C723
"You have returned."
Derus Robert bowed respectfully to the swordsman wearing the blue dragon helmet after pulling back the long curtain.
"Lord Derus."
The man in the blue dragon helmet addressed Derus, recognizing his appearance and voice.
"Beorn and Kubara have returned, but we were worried when you did not come back. Are you alright?"
The false Derus approached the true Derus with a deep frown.
"My body is fine, but something else is broken."
The real Derus Robert coughed up black blood while clutching his chest.
"If it weren't for the bracelet that suppresses the aura of death, I could have been buried under that river."
He murmured that it had been truly dangerous and spat blood once more.
"What kind of martial arts could have done this to you...?"
The lips of the false Derus trembled in disbelief.
"It was a sword technique I had never seen before. It cut not only the aura and flesh but also the soul."
Derus shook his head, saying it was incredible.
"Is it like Ogram's Fierce Wave Arts?"
"No, it was on a different level. With the Fierce Wave Arts, one can resist it to a certain extent if their soul caliber is high, but Glenn's sword was different."
His long, slender fingers traced the air as if drawing Glenn's Soul Weapon.
"It cuts the soul regardless of my condition. It was a transcendent level beyond martial arts. However, there was something even more irritating than Glenn's sword."
Derus twisted his lips as he caressed his blood-soaked chest.
"Raon Zieghart. That damned bastard interfered until the end!"
He finally lost his composure and let out a roar like a beast. The false Derus raised an aura barrier to prevent Derus's scream from escaping the study.
"Just when I think he's dead, he comes back to life and interferes with my work! I should have torn him apart a long time ago!"
As Derus elevated his genuine anger, which was rare for him, an aura of death began to seep out. The death aura seemed to have evolved even further, starting to affect even inanimate objects. The books on the shelves turned to black ash and scattered, while the expensive furniture melted away without leaving a trace of dust as if thousands of years had passed.
"Haa..."
After venting his anger for a long time, Derus let out a muted sigh. His unsettlingly bright eyes regained their usual calm.
"Bardiel."
Derus gestured to the false Derus and spoke softly.
"Report on the situation since my departure."
"Before the war, King Owen contacted us; during the war, it was the Master of the Wizard Tower, and after the war, Chamber communicated through the link. All three ended their contact without showing any suspicion."
The man named Bardiel bowed his head as if to say there was no need to worry.
"I see."
Derus twisted his lips and crossed his fingers.
‘Even if it seems suspicious, there's no way to doubt it.’
The visual magic created by Chamber and the Master of the Wizard Tower reflects not only the face but also the temperament of the person, making it impossible to use a substitute. However, what Bardiel carries now is the ancient artifact <Doppleganger's Skin>, made by killing hundreds of dopplegangers.
It changes not only appearance but also temperament and aura properties, making it impossible to detect unless someone comes to verify in person.
'Even that bastard Raon won't be able to reveal my identity lightly.'
Even if Raon Zieghart was really that Raon, he had not seen this helmet. Without evidence, trying to reveal his identity would be throwing his life away.
'No, there is evidence.'
He looked at the scar on the back of his hand, which now formed an X with the addition of a new line.
'This scar can be used to reveal me.'
But that too is impossible. Using the Doppleganger's Skin that Bardiel carries, this scar will never be revealed no matter what happens. If Raon tries to use the scar, it could be turned against him. It will be an opportunity instead.
"Now that Lord Derus has returned, I will remove the skin."
"No."
When Bardiel reached for the back of his head, Derus shook his head.
"As I said, all physical wounds have healed, but my soul is still torn."
Derus calmly shook his head.
"You will take my place while I recover."
"...Understood."
Bardiel carefully inclined his head. When he raised his gaze again, his eyes had already turned into those of the real Derus.
"The Six Kings Conference will be held soon. If they contact us through visual communication, you will go. If we need to go in person, call me."
Derus narrowed his eyes while examining Bardiel.
"Even if you are a transcendent warrior wearing that skin, you cannot escape the eyes of those old men if it is in person."
"Understood."
Bardiel simply bowed, indicating he would comply.
"Then I will take my leave."
"Yes."
He carefully bowed his head and exited the study.
"Haa..."
Only when he was alone did Derus remove the blue dragon helmet.
"Wounds always bring new flesh and experience."
He tossed back his silver hair, wet with blood and sweat, and smiled coldly.
"You will regret letting me live. And you will regret being alive."
* * *
"So, is this the letter Raon left?"
Merlin, wearing a rough mask made of tree bark, carefully held the folded paper in the shape of a cross.
"Yes. Raon left it."
Flumen nodded as he looked at the letter.
"Haa..."
Merlin exhaled a warm breath while stroking the letter with the tips of his fingers.
"It's the first time I've received a love letter, so I'm nervous."
She licked her lips for a moment as if she were tense.
"Love...?"
Flumen tilted his head as if asking what she meant.
"Let's see."
Ignoring Flumen's reaction, Merlin unfolded Raon's letter.
[I heard you saved me again. Thank you. And I'm sorry. I have nothing to say but apologies for getting you caught in a Specter's ambush and being expelled from Eden because of me. However, as the saying goes, 'misfortune can be a true blessing in disguise,' I hope this moment becomes an opportunity for you to resolve your past and start a new life. From now on, stop your wrongdoings and try to live a life where you can appreciate yourself. I will be cheering for you, so if you ever need help, come find me at any time. -Raon Zieghart.]
The letter was short, but it contained all the words Raon had wanted to say, written in calm handwriting.
"Ah..."
Merlin sat down, clutching the letter to her chest. Her chin trembled as her eyes filled with tears.
"Are you, are you hurt somewhere?"
Flumen rushed towards Merlin, scared.
"If your wounds..."
"This means he loves me, right? Raon loves me!"
Merlin's purple eyes twisted in a strange direction.
"Eh...?"
Flumen took a step back, seeing the unsettling look in Merlin's eyes.
"No, I don't think that's the case."
Having heard the content of Raon's letter, he knew. There was no mention of love in it.
"No, it's true. Saying he will cheer for me and wait for me means he loves me."
Merlin murmured that she was right and shook her head firmly.
"I love you too! I love you too! I love you too! I love you too! I love you too! I love you too! I love you too! I love you too! I love you too! I love you too! I love you too! I love you too! I love you too! I love you too!"
She rubbed her face against the letter as if it were Raon himself, continuously proclaiming her love.
"I'm on my way! I'll be there soon! I'm on my way! I'll be there soon! I'm on my way! I'll be there soon! I'm on my way! I'll be there soon! I'm on my way! I'll be there soon! I'm on my way! I'll be there soon! I'm on my way! I'll be there soon!"
With Merlin's grotesque obsession, even the river seemed to turn purple like her eyes.
"Ugh..."
Flumen's fingertips trembled as he invoked water magic.
'I don't think I should let her out...'
Should he seal it again?
* * *
In a small tavern in a corner of Cameloon, a city known as a commercial center or trading hub. As always, despite it being broad daylight, the interior of the tavern was full with no available seats. However, there was a difference from usual.
Unlike when people gathered from all over the continent, generally only discussing the rumors that interested them, everyone in the tavern was discussing the war between Zieghart and the South-North Union.
"I never thought the South-North Union would really fall."
A middle-aged man with a half-bald head exhaled as he set down his beer mug.
"I thought it would end moderately as always..."
He trembled his lips, still unable to believe it.
"It's not just the South-North Union that's the problem. Among the Five Demons, the White Blood Religion, the Holy Sword Alliance, Eden, and even the newly incorporated Shadows have been defeated."
A middle-aged man with catfish whiskers frowned.
"They say the Northern Destruction King only made five Transcendent Warriors retreat. No, with the Dragon Lord, it's six, right?"
"Exclude the Leader of the South-North Union."
The bald middle-aged man shook his head.
"Dranos was decapitated by Raon Zieghart."
"Honestly, that’s what I find even harder to believe."
The man with catfish whiskers slammed the table hard.
"Defeating the Axe King, coming back to life after being ambushed while unconscious, saving the Northern Destruction King, and killing the Leader and Vice Leader of the South-North Union? This isn't an ancient fairy tale; how is it possible!"
He slammed his beer mug hard, saying he still couldn't believe it no matter how much he thought about it.
"I can't believe it either, but eyewitnesses say it's true. No matter how I think about it, the Ziegharts are not a normal human family. How is it possible that both the grandfather and grandson are like this?"
The bald middle-aged man also shook his head, saying it was incredible.
"Raon Zieghart is 22 years old now, right? At that age, isn't he the greatest genius in the history of the continent?"
"He is the greatest genius of all time. Even the leaders of the Six Kings and the Five Demons were only Masters at that age."
The man with catfish whiskers nodded in agreement.
"Oh, by the way, I heard that Raon Zieghart got a new epithet?"
"I heard that too. It came from the south..."
The bald middle-aged man rolled his eyes as he was about to lift his beer mug.
"Was it 'King Slayer'? Sounds cool, but I'm not sure why."
"If you look at Raon Zieghart's actions, the answer is simple."
The man with catfish whiskers drew the shape of a crown with his finger.
"Actions?"
"Yes. Before this war, Raon Zieghart decapitated the king of the Holy Kingdom who was possessed by demons and passed the throne to the third prince. In this war, he killed the Axe King Roman, the Leader of the South-North Union Dranos, and the Vice Leader Helgroom, and returned that river to the Blue Lugh Tribe."
He swallowed hard and crumbled the crown he had made with his fingers.
"The term 'King Slayer' refers to someone who topples kings from their thrones. It's an appropriate epithet for Raon Zieghart, who decapitated a demon-possessed king and overthrew the river king, isn't it?"
He shivered as if he had goosebumps from his own words.
"I see. That fits perfectly."
The bald middle-aged man nodded, exhaling sharply.
"Oh, speaking of that, there's one more person who got a new epithet besides Raon Zieghart."
"That's right. In a way, it's an even scarier name than 'King Slayer'..."
The man with catfish whiskers swallowed hard and lowered his gaze.
"The Red-Eyed Demon Sword."
* * *
In the sword cemetery erected behind the main building of Zieghart.
"..."
Sylvia, dressed in black ceremonial clothing, slowly lowered her red eyes. She carefully bowed her head in front of the graves, as if to console the deceased. Raon followed her, formally bowing to the swords without masters.
'Thank you for fighting for me. And I’m sorry, I couldn’t save you.'
Those buried here went to the battlefield to avenge my death. Although Derus was involved, so the war would have happened anyway, and even if I had woken up early and participated in the war, I probably wouldn’t have been able to save them. Still, I wanted to thank them and apologize to those who fought for me.
'I promise you.'
Raon closed his eyes with his hands together.
'I will reveal Derus Robert's true identity and decapitate him.'
Until now, I had moved solely for my own revenge, but through this incident, the will and breath of many people have been placed upon my shoulders. Revealing Derus's identity and killing him was a task I had to fulfill even if I died.
Raon bowed his head once more toward the graves of the swords, then took a step back and looked at the back of the person standing in front.
Glenn Zieghart. Unlike other events, he directed the funeral from start to finish and did not take his eyes off the graves of the swordsmen. It seemed as if the feeling of regret for not being able to protect them was emanating from his back.
"Huu..."
Raon let out a short sigh and bit his lip slightly.
'It's the first time I've seen the Head of House like this.'
I thought Glenn would even direct a funeral with dignity, but instead, he showed a more careful and meticulous behavior than anyone else. It was fascinating to see this new side of him.
- That's natural!
Wrath raised his round finger while looking at Glenn.
- The higher the position one holds, the more they should appreciate their subordinates! That old man may have a forked tongue and be a tasteless fool, but he’s doing what needs to be done correctly!
He nodded, saying it was quite admirable. As a demon king who generally cares for his subordinates, his words resonated more.
"The Head of House was originally like this, they say."
Sylvia approached from the side and whispered softly.
"Originally like this?"
"Yes. They say he became cold like he is now while going through wars, but originally, he had many gentle sides like this."
She smiled slightly, saying she had heard it, not experienced it herself.
"I see."
Raon nodded slowly. However, he couldn't imagine Glenn's gentle side.
"With this, we conclude the funeral."
The funeral ended with Chad's words, the Leader of the Shadow Agents, who was presiding over the ceremony.
"A small banquet will be held at the Lord's Mansion tonight, so please attend if you are not busy."
He spoke as if everyone should attend unless they had urgent matters, then stepped down from the platform.
"..."
Glenn looked over here for a moment before heading to the Lord's Mansion.
'A banquet...'
Raon licked his lips and turned around.
'No need for me to go, I suppose.'
- What, what nonsense is this!
Wrath blocked the way as if to say it wasn't allowed.
- There will be a feast of delicacies at the banquet! Why wouldn’t you go there!
He frowned with saliva dripping from his mouth.
'You said you liked home-cooked meals.'
-Uh...
'And mom doesn't like the main building.'
- Urgh!
'Didn't you say she was also your mom? Aren't you going to think about mom?'
-Well, that's...
Wrath's chin trembled as if he had nothing to say. His eyes swayed like a pendulum as if they were torn between the feast and his mother.
"Mother, shall we head back?"
Raon was about to push the troubled Wrath aside and turn to Sylvia when...
"Young Master Raon. Miss Sylvia."
Roenn approached with two elegant boxes hanging from his waist.
"The Head of House has ordered that you must attend the banquet tonight."
"Us?"
"Yes. You both must come."
He said they absolutely could not miss it and extended the two boxes. Raon and Sylvia exchanged glances before taking the boxes they had been given.
- What is it?! Is it bead ice cream?
Wrath had suddenly regained his senses and was moving his tongue.
'Wait.'
Raon pushed Wrath aside and opened the box for Roenn. Inside, there was an item he never expected.
"This is..."
