[You have achieved an unbelievable feat!]
[You have saved a Transcendent Warrior from the brink of death.]
[You have cut down the life of a superior Transcendent Warrior.]
[All abilities increase by 50 points.]
[The trait has been created.]
Raon was first surprised by the fifty points, then his jaw dropped at the trait message that appeared below.
Blade of Death?
Seeing the word "death," it was clearly a trait gained because of Derus Robert.
— It allows for easier cutting through auras imbued with death.
After confirming the ability of the new trait, Raon rubbed his chin.
As expected. If was for defending against death aura, then is for attacking.
Since the death aura unleashed by Derus could even affect Glenn's Soul Sword, a trait that reduced its impact would become a great weapon.
—Ugh!
Wrath groaned, clutching his cotton candy–like hair that fluttered about.
—Oh, oh! Increasing by fifty points at once is too much! Have you forgotten about moderation?!
He frowned, shouting about how far they were going to keep giving. But the system, seemingly ignoring Wrath, immediately displayed new messages.
[The rank of trait has increased.]
[The rank of trait has increased.]
[The rank of trait has increased.]
[The rank of trait has increased.]
This time, it was a message about trait rank increases. Naturally, the achievements of traits that had influenced this battle went up.
—Yes, four of them? Show some restraint! Aren't these all the power of the King?!
Wrath screamed that traits and abilities were all made from his backbone.
—Phew, finally qui—
[A new title has been created.]
The system, as if it had been waiting, cut off Wrath's words and showed a new message.
—Aaaaargh!
Wrath finally couldn't hold back and started thrashing about while screaming.
Hm?
Raon covered his ears and examined the message closely.
Fate Changer?
The title's name was too heavy to just pass by, so he checked its contents.
But only the name was visible, and the ability of the title wasn't shown anywhere.
Wrath. This…
Raon turned his gaze to ask Wrath.
—Ahem…
Wrath coughed dryly while stroking his body with his short arms.
—It feels like all my ribs have been pulled out as this reward. It's like having my wallet, filled with money, snatched by my mom!
He sniffled, muttering that all the strength was leaving his body.
—I don't know what crime I committed to be sucked dry to the bone like this!
Wrath was even tearing up while flailing his arms.
Sigh.
Raon sighed and gestured to Wrath.
"I'll let you eat whatever you want when we get back. Just be quiet for now."
—Hmph!
Wrath wiped his tears clean as if he had never cried and shut his mouth tight. The more Raon saw him, the more he felt tired of him rather than growing fond.
"Raon."
As Raon was about to ask Wrath about the title, Runaan approached from behind. She held out a familiar-looking ice cream box.
—Oh! It's mint chocolate!
Wrath shouted, as if he could see inside the box.
"You brought this here?"
"I believed you wouldn't die."
Runaan said she had prepared it as a snack and bowed her head slightly.
"…Thank you."
He was more grateful that she believed he wouldn't die than for the snack itself. The ice cream box was cold, but his hands and chest felt warm, as though he were standing in front of a fireplace.
—Indeed, only the ice cream girl understands this king!
Wrath drooled while patting Runaan's head.
—What are you doing! Hurry up and open the lid and eat the ice cream!
Wait a bit.
Pushing away Wrath tugging at his sleeve, Raon opened the ice cream box. Under the white mist, four bead ice creams revealed their elegant form.
Hmm…
Raon put a mint chocolate bead in his mouth while receiving Runaan's expectant gaze. He had gotten somewhat used to the taste now, but he still didn't quite understand why people ate this.
—Keuuuu!
Wrath threw his head back, shaking his clenched fist.
—This is what I live for! If it weren't for mint chocolate, this king would have died long ago!
He praised mint chocolate with tears in his eyes. It was a shame he couldn't show that grotesque reaction to Runaan.
"Heh…"
Runaan slowly opened her mouth as if she wanted to eat the ice cream.
"You eat too."
Raon chuckled and gave Runaan some ice cream.
"Thank you."
Runaan thanked him for the ice cream she had given and put it in her mouth. Her cheeks turned red, as though it was the taste she had expected.
"Flumen. You try it too."
Raon passed the mint chocolate to Flumen, who had his face poking out above the river.
"Okay!"
Flumen put the bead ice cream in his mouth without hesitation, but immediately spat it out.
"Poison! It's poison! It's stinging in my mouth!"
He jumped around on the river surface, rubbing his tongue with his palm.
—What a waste!
Wrath fluttered his hands, telling him to pick it up and eat it right away.
"You know taste."
Raon ignored Wrath and grinned at Flumen.
"You really are my friend."
—Tasteless fools!
The journey back to Zieghart's castle was filled with laughter and relief. The Light Wind squad walked alongside Raon, pride and admiration in their eyes. Sylvia awaited them at the castle gates, tears streaming as she embraced her son tightly. The warmth of family and comradeship wrapped around him like a shield, easing the weight of the battle.
Soon after, Raon was summoned to the audience chamber.
Glenn sat upon his throne, his aura vast and unshakable as always. Aries stood at his side, her sharp eyes fixed on Raon.
"You've done it," Glenn said, his voice low but filled with restrained emotion.
Aries stepped forward. "Killing Derus Robert was no ordinary feat. You've changed the course of Zieghart—and perhaps even the continent."
Her gaze bore into him, as if to measure the depth of his resolve.
Raon bowed respectfully. "It was not only me. Everyone's strength made it possible."
Glenn's lips curved faintly—just enough to be called a smile. "Humility is good, but do not hide your achievement. Zieghart stands taller today because of you."
The chamber was silent for a long moment, only the weight of Glenn's words filling the air.
Aries finally broke it, her tone softer. "Remember this, Raon Zieghart. From this day forth, you are no longer just a warrior. You are a changer of fate."
Her words echoed, intertwining with the system's hidden title—.
Raon clenched his fists at his sides, his heart steady. He didn't know yet what fate he had changed or what burdens awaited him, but he knew one thing:
He would never walk the same path as Derus Robert.
Thus, the curtains closed on Derus's shadow. Yet, somewhere deep in Raon's soul, the new title glimmered faintly—like a star that had only just begun to burn