Chapter 545

Raon pushed Wrath away as he writhed on the ground like some worthless creature and checked the message about Wrath Release.

[Wrath Release (One-Star)

Allows the user to control the energy received from the Monarch of Wrath along with aura. (Maximum usage: 5%)]

The content was simple, but the effect wasn't. It implied that he could properly control the emotion of wrath that was too much for him before.

'It's only 5% for now, but it's going to change as it grows.'

5% was all he could control with his current realm. It was only 5% of the wrath he'd received from Wrath, not 5% of his entire wrath. That was why it could be seen as a small amount.

However, the number was bound to increase as his realm got higher, which made him look forward to it.

What are you even talking about?! The King of Essence never gave any energy to him!

Wrath yelled at the message.

The wrath was simply injected wrath into him to allow the King of Essence to take over his body! He is just using it on his own accord!

He pounded his chest with his round fist, saying that he was so frustrated he could die.

'It's a matter of the past since you already gave it to me. Stop whining about it.'

Raon clicked his tongue while looking down on Wrath.

Wh-whine? Did you just say that he was whining?

Wrath's jaw dropped at his ridiculous statement.

If it happened to you, would you leave a thief who keeps stealing your money every time you earn some alone?

'I would forgive him.'

Argh! My head hurts…

He ended up collapsing while covering his head. Judging from the way his eyes were rolled backward, he was fuming so hard that he lost consciousness.

"Hmm…"

Raon left Wrath alone and checked the message once again.

'It will likely be difficult to use it all the time.'

Even with the trait, maintaining the wrath all the time was bound to strain his body and mind.

He could guess that the best usage would be to activate it at an important moment to put an end to the fight, just like how Martha used Berserk.

'I should test it out after I recover from the internal injury.'

He couldn't recklessly unleash the wrath yet because his internal injury wasn't completely healed yet.

He was visualizing the image of Wrath Release in his head when he felt a small wriggling around his chest.

"Hmm?"

Raon took the mole out of his pocket.

"Merlin?"

He weakly shook the mole while calling Merlin's name, but there was no reaction. It seemed to be alive since he could hear the sound of it breathing, but she was still unable to wake up, it seemed.

Whir!

He tried to treat her with the Divinity Blooming from the Underworld just in case, but she wasn't showing any reaction, just like he had anticipated.

"Did she overexert herself?"

He sighed and put Merlin back into his inner pocket, but he felt the same wriggling once again.

"Hey."

Raon immediately took Merlin out and poked at her stomach.

"You are conscious, aren't you?"

"Pfft…"

Raon stared at the mole's face, and its lips parted while shaking faintly.

"Ahahaha!"

Merlin couldn't hold back her laughter any longer and burst out laughing while raising her head.

"I'm sorry. I wanted to stay in there because your chest was so warm."

She licked her lips broadly, saying that she would've been happy to stay there for the rest of her life.

"Seriously, you…"

Raon shook his head with an expression of disgust on his face.

M-madwoman! Gack…

Wrath had finally been able to stand back up, but he was so shocked to see Merlin that he hit his own head and fainted once again.

"Are you really okay?"

Raon examined Merlin's condition while looking at her eyes.

"Yes, it's not a big deal."

Merlin nodded and flapped her arms like wings.

"Then why did you faint?"

"I didn't faint, though."

"Huh?"

"I was just lying down because I ran out of strength, and you put me in your clothes. I figured it was an opportunity and stayed still."

She grinned with her cheeks turning red. Raon had never expected that he would see a blushing mole one day.

"Haa…"

Raon covered his forehead with his hand and leaned his back against the wall. He was angry about the prank, but he was relieved that she was fine.

'A sigh of relief, huh…? What is this relationship between us?'

She was an enemy who tried to kill him at first, but she ended up helping him all the time somehow. It was such a mysterious relationship.

"I don't think I can sleep tonight because I'm too happy… Ah."

Merlin smiled happily and suddenly fell on her back. Her hands and feet were shaking intensely.

"Merlin?"

"I must've pushed myself too hard, after all."

"I knew it."

Raon furrowed his brow. Even though the helmet served as a medium, she had created a passage to enter another person's mental world. It was obvious that she was overexerting herself.

'And she said that she'd been looking for me for weeks without even sleeping.'

During his encounter with her while she was inside the seagull, she'd said that she had incorporated her will into thousands of animals without even sleeping. Considering how crazy that was, her stamina and willpower shouldn't have recovered yet.

Raon opened his subspace pocket. He took out an Ocean Soul's leaf that he'd acquired in the coastal dungeon last time and held it out to Merlin.

"Eat this and rest for a while."

"A transparent leaf?"

Merlin widened her eyes while looking at the Ocean Soul's leaf.

"It's a leaf of an Ocean Soul."

"Ocean Soul? The legendary elixir?"

"Yes. It's effective at recovering the body and mind. I think it should be helpful to you in your current state."

The Ocean Soul's leaf was the highest-grade elixir, but Merlin had helped him even more than that. He didn't feel bad at all about giving it to her.

"I don't need it. Use it for yourself."

Merlin shook her head. She didn't seem to be interested at all in the Ocean Soul's leaf.

"I already ate one and have more to spare."

Raon showed the other leaves to Merlin and gestured with his hand for her to take it.

"Haa…"

Merlin grabbed the leaf with both hands and exhaled excitedly.

"I'll keep it as an heirloom… No, I'll establish a country and cherish it as a national treasure!"

"Just eat it…"

Raon furrowed his brow and shook his head.

"Mhm, okay."

Merlin smiled happily and fiddled with the Ocean Soul's leaf. Her hand sparkled white, and the leaf disappeared like melted snow. She must've sent it to her main body.

"I have a question."

"Sure!"

"You must've seen it, but…"

Raon told her about Runaan's worries and asked whether Syria was still alive.

"I don't know either."

Merlin simply shrugged her shoulders.

"You don't know?"

"I said this before, but Eden is divided into different factions. We work together, but we don't actually get along. You should've realized since you saw them, but one side wears helmets while the other side wears masks."

"Ah…"

Raon nodded while thinking about the Eden demons he'd encountered so far.

"Idiots wearing helmets sometimes come to our side, and crazy guys wearing masks occasionally go to the helmet's side, but we generally stick to our own kind."

Merlin tilted her head, saying that she didn't know about that incident either.

"Syria was cherished by the helmet demons. It's not completely impossible for him to be alive with the helmet if they gave him some special artifact. The most important part is that I'm not interested in him at all, and that's why I can't tell exactly what happened."

It was apparently meaningless to ask her about Syria.

"Then…"

Raon stopped thinking about Syria and asked a question that he'd been curious about all along.

"The leader of the masked demons is the Fallen, and the leader of the ones wearing helmets is the Heavenly Demon, right?"

"Yes. The Heavenly Demon rarely shows up, though."

"I knew it."

Raon nodded slowly. He felt once again that Merlin allowed him to confirm so much information. He felt nothing but gratitude towards her.

"Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me."

Merlin shook her head and suddenly started to shiver.

"I must've really overdone it this time. I should get going."

She waved with her trembling hand. Raon was worried about what kind of request it was going to make, and the mole opened its mouth.

"This one wants to eat a snake."

"Sn-snake?"

"Yes. Snakes are the natural enemies of moles. It wants to try it out because it's always been on the receiving end. I leave it to you!"

Merlin energetically waved her hand and disappeared.

"A snake in the middle of winter?"

Raon laughed bitterly and looked outside. As it turned out, it had been snowing since a moment ago.

"Squeak."

The mole bobbed its hand, asking him to give it the snake already.

"This is driving me nuts…"

Raon sighed and went outside. He spread his aura perception to the best of his ability just like when he was in a battle, and finally found a hibernating snake after four hours. He fed it to the mole and returned to the annex building.

"I'm so exhausted…"

He entered his room after a quick bath, and his head felt dizzy. He immediately laid down on the bed.

'I need to sleep.'

Both his body and mind felt utterly wrecked. He closed his eyes in order to use the energy of Sloth.

You suffered a lot because of the madwoman. You should rest—no… Wait, no!

Wrath started to nod his head, saying that he understood the pain of dealing with Merlin, but suddenly stopped.

You said that you would eat everything the King of Essence wanted today!

'...'

Raon was already fast asleep and was unable to hear him.

You little whelp! Wake up already! We didn't have a single meal today now that he thinks about it!

* * *

The next day at noon.

The audience chamber's iron door opened with an oppressive sound.

Zieghart warriors were standing on the sides of the red carpet leading to the platform.

Palace masters, division leaders, and even squad leaders. The executives who were inside the house or nearby were clenching their fists with pale faces while standing in front of the audience chamber's pillars.

The reason they were so nervous was simple. The king of the north sitting on the throne, Glenn Zieghart, was exuding a pressure dry enough to evaporate all of their blood.

"Haa…"

Raon pushed away the suffocating pressure and walked towards the center of the audience chamber with Runaan.

"Begin."

Glenn ordered him to go straight to the point before he could even greet him. Raon nodded and looked at Runaan standing next to him.

"Mhm."

Runaan took a step forward and started to talk about everything that had happened to her so far.

Syria's brainwashing and torturous actions that had continued ever since her childhood, and the way he kidnapped her to make her wear the helmet. Since it was such an unbelievable story, people's groans broke the silence in the audience chamber.

"…When I woke up, I saw Raon fighting against Eden's demons."

"I'll explain what happened after Runaan put on the helmet."

Raon continued the story, starting from the moment Runaan didn't show up to the appointment, leading to him going to find her. Then he continued on to how he defeated Syria and entered her mental world to fight against Baphomet.

Of course, he skipped the part about Merlin and said that he just happened to reach her mental world.

"Eden, you son of a bitch!"

The True Martial Palace master, Balder, stomped the ground, unable to withstand his anger. His tremendous strength smashed the ground and the entire audience chamber trembled.

"..."

Denier also seemed enraged, as a frightening sharpness was dwelling in his gentle appearance.

"Hah!"

"Those demons crossed the line."

"Eden…"

"Those mask-wearers must have a death wish."

The squad leaders and division leaders also bit their lips, enraged by the fact that Zieghart had been playing into their hands.

"..."

Glenn closed his eyes without saying anything. He was maintaining his complexion without showing his anger, and it felt like his calm attitude was tightening his heart even more.

"Please kill me!"

Rokan knelt towards Glenn from under the platform.

"It's all my fault!"

He slammed his head on the ground to the point where the sound of breaking bones could be heard.

"I was so proud of my son that I didn't suspect him at all."

Rokan averted his gaze from Runaan and bit his lip to the point of bleeding.

"Even though Runaan warned me about him before, I kept believing in Syria and didn't try to listen to her at all. It all happened because of my incompetence. Please kill me!"

The blood bursting from his forehead was seeping onto the white floor.

"Dear, please stop!"

Rokan looked like he was seriously going to end himself if Clara didn't stop him from next to him.

"..."

Runaan didn't move from her spot. She wanted to go to Rokan but caught her breath while looking up to Glenn.

"Head of House Sullion."

Glenn slowly raised his eyebrows. Rokan's chin quivered upon witnessing the coldness in his red eyes.

"You've been almost excessively loyal to Zieghart ever since your childhood. I'd like to believe you, but we cannot overlook this matter since Syria Sullion was involved with Eden."

"Of course."

Rokan nodded, saying that he had braced himself.

"Wise Martial Palace master."

"Yes."

Denier stepped forward and bowed.

"Mobilize all personnel in the Wise Martial Palace and thoroughly investigate House Sullion's members, finances, and activities. There are definitely still some people left with connections to Eden."

"At your command."

He knelt, saying that he would do his best.

"..."

Even though Sullion was a vassal family of Zieghart, investigating everything about the house was a huge humiliation for them.

However, Rokan stayed with his head lowered, not saying anything.

"The punishment for the head of Sullion will come after the investigation. Stand by until then."

"I-I will follow your orders."

Rokan lowered his head while biting his lip.

"Light Wind vice division leader."

As soon as Glenn finished talking, the Central Martial Palace master Karoon shook his hand at Raon.

"I have a question."

"Please ask."

"Isn't it a bit strange that you went to House Sullion as soon as you heard that Runaan Sullion didn't arrive at the appointed time? She could've had some circumstances around it. I don't understand why you went running there as fast as you could."

He furrowed his brow while blatantly suspecting him.

"The second team leader has always been good at keeping her promises, and she has always arrived at least an hour before the appointed time whenever ice cream is involved. Since I was somewhat aware of the relationship between Runaan and Syria…"

"Do you think that even makes any sense?"

Karoon briefly clicked his tongue.

"Why are you doing this? He did a good thing this time, didn't he?"

Balder, the True Martial Palace master, tilted his head, finding it strange that he was trying to accuse him.

"Don't you think it's strange that he went to her home as soon as she didn't arrive at the appointed time? The way he intruded despite the butler telling him off was also abnormal. It almost looks like a fabricated scenario…"

"Karoon."

Glenn's cold gaze stabbed Karoon. He called him by his name instead of his title of Central Martial Palace master and raised his finger in a frightening manner.

"Shut your mouth. I haven't finished speaking yet."

"…I beg your pardon."

Karoon stepped back with trembling lips.

"Raon Zieghart."

"Yes."

Raon bowed and stepped forward.

"You truly did great."

Glenn gave him a nod of acknowledgement, as if he was trying to erase Karoon's suspicion.

"The ones who can achieve great things usually see and feel differently than others. If you thought it wasn't a big deal that Runaan Sullion was late, House Sullion would've fallen under Eden's grasp, and they would've stabbed us in the back in the future."

He continued with a dignified voice, "House Sullion wasn't the only one you've saved. Zieghart was also saved by you. It was truly a great achievement."

"Th-thank you."

Raon bowed awkwardly. He was expecting a compliment, but he didn't think that he would praise him so much.

"Hmm…"

Karoon seemed to want to comment, but he simply bit his lip because he was scolded a moment ago.

"Come up here."

Raon blankly raised his gaze and saw that Sheryl and Rimmer were waving their hands at him.

"What are you waiting for? Go up already!"

"Go there and ask for money! A lot of it!"

Raon laughed bitterly at Rimmer's comment and went up to the platform.

"Raon Zieghart will be bestowed a golden tablet and an additional reward for defeating the Evil Goat Demon and saving House Sullion."

Glenn picked up a golden tablet and a red necklace from Roenn and gave them to him. It almost looked like he'd prepared them in advance.

"Thank you."

Raon carefully lowered his head because he'd never imagined that he would get another golden tablet after only a few days.

Rumble!

Raon went down the platform after thanking him, and Glenn stood up. The majestic pressure engulfing the audience chamber made it feel like a mountain was rising.

"Eden, or rather the Five Demons' influence might have already reached inside Zieghart on top of vassal houses. That is why we are going to make an exception and run an inspection for a while."

Glenn raised his finger and pointed at Balder.

"The True Martial Palace master will be appointed as the head of the special inspectors. You shall check if there's any subversive elements in the house and root them out."

"I'll take care of it!"

Balder was surprised at first because he didn't expect to be entrusted with such an important role, but he smiled brightly soon enough and bowed.

"Ah…"

Raon widened his eyes while watching Balder clench his fist.

'Is he really appointing that clueless person as a special inspector?'

He was a better choice than Karoon, who could be scheming something else, but Raon had never expected that Blader would be entrusted with such an important job when his personality was so simple, ignorant, and obnoxious.

"Haa…"

Raon sighed deeply.

'It's going to be painful for a while.'

* * *

"My lord."

Rimmer walked up to the platform after all the executives had left.

"You aren't seriously planning to let the True Martial Palace master handle everything, right? I think he's going to destroy whatever that doesn't suit his tastes…"

He shook his head while looking at the floor that was destroyed when the True Martial Palace master stomped the ground.

"You are right. Balder isn't fit to be an inspector."

Glenn nodded and looked at Roenn.

"Roenn, deploy the Obsidian Order."

Roenn's eyes glowed coldly as he was asked to deploy the Obsidian Order. Not the slightest sign of his usual warmth remained.

"The spies are definitely going to show an opening once Balder starts to recklessly cause a ruckus. Find them all and bring them in."

"I'll carry out your orders."

Roenn placed his hand on his chest and lowered his head. His pressure, which had always been so peaceful, had become as sharp as a dagger.

"So Balder will be rampaging from the front, and the Obsidian Order will be doing the real investigation from the dark. That's a good plan. However…"

Rimmer sighed, showing his worries.

"The True Martial Palace master is going to blatantly pick a fight with us. That's going to be rather annoying."

He darted his tongue, saying that it was terrible to just think about it.

"Why are you even worried about it?"

Sheryl tilted her chin, asking what he was even talking about.

"What?"

"You have that person in the Light Wind division."

"That person? Ah!"

Rimmer clapped his hands and raised his head.

"Wait, should I be hoping for Balder to come to us now?"