Raon turned his gaze to where he felt the demonic energy. The central avenue, where the most people and carriages passed, was visible.
'It's gone.'
In that brief moment of moving his eyes, the demonic energy vanished as if it had never existed.
Thwoop!
He gently pushed off the snow-white ground with his left foot. Moving to the central avenue where the demonic energy had shifted, he spread out his Aura Perception.
'Where could it be?'
His Aura Perception, riding on the wind of the Gale Wind Style, spread out in all directions, but he couldn't sense a trace of demonic energy anywhere. It had vanished completely.
He tried to visually locate the being that had emitted the demonic energy, but no one was acting suspiciously.
"W-What's going on?"
"Who is that person?"
"Zieghart?"
"He was with the prince just a moment ago..." (E/N: the prince...?)
Instead, people's gazes were drawn to him, who had appeared as if springing from the ground.
"D-Division Leader. What's the matter?"
Burren approached with a tense expression, placing his hand on his sword hilt.
"Has an enemy appeared?"
"Enemy? Where would there be an enemy here?"
Martha frowned, saying it was nonsense.
"It's not an enemy."
Runaan calmly shook her head.
"The Division Leader just wanted to eat ice cream quickly."
She licked her lips, saying she felt the same way.
"...That's not it."
Raon shook his head and examined the eyes of the three squad leaders. It seemed none of them had sensed anything.
'Then...'
Just in case, he looked at Rimmer. But he too was blinking blankly as if wondering what was going on.
'Even the Vice Leader didn't notice.'
Rimmer, being an Elf, has keener senses than other martial artists of the same level. The fact that even he couldn't sense the demonic energy made me think I might be the odd one out.
No, setting that aside, this is a Holy Kingdom. It was extremely strange that only I sensed demonic energy in a place teeming with priests and holy officials.
'The reason for that is obviously...'
It must be because of Wrath.
Wrath is a king of Devildom. Having spent almost a lifetime with such a being, I might have become sensitive to demonic energy.
'Come to think of it...'
I recalled Wrath's sudden strange reaction when we were looking at the Suphren Holy Kingdom from the outside earlier.
This cotton candy must have known everything from the start.
'You knew everything, didn't you?'
-What do you mean?
Wrath tilted his head slightly, feigning ignorance.
'That there's someone with demonic energy in this kingdom.'
-I am the demon king who rules over demonic energy, so of course I would know.
He nodded, easily admitting it.
'Who is it?'
-Why do you think I would tell you?
Wrath shook his head with a cold gaze.
'What?'
-You seem to have forgotten, but I am the king of Devildom and the Monarch of Wrath. Even if they're not my subordinates, I won't betray my fellow demons.
He twisted his lips, telling me not to think of him as human.
"Hmm..."
Wrath was right. This was different from the Flame Demon General incident. Wrath is a Demon King. It would be ridiculous for him to betray demons.
I thought about threatening him with bead ice cream, but I couldn't bring it up since I had promised to eat whatever he wanted for a while.
Besides, pressuring him with food would be too ugly a move on my part.
'Where could it be?'
There are currently two groups that can use demonic energy.
The first is the Black Tower, which has connections to Devildom, and the second is the Demon Worship Society that worships demons. I'm not sure which of the two it is.
However, the demonic energy I felt earlier seemed to be of a slightly higher purity than that of the demonized humans from the Black Tower.
-Hmm, I'll tell you one thing though...
Wrath seemed to think he was being too cold and moved his lips again.
-As you saw when you entered, holy power swirls around this kingdom's walls. Weak demons can't enter, and if a strong one broke through, it would have caused a war.
'So what does that mean?'
-Your head is empty. The fact that there's no trace on those walls means the demon didn't force its way in...
'It took a human's hand?'
Raon realized the meaning behind Wrath's words and answered first.
-That's right. It means a demon and a human made a contract by mutual agreement.
Wrath nodded in affirmation.
-Unless it's a monarch like me, demons can't force a contract. They need the consent of the other party. In other words, the owner of the demonic energy you sensed must have willingly accepted a demon.
He wagged his finger, telling Raon not to ruin the contract between a human and a demon for no reason.
'The walls and an agreement, huh...'
As I pondered Wrath's words, a small hint of an answer seemed to surface.
"Lord Raon. Is there something bothering you...?"
As I was organizing my thoughts, Hoppen approached. His fingertips trembled slightly, as if worried.
"I thought I saw someone I knew."
Raon smiled faintly at Hoppen.
"Then we can send people to..."
"No need. I was mistaken."
He waved his hand, saying it was someone else.
"I apologize for the confusion."
Raon slightly bowed his head, apologizing.
"No, it's fine!"
Hoppen waved his hand and resumed guiding them through the Holy Kingdom.
'Wrath.'
Raon turned his eyes to Wrath as he walked up the central avenue, following Hoppen's back.
'If, as you say, the contract with the demon is for personal gain, I don't particularly intend to interfere.'
I couldn't apply a double standard since I myself was in a contract-like relationship with Wrath, a demon king.
'However, if others are harmed because of that person's wish, I'll stop it no matter what.'
I thought that was my duty as a human raising a demon king.
-R-Raising? Did you just use the word 'raising' for me? If you don't take that back, I'll never forgive you...
"That's the newly opened bead ice cream shop. We can visit after you've finished the audience."
Just as Wrath was about to explode with anger, Hoppen pointed to a two-story building on the right.
The sign was bright and colorful, the interior was clean, and the freezer storing the ice cream seemed three times larger than the one in the Zieghart shop.
-Kyaah!
Wrath let out a thin scream, seemingly forgetting what he had been saying.
-Can't we go now instead of later? There are so many flavors I don't know!
'...'
Raon shook his head as he watched Wrath sticking to the ice cream shop's window like a piece of gum.
'I really am raising him, aren't I...'
* * *
A gloomy space where not even a sliver of the sacred-feeling sunlight penetrated.
A man sat before a faded, old desk with his hands clasped and eyes closed. His lips moved ceaselessly in a neat formation, as if offering a prayer.
Woooong.
As the man finished his prayer and lowered his clasped hands, a shadow like dirty water surged from under the desk, transforming into a human shape. It was a young man with striking black hair.
"Didn't I tell you not to show that form during the day?"
The man who had finished praying furrowed his brow slightly.
"I apologize. It was an urgent matter..."
The black-haired young man brought his hands together in front of his chest. It was a priest's greeting.
"An urgent matter?"
"Yes. The 4th Prince has returned, and he brought companions."
"It seems those companions are the issue."
The man at the desk nodded calmly.
"Raon Zieghart. The monster known as the Dragon Slayer has arrived with the Light Wind division."
The black-haired young man raised his gaze as he mentioned Raon's name.
"The reason?"
The man seated at the desk didn't flinch at hearing Raon's name. However, the darkness in his eyes surged violently.
"I'm not certain, but it's said he saved the 4th Prince's life on Devarn Mountain. It seems the monster king born there was stronger than expected."
The young man recited exactly what Hoppen had told the people.
"...Is that so."
The man nodded indifferently despite hearing that the 4th Prince had barely survived.
"The Light Wind division includes not only Raon Zieghart but also Rimmer the Light Sword. The squad leaders have also reached the Master level. With less than a week until the grand plan, if the Light Wind division remains until then, it could cause problems."
The black-haired young man deeply furrowed his brow, as if worried.
"Raon Zieghart and the Light Wind division..."
The man tapped the desk with his blunt fingers. A chilling sound began to resonate from the desk.
"This might be for the best."
He brought his tapping hands together.
"We'll use Raon Zieghart and the Light Wind division as sacrifices too."
"Pardon?"
The young man widened his eyes in disbelief.
"B-But..."
"They won't be able to use their full power within the barrier anyway." (E/N: You are not the first one to make that mistake, old greedy fool)
"That's not the issue! If news of the Light Wind division is cut off, Zieghart might take action."
"It's fine."
The man turned his back. He licked his lips as he gazed at the black flames burning on the dim wall.
"Because that won't happen."
* * *
Raon sat on the edge of the bed in the room Hoppen had provided, rubbing the calluses on his fingers.
'I guess I won't get an answer unless I test it out.'
Thanks to Wrath's hint, I had a rough idea, but I needed more clues to be certain.
-What do you mean by getting an answer!
Wrath shook his head, telling me not to talk nonsense.
-Stop talking nonsense and let's go eat ice cream! You're not going to say you won't buy it for me now, are you?
He licked his lips, his eyes trembling anxiously.
'I'm not that petty of a person.'
-T-Then right now...
'I'm telling you, we need to greet the ruler of this place first.'
-Since I have set foot on this land, I am its ruler!
Wrath wagged his finger, saying I should just greet him.
'...'
Raon shook his head, too tired to even bother responding.
-Humans are so troublesome with these things! Greeting kings, greeting nobles. This is a Holy Kingdom or whatever, right? Don't you have to visit the Pope too?
'There's no need for that.'
He shook his head slowly.
'Suphren is a theocracy. The king is also the high priest.'
There's no Pope in the Suphren Kingdom. I heard the king also serves as the high priest, offering prayers to the god.
-Oh, that's quite nice.
Wrath nodded, saying humans knew how to be convenient despite their nature.
Knock knock.
As Raon was chuckling, a knocking sound came from the door.
"Come in."
The door opened carefully, and Hoppen entered, bowing his head.
"Permission for the audience has been granted. Shall we go?"
"Understood."
Raon put on his Black Dragon Coat again and left the room. The Light Wind division was already waiting outside.
"I wonder what kind of person the king of the Holy Kingdom is?"
Martha licked her lips curiously.
"I heard he's an extremely benevolent person."
Burren's eyes shone with expectation, saying the king was known for his good deeds.
"That's right. He's benevolent."
Runaan nodded.
"Huh?"
"You know the Suphren king?"
"You?"
All of the Light Wind division members turned to Runaan, blinking in surprise.
"I don't know him."
Runaan shook her head without hesitation.
"Then why did you say he's benevolent?"
"Because the bead ice cream shop is big."
She raised her blank eyes proudly.
"Oh boy..."
"Of course, that's why."
The Light Wind division sighed, saying they got excited for nothing.
-She's right! How dare those fools mock our ice cream girl!
Wrath vigorously waved his hands, agreeing with Runaan's opinion.
"Stop with the useless chatter."
Raon frowned, standing in front of the Light Wind division.
"Make sure to show proper respect when we meet His Majesty."
"Don't worry..."
"Who do you think we are!"
Martha and Krein raised their fists.
'You two are the ones I'm most worried about.'
Raon inwardly sighed and looked at Hoppen.
"Let's go."
"Understood."
Hoppen smiled faintly as he led the way to the royal palace.
Beneath the spires that seemed to pierce the sky, a massive diamond-shaped temple came into view.
That building, which had stood out even from the outside, was the royal palace. Its light gray walls made it look even more sacred.
Perhaps because they had been notified in advance, the main gates of the palace were open, and the Holy Knights guarding the entrance quietly bowed their heads.
Raon nodded back to the Holy Knights and entered the palace.
Unlike the exterior, the interior was a warm white color with gold leaf accents, giving it a luxurious feel.
"Your Highness!"
As they walked along the blue-tinged carpet towards the audience chamber, an elderly priest wearing a golden scarf approached Hoppen.
"I'm glad you've returned safely."
The elderly priest bowed his head, calling it a blessing from God.
"Ah, Priest Piron!"
Hoppen smiled brightly and greeted the elderly priest in return.
"Thanks to these people, I was able to return safely."
"These people are..."
"Those I met during this mission..."
He briefly explained what had happened on the mountain, now seemingly accustomed to it.
"Oh! So that's what happened!"
Priest Piron clasped his hands together in prayer towards the Light Wind division.
"Thank you for saving the prince!"
"It's nothing. But..."
Raon blinked, turning to look at Hoppen.
"About you being a prince..."
"Ah, he didn't tell you?"
Priest Piron blinked as he looked at Hoppen.
"This person is the 4th Prince of our Suphren Kingdom."
"4th Prince?"
Raon gaped at Hoppen.
"H-Hoppen was a prince?"
"I had no idea..."
"No way. What kind of prince is so modest!"
"I thought he was a self-made man!"
The Light Wind division, having conversed with Hoppen before, seemed completely taken aback, letting out gasps of surprise.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to deceive you. As I said before, status isn't very important to us."
Hoppen scratched the back of his head, seeming embarrassed.
"Hmm..."
Raon nodded, looking at Hoppen.
'That's certainly true.'
Hoppen had always been the same, whether when we met in Barene or on the mountain.
He lived solely as a Holy Knight, without any princely behavior. He adhered to the doctrines more faithfully than anyone else.
'So that's why we got permission for an audience so quickly.'
It seemed the quick permission was due to Hoppen's status, even though we hadn't notified them in advance.
"Ah, this old man seems to have kept you too long. Let's go."
Priest Piron, saying he was also invited to the audience chamber, moved forward first.
Raon and Hoppen nodded and followed Priest Piron towards the audience chamber.
"Now that you know I'm a prince, there's something I should tell you..."
Hoppen looked at Raon, lowering his eyes slightly.
"Lord Byten, whom we met in Barene, is my older brother."
"Ah..."
Raon turned to Hoppen and nodded. He hadn't known at all that Byten was a prince or Hoppen's brother. I thought I didn't rely on my family's prestige, but these guys were on another level.
'What an interesting family.'
As he walked, letting out a sigh, he found himself standing in front of the audience chamber.
As Priest Piron bowed his head in front of the audience chamber, the Holy Knights stepped aside. The white doors opened silently, accompanied by a warm light.
Whoosh!
The elegant divine figures carved on the windows poured down, filled with sunlight. It was a sacred space where it wouldn't be strange if a god descended right then and there.
In front of the spotless pillars stood high-ranking priests with their hands clasped.
Surprisingly, about half of them were young men and women, each with distinctive appearances and varied temperaments.
However, they all shared one thing in common - they were enveloped in enormous holy power. It felt like looking at an ocean.
"I'll go ahead as well."
Priest Piron turned back, bowed his head, and took his place at the innermost position, clasping his hands.
On the opposite side stood an elderly knight in silver armor, exuding a powerful yet noble aura unlike the others. He was a knight who had reached the Grandmaster level.
Right next to him, a young knight with golden hair leaned against a pillar, standing straight. He was a Holy Knight with even greater holy power than Hoppen.
Lastly, Raon looked at the man standing on a very low platform in the center.
He was a middle-aged man with light blue hair like Hoppen, with eyes so tender and pure they seemed ready to shed tears at any moment. (E/N: that's one weird sentence but I did what I could)
That man seemed to be Bauren, the king of the Suphren Holy Kingdom.
Step.
Raon stepped onto the blue carpet of the audience chamber, utilizing the Ring of Fire. As his realm of the soul surged, his quiet steps carried an overwhelming dignity.
The moment the eyes of the Suphren king, his guard knights, and the highest priests all turned to him, Raon released his Wrath. The emotion of a demon king, different from demonic energy, twisted the sacred atmosphere of the audience chamber.
Thwoong!
At that moment, a very subtle ripple occurred within the audience chamber, as if responding to the Wrath. Though its location couldn't be pinpointed, it was an instinctive wave of a demon, different from demonic energy.
-What are you doing...
Wrath widened his eyes as if asking what Raon was doing.
'As expected.'
Raon curled his lips while standing in the center of the audience chamber.
'The human who made a contract with a demon is in here.'
In this room, filled with the king, high priests, guards, and the commander of the holy knights, a corrupted human who made a contract with a demon was hiding.