Chapter 430.

Raon looked back as he and his swordguard headed for the annexe.

“Have they started already?

From the thunder that seemed to shake the sky and the muffled screams of Limerick, it was clear that Glenn’s matriculation had begun.

‘He’s not going to leave us alone.

As it turned out, Limer was being a bitch, and there was no way Glenn was going to let him get away with it.

It was a late start, thanks to the arrival of the ghosts.

‘My condolences. My Lord. No, my Lord.

Raon squeezed his eyes shut and prayed for the memory of Limer, who might have died as soon as he became High Lord.

“You’re being a bit hard on him today, though.

He’d seen Glenn rain down thunderbolts on Rimmer before, but he hadn’t expected it to be this strong, almost as if he were plunging a sword into an enemy.

‘He was certainly a little strange.

Remer had never been an odd elf, but even Glenn was a little off today.

‘You were jealous, weren’t you?

-Yes.

Rath nodded in agreement.

-I sensed a tinge of jealousy, albeit a thin one, in your inspiration and mine.

‘I am not mistaken after all.

Just a moment ago, in the Realm of Reality, Glenn and Swordguy had expressed jealousy towards each other. It was faint, but it was definitely jealousy.

Raon wrinkled the bridge of his nose.

“I don’t understand.

You and Glenn have a martial arts background that’s second to none, and I don’t have the slightest idea what you’re envious of in each other.

I’m surprised that even swordsmen who are that accomplished have envy.

‘People are so strange.

Raon squinted at the swordsman beside him, who looked back as if he, too, had felt Glenn’s thunderbolt.

“Well, that’s something. I’ve barely scratched the surface of my abilities, but that kind of energy, there’s a reason they used to call it thunder.”

Swordguy shook his head as he felt the fading thunderbolt.

“What is it?

Raon scratched his head, looking at the sword spirit.

“Why am I not jealous now?

He was jealous when they met in the realm of the living, but now that he felt helpless in person, he was filled with admiration. I don’t know what the hell is going on.

“Human emotions are so difficult.

-That is because you are not human.

Rath muttered that you would not know human emotions after a lifetime.

-You should consider following King Bourne to the demon realm. The mortal realm is no place for you, even if it is infuriating.

Go back.

As he pushed past the clinging Rath and led the way back to the annex, the swordguy came up beside him.

“Have you ever studied martial arts with the King of the North?”

“I was advised, but not formally taught.”

Laon looked straight ahead and shook his head.

“You don’t need to tell me about the Taihua Bo.

He was a trustworthy man, but he didn’t tell Glenn that he’d been taught the Tai Chi by himself, just in case.

“I see.”

Gum Gui’s face lit up like sunlight from the front, and he nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“But the more I think about it, it’s even more ridiculous that you’re so powerful even though you’re not under the tutelage of the Northern Destruction King….”

He lowered his eyebrows in incomprehension.

“In many ways, I was lucky.”

Raon rolled his eyes to the right. He gave a small smile as he watched the cotton candy struggle for food in the annex.

“Lucky indeed.

It would have taken him another ten years to reach his current level without the Dual Demon King by his side. Lucky was all he could say.

“Luck. I’m sure there’s some luck involved, but….”

Swordguy lowered his blue eyes and stroked his beard.

“I’ve seen you try harder than anyone else. You’re the fastest of the bunch to get up and finish your own training, and help others train, and you call it luck? You’re too modest.”

He patted her on the shoulder to reassure her.

“That’s right, I’ll follow in your footsteps, Raon-sama!”

Muston balled his fists tightly, heat in his eyes.

Knowing his past, I still felt uncomfortable looking into those clear eyes. To be honest, I felt like poking them with my finger.

“I have a proposition for you.”

The swordguy looked at Muston, his mouth twitching, then back at me.

“If you say proposal, then….”

“Would you allow me to watch your swordplay while you stay here?”

He blinked quickly, wanting to teach Muston and give him light advice, as he had been doing so far.

“I would only be grateful if you would.”

Raon bowed respectfully. The sword spirit’s teachings were easy to understand, and he was glad to be able to adapt quickly.

There was no reason for him to refuse to learn from the Great Spirit himself.

“Me too! Me too!”

Yu Yu raised his arms in the air and shouted that he wanted to join the training.

“Okay. Come with me.”

Swordguy stroked Yu’s head and nodded.

“Ah, if she can do it, I should do it too….”

Julius tilted his head and rolled his eyes, studying the swordsman.

“You can come too. Julius.”

“Thanks!”

The gumshoe curled his lips into a thin line, as if he thought Julius was being childishly cute.

“Muston. I hope you don’t mind?”

“Of course, they’re all Raon-sama’s Sioux, so it doesn’t matter!”

Muston exclaimed, offering to help as well, as if that was a problem.

“Mmm….

Raon frowned at Muston’s smirk.

‘You really don’t fit in.’

With the jealousy gone and the master-servant relationship established, Muston became a different person, like a soiled garment. His personality is cool, but he’s also very aware of his surroundings, and the two children follow him closely.

Above all, he was a trusty barrel who, if I told you so, would believe the sun rose in the west.

-Make yourself comfortable.

Rath drooled as he looked at the annexe that was beginning to come into view.

-If you’re uncomfortable with a slave, consider him a good listener, as long as you don’t try to take advantage of him.

‘Yes. That would be good.

Raon looked at Muston and nodded.

‘Sometimes it helps.

He smiled and patted Rath’s pudgy shoulder, who was only thinking about eating.

As they walked, listening to the conversation between the swordsman and the two children, they found themselves in the garden of the annexe.

“Waaaaaah!”

The toddler ran like a breeze and opened the gate of the annex.

“Mistress! Sisters!”

Her shout shook the entire annex, and Sylvia, Helen, and the maids came rushing out.

“The infant!”

“My infant, my infant, your face has halved while I was gone!”

“You’re too late!”

“You should have called me halfway!”

The handmaidens looked away, searching the infant for any injuries or illnesses.

“Julius!”

“He’s not hurt, is he?”

“Look how tall he’s grown between his legs!”

“He’s growing up. Did you eat well?”

Julius was the next to be checked on. Julius nodded, his eyes watering as if he missed the annex.

“Mmm….”

Raon scratched his cheek as he looked at the maids surrounding the infant and Julius.

“This is a little vague….

Normally, that reaction would have bothered him, but now that he was paying attention to the two children and not this one, it was a little annoying.

-Anyway, he’s annoying.

Lars shook his head, saying he was difficult to play with.

“Just saying.

As Raon was tasting the bitter taste on the inside of his tongue, Sylvia, who had been cupping the toddler’s cheek, stood up.

“Raon, good work! How are you and Julius… huh?”

Sylvia smiled and came to a halt, her eyebrows twitching as if she’d seen the unseen when she spotted the swordsman standing to her right.

“Ah….”

It’s an expression I’ve never seen on Sylvia’s face before. I couldn’t tell what emotion was in those wavering red eyes.

“….”

The swordsman stared at Sylvia for a long moment before taking a step forward.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Swordsman Lectar.”

He bowed first to Sylvia, and then, unexpectedly, to himself.

“Rectar? Swordsman!”

Sylvia’s eyes widened as she recognised Rectar’s name.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I was so surprised.”

She bent down to apologise quickly, though her face was flushed with embarrassment.

“Never mind.”

Swordguy shook his head as if to say that was fine.

“But what business does the Great Swordsman have here….?”

Sylvia tilted her head as if she didn’t understand why the sword spirit was here.

“I’m here because I wanted to ask you something.”

“From me?”

“Yes.”

Gum Gui nodded and turned to face Sylvia.

“I’m sure you’ll excuse me, but….”

There was a loneliness in his eyes that she hadn’t seen before.

“Would you care to tell me your story?”

* * *

Valder sat down in the heavy radio room and glared at Karun across from him.

“Are you going to let him get away with this?”

He looked at the sword-wielding statue behind Karun and balled his fists.

“That damned thing is attracting bastards from all over the realm and outside, and you think I’m going to leave it alone!”

“And if we don’t leave it alone?”

Karun repeated, raising his clear glass.

“In Siegfried now. I mean, what are we going to do with the most-watched man on the continent, raid his house?

“What about attention, he’s just a kid!”

Valder gritted his teeth in disapproval.

“He’s more of a problem because he’s a kid.”

Karun set his glass down and blew out a cloudy breath.

“Do you know what you can brag about in the Knights of Mugana?”

“The highest number, of course.”

“It’s natural for old men old enough to be strong, and it’s ugly to brag about them.”

“Then….”

“Yes. The futures of the clan. The younger ones, the ones who will one day be the strongest, are the only ones who should be allowed to show off and boast.”

He poured whiskey roughly into an empty glass and frowned.

“And right now, the best of those futures is Raon Siegfried. A genius by the time he’s 30, and a genius by the time he’s 20, the whole continent takes notice. Even your father.”

“Mmm….”

“It is the nature of the world to cheer a young hero who defeats evil. If word of this Wraith’s actions spreads, his name will echo across the continent. Do you have any intention of disposing of such a man in your family? Do you have any intention of keeping Siegfried’s name in the ground?”

Karun glared at Valder to get him to his senses.

“Besides, you and I have both been humiliated by our fumbling attempts at him. If you make a move and get your tail caught, you could lose your post.”

He shook his head, deciding now was not the time to use his hands.

“So you’re telling me I’m supposed to just stand by and let him keep encroaching on my territory?”

“You’re mistaken. I never said anything about letting him get away with it.”

Karun’s lips twisted as he remembered Beren’s eyes staring down at him from the dais.

“Cocky bastard….

You seem to believe in the ship you’re on, and I’ll show you how a ship with a rotten keel goes down.

He held out his hand, but the memory of his youngest son’s smug expression as he kicked it away and began to walk away made him sick to his stomach.

“There are plenty of places to move for Raon, if not us. The clown has made too many enemies.”

“Omar?”

“Yes. There are many within the House who hate them, but it’s really Omar. Four out of five are after his head.”

Eden, the White Bloods, the Confederacy, and the Black Tower. Even if he only pretended to be one of them, he’d be in trouble with four of the five omages he’d have to run from for the rest of his life, and Raon would not be alive.

“Well, it’s a bit much to call them that, though….”

Valder swallowed dryly, wondering if it was a bit much to call an Oma a member of Siegfried’s order.

“I didn’t say anything about calling them.”

“Huh?”

“Why do we need to talk to Omar? We just need to spread some information. Where Raon is, what the force level is, and what we’ve learnt.”

Karun smiled wryly, as if it was inevitable that others would overhear their conversation.

“Ah!”

Valder snapped his fingers, recognising Karun’s ruse.

“But it’s hard to know what he knows. He’s always holed up in the Annexe and the Fifth Chamber.”

“Don’t worry.”

Karun lifted his goblet of fiery yellow liquor, his frosted eyes shining.

“It’s about time you took out the thorns you’ve had in your side for so long.”

* * *

Raon sat at a table in the garden with his swordguard.

The garden was still warm, thanks to the care that Sylvia and her maids had taken to it.

“You’ve been waiting a long time.”

Sylvia walked into the garden, carrying her own tea and sweets.

“I’ll do it.”

Raon took the tray from Sylvia and set the tea and sweets down on the table.

“This garden makes me feel good just looking at it.”

The swordsman looked round the garden and nodded. There was a hint of admiration in his eyes.

“We all tend it together.”

Sylvia smiled faintly, pleased to hear his praise. But strangely, she couldn’t take her eyes off his face.

When they had finished their tea and there was a moment of silence, Sylvia looked up.

“What is it that you want to know from me, Rectar, that I might be able to answer for you….?”

She paused, unsure of what the swordsman might ask.

“Only Sylvia can answer that.”

The gumshoe lowered his gaze to Raon, who chewed reluctantly at Rath’s urging.

“I have to say, Inspector Raon, I admire you in more ways than one.”

“Admired?”

At the mention of Raon’s name, Sylvia leaned her upper body against the table.

“Yes. Young martial artists, no matter how powerful they are, are usually lacking in one of two things: spirit or character, and this fellow is not lacking in either.”

The swordsman repeated what he had said to Glenn. As if he’d prepared for it, the praise flowed.

“Mmmm….”

“Well, is he?”

Raon scratched his head in embarrassment, but Sylvia’s face lit up.

“I know because I’m raising a disciple. How hard and difficult it is to raise a child with both humanity and martial power.”

The swordsman looked at Muston, who was watching the toddler and the lake, and let out a low sigh.

“That’s why I came to see you, Sylvia, I wanted to know how you raised the Raon swordsman.”

The swordsman bowed his head to Sylvia as if to ask a favour.

“Aww, don’t do this!”

Sylvia stood up from her chair and slapped her hands together. She forced Gum-Guy to his feet and sat back down.

“You want me to tell you, but to be honest, Raon grew up on his own.”

“That’s what I heard from the Clown Master.”

“It’s true, except he was a little sick when he was younger, but he really found things to do on his own.”

“Mmm….”

Raon pursed his lips. Sylvia’s comment about how she felt like she was raising an adult, not a child, made him look away.

“What do you mean you were sick?”

“I suffered from a condition called the Curse of the Cold when I was younger, though I am now cured.”

Sylvia told me the story of her childhood illness.

“Curse of the Cold….”

The swordsman bowed his head, his shoulders shaking slightly.

“If you don’t mind, could you tell me how you grew up to be a Raon swordsman?”

“I’d love to, by all means!”

Sylvia nodded, a wide smile on her face.

“I’m going to go take a break now….”

“Where!”

Raon tried to get away before his hands and feet turned to mush, but Sylvia grabbed his arm and wouldn’t let go.

“We have guests, you can’t run away, you have to spend time with your mum after all these years!”

“Ah….”

“I’ll start with the baby first, he didn’t even cry when he was born so….”

Sylvia crossed her arms and giggled as she began to tell the old story.

-Even the king wondered!

Ras climbed onto the table and stretched out his jaw.

-He wanted to know what had happened to turn a man into a demon!

He insisted on listening and looking for weaknesses.

“He’s so mature that it felt like Raon was playing with me, not me playing with him.”

“Huh, so you’ve been different since you were a kid.”

-No wonder, he beat the Bone King when he was a kid!

The conversation between the two men and the Demon King seemed to drag on, and Raon leaned his head back and sighed.

‘I want to rest, I want to rest desperately.’

* * *

Sylvia and Gum Gui’s conversation continued well into the evening, as a mother eager to show off her son and a teacher eager to raise his pupil in the right way.

Gum Gui, in particular, never got bored with Raon’s upbringing and listened with a smile or a retort. It was so genuine that it was almost embarrassing to watch.

“…And that’s how he got to where he is now.”

Sylvia smiled and ruffled Raon’s hair.

“I know you seem cold, but you’ve learned to care about people, which is what I was most worried about, and I’m glad you realised that on your own.”

She smiled broadly, not sure why, but she was most pleased that Raon had become suspicious.

“I don’t know why.”

Raon sighed and shook his head.

“Because my mum told me something, and it changed me.”

“I am?”

Sylvia tilted her head as if she didn’t know what he was talking about.

“You said you wanted to be a swordsman, like the old Siegfrieds, and like your father, a man who carries a sword for others. You also said you wanted to be a swordsman who smells like a man.”

Raon echoed the words Sylvia had once said to him, when she was taller than he was now.

“Yeah. It was those words.

‘I am who I am today, and the clown I am today, because of those words.

It was those words, spoken from the heart, that transformed him from an abandoned hound into Raon Siegfried, a man.

“Good words.”

The swordsman nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on Sylvia.

“Ah, yes.”

Sylvia blushed, embarrassed at her own praise. It was odd that she could talk about everything else all day and still be so calm, and yet one compliment could make her like that.

“Actually, it’s not just my mum, I’ve learnt that from your father.”

She laughed, saying she’d learnt from Raon’s father what a human smell test was.

“…….”

At the mention of his father, Gum Gui bit his lip and tilted his head slightly.

“I’ve heard that your husband died, but do you have any idea what he was like?”

He swallowed dryly, as if nervous.

“I’m afraid you won’t find it interesting, he was a rather unremarkable man, not a desert island with a name.”

Sylvia shook her head, agreeing that it would be a boring story.

“That’s okay, it’s not every swordsman who thinks like that.”

The swordsman’s voice quivered ever so slightly, like a harp string flicked by the tip of his little finger.

“Mmm….”

Sylvia studied the swordsman’s face for a long moment, then nodded.

“I see, then….”

The moment her father’s name came out of her mouth, his eyes narrowed.