"Ra, Raon! Stop!"
The Siran Tribe Chief raised his arm to block Raon's path.
"It's dangerous! Not just for my brother, but for you too!"
He shook his head, calling Ogram "brother" instead of "Union Leader."
"The Death Aura binding my brother's soul has already surpassed the level of martial arts. It's reached the realm of curses formed by magic and sorcery! If you touch it carelessly, you'll be affected too!"
The Siran Tribe Chief shouted that this shouldn't be taken lightly, worried not just for Ogram but for Raon as well.
"I know."
Raon nodded gravely, looking at the Siran Tribe Chief's trembling eyes.
"But I have to do it. I'm confident I can succeed."
As the Siran Tribe Chief said, the Death Aura wielded by Derus is a power that transcends the principles of martial arts.
In trying to save Ogram, my soul could also be wounded.
But thanks to the Evil Eye of Wrath and the Ring of Fire, I can vividly sense the Death Aura binding Ogram's soul.
If I act now, I can save Ogram without any harm.
"Benefactor. I'm against it too."
The Vice Union Leader stepped forward, biting his lip.
"If it's dangerous for both the Union Leader and you, Benefactor, it's better not to do it. If you get hurt, we won't be able to face the Union Leader even if he wakes up."
He shook his head, seeming to share the same thoughts as the Siran Tribe Chief.
"Do you think my brother doesn't know that?"
Garona burst into the room, pushing the door open violently.
"My brother values the master more than anyone here. If not, he wouldn't have come here or invaded the White Blood Religion Headquarters! If he says he can do it, he really can!"
He approached Raon's side and nodded firmly.
"I believe in you, brother. I hope you'll do it."
Garona said he believed in Raon while raising his fist to pound his chest. Perhaps due to overexertion, blood seeped through the bandage wrapped around his shoulder.
"Mmm..."
"That's..."
When Garona, Ogram's disciple, said he believed in Raon, the Vice Union Leader and the Siran Tribe Chief could no longer speak.
"Ahem!"
Raon turned around at Glenn's cough. Seeing that he was still holding Glenn's wrist, he hurriedly let go.
"I'm sorry."
"..."
Glenn didn't answer, looking at his slightly reddened wrist before raising his gaze to Raon.
"Are you confident?"
"It's impossible alone, but if you help me, Head of House, it's possible."
"Then I'll take responsibility."
He stepped forward and nodded calmly.
"Pardon?"
"H-Head of House?"
"I mean I'll take responsibility for everything if it goes wrong."
Glenn waved his hand, saying he would shoulder everything. His mood, which had been bitter while looking at the unconscious Ogram, now sparkled with a faint red light.
"Head of House! Saying such things..."
Sheryl reached out to Glenn as if to stop him.
"Let it be."
Rimmer stopped Sheryl and brought his mouth to her ear.
"He's just happy because his grandson held his wrist."
He whispered so only Sheryl could hear.
'Huh...?'
Sheryl let out a gasp as she looked at Glenn. As Rimmer said, he seemed genuinely happy.
"He's not a teenage girl. I don't know why he's acting like that."
Rimmer shook his head, calling Glenn a tiresome old man.
"Hehehe."
Roenn also understood everything and let out a quiet laugh.
"I'm sorry. I made a big mistake."
The Vice Union Leader bowed his head to Raon.
"Neither the Head of House nor you, Benefactor, need to take responsibility. I just ask you. Please save the Union Leader."
"Please!"
Not just him, but the Siran Tribe Chief and other executives also bowed their heads.
"Brother."
Garona said he believed in Raon and grabbed his shoulder. His fingertips trembled slightly.
"Please wait a moment."
Raon nodded calmly as he looked at the Beast Union executives.
"I'll let you hear the Union Leader's refreshing laugh again."
* * *
Raon slowly regulated his breath and activated the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation.
He moved the heat that would not be shaken by any aftereffects to examine the Death Aura binding Ogram's soul.
'This is the starting point.'
Currently, Ogram's soul was enveloped by the Death Aura, like a spider wrapping its prey in a web.
Since it was difficult to unravel all the Death Aura surrounding the soul, he had to find and cut the thickly knotted areas.
Using the Ring of Fire, Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation, and Evil Eye of Wrath to their fullest, he found eight knots that could be cut without harming Ogram, severing only the Death Aura.
If he could cut those knots without mistake, he could save Ogram without injuring his soul.
"I've finished checking."
Only after checking several more times did Raon turn around and nod to Glenn.
"From now on, please cut with your Aura where I leave traces."
"Are you sure you've grasped it?"
"Yes."
He showed a smile revealing his confidence.
"I know Ogram's body and soul are separated, but I don't know exactly where or how. So..."
Glenn placed his hand on top of Raon's, which was on Ogram's chest.
"You do it directly."
As soon as those words ended, Glenn's Lightning Aura seeped through the back of Raon's hand.
'This is...'
It was different from both the Ten Thousand Flames Religionivation and Glacier. It was pure Lightning Aura, as if containing the lightning that ruled the heavens.
It was powerful enough to shatter everything in the world, yet warm like a spring day.
Raon swallowed hard as he looked into Glenn's slightly trembling eyes.
'Is he trying to teach me again?'
Given that Glenn could have handled it directly but passed the opportunity to me, it seemed like a consideration to let me gain experience in using Lightning Aura.
Realizing Glenn's intention, Raon tried moving the Lightning Aura that had filled the back of his hand.
Perhaps thanks to Glenn's guidance, he could handle the red Lightning Aura as freely as his own energy.
Crackle!
After swirling the Lightning Aura received from Glenn once, Raon pushed it into Ogram's body.
'I need to move carefully.'
Currently, Ogram was like a vegetative patient, unable to express pain even if he felt it. Raon had to move the Lightning Aura as precisely as possible to minimize damage.
Phew.
Raon calmly regulated his breath before sweeping the blade of Lightning Aura towards the first knot of concentrated Death Aura he had identified earlier.
Slash!
Ogram's body rippled as if receiving a great shock, and the first chain binding his soul snapped and melted away.
Perhaps due to the extreme concentration, even though he had only cut one, his whole body felt heavy as if soaked in water.
Biting his lip to endure, he guided the Lightning Aura towards the next Death Aura knot.
Crackle!
Thanks to Glenn's continuous support of Lightning Aura, he was able to cut six more knots.
Each time a chain of Death Aura split, color returned to Ogram's face. His face, which had been pale like a zombie's, began to flush red.
"He, he's coming back!"
"Union Leader!"
"Ugh..."
The Vice Union Leader, Siran Tribe Chief, and Garona reddened their eyes as they watched the positive changes occurring in Ogram.
The three of them clasped their hands together, looking at Raon as if pleading.
Raon nodded slightly and moved towards the eighth knot. It was the last, but he couldn't let his guard down.
Dozens of strands of Death Aura were connected to that single knot.
'This won't be easy.'
The last knot, being the first from Derus's perspective, was still firmly binding Ogram's soul.
If he moved the Lightning Aura even slightly wrong, it could cut Ogram's soul, so he couldn't move his hand easily.
"Hmm..."
Just as he felt frustrated and bit his lip, Glenn firmly grasped the back of Raon's hand with the one that had been transmitting the Lightning Aura.
"Believe in yourself and act. You can do it, can't you?"
Hearing Glenn's voice conveying trust, the anxiety and pressure weighing on Raon's chest melted away as if washed clean.
Crackle!
Raon nodded to Glenn and then guided the newly charged Lightning Aura.
He slashed with the blade of lightning that seemed imbued with Glenn's noble will, cutting the final Death Aura binding Ogram.
Kyaaang!
Dozens of chains made of Death Aura split apart, and Ogram's freed soul seeped back into his body.
"Haaa..."
Raon exhaled roughly and slumped down on the spot.
"It's done."
He looked up at Glenn and nodded.
"Good job."
Glenn also seemed to sense the change in Ogram, patting Raon's shoulder with a faint smile.
"He, he's back! The Union Leader's soul has returned to his body!"
The Siran Tribe Chief jumped up as if startled.
"Th-then, the Union Leader..."
"He should be able to wake up soon."
Raon answered the Vice Union Leader instead of the Siran Tribe Chief, who was too shocked to speak.
"Th-thank you! Benefactor!"
"Brother! Thank you!"
"Raon! You really..."
The Vice Union Leader, Garona, and the Siran Tribe Chief approached simultaneously and embraced Raon.
"Um, Head of House. Could you please..."
Raon smiled awkwardly as he looked at Glenn's hand still holding the back of his own.
"Ahem!"
Glenn cleared his throat loudly and turned his body abruptly.
"Geez, he's so happy just because his grandson held his hand. If they hugged, he'd probably faint."
Rimmer whispered to Sheryl while shaking his head.
"It's not just any grandson, but an admirable one. If it were me, I'd hug him and not let go."
Sheryl showed a faint smile, saying she understood Glenn.
"That's right. Where else would you find a grandson who's so filial?"
Roenn also laughed approvingly, as if proud of Raon.
'Hm?'
Raon's eyes widened as he tried to expel the scattered Death Aura from Ogram's body one last time.
'What is this...'
Why is the Death Aura...
As he tried to disperse the Death Aura into the air, it began seeping into his own body.
However, it didn't harm him, but quietly seeped into his body and mana circuit, becoming part of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation Aura.
"Huh..."
As Raon let out a confused breath, Ogram's forehead trembled slightly.
"Mmm..."
Ogram heavily lifted his eyelids. He looked at the people staring at him one by one, tilting his head in confusion.
"Where am I..."
"Union Leader!"
"Master!"
"Brother!"
The executives inside the palace cried out and rushed towards Ogram.
"Wh-what! Glenn, Raon, why are you here!"
Ogram gaped in incomprehension.
"Just..."
Raon smiled faintly as he watched the bewildered Ogram.
"I came to repay a favor."
* * *
"...I see."
After hearing the circumstances, Ogram pressed his lips tightly.
"I've incurred a debt. A very large debt at that."
He sighed, saying he didn't know how to handle it.
"You brute, don't think about debts."
Unlike during the Six Kings Conference, Glenn called Ogram a brute and snorted familiarly.
"I've received help from you before too, haven't I?"
"That was when we were young. And it wasn't such a big deal!"
Ogram frowned as if telling Glenn not to talk nonsense.
"Help is help, even if it was when we were young. You don't need to owe me anything. However..."
Glenn raised his index finger to point at Raon.
"Make sure to repay that child properly. It was all Raon's doing - suggesting we come here, discovering your traces, and finding you."
"Yes. I know."
Ogram nodded as if it was obvious.
"I've received a favor that I couldn't repay even if I spent my whole life trying. Thank you, Raon."
He sincerely expressed his gratitude while firmly grasping Raon's hand.
"Don't hold his hand."
Glenn strongly struck the back of Ogram's hand, telling him not to do unnecessary things.
"Hmm, you're still as incomprehensible as ever."
Ogram let out a hollow laugh, as if dumbfounded.
"Look who's talking, getting beaten by a mere mosquito."
"I wasn't beaten by that bloodsucker! When I was fighting her..."
He explained that he was ambushed during the battle by a swordsman wearing a blue dragon helmet.
'A blue dragon helmet?'
Was that Derus?
The Thespian Emperor of the Five Divine Orders had said that a man wearing a blue dragon helmet came to gather information.
She said it wasn't the Heavenly Demon, so I thought it was someone from Eden, but it seems it was Derus Robert.
'That guy...'
What on earth is he thinking?
Despite working under Derus for a long time and gathering various information, I still couldn't understand his true intentions.
"To be honest, even if I fought him one-on-one, I couldn't guarantee I'd win."
Ogram dropped his clenched fist lifelessly.
"If he's that strong, he must be someone you know?"
"No, I've never seen him before. There's no one like that among the Six Kings and Five Demons."
He frowned, saying it seemed like a completely new force had appeared.
"Hmm..."
Glenn also clicked his tongue briefly, as if he couldn't think of anyone who fit the description.
"Union Leader."
Raon approached Ogram while Glenn was quiet.
"Did you experience anything unusual after you collapsed?"
"Unusual... Ah!"
Ogram clapped his hands loudly.
"After being defeated by them, while I was swimming in endless darkness, I saw a small light imbued with the flow of the Fierce Wave Arts. It was a space that was warm yet cool, light yet heavy. I remember entering there briefly and feeling my heart melt. It felt like a dream, yet not quite a dream."
He nodded, saying it was a fascinating experience.
"That must have been my mental world."
Raon explained what had happened in the mental world.
"So that's why you came to find me..."
"At first, I thought you came just to teach me the Fierce Wave Arts, but after it was all over, I couldn't forget the look in your eyes that seemed to be asking for help."
"That's quite remarkable."
Ogram looked at Raon with warm eyes.
"I thought of you too as I was falling."
"You thought of me?"
"Yes. As I pushed the White Hawk Gauntlet into the Blood Spirit Pathway, I thought that only you or Garona would find it."
He laughed heartily, saying that belief had come true.
"Raon. Thank you."
Ogram closed his eyes, putting sincere feeling into that one word of thanks.
"From now on, I'd like to make you both the benefactor of the Beast Union and my adopted grandson."
He raised the arm that Glenn had hit and took Raon's hand again.
"For you, I…"
"How dare you!"
Glenn struck Ogram's hand, his face contorted like an evil spirit.
Smack!
Ogram's hand turned red, as if Glenn had struck it with all his might.
"If he's a benefactor, just treat him as a benefactor! What adopted grandson!"
"No, I'm just grateful..."
"Shut up! If you don't want to fight me to the death right here, keep your mouth shut!"
Glenn shook his head vigorously, as if to say that was absolutely out of the question.
"Uh..."
As Raon stood awkwardly between Glenn and Ogram, messages began to appear before his eyes.
[You have achieved a great feat.]
[All abilities...]
[The rank of the trait
[The rank of the trait
[New title...]
The reward messages earned from this incident scrolled up before his eyes.
'What a shame.'
If Wrath had seen this, he would have thrown a fit saying, "Isn't this too much! Is the system crazy?!" It was too bad he was asleep.
'Huh...?'
As he was clicking his tongue in disappointment at not being able to tease Wrath, the last message caught his eye.
'Why is this showing up?'