TRAIGS (Novel) Chapter 666

N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)


 Chapter 666

 

Raon turned his gaze to where he sensed the presence of demonic energy. The central avenue, bustling with people and carriages, came into view.

‘It’s gone.’

In that brief moment of moving his eyes, the demonic energy vanished as if it had never existed.

Tap!

He gently pushed off the white ground with his left foot, moving towards the central avenue where he had felt the demonic energy. He spread out his senses.

‘Where is it?’

His senses, carried by the wind of the Light Wind Style, extended in all directions, but there was no trace of the demonic energy anywhere. It had completely disappeared.

He tried to find the presence that emitted the demonic energy with his eyes, but no one seemed suspicious.

“What, what’s going on?”

“Who is that person?”

“Zieghart?”

“He was with the prince just a moment ago….”

instead, people’s eyes were drawn to him, as if he had risen from the ground.

“Division leader, what’s going on?”

Burren approached with a tense expression, his hand on his sword.

“Is there an enemy?”

“Enemy? There’s no enemy here.”

Martha frowned, as if it was a ridiculous question.

“It’s not an enemy.”

Runaan shook her head calmly.

“The division leader just wanted to have some ice cream quickly.”

She licked her lips as if she also felt the same.

“…That’s not it.”

Raon shook his head and glanced at the three captains. None of them seemed to have sensed anything.

‘Then….’

Just in case, he looked at Rimmer. But he, too, was blinking blankly, as if asking what was going on.

‘Even the vice leader didn’t notice.’

Rimmer, as an elf, has superior senses compared to warriors of the same level. The fact that even he didn’t feel the demonic energy meant that Raon was the unusual one.

No, more than that, this place is the Holy Kingdom. In a place full of priests, it was strange that he was the only one who sensed the demonic energy.

‘The reason is obvious….’

It’s because of Wrath.

Wrath is the King of Devildom. Having been with such a being for most of his life, it might have made him sensitive to demonic energy.

‘Come to think of it….’

He remembered that Wrath had a strange reaction when he was looking at the Holy Kingdom of Schper from the outside a while ago.

This cotton candy must have known everything from the beginning.

‘You knew everything, didn’t you?’

What are you talking about?

Wrath turned his head slightly, feigning ignorance.

‘That there’s someone with demonic energy in this kingdom.’

As the Demon King who controls demonic and magic energy, there’s no way I wouldn’t know.

He nodded, admitting easily.

‘Who is it?’

Why do you think the King of Essence would tell you that?

Wrath shook his head coldly.

‘What?’

You seem to have forgotten, but I am the King of Devildom and the Monarch of Wrath. I wouldn’t sell out a fellow demon, even if they’re not my subordinate.

He twisted his lips, telling Raon not to think of him as human.

‘Hmm….’

Wrath was right. He is the King of Devildom. It would be ridiculous for him to sell out a demon.

He thought about threatening him with ice cream, but he couldn't say it because he had promised to let him eat whatever he wanted for a while.

Besides, pushing him with food was too degrading for himself.

‘Where is it?’

Currently, there are two groups that can use demonic energy.

The first was the Black Tower, which had a connection to Devildom, and the second was the Demon Worship Society (마족추영회.), which worshiped demons. He didn’t know which one it was.

But the demonic energy he felt a moment ago seemed purer than that of the Black Tower’s black spirits.

Hmm, but let me tell you one thing….

Wrath seemed to think he was being too cold-hearted and opened his lips again.

As you saw when you entered, the walls of this kingdom are filled with holy power. A weak demon cannot enter, and a strong one would have caused a war by breaking through.

‘What does that mean?’

You really are empty-headed. The fact that there are no traces on those walls means that the demon didn’t force their way in, but…

‘They held hands with a human?’

Raon realized the meaning behind Wrath’s words and answered first.

That’s right. It means the demon and the human made a contract.

Wrath nodded.

Unless it’s a monarch like me, demons cannot force a contract. They need the consent of the person. In other words, the owner of the demonic energy you felt would have willingly accepted the demon themselves.

He wagged his finger, warning him not to interfere with the contract between humans and demons for no reason.

‘The wall and contract….’

As he pondered Wrath's words, a small answer seemed to emerge.

“Si,Sir Raon, is something bothering you…?”

While Raon was organizing his thoughts, Hopen approached. His fingertips trembled with worry.

“I thought I saw someone I knew.”

Raon gave a faint smile to Hopen.

"Then we can send people to..."

"No, it's okay. I saw wrong."

Raon waved his hand, saying it was someone else.

“I apologize.”

He bowed his head slightly, apologizing.

“No, it’s fine!”

Hopen waved his hand and resumed guiding the Light Wind division through the Holy Kingdom.

‘Wrath.’

Following Hopen up the central avenue, Raon turned his eyes to Wrath.

‘As you said, if the contract with the demon is for personal gain, I have no intention of interfering.’

He himself was in a contract-like relationship with the Demon King of Wrath, so he couldn’t apply double standards.

‘But if someone gets hurt because of that contract, I’ll stop them no matter what.’

He thought that was his duty as someone who rears the Demon King.

R, rear? Did you just use the word rear on me? If you don’t take that back, I will never forgive….

“That is the new ice cream shop. You can visit it after the audience.”

As Wrath was about to explode in anger, Hopen pointed to a two-story building on the right.

The sign was bright and fancy, the interior was clean, and the freezer storing the ice cream seemed three times larger than the one in Zieghart.

Kyahoo!

Wrath let out a high-pitched scream, forgetting what Raon was saying.

Can’t we go now instead of later? It’s full of flavors the King of Essence doesn’t know!

‘…….’

Raon shook his head as he looked at Wrath, who was clinging to the ice cream shop window like a gumdrop.

‘Indeed, I am rearing him….’

* * *

In a dark space where even the holy sunlight couldn’t penetrate.

A man, sitting at a faded, old desk, had his hands clasped and eyes closed. His lips moved incessantly as if in prayer.

Wooong.

When he finished praying and lowered his clasped hands, a shadow like muddy water rose from under the desk and transformed into the shape of a person. It was a young man with striking black hair.

“I told you not to show yourself during the day, didn’t I?”

The praying man furrowed his brows.

“I’m sorry. It’s urgent….”

The black-haired young man clasped his hands in front of his chest. It was a priestly gesture.

“Urgent?”

"Yes. The fourth prince has returned, and he brought companions with him."

"It seems those companions are the problem."

The man at the desk nodded calmly.

“Raon Zieghart. The monster known as the Dragon Slayer has come with the Light Wind division.”

The young man mentioned Raon’s name and raised his gaze.

“The reason?”

The man at the desk showed no agitation at hearing Raon’s name. Only the darkness in his eyes stirred fiercely.

“I don’t know the exact reason, but they say he saved the fourth prince’s life at Divarun mountain. The king of monsters born there seems to have been stronger than expected.”

The young man recited what Hopen had told people.

“…I see.”

The man nodded indifferently, even though he heard the fourth prince had barely survived.

“The Light Wind division includes not only Raon Zieghart but also Rimmer, Zieghart’s Sword of Light. The captains are also at Master level. The grand plan is less than a week away. If the Light Wind division stays until then, there might be a problem.”

The black-haired young man frowned deeply, worried.

“Raon Zieghart and the Light Wind division….”

The man tapped the desk with his blunt fingers. A chilling sound began to resonate from the desk.

“This is rather fortunate.”

He clasped his hands, which had been tapping on the desk.

"I'll make Raon Zieghart and the Light Wind division the sacrifice."

"What?"

The young man widened his eyes in disbelief.

"But…"

"They won't be able to use their full strength inside the barrier anyway."

"That's not the issue! If house Zieghart loses contact with the Light Wind division, they might take action."

"It'll be fine."

The man turned his back. He licked his lips as he watched the black fire burning on the dim wall.

"That won't happen."

* * *

Raon sat on the bed in the room Hopen had provided, stroking the calluses on his fingers.

‘As I thought, without testing, I won't get any answers.’

Thanks to Wrath’s hint, he had a rough idea, but he needed evidence to be sure.

What do you mean answers! Stop the nonsense and let's go eat ice cream! You're not going to tell me you won't buy it for me now, are you?

He licked his lips, his eyes trembling with anxiety.

‘I'm not that petty.’

Th-Then let's go right now...

'We have to greet the owner of this place first.'

Since the King of Essence has set his foot on this land, the owner of this land is him!

Wrath wiggled his finger, saying Raon should just greet him.

"…."

Raon shook his head, finding it too tiresome to argue.

Humans are so bothersome in this way! They have to greet kings, nobles, and since this is a holy kingdom or whatever, don't we have to meet the pope too?

‘No need for that.’

Raon slowly shook his head.

"Schper is a theocracy. The king is also the high priest."

In the Holy Kingdom of Schper, there is no pope. The king also serves as the high priest, offering prayers to the god.

Oh, that's quite convenient.

Wrath nodded, acknowledging that humans sometimes have sensible systems.

Knock knock.

While Raon was chuckling, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door opened cautiously, and Hopen entered, bowing his head.

"The audience has been granted. Let's go."

"Understood."

Raon donned his black dragon coat again and left the room. The Light Wind swordsmen were already waiting outside.

"What kind of person is the king of the Holy Kingdom of Schper?"

Martha wondered, licking her lips.

"I heard he's a very benevolent person."

Burren's eyes sparkled with expectation, saying the king's name is known for his benevolence.

"That's right. He's benevolent."

Runaan nodded.

"Huh?"

"You know the king of Schper?"

"You?"

Everyone in the Light Wind division looked at Runaan, blinking.

"I don't know him."

Runaan shook her head without a moment's hesitation.

"Then why did you say he's benevolent?"

"Because the ice cream shop is big."

She raised her blank eyes confidently.

"Sigh…."

"Of course."

The Light Wind swordsmen sighed in relief, realizing they had worried for nothing.

She's right! How dare those idiots mock the ice cream girl!

Wrath waved his hand energetically, agreeing with Runaan's opinion.

"Stop talking nonsense."

Raon stood before the Light Wind division, frowning.

"When you meet His Majesty, show proper respect."

"Don't worry…."

"Who do you think we are!"

Martha and Krein raised their fists.

‘You two are the ones that worry me the most.’

Raon sighed inwardly and looked at Hopen.

"Let's go."

"Yes, sir."

Hopen smiled faintly and led the way to the royal palace.

Underneath a towering spire, a massive diamond-shaped temple came into view.

This building, which was prominent even from a distance, was the royal palace. Its light gray walls made it look even more sacred.

The main gate of the palace was open, likely because they had been informed beforehand, and the knights guarding the entrance bowed their heads quietly.

Raon nodded back at the knights and entered the palace.

The interior, unlike the exterior, had a warm white tone and gold leaf, giving it a luxurious feel.

"Prince!"

As they walked on the blue carpet towards the audience chamber, an elderly priest wearing a gold scarf approached Hopen.

"I'm glad you returned safely."

The elderly priest bowed his head, saying it was the grace of god.

"Ah, Priest Piren!"

Hopen greeted the elderly priest with a wide smile.

"Thanks to these people, I was able to return safely."

"And these people are…."

"These are the ones I met during my mission…."

Hopen briefly explained the events that had occurred in the mountains.

"Oh! I see."

Priest Piren clasped his hands together and bowed to the Light Wind swordsmen.

"Thank you for saving the prince!"

"It's nothing. But…."

Raon looked at Hopen, blinking.

"By prince, you mean..."

"Ah, you didn't tell them?"

Priest Piren blinked at Hopen.

"This gentleman is the fourth prince of our Holy Kingdom of Schper."

"Prince?"

Raon's mouth dropped open as he looked at Hopen.

"Si-Sir Hopen is a prince?"

"I had no idea…."

"No way. What kind of prince is so humble!"

The Light Wind swordsmen, having spoken with Hopen, also hadn't anticipated this revelation, exhaling deeply.

"I apologize. I didn't mean to deceive you. As I said before, status isn't very important to us."

Hopen scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed.

"Hmm…."

Raon nodded, looking at Hopen.

'That's certainly true.'

Whether at Barene or in the Divarun mountain, Hopen had always been the same. He acted not like a prince, but simply as a knight. He followed the doctrine more faithfully than anyone else.

"So that's why we got the audience so quickly."

It seemed Hopen's status had allowed them to gain an immediate audience without prior notice.

"Ah, this old man seems to have kept you too long. Let's go."

Priest Piren, saying he was also invited to the audience, led the way.

Raon and Hopen nodded and followed Priest Piren towards the audience chamber.

"Now that you know I'm a prince, there's something else I need to tell you Sir Raon…."

Hopen looked at Raon and lowered his eyes slightly.

"Sir Biten, whom you met, is my older brother."

"Ah…."

Raon nodded, realizing that he hadn't known Hopen was a prince or that Biten was his brother. He thought he was quite good at not relying on his family's prestige, but this was on another level.

'What a strange family.'

Raon thought as he walked, eventually finding himself standing before the audience chamber.

When Priest Piren bowed his head, the knights stepped aside. With a warm light, the white doors opened soundlessly.

The intricate divine figures on the windows poured sunlight into the chamber. It was a sacred space where it wouldn't have been surprising if a god had descended.

Before the spotless pillars stood high-ranking priests (executives), their hands clasped.

Interestingly, about half of them were young men and women, each with unique appearances and temperaments.

Yet, they all exuded immense holy power. It felt like standing before the ocean.

"I should go too."

Priest Piren said, moving forward.

Priest Piren turned around, bowed his head, and stood with his hands clasped at the innermost position.

Opposite him stood an old knight in silver armor, radiating a strong and noble aura, unlike the others. He was a knight who had reached Grandmaster level.

Next to him was a young knight with blond hair, leaning against a pillar with his back straight. He possessed a holy power greater than Hopen's, indicating he was a holy knight.

Raon's gaze finally settled on the man standing on a very low platform in the center.

He was a middle-aged man with light blue hair like Hopen, and he had sorrowful eyes that looked as if they might shed tears at any moment.

This man appeared to be Baurun, the king of the Holy Kingdom of Schper.

Step.

As Raon walked on the blue carpet laid out in the audience chamber, he activated the Ring of Fire. The dignity of a king was imbued in his quiet steps.

At that moment, the gazes of the Scpher king, the knights, and the priests all focused on him, and he unleashed his wrath. The emotion of the Demon King, different from demonic energy, twisted the audience chamber filled with holiness.

Thrum!

In that moment, as if responding to wrath energy, a very faint wave arose inside the audience chamber. Though the exact location couldn't be pinpointed, it was an instinctive wave from a demon, different from demonic energy.

What are you doing?

Wrath widened his eyes as if asking what Raon was up to.

‘As expected.’

Standing in the center of the audience chamber, Raon curled his lips.

‘There's a human here who has made a contract with a demon.’

Among the king, the high-ranking priests, the royal guards, and the holy knights present in this room, there was a corrupted individual who had made a contract with a demon hiding.



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