Sylvia stared blankly at Raon, as if still not feeling the reality.
"Raon. My energy center…."
"Yes. We succeeded."
Raon nodded, seeing Sylvia's eyes trembling like leaves swaying in the wind.
"Can you feel it?"
"Yes."
Sylvia nodded with a sob.
"I can feel my energy center, my mana circuits, and my mana."
She lifted her gaze, caressing her lower abdomen where the energy center was with trembling hands.
"Yes. The mana was always abundant in this world."
"...."
Raon gently held Sylvia's trembling hand.
"I never thought I would feel this sensation again."
Sylvia smiled awkwardly, a single tear running down her flushed cheek.
"Thank you. I don't have words other than that."
She trembled as she repeated her thanks.
-You don't need to thank me!
Wrath sniffled with a red nose as he clung to Sylvia's cheek.
-You've had a hard time! From now on, you will only walk on flower paths!
He nodded, promising that he would make her happier from now on.
'Move aside a bit.'
Raon pushed Wrath away and wiped the tears from Sylvia's eyes.
"What you've done for me is incomparable to this."
If he hadn't been born as Sylvia's son, the existence known as Raon Zieghart, who grew up forming many relationships, would not exist.
He would have been a vengeful spirit, consumed by the desire to kill Derus, abandoning all human emotions like in his past life.
It was because Sylvia had been by his side that he learned the warmth of a home with family and the importance of comrades. He became human from a murderer, all thanks to her.
"Do you remember?"
Sylvia smiled naively as she held the hand that wiped her tears.
"When you were less than a year old, you wiped my tears like this."
"...."
Raon nodded silently.
'I could never forget.'
He recalled the time when Glenn had first visited and given him the name Raon, and Sylvia had wept sorrowfully. He had instinctively wiped her tears then.
"At that time, I vowed to protect you no matter what, but I feel like I couldn't fulfill it properly. Instead, I received so much help from you."
Sylvia brought Raon's hand to her chest and bit her lip.
"My heart ached every time I looked at you. I wanted you to grow up like a child, but because of our family circumstances, you had to mature too quickly. It was heartbreaking because it felt like my fault."
For the first time, she spoke about her feelings.
"That feeling hasn't changed. At 21, you should be out causing trouble, being reckless, and drinking. But you've always looked straight ahead. While it was admirable, it was also pitiful."
Sylvia pinched Raon's cheek lightly with her finger, lifting it.
"Only good things are left now. From now on, smile like your age. That's all I want from you."
-Mother doesn't know! He smiles often!
Wrath flew to Sylvia, shaking his head.
-He's a wicked demon who only laughs when he's tormenting others! Argh!
'Shut up.'
Raon smacked Wrath with the back of his hand and smiled brightly at Sylvia.
"I'll try."
"Of course! I gave birth to such a handsome son. What did they call it? Ah! Handsome!"
Sylvia caressed Raon's cheek and nodded firmly.
"Mom…."
Raon sighed deeply, looking clearly exhausted.
"Please stop looking at my face and check if the mana in your energy center moves properly."
"Honestly, it still doesn't feel real."
Sylvia gulped, still unable to believe that a new energy center had formed.
"I'll try."
She took a deep breath and raised her hand. A sea-blue mana rose from her open palm.
The smooth movement, like a dolphin swimming, showed that Sylvia Zieghart's martial skills hadn't died even after over 20 years of rest.
"This is my aura…."
Sylvia's red eyes trembled at the sight of the pure and beautiful mana.
"My mana used to be yellow, but now it's blue."
"Do you dislike it?"
"No, I like it more because it's from you. It's beautiful."
She shook her head, saying she liked it more now.
"What do you plan to do with that aura?"
The amount of mana in Sylvia's energy center exceeded that of a Grandmaster.
If she regained her physical strength and body condition and improved her martial skills, she could reach the level of a Grandmaster in a short time. What she intended to do was significant.
"I've already decided."
The sea-blue mana in Sylvia's hand spread wide, forming the shape of a shield.
"I will protect this annex building."
She smiled, looking at the window illuminated by the sunset.
"I'll protect the things you cherish while you're away."
Sylvia's determination was evident in her eyes, not out of fear of fighting but from a desire to protect what she held dear.
"Yes. Please do that."
Raon nodded, understanding Sylvia's feelings.
"But first, there are many people I need to thank. Starting with Ensia…."
Even in this situation, Sylvia began listing people she should thank.
"Oh!"
At her words, Glenn came to mind.
"Why?"
"Actually, restoring your energy center and mana circuits wasn't something I did alone."
"Of course, I know. Ensia and those who protected us outside…."
"No, it's not that. About a month ago, the head of the house came."
"The head of the house?"
"Yes. He came at night…."
Raon explained to Sylvia about Glenn's teachings and what he realized today.
"I see."
Sylvia bowed her head for a long time, seemingly unable to believe it.
"We should get the Periton Blanc wine he likes and bring it to him…."
"No."
She shook her head firmly and stood up.
"Get the wine and invite the head of the house to dinner tomorrow evening."
"What?"
Raon looked at Sylvia with wide eyes.
"Will he come?"
Given Glenn's personality, he seemed satisfied with just fixing Sylvia's energy center and wouldn't come even if invited.
"No, he'll come."
Sylvia spoke confidently and approached the door.
"Mom! Wait…."
Raon tried to stop her, but Sylvia had already opened the door.
"Oh! Madam!"
Helen, who was crouching on the floor, ran to Sylvia.
"Madam!"
"Are you alright?"
"We're glad you're safe!"
The maids gathered in front of Sylvia, tears in their eyes.
"It's thanks to my good son."
Sylvia nodded and raised her hand, summoning aura. The mana shaped like a fish swam gracefully in the air.
"You succeeded…."
Ensia sighed deeply with her hands clasped. Despite her confident demeanor, she seemed very nervous inside.
"Thank you, everyone."
Sylvia hugged Ensia and the maids, smiling brightly.
"Um…."
"But…."
"Where's this smell coming from…."
Ensia, Helen, and the maids stepped back from Sylvia, covering their noses. Some maids, sensitive to the smell, gagged.
"What?"
Sylvia's eyes widened as if wondering what was happening.
"Um…."
Raon scratched the back of his head and pointed to the black dirt on the carpet.
"Those are impurities that came out of your body. It probably smells really bad…."
"You should have told me before opening the door!"
Sylvia, her face red with embarrassment, slapped Raon's chest with her palm.
Thwack!
Caught off guard by the sudden impact, Raon couldn't keep his balance and was thrown out, breaking through the wall. Sylvia, overwhelmed by embarrassment, couldn't control her strength.
"Ra, Raon!"
"Young Master!"
"Kyaa!"
Sylvia and the maids followed Raon outside, screaming.
-....
Wrath stroked his chin as he watched.
-Is violence a family trait?
Sheryl clenched her fist as she looked at the noisy annex.
"It seems they succeeded!"
"Yes."
Glenn, who was standing behind her with his arms crossed, nodded slowly.
"They properly connected the mana circuits and the energy center."
Glenn watched Sylvia, who was tending to the fallen Raon, with a warm smile.
'I never thought I'd see her using mana again.'
Sylvia had raised Raon without showing any signs of distress, but there was always a dark shadow in her eyes.
Losing the energy center, a fate worse than death for a martial artist, it was only natural.
But with the new energy center in place, the darkness in her complexion had completely vanished.
It felt like the young Sylvia, whom he hadn't seen due to his obsession with martial arts, had returned.
"Phew."
Roenn, also tense, sighed and placed a hand on his chest.
"It was worth teaching Periton's Martial Arts. Young Master Raon did a great job."
"Yes. It seems he knows more than I do now."
Glenn smiled thinly as he watched Raon, who was getting up blankly.
'Well done.'
Even though he had taught Periton's Martial Arts, the perfect execution was Raon's achievement.
Raon's performance, exceeding expectations, in treating Sylvia was admirable.
"They seem to be planning a party to celebrate Sylvia's recovery."
Sheryl smiled, hearing the noises from the annex, and turned around.
"The head of the house should also go."
She pointed to the annex, inviting him.
"...."
Glenn remained silent, quietly looking down at the annex.
"It's better to leave the joyful moments to those who can truly share them."
He shook his head and turned away.
"Head of the house…."
"Let's go."
After capturing the joyful faces of Sylvia and Raon in his eyes, Glenn left North Grave Mountain without hesitation.
"Well."
Roenn looked at Raon and chuckled lightly.
"Young Master Raon might think differently."
Raon walked toward the annex's garden, rubbing his chest.
'It hurts….'
Although he hadn't prepared for it, the impact felt like a hammer blow to his chest, suggesting that Sylvia's martial prowess had fully returned.
But it was so painful that he wasn't sure whether to be happy about it.
"The annex is always noisy."
The Gambling Monster, standing guard at the main gate, chuckled.
"How's Sylvia's condition?"
"It went better than expected. The mana loss was minimal, so if she just awakens her state, it wouldn't be surprising if she surpassed the barrier."
Raon rubbed his chest where Sylvia had hit him and smiled.
"You've worked hard."
The Gambling Monster approached and patted Raon's shoulder.
"You've already saved two people."
Rimmer, who was lying on the ground, got up and raised his index and middle fingers.
"Me and your mother. You seem to have a talent for saving others."
He smiled, saying Raon had done a great job.
"No, it was just luck…."
"Before you act modest, give me my reward first. I'm running low on money these days. Hehe."
Rimmer made a circle with his fingers, asking for money.
Even while talking about money, his playful tone showed it was his way of congratulating.
"Thank you both for your help."
Raon bowed to them.
"No, I'm serious about the reward!"
Rimmer seemed genuinely serious about the reward.
"Crazy bastard."
The Gambling Monster shook his head in disbelief.
Ignoring Rimmer, Raon approached the garden.
Flap!
With the sound of a bird spreading its wings, Dorian, Burren, Martha, and Runaan popped out.
"Why are you here?"
Raon had deliberately not told them to avoid interrupting their training, but they had found out and come here.
"We were worried."
Dorian rolled his eyes, answering slyly.
"Next time, tell us if you need help."
Burren frowned, looking regretful.
"Do you only use your mouth when eating? Talk more!"
Martha gritted her teeth, annoyed.
"Handsome? Ugly? Very ugly!"
Runaan shouted today that Raon was ugly and turned her head sharply.
"Sorry. I didn't want to disturb your training."
"Not telling us is more disturbing!"
Martha punched his chest. Fortunately, it hurt less than Sylvia's hit.
"Did it go well?"
Burren hesitated for a moment before asking.
"Yes. It went well."
"Then that's fine."
He nodded, saying it was all good as long as it went well.
"Thank goodness…."
Dorian's eyes welled up with tears, his lips trembling. Even though his timid nature had lessened, he still cried easily.
"Phew…."
Runaan also let out a deep breath and sat down.
Raon looked at the team leaders and Dorian, who were relieved and smiling, and smiled faintly.
'It's thanks to Mother that I became close with them.'
If Sylvia hadn't taught him about relationships, he would have seen them only as competitors.
He realized once again how much he had received from her.
"Why do you look so serious on a happy day?"
Dorian tilted his head, wondering what Raon was thinking.
"There are things to buy and things to do, but it's a bit tricky."
"What do you need to buy?"
"Periton Blanc wine…."
"Oh, I have that!"
Dorian reached into his pouch, saying he had Periton Blanc.
"Huh?"
But unlike usual, he didn't pull it out immediately and hesitated.
'Does he not have it? Well, it would be surprising if he had everything.'
Just as he thought it was inevitable, Dorian continued.
"What year do you want?"
"Uh…?"
"I have Periton Blanc from last year to 30 years ago. Which year do you want?"
"Y-you have all those?"
"It's a must-have."
Raon sighed, watching Dorian pull out Periton Blanc by the year.
What on earth isn't a must-have for you?
Glenn leaned deeply into the throne in the Lord's Manor, his eyelids trembling faintly.
The bright face of Sylvia he had seen today in the annex appeared vividly as if drawn.
'Yes. That's enough.'
There were many things he couldn't do for his youngest daughter, Sylvia. No, rather, there were far too many things he should never have done.
Even though it was a time when malice and desire dominated his mind, treating his daughter worse than a roadside stone was an unforgivable sin.
Seeing Sylvia's smiling face today, he realized he had been desiring too much recently, despite having no qualifications as a father or grandfather.
'I just need to watch over them from behind.'
He wasn't qualified to be with them. Just being an unseen barrier protecting Raon and Sylvia was enough. That was right.
Hoooo.
When Glenn opened his eyes again, he returned to the absolute being enveloped in emptiness, as he had been before meeting Raon. His gaze, viewing the world with boredom, was as cold as ice.
"Phew…."
Sheryl sighed low, feeling both understanding and frustration towards Glenn.
"...."
Roenn stood quietly beside Glenn with his eyes closed.
A dull knock echoed from the door of the audience chamber, breaking the stifling silence.
"I'll go check."
Roenn was about to move when Glenn waved his hand.
"Come in."
Glenn allowed entry, seemingly aware of who was outside.
Rumble!
The door to the audience chamber opened, and Raon entered. He walked calmly and knelt.
"I greet the head of the house."
"Get to the point."
Glenn gestured impatiently.
"Yes."
Raon stood up and took out five bottles of Periton Blanc from his subspace pouch.
"I've brought the wine you mentioned."
"…Is that so."
Glenn's lips twitched as he looked at the clear wine bottles in Raon's hands.
'This is the right thing to do.'
He wanted to drink that wine with Raon, but felt it was too much of a reward for himself.
He had to be satisfied with the fact that his precious grandson had given him wine.
"I'll enjoy it."
When Glenn gestured, Roenn moved to take the wine from Raon.
"Head of the house."
But Raon didn't hand over the wine and looked back at Glenn.
"Your teachings on Periton's Martial Arts were immensely helpful in restoring my mother's energy center. So…."
Raon withdrew the wine bottles and raised his gaze.
"If it's alright, could you join us for dinner at the annex tomorrow evening?"
He clearly invited Glenn to the annex, bowing his head.
Gulp.
Glenn unconsciously swallowed dryly and shifted slightly in his seat.
To hide his emotions, he pressed his entire body firmly against the chair and opened his dry lips.