazes were bound to change.

Moreover, he was certain that Sylvia was definitely going to understand him in this situation.

"Being fast and powerful isn't always good when it comes to basic techniques. You have to be precise and prudent…"

Just as he was about to give Sylvia more advice, Rimmer kicked the training ground door open and entered. He smiled while shaking a piece of paper in his hand.

"I brought you a mission!"

He shouted for them to rejoice since they'd finally got a mission after such a long time.

"A mission?"

"It took a long time."

"I can finally show my skills."

"Whoaaa!"

The Light Wind swordsmen approached Rimmer, curious about what kind of mission it was going to be, when someone cheered loudly from inside.

"I'm free! I'm finally freed from this hell!"

Sylvia raised her arms and shouted loudly towards the sky.

Small water drops started to well up in her eyes. The explosive emotion she was showing made her look like a prisoner who managed to escape from prison.

Raon lips parted as he stared blankly at Sylvia.

"M-mom…"

His jaw dropped, shocked by the fact that she said she was free.

Even Mom is sick of your personality…

Wrath shook his head while looking at the stunned Raon.

Is this the path of the demon god?

'Shut up!'