Glenn silently looked at Chamber, as if urging her to continue.
"Looking back now, Raon and Derus's conversation was quite strange."
Chamber tapped the round table with her palm.
"It seemed like I understood, but I didn't. It felt like things didn't add up, you know?"
She shook her head, recalling the conversation between the two.
"I thought so too." King Lecross briefly stroked his chin.
"It seems there's a history between the Light Wind Division Leader and Derus that we don't know about. It felt like they were facing a bitter enemy."
He swallowed dryly, saying that he couldn't even imitate that level of anger.
"It was... frightening..." Larian fidgeted with her sleeve, looking down at her feet.
"B-but because the conversation was incomprehensible, I'm even more curious..."
Unlike other times, she blushed, seemingly intrigued.
"Raon first met Derus at the Six Kings Conference, right?"
Chamber looked at Roseline, the Black Market leader, as if seeking confirmation.
"That's correct." Roseline nodded with a calm expression.
"The Six Kings Conference was the first time their paths crossed. However..."
She briefly licked her lips while examining the continental map.
"Since Derus Robert concealed his true identity by wearing a helmet, there's a high possibility they met elsewhere."
Roseline rolled her eyes, suggesting that Raon and Derus might not have met for the first time at the Six Kings Conference.
"In a way, it might be natural that we can't understand the conversation between Raon and Derus."
Chamber waved her thin finger like a stick.
"What do you mean?" Ogram narrowed his eyes at Chamber.
She shook her head, saying she couldn't understand a single thing.
"There's no one in history who has reached Raon's level at such a young age, in their early twenties."
Chamber lowered her eyebrows, saying that even if they searched through the entire history of the continent, they wouldn't find anyone like that.
"That's true. It would be shocking enough to become a Grandmaster at that age, let alone reach the pinnacle of Grandmaster. But..." King Lecross continued with an uncertain gaze.
"What's truly remarkable is his fighting ability. The Light Wind Division Leader defeated Masters when he was an Expert, and Grandmasters when he was a Master. That's something that can't be explained by talent alone."
He rubbed his wrist, saying that Raon's battle sense was the most astonishing.
"Is it because we lack information…?" Larian offered an answer instead of Chamber.
"That's right." Chamber snapped her fingers and nodded.
"We can't understand their conversation because we don't have the information that Raon and Derus have."
She lifted her witch hat, saying that was the reason.
"It's not just Derus. Even Archangel Uriel was taken aback when he saw Raon. He called it an ugly power, didn't he?"
Chamber recalled Uriel's distorted expression as she took out a new lollipop.
"Raon has many secrets. His history with Derus, the power that breaks through Uriel's divine power, and his unbelievable growth."
Glenn remained silent, arms crossed.
"Ah, of course, I don't mean that Raon would betray us, or that he has ulterior motives detrimental to us." Chamber waved both hands as she met Glenn's gaze.
"If it weren't for Raon, we wouldn't have uncovered Derus's identity, and these two old geezers wouldn't be here."
She pointed at Glenn and Ogram in turn.
"I just mean that we... no, at least you old men should know about that child's circumstances."
E/N: She was going to say "we old people" but excluded herself... Guess why
"I think the same." King Lecross nodded in agreement with Chamber's words.
"There's no need to tell us, but I think at least the Head of House should know about the Light Wind Division Leader's story."
"I-I'm curious though..." Larian, while watching Glenn's reaction, managed to express her curiosity.
Glenn closed his eyes as he felt the gazes of the Five Kings turn towards him.
'Even I was shaken, so it's natural for them to find it strange.'
As Chamber said, Raon and Derus had a conversation that seemed to stem from a long-standing grudge. It felt somewhat understandable yet awkward, which kept him thinking it was strange.
'It was the same with Uriel.'
The Archangel called Raon's aura, which broke through his divine power, an ugly force. It seemed to imply that it wasn't human power.
'Could it be that?'
At some point, he had sensed a mysterious aura from Raon. It was warm yet cold, fierce yet gentle. He had thought it was his imagination, but considering recent events, it seemed he had really sensed something Raon possessed.
While he didn't believe Raon would betray Zieghart or commit evil acts beyond reason, he wanted to know about Raon's relationship with Derus and what kind of power he possessed.
'However...'
Not knowing if he had the right to ask about it, Glenn couldn't help but feel conflicted every time he saw Raon. Just as Glenn was about to speak, intending to postpone this matter, Ogram slammed his fist on the table.
"I don't care."
Ogram lifted his chin, the round table still shaking from his blow.
"What do you mean, you don't care?" Chamber tilted her head, as if asking what he meant.
"I mean I'll support that kid no matter what his intentions are."
Ogram exhaled heavily through his nose, as if to emphasize his sincerity.
"I owe Raon my life. If it weren't for him, I'd have withered away, constantly having my blood sucked by that mosquito woman."
He clapped his hands loudly, saying that reason was enough.
Glenn swallowed dryly as he watched Ogram cover his ears. He realized he had one more option. It felt as if all his previous worries were being wiped clean.
"I already said we're not suspecting Raon."
Chamber furrowed her brow, seemingly frustrated.
"But, Raon might have information that could help us prepare against the Angels or Derus!"
She slammed the table, insisting that the more information they had, the better.
"As expected." King Lecross smiled faintly and shook his head.
"It seems the Head of House must make the decision."
"I suppose so." Glenn met the eyes of everyone present with a gaze that seemed to burn with intensity.
"I've made my decision."
Meanwhile, Raon stood on the beach, lowering the Heavenly Drive. Whoosh! With a light downward slash, the beach and sea split apart, raising blue water spray. The speed and power of his swordsmanship had increased so much that even his basic techniques now rivaled special moves.
'Has it changed this much?' He chuckled and shook his head. Usually, as abilities increased, the effects diminished, but with a 70-point increase at once, the change seemed drastic.
'Shall I continue?'
He performed the Blizzard Sword Art, Fangs of Insanity, Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation swordsmanship, Raon Zieghart-style swordsmanship, and finally the Azure Sky Sword before lowering the Heavenly Drive.
'It feels like I'm using someone else's body.'
Although his swordsmanship achievement hadn't increased significantly, the overwhelming physical growth had changed the power of his swordsmanship itself. It felt like his martial prowess had risen by more than one rank.
"-Of course!" Wrath shouted, bursting upward.
"-You've taken over 120 ability points from me recently. Wouldn't it be stranger if there were no changes?"
He ground his teeth, calling Raon a vicious human.
"It's not like I wanted to receive all of that." Raon shrugged as he sheathed the Heavenly Drive.
"-What am I supposed to do with what's given? Throw it away?"
"-You...!" Wrath chewed his lips and shook his hands.
"-You'll never die peacefully! You're destined to ascend to the heavenly realm and live with those despicable beings!"
'Is that a curse?'
In the past, he might have thought it was a blessing, but after seeing Uriel, his opinion had changed. For Wrath to compare him to the Angels was nothing short of a vicious insult.
"-It's a terrible curse!" Wrath snorted, telling him to go to the heavenly realm and never come back.
'Since I've been cursed, might as well check my status window.'
Raon pushed aside the struggling Wrath and called up his status window.
[]
[Name: Raon Zieghart.]
[Title: ]
[Status: None.]
[Traits: , , , , Ring of Fire (8 stars), Water Resistance (9 stars), Fire Resistance (9 stars), Perception of the Snow Flower (10 stars), Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation (8 stars), Glacier (8 stars), Bleeding Curse (5 stars), Backstab (12 stars), Iron Will (9 stars), Adaptation to Ghastly Energy (6 stars), Focus (10 stars), Poison Resistance (5 stars), Evil Eye of Wrath (6 stars), Spiral Power (6 stars), Water Affinity (5 stars), Array Analysis (2 stars), Fire Affinity (
4 stars), Snow Flower's Veil (4 stars), Holy Power Born from Darkness (7 stars), Aura of Death Resistance (4 stars), Snow Flower's Magic Armor (6 stars), Snow Flower Absorption (2 stars), Snow Flower Piercing Spear (2 stars), Wrath Release (1 star), Flame Overcoming Death (4 stars), Blade of Death (5 stars), Divine Power Resistance (1 star).]
[Strength: 916.]
[Agility: 910.]
[Vitality: 901.]
[Energy: 924]
[Perception: 946]
[Wrath: 180]
[Sloth: 100]
[Envy: 100]
[Gluttony: 50]
His mouth dropped open as soon as he saw the status window. The content had increased so much that it almost covered his entire field of vision.
"-W-what! Why is it so big!"
Wrath, who could only see the messages but not the status window itself, trembled at its enormous size.
"Yeah, you have a right to curse..."
There were over thirty traits. And they weren't mediocre ones either—each possessed outstanding abilities. Even to himself, it seemed unbelievable.
The ranks had also increased a lot.
The ranks of the traits were all high. However, he felt he should pay a bit more attention to the ranks of traits he didn't use often.
"Next is..." Raon shifted his gaze from the traits to examine his ability scores.
"Huh...?"
'Is this right?'
All of his basic ability scores had surpassed 900. It seemed he had achieved these ridiculous figures due to the series of large rewards he had recently obtained.
'No wonder my body felt not just light, but moved on its own.'
Raon shook his head as he looked again at the ability scores that had surpassed 900. It seemed he would need to train like crazy to adapt to his current state.
"-L-let me ask one thing." Wrath raised a finger, his chin trembling.
"-What are your ability scores now?"
"They're all over nine hundred."
"-N-nine hundred? Nine hundred? Gaaah!"
Wrath grabbed his own neck and flailed about.
"-Nine hundred already! It's all over! This king won't even have cartilage left!"
He fell onto the sand, squawking indignantly.
"Wrath. What level is my physical body at now?" Raon called out to Wrath as he clenched and unclenched his fist.
"-Y-your physical level has already reached transcendence!"
Wrath gritted his teeth, saying that while Raon's martial arts achievement was still far behind, his physical abilities and senses were at the threshold of transcendence.
'No wonder it was too easy to deal with the Ghost King today.'
Though subtle, he had been able to predict the Ghost King's position and strike before it moved, suggesting he had overwhelmed it with his physical abilities.
"Now, only transcendence remains."
Of course, it wouldn't be easy. Thanks to Wrath, he had managed to stop Derus, but his actual martial prowess had barely reached the highest level of Grandmaster. He couldn't even guess how long it would take to reach transcendence from here.
"I have to do it, even if it kills me."
To kill Derus, he was confident he could overcome any hardship. He had to reach that realm as quickly as possible, even if it meant grinding his bones and spitting blood.
"But..." Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at the emotional values of the demon kings that appeared at the end.
"Why did those emotions increase?"
While he could understand increasing since he received it directly, it was strange that , , and had also risen.
"-What are you asking! Of course they increased since you used the Demon King's Authority!"
Wrath muttered that Raon was stupid and shook his head.
"But I'm not affected by those authorities, am I?"
He was even more puzzled because he wasn't lazy, didn't envy anyone, and didn't often overeat except when trying to improve Wrath's mood.
"-That's why it's strange!" Wrath thrust his bluish face forward.
"-No matter how I look at it, you don't seem human! Why aren't you affected!"
"Hmm..." Raon touched his left chest where his heart was, looking at the demon kings' emotions again.
"Is it because of the Ring of Fire?"
Just as it had blocked Wrath's anger in the early days, the Ring of Fire, which could be called his foundation, seemed to be preventing him from falling into the demon kings' emotions.
'The more I look at it, the more amazing it is.'
Raon narrowed his eyes as he felt the flow of the ring circling his heart.
'What exactly is this power?'
Raon returned to his lodgings after finishing his evening training.
"-Ugh..." Wrath sniffled, rubbing his reddened nose.
"-It's cold. My bones are aching."
He muttered that he had lost so much of his ability scores that even his subcutaneous fat had melted away.
"-I'm shivering! I want to wrap myself in a blanket!"
"...You're cold?"
Honestly, it was ridiculous for a demon king who used frost to complain about being cold.
"So what do you want..."
"-Pizza and bead ice cream!" Wrath jumped up as if he had been waiting for this moment.
"-Bring me a plump shrimp pizza, butter-grilled lobster, steamed clams and abalone in wine, braised fish, and bead ice cream!"
Wrath listed off foods that could be enjoyed at the seaside, licking his lips.
"Pizza, grilled food, steamed food in wine, braised food, and ice cream?" Raon let out a hollow laugh as he looked at Wrath.
"I thought you said you were cold..."
"-W-when you're cold, you're supposed to overcome it by eating something even colder! Haven't you heard of fighting cold with cold?"
Wrath wrinkled his nose, asking if humans didn't know about fighting cold with cold.
"-Aren't you a demon king?"
"-Stop talking nonsense and let's go quickly! The restaurants will all close!"
Anyway. Raon shook his head and got up.
As he was leaving the lodgings to buy the food Wrath wanted, he saw Glenn standing in front of the entrance.
"Has the meeting ended?"
He bowed his head cautiously to Glenn.
"It's over for today." He answered briefly, saying there were still things to be discussed.
"Do you have time?" Glenn looked at him with cold eyes, as if he had something important to say.
"-There isn't! We need to eat right now..."
"Yes." Raon pushed aside the Wrath who had jumped in front of him and nodded.
"Then let's walk for a bit."
Glenn turned his back and walked towards the beach, as if telling Raon to follow.
"Understood." Raon slowly bowed his head.
'I have a bad feeling about this.'
He sighed briefly and followed Glenn. Eventually, Glenn stopped in front of the beach where Raon had been training earlier.
"Raon." He called Raon's name without turning around.
"Yes, Head of House." Raon swallowed dryly, sensing Glenn's heavy atmosphere.
"There was talk about you at today's Five Kings conference."
Glenn continued, looking up at the night sky.
"The first was that there's a hidden bad relationship between you and Derus that we don't know about, and the second was that you possess a special power that even shocked Uriel."
He relayed exactly what the other Five Kings leaders had brought up in the meeting.
"I see..." Raon lowered his gaze and bit his lip.
'So it's come to this.'
It was something he had been expecting. It was natural for others to find it strange because of the conversation that took place while uncovering Derus's identity.
'So that's why his eyes looked troubled.'
Judging by the unsteadiness in Glenn's eyes, it seemed he had been constantly thinking about this.
'However, the problem is...'
No matter what excuse he gave, he couldn't deceive them completely. The Five Kings weren't fools, after all.
'Still, I don't regret it.'
Even if he could go back, he would mock Derus in the same way. He couldn't miss the chance to see that guy break down right in front of him.
"-This king was curious too!" Wrath raised his hand high.
"-I said I would wait before, but when will you tell me!"
He shook his head, pleading to be told now.
'Right. There's also the matter of this guy.'
What Uriel called an ugly power was Wrath's authority. He'd have to explain about Wrath too, so honestly, he had no answer.
"Head of House. Actually..."
"Wait. Let me speak first." Glenn raised his hand as Raon was about to give his prepared answer.
"You saved my friend, saved my life, and uncovered Derus's identity."
Glenn lowered his hand and slowly turned around.
"But there's something even more important than that."
His eyes were no longer troubled. They were calm, as if he had steeled his resolve.
"The fact that I accepted you into the direct lineage."
"Pardon? What do you..."
"If I can't trust the grandson I accepted with my own hands, what can I trust?"
Glenn nodded with a faint smile.
"When you're ready, speak. I'll wait until then."
His red eyes, which had once been cold and dry, now looked down warmly like sunlight.
"I believe in you, Raon."