## Chapter 1112
"Where are we headed next?"
Martha squinted her eyes, focusing on the dark stationery in his hand.
"What exactly is recorded in that message that made you pick our next path?"
She stepped forward, cracking her knuckles with an expression full of blatant inquisitiveness.
"Tell me, where is it?"
Evelyn ran a slender finger over her lips, a subtle grin playing on her face.
"Actually, forget it. You don't have to say. I'll be right behind you no matter the destination."
She made a light, dismissive motion with her hand, signaling that the specific locale was irrelevant as long as she was traveling with Raon.
"It... it isn't a suicide mission or anything, right?"
Dorian gulped audibly, eyeing the black parchment with visible trepidation.
"It’s just a briefing, isn't it?"
He pressed his palms together, looking as though he were offering a silent prayer for a peaceful answer.
"Take a look for yourselves."
Raon passed the dispatch he’d received from the Black Market over to Dorian and Martha.
"Are we really permitted to read this?"
"Isn't this supposed to be classified?"
Martha and Dorian spoke with hesitation, yet their gazes were already locked onto the text with intense focus.
"Hmph."
Evelyn merely busied herself with a nail file, not sparing the letter a single glance, appearing entirely indifferent.
—That is precisely what makes her terrifying. That woman...
Wrath’s mouth twitched, looking as though the mere presence of Evelyn sent shivers down his spine.
*Why are you reacting like that? She’s just standing there.*
Raon cocked his head to the side, observing the faint, knowing smile on Evelyn’s lips.
—She is acting relaxed because she knows she can track you to the ends of the earth!
Wrath tugged at his lower eyelid, convinced that Evelyn had surely placed some sort of homing enchantment on Raon’s person.
"Hehe."
Evelyn maintained her mysterious smirk, looking for all the world like she could hear exactly what Raon and Wrath were thinking.
"Let's see..."
While Raon performed a quick internal sweep for any lingering tracking spells Evelyn might have cast, Dorian and Martha looked up at the same time.
"What on earth is this?"
Martha tilted her head, her brow furrowed in bewilderment.
"‘A juvenile with snow-white hair was sighted in the vicinity of House Arianne, purchasing every available unit of bead ice cream using high-purity gold currency. Surveillance is ongoing.’ How does this possibly dictate our next move?"
Dorian’s eyes stretched wide as he scanned the lines again, failing to find any tactical significance.
"Understanding isn't a requirement. Just keep in mind that House Arianne is our next stop."
Raon gave Dorian’s shoulder a reassuring tap, indicating that the conversation on the 'why' was over.
"Wait, what? Can't you just explain..."
Dorian’s fingers began to shake, seemingly more intimidated by the mystery than he was curious about the facts.
"At the very least, give me a reason so I can stock the right gear!"
He gave his dimensional pouch a firm pat, arguing that they needed to be properly equipped for the journey.
"Don't worry about it. Your pouch won't see much action this time."
Raon gave a casual shrug as he retrieved the letter.
"Fair enough. Would knowing the details actually change the outcome?"
Martha smirked, implying that following Raon into the unknown was their standard operating procedure.
—A white-haired brat hoarding all the bead ice cream...?
Wrath shifted his gaze toward Raon, the realization finally hitting him.
—That is Gluttony!
He knit his brows, marveling at how long Raon had been keeping tabs on the Monarch of Gluttony.
*I put in the request with the Black Market long before we set out to locate Sloth.*
Raon waved a hand dismissively, as if the foresight was elementary.
*Gluttony is among the few demon kings who will undoubtedly join the fray.*
The demon kings who didn't harbor immediate hostility toward him were Sloth, Lust, and Gluttony. Knowing they were the most likely candidates to join the war effort if approached correctly, he had mobilized both the Black Market and the Shadow Agents to find them from the very beginning.
—You... you absolute skinflint...
Wrath’s frame shook with pure exasperation.
—Attempting to conscript top-tier demon king talent for zero cost! You are truly malevolent!
He gnashed his teeth, labeling Raon the most tight-fisted being in existence.
*It isn't for free. You're well aware of that.*
From his interaction with Sloth, he understood that even those demon kings friendly toward him required a price to interfere with the world's causality. He would have to seek out Gluttony and fulfill a genuine desire of hers before she would commit to the battle against the Archangel.
—What could that gluttonous brat possibly want! It is obviously just more funds for her frozen treats!
Wrath grumbled, certain of the outcome.
*Most likely.*
Raon dipped his head, a small smile forming.
*She is the simplest to handle.*
True to her moniker as the Monarch of Gluttony, her fixation on bead ice cream was absolute. If he provided her with a larger fortune than before or established a permanent ice cream parlor for her, she would likely join the war even if it meant tearing through the fabric of fate itself.
*Lust is a similar story.*
—Lust? That obsessive stalker would be a nightmare to negotiate with, wouldn't she?
Wrath’s expression soured deeply, suggesting her demands would be impossible to satisfy.
*No, she’ll be the easiest of all.*
Raon made a calm, sweeping motion with his hand.
*I just have to trade you to her.*
Lust’s sole desire was Wrath. If he made a firm commitment that Wrath would stay with her in the future, she would throw herself into the war regardless of the personal peril. Quite frankly, it was the most straightforward deal on the table.
—Wait...
Wrath’s eyes went vacant for a moment.
—You absolute lunatic! You're trying to hawk me off again! I thought we were comrades!
*Exactly because we're comrades. That’s why I’m turning to you for help. I couldn't ask anyone else for such a sacrifice.*
—Ugh! Gak...
He pounded his chest, looking as though he had a thousand protests stuck in his throat.
*Relax. I won't let things get too out of hand.*
As Raon offered a comforting pat to the retching Wrath, someone approached.
"How did you find the ceremony?"
Sterin walked over, having finished his formal farewells with the rest of the elven kin.
"It was truly grand. It felt significantly more majestic than the rites of any human kingdom or noble house I've seen."
The ritual, conducted in the heart of the woods under the filtered sun, shouldn't have been opulent by human standards. However, when the World Tree's benediction poured down, the succession ceremony glowed with a radiance far more profound than any man-made display.
"Even if I were to take the mantle of Zieghart's head, I doubt it would match this."
Raon offered a respectful bow to Sterin, expressing his gratitude for being allowed to witness the event.
"That isn't the case."
Sterin shook his head, a soft smile on his face.
"When your day comes, you won't have a World Tree, but you will have an ocean of people."
He grinned widely, predicting a crowd as vast as the leaves on the Great Tree.
"He's not wrong about that."
Martha tapped her palms together in quiet agreement.
"Exactly. We already have so many alliances to forge and allies to bring into the fold."
Dorian nodded vigorously.
"I honestly just want to lock him in a cage somewhere..."
Evelyn whispered with a chilling smile, making everyone’s hair stand on end.
"In that case, will you grace my inauguration with your presence, Lord Sterin?"
Raon pointedly ignored Evelyn’s dark comment and turned back to Sterin.
"Without question! Send the word, and I shall be there!"
Sterin nodded firmly, vowing to witness Raon’s ascension.
"I—I'm coming too!"
Siyana raised her hand high, announcing her intent to join. Raon smiled, seeing her return to her usual spirited self, a far cry from the stiff, formal Guardian persona she had just adopted.
"I’ll have to actually earn the title of successor first to have the privilege of inviting you. I will do my best."
Raon bowed to both Siyana and Sterin, pledging his commitment.
"No. The gratitude is entirely ours."
Siyana stepped toward Raon and gripped her right shoulder with her left hand—the traditional salute of the elven archers.
"The Guardian offers her deepest respect!"
Sterin let out a powerful shout that vibrated through the trees, striking his own shoulder in unison. With a synchronized thud, the elves gathered beneath the World Tree mimicked the gesture, honoring Raon just as Siyana and Sterin had.
"Hmm..."
Raon unsheathed Heavenly Drive to return the first formal salute from the new Guardian.
"The Light Wind Palace Master of Zieghart returns his respects to the Guardian of Sepia."
He presented the blade in a reverse grip—the quintessential salute of Zieghart. That moment solidified the bond between elf and human, creating a bridge between Sepia and Zieghart that would only grow stronger with time.
---
At high noon, when the sun sat directly overhead, the Zieghart Main House began to tremble as if on cue. These weren't minor vibrations; the ground shook so violently that seasoned warriors lost their footing, stumbling into walls or collapsing to the floor.
"Not this again!"
"Why does this madness start every single day at twelve!"
"I'm losing my mind! These tremors are only hitting Zieghart territory!"
"Is it just me, or is the intensity increasing?"
"Just hang on for three hours. It'll pass soon enough."
The residents, now largely desensitized to the daily quakes, brushed themselves off and returned to their duties despite the unstable ground.
"Hehehe."
Roenn watched the chaos with a faint smile before pushing open the heavy doors to the audience chamber. With a low, rhythmic thumping, the source of the disturbance sat upon the golden throne. Glenn Zieghart. The Lord of the House was literally rattling the foundations of the entire region just by nervously shaking his leg.
"Three weeks... I haven't heard a peep from Raon in three whole weeks!"
Glenn began to gnaw on his thumb, lamenting the silence from his grandson. It was a nervous habit that had manifested since Raon’s departure.
"You don't think something happened to him?"
"Usually, silence means things are going smoothly. He'll be back before you know it."
Sheryl made a dismissive gesture, giving the same canned response she’d been providing to Glenn’s repetitive anxieties.
"Isn't that right?"
She glanced at Roenn, silently pleading for him to help de-escalate the situation.
"Hehehe, Lady Sheryl speaks the truth. There shouldn't be any significant threats within the borders of Sepia."
Roenn nodded, reminding Glenn that Siyana and Sterin were there to back him up.
"Absolutely not! Reports said the sky there was behaving as if it were falling! Not to mention the lethal winds and that unnatural fog!"
Glenn bit his lip, refusing to believe it was a simple errand.
"What if Derus or Eden made a move..."
His hand gripped the armrest of the throne so hard it shook, looking ready to sprint toward Raon at a moment's notice.
"Raon needs the space to mature, and for now, the best thing you can do is wait..."
Just as Roenn tried to settle the Lord, a sharp tear appeared in the air before the throne, and a black envelope tumbled out.
"Correspondence from the Black Market?"
Glenn snatched the letter, his brow deeply furrowed.
"Oh!"
As he scanned the contents, the storm on Glenn’s face instantly cleared. His leg, which had been generating seismic waves across the continent, finally went still.
"What's the word?"
Sheryl stepped closer, her curiosity piqued.
"It says Raon restored the youth of Sterin, the former Guardian, and catalyzed the growth of the new Guardian, Siyana! Apparently, the blighted fog and gales have been completely purified!"
Glenn beamed, announcing that Raon had resolved the crisis in Sepia single-handedly.
"See? I told you Raon was more than capable!"
Sheryl nodded, feeling vindicated by their restraint.
"Hehehe."
Roenn let out a soft, appreciative laugh. With a sudden flicker of movement, Glenn nodded contentedly and used a spark of lightning to turn the letter to ash.
"Wait, what?"
"Why would you destroy it?"
Sheryl and Roenn stared in shock.
"Because when Raon returns, I want to hear the story from him personally."
Glenn tilted his chin up, as if this were the only logical conclusion.
"Unbelievable!"
"Hehehe..."
Sheryl and Roenn shared a wry laugh, once again struck by the depth of Glenn’s affection for his grandson.
"Shall we go see how much Sia has progressed today?"
Glenn hummed a light tune as he stepped down from the dais and headed for the exit.
"We shall accompany you."
"I've been looking forward to checking in on the young lady myself."
Sheryl and Roenn followed close behind the Lord as they left the chamber.
"Did the quake stop early today?"
"Yeah. It cut off about two and a half hours ahead of schedule!"
"Let's get through this paperwork while the floor isn't moving."
"Move it, move it!"
The staff of the Lord’s Manor scrambled to be productive while the peace lasted.
"I hope this tranquility remains for a while."
Roenn had a gentle smile, enjoying the rare moment of calm within the estate.
"Sorry to burst your bubble, but that's a pipe dream."
Sheryl shook her head decisively, watching Glenn’s retreating figure.
"The tremors will be back within three days."
She sighed, knowing the pattern all too well.
"I'll give it two days at most."
Roenn held up two fingers, being even more pessimistic.
"Are you trying to start a wager?"
"A wager? We aren't common gamblers!"
Sheryl waved him off, telling him to stop being ridiculous.
"Hehehe. My apologies."
Roenn laughed softly, conceding that he’d overstepped.
"It doesn't matter now."
Sheryl nodded and looked away.
*Even with that scoundrel gone, the worry never really fades.*
He had to be doing fine, wherever he was currently. She looked up at the azure sky, imagining a green breeze fluttering past.
*Because you were always such a reckless gambler.*
---
"A warm welcome to the Light Wind Palace Master!"
Wendy Arianne, the current head of the house, personally emerged to greet Raon with a bow.
"Welcome to the Light Wind Palace Master and the champions of Zieghart!"
The ranks of Arianne warriors behind her followed suit, bowing with profound formality.
"The Light Wind Palace Master of Zieghart offers his greetings to the Head of House Arianne."
Raon returned the gesture with a warm, genuine smile.
*I really did read her character correctly.*
Even when her house was mired in corruption, Wendy never neglected her training, eventually reaching the Master rank. Her presence was fundamentally more powerful than before; she had clearly maintained her discipline even after taking on the burdens of leadership.
"You're looking quite well."
Raon lowered his sword from the greeting stance, noting her healthy appearance.
"I owe it all to you, Lord Raon."
Wendy bowed a second time, crediting Raon for the survival of her clan.
"You're far too kind. I only played a small part."
Raon shook his head modestly.
"You remain as humble as ever. You didn't just save a house; you revitalized this entire region. Look around."
Wendy gestured toward the current state of the estate. The lands that had once been choked by filth and corruption were now immaculate, and the entire territory pulsed with new life and energy.
"It is certainly a transformation."
Raon nodded, a gentle smile on his face. Seeing people laughing and trading, much like the bustling streets of Cameloon, filled him with a sense of pride for the battles he had fought on this soil.
"I guess we're just part of the scenery."
Martha pouted, feeling overlooked.
"Not at all. She specifically mentioned the heroes of Zieghart."
Dorian tried to soothe her, telling her not to be so sensitive.
"How incredibly small-minded."
Evelyn smirked, pointing out that Martha’s irritation was plain to see.
"What did you say?"
Martha started to snarl at Evelyn.
"Waaaaaah!"
Before Martha could escalate the confrontation, the citizens of House Arianne poured out, erupting in cheers for Raon. They hadn't forgotten his deeds and still carried deep gratitude in their hearts.
"Lady Wendy. The reason for my visit today is..."
Raon took a step toward the head of the house.
"I am aware. You are here to secure a formal endorsement for your succession."
Wendy smiled, indicating she was up to date on the news.
"Rest assured. Everything has been arranged."
She folded her hands, inviting him to wait a brief moment.
"You've already prepared it?"
"Because you are the only candidate I would ever consider supporting, Lord Raon."
Wendy nodded, explaining that her decision had been set in stone the moment he saved her people.
"...Thank you."
Raon pressed his lips together, moved by the strength of the bonds he’d formed.
"Ah, and there is one more thing I need to confirm."
Raon lowered his voice as he spoke to Wendy.
"Are you aware of a white-haired youth who recently purchased every bit of bead ice cream in your territory?"
He asked about Gluttony without preamble, knowing Wendy would be privy to any unusual events in her lands.
"Ah, I recall the white-haired child who visited recently. The patrol kept a close watch because the child was carrying a massive bag of gold. But they aren't here anymore. As far as I know, they moved on..."
Wendy squinted as she recalled the child heading out alone toward the Swamp of Death.
"So she cleared out the stock and moved to the next town."
Raon clicked his tongue. It seemed Gluttony had migrated once the local ice cream supply was exhausted.
"No. They didn't actually finish it all."
Wendy corrected him, raising a hand.
"Excuse me?"
"I was told they simply took a tiny bite of each variety and then just walked away."
She shook her head, explaining that Gluttony had abandoned the feast halfway through.
"That... that doesn't make any sense?"
Raon’s jaw practically hit the floor at Wendy’s revelation.
—That is physically impossible! What on earth could stop that bottomless pit from eating...!
Wrath’s eyes were also wide with pure shock.
*This time around...*
Raon frowned, looking toward the spot where the ice cream shop stood.
*What could have possibly gone wrong?*
-
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