Chapter 513

The red moonlight was waning upon the light green leaves inside the great garden of House Robert.

A small maid knelt behind Derus Robert, who was watching the clouds flowing by like a river.

"How did it go?"

Derus turned his head halfway towards her to let her into his vision.

"The situation went a bit awry."

Cubara remained perfectly calm despite stating that things had gone wrong.

"The situation went awry, you say?"

"Orgos and the Light Wind division clashed as you wished, and Raon Zieghart joined the battlefield afterward to confine Orgos inside a boundary. However, after that…"

Cubara closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again and continued.

"A demon king manifested."

"…Demon king?"

Derus Robert turned around. His pupils twisted as if a blade was stabbing into them as he looked down upon Cubara.

"Did you just say that a demon king arrived?"

"Yes, I did."

"Why did a demon king…?"

"According to the report, they appeared because Orgos's demonic energy was getting on their nerves."

"What outfit was the demon king wearing? No, what did they look like?"

"They had a beautiful appearance with sky blue hair and snow white skin, and the report mentioned that it was impossible to tell whether they were a man or a woman from afar."

"It's a different one…"

Derus deeply closed his eyes and exhaled roughly.

"What happened to Raon Zieghart?"

"The report says they only understood the situation through lip reading since they couldn't hear, and the demon king seems to have only killed Orgos while ignoring Raon Zieghart."

"He was ignored…"

Since Shadows learned to lip read as a part of their basic education, there shouldn't have been any mistakes.

'And regardless of the lip reading, that's the reasonable course of action.'

It would've been strange if the demon king had paid any attention to a mere Master if their advent had been caused by Orgos's demonic energy, which earned their displeasure.

Derus could assume that Raon really was ignored.

"What happened after that?"

"The demon king clashed against the White Blood Religion's leader and the Holy Sword Alliance master…"

Cubara reported everything up to the moment Glenn and the dragon lord made their appearance without missing any detail.

"Hmm…"

Derus touched his black leather gloves while looking down on Cubara. The wound at the back of his hand was aching slightly.

'The demon king supposedly broke out of the boundary… Which means Raon Zieghart probably fell somewhere in the continent from the distortion of the boundary.'

Since Raon had created the boundary by cutting his own stomach, he must've been unable to move or even unconscious if he'd managed to survive.

"Cubara."

Derus made up his mind and raised his head.

"Order all the Shadows throughout the continent to find Raon Zieghart, even if they have to search through the entire region they are infiltrating."

There was a high possibility that they wouldn't be able to find Raon, but it was a perfect opportunity to easily kill that annoying man if they did. It was an opportunity that he couldn't miss.

"Tell them to kill him right away if they find him without reporting, and to move in groups of two."

According to Raon Zieghart's previous actions, he would definitely put up a desperate struggle even if he was on the verge of death. It was necessary to move in groups of two to make sure he died.

"Understood."

"Wait."

Cubara nodded without asking any questions. Derus raised his hand when she was about to leave.

"What happened to the demon king?"

"They disappeared when Glenn and the dragon lord appeared."

"…I see. You can leave."

Derus turned around once again. He rolled his lips into a smile while watching the clouds starting to hide the moonlight.

"A demon king that can easily kill Orgos and overwhelm the White Blood Religion's leader…"

'They might be another chess piece I can use.'

* * *

Wrath reappeared in front of the bead ice cream shop located in the royal capital.

Hah…

Raon gasped while watching Wrath sticking to the shop's window like a frog.

You said you had to come here no matter what, and it's an ice cream shop?

"Isn't it obvious?!"

Wrath nodded violently, saying that it wasn't even a question.

"The King of Essence has been living for this day! He's always wanted to eat bead ice cream with his own mouth and hand!"

His blue eyes glared at Raon as he declared that he was going to kill him if he tried to stop him.

No, I'm not going to try to stop you.

Raon raised his finger and pointed inside the shop. The manager was cleaning the floor, implying that she was planning to close the shop since it was a late hour.

The shop is going to close if you don't go right now.

"That can't be allowed to happen!"

Wrath frantically entered the ice cream shop.

"Ah, I'm sorry. The shop is closed for the day—ah!"

The young woman, who seemed to be the manager, was about to turn the light off but stopped midway. She looked at Wrath's face and dropped the magic lamp from her hand. The glass shattered and completely messed up the floor she had cleaned.

"H-how can a human face be like that…?"

However, the manager didn't care at all about the destroyed magic lamp and kept staring at Wrath's face.

"What a nostalgic feeling."

Wrath swept his hair back with his finger even though it wasn't even disheveled and his lips floated into a smile.

'Like he said before, the King of Essence is the most beautiful being in Devildom…'

Is that even important right now? You said you had no time.

"Th-that's right! Manager, pull yourself together!"

"I'm sorry!"

The manager hurriedly bowed, but her pupils were still sucked to Wrath.

"Hmm, but is the shop closed?"

"Not at all! Please choose! Have them all! Everything!"

Wrath's eyebrows were lowered in disappointment, and the manager frantically shook her hands. She looked like she was going to give him the entire shop.

"Really?"

"Of course!"

"I wish you success and happiness!"

Wrath blessed her despite being a demon king and started examining the bead ice cream on the other side of the counter.

Wrath and the manager made the perfect duo even though they'd just met each other.

"Hmm…"

Since it was the capital, there was a wider variety of ice cream than in other places. Wrath contemplated for a long time, unable to make up his mind right away.

"He can't tell which one to pick."

I thought you were going to take mint chocolate.

Raon tilted his head while watching Wrath. He'd thought Wrath would definitely say that he would have mint chocolate, and his contemplation was rather unexpected.

'He can't possibly have just mint chocolate since this might be the last opportunity for him to eat it himself! The flavors that you would never want to eat need to be taken no matter what!'

Wrath's eyes moved over the options rapidly as he said that he was going to try out various flavors.

I'm glad you have a choice, but you don't have much time, do you?

"Th-the King of Essence will be having mint chocolate, pineapple vanilla, apple mango beef jerky, and peanut apple flavored ice cream—one of each!"

What the hell are those choices…?

Raon sighed. The names already revealed that none of the choices were normal.

"Understood!"

The manager nodded and started to scoop up the ice cream into a luxurious box. Of course, her eyes were still fixated on Wrath.

Do you have money, by the way?

'Money? M-money!'

Wrath widened his eyes in shock.

'N-no! What should he do?!'

He started to panic. Since he'd suddenly appeared in his demon king form, it was only natural that he wouldn't have any human money.

Is he really a demon king…?

Raon laughed bitterly while watching the monarch of Devildom panic because he didn't have any money to buy ice cream after he'd pressured three transcenders on his own.

'Help…'

Wrath put his hands together and asked for help. Raon wanted to give him the money since he'd helped a lot, but he couldn't figure out how.

My money is inside my subspace, but it can't be taken out right now.

'No, it can!'

How?

'The King of Essence is currently rooted in your mental world. You just need to take out of your mental world just like you made the King of Essence manifest into the world.'

Mental world…

Raon closed his eyes. He imagined taking out the subspace pocket Dorian had given to him and unleashed his will.

Along with a floating sensation in his body, the subspace pocket appeared in front of Wrath's eyes.

"Ooh!"

Wrath quickly caught the pocket and took gold coins from it.

'You aren't needed anymore!'

Hey…

Raon frowned while looking at Wrath. He bit his lip while promising himself revenge.

"Here's your ice cream."

The manager put the bead ice cream inside the package box and handed it to Wrath. It seemed to include at least twice as much as the normal amount at a glance.

"Here you go."

Wrath nodded and placed three gold coins on the counter.

"I have to give change with just one of them…"

"Change is unnecessary!"

He violently shook his head while taking the ice cream box.

"What?"

"The way you handled it was to the king's liking. Take it!"

It's not even your mon—

'It's the King of Essence's money now!'

Wrath waved his hand at the manager and wished her the best of luck in her life before he left the ice cream shop.

Alright, it's just for today, so do whatever you wish…

Raon murmured that he gave up and shook his hand.

Just eat it up already.

"What is that?!"

Wrath swallowed while looking at the grilled skewer restaurant located on the opposite side of the ice cream shop.

Hey, weren't you supposed to not have enough time?!

"A ghost should stay quiet."

He slapped Raon's hand away as he tried to stop him and used his footwork towards the grilled skewer shop.

"Welc—gasp!"

The middle-aged manager who was grilling the skewer dropped his jaw upon seeing Wrath's face.

"What is this?"

"I-it's a grilled skewer made with leek and chicken leg meat. We also have pork and beef as meat."

The manager's courtesy made it seem as if he were dealing with a noblewoman. He seemed to think that Wrath was a woman, unlike the ice cream shop manager.

"Give one of each kind!"

Wrath nodded in satisfaction and placed three gold coins on the counter.

Hey, why are you spending three each time? One is more than enough.

'The King of Essence gets to decide it since it's his money!'

Wait, it's not your money!

He looked like he was having fun spending the money because he was generously giving out tips.

"H-here you go!"

The manager even gave the skewers that other clients should've gotten to Wrath instead and bowed to him.

"Keep up the great work."

Wrath said goodbye properly once again and left the skewer shop. He had such good manners despite being a demon king.

Let's really start eat—

"What is that now?!"

He was looking at the skewer but suddenly started running towards a pizza shop on the right.

Hey, you useless glutton of a demon king! You said you didn't have the time!

"Just one more!"

* * *

* * *

Glenn sighed quietly after he confirmed everything inside the twisted boundary.

'The boundary was created with blood.'

Since Raon was supposed to be the creator of the boundary, it must've been made with the Light Wind division's blood.

'Damn it…'

He was angry at Orgos, who had caused the situation. Since he got torn apart by the demon king, Glenn wanted to revive him and beat him to death once again.

'Where are you?'

If Raon had really been bounced out when the boundary was twisted, there must've been a hint inside. He had to find it no matter what.

"Hmm…"

The dragon lord also activated various magics inside the boundary. He seemed to be trying to find the demon king's traces.

"This demon king is far more powerful than I thought…"

He bit his lip upon noticing that the demon king's energy had influenced the space itself.

'Indeed…'

Glenn nodded in agreement.

'It wasn't any ordinary demonic energy.'

The demon king was watching out for them even when he was defending against the two transcenders. If he was still on the continent, it could become a huge problem later on.

However, the demon king wasn't the important thing for the time being. Finding Raon and the Light Wind division's locations and states was the highest priority.

Roenn walked up to him while Glenn was examining the inside of the boundary once again.

"My lord."

Roenn placed his hand on his chest and continued.

"We've received a message from the house. The Light Wind division is currently being treated at the healing ward inside the Owen Kingdom."

His lips trembled slightly as he said that everyone from the Light Wind division was being treated over there.

"The Light Wind division's vice leader must've used that ring to send them there."

"That should be the case…"

Glenn nodded. He could guess that they were sent to Owen because the mana wasn't enough, and it ended up being an excellent decision considering the situation.

"Then is Raon…?"

"They said the Light Wind division's vice leader isn't over there."

Roenn lowered his head to hide his trembling pupils.

"I see…"

"Destructive King of the North."

The Holy Sword Alliance master furrowed his brow and placed his dark sword on his shoulder.

"What are you doing right now? You wouldn't have cared whether your subordinates died or not in the past, you would have crossed blades with me."

"Shut your mouth."

"Don't you think it would be better to act before I personally kill those young ones? Don't disappoint me any further."

The bloody black shadow started to rage from underneath him.

"Darkan."

Glenn turned around. He looked down on the Holy Sword Alliance master with a breathtakingly emotionless gaze.

"I'll grant your wish and kill you, even if you don't whine so much."

"Yes, that's the expression. That's what I want—"

"Owen!"

While he was twisting his lips into a smile, Merlin clutched her head and started to scream.

"Yes, it's Owen! I can smell him from Owen!"

Merlin left the boundary while murmuring that Raon's scent was connected to Owen. She immediately floated into the air and flew towards Owen.

Glenn lowered his lips, his sword still pointed at the Holy Sword Alliance master.

'That woman…'

She was an insane person who had kidnapped Raon to Eden's branch and was still showing a strange obsession towards Raon, but she was the first to notice Raon's boundary.

"Roenn. Bring the Heavenly Blade division leader and the Light Wind division leader to Owen."

"Understood."

As soon as Roenn nodded, Glenn used the Supreme Harmony Steps toward the direction where Merlin had gone flying. His shape disappeared in an instant.

"What the hell?! Where do you think you are going? Glenn Zieghart!"

The Holy Sword Alliance master ground his teeth violently and chased after Glenn.

"What's even going on right now…?"

The Demon Slaying Spear gasped while throwing away his spear shaft.

"What a complete mess."

The Queen of Swords sighed while taking her hand off of her hilt.

"..."

The Thespian Emperor pressed on her temple deeply while looking in the direction where Glenn had disappeared.

'Raon Zieghart and a demon king.'

It reminded her of when she'd read the heaven's flow regarding Raon Zieghart.

She felt like the demon's shape that was engraved on the book was overlapping with the face of the demon king who had killed Orgos.

'Could it be…?'

* * *

Wrath appeared in the capital's backstreet, a place rarely visited by people, while carefully hugging the ice cream and various food in his arms.

"Since we are going to switch back soon, it should be better to eat here and return to your form."

I get it, so you should just start eating already.

Raon sighed while looking at the food Wrath was holding.

"He knows!"

Wrath nodded and spread a blanket on the ground before putting the ice cream and food on it.

"Which one shall he start with?"

You should start with the food. Ice cream is a dessert.

"You don't know how to eat. Starting with ice cream is best at a time like this!"

Why did you even ask me if you were going to do that anyway…?

Raon furrowed his brow while looking at the broad grin on Wrath's face.

Whap!

Wrath opened the ice cream box's lid with his hand trembling in excitement. As the white steam rose from it, his eyes fluttered in the same way.

"The King of Essence is finally getting to eat this piece of art with his own hand and mouth. He's waited so long—Huh?"

However, when Wrath's hand was approaching the ice cream, the blue energy on his arm started to scatter around.

"Wh-what?! There should've been some more time remaining!"

You said earlier when you were healing them that it was more exerting than fighting. Didn't the time decrease even further because you decided to take my burden on top of that?

"Argh!"

Raon must've guessed right since Wrath's jaw dropped.

"N-no! This can't be happening! Just one bite! It's too sad to be unable to eat after buying them all!"

He extended his hand, saying that it couldn't be happening.

"You damned heaven! Stop being unreasonable to hiiiim!"

The moment Wrath's hand reached the mint chocolate ice cream, the blue frost surrounding his body radiated a brilliant light and Raon appeared.

Pssh!

Blood wasn't gushing from his abdomen that was stabbed by Heavenly Drive, but his face was pale.

"It wasn't anything unreasonable this time. It was your fault for being such a glutton. I can't even tell whether you are Wrath or Gluttony."

Raon shook his head while feeling the cold sensation of the ice cream in his hand.

"That's why I told you to… hurry up…"

However, he didn't last for long either. He couldn't control his body, just like Wrath, and collapsed to the side.

Clang!

In the midst of his vision going dark, he could see Heavenly Drive and ice cream rolling on the ground.

By the time the mint chocolate ice cream fell on the ground and started to slowly melt, the voices of an old man and a woman could be heard from between the backstreets.

"What's even here?"

"I felt a strange energy."

"It must be some brawl between drunkard… Hmm?"

The old man stopped walking as soon as he entered the alley. He widened his eyes, after examining Raon's face and Heavenly Drive.

"Raon Zieghart?"