Raon led Merlin, who was clinging to him like a homing spell,
to the middle of North Grave Mountain.
"Raon! I missed you!"
As soon as Raon stopped and turned around, Merlin rushed
at him with arms wide open. She seemed oblivious to the
possibility of being seen by others or the fact that she was
in the form of a fire bear.
-Grrrr...
Wrath sank into a frothing rage once again in just a day. He
couldn't understand why the so-called Monarch of Wrath
had such a weak constitution.
"I'm glad to see you too, but..."
Raon twisted his shoulders to avoid Merlin's hug and waved
both hands.
"Why did you have to come as a bear of all things!"
Instead of possessing small animals as usual, Merlin had
come in the form of a large fire bear. Raon couldn't
understand why she was trying to stand out more while
supposedly hiding her identity as someone from Eden.
'Mother must have known for sure.'
With Sylvia's current martial prowess, she must have sensed
Merlin's presence. However, since there was no killing
intent, she probably thought it was just a large beast
coming to drink from the lake.
"Isn't it cute?"
Merlin hopped around like a rabbit, insisting that the fire
bear was cute.
"Cu...te?"
-Gulp, squawk, ack...
The ground shook from the fire bear's weight, causing the
fallen Wrath to bounce up and down. Raon couldn't fathom
what could be considered cute about this situation.
"I guess we have different tastes. But it's okay, Raon. I
understand."
Merlin smiled as she gently stroked the fire bear's body.
Raon was honestly dumbfounded, thinking about how this
stunning beauty with her striking purple hair and violet eyes
was behaving in such a manner.
"Be careful from now on. If other people spot you, you might
end up being hunted."
Raon sighed and leaned his back against a rock.
"Okay!"
Merlin nodded quickly. As always, Raon thought, she was
good at giving simple responses.
"So, what brings you here today?"
Raon asked, looking at the fire bear Merlin who was sitting
like a human.
"Why else? I came because I wanted to see you!"
Merlin brought her face close, as if wondering why Raon
would ask such an obvious question. She still seemed
unaware that her face was that of a fire bear.
"Of course, I also have something to tell you."
She backed away slightly and smiled softly.
"Something to tell me?"
"As I mentioned before, I've been tracking the movements
of the Five Demons."
Merlin fanned herself with her hand, saying she had been
quite busy.
"That's right."
Raon nodded. After the war, he had asked Merlin to come
here, but she had refused, saying she would track the Five
Demons' movements.
"Were there any dangerous situations?"
"Ah..."
Merlin let out a groan instead of answering.
"It feels so good to receive your concerned gaze after so
long. I love it. Really love it."
She shivered in apparent ecstasy.
"Ugh..."
"But there's no need to worry. I always asked animals for
help."
Merlin shook her head, saying she had hidden her real body
in a safe place.
"Is it really safe? You were attacked by that skeleton guy
when you let your guard down, remember?"
"This time it's really okay. No one will know."
She smiled, assuring him it was certain.
"Ah, but I can tell you. Right now, I'm..."
Merlin approached, twisting her body. She still looked like a
bear, seemingly pondering which direction to swing her
front paws.
"Never mind."
Raon pushed Merlin away, shaking his head.
"What did you want to tell me?"
"Of course, it's about the Five Demons."
Merlin raised a finger with a faint smile.
"Those guys are hiding and building up their strength."
"How?"
"The leaders of the Five Demons are recovering from the
soul wounds inflicted by your grandfather while preparing
countermeasures, and their underlings are scattered across
the continent, building up their martial prowess."
She frowned, saying that the entire Five Demons
organization was moving in the shadows.
"As expected."
Raon nodded calmly. It seemed that the Five Demons were
scattered across the continent, increasing their overall
strength, much like how the Holy Sword Alliance and BlackTower were making deals.
"However, I have even more important information."
Merlin exhaled softly as she looked at Raon.
"Important information?"
"The leader of the Holy Sword Alliance has changed."
"To whom?"
Raon asked without surprise. He had thought the previous
Leader of the Holy Sword Alliance was dead, having been
the first to face Glenn's Soul Sword and his broken sword
had been found.
"Sword Demon Rector."
Merlin mentioned Rector's name without the slightest
hesitation.
"Re-Rector? Are you sure?"
"Yes. I even saw him participating in a Five Demons
conference as the Alliance leader."
She nodded gravely, affirming her certainty.
"Hmm..."
Raon picked up a fallen leaf from the ground, chewing his
lip.
'To think that Rector has become the Leader of the Holy
Sword Alliance...'
Honestly, Raon still couldn't think of Rector as an enemy.
Even if there had been orders from the previous Leader of
the Holy Sword Alliance to obtain Raon's talent, Rector's
actions had been strange in many ways.
'I thought he might come back to us.'
Raon had hoped that after the death of the previous Leader
of the Holy Sword Alliance, Rector might return to their side
once he was free. But now that he had become the Leader
himself, it seemed he truly was an enemy. A part of Raon's
heart ached, remembering how he had felt a grandfatherly
affection for Rector during his training.
"However..."
Merlin raised her hand, indicating she had more to say.
"The Sword Demon is acting a bit strange."
"Strange how...?"
"While he's still with the Five Demons, it seems like he's
targeting them. It feels a bit like me when I was still in
Eden."
She narrowed her eyes, saying it felt like looking in a mirror.
"How did you figure that out?"
Raon swallowed dryly and leaned towards Merlin.
"I've seen his disciple gathering information about the Five
Demons rather than the Five Kings multiple times."
Merlin shook her head, saying it wasn't typical behavior.
"Of course, this part is based largely on my intuition. Don't
take it all as fact."
She lowered her chin, saying there was a high chance she
could be wrong.
"Your intuition tends to be good, though."
Merlin had always shown up when he was in danger. If it
was her intuition, Raon felt he could trust it.
'Of course, I shouldn't be too certain.'
The idea that Rector might be different from the Five
Demons was just a prediction without evidence. For now, it
seemed best to leave it as a possibility that he might not be
an enemy.
"Thank you."
Raon bowed his head to Merlin.
"Thanks to you, I've gained some valuable information."
"So what will you do for me in return?"
Merlin wiggled her fingers as if she had something in mind.
However, being in the form of a bear, it looked more like she
was contemplating how to devour a human.
"Sh-Should I treat you to a meal?"
-Food!
However, it wasn't Merlin who reacted to the mention of
food, but Wrath, who had been unconscious. The cotton
candy-like being with a millet-sized liver spun his hands
around, wondering what kind of meal they would eat.
"A meal, and drinks too."
Merlin smiled, saying she'd like to have a drink after such a
long time.
"Alright. Then when..."
"After I gather a bit more information."
She shook her head with a serious look in her eyes.
"I haven't pinpointed the Heavenly Demon's location yet."
Merlin had said she would find the Heavenly Demon's
location before leaving, but it seemed she hadn't succeeded
yet.
"The Heavenly Demon..."
Raon chewed his lip slightly.
'Does it really exist?'
The name of the Heavenly Demon was widely known, but
very few had ever seen it. Its martial prowess was said to
reach the heavens, making it feel like listening to a legend
that might not even exist.
"But we'll be able to see it soon."
Merlin tilted her head, saying she'd make Raon pay a lot
later, so he should look forward to it.
"Don't worry, I have plenty of money."
"Money, huh..."
She smiled mysteriously, as if thinking of something.
"See you next time then."
Merlin waved her hand as if about to leave.
"Ah, before that, this child..."
Raon swallowed hard. Given that it was a fire bear, he
suspected the request would be sizeable.
"It says it wants to swim in honey. And catch a few live
salmon too."
"W-Wait! Where am I supposed to find enough honey for
that bear to swim in? And how am I supposed to get live
salmon..."
"Bye!"
She left after saying she was counting on him.
"Grrrr!"
The fire bear stretched out its large paw as if asking Raon to
hurry up and bring honey to swim in right away.-I too! I too want to eat honey-glazed salmon!
As soon as Merlin disappeared, Wrath began flopping
around like a salmon, seemingly energized.
"...I wonder if Dorian has any."
The only thing he could rely on now was his wallet. No, it
was Dorian.
-Honey! Salmon!
"Grrrr! Grrrr!"
"Ugh..."
Raon squeezed his eyes shut as he listened to the cries of
Wrath and the bear.
'Why are there only these kinds of guys around me...'
-Because you're the weirdest of all!
***
"Of course I have it! It's an essential item!"
Dorian, summoned from the Light Wind division dormitory,
opened his pouch without hesitation and pulled out dozens
of honey jars and freshly caught salmon.
"Grrrr!"
Thanks to this, the fire bear had a feast in a small pool
made of honey.
-Hah!
Wrath also let out an exclamation while rubbing both cheeks
after eating honey-glazed salmon.
-This is a delicacy! I thought it would be too rich, but the
sticky sweetness of the honey perfectly complements the
flavor of the salmon!
He grinned, saying he never knew such food could be made.
"This is pretty good!"
Dorian also said it was better than he expected and
muttered about adding it to his list of essential items. Raon
satisfied the fire bear and Wrath until late at night before
coming down from North Grave Mountain.
"Thanks, Dorian."
Raon patted Dorian's shoulder.
"You saved me."
"Ah, it's nothing."
Dorian waved his hand, saying it was fine.
"But..."
"Hm?"
"We're out of honey and salmon, so is it okay if I buy some
more?"
He showed no interest in the situation of having to make a
honey pool for a bear, and was only thinking about
restocking his depleted essential items.
"Use my money."
Raon nodded immediately.
"Take this chance to restock all the used items."
"Ah, understood!"
He ran off towards the market area with a flushed face.
-In my view, that guy's a pervert too...
Wrath clicked his tongue, saying Dorian was the kind of
pervert who enjoyed stocking and taking out items.
"Maybe so."
Raon chuckled as he walked towards the back of the annex
building. Despite the late hour, the lights were on in the
kitchen. When he opened the door and entered, Sylvia and
Helen stood up as if they had been waiting for him.
"Why aren't you sleeping yet..."
"How could I sleep when my son hasn't come home!"
Sylvia frowned, saying he was too late.
"Madam has been waiting, constantly reheating the food."
Helen smiled, pointing to the food laid out on the table.
-To think they prepared all this for me...
Wrath salivated at the sight of the steaming dishes.
-There's really no one like a mother!
He clasped his hands together, seemingly deeply moved.
'It's not for you, you know.'
Raon pushed Wrath aside and sat down in front of Sylvia.
"We could have eaten tomorrow..."
"I heard you lost to Karoon. I was waiting to comfort you."
Sylvia smiled softly, saying she had heard everything fromYua.
"I'm fine, really."
Raon shook his head calmly. Karoon had already surpassed
the initial stages of transcendence and had used his full
power. Although he lost, Raon felt neither shame nor shock.
"That's good then."
Sylvia waved her hand, looking relieved.
"Eat now. I don't want to reheat it again."
She brought a fork, knife, and spoon, urging him to start
eating.-Meat, fish, pizza, stew, and salmon! More salmon! Quick,
pick up the fork! It's war!
Wrath, despite having gorged on salmon earlier, drooled as
he issued commands.
'Alright, alright.'
Raon smiled slightly as he put Sylvia and Helen's cooking in
his mouth.
-Oh! It tastes as if it was just made!
'That's because it was just made.'
-What?
'It wasn't reheated.'
Contrary to Helen's words, these dishes were freshly made.
It seemed they had been continuously cooking until he
arrived.
-Sniff...
Wrath's eyes reddened with emotion.
-So this is what devotion means! A mother's devotion!
'...'
Raon wondered if that sniffling cotton candy was really a
demon king. He wanted to test its character, or rather, its
demonic nature. However, as Wrath said, perhaps due to
the care put into it, the food tasted even better than usual
despite his full stomach.
"Why are you so late? I almost went out looking for you."
Sylvia lowered her eyebrows, saying she was about to go to
Hollam herself. It seemed she hadn't heard about the
mission due to the news of his match with Karoon.
"The operation was delayed because the executives from
the Black Tower and Holy Sword Alliance arrived late."
Raon explained the reason for his delay while chewing on
meat.
"What kind of operation was it?"
"I'd like to hear about it too."
Sylvia clapped her hands lightly, saying she wanted to hear
everything. Helen also smiled faintly, looking curious.
"Nothing major happened..."
He recounted the events while eating his late dinner.
"Three Grandmasters..."
Helen couldn't close her mouth, seemingly amazed that he
had captured three Grandmasters alone.
"How was the swordsmanship of the Greedy Demon and the
White Demon Swordsman?"
Sylvia, on the other hand, focused on the swordsmanship. It
was a change that had occurred after she developed an
energy center.
"The Greedy Demon's swordsmanship was practical. It was a
strong sword style using a greatsword, sharpened enough to
split my Astral Ring. On the other hand, the White Demon
Swordsman's technique contained extreme variations,
reminiscent of Sword Control. The sword moved freely..."
Raon explained the swordsmanship of the Greedy Demon
and the White Demon Swordsman while observing Sylvia's
sparkling eyes.
"To think such swordsmanship exists, the world truly is
vast."
Sylvia nodded emphatically, as if in admiration.
"..."
Raon narrowed his eyes as he watched the seemingly
excited Sylvia.
'Does she want to leave the family estate?'
Despite her increased martial prowess, she hadn't been in
actual combat for a while, and it seemed her body was
itching for action.
"Mother, are you thinking of taking on missions too?"
Given Sylvia's martial prowess, it wouldn't be strange for
her to take on individual missions, so Raon asked with some
trepidation.
"No."
However, contrary to expectations, Sylvia shook her head
firmly.
"I told you before. I received this energy center to protect
the annex building."
She smiled, rubbing her lower abdomen where the artificial
energy center was settled.
"I'm not particularly interested in missions."
"I see..."
Raon let out a small sigh as he looked into Sylvia's eyes,
which held both firm resolve and a hint of sadness.
'Is it because she lost Father and Older Sister?'
Perhaps it was because her father and sister were attacked
by Eden's Twin-Headed Demon. Sylvia cherished the people
of the annex building even more than herself. While going
on occasional missions might be fine, it seemed she had no
intention of leaving the annex unless absolutely necessary.
"Still, I'm very interested in getting stronger. Because I need
to protect you."
"Me too?"
"Of course."
Sylvia smiled as she touched Raon's cheek.
"You're also a member of the annex family."
She shook her head as if to say, "Aren't you?".
"Young Master is the young master of the annex before
being the Light Wind Division Leader!"
Helen also snorted, telling him to remember that well.
"Ah."
Raon looked at Sylvia and Helen's warm gazes and the
steaming dishes in turn, then lowered his head and smiled.
"You're right. I'll remember that well."
-Me too!
Wrath shouted, raising his head.
-I am also in the family of the annex!
'No. You're from Devildom...'
-I don't care!
***
After finishing his meal, Raon returned to his room.
-Urgh!
Wrath let out a small burp, his lips dripping with oil.
-All of today's dishes were outstanding!
He chuckled, saying all the salmon was great. Raon couldn't
understand why he was called Wrath when he seemed
content as long as his appetite was satisfied.
'I'm tired.'
Raon sighed deeply and leaned back on his bed. His body
felt heavy, perhaps because the tension had finally
released.
-You've used up all your strength, so it's understandable. You
also met the crazy woman.
Wrath rolled his eyes quickly, saying he was still shaking
from encountering the crazy woman.
'Right. That happened too.'
Raon chuckled and nodded. Honestly, the talking bear
running towards him was more startling than his match with
Karoon. His heart still seemed to be racing.
'Salmon hunting in a honey pool, of all things.'
He let out a wry laugh, remembering how he and Dorian had
fed salmon to the bear. Thunk. Raon narrowed his eyes as
he looked at the Heavenly Drive sword touching the carpet.
'Transcendence, huh...'
Karoon seemed to have transformed his self-achieved
changes, regrets about the past, and even childhood goals
into martial prowess. The realm of transcendence appeared
to value the accumulated experiences, emotions, and life
lived more than any other stage he had encountered so far.
-You haven't even reached the peak of that realm yet, have
you?
Wrath snorted.
-Don't be hasty, advance steadily.
'I'm not being hasty. I just want to find the path first.'
Regardless of his current level, he wanted to create a clue
for reaching transcendence.
'What could it be?'
Revenge, wrath, Ten Thousand Swords, family, comrades.
Many things came to mind, but he couldn't pick just one.
Sigh. As Raon was lost in thought, staring at the ceiling, he
sensed a slight presence near the window.
'Who's there... Gasp!'
As he turned his gaze while lying down, Glenn's face
appeared at the window.
"Head of House?"
Glenn silently beckoned with his hand, as if telling Raon to
come out