"How dare you suggest that! Do you think I would fall to the likes of the White Blood Religion!"
Ogram pounded his chest with a fist the size of a pot lid as he dismissed the notion.
"Such bravado from that beastly old man!"
Chamber let out a relieved laugh despite her cold words.
"Are you alright? Seeing you like this, I can't tell what's true and what's false."
King Lecross tilted his head, unsure of how things had unfolded.
"I'm curious too..."
The Mage Tower Master also expressed her doubt as she shook the screen once more. (E/N: I might have used male pronoun in the past to refer to her. My bad!)
"..."
Raon paid no attention to the other Six Kings, focusing only on Derus Robert's pale face.
'He's flustered.'
While Chamber and King Lecross showed surprise and delight at Ogram's return, Derus Robert only displayed shock and confusion.
He couldn't fool my eyes, which had been under his leash for a lifetime. Derus Robert was, for once, genuinely shocked.
'I need to imprint this in people's minds.'
That he's acting strange.
The leaders of the Six Kings were so focused on Ogram that they failed to notice Derus's distorted expression.
It seemed like a good time to redirect their attention.
"It's the first time I've seen the Sky Sword Saint show such a stiff expression. It seems the Beast King's return has made you so happy you're flustered."
Raon smiled faintly as he looked at the blue window reflecting Derus.
It wasn't strange to interject at this moment, as not only the leaders of the Six Kings but also their subordinates were speaking joyfully.
Moreover, since he hid his true intentions within a joke, it wasn't a statement that would ruin the positive atmosphere everyone was enjoying.
"Hmm..."
Glenn's red eyes turned to the third window. He quickly scanned Derus's expression, seeming to think that Raon wouldn't have said such a thing without reason.
"You're right? It's the first time I've seen that guy make such a face."
"It's certainly a surprising event."
Chamber and King Lecross also narrowed their eyes as they examined Derus's distorted expression.
"Light Wind Division Leader!"
Denier frowned, a rare occurrence, as if to say it was rude.
"No. That's correct."
Derus waved his hand lightly, naturally showing his usual kind-looking eyes.
"I was so happy that Lord Ogram returned safely that my face must have gotten quite messed up."
He brought his hands together in front of him as if apologizing.
"You. Are you that happy about my return?"
Ogram showed a refreshing smile to Derus while stroking his angular jaw.
His eyes, contrary to his kind words, were wrapped in a sharp light.
"In fact, as soon as my youngest heard the news about Lord Ogram, he came to me in disbelief. I also told him it couldn't be true, but I'm glad I can now give him good news."
Derus let out a cool smile as he used the name of his youngest son, Lephon Robert.
"That child we saw at the Six Kings Conference."
"Yes. He has a tremendous sense of belonging to the Six Kings. He's also a huge fan of Raon."
He nodded as if just thinking about Lephon was making him in a good mood.
'Hah...'
Raon let out a sigh as he watched Derus conversing with Ogram.
'To think he'd sell out his son here.'
He really is a crazy bastard.
Derus Robert was momentarily flustered when he saw his plan fall apart, but he immediately sold out his son to lower the attention directed at him.
To have such thoughts in a situation where he lost his composure, I couldn't help but admire him, even though he's an enemy.
"I almost made a big mistake. I'm fortunate that the Light Wind Division Leader was watching out for me."
Derus Robert slightly bowed his head as if grateful.
"Not at all. You're usually a person who smiles a lot, so I just noticed because your complexion darkened."
Raon waved his hand as if it was nothing, but emphasized that Derus was acting strange.
"It's an honor that the Light Wind Division Leader, said to be the next best in the world, thinks of me that way."
"There's not a swordsman in the world who doesn't respect the Sky Sword Saint. You always show a smile and respect, don't you?"
He said "always," but it meant not today. This was a verbal battle. Raon curled up the corners of his mouth, not backing down from Derus at all.
"The Light Wind Division Leader..."
As Derus was about to continue, the fourth blue window flashed, and the dim screen was tinged with yellow light.
"Hello everyone..."
In the screen that seemed to be bathed in sunset, a blonde woman weakly raised her hand.
She was a breathtakingly beautiful woman, but the dark circles under her eyes and the small mole on her nose made her look haggard.
That woman seemed to be Larian, the last of the Six Kings and the master of the magic tower.
"Larian. Your complexion looks good today."
Chamber smiled brightly as she looked at the Mage Tower Master's face.
"You definitely look brighter."
King Lecross nodded as if he had the same thought.
"Seeing that the Beast King is safe, I seem to feel better..."
Mage Tower Master Larian awkwardly smiled as she stroked her hair that had fallen below her shoulders.
Raon let out a sigh as he watched this.
'They call that a good complexion?'
It wouldn't be surprising if she were to die soon, yet they said she looked well—what an absurd thing that was.
"Never mind me..."
Larian weakly raised her hand to point at Ogram.
"We should hear the Beast King's story. Everyone's curious, aren't they..."
"That's true."
Chamber nodded and turned her gaze to Ogram.
"Tell us what happened. And don't give us that nonsense about overcoming everything on your own."
She wiggled her finger as if to say 'hurry up and speak'.
"I'm curious too. Please, do tell."
Derus Robert bowed his head with his hands clasped in front of him.
After what he had done, to show such a polite demeanor, I barely held back the urge to vomit.
"There are certainly things I need to tell you all."
Ogram nodded as he let out a low breath.
"As that old hag said, I didn't survive alone, I received help."
"Who are you calling an old hag!"
Chamber raised her small fist as if threatening to kill him if he said anything more.
"Help? From within the White Blood Religion?"
King Lecross ignored Chamber's words and looked only at Ogram.
"No, I was saved by the swordsmen of the North Wind."
Ogram raised his finger to point at Glenn and Raon.
"North Wind, you mean...."
"Zieghart?"
"No, how..."
The leaders and executives of the Six Kings widened their eyes as if they hadn't expected this at all.
"To explain from the beginning, I went alone after hearing that the Chiran tribe was being attacked by the leader of the White Blood Religion. As reported, the leader was carrying out a massacre, and in my rage, I drove that woman to the brink of death. Just as I was about to deliver the final blow, I was ambushed unexpectedly. It was a black sword wielder using the aura of death..."
Despite it being a shameful matter, Ogram explained everything that had happened to him to all of the Six Kings.
As Raon listened to Ogram's words, he kept his eyes on Derus. Perhaps because he had made a mistake once, Derus kept his mask firmly in place, not revealing his true expression. He was a tenacious bastard.
"...And that's how I was able to return to the Beast Union."
Ogram lightly dusted off his hands after finishing his explanation.
"If it weren't for Glenn, Zieghart's executives, and Raon, I wouldn't be here."
He frowned, saying that he would have been either still trapped by the White Blood Religion or dead by now.
"Raon. How did you find that old man's traces?"
Chamber asked with a bemused laugh, as if she couldn't believe it.
"Thanks to the Fierce Wave Arts."
Raon raised his finger, drawing out the energy of the Fierce Wave Arts.
"Thanks to the energy of the Fierce Wave Arts that Lord Ogram left behind, I was able to trace it."
Since the information about the Fierce Wave Arts was already known, he told the truth.
"Even if you learned the Fierce Wave Arts, your level should still be low, right?"
King Lecross wrinkled his nose as if he couldn't understand.
"Yes. I'm still inexperienced, only at 6 stars. I was lucky." (E/N: I feel like I just got a lore bomb. Those things have stars too?)
"S-six stars?"
He widened his eyes as if he had misheard.
"You've learned it for less than a year, and you're already at 6 stars?"
"That's impossible..."
King Lecross and Chamber stared at Raon, their lips trembling.
"Right? I was surprised too."
Ogram chuckled, saying it was hard to believe.
"That kid is something. He should be playing on the continent, not just with Zieghart."
"I'll admit that. Even if he had learned magic, he has the potential to become the youngest Archmage."
"Is, is that true?"
Larian took a deep breath as she turned to look at Raon.
"Yes. If I had seen Raon first, I would have fought Glenn to the death to bring him with me."
Chamber clicked her tongue long, saying it was a shame.
"Even if he had become a knight, he would have been amazing. There are no martial artists with that kind of chivalry in this day and age."
King Lecross nodded as if he was proud of Raon.
"Ahem!"
Glenn's lips trembled every time praise for Raon came from the mouths of the Six Kings' leaders, and before long, he was covering half his face with his hand and coughing dryly. He looked both pained and extremely pleased.
"Hearing his grandson praised by Transcendent Warriors. He can't even control his body anymore."
Sheryl let out a laugh of disbelief.
"Hahaha, their praise is worth it."
Roenn also showed a clear smile every time he heard praise for Raon.
"Lord Ogram. How is your condition? You were afflicted by the Death Aura and even drained of blood; you can't be well...."
Derus Robert pretended to be concerned about Ogram while asking about what he was most curious about. The bastard was trying to get information on how the disconnection between soul and body was restored.
"When I woke up, the aura of death and the bloody energy were all gone. However, since I was unconscious, I don't know how it happened."
Ogram shrugged and looked at Glenn and Raon.
"I did that."
Glenn waved his hand solemnly. He displayed a lofty dignity as if he had never trembled at the corners of his mouth.
"..."
Raon was surprised but said nothing, just looking at Glenn.
'Is he thinking of me?'
It seemed Glenn was trying to hide me, thinking there might be a spy among the Six Kings' executives participating in this conference who could use the aura of death.
Understanding his intention, I didn't step forward.
"I see, as expected, you're amazing."
Derus Robert smiled gently while stroking the back of his hand.
"Having the Lightning God among the Six Kings is truly a blessing for all of us."
He nodded emphatically, saying it was truly fortunate.
"But about that aura of death."
Chamber raised her finger.
"The one you brought before..."
"Yes. That's right."
Raon nodded firmly as he looked at Chamber.
"It's the same as the one who attacked me in front of the Sword Saint's Tomb."
He looked at all the leaders of the Six Kings while gripping the hilt of the Heavenly Drive.
"It seems that the swordsman using the aura of death is targeting the Six Kings."
He warned everyone with certainty. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he participated in this conference to say these words.
"Yes. He's a very dangerous guy. Never let your guard down."
Ogram ground his molars, saying this was an opponent he couldn't guarantee victory against even in a one-on-one fight.
"It's information worth more than gold."
King Lecross let out a short sigh.
"Thank you. The Light Wind Division Leader has done us a great service."
He gave a sword salute to Raon as if raising his sword.
"Both the old man and his grandson are exceptional. It's annoyingly impressive."
Again, contrary to her words, Chamber gave Raon a warm smile.
"Ahem!"
"That's right! That kid's something else!"
Glenn and Ogram nodded happily, then frowned as they glared at each other.
"Hey, you beastly old man. How's your condition? Can you fight?"
"You're asking the obvious. I could trample you right now if we fought."
Ogram snorted, telling her to ask something worth asking.
"Seeing how barbaric your answer is, it must be true."
Chamber chuckled and nodded.
"Of course it's true. And there's one more thing I want to tell you. That bastard knew my personality well. Everyone be careful."
Ogram twisted his lips as he spoke, subtly suggesting that there might be a spy around.
"We'll keep that in mind."
Derus nodded solemnly, as if grateful. (E/N: <= the spy)
"To get back to what we were saying, Raon's talent is overwhelming even compared to mine. None of us reached that level at his age."
As soon as Ogram finished warning about the swordsman using the aura of death, he started praising Raon again.
"That's true."
"I think the Light Wind Division Leader's real talent isn't in martial arts, but in his character. With that level of chivalry, it's not an exaggeration to say he's a role model for knights."
"Ooh..."
Chamber and Lecross nodded in agreement, while Larian glanced at Raon with sparkling eyes.
"Ahem! The greatest of all time? It's not quite to that extent!"
"No one said 'greatest of all time' though?"
Glenn coughed while only hearing what he wanted to hear. The Six Kings Conference, which had started heavily, became chatty as if it had turned into a praise session for Raon.
Raon calmly nodded with his eyelids lowered.
'It's all done.'
Ogram showed that he was well, warned all of the Six Kings about the swordsman with the aura of death and the spy, and created a situation where Derus had no choice but to target me.
Having accomplished everything I had in mind when first attending the Six Kings Conference, I naturally smiled.
"...I see."
Derus smiled, matching the mood of others, but his lips curled slightly inward.
Raon clenched his fist as he watched Derus biting his lips thinly.
'Your true feelings are so obvious.'
You're about to explode with anger.
Derus Robert only curls his lips inward like that when he's truly angry.
Right now, he's only calm on the surface, but inside he's boiling like lava about to erupt.
'It's troublesome if you are this angry already.'
Raon curled up the corners of his mouth as he observed Derus's distorted expression.
'Because this is where it really begins.'
The day your mask comes off is not far away.