Raon swallowed hard as he looked into Merlin's fiercely burning blue eyes.
'This is dangerous.'
Even if it's Merlin, she wouldn't take matters related to demons lightly.
Especially if it becomes known that he has the ability to summon demon kings, he'd naturally become an enemy of the continent, and might even be hunted by the Dragon Lord.
Even Zieghart couldn't shield him, so it would literally mean death.
"Merlin. I..."
"That's amazing!"
Just as he was about to speak carefully to avoid revealing any weaknesses, Merlin's smile deepened.
"Huh...?"
Raon's eyes glazed over in bewilderment. The words he just heard from Merlin didn't seem real.
"Summoning a demon king to fight another demon king, that's the best!"
Merlin looked up at the sky with a dazed expression. She seemed to be recalling the fight between Wrath and Greed.
"You saw all of that?"
"Even though the demonic energy was suffocating, I endured it. Fortunately, I was at a distance."
From the way Merlin spoke of enduring, it seemed she had once again drawn on her lifespan.
'This is absurd.'
-Th-that madwoman saw this king's face? Ugh....
Wrath, who had been so confident when fighting Greed, now trembled all over.
'Still, it's fortunate that the one who saw was Merlin.'
Hearing Merlin's words, it seemed he wouldn't have to worry about bringing up the topic of demon kings.
However, just to be safe, he needed to make sure.
"Merlin. About my connection to demons..."
"Of course I won't tell. Only I will know."
Merlin ran her wings stickily over her own body.
"It feels thrillingly good to be the only one who knows your secret that no one else does."
"Ah..."
Raon lowered his trembling pupils.
'Why is there no normal person around me?'
It's chilling that she not only finds demon king summoning amazing, but also wants to monopolize the secret.
I knew magicians were peculiar, but Merlin was exceptional even among them.
-Kehek! Why are you stating the obvious?
Wrath shook his head as if dumbfounded.
-You're the craziest of all. Of course the crazy ones flock together!
'What do you... Hmm.'
Raon was about to retort but closed his mouth. Thinking calmly, he realized he was far from a normal human himself.
-Kehehehe... Keh-lok!
Wrath broke off his laughter to cough.
-Seeing you shut your mouth makes me feel so much better... Keh-lok!
'Finish coughing before you speak.'
Raon sighed and turned his gaze back to Merlin.
"How's Eden these days?"
"Peaceful."
Merlin flapped her left wing.
"It might be because I'm distanced from important information, but they're just quietly gathering forces, calm both internally and externally. It's as if they're waiting for something."
"Hmm..."
"However, there's a place that's started to move roughly in our stead."
"A place moving roughly?"
"The White Blood Religion."
Merlin covered her beak with her raised wing.
"Hmm..."
Raon nodded slowly. He had heard rumors recently that the White Blood Religion had attacked the Carl Kingdom, killing the king and stealing relics.
Among the Five Demons, the most active one was undoubtedly the White Blood Religion.
"What are those blood demons aiming for?"
"Probably the recovery of the White Blood Religion's leader."
"Recovery?"
"Yes. The wounds inflicted by your head of house must have remained."
Merlin nodded calmly.
"Still?"
"The battles of Transcendent Warriors damage not only the body but also the soul. The Fallen also suffered for quite a long time. Well, thanks to that, he's stronger now."
She clicked her tongue as if annoyed.
"So that's why the Leader of the White Blood Religion attacked the Carl Kingdom and cities."
Raon frowned as he recalled the sinister face of the White Blood Religion's leader. Now her movements made sense.
"She might have fully recovered by now and become even stronger like The Fallen, so she might target you again.
"Target me?"
"That mosquito bitch got severely injured because of her greed to take you away at all costs."
Merlin's beak trembled slightly as if feeling murderous intent towards the White Blood Religion's leader.
"So be careful."
"Did you come to tell me this?"
"Yes."
She smiled as if that was the only reason.
"Hmm..."
Raon couldn't find words to respond to Merlin's reaction. He no longer felt like she was an enemy, but more like a comrade.
'Even so, I'll have to repay her someday.'
Merlin was helping casually, but for me, her help was like a debt.
Someday, I'll have to return this one-sided help.
"Well, I've used quite a bit of power, so I should go now. It seems to be struggling."
Merlin trembled her wings slightly.
"This child..."
"..."
As Raon was swallowing dryly, Merlin continued.
"It says it wants to eat earthworms."
"I have those!" (E/N: don't be happy too soon)
Raon smiled brightly as he took out fishing worms from his subspace pouch. He was glad he had received them from Dorian in advance.
"Ah, that won't do."
Merlin shook her wings firmly.
"What this child wants are live earthworms. It says it couldn't eat them before despite wanting to because it lacks hunting skills."
"Come on, it's not even raining, and you're suddenly asking me to find live earthworms..."
"Then I'll leave it to you!"
As Raon let out a sigh, Merlin waved her hand.
Chirp!
The sparrow lightly pecked the back of his hand as if urging him to quickly go find earthworms.
-Puhehehehe!
Wrath burst into laughter, holding his stomach as if greatly amused.
-Keh-lok! A task perfectly suited for a lowly being like you!
'Be quiet before I trigger Gluttony with earthworms.'
-Hrup!
He immediately shut his mouth, as if thinking Raon might actually do it.
"Sigh..."
Raon sighed and climbed the mountain near the kingdom.
By the time he returned after feeding the sparrow earthworms until it was full, the sun was already starting to rise.
* * *
Two days later.
The Light Wind division and the officials of the Suphren Kingdom faced each other in front of the castle gate.
"It's a shame you're leaving so soon."
Hoppen slightly lowered his eyebrows, seeming regretful.
"We can't keep eating free meals forever."
"Free meals? I wouldn't mind even if it bankrupted the kingdom!"
He shook his head vigorously as if he meant it. Even though he had become king, his characteristic straightforward gaze remained unchanged.
"I'm joking. I also need to prepare."
"Ah..."
Hoppen nodded briefly, seeming to realize Raon meant preparing for the life-and-death battle. His expression became grave.
"You don't need to worry so much. I'll come visit again around the middle of next year."
Raon waved his hand lightly.
"We'll have to hold a festival throughout the entire kingdom then!"
Hoppen smiled brightly, understanding that Raon meant he'd visit after winning the life-and-death battle with the Axe King
"Then I'll be going now."
As Raon nodded slightly to Hoppen, Saintess Olga gave him a strange look.
'What's that about?'
As he tilted his head in confusion and prepared to leave, Hoppen gestured towards those behind him.
"Salute to the heroes of Suphren!"
As the Holy Knights stomped their feet, Hoppen's voice echoed off the castle walls.
The Holy Knights and priests standing behind raised their swords upside down.
It wasn't Suphren's traditional greeting of clasped hands, but Zieghart's sword salute.
"Hmm..."
Raon bit his lip slightly. Seeing Hoppen and the Holy Knights' sword salute, his heart burned with emotion. The others seemed to feel the same, clenching their fists tightly.
Swoosh.
He drew his sword along with the Light Wind division. They raised their blades upside down, returning the salute.
A smile of shared understanding spread across the faces of the Light Wind division and the people of Suphren.
Swoosh.
Neither Raon nor Hoppen said anything more. They both turned their backs. No further farewells were necessary.
* * *
Raon caressed the hilt of his Heavenly Drive sword while gazing at the gently burning campfire.
'It's not long now.'
The duel with the Axe King was truly approaching. Through this experience, he had found his path forward, but he was currently weaker than when he was at Zieghart.
It seemed he would need to train as soon as he returned.
However, he had gained Gluttony and experienced entering Wrath's body, so if he used his time well, he could reach even greater heights.
As he was thinking about what kind of training to do, he heard rustling sounds from inside the tent.
He tilted his head in confusion since it wasn't time for the night watch shift, when Rimmer walked out yawning.
"Vice Leader?"
Raon's eyes widened. He was slightly taken aback to see someone who wouldn't normally wake up even for night watch approaching first.
"Aren't you sleeping?"
"I woke up for a bit."
Rimmer waved his hand with half-open eyes.
"Then you should sleep more. There's still time before sunrise."
"I'll sleep."
He said he would sleep but sat down in front of the campfire.
"Raon."
After staying silent for a while, Rimmer called Raon's name while poking at the campfire.
"I asked you once before, remember? If you had any thoughts of becoming the head of house."
"Yes."
Raon nodded. It wasn't just Rimmer; Glenn had asked too, and his answer had always been the same.
'I said I didn't know yet.'
My mind was full of thoughts about getting stronger, taking care of the Light Wind division and the annex building, and revenge against Derus Robert, so I hadn't paid much attention to becoming the head of Zieghart.
"How about now?"
"...I'm still not sure."
Although I've thought about it since then, I still feel uncertain.
"I see."
Rimmer smiled as if he had expected that answer.
"You know, I hope you become the head of house."
"What?"
His eyes widened in surprise, not expecting Rimmer to suddenly say he wanted him to become the head of house.
"Not just for your sake, but for Zieghart's."
"What do you mean..."
"Zieghart is maintaining its position as one of the Six Kings thanks to the Head of House. He's oppressing the continent with overwhelming martial prowess and dignity. However..."
Rimmer's green eyes dimmed slightly.
"He gained absolute power but also an irreversible past."
"..."
When he mentioned the past, Raon seemed to understand what he meant.
"The Head of House voluntarily stepped into evil to become stronger, and for a very long time, he was only interested in martial prowess and conquering the continent. And now, he regrets that time."
Rimmer briefly smacked his lips.
"That's also why he doesn't firmly control the family. He feels ashamed to now use force to suppress the family he had been indifferent to for so long."
He twisted his lips as if to say, isn't it funny?
"As a result, the eldest daughter has developed wanderlust and is now pirating, the second son is exactly like the Head of House in his youth, craving power and strength, the third son has become an inscrutable schemer wandering about, the fourth is just an idiot. You probably know the youngest better than I do."
Rimmer wiggled his fingers as he looked at the campfire.
"It would be fortunate if the Head of House stepped down and rested, but if he were to leave the family, many things... really many things would change. If Alice came to her senses, the current state might be maintained, but she will never take the position of Head of House."
"Hmm..."
As he said, Alice seemed to have no interest in becoming the head of Zieghart.
"In my opinion, you're the only one who can overcome all the family's problems and stand at the top."
Rimmer's voice quieted down, as if extinguishing embers.
"I hope you'll think about it seriously."
He stretched out his words as if everything he had said until now was a joke. But that made it feel even more sincere.
"...I understand."
Raon nodded heavily.
"And..."
Rimmer raised his hand and grasped Raon's shoulder.
"I hope you'll tell me your secret someday."
"What do you mean?"
"..."
He just smiled without answering.
Raon swallowed dryly as he looked at Rimmer's smile.
His expression had been unpleasant since Raon said he had disappeared while fighting demons, and it seemed he had realized it was a lie.
"How did you know?"
"Your own expression wasn't good at the thought of deceiving us."
"Hmm..."
He had felt guilty, but he didn't know it showed on his face.
"Whatever answer you give, I'll stand behind you. No, not just me. The squad leaders have probably noticed something too. But they trust you, so they're just waiting."
Rimmer smiled as he looked towards where the Light Wind division was sleeping.
Raon clenched his fist with his head bowed. After keeping his eyes closed for a while, he lifted his eyelids.
"...Someday."
Looking into Rimmer's eyes filled with trust, he opened his lips.
"Someday, I'll tell you."
"Alright."
Rimmer nodded lightly.
"I'll wait. For as long as it takes."
He waved his hand as if to show he meant it.
"By the way, Vice Leader."
Raon frowned as he looked at the faintly smiling Rimmer.
"Yes?"
"Why are you doing things you usually don't do these days?"
He waved his hand, saying he'd die if he did things he wasn't used to.
"Don't worry. I have no intention of dying."
Rimmer shook his head firmly.
"There's still a lot to do, and things I definitely want to see."
He said this while looking up at the night sky.
Raon, on the contrary, lowered his gaze to look at the campfire.
The master and disciple, looking at different things, remained silent for a long time.
* * *
Glenn paced restlessly back and forth on the platform with his arms crossed. A dark shadow had fallen over his complexion.
"Why is the Head of House acting like that?"
Sheryl narrowed her eyes as she watched the restless Glenn.
"Obviously, it's because of Young Master Raon."
Roenn approached Sheryl's side, chuckling.
"Raon?"
Sheryl blinked her eyes as she looked at Roenn.
"There's been quite an uproar about him being the hero who saved the Suphren Kingdom."
She tilted her head as if she couldn't understand why Glenn was so restless because of Raon.
"He defeated the king, acting chief priest, and Royal Guard Captain who were consumed by demonic energy, and even subjugated the demons behind it all, becoming a true hero. So why..."
"That's exactly why."
Roenn shook his head with a faint smile.
"Because that precious and proud grandson of his isn't coming."
He pointed at Glenn with his chin, as if to say isn't it obvious.
"Ah, I see."
Sheryl smiled as if she now understood.
"Wh-what nonsense are you talking about!"
Glenn frowned as he looked down at the two of them.
"Fighting demons can leave serious wounds from demonic energy. I was just worried it could harm children who are still growing!"
He trembled his beard as he referred to swordsmen over 20 years old as "children who are still growing."
"It's a Holy Kingdom there. They probably treated him better than we could."
Sheryl shrugged with a faint smile, as if amused by the term "growing children."
"Hehehe."
Roenn also laughed heartily, as if he found the situation amusing.
"By the way, that kid has a talent for surprising people wherever he goes."
"I heard it was Raon who first noticed the presence of demons. Thanks to that, many people were able to survive."
"He's got a natural instinct. Even when he went on a mission with me before, he immediately found the Ragged Saint's location.
Sheryl glanced away as she mentioned the time she went on a mission with Raon.
"It seems he was born not just with martial talent, but with the very qualities of a hero."
Roenn also praised Raon as he looked up at the platform.
"Ahem!"
Glenn cleared his throat while stopping his restless pacing.
However, as if he had built up some tolerance, he neither smiled nor twitched his lips.
"Huh?"
"Hmm..."
As Sheryl and Roenn were thinking how unexpected this was, the audience chamber door opened and Shadow Agents' Leader Chad entered.
"Head of House. The Light Wind division has arrived at the main gate."
The moment he heard those words, Glenn's sunken lips rose sky-high. It was as if a dormant volcano had suddenly erupted.
Sheryl and Roenn made eye contact and smirked.
'Of course.'
'As expected.'
Unaware that the two were mocking him, Glenn nodded with a bright smile.
"Tell them to come to the Lord's Manor immediately!"