Chapter 553

Chapter 553

“...Was that your idea?”

Glenn furrowed his brow and stared at Raon with his eyes blazing in crimson.

“Hmm...”

Raon swallowed nervously under the intense pressure.

‘It must’ve been a bad idea after all.’

Glenn’s powerful pressure had always been suffocating, but this was even worse.

The powerful energy storming around him made him feel like he would get struck by lightning the moment he made a mistake.

‘I should say that it was my idea.’

It was actually Sylvia who wanted to invite Glenn, but Raon figured he shouldn’t say that because it could potentially harm her.

“Yes, it was.”

Raon confidently raised his gaze and declared that he had come up with the idea.

“How is Sylvia’s condition?”

Glenn asked about Sylvia’s condition instead of answering the invitation.

“The artificial energy center was successfully settled in. However, it will likely take quite a long time for her to return to being a warrior.”

“I suppose so.”

He nodded. He seemed to understand that it was inevitable. It felt like his harsh voice had become a bit kinder.

“Did you ask to dine together tomorrow?”

“Yes, I did.”

Raon briefly exhaled and nodded.

“......”

Glenn didn’t say anything. Raon had the impression that the throne was shaking.

Why is that geezer playing so hard to get?!

Wrath frowned in displeasure.

How dare you! You are just a weakling who would collapse after hundreds of thousands of clashes!

‘It increased again...’

It was thousands of clashes at first, then it became tens of thousands, and now it was hundreds of thousands.

It should have been just an equal fight at that point, but Wrath seemed to claim that he was going to win because of his pride.

It’s even better without that geezer because the King of Essence will have more food! Just go back now!

Wrath punched into the air towards Glenn, telling Raon to return already.

‘Please stay still.’

Raon pushed Wrath away with his shoulder, and he could hear the tapping sound of the throne’s armrest with a finger. The steady and rhythmical pace came to a halt, and Glenn nodded.

“Alright. I accept the invitation. I had something to tell you anyway.”

Glenn buried his back into the throne once again as soon as he made up his mind.

“I’m honored.”

Raon went on one knee and bowed at him.

‘He actually accepted it...’

Raon hadn’t expected him to accept the invitation, to be honest. He was a bit confused because he thought Glenn would simply take the Perriton Blancs.

‘I wonder what he’s going to tell us.’

He felt strangely anxious because Glenn suddenly declared he was going to say something to them. However, he had no idea where to even begin guessing about what it would be.

Raon sighed briefly, put the Perriton Blancs back into this subspace pocket, and stood up.

“Would you like to come as well, if it’s okay with you?”

Raon extended his hand toward Sheryl and Roenn, who were standing below the platform. He figured that their participation would create a more comfortable atmosphere since they were Glenn’s closest vassals.

“I’ll go if I have no missions.”

“Huhuhu, sure.”

Sheryl and Roenn nodded, saying that they would come with Glenn.

“I’ll be leaving now.”

He said goodbye to the three with his eyes and left the audience chamber.

He walked while thinking about what Glenn was going to tell them, and the lord’s manor suddenly started to tremble.

“Hmm?”

Raon tilted his head while looking at the dust falling from the ceiling.

“Earthquakes happen a lot nowadays.”

* * *

Rumble!

Glenn’s legs trembled as he clutched his forehead with his hand.

Because the vibration was caused by a transcender who couldn’t withstand his emotions, not only the audience chamber but the entire lord’s manor started to tremble to the point of collapsing.

“Huhuhu.”

Roenn raised his gaze and looked at the dust falling like snow around them.

“It’s been a long time since the last time we felt this vibration.”

He took out a broom and a mop from somewhere, saying that he was going to clean up the dust.

“What a relief.”

Sheryl walked up to Glenn, who was lowering his head.

“I thought my lord gave up on approaching Raon and Sylvia, but Raon came at an amazing time.”

She smiled faintly, as if she’d been reading Glenn’s thoughts.

“Indeed.”

Glenn raised his head and acknowledged Sheryl’s statement.

“I was planning to simply protect them from the shadows, but I realized I don’t even have the courage to refuse his invitation.”

He bit his lip, saying that he couldn’t ignore Raon’s invitation.

However, his legs were still shaking. Happiness and sadness seemed to be coexisting in his mind.

“I was invited, but I’m not hoping for any more than that. I’m just going to dine quietly and return. I’ll be satisfied with that.”

Glenn shook his head, saying that it was all he wanted.

“This is so frustrating!”

Sheryl closed her eyes tightly and pounded her on her own chest.

“Please get a grip!”

“...What?”

“Did Sylvia and Raon ask you to protect them from the shadows? They are just inviting you to dinner because they are grateful for what you’ve done! Why are you writing yourself into a tragic novel?”

She furrowed her brow and continued.

“It’s true that what you’ve done to Sylvia is unforgivable as a father. However, I know that Raon and Sylvia aren’t the type of people who would be fixated on the past. They will definitely make the wise decision!”

“I know that they would never do that. However, even if they forgive me, I can’t forgive myself.”

Glenn clenched his fist tightly, saying that he could never think differently.

“That’s even more of a reason to approach them and be kind to them. You should help them at least as much as what you’ve done for the other successors.”

“That’s why I’m going to protect them from...”

“Raon came to you already! Send him off, at least!”

Sheryl couldn’t hold back her frustration anymore and raised her voice. It was the first time she’d scolded Glenn because she looked up to him more than anyone else.

“I’m not asking you to do everything at once. It’s okay to take one small step at a time. It’s better than nothing.”

“Hmm...”

Because of Sheryl’s strong reaction, Glenn looked at Roenn to ask for help.

“Huhuhu.”

Roenn briskly averted his gaze while leaving behind his gentle laughter.

“Where was the trashcan again...?”

He quietly disappeared, implying that he had no intention of stopping Sheryl.

“My lord!”

“Y-yes...”

“When you’re at the annex building tomorrow, you have to give Raon and Sylvia a word of blessing. It’s a must!”

Sheryl raised her head sharply with her arms crossed, saying that refusal wasn’t allowed.

“My lord?”

Sheryl glared fiercely as she met Glenn’s eyes, asking for a response.

“Haa...”

Glenn had no choice but to nod at Sheryl.

“I’ll try.”

* * *

The next evening.

Sylvia and the maids were standing in front of the entrance.

“Uhh...”

Helen was walking around and wiping the floors nonstop. She still seemed to be insecure even though she’d been cleaning all day long.

“You can take it easy, though.”

“Hmm...”

Glenn’s expression looked slightly brighter, probably because he was holding the liquor he wanted to drink.

‘He seems to like it.’

Raon breathed out a sigh of relief and filled Sylvia’s glass before heading towards Rimmer and the Gambling Monster.

He was going to fill their glasses, but he noticed their strange reactions. They were looking at Glenn with furrowed brows.

“Hmm?”

Raon looked around while thinking that it was strange, and Glenn was raising his wine glass towards Rimmer and the Gambling Monster.

Raon wasn’t too sure, but Glenn somewhat looked like he was laughing at them.

‘What’s going on?’

He couldn’t understand the situation because none of the three were saying anything.

Raon tilted his head, filled Sheryl and Roenn’s glasses, and returned to his seat.

“Shall we make a toast?”

Sylvia raised her glass. Everyone else raised their glasses after her, but Glenn stayed still.

“You need to offer your wishes during a toast.”

Sheryl smiled lightly and gestured at Sylvia with her eyes.

“In that case, to Raon’s happiness!”

“Isn’t this your celebration party?”

“Seriously.”

Rimmer and the Gambling Monster sighed reluctantly and raised their glasses. Sheryl and Roenn also raised their glasses while smiling.

Glenn secretly raised his glass even though he looked like he wasn’t interested in the toast. He seemed to be playing along with the mood because it was a joyous occasion.

The glasses clinked in the air, and everyone took a sip of Perriton Blanc.

“Hmm? This is pretty good.”

“White wine’s advantage is its refreshing and crisp flavor, but Perriton Blanc also has the deep flavor of red wines. That’s why it can’t possibly be bad.”

The Gambling Monster finished the glass at once and refilled it on his own.

“Let’s enjoy our wonderful dinner.”

Sylvia spread her arms, signaling the start of the dinner.

The King of Essence wants the salmon first!

Wrath was frowning from the taste of alcohol and pointed at the salmon with his round finger.

Raw salmon—no, grilled salmon! No! Start with the raw salmon!

‘Ask your pineapple girl to feed you, great sir.’

Raon ignored him, served himself some stew, and started to eat.

Hey!

Even though he kept arguing with Wrath, the dinner proceeded quietly.

Rimmer joked from time to time, and while the Gambling Monster and Sheryl responded to him, Glenn didn’t say anything. As a result, it was pretty much a time of silence.

“Would you like some more?”

Raon raised the Perriton Blanc while looking at Glenn’s empty glass.

“Yes.”

Glenn briefly nodded and raised his glass. As Raon filled the glass, Glenn’s hand looked like it was shaking slightly.

He thought that Glenn might be sensitive to alcohol despite being a transcender, just like Wrath.

Raon continued to fill Glenn’s glass whenever it was empty as he continued to eat, and all the Perriton Blancs that Dorian gave him were emptied.

Hmm!

Wrath burped extensively and lay down with his belly facing upwards.

Th-the King of Essence is satisfied for today!

He fell asleep right after. The demon king was really living like a beast who just followed its instincts.

“Sylvia.”

Glenn also wiped his mouth with a napkin and looked at Sylvia.

“Yes?”

“What are you planning to do from now on?”

Glenn asked the same question that Raon had asked her recently.

“I’m planning to stay here.”

“Are you not going to wield the sword again?”

“Yes, I will. I’m going to wield the sword. However, I want to protect my people from here instead of bringing fame to the house from outside.”

Sylvia gave him the exact same answer as she gave to Raon.

“Raon said that he would make you a member of the direct line next year. He said that he is going to defeat the Axe King and use all of the achievements he’s been saving up so far.”

Glenn finished off the remaining Perriton Blanc in his glass and narrowed his eyes.

“I decided to accept that suggestion.”

“Ah...”

“If you can achieve that, you shall return to the main building.”

Glenn nodded while moving his gaze from Sylvia to Raon.

“M-my lord...”

Sylvia’s lips trembled, showing her surprise at Glenn’s suggestion that she return to the main building.

Her red eyes were wavering like the sunset reflected on the ocean.

“This dinner was worth my time.”

Glenn gave the best compliment in his standard and stood up from his chair.

“Thank you for the meal.”

“All the dishes were excellent.”

“I told you, they make good stuff.”

“Thanks for the meal.”

Sheryl, Roenn, Rimmer, and the Gambling Monster also stood up after Glenn.

Glenn looked at Sylvia then Raon before he left the annex building, and the others followed him.

“Haa...”

Sylvia covered her face with both hands and exhaled deeply. Her twitching shoulders revealed that she was holding back her tears.

Raon held her shoulder and bit his lip tightly.

The fact that Glenn told her to return to the main building implied that he was going to consider her his daughter once again.

Since she heard it directly from him, it was only natural that she couldn’t control her emotions with all her pent-up feelings welling up inside her.

Raon stayed there, patting Sylvia’s back for a long time.

* * *

“You finally said something,” Rimmer whistled while looking at Glenn’s back. “I was actually hoping for something gentler, but that’s enough for now... Hmm?”

He stopped talking and widened his eyes. Glenn was looking back with his eyes curved into a mocking smile.

“Huh? Wh-what is that? What’s up with that irritating expression?”

“He’s also looking at me like that.”

The Gambling Monster also saw his expression and furrowed his brow.

“Hah.”

Glenn sneered at both of them at once and turned his head without hesitation, as if he were telling them they were mistaken.

“W-wait a moment! Are you acting like that because Raon filled your glass first?”

“It can’t be...?”

Rimmer and the Gambling Monster dropped their jaws in bewilderment.

“That’s not all. Raon filled my glass ten times total today, while you guys had to fill yours on your own.”

Glenn looked back once again and snorted.

“Wait, that was because you were sitting next to him!”

“What’s special about filling the glass?!”

“Losers can keep barking.”

Glenn shook his hand, treating Rimmer and Gambling Monster as defeated dogs.

“Y-you!”

Rimmer ground his teeth, and Sheryl stopped him.

“He finally made some progress today. Put up with him for now.”

Sheryl shook her head, telling Rimmer to leave him alone for the day.

However, Glenn seemed to have no intention of stopping there as he sneered with his eyes once again.

“How am I supposed to put up with it when he’s making that expression?! This is so irritating! I’m closer to Raon... Kueeh!”

Rimmer dashed at Glenn while shouting and got shot down by lightning.

“Wh-why are you not doing anything, geezer...?”

Rimmer’s chin trembled as he looked up to the Gambling Monster, who wasn’t moving from his spot.

“I don’t want to be beaten up at my age.”

The Gambling Monster clicked his tongue while murmuring, ‘What a stupid guy’.

“Huhuhu.”

Roenn laughed gently as if he were enjoying the situation itself and followed everyone.