## Chapter 1274
"I require your participation in the upcoming conflict against the angels."
Raon placed heavy emphasis on the word angels as his gaze locked onto Pride, the Monarch of Pride.
"Hmm...?"
Pride’s brow furrowed, his expression shifting as if he were processing a condition that had never even crossed his mind.
—Eh...?
Wrath was equally stunned, his eyes stretching wide in disbelief.
—This King truly believed you were going to claim the Authority of Pride?
The small being tilted his head, completely thrown off by this turn of events.
'That is certainly a priority,' Raon thought, clicking his tongue internally. 'But this takes precedence. Based on what you’ve told me, Pride operates without fixed allies or enemies.'
Wrath had previously been adamant that Pride would never join the struggle against the celestial beings. He had explained that Pride existed solely for his own sake, recognizing no side but his own, making his movements entirely unpredictable.
'It would be catastrophic if that lunatic sided with the angels.'
In terms of raw combat power, Pride was a match for Wrath at the height of his restoration. He likely possessed a level of martial transcendence that even legends like Glenn or the Heavenly Demon could not definitively overcome. If a monster of that caliber fought alongside the angels, the resulting carnage would be unthinkable. Raon had to ensure he was removed from the enemy's board.
'Furthermore, there are other paths to obtaining the Authority of Pride.'
After observing Pride, Raon felt confident he could manipulate the monarch in future encounters. It wasn't that he didn't desire the power, but the strategic necessity of the war was more pressing.
—Valid point...
Wrath nodded, slowly coming around to Raon's logic.
—Even with the demise of Derus Robert, those angels aren't the type to simply retreat and vanish.
The King of Essence clicked his tongue, acknowledging that the celestial forces would likely continue their campaign independently.
—Still, there is one detail you are overlooking.
Just as Wrath raised a chubby hand to explain, Pride spoke up.
"Is that truly the demand <Wrath> has put forward?"
Pride shook his head, clearly struggling to reconcile the condition with his understanding of his peer.
"It is."
Raon maintained a posture of absolute confidence, standing tall even under the bewildered stares of both Pride and Wrath.
"He demands that you join the front lines against the angels."
He invoked Wrath’s name without a flicker of hesitation, nodding with feigned gravity.
—Ah...
Wrath let out a weary, soul-crushing sigh.
—I am losing my mind. I need to end this brat, but there is no way to do it! Oh, heavens!
Though he was a monarch of the depths, the small king reached his arms toward the sky in a dramatic lament.
"Khahahahahaha!"
Pride swept his vibrant red hair back, his laughter echoing with a manic edge.
"That insufferable <Wrath> actually desires my presence!"
He slammed a foot down, looking intensely gratified that Wrath supposedly craved his strength on the battlefield.
—Grrrrr...
In contrast to Pride’s delight, Wrath’s face flushed a deep, angry crimson.
—Because of this delusional fool, my dignity is in tatles!
The sound of Wrath grinding his teeth was audible; he could tolerate many things, but Pride’s smug satisfaction was almost more than he could bear.
"It is genuinely moving that <Wrath> seeks my aid, but I cannot fulfill that particular request."
Pride shook his head, though a wide, lingering grin remained on his face.
"And why is that?"
Raon inquired, his voice measured and slow.
"Precisely what I said. I have a prior engagement I must honor; therefore, I cannot comply with <Wrath>’s wish."
Pride gestured with his massive, corded arms, acting as though his hands were tied by fate.
"Which means..."
Raon’s eyes turned into sharp slits as he studied the monarch.
"Should the white-winged doves launch an assault on this Continent, I shall be standing firmly behind them."
He gave a sharp thumbs-up toward himself, declaring with perverse pride that he intended to fight for the angelic side.
"Why?"
Raon exhaled a heavy, frustrated breath.
"Why would the Monarch of Pride, a sovereign of the Devildom, choose to stand with the angels?"
It defied logic. A being like Pride, who could likely slaughter angels by the dozen and barely break a sweat, choosing to support them was nonsensical.
"Because I have given my word in my own name. I swore that when a war encompassing the continent began, I would oppose humanity."
Pride laughed heartily, stating that his vow as a Monarch was sacrosanct.
"Besides, that side of the fence looks far more entertaining."
His eyes burned with a feverish intensity, clearly relishing the prospect of clashing with Wrath.
"Is this because of the Heavenly Demon?"
Raon rubbed his temples, feeling a headache brewing.
'That bastard likely wants to witness the same outcome the Heavenly Demon is chasing.'
The Heavenly Demon sought to topple Glenn and realize the ambition of Eden—the resurrection of the Dragon of Destruction. Pride seemed intent on opposing humans simply to align with the Heavenly Demon, who functioned as a sort of kindred spirit or alter ego.
"That is part of it. But as I mentioned, it comes down to a prior vow."
Pride traced a circular motion in the air with his finger, pointing toward the sky. His desires were becoming transparent.
"Furthermore, there is one more factor."
The corners of Pride’s mouth curled into a chilling sneer.
"I cannot labor alongside <Wrath>. It is fundamentally impossible."
Pride shook his head with absolute finality, asserting he would sooner die than share a side with Wrath. As he spoke, he glanced at the Death Sword Spirit behind him, suggesting she was a significant part of his reasoning.
—He speaks the truth.
Wrath clicked his tongue.
—As I told you, he and I are like oil and water. We are incapable of mingling!
The king snorted, pointing out that even their elemental colors suggested they were polar opposites.
"Even if you were to strike me down here, I will not accept that term."
Pride threw his arms wide, exposing his chest as if daring Raon to kill him—a gesture perfectly in line with his namesake.
"Understood."
Raon gave a solemn nod.
"It cannot be helped."
He had hoped to pull Pride into their ranks, but he hadn't anticipated such a rigid prior commitment. It was a setback, but he knew when to pivot.
'Still, I won't let him off the hook entirely.'
Pride had claimed he would honor a bet, only to backtrack because of a previous promise. By any standard of negotiation, Raon was now owed more.
"Pride. You..."
Raon fixed the monarch with a look of pure derision.
"The title of Monarch of Pride is far too grand for someone like you."
He shook his head slowly, projecting an air of deep disappointment.
"What did you say...?"
One of Pride’s eyebrows shot up.
"Am I wrong?"
Raon’s sneer deepened as he pressed the attack.
"Proclaiming you would grant any wish before the bet was settled, only to hide behind excuses and offer your life instead of your word... it's the behavior of a petulant child."
His tone was thick with mocking arrogance.
"You only act this way because you know <Wrath> would never end you in such a pathetic manner."
Raon didn't let up, tauntingly wagging a finger at the demon king.
"Hmm..."
Pride was momentarily speechless, his lips pulled tight in a silent snarl of fury.
"If you have a defense, let's hear it."
Raon held out a hand, inviting the monarch to justify himself.
"Fine!"
Pride gnashed his teeth in thought before snapping his head up.
"It is true that I have acted in a manner beneath the dignity of my station. However, breaking a prior vow is equally beneath me. Therefore..."
He raised both hands, having navigated his way to a compromise.
"I shall amend our agreement. I will fulfill two of your desires!"
Pride nodded firmly; since he couldn't grant the first request, he would pay double for the inconvenience.
"You break your word and only offer two?"
Raon let out a sharp, cold laugh.
"I didn't realize Pride was such a miser."
He flicked his finger, signaling that two promises were insufficient compensation.
"Your insults will not move me further."
Pride shook his head, drawing a line in the sand.
"I do not waver once my mind is set. The first vow came first, so your initial request is denied. I will grant two others."
He crossed his arms with restored confidence, feeling justified because both promises were made in the name of Pride.
'This is the limit, then.'
Raon curled his fingers into a fist, his expression softening slightly.
'I wanted to push for more.'
Given Pride’s terrifying strength, securing three favors would have been ideal, but he sensed that two was the absolute ceiling for this negotiation.
—Hah...
Wrath blinked, looking genuinely stunned.
—Wait, you are actually haggling in a moment like this? Your mind is truly a terrifying place!
Wrath shivered, his skin crawling at Raon's sheer audacity.
"Very well."
Raon tilted his chin up, conceding the point.
"I shall relay <Wrath>’s will once more. The first command he dictates is for you to transfer your authority to me. He wishes to see if the Monarch of Pride still carries any true weight."
Utterly ignoring Wrath’s actual protests, Raon delivered the "instruction" with an air of supreme arrogance.
—Ahh...
Wrath looked like he was on the verge of a total breakdown, foam practically appearing at the corners of his mouth.
"Hmph! As you wish!"
Pride’s lips twisted into a smirk as he extended fingers that resembled the gnarled roots of some ancient, cosmic tree. Crimson fire roared from his hand, coiling violently around Raon's wrist.
Kuwaaaaaa!
Raon stared directly into the intense heat, his eyes narrowing as the flames licked at his skin.
'The power is staggering.'
Despite the insults Raon had hurled, Pride was transferring a massive amount of authority with startling nonchalance. Raon was secretly impressed by the monarch's sheer scale of power.
Hwaaaaaaa!
The Authority of Pride manifested as blood-red thorns, weaving themselves into a bracelet around his wrist. Unlike the other monarchs who usually bestowed their power in the form of floral patterns, Pride had created something far more martial.
"Flowers are for that vain pretty boy. A true combatant wears chains!"
Pride nodded, looking quite satisfied with the thorny cuff he had branded onto Raon.
—Hmph! A common laborer with no taste!
Wrath snorted, clearly offended by Pride's lack of aesthetic refinement.
"Hmm..."
Raon’s jaw tightened slightly as he inspected the crimson bracelet.
'This is far more than I anticipated.'
He knew Pride was a heavy hitter, and even with the mockery, he expected a decent share of power. But this was on another level entirely.
'It almost equals what I hold of <Wrath>.'
The amount of Authority Pride had yielded surpassed the <Sloth> he had received long ago; it was nearly equal to the full extent of the <Wrath> he had earned through his long struggle with the King of Essence. He had expected a lot, but this volume of power left him inwardly breathless.
'Once this force is fully realized...'
He could sense something new on the horizon. Though the Authority of Pride was currently dormant, he felt a certain conviction that when it eventually bloomed—like his other powers—it would manifest as something truly extraordinary.
"Is that sufficient for you?"
Pride asked, his chin tilted back with renewed ego.
"It is. You have managed to uphold your reputation."
Raon nodded, acknowledging his satisfaction.
"Then name your second requirement."
"Allow me one question first."
Raon looked at Pride, his head slightly tilted.
"If I provide his instructions, will you truly obey anything?"
"Indeed. Provided it does not clash with the vows I have already sworn."
Pride clicked his tongue, signaling his readiness to be done with this.
"Now, quit stalling and state the second command."
"The second instruction..."
While Pride called them requests, Raon insisted on calling them instructions—neither man willing to yield an inch of their ego.
"I shall reserve for a later date."
Raon decided to bank the second favor, his fingers tightening.
'If I play this correctly, I might be able to neutralize him.'
If Pride entered the war, the Five Kings would suffer catastrophic losses. Sidelining him was more important than any other objective, and Raon suspected the second request might provide the leverage needed to achieve that.
"Hmph!"
Pride dismissed the delay with a wave of his hand.
"Then we are finished here, are we not?"
He turned his back, preparing to depart.
"Not quite."
Raon shook his head and raised his hand to stop him.
"There is one final matter."
He gestured toward the Death Sword Spirit standing behind Pride.
"That woman’s life belongs to my blade."
Since they had engaged in a duel where their lives were the stakes, Raon insisted on seeing the matter through to its conclusion, his hand moving toward Heavenly Drive.
"I understand."
The Death Sword Spirit bit her lip, standing tall and bracing herself for the end.
"You dare..."
Pride’s presence exploded once more, his aura becoming as suffocating as it was when he first arrived. This was a point he clearly wasn't willing to concede.
"If that displeases you..."
Raon shot a quick look at Burren, who was struggling to stay conscious, and a cold smile touched his lips.
"Then you will have to part with a bit more of your pride."
