N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
Chapter 680
Raon gulped, staring at Merlin’s eyes, which were burning blue.
‘This is dangerous.’
No matter how much Merlin is, she will not take the matter related to the demons lightly.
Especially if it were known that he had the ability to summon the Demon King, it would be natural to become a public enemy of the continent and possibly be hunted down by the Dragon Lord.
Zieghart wouldn’t be able to shield him, leaving only death.
“Merlin, I am…”
“That’s awesome!”
Just as Raon was about to cautiously speak to avoid showing his weakness, Merlin’s smile widened.
“Huh…?”
Raon’s eyes went blank. He couldn’t believe what he had just heard from Merlin.
“Summoning a Demon King to fight another Demon King is amazing!”
Merlin looked up into the air with absent-minded eyes. It seemed like she was recalling the fight between Wrath and Greed.
“You saw all of that?”
“The demon kings’ energy almost suffocated me, but I endured. Luckily, I was some distance away.”
Seeing Merlin say she endured it, it seemed like she had used her life force again.
‘This is ridiculous.’
Th-that madwoman saw the King of Essence’s face? Ugh….
Even Wrath, who stood proudly against Greed, shuddered.
‘It’s a relief that the one who saw it was Merlin.’
Listening to Merlin, Raon felt he didn’t need to worry about her revealing anything about the demon king.
But to be sure, he needed to make it clear.
“Merlin, the fact that I’m related to demons….”
"Of course I won't tell anyone. I'll be the only one who knows."
Merlin stroked her own body with her wing in a sticky manner.
“It’s thrilling to be the only one who knows your secret.”
“Ah….”
Raon lowered his trembling pupils.
'Why is there no one normal around me?'
It's creepy that she says it's amazing to see the demon king being summoned and wants to monopolize the secret.
He knew magicians were unusual, but Merlin was unique even among them.
Cough! Why are you saying the obvious?
Wrath shook his head as if in disbelief.
You’re the craziest one, so the crazy ones gather around you!
‘What do you… hmm.’
Raon started to refute but then closed his mouth. Thinking calmly, he himself was far from a normal human being.
Kehehehe… Cough!
Wrath laughed but then coughed.
Seeing you shut your mouth makes me feel refreshed... cough!
‘Finish coughing before you speak.’
Raon sighed and turned his gaze back to Merlin.
“How’s Eden these days?”
“Peaceful.”
Merlin flapped her left wing.
"It might be because I'm far from important information, but it’s quiet. They’re just gathering forces quietly, both internally and externally, as if waiting for something.”
“Hmm….”
“But there is a place that’s started to move more aggressively instead of us.”
“Moving aggressively?”
“The White Blood Religion.”
Merlin covered her beak with the wing she had lifted.
“Hmm….”
Raon nodded slowly. Recently, there were rumors that the White Blood Religion attacked the Kingdom of Sword, killed the king, and stole their artifacts.
Currently, the most active of the Five Demons is undoubtedly the White Blood Religion.
“What are those bloody vampires after?”
“It’s likely the recovery of the White Blood Religion’s leader.”
“Recovery?”
“Yes. They must still be dealing with the injuries inflicted by your head of house.”
Merlin nodded calmly.
“Still?”
“The battles between transcenders damage not only the body but also the soul. It took a while for the Fallen to recover too. Well, thanks to that, he’s stronger now.”
She clicked her tongue as if it were an annoying matter.
“So the White Blood Religion’s leader attacked the Kingdom of Sword and other cities for that reason.”
Raon frowned, recalling the wicked face of the White Blood Religion’s leader. He finally understood her movements.
“She might have fully recovered and become even stronger like the Fallen, so she might target you again.”
“Target me?”
"The reason that vampire bitch was severely injured was because of her greed to take you until the end."
Merlin’s beak quivered as if feeling murderous towards the White Blood Religion’s leader.
“So be careful.”
“Did you come here just to tell me that?”
“Yes.”
She smiled as if that was all there was to it.
“Hmm….”
Raon couldn’t find words to respond to Merlin’s reaction. She no longer felt like an enemy, more like an ally.
‘Even so, I’ll have to repay this someday.’
Merlin was helping him as if it were nothing, but to him, her help was a debt. One day, he would have to repay this one-sided help.
“Hmm, I’ve used a lot of energy, so I should go now. It seems tired.”
Merlin’s wings trembled slightly.
“This one…”
“…….”
As Raon gulped, Merlin continued.
“It wants to eat worms.”
“Not those!”
Raon smiled brightly and took out fishing worms from his spatial pocket. Luckily, he had received them in advance from Dorian.
“Ah, that won’t do.”
Merlin shook her head firmly.
“It wants live worms. It hasn’t been able to eat them because it lacks hunting skills.”
“But asking for live worms suddenly when it hasn’t even rained….”
“Then I’ll leave it to you!”
As Raon exhaled deeply, Merlin waved her hand.
Chirp!
The sparrow lightly pecked Raon’s hand as if urging him to hurry and get the worms.
Puhehehe!
Wrath burst into laughter, holding his belly.
Cough! It’s a job perfect for a lowly being like you!
‘Shut up before I make you burst from eating worms.’
Gulp!
Wrath shut his mouth immediately, perhaps thinking Raon might actually do it.
“Sigh….”
Raon sighed and climbed the mountain near the kingdom.
By the time he returned after feeding the sparrow enough worms to burst its belly, the sun was already rising.
* * *
Two days later.
The Light Wind division and the executives of the Holy Kingdom of Schper stood in front of the castle gates.
“It’s a shame you’re leaving so soon.”
Hopen lowered his eyebrows slightly, expressing regret.
“I can’t keep freeloading.”
“Freeloading! Even if you emptied the kingdom’s coffers, it wouldn’t matter!”
He shook his head vigorously as if he truly meant it. Despite becoming king, his characteristic honest gaze remained unchanged.
“I was joking, I need to prepare too.”
“Ah….”
Hopen nodded briefly, realizing Raon was referring to preparing for the life-or-death duel. His expression darkened heavily.
“Don’t worry too much. I’ll visit again around mid-next year.”
Raon waved lightly.
"Then we'll have to hold a festival throughout the kingdom!"
Hopen smiled brightly, understanding that Raon meant he would visit after winning the life-or-death duel with the Axe King.
“Then, we’ll take our leave.”
Raon lightly nodded at Hopen, when saintess Olga made a strange gesture with her eyes.
‘What is it?’
Tilting his head in curiosity, he prepared to leave as Hopen gestured behind him.
“Salute to the heroes of Schper!”
Hopen’s voice echoed along the castle walls as the holy knights stomped their feet in unison.
The holy knights and priests standing behind them raised their swords upside down.
It wasn’t Scpher’s traditional greeting, but Zieghart’s sword salute.
“Hmm….”
Raon lightly bit his lip. Seeing the sword salute from Hopen and the holy knights, his heart burned with a passionate warmth. The others seemed to feel the same emotion, clenching their fists tightly.
Srrrring.
He drew his sword along with the Light Wind swordsmen. They set their swords upside down and returned the salute.
A shared smile of camaraderie spread across the faces of the Light Wind division and the people of Schper.
Clack.
Neither Raon nor Hopen spoke further. The two turned their backs simultaneously. No more words were needed.
* * *
Raon caressed the hilt of Heavenly Drive as he watched the gently burning campfire.
‘It's not long now.’
The duel with the Axe King was just around the corner. Although he had found a way forward through recent events, he was probably still weaker than the Axe King.
As soon as he returned, he would need to train. However, having gained Gluttony and the experience of entering Wrath's body, he could reach even greater heights if he used his time wisely.
As he was thinking about what kind of training to do, he heard a rustling sound from the inner tent.
He tilted his head because it wasn't time to change the guard, and Rimmer walked out yawning.
“Vice leader?”
Raon widened his eyes. Rimmer, who wouldn’t wake even if he was on guard duty, approaching voluntarily was surprising.
“Aren’t you sleeping?”
“Just woke up for a bit.”
Rimmer waved his hand, half-opening his eyes.
“Then get some more rest. It's still some time before dawn.”
“I will.”
Despite saying he would sleep, Rimmer sat down in front of the campfire.
“Raon.”
Rimmer didn’t speak for a long time, merely prodding the fire before finally calling Raon’s name.
“I once asked you, didn’t I? If you had any thoughts about becoming the head of house.”
“Yes.”
Raon nodded. Not only Rimmer but also Glenn had asked, and his answer had always been the same.
‘I said I didn’t know yet.’
His mind had been preoccupied with becoming stronger, looking after the Light Wind division and the annex building, and seeking revenge against Derus Robert, leaving little room for thoughts about becoming the head of Zieghart.
“What about now?”
“…I still don’t know.”
Although he had thought about it since then, he was still unsure.
“I see.”
Rimmer chuckled as if he had expected this.
“I want you to become the head of the house.”
“Excuse me?”
Raon widened his eyes, not expecting Rimmer to say he wanted him to become the head.
"Not just for you, but for Zieghart."
"What does that mean...?"
“House Zieghart maintains its position among the Six Kings thanks to our head of house. His overwhelming power and dignity suppress the continent. But…”
Rimmer’s green eyes dimmed slightly.
“He gained absolute power, but also an irreversible past.”
“……”
When the word "past" came up, he seemed to understand what it meant.
"The head of house stepped into the demonic ways on his own to become stronger, and for a very long time, he was only interested in power and conquering the continent. Now, he regrets that time."
Rimmer clicked his tongue briefly.
“That’s why he doesn’t firmly grasp the family. He feels ashamed to dominate it by force after neglecting it for so long.”
He twisted his lips, as if finding it absurd.
“Thanks to that, the eldest daughter has a wanderlust and turned to piracy, the second son craves power and resembles the head of house’s younger self, the third son is a sly fox who wanders around, and the fourth son is just a fool. The youngest… well, you know best.”
Rimmer waved his fingers as he recounted.
"If the head of house steps down and rests, that’s one thing. But if he leaves the family, many things—many things—will change. If Aris came to her senses, the current state might be maintained, but she would never take the position of the head of house."
“Hmm…”
Indeed, Aris seemed uninterested in becoming the head of house Zieghart.
"I think the only person who can suppress all the problems in the family and stand at the top is you."
Rimmer’s voice settled quietly like dying embers.
"I hope you think seriously about it."
His voice, drawn out as if joking, only made his sincerity clearer.
“…Understood.”
Raon nodded heavily.
“And…”
Rimmer raised a hand to grip Raon’s shoulder.
“I hope you’ll tell me your secret someday.”
“What do you mean?”
“……”
He didn’t answer, just smiled.
Raon swallowed hard, seeing Rimmer’s smile.
Since the moment Raon said that he had suddenly disappeared while two demons were fighting each other, Rimmer’s expression hadn't been good, and it seemed he had realized it was a lie.
“How did you know?”
"Your expression wasn't good because you felt like you were deceiving us."
“Hmm…”
Though he felt guilty, he didn’t expect it to show on his face.
“Whatever answer you give, I’ll stand behind you. And it’s not just me. The captains have probably sensed something too. They’re just waiting because they trust you.”
Rimmer looked towards the sleeping Light Wind swordsmen and smiled.
Raon clenched his fists and lowered his head. After a long moment, he opened his eyes.
“…Someday.”
Looking into Rimmer’s trust-filled eyes, he opened his mouth.
“I’ll tell you someday.”
“Alright.”
Rimmer nodded lightly.
“I’ll wait. No matter how long.”
He waved his hand as if to show he meant it.
“But vice leader.”
Raon frowned slightly at Rimmer’s soft smile.
“Yeah?”
“Why are you acting differently lately?”
He waved his hand, saying that if he did things he didn't normally do, he would die.
"Don't worry. I have no intention of dying."
Rimmer shook his head firmly.
“There are many things I still need to do, and there’s something I really want to see.”
He looked up at the night sky as he spoke.
Raon, on the other hand, lowered his gaze to the campfire.
Teacher and student, looking at different things, remained silent for a long time.
* * *
Glenn paced back and forth on the platform with his arms crossed. His face was shadowed with a dark gloom.
“Why is the head of house acting like that?”
Sheryl narrowed her eyes at the anxious Glenn.
“Of course, it’s because of young master Raon.”
Roenn approached Sheryl with a chuckle.
“Raon?”
Sheryl blinked at Roenn.
“They’re making a big fuss about him being the hero who saved the Schper Kingdom.”
She seemed puzzled as to why Glenn would be anxious about Raon, who had become a hero.
“He defeated the king possessed by a demon, the acting head high priest, the commander of the royal guard, and even eradicated the demon who caused it all, becoming a true hero. So why…."
“That’s why.”
Roenn smiled lightly and shook his head.
“Because his precious, proud grandson isn’t here.”
He pointed his chin at Glenn, as if it were obvious.
“Ah, I see.”
Sheryl smiled, understanding now.
“W-What nonsense are you talking about!”
Glenn looked down at them, frowning.
“Fighting demons can leave severe wounds from their demonic energy. It could also harm children in their growth period, so I was just concerned!”
He shook his head, calling the swordsmen over 20 years old children in their growth period.
"It's the Holy Kingdom, you know. They would have taken better care of it than us."
Sheryl shrugged, finding the idea of a “growth period” amusing.
“Huhuhu.”
Roenn chuckled, finding the situation equally amusing.
"By the way, that kid has a knack for surprising people wherever he goes."
“I heard young master Raon was the first to notice the existence of the demon. Thanks to him, many lives were saved.”
“He has good instincts. When we were on a mission together, he immediately located the Ragged Saint’s location.”
Sheryl recalled a past mission with Raon, her eyes glinting with memory.
“He seems to have a natural talent for more than just martial arts, perhaps even for being a hero.”
Roenn also praised Raon, looking up at the platform.
“Ahem!”
Glenn, constantly moving, came to a halt, clearing his throat loudly.
However, it seemed he had developed a resistance to their teasing, as he didn't smile or twitch his lips.
“Oh?”
“Hmm…”
Just as Sheryl and Roenn found this unexpected, the door to the audience chamber opened, and Chad entered.
“Head of house. The Light Wind division has arrived at the front gate.”
Upon hearing those words, Glenn's lips, which had been downcast, shot up towards the sky. It was like a volcano that had been quietly dormant suddenly erupting.
Sheryl and Roenn exchanged glances and chuckled.
'That's more like it.'
‘As expected.’
Glenn, unaware that the two were teasing him, nodded with a bright smile.
"Have them come to the audience chamber immediately!"
