Raon lowered his eyebrows as he looked at the large-bodied man who suddenly appeared.
'Why did this person come here?'
There was only one man who possessed such ferocity like a wild beast and the boldness of one who seemed to stand alone in the world.
It was undoubtedly Ogram, the Beast King and leader of the Beast Alliance, whom he had met at the Six Kings Conference.
However, the alliance where Ogram resided should be far from the Siran tribe, so Raon couldn't understand why he had appeared here.
'Did you know that person was coming here?'
-Isn't it obvious?
Wrath frowned as if Raon was asking something obvious.
'Then why didn't you tell me?'
-Why should I have to tell you!
'You're sulking.'
-What do you mean sulking!
He said that while turning his head away sharply. It seemed he was upset from being teased earlier. For a demon king, he was too narrow-minded.
"Raon. And Karoon, is it?"
Ogram looked back and forth between Raon and Karoon, curling his lips.
"It's been a while for both of you. However..."
He turned his gaze to survey the corpses of the assassins with severed necks and the ash-filled forest, furrowing his brow.
"What is all this about?"
He didn't seem to have grasped the situation yet.
"Haven't you heard anything?"
Raon blinked at Ogram. It seemed Ogram had come straight here without stopping by where the Siran tribe was.
"It seemed the situation over there was finished, but things were still ongoing here, so I came here."
Ogram shook his head confidently with his arms crossed. His forearms were so massive that veins stood out as if about to burst.
"Raon. You tell me. What happened here?"
"Is it alright for you to hear it from me? The Siran Tribe Chief is here too."
"Don't you know the meaning of that robe?"
He pointed at the Black Dragon Coat that Raon was wearing.
"Giving you the Black Dragon Coat means I trust you. I'm not someone who carelessly gives away my possessions to others."
Ogram curled his lips as he saw the scales protruding from the Black Dragon Coat.
"Since the Black Dragon Coat has also accepted you as its master, I can trust you even more. Speak quickly."
He nodded impatiently, urging Raon to speak up.
Raon inwardly chuckled as he looked at Ogram standing proudly.
'His personality is so straightforward it's almost chilling.'
Despite meeting only once, he says he trusts me because he gave me the Black Dragon Coat. It's a personality I can't understand with my common sense. I felt he was impressive, yet someone I couldn't imitate.
"..."
Karoon stood quietly in place without saying a word. The murderous glint in his eyes had also subsided.
It didn't seem like he would make a move as long as Ogram was present.
'He probably doesn't trust me, and there's no evidence, is that it?'
Jubel didn't know if Karoon was behind the Hwansaldae, and Judiel received orders from her superior in the True Martial Palace, not directly from Karoon.
Since there was no physical evidence that Karoon orchestrated everything, it wouldn't be wise to carelessly bring up his name.
If I'm not careful, I could be counterattacked, so for now I need to calmly gather evidence and wait for the right moment to strike. Of course, I don't intend to let things slide today.
"Then I'll tell you what I know."
Raon stepped forward with a small sigh.
"My maid has a younger brother she was separated from when she was young. I promised her I would find her brother..."
He explained all the facts of what had happened to Ogram. He only told things he could definitively prove without lies.
"..."
Karoon showed no reaction even when it was revealed that Judiel came as a spy but was recruited by me. He must know there's no physical evidence.
"...And that's how I ended up dealing with the assassins here."
"Kahahaha!"
When Raon finished speaking, Ogram burst into unrestrained laughter, clutching his head with his right hand. Even without aura, his voice was so loud it felt like it could burst eardrums.
"You found her brother because of your maid's request, and came all the way here to stop a war? As expected, my eyes weren't wrong. The spirit of the Beast Alliance flows in you!"
He repeatedly patted Raon's shoulder with his pot lid-sized palm. The impact felt like being hit by a hammer, making Raon's face scrunch up involuntarily.
"The spirit of the Beast Alliance?"
"I mean loyalty! A martial artist must have loyalty! I see that foundation in you!"
Ogram struck his own chest with his fist. If it were an ordinary person, one hit from that fist would have already ended their life.
"Thank you. It's no exaggeration to say that the Siran tribe is still alive thanks to you."
"It wasn't me."
"Nonsense! If you hadn't come, they all would have died!"
He grabbed Raon's shoulder, telling him not to be unnecessarily modest.
"Karoon."
"Yes, Alliance Leader."
"Why are you here?"
"After completing my family's mission, I was on my way back when I saw the fire spreading here and came to check."
Karoon bowed his head, repeating what he had said before.
"Is that so? The swordsmen of Zieghart are all overflowing with loyalty!"
Ogram nodded approvingly.
Raon quietly raised the corners of his mouth as he looked at Karoon. That relaxed expression wouldn't last long.
"Let's go. I want to hear from those guys over there too."
Ogram headed towards the village where the Siran tribe was gathered, keeping his hand on Raon's shoulder. The white tiger seemed to understand his words and slowly followed behind.
"Karoon. You come along too."
"I'll be taking my leave now. I didn't really do anything here."
"That won't do."
Karoon shook his head and tried to withdraw, but Ogram shook his head in response.
"Even if you didn't do anything, just coming all the way here is something to be thankful for."
Ogram gestured to Karoon, vetoing his refusal.
"..."
Karoon frowned but couldn't argue with Ogram, and followed behind with slow steps.
"Brother!"
As soon as Ogram reached the front of the village, the Siran Tribe Chief came running out.
"How did you come here, brother..."
"I came to have a quiet drink with you, but the forest was in this state."
His tone was gentle, suggesting a deep friendship with the Siran Tribe Chief.
"Ah!"
The Siran Tribe Chief's eyes widened as he saw Raon being held like a doll next to Ogram.
"Benefactor! You've come back!"
He knelt on both knees towards Raon, bowing so low his upper body touched the ground.
It was like a defeated person prostrating before a victor. This was how the Beast Alliance tribe members expressed their sincere gratitude.
"Please don't do this."
Raon shook his head. It was uncomfortable to see someone much older than him kneeling and bowing.
"Don't feel burdened. After putting out the fire that spread through the entire forest and dealing with the assassins, this level of gratitude is not too much."
Ogram shook his head, telling Raon to just accept the greeting comfortably.
"That's not all."
The Siran Tribe Chief shook his head firmly.
"What?"
Ogram frowned as if to ask what he meant.
"The benefactor not only stopped the war but also prepared for problems that could arise within the village."
The Siran Tribe Chief pointed at Lisurn, who was standing dazedly.
"He sent that person to prevent fires from breaking out in the village. It was something we hadn't even thought of."
He explained how thanks to Raon's precautions, the elderly and children were able to escape from the village engulfed in flames.
"Huh..."
Ogram turned his gaze to Raon and let out a chuckle. His expression suggested he hadn't expected Raon to have done this much.
"How did you figure out there were fire seeds inside the village?"
"I thought the assassins who did this would be capable of anything."
Raon spoke as if it was a prediction rather than the ability of the Fire Spirit King, since Karoon was listening.
"Kahahaha!"
"Ugh..."
Ogram came closer and patted Raon's back. While he meant it as encouragement, Raon felt an impact as if his bones were breaking.
"You really are something else!"
"Thank you! Benefactor!"
Not just the Siran Tribe Chief, but all the Siran tribe members took a posture as if kneeling and bowing.
Ogram flashed a refreshing smile, then looked at Judiel and Jubel who were standing awkwardly.
"Is this your maid?"
"Yes, that's right."
Raon nodded, making eye contact with Judiel.
"You've been through a lot."
Ogram maintained his smile as he patted Judiel's back. Fortunately, he seemed to know his own strength and patted lightly.
"Huh? Oh, yes..."
Judiel nodded, trying to match the atmosphere without understanding the meaning.
"So, who sent your maid as a spy?"
Upon seeing Judiel, Ogram brought up a question he hadn't asked before.
"Uh..."
Judiel's eyes widened as if she hadn't expected that question to come up here.
"..."
Raon didn't speak immediately, but turned to look behind him. He glanced at Karoon, who still maintained an expressionless face, before opening his lips.
"It was the Central Martial Palace."
"The Central Martial Palace?"
Ogram stroked his chin and rolled his eyes towards Karoon.
"Isn't the Central Martial Palace the place you run?"
"...That's correct."
Karoon nodded with wide eyes, as if he knew nothing about it.
"I see. So that's how it is."
The moment Ogram smirked, his hand flashed in a colorless light as an extremely fast fist strike shot out.
Tshiiing!
As if he had predicted this situation, Karoon drew his sword to block Ogram's fist strike.
Jeoeoeng!
But Ogram's strength was so overwhelming that Karoon was pushed back more than ten steps, his sword bending as if it might break.
"So it was your doing."
Ogram flashed a chilling glare as if he would kill Karoon right then and there.
"It wasn't me."
Karoon shook his head with a gaze that seemed not just calm, but cold.
"I know nothing about this."
"Bullshit."
Ogram, frowning, moved directly and threw a punch at Karoon. His fist swelled like a god's and created tremendous pressure, pinning Karoon to the ground.
Kuwaaaang!
With an explosive impact, Karoon was violently pushed back and forced to kneel on one knee.
"It's true. I really don't know anything about this."
Karoon bit his bleeding lip as he raised his gaze. He still maintained a dignified appearance.
"I also think it wasn't him."
Raon shook his head with a calm gaze.
"The master of the Central Martial Palace was so worried about me that he even killed the leader of the assassins who had already been captured. Someone so considerate couldn't possibly commit such a cruel act."
He curled up the corners of his mouth while looking at Karoon.
"Kugh..."
Karoon's calm expression changed for the first time. He glared at Raon with murderous intent in his eyes. Raon was unfazed, having often seen such eyes in the Lord's Manor.
-Wow...
Wrath trembled his chin.
-How detestable. So detestable I want to slap your cheek!
The guy was grinding his teeth, saying I was more detestable than Karoon.
"You sneaky bastard!"
Ogram, realizing the meaning behind Raon's words, clenched his fist that had been lightly closed.
The fist strike that shot out in an instant contained the power to shatter the sky. It was a devastating force that could kill even a Grandmaster if hit head-on.
Wooooong!
Karoon gritted his teeth and raised his sword. The blade, imbued with intense willpower, created a thick sword barrier made of astral rings in front of him.
Kwaaaang!
Ogram's fist ignored Karoon's sword barrier and plunged into his abdomen with its initial force.
With a sound like tearing leather covering a drum, a dust storm rose as if hit by a bombardment.
Fwoooosh!
With a wave of Ogram's hand, the dust storm instantly subsided, revealing Karoon.
"Kuhek..."
Karoon was clutching his struck abdomen and spitting black blood. It seemed he had suffered severe internal injuries.
Raon narrowed his eyes, examining not Karoon, but the direction Ogram's fist strike had passed through.
'Is it an attack that ignores defense?'
Ogram's recent fist strike had pierced through Karoon's sword barrier.
It seemed like a deadly technique that ignored the opponent's defense and injected all of one's power.
He couldn't have imagined such an ability existed. Indeed, the martial arts of the continent were vast.
"I'd like to kill you right here, but I suppose I can't."
Ogram frowned as he shook his fist as if something dirty had gotten on it.
"However, if I find evidence, I'll come to kill you myself."
He glared at Karoon, grinding his teeth. Though he seemed rash and thoughtless, it was clear that everything was planned and calculated.
It was a demeanor befitting the leader of the vast Beast Alliance.
"Get lost."
"I really am not involved."
"Shut up and get lost."
"Hah..."
Karoon glared at Raon as if he wanted to kill him, but then turned his back as if crushed by Ogram's gaze.
"Young Master."
Judiel approached Raon and shook his shoulder.
"Will it be alright?"
"It's fine. This is insurance."
"Insurance?"
"Yes. Everyone saw that there was a problem with the master of the Central Martial Palace, so if any issues arise when we return, Karoon will be the first to be suspected. Unless they're fools like Balder, they won't touch us. They'll have to protect us instead."
Raon chuckled. Currently, Karoon wanted to kill him more than anyone else, but was also in a situation where he couldn't. He couldn't help but laugh.
"Ah..."
Judiel nodded as if she now understood.
"Huh..."
Lisurn also let out a breath as if he understood what was said. His expression was almost one of terror.
-You crafty bastard.
Wrath deeply furrowed his brow as if displeased.
-I'm sick of your craftiness now.
'Is that so.'
As Raon chuckled and shook his head, Ogram approached.
"Come here."
Ogram grabbed his shoulder again. It felt like a lump of iron was pressing down on his shoulder.
"Now that the situation has turned out like this, let's hold a festival!"
He flashed a refreshing smile as if he had never been angry.
"What? A festival? There's still work to be done. We need to get testimonies from the captured assassins, and wrap up the situation..."
"Leave that stuff to the underlings! We should enjoy ourselves!"
Ogram forcibly dragged Raon into the Siran tribe's village where the fires had been extinguished. His strength was so great that even with Raon's current physical strength, he couldn't resist.
"Contact the alliance and tell them to bring all the alcohol from my storehouse! And all the side dishes too!"
Hearing his shout, Raon furrowed his brow.
'This isn't going to be easy to get out of...'
-Side dishes!
Wrath nodded while licking his lips.
-Tell them to bring tasty side dishes!
'Didn't you just say you were sick of me?'
Raon sighed and swatted Wrath's head.
'I'm more sick of you...'
* * *
Shadow Agents' Leader Chad cheerfully knocked on the door of the audience chamber. His expression shone brightly as if something pleasant had happened.
Kugugugu.
The heavy door opened, and Roenn bowed his head with his usual smile.
"It's the Shadow Agents' Leader. Please come in."
He gestured inside as if to say "come in quickly."
"Thank you."
Chad returned the greeting to Roenn and stepped onto the carpet of the audience chamber, heading towards the center.
"I'm here to see the Head of House."
Since Glenn disliked formal greetings, Chad simply bowed his head briefly instead of giving a full salute.
"What's the matter?"
Glenn nodded curtly with a cold gaze. Though he wasn't shaking his leg like before, his expression didn't look good since Raon was away from the family.
"Today, the Light Wind..."
"Has Raon returned?!"
He abruptly lifted his back from the throne where he had been resting. He looked ready to dash out immediately.
"N-no, that's not it."
"Hmm."
Glenn leaned back on the throne with a deflated look.
"Instead, the Light Wind vice division leader..."
"So it is about Raon!"
He straightened his back again and leaned his upper body forward. He looked like he might topple over if he leaned any further.
"What happened! Stop being so frustrating and speak quickly!"
"A report has come from Lord Raon."
"A report?"
Glenn furrowed his brow as if to say "What do you mean?"
"You're saying the kid who went off to train sent a report?"
"It seems Lord Raon has achieved another merit."
As Chad said this, he pulled out a single sheet of white paper from his chest.
Wooong!
With a flick of Glenn's finger, the report Chad was holding flew into his hand.
"Oh!"
As Glenn unfolded the letter and confirmed its contents, his face broke into a wide grin.
"Huh..."
Chad's mouth formed an O as he saw Glenn's smile spread all the way to his earlobes.
'I didn't know a person's expression could change like that...'