Chapter 1168

Chapter 1168
Chapter 1168

“Have you located the Lord?”

Raon stepped forward, repeating the exact statement Gold Dragon Bartius had made.

“Is that truly accurate?”

Bartius had claimed he would track down the Dragon Lord, yet Raon had not expected such rapid results. He had anticipated a far more grueling endeavor.

-Oho!

Wrath exhaled deeply.

-Will I finally taste the flesh of that Dragon Lord? Though aged, it ought to possess a distinct flavor.

He licked his lips as though the lengthy anticipation had proven worthwhile.

-Releasing those beasts to capture him was certainly worth the trouble!

‘Indeed.’

Raon chuckled softly while observing Wrath.

‘I am glad I spared them.’

The gazes of those dragons had differed from the ancient dragons he had encountered previously, prompting him to pay attention with a degree of hope. Now, they had delivered a prize far exceeding his expectations.

“No. I have not actually located him.”

Bartius shattered Raon’s assumptions, tilting his head as if questioning why Raon had misunderstood.

“Hm? What are you implying…”

“I never claimed to have found the Lord. I stated that I discovered a pathway to reach the Lord.”

He tapped his ear, motioning for Raon to reflect on his words.

“Indeed…”

Raon narrowed his eyes slightly.

“You did phrase it that way.”

Reflecting on it, Bartius was correct. He had not stated that he found the Lord, merely that he had uncovered a route leading to him.

“What do you mean by a pathway to reach the Lord?”

Raon stared at Bartius, his gaze sharpening into thin slits.

“That… hm!”

Bartius grimaced as he examined the blue window displaying his image.

“This location lacks many magicians, yet the interference waves are irritatingly dense.”

Because of the protective sorcery established within Zieghart, communication proved unstable, causing his form to flicker faintly.

“To resolve this…”

“Perhaps we should revise the notion that dragons are the absolute masters of magic.”

Just as Raon was about to adjust the flow of mana, Evelyn’s voice echoed from behind him.

“Is that not so, Raon?”

Evelyn emerged from Raon’s shadow, offering a bright smile.

“E-Evelyn?”

Raon blinked in surprise at Evelyn, who had materialized out of nowhere.

“Were you not asleep?”

“If you are awake, I am awake as well.”

Evelyn smiled brightly, explaining that she had awakened the moment he did earlier.

-Eeeeeeek!

Wrath shrieked while gripping his head.

-Every single phrase she utters gives me goosebumps!

He shook his head violently, declaring that he could never grow accustomed to her demeanor.

“Ah…”

While not quite as unsettled as Wrath, Raon felt a chill trail down his spine and closed his eyes tightly.

“Evelyn, I require your assistance.”

Yet this was precisely the moment he needed her expertise. Reopening his eyes, he requested that she neutralize the interference waves.

“Of course! Leave it to me!”

As Evelyn gestured with her hand to reassure him, Bartius’s figure—which had been trembling on the verge of fading—restored its stability.

“I was unaware that humans possessed such sophisticated protective mechanisms.”

Bartius appeared intrigued by the interference magic Evelyn had set up, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

“You may analyze that later.”

Raon took another step toward Bartius.

“How do we reach the Lord?”

He motioned with his chin, prompting him to explain immediately.

“First, I must inform you of something. The Lord does not currently reside on the continent.”

Bartius curled his red lips upward as though mocking the Dragon Lord.

“The Lord is not on the continent?”

Upon hearing Bartius’s declaration, Raon’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Correct. Had the Lord remained on the continent, there is no possibility that we dragons would have failed to track him down.”

Bartius nodded, affirming his certainty after concluding the search alongside the other dragons.

“Where is the Lord located, then?”

“In an alternate dimension. One that was undoubtedly created recently.”

“He forged a new dimension?”

Raon released a disbelieving laugh at the sudden mention of an alternate realm.

“Indeed. For a dragon of the Lord’s standing, fabricating a new dimension is entirely achievable.”

Bartius expressed complete confidence in the Dragon Lord’s capability to form dimensions.

-Ha! The Lord resides in another dimension?

Wrath blew out an exasperated breath, utterly astounded.

-The one who labels himself a mediator abandoned the world and fled! He is no lizard, merely a rat!

He ridiculed the very existence of the Lord, deeming him entirely disgraceful.

“However, he did not simply flee. The Lord is constructing something within that realm.”

Bartius scowled, noting that the Dragon Lord would not have forged a dimension solely to hide.

“What is he constructing?”

Raon narrowed his gaze as he posed the question.

“The Lord is no fool. If he conceals himself in another dimension, he is certainly fashioning something capable of threatening you humans.”

Bartius shook his head, warning against underestimating the Dragon Lord.

“I have never underestimated the Dragon Lord.”

Raon rested his hand upon Heavenly Drive.

“That hypocritical dragon never appears when danger looms, or he is the very first to escape.”

A miserable entity like the Dragon Lord would not convert the Five Kings into adversaries without preparation. Aside from placing his reliance on Derus Robert, he was undoubtedly engineering another scheme.

‘Just as Bartius noted, it must be something harmful to humanity.’

The Dragon Lord and the ancient dragons not only despise humans but view them as mere insects. Seeing him prepare a plot while hiding within an alternate dimension, it was highly probable to be magic of a bizarre and dangerous nature.

“How do we enter the realm where the Dragon Lord is hiding?”

Raon gestured with his chin toward Bartius.

“You are aware of the method, are you not?”

“Had I lacked that knowledge, I would not have contacted you.”

Bartius let out a slight snort.

“I formulated a theory based on details obtained through insincere flattery toward the ancient dragons. No, it is not merely a theory, but verified information.”

He nodded, indicating that the matter had already been evaluated alongside the other dragons.

“The Dragon Lord is not currently maintaining his dimension.”

“What?”

Raon lowered his eyebrows slightly.

“Did you not state earlier that the Dragon Lord opened a new dimension?”

“Regardless of how extraordinary a magician the Lord may be, it is impossible to complete special magic while simultaneously maintaining his own dimension. Presently, that realm is being sustained by three ancient dragons in whom the Lord places his highest trust.”

Bartius raised three fingers, clarifying that three ancient dragons were preserving the dimension where the Dragon Lord concealed himself.

“I detected traces of the identical dimensional sorcery upon three ancient dragons, confirming that the Lord is preparing a specialized spell.”

He clenched his fist, explaining that three ancient dragons were managing the realm while the Lord prepared an unknown spell inside.

“It is undoubtedly a spell that will severely impact this world. They appear to have forgotten their roles as mediators.”

Bartius ground his teeth so hard that veins bulged along his jawline, remarking that it was beyond pathetic and thoroughly disgraceful.

“So, to open the pathway leading to the Lord, we must capture those ancient dragons first?”

Raon rested his fingertips against Heavenly Drive.

“Not slay them, but persuade them to yield the key to open the Lord’s dimension. However…”

Bartius’s expression shifted into cold severity.

“If I utilize the mana of those ancient dragons, I should be able to unlock it.”

He pressed his lips together, implying that killing the ancient dragons was an acceptable alternative.

“Very well. Then there is no issue.”

Raon nodded, tightening his grip on Heavenly Drive.

“Shall you depart immediately?”

Bartius licked his lips as if fully prepared for action.

“I would prefer to depart at once, but prior to that…”

Raon glanced toward the main building, slackening the tension in his hand.

“I must deliver a report first.”

—

“The weather is pleasant.”

Glenn bit his lip tightly while gazing out the window where warm sunlight streamed inside.

“Why do you bite your lips while remarking that the weather is pleasant?”

Sheryl tilted her head as she observed Glenn.

“Perhaps my heart remains shrouded in darkness.”

Glenn let out a shallow breath as though immersed in profound reflection.

“Ah! It is because yesterday Raon and Sia directed all their attention toward Rector! I can clearly discern your thoughts now, Head of House!”

Sheryl nodded vigorously, convinced she had completely understood Glenn’s state of mind.

“Hmm…”

Glenn remained silent, though his trembling lips betrayed that Sheryl had guessed correctly.

“Sigh, they say the older one grows, the more childish one becomes…”

Sheryl sighed, expressing her surprise that Glenn, renowned as the Destructive King of the North, had reduced himself to this state.

“Whether I am known as the Destructive King of the North or the Sword God, ultimately, I am merely a human for whom family holds the greatest significance.”

Glenn shook his head, noting that he had only recently come to realize this truth.

“Even so, would it not be wiser to maintain a composed demeanor at present?”

Sheryl lowered her eyebrows slightly while watching Glenn.

“That is true. Yet whenever I look at Raon, composure eludes me.”

Glenn sighed, placing a hand against his forehead.

“Even now, I find myself missing him, which is truly absurd. To think I would end up like this.”

He let out a dry laugh, admitting he never anticipated becoming such a doting grandfather.

“Truthfully, even in this moment, I simply wish Raon would arrive immediately… hm?”

Glenn’s red eyes suddenly flashed; he hastily adjusted his attire and seated himself upright upon the Throne. Not in a relaxed posture, but with shoulders squared, spine rigid, and his features hardened into an expression of stern authority.

“H-Head of House?”

Sheryl blinked in bewilderment as she stared at Glenn.

“Why so abruptly…”

Before she could voice her confusion to Glenn, a knock resonated against the door of the audience chamber.

“It is the Light Wind Palace Master. May I enter?”

Raon’s voice carried from the corridor.

“Ahem!”

Glenn produced a sound far too clear to pass as a genuine cough and gave a nod.

“Enter.”

The moment he spoke, the audience chamber doors swung open and Raon stepped inside.

“I offer my greetings to the Head of House.”

Raon stood at the center of the audience chamber, bowing respectfully toward Glenn.

“Very well.”

Glenn stroked his chin with tranquil eyes, acting as though he had not been anticipating Raon’s arrival whatsoever.

“What matter brings you here?”

“Yes. I came to pay my respects and to deliver a report.”

Raon nodded with a warm smile.

“Paying respects…”

Glenn’s lips trembled with subtle emotion, touched not by the report mentioned afterward, but by the phrase ‘paying respects.’

“I see. I rested well.”

He tapped the armrest of the Throne with his fingers, remarking that his condition was satisfactory.

“You must have wielded a blade for the first time in a while; how do you fare?”

Glenn inquired about Raon’s condition in return.

“I am fine as well. In truth, I feel even better after receiving some encouraging news.”

Raon introduced the ‘encouraging news’ to transition toward the primary subject.

“I am pleased you are well. Nevertheless, you must not grow careless. Even transcendents remain human at core, and the body demands persistent care. Ensure you receive proper sustenance and rest.”

Glenn once more overlooked Raon’s signal, keeping the conversation anchored entirely to physical well-being.

“Y-yes, indeed. Please ensure that you eat properly as well, Head of House. I feel no hunger due to the good information I acquired.”

Though slightly flustered, Raon attempted once more to direct Glenn’s attention toward the information to advance the dialogue.

“In that case, shall we dine together? You have been consuming food outside for some time, so it would be beneficial. I shall issue explicit instructions to the Lord’s Manor chef…”

Glenn again displayed no curiosity regarding the information, concentrating exclusively on Raon’s visit to pay respects in the morning. His expression shifted oddly as he attempted to suppress a smile, visibly envious of Rector’s interactions from the previous day.

“Ah, yes…”

Raon blinked while observing Glenn.

“Sigh…”

Sheryl held her head in her hand and stepped closer to Glenn.

“Raon has a report to deliver! Cease interrupting and listen!”

She raised her voice, urging him to regain his focus.

“Ah, hmm…”

Glenn realized he had allowed himself to get carried away and subtly shifted his gaze.

“I see. It appears I became somewhat overly enthusiastic given the morning hour.”

He took a slow breath, though the intensity in his eyes remained largely unchanged.

“Very well. Deliver your report.”

Glenn leaned back against the Throne, signaling for him to state his purpose.

“A short while ago, as I was preparing to train, Gold Dragon Bartius—whom I encountered previously—appeared before me.”

Raon recounted to Glenn and Sheryl the dialogue he had shared with Bartius earlier that morning.

“The Dragon Lord is concealing himself within a newly created dimension and preparing a scheme?”

Sheryl released a disbelieving laugh.

“Lizards. No, calling them ‘lizards’ is far too generous!”

She scowled, questioning what sort of mediator behaves in such a manner.

“If the Lord entrusted the dimensional keys to ancient dragons, those dragons must be the leaders of their respective clans.”

Glenn lowered his gaze with a serene expression, completely casting aside his earlier excitement.

“The clan leaders possess power on a vastly different tier compared to ordinary dragons. Are you capable of handling them?”

He narrowed his eyes, silently questioning whether it was prudent to assign him this responsibility.

“With my current strength…”

Raon rested his hand upon Heavenly Drive, the veins on his skin becoming visible.

“I am confident I can strike down not only the clan leaders, but the Lord himself.”

It was not mere confidence, but absolute conviction. He nodded with calm, steady eyes, as though he were setting out to subdue ordinary brigands in the nearby mountains rather than facing the Dragon Lord or ancient dragons.

“Please entrust this matter to me.”