Chapter 460

Raon went to the medical department and healed his injuries. The wounds on his bones and muscles weren’t that serious, but he was internally injured from overexerting himself to use the Azure Sky Sword.

However, he recovered so quickly thanks to his strong body and traits, to the point where the healer was surprised, and he returned to the annex building afterward.

Let’s check out the bead ice cream shop before returning. It might be open now!

‘You heard the manager. He said he was going for a drink.’

B-but just in case…

‘Considering how excited he was, the shop isn’t going to open today.’

The manager was running to the pub with his companions, his face red.

He might end up drinking so much that he wouldn’t be able to open the shop the next day.

‘Now then…’

N-now what?

Wrath was full of anticipation as he looked at Raon.

Sadly for him, Raon wasn’t about to say anything about the bead ice cream.

‘Let’s check the messages out on the way back.’

You fuck!

Raon loaded the messages while enjoying Wrath’s crumpled face.

[You’ve achieved an overwhelming victory against a stronger opponent.]

[All stats have increased by 10.]

[The trait Spiral Power has increased in rank.]

[The trait Bleeding Curse has increased in rank.]

The messages were telling him that his stats and traits had increased.

Raon could feel the pounding of his muscles and bones to make his body even stronger.

However, there were still more messages to read.

[The title The One with a Splendid Standing has been created.]

Huh?

Wrath’s eyes widened upon seeing the message about the title.

Why are you even giving him a title for defeating a sloppy guy like that?!

‘He wasn’t exactly sloppy.’

The King of Essence only needs his finger—no, his toe! No! The dirt under his toenail is enough to kill him!

‘Sure, sure.’

Raon shook his hand and checked the title’s description.

The One with a Splendid Standing

A title given to a warrior who doesn’t yield against stronger opponents.

Effect: All stats +5, decreases aura consumption during battles against stronger opponents.

The title gave 5 in all stats and slightly decreased aura consumption during fights against powerful opponents.

‘This is pretty goo—’

Kyaaah!

When Raon was about to say that the title was nice, Wrath let out a weird scream like a bird.

You stupid system! It’s because you keep giving away everything that he doesn’t yield to powerful opponents! He would’ve been intimidated and hid in a corner if only you didn’t do that!

Wrath swung his fist into the air, saying that it was the system’s fault for giving away so much, and that he’d done nothing worthy of the title.

‘He’s not exactly wrong.’

Raon chuckled. He would’ve been forced to yield no matter how determined he was if he wasn’t powerful enough.

Since it was thanks to the system that he could keep fighting in many of the battles, what Wrath was saying wasn’t completely wrong.

‘But what’s the point of that? I’ve already received the rewards.’

That system will be discarded the moment the King of Essence recovers his body…

Another set of messages appeared in front of his eyes, while Wrath was blowing his top.

[You’ve been recognized by Wrath.]

[All stats have increased by 2.]

Wh-when did the King of Essence ever recognize him?! This really is bullshi—

“Ah!”

Raon clapped his hands while looking at the message.

‘You told me good job earlier because those who don’t cherish their subordinates need to be screwed over. That must’ve counted as recognition.’

Raon told him about what Wrath had said when the sword duel ended.

Not like thiiisss!

* * *

Ugh…

Wrath groaned like a growling beast while twisting his plump cotton candy body.

He was more irritated by the fact that he couldn’t have any ice cream than over losing the stats.

‘It couldn’t be helped. It’s preposterous for a guest to demand the manager to open the door when he wants a break.’

Make it happen so it won’t be anymore! That’s what you say all the time!

One month! It’s already been a whole month! The King of Essence has been waiting for today this whole time but look what happened! Why does this world hate him so much?!

He glared at Raon, saying that it was what he asked the Light Wind division to do all the time.

‘Hmm…’

Raon wanted to respond, ‘Do you even need to ask? It’s because you are a demon king’, but he shut his mouth because he felt like Wrath was going to explode if he was provoked any further.

The King of Essence has always been on the unlucky side, but it’s become even worse after meeting you!

Wrath’s fist, which was as round as a full moon, trembled violently as he glared at Raon.

You must’ve taken away his luck on top of his abilities!

‘Now you’re exaggerating.’

Shut up! There’s no way he’d be in this kind of situation every single time if it wasn’t the case!

‘Hmm…’

Raon narrowed his eyes while looking at Wrath’s face, which was as red as strawberry cotton candy.

‘Now that I think about it… I wasn’t lucky in my life before.’

He had never thought that he was lucky during his previous life, not even once.

Being kidnapped and becoming an assassin was already the worst, but even during his activities as an assassin, the only time he got lucky was when he managed to obtain the Ring of Fire after he’d almost died.

‘And that also ended in an unlucky way.’

He ended up losing his head because the brainwashing’s removal was discovered. That was why it couldn’t exactly be called a lucky occurrence.

The same went for his new life. He’d never really thought that he was especially lucky, but everything started to go well after meeting the doormat that looked like cotton candy.

‘Maybe it’s true.’

It was true that it was starting from Wrath’s appearance that everything went so well—the annex building was filled with smiles, and he got stronger many times faster than his predictions.

When he thought about it, Wrath should’ve been called a goose that laid the golden eggs rather than a giving tree.

Since he gave away a new egg every day, even a giving tree couldn’t match up to him.

‘I can’t let go of this goose.’

Raon clenched his fist while looking at Wrath.

What are you looking at?!

Wrath was still angry as he frowned at him.

‘I’ll go there as fast as possible tomorrow.’

Hmm?

‘I’ll go to the bead ice cream shop as soon as I wake up tomorrow and buy you everything you want. There should be a lot in stock since they closed shop today.’

R-really? But what’s with that change of mind?

He secretly gained distance from Raon, feeling anxious about the sudden change.

This is strange! There’s no way you would obediently go to the shop!

‘No, I have no ulterior motive. It’s just that you’ve been waiting all along…’

Raon shook his hand and entered the annex building’s garden.

A rustling sound could be heard from the bushes on the right, and a white weasel popped out.

“You…”

It was the same weasel that Merlin had used last time. There was no way Raon wouldn’t recognize it since he’d brushed its fur for more than three hours straight.

“Why are you here?”

He didn’t expect to see it around the annex building since he thought it lived near the main building.

“I’m sorry, but the deal is already over. You should ask someone else to brush your fur…”

“Don’t be like that and do it again for me.”

Raon shook his hand and was about to continue towards the annex building, but the weasel spoke with Merlin’s voice.

“You…”

Raon’s chin trembled as he looked at the weasel.

“Why are you even here?!”

Merlin had never possessed the same animal twice before. He couldn’t understand why he was hearing her voice from the same weasel.

“We spent a great night together.”

Merlin twisted her tail while rubbing her hands. It was a ridiculous sight, but her cheeks were slightly red.

“Feeling your touch for over three hours was the greatest happiness I’ve felt in my life.”

She excitedly licked her lips while stroking her fur.

“D-did you lie to me?”

“It wasn’t a lie. This child really wanted you to brush its fur. It’s just that I shared the feeling of it.”

Merlin said that her possession magic had improved by itself because she’d been using it too much.

“I can return to the same animal as long as they want it. This child must’ve also enjoyed your touch.”

“Improved…”

Raon’s jaw dropped as he looked at Merlin’s happy smile.

‘It’s not completely impossible.’

Merlin was a genius who managed to develop that stalking magic that was incomprehensible to anyone in the world.

Considering her obsession, it wasn’t impossible for her to improve the spell.

“Damn it…”

Regardless of the case, the fact that he’d brushed Merlin for over three hours have him goosebumps.

“Today’s sword duel was a great spectacle.”

Merlin nodded while straightening her back.

“I heard it was your second time. It’s such a shame, I wish I had seen the first one as well.”

She smiled, saying that she would’ve definitely recorded with magic if she’d seen that.

“Record it? Wait, don’t tell me…”

“Yeah, of course I did.”

“Wait, but you can’t use spells in that form.”

“I can use my lifespan.”

Merlin tilted her head as if it were an obvious question.

“Ah…”

Raon’s jaw dropped.

‘She doesn’t have any common sense.’

Countless people in the great training ground were shocked by him, but he didn’t think he’d be shocked himself.

Ack…

Wrath was also dumbfounded by that fact, his eyes trembling.

She’s the real madwoman. She’s the craziest in the world!

Apparently, even his stalker in Devildom that he’d mentioned before wasn’t as bad as her.

“I’m going to rewatch it a thousand times per day!”

Merlin smiled, saying that she needed to watch it a thousand times at least to feel at ease.

“Uhh…”

Raon swallowed nervously while feeling the fear piercing through his skin.

“I came to say goodbye. We won’t be able to meet for a while because I have a mission. He’s really annoying.”

She clicked her tongue, saying that the Fallen kept making more trouble for her after the Specter was defeated.

“What kind of mission is it?”

“I have to capture some monsters. He said he would do some experiments before making a griffon lord’s helmet.”

It was important information, but Merlin told him about it without hesitation.

“Do you already have someone to wear it?”

“I’m not sure about that. The Fallen takes care of it.”

She smiled while murmuring that she wasn’t interested in anything other than Raon. He seriously couldn’t be careless in front of her.

“We should be able to meet again around next year. It’s not that long, but it will be long because the time flows slower when I can’t see you.”

Merlin said goodbye with a saddened voice.

“And this child’s request…”

“You aren’t lying, right?”

“Yeah, I’m really going to leave this time.”

She shook her head mildly.

“You know the request, right?”

“Is it that thing again…?”

“Yes. It wants you to brush its fur. But it won’t take as long as before because it was my request back then.”

Merlin gathered her hands together while sticking her tongue out.

“Wait, hey!”

“Kyu.”

Raon was trying to complain to Merlin, but the weasel walked up to him while letting out a small sound.

Its eyes didn’t have any focus, but Raon examined it from top to bottom just in case.

“Merlin?”

“Kyu?”

“You aren’t Merlin, right?”

“Kyu.”

The weasel shook its hands up and down, urging him to start brushing already.

“Haa…”

Raon sighed and reached for his subspace pocket. He took out a small comb from inside.

‘I prepared it just in case, but I didn’t think I would need to use it so quickly.’

Raon shook his head and started to brush the weasel.

It slowly closed its eyes while letting out a small sound of satisfaction.

“Haa.”

Raon sighed briefly while brushing the weasel’s fur.

“Is this really happening?”

‘Why am I even doing this?’

* * * 

Glenn slowly raised his glass. He took a sip of the navy liquor with an extremely satisfied smile on his face.

“Huh!”

Federick was standing in front of him, and he gasped at the sight.

“I can’t believe that the Destructive King of the North, who used to be called the Iron Mask, is the same person as the one in front of me. Are you that happy about it?”

“What are you talking about? I’m the same as always.”

Glenn casually put down the glass as if nothing had happened.

“Then stop moving the corners of your lips. They are twitching so damn much, it’s like a fish that just got caught!”

Federick frowned while pointing at Glenn’s mouth, which was curved into a smile.

“Ahem!”

Glenn cleared his throat and suppressed his lips with his hand.

“Leave him alone.”

Rimmer shook his hand.

“It will be difficult for him to control it because my disciple—who also happens to be my lord’s grandson—was amazing today.”

He emphasized the disciple part with a grin on his face.

“Tsk.”

Glenn briefly clicked his tongue in displeasure because Rimmer was calling Raon his disciple.

“I’m not telling you to stop showing how happy you are. I just want you to show it to Raon. It’s so frustrating to watch.”

“That’s true, and we kept telling him, but he never listens.”

“I agree.”

“Huhuhu!”

Rimmer, Sheryl, and Roenn nodded in agreement.

“Wait, weren't you supposed to have eaten and drank together? You already did everything to get close enough to him! Just reveal your feelings if you are happy enough to wake a sleeping person every night just to brag!”

Federick ground his teeth.

‘You stubborn old man!’

He got so angry because Glenn was pretending he wasn’t feeling anything after he kept waking him up every time he did something with Raon.

“What are you talking about?”

Glenn extended his hand towards his glass, saying that it had never happened. His fingers looked like they were trembling slightly.

“Haa, it’s pointless. He’s so pig-headed.”

“I agree with the gambling addict for once.”

Even Sheryl shook her head, saying that it wasn’t going to work.

“Huhuhu.”

Roenn was the only one who was still laughing like he was enjoying the situation.

“Roenn.

“Yes, my lord.”

Roenn came in front of Glenn and bowed upon hearing his call.

“Did you write it down?”

“Of course I did.”

They smiled while talking about something that couldn’t be understood by the others.

“So, what was it for today?”

“I believe ‘Don’t hide my sky.’ was the best line of them all.”

“I agree. But don’t you think ‘Death is a luxury for you.’ was pretty good as well?”

“That was great, too. I already wrote it down, of course.”

“And the sketch?”

“Of course.”

Roenn pretended to draw in the air.

“Wait, don’t tell me. Isn’t that what Raon said today?”

Rimmer’s jaw dropped as he stared at Glenn.

“Haa… Yes, it is.”

Sheryl sighed and smacked her forehead.

“Huh…”

Federick gasped at the ridiculous sight.

“Wait, what are you even trying to do? Do you want to show it off or not? Make up your mind!”

The audience chamber’s door opened after a blunt knock echoed while he was screaming.

“I apologize for the visit at this late hour.”

The leader of Shadow Agents, Chad, was the visitor. He quickly walked up to them and bowed to the four.

“It’s fine. What’s the matter?”

Glenn shook his hand, asking him for the reason for his visit.

“It’s difficult to believe, but…”

Chad handed out the document he’d brought with trembling hands.

“…is coming to Zieghart.”

* * *

Raon brushed the weasel’s fur for about two hours before he trained at the open area under North Grave Mountain until midnight. Only then did he return to the annex building.

You are such an obstinate guy.

Wrath glared at him with narrowed eyes.

Are you still training even after the sword duel?

‘Of course I am.’

Raon nodded firmly.

‘Because the duel and training are two different stories.’

He’d managed to feel the Azure Sky Sword’s flow with his body and mind during the sword duel.

It was necessary to immediately practice in order to grasp that sensation—like reviewing a lesson.

He could only return to the annex building at midnight because of that, but the result was rather satisfying.

‘I’ve gained a lot today.’

In addition to getting closer to the Azure Sky Sword, he’d gained stats and traits, and the influence in the house that Glenn had mentioned before.

He was feeling the sense of achievement because he felt like the training during the previous month was bearing fruit all at once.

‘I’m still rather tired though.’

He felt like his mind was exhausted, probably because he had to deal with Merlin in between. He wanted to take a shower already and fall asleep.

Yes, take a shower right now. We need to go to the ice cream shop as fast as possible tomorrow.

Raon chuckled and picked up a towel. Suddenly, a knock could be heard from the door. The three distinctive knocks were Judiel’s signal.

This feels like a bad sign…

“Enter.”

The door opened and Judiel entered before she lowered her head. She was slightly stiff even though her expression had always been composed.

“What’s the matter? Was there an order from Karoon?”

Raon thought that it must’ve been because of Karoon’s orders since he’d looked so displeased in the training ground.

“It’s a different matter from him.”

Judiel shook her head.

“A different matter?”

“Yes. The Thespian Emperor is currently coming to Zieghart.”

“…Who is coming again?”

Raon widened his mouth. The towel hanging on his shoulder dropped to the ground.

“The head of White Whale from the Five Divine Orders, the Thespian Emperor.”

Judiel swallowed nervously and continued.

“She’s currently coming to Zieghart on her own.”

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Writing Ant, 글개미]

[Translator – Kyangi]

[Proofreader – Harley]