C759
Raon led Merlin, who clung to him like a tracking spell, to the middle of North Grave Mountain.
"Raon! I missed you!"
As soon as Raon stopped and turned around, Merlin rushed toward him with open arms. She seemed to ignore the possibility of being seen by others or the fact that she was in the form of a fire bear.
-Grrrr...
Wrath fell into a foaming rage once again in just one day. He couldn't understand why the so-called Monarch of Wrath had such a weak constitution.
"I'm glad to see you too, but..."
Raon twisted his shoulders to avoid Merlin's embrace and waved both hands.
"Why did you have to come as a bear of all things?"
Instead of possessing small animals as usual, Merlin had come in the form of a large fire bear. Raon couldn't understand why she was trying to stand out more while supposedly hiding her identity as someone from Eden.
'Mother must have certainly known.'
With Sylvia's current martial prowess, she should have sensed Merlin's presence. However, since there was no intention to kill, she probably thought it was just a large beast coming to drink from the lake.
"Isn't it cute?"
Merlin hopped around like a rabbit, insisting that the fire bear was cute.
"Cute...?"
-Gulp, squawk, ack...
The ground trembled under the weight of the fire bear, causing the fallen Wrath to bounce up and down. Raon couldn't imagine what could be considered cute in this situation.
"I guess we have different tastes. But it's okay, Raon. I understand."
Merlin smiled as she gently patted the body of the fire bear. Raon was genuinely astonished, thinking about how this stunning beauty with her striking purple hair and violet eyes behaved in such a way.
"Be careful from now on. If other people see you, you could end up being hunted."
Raon sighed and leaned against a rock.
"That's fine!"
Merlin nodded quickly. As always, Raon thought, she was good at giving simple answers.
"So, what brings you here today?"
Raon asked, looking at the fire bear Merlin who was sitting like a human.
"Why else? I came because I wanted to see you!"
Merlin leaned her face closer, as if wondering why Raon would ask such an obvious question. She still seemed unaware that her face was that of a fire bear.
"Of course, I also have something to tell you."
She moved back a little and smiled softly.
"Something to tell me?"
"As I mentioned before, I've been following the movements of the Five Demons."
Merlin fanned herself with her hand, saying that she had been quite busy.
"That's right."
Raon nodded. After the war, he had asked Merlin to come here, but she had declined, saying she would keep track of the movements of the Five Demons.
"Was there any dangerous situation?"
"Ah..."
Merlin let out a groan instead of answering.
"It feels so good to receive your worried gaze after so long. I love it. I really love it."
She trembled in apparent ecstasy.
"Ugh..."
"But there's no need to worry. I always sought help from the animals."
Merlin shook her head, saying she had hidden her true body in a safe place.
"Is it really safe? You were attacked by that skeleton guy when you let your guard down, remember?"
"This time it's really fine. No one will know."
She smiled, assuring him it was true.
"Ah, but I can tell you. Right now, I am..."
Merlin leaned in, twisting her body. She still looked like a bear, seemingly pondering in which direction to swing her front paws.
"Forget it."
Raon pushed Merlin away, shaking his head.
"What did you want to tell me?"
"Of course, it's about the Five Demons."
Merlin raised a finger with a faint smile.
"Those guys are hiding and accumulating their strength."
"How?"
"The leaders of the Five Demons are recovering from the soul injuries inflicted by your grandfather while preparing countermeasures, and their minions are scattered across the continent, accumulating their martial prowess."
She frowned, saying that the entire organization of the Five Demons was moving in the shadows.
"As expected."
Raon nodded calmly. It seemed that the Five Demons were spread across the continent, increasing their overall strength, just as the Holy Sword Alliance and Black Tower were making deals.
"However, I have even more important information."
Merlin exhaled softly as she looked at Raon.
"Important information?"
"The leader of the Holy Sword Alliance has changed."
"To whom?"
Raon asked without surprise. He had thought the previous leader of the Holy Sword Alliance was dead, having been the first to face Glenn's Soul Sword, and his broken sword had been found.
"Sword Demon Rector."
Merlin mentioned Rector's name without hesitation.
"Re-Rector? Are you sure?"
"Yes. I even saw him participating in a conference of the Five Demons as the leader of the alliance."
She nodded gravely, affirming her certainty.
"Hmm..."
Raon picked up a fallen leaf from the ground, biting his lip.
'To think Rector has become the leader of the Holy Sword Alliance...'
Honestly, Raon still couldn't think of Rector as an enemy. Even if there were orders from the previous leader of the Holy Sword Alliance to obtain Raon's talent, Rector's actions had been strange in many ways.
'I thought he could come back to us.'
Raon had hoped that after the death of the previous leader of the Holy Sword Alliance, Rector might return to his side once he was free. But now that he himself had become the leader, it seemed he truly was an enemy. A part of Raon's heart ached, remembering how he had felt grandfatherly affection for Rector during his training.
"However..."
Merlin raised her hand, indicating she had more to say.
"The Sword Demon is acting a bit strange."
"Strange how...?"
"While he is still with the Five Demons, it seems he's targeting them. It feels a bit like me when I was still in Eden."
She narrowed her eyes, saying it felt like looking in a mirror.
"How did you find out?"
Raon swallowed hard and leaned toward Merlin.
"I've seen his disciple gathering information about the Five Demons instead of the Five Kings multiple times."
Merlin shook her head, saying it was not typical behavior.
"Of course, this part is largely based on my intuition. Don’t take it all as a fact."
She lowered her chin, saying there was a high probability she could be wrong.
"Your intuition tends to be good, however."
Merlin had always appeared when he was in danger. If it was her intuition, Raon felt he could trust her.
'Of course, I shouldn't be too sure.'
The idea that Rector could be different from the Five Demons was just a prediction without evidence. For now, it seemed better to leave it as a possibility that he might not be an enemy.
"Thank you."
Raon bowed his head to Merlin.
"Thanks to you, I've obtained valuable information."
"And what will you do for me in return?"
Merlin moved her fingers as if she had something in mind. However, in the form of a bear, she looked more like she was contemplating how to devour a human.
"Should I invite you to a meal?"
-Food!
However, it was not Merlin who reacted to the mention of food, but Wrath, who had been unconscious. The cotton candy-like being with a liver the size of millet spun his hands, wondering what kind of food they would eat.
"A meal, and also drinks."
Merlin smiled, saying she would like to drink after such a long time.
"Alright. So, when..."
"After I gather a bit more information."
She shook her head with a serious look in her eyes.
"I still haven't located the Heavenly Demon."
Merlin had said she would find the location of the Heavenly Demon before leaving, but it seemed she still had not succeeded.
"The Heavenly Demon..."
Raon bit his lip slightly.
'Does he really exist?'
The name of the Heavenly Demon was widely known, but very few had ever seen him. It was said that his martial prowess reached the heavens, making it feel like hearing about a legend that might not exist.
"But soon we will be able to see him."
Merlin tilted her head, saying she would make Raon pay much later, so he should look forward to it.
"Don't worry, I have plenty of money."
"Money, huh...?"
She smiled mysteriously, as if she was thinking of something.
"Then we will see each other next time."
Merlin waved her hand as if she was about to leave.
"Ah, before that, this child..."
Raon swallowed hard. Since it was a fire bear, he suspected the request would be considerable.
"He says he wants to swim in honey. And catch some live salmon too."
"Wait! Where am I supposed to find enough honey for that bear to swim in? And how am I going to get live salmon...?"
"Goodbye!"
She left after saying she was counting on him.
"Grrrr!"
The fire bear extended its large paw as if asking Raon to hurry up and bring honey to swim in immediately.
-I want too! I want to eat honey-glazed salmon too!
As soon as Merlin disappeared, Wrath began to move like a salmon, apparently full of energy.
"...I wonder if Dorian has something."
The only thing he could trust now was his wallet. No, it was Dorian.
-Honey! Salmon!
"Grrrr! Grrrr!"
"Ugh..."
Raon closed his eyes while listening to the cries of Wrath and the bear.
'Why are there only these kinds of guys around me...'
-Because you're the rarest of them all!
***
"Of course I have it! It's an essential item!"
Dorian, summoned from the Light Wind Division's dormitory, opened his bag without hesitation and pulled out dozens of jars of honey and freshly caught salmon.
"Grrrr!"
Thanks to this, the fire bear had a feast in a small pool made of honey.
-Hah!
Wrath also exclaimed while rubbing both cheeks after eating honey-glazed salmon.
-This is a delicacy! I thought it would be too rich, but the sticky sweetness of the honey perfectly complements the taste of the salmon.
He smiled, saying he never knew such food could be made.
"This is quite good!"
Dorian also said it was better than he expected and murmured about adding it to his list of essential items. Raon satisfied the fire bear and Wrath late into the night before descending from North Grave Mountain.
"Thank you, Dorian."
Raon patted Dorian's shoulder.
"You saved me."
"Ah, it's nothing."
Dorian waved his hand, saying it was fine.
"But..."
"Hm?"
"We ran out of honey and salmon, so is it okay if I buy more?"
He showed no interest in the situation of having to make a honey pool for a bear and only thought about replenishing his depleted essential items.
"Use my money."
Raon nodded immediately.
"Take this opportunity to restock all the used items."
"Ah, understood!"
He ran off toward the market area with a flushed face.
-In my opinion, that kid is also a pervert...
Wrath clicked his tongue, saying that Dorian was the kind of pervert who enjoyed storing and pulling out items.
"Maybe so."
Raon laughed as he walked toward the back of the annex building. Despite the late hour, the lights were on in the kitchen. When he opened the door and entered, Sylvia and Helen stood up as if they had been waiting for him.
"Why aren't you sleeping yet...?"
"How could I sleep when my son hasn't come home?!"
Sylvia frowned, saying he was coming home too late.
"Madam has been waiting, constantly reheating the food."
Helen smiled, pointing to the food laid out on the table.
-To think they prepared all this for me...
Wrath drooled at the sight of the steaming dishes.
-There really is no one like a mother!
He clasped his hands together, looking deeply moved.
'It's not for you, you know.'
Raon pushed Wrath aside and sat down in front of Sylvia.
"We could have eaten tomorrow..."
"I heard you lost to Karoon. I was waiting to console you."
Sylvia smiled softly, saying she had heard everything from Yua.
"I'm fine, really."
Raon shook his head calmly. Karoon had already surpassed the initial stages of transcendence and had used his full power. Although he lost, Raon felt neither shame nor shock.
"That's good then."
Sylvia moved her hand, looking relieved.
"Eat now. I don’t want to reheat again."
She brought a fork, a knife, and a spoon, urging him to start eating.
Meat, fish, pizza, stew, and salmon! More salmon! Quickly, grab the fork! It's war!
Wrath, despite having stuffed himself with salmon earlier, drooled as he gave orders.
'Okay, okay.'
Raon smiled slightly as he put Sylvia's and Helen's food into his mouth.
-Oh! It tastes as if it just got made!
'That's because it was freshly made.'
-What?
'It wasn't reheated.'
Contrary to Helen's words, these dishes were freshly made. It seemed they had been cooking continuously until his arrival.
-Sniff...
Wrath's eyes turned red with excitement.
-So this is what devotion means! A mother's devotion!
'......'
Raon wondered if that sobbing cotton candy was really a demon king. He wanted to test his character, or rather, his demonic nature. However, as Wrath said, perhaps due to the care put into it, the food tasted even better than usual despite his full stomach.
"Why did you arrive so late? I was about to go look for you."
Sylvia lowered her brows, saying she was about to go to Hollam herself. It seemed she had not heard about the mission due to the news of his fight with Karoon.
"The operation was delayed because the executives from the Black Tower and the Holy Sword Alliance arrived late."
Raon explained the reason for his delay while chewing on meat.
"What kind of operation was it?"
"I would like to hear about that too."
Sylvia clapped lightly, saying she wanted to hear everything. Helen also smiled faintly, looking curious.
"Nothing important happened..."
He recounted the events while having a late dinner.
"Three Grandmasters...?"
Helen couldn't close her mouth, apparently amazed that he had captured three Grandmasters alone.
"How was the swordsmanship of the Greedy Demon and the White Demon Swordsman?"
Sylvia, on the other hand, focused on the swordsmanship. It was a change that had occurred after she developed an energy core.
"The swordsmanship of the Greedy Demon was practical. It was a strong sword style using a great sword, sharp enough to split my Astral Ring. On the other hand, the technique of the White Demon Swordsman contained extreme variations, reminiscent of Sword Control. The sword moved freely..."
Raon explained the swordsmanship of the Greedy Demon and the White Demon Swordsman while observing Sylvia's bright eyes.
"To think such swordsmanship exists, the world really is vast."
Sylvia nodded firmly, as if she was amazed.
"......"
Raon narrowed his eyes while watching Sylvia, who seemed both resolutely firm and slightly sad.
'Is she thinking of leaving the family estate?'
Despite her increasing martial prowess, she had not been in real combat for some time, and it seemed her body was yearning for action.
"Mother, are you thinking of accepting missions too?"
Given Sylvia's martial prowess, it wouldn't be strange for her to accept individual missions, so Raon asked with some apprehension.
"No."
However, contrary to expectations, Sylvia shook her head firmly.
"I told you before. I received this energy core to protect the annex building."
She smiled, rubbing her lower abdomen where the artificial energy core resided.
"I'm not particularly interested in missions."
"I see..."
Raon let out a small sigh as he looked at Sylvia's eyes, which held both firm resolution and a hint of sadness.
'Is it because she lost Father and Older Sister?'
Perhaps it was because her father and sister had been attacked by the Twin-Headed Demon from Eden. Sylvia valued the people of the annex building even more than herself. Although going on occasional missions might be fine, it seemed she had no intention of leaving the annex unless absolutely necessary.
"Still, I am very interested in becoming stronger. Because I need to protect you."
"Me too?"
"Of course."
Sylvia smiled as she touched Raon's cheek.
"You are also a member of the annex family."
She shook her head as if to say: "Aren't you?"
"The Young Master is the young master of the annex before being the Light Wind Division Leader!"
Helen also snorted, telling him to remember that well.
"Ah."
Raon looked at the warm gazes of Sylvia and Helen and the steaming dishes in turn, then lowered his head and smiled.
"You are right. I will remember that well."
-Me too!
Wrath shouted, lifting his head.
-I am also part of the annex family!
'No. You're from Devildom...'
-I don't care!
***
After finishing their meal, Raon returned to his room.
-Urgh!
Wrath let out a small burp, his lips dripping with oil.
-All the dishes today were exceptional!
He laughed, saying that all the salmon was great. Raon couldn't understand why he was called Wrath when he seemed content as long as his appetite was satisfied.
'I'm tired.'
Raon sighed deeply and lay back on his bed. His body felt heavy, perhaps because the tension had finally released.
-You used all your strength, so it's understandable. You also met that crazy woman.
Wrath rolled his eyes quickly, saying he was still trembling from meeting the crazy woman.
'That's true. That happened too.'
Raon chuckled and nodded. Honestly, the talking bear running toward him was more surprising than his fight with Karoon. His heart still seemed to be racing.
'Salmons in a honey pool, of all things.'
He let out an ironic laugh, recalling how he and Dorian had fed the bear salmon. Thunk. Raon squinted as he looked at the Heavenly Drive sword touching the carpet.
'Transcendence, huh...'
Karoon seemed to have transformed his self-achieved changes, past regrets, and even childish goals into martial prowess. The realm of transcendence seemed to value accumulated experiences, emotions, and lived life more than any other stage he had encountered so far.
-You haven't even reached the peak of that realm yet, have you?
Wrath snorted.
-Don't rush, progress steadily.
'I’m not in a hurry. I just want to find the path first.'
Regardless of his current level, he wanted to create a clue to reach transcendence.
'What could it be?'
Revenge, anger, Ten Thousand Swords, family, comrades. Many things came to his mind, but he couldn't choose just one. Sigh. While Raon was lost in his thoughts, staring at the ceiling, he felt a slight presence near the window.
'Who’s there...? Gasp!'
As he turned his gaze while lying down, Glenn's face appeared in the window.
"Head of House?"
Glenn silently gestured with his hand, as if telling Raon to come out.
-
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