Raon rubbed his eyes before looking at the squirrel on the dresser.
‘It’s really a squirrel though… Am I in a dream right now?’
There was nothing special about it no matter how he looked at it. It was an ordinary squirrel without any sign of magic, sorcery, combative energy, no aura around it. He couldn’t believe that such a squirrel was talking.
“It’s a bit embarrassing if you stare at me like that.”
The squirrel turned her head slightly with a gentle smile on her face.
“Huh…”
“Who the hell are you?”
“You already called me by my name.”
The squirrel smiled faintly and lowered her extremely small hands. It looked like the squirrel was embarrassed.
Raon realized for the first time that a squirrel was capable of such a detailed expression of emotion.
“It’s been a long time, Raon.”
“Merlin…”
Raon bit his lip. His first impression was correct. Merlin’s soul really was dwelling in the squirrel.
“It’s so exciting when you call my name with your voice.”
Merlin swept her hair up. Well, she was trying to sweep her hair up, but she looked like she was rubbing her fur around her head because she was just a squirrel.
I-is it that clingy woman?
Wrath freaked out and ran away from her.
I knew she didn’t die back then, but she followed you all the way here! She’s so crazy that it’s unbearable!
His chin was trembling from the shock.
Kuh, I’m getting PTSD.
Wrath grasped his head and fell on the bed.
‘You should’ve told me if you knew she didn’t die.’
Raon frowned at Wrath, who was writhing on the bed.
“Where are you looking when I’m right here?”
Merlin bobbed her finger, sitting on the dresser. She was apparently trying to look seductive, but her fluffy, wavering tail was drawing too much attention.
“You were alive?”
“Were you worried about me? I’m so happy!”
“Haa…”
Raon could only sigh. The fact that it was impossible to communicate with her confirmed that it was the real Merlin.
“How did you even survive?”
“Even rabbits create a hole to escape. It’s normal for humans to prepare means for survival.”
Merlin shook her hand, saying that it was an obvious question.
“But I still had to sacrifice a lot thanks to your grandfather.”
Her expression turned bitter as she continued. The expressions of happiness and sadness made Raon wonder how she could express so many emotions as a squirrel.
“Is Unfaceable Snake also alive?”
“‘Unfaceable Snake’ is dead.”
“Hmm…”
Her tone was slightly strange, but Raon simply nodded.
“Did you turn into a squirrel then, in order to survive?”
“No, my body is currently at a different place. Why are you asking? Do you want to see me?”
“Of course not.”
Raon sighed deeply and shook his head. He was already feeling exhausted even though he’d only spoken to her for a short time.
“Then why are you looking like that?”
“When I heard the news about the Conference of the Six Kings, I used a very slow method to transfer my thoughts into this squirrel. I didn’t interfere with this one’s body or soul, so that’s why no one noticed me.”
It must’ve been because she didn’t use any mana or magic and had no intention of harming anyone as a squirrel that everyone believed that she was a normal squirrel.
“But how did you know that I was going to participate in the Conference of the Six Kings? Moreover, the location of the conference must’ve been kept secret until recently.”
“I figured you would participate because you are directly involved with the topic of the conference. I’ve also scattered animals small enough to avoid suspicion all over the Six Kings just in case.”
Merlin smiled bashfully while covering her mouth with her finger.
“What the hell…?”
That was the only thing Raon could say.
‘This is getting scary…’
He was getting goosebumps because she’d predicted his movements and even scattered the small animals all over the Six Kings to prepare herself for all kinds of situations.
Kuh!
Wrath covered his ears, showing that he didn’t want to listen to her anymore. He must’ve suffered from someone’s obsession in the past.
“So why are you visiting me?”
“It’s only natural to stay with family.”
Merlin smiled as if it were the natural thing to do.
“I’m just sad that I can’t hug you like last time because I look like this.”
“What kind of bullshit…”
“Who else do you think laid you on the bed? You even slept on my lap when you were wearing the mask.”
“Hmm…”
Raon actually didn’t remember that. All he remembered was that he lost consciousness in the chair and was lying on the floor when he woke up.
“Stop the useless talk and tell me honestly. Why are you here?”
“I was worried about you.”
Merlin’s excited voice turned serious for the first time.
“I have my head of house with me, and he can easily defeat your boss. There’s nothing to worry about…”
“The Fallen is targeting you.”
When Raon was trying to mention Glenn, Merlin shook her head.
“He’s targeting me?”
Raon frowned at Merlin.
“Is it because the head of house came to retrieve me and delivered a devastating blow to Eden?”
“No.”
Merlin firmly shook her head. Raon was getting used to her appearance.
“It’s because of your future.”
“Future?”
“The Fallen believes that you will become the biggest obstacle in achieving Eden's ideal, and he’s planning to use this opportunity to kill you.”
“This opportunity?”
“He can’t move freely right now because he’s exhausted his power in multiple ways.”
She smiled, saying that everything would be okay as long as he overcame the oncoming crisis.
“I’m not sure when exactly he’s going to attack. It won’t be when the heads of the Six Kings like your grandfather are nearby, at least.”
Raon agreed with her, as the Fallen couldn’t avoid Glenn’s eyes no matter how stealthy he was.
“Did you go as far as borrowing an animal’s body to warn me about that?”
Raon narrowed his eyes while pointing at Merlin, who’d turned into a squirrel.
“Of course I did. We’re family.”
Merlin nodded while rubbing her head.
“Hmm…”
Raon bit his lip.
‘What should I even tell her?’
He already thought she was crazy when she did her best to stop the White Blood Religion and Eden, and he could’ve never even guessed that she would tell him so much information.
He could somewhat understand why she was doing it, and he felt sorry for her.
“Erm, I…”
“Ah, one more thing.”
Merlin raised her finger.
“I heard this on the way, but Derus Robert mentioned your name.”
“What?”
Raon raised his head violently because he didn’t expect that she would suddenly talk about Derus.
“I casually approached him because the way he was looking at you bothered me, and he mentioned your name twice in a single sentence. Raon and Raon Zieghart. Isn’t that strange?”
“What did he say after that?”
“I couldn’t hear it because of the aura barrier. This body would’ve been shattered into pieces if I got any closer.”
She licked her lips, saying that she should’ve enhanced the squirrel’s hearing ability a bit more.
“Raon and Raon Zieghart. He mentioned me twice…?”
Raon swallowed nervously.
‘No way.’
People usually didn’t mention a person’s name twice in a single sentence.
Moreover, the fact that he said Raon and Raon Zieghart was a dangerous sign.
Does that bastard actually suspect that I’m related to my previous self?
It should’ve been impossible, but that was the most likely scenario considering what Merlin had said.
‘I need to think about this. How many times have I used assassination skills in this life?’
The first time was when he attacked the Green War Demon from behind, but there were no unrelated witnesses to the incident. The second time was when he had slain the fourth apostle, and many people had witnessed it.
‘But that’s not enough to give me away.’
He’d used the swordsmanship he’d learned in order to assassinate the fourth apostle instead of the assassination technique of House Robert specifically to avoid any suspicion.
The warriors who were present on the scene should’ve been too weak to recognize him.
‘Which means he should still be uncertain.’
If Derus was certain about it, he would’ve definitely tried to sound him out during their last encounter.
Considering the situation so far, Derus’s suspicion couldn’t be that big.
‘I get it now.’
The reason Derus was acting strange despite them only just having their first encounter was because he suspected that he was the Raon from the previous life, not because of the incident at House Yonaan.
‘Why is he suspecting me? He shouldn’t be crazy enough to compare me to him just because I have the same name.’
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t figure out why Derus was suspecting him of being the Raon from his previous life.
‘No, that’s not the important part right now. I need to figure out how to avoid his suspicions.’
“Haaa.”
Raon exhaled all the oxygen from his lungs and closed his eyes.
‘Since he’s suspecting me, his next move is… It’s obvious. He’s going to order Martio to check if I still have the traces of an assassin.’
Martio was Derus’s closest vassal and the butler of the underworld—and the one who brainwashed Raon and oversaw his assassin training.
Derus was definitely going to order him to observe every single move to find traces of that training.
‘It will be pointless, though.’
A cold smile appeared on Raon’s face as he bit his lip.
‘Because I’ve erased them all already.’
* * *
* * *
Once he realized Roenn was an assassin, he removed every single habit of an assassin in order to avoid giving him any reason to suspect him.
Also, his mindset had become that of a swordsman thanks to Sylvia. That was why it should’ve been impossible for Martio to recognize him even though he was the one who brainwashed and taught him in the past.
‘But just in case…’
He imagined his actions in the future. He examined the way he moved his body in various ways before he nodded.
“Did you finish thinking about it?”
Merlin was smiling awkwardly while nibbling on the dresser. She was apparently unable to perfectly control the squirrel’s instincts.
“Yes, thank you.”
Raon bowed to Merlin. It happened because of her misunderstanding, but she was extremely helpful to him. He thanked her from the bottom of his heart.
“You shouldn’t say that to your family.”
Merlin said the exact same thing Sylvia had told him in the past. Raon’s heart felt heavy.
“You don’t need to say that.”
She came down from the dresser and put her small hand on Raon’s. He could feel her warmth through her extremely small fingers.
“……”
Raon considered taking advantage of her misunderstanding for a very brief moment.
After all, a Grandmaster magician’s one-sided affection was bound to be extremely helpful.
‘No, I shouldn’t be doing this.’
Raon violently smacked his own cheek. The tearing sound of his flesh resounded throughout the silent room.
“Raon?”
H-have you finally gone insane?
Merlin and Wrath widened their eyes.
‘Yes, that would be insane.’
If he took advantage of Merlin’s feelings, he would be no different from Derus Robert, who was still inciting his desire for revenge even after his reincarnation.
Even though she was an enemy, mocking a person’s life wasn’t an option.
“Let me say it one more time. Thank you for telling me about it. However, I’m not your family, as I’m not Loctar Defort. His soul has already been absorbed into me.”
Raon honestly told Merlin about what happened in the mental world.
“He doesn’t exist in the world anymore, and I’m your archenemy. You shouldn’t be helping me like this.”
“Did Loctar say anything before he parted?”
“He…”
Raon closed his eyes. His last word was still engraved in his memory. It wasn’t anything special, but he would never be able to forget about it for the rest of his life.
“Was worried about you. He told me that you’ve committed sins, but there was a reason behind them.”
“I see. That’s what he said…”
Raon waited for her resentment in return, but she didn’t say anything for a while.
“Raon, you are really Loctar after all.”
Merlin smiled happily. She looked like a squirrel that had filled its belly with sunflower seeds to its heart’s content.
“Because Loctar never brings shame to himself since he’s a knight.”
“I told you I’m not Loctar!”
“I said this before. Since Loctar’s soul is dwelling inside you, you are Loctar to me.”
“I’m Raon Zieghart.”
“I’ll call you by that name. Raon.”
“Kuh…”
Raon bit his lip. She was starting to insist once again even though he thought she was getting better.
“I don’t mind it even if my love ends up being one-sided. That’s what family is, after all.”
“I’m not your famil—”
“Ah, the time is up now.”
Merlin’s voice started to tremble, and the squirrel’s fur stood on their ends.
“Keeping my thoughts here would strain this one. I’ll be praying for your survival.”
She smiled for the last time and waved her hand. She looked like a cute squirrel, but Raon felt like the real Merlin was waving at him.
“Please feed this one after I’m gone. That was the trade we had.”
After she said that, the squirrel’s eyes turned clear.
Squeak?
The squirrel that returned to normal stared at Raon for a while before hiding in a corner.
That was a crazy amount of obsession. It was almost frightening…
Wrath’s chin was trembling as he looked at the dresser where Merlin was standing.
‘You might be right.’
The King of Essence doesn’t understand why everyone around you is so crazy!
‘Hmm…’
Raon couldn’t bring himself to tell him that he was the strangest one of them all.
Knock. Knock.
Raon shook his head, and when he was about to call the squirrel—who had gone under the bed—a knocking sound could be heard.
“Vice squad leader! Why are you not coming? It’s time for us to make our entrance!”
Dorian was hurriedly calling him.
“Dorian, come inside for a moment.”
“What?”
Dorian opened the door and entered the room.
“Do you have any nuts?”
“Of course I do. What do you want? Peanuts? Almonds? Walnuts? Pistachios? Sunflower seeds? Pine nuts? Pumpkin seeds? Cashew nuts? I’ve got them all.”
Raon took notice of his amazing level of preparedness, which he hadn’t come across in a while.
“Sunflower seeds and peanuts.”
“Yes!”
Dorian nodded and took out a cylindrical box filled with nuts from his belly pocket to give him the sunflower seeds and peanuts.
“Come over here.”
Raon slowly pushed the peanuts and the sunflower seeds under the bed, and the squirrel put them in its mouth one after the other and came out from under the bed.
“Eeh? A squirrel? Why is a squirrel here?”
“I was hungry for affection.”
Raon smiled bitterly and picked up the squirrel, which filled its cheek pocket with all of the sunflower seeds in his hand, before putting it down next to the window. The squirrel turned its head for a moment and tilted its head before disappearing towards the garden.
Raon put on his coat after watching the sunset for a moment.
“Let’s go.”
* * *
Once he followed Dorian into the banquet hall, the Zieghart swordsmen were the only ones who were waiting in front of the door.
‘We were the last ones after all.’
Since the people with lower rank and age were supposed to make the first entrance to the banquet, Zieghart was the last in the line.
“Wow, Raon. Look at how much you’ve grown up. You even made me wait for you!”
Rimmer swaggered towards him with a frown on his face.
“How dare you make a squad leader wait when you are just a vice squad lead—Ack!”
“You are the one wasting our time here.”
He ended up getting smacked by Sheryl and shrunk to the side.
“Raon, did anything happen?”
Runaan walked up to him and tilted her head.
“No, nothing special.”
Raon shook his head with a faint smile on his face. The matter was worrying him, but he couldn’t exactly tell others about it.
“My lord, everyone is here.”
Sheryl bowed towards the waiting room on the right side, and the door opened as Glenn made his appearance. He was wearing his uniform instead of a formal suit, but he looked even better in it.
“Let’s go.”
He narrowed his eyes while looking at Raon for a moment before he nodded.
“Yes!”
With Sheryl as their leader, the Zieghart swordsmen responded and followed Glenn to the banquet hall’s door.
“Welcome, Zieghart’s heroes!”
The knights guarding the door slammed their spears on the ground before opening the door. At the same time, the majestic shout of the master of ceremonies resounded throughout the banquet hall from inside.
“The conqueror of North, Glenn Zieghart, and the Zieghart heroes are making their entrance!”
The hectic atmosphere of the banquet hall went silent at once, and everyone turned to look at them.
“That man is the Destructive King of the North, Glenn Zieghart.”
“Th-this is no joke. How can a human being’s pressure be so…”
“Argh, I can’t breathe.”
“So it was true that he crushed the White Blood Religion’s leader and the Fallen on his own…”
“He’s even stronger than before. I can’t even meet his eyes…”
As Glenn made his entrance, people were overwhelmed by his powerful pressure and couldn’t even raise their eyes or meet his gaze. They were simply standing there with trembling chins.
‘It must be frightening.’
Although powerful people usually controlled their pressure, Glenn usually revealed it instead, which made everyone turn pale.
‘This is nice.’
Raon smiled faintly upon noticing that the excitement had died down.
Because no one will be interested in me.
Since everyone was focused on Glenn, Raon didn’t even need to try so hard to hide his presence anymore. He figured he would be able to achieve his objective at that rate.
“Please come this way.”
King Lecross, who was sitting on the platform as the host, smiled at him while pointing next to him. Derus was already sitting on his left side.
Raon examined Derus while pretending to watch Glenn’s back as he walked up to the platform and met his eyes.
Derus smiled at him as if he were glad to see him again. His fake smile made Raon’s head heat up once again.
You idiot…
Wrath frowned upon noticing the wrath boiling in his mind.
‘Don’t worry about it. I’m okay now.’
Raon suppressed his emerging wrath with the Ring of Fire. He bowed to Derus with a flawless smile on his face.
Once he raised his head, Derus’s face had stiffened slightly.
Raon examined the two butlers behind him with a neutral expression on his face.
‘The one on the right.’
The old butler on his left was nothing but a servant in charge of lawful activities, and the friendly-looking middle-aged butler on his right must’ve been Martio in disguise—the one who had the actual authority.
‘This is why the world is so unpredictable.’
He was testing them instead of being tested thanks to Merlin’s interference, which no one could’ve expected.
Raon turned away from them with a cold smile on his face.
‘It’s been a while, instructor.’
