Chapter 1142
"Sir Raon!"
"Raon!"
Just as Raon managed to suppress the outburst from Wrath, Holy King Hoppen and Saintess Olga rushed to his side.
"I... I cannot thank you enough."
Hoppen lowered his head deeply in the presence of the onlookers, completely disregarding his status as the sovereign of Suphren.
"Your intervention saved our lives."
His voice wavered with genuine emotion as he cried out his thanks.
"Please, there is no need for this,"
Raon insisted, helping Hoppen back to a standing position. Since his deeds had been a mix of sincere intent and calculated display, he felt awkward receiving such a formal show of gratitude.
"Are you unharmed?"
Saintess Olga peered at him with focused concern, seemingly far more interested in his physical state than the surrounding politics.
"Speak up if you are in pain. I have enough strength left to mend your wounds, regardless of my own fatigue."
She set her jaw with a look of fierce resolve, appearing ready to exhaust her very life force to ensure his recovery.
"I am perfectly fine."
Raon gave a small smile and waved off her worries.
"I’ve sustained a few scrapes, but my spirit and body are both sound."
Having touched a moment of profound realization during the battle, his consciousness felt even more precise and vibrant than it had before the encounter began.
'I didn't anticipate stumbling upon such a stroke of luck here.'
His original intent for the duel with Lust was merely to evaluate his growth, but he hadn't expected them both to reach a state of transcendence and evolve.
'There is no doubt that I have become more powerful.'
His progress wasn't limited to the specific styles Lust favored—the Precision, Strong, and Quick Swords—but his mastery of the Ten Thousand Swords had reached a new plateau. He could feel the increased weight and depth of his martial arts.
'Furthermore...'
He had discovered the correct application of emotions in combat. In contrast to the raw, explosive bursts of the demon kings' power, channeling those feelings directly into his blade yielded results that far surpassed his projections. The sole issue was the sheer toll it took; because he was wielding emotions that weren't native to his soul, it drained his mental and physical reserves rapidly.
'Ultimately, the foundation lies in my own development.'
The unwavering mental fortitude he had cultivated since his youth was the key. If he could learn to perfectly saturate his sword with that internal strength, he believed he could forge a style of swordsmanship that was truly peerless.
'The path forward before the conflict is now clear.'
Prior to the confrontation with Derus, he would need to harden his resolve even further and refine the technique of pouring his emotions into his steel.
'And, of course, increasing my base martial power is essential.'
Even with perfect emotional infusion, he wouldn't be able to stand against absolute entities on the front lines if his fundamental strength wasn't sufficient. Elevating his core martial prowess remained the top priority.
—Grrrr...
As he settled his thoughts, the sound of Wrath gnashing his teeth reached his ears.
—You despicable brat! You’ve claimed every single benefit for yourself!
The spirit ranted that even Greed himself wasn't this rapacious.
'What are you talking about? What did I take?'
Raon blinked, shifting his attention to Wrath.
—You've swallowed Lust's combat insights, the adoration of these mortals, and you've practically sucked the marrow from this king's bones!
Wrath scowled, grumbling that one would need to merge the sins of Greed and Gluttony just to match Raon’s level of desire.
'Well, when you frame it like that, I suppose it looks a certain way.'
Raon let out a soft laugh and gave a small nod.
'I didn't expect the harvest to be this plentiful either.'
Just as Wrath pointed out, Lust had provided a catalyst for his growth, he had secured the deep-seated loyalty of the Suphren Holy Kingdom, and he had even triggered a system notification. He couldn't suppress a smile at the results that had gone so far beyond his initial hopes.
'I wish every endeavor ended this successfully.'
—You absolute scoundrel!
'Once we return, I'll treat you to all the bead ice cream you can handle.'
Raon reached out and gave Wrath a comforting pat, silently acknowledging the help he'd provided.
—Nngh...
Lured by the promise of his favorite dessert, Wrath’s fury dissipated into a low, dissatisfied grumble.
'I'll make sure to follow through this time.'
Raon was observing Wrath’s pained expression with a light smirk when suddenly—
"Haaaa..."
The joy vanished from Holy King Hoppen’s face, replaced by a heavy, drawn-out sigh.
"Is something the matter?"
Raon asked, turning his focus toward the king.
"Because of you, Sir Raon, we suffered no loss of life, but I am overwhelmed by the task of repairing this destruction."
Hoppen gestured toward the wasteland of shattered earth and leveled structures left in the wake of the duel with Lust, his eyes squeezed shut in distress.
"There you go again with your endless worrying."
Saintess Olga knit her brows and delivered a sharp slap to Hoppen’s back.
"As you mentioned, everyone is alive! Stone and soil can be replaced!"
She struck his back again, urging him to find his courage since the things that truly mattered remained intact. Observing their dynamic, a stranger would have been hard-pressed to guess which one held the crown.
"I-I apologize. You're right, I should be more grateful."
Hoppen nodded, promising to look toward the future rather than the ruin.
'Hmm...'
Raon followed the king's gaze, taking in the wreckage of the northern district.
'The damage is extensive.'
He hadn't fully processed the environment while caught in his enlightenment, but it was now obvious that a massive portion of the city had been leveled. It was as if a vital artery of the capital had been severed.
'In truth, this burden falls on me and Wrath.'
Lust had been drawn here by Wrath’s lingering essence, and since the destruction occurred during their shared battle, it felt appropriate to take ownership of the aftermath.
"Actually, something feels quite strange."
Olga narrowed her eyes, looking toward the spot where Lust had vanished.
"That demon-like woman seemed almost joyful before she left. She acted like someone who feared nothing, but then her mood shifted to gloom, she offered an apology, and simply faded away. I can't make sense of it."
She shook her head, unable to reconcile Lust's erratic behavior.
"Ah..."
Raon felt a dryness in his throat as he met Olga’s inquisitive stare.
'I need to put an end to this line of thought.'
The scene hadn't been choreographed, and since Olga had witnessed his interaction with Lust firsthand, her intuition was picking up on the inconsistencies. He had to redirect her focus. With a heavy thud, he acted.
Raon pulled several heavy pouches of gold and solid bars from his dimensional storage, setting them down before the Saintess and the King. The sheer weight of the wealth caused the ground to tremble slightly.
"W-what is the meaning of this?"
Hoppen’s jaw dropped as he stared at the pile of shimmering gold.
"Why are you making such a display of your riches...?"
Olga’s mouth hung open, her confusion evident.
"Utilize these funds for the relief of the citizens and the reconstruction of the district."
Raon looked at them both, making it clear the gold was intended for the kingdom's recovery.
"What? We cannot possibly take this from you!"
"Indeed! Sir Raon, you are our savior. We simply cannot accept such a gift!"
Both Olga and Hoppen gestured frantically, refusing the offered fortune.
"I was responsible for a great deal of this damage. Furthermore, we are allies. I should contribute where I can."
Raon insisted, shaking his head and urging them to take the gold.
"If you truly view me as a benefactor, then please, accept this. And..."
He shifted his stance and signaled to Dorian, who was waiting behind him.
"Right here!"
Dorian leaped forward instantly, as if he had been coiled like a spring for this moment.
"If you have the supplies necessary for reconstruction, please bring them out."
"I have everything we need! It’s essential!"
Dorian shouted his favorite catchphrase as he began unloading materials from his belly pouch—stone to fill the craters, timber for buildings, and tools for the laborers. The scale of the delivery was staggering. In moments, a massive hill of construction supplies had risen before the group.
"T-this much?"
Olga blinked at Dorian, her expression one of pure disbelief.
"Even the best spatial storage should have a limit, but that is..."
Hoppen was equally stunned, never imagining that Dorian’s pouch could hold a literal warehouse of goods.
"With these resources, we truly could rebuild everything...?"
Raon himself took a sharp breath, surprised by the sheer volume Dorian had produced.
"When did you even acquire all of this?"
He thought he had become immune to Dorian’s eccentricities, but he had been wrong. He hadn't expected Dorian to be carrying enough material to construct a small town from the ground up.
"Because it’s essential!"
Dorian grinned widely, clearly pleased to have his preparation recognized.
"In any case, please take it all. As a member of the alliance, this is the least I can do."
Raon offered a gentle smile, suggesting they could settle the debt when their situation stabilized. Though he spoke of repayment, he had no intention of ever collecting.
"Incredible..."
"To simply hand over such a treasure."
"So this is the character of the Sword Emperor, Raon Zieghart..."
"Forget the gold—those construction materials are top-tier! The logistics alone are mind-blowing!"
"I never knew the Zieghart clan possessed such nobility..."
The surrounding Priests and Holy Knights whispered in awe, their respect for Raon reaching new heights.
"I am profoundly grateful."
Hoppen pressed his lips together, fighting back tears as he bowed.
"I will see this kindness returned. No!"
He bit his lip and took Raon’s hand in a firm grip.
"I pledge my own life and the future of this nation to repaying this debt!"
Hoppen’s vow was so intense that it left no room for doubt.
"Don't just use your words—give him a proper symbol!"
Olga gave the emotional King a swift kick from behind. Watching them, it was hard to tell if he was a sovereign or just a bullied younger sibling.
"He likely traveled this far seeking the support of the Zieghart heir anyway."
She mentioned the succession as if she had already read the situation perfectly.
"This is the official seal of the Suphren Holy Kingdom, entrusted to me."
Hoppen reached into his armor and pulled out a medallion depicting a figure in prayer, pressing it into Raon’s palm.
"Whatever hardship or danger you face, Sir Raon, Suphren will mobilize everything we have to stand by you!"
He gave a resolute nod, signaling that Raon could depend on them.
"We will be there without fail!"
"Do not hesitate to call upon us!"
"You have our support for the succession—honestly, for the head of the house!"
"If Sir Raon claims the sun rises in the west, we shall take it as gospel!"
The Holy Knights and Priests echoed Hoppen’s fervor, their eyes shining with unwavering loyalty.
'A second stroke of fortune.'
Raon met their intense gazes with a faint, knowing smile.
'The full backing of the Holy Kingdom. And it’s far more passionate than I expected.'
By defeating Lust and providing such massive financial and material aid, his reputation in Suphren had reached legendary status. Their alliance was now so solid that if he asked them to march against Derus this very moment, the entire kingdom would likely take up arms.
"Then, might I ask for a single commitment now?"
Raon stepped closer to the two leaders.
"Name it," Hoppen replied instantly.
Olga crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing as she waited for him to continue.
"As you are aware, a war against Derus Robert and Eden is looming in thirteen months. Will you stand on the front lines and fight beside us when that day comes?"
Raon held out his hand, inviting them to join the thick of the battle rather than staying in reserve. With a sharp thud, Hoppen seized Raon’s hand without a second thought.
"Without question! As I swore, Suphren will put everything on the line to fight at your side, Sir Raon!"
He struck his chest with his fist, a gesture of absolute trust.
"Hmph. Why do you even feel the need to ask?"
Olga snorted, acting as though the answer was too obvious to state.
"My thanks."
—Nnnghhh.
Raon smiled and bowed, while Wrath let out a sound like his heart was breaking.
—This realm is finished! Consumed by this avaricious demon!
Despite Wrath’s dramatic mourning, the faces of everyone present were bright with hope.
Raon arrived at the guest chambers within the palace, where Hoppen had personally escorted him, and collapsed onto the bed.
"Goodness..."
After a quick wash, the weight of the day finally hit him. His limbs felt like lead and his thoughts were becoming hazy; he wanted nothing more than to drift into sleep.
—Why are you acting like an old man when you're so young!
Wrath wrinkled his nose, clearly annoyed.
'I see your mood has improved.'
Raon let out a tired chuckle, noticing that Wrath’s eyes weren't quite as stormy as before. The lavish feast provided by the palace seemed to have smoothed over some of his irritation.
—Don't be absurd! This king's fury will only subside once I have frozen you into a solid block!
Wrath snarled, warning Raon not to let his guard down unless he wanted to wake up as an ice sculpture.
'Is that so? Well, since you're already annoyed, shall we look at it now?'
Raon smiled and lifted his hand.
—Look at what?
'The thing we didn't have time for earlier.'
—The... the reward from the system!
Wrath gasped, the realization hitting him as if he had completely forgotten.
'Exactly. Let's give it a proper look.'
Just as he was about to call up the notification that had been buried under Wrath’s shouting and the arrival of the Suphren leaders—
"Wrath!"
Suddenly, a cloud of pink mist swirled in the center of the room, and Lust’s face materialized. It appeared she had been lingering nearby, unable to stay away any longer.
—Keeeeeeeeek!
The moment he saw her, Wrath let out a high-pitched shriek and scrambled toward the far wall.
"It has only been a moment, but I missed you so!"
As Lust solidified her form and moved to embrace him... a wall of shimmering blue light blocked her path. From a rift in the air, Evelyn emerged, her violet hair flowing as she glared at the newcomer.
"How dare you."
She shook her head firmly, signaling that Lust was to go no further.
—Nnnggghhh...
Wrath’s jaw dropped, and he looked ready to melt into a puddle on the floor, overwhelmed by the arrival of two transcendental beings in quick succession.
"You again?"
Lust clicked her tongue, clearly displeased to find Evelyn standing in her way once more.
"The feeling is entirely mutual!"
Evelyn wrinkled her nose in disgust at the sight of Lust. Raon lowered the hand he had intended for the system message and sighed.
"I was planning on introducing you two eventually, so this is actually quite efficient."
He looked at both women, noting their timely appearance.
"So you did miss me after all!"
Lust’s face lit up with a brilliant smile.
"He didn't want you, he wanted me!"
Evelyn countered, telling Lust to stop delusional thinking.
"He wants me!"
"No, me!"
"Wrath won't even look at you!"
"It's not about Wrath, it's about Raon!"
The two powerful beings pressed their foreheads together, bickering with a level of maturity that was starkly at odds with their immense status.
"That is enough."
When Raon raised his voice, both Evelyn and Lust jumped back, instantly acting as if they hadn't been in the middle of a spat.
"Lust."
The demon king beamed, thrilled to be addressed first.
"Yes! Wrath!"
"You claimed you would do anything for me, correct?"
"Without a doubt!"
Lust nodded vigorously, eager for a command.
"Then, can you pass your authority over to Evelyn?"
Raon gestured toward the purple-haired woman.
"If you can transform your lust into a form of obsession, the transfer should be possible."
It seemed like a perfect fit, given that Evelyn’s capacity for obsession was nearly limitless.
"Hmm..."
Lust circled Evelyn, studying her with a predatory curiosity.
"I find her quite distasteful, but I will do it as a gift to you. However..."
She paused, looking Evelyn up and down before shaking her head.
"There is another trait within her that is just as powerful as her obsession, isn't there?"
"An emotion as strong as her obsession?"
Raon looked between the two of them, his curiosity piqued. He had assumed obsession was her defining characteristic, but apparently, there was something else of equal magnitude.
"Envy."
Lust smirked at Evelyn with a cold, knowing look.
"This woman is also consumed by extreme jealousy."
