Raon narrowed his eyes while standing in front of the door to Glennâs room.
âAre they having a secret conversation?â
The noise had disappeared from inside the room. Raon could guess that someone had created an aura barrier to remove the sound.
âIs it because of the person who left earlier?â
He met the eyes of an old woman who seemed to be a Black Market executive on the way to Glennâs room, and Raon guessed that they mustâve blocked the sound to hide the conversation they had with her.
Tap.
While Raon was making sure to remember the old womanâs face, the door was opened and Roenn appeared. The gentle smile on his face was the same as always.
âHeâs completely different from back then.â
The extremely coldhearted assassin who pushed the tenth apostle back with a single rapier was no longer there. Instead, he looked like an average old man taking a walk in a village.
âHow is your body?â
âIâm fine, thank you.â
Raon tried clenching his fist and nodded.
âThatâs a relief. Please enter.â
Roenn stepped aside to make way.
âThank you.â
Raon nodded and entered the room.
Rimmer was leaning his back against the wall with a frown on his face, and Sheryl was looking at him with a subtle smile on hers.
âGreeting my lord.â
He walked to the center and stood in front of Glenn. Glennâs inhospitable expression was the exact same as when they were in the audience chamber.
No, his face was even stiffer than usual, and Raon guessed that it mustâve been because the talk with the old woman didnât end up so well.
âWhatâs wrong?â
Considering his slightly hoarse voice, his internal injury must not have been healed yet.
âI came to express my gratitude.â
âYour gratitude?â
âYes. Thank you for saving my life.â
Raon knelt and bowed to him. Since he wasnât expecting him to come to his rescue at all, he felt even more thankful to him. Seeing Glenn reminded him of the moment death was right in front of him, making him tremble in fear even though it was already over.
âIt wasnât for your sake.â
Glennâs eyes turned as cold as the winter.
âI only made that scum pay the price for underestimating Zieghart.â
âArghâŚâ
Raon couldnât understand why, but Rimmer smacked his own forehead as soon as Glenn spoke.
âEven then, it doesnât change the fact that I managed to survive thanks to my lord. Thank you for saving me, and my companions.â
Since Raon had somewhat expected that answer, he smiled faintly and bowed once again.
âRaon Zieghart. You are too arrogant.â
Glenn narrowed his eyes. The sharp energy wave pierced into his chest like an aura blade.
âThe might youâve achieved at your age is certainly not bad. However, there are countless people stronger than you in the world. They wonât go easy on you just because you are young and brimming with talent.â
He was right. He was too reckless because he was overconfident about his growth.
âI ended up running head-first into danger.â
He thought he could win against an average apostle, and he did manage to slay the seventh apostle. However, the tenth apostle and Merlinâs appearance that followed were completely beyond his expectations.
It was necessary to create an escape path before he acted in order to shatter the plans of those monsters.
âIâm sorry.â
Raon accepted Glennâs scolding and lowered his head.
âHaaâŚâ
Sheryl gave an unusual sigh and turned around to look out the window.
âThis kind of miracle is never going to happen ever again.â
Glenn frowned while resting his chin on his hand. His gaze turned even colder.
âDonât do anything that is out of line. Interference without might is a meaningless sacrifice.â
âHaap.â
Roenn covered his mouth with his hand and closed his eyes. Raon had never seen him do that before, since heâd been treating Glenn like a god.
âHeâs right about that, too.â
He couldnât understand why the other three were acting like that, but Glenn was right. Jumping into danger to save others without having enough might was pretty much asking to be killed together. Motivation alone could never achieve anything after all.
âIâll carve your advice into my bones, my lord.â
Raon closed his eyes while taking Glennâs advice from the bottom of his heart.
âBy the way, is my lord okay right now?â
He saw him bleeding before, and his expression didnât seem so good. Raon was slightly worried about him.
âMy lord, how are your internal injuries?â
âAhem, you donât need to worry about it.â
Glennâs face seriously stiffened like a dried-up leaf. His internal injury seemed to still be hurting him.
ââŚHow about you?â
âIâm not doing too bad. I should be able to return to duty in about a week.â
âDid you already forget what I told you just now?â
Dignity was weighing on him from his voice. Raonâs shoulders trembled from the intense pressure.
âI told you to stop being arrogant, not cross the line. You barely managed to escape death. You shall rest thoroughly until your body is completely recovered!â
âHmm, understood.â
âBut stillâŚâ
Glennâs lowered voice sounded like it was trembling slightly.
âIâm glad you are safe.â
âAhâŚâ
Raon briskly raised his head. His jaw dropped, as he didnât expect Glenn to say something like that to him at all.
However, Glennâs expression was as cold as before. He mustâve meant it as a simple formality, but Raonâs nose was tingling because it was his first time hearing Glenn say that he was worried about him.
âThank you.â
Raon hung his head.
âAhem.â
Glenn cleared his throat and burrowed his back deep into the chair.
âOh.â
âHmm!â
âWoah.â
Rimmer, Sheryl, and Roennâwhoâd been facing the other way aroundâlooked at them at once and quietly exclaimed.
âIf you have nothing else to say, thenâŚâ
âI have. I might be mistaken, but it looks like the White Blood Religion's leader and the Fallen managed to escape alive.â
Since there was no way Wrath was lying about it, it mustâve been true that they were still alive. It was necessary to tell Glenn about them as fast as possible.
âI know.â
Glenn nodded without showing any sign of surprise.
âTrying to kill both of them at once was my mistake. I shouldâve focused on the Fallen, but I was too greedy, and I ended up giving them an opening.â
Despite Raonâs expectation, he admitted his mistake and frowned. His irritation was directed at himself rather than other people.
âHeâs really different.â
People in important positions tend to avoid admitting their mistakes.
Derus Robert was a narrow-minded man who always blamed his subordinates for his mistakes, but Glenn casually admitted his mistake despite standing above everyone.
That fact was as surprising as his prowess.
âIs that what you wanted to talk about?â
âNo, thereâs one more thing. Itâs about MarthaâŚâ
Raon told him what Martha had told him about the White Blood Religion's leader, as well as everything he had guessed from the story.
âWhat the hell?!â
âDamn itâŚâ
âHaaâŚâ
Rimmer was grinding his teeth violently, Sherylâs chin was trembling, and Roenn closed his eyes. Everyone seemed shocked.
âHmm.â
Glennâs coldhearted appearance was also gone as he groaned.
âHow is Martha doing?â
âShe fell asleep after eating a meal.â
Once Martha heard that there was still hope, she had eaten the food before falling asleep.
âHaa.â
He slowly sighed and looked out the window, where the sunlight was entering the room.
âWhen I met the White Blood Religion's leader for the first time, she was a little girl with red hair and blue eyes, and she was a blonde, purple-eyed woman in her twenties on our second encounter. Just like you guessed, the White Blood Religion's leader is capable of using a Soul Transfer sorcery to change into a different body.â
âI seeâŚâ
âHowever, itâs a bit different from the average Soul Transfer.â
âWhat do you mean?â
âSince the Soul Transfer consists of taking over another personâs body, the user normally loses most of their powers and wonât be able to use their physical abilities anymore. However, that monsterâs Soul Transfer doesnât have those drawbacks.â
Glennâs eyes became distorted. He was apparently getting angry at the White Blood Religion's leader.
âThe White Blood Religion's leader is capable of using all of her powers and sorcery immediately after settling into a new body. The limitations donât apply at all to her.â
âHahâŚâ
âHowever, it feels like her secret has been slightly unraveled thanks to you.â
âWhat?â
âItâs impossible to create results without any cause. The fact that sheâs wearing the same necklace as Martha must hold some kind of secret.â
He narrowed his eyes while mentioning causality, just like Wrath did. All of the powerful people were apparently aware of that law of nature.
âIs there any way to save Marthaâs mother, by any chance?â
âItâs normally impossible. HoweverâŚâ
Glenn calmly closed his eyes.
âIf one can overwhelm the White Blood Religion's leader in terms of willpower on top of prowess, it shouldnât be completely impossible.â
âI see.â
Raon clenched his fist. Since Glenn was saying that, it definitely wasnât impossible. However, the possibility was extremely slim because it involved defeating the White Blood Religion's leader.
âRaon Zieghart.â
âYes.â
âExcellent.â
Glenn suddenly praised him with a big nod.
âIf we manage to unravel the secret behind the White Blood Religion's leader, half of it shall be your achievement. Good job.â
âN-no, I was just trying to helpâŚâ
He only racked his brain to comfort Martha and to understand the situation. That was an excessive compliment.
âCaring for your companions is always the right thing to do. You should never forget that mindset.â
âIâll bear that in mind.â
âOnce Martha wakes up, you all should look after her. Iâll call upon her after we return to the house.â
âYes.â
Raon nodded.
âWhat a relief.â
He was worried that Glenn might have a bad opinion of Martha because she was the daughter of the White Blood Religion's leader, but he was worried about her instead. Even though he was coldhearted, he still had a heart for other people.
âYou should leave now.â
Glenn shook his hand as if he were trying to chase away a fly, just like he usually did.
âYes.â
Raon nodded and stood up.
âThank you, andâŚâ
He wanted to say something to Glenn for giving him sharp yet humane advice, but nothing good came to his mind. The only thing he could think of was the blood flowing out of his mouth recently.
âP-please live a long life.â
Raon spat out those words and hurriedly left the room as if he were trying to run away.
âOh my god! Live a long life? Are you really supposed to say that right now? In my opinion, the problem also lies with him!â
Rimmer sighed while looking at the door that Raon had left through.
âI hate to admit it, but I agree with you today. This is so annoying.â
Sheryl sighed deeply.
âThey should get gradually better in the future.â
Roenn patted Rimmer and Sherylâs shoulders, saying that they should be understanding.
âArghâŚâ
The three of them turned their heads upon hearing the groaning sound.
Glenn was biting his lip tightly while grasping the left side of his chest.
âGasp!â
âM-my lord?â
âIs it because of the internal injury?â
Rimmer, Sheryl, and Roenn were extremely surprised and started to approach Glenn, and he turned his head around. His lips were trembling violently.
âHe told me to live a long lifeâŚâ
He was moved to tears as he stared at the door.
âAnd he even cared so much for Martha. Heâs such an innocent and kindhearted boy.â
ââŚâŚâ
The threeâs gazes froze once again.
* * *
[Translator â Kyangi]
[Proofreader â Harley]
* * *
Raon took a seat and controlled the Ring of Fire after returning to his room. The resonance of the rings decreased the intense pain throughout his body and accelerated the recovery of his body.
âThis is clearly different.â
The Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier were both excellent cultivation techniques, but the Ring of Fire was even more special. He could even feel the slow recovery of his ruptured blood vessels and damaged skin.
Whir!
He even forgot the flow of time as he focused on cultivation, and by the time he managed to recover four lines of his mana circuits, he could hear people approaching his room.
Knock. Knock.
After the footsteps, a knocking sound and Dorianâs voice followed.
âVice squad leader, you are having some visitors!â
Raon opened his eyes upon hearing that someone had come to visit him. He could feel that two other people were standing behind Dorian.
âWho could they be?â
Raon stood and opened the door.
âYou look better than before.â
Dorian grinned, and two women walked up to him from behind him. The one in front of him was the old woman who previously came out from Glennâs room, and the one standing next to her was Denning Rose, the branch manager of the Black Market in Grand Seville.
âHaaâŚâ
It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from "pawread dot com".
Denning Rose covered her mouth, then bumped her shoulder onto the wall as she couldnât keep her balance.
âItâs a relief. Iâm really relievedâŚâ
She bit her lip tightly while grasping her chest.
âBranch manager?â
âDonât worry. The strength left her body from witnessing the vice squad leaderâs survival.â
The old woman smiled gently while patting Denning Roseâs back.
âHmmâŚâ
Raon slightly nodded while looking at Denning Rose, who was breathing faintly with her eyes closed.
âI heard she worked hard.â
Heâd heard about Denning Rose when the Light Wind squad told him what happened while he was gone. Sheâd apparently commanded the Black Marketâs agents all night long in order to find Eden's branch location, and the tension mustâve finally left her after seeing him.
âThank you. I managed to survive thanks to you.â
Raon nodded courteously at Denning Rose.
âNo.â
Denning Rose shook her head. Considering how quickly she regained her composure and her calm gaze, she was truly an extraordinary intelligence agent.
âI wouldâve already died in humiliation at the seventh apostleâs hands if it wasnât for the vice squad leader.â
She smiled faintly, saying that she was only repaying the favor.
âBut who is sheâŚ?â
Raon looked at the old woman who was holding Denning Roseâs shoulder tightly. Considering the way she was treating the branch manager, she mustâve been an executive from the Black Market just like heâd previously thought.
âMy name is Roseline, and Iâm in charge of the Black Market. Iâm glad to see you.â
âThe Black Marketâs master?â
She said that she was in charge of the Black Market, not a branch. It could only mean that she was the master of the Black Market, able to influence the entire continent.
âYes, Iâm currently managing the Black Market even though Iâm unworthy.â
She smiled as if it wasnât a big deal.
âAh, I apologize for my late introduction. Iâm the Light Windâs vice squad leader, Raon Zieghart.â
Raon bowed to Roseline.
âUnworthy, huh⌠Thereâs no way that is true.â
The Black Marketâs current master was the one who expanded the Black Market to its current state, and that was the woman standing in front of him. She was simply acting humble because she held all of the power of the Black Market.
âPlease enter for now.â
Since he couldnât keep them standing in front of the door, he brought them inside and let them sit in front of a table.
âDorian, Iâm sorry, but can you bring some teââ
âYes.â
Dorian answered but didnât leave the room.
âAh, itâs here.â
He took three teacups and a teapot from his belly pocket. He put red tea leaves inside the pot, and the pot suddenly started to boil, steam coming from it.
Pssh!
The heavy yet clear fragrance of tea emerged from the pot and warmed up the room.
âSeriously.â
Raon chuckled. His pocket and tools were always such a mystery, and they managed to surprise him once again.
âThis is Benzar green tea. It should have a nice fragrance since it was dried properly.â
Dorian poured the tea into the three teacups with a smile on his face, as if he were a butler.
âThe mister over here was also from an extraordinary house.â
Roseline was looking at Dorianâs belly pocket with a subtle smile. She took a sip of the tea before placing a wooden box on the table.
âIs thisâŚ?â
âItâs Uboâs panacea.â
âUboâs panacea? Why is itâŚâ
âThis is my gift for the vice squad leader.â
Raonâs jaw dropped. Ubo was a master elixir craftsman, and people called him the Medicine Saint. They said that his panacea was even capable of reviving the dead, and Raon didnât expect her to give him such a precious item as a gift at all.
âWhy would you give this to meâŚ?â
âWe were partly responsible for the vice squad leaderâs kidnapping. We shouldâve been helping you, but we only ended up being helped instead. Thatâs why this much is necessary to show our gratitude.â
She pushed the panaceaâs wooden box towards him.
âHmmâŚâ
Raon was looking at Roseline instead of the panacea. Her peaceful eyes were clear enough, without a speck of ulterior motive, but he couldnât exactly trust that.
He secretly flicked his eyes over to look at Denning Rose. She wasnât reacting at all despite seeing the panacea, as if it were only obvious that it would be given to him.
âTheir reactions are slightly different.â
Roseline felt like he was giving Uboâs panacea because of the head of house instead of himself, while Denning Rose felt like she was giving it to him out of pure worry.
However, they seemed to agree that it was an appropriate gift for him.
âThank you.â
Raon lowered his head, picked up the wooden box, and brought it in front of him. It was light, but the warmth coming from inside felt rather heavy.
âThis much is obvious.â
Roseline simply shook her hand and took a sip of the tea.
âThis tea is nice.â
âThank you!â
Dorian smiled while holding the teapot.
So, is it delicious? You should try it too!
Wrath couldnât read the atmosphere and suddenly interfered to point at the teacup.
âYou arenât going to like it.â
Thatâs up to the King of Essence to decide!
âHaaâŚâ
Raon sighed and took a sip of the tea.
Tsk! This is so bland.
Wrath clicked his tongue and returned to the ice flower bracelet. Raon was dumbfounded at his behaviorâit almost felt like he was raising a child.
âThen letâs proceed to the next topic.â
Roseline placed the teacup on the table and smiled.
âThe next topic?â
âYou didnât tell her which rewards you wanted after completing the mission. I should actually say that you didnât have any opportunity for that. Since she said sheâd do anything for you, we will keep that promise.â
âAhâŚâ
She did say that before, and Raon had a list of things to ask from her. However, he couldnât actually say that.
âItâs fine.â
Raon slowly shook his head.
âI heard that the entire Black Market worked hard on my rescue. I was already helped in return, so any further reward would be excessive.â
It was true. Too much greed would come back to bite him. Since everyone had survived, that was enough for him.
âIt would be shameless to accept that reward.â
He wouldâve taken the promised rewards and information if the incident ended after defeating the seventh apostle at Grand Seville, but the situation went so wrong afterward, and the Black Market had helped him in return. Getting the original reward for the mission was fine, but making additional requests wouldâve been unreasonable.
âThis girl is the Black Marketâs branch manager, and one of my successors.â
Roseline caressed Denning Roseâs head.
âEven though our history isnât as long as Zieghart, we canât exactly break a successorâs promise.â
She stared at Raon with a faint smile on her face.