C977
"A lizard's nest?"
Ogram tilted his head as he looked at Raon.
"What are you suddenly talking about?"
He furrowed his thick eyebrows like a caterpillar, apparently not understanding.
"If you're talking about a lizard..."
Chamber chewed the candy in his mouth.
"You must be talking about dragons."
He squinted, instantly understanding Raon's words.
"That's right."
Raon nodded, meeting the gazes of the Five Kings sitting around the round table.
"Why are you trying to provoke the dragons while searching for the Five Demons?"
King Lecross spread his arms, indicating that an explanation was needed.
"To explain this, we need to go back to the time of the war with the Black Tower."
Raon raised a finger, looking at Chamber.
"As Chamber knows well, the demonic energy that bloomed from the Black Tower spread across the dimensions to this continent."
He created cold energy with his finger and placed it on the continental map floating above the round table. The southern part of the continent rippled in a bluish tone as if frozen.
"The demonic energy covering the south was so massive that it wouldn't have been strange if a demon king had descended, but the dragons, who claim to be the mediators of this world, were nowhere to be seen."
Raon looked at the frozen southern continent with a frown.
"It was a total contrast to how they would rush to shout 'demon king' at the slightest sign of demonic energy. In other words..."
He looked down at the leaders of the Five Kings, who were listening intently without even blinking.
"They must have known that the Black Tower was in Montiro."
Raon nodded confidently.
"Is, is that really true? How could those who are supposed to maintain neutrality..."
Ogram frowned, unable to comprehend.
"If what you're saying is true, then the dragons have no right to carry the title of mediators!"
He clenched his fist tightly, his voice filled with genuine anger.
"Master of the Light Wind Palace. Can you take responsibility for those words?"
Lecross let out a low groan as he looked at Raon.
"This is not a matter we can proceed with hastily. No matter what anyone says, the dragons are still the strongest race on the continent."
He tapped his finger on the round table, emphasizing that the decision to turn the dragons into complete enemies should be made with caution.
"I attest to the words of the Master of the Light Wind Palace."
Chamber nodded with his eyes closed.
"The dimensional door to the Black Tower remained open, and demonic energy poured out, but the dragons never showed up."
He bit his lip while looking at Montiro on the map.
"If those lizards, who instinctively sense demonic energy, remained still, the reason is obvious."
Chamber sighed, suggesting that it was time to accept the truth.
"In fact, you already know, right?"
Raon shook his head briefly.
"The dragons have never been neutral from the start. Even from the time of the Five Demons, not the current Four Demons, they have been subtly taking sides. If they had truly been faithful to their role as mediators, the Black Tower should have disappeared long ago."
The Black Tower is a military organization created by obtaining power from the Devildom, not from the continent. The fact that they didn't stop it despite it spewing thick demonic energy toward the continent demonstrates that their neutrality was broken long ago.
"Moreover, it doesn't matter if the dragons didn't know that the Black Tower was in Montiro. It is clear that they have established a close relationship with the Four Demons."
Raon nodded, affirming that it was safe to say that the Four Demons and the dragons had formed a temporary alliance.
"It is undeniable that the dragons are the strongest race. But rather than being stabbed in the back or side in the next war, I think it is right to deal with them while we can."
He clenched his fist, stating that they should handle it now instead of leaving unnecessary future problems.
"So..."
Glenn briefly lifted his chin.
"How many dragons would you like to deal with?"
He extended his hands as if asking for a number.
"How many? That's not it. Of course..."
Raon shook his head firmly.
"All of them."
He placed his hand on the hilt of the Heavenly Drive, stating that he didn't want to leave a single dragon that had deviated from neutrality.
"Huh...?"
Lecross let out an incredulous laugh.
"K-kill all the dragons?"
Xanthos was also left speechless in shock.
"As expected, I like your refreshing attitude!"
Ogram raised his rock-like fist in agreement.
"That's right. If we're going to do it, we should do it properly!"
Chamber also nodded without hesitation, pleased with the idea.
"Hmm, I'm not particularly drawn to dragons, but..."
Larian lowered her voice, seemingly returning to her original personality after the story of the Archangel. Judging by her previous reaction, it seemed she had dissected dragons before.
"Hmm!"
Glenn also nodded widely, apparently approving of Raon's boldness.
"It seems like something that even a demon king wouldn't do, but..."
Lecross licked his lips briefly.
"If you say you can do it, it might not be a bad idea to try."
He raised his hand, indicating his agreement.
"However, we shouldn't aim for all of them right from the start."
Raon shook his head while looking at the continental map.
"Our goal is not just to kill dragons."
"Correct. We need to gather information about the Four Demons."
Chamber nodded immediately.
"Yes. The dragons that have been sleeping in their lairs for so long won't have information about the Four Demons. So we..."
Raon licked his lips as he looked at the continental map again.
"We need to find dragons that communicate with the outside world, even if not with humans. The stronger and older, the better. That way, we can hear good information."
The sleeping dragons might not even know that the Five Demons had become the current Four Demons. To obtain proper information, they needed to find one strong and trustworthy enough for the Lords.
"Unfortunately, I don't know any dragons like that."
Chamber licked his lips, disappointed that he couldn't help.
"And I don't know any dragons like that either..."
Larian raised her trembling hand, in the same situation as Chamber.
"I certainly don't know any!"
Ogram shook his head proudly.
"Then let's search for an Ancient Dragon that communicates with the outside world while also searching for the location of the Four Demons."
He concluded that they should gather information slowly first since they couldn't find their way to the Four Demons anyway.
"Alright. We will also gather all the information we can on our side."
King Lecross took his pen, saying that he would contact Owen immediately.
"Then it's decided."
Glenn, who hadn't expressed an opinion because Raon was his grandson, only nodded after everyone agreed. He seemed extremely satisfied.
"I'll look for them too."
Raon nodded, looking at the leaders of the Five Kings. It seemed he would also have to contact his acquaintances since information from the Black Market would be shared.
"We've decided how to deal with the dragons and find information. But how do you plan to recover the people enchanted by Rafael?"
King Lecross squinted his eyes with curiosity.
"And I want to know too..."
Larian also revealed her bright eyes from within her robe, asking to be told.
"In fact, that's just as important as this matter."
Xanthos nodded, saying it was something that needed to be resolved.
"Rafael enchanted people with his warm voice imbued with divine power. So, we will use that method in reverse."
He smiled slightly and clasped his hands together.
"Use it in reverse?"
"Yes. I can erase the divine power, and my subordinate has a better voice than Rafael. Probably..."
Raon curved his lips as he looked out the window.
"We'll see an interesting view."
* * *
"Ugh..."
Alice let out a heavy sigh as she looked at the darkening sky.
"I might die at this rate."
As Karoon became stronger every day, it became increasingly difficult to face him. Each time they fought, a chill ran down her spine as his sword approached her neck if she let her guard down even slightly.
"I never knew he had so much passion."
Even though she was training with all her might, wanting to repay her debt to Raon, Karoon was beyond that. He was truly wielding his sword with his life at stake every day.
Karoon, who originally didn't even break a sweat, claiming that the direct lineage of Zieghart should be perfect, was now throwing everything away with the sole desire to become stronger, regardless of how he looked.
"Of course, his talent is beyond even that passion."
She had thought that Sylvia had the best talent among the siblings, but now her opinion had changed. Karoon's talent had blossomed late, but he was surpassing everything.
"At this rate, he could really catch up."
If Karoon continued training like this, he might not surpass Raon, but he could reach the same level.
"Wait a minute! Now that I think about it, this is exasperating. They were all beneath me! I can't lose like this... Huh?"
Alice, who had been muttering that she couldn't lose like this, suddenly opened her eyes wide.
"Why am I here?"
She had arrived near the annex building without thinking while walking on weakened legs.
"To come here naturally, I must have been really exhausted."
Alice let out a hollow laugh as she massaged her sore shoulders.
'Since I'm in the annex anyway, should I go see the kids?'
It had been a while since she visited the annex, so it might be nice to see everyone while she was here.
'I’ll also get dinner... Huh?'
Alice squinted as she entered the annex garden with a smile.
"Denier?"
Why is he here? Denier was standing in front of the dark lake, quietly looking at the annex.
'And what is that light...'
A faint, indescribable halo of light flickered and disappeared around him. If it hadn't reflected on the surface of the lake, she wouldn't have even been able to see it. It was a mysterious and subtle light. However, there was something even stranger. Denier's expression standing in reality and the Denier reflected in the lake seemed different.
"Denier!"
Alice approached Denier with a frown.
"Sister."
Denier tilted his head toward Alice without the slightest sign of surprise.
"Have you finished training?"
"What were you doing just now?"
Alice extended her Aura Perception to examine the surroundings of Denier. However, she couldn't feel anything.
"What do you mean?"
Denier tilted his head as if he didn't understand.
"I clearly saw a strange light flickering around you."
Alice nodded, saying that she saw it with her own eyes.
"They must have been fireflies. I wasn't doing anything."
Denier raised both hands, saying he was really just standing still.
"But..."
Alice was about to speak again but shut her mouth. She didn't actually feel any special energy from Denier.
"Are you really Denier?"
Alice looked at Denier, raising a low but heavy aura.
"Who else could I be?"
Denier shook his head, saying he didn't like strange jokes.
"Hmm..."
Alice twisted her lips while examining Denier.
'His constitution, aura, and even temperament are exactly the same.'
She no longer blindly trusted even her family members. But she felt no sense of discomfort from the Denier in front of her at all.
"Do you remember what I first gave you as a gift?"
"A gift?"
Denier shook his head with a smile.
"Sister, you've never given me anything as a gift."
He tilted his head as if asking what she was talking about.
"C-correct."
Alice touched the back of her head and averted her gaze.
'He is definitely Denier. There is no sense of discomfort.'
But that light she saw earlier was bothering her. Even though she didn't feel any malicious energy or strange qualities, she wanted to confirm it after experiencing the incident with Sif.
"What were you doing here?"
Alice squinted as she looked around.
"The Head of House and the Master of the Light Wind Palace went to the conference of the Five Kings, and since you and your brother were focusing on training, I was patrolling Zieghart."
Denier calmly nodded, saying he was doing what he could.
"Hmm..."
Alice squinted. As he said, it wasn't strange for him to patrol the outskirts since all the Transcendents were busy.
"You..."
As Alice was about to speak again, the door behind the annex opened.
"Aunt!"
Sia, with a wooden sword at her waist, waved both hands at Alice.
"Sia?"
Alice let out a sigh as she hugged Sia who was running towards her. It seemed Sia had come out after hearing her loud voice earlier.
"Sister, brother?"
Sylvia also came out, following Sia, her eyes wide open.
"What brings you two here?"
She tilted her head with a smile, saying she was happy to see them.
"My feet just somehow brought me here..."
Alice scratched the back of her head, saying she came without realizing it.
"I was patrolling."
Denier gave the same explanation to Sylvia.
"Oh, then why don't you come in for some tea? Helen baked some delicious cookies this afternoon."
Sylvia raised her hand, inviting Alice and Denier inside.
"Hmm, should we?"
Alice lowered her hand, realizing that the mood had already been broken.
"I'll pass. I still have places to patrol."
Denier shook his head, saying he should leave now that he saw they were fine.
"Wait a moment!"
Sylvia told them to stay put and entered the annex, coming out again with a small package.
"I packed some cookies. Please eat them on the way."
She extended her hand holding the package with a smile.
"...Thank you."
Denier received the package containing the cookies with a slight smile.
"It's nothing. Take care."
Sylvia shook her head with a smile.
"Sister, please come in."
She nodded to Alice, saying she was warming the tea.
"Alright. Just a moment."
Alice nodded briefly and then approached Denier.
"Denier."
She parted her lips, looking into Denier's calm eyes.
"Let me ask you one last thing. Your path is toward Zieghart, right?"
"Of course."
Denier nodded without the slightest hesitation.
"In the past and now, I have always only thought of Zieghart."
He nodded as if to reassure her and disappeared into the darkness of the Grave North Mountain.
"..."
Alice squinted as she looked up the path where Denier had disappeared.
'It's clearly different from Sif.'
When Sif caught her by surprise, she felt a sense of discomfort, but she didn't want to doubt her son, which led her to be stabbed. But now, she felt no discomfort or strangeness from Denier at all.
'Trust, huh...'
Alice looked at the crescent moon that seemed to have been cut by a sword and then entered the annex where warm energy emanated.
* * *
"I can't do it! No, I won't do it!"
Olga shook her hands vigorously, saying that she absolutely wouldn't do it.
"What kind of song is that?!"
She stood up, knocking over her chair, saying she would prefer to sing a love song than that kind of song.
-The ears of that ruckus maker must also be broken!
Wrath gritted his teeth as he looked at Olga, whose cheeks had turned red.
-How dare she disrespect a song that praises this king!
He snorted, saying she had no artistic sense at all.
"Sister..."
Yua gently reached out and took Olga's hand.
"Let's do it together. We need to save the people."
She gave her a cat-like look, saying she knew Olga didn't like it, but asking her to do it together.
"That's right. Please save others like you saved me, sister."
Rensia also took Olga's other hand, pleading with her.
"Ugh..."
Olga closed her eyes tightly, then opened them and nodded weakly.
"Fine."
She dropped her shoulders as if she had no choice left.
"Then let's start over."
Raon parted his lips, looking at Olga who had sat down again.
"Feeling the bright Shining, entering the dark Dark, the icy Ice of..."
"Argh!"
Olga grabbed her head and screamed upon hearing the lyrics.
"Who the hell made that damn song?!"
She opened the window and shouted, saying she was going crazy.
-Here we go again!
Wrath's eyes were filled with blue anger.
-How pitiful those ear holes that don't recognize this wonderful song!
He shook his head, saying Olga had no talent for music.
"Just try to follow the melody. It will definitely have an effect."
Raon waved his hand and recited the lyrics again.
'It can't not work.'
That song was one of the demon king's hymns praising Wrath. If it provided Wrath’s Authority and Yua and Olga sang, they should be able to return the minds of those enchanted by Rafael to normal.
"Shi-Shining... Dark... Dark..."
Olga began to recite the lyrics with trembling lips. It seemed she was forcing herself for the sake of Yua and Rensia.
'But, who actually made it?'
Raon tilted his chin, looking at Wrath.
'Honestly, it's a bit childish...'
-Who made it? Of course, I made it!
Wrath puffed out his chest, saying he had obviously made it himself.
'...I see.'
He shook his head repeatedly.
-What do you mean by 'I see'? What does that mean?
'It means nothing.'
-Talk clearly!
'Really doesn't.'
As Raon was waving his hand to avoid Wrath, there was a sound. Knock knock knock. A white dove was knocking at the window. It was an urgent message from the Shadow Agents.
'Why this...'
Raon swallowed hard as he received and unfurled the letter.
-What does it say?
Wrath leaned in with curiosity.
'It seems we won't have to wait long.'
Raon licked his lips as he looked at the letter.
'It seems they have found a suitable dragon nest to visit first.'
-
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