Chapter 553

"…Was that your idea?"

Glenn furrowed his brow and stared at Raon with his eyes blazing in crimson.

"Hmm…"

Raon swallowed nervously under the intense pressure.

'It must've been a bad idea after all.'

Glenn's powerful pressure had always been suffocating, but this was even worse.

The powerful energy storming around him made him feel like he would get struck by lightning the moment he made a mistake.

'I should say that it was my idea.'

It was actually Sylvia who wanted to invite Glenn, but Raon figured he shouldn't say that because it could potentially harm her.

"Yes, it was."

Raon confidently raised his gaze and declared that he had come up with the idea.

"How is Sylvia's condition?"

Glenn asked about Sylvia's condition instead of answering the invitation.

"The artificial energy center was successfully settled in. However, it will likely take quite a long time for her to return to being a warrior."

"I suppose so."

He nodded. He seemed to understand that it was inevitable. It felt like his harsh voice had become a bit kinder.

"Did you ask to dine together tomorrow?"

"Yes, I did."

Raon briefly exhaled and nodded.

"..."

Glenn didn't say anything. Raon had the impression that the throne was shaking.

Why is that geezer playing so hard to get?!

Wrath frowned in displeasure.

How dare you! You are just a weakling who would collapse after hundreds of thousands of clashes!

'It increased again…'

It was thousands of clashes at first, then it became tens of thousands, and now it was hundreds of thousands.

It should have been just an equal fight at that point, but Wrath seemed to claim that he was going to win because of his pride.

It's even better without that geezer because the King of Essence will have more food! Just go back now!

Wrath punched into the air towards Glenn, telling Raon to return already.

'Please stay still.'

Raon pushed Wrath away with his shoulder, and he could hear the tapping sound of the throne's armrest with a finger. The steady and rhythmical pace came to a halt, and Glenn nodded.

"Alright. I accept the invitation. I had something to tell you anyway."

Glenn buried his back into the throne once again as soon as he made up his mind.

"I'm honored."

Raon went on one knee and bowed at him.

'He actually accepted it…'

Raon hadn't expected him to accept the invitation, to be honest. He was a bit confused because he thought Glenn would simply take the Perriton Blancs.

'I wonder what he's going to tell us.'

He felt strangely anxious because Glenn suddenly declared he was going to say something to them. However, he had no idea where to even begin guessing about what it would be.

Raon sighed briefly, put the Perriton Blancs back into this subspace pocket, and stood up.

"Would you like to come as well, if it's okay with you?"

Raon extended his hand toward Sheryl and Roenn, who were standing below the platform. He figured that their participation would create a more comfortable atmosphere since they were Glenn's closest vassals.

"I'll go if I have no missions."

"Huhuhu, sure."

Sheryl and Roenn nodded, saying that they would come with Glenn.

"I'll be leaving now."

He said goodbye to the three with his eyes and left the audience chamber.

He walked while thinking about what Glenn was going to tell them, and the lord's manor suddenly started to tremble.

"Hmm?"

Raon tilted his head while looking at the dust falling from the ceiling.

"Earthquakes happen a lot nowadays."

* * *

Rumble!

Glenn's legs trembled as he clutched his forehead with his hand.

Because the vibration was caused by a transcender who couldn't withstand his emotions, not only the audience chamber but the entire lord's manor started to tremble to the point of collapsing.

"Huhuhu."

Roenn raised his gaze and looked at the dust falling like snow around them.

"It's been a long time since the last time we felt this vibration."

He took out a broom and a mop from somewhere, saying that he was going to clean up the dust.

"What a relief."

Sheryl walked up to Glenn, who was lowering his head.

"I thought my lord gave up on approaching Raon and Sylvia, but Raon came at an amazing time."

She smiled faintly, as if she'd been reading Glenn's thoughts.

"Indeed."

Glenn raised his head and acknowledged Sheryl's statement.

"I was planning to simply protect them from the shadows, but I realized I don't even have the courage to refuse his invitation."

He bit his lip, saying that he couldn't ignore Raon's invitation.

However, his legs were still shaking. Happiness and sadness seemed to be coexisting in his mind.

"I was invited, but I'm not hoping for any more than that. I'm just going to dine quietly and return. I'll be satisfied with that."

Glenn shook his head, saying that it was all he wanted.

"This is so frustrating!"

Sheryl closed her eyes tightly and pounded her on her own chest.

"Please get a grip!"

"…What?"

"Did Sylvia and Raon ask you to protect them from the shadows? They are just inviting you to dinner because they are grateful for what you've done! Why are you writing yourself into a tragic novel?"

She furrowed her brow and continued.

"It's true that what you've done to Sylvia is unforgivable as a father. However, I know that Raon and Sylvia aren't the type of people who would be fixated on the past. They will definitely make the wise decision!"

"I know that they would never do that. However, even if they forgive me, I can't forgive myself."

Glenn clenched his fist tightly, saying that he could never think differently.

"That's even more of a reason to approach them and be kind to them. You should help them at least as much as what you've done for the other successors."

"That's why I'm going to protect them from…"

"Raon came to you already! Send him off, at least!"

Sheryl couldn't hold back her frustration anymore and raised her voice. It was the first time she'd scolded Glenn because she looked up to him more than anyone else.

"I'm not asking you to do everything at once. It's okay to take one small step at a time. It's better than nothing."

"Hmm…"

Because of Sheryl's strong reaction, Glenn looked at Roenn to ask for help.

"Huhuhu."

Roenn briskly averted his gaze while leaving behind his gentle laughter.

"Where was the trashcan again…?"

He quietly disappeared, implying that he had no intention of stopping Sheryl.

"My lord!"

"Y-yes…"

"When you're at the annex building tomorrow, you have to give Raon and Sylvia a word of blessing. It's a must!"

Sheryl raised her head sharply with her arms crossed, saying that refusal wasn't allowed.

"My lord?"

Sheryl glared fiercely as she met Glenn's eyes, asking for a response.

"Haa…"

Glenn had no choice but to nod at Sheryl.

"I'll try."

* * *

The next evening.

Sylvia and the maids were standing in front of the entrance.

"Uhh…"

Helen was walking around and wiping the floors nonstop. She still seemed to be insecure even though she'd been cleaning all day long.

"You can take it easy, though."

Rimmer had arrived in advance, and he tilted his head slightly while leaning against the wall.

"The head of house doesn't really care about cleaning anyway. He comes to my office sometimes, and he doesn't even say anything."

He shook his finger, telling her to stop wasting her energy.

"That's because he's given up on your dirtiness, not because he doesn't care."

The Gambling Monster frowned at Rimmer, telling him to stop saying stupid shit.

"Hah, this geezer doesn't know anything. I'm the only person our head of house trusts."

"You are the only person that he beats up to his heart's content, not trusts."

Raon was watching their argument when he noticed a heavy presence approaching the entrance.

"Hmm…"

"He's here."

Rimmer and the Gambling Monster also noticed his energy and straightened their postures.

"He's coming."

Sylvia and the maids straightened their backs at Raon's warning.

Tick.

The clock pointed at 7 o'clock, and the knock could be heard from the entrance.

"Haa…"

Sylvia slowly exhaled and opened the door, and Roenn lowered his head.

"Thank you for inviting us."

He stepped aside, and Glenn made his entrance, his dazzling blond hair swept back.

"Greetings, my lord!"

"Greetings, my lord!"

After Sylvia's greeting, everyone in the annex building bowed to Glenn.

"That's enough for the greetings."

Glenn shook his hand to stop them from kneeling. He looked at Sylvia for a moment to confirm her condition and nodded.

"The energy center has properly settled in."

"It's all thanks to you, my lord."

Sylvia smiled calmly while praising Glenn.

"I didn't do anything," Glenn replied bluntly and shook his head. He briefly nodded while looking at Encia, who was standing among the maids. "You've accomplished something remarkable by crafting the artificial energy center. The head of House Yonaan must be proud of you."

"All I did was copy Sir Raon's original artificial energy center. By the way…"

Encia stuttered nervously and suddenly started to blink, as if in a daze.

"I get this impression every time, but even the head of house is damn handsome. A damn handsome elder, that's crazy…"

Everyone at the entrance's jaws dropped at her sudden statement about damn handsomeness.

"I was wondering how Sir Raon became so damn handsome, but it was because he takes after his grandfather. Blood doesn't lie—"

"L-Lady Encia!"

Raon used footwork to approach Encia and covered her mouth.

"..."

Glenn looked down on Encia with an indescribable gaze. His pupils started to tremble faintly.

'He must be angry.'

Since she called him his grandfather, Raon thought he was definitely infuriated. He was contemplating what to do when Rimmer stepped forward.

"How long are you planning to stay here? Let's enter already."

He hit his thigh with his fist while complaining that his legs were hurting.

"Pl-please come this way."

Sylvia didn't miss the opportunity and raised her hand to point at the dining room.

"..."

Glenn followed Sylvia without even nodding at her while Sheryl and Roenn waved their hands with cheerful smiles on their faces.

When Raon entered the dining room, Glenn was sitting at the seat of honor, with Sylvia sitting next to him. She pointed at the seat on the opposite side, urging Raon to come over already and sit down.

'Haa…'

Raon sighed in his mind and sat on the opposite side of Sylvia, which was next to Glenn.

The three of them didn't say anything for a long time.

"What's going on?"

Rimmer frowned as the suffocating silence continued.

"Is this a funeral? Why is everyone so quiet? Wasn't this a celebration party?"

"It's indeed too quiet."

The Gambling Monster nodded in agreement with Rimmer.

"Huhuhu, it's only getting started."

Roenn smiled gently, telling them to wait a bit more.

"Hmm…"

Sylvia quietly licked her lips, and the maids waiting in the kitchen entered the dining room with food.

Every single dish was steaming hot, implying that they'd just been completed. The vivid colors and aromas were mouth-watering.

Hueeh…

Wrath was drooling intensely from his mouth as he examined the dishes one by one.

Meet stew, roasted whole pig, fried chicken, beef ribs, and lamb chops… Oh? That's salmon, isn't it? And there's both grilled and raw!

He dropped his jaw while watching the salmon dishes that Yua was bringing.

'I asked them because you wanted to eat them.'

Raon had gotten the ingredients from Dorian and asked Yua to cook while Wrath was sleeping inside the bracelet.

Wow!

Wrath flew at Yua and started to rub his head against her.

You're the best, Pineapple Girl!

'I'm the one who asked her, though!'

Pineapple Girl!

'...'

He was only complimenting Yua. Raon remembered why he shouldn't be kind to a doormat.

While Raon was arguing with Wrath, the wide rectangular table was filled with dishes. Everyone sitting at the table licked their lips even though they were still nervous.

"Amazing, let me try the beef ribs…"

"Stay still!"

"Ack!"

Rimmer was trying to pick up the fork but had to withdraw after Sheryl smacked the back of his hand.

"Thank you."

Sylvia smiled at Sheryl and stood up from her seat. Her lips parted after she looked at everyone, starting from the maid at the very end to Glenn, who was at the seat of honor.

"I managed to return to the path of warrior thanks to everyone here."

The people sitting at the table looked at Sylvia with different meanings in their gazes.

"Thank you, everyone. I never thought I would get to feel this happiness again. I'll do my best to become a warrior who you won't regret helping."

Sylvia placed her hand on her chest and carefully bowed.

"I'll look forward to it."

"It will be so."

"Congratulations!"

Sheryl was the first one to applaud, and the others also clapped their hands and cheered for her.

"..."

Glenn stayed still with his arms crossed without saying or doing anything.

"Then let's start eating before the food gets cold."

Sylvia wasn't surprised despite Glenn's reaction and gestured with her hand for them to eat with a smile.

"Ah, before that, how about having a drink since Raon prepared some liquor?"

She glanced at Raon.

"Understood."

Raon nodded then stood up and took out the Perriton Blancs that he'd prepared in advance.

"Hey! Why are you bringing white wines when we have so many meat dishes?! Stupid kid, you don't know anything about drinking. The sword is all you are good at—cough!"

Rimmer blabbered, asking for a different drink only to collapse after Sheryl hit him on the back of his head.

"You are so dead if you open your mouth once more."

Sheryl smiled at Raon, telling him to continue.

"Hmm…"

Raon groaned quietly and went towards Glenn.

"Would you like to have some?"

"…Yes."

Glenn uncrossed his arms and raised his glass, as if he were telling him to try filling it.

Raon focused to the extreme, as if he were facing an enemy, and poured the Perriton Blanc into Glenn's glass as carefully as possible.

Once the liquor reached half of the glass, Raon stopped and bowed at him.

"Hmm…"

Glenn's expression looked slightly brighter, probably because he was holding the liquor he wanted to drink.

'He seems to like it.'

Raon breathed out a sigh of relief and filled Sylvia's glass before heading towards Rimmer and the Gambling Monster.

He was going to fill their glasses, but he noticed their strange reactions. They were looking at Glenn with furrowed brows.

"Hmm?"

Raon looked around while thinking that it was strange, and Glenn was raising his wine glass towards Rimmer and the Gambling Monster.

Raon wasn't too sure, but Glenn somewhat looked like he was laughing at them.

'What's going on?'

He couldn't understand the situation because none of the three were saying anything.

Raon tilted his head, filled Sheryl and Roenn's glasses, and returned to his seat.

"Shall we make a toast?"

Sylvia raised her glass. Everyone else raised their glasses after her, but Glenn stayed still.

"You need to offer your wishes during a toast."

Sheryl smiled lightly and gestured at Sylvia with her eyes.

"In that case, to Raon's happiness!"

"Isn't this your celebration party?"

"Seriously."

Rimmer and the Gambling Monster sighed reluctantly and raised their glasses. Sheryl and Roenn also raised their glasses while smiling.

Glenn secretly raised his glass even though he looked like he wasn't interested in the toast. He seemed to be playing along with the mood because it was a joyous occasion.

The glasses clinked in the air, and everyone took a sip of Perriton Blanc.

"Hmm? This is pretty good."

"White wine's advantage is its refreshing and crisp flavor, but Perriton Blanc also has the deep flavor of red wines. That's why it can't possibly be bad."

The Gambling Monster finished the glass at once and refilled it on his own.

"Let's enjoy our wonderful dinner."

Sylvia spread her arms, signaling the start of the dinner.

The King of Essence wants the salmon first!

Wrath was frowning from the taste of alcohol and pointed at the salmon with his round finger.

Raw salmon—no, grilled salmon! No! Start with the raw salmon!

'Ask your pineapple girl to feed you, great sir.'

Raon ignored him, served himself some stew, and started to eat.

Hey!

Even though he kept arguing with Wrath, the dinner proceeded quietly.

Rimmer joked from time to time, and while the Gambling Monster and Sheryl responded to him, Glenn didn't say anything. As a result, it was pretty much a time of silence.

"Would you like some more?"

Raon raised the Perriton Blanc while looking at Glenn's empty glass.

"Yes."

Glenn briefly nodded and raised his glass. As Raon filled the glass, Glenn's hand looked like it was shaking slightly.

He thought that Glenn might be sensitive to alcohol despite being a transcender, just like Wrath.

Raon continued to fill Glenn's glass whenever it was empty as he continued to eat, and all the Perriton Blancs that Dorian gave him were emptied.

Hmm!

Wrath burped extensively and lay down with his belly facing upwards.

Th-the King of Essence is satisfied for today!

He fell asleep right after. The demon king was really living like a beast who just followed its instincts.

"Sylvia."

Glenn also wiped his mouth with a napkin and looked at Sylvia.

"Yes?"

"What are you planning to do from now on?"

Glenn asked the same question that Raon had asked her recently.

"I'm planning to stay here."

"Are you not going to wield the sword again?"

"Yes, I will. I'm going to wield the sword. However, I want to protect my people from here instead of bringing fame to the house from outside."

Sylvia gave him the exact same answer as she gave to Raon.

"Raon said that he would make you a member of the direct line next year. He said that he is going to defeat the Axe King and use all of the achievements he's been saving up so far."

Glenn finished off the remaining Perriton Blanc in his glass and narrowed his eyes.

"I decided to accept that suggestion."

"Ah…"

"If you can achieve that, you shall return to the main building."

Glenn nodded while moving his gaze from Sylvia to Raon.

"M-my lord…"

Sylvia's lips trembled, showing her surprise at Glenn's suggestion that she return to the main building.

Her red eyes were wavering like the sunset reflected on the ocean.

"This dinner was worth my time."

Glenn gave the best compliment in his standard and stood up from his chair.

"Thank you for the meal."

"All the dishes were excellent."

"I told you, they make good stuff."

"Thanks for the meal."

Sheryl, Roenn, Rimmer, and the Gambling Monster also stood up after Glenn.

Glenn looked at Sylvia then Raon before he left the annex building, and the others followed him.

"Haa…"

Sylvia covered her face with both hands and exhaled deeply. Her twitching shoulders revealed that she was holding back her tears.

Raon held her shoulder and bit his lip tightly.

The fact that Glenn told her to return to the main building implied that he was going to consider her his daughter once again.

Since she heard it directly from him, it was only natural that she couldn't control her emotions with all her pent-up feelings welling up inside her.

Raon stayed there, patting Sylvia's back for a long time.

* * *

"You finally said something," Rimmer whistled while looking at Glenn's back. "I was actually hoping for something gentler, but that's enough for now… Hmm?"

He stopped talking and widened his eyes. Glenn was looking back with his eyes curved into a mocking smile.

"Huh? Wh-what is that? What's up with that irritating expression?"

"He's also looking at me like that."

The Gambling Monster also saw his expression and furrowed his brow.

"Hah."

Glenn sneered at both of them at once and turned his head without hesitation, as if he were telling them they were mistaken.

"W-wait a moment! Are you acting like that because Raon filled your glass first?"

"It can't be…?"

Rimmer and the Gambling Monster dropped their jaws in bewilderment.

"That's not all. Raon filled my glass ten times total today, while you guys had to fill yours on your own."

Glenn looked back once again and snorted.

"Wait, that was because you were sitting next to him!"

"What's special about filling the glass?!"

"Losers can keep barking."

Glenn shook his hand, treating Rimmer and Gambling Monster as defeated dogs.

"Y-you!"

Rimmer ground his teeth, and Sheryl stopped him.

"He finally made some progress today. Put up with him for now."

Sheryl shook her head, telling Rimmer to leave him alone for the day.

However, Glenn seemed to have no intention of stopping there as he sneered with his eyes once again.

"How am I supposed to put up with it when he's making that expression?! This is so irritating! I'm closer to Raon… Kueeh!"

Rimmer dashed at Glenn while shouting and got shot down by lightning.

"Wh-why are you not doing anything, geezer…?"

Rimmer's chin trembled as he looked up to the Gambling Monster, who wasn't moving from his spot.

"I don't want to be beaten up at my age."

The Gambling Monster clicked his tongue while murmuring, 'What a stupid guy'.

"Huhuhu."

Roenn laughed gently as if he were enjoying the situation itself and followed everyone.