Raon trembled as he watched Denier’s flickering eyes. ‘What kind of smile is that?’ Denier’s smile was unlike anything he had ever seen in either his past or present life. It seemed filled with anticipation as if he had been waiting for this moment, yet also felt like a sneer—and somehow conveyed the emptiness of a puppet imitating human emotion. “Lord of Light Wind?” While Raon was chewing his lips, he heard the voice of Chad, the head of the Shadow Agents Division. Raon hurriedly turned his eyes toward Chad. Following his hand, Raon looked down and saw that the Light Wind Palace, which had been beside him, had already returned to their original positions. The only ones left on the platform were himself and Glenn. Raon bowed to Glenn and Chad and stepped down from the platform. “You spacing out? That’s rare! Were you thinking about the past?” Dorian grinned, clearly delighted at the opportunity to tease him. “Spacing out is the best…” Runaan lightly tapped Raon’s arm and praised him for it. “He’s not just a division leader anymore. He’s the Lord of Light Wind. You should start calling him that.” Burren nodded, urging Raon to adjust the way he addressed him. Raon narrowed his eyes at Dorian, Runaan, and Burren. ‘So none of them saw it.’ Seeing the entire Light Wind Palace smiling, it seemed he was the only one who noticed Denier’s eerie expression. Raon called out to Wrath with only his eyes. – Of course I saw it. Wrath nodded slowly, not disappointing his expectations. – It was a mixture of desire, relief, and emptiness. Even this king cannot fathom that human’s identity. Wrath frowned as if just thinking about Denier gave him a headache. – The smile lasted for an extremely brief moment, and everyone else here was focused on your sword ritual, so no one else likely saw his expression. Wrath nodded, saying it was only natural others missed it. Since it happened during his acceptance speech and sword ritual, Raon had likely been the only one looking at Denier. “Then with this, the promotion ceremony is concluded.” Glenn formally ended the ceremony and turned around. Light Wind Palace! Light Wind Palace! The Zieghart swordsmen and spectators once again applauded and cheered for Raon and the Light Wind Palace. “Lord of Light Wind.” Once the cheers died down, Glenn gestured for Raon to approach. “Since the Light Wind Division is now the Light Wind Palace, we should prepare a proper building and training ground. Do you have anything in mind?” He nodded, indicating that Raon could choose any empty location. “Then may I develop the road that connects Training Ground Five to Northgaze Mountain?” The road from Training Ground Five to Northgaze Mountain was wide, and developing that area could allow for a new building and training ground. “You plan to demolish Training Ground Five?” “No. I’d like to leave it as it is.” Raon firmly shook his head. ‘Even if we don’t use it, I want to keep it.’ Rimmer had cherished that place so much he used it as the code for his vault. Raon wanted to protect Training Ground Five until the day Zieghart disappeared. “Head of the Shadow Agents Division. Is it possible?” Glenn nodded slightly and called out to Chad. “I anticipated the Lord of Light Wind would say that, so I already looked into it. There’s ample space to build a new training ground.” Chad smiled faintly and explained that he had already investigated it. “You looked into it beforehand?” “Yes. I knew the Lord values memories.” He slightly bowed, saying it had been expected. Raon bowed back to Chad in return. “No thanks needed. This is part of my duty.” Chad waved a hand with a calm expression. “Then I’ll be going ahead. I have many places to receive blueprints from.” He left, vowing to construct the best building possible. “He’s a bit light-hearted, but his work is reliable. There’s a reason the previous head trusted him enough to retire.” Glenn nodded, saying it was good for the younger generation to build rapport. “Yes. I felt that too.” Raon nodded while watching Chad’s back. ‘At first, I thought he was Karoon’s spy, but I was wrong.’ Because Chad had been overly kind and cautious, Raon initially suspected he was trying to extract information for Karoon. But Chad had proven to be completely neutral and had fulfilled his duties as head of the Shadow Agents Division so well that Raon now felt guilty for having doubted him. He would need to apologize soon. “Congratulations once again.” Glenn patted Raon on the shoulder, saying he had done well. Raon bowed to Glenn and turned away. Just as Glenn let out a sound of regret, Raon heard heavy footsteps approaching from the front. Silvia and Edgar ran toward him with arms wide open, and Aris, smiling brightly for the first time in a while, called out to her nephew. Sia, imitating Aris, also waved her hands and called him brother. “W-Wait, one at a time—ugh!” Though he tried to call for order, the four of them simultaneously hugged him like they were apprehending a criminal. “We knew you could do it!” Helen, Judiel, and the other maids tearfully congratulated him. “Thank you. I was only able to do it thanks to all your help.” Raon bowed deeply to his family and the maids who had cared for him since childhood. “Right. We didn’t do anything…” Silvia and Helen shook their heads, but Raon didn’t withdraw his gratitude. “Yua and Yulius, you two did great too.” Silvia hugged Yua and Yulius, who stood behind Raon, sniffling. “It must’ve been tough training while helping out at the annex…” “You both worked hard.” The maids hugged the two children and teared up. “We could do it because everyone helped.” Yulius shook his head with a reddened nose. “Yes! I’m kind of amazing!” In contrast, Yua put her hands on her hips and tilted her chin confidently. Their contrasting attitudes brought wide smiles to everyone at the annex. – As expected of Pineapple Girl! Wrath nodded approvingly. – A subordinate of this king must be as bold as she is! If you’re as meek as you are, it’s no fun! He snickered, saying that’s why Yua appealed to him. Raon shoved away Wrath, who was mumbling about raising Yua himself, and looked at the other Light Wind swordsmen. “I’m now one of the squad leaders of Light Wind Palace…!” Runaan nodded exaggeratedly, saying she was now one of the squad leaders of the Light Wind Palace. “If you went from division leader to squad leader, isn’t that technically a demotion…?” Runaan’s father and head of the Sullion family, Rokan, furrowed his brow. “Just say it’s a good thing!” Runaan’s mother, Clara, smacked Rokan’s back. Karoon and Burren simply stared at each other without speaking. “Since Light Wind Division became the Light Wind Palace, you’ll likely become the Vice Lord.” Karoon narrowed his eyes and broke the silence. “Huh? M-Me? Vice Lord?” Burren opened his mouth wide in disbelief. “Not because you’re amazing, but because there’s no one else.” Karoon pointed at Martha and Runaan. Burren looked at the clueless Runaan and fierce Martha and gulped. “Vice Lord isn’t a position to slack off behind the Lord. You’ll often need to handle tedious and difficult tasks, so be prepared.” Though he answered, Burren furrowed his brow, unsure of how to prepare. “Follow me. I won’t teach you. You’ll observe and figure it out yourself.” Karoon clicked his tongue and turned around. Burren smiled even more brightly than when he was promoted and followed him. “Looks like you’ll be getting a leadership position next.” The Gambling Monster, slightly flushed as if he’d had a drink, gestured toward Mark Gorton. “If that happens, I plan to decline.” Mark Gorton shook his head firmly. “Yes. I’ve never led anyone. I wasn’t even part of a squad in the Light Wind Division. I’d prefer becoming a Guardian.” He clenched his fist, saying he wanted to keep fighting in an independent position. “Well, that’s not a bad idea. But you know a Guardian needs to be more powerful than a Lord or Division Leader, right?” The Gambling Monster nodded and lowered his hand. “Yes. That’s why I plan to focus solely on training for a while.” Mark Gorton nodded, saying he understood. “You’ve got a sharper look in your eyes. Good. Follow me. I’ll make sure your skills match the title of Guardian of the Light Wind Palace.” “If I don’t like what I see, I’ll kick you out immediately. Be ready.” The Gambling Monster handed him the liquor bottle and left Training Ground Five. Mark Gorton hugged the bottle like a treasure and followed him. “A gift? These are southern supplies!” “Come on, I didn’t do anything! Our Lord did everything!” Surrounded by many, Dorian received gifts and congratulations, as befitting someone so well-connected. The other members of the Light Wind Palace were also enjoying joyful reunions with their families and friends. Raon turned his gaze to two people wearing the warmest smiles of all. “From now on, you have to call me Division Leader! Your daughter is a Division Leader now!” Martha raised her chin proudly in front of Denier. “Of course! I should even call you Division Leader Ma’am!” Denier nodded, saying he’d use an honorific. “I had hoped you’d join the Black Tortoise Palace at first, but now I can only say your choice was right.” He smiled with only joy in his eyes, any regret now gone. “There were many days I wanted to give up, but I could keep going thanks to the Light Wind kids and you, Father. Thank you.” Unlike her usual fierce self, Martha lowered her head with a gentle gaze. “No, I was always happy thanks to you too.” Denier reached out and hugged her gently. The smile he gave Martha was the warm, kind one of a father—completely different from what Raon had seen earlier. Denier met Raon’s eyes and offered a soft congratulations. Though his voice was calm, it sent a chill down Raon’s spine. – T-That’s kind of scary now…. Wrath let out a hollow laugh. Even with all his experience as both assassin Raon and Raon Zieghart, he couldn’t read Denier’s intentions. There was clearly something there, but he couldn’t accuse or interrogate him, making it all the more frustrating. ‘He’s never actually done anything suspicious.’ Denier had never made a wrong move—even passed Glenn’s own inspection—and held high public favor, making it impossible to openly suspect him. (T/N: I just hope Denier is like the Professor Snape of this world. Kinda like a double agent but fiercely loyal to Zieghart). As Raon bit his lip, a gentle breeze from the [Soul Requiem Sword] wrapped around him, as if to say not to worry too much. He nodded, feeling the cool, comforting breeze. ‘I won’t let something like what happened with Master happen again.’ Raon clenched his fist, vowing not to lose anyone else. Though the sun hadn’t yet set, a tavern in a back alley of Camelon was bustling. Amidst the noise fueled by rumors from across the continent, Raon’s name was being whispered in a far corner. A black-haired middle-aged man with caterpillar-thick eyebrows tapped his chin with a beer mug. “About what? You know how many rumors there are in Camelon?” A muscular red-haired middle-aged man frowned. “Not those garbage rumors! I’m talking about Raon Zieghart!” The black-haired man slammed his beer mug down. As soon as he said Raon’s name, the tavern quieted. “Oh, about him defeating the Demonblade Dreg? I heard, but it’s hard to believe…” The red-haired man popped a peanut into his mouth and shook his head. “Everyone knows Raon Zieghart is strong, but the Demonblade Dreg is different. He was an unbreakable wall for decades. And you expect me to believe some kid under thirty took him down?” He shook his head, unconvinced. “The Demonblade Dreg will probably pop out and yell that it’s all a lie.” “Thinking that isn’t weird. I felt the same. But…” The black-haired man leaned forward and shook his head. “There’s evidence piling up.” “Yeah. Raon Zieghart returned home and was promoted from Division Leader to a Palace Lord. Do you think someone as cold as the King of Northern Destruction would reward a false achievement like that?” He furrowed his brow, asking if the red-haired man really didn’t know Glenn’s nature. The red-haired man nodded. “There’s more. The movement of the Demonblade Dreg Group, led by the Demonblade Dreg, has completely stopped. They’re not even collecting taxes.” “Yeah. The ones who were prepping for outside activity locked themselves in completely. Why else would that happen unless the leader is dead?” He blinked, seemingly entranced by the black-haired man’s words. “And lastly, it’s about the Demonblade Dreg and the Black Lotus Group.” “The Demonblade Dreg and the Black Lotus?” “Right. Among the Five Divine Order, they’re notoriously sensitive about their reputations. If someone spreads false rumors, they hunt them down and behead them. But this time…” The black-haired man bit into a cold sausage and shook his head. “They haven’t responded at all. Even though their name is being dragged through the mud, they’re staying silent. Why do you think that is?” “…Because it’s true?” “Exactly! The Demonblade Dreg really was killed by Raon Zieghart, so they can’t say anything!” “On top of that, I heard details about the fight between Raon and the Demonblade Dreg.” The red-haired man widened his eyes. “I picked up some goods from Zieghart territory recently. The rumors have already spread there.” The black-haired man smacked his lips. “So what happened was…” Just as he began to describe the battle, his eyes swept the room. The once-chaotic tavern had gone completely silent, as if it were a library. Every eye was on him. “Ahem! I’m feeling a bit parched.” He cleared his throat and shook his empty mug. As someone who loved gossip, he recognized this as a golden chance for a free feast. “Two beers for that guy!” “Bring snacks too! Put it on my tab!” “I’ll pay! Just get talking already!” The tavern patrons shouted over one another, ordering drinks and snacks just to hear more. Some even threw coins. “Ahem! Then let’s get started.” The black-haired man downed his fresh beer in one go and grinned. “Come on, I’m dying to know! Hurry!” The red-haired man bounced his leg, clearly at his limit. “In truth, the Demonblade Dreg, to strengthen his lost arm and demonic energy, used his subordinates as…” The tavern went dead silent, not even the sound of a bug passing could be heard. But this scene wasn’t unique to this tavern. As Roenn traveled south, the stories he told spread by word of mouth—soon blanketing the entire continent with Raon’s legend. [The entire continent is in awe of your achievement.] [All stats increase by 10 points.] [The trait has leveled up.] [The trait has leveled up.] [The trait has leveled up.] Raon stopped mid-swing and opened his eyes blankly. He was just training in the training ground, but a reward message suddenly popped up. Wrath, who had been napping contentedly after eating some pearl ice cream for dessert, shot up. – Why did a reward suddenly appear! Wrath trembled with frustration. ‘The continent is in awe of what I’ve done…’ Raon narrowed his eyes at the first message. ‘It must be a reward triggered by the rumor of me defeating the Demonblade Dreg spreading across the continent.’ Honestly, even he still had trouble believing it, so it wasn’t strange that the whole continent was shocked. Though he hadn’t expected this kind of reward. Wrath clutched his head and groaned. – This cursed system! It’s like it exists just to torment this king! He shook his head in outrage. After briefly checking the rewards, Raon picked up [Heavenly Drive] and resumed practicing the swordsmanship of [Heavenly Thunder Art]. Wrath frowned at Raon. Of course he was happy—getting those rewards for free. ‘But even with rewards like that, I still have to become strong myself.’ It was true the system’s rewards made him stronger, but they were meaningless if his martial strength remained stagnant. If he wanted to protect everyone in future battles, he needed to grow strong enough to face anyone—even among the Five Divine Order. – Geez, you change your mind every second. Wrath crossed his arms and snorted. His lips pouted, but his eyes betrayed joy. ‘Because that’s the truth.’ Though he defeated the Demonblade Dreg, Raon still had far to go. There was no guarantee he could beat others among the Five Divine Order—especially the Thespian Emperor. Now was the time to focus on training. As he practiced his swordsmanship by channeling lightning through [Heavenly Thunder Art], the door to the training ground opened and Chad entered. “Lord of Light Wind.” Chad bowed as he spoke the still-unfamiliar title. “Head of the Shadow Agents Division.” Raon lowered his [Heavenly Drive], brimming with lightning, and bowed in return. “What brings you here?” “The head of house is calling for you.” Chad raised his head. His gaze was heavy and somber. “It’s about the Black Tower.” (T/N: To be more consistent, I think I’m gonna use Palace Lord instead of Palace Master as the title moving forward.)