"..."
Upon returning to Zieghart, Glenn clenched his fist while taking in the sight of the devastated, crumbling castle walls. The fact that the walls were destroyed once again made his heart ache, but another issue took priority.
Glenn exhaled coldly and went over the destroyed walls.
"M-my lord!"
"Greetings, my lord!"
Chad, the leader of Shadow Agents, and Illiune, the external commander, had been working on the restoration on the other side of the walls. They lowered their heads upon seeing Glenn.
"That's enough for the greeting. Report." Glenn gestured with his hand for Illiune and Chad to follow and walked through the avenue leading to the main building.
"We didn't take much damage to the outer walls thanks to being prepared in advance. There were no civilian casualties, either." Illiune nodded, saying that the damage was minimal despite how many enemies had attacked.
"What about the inner walls?" Glenn shifted his gaze towards Chad.
"We mostly defended successfully, but the Council of Elders, who were protecting the main building, had a large number of casualties. Most of the deceased were from that side." He sighed, apologizing for the matter.
"The Council of Elders?" Glenn furrowed his brow while looking at the main building in the distance.
The Council of Elders was the most powerful armed organization in Zieghart. He couldn't understand that the Council of Elders took the biggest blow despite being even more powerful than the Heavenly Blade Division.
"Even Denier should've been in the main building, though."
"That's true. The Wise Martial Palace and half of the Council of Elders remained there." Chad nodded, saying that half of the Council of Elders was at the outer walls, and the other half remained at the inner walls.
"Bloody demons wearing black robes wielding the power of an apostle and Eden's executives wearing masks attacked at the same time, making it difficult to defend."
"Black robes..."
The mention of the black robes reminded him of the bloody demon who'd chased after him until the last moment when he'd intruded into the White Blood Religion's headquarters. They were as powerful as an apostle despite not being ones themselves, and they must've been included in the attack.
"The White Blood Religion, Eden, and even the assassins rushed at us as if we were their nemeses. We would've taken a lot more damage if the Light Wind Division leader hadn't warned us to be prepared in advance." Illiune smiled, saying that his warning had saved them many lives.
"But where is Sir Raon right now...?" Chad tilted his head while looking around behind Glenn. He hadn't figured out the situation yet because the incident at the Rable River had unfolded too rapidly.
"...We'll be holding a grand council. Assemble all of the remaining executives."
Glenn didn't respond to Chad and Illiune's questions, simply ordering them to assemble for the council.
"U-understood..." Chad's steps came to a halt, his lips trembling, sensing the heavy atmosphere emerging from Glenn's steps.
Glenn didn't stop walking until he reached the main building. When he was about to enter the lord's manor, Aries waved her hand from the right side.
"Father!" Aries ran up to Glenn, holding Sylvia's wrist next to her.
"Where's Raon?" Her smile was brimming with confidence, as if Raon's defeat wasn't something she even considered.
"My lord, Raon won the duel, didn't he?" Sylvia's unwavering gaze also implied that she believed in Raon.
"..."
Glenn bit his lip while watching Sylvia, whose hands were put together in a prayer. Meeting Sylvia's kindhearted gaze, seeing the care she felt for her son, caused a pain in his chest that made it feel like his heart was being torn out.
"You should..." He parted his lips, suppressing the trembling of his hands, "Come to the audience chamber as well."
"What? Why now...?"
"Why are you talking about the audience chamber now? I asked about Raon's whereabouts!"
"..."
Glenn went into the lord's manor without answering her question. He walked toward the audience chamber while ignoring the questioning and worried gazes coming from behind him. Then he noticed that Karoon was standing still, like a statue.
"Karoon?"
"I sincerely apologize." Karoon fell to his knees, putting his hand on his chest. "I disobeyed the order given by my lord. I'll accept any punishment." He lowered his head without giving any excuse for his actions.
"He fended off the second apostle, who was attacking the annex building." Aries followed Glenn and shook her hand at Karoon.
Glenn simply nodded, since he was already aware of it through the video that the man in the blue dragon helmet had shown him.
"Karoon, you should come inside as well." Glenn gestured with his chin at Karoon, who was still kneeling on the ground, and personally opened the audience chamber's door.
He was originally planning to praise Karoon, but it wasn't the time for that.
'Raon...'
He walked with a heavy heart, thinking about his grandson, who ended up disappearing before he could even hug him.
* * *
All of the executives of Zieghart gathered in the audience chamber in the middle of the night.
The only ones missing from the council were the Heavenly Blade Division leader, the Light Wind Division vice leader, and the Warring Steel Division leader, who stayed at the Rable River to find Raon.
"Even that pig is here now, so please say something!" Aries furrowed her brow while pointing at Balder, who was summoned to the council as soon as he returned from scouting the outside. "What happened that has you calling for everyone without even explaining the circumstances?!"
She couldn't relax her stiff expression because she could sense the heavy atmosphere around Glenn.
"Hmm..." Sylvia was also unable to get rid of the ominous thought out of her mind, her hands trembling anxiously.
"Did Raon really lose? It couldn't have happened!" Balder shook his head, saying that Raon's defeat was unimaginable.
"...Raon won the duel." Glenn slowly closed his eyes before opening them again, his lips twitching.
"I knew it!" Aries's distorted face brightened as she clapped her hands. "I'm finally getting called Auntie! So where is Raon right now? The Saint is treating his wounds, right?" She nodded, thinking that the reason why Raon couldn't return yet was because of his injuries.
"..."
Glenn looked at Sylvia instead of Aries. He gritted his back teeth upon seeing that his youngest daughter was still trembling anxiously.
"I will tell them." Roenn stepped up even though he hadn't said a single word ever since he returned to the house.
"Just like the lord said, Young Master Raon emerged victorious in the duel to the death against the Axe King Roman. The Axe King even admitted his defeat. However, after that..."
Roenn explained everything that had happened after the duel to the death to the executives.
"Ah..."
"D-disappeared?"
"Wait a moment, if he took the full brunt of the astral sphere while the blade was stabbing him..."
"Damn it!"
Even though they were aware that the Five Demons were going to do something, Raon's disappearance was still unexpected. All of the executives widened their eyes in surprise.
"Aah..."
Sylvia sank to the ground, her face as pale as paper. Her trembling legs showed that her strength had drained from her entire body.
Whaaam!
Aries couldn't suppress her anger and smashed the pillar behind her with her fist. The thick pillar crumbled, turning into white dust.
"Those cowardly bastards!" The furious pressure emanating from her made her look like she was going to attack the South-North Union at any moment.
"How could they underestimate Zieghart so much...?" Karoon bit his lip to the point of bleeding. He was enraged at the fact that Zieghart was underestimated, rather than being glad about Raon's death.
"Let's go right now!" Balder stepped forward while stomping the ground. "I won't even be able to sleep at night unless we wipe out all those thieves!" The dry bloodlust emanated from him, as he announced his unbearable fury.
"The South-North Union..."
"Those wretched mongrels, how dare they!"
"Who would expect anything else from thieves? They only chose to do the filthiest acts!"
The other executives, including Serena, the Void Sword Division leader, loudly ground their teeth as well.
"Father, what are you waiting for?!" Aries's eyes gleamed in a smoldering light. "We need to head out to kill them! Isn't that the reason why you called for this council?" She put her hand on the hilt of her sword, asking to move out right away.
"We can't do that!" Denier stepped forward and shook his head. "Zieghart took a large amount of damage from this incident. We should reorganize ourselves first and think about it later, as this isn't a good situation for us..."
"And how long is that going to take?" Aries lowered her eyebrows while looking at Denier. "We aren't the only ones who took the damage from this! The South-North Union, Eden, and the White Blood Religion have all taken damage, too! Now is the perfect time to attack them!"
She stepped forward, declaring that it was the best opportunity for an attack. "Moreover, it's partly because of you that we took so much damage! Why did so many of the old men from the Council of Elders die?"
"...I'm sorry about that." Denier stopped speaking and sighed quietly. "All of the bloody demons wearing black robes were at least Masters. I had to take care of the Wise Martial Palace's people and ended up being too late to help the Council of Elders."
He lowered his head, saying that he had no excuse for it. "However, we need to think deeply about this. The damage is only going to aggravate if we make a reckless decision." Denier emphasized his opinion without withdrawing from Aries's bloodlust.
"He does have a point..."
"It will become a huge issue if the Five Demons interfere once again."
"Haa… this is so complicated."
A few executives nodded their heads, agreeing with Denier's opinion.
"It's true that we have to think deeply about this issue." Glenn lowered his hand onto the throne's armrest, meeting Denier's gaze.
"Thank you for your understanding."
"Father!"
Denier breathed out a sigh of relief, and Aries glared at him as if he was about to grab Glenn by his collar.
However, Glenn hadn't finished talking yet.
"That's what I would've said if the duel to the death hadn't happened yet."
"M-my lord?"
"Even I cannot withstand this anymore." Glenn stood up, and the golden throne crumbled into powder.
Whir!
The majestic wrath emanating from his feet rendered everyone speechless.
"I can't send him off like this."
"Ah..."
Sylvia finally raised her head after hearing that from him. The tears hanging from her eyes dripped onto the red carpet.
"Leader of Shadow Agents, declare the war against the South-North Union." Glenn shook his hand toward Chad, implying that he'd already made up his mind. "Tell them that Zieghart will obliterate the South-North Union, just like they've asked for."
He clenched his fist to the point where his veins started to bulge while ordering him to make sure the other factions wouldn't be able to interfere.
"Understood."
Chad thumped his chest as if he was telling him to leave it to him, then he left the audience chamber.
"Can I join the war?" Karoon raised his hand. "I'm fine with extending my punishment as much as it's needed. I just want to get rid of the trash with my own hands."
He clenched his fist, saying that he wouldn't mind it even if he had to be confined in Zieghart for the rest of his life.
"Me, too..." Sylvia stood up while faltering. "Please bring me as well."
Tears weren't flowing from her eyes anymore. There was no trace of sadness in her red gaze. The deep flame of resentment had replaced it.
Glenn averted his gaze, unable to meet Sylvia's eyes. He had no right to stop his youngest daughter, who was showing her despair and anger at the same time.
"...Do as you wish."
The next day.
"L-leader!"
A middle-aged man wearing black glasses ran into the red palace, where faint lighting was descending. He fell as he rushed, but he crawled on his knees to stand in front of the platform.
"U-Union Leader! We're in big trouble..."
"White Elephant Boss, we are in the presence of a guest. Behave yourself."
The South-North Union's leader, Dranos, was lifting his pipe while sitting on the red platform. He casually shook his hand at the man.
"Huah!"
The middle-aged man called the White Elephant Boss shifted his gaze following Dranos's hand. He gasped upon seeing the Fallen, who was wearing the mask of a handsome young man.
"I-I'm sorry. It's such an urgent matter..."
"What's the matter?" Dranos nodded at him, telling him to state his business.
"Zieghart declared war on us. They said they are going to attack tomorrow!" The White Elephant Boss suggested that they should immediately prepare for war with trembling lips.
"The news is so late." Dranos chuckled and exhaled his cigarette smoke. "He already told me as much." He smiled while pointing at the Fallen. "The declaration of war was a lot faster than I expected. The dragon head was right. He must've cherished Raon Zieghart a lot."
Dranos placed the pipe between his lips while thinking about Glenn's enraged gaze.
"So, how many reinforcements are you going to send this time? I'd like people like the Twin-Headed Demon and the Soul Severing Sword to join the battle this time."
"They are in the Heavenly Demon's faction. I cannot guarantee that they will listen to me. However, regardless of that..." The Fallen narrowed his eyes while looking at Dranos. "I don't think we will be able to help this time."
"...What do you mean by that?" Dranos leaned forward with a furrowed brow.
"Zieghart refused the help from countless factions that were enraged by Raon Zieghart's death, declaring war under their name alone." The Fallen raised his blemish-free hand. "Since Zieghart isn't accepting any reinforcements from the other Six Kings, our interference would harm the dignity of the Five Demons."
"Even then..."
"Actually, the other Six Kings are the biggest issue."
The map of the entire continent engulfed in a blue light appeared from his finger.
"The Owen Kingdom and Balkar announced that they would join the war if the Five Demons took part in it. Chamber and Lecross declared the same under the name of the Six Kings." The Fallen twisted his lips while pointing at a spot filled with forests. "Since Raon Zieghart is on friendly terms with the elves, even Seipia might decide to join."
"Uhh..."
"Since the Holy Sword Alliance and the Black Tower have already announced that they won't get involved, we are at a significant disadvantage in terms of both strength and justification."
He got rid of the continental map, saying that it would be best for the South-North Union and Zieghart to have a war just between themselves.
"But it won't be impossible to win. Since Glenn Zieghart gained an internal injury, that almost invincible display of power shouldn't happen anymore."
"Even though Glenn Zieghart has an internal injury and the South-North Union is a natural fortress, it's still impossible for us to fend off Zieghart's attack!" Dranos threw away his pipe, saying that the South-North Union alone wouldn't be able to defend against Zieghart.
"Yes, it will be difficult to win. However..." The Fallen rolled his transparent eyes. "We have someone among us who can move without showing himself."
"I can't even reach him though..."
"Don't worry. I've read the heaven's flow, and it shows that the biggest star is going to fall soon enough." He smiled faintly while looking at the stars reflected above the ceiling. "The huge star named Glenn Zieghart is going to fall under the name of Dranos."
"Under my name..."
Desire gleamed in Dranos's eyes upon hearing the Fallen's quiet voice.
* * *
Rable River
Upstream
Dozens of warships advanced through the river, their cannons raised at the front.
The South-North Union's first warship, the Blue Wolf, was cutting through the waves at the very front, and the South-North Union's leader, Dranos showed up on the bow.
On the other side of the river, ten warships and one pirate ship appeared. Glenn Zieghart was standing on the pirate ship's deck, placing his hand on Heavenly Tremor.
"Did you really have to do this?" Dranos shook his head as if he regretted that he had to make such a decision. "You could've resolved this with words."
"You were the ones who crossed the line." Glenn unsheathed Heavenly Tremor, exhaling a heated breath. "I'll erase the existence of the South-North Union from the world."
"I ran into the wrong opponent. I was deceived by filthy trickery." Dranos furrowed his brow and extended his hand. The water in the river gathered in his grasp, creating the ancient weapon, the Ocean Spirit Spear.
Whir!
Glenn swung Heavenly Tremor. The single line quietly descended, splitting the sky and the river. The majestic sword strike seemed to tear apart all of the South-North Union's warships in a single attack.
Cring!
Dranos gripped the edge of the shaft and swung the Ocean Spirit Spear upwards. The energy dwelling at the tip of the spear summoned a huge tidal wave, like a brush bringing forth ink.
Whaaam!
Glenn's sword strike clashed against Dranos's spear attack, turning the river and land upside down before they floated upward. Storms of aura rampaged from all directions, as if nature itself was furious.
"Kill the Zieghart's hypocrites!"
"Fire the cannons and arrows to stop their approach!"
"This river and mountain belong to the South-North Union!"
The South-North Union's warriors fired cannonballs, arrows, and harpoons toward Zieghart's swordsmen.
"Kill the lowborn thieves!"
"Don't withdraw from the battle!"
"Avenge the Light Wind Division leader!"
Zieghart's swordsmen continued to rush toward the enemies, uncaring of the cannonballs and arrows flying toward them. They were going for a hand-to-hand battle instead of naval warfare, which was more advantageous for the South-North Union.
The swordsmen kicked the deck and the river to move onto the South-North Union's warships, and a golden radiance emerged, brushing past the river.
Whoosh!
The blonde-haired swordswoman advanced at a speed that even the wind couldn't catch up to, climbing onto the leftmost warship.
Slash!
The ocean-colored aura blazing from her sword spread around, beheading dozens of pirates on the deck at the same time.
"Stay out of the way! I'll take care of her!" The owner of the warship, Rukan the Mighty Axe Boss, clenched his fist and rushed towards the swordswoman. Crimson astral energy erupted from his axe like a volcano.
Whaam!
The swordswoman didn't withdraw, leaping into the flame of astral energy instead and thrusting her sword. The astral energy dwelling at the tip of her blade concentrated into an astral sphere, causing a huge explosion.
Whaaam!
The warship's deck was entirely destroyed, and the pirates standing on it collapsed while coughing up blood.
Rumble!
Even the warship itself was split in half and started to sink into the river.
"Where are you...?" The blonde-haired swordswoman, Sylvia Zieghart shifted her gaze, while letting out a frightening breath.
"Beorn!"
Her eyes sparked a bloody color as she looked for her nemesis.