Chapter 484

“House Tven will withdraw from this alliance.”

“The Holy Kingdom of Schper is also going to withdraw.”

“Same goes for House Vellen…”

The warriors who’d sparred against Raon shook their heads and refused the alliance with the Five Divine Orders.

Unlike Zieghart and the Magic Tower, they didn’t leave the conference room. Instead, they looked like they had firmly decided not to join the alliance.

“Would you reconsider?”

Ariel lightly tapped the table while looking into the eyes of the leaders who had refused the alliance.

“Unlike Sir Raon, who is from Zieghart, we have a lot of shortcomings. This is a great opportunity for us to fill each other’s gaps.”

She extended her hand while examining everyone in the conference room one after the other, including the ones who’d decided to withdraw.

“It would be helpful indeed. However…”

Dumptkan smiled bitterly while looking at Raon’s seat.

“As he said, they won’t be our achievements even if we managed something with the help of others. We’d like to accomplish them with our own power, even if it doesn’t end up being anything important.”

He calmly shook his head, showing that he had no intention of changing his mind.

“I agree. I’d like to gain a real feat instead of a fake one, even if it must be small.”

Biten smiled faintly while meeting Dumptkan’s eyes. A few other warriors nodded in agreement.

“We do trust the Five Divine Orders, but there are many things to discuss before sealing the alliance.”

“The same goes for us. We’d like to decide on the alliance after coming to a consensus about the conditions.”

“Hmm, same goes for us…”

The heads of the other factions didn’t blatantly refuse the alliance, but they were looking at the Thespian Emperor cautiously.

“Haa…”

Ariel covered her forehead with her hand and pressed on her temple.

‘Raon Zieghart again. What the hell is he…?’

Even the other heads of the Five Divine Orders didn’t know about the Praat Divine Word Technique, which consisted of incorporating one’s will into their voice to easily convince the target.

She couldn’t understand when or how Raon had managed to notice it and cancel it out.

‘It’s impossible no matter how I think about it.’

The fact that he was using his will like that despite being just a Master, the way his personality changed constantly, and the way he’d managed to predict her plan and counterattacked it was already surprising enough.

However, her heart had almost skipped a beat when Raon noticed the Praat Divine Word Technique and destroyed the flow by covering it with his will.

‘I almost showed my true nature.’

She was engulfed by the urge to kill him when she’d seen Raon’s sneer.

Fortunately, her own cold bloodlust helped her suppress her emotions.

“What are you planning on doing now?”

The Demon Slaying Spear whistled while looking up at Ariel.

“You told us to leave it to you since you were confident about being able to convince them.”

He giggled, asking if that was how her plan was supposed to be.

“Thespian Emperor.”

The Demonblade created an aura barrier and glared at her with bloodlust.

“Are you planning to leave him alone? It’d be better to eliminate him as soon as possible.”

“Don’t try anything funny.”

The Queen of Swords interfered inside the aura barrier and slowly raised her eyebrows.

“Did he say anything wrong?”

She looked down on Demonblade with eyes as deep as an abyss.

“Feats attained with other people’s names are meaningless. We should’ve started it with our own strength from the beginning.”

“Why would you take a long way when we have a shortcut?! Taking very slight advantage of the Six Kings and the Five Demons’ names makes a huge difference in the outcome!”

“He already told you, didn’t he? It’s just a fake achievement in the end.”

“We just need to make the fake into the real one!”

The Five Divine Orders even started to have an internal conflict because of Raon.

They didn’t get along to begin with, but now they were even worse, their furious pressures making it feel like they were about to draw their swords.

Ariel closed his eyes while watching the two argue.

‘Amazing.’

On top of destroying the alliance, he’d even pried open the rift within the Five Divine Orders. He’d caused them a ridiculous amount of trouble on his own.

‘But I won’t be defeated yet.’

The real plan hadn’t even started. Since the important day was approaching soon, it was necessary to be patient instead of getting angry.

“You idiot! Don’t underestimate how difficult it is to make history!”

“A fake achievement won’t be able to make history either. The reason our Blade Martial Pavillion joined the Five Divine Orders was to reveal our true selves.”

“Stop.”

The Demonblade and the Queen of Swords closed their mouths upon hearing Ariel’s quiet voice.

“I’ll have to take a roundabout route, but I can deal with it. Don’t worry about it.”

She removed the Demonblade’s aura barrier and walked up to the heads of the neutral factions that were discussing the alliance.

“What you’ve said is right. We need to properly talk about it before deciding on the alliance. I’ve already prepared a few ideas…”

Ariel told the heads of the neutral factions the plan she’d come up with and started to convince them one by one.

“……”

“Tsk.”

The Queen of Swords closed her eyes once again, and the Demonblade briefly clicked his tongue.

“Huh…”

The Demon Slaying Spear gasped while watching Ariel’s back.

‘Is she seriously not getting angry when the situation went completely wrong? She’s even more frightening than I thought.’

* * * 

“Wait, you could’ve told us after eating. Why would you say that beforehand…?”

“I know, right? I lost my appetite.”

“Our vice division leader seriously can’t read the mood.”

The Light Wind swordsmen complained while looking at the warm food in front of them.

“He’s always been like that. Don’t mind him and just start eating.”

Martha furrowed her brow, saying that they wouldn’t be able to endure the training without eating.

“She’s right. You should eat if you have time to complain. This is our only chance to feast.”

Burren sighed and peeled the shell of his grilled lobster.

“Raon, damn ugly…”

Runaan sighed deeply while picking up her pig’s feet.

“Runaan! I can’t accept that!”

Encia had been grinning while taking Raon’s pictures but briskly stood up upon hearing her complaint. She shook her head, saying that it was pretty much an insult.

“Raon is damn ugly today.”

“Blasphemy!”

Encia ran towards Runaan while saying that it could never be acknowledged.

The restaurant was so noisy, but Raon couldn’t spare any attention to Encia or the Light Wind division.

Put the chili sauce on the lobster, and mustard on the shrimp! As for the pig’s feet, let's go with pepper… no, mustard!

Raon was busy eating the food that Wrath was ordering.

‘Why are there so many spices…?’

There were only six kinds of food, but there were more than 15 different spices.

Because Wrath had declared that he’d try out all the food and spices in order to figure out the best combination possible, Raon’s hands were moving restlessly.

Ehehehe!

Wrath smiled brightly while rubbing his swollen stomach.

I like this place. The food is excellent, and the huge number of spices is adding to the variety! Are we in heaven right now?

‘Heaven…?’

He’d just said heaven when he was a demon king. It definitely wasn’t something that a demon should’ve said.

Haa! Your hand is idle! Dip the pizza in that white sauce next!

Wrath instructed him about the next food with his round hand, scolding him for idling around.

‘I never thought it would be so annoying.’

Raon regretted telling him that he’d eat anything he wanted because he had to join the conference. He had the feeling that his night training was going to start rather late.

“Haa…”

Raon sighed, after shoving the pig’s feel, lobster, and salad into his mouth one after the other, and Denning Rose put her fork down.

“Sir Raon, I believe you are already aware, but it should be impossible for the Light Wind division to win the fighting competition.”

Denning Rose continued to speak while wiping her red lips with her napkin.

“The age limit of forty implies that warriors at the beginner or over the intermediate level of Master will be participating, and the Five Divine Orders will be sending people at the advanced or highest level Master.”

She shook her head, saying that she was well aware of how excellent the Light Wind division was compared to their age, but they wouldn’t be able to win the competition.

“Indeed.”

Raon nodded.

“The reason they are hosting it is to show off their might.”

There was a good reason as to why they were holding a fighting competition with a valuable reward.

They were planning to defeat the famous future prospects from the neutral factions and the Six Kings to increase their reputation.

They must’ve been planning to send the young and powerful warriors in their thirties to seize all of the rewards and honor.

“But don’t worry about it.”

Raon smiled faintly at Denning Rose.

“Because the Light Wind division is going to be the last one to remain.”

“What? But how…?”

“About that…”

Next up is lobster with tomato sauce!

“…You will find out when it happens.”

Raon sighed and picked up his fork once again.

‘How long do I have to continue?’

Until the King of Essence’s stomach is full!

‘But it’s already bulging.’

He has a separate stomach for desserts!

‘Haa…’

Raon was shoving more food into his mouth according to Wrath’s orders, and Encia returned to him.

“Raon, damn handsome…”

Raon looked aside, and Runaan was staring blankly at the ceiling.

The damn ugly had become damn handsome, but he didn’t want to find out what had happened.

“I went to rehabilitate the bad faith!”

Encia bowed at Raon to apologize and lifted the camera once again.

“I’ll give you time for that later on, so please enjoy your meal for now.”

Raon gave a fork to Encia. He had no intention of giving her that time, but he didn’t want to feel uncomfortable during his meal.

“Thank you.”

Encia took the fork while asking him to make the pose she wanted when that happened.

“Ah, there was something I wanted to give you.”

Raon waved his hand at Dorian.

“Can you take it out for me?”

“How am I supposed to know what that is?!”

Dorian put his hand inside his belly pocket, a lot of barbecue sauce covering his mouth.

By the time his hand came back out, he was holding a drake’s heart.

“Is this the one?”

“Correct.”

Raon nodded while accepting the drake’s heart.

How did he even figure it out? Are you speaking a secret language between you two?

Wrath couldn’t understand and tilted his round chin while looking at Raon and Dorian.

“I’m curious whenever I see it.”

Encia licked her lips while looking at Dorian’s belly pocket. She seemed to want that artifact.

“If I had one, I could take millions of pictures…”

“Hieeh!”

Dorian freaked out and stepped back.

“I’m just kidding. It’s a joke.”

Encia shook her hand, flames bursting from her eyes.

“So, this is the drake’s heart.”

She put down her camera and examined the drake’s heart from different angles before she nodded.

“It looks good. It’s properly separated, and it was stored nicely as well! The quality goes without saying.”

Encia smiled in satisfaction, saying that it was of the highest quality.

“So do I just need to bring the sea serpent’s heart to make the artificial energy center?”

“Yes. I have the common materials, so that should be enough.”

“Thank you.”

Raon bowed to Encia.

‘So, it’s happening soon.’

Just like he’d revived Rimmer, he would soon be able to give Sylvia her new vitality. His heart pounded rapidly in anticipation.

‘Just a little bit more, and…’

Shrimp!

“Okay…”

* * *

Burp!

Wrath let out a small burp while patting his pot belly.

He’ll let you off the hook with this for today.

‘…Let me off the hook, you said?’

He was finally done after he checked all of the combinations of food and spices, made some additional orders, and even got some ice cream as a dessert.

Raon wanted to complain to the Demon God about why he wasn’t the demon king of binge eating.

Raon exhaled roughly and lowered his shoulders.

‘I’m so tired…’

It was already hard enough to eat everything Wrath wanted, and he even had to pay attention to Encia, who was taking photos nonstop right next to him, and he felt totally exhausted as a result.

‘Why is a meal even harder than a conference?’

He briefly clicked his tongue and looked in the Light Wind division.

“I like this place. Every dish is delicious.”

“The variety is also nice.”

“He can’t read the mood, but he chose a nice restaurant, at least.”

The Light Wind division was smiling with satisfaction. The delicious food and liquor must’ve improved their mood.

Raon clapped his hands once he confirmed that everyone had finished eating.

“Hmm?”

“What is he planning now…?”

The peaceful atmosphere was destroyed, and the Light Wind division blinked.

“Stand up since you finished eating. Since the competition is in two days, we have no time to waste.”

“N-no time to waste? Don’t tell me…”

Dorian’s chin trembled as he looked at Raon.

“We need to start the training right away.”

Raon tilted his chin as if he were wondering why they were asking the obvious question.

“We need to rest and get ourselves in our best condition precisely because it’s in two days. Why would we be training now?!”

“Yeah, we don’t have enough time!”

“I’m against it! We need to sleep to manage our condition!”

Krein and the Light Wind swordsmen briskly stood up, claiming that they needed to rest after the meal instead of training.

“You can sleep after you are dead. Well, if you don’t win the competition…”

Raon skipped the last part with a frightening voice.

“Gasp!”

“Y-you demon…”

“He’s the demon king!”

Even a demon king isn’t as bad as him! We let our subordinates rest after a meal!

Wrath frantically shook his head and responded to the Light Wind division.

“Wait at the training ground in front of our lodgings.”

“Are you serious…?”

“How can a human being have a personality like that…?”

“Haa… My life…”

Raon sent the Light Wind division off and went towards the counter.

“It looks like the food suited your taste.”

The manager smiled brightly while looking at the empty dishes. It was a natural reaction since Raon had finished almost fifteen servings.

“…Yes, it was delicious.”

He wanted to tell her that it suited the demon king’s taste, not his, but he suppressed his urge and nodded.

“Thank you for your work at this late hour.”

Raon thanked her and placed three gold coins on the counter.

“No, you don’t need to do this. They already paid the additional…”

“The night shift’s pay is usually twice as much.”

Raon smiled while refusing the manager’s refusal, and she finally accepted the gold coins.

“Th-thank you.”

“Thank you for the meal.”

Raon said goodbye to the manager and left the restaurant. The Light Wind division, Encia, and Denning Rose must’ve already returned to the lodgings, as the road back was completely empty.

The King of Essence likes this part about you.

Wrath licked his lips while looking at Raon.

‘That I’m eating whatever you want?’

Not that!

‘What else?’

Humans and demons are both instinctively rude towards the weak and cower before the strong. Your life is bound to be like that the stronger you get. However…

He furrowed his brow while looking at Raon.

You haven’t changed at all from the beginning. You must have a rock stuck in your brain because you rampage like a madman before the strong and are considerate towards the weak. You are pretty decent for a human.

‘Isn’t that normal?’

There are countless people who can’t do that ‘normal’ thing.

‘…I guess.’

It immediately reminded him of a few people—including Derus Robert.

‘Now that I think about it, why is he not here?’

Judging from Derus’ personality, he should’ve sent an executive at least, even if he didn’t attend personally. Raon couldn’t understand why he didn’t come.

‘Did he change his mind…?’

Raon was walking towards their lodgings while thinking about Derus when the trees and bushes shivered slightly.

Rustle.

The bushes were pushed apart, and a small animal with glossy fur jumped out.

“A kangaroo?”

The kangaroo had sharp ears, round legs, and an innocent-looking face.

‘Why is there a baby kangaroo here…? Ah!’

While he was examining the kangaroo, he noticed paper protruding from its pouch. The texture was familiar. He could tell that it was one of Encia’s photos.

‘So it was your doing…’

Raon tightly closed his eyes.

‘The professional mess-maker has arrived…’

***

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]